Distichodus
| Distichodus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Distichodus sexfasciatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Distichodontidae |
| Genus: | Distichodus J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844[1] |
| Type species | |
| Characinus nefasch | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Distichodus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Distichodontidae, native to Africa. Distichodus of all sizes feed on plant matter, consuming both periphyton and macrophytes (such as Echinochloa pyramidalis), though some species such as D. lusosso are generalists, also feeding on aquatic invertebrates and fish. Some dietary shift is seen between the wet and dry seasons.[2]
Species
Distichodus contains the following valid species:[3]
- Distichodus affinis Günther, 1873 (Silver distichodus)
- Distichodus altus Boulenger, 1899
- Distichodus antonii Schilthuis, 1891
- Distichodus atroventralis Boulenger, 1898
- Distichodus decemmaculatus Pellegrin, 1926 (Dwarf distichodus)
- Distichodus engycephalus Günther, 1864
- Distichodus fasciolatus Boulenger, 1898 (Sharktail distichodus)
- Distichodus hypostomatus Pellegrin, 1900
- Distichodus ingae Moelants & Snoeks, 2018
- Distichodus kasaiensis Vreven, Moelants & Snoeks, 2018
- Distichodus kolleri Holly 1926
- Distichodus langi Nichols & Griscom, 1917
- Distichodus lusosso Schilthuis, 1891 (Longsnout distichodus)
- Distichodus maculatus Boulenger, 1898 (Spotted citharinid)
- Distichodus mbiniensis Schmidt, Knobloch & Barrientos, 2021
- Distichodus microps Schmidt, Knobloch & Barrientos, 2021
- Distichodus mossambicus Peters, 1852 (Nkupe)
- Distichodus nefasch (Bonnaterre, 1788)
- Distichodus noboli Boulenger, 1899
- Distichodus notospilus Günther, 1867
- Distichodus petersii Pfeffer, 1896
- Distichodus polli Abwe, Snoeks, Manda & Vreven, 2019.
- Distichodus rostratus Günther, 1864
- Distichodus rufigiensis Norman, 1922 (Grass eater)
- Distichodus schenga Peters, 1852 (Chessa)
- Distichodus sexfasciatus Boulenger, 1897 (Banded distichodus)
- Distichodus teugelsi Mamonekene & Vreven 2008
The following cladogram is based on a 2020 phylogenetic study of Distichodus genetics:[4]
| Distichodus |
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References
- 1 2 3 Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Belonophago". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ "Diet comparison in three species of Distichodus Müller & Troschel, 1845 (Distichodontidae, Pisces) of Pool Malebo, Congo River (Democratic Republic of Congo)". International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences. 4 (1). 2010. doi:10.4314/ijbcs.v4i1.54240. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
- ↑ Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Distichodus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ "Pattern and timing of diversification in the African freshwater fish genus Distichodus (Characiformes: Distichodontidae)". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 20. 26 April 2020. doi:10.1186/s12862-020-01615-6. PMID 32336263.