Loricariichthys

Taxobox
name = "Loricariichthys"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
subfamilia = Loricariinae
tribus = Loricariini
genus = "Loricariichthys"
genus_authority = Bleeker, 1862
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "L. acutus"
"L. anus"
"L. brunneus"
"L. cashibo"
"L. castaneus"
"L. chanjoo"
"L. derbyi"
"L. edentatus"
"L. hauxwelli"
"L. labialis"
"L. maculatus"
"L. melanocheilus"
"L. microdon"
"L. nudirostris"
"L. platymetopon"
"L. rostratus"
"L. stuebelii"
"L. ucayalensis"
synonyms =
*"Plecostomus"
Swainson, 1839
*"Parahemiodon"
Bleeker, 1862

"Loricariichthys" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae.

Taxonomy

This genus is part of the "Loricariichthys" group within the subfamily Loricariinae; this group also includes the genera "Furcodontichthys", "Hemiodontichthys", "Limatulichthys", and "Pseudoloricaria". "Loricariichthys" seems to be intermediate between "Limatulichthys" and "Pseudoloricaria" on one hand, and "Furcodontichthys" and "Hemiodontichthys" on the other. Although this genus is well diagnosed, the species are very similar and difficult to identify.

Distribution

"Loricariichthys" is distributed in most major cis-Andean freshwater drainages north of Buenos Aires.cite journal|journal=Copeia|year=2000|issue=4|pages=1029–1047|title=Three New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus "Loricariichthys" (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Southern South America|first=Roberto E.|last=Reis|authorlink=Roberto Esser dos Reis|coauthors=Pereira, Edson H. L.|doi=10.1643/0045-8511(2000)000 [1029:TNSOTL] 2.0.CO;2|volume=2000|doilabel=10.1643/0045-8511(2000)000[1029:TNSOTL]2.0.CO;2] "Loricariichthys" is widely distributed in the Amazon basin, the Paraná system, and coastal rivers of the Guyana and Brazilian Shields.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|format=PDF]

Description

An accessory respiration organ, consisting of a double respiratory purse connected to the distal end of the esophagus, is present in a number of species of "Loricariichthys".

The lower lip of immature males and females has two thick, cushionlike structures, which are covered with small papillae and have irregular fringes along the posterior edge. However, in nuptial males of "Loricariichthys", the cushionlike structures on the lower lip recede or even disappear, and the lip becomes wider and longer and becomes smooth or covered with minute papillae. Males use this enlarged lower lip to clasp and carry a cluster of developing eggs. This method of carrying eggs is possibly a strategy to protect the eggs from predation, since these fishes commonly live in exposed sandy- or muddy-bottomed environments devoid of places to hide.

A diploid number of 2n = 56 has been reported for two species characterized. A ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system was also reported for "L. platymetopon".

Ecology

These species occur in a large diversity of habitat over sandy and muddy bottoms. Like other members of the "Loricariichthys" group, "Loricariichthys" species are lip brooders. The male holds the clutch of eggs in a large membranous extension of the lower lip.cite journal|url=http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/Ancistrus.pdf|title=Spawning in "Ancistrus" (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with comments on the evolution of snout tentacles as a novel reproductive strategy: larval mimicry|first=Mark H.|last=Sabaj|coauthors=Armbruster, Jonathan W.; Page, Lawrence M.|journal=Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters|volume=10|issue=3|pages=217–229|year=1999|format=PDF]

References