Salminus Temporal range:
Miocene to present
| |
---|---|
Salminus hilarii | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Characiformes |
Family: | Characidae |
Subfamily: | Salmininae |
Genus: |
Salminus Agassiz, 1829 |
Species | |
4, see text |
Salminus, popularly known as dorado or dourado, is a genus of relatively large (up to 1.3–1.4 m or 4.3–4.6 ft long [1] [2]), predatory freshwater fish from the family Characidae. They are native to large tropical and subtropical rivers in South America, and undertake migrations during the rainy season to spawn. [3] They are very popular among recreational anglers and also support important commercial fisheries. [3]
Significant taxonomic confusion has surrounded this genus, and until a review in 1990, several additional species were recognised (most of these are junior synonyms of S. brasiliensis). [4] Although known for more than 150 years, S. franciscanus was only scientifically described in 2007. [3] Today, four extant (living) species are recognised: [5]
A fifth extinct species is only known from Miocene fossil remains:
Salminus Temporal range:
Miocene to present
| |
---|---|
Salminus hilarii | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Characiformes |
Family: | Characidae |
Subfamily: | Salmininae |
Genus: |
Salminus Agassiz, 1829 |
Species | |
4, see text |
Salminus, popularly known as dorado or dourado, is a genus of relatively large (up to 1.3–1.4 m or 4.3–4.6 ft long [1] [2]), predatory freshwater fish from the family Characidae. They are native to large tropical and subtropical rivers in South America, and undertake migrations during the rainy season to spawn. [3] They are very popular among recreational anglers and also support important commercial fisheries. [3]
Significant taxonomic confusion has surrounded this genus, and until a review in 1990, several additional species were recognised (most of these are junior synonyms of S. brasiliensis). [4] Although known for more than 150 years, S. franciscanus was only scientifically described in 2007. [3] Today, four extant (living) species are recognised: [5]
A fifth extinct species is only known from Miocene fossil remains: