EDWIN CHAPIN STARKS 9 17. Pristigaster cayanus Cuvier.
A couple of fine specimens were collected by Dr. Baker and Mr. Mann in the Madeira River about 400 miles above its mouth. FAMILY ENGRAULIDID.
18. Anchovia clupeoides (Swainson).
Several specimens from 5 to 8 inches in length were taken in Lake Papary. The anal rays vary fom 28 to 32 (not counting those in front of the first long one), but are usually 30, as described by Dr. Steindachner. His specimens were from 3% to 5 inches (‘9 to 12 cm.”) in length. The smallest specimens at hand agree very well with his description, but the large ones are much deeper, the depth being much greater than the length of the head, and is contained from 3 to 33% times in the length of the body, while the head is contained from 334 to 4 times.
19. Anchovia januaria (Steindachner).
Specimens that answer very well to the description of this species, which has hitherto been known only from the harbor of Rio Janeiro, were taken in abundance in the harbor of Natal.
20. Anchovia pallida Starks, new species.
Plate 1.
The head and body are deep and compressed. The depth is equal to the length of the head and is contained 3% times in the length of the body to the caudal base. The snout is shorter than the eye and projects almost its full length beyond the tip of the mandible. The maxillary is broad and rounded behind, and scarcely reaches to the posterior end of the mandible. Small even teeth are present in both jaws. The diameter of the eye is contained 41% times in the head, and 234 times in the postorbital part of the head. The interorbital width slightly exceeds the length of the snout. The cheek is long and triangular, and measuring from the eye to the lower angle of the preopercular ridge, its length is twice that of the eye. The greatest width of the opercle is no greater than that of the eye. Forty slender gill-rakers, barely as long as the eye, are on the lower limb of the first gill arch.
The front of the anal is under the middle of the dorsal base, and the front of the dorsal is midway between the base of the caudal and the front margin of the eye. There are 14 dorsal rays, counting 2 rudimentary ones
10 FISHES FROM BRAZIL in front of the first long one, and 21 anal rays with the 2 short anterior ones. The base of the anal slightly exceeds the length of the head. The length of the pectoral is two-thirds that of the head, and it reaches a little past the front of the ventral. There are 37 cross series of scales and 7 longitudinal series, counting under the front of the dorsal. No color whatever is present in the alcoholic specimen, except a few fine, scattered dark points on the back.
The type and sole specimen is 4 inches in length, and was collected in the market at Para.
In the shape of the head and body as well as in various other characters this species is very much like Cetengraulis edentulus, but there is no trace of membrane connecting the branchiostegal membranes that characterizes the genus Cetengraulis. Should future specimens, however, prove it to belong to that genus it may be known from C. edentulus by the much shorter operculum as compared with the long oblique cheek, longer maxillaries and pectorals, the anal under the middle of the dorsal base, and several other minor differences. C. juruwensis differs in the same characters, and in addition is much more slender.
In the genus to which it is here referred it seems to be closest to Anchovia vaillanti (Steindachner), but it has twice as many gill-rakers and lacks a lateral stripe.
21. Anchovia brownii (Gmelin).
A few specimens seined at Natal from 234 to 334 inches in length. It was not taken so commonly as A. januaria or Lycengraulis grossidens. These specimens were compared with some from Jamaica and agree in all respects, but they show some discrepancies with current descriptions. The depth is contained from 5 to 5% times in the length to the caudal base. The eye is contained from 334 to 4 times in the head; the snout from 44% to 4% times. The anal rays, counting back from the first long ray, number 18 or 19. The front of the anal is under the posterior fourth of the dorsal base. The front of the dorsal is midway between the base of the caudal and the front of the eye.
22. Pterengraulis atherinoides (Linnzus).
This species is very common in the market at Para, where many specimens were secured. In the following notes specimens from 6 to 10 inches in length are considered.
The head is contained from 4 to 4% times in the length to the base of the caudal; the depth from 3% to 4 times. The eye is much longer than
EDWIN CHAPIN STARKS 11 the snout and is contained in the head from 5 to 5% times. The maxillary has a bluntly rounded end which is even with the posterior end of the mandible.
23. lLycengraulis grossidens (Cuvier).
A few specimens were seined in the harbor of Natal, the largest 61% inches in length.
The head is contained from 4 to 4% times in the length to the caudal base; the depth from 4% to 434 times. The eye is longer than the snout and is contained from 2 times in the postorbital part of the head (in specimens 3% inches long) to 24 times (in specimens from 5 to 6 inches long). The number of teeth in the mandible is very variable, as might be expected from their uneven size and position. The maxillary teeth are more even in size and smaller. Those on the anterior part of the bone are directed downward or slightly backward, while those on the posterior part are directed slightly forward. The mandible curves upward and is sharp at the tip. The maxillary is slender, slightly widened, lance-head-like, posteriorly, and ends in a slender point just behind the articulation of the mandible. The head is rather broadly rounded behind at the gill cover, and not particularly elongated obliquely.
The insertion of the dorsal is midway between the base of the caudal and a point varying from the middle to the posterior edge of the eye. The front of the anal is under the middle of the dorsal. In the large specimens the pectorals reach to, or nearly to, the ventrals.
The head and particularly an area just behind the upper half of the shoulder girdle is richly supplhed with ramifying canals. On the cheek and on an area behind and above the eye the canals form a net-work, inclosing small spots that appear, at first sight, like well separated, imbedded scales.
24. Lycengraulis batesii (Giinther).
A single specimen, 8 inches long, was collected in the market at Para. In this specimen the teeth in the mandible are fewer and a little farther apart than in Lycengraulis grossidens, though more were described for the type. Their number is doubtless variable. This species differs in being much more slender, in having the front of the anal only slightly behind that of the dorsal, in having the head shorter as compared with the entire length, and in having the gill-rakers shorter. The last are low on the side of the arch and are about as long as the mandibular teeth, though they are not ‘‘like tubercles,” as originally described.
12 FISHES FROM BRAZIL FAMILY OSTEOGLOSSID.
25. Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Vandelli.
A specimen was collected in the market at Para.
FamMiILty SYMBRANCHID-.
26. Symbranchus marmoratus Bloch.
Numerous specimens were taken at Lake Papary and in the muddy little lagoons about Ceara Mirim.
BRAMILY, OPHICH TH VIDAs:
27. Myrichthys oculatus (Kaup).
A single specimen was seined in the harbor at Natal. Famity MURAENIDA.
28. Rabula megalops Starks, new species.
Plate 2.
The head is contained 224 times in the trunk to the vent, and 5 times in the entire length. The body is not much compressed, and the head and neck not at all. The depth of the body is a third of the length of the head. The gape does not quite extend to the posterior part of the eye, and is a fourth of the length of the head. The jaws are straight and capable of being completely closed. The teeth are sharp and easily detached. ‘They are biserial in the upper jaw, with a group of enlarged curved teeth in front. There are no teeth on the shaft of the vomer running back between the lateral teeth. In the lower jaw the teeth are uniserial on the side and biserial toward the front. The eye is contained 14% times in the length of the snout, and 8 times in the head. The snout is broadly rounded as viewed from above. The anterior nostril is in a tube, and the posterior one is in the upper lip, opening downward, and not visible in a side view. The dorsal fin begins a distance behind the gill opening equal to the length of the snout. The longest rays are toward the posterior end of the dorsal, where their length is contained 224 times in the length of the head. The ground color is light, but made almost uniform dull brown by dark points which more or less run together. On the back and side this is scarcely appreciable except with the aid of a lens, appearing to the unaided eye uniform brown, but on the belly the points are better separated,
EDWIN CHAPIN STARKS 13 and also on the tail a few light spots of the ground color show. ‘The fins are uniform dusky brown like the body, but posteriorly they grow slightly darker toward the margin, and are narrowly edged with white. The type and only specimen is 5 inches in length, and was collected in the rock pools at Natal.
This species differs from Rabula panamensis (Steindachner) in having the jaws straight so that the mouth may be closed, and in having the dorsal beginning behind the gill opening.
29. lLycodontis moringa (Cuvier).
Several small specimens were taken in the rock pools at Natal. On some of them the dark spots have so run together as to leave none of the usual ground color, or just a trace of it showing as a few indefinite, irregular markings. The light border to the anal and posterior part of the dorsal seems to be constant.
In life this species is sienna yellow, with slaty brown spots scattered irregularly over the head and body. ‘The anal is dusky, and narrowly and sharply edged with milk white. ‘The white border is continued around the caudal and onto the dorsal, where it becomes narrow anteriorly and disappears. The dorsal has a dark border at the edge of the fin anteriorly and next to the white edge posteriorly. ‘The base of the dorsal is spotted like the body.
30. Lycodontis funebris (Ranzani).
A single specimen a couple of feet in length was taken at Natal. It is uniform in color and shows no longitudinal lines on the fins. Famity CHARACINIDA.
31. Curimatus leucostictus Higenmann and Higenmann. One specimen was secured by Mr. Mann and Dr. Baker in the Madeira River about 400 miles from its mouth. ‘There are traces of a light longitudinal bar on the posterior part of the side, its upper edge at the lateral line.
32. Curimatus schomburgki Giinther.
Several specimens collected at Para are entirely similar to specimens from British Guiana collected by Dr. Eigenmann. It is probable that these should all be referred to Curimatus ,4§prinoides (Linneus) . The dorsal reaches variably to the adipose dorsal or to as far back as the base of the caudal.
14 FISHES FROM BRAZIL 33. Curimatus elegans Steindachner.
Numerous specimens were taken at Lake .Kaxtremoz, Lake Papary and at Ceara Mirim. The largest ones are almost 6 inches in length. Small ones, 2% inches long, have a black lateral band which tapers to a point and disappears anteriorly, or it may be continued as a narrow line to the operculum. The dorsal has a black spot at the middle of its base. In the large specimens there is a rather broad diffused dark lateral band most evident posteriorly where it follows the lateral line, and anteriorly.arching just above the lateral line. The posterior part of the lateral line has a small black spot above and below the pore on each scale. The dorsal spot may be pale but it is usually evident.
34. Gasterotomus latior (Spix).
A specimen, 8 inches in length, was collected by Mr. Mann and Dr. Baker in the Madeira River 400 miles from its mouth.
The head is contained 334 times in the length to the caudal base, and the depth 244 times, being considerably deeper than the picture published by Spix (Pisc. Bras. Pl. 41). The front of the dorsal is midway between the tip of the snout and the posterior part of the base of the adipose dorsal. The pectoral is contained 134 times in the head, and is not so long as the ventral. It does not reach to the ventral, and the ventral reaches a little over half way from its base to the anal. The dorsal contains 11 rays, and the anal 14. The base of the latter is equal to the combined length of the snout and the eye, and the tip of the adipose dorsal is above the base of the last ray. The caudal fin is broken. There are 90 series of scales, all of which are roughly denticulated, but to the touch scarcely feel rough. The ventral median line from the pectorals to the anal is trenchant. The scales scarcely meet on the median line in front of the dorsal, leaving an extremely narrow naked line.
35. Hemiodus microlepis Kner.
Four specimens were taken in the Rio Madeira about 400 miles above its mouth by Mr. Mann and Dr. Baker. Mr. Fowler (Proc. Phil. Acad. Sci. 1906, p. 319) found the ‘‘Lower lobe of caudal much longer than upper, just the reverse of that indicated by Kner.” In the specimens at hand two of them have the upper lobe a trifle longer, one has them about equal, and the other has the lower lobe a little longer. Except that these specimens are considerably more slender (the depth is contained from 4%4 to 434 times in the length) they agree very well with Mr. Fowler’s description.
EDWIN CHAPIN STARKS 15 36. Anisitsia notata (Schomburgk). Five specimens were collected at Para. 37. Prochilodus migricans Agassiz. Several specimens were collected at Para, and a couple by Dr. Baker and Mr. Mann in the Madeira River. ‘The latter differ in having the stripes, which follow the rows of scales on the back, and the dusky cross bars much more conspicuous. In the Para specimens these markings are more or less obscure, but usually evident.
38. Schizodon elongatus Steindachner. A specimen taken by Dr. Baker and Mr. Mann in the Rio Madeira about 400 miles from its mouth. 39. Schizodon fasciatus (Spix). A couple of specimens collected by Mr. Mann and Dr. Baker at the mouth of the Madeira River.
40. Leporinus friderici (Bloch). One specimen was taken at Para. 41. Leporinus pachyurus Cuvier and Valenciennes. A single specimen was found in the market at Para. 42. Leporinus affinis Giinther. A specimen taken at Para.
43. lLeporinus fasciatus Bloch. Several specimens were collected at Para. 44, Leporinus maculatus Miiller and Troschel. One specimen was taken at Lake Extremoz. 45. Cheirodon insignis Steindachner. A few specimens taken in the little ponds about Ceara Mirim. In the male the lower edge of the caudal peduncle is produced and armed with from 7 to 9 spines along its edge. The caudal spot is inconspicuous in the male and the first ray of the anal is longer, making the posterior margin of the fin more concave. There is considerable variation among the females in the concavity of the anal and in the depth.
16 FISHES FROM BRAZIL 46. Astyanax bimaculatus Linneus.
Many specimens were taken at Para, Lake Extremoz, Lake Papary and Ceara Mirim.
Specimens of 4 inches in length and over from Para have the caudal spot and lateral band almost entirely absent. British Guiana specimens of all sizes (collected by Dr. Eigenmann) have the spot and band conspicuous. Comparing small specimens the difference is not so great. ‘The anal has 31 or 32 rays, and there are from 30 to 33 series of scales. The specimens from Lake Extremoz, Lake Papary and Ceara Mirim have the spot and band as in the British Guiana specimens or even darker, and the anal has from 25 to 27 rays. These are perhaps referable to Astyanax bimaculatus nove Eigenmann, though the lateral band is not so definite as in the picture of the original specimen. Among the smaller specimens of from 2 to 2% inches in length are many variations of the humeral spot. Sometimes it is elongate horizontally ; sometimes it is round; sometimes the faint streak extends up and down from it; and sometimes the streak becomes so pronounced that the spot is elongate vertically. The larger specimens do not vary in this respect, the spot being always elongate vertically. There are breeding females among these only 2 inches in length. In life the Lake Papary specimens were silvery with golden yellow tinges, which were more conspicuous over the faint lateral band. The pectoral and caudal were yellow, the latter much darker, and the anal and ventrals bright red.
I fail to appreciate the naked predorsal line in either these or the British Guiana specimens, though the latter have been referred by Dr. Eigenmann to the genus Poecilurichthys, which he differentiates by this character in his key.
47. Chalcinus angulatus curtus Garman.
Four specimens were collected by Mr. Mann and Dr. Baker in the Rio Madeira about 400 miles from its mouth. ‘The depth is contained in the length to the caudal from 234 to 2°/+ times.
48. Chalcinus angulatus fuscus Garman.
A single specimen taken at the mouth of the Rio Madeira by Mr. Mann and Dr. Baker is evidently referable to the subspecies. The back is dark and has longitudinal dusky stripes following the rows of scales. The lips and barbels are dusky, and the latter are as long as the eye. All of the fins aredusky.