Catfish Genus Corymbophanes (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) with Description of One New Species: Corymbophanes kaiei
The genus Corymbophanes and its type, Corymbophanes andersoni, are redescribed, and one new species, Corymbophanes kaiei is described. Among loricariids, Corymbophanes is diagnosed by a unique combination of characteristics: absence of dorsal flap of iris; absence of adipose fin; and presence of an elongate postdorsal ridge of 13–17 raised median unpaired plates. Corymbophanes kaiei differs from C. andersoni by the presence of vermiculations on the abdomen (vs abdomen lightly colored in C. andersoni), presence of distinct alternating light and dark bands on the caudal fin (vs light bands largely absent), anal fin I,5 (vs I,4), caudal peduncle moderately (vs strongly) compressed, and three to four (vs five) plates below the adpressed pectoral fin spine. Corymbophanes is known only from the Potaro River Drainage above Kaieteur Falls in west-central Guyana. Corymbophanes bahianus is transferred to Hemipsilichthys.Abstract

Known distribution of Corymbophanes. Star = type locality of Corymbophanes andersoni (Chenapou Falls); circle = type locality of Corymbophanes kaiei new species (Oung Creek); 1 = Amerindian village of Chenapou; 2 = Holmia, trading camp (now abandoned) of the Essequibo Exploration Company (Eigenmann 1909, 1912)

Corymbophanes andersoni, AUM 28149, 64.9 mm SL. Photos by JWA

Paratype of Corymbophanes kaiei new species, INHS 49583, 70.0 mm SL. Photos by JWA