Lepthoplosternum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Callichthyidae
Subfamily: Callichthyinae
Genus: Lepthoplosternum
R. E. dos Reis, 1997
Type species
Callichthys pectoralis
Boulenger, 1895

Lepthoplosternum is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family.

Taxonomy

The type species for this genus is Callichthys pectoralis. The name is derived from the Greek leptos, meaning "thin", the Greek hoplon, meaning "weapon", and the Greek sternon, meaning "chest" or "sternum".[1]

L. stellatum and L. ucamara are hypothesized to form a partially unresolved polytomy with L. pectorale and L. beni, which are sister-species to each other. L. tordilho is sister to these four species and L. altamazonicum is the most basal species.[2]

Species

There are currently six recognized species in this genus:[1]

Distribution and habitat

Lepthoplosternum is widely distributed in cis-Andean South America south of the Orinoco River basin.

Ecology

Lepthoplosternum species usually inhabit lentic or slow flowing water bodies and are often associated with marginal or floating vegetation.[2] L. ucamara has even been found in hypoxic conditions.[2] However, the type locality of L. stellatum is a stream, permanently flowing and well oxygenated.[2]

Description

Lepthoplosternum species are the smallest callichthyines (maximum standard length 60.3 mm) and are easily recognized by two synapomorphies: the lower lip with deep medial notch and a small, additional lateral notch forming fleshy projections on each side; and a single unbranched ray preceding the branched ones on the anal fin.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). Species of Lepthoplosternum in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Reis, Roberto E.; Kaefer, Cíntia C. (2005). Armbruster, J. W. (ed.). "Two New Species of the Neotropical Catfish Genus Lepthoplosternum (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes: Callichthyidae)". Copeia. 2005 (4): 724–731. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2005)005[0724:TNSOTN]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 85923637.
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