Anchariidae | |
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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]