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 Ecology 



Devincenzi and Teague (1942) reported that this species was most abundant 

 in August and September, and March and April; gravid females were identified in 

 November and December. These authors also found that fishes and crustaceans 

 were the principal dietary items. 



A series of 44 specimens of A. valenciennesi (MZUSP 21113) collected - ^ 

 between 1977 and 1980, as part of an impact study prior to the impoundment of a 

 reservou- near Sete Quedas, Brazil, contains 2,3 females per male, but it is unknown 

 whether this sample reflects a naturally skewed sex ratio or a sampling bias. Godoy 

 (1986) found thatv4. valenciennesi was a relatively common species in the Rio 

 Parana near Ilha Grande, prior to the construction of a large hydroelectric dam in 

 that area. The impact of the artificial hydrological conditions resulting from these 

 projects on the population biology and conservation status of this species remains to 

 be ascertained. 



Etymology 



The patronym valenciennesi was provided by Bleeker (1864) as a replacement 

 name lor A. militaris Valencieimes (1840). The complicated history surrounding the 

 use of the name militaris is reviewed in greater detail in the Introduction. As 

 discussed there, the epithet militaris is unavailable for this species because at the 

 time that it was originally proposed for an ageneiosid it was preoccupied by a 

 marine catfish (Osteogeneiosus militaris) in the family Ariidae . 



