CORDYLANCISTRUS-PERIJAE, A NEW SPECIES OF ARMORED CATFISH (SILUROIDEI, LORICARIIDAE) FROM THE MARACAIBO BASIN, VENEZUELA

A new species of loricariid catfish, Cordylancistrus perijae, is descr ibed on the basis of 32 specimens collected in three rivers N of Sierr a de Perija, in NW Zulia state, Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela. The genus Cordylancistrus was created by Isbrucker (1980) for the single known s pecies, Cordylancistrus torbesensis (Schultz 1994). All specimens of t his species were collected in Torbes River, a tributary of the Uribant e River, Apure River system, Orinoco Basin. Cordylancistrus perijae ca n be recognized from C. trobesensis by the combination of the followin g characters: Head and caudal peduncle less depressed; odontodes of th e interopercular area short, the longest not reaching beyond the base of the pectoral fin; and a distinctive colour pattern. Cordylancistrus torbesensis and C. perijae are restricted to the foothill rivers of t he Cordillera de Merida and Sierra de Perija, respectively. These rive rs belong to different basins (Orinoco and Maracaibo) clearly separate d by the Cordillera de Merida. These rivers belong to different basins (Orinoco and Maracaibo) clearly separated by the Cordillera de Merida . This geographical distribution adds a new element to the biogeograph ical discussion about the Venezuelan fauna and lets us suggest a minim um age for the genus Cordylancistrus in Venezuela of approximately 20 my (Early Miocene).