Loricaria

Abstract: Three new species of Loricaria are described from large white- and black-water river channels of the Amazon basin of Brazil, the upper rio Negro drainage of southern Venezuela, and clear waters of the lower rio Tocantins. Loricaria spinulifera and L. pumila differ from other species of Loricaria by having unique patterns of abdominal plate development and hypertrophied odontodes forming conspicuous crests on dorsal surfaces of the head and predorsal plates. Both are small species of Loricaria, reaching sexual maturity at less than 120 mm SL, and exhibiting sexually dimorphic characters consistent with members of the L. cataphracta complex. Loricaria spinulifera differs from L. pumila in having a unique arrangement of buccal papillae and large thorn-like odontodes on the dorsum of the head. Loricaria pumila is the smallest known Loricaria, reaching sexual maturity at less than 80 mm SL. Loricaria lundbergi differs from other Loricaria by having a unique abdominal plate pattern, broad head, and small basicaudal plate. Loricaria lundbergi is sympatric with L. spinulifera in the lower rio Negro drainage, but is also known from the rio Baria system of the Casiquiare drainage. Loricaria pumila occurs in the lower rio Amazonas and lower rio Tocantins. All three new species exhibit varying degrees of reduction in eye size and pigmentation seen in other fishes inhabiting deep river channels of South America.

Abstract: The reproductive biology of one of the poorly known armoured catfishes, Loricaria uracantha, was studied in Panama. Natural nesting sites consisted of cavities in pieces of wood, open at both ends and positioned above the stream bottom, but artificial cavities of PVC pipe were readily used. Males possess bony bristles on the head and pectoral fins which contact the female prior to oviposition. Males spawned with up to five females in short succession and remained with the eggs until hatching. Following hatching many initiated another spawning cycle. One male was reproductively active for 73 days during which it completed five distinct reproductive cycles. Spawning extended throughout the year.

Abstract: A new monotypic genus and two new species of South American mailed catfishes of the subfamily Loricariinae are described and figured. A discussion of and comparative notes on related taxa are added. Ricola genus novum is established for the species originally described by Regan (1904) as Loricaria (Loricaria) macrops. A lectotype for Ricola macrops is selected from the two syntypes, originating from Rio de la Plata in Argentina/Uruguay. Ricola macrops is compared with species of the genus Loricaria Linnaeus, 1758. Loricaria prolixa species nova is described from Rio Piracicaba, Est. Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is compared with Loricaria macrodon Kner, 1854, and with Loricaria lata C. H. Eigenmann & R. S. Eigenmann, 1889. Pseudohemiodon apithanos species nova is a species which displays remarkable colour polymorphism. It was previously recorded by Saul (1975) as Loricaria cf. laticeps from Rio Conejo, Ecuador. The new species certainly appears most closely related to Pseudohemiodon laticeps (Regan, 1904).

Abstract: The South American genus of mailed catfishes Loricaria Linnaeus, 1758 is reviewed. Almost all primary type-material and additional specimens are examined. Descriptions, tabulated morphometric and meristic data, and illustrations are presented of eleven species: Loricaria cataphracta Linnaeus, 1758 (syn.: Plecostomus flagellaris Gronovius, ed. Gray, 1854, and Loricaria carinata de Castelnau, 1855), L. lata Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889, L. simillima Regan, 1904, L. parnahybae Steindachner, 1907 (syn.: L. piauhiae Fowler 1941), L. piracicabae Von Ihering, 1907, L. clavipinna Fowler, 1940, L. nickeriensis Isbrucker, 1979, L. tucumanensis Isbrucker, 1979, L. apeltogaster Boulenger, 1895, L. prolixa Isbrucker & Nijssen, 1978, and L. lentiginosa Isbrucker, 1979. The nomenclatural history of L. cataphracta is revised: contrary to the author’s previous (1972) assumption, two syntypes of this species are still in existence. Definitions are presented of the tribe Loricariini, the subtribe Loricariina, the Loricariaand Pseudohemiodon-groups, and of the Loricaria cataphracta species complex. In addition, the Pseudoloricariina (new subtribe), the Ricolina (new subtribe), and the Planiloricariina are defined. A key to the genera of Loricariinae with filamentous lip structures is given. A list of species originally proposed as representatives of the genus Loricaria, now excluded, is added together with their current identification.