Rineloricaria steinbachi

Rineloricaria steinbachi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Rineloricaria
Species:
R. steinbachi
Binomial name
Rineloricaria steinbachi
(Regan, 1906)[2]
Synonyms[2]
  • Loricaria steinbachi Regan, 1906
  • Ixinandria steinbachi (Regan, 1906)
  • Canthopomus montebelloi Fowler, 1940
  • Ixinandria montebelloi (Fowler, 1940)

Rineloricaria steinbachi is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Loricariidae, the mailed catfishes, and the subfamily Loricariinae, the suckermouth armored catfishes.[2] This species is sometimes in the monospecific genus Ixinandria.[3] R. steinbachi is found in central South America in Argentina and Bolivia.

Taxonomy

Ixinandria was part of the Rineloricaria group of the Loricariini tribe within the subfamily Loricariinae.[4] The phylogenetic position of Ixinandria within the tribe Loricariini remains uncertain. It has been suggested that Ixinandria could be synonym of Rineloricaria.[4]

Previously there were two species in this genus, but it was found that Ixinandria montebelloi was a synonym of R. steinbachi.[3]

Distribution

The distribution of this species includes rivers of the Atlantic slope of the Andes in Bolivia and Argentina.[4] R. steinbachi occurs in the Salado River basin.[5] R. steinbachi occurs in Salta Province in mountainous areas at high altitudes ranging from around 1,000–2,900 metres (3,300–9,500 ft) above sea level.[4]

Appearance and anatomy

Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied odontodes around the head margin and on the pectoral fin spines of mature males.[4] These fish reach a length of 11.3 centimetres (4.4 in) SL.[5]

Habitat ecology

Rineloricaria steinbachi is a rheophilic species that lives in fast flowing and very oxygenated waters. Its color pattern reflects mimicry with stoned bottoms.[4] Fertilized eggs have been found on the hidden surface of a stone, suggesting that R. steinbachi could be a cavity spawner.[4]

References

  1. ^ Carvajal-Vallejos, F.M. (2023). "Rineloricaria steinbachi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023 e.T176492148A176492164. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T176492148A176492164.en. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Rineloricaria". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b Rodriguez, Mónica S.; Cramer, Christian A.; Bonatto, Sandro L.; Reis, Roberto E. (2008). "Taxonomy of Ixinandria Isbrücker & Nijssen (Loricariidae: Loricariinae) based on morphological and molecular data". Neotropical Ichthyology. 6 (3): 367–378. doi:10.1590/s1679-62252008000300010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Covain, Raphael; Fisch-Muller, Sonia (2007). "The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1462: 1–40. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1462.1.1.
  5. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Ixinandria steinbachi". FishBase. December 2011 version.