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| Loricaria cuffyi Londoño‐Burbano, Urbano‐Bonilla & Thomas, 2021 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14566 |
Abstract
Loricaria cuffyi n. sp. is described based on 36 specimens from the Essequibo and upper Negro River drainages in western Guyana and the upper Orinoco River drainage in Venezuela. The new species can be distinguished from sympatric and geographically proximate congeners by a postorbital notch that is inconspicuous, shallow and rounded, odontode ridges on the dorsum of head and predorsal weakly developed, abdominal plates tightly joined and completely covering the median abdominal space and pectoral girdle, higher anterior lateral plate counts, and coloration characteristics. The distribution of the new species adds to an interesting and well‐documented biogeographical pattern exhibited by other Guiana Shield loricariids influenced by the proto‐Berbice during the Cenozoic and recent configuration of drainages in the Guiana Shield. We present an update on the taxonomy of Loricaria, and discuss the biogeography and conservation status of the new species.
Keywords: Amazon basin, Essequibo, Loricaria cataphracta, Takutu, taxonomy, Ventuari
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| Loricaria cuffyi, holotype, CSBD F‐3617, 117.5 mm LS, Guyana, Rupununi Region 9, Takutu River‐Negro River drainage, Ireng River, ..., J. W. Armbruster et al. 1 Nov 2002. Photos by Matthew R. Thomas |
Loricaria cuffyi new species
Etymology: In honour of the Afro‐Guyanese slave Cuffy, or Coffy, who in 1763 led the revolt of more than 2500 slaves in Berbice (former region of Guyana, now Co‐operative Republic of Guyana) against the Dutch settler regime, which finally led to their freedom. Cuffy, accepted by all the rebels as the leader of the rebellion, declared himself Governor of Berbice. Today he is considered Guyana's first national hero (Ishmael, 2013).
Alejandro Londoño‐Burbano, Alexander Urbano‐Bonilla and Matthew R. Thomas. 2021. Loricaria cuffyi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), A New Species of Loricariin Catfish from the Guiana Shield. Journal of Fish Biology. 98(1); 154-167. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14566
