Hemiancistrus
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Ancistomus Isbrücker and Seidel 2001 |
Hemiancistrus is a genus of small South American armored suckermouth catfishes. The taxonomy of this genus is complex and unclear, and major work has to be done. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.
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[edit] Taxonomy
Hemiancistrus is a genus within the tribe Ancistrini of the subfamily Hypostominae.[1] This genus has long been used as a sort of dump for Loricariid species; fish with unclear relationships have been classified to this genus. As such, this taxon is not monophyletic.[2] At this point, many undescribed species remain.[2]
This genus and the closely related Peckoltia may be synonymous, as neither genus is supported by synapomorphies.[1] Generally, Peckoltia are considered to be those that have dorsal saddles and bands in the fins, while Heminancistrus have spots and uniform coloration.[3] Many species of Peckoltia may actually belong to Hemiancistrus.[2]
What species belong to this genus has been unclear. Many newer species have been tentatively assigned to Hemiancistrus.[4][5] Also, P. sabaji and P. oligospila have been moved to this genus.[2]
There are also a number of undescribed genera. H. landoni possibly represents its own monotypic genus.[6] Also, a group of species called the "H. annectens group" may also represent another undescribed genus that is more closely related to Pterygoplichthys.[7]
[edit] Species
This species that make up this genus undergoes much change. This list is based on Armbruster. H. micromattos and H. spinosissimus are recently described species, but are considered synonyms by Armbruster.[2]
- H. chlorostictus Cardoso and Malabarba, 1999
- H. fuliginosus Cardoso and Malabarba, 1999
- H. guahiborum Werneke, Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2005[8]
- H. macrops (Lütken, 1874)
- H. medians (Kner, 1854)
- H. megalopteryx Cardoso, 2004[4]
- H. meizospilos Cardoso & da Silva, 2004[5]
- H. oligospilus (Günther, 1864)
- H. punctulatus Cardoso & Malabarba, 1999
- H. sabaji (Armbruster, 2003)
- H. spilomma Cardoso & Lucinda, 2003
- H. votouro Cardoso & da Silva, 2004[5]
- H. snethlageae (Steindachner, 1911)
- H. subviridis Werneke, Sabaj, Lujan & Armbruster, 2005[9]
The species listed below are part of the unnamed genus of the H. annectens group.[7]
- H. annectens (Regan, 1904)
- H. aspidolepis (Günther, 1867)
- H. fugleri (Ovchynnyk, 1971)
- H. holostictus Regan, 1913
- H. maracaiboensis Schultz, 1944
- H. panamensis (Eigenmann, 1922)
- H. wilsoni Eigenmann, 1918
[edit] Distribution and habitat
Hemiancistrus species exhibit a large distribution area ranging from the Panama, in Central America, to southern Brazil.[5] Hemiancistrus originate from the Guyanas, the Negro and Orinoco and the southern Amazonian tributaries. These fish prefer flowing water habitats of medium to large rivers.[2]
[edit] Appearance and anatomy
Hemiancistrus are members of the family Loricariidae, the armored suckermouth catfishes. As such, they have armor plating on their body instead of scales. Also, they have a suckermouth which they use to cling to rocks in their habitat. They have the characteristic Loricariid omega iris as well. Like many other catfish, Hemiancistrus have strong pectoral and dorsal fin spines that can be locked outwards as a defense.
Hemiancistrus species are rather small to medium-sized Loricariid species. The largest species of the genus, H. megalopteryx, reaches about 29 centimetres (12 in).[4] These fish also tend to be spotted or uniform in coloration.[3]
[edit] In the aquarium
Hemiancistrus species are popular aquarium fish. Many species are relatively small and attractively colored. H. subviridis is one such example, a bright green fish with yellow spots.[10] However, H. guahiborum is only rarely imported; despite being common in its natural habitat, it is less attractive than H. subviridis, which occurs in the same area.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Armbruster, Jonathan A. (2003). "Peckoltia sabaji, a new species from the Guyana Shield (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)" (PDF). Zootaxa 344: 1–12.
- ^ a b c d e f Armbruster, Jonathan A.. Hemiancistrus. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ a b Armbruster, Jonathan A.; Werneke; David C. (2005). "Peckoltia cavatica, a new loricariid catfish from Guyana and a redescription of P. braueri (Eigenmann 1912) (Siluriformes)" (PDF). Zootaxa 882: 1–14.
- ^ a b c Cardoso, Alexandre R.. "Hemiancistrus megalopteryx, a new species of loricariid catfish from the rio Tubarão drainage, Santa Catarina State, Brazil (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae)". Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 15 (2): 173–178.
- ^ a b c d Cardoso, Alexandre Rodrigues; da Silva, José Francisco Pezzi (2004). "Two new species of the genus Hemiancistrus Bleeker (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Uruguai basin" (PDF). Neotropical Ichthyology 2 (1): 1–8. doi:.
- ^ Armbruster, Jonathan A.. Hemiancistrus landoni. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ a b Armbruster, Jonathan A.. H. annectens group. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ a b Werneke, David C.; Armbruster, Jonathan W.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Taphorn, Donald C. (2005). "Hemiancistrus guahiborum, a new suckermouth armored catfish from Southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)" (PDF). Neotropical Ichthyology 3 (4): 543–548. Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia. doi:.
- ^ Werneke, David C.; Sabaj, Mark H.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Armbruster, Jonathan W. (2005). "Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)" (PDF). Neotropical Ichthyology 3 (4): 533–542. Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia. doi:.
- ^ Catfish of the Month::September 2003. PlanetCatfish.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
