Metaloricaria [SEP] parent taxon
Metaloricaria
Metaloricaria is a genus of armored catfishes native to South America.
Taxonomy.
The phylogenetic position of "Metaloricaria" remains uncertain. Though classified in the tribe Harttiini in the subfamily Loricariinae, the length of the maxillary barbels (longer than in all other Harttiini), low number of teeth and their reduced size, reduction of the number of caudal-fin rays, and sexual dimorphism reminiscent of that seen in the "Rineloricaria" group, tend to support a closer relationship of "Metaloricaria" with the tribe
Loricariini.
Species.
There are currently two recognized species in this genus:
- "Metaloricaria nijsseni"
- "Metaloricaria paucidens"
Distribution and habitat.
"Metaloricaria" is only known from the Guiana Shield in French Guiana and Suriname where the species occupy an ecological niche similar to that of "Harttia". The species are rarely found in their natural environment and inhabit primarily streams over rocky and sandy substrates.
Description.
Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied development of odontodes arranged in brushes along the sides