Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula is the only species of the monotypic genus Pseudoloricaria, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish (order Siluriformes).[1] The phylogenetic position of Pseudoloricaria is uncertain.[1]

Pseudoloricaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Tribe: Loricariini
Genus: Pseudoloricaria
Bleeker, 1862
Species:
P. laeviuscula
Binomial name
Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula
(Valenciennes, 1840)
Synonyms

Loricaria laeviuscula
Valenciennes, 1840

This species is endemic to Brazil where it is found in the middle and lower Amazon basin, including the Negro and Branco Rivers.[1][2] P. laeviuscula is found over sandy bottoms, in clear waters, in the main flow of rivers, and in neighboring temporary ponds.[1]

Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula reaches a length of 30.5 centimetres (12.0 in) SL.[2] Although reproductive habits are unknown, this species is probably a lip brooder.[1] Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied development of the lower lip suggesting that P. laeviuscula is a lip brooder.[1] This species shows derived features such as a reduction in size and number of teeth, premaxillary teeth absent, a circular head shape, and eyes reduced in size without iris operculum.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Covain, Raphael; Fisch-Muller, Sonia (2007). "The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1462: 1–40. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1462.1.1.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula". FishBase. December 2011 version.