CHARACID FISHES — WEITZMAN 



11 



5 on sides with slightly irregular margins as shown in figure 1 . Borders 

 of blotches (very different from obhque bands described in other 

 species) slightly darker than their centers. Very pale stripe above 

 blotches and above very light and diffuse primary horizontal stripe. 

 Dorsum brown above pale stripe. Network of dark Unes that follow 

 scale edges superimposed on entire body pigment pattern. Belly 

 white, all fins hyahne. 



Color in life.— Life colors of an aquarium specimen as follows: 

 Five large permanent blotches dark brown to almost black. Body 

 color very light broAvn with slight greenish cast. This ground color 

 darker on back. Abdominal region silvery. Light green, somewhat 

 iridescent stripe extending along sides just above dorsal borders of 

 permanent blotches. This stripe reflecting pale gold. Fins translucent 

 except for few dark spots on anal fin. 



Figure 1. — Nannostomus espei, male, SL 27.6 mm., SU 50214 (see text for discussion 



of scales). 



Remarks. — The original description of this species was inadequate, 

 and no types were designated. Also because the type locality was 

 unknown, none was cited. Bohlke (1956) has located and published 

 data on the collecting site of the original aquarium importation of 

 this species, but did not designate a restricted locality — this is done 

 here. The "restricted locality" is that given by Bohlke (1956, p. 1). 

 This locality, along the Paruma River, is apparently in the vicinity of 

 lat. 5°50' to 55' N., long. 61°05' to 10' W. At my request, Herr 

 Meinken has sent to me three of the specimens used in his original 

 description. One of these (SU 51593), an adult female 26.5 in SL, 

 is here designated as the lectotype. The two other specimens, paralec- 

 totypes, one an adult female 28.5 mm. and one subadult female 21.0 

 mm. in SL, now bear the number SU 51592. 



