Lajitellessas
Lajitellessas are a group of freshwater fish in the genus Lajitellessa, family Cyprinidae, endemic to the Lajita River Basin and its tributaries in the eastern Serapine Archipelago. The name Lajitellessa reflects the regional river name and regional linguistic usage, and the plural form Lajitellessas denotes the species that share key morphological traits. The genus was described in the late 20th century by biologists Elena Rivera and Kaito Cho.
Distribution and habitat: Lajitellessas inhabit slow-moving streams, oxbow lakes, and vegetation-rich marshes at elevations from about
Description and ecology: They are small to medium-sized fish, typically 5–12 cm in length. They have slender,
Reproduction: Spawning occurs in spring as water temperatures rise. Eggs are adhesive and laid among aquatic
Conservation: Lajitellessas face pressures from habitat alteration due to dam construction, water extraction, and pollution. Some