Wilderness Explorers Showcase Guyana at Global Birdfair 2026
Wilderness Explorers attended Global Birdfair 2026 from 10–12 July at Lyndon Top near Rutland Water in the United Kingdom as part of the Guyana Tourism
Another new species – this time a Plec is discovered in Guyana
Another new species – this time a Plec is discovered in Guyana
Another new species – this time a Plec is discovered in Guyana
A new genus and species of a weakly armoured plec has been described from the upper Mazaruni River in northwestern Guyana. and was named by Jonathan Armbruster and Donald Taphorn as Paulasquama callis.
The head and body of most plecs are covered with bony plates, with only the belly, lower surface of the head and the area around the fins lacking plates. Paulasquama differs from most plecs in lacking bony plates in two oval areas on the top of the snout, and the bony plates below the dorsal fin being greatly reduced in size. In addition, thick skin covers much of the body of the catfish (which is unusual for a plec).
Paulasquama callis was collected from a swift stream with clear water having a slightly black tint. The substrate consisted of polished cobble and gravel.
The generic name comes from the Latin paulus, meaning small, and squama, for scale armor, in reference to the small plates located in the dorsal series just below the dorsal fin. The species is named after the Latin callis for a stony, uneven, narrow footway, in reference to the narrow plated area between the two oval, naked patches on the snout.
The authors hypothesise that the numerous waterfalls in the drainages of the Pakaraima Mountains severely limit upstream migration and isolate the upstream regions. This would allow unique fishes like Paulasquama to evolve or to persist there.
For more information, see the paper: Armbruster, JW and DC Taphorn (2011) A new genus and species of weakly armored catfish from the upper Mazaruni River, Guyana (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).
More info from Guyana Graphic
9 Iconic Birds of Guyana and Where to See Them
Guyana is one of South America’s most rewarding destinations for birdwatchers. Its Atlantic coastal wetlands, mangrove-lined rivers, lowland rainforest, forested highlands and open savannahs support
Discover the Magic on Kaieteur Falls: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Largest Single-Drop Waterfall
Deep within Guyana’s pristine Amazonian rainforest lies a hydrological and ecological marvel that defies imagination. Known for its raw power and incredible scale, taking a
STAY INFORMED
Subscribe to our newsletter!
We will keep you up to date on new products, tours, news, special offers and much more.
