Epalzeorhynchos
| Epalzeorhynchos | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| The red-tailed black shark (E. bicolor) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Superclass: | Osteichthyes |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Subclass: | Neopterygii |
| Infraclass: | Teleostei |
| Superorder: | Ostariophysi |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Superfamily: | Cyprinioidea |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: |
Epalzeorhynchos Bleeker, 1855 |
| Diversity | |
| 4 species | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Epalzeorhynchus (lapsus) |
|
Epalzeorhynchus (lapsus)
Epalzeorhynchos is a small ray-finned fish genus of the family Cyprinidae. Its members are – like some other cyprinids – known as "freshwater sharks" or simply "sharks". They are, however, freshwater members of the Osteichthyes lineage which is distinct from the Chondrichthyes lineage of sharks. The description of these animals as "shark" is most likely a reference to the shark-like shape of these popular cyprinids.
The genus Epalzeorhynchos may be placed in the tribe Garrini of the Labeoninae, or in subtribe Garraina of tribe Labeonini, if these are considered a tribe of subfamily Cyprininae. It is not yet resolved which is a more appropriate representation of their phylogeny.
In size and shape Epalzeorhynchos generally resemble the Indian loaches (Botia), which, although they are also cypriniforms, are far too distantly related to have anything other than convergent evolution be responsible for this similarity. Alternatively, Epalzeorhynchos might be considered a plumper version of Crossocheilus, which includes the well-known Siamese algae eater (C. siamensis) and is a very close relative. Their coloration is also reminiscent of some Crossocheilus, or of the Mekong loaches (Yasuhikotakia), depending on the particular Epalzeorhynchos species.
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Wikipedia