Rhamdia zongolicensis (common name: Zongolica catfish) is a species of three-barbeled catfish endemic to Mexico.[2][3][4] Its specific name refers to Zongolica, the area in Veracruz state where it occurs. It is a cave fish similar to Rhamdia laticauda and Rhamdia reddelli,[4] and at times considered a junior synonym of the former.[3][4]
| Rhamdia zongolicensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Heptapteridae |
| Genus: | Rhamdia |
| Species: | R. zongolicensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rhamdia zongolicensis Wilkens, 1993
| |
Habitat
editRhamdia zongolicensis is only known to occur in a single cave, Cueva del Túnel (Cueva del Ostoc), where it lives in stagnant pools.[5]
Description
editRhamdia zongolicensis grows to at least about 15 cm (5.9 in) standard length. It is related to the surface-dwelling Rhamdia laticauda, considered to be its sister species. Because the surface species is nocturnal, and thereby adapted to darkness, the cave species shows only few new adaptations: elongated barbels and extreme ability to withstand starvation (at least seven months under experimental conditions). It also shows reduced pigmentation and smaller eyes.[5]
Rhamdia zongolicensis is morphologically indistinguishable from Rhamdia reddelli. This is interpreted as resulting from convergent evolution.[5]
References
edit- ^ Arroyave, J.; Schmitter-Soto, J. (2019). "Rhamdia zongolicensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T19456A2349993. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T19456A2349993.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Rhamdia zongolicensis". FishBase. October 2015 version.
- ^ a b Eschmeyer, W. N.; R. Fricke, eds. (4 January 2016). "Catalog of Fishes". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ a b c Romero, Aldemaro; Paulson, Kelly M. (2001). "It's a wonderful hypogean life: a guide to the troglomorphic fishes of the world". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 62 (1–3): 13–41. doi:10.1023/A:1011844404235. S2CID 34127843.
- ^ a b c Wilkens, Horst (2001). "Convergent adaptations to cave life in the Rhamdia laticauda catfish group (Pimelodidae, Teleostei)". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 62 (1–3): 251–261. doi:10.1023/A:1011897805681. S2CID 46381489.