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