Myleus is a genus of serrasalmids from South America, where found in the Amazon, Orinoco and São Francisco basins, as well as the river basin of the Guiana Shield.[1] They are found in rivers with moderately or fast-flowing water, including rapids.[2] They are primarily herbivores, but also take some animal matter.[2] Depending on the exact species, they reach up to 12–42 cm (0.4–1.4 ft) in standard length, and the adult males have a double-lobed anal fin and filamentous extensions on the dorsal fin.[2] Their strong teeth means that larger individuals can inflict severe bites on humans.
| Myleus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Myleus sp. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae |
| Genus: | Myleus J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844 |
| Type species | |
| Myleus setiger J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844
| |
Species
editThere are currently 6 recognized species of Myleus.[1][3] Several others have been moved to the genus Myloplus.[1]
- Myleus altipinnis (Valenciennes, 1850)
- Myleus knerii (Steindachner, 1881)
- Myleus latus (Jardine, 1841)
- Myleus micans (Lütken, 1875)
- Myleus pacu (Jardine, 1841)
- Myleus setiger J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844
References
edit- ^ a b c Ota, R.P., Röpke, C.P., Zuanon, J. & Jégu, M. (2013): Serrasalmidae. In: Queiroz, L.J., Torrente-Vilara, G., Ohara, W.M., Pires, T.H.S., Zuanon, J. & Doria, C.R.C. (Eds.), Peixes do rio Madeira. Volume II, Santo Antonio Energia, São Paulo, 12–47.
- ^ a b c van der Sleen, P.; J.S. Albert, eds. (2017). Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas. Princeton University Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0691170749.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Myleus". FishBase. June 2017 version.
 | This Characiformes-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |