THE SHORE FISHES OF PERU 377 



whiter; ventral fins pale; the rest of the fins all more or less dusky; 

 pectoral darkest on inner side and along upper and distal margins. 

 The smaller specimens, ranging in length from 100 to 243 mm. to 

 base of caudal, agree in ground color with the large ones, but they 

 lack the spots on the sides; and the fins, exclusive of the spinous 

 dorsal, are paler. 



The Mission preserved 4 large specimens, 550 to 720 mm. (462 

 to 606 mm. to base of caudal) long, and 10 smaller ones, 120 to 295 

 mm. (100 to 243 mm. to base of caudal) long. The large ones were 

 all taken on trolling lines iji the Gulf of Guayaquil, in part off Zorritos 

 and in part near Cabo Blanco. The smaller ones, at least mostly 

 were seined, in part at San Lorenzo Island, and in part in Chilca 

 Bay. The foregoing description is based entirely on Peruvian 

 specimens. 



The report of the Mission (1943, p. 273) has stated that the "sierra" 

 is to be regarded as an inhabitant of the inshore water, and that the 

 usual distribution ranges northward from Aguja Point. However, in 

 1941, when the water was abnormally warm, sierras were taken 

 farther south. It is reported that commercial fishermen took many 

 in March, April, and May of that year at Callao, and the Mission 

 took an example at Cerro Azul in March. The report, furthermore, 

 stated, "Sierra is one of the best Peruvian fishes and it is highly 

 esteemed as a food fish." 



Attempts have been made to distinguish between the Spanish 

 mackerals (sierras) of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of America. 

 The Pacific coast one indeed was given a specific name, S. sierra 

 (see reference above). I have examined a considerable number of 

 specimens during the past 33 years or so and have made direct com- 

 parisons of specimens from the opposite coast and rather extensive 

 measurement and enumeration of fin rays, gill rakers, and teeth. 

 These data have been summarized, and although it does not seem ap- 

 propriate to include them here it may be stated that they indicate 

 at most different races for the opposite coasts. Briefly, the average 

 number of spines in the first dorsal averages slightly lower in the 

 Pacific coast fish, the rays in the second dorsal and anal a little 

 higher, the eye a little smaller, and the snout and maxillary a little 

 shorter. The teeth vary so greatly in size and number among in- 

 dividuals, even from one locality, that they are useless for diagnosis. 

 The spots on sides not only vary in number among individuals of 

 equal size, but also with age, and consequently they are not diagnostic, 

 though they seem to be rather more numerous in the Pacific coast 

 specimens. The differences are not regarded as of specific value. 



Range. — On the Atlantic from Maine to Brazil, and on the Pacific 

 from southern California to the Galdpagos Islands and northern Peru. 



