BATHYCETOPSIS-OLIVEIRAI, GEN ET SP-NOV, A BLIND AND DEPIGMENTED CATFISH (SILURIFORMES, CETOPSIDAE) FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Authors
LUNDBERG JG PYDANIEL LR
Citation
Jg. Lundberg et Lr. Pydaniel, BATHYCETOPSIS-OLIVEIRAI, GEN ET SP-NOV, A BLIND AND DEPIGMENTED CATFISH (SILURIFORMES, CETOPSIDAE) FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON, Copeia, (2), 1994, pp. 381-390
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Zoology
Journal title
Copeia → ACNP
ISSN journal
00458511
Issue
2
Year of publication
1994
Pages
381 - 390
Database
ISI
SICI code
0045-8511(1994):2<381:BGESAB>2.0.ZU;2-U
Abstract
A new genus and species of cetopsid catfish, Bathycetopsis oliveirai, is described from trawl collections made in large, white-water river c hannels of the Brazilian Amazon. This taxon is uniquely diagnosed by e nlarged olfactory organs occupying greatly hypertrophied olfactory cap sules, lack of eyes, and almost complete absence of melanic pigmentati on. The independent evolution of anophthalmic and achromatic catfishes inhabiting subterranean waters and river channels is discussed.