Global InformationMagosternarchus information
| Magosternarchus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia
|
| Phylum: | Chordata
|
| Class: | Actinopterygii
|
| Order: | Gymnotiformes
|
| Family: | Apteronotidae
|
| Genus: | Magosternarchus Lundberg, Cox Fernandes & Albert, 1996
|
| Type species | |
| Magosternarchus raptor Lundberg, Cox Fernandes & Albert, 1996
| |
| |
| Occurrences of M. raptor (red circles) and M. duccis (white squares) | |
Magosternarchus is a genus of weakly electric knifefish in the family Apteronotidae, containing two species. They are endemic to Brazil, occurring in large river channels in the Amazon River basin. Both species are unusual benthic predators that specialize in biting off the tails of other knifefishes, and are characterized by their greatly enlarged jaws and teeth. Recent systematic studies indicate that both species should be included in Sternarchella instead of being placed in their own genus.