Pygidianops cuao Schaefer, Provenzano, de Pinna & Baskin, 2005

Family:  Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Glanapteryginae
Max. size:  2.4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Rio Cuao drainage basin in Venezuela.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-5; Vertebrae: 41-41. Diagnosed from its congeners by having diminutive eyes, posterior naris absent, presence of a triangular skin flap at mouth corner, dorsal and ventral fin fold deep and extending forward on the head to a vertical through tip of pectoral fin. Differs from Pygidianops magoi by the presence of six laterosensory pores on head, presence of pectoral and anal fins, presence of 12-13 caudal fin rays associated with the caudal plate (Ref. 56682).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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