Rhyacoglanis, a new
genus of the South American freshwater catfish family
Pseudopimelodidae is described from cis-Andean portions
of the continent. Rhyacoglanis is distinguished
from other genera of the family by three synapomorphies:
presence of a light blotch on the cheek; a connection
between the middle of the dark caudal-fin stripe and
the dark caudal-peduncle pigmentation; and 30-35 total
vertebrae. Species of Rhyacoglanis are rheophilic
and strongly associated with rapids and other swift-flowing
waters. A phylogenetic analysis based on 41 morphological
characters yields a hypothesis of monophyly of the
Pseudopimelodidae and Rhyacoglanis. Pimelodus
pulcher Boulenger, 1887, from the western Amazon
basin is designated as type-species of the new genus
and redescribed. Four new species are described (2017):
Rhyacoglanis
annulatus, from
the río Orinoco basin, with a nearly ringed
dark band on the caudal peduncle, and a larger distance
between anus and anal-fin origin; R. epiblepsis,
from the rio Madeira basin, with numerous dark spots
scattered on the body, and rounded caudal-fin lobes;
R. paranensis
from the upper rio Paraná basin, with three
distinct dark bands on the body, and 31-33 total vertebrae;
and R. seminiger, from the rio Juruena basin,
with subdorsal and subadipose dark bands fused anteroposteriorly,
and a separate dark band on the caudal peduncle. Aquarium
Care: Predatory in the aquarium towards fish
that are smaller. Provide plenty of hiding places
to hide during the day and best kept in a small group
of 2-3. Very secretive in its surroundings.
Diet: No problem with eating all types of
aquarium fare, flake, tablets, pellets, live and frozen
foods.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Pseudopimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:From the upper Rio Paraná basin, Brazil.
Size:
6.5cm. (2¾ins)
Temp:
24-28°C (75-83°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Shibatta, Oscar Akio,
& Vari, Richard P. (2017). A new genus
of Neotropical rheophilic catfishes, with four new
species (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae).
Neotropical Ichthyology, 15(2), e160132. Epub June
12, 2017.https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-20160132. David Sands; pers. comm.
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