THE SHORE FISHES OF PERU 37 



tive identification is based on a photograph in the report of the Mission 

 (p. 291) and a short description of the color (p. 292). Although this 

 species apparently is not recorded from Peru, it was been reported from 

 Chile. 



The distinguishing characters of P. glauca are: Color deep blue 

 above, white underneath; head short; snout long, tapering; first dorsal 

 large, nearer ventrals than pectorals; second dorsal and anal almost 

 directly opposite each other, the latter with deeply concave margin; 

 upper lobe of caudal equal to or longer than head; ventral small, not 

 longer than anal ; pectoral quite long, narrow, reaching nearly opposite 

 posterior end of base of first dorsal; teeth strongly serrate, the lateral 

 teeth of upper jaw with convex anterior and concave posterior margins. 



This shark grows large, reaching a length of 4.6 to 6 meters, and is 

 a very active fish. The following information is from the report of the 

 Mission (1943, p. 292): 



On March 25 a trip was made from Mollendo to Ilo running a course about 20 

 miles offshore. The water temperature ranged from 20.3 to 24.5 degrees. Enor- 

 mous numbers of blue sharks (Prionace) reaching an estimated length, in the 

 largest ones, of at least five meters were seen on the surface. They were accom- 

 panied by large numbers of manta rays and yellow fin tuna. As far as can be 

 determined, sharks of this type have never been reported unless they are the kind 

 known to the Peruvian fishermen as "tintorera" (Coker reports that tintoreras 

 have seablue backs and white undersides). The tintorera is regarded as highly 

 dangerous since it kills without hunger and is as bloodthirsty as a tiger. An 

 employee of the Compania Administradora del Guano at La Puntilla said that the 

 tintorera is the most dangerous shark in Peruvian waters and that they are known 

 to attack small boats. 



Range. — All tropical seas; on the Pacific coast of America from the 

 Gulf of California to Chile. Fowler (see reference above) reported 

 this species from Chile and has synonymized with it Carcharias pugae 

 Perez Canto, C. gracilis Philippi, and C. aethiops Philippi, all from 

 Chile. 



Genus EULAMIA Gill, 1861 



Body rather robust; head broad, depressed; snout produced; nos- 

 trils and mouth inferior; teeth compressed, more or less triangular, 

 with a large cusp and usually a broad base; eyes small, with well-de- 

 veloped nictitating membrane; spiracles wanting; first dorsal not far 

 behind pectoral; second dorsal small, wholly or partly above anal. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES 



a. Snout narrow, pointed, its preoral length about equal to width of mouth at 

 angles; teeth narrowly triangular, especially in lower jaw, upper ones with 

 serrate margins, lower ones nearly smooth; origin of second dorsal over or 

 more or less behind that of anal; side of body with a slight dusky band ex- 

 tending back from above and behind pectoral, partly enclosing a pale area. 



aetholorus (p. 38) 



G24264 — 45 — — 4 



