Swimbladder small, encapsulated by pyriform ossifications of the complex centrum 

 SiS in A. brevifilis. ; ,, 



Additional meristics of the species are as follows (number of specimens in 

 parentheses, holotype marked with an asterisk): pectoral fin rays 1+14 (2), 1+15* 

 (3), I + 16 (1), or I + 17 (1); anal fin rays 31* (1), 37 (2), 39 (2), 40 (1), or 41 (1) 

 (the unusually low number of anal rays in the holotype is due to an apparent injury 

 or teratological deformity in several pterygiophores, and is not considered typical of 

 the species); anal fin pterygiophores 28* (1), 36 (2), 37 (1), 38 (1), or 40 (1); 

 branchiostegals 10 (1) or 11* (5), pleural ribs 10 (1) or 11* (4); total vertebrae 55 

 (1), 56* (4), or 58 (2); preanal vertebrae 20 (1), 21 (4), or 22* (1); gill rakers on 

 upper limb of first arch 4* or 5 (modally 4), on lower hmb of arch 15 to 21; total gill 

 rakers on outer row of first arch 20 (1), 22 (1), 23 (1), 24* (1), 25 (2), or 26 (1). 



Color in Alcohol ; **' ' 



Characterized by a distinctive color pattern consisting of bold dark brown or 

 black marbhng on a yellowish background (Fig. 57). The top of the head is deep 

 brown or black, and is slightly spotted or mottled due to variation in intensity of 

 pigmentation. Opercular flap with a characteristic white or yellowish submarginal 

 band, extending as a faint white band across nuchal plate just in front of dorsal fin. 

 Edge of opercular flap with a few elongate brown spots. Margin of both lips dusky. 

 Pigment on chin, throat, and belly variable, but often with several large, dark 

 patches and some diffuse, brown specks. Sides of body with a series of prominent 

 brown or black blotches, interspersed with yellow, unpigmented areas. Blotches 

 extend over entire sides of body, and form asymmetric saddles across back. Dorsal 

 fin mostly black, in some specimens with a thin immaculate distal margin, a large 

 oval yellow spot in the center, and an unpigmented band at the base of the 



