Loricaria

:"For the plant genus, see" "Loricaria" (plant).Taxobox
name = "Loricaria"


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
subfamilia = Loricariinae
tribus = Loricariini
genus = "Loricaria"
genus_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
type_species = "Loricaria cataphracta"
type_species_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "L. apeltogaster"
"L. cataphracta"
"L. clavipinna"
"L. lata"
"L. lentiginosa"
"L. lundbergi"cite journal|journal=Neotropical Ichthyology|volume=6|issue=3|pages=379-394|year=2008|title=Three new species of the armored catfish genus "Loricaria" (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from river channels of the Amazon basin|first=Matthew R.|last=Thomas|coauthors=Py-Daniel, Lúcia H. Rapp]
"L. nickeriensis"
"L. parnahybae"
"L. piracicabae"
"L. prolixa"
"L. pumila"
"L. simillima"
"L. spinulifera"
"L. tucumanensis"
synonyms = "Fusiloricaria"
Fowler, 1940"Proloricaria"
Isbrücker, 2001

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

Taxonomy

"Loricaria" was the first genus of the family Loricariidae described. Thus, it is the nominal genus of the family Loricariidae. Phylogenetic relationships within "Loricaria" and among other members of Loricariini remain uncertain. Its external morphology shows few shared derived characters, making comparison with other genera difficult. "Loricaria" has been hypothesized to occupy a basal position among members of the subtribe Loricariina, with the other genera possessingderived characters. Based on the characteristics of its mouth, "Loricaria" appears to maintain a close relationship with representatives of the "Pseudohemiodon" group. "Proloricaria" is considered a synonym of "Loricaria".

Distribution and habitat

This genus is distributed east of the Andes on nearly the entire subcontinent. Species occur in a variety of habitats from the main flow of rivers on sandy and rocky bottoms to flooded areas and lakes over muddy and sandy bottoms.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

"Loricaria" species are recognized by the presence of elongate, slender filaments on the lips and a low number of bicuspid premaxillary teeth (usually three to four per side) that are about twice the length of the dentary teeth.

Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied development of the pectoral fin spines, blunt odontodes on the pelvic and anal fin spines, and tooth crowns becoming shortened and rounded in mature males.

For the four species characterized, karyotypic diversity ranges from 2n = 62 to 2n = 68.

Ecology

The site of egg deposition varies; "L. curvispina" places its eggs over flat rocks in rapids. In some species, eggs are carried on the enlarged lower lip of the male. "L. piracicabae" has its egg adherent to its ventral surface.cite journal|journal=Env. Biol. Fish.|volume=7|issue=2|pages=143–148|year=1982|title=The reproductive biology of an armoured catfish, "Loricaria uracantha", from Central America|first=G.|last=Eric|coauthors=Moodie, E.; Power, Mary|doi=10.1007/BF00001784] Males are abdomino-lip brooders.

References