CHARACINIDAE FROM VENEZUELA—SCHULTZ 301 
second suborbital not covering the lower part of the cheek, which 
is naked; the maxillary reaching considerably past the rear of the 
eye; origin of dorsal a little in front of a vertical line through anal 
origin; a low keel or ridge from behind pelvic bases to anus; the lateral 
line running a nearly straight course along side of body, ending a scale 
row below axis of caudal peduncle; scales very much crowded along 
the back and more so anteriorly than posteriorly; 2 or 3 scale rows 
shielding base of anal rays; the pectoral shield in front of pectoral 
insertion with a shallow notch; lower angle of preopercle rounded, no 
spinelike projection; adipose fin present over rear of anal fin base; 
intestine short of one main loop; pyloric caeca numerous; air bladder 
large, walls very firm; fleshy interorbital about three, bony orbit 
about 4, snout about 4, all in length of head; the origin of dorsal fin 
is closer to tip of snout than midcaudal base by % length of maxillary 
bone or % bony orbit; the anal origin is equal distance from tip of 
snout and midcaudal base. 
Color.—The side of the body above lateral line has a wide blackish 
or silvery band ending in a large caudal blotch that extends on base 
of caudal fin rays as far out as the accessory scales occur; the humeral 
spot above the lateral line behind the head is no larger than the pupil; 
peritoneum silvery. 
Remarks.—This new subspecies is more like Cyrtocharar magdalenae 
atratoensis Kigenmann than the others in regard to shape and pro- 
portions of body, but differs in having fewer anal rays. The key be- 
low and table 14 indicate the differences between this form and 
others referred to this genus. At most, the subspecies of magdalenae 
are statistical races, and this description serves to point out the type 
of study required to confirm or disprove whether one or four forms 
should be recognized from British Guiana to the Atrato Basin. 
Named venezuelae in honor of the country in which this subspecies 
was collected. 
TENTATIVE KEY TO THE SPECIES OF CYRTOCHARAX 
la. Dorsal rays usually 11, 10. 
2a. Branched anal rays usually 41 or 42_Cyrtocharax limaesquamis (Cope) 
2b. Branched anal rays usually 50 or 51. 
3a. Basal portion of dorsal fin with a black blotch or bar. 
Cyrtocharax calliurus (Higenmann and Kennedy) 
3b. Basal portion of dorsal fin without black color. 
Cyrtocharax squamosus (Higenmann and Kennedy) 
1b. Dorsal rays usually ii, 9. 
4a. Branched rays of anal fin usually 38; humeral black blotch as large as 
COVA OVE esse Hil AS NL NA PA A Cyrtocharax amazonum (Giinther) 
4b. Branched rays of anal fin from 40 to 55 in number. 
5a. Humeral spot as large as eye, branched anal rays 50; depth of body 2% 
in standard length; pectoral rays said to be i, 138 (Rfo Suripa of Apure 
system, Venezuela)__________-_ Cyrtocharax bipunctatus (Pellegrin) 
