Remarks |
Hypopygus ortegai occurs in small rainforest creeks – primarily in dense mats of tree roots along the edge of streams, especially in undercut banks. Stomach contents (N = 5) included a variety of autochthonous aquatic invertebrates – mostly larvae of Chironomidae, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Ephemeroptera, and some remains of small shrimps. Hypopygus ortegai occurs syntopically with H. lepturus. Whereas H. lepturus is found in groups of up to several dozen individuals, H. ortegai is usually only found in groups of no more than three or four individuals. Additionally, whereas H. lepturus is found in streams both under rainforest canopy and in open areas (e.g. cleared farmland), H. ortegai is restricted to streams under dense forest canopy (Ref. 88778). |