Trichomycterus santanderensis

description

Description: Morphometric data are presented in Table 1. Body elongated, deeper than wide, gradually deeper from trunk toward caudal peduncle; dorsal profile of trunk convex, marked by strong dorsal muscles raised from nape to origin of dorsal fin; ventral profile of trunk straight, dorsal and ventral profile of caudal peduncle slightly convex. Integument thick and opaque, with well defined cutaneous folds forming vertical rings along entire trunk of specimens preserved in alcohol. Head wide and depressed, triangular in dorsal view; dorsal profile of head straight, ventral and lateral profile convex; jaw muscle not particularly developed and not bulging from surface of head. Eyes positioned dorsally on anterior half of head, reduced in size from visible to imperceptible due to covering by thick integument. Thick branchial membranes united to isthmus at anterior medial point, forming a free fold across isthmus. Gill opening free. Five or 6 branchiostegal rays barely visible in preserved specimens. Interopecular patch of odontodes well developed, with 31 to 38 conical, elongated and deciduous odontodes arranged in 4 irregular rows, larger odontodes on posterior edge. Opercular patch

Trichomycterus santanderensis: A new species of troglomorphic catfish (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from Colombia

description

Ecological data: The Cave El Puente is located in the center of a mountain to the west of the Andean mountain range in Colombia and is not registered in the speleological inventory of Santander. The cave is oriented vertically with narrow, rocky passageways and galleries (Fig. 4) where water infiltration was observed. The wells are small, shallow, blocked by ceilings of rock and interconnected by reduced descending channels that drain the limited water flow. Water temperature during the sampling was 21.5 ° C and cave temperature was 19.9 ° C. The bottom of the wells is rocky and contains much sediment (only four specimens of T. santanderensis were collected here). Bloodsucking bats and a diversity of arthropods inhabit the interior of the galleries. The cave is located in an area untouched by agrochemical products, where the practice of sustainable agroforestry has maintained the flora and fauna relatively well conserved, and where the Autonomous Regional Corporation for the Defense of the Bucaramanga Plateau is preparing a conservation program (Castellanos, 2005).

Trichomycterus santanderensis: A new species of troglomorphic catfish (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from Colombia

diagnosis

Diagnosis: Trichomycterus santanderensis (Figs. 2, 3) can be distinguished from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: variable reduction in eyes from visible to imperceptible due to covering by a thick integument; relatively high head (62.5 % of HL); enlarged mouth width (49 % of HL); extended maxillary, nasal and rictal barbels (113.6 %, 106.7 % and 75 % of HL, respectively); first pectoral ray extending as long filament, about 95 % of pectoral-fin length; depth of the caudal peduncle 17.5 % SL; caudal fin truncate with a slightly convex edge, upper portion of fin longer than lower portion; color varied from homogeneous light-red pigmentation of adults to pale rose with small grayish round spots on dorsum of young individuals.

Trichomycterus santanderensis: A new species of troglomorphic catfish (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from Colombia

materials_examined

Coloration in live specimens: Body color light-red (M 2.5 YR - 6 / 8), base of all fins yellow (M 2.5 Y – 7 / 6). Paratype yellowish (M 10 YR - 7 / 8) from head to origin of anal fin. The smallest specimen has small, irregular, circular, soft grayish blue stains (M 2 GLEY 6 / 1) in 3 bands from head to origin of dorsal fin. Coloration in alcohol: Body unpigmented, evenly clear or creamy yellow. Paratype with yellow tones at base of all fins (M 2.5 Y – 7 / 6).

Trichomycterus santanderensis: A new species of troglomorphic catfish (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from Colombia