The Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a new exotic species established in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Abstract: The correct identity and occurrence of the introduced armored catfish, locally known as “devil fish” or “pleco” in the Dominican Republic, is briefly described. Specimens were collected from six sites in the Dominican Republic. Several meristic and morphometric characters, as well as other external features including coloration, were examined. Results were compared with existing literature on fishes of the family Loricariidae. Examination revealed that specimens of the armored catfish, unofficially reported as Hypostomus plecostomus, actually belongs to the species Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855). It is inferred that this fish is established in Dominican inland waters, also the possibe occurrence of more than one species of Pterygoplichthys is discussed. This is the first report of this invasive species in the island of Hispaniola.

Resumen: Se describe brevemente la identidad correcta y la presencia del pez gato acorazado introducido, localmente conocido como “pez diablo” o “pleco” en República Dominicana. Se recolectaron muestras de seis sitios en República Dominicana. Se examinaron varios caracteres merísticos y morfométricos, así como otras características externas, incluida la coloración. Los resultados se compararon con la literatura existente sobre peces de la familia Loricariidae. El examen reveló que los especímenes del pez gato acorazado, reportados extraoficialmente como Hypostomus plecostomus, en realidad pertenecen a la especie Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855). Se infiere que este pez está establecido en aguas internas dominicanas y se discute la posible presencia de más de una especie de Pterygoplichthys. Este es el primer reporte de esta especie invasora en la isla Española.