Ituglanis apteryx Datovo, 2014

Family:  Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Trichomycterinae
Max. size:  6.72 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Rio Curuá, Rio Xingu basin in Brazil.
Diagnosis:  The lack of pelvic fins, girdle, and muscles separates this species from all congeners, except some of specimens of Ituglanis parahybae. Can be diagnosed from I. parahybae by the following characters: presence of a supraorbital laterosensory canal with pores s1, s3, and s6 (vs. entire supraorbital canal lacking); absence of a posterior cranial fontanel ( vs. presence); six branchiostegal rays (vs. eight); two pair of ribs (vs. six); 43-45 post-Weberian vertebrae (vs. 38); 27 predorsal post-Weberian vertebrae (vs. 22); and presence of an epural (vs. absence) (Ref. 95610).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 27 January 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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