Flannel-mouth Sucker 



b. Scales very small, much reduced and crowded anteriorly, the 



number in lateral line 80 to 115. 



c. Upper lip broad, with 5 or 6 rows of papillae. 



d. Dorsal fin with n to 13 rays and very high; latipinnis, 47 

 dd. Dorsal fin with 10 to 12 rays and only moderately devel- 

 oped ; griseus, 48 



cc. Upper lip comparatively thin and narrow, with 2 to 4 rows 

 of papillae. 



e. Scales in lateral line 95 to 115; catostomus, 49 



bb. Scales small, but larger than in the preceding group, the 



number in lateral line 56 to 75. 

 /. Scales in lateral line 70 to 75; lower lip broad. 

 g. Dorsal fin short, of 11 to 13 rays; head small, conical; 



occidentalis, 50 



gg. Dorsal fin long, of about 15 rays; head large;. . . macrocheilus, 50 

 ff. Scales in lateral line larger, 58 to 70 in number; lower lip with 



about 4 rows of papillae. 

 h. Mandible short, 3$- to af in head; upper lip narrow; 



commersonii, 5 1 

 hh. Mandible longer, 3 to 3^ head; upper lip broader; ..ardens, 52 



Flannel-mouth Sucker 



Catostomus latipinnis Baird & Girard 



This sucker is known only from the Colorado River of the West, 

 and its larger tributaries. It is said to be quite abundant and ascends 

 the rivers in spring. 



As a food fish it is of some importance, particularly to the Indians. 



Head 4f ; depth 5^; D. n to 13; scales 17-98 to 105-17. 

 Body elongate, the caudal peduncle long and slender; head rather 

 slender, with prominent snout and rather contracted, inferior mouth ; 

 outline of mouth triangular, the apex forward; lips very thick, greatly 



47 



