Bryconamericus cinarucoense Román-Valencia, Taphorn & Ruiz-C., 2008
photo by Romàn-Valencia, C.

Family:  Characidae (Characins; tetras), subfamily: Stevardiinae
Max. size:  3.726 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Cinaruco River of the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and Essequibo River basin in Guyana; probably extends to similar rivers throughout the Orinoco Basin in Venezuela and Colombia.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 35-35. Distinguished from all other species of the genus by having upper jaw extending beyond lower, maxilla short with one or two teeth, cartilaginous rhinosphenoid extending to anterior part of prevomer, pelvic bone with cartilage along anterior edge, and lateral line pores in a straight line. Can be separated from the most similar Venezuelan species Bryconamericus subtilisform by possessing fewer pored lateral line scales 35-37 (vs. 38-39), more scales below lateral line to origin of pelvic fin 4-5 (vs. 2-3), more branched anal-fin rays 20-21 (vs. 17-18), and pelvic-fin rays usually ii,6 (vs. I,7). Description: D i-iii,7-8; A iii-iv,18-21; P ii,10-11; V ii,6 (Ref. 77139).
Biology:  Found along shore over sandy substrates in mainstreams of rivers, as well as tributaries (Ref. 77139).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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