Pygopristis
Pygopristis denticulata, also known as the lobetoothed piranha, is a species of piranha. 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. Like other piranhas, it is found in freshwater, with specimens of this species typically found in acidic clearwater or blackwater environments. Despite their ferocious reputation, many piranhas have broader diets; this species usually feeds on aquatic insects, small fish, and fruits.
| Pygopristis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae |
| Genus: | Pygopristis J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844 |
| Species: | P. denticulata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pygopristis denticulata (G. Cuvier, 1819) | |
| Synonyms | |
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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. Within the family Serrasalmidae, P. denticulata is more closely related to Catoprion than it is to the majority of species traditionally considered true piranhas.
P. denticulata grows to about 20.0 cm (7.9 in) in total length. It has 62 chromosomes.