A new genus and new species of sciaenidae from the Gulf of Panama (Perciformes : Sciaenidae)

Paranebris bauchotae, a new genus and species of sciaenid from the Gulf of Panama is described from three specimens (138-212 mm SL). It is distinguish ed from all other sciaenids by having granulated tooth plates on the jaws a nd the premaxillary tooth plates that are exposed laterally of the lower ja w when the mouth is closed. The new genus shares the following characters w ith the New World genus Nebris: a thick fleshy and cartilage gap present be tween premaxillary bones where the ascending processes form an A-frame arch ; gas bladder with a pair of long U-shaped appendages; and a thick, oval-sh aped sagitta with deeply grooved caudal section of the sulcus. Paranebris b auchotae is distinct from all Nebris species in having a firmer interorbita l skin and scale cover (spongy to the touch in Nebris), a larger eye (6-7 v s. 8-12 times in head length) and large ctenoid scales (vs. small and cyclo id in Nebris).