Dianema

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Dianema
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Callichthyidae
Subfamily: Callichthyinae
Genus: Dianema
Cope, 1871
Type species
Dianema longibarbis
Cope, 1872
Species

Dianema longibarbis
Dianema urostriatum

Synonyms

Decapogon
Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888

Dianema is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family, and consists of two species, D. longibarbis and D. urostriatum. The type species for this genus is Dianema longibarbis. The name is derived from the Greek di, meaning "two", and nema, meaning "filament".[1] The two species of Dianema share approximately the same distribution, and are found in the Amazon River and lower courses of its tributaries.[2] Dianema species have the habit of swimming midwater, as opposed to the bottom as in most callichthyids.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Dianema". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
  2. ^ a b Reis, Roberto E. (29 April 1996). Dianema Cope 1872. Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.