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Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Daniel Konn-Vetterlein (1) Jorge Garcia (1)

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 isabelae is distinguished from R. acuen, R. bockmanni, R. chromodontus, R. dani, R. dinizae, R. hera, R. jumaorum, R. pentakelis, R. loxochelis n. sp., and R. marginalis n. sp. by possessing an adipose fin (vs. adipose fin absent), and by having a Y-shaped light mark from the snout tip to each nostril (vs. light mark V-shaped or present as two separate lines from snout tip diverging to each nostril). It is distinguished from R. collinsae, R. halbolthi, and R. hardmanni by lacking accessory teeth on both premaxilla and dentary (vs. accessory teeth present, Fig. 5A); the odontodes on the ventral surface of first pelvic-fin ray bent and pointing mesially (vs. odontodes aligned with main ray axis, Fig. 9B); a triangular dark spot on the anterior portion of the dorsal-fin membrane (vs. dorsal-fin spot absent); a Y-shaped light mark from snout tip to nostrils (vs. Y-shaped light mark absent); and a larger orbit, 29.4–34.3% snout length (vs. orbit 18.9–24.6% snout length). Rhinotocinclus isabelae is distinguished from the remaining congeners with an adipose fin, except R. variola, by having the dorsal-fin dark spot occupying more than half of the fin and except for R. pilosus, by having 1–2 lateral abdominal plates (vs. 3–6 plates). It is further distinguished from R. variola by lacking dark dots smaller than a pupil diameter broadly distributed dorsally and ventrally on body (vs. dots present), and by having 21–29 premaxillary teeth (vs. 33–51 teeth); and from R. pilosus by having the abdomen fully plated (vs. abdomen mostly naked), and by the deeper caudal peduncle (8.1–8.8% vs. 6.3–7.5% SL). Rhinotocinclus isabelae is further distinguished from all congeners by its small body size (maximum standard length 17.9 mm) (Reis & Lehmann 2022). Etymology: Rhinotocinclus masc., from the Greek ????s (Rhinos), beak, snout and Otocinclus, a genus of Hypoptopomatinae, in allusion to the conspicuous and elegant snout of most of its species. Rhinotocinclus isabelae is named in honour to Isabela Alho dos Reis, younger daughter of the senior author. Isabela is an enthusiast of biodiversity conservation and interested in aquarium fishes since she was very young. A patronym (Reis & Lehmann 2022). Remarks. This species is heavily harvested for the aquarium trade in Loreto, Peru, having been exported for many years. It is common in aquarium shops in Europe and easily found in aquarium webshops, where it is commercialised as Parotocinclus sp. “Peru” or Bumble Bee Otocinclus (Reis & Lehmann 2022).

Parotocinclus sp. "Peru", Bumble Bee Otocinclus

None

Loricariidae

Soth America: Known from two localities near Iquitos, Loreto, Peru, one in the nearby Río Nanay and other in the Río Tigre.

1.8cm. (¾ins)

22-26°c (71-79°f.)

6.5-7.2.

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.