The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis. Raphael Covain Sonia Fisch-Muller Zootaxa 2007 1462 1 40 YP5 510786 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C0845237-55D6-427D-8A64-6A83C65C58DC Actinopterygii Loricariidae Apistoloricaria Animalia Apistoloricaria Isbrücker & Nijssen 1986:103 Siluriformes 26 Chordata genus  Representatives of this genus are distributed in the upper Amazon and Orinoco drainages, along the Atlantic slope of the Andes. They inhabit sand substrates and are morphologically adapted to this habitat. As with other representatives of the Pseudohemiodongroup, their body is strongly depressed and the pelvic fins are used for locomotion, enabling these fish to appear to “walk” on the substrate. Sexual dimorphism is apparent through differentiated lip structure. The lip surfaces of the male are rather papillose while those of the female are filamentous(Nijssen & Isbruecker1988). These taxa are abdomino-lip brooders. Eggs are laid in a single layered mass, and are attached to the surface of the lower lip and abdomen of the male. Isbruecker& Nijssen (1986a) described the biotope of A. condeiaccording to D. J. Stewart’s field notes. This species was collected in turbid and dark waters, in moderately fast flowing streams, between 2 to 10 meters deep. No submerged vegetation was noted, and the bottom was made of sand, mud, dead leaves, twigs, branches, and trunks. Apistoloricaria isnot well diagnosed and upon further examination, may prove to be a synonym of Rhadinoloricaria. These two genera are distinguished primarily by the presence or absence of the iris operculum (absent or vestigial in Apistoloricariaversus present in Rhadinoloricaria), a more conspicuous rostrum in Rhadinoloricaria, and by the number of fringed barbels (14 in Apistoloricariaversus 12 in Rhadinoloricaria). Four valid species are recognized (Ferraris 2003) and a key to the species is available in Nijssen & Isbruecker(1988). 923893120 FMNH Ecuador Rio Napo drainage, mouth of Rio Tiputini FMNH 94683 Holotype