River creature — with a white ‘collar’ — discovered as a new species in Colombia
In a small river of Colombia, a scaly creature with a white “collar” swam through the water. Or at least it tried to.
Visiting scientists spotted the aquatic animal — and discovered a new species.
Researchers visited several sites in the Colombian Amazon River basin between 2011 and 2021 as part of an ongoing project to survey fish, according to a study published April 8 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
During their visits, researchers found dozens of fish with a white “collar,” the study said. They took a closer look at the animals and realized they’d discovered a new species: Pariolius maldonadoi, or Maldonado-Ocampo’s three-barbeled catfish.
Maldonado-Ocampo’s three-barbeled catfish can reach about 1.5 inches in length, researchers said. It has a “small,” head with an “elongated” body. A “well-defined” white “collar” wraps around its neck.
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A photo published in a follow-up study April 11 shows the gray coloring of the new species. The whisker-like barbels on its face appear white, and its fins look see-through.
Researchers said they named the new species in memory of Javier Maldonado-Ocampo, “for his great contribution and devotions to the Colombian and Neotropical” fishes.
So far, Maldonado-Ocampo’s three-barbeled catfish has been found in several tributaries, creeks and rivers in central Colombia, the study said.
The new species was identified by its body shape, fin shape, “collar” coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 10% genetic divergence from other closely related fish.
The research team included Dario Faustino-Fuster, Jeisson López-Castaño, Jhonatan Quiñones and Vanessa Meza-Vargas. The team also discovered a second new species of catfish.
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