Dasyloricaria Isbruecker & Nijssen 1979

Dasyloricaria Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1979.

Type species: Loricaria filamentosa Steindachner, 1878.

Holotype: NMW 44874, Colombia, Rio Magdalena drainage.

Gender: feminine.

Distribution includes the northwestern South America on the Pacific slope of Colombia and Panama. Dasyloricaria is poorly known and no ecological data are available. Sexual dimorphism is similar to that of Rineloricaria, including hypertrophied odontodes forming brushes on the lateral surfaces of the head in mature males. Steindachner (1878) reported hypertrophied development of the lower lip, a characteristic of representatives of the Loricariichthys group, suggesting that Dasyloricaria is also a lip brooder. This genus is unusual in several respects. Its distribution is restricted to the Pacific slope of the Andes, unique pattern of distribution within the subfamily, distinguishing it from the rest of the Loricariinae, although it shares morphological characteristics with representatives of other groups mainly distributed on the Atlantic slope. Along with other members of the Rineloricaria group, it shares papillose lips and hypertrophied odontodes along the sides of the head in breeding males. With some representatives of the Loricariichthys group, it shares deep postorbital notches, an abdominal cover strongly structured, and a similar mouth shape, including the hypertrophied lower lip of breeding males. Finally, with some representatives of the Loricaria group, it shares a triangular head, strong predorsal keels, and the upper caudal fin ray produced into a long whip. Dasyloricaria could represent a link between all other morphological groups. Based on sexually dimorphic characters and lip structure it is placed within the Rineloricaria group following Isbrücker (1979). Currently, five valid species are recognized (Ferraris2003).