Pygopristis denticulata, also known as the lobetoothed piranha, is a species of piranha.[1] It is a rare South American characiform fish found in the Orinoco River basin, rivers of the northern and eastern Guiana Shield, and tributaries of the lower Amazon River.[2] Like other piranhas, it is found in freshwater,[1] with specimens of this species typically found in acidic clearwater or blackwater environments. Despite their ferocious reputation, many piranhas have broader diets;[1] this species usually feeds on aquatic insects, small fish, and fruits.[3]
| Pygopristis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae |
| Genus: | Pygopristis J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844 |
| Species: | P. denticulata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pygopristis denticulata (G. Cuvier, 1819) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
P. denticulata has pentacuspid teeth and a middle cusp that is usually only slightly larger than the other cusps. This is unlike other piranhas, which have tricuspid teeth with a larger middle cusp, making the teeth appear triangular.[4] Within the family Serrasalmidae, P. denticulata is more closely related to Catoprion than it is to the majority of species traditionally considered true piranhas.[4]
P. denticulata grows to about 20.0 cm (7.9 in) in total length.[2] It has 62 chromosomes.[4]
References
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