Neoplecostomus sapucai
| Neoplecostomus sapucai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dorsal, lateral and ventral views | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Genus: | Neoplecostomus |
| Species: | N. sapucai |
| Binomial name | |
| Neoplecostomus sapucai | |
Neoplecostomus sapucai is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Loricariidae, the suckermouth armoured catfishes, and the subfamily Hypoptopomatinae, the cascudinhos. This catfish is endemic to Brazil.
Taxonomy
Neoplecostomus sapucai was first formally described in 2024 by Andrade et al with its type locality given as an unnamed stream on the Highway AMG-1915, between Piquete and Delfim Moreira in the Sapucai River, in the Rio Grande basin, at Delfim Moreira in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais at 22°32'31.3"S, 45°14'28.8"W, from an elevation of 1.331 m (4 ft 4.4 in).[1] Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes classifies the genus Neoplecostomus in the subfamily Hypoptopomatinae, the cascudinhos, within the suckermouth armored catfish family Loricariidae.[2]
Etymology
Neoplecostomus sapucai is classified within the genus Neoplecostomus, this name prefixes neo-, for "new" onto plecostomus, as this genus was proposed as a subgenus of Plecostomus, now known as Hypostomus and classified in the subfamily Hypostominae. The specific name, sapucai, is the name of the river in Minas Gerais and São Paulo in which this fish occurs.[3]
Distribution
Neoplecostomus sapucai endmeic to BRazil where it is found eight streams in the Sapucaí River drainage in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.[4]
Description
Neoplecostomus sapucai can reach a standard length of 8.8 cm (3.5 in) and has elongated bodies, covered in bony plates. They have a broad head, bumpy lips, and tons of copper colored teeth. It is golden yellow and brown, and has blotches of color on its sides and fins.[5]
Sexual dimorphism
Neoplecostomus sapucai males have shorter and robust teeth, while females have more slender teeth.[5]
Habitat
Neoplecostomus sapucai live in stony, shallow streams that have crystal clear water and rapid flow. The species was found living near manmade things like highways or pastures, showing that humans don't pose that much of a threat on the species. The species is found in 16 different sites within the Sapucaí River drainage.[5]
Etymology
The researchers who found Neoplecostomus sapucai said they named it after the Sapucaí River, where the species was found.[5]
References
- 1 2 Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Neoplecostomus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Hypoptopomatinae". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Christopher Scharpf (February 28, 2026). "Family LORICARIIDAE: Subfamily HYPOPTOPOMATINAE Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1890 (Cascudinhos)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Uzeda, Pedro L. C.; Paiola, Isabel; Cesar, Poliana S.; Okubo, Vitor Kenzo N.; Marques-Frisoni, Wellington J.; Andrade, Breno N.; Langeani, Francisco (December 6, 2024). "Two new species of Neoplecostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from high altitudes of the upper rio Paraná basin, Brazil". Neotropical Ichthyology. 22 (4): e240021. doi:10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0021. ISSN 1679-6225.
- 1 2 3 4 Pflughoeft, Aspen (December 12, 2024). "'Armored' creature with 'copper colored' teeth found in river. It's a new species". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 22, 2024.