| Chiapas catfish | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Lacantuniidae Rodiles-Hernández, Hendrickson & Lundberg, 2005 |
| Genus: | Lacantunia Rodiles-Hernández, Hendrickson & Lundberg, 2005 |
| Species: | L. enigmatica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lacantunia enigmatica | |
The Chiapas catfish (Lacantunia enigmatica) is an unusual species of catfish (order Siluriformes) from the Usumacinta River basin in the Mexican state of Chiapas and in Guatemala.[1] It was scientifically described in 2005 and placed in its own family Lacantuniidae. While discovery of an undescribed species of catfish is not uncommon, discovery of a new family of any vertebrate group is a rare event.[2] The Chiapas catfish mainly feeds on crabs, prawns, small fish, and large, tough plant seeds.[2] This catfish is commonly fished in its natural habitat, where it is known as madre de juil, which means "mother of Rhamdia" (a common fish in the area).[2]
- ^ Quintana, Y.; C. Barrientos; R. Rodiles-Hernández (2019). "Range extension for Lacantunia enigmatica Rodiles-Hernández, Hendrickson & Lundberg, 2005 (Siluriformes, Lacantuniidae) in the Usumacinta river basin, Guatemala". Check List. 15 (1): 161–167. doi:10.15560/15.1.161.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
discoverywas invoked but never defined (see the help page).