Trichomycterus spectrum
| Trichomycterus spectrum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae |
| Genus: | Trichomycterus |
| Species: | T. spectrum |
| Binomial name | |
| Trichomycterus spectrum | |
Trichomycterus spectrum is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Trichomycteridae, the pencil and parasitic catfishes.[2] This catfish was discovered in Alejo cave, Río Ranchería basin, Guajira, Colombia in 2020.[3]
Description
[edit]The fish was the first cavefish species discovered in the region. The fish is described as being well adapted to life underground and displays clear troglomorphism.[3]
It grows to a maximum length of 13.19 centimetres (5.19 in) standard length.[4]
Etymology
[edit]The colourful sounding specific name spectrum does not allude to a spectrum at all. Instead it relates to its spectral-like appearance and its dark cave habitat.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ↑ Lasso, C. (2021). "Trichomycterus spectrum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T202709479A202709491. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T202709479A202709491.en. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- 1 2 Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Trichomycterus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- 1 2 DoNascimiento, Carlos; Prada-Pedreros, Saúl (2020). "A new troglomorphic species of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from north-eastern Colombia, with proposal of a new Trichomycterus subclade and remarks on some nominal species from Colombia". Journal of Fish Biology. 96 (4): 968–985. Bibcode:2020JFBio..96..968D. doi:10.1111/jfb.14286. ISSN 1095-8649. PMID 32048292.
- 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2025). "Trichomycterus spectrum". FishBase.
- ↑ Christopher Scharpf (25 September 2025). "Family TRICHOMYCTERIDAE Bleeker 1858 (Pencil and Parasitic Catfishes)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 25 November 2025.