MEMOIRS 
OF THE 
CARNEGIE MUSEUM. 
VOL. VI. NO. LHI. 
THE GYMNOTID EELS OF TROPICAL AMERICA.! 
By Max Mapes EL .tis. 
(PLates XV—XXIII.) 
INTRODUCTION. 
In 1909 I undertook the identification of the specimens of Gymnotid eels 
collected by Dr. Eigenmann in British Guiana. Three new species were found, 
Sternarchus leptorhynchus, Porotergus gymnotus, and Gymnorhamphichthys hypo- 
stomus. The second and third of these represented new genera. Numerous 
specimens of Higenmannia macrops (Boulenger), a species listed but once before, 
were also part of this collection. In all five species of Gymnotids were added to 
the fauna of Guiana. 
Subsequently all of the Gymnotide collected by Mr. John D. Haseman of the 
Carnegie Museum Expedition to Central South America were received for study. 
As these collections contained several new species and specimens of many little 
known species, a revision of the entire family was begun. Mr. Haseman visited 
many new localities, and his collections were of particular value in the study of the 
geographical distribution of these fishes. 
While engaged in the systematic revision several interesting questions arose. 
Three in particular may be mentioned: (1) the use of the mental filaments of 
Steatogenes elegans (Steindachner); (2) the relation to their general ecology of the 
‘Contributions from the Zodlogical Laboratory of Indiana University, under the direction of C. H. 
Eigenmann, No. 116. A thesis accepted as in part fulfilling the requirements for the degree of Doctor of 
Philosophy, June, 1911. 
This paper is a partial report on the Gimbel Expedition to British Guiana and the Carnegie Museum 
Expedition to Central South America. 
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