Description:
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:
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;
P.
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:
Pseudopimelodus pulcher
Family:
Pseudopimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:Peru: Rio Madre del Dios drainage.
Size:
9.0cm. (3½ins) T.L.
Temp:
24-28°C (75-83°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Boulenger, FZS,
1887 "An Account of the Fishes collected by Mr.
C Buckley in Eastern Ecuador" (Proceedings of
the Scientific Meetings of the Zoological Society
of London, P. 276). Chuctaya J, Shibatta OA, Encalada AC, Barragán
KS, Torres MdL, Rojas E, et al. (2023) Rediscovery
of Rhyacoglanis pulcher (Boulenger, 1887) (Siluriformes:
Pseudopimelodidae), a rare rheophilic bumblebee catfish
from Ecuadorian Amazon. PLoS ONE 18(7): e0287120.
Shibatta, Oscar A. & Vari, Richard P.,
2017 "A new genus of Neotropical rheophilic
catfishes, with four new species (Teleostei: Siluriformes:
Pseudopimelodidae)" (Neotropical ichthyology,
Neotropic ichthyol., Vol.15 no.2). www.suedamerikafans.de
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