NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Piranha

A piranha or piraña (pronounced /pɨˈrɑːnjə/, /pɨˈrænjə/, /pɨˈrɑːnə/, or /pɨˈrænə/) is a member of a family of omnivorous^[1] freshwater fish which live in South American rivers. In Venezuelan rivers they are called caribes. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat. Omnivores are organisms that consume both plants and animals. ... For the village on the Isle of Wight, see Freshwater, Isle of Wight. ... For other uses, see Fish (disambiguation). ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... For other uses, see River (disambiguation). ... Teeth redirects here. ... This article is about the food. ...

Etymology

The name piranha may come from a hybrid language composed of Tupi-Guarani languages;^[clarify] it may be a compound word made of the components pirá, meaning 'fish', and sanha or ranha, meaning 'tooth'. In Tupi, inalienably possessed nouns take the prefix t-, s-, or r- depending on the possessor, or zero in combination; thus pirá + anha. Alternatively, it may come from Tupi pirá (fish) and ánha (devil).^{[citation needed]} This article is in need of attention. ... Teeth redirects here. ... Possession, in the context of linguistics, is an asymmetric relationship between two constituents, one of which possesses (owns, rules over, has as a part, has as a relative, etc. ... The Tupi languages are a language family of 70 languages which are spoken by Indian tribesmen in South America. ...

Taxonomy

Piranhas belong to the family of Serrasalmidae (though some scientists still classify them in the family Characidae which also includes closely related herbivorous fish including pacus).^[2] Traditionally, only the four genera Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, and Serrasalmus are considered to be true piranhas, due to their specialized teeth. However, a recent analysis showed that, if the piranha group is to be monophyletic, it should be restricted to Serrasalmus, Pygocentrus, and part of Pristobrycon, or expanded to include these taxa plus Pygopristis, Catoprion, and Pristobrycon striolatus. Pygopristis was found to be more closely related to Catoprion than the other three piranha genera.^[2] The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ... Genera Acnodon Catoprion Colossoma Metynnis Mylesinus Myletes Myleus Myloplus Mylossoma Ossubtus Piaractus Pristobrycon Pygocentrus Pygopristis Serrasalmo Serrasalmus Tometes Utiaritichthys Serrasalminae is a scientific classification of fish within the Characidae family. ... Pacu (IPA: is a South American freshwater fish. ... species Pristobrycon is a genus of piranhas. ... Genera Catoprion Citharinus Pristobrycon Pygocentrus Serrasalmus The piranhas or piraÃ±as are a group of carnivorous freshwater fish living in South American rivers. ... Binomial name (Cuvier, 1819) Synonyms Serrasalmus denticulatus Cuvier, 1819 Serrasalmus punctatus Jardine, 1841 Pygopristis fumarius MÃ¼ller & Troschel, 1845 Pygopristis denticulata is a species of piranha and is the only species of the genus Pygopristis. ... The genus Serrasalmus is used to group several species of piranha, including the red-bellied piranha and the black piranha. ... In phylogenetics, a group is monophyletic (Greek: of one race) if it consists of an inferred common ancestor and all its descendants. ...

The total number of piranha species is not known and new species continue to be described. In 1988, it was stated that fewer than a half of the approximately 60 nominal species of piranhas at the time were valid. More recently in 2003, one author recognized a total of 38 or 39 species, although the validity of some taxa remains questionable.^[2]

Distribution

Piranhas are found only in the Amazon basin, in the Orinoco, in rivers of the Guyanas, in the Paraguay-Paraná, and in the São Francisco River systems; some species of piranha have extremely broad geographic ranges, occurring in more than one of the major basins mentioned above, whereas others appear to have much more limited distributions.^[2] However, piranha (inevitably former aquarium-dwellers) have been introduced into parts of the United States, even being occasionally found in the Potomac River, but they typically do not survive the cold winters of that region.^[3] Recently a piranha was caught by a fisherman in the Catawba River in North Carolina. ^[4] This is the first known case in North Carolina and possibly in the region.^[5] Piranha have also been discovered in the Kaptai Lake in South-East Bangladesh. Research is being carried out to establish how piranha have moved to such distant corners of the world from their original habitat. It is anticipated that rogue exotic fish traders have released them in the lake to avoid being caught by anti-poaching forces.^[6] This article is about the river. ... For other uses, see Orinoco (disambiguation). ... The sun rising over the ParanÃ¡ River, from the north-east of Rosario, Argentina. ... The SÃ£o Francisco River is a river in Brazil with a length of 3,160 kilometres. ... The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States (USA). ... The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River, approximately 220 mi (354 km) long, in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area Ranked 28th - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 kmÂ²) - Width 150 miles (240 km) - Length 560[1] miles (900 km) - % water 9. ... Kaptai Lake on Karnaphuli River Kaptai Lake is a man-made lake in south-eastern Bangladesh. ...

Description

Piranhas are normally about 15 to 25 cm long (6 to 10 inches), although reportedly individuals have been found up to 41 cm (24 inches) in length.^[7] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 517 pixel Image in higher resolution (2284 Ã— 1476 pixel, file size: 403 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Piranha Metadata This... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 517 pixel Image in higher resolution (2284 Ã— 1476 pixel, file size: 403 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Piranha Metadata This... Binomial name Kner, 1858 Synonyms Serrasalmus nattereri (non GÃ¼nther, 1864) The Red bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is a species of piranha. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, â€³ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ...

Serrasalmus, Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, and Pygopristis are most easily recognized by their unique dentition. All piranhas have a single row of sharp teeth in both jaws; the teeth are tightly packed and interlocking (via small cusps) and used for rapid puncture and shearing. Individual teeth are typically broadly triangular, pointed, and blade-like (flat in profile). There is minor variation in the number of cusps; in most species the teeth are tricuspid with a larger middle cusp that makes the individual teeth appear markedly triangular. The exception is Pygopristis, which has pentacuspid teeth and a middle cusp that is usually only slightly larger than the other cusps. In the scale-eating Catoprion, the shape of their teeth is markedly different and the premaxillary teeth are in two rows, as in most other serrasalmines.^[2] A cusp is an occlusal or incisal eminance on a tooth. ... Binomial name (Cuvier, 1819) The wimple piranha, Catoprion mento, is a specialized species of piranha that feeds on fish scales. ... The premaxilla is a pair of small bones at the very tip of the jaws of many animals, usually bearing teeth, but not always. ...

Ecology

Ecologically, piranhas are important components of their native environments. Although largely restricted to lowland drainages, these fishes are widespread and inhabit diverse habitats within both lotic and lentic environments. Some piranha species are abundant locally and multiple species often occur together.^[2] As both predators and scavengers, piranhas influence the local distribution and composition of fish assemblages.^[2] Certain piranha species consume large quantities of seeds, but unlike the related Colossoma and Piaractus, herbivorous piranhas thoroughly masticate and destroy all seeds eaten and consequently do not function as dispersers.^[2] This brook is an example of a lotic system. ... Fig. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... For a person who scavenges, see Waste picker. ... Binomial name (Cuvier, 1818) Synonyms Myletes macropomus Cuvier, 1816 Myletes oculus Cope, 1872 Myletes nigripinnis Cope, 1878 Melloina tambaqui Amaral Campos, 1946 The Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a freshwater fish of the subfamily Serrasalminae, family Characidae. ...

The piranha is renownedly portrayed and known as a vicious species of fish hunting in large schools. This conception was created from the past belief that piranhas created schools for hunting purposes. Recent research, however, suggests that this is actually used as a defense mechanism against the piranha's natural predators, such as river dolphins, caimans and giant pirarucu.^[8]^[9] Families See text River dolphins are four species of dolphin which reside in freshwater rivers and estuaries. ... Genera Alligator Caiman Melanosuchus Paleosuchus Alligators and caimans are reptiles closely related to the crocodiles and forming the family Alligatoridae (sometimes regarded instead as the subfamily Alligatorinae). ... Binomial name Arapaima gigas (Cuvier, 1829) The Arapaima gigas, also known as the piracucu, is the worlds largest freshwater fish. ...

Research on the species Serrasalmus aff. brandtii and Pygocentrus nattereri in Viana Lake, which is formed during the wet season when the Rio Pindare (a tributary of the Rio Mearim) floods, has shown that these species eat vegetable matter at some stages in their life; they are not strictly carnivorous fish.^[10] The PindarÃ© River is a river in MaranhÃ£o state of north-central Brazil. ...

Relationship to humans

Piranhas are quite useful in the making of tools. Locals frequently use their teeth in tools and weapons. Piranha are also a popular food, though if an individual is caught on a hook or line it may be attacked by other piranhas. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 538 pixel Image in higher resolution (1614 Ã— 1086 pixel, file size: 852 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Fishing Piranha in the Rio Ucayali (probably a red-eye piranha, Serrasalmus rhombeus). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 538 pixel Image in higher resolution (1614 Ã— 1086 pixel, file size: 852 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Fishing Piranha in the Rio Ucayali (probably a red-eye piranha, Serrasalmus rhombeus). ... Alternative use: Ucayali region The Ucayali, which rises about 70 miles north of Lake Titicaca, is the most interesting branch of the Amazon River next to the Madeira. ...

Piranha are commonly consumed by subsistence fishermen and frequently sold for food in local markets.^[2] In recent decades, dried specimens have been marketed as tourist souvenirs.^[2] Piranhas occasionally bite and sometimes injure bathers and swimmers, but truly serious attacks are rare and the threat to humans has been largely exaggerated.^[2] In fact, a piranha bite is sometimes considered more an act of carelessness rather than that of misfortune. However, piranhas are a considerable nuisance to commercial and sport fishers because they steal bait, mutilate catch, damage nets and other gear, and may bite when handled.^[2] For other uses, see Souvenir (disambiguation). ...

Several piranha species appear in the aquarium trade.^[2] Piranhas can be purchased as pets in some areas; however, they are illegal in large spans of the United States, such as the State of Washington, New York, Utah, Nevada, and all Southern states from the West Coast (California) to the East (Florida), and up the Northeastern seaboard.^[11] The most common piranha is the Pygocentrus nattereri, or the red-bellied piranha. Piranhas can be bought fully grown or as babies, often no bigger than a thumbnail. It is important to keep Pygocentrus piranhas either singularly or in groups of three or more, rather than simply pairs, since aggression amongst the group is common and distributed more widely when kept in larger groups, allowing the weaker fish to survive. When kept in groups, it is recommended that they are in even-numbered groups, as piranhas will gang up on an odd member. It is not rare to see one's eye missing, the result of a previous attack. While any fish-based foods are adequate for feeding, thawed shrimp, fillets of white fish, and disease free feeders are preferred. The young are to be fed very little, as overfeeding can kill them. Blood worms, or insect larvae are a good choice of food, as they are full of protein. If underfed, piranhas are likely to become cannibalistic on others in their group. They will eat more as they grow older and larger. In order to provide a balanced diet, it is usually necessary to change types of food often. Feeder goldfish are a popular choice for feeding piranhas, although they contain a B vitamin inhibitor that may stunt growth and shorten the fish's life span. It is recommended to feed them with feeder goldfish as a treat, once in a while, rather than basing their diet only on that. Piranhas prefer a darker environment with a lot of plant cover, as they become agitated when denied appropriate cover. Lighting is also an important factor. It is not advisable to leave the light on constantly, for with too much light, they may lose the desire to eat.^{[citation needed]} â€œAquariaâ€ redirects here. ...

References

^ BBC News Online (2007-07-02). Piranha 'less deadly than feared'. Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m Freeman, Barbie; Nico, Leo G.; Osentoski, Matthew; Jelks, Howard L.; Collins, Timothy M. (2007). "Molecular systematics of Serrasalmidae: Deciphering the identities of piranha species and unraveling their evolutionary histories" (PDF). Zootaxa 1484: 1-38.
^ Fahrenthold, David A.: In River of Many Aliens, Snakehead Looms as Threat, The Washington Post, May 29, 2005.
^ The Associated Press Piranha caught in N.C. river USA Today, 2007-07-04
^ WNCN-TV Fisherman Catches Piranha In N.C. River MSNBC, nbc17.com
^ [1] Prothom-alo
^ http://www.pueblozoo.org/archives/sep01/feature.htm
^ Yahoo News Online. Vicious Piranhas are really wimps. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
^ Putting the bite on piranha myth
^ Piranhas not strictly carnivorous, says study
^ http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/images/Prohib_P.jpg

BBC News website in June 2007. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ... Zootaxa is an international journal for animal taxonomists. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Contents

Etymology

Taxonomy

Distribution

Description

Ecology

Relationship to humans

References

External links

Contents

Etymology GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Taxonomy

Distribution

Description

Ecology

Relationship to humans

References

External links

Etymology