48 MARINE AND FISHERIES 



5 GEORGE v., A. 191& 

 ^ Etheostoma iowae, Jordan and Meek. 



With the exception of the well-marked species Boleosoma nigrum, described 

 below, and the doubtful species E. boreale, all the smaller darters, of less than two 

 inches in length, appear to belong to a single species, identified by Dr. Meek as E. 

 iowae. The specimens, however, show some variation in color pattern, especially 

 larger specimens taken in the early part of the season. 



Fairly abundant on rocks and sand beaches, but showing a more decided tend- 

 ency towards the latter than B. nigrum. Though superficially much like the latter 

 species, it is distinguishable in the water by the paler character of the saddle-like 

 cross markings of the back. Spring males are easily distinguished from all other 

 fishes by their brilliant blue and orange markings. 



Length 1| inches, commonly barely more than an inch. Body elongated,, 

 tapering backwards from a point in front of the dorsal fin. Depth 5 to 5 • 7. Head 

 3 '4 to 4. Snout rather blunt, the mouth at its ventral angle. Premaxillaries not 

 proctractile, joined to the forehead by a median fleshy bridge. General coloration, 

 buff, the sides with about 10 irregular blotches of cinnamon color, arranged in a 

 bead-like series. Dorsal surface finely punctate, with 8 or 9 faint cross bars of 

 darker color. Portions of the lateral markings sometimes tend to fuse above. A 

 bar forwards on the snout and another downwards from the eye. Dorsal and caudal 

 fins more or less barred. Under parts pale. The lateral line is marked out forwards 

 as a white streak, slightly bowed upwards in its middle portion. Anterior dorsal 

 fin with 8 or 9 spines, posterior dorsal with 10 or 11 soft rays. Anal with 2 spines 

 and 7 or 8, sometimes 9, soft rays. Scales minute and ctenoid, 4 or 5, 55 to 60, 8 

 to 11. Lateral line incomplete posteriorly. 



Males in the breeding season are brilliantly colored. The anterior dorsal fin 

 has the basal two-thirds deep blue green, darker between the rays. There is a nar- 

 row band of blue at the margin of the fin, separated from the basal band by a stripe 

 of orange. Sides with the angular cinnamon blotches very bright and alternating 

 with greenish black spots. More or less orange at the base of the pectorals, and 

 extended backwards by four obscure blotches to and along the base of the anaL 

 Basal membranes of the posterior dorsal, caudal and anal with diffuse greenish. 



The breeding season includes the latter part of May and June. The eggs are 

 deposited on stones, especially in sheltered crevices, often in water of only a few 

 inches in depth. The animals are commonly found in groups, and there is a lively 

 competition among the males for possession of the females. 



Genus Boleosoma. 



Boleosoma nigrum, Rafinesque. 



(Tesselated darter. Johnny darter) 



{Plate II, fig. 17) 



Abundant in rocky situations along shore, and also common on sand beaches,. 

 or in swamps where there is some clean sand bottom. Resembling the foregoing 



