Mylesinus Explained

Mylesinus is a genus of serrasalmids from South America, where found in the eastern Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco basins. They are rheophilic, typically found at rapids and mainly feed on Podostemaceae plants.^{[1] [2]} Because of their habitat preference, they are threatened by the building of dams.^[2] They reach up to 35cm (14inches) in standard length, and the adult males have a double-lobed anal fin and several filamentous extensions on the dorsal fin.^[3]

Species

There are three recognized species:

• Mylesinus paraschomburgkii Jégu, dos Santos & E. J. G. Ferreira, 1989
• Mylesinus paucisquamatus Jégu & dos Santos, 1988
• Mylesinus schomburgkii Valenciennes, 1850

Notes and References

1. Book: J.E.P. Cyrino . Feeding and Digestive Functions in Fishes. 28. 2008. 978-1-4398-4269-0.
2. O.B. Vitorino Júnior . C.S. Agostinho . F.M. Pelicice. Ecology of Mylesinus paucisquamatus Jégu & Santos, 1988, an endangered fish species from the rio Tocantins basin. Neotrop. Ichthyol.. 14. 2. 2016. 10.1590/1982-0224-20150124. free. 56155368 .
3. Book: van der Sleen, P. . J.S. Albert . 2017 . Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas . Princeton University Press . 184 . 978-0691170749 .