carla Posted August 29, 2003 Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 10 Fish Species Discovered in Venezuela By ALEXANDRA OLSON Associated Press Writer http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld ... -headlines August 28, 2003, 4:24 PM EDT CARACAS, Venezuela -- Scientists discovered 10 new fish species and a previously unknown species of shrimp in a southeastern Venezuela river basin, a U.S. environmental organization announced Thursday. Conservation International said it hoped the discoveries would ensure preservation of the Caura River Basin, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) southeast of Caracas, the capital. The Washington-based group called on Venezuela's government to designate the 4,500-hectare (11,115-acre) area a wildlife reserve. "For its size, it's incredible what the area has. It's a hot spot that should be protected," said Antonio Machado, a Central University of Venezuela zoologist and fish expert who helped direct the research. The species were found in 2000 during an expedition that included 13 local and international scientists and 17 experts from an organization representing Kuyujani Ye'kuana Indians who live in the area. Scientists named one fish -- a 2-inch-long (5-centimeter-long), green and red, bloodfin tetra -- "Aphyocharaz Yekwanae" after the Ye'kuana. They also discovered a piranha they call "serrasalmus" and a tentacled armored catfish called "Ancistrus." The new shrimp species was named "pseudopalaemon." The Caura watershed -- an expanse of forests and rivers -- is in a pristine pocket of highlands known as the Guyana Shield, an ancient geological formation. The region is under threat from mining and illegal fishing, Conservation International said at a Caracas news conference. Conservation International sent its findings Thursday to Venezuela's Environment Ministry. The government has been supportive, said Franklin Rojas, director of Conservation International's Venezuela branch. Rojas said Venezuela has all but abandoned a proposed hydroelectric dam at the basin's Para Waterfall. The dam would seriously deplete the Caura River, he said. "If it ever happened, it would be devastating," Rojas said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua Posted August 29, 2003 Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 a tentacled armored catfish called "Ancistrus." This sounds weird... hrmmmm :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 29, 2003 Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 Can't expect them to have the details very detailed or accurate...I'm guessing that it's in the genus ancistrus and is just another species related to bristlenoses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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