Paracanthopoma sp. is associated with Doras phlyzakion
Posted: 15 Sep 2021, 02:04
Lubich, C. C., Martins, A. R., Freitas, C. E., Hurd, L. E., & Siqueira-Souza, F. K. (2021). A candiru, Paracanthopoma sp.(Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae), associated with a thorny catfish, Doras phlyzakion (Siluriformes: Doradidae), in a tributary of the middle Rio Negro, Brazilian Amazon. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 51, 241.
https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.51.64324
https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/64324/
https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/64324/download/pdf/
https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.51.64324
https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/64324/
https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/64324/download/pdf/
Abstract
Amazonian vampire catfish, known regionally as “candiru”, are recognized as hematophagous fishes, but information on their ecology remains limited. We provide the first report of sp. (Vandelliinae) found attached to the body surface of a thorny catfish, Sabaj Pérez et Birindelli, 2008, bellow the lateral bony plates, rather than at the gills where they have usually been found. The specimens had not recently ingested blood or other identifiable fish remains (flesh, skin, or mucus), which could be an indication they have been using this host for protection or as a phoretic association, rather than for feeding. Thus, the interaction of vampire fish with the host catfish may be more complex than previously understood.
- Keywords: candiru, vampire fish, interspecific fish relations, Actinopterygii, Siluriformes, Vandelliinae