First report of armored catfishes Callichthyinae Bonaparte, 1838 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) in the subterranean domain of northern and northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The first occurrence of the armored catfishes of the subfamily Callichthynae is reported in subterranean water bodies of northern and northeastern Brazil. The records include 3 species, each occurring in 1 of the 3 caves in the central and northeastern regions of Brazil: Callichthys callichthys from Casa do Caboclo cave, Sergipe state; Hoplosternum littorale from the Gruna da Lagoa do Meio, Bahia state; and Megalechis thoracata, from Casa de Pedra cave, Tocantins state.