Limatulichthys Isbruecker & Nijssen, 1979

Raphael Covain & Sonia Fisch-Muller, 2007, The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis., Zootaxa (1462), pp. 1-40 : 31

Limatulichthys Isbruecker & Nijssen, 1979 .

Type species: Loricaria punctata Regan, 1904 .

Lectotype: BMNH 1893.4.24: 18, Brazil, Rio Negro at Manaos.

Gender: masculine.

This monotypic genus is widely distributed in the Amazon basin and in the Essequibo River drainage. Limatulichthys is a sand dweller. As suggested by the hypertrophied development of lower lip in males, Limatulichthys may be a lip brooder like many representatives of the Loricariichthys group. Isbrücker & Nijssen (1976b) revised Pseudoloricaria Bleeker, 1862 , in which they assigned two species: P. laeviuscula (Valenciennes, 1840) and P. punctata (Regan, 1904) , and designated a lectotype for the latter from BMNH 1893.4.24: 18, described by Regan (1904) as Loricaria punctata . Isbrücker & Nijssen (1976b) also put Loricaria griseus Eigenmann, 1909 , Rhineloricaria petleyi Fowler, 1940 , and Loricariichthys parnahybae Fowler, 1941 into the synonymy of Pseudoloricaria punctata (Regan, 1904) . Isbrücker & Nijssen (1976b: p. 125) wrote: “Kner (1854b: 281) published a manuscript name “Loricaria punctata Natterer” in the synonymy of “Ancistrus duodecimalis?” (Valenciennes) . Since this name fails to satisfy the provisions in article 11(d) of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1964), therefore Loricaria (Pseudoloricaria) punctata Regan, 1904 is not subject to the Law of Homonymy”. According to Ferraris (2003) Loricaria punctata Regan, 1904 constitutes a primary homonymy of Loricaria punctata Kner (ex Natterer), 1854 , a representative of the genus Glyptoperichthys . However, it appears that Kner (1854) does not refer to Natterer’s manuscript for a description of Loricaria punctata , but only to a specimen (number 87) recorded in Natterer’s field notes and identified as a representative of the genus Ancistrus . Consequently, according to articles 11.5, 11.6, and 12.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999), the name Loricaria punctata Kner is not made available. Later, Günther (1864) refers to Kner’s work using the name Loricaria punctata as an available name in a new combination Pterygoplichthys punctatus . Acording to ICZN article 11.5.2, referring to an unavailable name does not make it available by its mere citation. Consequently, this species name is hereby new and has to be considered as Pterygoplichthys punctatus Guenther, 1864 . Steindachner (1881) used the name “ Chaetostomus punctatus sp. Gthr .” and redescribed the species without taking into account the name Loricaria punctata . Consequently, the new species described as Loricaria punctata by Regan (1904) is not a homonym of Loricaria punctata Kner (1854). Regan (1904) also confirmed the status of Pterygoplichthys punctatus Guenther, 1864 . Conversely, Isbrùcker (1980) considered that Günther (1864) validated the name Loricaria punctata Natterer, 1854 by authorship to Natterer. However, the name Loricaria punctata Natterer is not available as seen previously. Moreover, Günther (1864) published the description of Pterygoplichthys punctatus with Loricaria punctata Natterer listed as junior synonym. Considering ICZN article 11.6, the name Loricaria punctata Natterer is not available. Isbrücker et al. (2001) accepted the primary homonymy between L. punctata Natterer and L. punctata Regan , considered Limatulichthys griseus (Eigenmann, 1909) as a distinct species, and therefore established Limatulichthys petleyi (Fowler, 1940) as a substitution name for Limatulichthys punctatus (Regan, 1904) . Ferraris (2003) considered L. petleyi to be a synonym of L. griseus and also established the latter as a substitution name for L. punctata . The nomenclatural status of Limatulichthys remains unclear and this case should be submitted to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in order to rule on the validity of Loricaria punctata Regan, 1904 .