Guianacara dacrya, a new species from the rio Branco and Essequibo River drainages of the Guiana Shield (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

Abstract

A new species of Guianacara is described from tributaries of the Essequibo River and the rio Branco in Guyana and northern Brazil. Guianacara dacrya, new species, can be diagnosed from all congeners by the possession of a unique infraorbital stripe and by the shape of the lateral margin of the lower pharyngeal jaw tooth plate. Guianacara dacrya can be further distinguished from G. geayi, G. owroewefi, G. sphenozona and G. stergiosi by the possession of a thin midlateral bar, from G. cuyunii by the possession of dusky branchiostegal membranes and from G. oelemariensis by the possession of two supraneurals. This species differs from most congeners by the presence of white spots on the spiny portion of the dorsal fin, the placement of the midlateral spot, the presence of filaments on the dorsal, anal and in rare cases the caudal-fin and from at least the Venezuelan species by several morphometric variables. Guianacara dacrya is known from the Essequibo, Takutu and Ireng River basins of Guyana and possibly from the rio Uraricoera in the rio Branco basin in Brazil. A key to the species is provided.