The only previous revision of the Ageneiosidae was provided by Eigenmann 

 and Eigenmann (1890), as part of a much broader review of neotropical siluroids. 

 Therein, they recognized the three doradoid groups at subfamilial rank within the 

 broadly defined Siluridae. A dendrogram provided by Eigenmann and Eigenmann 

 alligned the three doradoid subfamilies together (with the Hypophthalmidae as an 

 offshoot of the Ageneiosinae); their tree, however, was based on many characters of 

 overall similarity, as detailed throughout the text, and did not address possible 

 relationships with groups outside of South America. Nevertheless, their review was 

 a substantial contribution in terms of providing a synthesis of previous studies on 

 neotropical catfishes. 



Eigenmann (1912) retained the broadly encompassing family Siluridae, in 

 which he placed all of the doradoid genera occurring in the area of coverage 

 (Guyana). Eigeimiann and Allen (1942) included in the Pimelodidae five genera 

 considered to be auchenipterids by most other authors; the doradids and 

 ageneiosids were given separate familial rank. ^ 



Regan's (1911) classification of siluroids emphasized shared morphological 

 characters, particularly osteology of the cranium. He placed the various genera of 

 doradoids recognized at the time within the family Doradidae, but his division of the 

 genera corresponded to the currently recognized families. Among the principal 

 features by which Regan (1911) united the doradoid genera were the shared 

 presence of posteriorly directed processes of the epioccipitals and the absence of an 

 entopterygoid ( =ectopterygoid). Regan's was one of the first siluroid classifications 

 to elevate a number of groups to family status, based on apparently derived 

 structures, although more recent studies have suggested that some of the characters 

 that Regan used may be primitive at the level at which he invoked them. 



Miranda-Ribeiro (1911) elevated the doradids and ageneiosids to familial 

 status, but he spUt the remaining genera into two families, the Auchenipteridae 



A..- 



