Peckoltia

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Peckoltia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Tribe: Ancistrini
Genus: Peckoltia
Miranda Ribeiro, 1912
Species

See text.
Synonyms
  • Peckoltichthys Miranda Ribeiro 1917
  • Sophiancistrus Isbrücker and Seidel 2001

Peckoltia is a genus of small South American armored suckermouth catfishes. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.

Contents

[edit] Taxonomy

Peckoltia is a basal genus within the tribe Ancistrini of the subfamily Hypostominae.[1] This genus is undergoing revision.[2] At this point, many undescribed species remain.[3]

This genus and the closely related Hemiancistrus may be synonymous, as neither genus is supported by synapomorphies.[1] Generally, Peckoltia are considered to be those that have dorsal saddles and bands in the fins, while Heminancistrus have spots and uniform coloration.[3] This genus is also similar to Hypancistrus and Panaque except for differences in teeth. Teeth on both jaws are the same size as opposed to different sizes, which is different from Hypancistrus where the upper jaw teeth are larger. Also, the teeth are villiform (brush-shaped) rather than spoon-shaped, in contrast to the Panaque.[2]

The classification of some of the species in this genus has been confused. P. bachi is the senior synonym of P. arenaria, P. filicaudata, and P. ucayalensis. This species is quite divergent and may even represent a separate genus; this group has been described twice as such, under the synonyms Peckoltichthys and Sophiancistrus.[2] P. yaravi has been moved to Neblinichthys.[2] P. sabaji was arbitrarily placed in this genus (as opposed to Heminacistrus), but may even represent its own genus; later, it was reassigned to Hemiancistrus along with P. oligospila.[4]

[edit] Species

The species that are assigned to this genus are undergoing much flux. Also, many new species have yet to be described.[2] P. oligospila and P. sabaji have also been recently described as Hemiancistrus species, and many of the other species have also been described as such in the past.[2] For example, P. vittata was assigned to Hemiancistrus in the past.[5]

  • P. arenaria (Eigenmann and Allen 1942) (Synonym of P. bachi)
  • P. bachi (Boulenger 1898)
  • P. braueri (Eigenmann 1912)
  • P. brevis (La Monte 1935)
  • P. cavatica Armbruster and Werneke 2005
  • P. filicaudata (Miranda Ribeiro 1917) (Synonym of P. bachi)
  • P. furcatum (Fowler 1940)
  • P. kuhlmanni (Miranda Ribeiro 1920) (Synonym of P. vitatta)
  • P. ucayalensis (Fowler 1940) (Synonym of P. bachi)
  • P. vermiculata (Steindachner 1908)
  • P. vittata (Steindachner 1908)

[edit] Distribution and habitat

Peckoltia inhabit freshwater habitats in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo River as well as coastal drainages north of the Amazon to French Guiana.[2] Three species, P. braueri, P. sabaji, and P. cavatica, are found in the Guiana Shield.[3]

Peckoltia live in shallow, rocky riffles and in quieter water where they hide inside cavities in submerged logs. P. bachi may associate with submerged branches over mud in no to moderate flow.[2]

[edit] Appearance and anatomy

Peckoltia are members of the family Loricariidae, the armored suckermouth catfishes. As such, they have armor plating on their body instead of scales. Also, they have a suckermouth which they use to cling to rocks in their habitat. They have the characteristic Loricariid omega iris as well. Like many other catfish, Peckoltia have strong pectoral and dorsal fin spines that can be locked outwards as a defense.

Peckoltia have unmodified teeth, have a saddle-shaped marking on their back (except in P. bachi), and the teeth on their upper jaw form an angle under 90 degrees.[2] Most male Peckoltia have hypertrophied odontodes on their body during the breeding season.[3]

[edit] In the aquarium

Peckoltia species are popular aquarium fish as they are small and attractive. They are shy and will spend much of the day hiding.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Armbruster, Jonathan A. (2003). "Peckoltia sabaji, a new species from the Guiana Shield (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)" (PDF). Zootaxa 344: 1–12. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Armbruster, Jonathan A.. Peckoltia. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  3. ^ a b c d Armbruster, Jonathan A.; Werneke; David C. (2005). "Peckoltia cavatica, a new loricariid catfish from Guyana and a redescription of P. braueri (Eigenmann 1912) (Siluriformes)" (PDF). Zootaxa 882: 1–14. 
  4. ^ Werneke, David C.; Armbruster, Jonathan W.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Taphorn, Donald C. (2005). "Hemiancistrus guahiborum, a new suckermouth armored catfish from Southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)" (PDF). Neotropical Ichthyology 3 (4): 543–548. Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia. doi:10.1590/S1679-62252005000400012. 
  5. ^ a b Axelrod, Herbert, R. (1996). Exotic Tropical Fishes. T.F.H. Publications.