PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM by the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM Vol. 94 Washington: 1944 Nc 3172 THE CATFISHES OF VENEZUELA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THIRTY-EIGHT NEW FORMS By Leonard P. Schultz In the winter of 1942, at the invitation of Dr. Guillermo Zuloaga, assistant cbief of explorations, Standard Oil Co. of Venezuela, Caracas, I undertook to study and make collections of fishes in the Maracaibo Basin of Venezuela. I proceeded to Venezuela under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Department of State and was a guest there of the Standard OH Co. of Venezuela and of the Lago Petroleum Corporation, Lago Maracaibo. To the offi- cials of these companies I must express my deep appreciation, for it was a great pleasure to accept this wonderful opportunity. This report on the catfishes of Venezuela is based on collections made by me in the Maracaibo Basin and in other localities of the country, totaling 9,920 specimens, as well as on additional specimens in the collections of the United States National Museum. It is planned to report later on the other groups of fishes represented in the collections made during this trip. I wish especially to thank the following for their aid and hospitality during the course of my work: Hon. Frank P. Corrigan, United States Ambassador, Caracas, Renwick S. McNiece, American Consul, Maracaibo, and Thomas Maleady, second secretary, American Em- bassy, Caracas, for their fuUest cooperation in helping me obtain the necessary papers connected with my extensive travels in Venezuela and making my visit to that country so pleasant; Dr. Walter Du- pouy, director of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Caracas, who 533749—43 1 173 174 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MU&EUM vol.94 was especially helpful in regard to my work on the fishes; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Phelps and Mr. and Mrs, William H. Phelps, Jr., who made me so comfortable in their homes in Carcacas; and Dr. Guillormo Zuloaga, W. H. Phelps, Jr., and Roger PI. Sherman for taking me on a siiort collecting trip in the upper part of the Rio Guarico, which I shall long remember.' Nearly four months were spent in various parts of Venezuela from February through May, and during this time I was able to collect about 34,700 fish specimens, as well as numerous specimens of crusta- ceans, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, and insects, which are now in the collections of the United States National Museum. ITINERARY I left Washington, D. C, on February 1, 1942, for Miami, Fla., and departed from there on February 3 b}^ plane, arriving in Maracaibo that evening, and proceeding the next day to Caracas by air. From February 4 to 11 , I made numerous new acquaintances and obtained necessary travel papers and collecting permits from the Venezuelan Government officials, who were most cooperative at all times. Upon arriving again at Maracaibo on February 11, I was a guest of the Lago Petroleum Corporation, whose officials cooperated fully and helped me in every possible way to make collections in the Mara- caibo Basin and in the Andes. My equipment arrived at Maracaibo and was assembled so that collecting actually began on February 20, 1942. From then until March 14, I made various trips on the western side of Lago Maracaibo as far south as the Rio Negro (Santa Ana system) and as far as 35 kilometers north of Sinamaica in a cano leading into the Golfo de Venezuela. Between March 14 and March 26, I collected along the eastern side of Lago Maracaibo from the Rio Motatan northward to the Rio Cocuiza at El Mene, east of Altagracia, as well as in Lago Maracaibo off Lagunillas. 1 In adt.iikn, I take this opportunity to express my thanks and sincere aprreciation to the following perscns viho cooperated and helped me in e\ery way possible: Jchn Allen, geologist, La Salina; Chester L. Babin, district superintendent, LsgunUlas; Eaymcnd L. Bodenhair.er, warehouseman. La Salina; Walter W. Butcher, geologist, Maracaibo; Jaires A. Cox, warehouscn;an, Lagunillas; John Durr, geologist. La Salina; Don Juan F. Emanuel, Maracaibo; Dr. Alvin J. Freie, divisicn geologist, Maracaibo; Marcus G. Geiger, gravity m.eter operator, Lagunillas; John Kallim.nics, Maracaibo; Will S. Link, public relations supervisor, Maracaibo; Henry E. Ltnam, general manager, Standard Oil Co. of Venezuela, Caracas; Rafael Navarro, Maracaibo; Bcthea Martin, geologist, La Salina; Serafin Martinez, senior clerk, Maracaibo; Edward E. Peake, district superintendent. La Salina; Chesley B. Pickle, party chief, Lagunillas; Frank J. Pospisil, geoldgist. La Salina; Arthur T. Proudfit, division manager, Lago Petroleum Corporation, Maracaibo; Joseph Ratway, geologist. La Salina; Bernard C. Refshauge, geologist, Maracaibo; George H. Seely, resident engineer, Lagunillas; Mr. Slightholm, Lagunillas; Aden Stiles, Mai-acaibo; Dr. Frederick A. Sutton, senior geologist, Maracaibo; and John Taylor, Maracaibo. Mrs. Aime M. Awl, artist. United States National Museum, drew all the figures of the new species and retouched some of those photographed. I wish to express my thanks also to my wife, who spent much time helping me with the checking of the manuscript and proof. THE CATFISHES OF VENEZUELA—SCHULTZ 175 Figure l.-Map of the Maracaibo Basin of Venezuela, showing collecting localities visited by the author in 1942 and other localities recorded in this report. 176 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.94 In order to obtain fishes from the headwaters of the rivers at the southern end of Lago Maracaibo, a trip into the high Andes was made from March 27 to April 4. The Rio Chama, Rio Catatumbo, and Orinoco systems yielded many specimens. From April 7 to 23 collections were made in Lago Maracaibo in the vicinity of Lagunillas and Pueblo Viejo, eastern side of the lake. Between April 29 and May 5 collections were made in the lake and in rivers at the southern end of Lago Maracaibo. Chesley Pickle kindly took me and my equipment in the Indiana so that I could stay on the boat Emma as guest of John Taylor. A second trip was made to Caracas on May 9 by airplane, and while there I was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Phelps, who enter- tained me graciously and to whom I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for an enjoyable stay in Caracas. Upon returning again to Maracaibo on May 14, 1 secured specimens of fishes from the Maracaibo market until the 21st, when it was necessary to send my specimens and equipment to the dock for shipment back to the United States. I returned by plane to Miami, Fla., on May 24, and arrived in Washington, D. C, on May 26, 1942. LIST OF COLLECTING STATIONS The following is a list of the localities (see map, fig. 1, of Maracaibo Basin) where collections of fishes were made by me while in Venezuela from February through May 1942: February 20, 3 to 5 km. north of Maracaibo at Salina Santa Rosa, Salina Rica, and in Lago Maracaibo, opposite these salt marshes. February 21-22, Rfo Palmar, about 100 km. west and a little southwest of Maracaibo, near an oilfield called Totuma. The river here was 100 to 300 feet wide and made up of a succession of rapids and ponds, vdth muddy to sandy bottoms in the quiet pools and rubble to sand in the rapids. February 24, Rfo Socuy, about 3 km. above its mouth, Rfo Lim6n system north of Maracaibo. The river here was 100 to 150 feet in average width, with sandy to muddy bottom and very deep holes in the sharp bends. February 26, Rfo Ap6n, about 35 km. by road south of Rosario. This river, about 100 feet wide, has a sandy bottom, muddy in pools. February 26, Rfo San Ignacio, south of Rosario. This creek is dry except for isolated pools during the dry season. February 26, Rfo San Juan, about 12 km. south of Rosario. This shallow stream is about 10 feet wide, with sandy to muddy bottom. February 27, Lago Maracaibo at Maracaibo Yacht Club located at northern end of city of Maracaibo. The lake here had gravel to sand bottom. Specific gravity 1.006. March 1, Lago Tul6, about 80 km. west of Maracaibo, is a body of water about three-quarters of a mile long and half a mile wide, about 10 feet deep, bottom mud, shores weedy and junglelike. This lake is said to overflow into the Rfo Socuy system. THE CATFISHES OF VENEZUEI,A—SCHULTZ 177 March 2-3, Rfo Negro, a tributary of the Rfo Santa Ana, below the mouth of the Rfo Yasa, 75 km. by road south of Rosario. This river, 35 to 50 feet wide, with deep muddy holes and gravelly riffles, had cut itself a steep, clay-banked channel 10 feet or more below the general level of the ground. March 5, Lago Maracaibo at Maracaibo Yacht Club. March 6, Rio Palmar at the bridge about 70 km. southwest of Maracaibo. This stream, 75 to 100 feet wide, has a gravelly to sandy bottom, current rapid. No deep pools. March 6, Lago Maracaibo, 7 km. south of Maracaibo. Sandy beach. March 8, a small pond, tributary to the Rfo G6, Rfo Palmar system, 2 km, west of Rosario. March 10, Campo de Lago Petroleum Corporation, Maracaibo. March 11, Los Monitos, 45 km. north of Maracaibo, a tidal cano connected with the lower Rfo Lim6n. March 11, cano % km. west of Sinamaica, about 60 km. north of Maracaibo. This is a tidal cano connected with the lower Rfo Lim6n. March 11, Cienaga del Guanavana, about 10 km. north of Sinamaica. This swamp was muddy and shallow, about 3 feet deep in places during the dry season.