Ixinandria steinbachi

Taxobox
name = "Ixinandria steinbachi"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
subfamilia = Loricariinae
tribus = Loricariini
genus = "Ixinandria"
genus_authority = Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1979
species = "I. steinbachi"
binomial = "Ixinandria steinbachi"
binomial_authority = (Regan, 1906)
synonyms = "Loricaria Steinbachi"
Regan, 1906
"Canthopomus montebelloi"
Fowler, 1940

"Ixinandria steinbachi" is the only species in the genus "Ixinandria" of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae.cite journal|journal=Neotropical Ichthyology|volume=6|issue=3|pages=367-378|year=2008|title=Taxonomy of "Ixinandria" Isbrücker & Nijssen (Loricariidae: Loricariinae) based on morphological and molecular data|first=Mónica S.|last=Rodriguez|coauthors=Cramer, Christian A.; Bonatto, Sandro L.; Reis, Roberto E.]

Taxonomy

"Ixinandria" is part of the "Rineloricaria" group of the of the Loricariini tribe within the subfamily Loricariinae. The phylogenetic position of "Ixinandria" within the tribe Loricariini remains uncertain. It has been suggested that "Ixinandria" could be synonym of "Rineloricaria".

Previously there were two species in this genus, but it was found that "I. montebelloi" was a synonym of "I. steinbachi".

Distribution

The distribution of "Ixinandria" includes rivers of the Atlantic slope of the Andes in Bolivia and Argentina. "I. steinbachi" occurs in the Salado River basin. "I. steinbachi" occurs in Salta Province in mountainous areas at high altitudes ranging from around 1000–2900 metres (3300–9500 ft) above sea level.cite journal|url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/zt01462p040.pdf|title=The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis|first=Raphael|last=Covain|coauthors=Fisch-Muller, Sonia|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1462|pages=1–40|year=2007|formattPDF]

Appearance and anatomy

Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied odontodes around the head margin and on the pectoral fin spines of mature males. These fish reach about 10 centimetres (4 in) SL.FishBase species|genus=Ixinandria|species=montebelloi|year=2007|month=June] FishBase species|genus=Ixinandria|species=steinbachi|year=2007|month=June]

Habitat ecology

"I. steinbachi" is a rheophilic species that lives in fast flowing and very oxygenated waters. Its color pattern reflects mimicry with stoned bottoms. Fertilized eggs have been found on the hidden surface of a stone, suggesting that "I. steinbachi" could be a cavity spawner.

References