^••rrr 



-- ^ . ^y ■ ■,..^. .^ 266 



compressed behind pectoral fins, gradually tapered to caudal peduncle. Top of back 

 smooth, gently curved to caudal fin. Ventral profile slightly convex from throat to 

 anal fin origin. Caudal peduncle moderately long, 11-15% SL. 



Dorsal fin relatively short in nonbreeding individuals (14-19% SL); dorsal 

 spine thin, nearly smooth on anterior border, posterior border with relatively short, 

 sharp, retrorse serrae. Dorsal spine of nuptial males greatly elongated (34-43% SL), 

 smooth on posterior margin; anterior margin with about 35-60 antrorse serrae, 

 alternately angled to each side along distal portion, clustered in a single row and 

 diminishing to short, rounded bumps near base. Adipose fin small, constricted at 

 base, with large portion of posterior margin free. Caudal fin deeply forked, with 

 acutely pointed, symmetrical lobes; principal caudal rays 8 + 9, about 17-25 (x = 

 21) upper and 15-21 (x = 18) lower procurrent rays. Anal fin weakly falcate, with 

 31-38 (modally 34) rays and 29-35 (modally 32) pterygiophores. First few anal rays 

 of nuptial males thickened and elongated into a recurved gonopodium (Fig. 29). 

 Pectoral fin long, reaching beyond pelvic origin, with 12-15 (modally 13) soft rays. 

 Pectoral spine thin, smooth or slightly rugose on anterior margin, with about 18-25 

 sharp, retrorse serrae on posterior margin in specimens over 100 mm SL. Pelvic fins 

 moderately large, reaching beyond anal fin origin. 



Total vertebrae 44-47, modally 44. Preanal vertebrae 16-18, modally 17. 

 Pleural ribs 7-8, modally 7. Swimbladder small, encapsulated by a heart-shaped 

 ossification of the complex centra, with two relatively long, turgid, posterior caecae 

 (Fig. 21b). 



Color in Alcohol 



Ageneiosus n. sp. is easily distinguished from all other species of the genus by 

 its unique midlateral brown stripe that extends the length of the lateral line and is 



i 



