Lamontichthys

Taxobox
name = "Lamontichthys"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
subfamilia = Loricariinae
tribus = Harttiini
genus = "Lamontichthys"
genus_authority = Miranda Ribeiro, 1939
type_species = "Harttia filamentosa"
type_species_authority = La Monte, 1935
subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
subdivision =
"Lamontichthys filamentosus"
(La Monte, 1935)
"Lamontichthys llanero"
Taphorn & Lilyestrom, 1984
"Lamontichthys maracaibero"
Taphorn & Lilyestrom, 1984
"Lamontichthys stibaros"
Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1978

"Lamontichthys" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes four species, "L. filamentosus", "L. llanero", "L. maracaibero", and "L. stibaros". [cite journal|url=http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf|title=Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types|first=Carl J., Jr.|last=Ferraris|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1418|pages=1–628|year=2007|format=PDF]

Taxonomy

The phylogenetic position of "Lamontichthys" remains uncertain. It has been considered to be sister to "Harttia", whereas "Lamontichthys" shows much more similarities with "Pterosturisoma microps" of the monotypic genus "Pterosturisoma", which only differs from "Lamontichthys" by the number of pectoral fin rays.

Distribution and habitat

"Lamontichthys" is distributed in the northwestern part of South America in the upper Amazon and Orinoco River drainages, and in the Lake Maracaibo region. Species in this genus occupy the same ecological niche as those of "Harttia". They mainly live in the mainstream of rivers, on rocky 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] "L. filamentosus" originates from the western Amazon River basin.FishBase species|genus=Lamontichthys|species=filamentosus|year=2007|month=July] "L. llanero" is distributed in the Guanare Viejo River of the Orinoco River drainage.FishBase species|genus=Lamontichthys|species=llanero|year=2007|month=July] "L. maracaibero" frequently inhabits the well-oxygenated waters in the middle reaches of rivers of the Lake Maracaibo basin.FishBase species|genus=Lamontichthys|species=maracaibero|year=2007|month=July] "L. stibaros" is from high altitude habitats of the Bobonaza River basin.FishBase species|genus=Lamontichthys|species=stibaros|year=2007|month=July]

Description

Sexual dimorphism in "Lamontichthys" includes hypertrophied odontodes on the pectoral spines in mature males. In all species of "Lamontichthys", there is one pectoral fin spine and seven pectoral fin rays on each fin, as opposed to the rest of Loricariinae species which have one pectoral fin spine and only six pectoral fin rays. "Lamontichthys" species grow to about 16.7–24.2 centimetres (6.57–9.53 in) SL.

Ecology

"Lamontichthys" is an open brooder; eggs are laid on an open surface such as rocks, submerged wood or plants, and are generally exposed to the current. Females lay a few large-sized (1.4–1.8 millimetres or .056–.071 in in diameter) yellowish eggs during each spawning event.

References