The Genus Henonemus (siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) with a Description of a New Species from Venezuela

Abstract

Abstract A new diagnosis for the trichomycterid genus Henonemus based on external characters is offered, and Henonemus triacanthopomus, new species, is described from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from the other species of the genus by three or asymmetrically four opercular odontodes in specimens longer than 80 mm SL, a blackish ventral lobe of caudal fin, a row of mid-lateral dark blotches above the lateral line deflected dorsally on caudal peduncle, five interopercular odontodes inserted in the main series, and lower jaw teeth arranged in seven rows. Additionally we discuss the characters of external morphology that support monophyly of Henonemus, a less inclusive group within Stegophilinae comprising Acanthopoma, Apomatoceros, Henonemus, Megalocentor, Pareiodon, Parastegophilus, and Pseudostegophilus and a sister group relationship between Acanthopoma and Henonemus. Una nueva diagnosis para el genero tricomicterido Henonemus basada en caracteres externos es ofre...