This species in the Araichthys
family is monotypic (only one in the genus). Abstract:
Araichthys loro, a new genus and species
of the suckermouth armored catfish family Loricariidae,
is described from the Rio Papagaio and tributaries,
Rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso State, central
Brazil. Araichthys is distinguished from
all other genera of the Ancistrini by features of
body and head plates, odontodes of breeding males,
and osteology, and by the absence of an adipose fin.
A phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters
obtained Araichthys as part of a monophyletic
group that also includes Pseudolithoxus,
Ancistrus and Lasiancistrus based
on the presence of a large gap with a strut between
the anterior process of the pterotic-supracleithrum
and its main body, three rows of plates at thinnest
part of caudal peduncle, fleshy tentacles on snout
with a sheath partially detached from odontodes, and
small tentacles on pectoral fins partially detached
from odontodes (Zawadzki, C. H. et al. 2016). Etymology:
The genus name Araichthys: ara, Tupí-Guaraní
word for parrot (in English) and papagaio (in Portuguese),
referring to the Rio Papagaio basin (Mato Grosso,
Brazil), where A. loro occurs; ichthýs,
fish. The specific name loro: Brazilian common
name usually given to pet parrots, referring to the
Rio Papagaio (“Parrot”), Mato Grosso,
Brazil, type locality.
If you would like to contribute to the monthly
factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail
me. You will of course be credited for your work.
If you would like to donate any denomination
of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds
will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few
years yet.