Lithogenes

Lithogenic is a three- species genus of the armored catfish ( Loricariidae ). The genus occurs in Venezuela before the Valenciasee in the north and the headwaters of the Orinoco River in the south, as well as in Guyana in Potaro in the basin of the Essequibo. Lithogenic valencia occurring in the Valenciasee species is possibly extinct, since the lake is heavily polluted by the discharge of wastewater.

Features

Lithogenic be 4.4 to 7.8 cm long. Of all the other plecos they are distinguished by their almost non-armored body that is caused by reduction in bone shields or a Plesiomorphie with the sister group of the armored catfish is the climbing catfish ( Astroblepidae ). The head is large, the length of the head makes up 22 to 29 % of standard length, head width 78-95 % of head length. The suction mouth at the head underside occupies almost the entire head width. The teeth are bicuspid and may be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

An adipose fin is present. This can be supported by an ossified sting at its front edge.

Species

• Lithogenic villosus Eigenmann, 1909

System

Lithogenic is the basal sister species of all other armored catfish and is therefore a suitable subfamily assigned, the Lithogeninae.