From Wikipedia - Reading time: 5 min
| Anchariidae | |
|---|---|
| Ancharius fuscus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Superfamily: | Arioidea |
| Family: | Anchariidae Glaw & Vences, 1994 |
| Genera | |
The Anchariidae are a family of catfishes containing two genera, Ancharius and Gogo[1] with 6 species. Anchariids are a strictly freshwater group endemic to Madagascar.[2] Anchariids are characterized by the presence of fringed barbels and a reduced anterior nuchal plate.[2]
Traditionally, Ancharius is classified in Ariidae. The general consensus in recent years is that anchariids are members of Ariidae and do not warrant family rank.[2] However, this family was recently revised in 2005, which reinstated the separate family for Ancharius and described the genus Gogo.[2]
A molecular analysis grouped Anchariidae with Ariidae under the superfamily Arioidea.[3]