Phreatobius cisternarum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Phreatobius cisternarum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Phreatobiidae |
| Genus: | Phreatobius |
| Species: | P. cisternarum |
| Binomial name | |
| Phreatobius cisternarum Goeldi, 1905 | |
Phreatobius cisternarum is a species of catfish in the genus Phreatobius.[2] This Brazilian fish is one of the few fish species that live underground in phreatic habitats.[3] It has proved problematic in its classification.[4]
Phreatobius cisternarum was collected in 1903 and first described by E. A. Goeldi in 1905.[5] This fish species and genus were redescribed in 2005.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Phreatobius cisternarum is found in Brazil. They inhabit underground habitats both north and south of the mouth of the Amazon River as well as the Marajó Island.[2] This fish inhabits superficial, phreatic habitats, but does not live in the deeper artesian aquifers.[6]
These fish are found commonly in hand-dug wells on Marajó. These wells are 4–13 metres (13–43 ft) deep. In these wells, these fish are more common during the dry season when the water depth recedes to about 30 centimetres (12 in), and are rarer during the rainy season when the depth can increase by several metres. The water is warm and acidic (pH 5–6).[6]