Conorhynchos Explained

Conorhynchos conirostris is a monotypic genus of catfish (order Siluriformes).

The spelling of the generic name has been confused; it is currently valid as Conorhynchos as described by Pieter Bleeker in 1858. This catfish has unknown relationships. It does not appear to be assignable to any family and is placed incertae sedis.^[1] However, it has been grouped into the superfamily Pimelodoidea due to molecular evidence.^[2]

Conorhynchos conirostris is endemic to the São Francisco River in Brazil and is considered a symbol of the river.^[3] This fish can reach 53.5cm (21.1inches) in standard length and 13 kilograms (29 lb) in weight.^[3] This fish is of commercial interest,^[3] and is considered threatened by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment.^[4]

References

1. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Carl J. Jr.. Ferraris. Zootaxa. 1418. 1–628. 2007. 10.11646/zootaxa.1418.1.1.
2. Mol Phylogenet Evol. 2006. 41. 3. 636–62. A phylogenetic analysis of the major groups of catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes) using rag1 and rag2 nuclear gene sequences. Sullivan. JP. Lundberg JG . Hardman M . 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.044. 16876440.
3. Web site: Biologia Reprodutiva do Pirá Conorhynchus conirostris Valenciennes, 1840 (Pisces: Pimelodidae) do Rio São Francisco, Região de Pirapora, Minas Gerais (Portuguese) . Daniella Cristina Januário Ribeiro . 2002 . 2007-06-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20040504024530/http://www.sfrancisco.bio.br/html/arquivos/RibeiroD001.pdf . May 4, 2004 .
4. [ICMBio]