| Peckoltia | |
|---|---|
| Peckoltia sp. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Subfamily: | Hypostominae |
| Tribe: | Ancistrini |
| Genus: | Peckoltia Miranda Ribeiro, 1912 |
| Type species | |
| Chaetostomus vittatus Steindachner, 1881 |
|
| Species | |
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See text. |
|
| Synonyms | |
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Peckoltia is a genus of small South American armored suckermouth catfishes. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.
Contents |
Peckoltia is a basal genus within the tribe Ancistrini of the subfamily Hypostominae.[1] This genus is paraphyletic.[2] At this point, many undescribed species remain.[3]
Peckoltia species can be distinguished from most other in the genera in the tribe Ancistrini by having a lateral ridge on the opercle that usually has no odontodes and the teeth on their upper jaw (dentary) forming an angle under 90 degrees; while some genera also have an angled dentary, Peckoltia species lack synapomorphies of these genera.[2] 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.[4]
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.[4] P. yaravi has been moved to Neblinichthys.[4] 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.[5]
The species that are assigned to this genus are undergoing much flux. Also, many new species have yet to be described.[4] P. sabaji has also been recently described as Hemiancistrus species, and many of the other species have also been described as such in the past.[4] For example, P. vittata was assigned to Hemiancistrus in the past.[6] As of 2008, Armbruster recognized the following species.[2]
Peckoltia inhabit freshwater habitats in the Amazon basin, upper Orinoco, upper Essequibo River, and also possibly the Maroni River, as well as coastal drainages north of the Amazon to French Guiana.[2][4] 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.[4]
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 and the teeth on their upper jaw form an angle under 90 degrees.[4] Most male Peckoltia have hypertrophied odontodes on their body during the breeding season.[3] Except for P. bachi, Peckoltia do not have hypertrophied odontodes on the opercle.[2]
The biggest difference between all the Peckoltia species is coloration.[2] They usually have a saddle-shaped marking on their back.[4] However, P. bachi and P. caenosa are mottled.[2]
Four species, P. braueri, P. caenosa, P. cavatica, and P. vittata, lack spots on their head while the rest have them. P. braueri and P. cavatica have orange bands in the dorsal and caudal fins and have the bones and plates of the head and nape outlined in black; in P. caenosa and P. vittata, there are no orange bands and head plates and bones are not outlined. P. caenosa has dark vermiculations on the head and abdomen. P. vittata has saddles or blotches on the head and faint dark spots on the abdomen.[2] P. lineola and P. vermiculata have spots on their head that combine to form vermiculations. In P. lineola the spots form vermiculations that are wider than its pupils, while in P. vermiculata the spots form vermiculations narrower than its pupils; also, the vermiculations radiate from a central point on the head in P. vermiculata, while there is no such pattern in P. lineola.[2]
True Peckoltia species are fairly rarely exported for the pet trade; species called Peckoltia may actually be Panaque or Hypancistrus species.[2] Peckoltia species are popular aquarium fish as they are small and attractive. They are shy and will spend much of the day hiding.[6]