Oxyropsis is a monophyletic genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes three species, O. acutirostris, O. carinata, and O. wrightiana.

Distribution

O. carinata and O. wrightiana are distributed in the middle and upper Amazon River basin, while O. acutirostris is distributed in the Negro and Orinoco basins of South America.

Physical description

Oxyropsis species are distinguished by the presence of a single row of enlarged odontodes along the trunk midline lying adjacent, and immediately dorsal to, the lateral line canal. Oxyropsis species have a depressed head and have relatively large eyes placed ventrolaterally. Oxyropsis is most similar to Hypoptopoma in external appearance, which shares the head shape and eye placement. Oxyropsis are elongate and have a narrow caudal peduncle, which distinguishes it from all other Hypoptopomatinae genera except Niobichthys and Acestridium.

The species of Oxyropsis are distinguished based on their armor plate formation, numbers of plates and teeth, relative depth of the caudal peduncle, development of serrae on the pectoral fin spine. Males have a genital papilla.

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