ON SPECIES OF GASTEROPELECUS. 



BY S. GAKMAN. 



GASTEROPELECUS STERNICLA L. ; Pall. 

 From a Surinam specimen the formula is D. 11, A. 34, 

 L. 1. 33, pores 17, D. to A. 14. Numerous specimens from 

 Tabatinga, Lago Alexo and Para, adult and young, agree 

 closely with this. In the lateral line there is a variation 

 of about three scales, 31-33. Very young ones have mi- 

 nute dots of black pigment in a band on each flank nearly 

 or quite to the head, and in another along the entire lower 

 edge at the base of the anal ; they are also more or less 

 thickly sprinkled along the back, over the body and under 

 the chin. Large specimens show similar markings, but, 

 being darker, their marks are less distinct. Specimens 

 from Curupira and Cudajas indicate a wider range of va- 

 riation : D. 11-12, A. 33-37, L. 1. 30-35. 



GASTEROPELECUS STELLATUS Kn. 



D. 14-16, A. 39-42, L. 1. 20-22. 



A large series of specimens were preserved at each of 

 the following localities : Coary, Hyavary, Manacapouru, 

 Montalegre, Obidos, Sao Paolo, Tabatinga, Tefie and 

 Villa Bella. An individual from Paraguay has D. 15, A. 42, 

 L. 1. 21, which does not distinguish it from those of the 

 Amazon. A common mark of the species may be seen in 



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