Suckermouth-armored Catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) of Central and Southern Vietnam

Abstract

Presently, invasive fish species become dominant in some freshwater waterbodies and watercourses of Central and South Vietnam in terms of abundance, successfully competing with native species for ecological niches and environmental resources. This can ultimately reduce the diversity of native fish communities and cause their further transformation. Loricariids are considered the main group of invasive fish species being a serious threat to tropical and subtropical freshwater ecosystems. In this regard, the distribution and morphology of suckermouth-armored catfishes (Pterygoplichthys spp.) in different habitats of Central and South Vietnam were studied. A total of 54 reservoirs belonging to the basins of 15 large and small rivers were surveyed. Specimens were examined for 7 meristic and 34 plastic characters. The osteological analysis of the axial skeleton of fish conducted using radiography. Morphological differences and a number of developmental anomalies of morphology were found in different armored catfish populations from Vietnamese waters. It is noted that deliberate or accidental introduction of suckermouth-armored catfishes and their further spread can have negative consequences for the biodiversity of Vietnam’s aquatic ecosystems.