178 



BULLETIN 188, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



spots or by a few dark narrow cross bands. The other members of the 

 group are P. stigmatosomus and P. fessulifer-us^ which may be dis- 

 tinguished from the present species by the features indicated in the key. 



PUNTIUS PESSULIFERUS (Fowler) 



Barhus pessuUferus Fowler, 1937, p. 196, figs. 157, 158 (Kemarat). 



This fish, described from numerous specimens 3.4 to 5.4 cm. long 

 from the Mekong at Kemarat, is distinguishable by the single pair 

 of long barbels, relatively few scales (23 or 24) in the lateral line, 

 ossified and denticulated last simple dorsal ray, and a series of six or 

 seven short blackish vertical bars on the side above the lateral line, 

 with a round black spot on the back near the base of the dorsal fin 

 anteriorly. 



PUNTIUS PAUCISQUAMATUS, new species 

 FiGtJEE 29 



Description. — Body and head very strongly compressed; depth of 

 body 3 to 3.25 in standard length; least depth of caudal peduncle 



2 in head and 1.75 in its own length ; head 3.5 in standard length ; eye 



3 to 3.25 in head and equal to snout and interorbital space; mouth 

 nearly terminal, strongly arched, lips thin, maxillary extending to 

 opposite anterior edge of eye ; maxillary barbel 0.8 eye, rostral barbel 

 somewhat shorter. 



^a-*!"^^,"""' 



^^^ 



) ^ V ^ ■ ^(j^i-^^^^^^^B^:>-. 



^' ) .\) 



Figure 29. — Puntius paucisquamatus, new species: Type (U.S.N.M. No. 119713). 



by Mrs. Alice C. Mullen. 



Di 



Squamation: Lateral line complete, scales in lengthwise series 22 

 in transverse series from midline of back to lateral line 3.5 and from 

 lateral line to base of ventral fin 2, in predorsal region 7; circum- 

 peduncular 12, all scales on back and side with conspicuous longitu- 

 dinal parallel ridges numbering 12 to 16. 



