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 (2017):
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;
R. 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:
None
Family:
Pseudopimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:From the upper Rio Paraná basin, Brazil.
Size:
6.5cm. (2¾ins)
Temp:
24-28°C (75-83°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
David Sands;
pers. comm. Shibatta, Oscar Akio, & Vari, Richard
P. (2017). A new genus of Neotropical rheophilic
catfishes, with four new species (Teleostei: Siluriformes:
Pseudopimelodidae). Neotropical Ichthyology, 15(2),
e160132. Epub June 12, 2017.
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