Loricarioidei

Loricarioidea was previously considered a part of Siluroidei, a clade of all catfishes excluding Diplomystidae. In Nelson, 2006, this grouping is sister to the superfamily Sisoroidea. though this has been disputed based on the complete ossification of the bones indicating full maturity and the absence of important holostean characters. Loricarioidea is currently diagnosed by the derived presence of a reduced gas bladder, encapsulated in expansions of the parapophysis of the first vertebrae, and of odontodes, small dermal denticles. Amphiliidae is the most basal group in Loricarioidea. • Family Nematogenyidae Bleeker, 1862 (mountain catfishes) • Family Trichomycteridae Bleeker, 1858 (pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Copionodontinae de Pinna, 1992 (Chapada pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Trichogeninae Isbrücker, 1986 (longfin pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Trichomycterinae Bleeker, 1858 (pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Sarcoglanidinae Myers & Weitzman, 1966 (psammophilic pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Glanapteryginae Myers, 1944 (miniature pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Potamoglanidinae V. J. C. Reis, Lecointre & de Pinna, 2025 (pygmy pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Tridentinae C. H. Eigenmann, 1918 (tiny pencil catfishes) • Subfamily Stegophilinae Günther, 1864 (parasitic catfishes) • Subfamily Vandelliinae Bleeker, 1862 (hematophagous catfishes) • Family Callichthyidae Bonaparte, 1835 (callichthyid armored catfishes) • Subfamily Callichthyinae Bonaparte, 1835 (callichthyines) • Subfamily Corydoradinae Hoedeman, 1952 (corys) • Family Scoloplacidae Bailey & Baskin, 1976 (spiny dwarf catfishes) • Family Astroblepidae Bleeker, 1862 (climbing catfishes) • Family Loricariidae Rafinesque, 1815 (suckermouth armored catfishes) • Subfamily Lithogeninae Gosline, 1947 (climbing armored catfishes) • Subfamily Delturinae R. E. Reis, E. H. L. Pereira & Armbruster, 2006 (primitive suckermouth catfishes) • Subfamily Rhinelepinae Armbruster, 2004 (rhinelepine plecos) • Subfamily Loricariinae Rafinesque, 1815 (mailed catfishes) • Subfamily Hypoptopomatinae C. H. Eigenmann & R. S. Eigenmann 1890 (cascudinhos) • Subfamily Hypostominae Kner, 1853 (suckermouth catfishes) ==Distribution and habitat==

These fish are found in freshwater habitats in the Neotropics, inhabiting South America, Panama, and Costa Rica. Most species inhabit stream habitats or pools; water in these habitats tends to move relatively quickly. Loricariids and Astroblepids have adapted to this with suckermouths that allow them to cling to surfaces. Astroblepids even have the ability to climb up waterfalls. ==Description==

Like other catfish, loricarioidean catfish tend to have whiskers (except within the family Loricariidae). Fish in this group can be naked or, in the case of Callichthyids, Scoloplacids, and Loricariids, armored with bony plates. ==Ecology==

Loricarioidea is a very diverse monophyletic group. These fish exhibit a wide range of morphologies and occupy many different habitats and trophic levels. This group includes herbivores, omnivores, and even parasites (candirú) and wood-eating species (Panaque). Loricariidae is by far the most successful and diverse family with approximately 700 species (and new species being discovered each year), and is the most species-rich family in the entire order. ==References==