Neoplecostomus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Loricariidae |
Subfamily: | Neoplecostominae |
Genus: | Neoplecostomus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 |
Type species | |
Plecostomus microps Steindachner, 1877 |
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Species | |
Neoplecostomus is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes ten species, N. espiritosantensis, N. franciscoensis, N. granosus, N. microps, N. paranensis, N. ribeirensis, and N. variipictus.[1] In 2008 three additional species were described, N. corumba, N. selenae and N. yapo.[2]
The species of Neoplecostomus live in fast water.[3] N. espiritosantensis originates from the Jacu and São Lourenço Rivers on the eastern slope of Serra do Mar.[4] N. franciscoensis inhabits the headwaters of Das Velhas and Paraopeba River basins of the São Francisco River drainage. [5] N. granosus is from southeastern Brazil.[1] N. microps and N. variipictus are distributed in the Paraíba do Sul River basin.[6][7] N. paranensis is from the upper Paraná River basin.[8] N. ribeirensis lives in the Ribeira de Iguape River basin.[9]
Neoplecostomus can be distinguished from all other loricariids by a modified shield of small plates on the abdomen with posteriorly directed odontodes; the shield appears to act as a holdfast. The color pattern is generally mottled brown with the abdomen white. The head is long, rounded, and shovel-shaped. The fin spines are weak.[3] Neoplecostomus species range from about 7.5–10.3 centimetres (3.0–4.1 in SL.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]