Megalechis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Megalechis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Megalechis thoracata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: | Callichthyinae |
| Genus: | Megalechis R.Reis, 1997[1] |
| Type species | |
| Callichthys thoracatus Valenciennes, 1840[1] | |
Megalechis is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Callichthyidae and the subfamily Callichthyinae, the armoured catfishes. The catfishes in this genus are found in South America.
The name is derived from the Greek megas, meaning "great", and the Greek lekis, meaning "plate".[2]
No uniquely derived features are known for Megalechis.[3]
A change in the synonymy of the species of Megalechis occurred in 2005. It is especially confusing because the name M. thoracata remains valid, but applies to the species formerly known as M. personata, which becomes a new junior synonym of M. thoracata. On the other hand, the species formerly known as M. thoracata is now named M. picta.[4]
Species
There are currently two recognized species in this genus:[2]
- Megalechis picta (J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1849) (Spotted hoplo)
- Megalechis thoracata (Valenciennes, 1840)