DEC. 28, 1916. FISHES OF PANAMA MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 363 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



a. Scales in lateral series 33 to 36; second dorsal with I, 8 rays; anal 



I, 8. panamensis sp. nov., p. 363. 



aa. Scales in lateral series 3 o to 3 2 ; second dorsal with 1 , 9 rays ; anal 1,9. 



mindii sp. nov., p. 364. 

 89. Microeleotris panamensis sp. nov. 



Type No. 8953, F. M. N. H.; length 50 mm.; Rio Juan Diaz, 

 Panama. 



Head 3. 25 to 3. 6; depth 4.75 to 5.5; D. VI-I, 8; A. 1, 8; scales 33 to 36. 



Body anteriorly depressed; caudal peduncle compressed; head de- 

 pressed, notably wider than deep, its width at preopercular margin 1.25 

 to 1.42 in its length; the upper profile slightly convex; snout tapering, 

 its length 3.4 to 4 in head; eye rather small, superior, 4 to 5.64; inter- 

 orbital narrow, 5.5 to 7.25 in head; mouth rather large, oblique; the 

 lower jaw strongly projecting; maxillary scarcely reaching middle of 

 eye, 2.04 to 2.8 in head; teeth all small, pointed, in bands in the jaws; 

 gill-membranes rather narrowly attached to the isthmus, the openings 

 extending forward to vertical from posterior margin of eye; scales large, 

 ctenoid, none on head, chest and abdomen, 7 or 8 rows between base of 

 dorsal and base of anal; origin of first dorsal about midway between tip 

 of snout and base of last ray of second dorsal, the spines short and weak, 

 reaching second dorsal when deflexed; origin of second dorsal slightly in 

 advance of origin of anal, the rays short; caudal fin not scaly at base, its 

 margin evenly convex; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral fins 

 short, failing to reach vent, inserted under base of pectorals; pectoral 

 fins moderate, 1.18 to 1.4 in head. 



Color grayish brown above, pale below. Body above and on sides 

 spotted and marbled with dark markings; back sometimes with a few 

 dark saddle-like bars; sides often with quadrate blotches; a more or less 

 distinct caudal spot present. Dorsals, caudal, and usually the pectorals 

 spotted and barred with dark markings; anal and ventrals pale or dusky. 



This species is represented by 38 specimens, ranging from 30 to 58 

 mm. in length. These were taken in fresh water, not far above the head 

 of tide, in the Rio Chorrera near Chorrera and in the Rio Juan Diaz at 

 Juan Diaz on the Pacific slope. 



The intestinal canal is short. The stomachs examined contained 

 small molluscs, principally snails. The ovaries in two specimens, each 

 about 45 mm. in length, taken on April 4, 1911, were distended with 

 well developed eggs, showing that fish of this size are mature. 



A specimen 50 mm. in length from the Rio Juan Diaz has been 

 designated as the type. 



Habitat: Pacific slope of Central Panama. 



