Ituglanis paraguassuensis sp. n. (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae): a new catfish from the rio Paraguaçu, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Ituglanis paraguassuensis, new species, is described from the rio Paraguaçu, Bahia, northeastern Brazil. It is distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by the following combination of characters: color pattern composed of several irregular pale brown blotches aligned along the body (Fig. 1), parietal fontanel extending to posterior edge of medial parietal border (Fig. 2), pectoral fin i,6, pelvic fin i,4 and the unusual reduced number of vertebrae 34–36. Some of these features are considered to be plesiomorphic within the genus. On the other hand, I. paraguassuensis shares several features with members of the derived TSVSG clade. Comparisons with others trichomycterids are presented, including a detailed description and illustration of the body and skeleton including the laterosensory canal and cephalic pores.