Two new species of the banjo catfish Bunocephalus Kner (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the upper and middle rio São Francisco basins, Brazil

Abstract

Two new species of banjo catfish of the genus Bunocephalus are described from the upper and middle rio São Francisco basins of Brazil. Bunocephalus hartti is distinguished from all its congeners by the absence of serrations along the anterior margin of pectoral-fin spine in adults (vs. presence of serrations along the anterior margin of the spine). Bunocephalus minerim can be diagnosed from all congeners, except B. larai, by the absence of an epiphyseal bar between the paired frontals (vs. presence of the epiphyseal bar at least in adults). Bunocephalus minerim is distinguished from B. larai and other congeners, except B. chamaizelus, by having nine principal caudal-fin rays (vs. 10 principal caudal-fin rays).