Trichomycterus espinhacensis
Trichomycterus espinhacensis Costa & Katz, 2023
Trichomycterus espinhacensis
photo by Costa, W.J.E.M. et al., 2023

Family:  Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Trichomycterinae
Max. size:  5.61 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-5. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: 23-26 dorsal procurrent caudal-fin rays; relatively long and thin mesethmoid cornu; relatively shorter maxilla, slightly longer than the premaxilla, without a distal widening; well-developed third hypobranchial ossification; 35 or 36 vertebrae; dorsal-fin origin at a vertical through the centrum of 17th vertebra; a longer nasal barbel, its tip posteriorly reaching the opercle or the area just anterior to it; rudimentary foramen on the parurohyal; narrow, rod-shaped basibranchial 3; 36-39 premaxillary teeth; robust comma-shaped osseous core in the autopalatine articular shell for the lateral ethmoid absent; and row of variably shaped small pale brown spots on LDPZ 3 (Ref. 137859).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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