SpectracanthicusNijssen and Isbrücker, 1986

Spectracanthicus murinus, holotype, photo by J.W. Armbruster

Spectracanthicus punctatissiumus, photo by K.S. Cummings

TAXA LIST

Spectracanthicus contains two species.  Armbruster (2004) considers Oligancistrus punctatissimus to be so sister to S. murinus, that the genus does not warrant recognition.  S. murinus is unique among Ancistrini in that it has lost the evertible cheek plates typical of species of Ancistrini and has even lost the skeletal modifications such as the modified opercle that diagnoses Ancistrini.  Trends towards the loss of the evvertible cheek plates and the modified opercle are seen in S. punctatissimus lending further support that Oligancistrus should not be recognized.

GENUS SYNONYMY

Oligancistrus Rapp Py-Daniel 1989


SPECIES

DIAGNOSIS

Spectracanthicus can be diagnosed by the presence of the dorsal fin contacting the adipose-fin spine.  More data for this page is in preparation.


COMPARISONS

Spectracanthicus can be separated from all other loricariids except some Baryancistrus, Parancistrus and an undescribed Hemiancistrus by the presence of the dorsal-fin membrane contacting the adipose-fin spine. It can be separated from Baryancistrus and the Hemiancistrus by having fewer teeth (less than 25 vs. greater than 25) and from Parancistrus by having restricted gill openings.


LITERATURE CITED

Armbruster, J. W. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armoured catfishes (Loricariidae) with emphasis on the Hypostominae and the Ancistrinae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141:1-80.

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