taxonID	type	description	language	source
AF3D87B5A23AFF8E2A8F7A1CFD024C11.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. MEPN- 17984, 116.6 mm SL, male, Ecuador, Morona-Santiago province, Kushapukus River, tributary of the Santiago River, 5 km W the military post “ Santiago ”, approx. 03 ° 02 ’ 13 ” S 78 ° 01 ’ 55 ” W, R. Barriga S., P. Arguello, E. Calvache & F. Cugushi, 11 November 2015, RBS 15 - 17. Paratypes. All from Ecuador, Morona-Santiago province, Santiago River basin. MEPN- 17983, 2, females, 70.6 – 93.1 mm SL., Yananas River, at the bridge on Patuca-Mora road, approx. 03 ° 01 ’ 56 ” S 77 ° 59 ’ 07 ” W, R. Barriga S., P. Arguello, E. Calvache & F. Cugushi, 0 9 November 2015, RBS 15 - 10. MEPN- 17985, 1, male, 116.3 mm SL, at the junction of Yakamás River with the Santiago River, approx. 02 ° 59 ’ 54 ” S 77 ° 51 ’ 09 ” W, R. Barriga S., P. Arguello, E. Calvache & F. Cugushi, 11 November 2015, RBS 15 - 16. MECN-DP- 1637, 1, male, 96.5 mm SL, Río Pan Kints, SE Embarcadero (Yaupi), approx. 02 ° 54 ’ 26.88 ” S 77 ° 54 ’ 2.42 ” W, F. Anaguano, 27 December 2009. MECN-DP- 1631, 5, 38.5 – 52.6 mm SL, Río Pan Kints, SE Embarcadero (Yaupi), approx. 02 ° 54 ’ 26.88 ” S 77 ° 54 ’ 2.42 ” W, F. Anaguano, 27 December 2009.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23AFF8E2A8F7A1CFD024C11.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ancistrus shuar can be distinguished from all other species that inhabit Andean piedmont rivers draining into the Amazon River, except A. malacops by its mandibular ramus length values, which fits 2.5 – 3.1 times in the interorbital width. In A. bufonius, A. marcapatae, A. montanus, A. heterorhynchus, A. boliviana, A. megalostomus, A. occloi, and A. greeni the mandibular ramus length fits fewer than 2.0 times in the interorbital width. In A. latifrons and A. alga the mandibular ramus length fits more than 3.1 times in the interorbital width. It further differs, except from A. bufonius, by its interorbital width, which fits 2.3 – 2.5 in the head length. In A. latifrons, A. alga, A. megalostomus, A. lineolatus, and A. tamboensis it fits fewer than 2.1 times in head length. In A. malacops, A. jelskii, A. marcapatae, A. montanus, A. heterorhynchus, A. boliviana, A. occloi, and A. greeni it fits more than 2.4 times in head length. Additionally, A. shuar has a moderate eye diameter that fits 5.3 – 7.1 times in head length. The species A. bufonius, A. jelskii, A. montanus, A. heterorhynchus, A. boliviana, A. occloi and A. greeni have small or very small eyes, with eye diameter fitting more than 7.0 times in head length. The values reported for A. lineolatus and A. tamboensis are 5.0 times in head length. The species A. latifrons, A. alga, A. malacops, A. marcapatae and A. megalostomus have eye diameter values similar to that of A. shuar (5.3 – 7.1 times in head length). The three adult males available of A. shuar have a reduced size of the soft and fleshy tentacles on snout when compared with images and original figures of adult males from other species or with specimens of the other two species from eastern Ecuador. Furthermore, A. shuar is distinguishable from A. alga, by its smaller cleithral and interorbital width, 30.3 % – 32.5 % SL vs. 34.3 % – 36.2 % SL, and 14.4 % – 17.0 % SL vs. 17.5 % – 20.5 % SL, respectively. Ancistrus shuar resembles A. malacops, females of both species are practically indistinguishable, but males of A. shuar can be differentiated from males of A. malacops having a more robust body and head, higher values of cleithral width, and interorbital width; 30.7 % – 32.5 % SL vs. 27.8 % – 30.2 % SL, and 15.4 % – 17.0 % SL vs. 13.5 % – 15.7 % SL, respectively (Table 5).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23AFF8E2A8F7A1CFD024C11.taxon	description	Description. Morphometric data given in Tables 1 and 5. Body robust, depressed anteriorly, progressively compressed posteriorly. Caudal peduncle compressed, deep and robust. Dorsal profile of body from tip of snout through dorsal-fin origin gently convex, then gradually descending straight to caudal-fin origin. Ventral profile of body flat and straight or slightly concave. Ventral surface of head and belly naked until anal-fin origin. Urogenital papilla not visible, in some mature males opening is partially visible just posterior to anus (Fig. 1). Head massive, wide and depressed. Snout partially naked with or without fleshy cylindrical tentacles branched or not, its contour semicircular. In males naked area is wider but does not reach nares or orbits. Females have only a narrow naked band on snout edge. Nostrils juxtaposed and closer to eyes than to tip of snout. Eyes in dorsal lateral position, orbits not raised and without odontodes. Interorbital space broad and flat. Supraoccipital flat without ridges, posterior border straight and truncate. Movable hypertrophied cheek odontodes well developed, specimens can have 10 – 12. Size of these odontodes variable in each specimen, the longest odontode nearly extends to pectoral-fin origin independently of size of specimen. Anteriorly, bases of movable hypertrophied odontodes have covering of plates. Opercular bone has exposed surface easy visible externally, its lateral margin carries odontodes. Mouth oval or rounded. Upper lip narrow, usually covering premaxilla and only external surface is visible, edge is almost horizontal and with very minute undulations. Internal surface papillose. Lower lip broad, its border with very minute undulations. Lower lip surface papillose. Papillae smaller near border of lip increasing in size near lower jaws. Papillae of anterior lip have similar size to those near lower jaws. Maxillary barbels not present in the holotype, in male paratypes short and free, and in females paratypes very short leaving only tip free. Upper and lower jaws of similar length. Hemimandibles straight, sometimes placed horizontally or forming an open V between them. Teeth numerous and minute. Between 30 – 45 teeth in each hemimandible. Premaxillary and dentary teeth of same size. Teeth incisor type, asymmetrically bifid, medial cusp longer and wider than lateral cusp. Medial cusp rounded or straight truncated, lateral cusp pointed. Tooth apex curved toward interior of mouth. Tooth apex yellowish, stalk whitish. Premaxillary and dentary without posterior papillae or ornamentation. Lateral line plates 24 – 25. Post-anal plates 11 – 12. Inter-dorsal plates six or seven, just in front of the spine of adipose-fin there are two plates with keels. The dorsal-fin origin is anterior to vertical passing through pelvic-fin origin. Dorsal-fin with one spine, followed by seven branched rays; when depressed their tips do not reach adiposefin origin. Adipose-fin well developed and always present. Spine of adipose fin is wide, and a little bit curved toward the distal end. Pectoral-fin with one spine, and six branched rays. When depressed, pectoral-fin spine reaches posterior to first third, (females) or half, (males) of pelvic-fin spine length. Spine of pectoral-fin is a bit shorter than first branched ray. Distal region of pectoral-fin spine with enlarged odontodes and small fleshy prominence. Pelvic-fin with one spine and five branched rays; its posterior margin surpassed anal-fin base when depressed. Anal-fin with one flexible spine and four branched rays. Caudal-fin rays i, 14, i. Posterior border of caudal-fin obliquely truncate. Sexual dimorphism. On snout, adult males have wide naked dorsolateral area. Naked area reaches anterior region of eyes and nares. Over this area, soft and fleshy tentacles are found, small, with few or no branches (Fig. 1). Tentacles are arranged in the following pattern: On the snout margin tentacles are disposed in a line along edge. Those at center are larger and may have branched tips. From tip of the snout, a dorsomedial row of four tentacles runs backward reaching to just anterior to nares. These tentacles are conical, and some may have branched tips. Just anterior to nares, line of tentacles bifurcates with three on each side or become wider with six tentacles oriented transversely (Fig. 1). Females with very narrow naked band at anterior edge of snout and a row of small and conical fleshy tentacles; the two central tentacles slightly longer (Figs. 2, 3). Color. Head and body brown to black or dark grey with evident or diffuse white to whitish dots. Belly is lighter with white to whitish, faded dots. All fins brown or black with dots or irregular bands, whitish, spaced over rays and / or interradial membrane. When dots are on rays only, the interradial membrane is translucent. The border of dorsal and caudal-fin is black. Dorsal-fin with a black spot between bases of the spine and the first branched ray. Tips of dorsal and ventral principal caudal-fin rays whitish or orange (Figs. 1, 2). In live specimen head and body yellowish brown or yellowish green with well-defined whitish or orange dots. Dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins have same color of body; spines have transverse brown or dark bands, and the branched rays with whitish or orange dots or bands, interradial membranes translucent or with irregular whitish dots. Caudal-fin has transverse dark or brown bands and / or whitish dots on branched rays (Fig. 4). Geographical distribution. Ancistrus shuar is represented at the MEPN by four specimens in three cataloged lots. The specimens were caught in the Santiago River of Morona-Santiago province (Fig. 8).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23AFF8E2A8F7A1CFD024C11.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Dedicated to ancient and brave Shuar, indigenous group that live in the Morona-Santiago province. It is considered a noun in apposition.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23EFF832A8F787FFDB64874.taxon	description	2). Ambyiacu (Ampiyacu?) River, Peru. Syntypes: ANSP 8298 (1), 8300 (1). Ancistrus alga Isbrücker, 1980: 66. Ortega & Vari, 1986: 16. Burgess, 1989: 436. Isbrücker, 2001: 25, 26. Isbrücker, 2002: 11. Ancistrus tectirostris Isbrücker, 1980: 73. Ortega & Vari, 1986: 16. Burgess, 1989: 437. Isbrücker, 2001: 25, 26. Isbrücker, 2002: 12.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23EFF832A8F787FFDB64874.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. All from Ecuador. Orellana province: MEPN- 460, 1, 110.1 mm SL, Quebrada Cotoyacu, 01 ° 00 ’ 31 ” S 75 ° 26 ’ 12 ” W, R. Barriga & K. Galacatos, 15 June 1996. MEPN- 829, 1, 119.0 mm SL, Quebrada Tambococha, 00 ° 57 ’ 34 ” S 75 ° 26 ’ 26 ” W, R. Barriga & K. Galacatos, 26 February 1996. MEPN- 1308, 5, 60.0 – 125.8 mm SL, Tributario norteño del río Tiputini, a unas 1.5 horas en canoa motorizada, aguas arriba de la boca en el río Napo, 00 ° 44 ’ 53 ” S 75 ° 47 ’ 41 ” W, D. Stewart, R. Barriga & M. Ibarra, 28 October 1981. MEPN- 2544, 7, 105.4 – 148.1 mm SL, Río Gabarón afluente del río Nashiño, pozo OBE, bloque 31, 01 ° 12 ’ 04 ” S 75 ° 48 ’ 48 ” W, R. Barriga, 0 8 March 1998. MEPN- 14853, 1, 115.1 mm SL, Laguna Muyuna, km 12.5 de Chiroisla en el río Tiputini, 00 ° 42 ’ 35 ” S 75 ° 55 ’ 54 ” W, R. Barriga & José Pinargote, 20 June 2006. Pastaza province: MEPN- 10348, 1, 76.9 mm SL, Pavacachi, Río Curaray, 01 ° 34 ’ 33 ” S 76 ° 21 ’ 24 ” W, G. Herrera, March 1963. Sucumbíos province: MEPN- 2273, 1, 109.9 mm SL, Río Aguarico, tributario norteño del río Yanayacu at Puerto Loja, 00 ° 53 ’ 00 ” S 75 ° 13 ’ 42 ” W, R. Barriga & D. Stewart, 24 May 1998. MEPN- 13896, 1, 131.4 mm SL, Laguna Imuya, junto al río Lagartococha, campamento Transturi, 00 ° 36 ’ 07 ” S 75 ° 14 ’ 27 ” W, R. Barriga & E. Medina, 0 1 May 1993. MEPN- 15169, 2, 112.14 – 160.9 mm SL, Canal de la laguna Zancudococha, 00 ° 35 ’ 00 ” S, 75 ° 30 ’ 00 ” W, R. Barriga, 30 October 1994.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23EFF832A8F787FFDB64874.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ancistrus alga can be distinguished from other species that inhabit Amazonian Andean piedmont rivers, except A. latifrons and A. malacops, by its mandibular ramus length which fits 3.1 – 4.0 times in the interorbital width. In A. bufonius, A. marcapatae, A. montanus, A. heterorhynchus, A. boliviana, A. megalostomus, A. occloi, A. greeni and A. shuar the mandibular ramus length fits fewer than 3.0 times in the interorbital width. It differs further except from A. latifrons, A. megalostomus and A. shuar by its interorbital width which fits 1.8 – 2.3 times in head length. In A. bufonius, A. malacops, A. jelskii, A. marcapatae, A. montanus, A. heterorhynchus, A. boliviana, A. occloi and A. greeni, interorbital width fits more than 2.35 times in head length. In A. lineolatus and A. tamboensis, it fits less than 1.7 times in head length. Ancistrus alga can be distinguished from A. latifrons and A. hoplogenys (last one according the image available at ACSI image database) by the color pattern, its body and fins are dark brown or black with very small white dots vs. uniform black, and uniform brown yellowish, respectively. The shape of caudal fin of A. alga is lunate vs. oblique truncate in A. hoplogenys. Among the species caught in eastern Ecuador (A. malacops and A. shuar), it is easily recognized by having a massive head and anterior region of the body; cleithral width 34.3 % – 36.2 % SL vs. 27.9 – 31.8 % SL in A. malacops and 30.3 % – 32.5 % SL in A. shuar. Interorbital width 17.5 % – 20.5 % SL vs. 13.4 % – 16.4 % SL in A. malacops and 14.4 % – 17.0 % SL in A. shuar. In males, the values are higher, cleithral width 35.3 % – 36.2 % SL vs. 27.8 % – 30.2 % SL in A. malacops and 30.7 % – 32.5 % SL in A. shuar. Interorbital width 20.1 % – 20.5 % SL vs. 13.5 % – 15.7 % SL in A. malacops and 15.4 % – 17.0 % SL in A. shuar (Table 5). Also, the color pattern of A. alga, black or dark brown with very minute white dots on body and fins is distinctive when compared with other species (Figs. 2, 5).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A23EFF832A8F787FFDB64874.taxon	description	Description. Morphometric data given in Tables 2 and 5. Body robust, depressed anteriorly and progressively become compressed posteriorly. Caudal peduncle compressed, deep and, robust. Dorsal profile of body from tip of snout through dorsal-fin origin gently convex, then descending in straight line to adipose-fin origin. From this point to caudal-fin origin straight and horizontal. Ventral profile of body flat and straight or slightly concave. Ventral surface of head and belly naked until anal-fin origin. Urogenital papilla is not usually visible, in some mature males opening is partially visible just posterior to anus (Figs. 2, 5). Head massive, very wide and depressed. In dorsal and lateral view, this species shows a massive head compared with the other two species. Snout partially naked with or without fleshy cylindrical tentacles branched or not, its contour semicircular. In males, naked area wider but does not reach nares or orbits. Females have only a narrow naked strip on snout border. Nostrils juxtaposed and closer to eyes than tip of snout. Eyes in dorsolateral position, orbits not raised and without odontodes. Interorbital space is broad and flat. Supraoccipital flat without ridges, posterior border straight and truncate. Movable hypertrophied cheek odontodes well developed, specimens can have from eight to twelve. The size of these odontodes also is variable in each specimen, the longest odontode nearly extends to pectoral-fin origin independently of size of specimen. Anteriorly, base of movable hypertrophied odontodes has covering plates. Opercular bone has an exposed surface easily visible externally, its lateral margin carries odontodes (Figs. 2, 5). Mouth oval or rounded. Upper lip narrow, usually cover premaxilla and only external surface is visible, edge is almost horizontal and with very minute undulations. The internal surface papillose. Lower lip broad, its border with very minute undulations. Lower lip surface papillose. Papillae smaller near border of lip increasing in size near lower jaws. Papillae of anterior lip have similar size from those near lower jaws. Maxillary barbels evident and free. Upper and lower jaws with similar length. The hemimandibles are straight, placed horizontally or forming a V between them. Teeth numerous and minute. Between 65 to 80 teeth in each hemimandible. Premaxillary and dentary teeth with same size. Teeth incisor type, asymmetrically bifid, medial cusp longer and wider than lateral cusp. Medial cusp rounded or straight truncated, lateral cusp pointed. Tooth apex curved toward interior of mouth. Tooth apex yellowish, stalk whitish. Premaxillary and dentary without posterior papillae or ornamentation. Lateral line plates 23 – 24. Post-anal plates 11 – 12. Six plates between dorsal-fin and adipose-fin, all plates without keels. Origin dorsal-fin is anterior to vertical passing through pelvic-fin origin. Dorsal-fin with one spine, followed by seven branched rays; when depressed reaching adipose-fin origin. Adipose-fin well developed and always present. Spine of adipose-fin wide, and curved. Pectoral-fin with one spine, and six branched rays. When depressed, spine of pectoral-fin reaches half, (females and males) of pelvic-fin spine length. Spine and first branched ray of pectoral-fin with same length. Distal region of pectoral-fin spine with enlarged odontodes, more developed in males, and a small fleshy prominence. Pelvic-fin with one spine and five branched rays; its posterior margin surpassed anal-fin base when depressed. Anal-fin with one flexible spine and four branched rays. Caudalfin rays i, 14, i. Posterior border of caudal-fin concave. Sexual dimorphism. Adult males have a wide naked area on snout, with developed (long) and branched fleshy tentacles. Tentacles are arranged in the following pattern: Along snout edge a row of tentacles, long and conical are present, those at snout tip are longest and branched. Dorsal midline with two or three tentacles very long, branched or not. Anterior the nares, the dorsal midline row of tentacles split in three or two tentacles on each side. The tentacles near midline can show ramifications, while the laterals are just conical. On each side of head, from snout edge to near eyes, another row of three or four, conical tentacles is present, passing in front of cheek odontodes (Fig. 5). Some cataloged lots have adult males with small or very small fleshy tentacles. Females possess a narrow naked anterior stripe on snout, as in females of the other species analyzed. On the naked strip, a single row of small, conical fleshy tentacles is present, from one side to the other side. The two central tentacles a bit longer, and occasionally, conical tentacles have bifid or branched tip (Figs. 2, 3). Color. Head, and dorsolateral body surface dark brown to black with very small dots, white or whitish, sometimes faded or difficult to observe. Belly slightly paler than sides of the body; with very small dots, white or whitish, generally more evident. All fins uniform black, with minute white dots spaced on interradial membranes. In juveniles, the dots on dorsal-fin membrane are relatively larger. Dorsal-fin with black spot between bases of spine and the first branched ray (Figs. 2, 5). Geographical distribution. The species inhabits the northeastern part of the country, in Sucumbíos and Orellana provinces, in systems that drain to the Napo River. There is one sample (juvenile) that comes from the Curaray River, in Pastaza province; apparently this locality may be the southern limit. On the other hand, there are no samples from the Napo province, these results seems to indicate that the species has a preference for low altitudes in the drainages (Fig. 8).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A233FF982A8F7C83FD5A4B08.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. All from Ecuador. Azuay province: MEPN- 5984, 1, 99.4 mm SL, Río Siete, afluente del Río Fermín, Brazo del Pulga Guerrero, 03 ° 01 ’ 47 ” S 79 ° 43 ’ 00 ” W, R. Barriga, M. Guerrero, R. Jácome, 25 August 2007. MEPN- 5996, 10, 72.7 – 106.3 mm SL, Río Siete, afluente del Río Fermín, Brazo del Pulga Guerrero, 03 ° 01 ’ 47 ” S 79 ° 43 ’ 00 ” W, R. Barriga, M. Guerrero, R. Jácome, 25 August 2007. MEPN- 5997, 2, 90.3 – 95.3 mm SL, Río Siete, afluente del Río Fermín, Brazo del Pulga Guerrero, 03 ° 01 ’ 47 ” S 79 ° 43 ’ 00 ” W, R. Barriga, M. Guerrero, R. Jácome, 25 August 2007. Los Ríos province: MEPN- 11420, 22, 42.5 – 65.6 mm SL, Cuenca río Caluma, río La Clara cerca al puente, 01 ° 38 ’ 11 ’’ S 79 ° 15 ’ 33 ’’ W, N. Lujan, D. Taphorn, R. Barriga, 26 August 2012. Guayas province: MEPN- 9833, 1, 57.1 mm SL, Río Bucay, 3 km aguas abajo de Naranjal, 02 ° 41 ’ 19 ” S 79 ° 38 ’ 58 ” W, R. Barriga, 22 September 1992. MEPN- 9837, 1, 91.0 mm SL, Río Canayacu a 7 km al Sur de Naranjal, Cooperativa La Nueva Unión, 02 ° 43 ’ 24 ” S 79 ° 39 ’ 53 ” W, R. Barriga, 24 September 1992.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A233FF982A8F7C83FD5A4B08.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ancistrus clementinae can be distinguished from species inhabiting the trans – Andean region and Ecuador by the arrangement of the soft, fleshy tentacles on the snout. Females don’t have small, conical, fleshy tentacles, on the ventral and central region of snout vs. presence of small conical tentacles on the ventral and central region of the snout, in females of trans – Andean and Ecuador species. Males have evident fleshy tentacles along the dorsal midline of the snout, two backward divergent rows of flat branched tentacles vs. single row of cylindrical and branched tentacles, along dorsal midline of the snout, in males, in the same condition, in species of trans – Andean region and Ecuador. Among the species found in Ecuador, A. clementinae have 18 – 22 movable cheek odontodes vs. 10 to 12, in the other three analyzed species. Additionally, this species has shorter dorsal fin and pectoral fin spines, 18.7 % – 25.8 % SL vs. 24.3 % – 27.3 % SL in A. shuar, 29.8 % – 33.4 % SL in A. alga and 24.4 % – 32.4 % SL in A. malacops; 19.5 % – 26.7 % SL vs. 28.9 % – 33.6 % SL in A. shuar, 31.9 % – 38.9 % SL in A. alga and 28.5 % – 38.7 % SL in A. malacops, respectively.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A233FF982A8F7C83FD5A4B08.taxon	description	Description. Morphometric data given in Table 3. This species reaches smaller size than other three. Body depressed anteriorly, progressively compressed posteriorly. Caudal peduncle compressed, deep, robust. Dorsal profile of body convex from tip of snout through dorsal-fin origin. Descending straight from last point to adiposefin origin, then straight and horizontal to caudal-fin. Ventral profile of body flat and straight or slightly concave. Ventral surface of head and belly naked until anal-fin origin. Urogenital papilla not usually visible, in some mature males opening is partially visible just posterior to anus (Figs. 2, 6). Head moderately wide and depressed. Snout partially naked with or without fleshy cylindrical tentacles branched or not, its contour semicircular. In adult males, naked area is wider, reaches nares and orbits. Females and juveniles have only a narrow naked strip on snout border, fleshy tentacles are very small and located laterally only. Nostrils juxtaposed and closer to eyes than tip of snout. Eyes in dorso-lateral position, orbits not raised and without odontodes. Interorbital space broad and flat or gently conv, Supraoccipital flat without ridges, posterior border straight and truncate. Movable hypertrophied cheek odontodes well developed, specimens can have from 18 – 22. Odontodes size variable in each specimen, longest odontode, in mature males, reaches pectoral-fin origin. Anteriorly, bases of movable hypertrophied odontodes are ventrally covered with plates. Opercular bone has small exposed surface visible externally, its lateral margin carries few odontodes. Mouth rounded or oval. Upper lip narrow, usually covering premaxillary and only external surface is visible, its edge is almost horizontal, and with very small papillae, its internal surface papillose. Lower lip broad, its border smooth or with very small papillae, its surface with papillae that are smaller near border of lip but increase in size near lower jaws. Papillae of anterior lip have similar size to those near lower jaws. Maxillary barbels very short, inconspicuous, only tip is free. Upper jaw a little longer than lower. The upper jaws are straight, and placed horizontally. Lower jaws form an open V between them. Teeth numerous and minute. Between 40 – 50 teeth in upper jaw and between 35 – 45 teeth in lower jaw. Premaxillary and dentary teeth of same size. Teeth incisor type, asymmetrically bifid, medial cusp longer and wider than lateral cusp. Medial cusp rounded or straight truncated, lateral cusp pointed. Tooth apex curved toward interior of mouth. Tooth apex yellowish, stalk whitish. Premaxillary and dentary without posterior papillae or ornamentation. Lateral line plates 24 – 25. Post-anal plates 12 – 13. Inter-dorsal plates seven or eight, the plate just in front of the adipose-fin spine has small keel, and seems to be an isolated plate, different from the anterior plates. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to vertical passing through pelvic-fin origin. Dorsal-fin with one spine, followed by seven branched rays; when depressed does not reaches adipose-fin origin. Adipose fin always present, but the membrane scarcely or not developed. Adipose-fin spine straight. Pectoral-fin with one spine, and six branched rays. Pectoral-fin spine almost reaches pelvic-fin origin when depressed. The spine is shorter than first three branched rays. Distal region of pectoral-fin spine with fleshy tip, and with enlarged odontodes, more developed in males. Pelvic-fin with one spine and five branched rays; its posterior margin surpass anal-fin base when depressed. Anal-fin with one flexible spine and four branched rays. Distal margin of caudal-fin truncate and a bit oblique, but in some specimens rounded. The lower spine is a bit longer than upper spine, or of same length; caudal-fin rays i, 14, i. Sexual dimorphism. Adult males of A. clementinae have dorsolateral naked area on snout. Tentacles are arranged as follows: Snout edge with three or four rows of small conical tentacles. Tip of the snout, with a patch of tentacles, some of them bifid or branched. Starting at the tip of snout, a dorsal midline of two or three conical and bifid or branched tentacles runs backward. This row quickly splits into two new rows of flat branched tentacles, ending in front of the nostrils. Lateral to the rows of tentacles, the naked area of the snout have papillae and / or conical tentacles, small or very small, randomly arranged. Just in front of each nostril a slightly longer, flat, branched tentacle is found (Fig. 6). Also in this species, some samples have males without or with only small (vestigial), soft, fleshy tentacles on dorsal midline of snout. Females have the similar narrow naked strip on snout border, but they do not have the usually small fleshy conical tentacles on the border. Some females have a very small conical tentacles just in front of movable cheek odontodes (Figs. 2, 3). Color. Head, and dorsolateral surface of body varies from light to dark brown or black with irregular scattered, pale or whitish areas, sometimes perceived as white or cream, rounded blotches. Some specimens have dark brown or black, irregular transverse bands on dorsolateral surface of the body. Belly is whitish or cream and uniform, but some specimens have a vermiculated dark pattern. Color pattern in all fins, except the anal-fin with four to six, dark blotches or dots on rays, occasionally forming horizontal or transverse stripes; interradial membrane is translucent, and the distal border of fins white. Anal-fin with two dark blotches or dots on rays (Figs. 2, 6). Geographical distribution. Ancistrus clementinae is found in the Pacific versant of Ecuador, mostly in drainages that flow to the Guayas River Basin (Fig. 8).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A228FF9B2A8F7F47FD9348E4.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. All from Ecuador. Morona-Santiago province: MEPN- 10535, 6, 73.8 – 144.5 mm SL, Río Chiguaza, camino a Huamboya, 01 ° 59 ’ 17 ” S 77 ° 56 ’ 44 ” W, S. Rampon, August 1956. MEPN- 17986, 1, 77.7 mm SL, Río Shaime en la vía Santiago-Méndez, afluente del río Morona, 02 ° 56 ’ 54 ” S 77 ° 46 ’ 51 ” W, R. Barriga, P. Arguello, E. Calvache, F. Cugushi, 12 November 2015. MEPN- 17987, 7, 45.8 – 86.0 mm SL, Río Wawaimi entre Pto. Morona y río Shaime, afluente del río Morona, 02 ° 56 ’ 02 ” S 77 ° 44 ’ 37 ” W, R. Barriga, P. Arguello, E. Calvache, F. Cugushi, 13 November 2015. Napo province: MEPN- 8182, 5, 80.2 – 113.6 mm SL, Río Chililin, 12 km E de la carretera vía Auca, km 57, 00 ° 48 ’ 54 ” S 76 ° 47 ’ 57 ” W, R. Barriga, 25 May 1996. MEPN- 9000, 2, 51.5 – 84.5 mm SL, Río Apayacu, a 2 km de la Estación Jatun Sacha, Ahuano, 00 ° 04 ’ 43 ” S 77 ° 46 ’ 59 ” W, R. Barriga, B. Bohger, G. Tapuy, 23 April 1999. MEPN- 9139, 1 ,, 108.3 mm SL, Río Sardinas a 6 km W de la Estación Biológica Jatun Sacha, Ahuano, 01 ° 04 ’ 43 ” S 77 ° 39 ’ 59 ” W, R. Barriga, B. Bohger, G. Tapuy, 23 April 1999. MEPN- 9140, 3, 95.2 – 126.0 mm SL, Río Apayacu a 2 km de la Estación Jatun Sacha, Ahuano, 00 ° 04 ’ 43 ” S 77 ° 46 ’ 59 ” W, R. Barriga, B. Bohger, G. Tapuy, 23 April 1999. MEPN- 9141, 1, 138.5 mm SL, Río Pillisyacu 6 km al Noreste de Jatun Sacha, Ahuano, 01 ° 05 ’ 57 ” S 77 ° 36 ’ 15 ” W, R. Barriga, B. Bohger, G. Tapuy, 23 April 1999. MEPN- 11716, 8, 96.3 – 140.0 mm SL, Río Suno, junto a Caimitoyacu, 00 ° 27 ’ 30 ” S 77 ° 37 ’ 52 ” W, R. Barriga, 0 9 September 1996. MEPN- 11730, 7, 60.0 – 111.8 mm SL, Río Burroyacu afluente del río Huataraco, 00 ° 42 ’ 39 ” S 77 ° 26 ’ 22 ” W, R. Barriga, 13 September 1996. Orellana province: MEPN- 2384, 4, 93.6 – 108.7 mm SL, Estero sin nombre, 20 km al W del Pueblo Edén, afluente Río Cariyuturi, 00 ° 34 ’ 35 ” S 76 ° 06 ’ 56 ” W, R. Barriga, L. Salazar, D. Stewart, 28 February 2003. MEPN- 10249, 26, 35.0 – 85.7 mm SL, Estero Sunka a 20 minutos 1 / 2 km del Pozo de Petróleo Sunka. Afluente del Río Tivacuno, 00 ° 40 ’ 48 ” S 76 ° 43 ’ 29 ” W, R. Barriga, J. Tivirán, 0 2 December 1988. MEPN- 10322, 9, 84.5 – 148.1 mm SL, Río Cotapino, Alto Napo, 00 ° 44 ’ 21 ” S 77 ° 31 ’ 36 ” W, M. Olalla, August 1966. MEPN- 11556, 1, 108.9 mm SL, Río Chambira, afluente del río Tiputini, 00 ° 37 ’ 51 ” S 76 ° 30 ’ 59 ” W, R. Barriga, J. Silva, 19 May 2008. MEPN- 11648, 4, 45.8 – 80.1 mm SL, Río sin nombre afluente del río Cononaco, 00 ° 58 ’ 56 ” S 76 ° 59 ’ 18 ” W, J. Quilindaña, 12 July 2000. MEPN- 14858, 2, 75.6 – 87.0 mm SL, Río Huarmiyuturi, cerca al Helipuerto, 00 ° 34 ’ 12 ” S 76 ° 04 ’ 19 ” W, R. Barriga, 23 April 2009. Pastaza province: MEPN- 4476, 2, 92.8 – 101.9 mm SL, Canelos, río Bobonaza, 01 ° 36 ’ 01 ” S 77 ° 45 ’ 22 ” W, M. Olalla, April 1983 (Type locality of A. occidentalis). MEPN- 4652, 2, 72.0 – 90.4 mm SL, Río Avispa, a 1500 m al W del pozo abandonado Manatí, 02 ° 02 ’ 38 ” S 76 ° 30 ’ 21 ” W, R. Barriga, A. Cartagena, A. Gavilánez, 0 9 May 1989. MEPN- 15405, 6, 92.5 – 114.9 mm SL, Bajos del Río Bobonaza, sitio equidistante entre Montalvo y Chicherota, 02 ° 22 ’ 18 ” S 76 ° 39 ’ 12 ” W, 17 February 1975. Sucumbíos province: MEPN- 4719, 1, 85.2 mm SL, Río Pushino, km 27 vía Lumbaqui-Puerto Coca, 4 km antes del pozo Rubí No. 2, 00 ° 02 ’ 41 ” S 77 ° 10 ’ 05 ” W, R. Barriga, L. Guatatoca, R. Chimbo, 0 5 May 1997. MEPN- 9272, 3, 81.5 – 100.8 mm SL, Río Ere, a 10 m de la casa de Ignacio Aguirre, 00 ° 08 ’ 15 ” N 76 ° 45 ’ 18 ” W, R. Barriga, A. Lusitante, 0 3 May 1995. MEPN- 10696, 3, 57.9 – 76.8 mm SL, Quebrada Yamanunka, km 16, drenaje pantano – charca, 00 ° 18 ’ 00 ” S 76 ° 39 ’ 41 ” W, R. Barriga, M. Cortez, 13 December 2010. MEPN- 10699, 1, 73.2 mm SL, Quebrada sin nombre en la Cooperativa 28 de Marzo, 00 ° 02 ’ 17 ” S 76 ° 39 ’ 15 ” W, R. Barriga, M. Cortez, J. Revelo, 14 December 2010. MEPN- 15633, 2, 66.5 – 80.6 mm SL, Río sin nombre afluente del río Pañayacu, 00 ° 24 ’ 46 ” S 76 ° 04 ’ 22 ” W, R. Barriga, H. Machoa, 24 February 2010.	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A228FF9B2A8F7F47FD9348E4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ancistrus malacops differs from species inhabiting Amazonian Andean piedmont rivers, except A. latifrons, A. alga and A. shuar by the length of the mandibular ramus which fits 2.4 – 3.8 times in the interorbital width. In A. bufonius, A. marcapatae, A. montanus, A. heterorhynchus, A. boliviana, A. megalostomus, A. occloi and A. greeni, the reported mandibular ramus fits fewer than 2.0 times in the interorbital width. It further differs from A. latifrons, A. alga, A. megalostomus, A. lineolatus and A. tamboensis, by its interorbital width in head length, 2.3 – 2.8 vs. fewer than 2.3 times. In A. montanus and A. heterorhynchus the interorbital width fits 3.0 times in the head length. The species A. bufonius, A. jelskii, A. marcapatae, A. boliviana, A. occloi, A. greeni, and A. shuar have similar values of interorbital width. Among the species caught in eastern Ecuador, it is easily distinguished from A. alga by its color pattern, and shape of body and head. Values of cleithral width and interorbital width are 27.9 % – 31.8 % SL vs. 34.3 % – 36.2 % SL, and 13.4 % – 16.3 % SL vs. 17.5 % – 20.5 % SL, respectively. The differences with A. shuar are moderate or, in females, near none. But there is a tendency to have a more slender body and head. Values of cleithral width and interorbital width are 27.9 % – 31.8 % SL vs. 30.3 % – 32.5 % SL, and 13.4 % – 16.3 % SL vs. 14.4 % – 17.0 % SL, respectively. Males of A. malacops are even more different in cleithral width 27.8 % – 30.2 % SL vs. 30.7 % – 32.5 % SL in A. shuar and 35.3 % – 36.2 % SL in A. alga; and interorbital width 13.5 % – 15.7 % SL vs. 15.4 % – 17.0 % SL in A. shuar and 20.1 % – 20.5 % SL in A. alga (Table 5).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
AF3D87B5A228FF9B2A8F7F47FD9348E4.taxon	description	Description. Morphometric data given in Tables 4 and 5. Body depressed anteriorly and, progressively become compressed posteriorly. Caudal peduncle compressed, deep and, robust. Dorsal profile of body convex from tip of snout through dorsal-fin origin. From there descending straight to adipose-fin origin, then straight and horizontal to caudal-fin origin. Ventral profile of body flat and straight or slightly concave. Ventral surface of head and belly naked until anal-fin origin. Urogenital papilla is not visible, in some mature males opening partially visible just posterior to anus (Figs. 2, 7). Head moderately wide and depressed. Snout partially naked with or without fleshy cylindrical tentacles branched or not, its contour semicircular. In adult males, naked area is wider, and closer to nares or orbits. Females and juveniles have only narrow naked strip on snout border. Nostrils juxtaposed and closer to eyes than tip of snout. Eyes in dorsal lateral position, orbits not raised and without odontodes. Interorbital space is broad and flat or gently conv, Supraoccipital flat without ridges, posterior border straight and truncate. Movable hypertrophied cheek odontodes well developed, specimens can have 10 – 12. Size of these odontodes also is variable in each specimen, the longest odontode almost reaches to pectoral-fin origin independently of size of specimen. Anteriorly, base of movable hypertrophied odontodes are covered by plates. Opercular bone has an exposed surface easy visible externally, its lateral margin carries odontodes. Mouth rounded or oval. Upper lip narrow, usually covering premaxilla and only external surface visible, its edge is almost horizontal, and with papillae very small. The internal surface papillose. Lower lip broad, its border with very minute undulations. Lower lip surface papillose. Papillae smaller near border of lip increasing in size near lower jaws. Papillae of anterior lip have similar size from those near lower jaws. Maxillary barbels short and free. Upper jaw larger than lower. Upper jaws straight and placed horizontally. Lower jaws forming a V between them. Teeth numerous and minute. Between 60 - 70 teeth in upper jaw and between 40 - 50 teeth in lower jaw. Premaxillary and dentary teeth of same size. Teeth incisor type, asymmetrically bifid, medial cusp longer and wider than lateral cusp. Medial cusp rounded or straight truncated, lateral cusp pointed. Tooth apex curved toward interior of mouth. Tooth apex yellowish, stalk whitish. Premaxillary and dentary without posterior papillae or ornamentation. Lateral line plates 23 – 24. Post-anal plates 12 – 13. Inter-dorsal plates seven or eight, just in front of the spine of adipose-fin there is one plate with keel. Dorsal-fin origin is anterior to vertical through pelvic-fin origin. Dorsal-fin with one spine, followed by seven branched rays; when depressed their tips very close or reaching the adipose-fin origin. Adipose-fin always present and developed, but membrane is scarce. Adipose-fin spine wide and straight. Pectoral-fin with one spine, and six branched rays. Pectoral-fin spine reaches or surpasses half pelvic-fin spine length when depressed, and is longer than longest branched ray. Distal region of pectoral-fin spine with a fleshy tip, and, enlarged odontodes more developed in males. Pelvic-fin with one spine and five branched rays; its posterior margin surpasses anal-fin base when depressed. Anal-fin with one flexible spine and four branched rays. Distal margin of caudal-fin oblique truncate; lower spine longer than upper; caudal-fin rays i, 14, i. Sexual dimorphism. Adult males exhibit a wide naked area on snout. Tentacles are arranged in the following pattern: Snout edge with conical tentacles bordering, those near and at the tip are longest and branched. On dorsal midline, three to five tentacles, very long, and with many branches are present. Posteriorly, dorsal midline row split into two rows, oriented to the nostrils, with two or four tentacles branched each. Laterally to midline row, and anteriorly to rows close to nostrils, no tentacles are found, only a wrinkled and naked surface. On each side, in front of cheek odontodes, a row of three to five conical tentacles, runs from the snout edge to near eyes (Fig. 7). In some cases one branched tentacle is present just in front of cheek odontodes. In some lots, we noticed that some adult males have small or very small fleshy tentacles. Females of A. malacops have a similar condition on snout tentacles to that observed in females of A. shuar (Figs. 2, 3). Color. Head, and dorsolateral surface of the body varies from light to dark brown with whitish rounded blotches, evident or vanished, occasionally, rounded blotches may be blackish. Abdominal surface is lighter brown, uniform or with a great number of white or whitish dots. All fins with alternate combination of bands, blotches or dots, whitish or blackish, over rays and interradial membrane. Caudal-fin with a whitish or orange spot on its dorsal and ventral tips (Figs. 2, 7). Geographical distribution. Ancistrus malacops inhabits the eastern versant of Ecuador, from Sucumbíos province to Morona-Santiago province, except the Santiago River basin, apparently, the Morona River is the southern limit of the species (Fig. 8).	en	Provenzano, Francisco, Barriga-Salazar, Ramiro (2018): Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the description of a new species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa 4527 (2): 211-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
