Hypophthalmus
| Hypophthalmus | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Hypophthalmus edentatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Pimelodidae |
| Genus: |
Hypophthalmus Cuvier, 1829 |
| Type species | |
|
Hypophthalmus nuchalis Spix & Agassiz, 1829 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Hypophthalmus Spix & Agassiz, 1829 |
|
Hypophthalmus Spix & Agassiz, 1829
Notophthalmus Hyrtl, 1859
Pseudohypophthalmus Bleeker, 1862
Hypophthalmus is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to freshwater in tropical and subtropical South America.
There are currently 4 recognized species in this genus:
This genus has been classified within its own family Hypophthalmidae. However, it has since been reclassified as a member of Pimelodidae; it is thought to be most closely related to Parapimelodus.
H. edentatus is found in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins and Atlantic coastal rivers of Guyana and Suriname. H. fimbriatus inhabits the Amazon River at Santarém and Rio Negro basin in Brazil and Venezuela. H. marginatus originates from the Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of French Guiana and Suriname. H. oremaculatus is distributed in the Paraná River basin, Brazil and Argentina.
Fish of this genus have scaleless skin, three pairs of barbels (one maxillary and two mandibular), and small eyes located lateroventrally in a position about mid-length of the head. The body is laterally compressed, bearing a long-based anal fin that runs from the anus to the anterior margin of the caudal peduncle. The dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins have a narrow base and lack spines. The posterior margin of the caudal fin is either deeply forked or emarginate, depending on the species.
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