Royal Panaque

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Royal Panaque Facts

• The eye-catching term of Royal Panaque serves the creature it belongs to quite well. That statement holds true given the fact that it serves as the common name for a recently discovered species within an extraordinary fish genus.
• In fact, it’s also a very limited group of species. In point of fact, we currently know of only seven known species in this truly unique animal genus. Distinctly, it also bears the scientific name of the Panaque nigrolineastus.
• Like all the other incredible species contained in the genus, it stands out for one reason. But, this animal remains a truly unique one. That’s since, like its related species, it represents an astonishing act of evolution in Nature.
• Furthermore, the remarkable creature classifies as what many have given the name of armored catfish. Further, its most astonishing characteristic, and the one that separates it from most other fish, will utterly amaze those new knowledge of it.
• That holds true due to a somewhat surprising reason, though. That’s the fact that the completely distinguishing trait of this recently discovered animal remains the nature of its entirely unique dietary habits. That’s due to one amazing fact.
• The amazing Royal Panaque ranks as one of only a handful of fish species of its kind. As a result of an evolutionary adaptation, it and its relatives actually consume wood. When and why this evolutionary divergence occurred remains a mystery.

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Royal Panaque Physical Description

Most notably, physically, at least, the remarkable Royal Panaque also sets itself apart from other fish in another way. That holds true since it does not possess scales as most other fish do. In fact, the body of this unique creature grows encased in relatively heavy armor.

Yet, the process of evolution did leave it one vulnerability. In point of fact, the lone exception to this protection remains the underside of the animal. This part of the body of the fish remains soft. That, therefore, represents the Achilles Heel of the animal.

Furthermore, in coloring, the Royal Panaque appears principally a light gray. However, variations of this coloring do occur. Horizontally oriented dark gray squiggles also run the length of the body. As a result, it has a highly distinctive visual appearance.

The fascinating animal also attains an average length measuring roughly 17 in (43 cm). Due to the weight of its armor, it remains a poor swimmer. However, the animal does possess a powerful sucker-like mouth. This it uses to cling to rocks or submerged logs.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Actinopterygii
• Order: Siluriformes
• Family: Loricariidae
• Genus: Panaque
• Species: P. nigrolineatus

Royal Panaque Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

One understandably sad fact about the recently discovered, and truly fascinating, Royal Panaque exists. That’s the fact that this remarkable work of Nature has a quite specific habitat range. In this, it echoes the characteristics of its few related species.

It appears to have evolved as solely endemic to the large river basins in the countries of Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. More specifically, these river basins consist of two regions already well known for the great diversity of life within their confines.

In fact, they form two enormous, and vitally important locations in the region. These, in fact, consist of the mighty Amazon River Basin, and the Orinoco Basin. More specifically, these two regions of diversity are located in South America.

Remarkably, the truly incredible Royal Panaque holds one highly distinctive secret. To the amazement of many individuals, the fish appears to have evolved as fully herbivorous in nature. However, this characteristic holds true with one unique adaptation.

The fascinating fish consumes not only algae but also feeds on something truly amazing. You see, this wonder of Nature evolved the ability to consume wood. Highly specialized bacteria in its digestive tract make this astounding feat possible.

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