Scientists from the USA and Brazil have described a new species of Pseudolithoxus plec from the upper Orinoco River in Venezuela.
Nathan Lujan and Jose Birindelli name the new species Pseudolithoxus kelsorum in a recent issue of the journal Zootaxa.
This suckermouth species has been imported for the aquarium trade as L189, and is distinguished from other Pseudolithoxus species by its unique colour pattern, consisting of a dark brown to black base colour with 8–11 (usually 9) light yellowish vertical or oblique transverse bandson the head and body. The bands are wide wide and rarely but sometimes incomplete or contorted as swirls.
This species was collected from rocky outcrops in rapids, and is named after George and Carolyn Kelso whose generous contribution to Texas A and M University and to the Winemiller Aquatic Ecology Lab has facilitated important ichthyological discoveries, including this new species.
For more information, see the paper: Lujan, NK & JLO Birindelli (2011) A new distinctively banded species of Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Orinoco River. Zootaxa 2941, pp. 38–46.
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