Phreatic Catfish of the Genus Silvinichthys from Southern South America (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae)
Luis Fernández,a and Mario C. C. de Pinna
ABSTRACT
Silvinichthys bortayro, new species, is described from an aquifer at 1200 m elevation in the Andean Cordillera of Salta, Argentina. The new species is distinguished from all other species included in the subfamily Trichomycterinae by the following combination of characters: the extreme elongation of the opercle and its narrow odontode-bearing distal section; the elongated and strongly curved coronoid process of the lower jaw; the absence of the pelvic fin and girdle; the pale integumentary pigmentation; and the reduction of the eyes. It differs further from Silvinichthys mendozensis, its only congener, by having six pectoral-fin rays and in the absence of the pelvic fin and girdle.
Bathycetopsis
