Serrasalmus

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Serrasalmus
Black piranha, zoo animal

Black piranha , zoo animal

Systematics
Cohort : Ostarioclupeomorpha
Sub-cohort : Ostariophysi
Order : Tetras (Characiformes)
Family : Sägesalmler (Serrasalmidae)
without rank: Piranhas
Genre : Serrasalmus
Scientific name
Serrasalmus
Lacépède , 1803

Serrasalmus is aspecies belongingto the piranhas in the Sägesalmler family with morphologically different, small to large species.

features

The genus Serrasalmus is similar in appearance to the genus Pristobrycon . Serrasalmus species differ from the saw tetras, which do not belong to the piranhas, by their characteristic teeth. The sharp, blade-like teeth sit in a single row on the upper and lower jaws. Similar to the genera Pristobrycon and Pygocentrus , the teeth are triangular (especially the rear ones) with two or three tips, one of which is considerably longer than the other. When the mouth is closed, the lower jaw extends well beyond the upper jaw.

The body is silver, often reddish orange on the cheeks, belly and some fins. However, large, adult specimens of several species are dark, mostly gray-black to black (for example Serrasalmus gouldingi , Serrasalmus manueli or the black piranha Serrasalmus rhombeus ), the darkest individuals occur in black water . The dorsal fin is moderately long, the anal fin is long, and there is an adipose fin .

distribution

Serrasalmus is the most widespread genus of the Sägesalmler. The distribution area extends over the entire Amazonas - Orinoco - Guayana (AOG) region with 12 ecoregions as well as the Rio São Francisco and the Río de la Plata catchment area. The Amazon area with 17 species and the Orinoco area with 8 species with 4 overlapping species have the greatest species diversity.

Way of life

Many juvenile fish and some adults of the genus feed on the fins of other fish. Larger specimens attack larger fish and sometimes mammals and bite pieces of meat out of them, parts of fins or entire small fish are also eaten. Occasionally, when available, seeds and fruits are also taken. In Serrasalmus stomachs also pieces of frogs and toads, reptiles, birds, rodents, crabs, insects and snails found.

Types (selection)

FishBase lists 31 species, including:

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Peter van der Sleen, James S. Albert: Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas. 2017, University Press Group Ltd, ISBN 978-0691170749 , pp. 192-193.
  2. ↑ Serrasalmus on Fishbase.org (English)

Web links

Commons : Serrasalmus  - collection of images, videos and audio files