A new Andinichthyidae catfish (Ostariophysi, Siluriformes) from the Paleogene of northwestern Argentina

Abstract

The clade Andinichthyidae includes three poorly known genera of extinct catfishes from Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene beds of Bolivia. These taxa are of uncertain phylogenetic position, and their anatomy is far from being well known. The aim of the present contribution is to describe a new genus and species of andinichthyid catfish. The new taxon is represented by several cranial and postcranial bones collected in Eocene beds from northwestern Argentina. The new taxon constitutes the first nominate andinichthyid outside Bolivia, as well as the youngest record for the family. On the basis of the new specimens, the phylogenetic position and paleobiogeography of andinictyids is briefly discussed.