Loricarioidea
Encyclopedia
Loricarioidea is a superfamily of catfish
es (order
Siluriformes). It contains the six families
Trichomycteridae
, Nematogenyiidae, Callichthyidae
, Scoloplacidae, Astroblepidae, and Loricariidae
. Some schemes also include Amphiliidae. This superfamily, including Amphiliidae, includes about 156 genera
and 1,187 species
.
to the superfamily Sisoroidea
. However, in a recent molecular analysis, it was determined that the suborder Loricarioidei (not including Amphiliidae) is sister to a group including Diplomystidae and Siluroidei. Amphiliidae, in this analysis, was found to be much more closely related to Mochokidae
or Malapteruridae.
Loricarioidea is currently diagnosed by the derived presence of a reduced gas bladder
, encapsulated in expansions of the parapophysis of the first vertebrae, and of odontode
s, small dermal denticles. Amphiliidae is the most basal
group in Loricarioidea. In some older sources, Amphiliidae is not even included in this classification. Based on morphologically evidence, Trichomycteridae and Nematogenyiidae diverge first; these two families are probably sister groups. This relationship was neither supported nor rejected by molecular evidence. Next, the order of divergence is probably Callichthyidae, then Scoloplacidae, and then Astroblepidae and Loricariidae. A trend in increasingly complex jaw morphology can be seen in this superfamily, which may have allowed for the great diversification of the Loricariidae, which have the most advanced jaws.
habitats in the Neotropics, inhabiting South America
, Panama
, and Costa Rica
. Most species inhabit stream habitats or pools; water in these habitats tends to move relatively quickly. Loricariids and Astroblepids have adapted to this with suckermouth
s that allow them to cling to surfaces. Astroblepids even have the ability to climb up waterfalls.
. Also, they have integumentary
teeth called odontodes on their body and fin rays. In Loricariids, these odontodes on their gill cover
can be extended outwards. Astroblepids may use their odontodes as a sensory organ.
group. These fish exhibit a wide range of morphologies
and occupy many different habitat
s and trophic level
s. This group includes herbivore
s, omnivore
s, and even parasites (candirú
) and wood-eating
species (Panaque
). Loricariidae is by far the most successful and diverse family with approximately 700 species (and new species being discovered each year), and is the most species-rich family in the entire order.
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
es (order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
Siluriformes). It contains the six families
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Trichomycteridae
Trichomycteridae
Trichomycteridae is a family of catfishes commonly known as the pencil or parasitic catfishes. This family includes the infamous candiru fish, feared by some people for its alleged habit of entering into the urethra of humans....
, Nematogenyiidae, Callichthyidae
Callichthyidae
Callichthyidae is a family of catfishes , called armored catfishes due to the two rows of bony plates running down the length of the body. This family contains some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, such as the Corydoras.-Taxonomy:The family derives its name from the Greek words kallis...
, Scoloplacidae, Astroblepidae, and Loricariidae
Loricariidae
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish , with almost 700 species and new species being described each year. Loricariids originate from fresh water habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and...
. Some schemes also include Amphiliidae. This superfamily, including Amphiliidae, includes about 156 genera
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
and 1,187 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
.
Taxonomy
Loricarioidea is traditionally considered a part of Siluroidei, a clade of all catfishes excluding Diplomystidae. In Nelson, 2006, this grouping is sisterCladistics
Cladistics is a method of classifying species of organisms into groups called clades, which consist of an ancestor organism and all its descendants . For example, birds, dinosaurs, crocodiles, and all descendants of their most recent common ancestor form a clade...
to the superfamily Sisoroidea
Sisoroidea
Sisoroidea is a superfamily of catfishes . It contains the four families Amblycipitidae, Akysidae, Sisoridae, and Erethistidae; many sources also include Aspredinidae. With Aspredinidae, this superfamily includes about 42 genera and 230 species.-Taxonomy:Sisoroidea is sister to the Loricarioidea...
. However, in a recent molecular analysis, it was determined that the suborder Loricarioidei (not including Amphiliidae) is sister to a group including Diplomystidae and Siluroidei. Amphiliidae, in this analysis, was found to be much more closely related to Mochokidae
Mochokidae
The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes that are known as the squeakers and upside-down catfish. There are 10 genera and about 188 species of mochokids. All the mochokids are freshwater species originating from Africa....
or Malapteruridae.
Loricarioidea is currently diagnosed by the derived presence of a reduced gas bladder
Gas bladder
The swim bladder, gas bladder, fish maw or air bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming...
, encapsulated in expansions of the parapophysis of the first vertebrae, and of odontode
Odontode
Odontodes, or dermal teeth, are hard structures found on the external surfaces of animals or near internal openings. They comprise a soft pulp surrounded by dentine and covered by a mineralized substance such as enamel, a structure similar to that of teeth. They generally do not have the same...
s, small dermal denticles. Amphiliidae is the most basal
Basal (phylogenetics)
In phylogenetics, a basal clade is the earliest clade to branch in a larger clade; it appears at the base of a cladogram.A basal group forms an outgroup to the rest of the clade, such as in the following example:...
group in Loricarioidea. In some older sources, Amphiliidae is not even included in this classification. Based on morphologically evidence, Trichomycteridae and Nematogenyiidae diverge first; these two families are probably sister groups. This relationship was neither supported nor rejected by molecular evidence. Next, the order of divergence is probably Callichthyidae, then Scoloplacidae, and then Astroblepidae and Loricariidae. A trend in increasingly complex jaw morphology can be seen in this superfamily, which may have allowed for the great diversification of the Loricariidae, which have the most advanced jaws.
Distribution and habitat
These fish are found in freshwaterFresh Water
Fresh Water is the debut album by Australian rock and blues singer Alison McCallum, released in 1972. Rare for an Australian artist at the time, it came in a gatefold sleeve...
habitats in the Neotropics, inhabiting South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, and Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
. Most species inhabit stream habitats or pools; water in these habitats tends to move relatively quickly. Loricariids and Astroblepids have adapted to this with suckermouth
Suckermouth
In fishes, a suckermouth is a ventrally-oriented mouth adapted for grazing on algae and small organisms that grow on submerged objects....
s that allow them to cling to surfaces. Astroblepids even have the ability to climb up waterfalls.
Description
Like other catfish, loricarioidean catfish tend to have whiskers (except within the family Loricariidae). Fish in this group can be naked or, in the case of Callichthyids, Scoloplacids, and Loricariids, armored with bony plates. Most loricarioid species are depressed (flattened) in body shape, though Callichthyids tend to be more compressed (thin). Loricarioidea is defined by two characters. First, they have a unique, encapsulated gas bladderGas bladder
The swim bladder, gas bladder, fish maw or air bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming...
. Also, they have integumentary
Integumentary system
The integumentary system is the organ system that protects the body from damage, comprising the skin and its appendages...
teeth called odontodes on their body and fin rays. In Loricariids, these odontodes on their gill cover
Operculum (fish)
The operculum of a bony fish is the hard bony flap covering and protecting the gills. In most fish, the rear edge of the operculum roughly marks the division between the head and the body....
can be extended outwards. Astroblepids may use their odontodes as a sensory organ.
Ecology
Loricarioidea is a very diverse monophyleticMonophyly
In common cladistic usage, a monophyletic group is a taxon which forms a clade, meaning that it contains all the descendants of the possibly hypothetical closest common ancestor of the members of the group. The term is synonymous with the uncommon term holophyly...
group. These fish exhibit a wide range of morphologies
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
and occupy many different habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s and trophic level
Trophic level
The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain. The word trophic derives from the Greek τροφή referring to food or feeding. A food chain represents a succession of organisms that eat another organism and are, in turn, eaten themselves. The number of steps an organism...
s. This group includes herbivore
Herbivore
Herbivores are organisms that are anatomically and physiologically adapted to eat plant-based foods. Herbivory is a form of consumption in which an organism principally eats autotrophs such as plants, algae and photosynthesizing bacteria. More generally, organisms that feed on autotrophs in...
s, omnivore
Omnivore
Omnivores are species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source...
s, and even parasites (candirú
Candirú
Candiru or candirú , also known as cañero, toothpick fish, or vampire fish, are a number of genera of parasitic freshwater catfish in the family Trichomycteridae; all are native to the Amazon River...
) and wood-eating
Xylophagy
Xylophagy is a term used in ecology to describe the habits of an herbivorous animal whose diet consists primarily of wood. The word derives from Greek ξυλοφάγος "eating wood", from ξύλον "wood" and φαγεῖν "to eat", an ancient Greek name for a kind of a worm-eating bird...
species (Panaque
Panaque
The genus Panaque contains a small number of small to medium sized South American armoured catfishes that are notable for being among the very few vertebrates that feed extensively on wood. In addition, algae and aufwuchs are an important part of the diet, and they use their rasping teeth to...
). Loricariidae is by far the most successful and diverse family with approximately 700 species (and new species being discovered each year), and is the most species-rich family in the entire order.