Pogonopoma is a genus of armored catfish native to rivers in south and southeast Brazil.

Pogonopoma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Tribe: Rhinelepini
Genus: Pogonopoma
Regan, 1904
Type species
Plecostomus wertheimeri
Synonyms

Pogonopomoides
Gosline, 1947

Taxonomy edit

Pogonopoma is one of three genera currently valid in the tribe Rhinelepini. Pogonopomoides, previously a valid genus, was placed in synonymy with Pogonopoma.[1] This genus and Rhinelepis have a sister group relationship.[1]

Species edit

There are currently three recognized species in this genus:[2]

Appearance and anatomy edit

As loricariids, Pogonopoma species all exhibit a suckermouth and an at least slightly flattened ventral surface. However, unlike many loricariids, they have circular pupils, which differs from most members of the family that have an omega iris. Pogonopoma species are heavily armored except on their abdomen (the belly in the case of loricariids), which is relatively unplated.[1][3]

P. wertheimeri is a cylindrically shaped loricariid. The cheek is covered in long, thin, non-evertible odontodes that form a dense patch.[3]

P. parahybae appears to be more of an intermediate between P. wertheimeri and Rhinelepis. It is fairly flattened, and also has longer pectoral and pelvic fins compared to other species of the tribe Rhinelepini. The gill openings are not as large as those in Rhinelepis. Also, this species lacks long cheek odontodes and the adipose fin.[3]

P. obscurum, unlike P. wertheimeri, simultaneously lacks an adipose fin and cheek odontodes. Its dorsal fin base is also longer than of other members of this genus.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Quevedo, Rodrigo; Reis, Roberto E. (2002). Schaefer, S. A. (ed.). "Pogonopoma obscurum: A New Species of Loricariid Catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Southern Brazil, with Comments on the Genus Pogonopoma" (PDF). Copeia. 2002 (2): 402–410. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0402:POANSO]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 85769730.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). Species of Pogonopoma in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  3. ^ a b c Armbruster, Jonathan W. (1998). "Phylogenetic Relationships of the Suckermouth Armored Catfishes of the Rhinelepis Group (Loricariidae: Hypostominae)". Copeia. 1998 (3): 620–636. doi:10.2307/1447792. JSTOR 1447792.

External links edit