THE CARIBBEAN AREA — PANAJiiA 



In reviewing their findings, it is emphasized that the Humboldt or Per\ivian Cuirent 

 does not affect the waters of the Gulf of Panama for it does not cross the Equator any- 

 where near the South American mainland, and furthermore, there is always the warm waters 

 of the equatorial countercurrent far out of its normal position. 



Schott (1931) figures the oceanic conditions affecting the area under consideration. 

 He shows an area of extensive upwelling in the Gulf of Panama during February and March 

 with a surface temperature of 2^ degrees G. withia the Gulf. Surface water temperatures 

 gradxially increase southward and offshore. Upwelled water flows out of the Gulf past 

 Malpelo Island and is dissipated. Another current flows northward along the coast of 

 Ecuador and Colombia. The equatorial countercurrent water at this time does not extend into 

 the Gulf of Panama or alon? the Central American coast. 



Durin;^ August and September the situation is cczapletely changed. At this time the 

 north-northeast winds are at the lowest ebb and upwelling has ceased completely in the Gulf. 

 Sxorface water temperatures of 28.2 degrees C. are found in the Gulf and these gradually 

 drop offshore. Warm equatorial countercurrent water is foxind along the entire Panama coast. 

 The circulation is from west and southv.est into the Gulf of Panama and then northwestwards 

 along the coast. Thus there is a partial swirl or eddy in the Gulf of Panama. 



In certain abnormal years such as in 1891, upwelling is intensified within the Gulf 

 and temperatures of 22 degrees C. have been recorded. This cool upweiled water flows south- 

 westward and then westward. 



From these findings it is evident that the Gulf of Panama area and contiguous coasts 

 are well provided with nutrient salts, particularly in the winter months. The constant 

 flow and mixing of the waters greatly increases the productivity. From an oceanographic 

 standpoint, the Panama Pacific region should be very rich in marine life. 



Species and Distribution 



The ichthyology of the Panama region — both on the Caribbean Coast and on the Pacific 

 coast — has been well studied and reported. One of the most recent complete works is by 

 Meek and Hildebrand (1923). In this work all the known species are listed. It is reported 

 that the fishes of the Pacific coast of Panama generally reach a larger average size than 

 thDse of the Caribbean side and that there is a greater number of species. Thus, 4.03 spiecies 

 are recorded from the former and only 238 from the latter in the above cited work. This 

 apparent great discrepancy, however, is modified by certain factors which indicate that the 

 actual difference in the number of species may possibly be considerably less when more 

 extensive collections are made. 



The fishes of the Pacific coast belong to the North American fauna rather than to the 

 South American even though there is some overlapping of species. Thus, in general, the 

 Pacific Panama fauna appears to range frcm the Gulf of California to Ecuador and the Atlantic 

 fauna from I^orida to Brazil. 



There is considerable parallel between the faunas of the two sides of the Isthmus. 

 Meek and Hildebrand list 72 species as cramnon to both coasts. Of this number, 22 are 

 identical and were collected on the coasts of Panama while A8 are regarded as more or less 

 cosmopolitan types. It is concluded th^t at some period of geologic time, there was a 

 passage available for fish migration between the two oceans. The Panama Canal, however, 

 is not regarded as such a route for purely marine species even though some brackish water 

 forms such as the snooks, mojarras, and gobies could find their way from ocean to ocean. 



The following fami3j.es are listed: 

 Scientific Kame (Family) Common Name Remarks 



Eranchiostomidae lancelets not used for food 



Orectolobidae nurse-sharks 



Galeorliinidae gray sharks used for food-Panama 



Carcharhinidae ground sharks " " •< •' 



105 



