Megalechis
Roberto E. Reis
- Megalechis personata
- Megalechis thoracata
Type-species: Callichthys thoracatus Valenciennes,
1840.
See the Complete Catalogue for authorships,
synonyms, type-localities, and references.
Diagnosis
No uniquely derived features where found for Megalechis, but the extremely developed pectoral spine in reproductive males is a derived feature, also shared with Hoplosternum littorale.
Distribution
Both species of Megalechis are distributed east of the Andes in the northern portion of South America, including the Amazonas and Orinoco rivers, as well as the coastal drainages of the Guianas. One single specimen of Megalechis personata, however, was apparently collected in the Río Paraguay system (MZUSP 25262).
Key to the Species Megalechis
- 1a. Caudal fin with a conspicuous vertical dark band, posterior border of caudal fin also dark; anal fin usually with five branched rays; dorsal fin spine comparatively longer (52.0-64.0% of dorsal-fin base - in specimens with 90 mm SL or larger) .....Megalechis thoracata
- 1b. Caudal fin homogeneously greyish, with a lighter band on base of rays and sometimes darker punctuations; anal fin usually with six branched rays; dorsal-fin spine comparatively shorter (32.0-47.0% of dorsal-fin base - in specimens with 90 mm SL or larger) .....Megalechis personata
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Megalechis thoracata |
|---|---|
| Location | Apuré, Venezuela |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
© Roberto E. Reis
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About This Page
Roberto E. Reis
Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia da PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Page copyright © 1996 Roberto E. Reis
Page: Tree of Life
Megalechis.
Authored by
Roberto E. Reis.
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- First online 29 April 1996
- Content changed 22 April 1997
Citing this page:
Reis, Roberto E. 1997. Megalechis. Version 22 April 1997 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Megalechis/15338/1997.04.22 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
