Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil
(Osteichthyes: Siluriformes),
and catalogue of siluriform primary types
CARL J. FERRARIS, JR. 2007. Zootaxa 1418
Abstract
A checklist of Recent and fossil catfishes (Order Siluriformes) is presented, summarizing taxonomic literature published
through 2005. From 4624 nominal species group names and 810 genus group names, 3093 species are recognized as
valid, and are distributed among 478 genera and 36 families. Distributional summaries are provided for each species, and
nomenclatural synonymies, including relevant information on all name-bearing types, are included for all taxa. One new
name is proposed herein: Clariallabes teugelsi, as a replacement for Clarias (Allabenchelys) dumerili longibarbis David
& Poll, 1937, which is preoccupied by Clarias longibarbis Worthington, 1933, but has been treated as a valid species of
Clariallabes by Teugels. Acrochordonichthys melanogaster Bleeker, 1854, is designated as type species of Acrochordonichthys
Bleeker, 1857, inasmuch as no earlier valid designation has been found. A new genus Pseudobagarius, is proposed
for the “pseudobagarius group” of species formerly placed in Akysis. The status of 228 species group names
remains unresolved and 31 names based on otoliths ascribed to catfishes are listed but not placed into the checklist. The
current emphasis given to catfish taxonomy at present is likely to result in a dramatic increase in the total number of valid
taxa as well as major changes in the membership of some of the higher level taxa recognized here.
