" 243 



Two specimens were found in the syntypic series of A. cauccatus. The largest 

 of these is designated the lectotype (NMW 47811:1, male, 395 mm SL) and the 

 smaller the paralectotype (NMW 47811:2, male, 340 mm SL), 



The nominal species ^4 ^reiW was considered by Schultz (1944) to be distinct 

 from y4. caucanus ( = A. pardalis), primarily on the basis of differences in ■ 

 pigmentation and pectoral fin rays; A. freiei was thought to have two well-defined 

 black stripes on the sides of the body, and an average of 13 pectoral rays, as opposed 

 to 11-12 in y4. caucanus. In the present study, tremendous variation in pigmentation 

 was noted among all specimens examined, and the number of pectoral rays varied 

 from 11 to 14, with no apparent geographic differences. The degree of variation in 

 pigmentation ranged from specimens having virtually no pigment, other than 

 mottUng on the top of the head and dorsum and scattered throughout the fins, to 

 specimens that were strongly mottled on the entire dorsum, with broken lateral 

 stripes on the body, blotches on the tail and anal fin, and scattered flecks over the 

 rest of the body, as in the holotype of A. freiei (cf. Schultz 1944: plate 4b). The 

 variation in pigmentation is attributed to ecological, behavioral, or other factors, 

 rather than to taxonomic differences. 



The largest specimens of A. pardalis examined in this study ranged from 415- 

 460 mm SL. Dahl (1971) reported that specimens reached 70 cm, and possibly 

 more. Individuals from populations draining into the Maracaibo basin have been 

 found to reach a very large size, perhaps over 1.5 meters in length (F. Mago-Leccia, 

 A. Machado-Allison, and F. Provenzano, personal communication). Unfortunately, 

 no individuals of such large size have been adequately preserved in museum 

 collections. Despite a fair degree of ichthyofaunal endemism in the Maracaibo 

 basin, populations of A. pardalis from that area are not herein considered to be 

 specifically distinct from populations in more western drainages of Colombia and 

 Panama. For unknown reasons, certain fish (e.g., Synbranchus, Sorubim n. sp. [an 



