| Lamontichthys | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Subfamily: | Loricariinae |
| Tribe: | Harttiini |
| Genus: | Lamontichthys Miranda Ribeiro, 1939 |
| Type species | |
| Harttia filamentosa La Monte, 1935 |
|
| Species | |
Lamontichthys is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes four species, L. filamentosus, L. llanero, L. maracaibero, and L. stibaros.[1]
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The phylogenetic position of Lamontichthys remains uncertain. It has been considered to be sister to Harttia, whereas Lamontichthys shows much more similarities with Pterosturisoma microps of the monotypic genus Pterosturisoma, which only differs from Lamontichthys by the number of pectoral fin rays.[2]
Lamontichthys is distributed in the northwestern part of South America in the upper Amazon and Orinoco River drainages, and in the Lake Maracaibo region. Species in this genus occupy the same ecological niche as those of Harttia. They mainly live in the mainstream of rivers, on rocky and sandy bottoms.[2] L. filamentosus originates from the western Amazon River basin.[3] L. llanero is distributed in the Guanare Viejo River of the Orinoco River drainage.[4] L. maracaibero frequently inhabits the well-oxygenated waters in the middle reaches of rivers of the Lake Maracaibo basin.[5] L. stibaros is from high altitude habitats of the Bobonaza River basin.[6]
Sexual dimorphism in Lamontichthys includes hypertrophied odontodes on the pectoral spines in mature males.[2] In all species of Lamontichthys, there is one pectoral fin spine and seven pectoral fin rays on each fin, as opposed to the rest of Loricariinae species which have one pectoral fin spine and only six pectoral fin rays.[2] Lamontichthys species grow to about 16.7–24.2 centimetres (6.57–9.53 in) SL.[3][4][5][6]
Lamontichthys is an open brooder; eggs are laid on an open surface such as rocks, submerged wood or plants, and are generally exposed to the current. Females lay a few large-sized (1.4–1.8 millimetres or .056–.071 in in diameter) yellowish eggs during each spawning event.[2]