Re-description of Xyliphius barbatus (Siluriformes, Aspredinidae), with comments on osteology and distribution

By

Terán, Guillermo E.
Méndez-López, Alejandro
Benitez, Mauricio F.
Serra, Wilson S.
Bogan, Sergio
Aguilera, Gastón

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-8-1

Original Publication

Zoosystematics and evolution

Volume

100

Series / Issue

Issue: 3

Pages

1085--1097

Subjects

Banjo catfish , fossorial fishes , La Plata River basin , Morphology , Osteology

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.121396

 

Abstract

The banjo catfish, Xyliphius barbatus, belongs to the Aspredinidae family and typically inhabits the main channels of medium to large rivers in the La Plata River basin. The mimetic coloration with the substrate and the benthic lifestyle likely contribute to the challenge of sampling this species, resulting in its underrepresentation in museums and ichthyological collections. In fact, the original description of X. barbatus was based solely on two specimens. Consequently, little is known about its osteology, distribution, and phylogenetic relations. In this work, these information gaps are filled and the distributional range for X. barbatus is extended to northwestern Argentina.