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Rhinotocinclus hardmani (Lehmann, Lujan & Reis, 2022) |
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Relevant Information: |
A new genus has been erected, Rhinotocinclus, (2022) with the type species of Parotocinclus longirostris Garavello, 1988. Abstract: A new genus of Hypopopomatinae armored catfish is described from the northern portions of South America, namely the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianan coastal drainages. The new genus is diagnosed from all remaining hypoptopomatines by having the canal cheek plate on the ventral surface of the head posteriorly elongated and contacting the cleithrum, in addition to other features that distinguish the new genus from specific genera. Five new species are described and 18 species currently allocated in Parotocinclus, Hisonotus, and Curculionichthys are transferred to the new genus and rediagnosed. Parotocinclus amazonensis and P. aripuanensis are considered junior synonyms of P. britskii. The secondary sexual dimorphism of the members of the new genus is detailed and illustrated. Morphological characters are used to delimit four phenotypic groups of species that might have phylogenetic significance, which still have to be properly tested. A key to the species is offered and diagnoses, illustrations, and distribution maps are provided for all species (Reis & Lehmann 2022). Description: Rhinotocinclus hardmani is sympatric and syntopic with R. collinsae in the Potaro River, having been collected together at the same spot. Despite both species are superficially similar, they have many distinguishing characters. Rhinotocinclus hardmani is easily diagnosed from R. collinsae by having few and minute teeth accessory teeth, while they are numerous and large in R. collinsae, by the large urogenital papilla of males, which is 3–4 times bigger than that of R. collinsae, by males lacking a skin flap on first pelvic-fin ray, which is present in R. collinsae, by having the belly naked or almost naked between lateral abdominal plates, while it is fully plated in R. collinsae, and by having the adipose-fin spine coalesced to the dorsum, while it is free from the dorsum on R. collinsae. Rhinotocinclus hardmani was tentatively categorised as Least Concern (LC) by Lehmann et al., (2022) in the original description (Reis & Lehmann 2022). Etymology: Rhinotocinclus masc., from the Greek (Rhinos), beak, snout and Otocinclus, a genus of Hypoptopomatinae, in allusion to the conspicuous and elegant snout of most of its species. The specific name hardmani: In honour of British ichthyologist Michael Hardman (b. 1978), former technician at the Center for Biodiversity, Illinois Natural History Survey (Champaign, Illinois, USA), who collected specimens in 1998 and first recognized this species as undescribed. Remarks: Most online searches at the moment (2022) will still give you the old genus name of Parotocinclus hardmani. |
Common Name: |
None |
Synonyms: |
Parotocinclus hardmani |
Family: |
Loricariidae |
Distribution: |
Soth America: Potaro River, Essequibo River basin in the Region of Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana. Type locality: Kuribrong River at Grass Shoals Rapids, Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana, 05°28’44.7”N 59°31’54.4”W. |
Size: |
3.0cm. (1¼ins) |
Temp: |
24-27°c (75-81°f.) |
p.H. |
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5.5-6.5. |
IUCN Red List |
The species Rhinotocinclus hardmani is restricted to few localities in tributaries to the Potaro River below the Guiana Shield escarpment, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 217-3,183 km2. This species is evaluated as Vulnerable (VU) because of its very small known distribution in just one river, and a continuing decline in habitat quality as a result of gold mining. In the original description it was suggested that the species could be classified as of Least Concern (LC), assuming that it will be found in additional localities, however, to date no additional localities in the lower or middle Potaro River have been reported (IUCN 2024). |
Reference: |
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Reis RE, Lehmann A.
P. A new genus of armored catfish (Siluriformes:
Loricariidae) from the Greater Amazon, with a review
of the species and description of five new species.
Neotrop Ichthyol. 2022. |
Family: Loricariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails |
 Rhinotocinclus
hardmaniFemale, Kuribrong River at Grass Shoals Rapids, Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana |
 Rhinotocinclus
hardmaniDorsal view-Female, Kuribrong River at Grass Shoals Rapids, Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana |
 Rhinotocinclus
hardmaniVentral view-Female, Kuribrong River at Grass Shoals Rapids, Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana |
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