Scleronema milonga Ferrer & Malabarba, 2020

Family:  Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Trichomycterinae
Max. size:  3.92 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Argentina and Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal soft rays: 6-7; Vertebrae: 34-35. This species is distinguished from all its congeners, except ibirapuita and teiniagua by the absence of the pore s3 of the supraorbital line of the laterosensory system (vs. with pore s3) and it differs from these species by the presence of the pore s6 of the supraorbital line of the laterosensory system (vs. pore 6 absent); differs from S. mate and S. guapa by having the rounded brown blotches at the midlateral line larger than opercle (vs. blotches as large as or smaller than opercle and absent, respectivelu) (Ref. 122319).
Biology:  Occurs in rivers and streams with sand- and gravel-bottoms and has not been collected syntopically with its congeners. Individuals larger than 3.1 cm SL are reported to be capable of spawning and are considered adults. Reported diet composed mainly of immature, autochthonous and benthic insects (Ephemeroptera, Chironomidae, and Trichoptera), in both adults and juveniles (Ref. 122319).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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