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ABSTRACT
A new species of fossil catfish, †Nematogenys cuivi (Siluriformes: Nematogenyidae) is described from the Miocene, continental fluviolacustrine deposits of the upper Cura–Mallín Formation (37–39°S), Chile.
†Nematogenys cuivi is the first fossil record of the monogeneric family Nematogenyidae, which is considered the plesiomorphic sister group of the large loricarioid clade. The new species differs from the extant N. inermis in having a combination of characters: cleithrum with some weak interdigitations in the anterolateral margin, rectangular Weberian capsules wider than long, and shorter distance between the coronoid process and distal tip of the lower jaw.
†Nematogenys cuivi was found together with teeth of Serrasalminae, an association that is presently unknown. It is suggested that †N. cuivi occurred in lowlands before the uplift of the Cordillera de los Andes. If it is correct, the differentiation of the genus occurred before the major uplift of the Andes.
