new species:
Silvinichthys bortayro Fernandez & de Pinna, 2005
type locality:
Argentina, Province of Salta, Departamento Capital, artificial well near Rio Arenales at San Luis (24°50’S 65°30’W); Holotype: FML 2590 (29,4 mm SL)
published in:
Fernández, L. & M.C.C. de Pinna (2005):
Phreatic catfish of the genus Silvinichthys from southern South America (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae).
Copeia: 2005 (1):100-108.
abstract (from publication):
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.
distribution (from publication):
Silvinichthys bortayro is known only from artificial wells at San Luis, Departamento Capital, Province of Salta, western Argentina.