Kihnichthys Mcmahan, Matamoros, Piller & Chakrabarty, 2015, gen. nov.

Genus Kihnichthys gen. nov., McMahan and Matamoros 2015

(Fig. 9 and 10)

Inclusive species. K. ufermanni (type by monotypy)

Diagnosis. Kihnichthys is diagnosed by the presence of a dark caudal blotch filling the center, posterior portion of the caudal peduncle, as well as the presence of spatulate or chisel-like teeth in the anterior portions of the upper and lower jaws. Species of this genus possess a deep skull and large head with a small mouth. The lower jaw extends slightly beyond the upper jaw. The combination of these characters differentiates this genus from all other herichthyin genera. Vieja possesses a similar but larger caudal blotch, but also has conical or bicuspid (versus spatulate) teeth. Cincelichthys gen. nov. possesses spatulate teeth but has a small spot on the caudal peduncle (versus a larger spot in Kihnichthys).

Etymology. Gender masculine. The genus is named in honor of Herman A. Kihn, who has spent a lifetime studying the fishes of Guatemala. His work has made invaluable contributions to our understanding of the diversity and distributions of fishes in Guatemala.

Comments. Allgayer (2002) placed this enigmatic cichlid in Vieja in its original description. Few specimens exist in museum collections for this species, and most material comes from the Río La Pasion system, a tributary to the Río Usumacinta in Peten, Guatemala. Little is known about this cichlid and more comparative material and natural history information are certainly needed.

Material examined. MNHN 2002-1090 [n=1 (Holotype), Guatemala: Río Pucté], MNHN 2002-1091 [n=1 (Paratype), Guatemala: Río Pucté], MNHN 2002-1092 [n=1 (Paratype), Guatemala: Río Pucté].