| Lithogenes | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Subfamily: | Lithogeneinae Gosline, 1947 |
| Genus: | Lithogenes Eigenmann, 1909 |
| Species[1] | |
|
L. valencia |
|
Lithogenes is a genus of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It is the only genus within the subfamily Lithogeneinae. This genus contains two species: L. villosus, the type species, and L. valencia, a possibly extinct species.
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L. villosus was described in 1909 by Carl H. Eigenmann. L. valencia was described in 2003 by Provenzano et al., known by only six specimens.[2]
Lithogenes is the only genus within the subfamily Lithogeneinae. This genus and subfamily, the most basal group in Loricariidae, is the sister group to the rest of the family.[3] Relative to an undescribed species of Lithogeneinae, L. valencia has sister group relationship to L. villosus.[2]
As members of Loricariidae, Lithogenes species have a suckermouth. However, unlike most loricariids, Lithogenes possesses armor plating only on the latter half of the body. Their eyes are small and their bodies flattened.[2][3]
L. villosus originates from the Essequibo River drainage of the Guiana Shield.[4] An undescribed species of Lithogenes is known from the Orinoco basin of the Guiana Shield.[2] L. valencia has only been known from six specimens collected in the 1970s from tributaries of the Lake Valencia in north Venezuela; however, this area has since been polluted and it is possible this species is now extinct.[2]
L. villosus lives in habitats dominated by rapids over bedrock, and it is likely that L. valencia does as well.[2][3]