Trichomycterus uisae: A new species of hypogean catfish (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the northeastern Andean Cordillera of Colombia

Abstract

Trichomycterus uisae, a new species of hypogean catfish, is described from Cueva El Misterio located in the upper Sogamoso river basin of the Departamento de Santander in the northeastern portion of the Andean range of Colombia. The new species has a characteristic dark bluish-gray band from the head to the origin of the dorsal fin, five to nine opercular odontodes, and the anterior and posterior fontanels separated but connected by a narrow channel. A comparative analysis with epigean species from Colombia and troglobitic Trichomycterus from South America is presented. Copyright © 2008 Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia.