Notes on a collection of fishes from Argentina, South America, with descriptions of three new species

Abstract

This paper is based on a collection of fishes made in Argentina by Mr. John W. Titcomb,? in 1903 and 1904, while engaged in inaugurating fish-cultural operations for the Argentine Government.The collection contains 52 species, of which about half are from fresh water.The marine species are from Mar del Plata or the market at Buenos Aires.The latter are mostly from Uruguayan fisheries.The freshwater species are from Rio Primero in the Province of Cordoba, and from the headwaters of the Rio Negro, chiefly Lakes Nahuel Huapi and Traful and tributary or neighboring waters.Unfortunatelywhen received some of the labels had become partly effaced, making some of the localities uncertain.Mr. Titcomb has kindly furnished us the following interesting information regarding the lakes and streams of Argentina:In general, leaving out the larger rivers, the fresh waters of Argentina may be divided into three classes:First, the cold clear waters of the Cordilleras and rivers having their sources in the Andes from the Limay south.Second, clear-water streams constantly flowing and not having an excessively high temperature in summer; clear-water ponds supplied with water from such streams and having a constant inflow and outflow.The streams flowing south from the Sierras in the Province of Buenos Aires are examples of the streams above described, and in the same region Lago de Bravo and Lago de los Padres are examples of the ponds coming under this head.In the northern provinces the Rio Primero and the Dique San Roque belong to the same class of waters.All of them are practically unproductive, containing only small fishes.Third, streams which are sluggish and more or less muddy, and which have an excessively high temperature in summer; ponds and lakes which are natural basins @See