Propimelodus

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Propimelodus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Pimelodidae
Genus: Propimelodus
Lundberg and Parisi, 2002
Binomial name
Propimelodus araguayae
Rocha, de Oliviera & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2007
Propimelodus caesius
Parisi, Lundberg & Donascimiento, 2006
Propimelodus eigenmanni
(van der Stigchel, 1946)

Propimelodus is a genus of South American catfish of the family Pimelodidae.

Contents

[edit] Taxonomy

The type species of this genus, P. eigenmanni, was first described in 1946 under the genus Pimelodus. In 2002, the genus Propimelodus was described for this species.[1] Shortly after, in 2006, the species P. caesius was described to this genus and in 2007 another new species, P. araguayae was described. Other species will be described in the future.[2]

Propimelodus is classified under the "Calophysus-Pimelodus clade". Within this clade, it is considered a part of the "Pimelodus-group" of Pimelodids, which also includes Pimelodus, Exallodontus, Duopalatinus, Cheirocerus, Iheringichthys, Bergiaria, Bagropsis, Parapimelodus, Platysilurus, and Platystomatichthys.[1]

[edit] Distribution

P. eigenmanni originate from the lower Amazon River as well as large tributaries such as the Xingu, Trombetas, Jari River, and lower Madeira River in Brazil, and the Kourou and Oyapock Rivers in French Guiana.[1] P. caesius is also found in many of these regions, with tributary range including Tocantins, Pará, Jari, Xingu, Trombetas, Madeira, Negro, Purus, Japurá, Juruá, and Içá rivers.[2]

[edit] Appearance and anatomy

These fish have three pairs of barbels. Like other pimelodids, these whiskers are extremely long; the maxillary barbels extend past the base of the caudal fin. Propimelodus species have a rather long adipose fin.[1]

P. eigenmanni grows not much longer than 20 centimetres (8 in).[1] P. eigenmanni is a pale blue-gray to tan.[1] P. caesius also has an attractive blue coloration.[2]

[edit] Ecology

Propimelodus lives in swiftly flowing waters of open channels of the Amazon River and many of its large tributaries; P. caesius is one of the most common fish in these habitats.[2]

P. eigenmanni associate with mud or detritus substrates.[1] P. caesius is found in turbid, blackwater habitats over sand, clay, and detritus substrates.[2] P. eigenmanni is nocturnal, found in tidally influenced freshwater habitats on mud substrate and near dense vegetation.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Lundberg, John G.; Parisi, Béatrice M. (2002). "Propimelodus, new genus, and redescription of Pimelodus eigenmanni Van der Stigchel 1946, a long-recognized yet poorly-known South American catfish (Pimelodidae: Siluriformes)" (PDF). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 152: 75–88. doi:10.1635/0097-3157(2002)152[0075:PNGARO]2.0.CO;2. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Parisi, Béatrice M.; Lundberg, John G.; Donascimiento, Carlos (2006). "Propimelodus caesius a new species of long-finned pimelodid catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from the Amazon Basin, South America" (PDF). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 155: 67–78. doi:10.1635/i0097-3157-155-1-67.1.