Platostomus

Platostomus is a genus name that has been used in zoological taxonomy to refer to a group of small freshwater fishes. The etymology combines Greek platys, flat, and stoma, mouth, reflecting the presumed shape of the mouth in some species historically placed in the genus. Over time, the application of the name has varied as taxonomic methods and classifications have changed.

The taxonomic status of Platostomus has been unstable in the literature. Some authorities have treated Platostomus as a valid genus within a particular family, while others have sunk the name into synonymy with another genus or restricted its composition to a subset of species. Because taxonomic revisions have occurred across different regions and groups, the number and identity of species most commonly associated with Platostomus differ between checklists and revisions.

Morphological descriptions of species assigned to Platostomus have typically emphasized a comparatively flattened oral or ventral region and a generally small, streamlined body shape. However, diagnostic features are not consistent across all revisions, and characters used to distinguish Platostomus from related genera have shifted with new analyses.

Distribution and ecology reported for taxa historically placed in Platostomus vary, with records from freshwater systems in tropical and subtropical regions. Habitat usage ranges from riverine environments to still or slow-moving waters, depending on the species and regional fauna.

In summary, Platostomus is a genus name with a contested and evolving status in modern taxonomy. Its use and the composition of species associated with the genus have changed as classifications have been revised, and many species have been reassigned to other genera in subsequent literature.