Fishes of the Western North Atlantic 425 



dorsal lobe and generally the margin of the caudal dusky; vertical fins with dusky 

 punctulations. 



Size. The largest example at hand is 155 mm (6.2 in.) TL and 122 mm SL. This 

 specimen was among the larger ones seen in the Colon, Panama, market. 



Development. Nothing concerning reproduction is known, and larval and postlarval 

 stages have not been described. However, at hand are a few small specimens that are 

 proportionately quite as deep as large ones. In two specimens, 34 and 50 mm SL, the 

 depth equals 38.3 and 40 "/o of SL, whereas in the two largest, 1 15 and 122 mm SL, 

 the depth equals 39 and 37.6 "/o ; furthermore, the ventral profile is much more strongly 

 convex anteriorly in the small examples. This is contrary to the usual development, as 

 small specimens of this family ordinarily are slenderer than large ones. A development 

 similar to that of harroweri has been noticed in Brevoortia patronus. 



Relationship. It is not possible to distinguish this species from Neosteus ternetzi 

 as described by Norman {100: 593) or by a comparison of two specimens from 

 southern Brazil (Barro Santos, USNM 87718, Porto Inhuana, USNM 100837) with 

 others from Colon, Panama, and Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. The following proportions 

 and counts, which are generally in agreement with those given in the original descrip- 

 tion of ternetzi (from Panama and Trinidad), are based on the two specimens from Bra- 

 zil, with the figures for the Barro Santos specimen first: Body depth 2.6, 2.75 in SL. 

 Caudal peduncle depth 2.95, 3.1. Head length 3.4, 3.5; depth at vertical from cross- 

 groove at occiput 3.15, 3-55. Snout length 5.0, 4.0 in head. Eye diameter 2.5, 2.7. 

 Interorbital width 6.5, 6.55. Maxillary length 1.85, 1.8. Mandible length 1.85, 1.75. 

 Anal base 2.4, 2.9. Predorsal distance 2.0, 1.95. Scales lost, about 35. Ventral scutes 

 18+6, 19 + 7. Fin rays: dorsal 16, 16; anal 36, 39; pectoral 15, 15. It seems proper 

 to conclude, therefore, that ternetzi cannot be distinguished from harroweri specifically. 

 It may be subspecifically distinct, but that can be determined only when more material 

 becomes available for study. 



Variation. The pelvic fins are well developed, but there is at hand a specimen 50mm 

 SL from Colon, Panama, in which these fins are missing. Inasmuch as no scar can be 

 detected, it is assumed that it never possessed the fins. It seems highly probable that 

 the specimen without pelvics, taken on the Atlantic coast of Panama and described as 

 a new species by Borodin under the name Pristigaster vanderbilti (jp: 6, pi. i, fig. i), 

 also is this species. The occasional absence of pelvic fins in this species seemingly may 

 be looked upon as a variation. 



Range. Atlantic coast of Panama, Trinidad, and southern Brazil. Not reported as 

 yet from intermediate points. 



Synonyms and References: 



Ilisha harroweri Fowler, Proc. Acad. nat. Sci. Philad., 69, 1917: 128, fig. i (orig. descr.; type local. Colon, 



Panama; type ANSP 46959). 

 Neosteus harroweri Norman, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., (9) 11, 1923: 19 (descr. after Fowler). 

 Ilisha argentata Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Publ., Zool., ^5(1), 1923: 190, pi. 9 (orig. descr.; type 



local. Fox Bay, Colon, Panama; type USNM 81749). 



