Neblinichthys

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Neblinichthys
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Tribe: Ancistrini
Genus: Neblinichthys
Ferraris, Isbrücker, and Nijssen, 1986
Type species
Neblinichthys pilosus
Ferraris, Isbrücker, and Nijssen, 1986
Binomial name

Neblinichthys pilosus
Ferraris et al., 1986
Neblinichthys yaravi
(Steindachner, 1915)

Neblinichthys is a small genus of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes two species, N. pilosus and N. yaravi.[1]

Contents

[edit] Taxonomy

Neblinichthys was described by Ferraris, Isbrücker, and Nijssen in 1986. Neblinichthys is derived from the Latin nebula which means mist or vapor, and ichthys for fish.[2]

It was found that Franz Steindachner's original description of Peckoltia yaravi matches that of Neblinichthys. This makes Neblinichthys yaravi the senior synonym of Neblinichthys roraima Provenzano et al. 1995.[3]

[edit] Appearance and anatomy

Neblinichthys species are unique in that the breeding males have a snout brush formed by elongate, bristle-like odontodes pointing forwards on the snout. More fairly elongated odontodes are found on the top of the head and on the body.[3] Otherwise they appear rather similar to Lasiancistrus species.[3] Females and juveniles may be differentiated from Lasiancistrus species by the lack of cheek whiskers.[3] Neblinichthys species also have their pectoral fin and pelvic fin spines the same length.[3]

N. pilosus reaches a length of about 9 centimetres (3.5 in) SL.[4] N. yaravi reaches a length of about 5 cm (2 in) SL.[5]

[edit] Distribution and habitat

N. pilosus is distributed in the upper Negro, Casiquiare, and Baria River basins.[4] N. yaravi is found in the Kukenan River basin in upper Caroni River drainage.[5] Both species are from Venezuela.[1] Neblinichthys are found in small creeks to medium-sized rivers at the base of tipuis.[3] N. yaravi is found in creeks with a substratum of rocks, small stones, and fine sand, without aquatic vegetation.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. (2007). "Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types" (PDF). Zootaxa 1418: 1–628. 
  2. ^ "Neblinichthys". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Armbruster, Jonathan W.. Neblinichthys. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.
  4. ^ a b "Neblinichthys pilosus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c "Neblinichthys roraima". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
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