- Amphiarius
Taxobox
name = "Amphiarius"
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia =Ariidae
subfamilia =Ariinae
genus = "Amphiarius"
genus_authority = Marceniuk & Menezes, 2007
type_species = "Arius rugispinis"
type_species_authority = Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840
subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
subdivision =
"Amphiarius phrygiatus"
(Valenciennes, 1840)
"Amphiarius rugispinis"
(Valenciennes, 1840)"Amphiarius" is a
genus ofcatfish es (order Siluriformes) of the familyAriidae . It includes twospecies , the Kukwari sea catfish, "A. phrygiatus", and the softhead sea catfish, "A. rugispinis".cite journal|url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/zt01416p126.pdf|title=Systematics of the family Ariidae (Ostariophysi, Siluriformes), with a redefinition of the genera|first=Alexandre P.|last=Marceniuk|coauthors=Menezes, Naércio A.|journal=Zootaxa |volume=1416|pages=1–126|year=2007|format=PDF ] FishBase species|genus=Arius|species=phrygiatus|year=2007|month=Aug] FishBase species|genus=Arius|species=rugispinis|year=2007|month=Aug]Taxonomy
"A. phrygiatus" and "A. rugispinis" were both originally described by
Achille Valenciennes in 1840 as "Arius " species, where they have been traditionally placed. They have also been classified in the genus "Notarius ". Since then, it has been recognized that these two species form a natural, monophyletic grouping and were suggested to represent a new, undescribed genus. The genus "Amphiarius" was finally erected for these two species in 2007.Distribution
"Amphiarius" species are distributed in marine, brackish and
fresh water s of North and easternSouth America . "A. phrygiatus" occurs in brackish estuaries with very low salinities, nearly entering freshwater, and is found on shallow muddy bottoms, ranging throughVenezuela ,Guyana ,Surinam ,French Guiana , andBrazil . "A. rugispinis" is coastal, found chiefly in turbid waters of estuaries and around river mouths; it originates from brackish and marine waters ofTrinidad Island , Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, and Brazil.Description
"Amphiarius" are distinguished from all other ariids by the presence of accessory tooth plates that are small to moderate, roughly round, and laterally located. "A. phrygiatus" grows to about 30
centimetre s (12 in) TL, while "A. rugispinis" grows to about 45 cm (18 in) TL.Ecology
Like other ariid catfishes, "Amphiarius" species are
mouthbrooders . Reproduction in "A. rugispinis" appears to be between September to November. The diameter of the eggs is 14–15millimetre s (9⁄16 in), numbering about 30–35 per female. The female "A. phrygiatus" lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass on a sandy depression for the male to collect to mouthbrood.Relationship to humans
"A. phrygiatus" is marketed fresh. "A. rugispinis" is marked fresh and salted, and is exported frozen.
References
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