Distinguished from congeners in having larger nostrils (the length of the narial complex 77-90% of interorbital width vs. 42-75). Both E. ascita and E. cavatura differ from E. montana and E. pipri in having a longer caudal peduncle (19.3-22.5% SL vs. 14.4-17.3%). Both species differ further from E. montana in having a more slender body (8.6-10.5% SL vs. 10.6-11.4) and E. sicula by the absence (vs. presence) of a slight median depression on the lower lip margin. E. cavatura can be further distinguished from E. ascita in having a larger eye (17.7-20.9% HL vs. 13.2-17.6), the presence of rounded (vs. elongate and flattened plaque-like) tubercles on the head and body, and the serrations on the anterior edge of the pectoral spine more anteriorly (vs. sideways) directed and diverging at the middle (vs. distal quarter, 6-11 proximalmost serrations proximally directed vs. 12-17 (Ref. 55978).