DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF ARMORED CATFISH OF THE GENUS Loricariichthys (LORICARIIDAE: LORICARIINAE) FROM THE ARAGUAIA RIVER BASIN

• Grant number: 24/13929-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Claudio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Marcelo Augusto Ferreira Alves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/13433-6 - Phylogeny and molecular identification of fishes of the superorder Ostariophysi (Chordata: Actinopterygii) using genomic approaches, AP.TEM

Abstract

The family Loricariidae is characterized by a dorsoventrally flattened body covered with bony plates, a single pair of maxillary barbels, and a significant modification of the mouth structure into a suction-like shape. This family includes 1,070 species widely distributed across the Neotropical region, divided into six subfamilies: Lithogeninae, Delturinae, Rhinelepinae, Loricariinae, Hypoptopomatinae, and Hypostominae. Within the subfamily Loricariinae, the genus Loricariichthys stands out from other genera due to its divided lower lip, forming two thick structures resembling cushions. This genus includes 19 valid species: Loricariichthys acutus, L. anus, L. brunneus, L. cashibo, L. castaneus, L. chanjoo, L. derbyi, L. edentatus, L. hauxwelli, L. labialis, L. maculatus, L. melanocheilus, L. melanurus, L. microdon, L. nudirostris, L. platymetopon, L. rostratus, L. stuebelii, and L. ucayalensis. During recent expeditions in the Araguaia River basin, specimens with characteristics of the genus Loricariichthys were collected, potentially representing a new taxon for the group. Therefore, this study will conduct morphological analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Computed Tomography (CT scan), as well as molecular analyses based on sequencing of the mitochondrial COI marker. The main objective is to reassess the existing evolutionary lineages of the genus Loricariichthys, propose a diagnosis, and provide a detailed description of the morphotype found in the Araguaia River basin, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the group's biodiversity. (AU)