Lithogenes, Eigenmann, 1909

Armbruster, Jonathan W., 2004, Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armoured catfishes (Loricariidae) with emphasis on the Hypostominae and the Ancistrinae, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141 (1), pp. 1-80 : 57

LITHOGENES

In the analysis, Lithogenes grouped with Astroblepus and not the Loricariidae . Lithogenes and Astroblepus are diagnosed by two unique characteristics: a cylindrical connecting bone (140: 1) and a first pelvic-fin ray that is completely split in two (176: 1). In addition, there is one other characteristic synapomorphic for Astroblepus + Lithogenes that is shared only with Hemipsilichthys nudulus , loss of the nuchal plate (146: 0), and several other characteristics with a low CI (see Appendix 3). However, other morphological data (S. A. Schaefer, pers. comm.) seem to suggest that Lithogenes is sister to all other loricariids. More information needs to be obtained to fully resolve the conflict of the relationships of Lithogenes , which is left in the Loricariidae until further evidence becomes available.