Ernstichthys

Ernstichthys
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Aspredinidae
Subfamily: Hoplomyzontinae
Genus: Ernstichthys
Fernández-Yépez, 1953
Type species
Ernstichthys anduzei

Ernstichthys is a genus of banjo catfishes that occurs in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.[1]

The genus was named in honor of the Chair of Natural Science at the Central University of Venezuela biologist Adolfo (also spelled Adolf) Ernst (1832–1899).[2]


Ernstichthys species are small to medium-sized, armored aspredinids.[1] Members of this genus are distinguished from all other aspredinids by having two sets of paired pre-anal-fin plates and a strongly recurved pectoral spine that is much longer than first branched pectoral-fin ray.[1]

Species

There are currently five described species in this genus:[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Friel, John Patrick (1994-12-13). A Phylogenetic Study of the Neotropical Banjo Catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) (PDF) (PhD thesis). Duke University, Durham, NC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  2. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (18 September 2025). "Family ASPREDINIDAE (Adams 1854) Banjo Catfishes". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  3. ^ Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Ernstichthys". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 October 2025.