Trichomycterus
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| Trichomycterus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1856 illustration from Castelnau's description: 2nd from top is Trichomycterus punctatissimus, bottom two are Trichomycterus rivulatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae |
| Subfamily: | Trichomycterinae |
| Genus: | Trichomycterus Valenciennes, 1832[1] |
| Type species | |
| Trichomycterus nigricans Valenciennes, 1832 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Trichomycterus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Trichomycteridae, the pencil and parasitic catfishes. This is the largest genus of its family with over 200 species currently described. This genus is native to freshwater habitats in Central and South America.[2] These fish are generally small, usually about 5 to 15 cm (2–6 in) in standard length, although the largest, T. rivulatus, can reach more than twice this size.[2] Species differ from one another primarily in body proportions, fin ray counts and colouration.[3] Despite their relatively small size, some, such as T. punctulatus, support fisheries and are important in the local cuisine.[4]
This genus is defined by the lack of specializations found in other trichomycterids and is certainly polyphyletic.[5][6] Although known to contain many species, Trichomycterus is poorly known with many of the known species based on brief descriptions.[5] Many species have been described recently and many more are waiting to be described.[7]
Some authors have tentatively defined putative monophyletic assemblages within the genus Trichomycterus based on the possession of unique morphological features.[5] The Trichomycterus brasiliensis species-complex includes T. brasiliensis, T. iheringi, T. maracaya, T. mimonha, T. pirabitira, T. potschi, T. vermiculatus and several undescribed species apparently endemic to the main river basins draining the Brazilian Shield.[8] However, an assemblage of species from south and southeastern Brazil is also supported that includes T. araxa,[9] T. castroi, T. davisi, T. guaraquessaba, T. immaculatus, T. itatiayae, T. mboycy, T. mirissumba, T. naipi, T. nigricans, T. papilliferus, T. plumbeus, T. stawiarski, T. taroba, T. triguttatus and T. zonatus,[6] T. aguarague, T. alterus, T. belensis, T. boylei and T. ramosus also form a diagnosable species assemblage.[3]