Munroe: Systematics of western Atlantic Symphurus 
23 
10a Dorsal-fin rays 70-76; anal-fin rays 55-61; 55-65 scales in longitudinal series; pattern of pep- 
per-dots (Fig. 5B, number 8) on blind side of body (usually); some specimens with darkly pig- 
mented, triangularly shaped caudal blotch; total vertebrae 39-42; ID pattern usually 1-3-2 
(Fig. IB); adult sizes usually less than 50 mm SL S . arawak 
10b Dorsal-fin rays usually more than 80; anal-fin rays 68 or more; 66-97 scales in longitudinal 
series; no pepper-dots on blind side of body; caudal blotch present or absent; total vertebrae 46 
or more; ID patterns usually 1-3-2 (Fig. IB) or 1-4-3 (Fig. IE); small (<45 mm SL) or large 
(>70 mm SL) adult sizes 11 
11a Body whitish or pallid, occasionally with faint crossbands; a darkly pigmented blotch on cau- 
dal region of ocular side of body in some specimens; dorsal-fin rays 83-87; anal-fin rays 68-71; 
total vertebrae 46-48; teeth well-developed along margins of both ocular-side jaws; inner oper- 
cular linings and isthmus on both sides of body unpigmented; eye relatively large, ED 11.6- 
15.8% of HL; ocular-side lower jaw without fleshy ridge (Fig. 3E); ID pattern usually 1-3-2 
(Fig. IB); adults usually less than 45 mm SL S. rhytisma 
lib Body usually darkly pigmented, straw-colored to dark brown, with prominent crossbands or 
uniformly pigmented; no darkly pigmented caudal blotch on ocular side of body; dorsal-fin 
rays 86-107; anal-fin rays 70-89; total vertebrae 47-55; teeth usually absent or only poorly 
developed on margins of ocular-side jaws (especially upper jaw); inner opercular lining and 
isthmus on ocular side of body heavily pigmented; eye relatively small, ED 6.4-11.4% of HL; 
fleshy ridge present or absent on ocular-side lower jaw; ID patterns usually with 4 or more 
pterygiophores inserted into interneural space two; adults exceeding 70 mm SL 12 
12a Large black spot on outer surface of ocular-side operculum; dorsal-fin rays 91-106; anal-fin 
rays 74-89; total vertebrae 48-54 13 
12b Ocular-side operculum without obvious black spot; dorsal-fin rays 86-97; anal-fin rays 70-81; 
total vertebrae 46-51 14 
13a From 4 to 8 small ctenoid scales on blind sides of posterior rays of dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 
4A); ocular-side lower jaw without fleshy ridge on posterior portion (Fig. 3E); posterior exten- 
sion of ocular-side jaws reaching only to point between verticals through posterior margin of 
pupil and posterior margin of eye; ocular surface usually with nine, or fewer, wide crossbands; 
posterior one-third of dorsal and anal fins becoming progressively darker (black in mature 
males); dorsal and anal fins without blotches; dorsal-fin rays 91-102; anal-fin rays 74-86; 
total vertebrae 48-54, usually 50-53 S. tessellatus 
13b No ctenoid scales on blind sides of posterior rays of dorsal and anal fins; ocular-side lower jaw 
with pronounced fleshy ridge on posterior portion (Fig. 3D); posterior extension of ocular-side 
jaws reaching vertical at posterior margin of lower eye or reaching vertical slightly posterior 
to posterior margin of lower eye; ocular surface with 10-14 narrow crossbands; posterior one- 
third of dorsal and anal fins usually without progressive posterior darkening, but with alter- 
nating series of blotches and unpigmented areas; dorsal-fin rays 97-106; anal-fin rays 81-89; 
total vertebrae 52-55, usually 53-54 S. oculellus 
