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

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. Fil: Bogan, Sergio. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara; Argentina Fil: Agnolin, Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina Fil: Scanferla, Carlos Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; Argentina