Pseudoloricaria Bleeker 1862

Pseudoloricaria Bleeker, 1862.

Type species: Loricaria laeviuscula Valenciennes, 1840.

Holotype: MNHN B 365, no type locality.

Gender: feminine.

This monotypic genus is distributed in the middle and lower Amazon basin. Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula was collected over sandy bottoms, in clear waters, in the main flow of rivers, and in neighboring temporary ponds (pers. obs.). Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied development of the lower lip suggesting that Pseudoloricaria is a lip brooder. The phylogenetic position of Pseudoloricaria is uncertain. This genus closely resembles Limatulichthys in external morphology. Isbrücker & Nijssen (in Isbrücker 1979) considered Limatulichthys to be the most primitive representative of the Loricariichthys group. Consequently, Pseudoloricaria could occupy a basal position among its group, as the sister genus of'Limatulichthys. Rapp Py-Daniel (1997) found Pseudoloricaria and Limatulichthys as sister groups to the Hemiodontichthyina but didn’t resolve the relationships between these two genera. A key to distinguish Pseudoloricaria (P. laeviscula) from Limatulichthys (Pseudoloricaria punctata in Isbrücker & Nijssen1976b) is available in Isbrücker & Nijssen (1976b).