Pygopristis

Pygopristis denticulata, also known as the lobetoothed piranha, is a species of piranha.^[2] 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.^[3] Like other piranhas, it is found in freshwater,^[2] with specimens of this species typically found in acidic clearwater or blackwater environments. Despite their ferocious reputation, many piranhas have broader diets;^[2] this species feeds on the scales of other fish as juveniles,^[4] but transitions to a broader diet of aquatic insects, small fish, and fruits as adults.^[5]

Pygopristis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Serrasalmidae
Subfamily:	Serrasalminae
Genus:	Pygopristis J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844
Species:	P. denticulata
Binomial name
Pygopristis denticulata (G. Cuvier, 1819)
Synonyms
Serrasalmus denticulatus G. Cuvier, 1819 Serrasalmus punctatus Jardine, 1841 Pygopristis fumarius J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1845

Biology

P. denticulata grows to about 20 cm (7.9 in) in total length.^[3] It has 62 chromosomes.^[6]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.^[6]

Taxonomy

Within the family Serrasalmidae, P. denticulata is more closely related to Catoprion than it is to the majority of species traditionally considered true piranhas.^[6]

Gallery

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  Juvenile
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  Dentition