CHARACINIDAE FROM VENEZUELA—SCHULTZ 277 
will be found to possess the inner row of minute teeth along the bases 
of the outer row of larger teeth. I do not consider the number of 
scales below the lateral line as of generic significance, since I find them 
to vary from 2 to 5. 
The genus Characidium may be split into two subgenera, however, 
on the presence or absence of scales on the breast. This character 
seems not to have been mentioned or else was overlooked by authors, 
and I am unable, because of lack of specimens, to determine if any of 
the generic names already proposed are available. Since Charact- 
dium fasciatum has a scaly breast, the group of species with scaly 
breasts and two rows of mandibular teeth must be referred to the 
genus Characidium. It is regretted that I lack material for a revision 
of this genus. 
The following tentative key indicates some‘of the differences for 
the species of Characidium occurring in northern South America. 
It was prepared from the study of specimens in the National Museum 
and others lent by the California Academy of Sciences. 
la. Caudal fin with dark bars or with 1 or 2 oblique dark bands across each lobe. 
2a. Caudal, dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins with about 4 dark cross bands; sides 
of body with about 7 dark bars, these reaching to midventral line poste- 
riorly; breast scaly; dorsal rays iii,8 or iii,9; anal ili,6; pectoral iv,8 or 
iv,9; pelvic ii,6; scales 34 to 36, 4% above and 3 below lateral line; 
9 scales in front of dorsal; pelvic insertion closer to base of caudal than 
STOVE UTD Weeeee Ue EUS ES ig aN Characidium blennioides Higenmann 
2b. Caudal, dorsal, and pectoral fins barred with spots; 6 or 7 dark bars on 
body from dorsal to lateral line; dorsal rays iii, 8; anal iii, 5 or 6; pectoral 
ili, 9; pelvic i, 6; scales 31 or 32, 3 above and 2 below lateral line. 
K Characidium declivirostre Steindachner 
2c. One or two oblique bars across each lobe of caudal fin. 
3a. Each lobe of caudal fin with an oblique black bar; dorsal iii, 9; anal iii, 6; 
pectoral rays iv, 8 or iv, 9; pelvic ii, 6; black Jateral band and another 
black band along back, the two connected by about 7 or 8 black bars; 
scales 36 or 37, 4 above and 2% or 3 below lateral line, 9 or 10 scales 
in front of dorsal; breast scaly. (Adults.) 
Characidium laterale Higenmann !” 
36. Each caudal lobe with two oblique cross bands; dorsal rays iii, 9; anal 
lii, 6; pectoral iii, 9; pelvic i, 7; scales 35. 
Characidium hasemani Steindachner 
1b. Caudal fin without blackish cross bands or bars or oblique dark bands. 
4a. Sides of body with dark spots or with crescent-shaped dark spots, none 
being arranged to form definite bars on sides; back with narrow cross 
bars not continuous on sides; no blackish lateral band along sides; 
scales 36, 3 or 4 above and 2 or 2% below lateral line; breast scaly. 
5a. Middle of sides with 26 to 30 black spots, one or more out of line; back 
with 16 cross bars; dorsal rays iii, 9; anal iii, 6; 9 scales in front of 
17 An examination of a cotype specimen of C. laterale, Ind. Univ. No. 11673, and 4 cotypes of C. vintoni, 
Ind. Univ. No. 11674, shows ii, 6 pelvic rays and iv, 8 or 9 pectoral. This combination of two and four simple 
rays in the paired fins is not found in other species that I have examined except in C. blennioides, which 
likewise has ii,6 pelvic rays and iv,9 pectoral. It is concluded that lateralewas based on the young and 
vintoni on the large adults. Thus C. vintoni becomes a synonym of C. laterale. 
