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1902 “ Fretrp Cotumpian Musreum
FISHES | PUBLICATION 65.
Tempera SERIES. MOE ATES NG 6:
A CONTRIBUTION
ICHTHYOLOGY OF MEXICO.
BY
SetH Eucene MEEk,
Assistant Curator of Department,
/ 1 Gree LTO ER Sy Boag
Curator of Department.
Cuyicaco, U.S. A.
May, 1902.
FIELD CoLUMBIAN MusEUM
PUBLICATION 65.
ZOOLOGICAL “SERIES. Vor. Eb. sNiop
A CONTRIBUTION
COR SEE:
HereeEryVOLOGY OF MEXICO.
Ey
SetH EUGENE MEEK,
Assistant Curator of Department.
ID. “Ge Aiton, JF IR, Se Be
Curator of Department.
GHicaco, WAS
May, 1902.
A EONTRIBUTION, TO! THE ICHTHYOLOGY
OF, MEXICO:
BY SETH EUGENE MEEK.
The following paper is based on a collection of fishes made in
Mexico during April, May and June, 1g01, by the writer and Mr.
Frank Eugene Lutz, instructor in zoology in Chicago University, as
volunteer assistant. The more important river systems were
examined, chiefly with the view of discovering the southern range of
our North American ichthyic fauna, and the northern range of the
South and Central American faunas.
- Most of the collecting was done with two /-inch mesh seines,
one being 25 feet in length, the other about 50 feet.
The central portion of Mexico isa plateau ranging from about
3,500 feet above the sea to about 8,000 feet. The streams vary much
in size; many go quite or entirely dry during the dry season, while
during the rainy season they become torrents. Our visit was made
during the latter part of the dry season when the streams were very
low. The collection secured is perhaps larger than all other collec-
tions combined from the fresh waters of Mexico. The fish fauna of
Mexico is very interesting. In the northern part of the country we
find a few species not found elsewhere, while a large portion of the
fauna are species which have migrated south. The South American
fauna predominates as far north as Mexico City, though a few of its
forms extend into Texas.
*In making this collection we would acknowledge the assistance
of the following ®entlemen: Mr. J. H. Hampson of the Cuernavaca &
Pacific Railroad, Mr. W. Morcom of the Mexican Southern Railroad,
Mr. E. A. White of the Interoceanic Railroad, Mr. Chas. Sheldon of
the Chihuahua & Pacific Railroad, Mr. Jno. P. Ramsey of the Rio
Grande, S. Madre and Pacific Railroad, Mr. H. R. Nickerson and
Mr. T. R. Ryan of Mexican Central and to Mr. Ward, Superintendent
of Wells, Fargo Express Co., and to the officials of the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Wealso received considerable aid from
station agents on these various railroads where we stopped and also
63
64 FIELD CoLuMBIAN MusruM—Zoo.oey, Vot. III.
from Mr. Woodside, custom agent for the Mexican Central Railroad
at Cuidad Juarez.
The following River systems were examined as listed below:
The Casas Grandes System.
The Rio Casas Grandes is a small mountain stream which
flows into Lago de Guzman. In the dry season the lake becomes
nearly or entirely dry and there is very little water in the river
below Terrasas. At Colonia Juarez, about 16 miles above Ter-
rasas, the river the last of June contained little water, nearly
all of which was taken out a short distance below into irriga-
ting ditches. The fish hfe was abundant, but there were only
afew species. The water was clear, and cooler than other similar
mountain streams farther south. Where the water was confined
in holes and not running it contained a large amount of alge,
enough to fill the meshes of our net and make hauling difficult.
Lago de Guzman at the time of our visit was dry. A few fishes
were taken from a small spring branch near the railroad station.
It is probable that this river system was once a tributary of the
Rio Grande.
The Santa Maria System.
The Rio Santa Maria runs parallel to the Rio Casas Grandes
and empties into Lago de Santa Maria about ro miles southeast
of Guzman. These lakes are separated by a comparatively low
ridge, but so high that their waters have not mingled with each
other for a considerable time. I visited this water system only
at Santa Maria. The lake was dry, but there were several large
ponds fed by many large springs. These ponds were surrounded
by a considerable amount of aquatic vegetation. The bottoms
were of loose mud or muck. The water in the springs and
spring brooks was clear, and contained C. elegans and LV. lutrensis
in abundance. °
The Carmen System.
The Rio Carmen is a small river east of the Rio Santa Maria.
It empties into Lago de Patos about 50 miles southeast of
Lago de Santa Maria. At the time of my visit, June 21, the lake
was dry except a few holes some 20 feet wide and 50 or 60 feet in
length. These were reported to contain fish, but a half day’s
seining resulted in getting none. At the San Jose Ranch, some
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHYOLOGY oF MExICcO—MEEK. 65
5 or 6 miles from the lake, is a large spring, and a spring
branch whose waters are taken up by the sand within less than a
mile from the spring. C. elegans is the only fish found here.
At Ahumada, g miles from the lake, all of the water in the
river was taken out by irrigating ditches. A small collection of
fishes was made in the largest irrigating ditch. It seems that on
the approach of the dry season the fish in these small separate
river basins migrate to the head waters. A large number are
said to die in the lakes as these bodies of water become dry.
The concentration of the salts in the water due to evaporation is
no doubt the cause of the great mortality reported when the lake
has been reduced to about one-fourth of its largest size. Mr.
Jackson of Ahumada, who occasionally fishes for the market,
informed me that in June no large fishes could be found short
of about 20 miles up the river.
These three river systems were probably at one time a part of
the Rio Grande System.
The Conchos System.
The Rio de los Conchos is one of the southern tributaries of
the Rio Grande. We visited the Rio Chihuahua, a tributary of
the Rio Conchos, at Chihuahua. The water was very low. This
stream flows with a moderate current over sandy or gravelly bot-
toms. The watercontained a large amount of alge. This stream,
where visited, was well shaded by large trees and bushes.
The Rio Santa Cruz at San Andres is a small stream with
sandy and gravelly bottom; by the end of the dry season it
contains but little running water. Our fishes were collected in a
few holes in the bed of the stream just below the city. There is
very little vegetation of any sort along this stream near San
Andres. This same stream at Ortiz, a considerable distance
below San Andres, was entirely dry.
The Rio Noavaco at Santa Rosalia contains considerable
water throughout the dry season, though this is confined to long
deep holes with but little running water between them.
At Jimenez the Rio Conchos was nearly dry. Our collections
were made from a few deep holes about 2 miles below the
city. These contained a large amount of aquatic vegetation,
which made collecting difficult and unsatisfactory. The water
was very clear, and in the deeper places were seen many large
suckers which we were unable to capture. Sunfishes were very
abundant. All of these streams become large and deep in the
66 FIELD COLUMBIAN MusEuUM—Zoo.oecy, Vou. III.
rainy season, at which time the Rio Conchos at Jimenez becomes
200 or more feet in width and as much as 15 feet in depth.
The Lago de Castillos System.
This lake receives the water from a large depression on the
divide between the head waters of the Rio Conchos and the Rio
Yaqui. Lago de Castillos isa large body of water in the wet
season, but nearly all of its water is evaporated by the end of the
dry season. The seining of a few holes yielded but one species
of fish. A few small fishes are reported in some of the springs on
the margin of the lake bed even in the dry season. These are
either the young of Z. nigrescens, or are possibly Cyprinodon ele-
gans and Notropts lutrensis, more likely all three of these. I was
unable to visit any of these springs, as my time when I visited
Bustillos was limited. The Bustillos hacienda comprises most
all of this drainage area.
cy
The Rio Yaqui System.
The Rio Paphigochic, a tributary of the Rio Yaqui, was visited
at Minaca. This river contained a small amount of running water.
Its current was rapid and flowed over beds of sand and gravel.
We collected in the deep holes and shallow places along the river
for about amile. The similarity of the fishes in this stream and
the Rio Conchos ts very striking.
The Tarahumares, a tribe of Indians living south of Minaca,
catch fishes by poisoning the water with some herb. This is
reported to make the fish drunk. This is evidently a method
similar to the one used by the Cherokee Indians in the Indian
Territory. The Cherokees pound up the roots of the walnut and
mix the juice with the water. I have never seen this operation,
but from the description I have heard of it, it seems that the wal-
nut juice in the water acts as an astringent on the gills of the
fishes, no doubt causing a smothering sensation. The fishes
become active for a while and often swim with force enough to
land themselves high and dry. Later, if they remain in the
water, they become stupefied and are easily caught. Mr. A. G.
Maddren, who visited the Caroline Islands a few years ago,
informed me that some herb there was pounded up and its juice
mixed with the water to capture tide-pool fishes. It is interest-
ing to note this method of taking fishes by natives in three such
widely separated localities. |
May,tgo2. . THE IcHTHYOLOGy or Mrxico—MEEK. 67
The Lerma System.
The Rio Lerma is the longest river in Mexico. In its basin
are found a large number of lakes. Some of these lakes, as Lago
de Chapala, are still connected with the river, while many, as
Patzcuaro, Zirahuen and others, have long since become isolated
and at present each one forms an independent drainage system.
The Rio Verde was visited at Aguas Calientes. It contained
but httle running water. In the bed of the stream were a number
of holes from three to five feet in depth. The water, though
apparently clear, contained a large amount of algz which so clog-
ged the meshes of the seines as to make collecting difficult. The
bottom was of sand and gravel.
A small stream, a tributary of the Rio Verde, flows through
the city of Lagos. It contained but a small amount of water.
There is a small lake about two miles from Lagos. It is about
one-half mile in diameter, and is bordered by a rich growth of
cat-tails, tules and other forms of aquatic vegetation. There
were no sandy shores and it was quite impossible to use a seine
im, it.
In the lake, a small ditch near by, and in the stream at the
city, a small collection of fishes was made. Cat-fish, probably
Ameturus dugesti, are reported common in the lake, but we were
unable to obtain any.
At La Barca the Rio Lerma is a rather broad, deep. river
with a very sluggish current. The river was too deep to wade
any distance from the shore, and so a few hauls of the seine were
made from shore by means of ropes, and with better results than
is usually accomplished in this way. The bottom and shores
were muddy; occasionally along the margin was considerable
aquatic vegetation.
Lago de Chapala is the largest fresh water lake in Mexico.
The Rio Lerma flows into this lake near La Barca at the northeast
corner, and flows from it a few miles farther down at Ocotlan.
After the river leaves the lake it is known as the Rio Santiago.
At Ocotlan we collected in the main river and in a few small
bayous. The river here is about 200 feet wide and ro to 15 feet
deep. Its banks were steep but less so than at La Barca.
La Palma is a small village some 20 miles from Ocotlan and
on the opposite shore of the lake. Lago de Chapala is from ro
to 25 miles wide and about 501in length. It is surrounded by high
hills and mountains. The lake, especially between Ocotlan and
La Palma, is shallow. Fora mile or so from La Palma it is not
68
FIELD CoLUMBIAN MusEuM—Zoo .oecy, Vou. III.
over 6 or 8 feet deep. At La Palma is a rich growth of cat-
tails and tules. The bottom, a short distance from shore, is
muddy. Our collection was made along shore, in and about the
tules, and some distance out where the water was not deep.
There is considerable fishing done here for the market. The
cat-fishes Ameturus dugesit are known as Bagre. Xystrosus pop-
oche and Falcula chapale are Sardinia. Adlgansea rubescens is La
Poache. The large Chirostoma are Blancas, and the small Chir-
ostoma and the various species of Peciliide are known as Mojarra.
The fishes caught here are marketed largely in Ocotlan.
At Celaya a small collection of fishes was made in a small
stream which flows by the depot. In this stream was consider-
able vegetation. .
The Rio Lerma at Acambaro is a clear stream not over 4 feet
deep, flowing over a sandy bottom. It contained but few fishes
at this place. A large irrigating ditch well filled with aquatic
vegetation yielded a good number of Peciliide.
Lago de Quitzeo is a large shallow lake without any outlet.
At Huingo, where our collection was made, the lake was not
over 2 feet deep as much as one-eighth of a mile from the shore.
At one-fourth of a mile it is less than 6 feet deep. There are a
number of hot springs along the shore west of Huingo, and near
the depot a small stream fed by a warm spring flows into the
lake. This stream was alive with Pecilitde. Between the lake
and the city of Huingo a large amount of salt is gotten each year,
and so the lake is known as a salt lake, though its waters may
perhaps be but little if any more saline than are the other lakes
in this region which have no outlets. The small Pec7zliid@ are
known here as Charral.
Lago de Patzcuaro is a beautiful sheet of water some Io
miles long by 2 to 4 miles wide. It is surrounded on all
sides by high mountains, and is perhaps the most beautiful and
picturesque lake in the Lerma Basin. Its shores near the city of
Patzcuaro are fringed with a rich growth of tules_and other
aquatic plants. About 3 miles from the landing is an island,
and between it and the shore the lake does not exceed a depth
of 30 feet; beyond the island it is reported to be much
deeper. A great deal of commercial fishing is done here. The
larger fishes, Pescados Blancas, are marketed at Patzcuaro and
Morelia. A few are sent to Uruapan and neighboring towns.
The small fishes of all species are dried in the sun and marketed.
in that condition. The fishes are caught in long seines. Lago
May, 1902. THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF MExICO—MEEK. 69
de Patzcuaro has no outlet, and its waters have become some-
what brackish.
Lago de Zirahuen is a small, deep mountain lake. Its drain-
age area is small, and the lake is about one mile in diameter. A
portion of its shore is sandy and muddy, while much is fringed
with vegetation. This lake also has no outlet. The fishes from
it are very dark in color. In this respect they are much like the
fishes in Lago de Chalco. Commercial fishing is carried on here
to some extent.
The Drainage System of the Valley of Mexico.
Lago de Texcoco is a large shallow lake in the valley of
Mexico. Its size varies much during the year. It is connected
with all of the other lakes in this valley by canals which carry off
much of the filth of the City of Mexico as well as of other cities
near by.
Lago de Chalco is deeper and smaller than Texcoco. This
lake supports an immense amount of vegetation. Not far from
Tlahuac, in the bed of the lake, is a large spring. The water is
about 20 feet deep, and can be seen boiling up through the sand
on the bottom over an area of more than 100 feet square. Our
collections from this lake were made at Chalco and Tlahuac.
Lago de Xochomilcho is much like Lago de Chalco. The
few fishes in our collection from this lake were purchased from
fishermen in the markets of the City of Mexico.
The Balsas System.
The Rio Balsas is south of the Rio Lerma and is the second
largest river wholly within Mexico. We visited this river at
Balsas, a small village almost directly south of the City of
Mexico. The river at close of the dry season, at this place; was
about roo feet wide and ro to 15 feet deep. The mountains on
either side rise almost from the water’s edge, forming a sort of
cafion. The current was very swift, while at intervals of a mile
or so were rapids or cascades. In the bed of the stream are a
few small bayous and cut-offs, and in these most of our fishes
were collected. The Rio Balsas in the wet season is for a while
one of the great rivers of this continent. Its water in the dry
season is so brackish that the natives seldom use it.
The Rio Cuculo is a small stream tributary to the Rio Balsas
at this place. It contained no running water. The few deep
holes near its mouth furnished an excellent place to collect fishes.
70 Fietp CoLumpian MusEumM—Zoo.oecy, Vou. III.
In the dry season the natives dig basins in the bed of this stream
from which they get their drinking water.
The Rio Ixtla, a tributary of the Rio Amacusac which empties
into the Balsas, is a clear stream with sandy and gravelly bottom.
Our collections were taken from this stream a short distance
above the picturesque old bridge at this place. A few speci-
mens were also taken from the Rio Tembernbe, a small tributary
of the Rio Ixtla.
:
The San Francisco System.
At La Antigua the Rio San Francisco is a broad stream with
a hard bottom. At this point the water was not more than 4 feet
deep. La Antigua is just above tide water, and most of the fishes
taken here belong to salt or brackish water.
A tributary of the Rio San Francisco at Jalapa is a small
stream. A dam is built at the head of the falls. Above the dam
the water is deep and the stream fills the narrow valley, forming
a sort of lake which is well filled with aquatic vegetation. Sein-
ing here was quite impossible. A few fishes were taken above
the dam by using the seine as a dip net.
The small stream below the dam was seined for some distance.
It was narrow, with steep muddy banks, and contained a great
deal of vegetation.
The Panuca System.
At San Juan del Rio we visited the Rio Moctezuma which
flows into the Rio Panuca. The water in it was confined to a
few deep holes, with none running between them. Collecting
here was easy and satisfactory. The bed of the river was rocky,
but the shore of the deep holes next the bed of the stream was
sandy and with a gentle slope.
The Verde System.
The Rio Verde is a small Pacific coast stream which heads a
short distance above Oaxaca. It was nearly dry when our collec-
tion was made. Its bed at Oaxaca is broad and covered with
sand. A few holes in the bed contained a few fishes belonging to
two species.
The Quiotepec System.
The Rio Quiotepec drains a considerable area directly east of
the head waters of the Rio Balsas, and flows into the Gulf of
May, 1902. THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF MEXICO—MEEK. 7
Mexico. At Cuicatlan near the close of the dry season the water
in the river was rather shallow; in many places less than 4 feet
deep. It flows with a swift current over a sandy and gravelly
bottom. A small creek flows into the river near Cuicatlan.
Our collection was taken from the main stream, the small creek
and from a few cut-offs and bayous in the bed of the river.
The Rio Tehucan at Venta Salada is a rapid mountain stream.
The rocky bottom and walls, and the swift current made collect-
ing with a seine unsatisfactory. A few species, however, were
captured which proved to be especially interesting.
The following new genera are described in this paper: Zoogo-
neticus, Chapalichthys, Skiffia and Melaniris.
The following is a list of the new species described:
Rhamaia oaxace Skhifia vartegata
Catostomus conchos Fleterandia lutztt
Catostomus sonore Atiphophorus jalape
Algansea riubescens ° Chtrostoma attenuatum
Gila minace Chirostoma labarce
Aztecula mexicana Chirostoma patzcuaro
Notropis robustis Chtrostoma ztrahuen
Notropis santarosalie Melaniris balsanius
Evarra tlahuacensts Lepomts occidentalis
Fundulis oaxace Cichlosoma eigenmannt
Zoogoneticus adiazt Gobius parvus
Zoogoneticus mintatus Gobtus claytont
Skifia lerme@
The measurements, scale and fin ray counts are made in the
usual manner. The length of the body is measured from tip of
upper jaw to base (last caudal vertebra) of caudal fin; the total
length is measured from tip of jaws to tip of caudal rays; only
fully developed rays are counted. The length of the head is
measured from tip of upper jaw to poster edge of opercle; length
of snout from its tip to anterior margin of orbit. Scales in the
lateral series are counted to the base of caudal fin; transverse
series from insertion of ventrals or anal, whichever is nearest
middle of the body when the lateral line is present, and the count
above includes the row on which the lateral line is found.
The following is a list of the places near which our collections
were made. In order to abbreviate, the name of the city nearest
which the species was taken is given instead of also giving name
of stream and date; for example, ‘‘ Colonia Juarez,” after the
name of a species, means that it was taken from the Rio Casas
Grandes near the village of Colonia Juarez in the State of Chihua-
hua on June 26.
WP FIELD CoLumBiAN Mustum—Zoo tocy, Vou. III.
Colonia Juarez: Chihuahua, Mexico, Rio Casas Grandes, June 26.
Guzman: Chihuahua, Mexico, spring near railroad station, June 25.
Santa Maria: Chihuahua, Mexico, springs and ponds near clubhouse,
June 24.
San Jose: Chihuahua, Mexico, spring at San Jose ranch, Lago de Patos, was
nearly dry. No fish in the few pools left, June 21.
Ahumada: Chihuahua, Mexico. A large irrigating ditch. No water in the
Rio Carmen, June 22.
Chihuahua: Chihuahua, Mexico, tributary of the Rio Conchos, June Ig.
Santa Rosalia: Chihuahua, Mexico, Rio Noavaco, June Io,
Jimenez: Chihuahua, Mexico, Rio Conchos, June 9.
San Andres: Chihuahua, Mexico, Rio Santa Cruz, June 17, 18.
Bustillos: Chihuahua, Mexico, Lago de Castillo, the lake was dry except a
few small holes, June 14.
Mifiaca: Chihuahua, Mexico, Paphigochic, June 16, 17.
Aguas Calientes: Aguas Calientes, Mexico, Rio Verde, June 7.
Lagos: Jalisco, Mexico, tributary of the Rio Verde, and small lake near the
city, June 6.
La Barca: Jalisco, Mexico, Rio Lerma, June 5.
Ocotlan: Jalisco, Mexico, Rio Grande de Santiago and a few bayous, June
2 and 3.
Celaya: Guanajuato, Mexico, small stream tributary to the Lerma, May 28.
Ocambaro: Guanajuato, Mexico, Rio Lerma, May 27.
La Palma: Michoacan, Mexico, Lago de Chalco, May 30, 31.
Huingo: Michoacan, Mexico, Lago de Quitzeo, May 26.
Patzcuaro: Michoacan, Mexico, Lago de Patzcuaro, May 18 to 22.
Zirahuen: Michoacan, Mexico, Lago de Zirahuen, May 24.
San Juan del Rio: Queretaro, Mexico, Rio Moctezuma, May 16.
Chalco: Mexico, Mexico, Lago de Chalco, April 30, May I.
Texcoco: Mexico, Mexico, Lago de Texcoco, May 13.
Puente de Ixtla: Morelos, Mexico, Rio Ixtla, April 24 to 26.
Balsas: Guerrero, Mexico, Rio Balsas and Rio Cuculo, April 22 and 23.
Venta Salada: Puebla, Mexico, Rio Tehucan, May 6, 1901.
Cuicatlan: Oaxaca, Mexico, Rio Quiotepec, May 5, 1901.
Oaxaca: Oaxaca, Mexico, Rio Verde, May 4, 1901.
Jalapa: Vera Cruz, Mexico, tributary of Rio San Francisco, May 9.
La Antigua: Vera Cruz, Mexico, Rio San Francisco, May Io.
ERPISOSTEIMDZ.
Lepisosteus osseus (Linnzus).
Four specimens of this species were taken at Santa Rosalia.
SIEURTD zs:
Istalarius balsanus Jordan & Snyder.
Bagre.
This species is quite common at the Balsas. Several large
specimens were taken from the main river. The fontanelle was
well developed in specimens over 2 feet in length.
May, 1902. Tue IcuTHyoLocy or MEexico—MEEK. 73
Several small specimens were also taken at Puente de Ixtla,
the type locality. These specimens and the smaller ones taken
at the Balsas are much darker on ventral side than are the larger
specimens. The ventral surface of specimens 2 feet long is white.
It does not shade into the bluish on sides, the line between the
two colors being very marked. Puente de Ixtla; Balsas.
Ameiurus pricei Rutter.
ead 32; depth 5; D-1, 6; A. 19. Body elongate; head:
rather narrow; lower jaw the shorter; premaxillary band of teeth
truncate behind; interorbital width 2! 1in head; eye small, 6 in
head; barbels 8, the maxillary ones reaching slightly beyond gill
openings; pectoral spine smooth in front, serrate behind, serra-
tions 5 (in specimens 24 inches in length) to 8 (in specimens
4 inches in length); pectoral spine 2} in head, equals length of
the dorsal spine; base of anal 23 in its distance from snout, 11 in
head. Origin of dorsal nearer tip of snout than to origin of
base of adipose fin. Caudal deeply forked. Bluish above,
lighter below; a few dark spots on the body; lobes of caudal
fin edged with black.
These specimens differ somewhat from the description of A.
price. President D. S. Jordan informs me that 4. pricez was
described from a few small specimens, and it is his opinion that
our specimens from Minaca are the same species. Very large
cat-fishes are reported to be taken in the Yaqui. Mimaca.
Ameiurus dugesii Bean.
Abundant in Lago de Chapala. Specimens were taken by me
at La Barca, Ocotlan and La Palma. None were seen at Patz-
cuaro, Zirahuen and Huingo, and I was told by the fishermen
that there were no cat-fishes in these lakes. They are reported
as common in the Lerma at Morelia and Acambaro, but in the
dry season are found only in the deepest holes. Ocotlan; La
Barca; La’ Palma.
I here give a key by which the two species of Ameturus now
known from the Pacific slope may be recognized:
a. Pectoral spine without serrations (or a few weak ones in
the young). Dorsal spine long, 13 to 12 in the length of the
head. DUGESII.
aa. Pectoral spine strongly serrate; dorsal spine short,
24 to 31n the length of the head; anal rays 18 to 23. —PRICEI.
74 FieLp CoLumpBian MuszEumM—Zoo.ocy, Vou. III.
Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque).
One specimen 5.80 inches long from the Rio Noavaco.
Large cat-fishes are reported to have been taken from the
Rio Conchos at Santa Rosalia.
Rhamdia oaxace, sp. nov.
Type, No: 3727, 5. €. My ength, 5, 1nehes:
Locality, Rio Quiotepec, Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Head 38; depth 54; D. 1-6; A. 10; gill-rakers 347. Body
slender; head large, upper jaw slightly the longer; top of head
flat, narrow forward; eye small, 64 in head; snout 23 in head;
occipital process 44 in head; fontanelle reaching middle of orbit;
profile from nostrils to origin of dorsal straight; maxillary bar-
bels reaching nearly to middle of base of adipose fin, shghtly
shorter in largest specimens (63 inches in length); mental barbel *
reaching # distance to pectoral; post-mental to just past base
of pectoral; dorsal fin slightly higher than long, its base about
14 in head; dorsal spine weak, flexible, 1% in base of fin;
distance from tip of snout to dorsal fin 24 in length of
‘body; adipose fin well developed, its origin at tips of dorsal
rays when the fin is deflexed; base of adipose fin 24 to 3 in
length of body. Least depth of caudal peduncle 24 in head;
pectoral spine strong, with small teeth on its outer margin, the
larger two or three being near its tip; inner margin of pectoral
serrated, except the portion near the tip opposite the two or three
large teeth near tip on front; pectoral spine, 2% in head; ventrals
situated behind base of last dorsal ray; caudal forked, its lower
lobe broad and round, its upper pointed, with rounded tip.
Color uniform, dull olivaceous, slightly lighter on lower half of
body. A narrow dark band along lateral line. Dorsal fin with a
light cross band occupying the second fourth of fin from base.
No dark dots on body.
This species differs from &. wagnert? in having a shorter head
and no black spots on the body. Cuicatlan.
CATOST OMIDAE
Carpiodes tumidus Baird & Girard.
Head 34 in the length of the body; depth, 24 to 3}. Dorsal
rays 24 to 26; the anterior rays short; their tip, when fin is
depressed, reaching to about two-thirds the distance from base
May, 1902. THE IcHTHYOLOGY oF MExIco—MEEK. 75
of anterior rays to base of posterior. Tip of dorsal fin rounded;
scales 7-38 to 41-6.
Color ight brownish, silvery below; the middle of each scale
silvery, forming indistinct silvery lines along the rows of scales.
Longest specimen ro 4 inches in length. Santa Rosalia; Jimenez.
Pantosteus plebius (Baird & Girard).
This species is very variable. The dorsal fin usually has g
rays, occasionally 10, seldom 11. Scales in the lateral line
range from 85 to Ioo.
A study of a large series from Colonia Juarez, Mifiaca and
San Andres indicates that but one species of Panéosteus exists in
this region. Colonia Juarez; Ahumada; San Andres; Mifaca.
, Catostomus sonorensis, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3564, F. C. M. Length, 52 inches.
Locality, Rio Paphigochic, Mifaca, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Head 4; depth> 445. -D. xii; Ax 7; scales ra-65-10, (Body
robust; profile very convex; top of head flattish, broad,
interorbital 2% in head; snout blunt, 24 in head; eye large, 44
in head; lips thick, papillose; papilla in eight or nine rows on
upper lip. The two halves of upper hp meet at a very obtuse
angle. Dorsal fin as high as long, its base 12.in length of head,
its margin slightly concave. The tips of first rays reaching
middle of last ray when the fin is deflexed; tips of last dorsal
rays opposite tips of ventrals, which reach to vent; pectoral 1}
in head; ventrals 12.
Origin of dorsal fin slightly nearer base of caudal than tip of
snout; caudal deeply emarginate, lobes equal: scales small on
anterior half of body.
Color steel blue to brownish, white below. Young specimens
have the dark lateral blotches.
This species differs from Catostomus bernardini in having
larger scales. Mifaca.
Catostomus conchos, sp. nov.
Types Nen3557, FP. C. M. Length, 10.64 inches.
Locality, Rio Conchos, Jimenez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Head 44; depth 44; D. x1; A. 7; scales 13-80-13. Body
robust, terete, not much compressed, except posterior third;
snout blunt, its length 24 in head; lips thick, papillose, about
76 FIELD CoLUMBIAN MusrEumM—Zoo.ocy, Vot. III.
nine rows of papille on upper jaw; lower lip broad, deeply
incised, the two halves posteriorly forming an obtuse angle;
hinder margin of upper lip fringed with papille; base of third
dorsal ray midway between tip of snout and base of caudal; about
45 scales in a series from nape to first dorsal ray; scales
below lateral line near middle of the body are smaller than those
above this line.
Profile convex; interorbital convex, 24 in head; pectoral fin
14 in head, the tips not reaching ventrals; ventrals 13 in head;
distance from tip of ventrals to vent 3% in ventral fin; dorsal fin
longer than high, its height 13 in head, length of base rd in
head; the tip of last dorsal ray scarcely reaching opposite tips of
ventrals when fin is deflexed.
Color, ight steel blue on back, shading into a dark olive on
sides; lighter below, especially on posterior half of body, where
the line between the light and dark color is very marked. On
anterior half of body the colors gradually merge into one another.
Eight small specimens also from Jimenez. The small speci-
mens 24 inches in length are more robust and have a larger eye
than the type; the tips of pectorals reach anal fin.
Sides with three large dark blotches resembling those on the
young of Catostomus commersonit. Dorsal fin also higher in the
young, longest ray about 12 in head, tip of first ray reaching nearly
to tips of last when fin is deflexed. In the larger specimen the first
rays reach but a short distance beyond base of last ray. Jimenez.
Moxostoma congestum (Baird & Girard).
A few small specimens from Santa Rosalia I identify as this
species.
Moxostoma austrinum Bean.
A few specimens were seen at La Palma and Ocotlan. All
were taken in Lago de Chalco. One specimen g inches in length
gives the following measurements:
Head 44; depth 4; distance from dorsal to snout 24 in length
of body; eye 42 in the length of the head; snout 23; base of
dorsal 13; longest dorsal ray 1}; pectoral 1; ventral 12; caudal
peduncle 2; scales 48-18. This specimen has a shorter head
and smaller scales than those of fishes of this species, formerly
described. A few large specimens were seen at La Palma.
Ocotlan; La Palma.
‘
May, 1902. THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF Mexico—MEEK.
NS
|
CY PRINEDAR
Campostoma ornatum Girard.
Eggs in females from Chihuahua not much developed, not
enough to give any definite idea as to time of spawning season.
All of the specimens of this species were collected during the last
half of June.
Very abundant in Northern Mexico, in the head waters of the
Atlantic and Pacific coast streams.
Taken by me as follows: Colonia Juarez; Chihuahua; San
Andres; Santa Rosalia; Jimenez; Minaca.
Hybognathus melanops (Girard).
Head 4; depth 34; Eye equals snout, 3} in head. Scales 41
to 45. Origin of dorsal slightly nearer base of caudal than tip
of snout. Dark brown color, edges of scales darker, forming
- longitudinal lines along rows of scales. The entire body covered
with minute dark dots.
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHYOLOGY oF Mrxico—MEEK. 89
g. Dorsal and anal fin each of less than 18 rays; body elongate,
not much compressed. ZOOGONETICUS,
gg. Dorsal and anal fins each of 19 or more rays; body com-
pressed. GIRARDINICHTHYS.
66. Outer series of teeth incisor like, bicuspid or tricuspid.
(Cyprinodontine).
hf. Outer series of teeth bicuspid with a band of villiform teeth
behind them.
v. Intestinal canal about 1} in total length of body; the teeth
very firmly attachd. CHARACODON.
vv. Intestinal canal about 2 in total length of body; teeth less
firmly attached. CHAPALICHTHYS.
Ah. Outer series of teeth tricuspid, no villiform teeth behind
them.
7. Dorsal fin short, of 10 to 12 rays, the first ray slender and
rudimentary. :
zz. Dorsal fin long, of 16 to 18 rays, the first developed as a
stout grooved spine. JORDANELLA.
cec. Anal fin of the males placed well forward and modified into
a sword shaped intromittent organ; teeth all pointed, arranged in
bands. Species viviparous, the young of large size at birth. (Gam-
busine. )
j. Eye normal, the pupil not divided by a partition; dorsal fin
inserted more or less behind the front of the anal.
k. Jaws not produced into a beak; lower jaw prominent, longer
than the upper. The male much smaller than the female.
/. Dorsal fin long, of 14 to 16 rays; anal short.
PSEUDOXIPHOPHORUS.
/l. Dorsal fin short, of 6 to 10 rays;.anal short. GAMBUSIA.
kk. Jaws produced into a moderate beak; dorsal and anal short,
each of g to II rays. BELONESOX.
jj. Eye divided into two portions by a horizontal cross partition;
vertical fins short, of g to 11 rays. ANABLEPS.
aa. Intestinal canal elongate, usually coiled on ventral and right
side, with numerous convolutions; dentary bones loosely joined; teeth
movable. Species chiefly mud eating.
m. Outer series of teeth bicuspid, with villiform teeth. behind
them; anal fin of the male with first five or six rays of anal fin short
and stiff and separated from the rest of the fin by a notch. Species
viviparous, the young of large size when born. (Goodeine.)
n. Body robust, oblong, depth 3 to 4 in length of body; gill-
WwW
r
go Fietp CoLumBian Museum—Zoo.oey, Vor. III.
rakers long and slender, 35 to 40 on the first gill-arch. Vertebre
19 +17=36. GOODEA.
nn. Body deep, compressed, depth 22 to 34 in length. Gill-
rakers rather short, stiff, about 20 the first gill-arch. Vertebre
16+ 18= 34. SKIFFIA.
mm. Outer series of teeth pointed; anal fin of the male placed
well forward and modified into an intromittent organ. Species vivip-
arous. (Peeceline. )
o. Teeth in a single series.
fg. Dorsal fin inserted in advance of the anal. = PLATYPCECILUS.
pp. Dorsal fin inserted more or less behind the front of the anal.
oo. Teeth in more than one series. HETERANDIA.
7. Dorsal fin inserted more or less behind the front of the anal;
both fins small; dorsal g, anal 7. LEBISTES.
rr. Dorsal fin inserted over or in advance of anal, its rays much
elevated in the male.
s. Dorsal fin short of less than 7 to 11 rays.
¢. Teeth of inner series in both jaws trifid. ROPCECILUS.
tt. Teeth of the inner series in both jaws entire. PCECILIA.
ss. Dorsal fin long, of 12 to 16 rays.
wz. Caudal fin normal, alike in both sexes, or with the lower
angle merely sharp in the male. MOLLIENISIA.
wu. Caudal fin in the males with its lower lobe much produced
and sword shaped. XIPHOPHORUS.
\
FUNDULUS Lacépéde.
This genus does not have many representatives in Mexico. It is
probable that some of the species found in Southwestern Texas,
especially those species which are peculiar to the lower Rio Grande
basin, extend their range into Mexico.
In this genus the anal fin of the males is like that of the females.
Teeth firm and in more than one series. The alimentary canal is less
than 14 times the length of the body. Species all oviparous.
Fundulus oaxace, sp. nov. ;
Type, No..3721, F.C. Maleneth, 2°25 imehes:
Locality, Rio Verde, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Head 34; depth 38; D. 14; A. 15; Scales 30-11. Body robust,
profile from nape slightly concave; top of head broad, slightly
convex; eye small, 4} in head; snout not much depressed,
3% in head; interorbital space 21; lower jaw slightly the longer;
teeth pointed, in a band in both jaws, the outer series the
May, 1902. THE IcHTHYOLOGY OF MEXICO—MEEK. gi:
larger; peritoneum black; alimentary canal shorter ‘than the
total length of the fish; origin of dorsal slightly in advance of
anal, midway between tip of caudal and posterior margin of the
orbit; base of dorsal 2} in head, its height slightly more than
half head; pectoral 1% in head; ventral 24; caudal fin subtruncate.
Brownish olive, a dark spot in the middle of each scale. These
spots are more prominent on the posterior half of the body of
males which are from 1% to 13 inches in length. In these males
there is usually a row of spots on base of dorsal and anal fins.
Young specimens have a few faint dark cross bars on the sides,
which, in the larger females, become a faint dark lateral band.
Largest specimens, 2.46 inches in length. This species
resembles Fundulus punctatus, from which it differs in having a
larger head, a more robust body, the more forward position of
the dorsal fin, and larger scales. It is evidently a smaller fish.
The larger specimens have no spots on dorsal and anal_fins>
The type of Fundulus punctatus was taken at Chiapag; Guatemala.
Oviparous; eggs quite mature, 100 eggs in a female 2.05
inches in length; diameter of eggs ,!, of an inch. Our specimens
were collected May 4.
Time of spawning, about the third week in May. Oaxaca.
ZOOGONETICUS, gen. nov.
Type, Pewerlia quitzeoensis B. A. Bean.
This genus has the general appearance of Fundulus, differing in
the modification of the reproductive organs. The anal of the male
has the first 5 or 6 rays short and stiff. The ovary is a strong mem-
branous sack with several fold-like partitions. In this the young
are hatched, and reach a comparatively large size, after which they
are then born.
The body is usually deeper than in Fwndulus, and the anal and
dorsal fins are usually longer. The dorsal fin of the male is con-
“
siderably higher than that of the female.
Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis (B. A. Bean).
This species was first known from a female collected in Lake
Quitzeo by Mr. Nelson, and described by Mr. B. A. Bean. It
has a short intestine, the length being 14 times total length of the
fish. The teeth are conical and in more than one series, the
dentition being that of Hundulus.
-Q2 FirLp Co_umpian Museum—Zoo ocy, Vou. III.
The females are lighter in color than the males; on the
middle of the side of female to the tip of the pectoral are usually
three faint dark spots, also four to six dark bars on lower half of
caudal peduncle, and a dark spot on upper portion of caudal
peduncle above the last bar. The color of the males is mote
uniform and much darker; the spots or bars so conspicuous on
the female are scarcely noticeable on the male; dorsal and anal
fins black, tipped with yellow; caudal and tips of ventrals black-
ish; pectorals light, as are all the fins of the female. The first
six rays of anal short, and separated from the rest of the fin by a
shallow notch.
The body of this fish is more compressed and less robust
than that of others of this group. Head 33; depth 3; dorsal rays
L301 ta; analy 13) to. 15.1, “his *speciesnis awmvilparouss, linen
young had evidently been born a short time previous to our visit.
They apparently deposit their young during the first half of
May. La Barca; Ocotlan.
Zoogoneticus dugesii (Bean).
Intestinal canal about equal to length of body. Peritoneum
blackish.
A few specimens were taken at Patzcuaro and a few at Lagos.
Viviparous; one female from Patzcuaro 2.22 inches in length con-
tained 32 young; all were well formed and with egg absorbed;
length of young .16 inch. These are by far smaller than the
young from females of other species.
No males were taken. The longest specimen is from Lagos,
2.50inches. This well marked species is apparently very scarce.
Patzcuaro specimens taken May 18 to 22; time for spawning
evidently last half of May. Lagos; Patzcuaro.
Zoogoneticus robustus (Bean).
This is one of the largest Cypfrznodonts found in Mexico. Itis
known only from the Lerma Basin.
The largest specimen in our collection is a female 6.80 inches
in length. It was taken in Lake Zirahuen on May 24,
The color of the few specimens from this lake is very dark.
The species is viviparous. One female from Patzcuaro Lake,
4.26 inches in length, contained 20 young, each .67 inch in
length. These young possess the markings of the smallest
specimens collected.
A second female from Patzcuaro Lake, 4.65 inches in length,
MEEK. 93
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHYOLOGY OF Mexico
contained 38 well developed young, each .75 inch in length.
The young taken from a single fish are very uniform in size.
These specimens were collected May 19 to 21. The specimens
taken from Lake Chapala, May 31 to June 2, had all spawned
out. Spawning time for this species is second and third weeks
in May.
Alimentary canal scarcely as long as the body; peritoneum
grayish; origin of dorsal fin midway between base of caudal and
anterior margin of opercle.. The young of this species much
resembles the young of Goodea atripinnis, the small spots being
smaller and more pale. A good sized Gamdusia tnfans was taken
from the stomach of one of the fishes taken in Ocotlan. Ocotlan;
Patzcuaro; Zirahuen. ie
Zoogoneticus diazi, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3618, F. C. M. Length, 2.60 inches.
Locality, Lago de Patzcuaro, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.
HMeadwos depth 34; D> 17; A. 14;.~ scales, 34-13... Body.
elongate, robust, more compressed than in Z. robustus; back
much elevated, forming a prominent angle at the nape; top
of head slightly convex; interorbital width 2 in head; snout
bluntish; mouth large, lower jaw the longer; chin very prominent;
snout 4 in head; eye moderate, its diameter 34 in the head. Dor-
sal fin slightly in advance of the anal, its origin midway between
base of caudal and posterior margin of opercle.
Base of dorsal 1% in the head, its height 2 (in male 12) in
head; anterior dorsal ray short, the anterior rays gradually increas-
ing in length to the eighth or ninth, which is the longest. Pec-
toral fin 12 in the head; ventral 23.
Alimentary canal scarcely as long as the body; peritoneum
light; teeth in a band in each jaw, all of them conical, the
outer series being the larger.
Light olivaceous, much mottled with darker, which forms
irregular cross bars on the sides; many of the larger specimens in
life with a reddish tinge over the body, which fades to nearly a
uniform light olive; fins all plain. The males are a little duller
and of a more uniform color than are the females. Largest
specimen, a female 3.60 inches in length. The few males ob-
tained average smaller than the females.
This species is close to Z. robustus. It differs from that spe-
cies in having larger scales, a less advanced and longer dorsal
fin. The coloration is also much different and the flesh less firm.
94 - FIELD CoLumMBIAN MusEuM—Zoo.oecy, Vou. III.
Viviparous; One female 3 inches in length contained 28 young,
each about .60 inch in length; another female 3.15 inches in
length contained 47 young, each .43 inch in length; egg all
absorbed. Specimens collected May 19 to 24. Spawning sea-
son about the last of May or early in June. Named for Porfirio
Diaz, President of the: Republic of Mexico. Patzcuaro; Zir-
ahuen.
Zoogoneticus miniatus, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3680, F..C..M. Length, 1.60 anches.
Locality, Lago de Chalco, near Chalco, Mexico, Mexico.
ead 32). depth i375) Dri 7 on ba Scales 30-11 aa ody:
elongate, compressed; mouth ‘rather large, very protractile,
lower jaw slightly the longer; teeth conical, very large, in a band;
eye 28: snout 4$; interorbitals 3; pectorals short and broad,
13 in head; ventrals 3; origin of dorsal fin midway between base
of caudal and middle of preopercle, and slightly in advance of
origin of anal.
Intestinal canal short, about as long as body; anal fin modi-
fied, the first 7 rays short, the other 7 long, and the two groups
of rays separated by a shallow notch.
Olivaceous, much mottled with darker. No distinct lateral
band. The last blotch forms an indistinct black caudalspot. In
general color and form this fish very closely resembles Skiffiia
vartegata. Largest specimen (Type) 1.60 inches long. _
Total number of specimens 5, in rather poor condition.
Chalco.
This genus includes the following species:
Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis (B. A. Bean). Lago de Quitzeo;
La Barca; Ocotlan.
Zoogoneticus dugesii (Bean). Guanajyato; Lagos; Patzcuaro.
Zoogoneticus robustus (Bean). Guanajuato; Ocotlan; Patz-
cuaro; Zirahuen.
Zoogoneticus guatemalensis (Gunther). Lake of Duenas;
Lake Amatitlan; Rio Guacalate, Western Ecuador.
Zoogoneticus pachycephalus (Gunther). Lake Atitlan.
Zoogoneticus labialis (Gunther). Rio San Geronimo; Guate-
mala; Yzabal.
Zoogoneticus diazti Meék. Patzcuaro; Zirahuen.
Zoogoneticus miniatus Meek. Chalco.
May, 1902. THe IcHrHyoLocy or MrEx1co—MEEK. 95
Girardinichthys innominatum Bleeker.
Body rather deep, somewhat compressed, the gravid females
being particularly deep. Origin of dorsal fin in male midway
between base of caudal and middle of opercle, and slightly in
advance of origin of anal fin. Anal fin of male modified by hav-
ing the first 6 rays about $ or 3 the length of the next rays, and
separated from them by asmall notch. In this respect they are
like Characodon, Goodea, etc. Teeth strong, ina band rather than
in a single series, the dentition being much the same as that of
Fundulus. Peritoneum spotted, not wholly black. Intestinal
canal pressed to left side, not coiled, about the length of body;
vertebre 16+21=37. Gill-rakers short and stiff, 15 on first gill-
arch.
On fishes less than 13 inches in length there is a black spot
between vent and anal fins, and usually a black spot on belly just
at base of pectorals. On some small males these spots run.
together. Evermann and Goldsborough describe these spots on
specimens large and small from Lago de Lerma. The dorsal and
caudal fins of males very black; ventrals also black; caudal dusky.
Some of the males are almost entirely black. Cross bars are
prominent on all the larger specimens; in small specimens these
gradually shade out to short lateral blotches. In general the
specimens from Lago de Texcoco are much lighter in color than
are those from Lago de Chalco.
Viviparous; a medium sized female from Chalco, quite
plump, 2.24 inches long contained in the ovary 36 fishes.
These were well developed, slaty blue, but not speckled, each
about .56 inch in length, except one, which, though well developed,
was only .40 inch in length. The young were closely crowded
together and bent over each other in all sorts of shapes. The
egg-yolk still persisted as a slender string attached to the abdo-
men. A female from Texcoco, 2.19 inches long, contained 52
embryos, each .55 inches in length. 2805 inches.
Locality, Lago de Patzcuaro, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.
Head 4; depth 22 to 34; D. 13; A. 14; scales 37-14. Body
deep, much compressed; head small; snout pointed; mouth small;
May, 1902. THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF MrExIco—MEEK. 103
lower jaw the longer; snout 4 in head; eye large, 3 in head; inter-
orbital slightly convex, its width 24 in head; dorsal fin slightly in
advance of anal, midway between base of caudal and posterior
margin of orbit.
Gill-rakers rather stout, 20 on the first arch. Vertebre 16+
18=34. Base of dorsal 2in head, its height 13 in females, slightly
higher in the males; length of pectoral 14 in head; ventral 2.
Alimentary canal coiled on right side, its length 3} times the
total length of the ‘body; peritoneum black; teeth bicuspid,
loose.
Females light olivaceous above, much mottled with darker,
nearly plain on lower half of body; young with a few faint
brownish bars on lower half of caudal peduncle, a narrow dark
lateral band and a prominent black bar at base of caudal. The
color of the males is a nearly uniform dark olivaceous, the ante-
rior half of some specimens being nearly black; the black caudal
bar much less conspicuous than on the females; a dark line on
underside of caudal peduncle in both sexes; anterior rays of
dorsal much shorter than posterior rays. The fourth ray is less
than half the ninth; longest dorsalray 1} inhead. The body of the
males is very much compressed, as that of the females. This fish
bears such resemblance to S. mullipunctata from Ocotlan, from
which it differs in having fewer dorsal rays, the anterior portion
of the fin shortened, the less prominent caudal bar and the differ-
ent coloration.
Largest specimen, a female,.is 2.50 in length. The males are
scarcely smaller than the females.
Viviparous; one female 2.50 inches in length contained 30
young with egg not quite all absorbed. Length of young .34 inch.
These fishes were taken May 19 to 21. Their time for spawning
evidently about one week later. Celaya; Patzcuaro.
Skiffia multipunctata (Pelligrin). |
lead 4) depth 2¢;"D. 1657 Ac 75; Scales 33-72.) body deep;
much compressed, snout short, rather pointed, its length 4 1n head:
mouth small; lower jaw slightly the longer; eye large, 3 in head.
Dorsal slightly in advance of anal, its origin midway between
base of caudal and eye; interorbital shghtly convex, its width 2
in head.
Base of dorsal 14 in head; height 14 in female, slightly higher
in the male. The anterior portion of the dorsal fin is not short-
ened as in the male of the preceding species. Pectoral 141n
104 Fietp CoLtumpian Museum—Zoo.oey, Vot. III.
the head; ventral 2; alimentary canal elongate, 34 times the
total length of the body, coiled on the right side; peritoneum
black.
Outer series of teeth loose, bicuspid, behind which are villi-
form teeth; gill-rakers long, rather stout, 20 on first gill-arch:
vertebre 16+18= 34.
Female lhght olivaceous, a dark spot on hinder margin of each
scale on upper half of body; these spots forming lines along the
rows of scales as in A/ol/ienisia. A prominent black caudal bar at
base of caudal fin.
Male nearly uniform; anal and dorsal fins black, margined
with yellow; black caudal bar indistinct.
Longest specimen a female, length 2.50 inches. Males not
quite so large as the females.
Viviparous. The females all spawned out. They were col-
lected June 2. Spawning time evidently the latter half of May.
Skiffia variegata, sp. nov.
Type, No: 3612, F.C. M: Length; 1.95 inches.
Locality, Lago de Zirahuen, Zirahuen,,Michoacan, Mexico.
Head 32; depth 244 D.. ta. A. 135.scales. 34-13% Body deep;
compressed; top of head convex; interorbital 24 in head; mouth
small, lower jaw the longer, chin rather prominent; snout 4 in
head; eye large, its diameter 3 in head; dorsal slightly in advance
of anal, its origin midway between base of caudal and posterior
margin of orbit; base of dorsal fin 14 in the head; height 12 (in
male 14) in head; anterior dorsal rays short, the rays gradually
increasing in length to eighth or ninth, which is longest; caudal trun-
cate; pectoral 1} in head; ventral 2; alimentary canal three times
the total length of the body, coiled on right side; peritoneum black.
Olivaceous, much mottled, an indistinct dark lateral band more
or less broken in some specimens; four or five light brownish
spots on lower portion of caudal peduncle, the under surface of
which is dark. The color of the male is more uniform and
darker than that of the female; no black caudal bar at base of
caudal; chin black.
This species resembles .S. Zerm@ from Patzcuaro from which it
differs in absence of black caudal bar, in being more slender and
in coloration. Longest male, 1.70 inches in length. The longest
specimen (a female) 2.25 inches in length, contained 18 -young,
well formed and with spots on their sides; length of young .53
inch.
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHyoLocy or MExIcCO— MEEK. 105
A second female, 1.54 inches in length, contained to young,
each .45 inch in length.
A third specimen, 2.15 inches in length, contained 25 young,
each .55 inch in length. These specimens were collected at
Zirahuen, May 24. Spawning time for this species about the
middle of May. This is the smallest species of the genus.
Zirahuen; Chalco.
Skiffia bilineatus Bean.
A few specimens from Huingo. Longest female, 1.60 inches
in length. One female, 1.50 inches in length, contained 27 young,
which were very slender, white, and .32 inch in length. Col-
lected May 26.
Dorsal fin of males much higher than that of females. Pos-
terior half of lateral band broken into 12 to 15 short irregular
bars, a few of which extend almost to the dorsal fin. The uppér
half of the body has a few fine punctulations. The male is more
slender than the female. Longest male, 1.10 inches.
Spawning time about third and fourth weeks in May.
Alimentary canal slightly less than 2} times the total length
of body. Peritoneum black. The teeth are bicuspid and less
firm than in other species of Skffia. :
Dorsal in advance of anal fin, its origin midway between base
of caudal and middle of opercle. Huingo.
Riy OEE SPECIES OF SKIBA:
a. A black bar.at base of caudal (inconspicuous in some males
of derme, which have a uniform coloration and a very dark head).
6. . Body light olivaceous in females, mottled with dark, nearly
plain on lower half of body; males nearly plain; head usually quite
dark 135 Ay ta: Scales 37-14. LERM&,
66. Light olivaceous in females, a dark spot on hinder margin
of each scale on upper half of the body; these spots forming lines along
the rows of scales; males nearly uniform; dorsal fin black margined with
yellow; D. 16; A. 15; scales 33-12. MULTIPUNCTATA.
aa. No black bar at base of caudal.
¢. Body much variegated, D. 14 or 15; A. 13 to 14; scales 34-13;
alimentary canal three times total length of the body. - variEGaTa.
cc. Color uniform with a dark ‘lateral band, which is divided on
anterior third of body. D. 16; A. 16; scales 32-11. Alimentary canal
2 to 24 times total length of body, origin of dorsal midway between
base of caudal and nape. BILINEATA.
106 FIELD CoLumBpian Musrtum—Zoouoey, Vou. III.
Heterandria lutzi, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3778) F.C. Mia enethis2-s3anches:
Locality, Rio Quiotepec, Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Head 41; depth 3%; D..7; A. 8; scales 29-8. Body elongate,
rather slender; mouth terminal, jaws equal, giving the head a
wedge-shaped appearance; snout 34 in the head; eye large, 34 in
the head; teeth in one series, conical, curved backward at the
tips, movable. Peritoneum black; intestine: much convoluted
but not in definite coils, its length about 14% times the total
length of the body. Modified anal fin of male long, slender,
pointed with curved tip, its length 2} in length of the body; origin
of anal in male midway between base of caudal and tip of snout;
origin of dorsal slightly behind origin of anal in females, being
midway between base of caudal fin and posterior margin of opercle.
Base of dorsal 3 in head, height 14; pectoral 14; ventral 2.
Olivaceous, a narrow dark lateral band broken into small
round or oblong spots, generally from 12 to 18 on one side; the
small round spots scarcely as large as pupil; iris black, a narrow
dark streak on under side of caudal peduncle; a faint vertebral
streak, more conspicuous in the young.
This species differs from //. pleurospilus in having a lateral
band broken into small spots on sides, and the more advanced
position of the dorsal fin. This is the only species of Heterandia
known at present from Mexico.
Longest female, 3.15 inches; longest male, 1-49 inches. V1-
viparous; eggs partly hatched; one female, 2.59 inches in length,
contained 40 young, each coiled about the yolk, and 26 eggs; a
second female 2.15 inches in length contained 11 young and 8
eggs. Each of the partially hatched young are .35 of an inch in
length. Specimens collected as follows: Oaxaca, May 4; Cui- |
catlan, May 5; Venta Salada, May 6. The young are evidently
deposited about the middle of May. Named for Mr. Frank
Eugene Lutz, who accompanied me in Mexico as volunteer
assistant. Oaxaca; Cuicatlan; Venta Salada.
Poecila limantouri Jordan & Snyder.
Intestinal canal elongate, coiled on ventral and right side in
about 7 coils; length of intestine about 4} times total length of
the body; peritoneum black. Viviparous; females with eggs,
the young not developed; one female 3.06 inches in length with
I15 eggs; another 2.9 inches in length with 95 eggs. Largest
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHyYOLOGY or MEx1ICcO—MEEK. 107
female, 3.75 inches in length. The males average smaller than
the females. Puente de Ixtla; Balsas; La Antigua.
Xiphophorus jalapz, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3724, F. C. M. Length, 2.76 inches.
Locality, Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Head 4; depth 34; D. 13; A. 9; scales 28-8. Body elongate.
not very robust, but with a deep caudal peduncle; head flattish,
wedge-shaped; mouth rather small, lower jaw the longer; outer
series of teeth pointed and loose, behind which is a band of
smaller conical pointed teeth; peritoneum black; intestinal canal
elongate, on ventral surface and right side, with 4 coils on the
right side, its length 1% the length of the body.
Eye large, 3 in head; snout 34; interorbital broad, little con-
vex, its width 2 in head; base of dorsal 1! in the head, longest
dorsal ray 14 in head (in g 12 in head); pectoral 11 in head;
ventrals 14; caudal sub-truncate; origin of dorsal fin midway
between base of caudal and middle of snout, being well in
advance of the anal. The male is more slender,than the female.
Head of male 41, depth 4.- Caudal appendage pointed, its
length 12 in the length of the body. Modified anal of the male
rather short and thick, length 14 in head; a notch on under side
near its tip; ventrals of male long, slender, and pointed, their
tips nearly reaching tip of anal fin; length of ventral fin of male
equal to length of the head; origin of ventrals in both sexes well
in advance of dorsal fin.
Female, olive brown above, nearly plain white below; these
colors are separated by a narrow lateral band, which extends
around snout on upper half of the body; the middle of each scale
is darker, giving faint brownish lines on side; a dark line on
under side of caudal peduncle; dorsal fin with two rows of black
spots near the base, other fins plain.
The color of the male is similar to that of the female, except
the dark lateral band extends on caudal and forms the upper
black margin of caudal appendage. There is a second lateral
band from lower angle of pectoral to origin of anal fin, and a
dark streak on ventral surface of caudal peduncle which forms
the lower black margin of caudal appendage. In life the middle
of caudal appendage and lighter portion of lower half of the body
is a bright yellow. Dorsal fin on both sexes spotted. Longest
female, 2.95 inches. Longest male (without appendage), 3 inches
in length.
108 FieLp CoLuMBIAN MusEumM—Zoo.oey, Vot. III.
This species differs from X. feller? in the more forward
position of the ventrals, the longer caudal appendage of males,
the larger eye, the more uniform coloration of females and the
spotted dorsal of the females.
Viviparous; one female 2.40 inches with 39 young, the young
coiled about the egg-sack; a slightly larger female contained 47
young.
Our specimens were collected on May 9, 1901. The young
are probably deposited from the middle to the last of May.
Jalapa.
ATHERINIDZ.
Recent studies of the fresh water fishes of Mexico have resulted in
the discovery of a large number of species of this family, nearly all of
which are found in the Valley of Mexico and in the Lerma Basin. At
present no species of this family is known from streams on the Atlan-
tic side between the Rio Grande and Catacoalcos: Those found in
the Lerma Basin and in the Valley of Mexico belong to one genus.
So far we do not know any species of this genus from other streams
and lakes in Mexico.
KEY TO THE GENERA OF ATHERINID&.
a. Origin of spinous dorsal in advance of the origin of the anal
fin; iris silvery; base of anal fin equal to or shorter than the length
of the head. - CHIROSTOMA.
aa. Origin of spinous dorsal behind origin of anal fin; iris black;
scales with slightly crenate edges, 38 in the lateral line; base of anal
fin 4 longer than head, its rays 22 in number. (Species of small size. )
MELANIRIS.
CHIROSTOMA Swainson.
The species of this genus fall into three groups, though not suffi-
ciently marked to separate them into three distinct genera. It seems
to me more logical to regard C. jordani as the only species referable
to Eslopsarum. It has a more compressed body, larger scales, a
very short snout and very oblique mouth. Vertebre 21-+-17=38. If
this be done then Chzrostoma would be restricted to all other species
with scales having entire margins. This would include arge, éartonz,
attenuatum, labarce, patzcuaro, sirahuen and humboldtianum, six species
of small size and one of large size; scales from 40 to 54; vertebrae 36
to 44; gill-rakers 14 to 25.
The third group “Ze¢hosto/e would include the eight remaining
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHYOLOGY OF MEXICO—MEEK. 109g
species, all with scales having the edges more or less crenate. This
group would comprise two species of small size (grandocu/e and
chapale), one of medium size (frome/as) and three species of large size.
Scales 49 to 70; gill-rakers 24 to 27.. Vertebre 43 or 44. The firm-
ness of the flesh and the opaque color cannot be correlated with any
other character. If divided on this basis, arge, humboldianum (except
from Patzcuaro) and estor from Xochomilcho and Zirahuen, would
be included. In the key I have placed all small species with large
scales, fewer than 45 in the lateral series, in one division (/s/opsarum).
All other species with scales having entire edges (Chirostoma), in a
second, and all species with scales having crenate edges (Lethostole),
in a third.
The species of this genus are very variable, and are perhaps not
yet well differentiated. The environment of the species of this genus
is very diverse; some species are found in clear running water, others
in lakes like Chapala, which has several inlets and a large outlet,
while many of the species are in lakes which have no outlet, of which
Patzcuaro, Zirahuen and the lakes in the Valley of Mexico are good
examples. Some of these lakes are quite fresh; others, as Quitzeo
and Patzcuaro, are quite brackish. So far as I could learn Quitzeo is
the most brackish of all, and Patzcuaro probably next; and in these
two lakes the fishes were much lighter in color than those from other
places. The darkest colored fishes were taken from Lago de Chalco
and Lago de Zirahuen.
The alimentary canal of Cyirostoma is shorter than the total
length of the body. The peritoneum is black. A few stomachs
examined indicate the food to be insect larve and insects. In one
specimen of C. estor the stomach contained a partly digested
Chirostoma. \ was told that these fishes will not take a hook.
The larger species are excellent eating, the flesh being firm and
white when cooked and not full of small bones. The smaller species
and the young of the larger ones, together with all of the species of
Peciliide are dried in large quantities by the Indians and are thus ship-
ped to neighboring towns, or are kept for future use. All of the fishes
caught in the larger ,fresh waters of Mexico are eaten—none being
thrown aside as of no value.
At Patzcuaro, Zirahuen, Chapala and Quitzeo the fishes are
caught in long seines. These seines have coarse mesh near the end,
which becomes gradually smaller until the large bag in the middle
has about 4 inch mesh. The shore of the lake is often not suitable
for drawing the net. It is thrown out in the usual way, drawn by
ropes from the shore until the ends of the net are near each other.
I1O FieLtp CoLumMBIAN MusEuM—Zoo toey, Vou. III.
A boat is then anchored some distance from the shore at the edge of
the vegetation or of the deep water and into it the net is pulled. The
species of this genus evidently spawn in the late summer or fall.
Those taken the latter part of May had the ovaries very little devel-
oped. The individuals of the species of large size belonging to this
genus seldom exceed a foot in length.
KEY TO THE! SPECIES OF CHIROSEOMA:
a. Scales large, fewer than 45 in the lateral line, edges of scales
entire, vertebrae usually fewer than 40. Species of small size.
(Lslopsarum. )
é. Mouth small very oblique; snout short, 4 in the length of head;
base of anal equal to or slightly longer than head; anal rays 16 to 18.
Teeth very minute; scales with entire edges, 37 or 38 in the lateral
line. JORDANI.
46. Mouth larger, less oblique; snout longer, 24 to 32 in the
length of the head; base of anal equal to or shorter than the head.
c. Origin of spinous dorsal over tips of ventrals, midway
between base of caudal and nostril.
d. Body robust, its depth 44 in the length of the body; base of
anal 1} in the head, its rays 16 or 17; scales 38 to 4o-11. Teeth large,
sharp, in two definite rows in each jaw. Gill-rakers long and slender,
3-+11=14 on first arch. ARGE.
dd. Body slender, its depth 6 in the length of the body, scales
42-10; anal rays 15; gill-rakers long and slender, 4-17 on the first
arch. BARTONI.
cc. Origin of spinous dorsal over middle of ventrals, being
nearer tip of snout than base of caudal by a distance equal to the
diameter of the eye; base of anal 12 in the head, its rays 13 or 14; gill-
rakers 4118—22. Teeth very small. , ATTENUATUM.
ccc. Origin of spinous dorsal over space between tips of ventrals
and origin of anal fin, midway between base of caudal and posterior
margin of orbit. Base of anal fin equals length of the head, its rays
20. Teeth large, in a single row, except near tip of upper jaw where
there are a few large canine-like teeth; scales 42-12; gill-rakers 4-+-13.
LABARC&.
aa. Scales smaller, more than 45 in the lateral line; edges of the
scales usually crenate; vertebrae more than 4o.
e. Scales entire; base of anal about 12 in the length of the head,
its rays 13 to 19; snout 3 to 34 in the length of the head. (Chirostoma.)
f. Origin of spinous dorsal nearer tip of snout than base of
caudal.
May, 1902. THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF Mrexico— MEEK. igre
g. Anal rays 17; gill-rakers 4421=25; scales 48-12; body light,
translucent, slightly compressed; depth 54. Origin of spinous dorsal
slightly nearer tip of snout than base of caudal. PATZCUARO.
ge. Anal rays 13 or 14; gill-rakers 4117=21; scales 54-12.
Body dark, opaque, scarcely compressed; depth 64; origin of spinous
dorsal nearer tip of snout than base of caudal by a distance greater
than diameter of eve. ZIRAHUEN.
Jf. Origin of spinous dorsal midway between base of caudal fin
and anterior margin of the orbit, or the nostril; anal rays 17 to 19;
scales 54-15; gill-rakers 4415=19. Species of large size.
HUMBOLDTIANUM.
ee. Scales with crenate edges; origin of spinous dorsal nearer
base of caudal than tip of the snout; anal rays 18 to 24. (Lethostole.)
h. Snout short, 34 in length of the head, being equal to or
shorter than the diameter of the eye. Species of small size.
z. Scales in lateral series. 49, transverse 13; anal base equals the
length. of the head, its rays 21. CHAPALA.
az. Scales in the lateral series 62, transverse 14; base of anal fin
14 in the length of the head, its rays 19. GRANDOCULE.
hh. Snout long, 2} to 23 in the length of the head; diameter of eye
44 to 5% in head. Species of large size.
k. Upper jaw decidedly longer than the lower, mandible 24 in
the head; tip of snout black; base of anal fin 1} in the head, its rays
1g or 20; scales 53 to 56-15; teeth large, not in definite rows; snout 24
in head; diameter of eye 5; gill-rakers 5419. PROMELAS.
kk. Lower jaw decidedly longer than the upper; mandible 14 to
21 in the head; tip of jaws not black (dusky in some specimens).
7. Scales between dorsal fins very small, more than 20 ina
series between the fins; scales 60 to 70-22; gill-rakers ?423; teeth
large anteriorly, canine-like, not arranged in definite rows; mandible
2 in head. SPHRANA.
“7. Scales in the region of dorsal fins larger, fewer than 15 in a
series between the two fins.
m. Scales in the lateral series 54 to 60.
n. Lower jaw projecting but little beyond the upper mandible,
about 2} in head.
o. Teeth weak, in patches, not arranged in definite rows; gill-
rakers 4423; scales 56 to 60-18; mandible 2} in head. LUCIUS.
oo. Teeth large and strong, in two definite rows, the larger teeth
on inner row of upper jaw and outer row on lower; mandible 21 in
head; gill-rakers 5420; scales 58-20. LERMA.
nn. Lower jaw projecting much beyond the upper, mandible r4
112 FIELD CoLumMBIAN MusEuM—Zoo.oey, Vou. III.
in the head; teeth on jaws small, in bands; scales 54 to 57-19; gill-
rakers 5120; base of anal fin 1} in hand, its rays 20. OCOTLANE.
mm. Scales in the lateral series 70, transverse 18; teeth on jaws |
large and numerous, not arranged in definite rows, usually 1 to 3
large teeth on vomer; base of anal 1} in head, its rays 18 to 19.
ESTOR.
Chirostoma jordani Woolman.
This is one of the smallest species of the genus. Its short
snout and very oblique mouth at once distinguishes it from all
other species. It is perhaps more proper to restrict the use of
_ Eslopsarum to this species only. Gill-rakers 4414=18; vertebre
21+17—38; length of longest specimen, 2.75 inches. Chalco;
skexcoco:
Chirostoma arge Jordan & Snyder.
A small species so far found only in streams. Gill-rakers
3411=14; vertebre 184+18=—36. Length of longest specimens,
2.75 inches. Aguas Calientes; Lagos.
Chirostoma bartoni (Jordan & Evermann).
-Two specimens of this species from Lago de Lerma, near the
City of Lerma in thé State of Mexico, were presented to this
Museum by the United States National Museum. The scales of
one of these specimens has crenate edges and is very rough; on
the other specimen the scales are very smooth, as they are on the
type, which I have been permitted to examine. Scales slightly
more crowded on the nape than is usual in the more nearly
related species. Origin of dorsal fin shghtly nearer tip of snout
than base of caudal fin.
Chirostoma attenuatum, sp. nov.
Type, No." 36031,;4F.(C.° Me ~ Wength ao 5sincies:
Locality, Lago de Patzcuaro, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.
Head 44; depth 54; D. v-9; A. 13; scales 42-11. Body rather
slender, not much compressed; caudal peduncle long and slender;
lower jaw slightly the longer; snout pointed, 3} in the head;
mandible 3; interorbital space 3; maxillary reaching vertical
from frofit of orbit; mouth small, oblique, but much ‘less
so than in C. jordant. Teeth very small, numerous in both
jaws, those in the upper jaw mostly in two series; in a band
in lower jaw; scales large with entire edges, those on the nape
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHyoLocy or Mrex1ico—MEEk. ire
slightly reduced in size. Origin of spinous dorsal over middle
of ventrals and being nearer tip of snout than base of caudal
by a distance greater than diameter of eye;-eye 32; length of
pectoral fin 14 in head; ventral 21; base of anal 12; gill-rakers
4+18=22; vertebre 23+20=43.
Light olivaceous, translucent; smallest specimens (2% inches
in length) darker, more opaque; silvery band on sides narrow,
inconspicuous under the pectoral fin, being widest on anterior
part of the caudal peduncle.
Species of small size, common in Patzcuaro Lake.. This
species 1s characterized by large scales, the anterior position of
the dorsal fins, the short anal fin, and the long slender caudal
peduncle. Patzcuaro.
Chirostoma labarce, sp. nov.
Type, No.*3640, F. C..M.. Length, 3.68 inches.
Locality, Rio Lerma, at La Barca, Jalisco, Mexico.
Pfead3-;~ depth 4431. iv-10;-A. 21;-seales/a4r-t1, .Body
slender, compressed; snout rather long, pointed, its length
2% in length of the head;"lower jaw slightly the longer; eye 33
in head; interorbital 3; mouth moderate, not very oblique,
maxillary reaching slightly beyond anterior margin of the eye;
length of the mandible 24 in’ head; a single series of large teeth
in each jaw, a few smaller teeth behind these, a few near tip
of jaws large and canine-like. Scales large with edges entire,
those on the nape very slightly reduced in size; origin of spinous
dorsal over vent, midway between base of caudal and pupil;
base of anal fin equals length of head, its rays 20 to 21; length
of pectoral fin 14 in the length of the head; ventral fins 2 in
head; gill-rakers 4++13=17.
Light olivaceous, translucent; a few dark dots on margins of
scales on upper half of body; lateral band narrow, the portion
under the edge of the pectoral indistinct, and made up of a
few dark dots.
Species of small size, the longest 3% inches in length. This
species differs from others with large scales in having a longer
snout, the posterior position of dorsal fins, the long anal fin and
the strong dentition. Apparently scarce. La Barca; La Palma.
Chirostoma patzcuaro, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3628, F. C. M. Length, 3.68 inches.
Locality, Lago de Patzcuaro, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.
Dia Firtp CoL_umpian Musrtum—Zoo.ocy, Vo. III.
Head 44; depth: 54;.Darv-ro0; Ay a7.escalesa 43-12) Body,
slender, moderately compressed; snout short, pointed, its length
34 in length of head; lower jaw shghtly projecting beyond
upper; mouth oblique, but less so than in C. chapale; man-
dible 22 in head; diameter of eye 33 in the head; teeth small,
numerous, in a narrow band on anterior part of each jaw, becom-
ing, laterally, in two series; scales moderately large, edges entire,
those at the nape slightly reduced in size; origin of spinous
slightly nearer tip of snout than base of caudal; base of anal fin ;
14 in length of the head; pectoral 1%; ventral 24; gill-rakers
A 21 ==25.
Light olivaceous, translucent, lateral band narrow.
Species of small size, less than 4 inches in length. Seven
specimens from Lago de Patzcuaro. Apparently scarce.
This species resembles C. chapa/e, from which it differs in hav-
ing a less oblique mouth, a shorter anal fin and a less compressed
body. Patzcuaro.
Chirostoma zirahuen, sp. nov.
Type, No. 3609, F. C. M. Length, 3.55 inches.
Locality, Lago de Zirahuen, Zirahuen, Michoacan, Mexico.
Head 44; depth 53; D. v-10; A. 13; scales 54-12. Body
elongate, nearly terete, less compressed than in any other
Chirostoma; mouth moderately oblique, lower jaw slightly the
longer; length of snout equal to diameter of eye, 3$ in length
of the head; interorbital broad, 3 4n head; teeth very small, in a
narrow band in each jaw. Base of anal fin r4} in head; pectoral
14; ventral 2; scales with entire margins; origin of the dorsal fin
nearer tip of snout than base of caudal by a distance greater
than diameter of eye; caudal peduncle long and slender; gill-
rakers 4.117=21; vertebrae 23+18=41.
Dark olivaceous above, lighter below; opaque. This species
is one of the darkest found in the Lerma basin. It is the most
abundant species in Lago de Zirahuen. :
~ Species of small size. It is characterized by its dark opaque
color, its terete body, the backward position of the dorsal fin, and
the short anal fin whose rays are 13 or 14.
The longest specimen in our collection is 4.13 inches in length.
Abundant in Lago de Zirahuen. Zirahuen.
Chirostoma humboldtianum (C. & V.)
Pescada Blanca,
This species is very abundant in the lakes about the City of
wis
May, 1902. Tue IcHTHYOLOGY OF MEXxICO—MEEK. II5
Mexico. It is one of the largest species of the genus, though it
seldom reaches a length of 12 inches. Specimens from Lago
de Chalco are very dark, while those from Lago de Patzcuaro are
very light and translucent. Specimens fron: Lago de Xochomil-
cho are intermediate. Scales entire; gill-rakers 5+13=18; verte-
bre 23-++1g=42; teeth small, in a narrow band in upper jaw, in
two series in the lower. There are often with a few large’ teeth
on the vomer, as in .C. estor. ;
The ovaries not well developed; eggs small, spawning season
evidently late in the summer. Chalco; Xochomilcho; Patzcuaro.
Chirostoma chapale Jordan & Snyder.
This species is very white and translucent. It is’a small spe-
cies, seldom reaching a length of 4 inches. Edges of scales
crenate; gill-rakers 6+24=30; vertebre 24+20=44. Very abun-
dant in Lago de Chapala. Ocotlan; La Palma.
Chirostoma grandocule Steindachner.
Edges of scales crerlate; base of anal fin r4in flength of the
head, its rays 19; snout 32 in head; mandible 24; eye 34; teeth
minute, in narrow bands on each jaw, approaching two series
laterally; gill-rakers 5+22=27; vertebre 23-+20=43; species of
small size, the largest specimens about 44 inches. This appears
to be the most abundant Chirostoma in Patzcuaro Lake. Ocotlan;
ayPalma- Patzcuaro.
Chirostoma promelas Jordan & Snyder.
This is the only species of Cizrostoma so far known which has
the upper jaw decidedly longer than the lower. The tip of the
‘snout is black, otherwise the color is light and translucent.
Edges of scales crenate; gill-rakers 5--19=24. This species is not
abundant; size medium. Our largest specimen is 44 inches in
length. The longest specimen collected by Jordan& Snyder is 7
inches in length. Ocotlan; La Palma.
»
Chirostoma lucius Boulenger.
This is evidently the species described by Jordan & Snyder as
C. crystalinum in a foot-note * Dr. Jordan expressed the opinion
that C. ductus is identical with C. /erm@. The teeth of C. /ucius
are described as small, while C. /erme has very large strong teeth.
(Bull Uns: EC; £900} 237.)
116 FIELD CoLUMBIAN -MusEUM—ZooLoGy, VoL. «II1.
Gill-rakers 4+23=27. Length 9.35 inches. Species of large
size. ca Barca; @cotlan wea yeaima:
Chirostoma sphyrzena Boulenger.
This is C. daz¢ Jordan & Snyder. This species was not taken
by us, neither did we get C. estor from Lago de Chapala, its
type locality.
Chirostoma lermz Jordan & Snyder.
Of the species of large size of this genus, this one has the
strongest dentition. ‘It is known at present only from Lago de
Chapala. Gill-rakers 5+-20=25; base of anal r4 in head, its rays
20; length of mandible 24 in head; diameter of eye 53. Species of
large size. The largest in our collection is 9.35 inches in length.
Not very abundant. La Palma; Ocotlan.
Chirostoma ocotlanz Jordan & Snyder.
This species is easily recognized by its projecting lower jaw,
which extends beyond the upper a distance greater than diame-
ter of pupil. Teeth minute, in bands; gill-rakers 5--20—25;
vertebre 44. Species of large size, longest 10.74 inches. Ocot-
lanala atime
Chirostoma estor Jordan.
This species was originally described from Lago de Chapala.
It was later described by Dr. Steindachner from Lago de Patz-
cuaro as C. albus, The identity of C. a/bus and C. estor was ques-
tioned by Jordan and Evermann from the fact that there were no
teeth on the vomer of the specimens in Dr. Steindachner’s pos-
session. A large number of specimens from Patzcuaro exam-
ined by me show that the presence of vomerine teeth 1s the rule
rather than the exception.
In our collection are specimens from Lago de Patzcuaro, Lago
de Zirahtien, and Lago de Xochomilcho. Those from the first
mentioned lake are more slender and much lighter and more trans-
lucent than those from the other lakes. The general appearance
of those from the last two lakes is that of C. humboldtianum,
and at first sight they are easily mistaken for that species.
Our specimens are from three lakes without outlets; two of the
lakes are but ro miles apart, while the other is considerably remote.
Since isolation, this species in each lake has been undergoing
some change, but not sufficient to give them rank as species or
May; 1902. Tuer IcHTHYOLOGY oF MrExico—MEEK. ss ay
sub-species. In the specimens from Zirahuen the teeth are smaller
and usually in bands, rather than in two series; vomerine teeth
usually present.
The anterior part of the head in a few specimens from Patz-
cuaro is nearly black, that of others is dark, while that of most is
very light. Base of anal 13 in head, its rays 18 to 20; scales
70-17; gill-rakers 5-++-21= 26; vertebra 23+20=43. This species
reaches a length of about 11 inches. It is an excellent food fish.
Abundant. Xochomilcho; Patzcuaro; Zirahuen. Lago de Cha-
pala is the only other locality from which this species is known.
MELANIRIS, gen. nov.
Type, dalsanus.
This genus differs from C/irostoma in having a rounded lower
jaw, a longer anal fin, a short caudal peduncle, and in having the ori-
gin of the spinous dorsal fin behind that of origin of anal fin. Inall
of the specimens the iris 1s black. In Chirostoma it 1s silvery.
Peritoneum black, alimentary canal shorter than total length of
the fish. Vertebra 17--19= 36.
DyperiNo. 3700, —. CoM. Length, 2.68 imehes.
Locality, Rio Balsas, Balsas, Guerrero, Mexico.
Head 44; depth 53; D. ii-9; A. 21; scales 39-107 Body
elongate, slender, not much compressed; snout rounded laterally;
mouth small, lower jaw slightly the longer; caudal peduncle very
short. Dorsal fins posterior, origin of spinous dorsal considerably
behind origin of anal fin, and midway between base of caudal fin
and posterior margin of opercle; outer row of teeth large, canine-
like, wide apart; behind these a band of small villiform teeth; base
Melaniris balsanus, sp. nov.
of anal 4 longer than head, its rays varying from 20 to 23; dorsal
spines 2 to 4, usually 3; pectoral fin high on sides of body, its length
14 in head; ventrals 24; gill-rakers 4+13=17; vertebre 17+19
= 36; ‘scales large, with entire margins. Olivaceous, rather
opaque, dorsal region finely punctulate with black. am
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CHIROSTOMA ATTENUATUM, Page 112,
W. D. DouGtas, DEL.
CHIROSTOMA LABARCA, Page 113.
W. D. Douaias, DEL.
CHIROSTOMA PATZCUARO, Page 113.
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