Chiapas catfish
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| iLacantunia enigmatica | ||||||||||||||
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| Lacantunia enigmatica Rodiles-Hernandezi et al., 2005 |
The Chiapas catfish, Lacantunia enigmatica, is a species of catfish discovered on the Lacantún River in the Mexican state of Chiapas on July 24, 2005, by the Philadelphia-based Academy of Natural Sciences. Its traits are so distinct that it represents a whole new family of fish.
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[edit] Overview
Currently, the Chiapas catfish is the sole member of its scientific family. Its distinct traits indicate that the idiosyncric fish falls into an ancient group of fish whose origins may trace back to the days of the dinosaurs.
[edit] Deviations from common catfish
Key variations are in the shape of the animal's skull, jaw muscles, air bladder — which fish use to rise and sink in water — and, perhaps most noticeably, the wispy barbels, or whiskers, around its mouth.
[edit] Prey
The Chiapas catfish mainly feeds on small crawfish, small fish, and other prey, similar to other modern catfish. Also large and tough plant seeds.
[edit] References
- "Lacantunia enigmatica". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
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