| Family: |
Loricariidae (Armored catfishes), subfamily: Hypoptopomatinae |
| Max. size: |
4.43 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 2.78 - 2.87 |
| Distribution: |
South America: Brazil. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having small plates covered with odontodes randomly distributed on the abdomen (vs. abdomen completely naked) and by color pattern of caudal-fin completely dark with one hyaline bar (vs. variegated blotches corresponding to approximately 3-4 hyaline bars in P. brachyrhyncha and P. rudolphi and hyaline random spots in P. carrancas. It differs from all congeners, except for P. brachyrhyncha, by presence of a minute lateral cusp in teeth (vs. unicuspid teeth in remaining species); from all congeners, except for P. carrancas, by having ventral surfaces of first pectoral, pelvic and anal-fin rays covered by pointed odontodes (vs. conspicuously spatulate odontodes); from P. carrancas by lacking a ridge on the postdorsal surface of trunk (vs. postdorsal surface of trunk with a low, elongate ridge formed by 10-13 raised median unpaired plates), anterior ends of the premaxillae and dentaries gently sloped inwards (vs. strongly sloped); from P. brachyrhyncha by lacking odontodes at the ventral tip of the snout (vs. tip of snout completely covered by odontodes) (Ref. 92077). |
| Biology: |
The species was collected an altitude of about 810-1065 m.a.s.l. The streams narrow (about 3-5 m width) and shallow (about 0.25-1.5 m deep) and the bottom was formed of small to medium-sized rocks, loose stones, gravel and sand. The water in the collection site was clear, cold (16.6°C-19.5°C), highly acidic (pH 2.78-2.87), poorly conductive (µs/cm 0.013-0.014), highly oxygenated (5.91-13.05 mg/l OD) and moderate to fast flowing. Vegetation found at the margins of the stream, which shadows a wide portion of its bed. Associated species captured in the stream includes Astyanax rivularis, Neoplecostomus franciscoensis, Trichomycterus macrotrichopterus and Characidium fasciatum (Ref. 92077). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 November 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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