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Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes) > Trichomycterinae
Etymology: Trichomycterus: Greek, thrix = hair + Greek, mykter, -eros = nose (Ref. 45335); maracaya: The specific name maracaya (also mbaracaya) is a Tupi-Guarani Amerindian name for the margay wild cat (Leopardus wiedii), an allusion both to the blotched pigmentation pattern of this species and its predatory habits on vertebrates (tadpoles).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; depth range ? - 1 m (Ref. 51380). Tropical
South America: Rio Pardo drainage, upper Rio Paraná, southeastern Brazil.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.1 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 51380)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 42. Belongs to the Trichomycterus brasiliensis species-complex based on the possession of the following apomorphic characters unique in Trichomycterus: four longitudinal rows of well-defined blotches formed by very dense concentration of dark chromatophores in the deeper layer of skin; and pectoral fin with I+5-6 rays. Members of this putative clade, except T. iheringi, may be further distinguished from other species of Trichomycterus
in having the bases of the pelvic fins very close to each other, sometimes in contact. Differs from the remaining species of Trichomycterus (except T. brasiliensis and T. potschi) in retaining the primordial epiphyseal cartilaginous bar separating the anterior and posterior cranial fontanels even in larger individuals. Distinguished further from other species of the T. brasiliensis species-complex and from all congeners in the following putative autapomorphies: row of blotches on lateral surface not forming a lateral stripe in any stage during ontogeny; and superficial layer of pigmentation of juveniles and larger, presumably adult, specimens formed by scattered chromatophores (Ref. 51380).
A rheophilic species which dwells on limonite rocky bottom streamlet with pebbles and sand, and pools with muddy bottom and accumulated plant debris. Crepuscular and nocturnal, it forages on the bottom and picks mostly benthic prey. Feeds on immature aquatic insects (ephemeropterans, trichopterans, and plecopterans) with larger individuals preying on small tadpoles (Ref. 51380).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Bockmann, F.A. and I. Sazima, 2004. Trichomycterus maracaya, a new catfish from the upper rio Paraná, southeastern Brazil (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae), with notes on the T. brasiliensis species-complex. Neotrop. Ichthyol. 2(2):651-74. (Ref. 51380)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00851 (0.00358 - 0.02025), b=2.93 (2.74 - 3.12), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.39 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming Fec < 100).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
