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Silvinichthys mendozensis (Arratia, Chang G., Menu-Marque & Rojas M., 1978) |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Trichomycterinae | |||
| Max. size: | 7.3 cm (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | South America: Mendoza River basin in Argentina. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal soft rays: 10-12; Vertebrae: 39-43. Entire surface of body skin perforated by pores of ampullary organs; cephalic sensory canal system represented only by anterior portion of supraorbital canal enclosed by nasal bone, and posterior portion of postotic canal enclosed by pterotic and posttemporosupracleithrum; two anteriormost pores of supraorbital canal present medial to anterior and posterior nostrils, respectively; one or two pores of postotic canal on pterotic and between pterotic and posttemporosupracleithrum; body lateral line represented only by portion posterior to head, with one or two pores; head and body pit lines absent in most individuals; peritoneum and wall of pleuroperitoneal cavity blackish due to presence of many melanophores; eye small and supported by membranous outgrowth of hyomandibula and by membrane; and ceratobranchial and epibranchial bones without ossified gill rakers. The short dorsal fin has 5 precurrent rays plus 6 to 9 principal rays; anal fin has 4 precurrent rays and 6 to 8 principal rays. | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 January 2021 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||