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ANNALS

OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

VOLUME XXII

eae. SS

Oarded

ANNALS

OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

VOLUME XXII

PRINTED FOR THE

TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

BY NEILL AND CO., LTD., 212 CAUSEWAYSIDE, EDINBURGH,

1925 - 1927.

<<Birrencatakieges,

U. &. Mational Museum

TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM.

Sir THomas Murr, C.M.G., M.A., LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.S.

The Hon. Jonn WintiAm Jaccer, F.S8.S8., M.L.A.

Prof. Wittiam ApAm Jotuy, M.B., Ch.B., D.Sc., F.R.S.8. Afr.

Councillor W. F. Fisu, J.P. (present Mayor of Capetown).

Dr J. G. vAN pER Horst.

SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN

MUSEUM.

Epwin Leonarp Giuu, D.Sc., Director and Keeper-in-Chiet.

KepreL Harcourt Barnarp, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.8., Assistant Director ; in Charge

of Fish and Marine Invertebrates.

REGINALD FREDERICK LAWRENCE, B.A., Assistant in Charge of Reptiles and

Batrachians, Arachnids and Myriapods.

ALBERT JOHN Hesse, B.Se., Ph.D., Assistant in Charge of the Entomological

Department.

Miss Star GARABEDIAN, B.A., Assistant in Charge of the Botanical Department.

ArrHur Lewis Haut, M.A., Se.D., Honorary Keeper of the Geological and

Mineralogical Collections.

Sipney Henry Haveurton, B.A., D.Sec., Honorary Keeper of the Palaeontological

Collections.

CONTENTS.

K. H. Barnarp.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.

(With Plates I-XX XVII.)

DATE OF ISSUE OF PARTS.

Part 1, pp. 1-418, June 1925.

Part 2, pp. 419-end, October 1927.

“NEW GENERIC NAMES INTRODUCED IN THIS VOLUME.

PAGE

Anchichoerops (Labridae) ; : : : . 746

Caranthus nom. nov. for Gantiarus preoce. (Spends) : : ; - 720

Clinoporus (Clinidae) . : : ; : ; : : : . 864

Coccotropsis (Scorpaenidae) . : : ; : ; : : 5 Oily

Cottunculoides (Cottidae) : : d : . 923

Lophotopsis=Eumecichthys Rea 1907 (orsnatitelas) ‘ : : > ahd

Marsis nom, nov. for Smaris preoce. (Maenidae) 4 : : é - 682

Palunolepis (Chilodactylidae) . : : : : ; : : . 456

Paracallionymus (Callionymidaec) . : : ; : : : . 448

Parahynnodus (Apogonidae) . : : ; j : : Se b25

Pleuroscopus (Uranoscopidae) . : : ; : ; . 437

Psednos (Liparidae) : : 2 5 Ozu

Rhynchohyalus nom. nov. for Hualorhynchtap preoce. (Nicrestonidas) 5 | 1S%0)

vil

ANNALS

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

PART 1], contaimings—

A Monograph of the Marine. Fishes of South Africa.

Part-I. (Amphkiovus, Cyclostomata, Hlasmobranchu,

and. Teleoster — Isospondyli to Heterosomata.) By

K. H. Barnarp, M.A. D.Sc, F.LS., FR.S.S.Afr.,

“Assistant; Director. (With Plates I-XVII.)

ISSUED JUNE 1925. PRICE 2os.

PRINTED FOR THE

TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

BY /NEILL AND CO., LTD.,

. | 212 CAUSEWAYSIDE, EDINBURGH. \

}

ANNALS

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

VOLUME XXI.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.—By K. H.

Barnarp, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S., F.R.S.S.Afr., Assistant Director.

PREFACE.

Tus Manual of the Marine Fishes of South Africa is intended to form

a companion volume to the “ Freshwater Fishes of South Africa ”

(Gilchrist & Thompson, Annals S.A. Museum, Vol. XI), and a con-

tinuation of the series of Monographs on the Fauna of South Africa

begun by W. L. Sclater.

No comprehensive account of the Marine Fishes of South Africa

has yet been published, and it is felt that such a volume would be

welcomed by both scientists, anglers, and South African naturalists

generally.

An attempt, therefore, has been made to give a descriptive account

which will be useful to the professional scientist in comparing the

South African fauna with that of other regions, and also serve the

angler as a ready means of identifying his catches.

No monograph can be expected to be complete, and the Marine

Survey now in progress will probably add some new species and

records to the fauna-list. Similarly, the fauna of Delagoa Bay and

Portuguese East Africa is very imperfectly known; and even in

Natal, fresh records of forms common in the Indian Ocean may be

confidently expected. As this work has been in progress for several

years, it does not seem advisable to delay its publication any longer,

and such new records as come to hand during publication will be

incorporated in an appendix.

The plan of the work is as follows. An introductory chapter will

VOL. xxi, PART I 1

4938

g ©

gut

2 Annals of the South African Museum.

explain the terms used in the descriptions of the species. By this

means, and with the aid of the diagrams and illustrations, it is hoped

that the descriptions will be readily intelligible. As a further aid to

identification, artificial keys to all the families, genera, and species

have been made.

In the descriptive portion the scientific names of the species have

been placed first, because so many of our South African fishes are not

known, and are never likely to be known, by popular names. In

several cases the vernacular name of the family or genus used in

Europe, America, or Australia has been applied to the local repre-

sentatives. References to the earlier literature and the synonymy of

each species have been reduced as far as possible, compatible with the

necessity of avoiding confusion. As a rule, except in the case of new

records, only a reference to some work containing a good figure of

the species is given, and also a reference to the Lists of Cape and

Natal Fishes compiled by Gilchrist and Thompson, where a full

bibhography of every species will be found, although the present

writer does not agree in every case with the synonymy there given.

A bibliography of the most important works dealing with South

African fishes will be given at the end of the work.

Special attention has been paid to the habits and life-histories, but

it must be confessed that in this respect we have yet a great deal to

learn. As regards coloration, it is frequently impossible to give a

description of the natural colour, as the species is known only from

preserved specimens. In those species in which the colour is given a

certain amount of variation must be expected, especially in many of

the Indo-Pacific forms which have a wide range. These exhibit

slight variations in colour, or even in the pattern, in different

localities.

In a final chapter it is hoped to give a general survey of the char-

acteristics of the marine fish fauna of South Africa and its relation-

ships with the faunas of other regions.

The more strictly economic and statistical aspect of our fisheries

is not dealt with here, as it 1s more properly dealt with in the Marine

Biological and Fishery Survey Reports published under Dr. Gilchrist’s

direction.

The material which has served as a basis for the present work is

in the South African Museum and consists of (1) the old Museum

collection containing several unique specimens, (2) the collection

made by the Cape Government trawler s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure,” (3) the

collection of Natal fishes reported on by Gilchrist and Thompson,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 3

and (4) numerous specimens received during recent years from

various donors or collected by members of the staff. The whole

Museum collection contains examples of approximately 75 per cent.

of the recorded species. An asterisk before a species signifies that the

species is not represented in the South African Museum collection.

Further, through the courtesy of the Director and Mr. Tate Regan,

I was enabled while in England to study the collection in the British

Museum. I have thus been able to study actual specimens of the

majority of the recorded species and to clear up several cases of

synonymy or supposed synonymy. A number of species in Gilchrist

and Thompson’s Lists will be found, therefore, under different names,

for reasons which, it is hoped, are well based. A large number of the

illustrations are from my own original drawings, due acknowledgment

being made of those which are copied from other works.

In every case where a species is represented in the South African

Museum collection, the description is based primarily on these actual

specimens. The descriptions given by other authors are incorporated

whenever it is necessary to indicate the limits of variation.

The limits of the South African region are difficult of exact deter-

mination and depend largely on personal predilection. For purposes

of a bibliography of marine faunas the “Challenger” Society places the

northern boundary on the east coast at 30° 8., 7.e. at Durban. This

limit is obviously impossible for a faunistic monograph, and the

political one between Zululand and Portuguese Hast Africa is scarcely

better, because the gradual increase in the percentage of purely

Indian Ocean species as one proceeds northwards from Natal defeats

all attempts at drawing a hard and fast boundary.

Under these circumstances the line 15° §. has been arbitrarily

chosen as the northern limit of the South African marine faunal

region, and it has been adopted both on the east and west coasts. All

records of species from “‘ Mozambique,” which I have been able to

find in the literature, are included.

The oceanic boundaries are even more difficult to choose. After

consideration, I have adopted a line running roughly 200-300 miles

from the coast on the east and west sides of the subcontinent, with

an extension southwards to 400 miles so as to include the Agulhas

Bank and adjacent waters.

Thus defined, the South African marine province will be roughly

a rectangle bounded by long. 10° E. on the west side, long. 42° E.

on the east side, lat. 40° 8. on the south, and extending northwards

to lat. 15° 8.

4 Annals of the South African Museum.

In closing this preface acknowledgment should be made of the

valuable work which was for many years carried out under the

auspices of the Cape Government, and is now being continued by the

Union Government, with a view to increasing our knowledge of the

fishes and marine fauna of South Africa.

I desire also to express my obligations to the late Dr. L. Peringuey,

Director of the South African Museum, to whom the inception of this

Fic. 1.—Sketch-map showing the limits of the South African region

adopted in this work.

work is due, and without whose cordial help, especially in accumulating

an invaluable collection of ichthyological literature in the Museum

Library, this work could not have been accomplished.

Explanation of the terms used in describing fishes.

It is not intended to give here an account of the structure of fishes

in general. Besides being beyond the scope of this work, such informa-

tion can be easily and more fully obtained from any text-book of

natural history. But in order to render the descriptions of the

species intelligible to those readers who are unaccustomed to ichthyo-

logical literature the following explanations of the terms used are

given (see figs. 2-5).

General terms, such as back, belly, nape, axil, occiput, etc., are

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 5

used in the same sense as in the description of any vertebrate animal.

But as the description of a fish is largely based on the proportional

measurements of the body and parts of the body, it is necessary to

define the points between which these measurements are taken. All

measurements are taken in a straight line as if with a pair of callipers,

not round the curve of the body.

The length of the body is the distance between the point of the snout

(retracted) and the base of the caudal fin. The tail is sometimes

included, but only where specifically stated. The depth of the body

is the greatest distance from the back to the belly, sometimes immedi-

ately behind the head, sometimes further posteriorly, exclusive of

the fins.

The length of the head is the distance between the point of the snout

(retracted) and the hindermost point of the operculum, not counting

any spines which may be present on the operculum. The depth of

the head is the greatest distance between the occiput and the lower

contour of the head.

The snout is measured from the point of the upper jaw (when in

the normal retracted position) to the front margin of the eye.

The postocular part of the head is the distance between the hind

margin of the eye and the hindermost point of the operculum (exclusive

of spines).

The interorbital width is the least distance between the upper

margins of the eyes, and must be measured with the callipers as the

head is usually strongly convex between the eyes.

The zsthmus is the space on the chest between the two rami of the

lower jaw and the gill-openings.

The caudal peduncle is that part of the body between the hind end

of the last dorsal fin (or of the anal fin) and the bases of the caudal

rays.

As examples of the same species of fish vary im size, even when

adult, the absolute measurements of the body are not used for diag-

nostic purposes; but the relative proportions between the various

measurements are found to be characteristic of each species within

slight variational limits.

In addition to these measurements, the scales along the lateral

line are counted, as also those between the anterior base of the dorsal

fin and the lateral line, and between the latter and the ventral fin.

These scale-counts are usually written as a formula, thus: 1.1. 52, Ltr.

5(—6)

10(-12)

means that, there are 52 scales along the lateral line, and

6 Annals of the South African Museum.

Fic. 2.—Diagram of a Bony Fish to show the most important features

used in the descriptions.

1, Spinous dorsal fin.> 8. Maxilla. 14. Branchiostegals.

2. Soft dorsal fin. = RiGalthne 9. Preorbital. 15. Nostrils (2 pairs).

3. Caudal fin. era ae: 10. Preopercle. 16. Interorbital.

4, Anal fin. 11. Opercle. ie amariinin 17. Caudal peduncle.

5. Pectoral fin. \ Pai al Gne 12. pateroper cle: || p : 18. Vent.

6. Ventral (pelvic) fin. f ~ E at 13. Subopercle. 19. Lateral line.

‘

. Adipose fin.

Fic. 3.—Semi-diagrammatic view of Fic. 4.—Cycloid scale Fic. 5.—Ctenoid scale

the roof of the mouth of a Bony of Elops saurus. of Macrurus.

Fish (Hlops saurus) to show the

position of tooth-bearing bones.

1. Premaxilla. 4, Palatine.

2. Maxilla. 5. Pterygoid.

3. Vomer. 6. Parasphenoid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 7

15-18 in a transverse direction, 5(—6) above, 10(—12) below the lateral

5-6

10-12

or in the American fashion 5(-6), 52, 10(-12). The lateral line is a

mucus-secreting organ running along the side of the body from the

shoulder to the base of the tail and opening by a series of pores on

special scales, usually one on each scale.

The scales of fishes are of a horny nature and are developed in

pockets of the skin, like the hairs of a mammal. They are said to be

cycloid when the external edge is smooth, ctenoid when the external

edge is denticulate or comb-like.

It is not necessary to enter into details as to the minute structure

of the scales. But it may be mentioned that in many species of fishes

the scales exhibit an annular structure indicating the annual increase

in size, like the rings of growth in a tree. As in the case of trees, so

the age of the fish may be computed from the number of annular

rings in its scales. It should be emphasised, however, that this

correlation has not been proved for all fishes, and that, in the absence

of such proof, it must not be assumed to be true for all fishes. No

work in this connection has been done on South African fishes, and I

am not aware that any detailed observations have been made to deter-

mine whether this correlation between size of scale and age (or length)

of fish holds good for the species of trout bred in this country, as it

apparently does for those in the Northern Hemisphere.

The composition of the fins is also expressed by a formula. Firstly,

the initial letter of the fin is given, D for dorsal, A for anal, ete. ;

for this reason the pelvic fins are termed the ventral fins, so that the

initial letter is not the same as that of the pectoral fins. Then the ©

number of spines and soft rays are indicated, the former by roman,

the latter by arabic, numerals. Thus D VIII.10 means that there

is 1 dorsal fin composed of 8 spines and 10 soft rays. If there are

2 separate dorsal fins the numbers are separated by a +, thus

D VIII+10.. D IX+1.8 would mean that there are two separate

dorsals, the first composed of 9 spines only, the second of | spine

and 8 rays. In older works on fishes the composition of the fins

was written like a fraction, the spines above and the rays below:

D 58. An adipose fin is a small fleshy fin without spines or rays.

The dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are sometimes referred to collectively

as the vertical fins.

The position of the ventral fins varies. When they are situate

on the belly they are said to be abdominal (e.g. Elops), when below

line. The formula may also be more simply written: scales 52

8 Annals of the South African Museum.

or close behind the base of the pectorals they are thoracic (e.g.

Dentex), and when in front of the pectorals on the throat they are

jugular (e.g. Blennius).

The dentition is always important. Various forms of teeth are

found, incisiform, canine, molariform; very small teeth, conical,

arranged in bands are said to be villiform. Teeth may be developed

on the premaxille, the vomers, and the palatine bones in the upper

jaw, on the lower jaw, and on the tongue. Sometimes the teeth are

extremely small or absent altogether. The pharyngeal teeth are

situate behind the gills on the upper and lower sides of the entrance

to the gullet, and are often useful for classificatory purposes.

A pseudobranch is the remnant of a once functional gill and is seen,

when the operculum is lifted up, on the inside of the operculum in

front of the first gill-arch.

Gill-rakers are the processes projecting from the inner side of the

gill-arches, varying in number and shape.

As regards the soft parts the chief point to notice is the presence

or absence of the pyloric caeca. These are more or less elongate

tubules, varying in size and number, attached to the anterior end of

the intestine just behind the stomach.

The above terminology and the accompanying diagrams refer to a

typical Bony Fish. The description of a shark or skate is usually

simpler. The same proportional measurements are, as a rule, taken,

but there are no scale-counts and the points to be noted in respect

of the vertical fins are their position and relative size, and the presence

or absence of a spine in front of the dorsal fins.

Classification.

It might be thought that, with the great increase in scientific

investigation in recent years, our knowledge of the structure of most

animals was nearing completeness. Such, however, is not the case ;

certainly not in regard to fishes. The older classifications were largely

based on external and relatively superficial characters, and conse-

quently have been completely upset and altered by the more pene-

trating anatomical researches of modern times. On many details

of classification ichthyologists are still not in agreement, though

the broad outlines are fairly well defined.

Under these circumstances it is a matter of no little difficulty to

choose a classification for the present work. The Bony Fishes afford

the most scope for disagreement. This group was arranged on

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 9

Day’s system in Gilchrist’s 1902 List of South African Fishes, but in

the 1914-1918 Lists Gilchrist and Thompson adopted Boulenger’s

1904 classification. Further advances have since been made, notably

by Regan in 1909 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. ii, p. 75). Regan’s

classification, in the main, has been adopted here.

The following table gives the larger divisions of the classification

here adopted, those divisions which have no South African representa-

tives being placed within square brackets. In addition to the true

fishes, the Hag-fishes and the Lancelet have been included ; the former

because they are always regarded in the popular mind as “ fishes,”

and frequently confounded with the true eel, the latter also on account

of its fish-like appearance and its importance for evolutionary theories.

Exception may be taken from the exclusion of the Lancelet’s relatives,

the Sea Squirts (Ascidians), Acorn Worms (Balanoglossids), etc., but

as these in no way resemble fishes in shape, they are better treated in

a separate work, especially as the South African forms have not been

adequately studied.

Paoytum CHORDATA.

Subphylum 1. Cephalochorda : .. Lancelets:

2a Cramiatar

Class 1. Cyclostomata . Hag-fishes.

Pea Isces : : : . ‘True fishes.

Subclass 1. Elasmobranchi . . Cartilaginous fishes.

Order 1. Plagiostomi . . Sharks and Skates.

» 2. Holocephali . i . Chimaeras

Subclass 2. Teleostomi.

Order 1. Dipnoi : t . Lung-fishes.*

[ ,, 2. Crossopterygi : . Polypterus. West and

Central Africa. |

[ ,, 3. Chondrostei . : . Sturgeons. |

[ ,, 4. Holostei ‘ : . Gar-pikes. |

» 0. Teleostei : ; . True Bony fishes.

Puytum CHORDATA.

Animals characterised by the possession of an elastic rod known as

the “ notochord ” forming the axis of the backbone. This notochord

* Bridge (Camb. Nat. Hist. 1904) places the Dipnoi (Dipneust?) in a separate

subclass, but states that, with the acquisition of more knowledge of their larval

development, they will probably be included as a subdivision of the T'eleostomi.

10 Annals of the South African Museum.

is present in the higher Vertebrates only in the embryo, but in the

lower forms persists throughout life.

The central nervous system (spinal cord) hes above the notochord

and, therefore, above the alimentary canal, a feature which separates

the Vertebrates from the Invertebrates.

A further distinguishing character is the possession of a series of

openings connecting the gullet with the exterior. In the Fishes

these openings are the gill-slits, on the walls of which are developed

the gills, by means of which the blood is aerated. In the terrestrial

Vertebrates the gills have become functionless, though still present

in the embryo, respiration being effected by the lungs.

SUBPHYLUM 1. CEPHALOCHORDA.

The Cephalochorda are Chordate animals in which the notochord

extends the whole length of the body and of the head. Usually only

the one family is recognised.

Fam. BRANCHIOSTOMIDAE.

Lancelets.

1922. Hubbs, Occ. Papers Mus. Zool. Michigan, No. 105 (list of

species).

The Lancelet, or Amphioxus as it is usually designated in zoo-

logical text-books, is a small fish-like semi-transparent marine animal,

elongate, pointed at both ends, and compressed from side to side.

Its mouth is situate on the lower surface and is surrounded by a fringe

of tentacles, which act as strainers to keep out particles of sand while

allowing a current of water to enter carrying the microscopic organisms

on which it feeds.

The gullet is pierced by a number of gill-slits which open into

a cavity (atrium) on the ventral surface of the body. This cavity

opens to the exterior by a small pore (atrial pore) placed some little

distance in front of the vent.

There is a very simple vascular system, without a distinct heart,

but which is similar in general plan to that of the higher Vertebrates.

The blood is colourless.

The sexes are separate. <A series of oblong swellings along one or

both sides of the atrium represent the pockets in which the ova and

sperm are developed. These, when ripe, are shed into the sea, where

fertilisation and larval development take place.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1]

The nervous system consists of a simple spinal cord with lateral

branches. The front part is not swollen to form a brain. ‘There is

usually a pigment spot (“eye ’’) in front of the spinal cord, but no

other sensory organs except the tentacles around the mouth. The

complete absence of true eyes at once distinguishes the Lancelet

from the larval eel (Leptocephalus).

There is no internal skeleton. The notochord, which corresponds

with the vertebral column of the higher Vertebrates, is here a thin

unjointed rod of cartilaginous tissue supporting the spinal cord.

Along the sides of the body the muscles show up very clearly as

chevron-shaped bands, the number of which varies and is distinctive

of each species of Lancelet.

‘Limbs and paired fins are absent, but there is a narrow dorsal fin

which is continued round the tail on to the ventral side, forming an

anal fin.

From the evolutionary point of view Amphioxus is important,

because it shows some of the essential Vertebrate characters in a very

Sn Ea a

y q <<

3 SSS SS SNS FOSS os oie

1 ore a v

Fic. 6.—Branchiostoma capense Gilch. a, atrial pore; m, mouth; v, vent.

Twice natural size. (After Gilchrist.)

simple form. It is regarded as a persistent type approaching very

closely to one of the early stages in the evolution of the higher

Vertebrates.

Twenty-five species and three larval forms are known from various

parts of the world.

Gen. BRANCHIOSTOMA Costa.

1834. Costa, Cenni. Zool. Nap., p. 49.

Reproductive pockets developed along both sides of body.

Key to the South African species.

1. Total number of myotomes 74-75 : ; : : : . capense.

2. Total number of myotomes 62-69 : : : : : bazarutense.

12 Annals of the South African Museum.

Branchiostoma capense Gilch.

The Cape Lancelet.

1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8.A., vol. ii, p. 111, pl. x.

The numbers of muscle-bands between the head and atrial pore,

atrial pore and vent, vent and end of tail, are 47, 18-19, 9 respectively,

total 74-75. No eye-spot.

Length.—Up to 48 mm.

Colour.—White or pinkish, semi-transparent.

Locality.—Simon’s Bay and False Bay to Algoa Bay, shallow water

down to 30 fathoms. Frequents sandy or fine gravelly localities,

burrowing with great rapidity. The European species is said to swim

about more freely at night.

Type (mounted in balsam) in South African Museum.

* Branchiostoma bazarutense Gilch.

1923. Gilchrist, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. xu, p. 62, text-

fig.

The numbers of muscle-bands between head and atrial pore,

atrial pore and vent, vent and end of tail, are respectively 38-42,

15-17, 9-10, total 62-69. Eye-spot present.

Length.—Up to 42 mm.

Colour.—Semi-transparent.

Locality.—Bazaruto Islands, Portuguese Hast Africa.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

SuBPHYLUM 2. CRANIATA.

These constitute the “ Vertebrates ” as usually understood. They

are distinguished by the presence of a “‘ head ”’ distinct from the body,

in which a brain is developed as an enlargement of the anterior part

of the central nervous system. A skull or “ cranium” is developed

around the brain, and a series of vertebrae form the backbone and

give support to the 2 pairs of limbs (usually present) and to the

body as a whole. A muscular heart is always present, and the blood

is red.

The Craniates are divided into the two classes, the Cyclostomes and

the Pisces, with which alone this work is concerned ; and four others :

the Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals.

be)

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 13

Curass 1. CYCLOSTOMATA.

Lampreys and Hag-fishes.

The Cyclostomes (=Round-mouths) include the Lampreys (Petro-

myzontidae) and the Hag-fishes (Myxinidae) ; the following morpho-

logical account applies more particularly to the latter as they are the

only South African representatives.

Owing to their eel-like form they are frequently mistaken for true

Eels or “ Sea-snakes,” but a cursory examination will easily disclose

the differences.

The circular mouth, without a hinged lower jaw, is the most char-

acteristic feature. It is adapted for sucking, and, with the exception

of one on the roof of the mouth, teeth are developed only on the

tongue, which can be protruded and withdrawn. The teeth are

horny and not calcified. The mouth is surrounded by several ten-

tacles (4 pairs), and there is a single median nostril on the front

margin of the head. The eyes are degenerate.

The gills are in pouches, which open internally into the gullet,

and externally by either a series of small openings along the sides of

the body ora single opening on each side. An unpaired canal connects

the gullet with the exterior, opening conjointly with the last gill-

opening on the left side.

Scales are entirely absent. The skin is richly provided with mucus-

secreting glands, of which a series running along each side corresponds

with the lateral line sense-organ of the true Fishes (see p. 17).

There are no paired fins. A median fold of skin extends round the

end of the tail and for a varying distance along the back and the

belly.

The skeleton is cartilaginous, consisting of a simple vertebral column

and brain-case and a series of rods supporting the gill-sacs. There

are no ribs and no traces of shoulder or hip girdles.

As regards internal anatomy the Cyclostomes agree in general

with the true Fishes, although all the organs are very much simpler

in construction ; thus the digestive canal is not clearly divided into

distinct regions. There is no air-bladder.

The eggs of the Hag-fishes are large and enclosed in a horny egg-

case. There is no larval stage, the newly-hatched young being a

miniature of the adult. (The Lampreys, on the other hand, have small

eggs and a distinct larval stage.)

Cyclostomes are exceedingly primitive Vertebrates, although some

14 Annals of the South African Museum.

features of their structure are considered to be due to degeneration.

In other respects again, e.g. the structure of the mouth, they are

highly specialised in conformity with their habits.

Hag-fishes are extremely voracious and are partly parasitic in their

mode of life. By means of their suctorial mouths they attach them-

selves to dead or dying fishes, and by the aid of their rasping tongues

ventral fin

A B

Fic. 7.—A-—D, Ventral views of the anterior ends of South African Hag-fishes

reduced to a common scale: A, Myxine capensis; B, Heptatretus profundus ;

C, H. hexatrema; D, H. octatrema; E, egg-capsule of H. hexatrema, natural

size ; F, head of one of the anchor-filaments of same enlarged. (A-—D original ;

E and F after Gilchrist.)

bore their way inside and devour the flesh and entrails. Fishes

caught in nets suffer severely from their attacks, and frequently there

is nothing left of the victim except the skin and bones. They are thus

a great nuisance to fishermen, and at times they occur in such numbers

as to be a real pest.

Fam. MyxInIbAe.

Hag-fishes.

Of the three known genera two are represented in South Africa,

distinguished as follows :

1. A single gill-opening on either side ; : : : ‘ . Myxine.

2. A series of gill-openings on either side . F : 3 3 Heptatretus.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 15

These two genera are sometimes made the types of two separate

families: Myzxinidae and Heptatretidae (Bdellostomatidae).

Gen. Myx1ne Linn.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 650.

Five to seven pairs of gill pouches opening by a common orifice on

either side of the body.

North and South Atlantic, Pacific. Usually in rather deep water.

Myzxine capensis Regan.

The Deep-water Hag-fish.

1913. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xi, p. 398; and vol. xii,

p. 229.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 133.

Seven pairs of gill pouches. Ten teeth, the anterior 2 basally

fused, in both series. Head 33-34 in total length. Pores 28-31 in

front of gill-openings, 58-67 between these and vent, 10-13 behind

vent.

Length.—Up to 360 mm.

Colour.—Brownish or greyish.

Locality.x—Oft Cape Point, Cape Hangklip, and Saldanha Bay,

95-250 fathoms.

Type in the British Museum.

The naturally deposited eggs of this species are unknown, but

ovarian eggs in an advanced stage measure 185 mm.

Gen. Hepratretus Dum.

(=BDELLOsTtoma Mill.)

1819. Duméril in Cloquet, Dict. Sci. Nat., vol. xv, p. 154.

1912. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. ix, p. 534.

Five to fourteen pairs of gill pouches, opening separately by a series

of orifices along the sides, all the ducts from the gill pouches to the

external openings being of about the same length.

North and South Pacific, South Africa. Usually in shallow water.

Key to the South African species.

5 gill-openings on either side. : : : ; : ; profundus.

6 » ” ” . : : 6 : : : hexatrema.

8 ”» » ” : : . é : : : oclatrema.

16 Annals of the South African Museum.

Heptatretus profundus Brurd.

The Five-gilled Haq.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, pt. 8, p. 439.

Five gill-openings. Teeth 11 in outer, 10 in inner row, the anterior

3 in the outer, the anterior 2 in the inner row basally fused. Head

(z.e. from nostril to first gill-opening) 42? times; depth of body (at level

of gill-openings) 12 times in total length. Ventral fin ending at a

great distance (100 mm.) behind last gill-opening.

Length.—620 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 400 fathoms. s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure.”’

Type in the South African Museum.

The forward position of the gills at once removes any doubt as to

this specimen being merely a 5-gilled aberration of the common Hag.

The second gill pouch on the left side is degenerate, being only about

a quarter of the size of the others. This is the first record of a 5-gilled

Heptatretus, and the deep-water habitat 1s exceptional for a member of

this genus.

Heptatretus hexatrema (Mill.).

Common or Six-gilled Hag ; Sea-snake ; Zee-slang.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 133, and p. 113 (text-

fig.) (Habits).

1918. Gilchrist, Quart. Journ. Microsc. Sci., (63), vol. i, p. 141,

pls. x—xii (Eggs and embryo).

Six gill-openings. Teeth 12 in outer, 11-12 in inner row; the

anterior 3 in outer, the anterior 2 in inner row basally fused. Head

3-34 times, depth of body 15 times in total length. Ventral fin

ending at a considerable distance (at least equal to distance between

first and last gill-openings) behind last gill-opening.

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Slaty grey.

Locality.—Table Bay to Algoa Bay, down to 50 fathoms.

The egg capsules are ovoid, about 30 mm. long and 12 mm. wide,

furnished at each end with a bunch of anchor-like filaments by which

they adhere together in clusters. Below the bunch of filaments there

is at each end a dark line marking the place where the capsule splits

when the embryo is ready to hatch (fig. 7, &, F).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 17

Heptatretus octatrema Brurd.

Slender or Hught-gilled Haq.

1923. Barnard, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, pt. 8, p. 439.

Hight gill-openings. Teeth 10 in both rows; the anterior 3 in the

outer, the anterior 2 in the inner row basally fused. Head 4 times,

depth of body 25 times in total length. Ventral fin ending only a short

distance (8-10 mm.) behind last gill-opening.

Length.—300 mm.

Colour.—Brownish.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank, 25-40 fathoms. s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure.”’

Type in the South African Museum.

Easily distinguished by its greater slenderness from the Japanese

okinoseanus Dean 1904, the only other known species with 8 gill-

openings.

Cuass 2. PISCKS.

True Fishes.

In opposition to the Cyclostomes and lower Vertebrates the true

Fishes (and higher Vertebrates) are characterised chiefly by the

possession of a pair of biting jaws furnished with teeth, 2 pairs

of limbs, paired nasal organs and nostrils, and a structure known as

the air-bladder in Fishes and the lungs in terrestrial Vertebrates.

The Fishes in particular are further characterised as follows.

The heart has only a single auricle (except in the Dipnoz) ; that is,

the heart consists of 2 chambers and drives venous blood to the

gills, thus corresponding with the right half of the 4-chambered

heart of a mammal. The blood is cold, 7.e. corresponds with the

external temperature, though in a few cases, such as the active tunny,

it is appreciably warmer than the surrounding temperature.

The gills persist throughout life and, with few exceptions, form the

only means of respiration.

The air-bladder is usually present, and may or may not communicate

by a duct with the alimentary canal. It is compressible at will, and

serves the purpose of regulating the specific gravity of the fish, or in

a few cases (Dipnot) functions as a lung. It contains a mixture of

gases, oxygen predominating in marine fishes, nitrogen in freshwater

fishes.

The highly characteristic lateral-line sense-organ consists of a

mucus-secreting duct running from the shoulder, with a continuation

on to the head, along the side of the body to the tail, and Srening by

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 2

18 Annals of the South African Museum.

a series of pores. It is richly supplied with nerves and may be

concerned with the perception of varying pressures or with equilibra-

tion, though its real use is not certainly known. In some cases more

than one lateral line may be developed. Though present in the

Elasmobranchs, it is much more prominently developed in the Bony

Fishes.

Susctass 1. ELASMOBRANCHII.

Cartilaginous Fishes.

Skeleton cartilaginous, or partially calcified, but without any bony

elements. The upper jaw is formed by the palatine (palato-quadrate)

cartilages which meet in front, and corresponds not with the upper

jaw in the Bony Fishes, but with the palatine bones. It is usually

attached to the cranium by lgaments (hyostylic), but in some cases

may be directly articulated (amphistylic) or even fused therewith

(autostylic). The skin is beset with a covering of more or less uniform

denticles (shagreen) or, as in the Holocephali, is smooth with the

denticles confined to certain areas. The gill-arches and openings are

5-7 in number and open separately to the exterior, except in the

Holocephalt where an operculum is developed. A spiracle, 7.e. a

vestigial gill cleft, is frequently present in front of the gill-openings.

A pelvic girdle as well as a pectoral girdle is present. The tail, in all

living forms, is heterocercal, 7.e. asymmetrical, the upper lobe being

more strongly developed than the lower.

There is a spiral valve in the intestine, but no pyloric caeca and no

air-bladder, although in certain sharks (Mustelus, Galeus, Acanthias)

there is a structure somewhat resembling an air-bladder. A _ nicti-

tating membrane is frequently present in the eye. The nostrils are

ventral, and each has only a single opening. The vent and urino-

genital organs open by a common (cloacal) aperture. Males with

intromittent organs in the form of claspers on the ventral fins.

In opposition to the Bony Fishes, the Elasmobranchs are very

uniformly coloured. They are all carnivorous, feeding on fishes,

Crustacea, shell-fish, and in some cases minute planktonic organisms.

They are either oviparous or viviparous; the young are almost

exactly like the adults, definite larval forms such as are so common

in the Bony Fishes being unknown. The number of eggs or of

young is small, the former being of large size and enclosed in a

horny case.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 19

This group, which includes, besides the sharks, skates, and chimae-

roids represented by living species, many other fossil representatives,

is of great antiquity. Fossil remains are found in strata of Silurian age

and in all subsequent deposits. Some of these early Hlasmobranchs

probably represent the ancestors of all the modern fishes.

In South Africa the dorsal fin-spines and teeth of a Heterodont

shark (Hybodus africanus) have been found in the Burghersdorp

Beds (Upper Karroo), and teeth of Carcharodon, Lamna, and Oxyrhina

in Cretaceous and Tertiary strata.

OrpEeR 1. PLAGIOSTOMI (TREMATOPNEA).

Sharks and Skates.

Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1906, p. 722.

Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard, vol. xxxvi, 1913.

Skull as a rule hyostylic. Gill-slits opening separately without an

operculum. Skin more or less covered with dermal denticles (except

Narcobatoider). Teeth usually numerous on both upper (palatine)

and lower jaws.

Several classifications of the Sharks and Skates have been proposed.

The one here adopted is that of Regan (op. cit., supra). This arrange-

ment has also been followed by Ridewood (Philos. Tr. Roy. Soc.,

B379, vol. ecx, p. 311, 1921) in his very thorough elucidation of the

structure of the vertebrae, to which so much importance was formerly

attached.

There are two suborders which are easily distinguished by several

characters, both external and internal.

SuporDER 1. PLEUROTREMATA.

Sharks.

Gill-slits -ateral, the last in front of or above the base of the pectoral

fin. The whole margin of the eye free. Anterior margin of the

pectoral fin free, only the anterior rays reaching the fin-margin

(except Lamnidae). The suprascapular parts of the pectoral girdle

well separated above. Skull without praeorbital cartilages attached

to the nasal capsules. Palato-quadrate with a process articulated,

or attached by ligament, to the skull. Hyomandibular cartilage

(v.e. the upper half of the cartilage in front of the first gill-slit) with

cartilaginous rays supporting the first gill.

20 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African families.

J. Anal fin present. i

A. Gills 6-7. One dorsal fin . : : F : . Heptranchidae.

B. Gills 5. Two dorsal fins.

1. Dorsal fin-spines absent.

a. Oronasal grooves absent (except Scylliogaleus).

i. Nictitating membrane present F . Carcharinidae.

ii. Nictitating membrane absent.

a. Second dorsal much smaller than first Lamnidae.

f. Dorsal fins subequal.

* Teeth large, awl-shaped . Odontaspidae.

** Teeth small, numerous . Scylliorhinidae.

b. Oronasal grooves present. : : . Orectolobidae.

2. Dorsal fin-spines present. E ; ; Heterodontidae.

II. Anal fin absent.

A. Body not depressed.

1. Snout not produced . : ; : : é Squalidae.

2. Snout produced into along rostrum =... ‘ Pristiophoridae.

B. Body depressed, skate-like . . ; ; : . Squatinidae.

In the South African fauna there are known for certain up to the

present 44 species of sharks. Yet it is extremely probable that other

species will later be found to occur. For example, the cosmopolitan

Blue Shark, Carcharinus glaucus, is certain to be recognised sooner

or later, and on this account a brief description is included in the

present work.* It is essential, however, if our knowledge of the South

African sharks is to be-increased, that all instances of the capture

of unfamiliar sharks be reported immediately to the nearest museum

or scientific institution, so that an expert may have the chance of

examining the fish. This applies to all specimens washed up on the

beach, and as far as possible to those captured at sea by trawlers.

Apart from the mere recording of forms new to the fauna-list, our

knowledge of the life-history and habits of all the large sharks 1s very

fragmentary, and no opportunity, therefore, should be lost of obtaining

both properly preserved specimens and authentic information.

Fam. 1. HEPTRANCHIDAE.

(= NOTIDANIDAE.)

Comb-toothed Sharks.

Body elongate. Skull amphistylic. One dorsal fin, without spine,

opposite the anal. No pit at root of caudal, the lower lobe of which

is well developed. No nictitating membrane. Spiracle small, on

* Since going to press, has been definitely recorded.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 21

the side of the neck. Labial fold absent or only at angle of lower jaw.

Nostrils not connected with mouth (7c. oronasal grooves absent).

Teeth dissimilar, in upper jaw one or two pairs of awl-shaped teeth,

followed by 6 broader ones with several cusps; lower jaw with 6

large comb-like teeth on either side, posterior teeth smaller. Sx or

seven wide gill-slits.

This family is widely distributed in the warmer seas, but contains

only a few species, some of which are of large size. Viviparous.

Key to South African genera.

1. Seven gill-slits . F : 4 ; 5 5 : . Heptranchias.

2. Six gill-slits ; : : : : : é 5 : Hexanchus.

Gen. Heprrancutas Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratt. Nuovi Gen., p. 14.

Gill-slits 7. Mouth wide, with labial fold from angle on lower

jaw, and a deep groove behind angle. Head broad, depressed ;

snout broad.

Heptranchias pectorosus (Garman .

Seven-gilled Shark.

1868. Macdonald and Barron, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1868, p. 371,

pl. xxxii (Heptranchus indicus, non Agassiz).

1884. Garman, Bull. Essex Inst., vol. xvi, p. 56.

1913. Id., Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 20.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 134 (Heptranchias

indicus, non Agassiz. The references belong to another species).

A median pointed tooth in upper jaw, lower median tooth with

lateral cusps but no central cusp, lst cusp of lower teeth larger than

the others. Upper edge of tail with 3-6 series of enlarged oval scales.

Pupil subcircular. (Plate I, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 8 ft.

Colour.—Grey, usually with darker spots or blotches.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank.

Distribution.—S. America, New Zealand, Australia.

Ogilby (1897, Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., vol. xxii, p. 62) describes

a pair of jaws, said to have come from the Cape, under the name

Heptranchias haswelli, which Garman considers synonymous with the

above species; Ogilby, however, states that there is a central cusp

to the lower median tooth, which is not the case in pectorosus.

22 Annals of the South African Museum.

Gen. HEXANCHUS Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratteri Nuovi Gen., p. 14.

Gill-slts 6. Mouth wide, with labial fold on lower jaw at angle.

No median tooth in upper jaw.

Hexanchus griseus (Bonnat.).

Six-gilled Shark.

1788. Bonnaterre, Ichthyol., p. 9.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 397.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 16.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 319.

Median tooth of lower jaw with or without a median cusp, laterals

of lower jaw with 7 cusps.

Length.—Up to 26 ft.

Colour.—Grey.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank, Natal coast.

Distribution.— Atlantic, Mediterranean, Japan.

Fam. 2. CARCHARINIDAE.

Typical Sharks.

Body elongate. Skull hyostylic. Two dorsal fins, without spines,

the Ist between pectoral and ventral. Anal present. Pit at root of

caudal present or absent, caudal without lateral keels and with

lower lobe well developed or obsolete. Nictitating membrane

present. Spiracle minute or absent. Labial folds present. Nostrils

not connected with mouth (except in Scylliogaleus). Teeth when fully

developed hollow, usually with a single large triangular cusp, usually

without basal cusps ; or the teeth may be small, numerous, and obtuse,

or with very indistinct cusps. Five gill-slits.

A large family distributed all over the world, some species ascending

rivers, or even living entirely in fresh water. Often of large size.

Viviparous as far as is known.

Key to the South African genera.

{. Head not hammer-shaped.

A. A pit at root of tail.

1. Spiraclesnone. Teeth with a single cusp, smooth or serrated on both

sides . : : : : 5 3 . Carcharinus.

2. Spiracles small. Teeth serrated on both sides. A pit below tail as

well as above : ; . : . F Galeocerdo.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 23

B. No pit at root of tail. Spiracles present though usually minute.

1. Oronasal grooves absent.

a. Teeth with a single cusp serrated on outer margin only

Galeorhinus.

b. Teeth with central acute cusp and 1-2 small basal cusps

Leptocarcharias.

c. Teeth numerous, pavement-like, obtuse or with very indistinct

cusps . ; : ; ; ; g Mustelus.

2. Oronasal grooves present. ; q : . Scylliogaleus.

JI. Head hammer-shaped. , : : : . : . Sphyrna.

The position of the genus Scylliogaleus is dependent on the compara-

tive values which students attach to the presence of a nictitating

membrane and oronasal grooves. I follow Bridge (Camb. Nat. Hist.,

1904, p. 449) and Sedgwick (Text Book of Zool., 1905) in assign-

ing it to the Carcharinidae, although, perhaps, justice is not done

to the phylogenetic significance of the oronasal grooves. Garman

(Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, 1913) places it in his family

Galeorhinidae together with Leptocarcharias, Triakis, Mustelus, etc.

Gen. CARCHARINUS Blnvlle. 1816.

(=CARCHARIAS Cuv.)

1816. Blainville, Journ. Phys., p. 264.

Second dorsal and anal fins very small. No spiracles. A pit at

root of caudal, which has well-developed lower lobe. Teeth with a

single large cusp, serrated or not.

A genus of numerous species, often of large size, chiefly found in

the warmer seas. Some live in fresh water.

Key to the South African species.

I. Teeth not serrated (Scoliodon).

A. Preoral length of snout equal to or less than distance from eye to Ist

gill-slit. Labial fold not extending on upper jaw. . acutus.

B. Preoral length of snout greater than distance between eye and Ist gill-slit.

Labial fold extending a short way on upper jaw. walbeehmi.

IT. Teeth serrated (Prionodon).

A. First dorsal nearer pectoral than ventral.

1. First dorsal immediately behind pectoral.

a. Snout broadly rounded, its preoral length much less than width

of mouth : : : : : : zambesensis.

b. Snout pointed, its preoral length not much less than width of

mouth.

i. Coloration uniform : : : : obscurus

ii. Fins with black extremities . : ‘ . limbatus.

2. First dorsal conspicuously distant from pectoral. Fins with black

xtremities . : : : . melanopterus.

B. First dorsal nearer ventrals than pectorals . : . glaucus.

24 Annals of the South African Museum.

*Carcharimus acutus (Riipp.).

Sharp-nosed Shark.

1838. Riippell, Neue Wirbelthiere. Fische, p. 65, pl. xviii, fig. 4.

1878. Day, Fishes of India, p. 712, pl. clxxxiv, fig. 3.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 139.

Snout pointed, its preoral length (7.e. from front margin of mouth)

greater than width of mouth and equal to or a little less than distance

from eye to Ist gill-sht. A very short labial groove at the angle of

the mouth extending only a very short way (,; in young to ;'> in

adults) along upper jaw. Teeth about 20 in upper, 18 in lower jaw,

oblique, not serrated. Hind margin of pectoral slightly concave,

upper angle somewhat pointed, reaching beyond origin of dorsal.

Length.—Up to 700-800 mm.

Colour.—Grey, whitish below ; margins of fins white, upper margin

of caudal black.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean to Japan.

Carcharinus walbeehmi (Blkr.).

Walbeehm’s Sharp-nosed Shark.

1856. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. x, p. 353.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 359.

1878. Day, Fishes of India, p. 712, pl. clxxxv, fig. 2.

Snout pointed, its preoral length greater than width of mouth

and greater than distance between eye and Ist gill-sht.. A short

labial groove on both jaws, extending ? along upper jaw. ‘Teeth

about 20 in both jaws, oblique, not serrated. Hind margin of pectoral

slightly concave, upper angle somewhat pointed, extending to beyond

origin of dorsal. (Plate I, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Grey, nearly uniform, the margins of the fins sometimes pale.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indian seas to Japan.

*Carcharinus melanopterus (Q. and G.).

Black-finned Shark ; Black Shark (Natal).

1878. Day, Fishes of India, p. 715, pl. clxxxv, fig. 3.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 139.

Snout rounded, its preoral length less than width of mouth. A very

abe tit, ieee

eS anes eal

Hii tta ing, Bh Sy Aye

ike Wate oy i

Noarpwned

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PLATE I.

. Heptranchias pectorosus (Garman) ¢ (after Day) .

. Carcharinus walbeehmi (Blkr.) (original)

. Galeorhinus canis (Rond.) (original)

. Mustelus manazo Blkr, (original)

. Scylliogaleus queketti Blgr. (after Boulenger)

. Isurus glauca (M. and H.) (after Waite)

Carcharodon carcharias (Linn.) (original)

TEXT-PAGE

Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate I

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 25

short labial groove. Teeth about 25 in both jaws, serrated. Origin

of 1st dorsal some distance behind base of pectoral. Pectoral falci-

form.

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Grey, whitish below ; ends of all the fins black.

Locality.—Cape and Natal seas.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean to 8. Pacific.

Mr. R. Robinson records specimens up to 477 lb. caught offi the

Natal coast.

*Carcharinus zambesensis (Peters).

River Shark.

Native names in the Tette district : maschipunde and tschindaingo.

1868. Peters, Reise Mossamb., vol. iv, p. 7, pl. i, fig. 2.

1909. Boulenger, Freshwater Fishes of Africa, vol. 1, p. 2, fig. 1.

Snout rounded, its preoral length less than width of mouth. A very

short labial groove not extending on either jaw. Teeth about 27 in

upper, 25 in lower jaw, serrated, with a small non-serrated median

tooth. Origin of Ist dorsal just behind base of pectoral. Pectoral

falciform.

Length.—Up to 760 mm.

Colour.—Grey, whitish below.

Locality.—Zambesi River, 120 miles from coast (Tette).

This shark is closely allied to, and may even prove synonymous

with, the well-known C. gangeticus, which is found in the Ganges,

Tigris, and other rivers, where it attacks bathers.

Carcharinus obscurus (Leseur).

Dusky Shark.

1818. Leseur, J. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. i, p. 223, pl. ix.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 366.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 130.

Snout somewhat produced, preoral length not much less than width

of mouth. Teeth 29-30 in each jaw, oblique, on broad bases; the

upper with outer margin excised, lower more slender than upper,

both finely serrulate, the lower ones very minutely and chiefly only

on the base. Gill-slits much wider than orbit. First dorsal originating

immediately behind base of pectoral, which is falciform. Second dorsal

slightly smaller than, and opposite to or very slightly behind, anal.

26 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length—Up to 8 ft. 6 in. (stuffed specimen in South African

Museum).

Colour.—Uniform greyish, lighter below.

Locality.—Table Bay.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, Canary Islands.

This specimen is the only record of this species from South African

waters.

Carcharinus glaucus (Rond.).

Blue Shark. ;

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 364.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 145, pl. in,

figs. 1-3.

Snout pointed, its preoral length much greater than width of

mouth. A very short labial groove at angle of mouth. Teeth of

upper jaw slightly oblique, triangular ; of lower jaw slender, lanceolate

on broad bases, serrated. Origin of lst dorsal nearer ventrals than

pectoral. Pectoral long falciform.

Length.—Up to 25 ft.

Colour.—Deep blue above, whitish below; the blue colour, however,

fades to a dull blackish grey after death. |

Locality Agulhas Bank.

Distribution.— Cosmopolitan.

Carcharinus limbatus M. and H.

Black-fin Shark.

1838-41. Miller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 49, pl. xix, fig. 2 (Teeth).

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 716, pl. clxxxivy, fig. 2.

1920. Robinson, Natal Fish. Rep. for 1919, p. 50.

Snout rather pointed, its preoral length almost equal to width of

mouth. A very short labial groove. Teeth 30, similar in both jaws,

but upper somewhat stouter and more distinctly serrated, erect,

constricted. Origin of lst dorsal very close behind axil of pectoral.

Length.—Up to 64 ft.

Colour.—Grey, with the extremities of the fins black.

Locality.— Natal coast.

Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.

Mr. R. Robinson states that this is the commonest shark in Natal

and a very sporting fish.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 27

Gen. GALEOCERDO M. and H.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 59.

Second dorsal and anal fins very small. First dorsal between

pectorals and ventrals. A pit below root of tail as well as one above.

Teeth subequal, subtriangular, oblique, serrated on both edges, deeply

excised on outer margin. Spiracles small.

*Galeocerdo arcticus (Faber).

Tiger Shark.

1829. Faber, Fish. Iceland, p. 17.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, loc. cit., p. 59, pl. xxiii (G. tagrinus).

1868. Macdonald and Barron, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1868, p. 368, pl. xxxii

(G. rayner?).

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, pp. 377-378.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 718, pl. clxxxvu, fig. 3 (young).

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 148.

1920. Robinson, Natal Fish. Rep. for 1919, p. 50 (G@. raynert).

Body massive. Snout short and rounded, its preoral length much

less than distance between inner angles of nostrils. A long labial

fold on upper jaw.

Length.—Up to 12 ft.

Colour.—Grey, with the 1st dorsal fin and the body from behind

the gill-slits marked with irregular dark blotches and vertical stripes,

whitish below ; old specimens tending to become uniform.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Temperate and tropical seas.

This very fierce shark is included in the fauna-list on the authority

of Mr. R. Robinson, who states that examples up to 600 lb. are

caught with hand-lines off the North Pier, Durban, but that the

record for a rod and line is 298 lb.

Gen. GALEORHINUS Blnvlle.

1816. Blainville, Bull. Sci. Philom., p. 121.

Second dorsal and anal fins very small. Spiracles small. No pit

at root of caudal, which has a well-developed lower lobe. Teeth

short on a long base, with a single cusp serrated on outer margin

only. Pupil of eye subcircular.

28 Annals of the South African Museum.

Galeorhinus canis (Rond.).

The Tope.

1895. Smitt, Scandin. Fish., p. 1132, pl. 1, fig. 2.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 140.

Snout pointed. A short labial fold on both jaws. Teeth about

34 in both jaws. Origin of lst dorsal about midway between ventral

and pectoral, but slightly nearer latter. Second dorsal slightly in

advance of anal. (Plate I, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 1800 mm.

Colour.—Steely or bronzy grey, whitish below; pupil emerald

green, iris black.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Cosmopolitan.

A rather small ground shark found nearly all over the world.

Gen. LEPTOCARCHARIAS Gnthr.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 384.

Second dorsal not much smaller than Ist, and considerably larger

than anal. Spiracle minutes No pit at root of caudal, which is

without a lower lobe. Labial grooves well developed. Teeth small,

numerous, with a large median cusp and 1—2 small basal ones.

*Leptocarcharvas smithi (M. and H.).

Smith’s Shark.

1838-41. Miller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 56, pl. xxi.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 141.

Snout pointed, less than distance between eye and Ist gill-slit.

A minute spiracle distant half the diameter of eye from hind margin

of eye. One gill-slit over pectoral, upper margin of which is 24 in

outer margin. Second dorsal in advance of anal, not much smaller than

1st dorsal and distinctly larger than anal. First dorsal midway between

pectoral and pelvics. Base of anal 2} in its distance from pelvics.

Mouth wider than long, labial folds extending nearly half-way along

both jaws. Nasal flap long, narrow, and pointed. Numerous

mucous pores on head, especially a patch in front of eye and paired

patches on upper surface of snout.

Length.—550 mm.

Locality.—Cabenda Bay, Congo.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 29

Type in the British Museum.

This species really has no place in the South African fauna-list, as

the locality from which the only known specimen was obtained is

situate just north of the mouth of the Congo River. It is included,

however, as it may very likely range farther south, and may sooner

or later be recognised from some locality within the limits of South

Africa.

Gen. MustE tus Cuv.

Hounds.

1817. Cuvier, Regné Anim., p. 128.

Second dorsal not much smaller than Ist, larger than anal. Spir-

acles small. No pit at root of caudal, which has a feebly developed

lower lobe. Labial folds well developed. Teeth small, numerous,

pavement-like, obtuse, or with very indistinct cusps. Pupil round.

The snout tends to be proportionately longer in young individuals,

and the teeth have more distinct points, those which are quite blunt

in the adult frequently showing small points.

The Hounds are bottom-haunting sharks, of small size, feeding

mainly on Crustaceans and Molluscs, but preying also on shoals of

small fish.

The flesh of at least some of the species, e.g. M. laevis, is nutritious

and palatable (Field, Rep. U.S. Bur. Fish., 1906, Doc. 622, publ.

1907).

Key to the South African species.

I. Preoral portion of snout equal to width of mouth.

A. Posterior teeth in upper jaw with obtuse points. With or without black

spots . 6 2 . c ; 6 : : laevis.

B. All the teeth obtuse without points. With or without white spots

vulgaris.

II. Preoral portion of snout longer than width of mouth. Teeth without points

manazo.

Mustelus laevis (Rond.).

Smooth Hound.

1849. Smith, Ilustr. Zool. $.A. Pisces, pl. 11 (IM. megalopterus).

1866. Steindachner, 8.B. Ak. Wiss. Wien., vol. lil, p. 482, pl. i

(M. natalensis).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, pp. 142-143.

Snout moderately produced, its preoral portion equal to width of

mouth. Posterior teeth in upper jaw with oblique points or in the

30 Annals of the South African Museum.

young tricuspid (natalensis). Hach embryo is attached to the uterus

by a placenta, 2.e. vascular folds of the yolk-sac of the embryo inter-

lock with similar folds of the hning membrane of the uterus, and a

diffusion of nutrient matter takes place from the maternal blood to

that of the embryo, in a manner similar to that which occurs in higher

animals. About 12 young are produced at a birth.

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Grey, uniform, or with small irregularly scattered black

spots, paler below; young, with black tips to the dorsal and caudal

fins.

Locality.—Table Bay, Kalk Bay to Natal, down to 100 fathoms.

Distribution.—Mediterranean and neighbouring portion of Atlantic,

ranging to the United States.

According to American observations, this species produces from

4-12 young at a birth.

Mustelus canis (Mitch.).

Common Hound.

1838-41. Miller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 190, pl. xxvu, fig. 1

(vulgaris).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 141.

Snout moderately produced, its preoral portion equal to width of

mouth. All the teeth obtuse, without points. The embryos are not

attached to the uterus by a placenta.

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Grey, uniform, or with small whitish spots, paler below ;

pupil black, iris same colour as body.

Locality.—F alse Bay to Algoa Bay and Natal, down to 150 fathoms.

Distribution.—Coasts of Europe and United States.

Mustelus manazo Blkr.

Long-snouted Hound.

1850. Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 303, pl. cxxxiv (vulgaris).

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 720, pl. clxxxvi, fig. 3.

Snout produced, pointed, its preoral portion greater than width of

mouth, which is angular, especially in young. All the teeth obtuse,

without points. Embryo not attached to uterus by a placenta.

(Plate I, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 700 mm.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 31

Colour.—Grey, uniform, or with small whitish spots, paler below.

Locality.— Natal, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indian seas to Japan.

Gen. SCYLLIOGALEUS Bler.

1902. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, p. 51.

Nictitating membrane present. First dorsal between pectoral and

pelvics, 2nd dorsal not much smaller. Anal opposite hind portion

of 2nd dorsal and much smaller than 2nd dorsal. No pit at root of

caudal, no lateral fold on caudal. Spiracle well marked, behind eye.

Nostrils connected with the mouth by oronasal grooves. Labial

folds strong. Teeth flat, mosaic-like, transversely oval, in bands in

both jaws. Pupil an oblique slit.

*Scylliogaleus queketti Bler.

Quekett’s Dog-fish.

1902. Boulenger, loc. cit., p. 51, pl. iv.

1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 3,

p. 283.

Teeth ribbed with very feeble ridges. Dorsal and anal fins concave

posteriorly. (Plate I, fig. 5.)

Length. —340 mm.

Colour.—Grey above, white beneath ; fins grey, caudal edged with

white.

Locality.— Natal, 40 fathoms.

Type in British Museum.

Gen. SPHYRNA Raf.

(= ZyGaENA Cuv.)

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ittiol. Sicil., p. 60.

Second dorsal and anal small. A pit at root of caudal, which has

moderately developed lower lobe. Anterior part of head flattened

and produced laterally into lobes, at the end of which the eyes are

situated. Spiracle absent. Nostrils situate on front edge of head.

Labial grooves extremely small. Teeth similar in both jaws, with a

single oblique cusp, non-serrated.

The three or four species of this genus are widely distributed in

the warmer seas. The peculiar development of the lateral lobes of

the head has not been satisfactorily explained.

32 Annals of the South African Museum.

Sphyrna zygaena (Linn.).

Hammer-head Shark.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 719, pl. clxxxvi, fig. 4 (Z. malleus).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 143 (S. malleus). .

Front margin of head gently curved, not confluent with the lateral

margins. Lateral margin equal to or a little greater than hind margin

of one side of “‘ hammer.” Hind margin of “‘ hammer” oblique to

long axis of body. Nostril close to eye, prolonged into a groove

running along nearly the entire front margin.

Length.—Up to 12-15 ft.

Colour.—Slaty-grey, whitish below ; pupil vertically oval, emerald

green, iris black.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—All tropical and subtropical seas.

Fam. 3. ISURIDAE.

Body elongate. Skull hyostylc. Two dorsal fins, without spines,

lst between pectoral and pelvics. Second dorsal and anal very small.

A pit at root of caudal. Lateral caudal folds present or absent.

Nictitating membrane absent. Spiracles minute or absent. Labial

folds present. Nostrils not connected with mouth. Teeth solid,

usually with a single large cusp, with or without basal cusps. Five

gill-slits, wide or very wide.

Widely distributed sharks of moderate or large size. They are all

probably viviparous.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Gill-slits not extremely wide.

A. Tail not very long, its sides keeled.

1. Teeth not serrate 2 : : ; : : . Lsurus.

2. Teeth serrate . : ‘ : : ‘ . Carcharodon.

B. Tail very long, not keeled at sides ‘ : : : Alopias.

II. Gill-slits extending from top of head to throat : ‘ : Cetorhinus.

Gen. Isunus Raf.

(=Lamna Cuv.)

1810. Rafinesque, Caratter1 Nuovi Gen., p. 11.

Spiracles absent (sometimes a minute pore). A pit at root of

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 33

caudal, which has strongly developed lower lobe and lateral keels.

Teeth large, with a single cusp (Iswrus) and sometimes additional

basal cusps (Lamna), non-serrated, 3rd tooth on each side in upper

jaw much smaller than its neighbours. Gill-slits very wide. Labial

folds obsolete.

The Porbeagles are extremely rapacious sharks, their chief prey

in European waters being the herring shoals. JI. cornubica attains a

length of 10 feet. They are viviparous.

*Tsurus glauca (M. and H.).

The Porbeagle.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Fishes Hawaiian Isl., p. 43, fig. 5.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 145.

Teeth in 4 rows, long, without additional basal cusps. First dorsal

midway between the pectoral and pelvics.. Preoral portion of snout

equal to length of cleft of mouth. (Plate I, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 2100 mm. (7 ft.).

Colour.—Bluish black above, whitish below ; hind angles of dorsal

fins whitish.

Locality—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Gen. CARCHARODON Smth.

1837. Smith, Proc. Geol. Soc. London, p. 86.

A pit at root of caudal, which has a strongly developed lower lobe

and lateral keels. Spiracles minute or absent. Teeth large, erect,

triangular, serrated ; 3rd tooth on each side in upper jaw much smaller

than its neighbours. Labial folds present.

Carcharodon carcharias (Linn.).

Man-eating Shark.

1849. Smith, Illustr. 8.A. Zool. Pisces, pl. iv (C. capensis).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 145 (C. rondelet?).

Teeth in 5 rows, about 24 in each row in upper, 22 in lower jaw.

(Plate I, fig. 7.)

Length.—Up to 30-40 ft.

Colour.—Bluish above, whitish below ; edges of pectorals blackish.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Nearly all temperate and tropical seas.

A pelagic species attaining a length of 40 feet. A tooth of a speci-

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 3

34 Annals of the South African Museum.

men: of this size is about 2 inches long; but fossil teeth of extinct

species are known which measure 5 inches, indicating animals nearly

100 feet in length.

This formidable shark is well known, but apparently no observations

‘have been made on its breeding habits.

Gen. ALopras Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratteri Nuovi Gen., p. 12.

A pit at root of caudal, which has the upper lobe greatly elongate

and no lateral keels. Spiracles minute. Teeth equal in both jaws,

moderate, triangular, non-serrated. Gill-slits moderate. Labial folds

present.

Alopias vulpes (Gmel.).

Fox or Thresher Shark.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 147.

The 5rd tooth on each side in upper jaw much smaller than its

neighbours. ‘Tail half, or more than half, of total length.

Length.—Up to 15 ft.

Colour.—Dark slaty-grey, whitish on belly, sometimes mottled

laterally around pectoral fins ; eye dark.

Locality.—Cape and Natal seas.

Distribution.—Cosmopolitan.

This well-known and easily recognised shark feeds principally on

the shoals of herring and mackerel, using its tail to beat the water

and thus drive the fishes together so that they can be more easily

seized. It is also stated to join with the killer whale and sword-

fish in their attacks on whales; but such statements are probably

based on faulty observations.

Gen. CETORHINUS Blnvlle.

1816. Blainville, Journ. Phys., p. 264.

A pit at root of caudal, which has well-developed lower lobe and

lateral keels. Spiracle very minute, above angle of mouth. Teeth

very small, numerous, conical, without cusps and serrations. Guill-

slits extending from top of head to throat, the gill-rakers very long.

Cetorhinus maximus (Gunner).

Basking Shark.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1148, figs. 331, 332 (juv., adult,

and gill-rakers).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 35

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 39 (references

and synonymy).

In the adult the snout is normal in shape, but in young individuals

up to 12-15 ft. it is produced ag a subcylindrical process with the upper

apex sharply pointed. The mouth is nearly transverse in the young,

but crescentic in the adult. (Plate IT, figs. 1, 1a.)

Length.—Up to 40-50 ft.

Colour.—Bluish above, lighter below.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank. The only record is the young specimen,

11 ft. in length, exhibited in the South African Museum.

Distribution.—Arctic Seas, N. Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Australia.

This is the largest of the Sharks, indeed the largest living fish

with the possible exception of the Indo-Pacific Basking Shark (Rhino-

don). Early records state that specimens have been killed measuring

up to 90 ft., but these records were probably based on estimates only,

and they have never been confirmed in more recent times.

This shark is a sluggish animal, frequently lying quiet at the surface

of the water, whence its name. It is usually observed singly, but

becomes gregarious at the breeding season. Its mode of reproduction

is unknown.

As shown by its minute teeth, it is of a harmless disposition, feeding

on the microscopic organisms in the sea like the whale-bone whales.

The gill-slts are very wide, to allow a large amount of water to pass

through them. The gill-rakers are extraordinarily numerous and long,

fine, and flexible. By this means the microscopic organisms are

strained out from the water passing through the gills.

Fam. 4. ODONTASPIDAE.

Body elongate. Skull hyostylic. Two dorsal fins, subequal in

size, without spines, lst between pectoral and pelvics. Anal not very

small. Tail not keeled at sides, with or without pit at root. Gill-

slits moderate. Spiracles minute. Teeth large, with long, narrow,

awl-shaped central cusp, and one or two additional basal cusps.

Labial folds on lower jaw. No nictitating membrane.

Only one genus.

Gen. CARCHARIAS Raf.

(=Opontaspis Agass.)

1810. Rafinesque, Caratteri Nuovi Gen., p. 10.

With the characters of the family.

36 Annals of the South African Museum.

Carcharias taurus Raf.

Slender-toothed Shark.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 73, pl. xxx.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 713, pl. clxxxvi, fig. 1 (O. tricuspidatus).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 146 (O. americanus).

In upper jaw Ist tooth very slightly smaller than 2nd, one or two

small teeth between 3rd and 4th teeth; in the lower jaw the Ist

tooth more slender than the 2nd; all the teeth with a single basal

cusp on either side of the long one; posterior teeth in both jaws

very small. First dorsal nearer root of pelvic than to pectoral.

(Plate II, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 10% ft.

Colour.—Grey, lighter below.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The Indo-Pacific form, tricuspidatus Day, scarcely differs from the

present form, except in having the lst upper tooth not smaller than

the 2nd. ‘The origin of the Ist dorsal fin varies in position, as pointed

out by Giinther, but appears to be nearer the pelvics in tricuspidatus

than in taurus.

Fam. 5. ORECTOLOBIDAE.

Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1908, p. 347.

Body elongate. Skull hyostylic. Two dorsal fins without spines,

posterior in position, the 1st being above or behind the pelvics. Anal

present. No nictitating membrane. Spiracles well developed or

minute. Nostrils connected with mouth by oronasal grooves. Labial

folds on both jaws. Teeth small or very small, with or without

additional cusps. Five gill-slits, the last 2-4 above the base of pectoral.

The members of this family are multifarious in habits, the majority

being littoral and ground sharks. Most of the species are Indo-

Pacific.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Very large, pelagic. Spiracle minute. Gill-slits very wide. Teeth minute.

Rhinodon.

II. Spiracle well developed. Gill-slits moderate. Teeth small . Chiloscyllium.

Gen. RHINODON Smth.

1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8.A. Pisces.

Head broad, obtuse. Mouth subterminal. First dorsal slightly

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 37

in advance of pelvics, 2nd dorsal and anal small. A pit at root of

caudal, which has well-developed lower lobe. Eye very small. Spiracle

minute. Teeth numerous, minute, conical, recurved, set in close

regular rows. Nostrils opening on labial margin. Gill-slits very wide,

last 2 above base of pectoral. Gull-rakers very long, forming a

straining apparatus similar to that found in Cetorhinus.

*Rhinodon typicus Smth.

Indo-Pacific Basking Shark.

1849. Smith, loc. cit., pl. xxvi.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 149.

1915. Gudger, Zoologica, vol. 1, No. 19 (figures and references).

A medio-dorsal keel and 2-3 lateral ones on each side, the lowest

continued on to tail. Lower caudal lobe acutely produced. (Plate II,

fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 50 ft.

Colour.—Brownish, with whitish dots and transverse lines.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan, Peru, California, Florida.

Type from South Africa in the Paris Museum.

The history of this species is interesting. It was first described

by Sir Andrew Smith from a specimen washed ashore in Table Bay

in April 1828. This specimen was only 15 ft. long and was afterwards

sold to the Paris Museum, where Cuvier was at that time amassing

a magnificent collection of fishes to serve as a basis for his Histoire

Naturelle des Poissons. The next specimen was reported, in 1868,

from Seychelles, where Dr. Percival Wright saw several specimens

and measured one more than 45 ft. in length. Later examples were

recorded from the Peruvian coast, Ceylon, Japan, Hast Indies, and

North America (see Gudger, loc. cit.). No further specimens have

been recorded from South Africa.

From the resemblance of its gill-rakers and feeble teeth to those of

the true Basking Shark (Cetorhinus) it is probable that this shark

feeds on minute planktonic organisms strained out of the water.

The statement that it feeds on seaweed needs confirmation.

Gen. CHILOSCYLLIUM M. and H.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 17.

_ First dorsal above or behind pelvics, 2nd dorsal in advance of

anal which is contiguous with caudal. Eye not very small. Spiracle

38 Annals of the South African Museum.

distinct, below eye. Nasal valve folded, with a cirrus. Lower lip

well developed, without median groove. Teeth small, triangular,

with or without lateral cusps. Two last gill-slits very close together.

*Chiloscyllium indicum (Gmel.).

1908. Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1908, pt. 2, p. 362,

pl. xi, fig. 2.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 135.

Mouth much nearer eye than tip of snout. First dorsal behind

pelvics. Three prominent tubercular ridges along back. Teeth

with lateral cusps. (Plate II, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 430 mm.

Colour.—Head and body with dark reddish spots or vermiculations,

some of which may unite to form pairs of transverse bands.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean to China.

Fam. 6. SCYLLIORHINIDAE.

Dog-fish.

Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. i, p. 453, 1908.

Body elongate. Skull hyostylic. Two dorsal fins, without spines,

subequal in size, Ist above pelvics. Caudal not laterally keeled,

lower lobe not strongly developed. Anal present. Spiracle distinct.

Teeth small or moderate, usually tricuspid. No nictitating membrane.

Mouth not connected with nostrils by oronasal grooves. Pupil of the

eye an oblique slit sloping downwards and forwards. Five gill-slits.

Oviparous. Egg-cases rectangular with a long tendril at each

corner for purposes of attachment to rocks and seaweed.

The members of this family are mostly of small size, and are dis-

tributed over the greater part of the temperate and tropical seas.

In habits they are ground sharks, and frequently prove a great

nuisance to line-fishermen.

Only one genus has yet been found in South Africa.

Gen. SCYLLIORHINUS Blnvlle.

1816. Blainville, Journ. Phys., p. 263.

First dorsal not in advance of pelvics, anal in advance of 2nd dorsal.

Spiracle behind eye. Teeth small, with median longer cusp and

usually one or two small lateral cusps. Labial folds present or absent

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 39

on one or both jaws. Dermal denticles on side of tail not larger than

those on rest of body.

Various subgenera are often recognised and even raised to full

generic rank (see Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, 1913),

but so far as the South African fauna is concerned a subdivision of

the genus seems unnecessary. The species are all very similar in

general facies, yet the 10 South African species would be distributed

into at least 5 genera.

Fic. 8.—Ventral views of the mouth and nostrils of A, Scylliorhinus

africanus ; B, S. capensis ; C, S. edwardsi.

Key to the South African species (see fig. 8).

I. Upper lip overlapping lower at corner of mouth. Upper labial fold, if present,

very short. Lower labial fold short or moderate. Pelvics of 3 united

or at least contiguous at base (subgenus Scylliorhinus).

A. Nasal flap with projecting cirrus.

1. Cirrus not reaching mouth 3 ; ‘ : africanus.

2. Cirrus long, reaching mouth . ; : ‘ pantherinus.

B. Nasal flap without cirrus ‘ : 5 0 capensis.

II. Upper lip not overlapping lower. Labial folds vestigial or absent. Head

broad, depressed. Stomach inflatable (subgenus Cephaloscyllium) sufflans.

Ili. Upper lip not overlapping lower. Labial folds (usually) distinct. Pelvies

(usually) not united.

A. No cirri on nasal flaps.

i. Nasal flaps confluent (subgenus Haploblepharus) . edwardsi.

2. Nasal flaps separate (subgenus Halaelurus).

a. Length of base of anal more than its distance

from caudal ; : ; : ; . regant.

6. Length of base of anal less than its distance

from caudal.

i. Short labial folds in both jaws . . natalensis.

ii. No labial folds . ; : F . punctatus.

B. Cirrus on one or both nasal flaps (subgenus Aprisiurus).

1. Cirrus on both flaps , : : : ‘ . -microps.

2. Cirrus on anterior flap only . : ; : . saldanha.

Scylliorhinus africanus (Gmel.).

Striped Dog-fish ; Lui-haar.

1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. S.A. Pisces, pl. xxv, fig. 1.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 136.

40 Annals of the South African Museum.

-Snout obtusely pointed. Nasal flaps widely separate, each with a

projecting cirrus which, however, does not reach the mouth. Upper

lip overlapping lower at corner of mouth. A short labial fold on lower

jaw. Base of anal greater than its distance from caudal.

Length.—Up to 950 mm.

Colour.—Buff or light grey, with longitudinal blackish bands, a

medio-dorsal and 2-3 lateral ones; pupil black, iris same colour as

body.

Locality.—False Bay to Algoa Bay.

Distribution.—Madagascar.

The egg-case is about 80-90 mm. long, uniform horn-colour.

Scylliorhinus pantherinus (M. and H.).

Ocellate or Variegated Dog-fish.

1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. S.A. Pisces, pl. xxv, fig. 2, and pl. xxv,

fig. 5 (variegatus). .

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 138.

Similar to africanus, but with the cirrus reaching the mouth and

a different colour pattern. The first-mentioned character is appar-

ently constant, but a series of examples can be obtained showing an

almost complete transition from the plain striped pattern of africanus

to the purely ocellate one of pantherinus. (Plate II, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 700 mm.

Colouwr.—Grey, with oval or circular more or less complete dark

ocellate markings arranged more or less in longitudinal bands.

Locality.—False Bay to Algoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean.

Type in the British Museum.

Scylliorhinus capensis (Smth.).

Cape or White-spotted Dog-fish.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 724, pl. exe, fig. 1.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 137.

Snout obtusely pointed. Nasal flaps separated, without cirri. A

short labial fold on lower jaw. Base of anal less than its distance

from caudal.

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Grey, with white spots, lighter below.

Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay to Natal, 20-200 fathoms.

PLATE II.

FIG. TE XT-PAGE

1. Cetorhinus maximus (Gunn) ¢ adult (after Waite) ; ; } 2 34

la. 3p D » snout of young (original)

2. Carcharias taurus Raf. (original) : : : : : S - 136

3. Rhinodon typicus Smth. (after Dean) . ; : , : , ord

4, Chiloscyllium indicum (Gmel.) (after Regan) : : : : 3) ais)

5. Scylliorhinus pantherinus (M. and H.) 3g (original) : j : . 40

6. Echinorhinus spinosus (Gmel.) (original) — . ; j : : . 46

7. Squalus acanthias (Rond.) (original) . : : j ; : a, wad

8. Himopterus granulosus (Guthr.) (original) . : ; ‘ ; . 49

Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X-XI. Plate IL

Bie UN 2 ey ey en

Ss to Sn

FCH.P ae’.

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 4]

Distribution.—Indian Ocean.

The egg-case is about 40-50 mm. long, chestnut-brown, usually

with 4 light transverse bands.

*Scylliorhinus sufflans Regan.

Balloon Dog-fish.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 413.

1922. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., iu, p. 46.

Head broad, snout obtusely pointed. Nasal flaps widely separated,

without cirri. No labial folds. First dorsal fin larger than 2nd. Base

of anal greater than its distance from caudal.

Length.—750 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, without distinct spots or markings.

Locality.—Natal, 120-175 fathoms.

Type in the British Museum.

The name of this dog-fish is derived from its capacity to inflate

the alimentary canal to an enormous extent. One specimen recorded

by Gilchrist (loc. cit.) “‘ formed an almost spherical ball about a foot

in diameter.”

Scylliorhinus edwardsi (Cuv.).

Banded Dog-fish ; Pofadder-haat ; Scham-ooq.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 137.

Snout obtusely pointed. Nasal flaps confluent, without cirri.

A short labial fold on lower lip. Base of anal less than its distance

from caudal.

Length.—Up to 520 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, mottled and reticulate with darker, with brownish

or rusty patches forming irregular more or less distinct transverse

bands.

Locality.—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank.

Garman (1913) has instituted for this species the genus Haploble-

pharus, equal in rank to Halaelurus, ete.

*Scylliorhinus microps Gilch.

Small-eyed Dog-fish.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iti, p. 46, pl. vii, fig. 1.

Head and snout depressed. Nasal flaps confluent, each with a

small cirrus. Lower labial fold extending almost to symphysis.

42 Annals of the South African Museum.

Eye small, 11 in length of head (from snout to last gill-slit). Second

dorsal fin larger than Ist. Pectoral not reaching origin of pelviecs,

which are contiguous and do not reach origin of anal. Anal contiguous

with lower caudal lobe.

Length.— %

Colour.—Black, purplish below.

Locality. Off Table Bay, 790 fathoms.

Type.in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The character of the upper lip is not given in the original description.

I have not seen a specimen.

Scylliorhinus regant Gilch.

Mottled Dog-fish.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii, p. 45.

Snout rather pointed, length = 14 distance between outer edges

of nasal flaps, which are without cirri and separated by a space

—=11-1} posterior edge of either. Mouth twice as wide as long. No

labial folds. First dorsal originating above end of base of pelvics,

base 4 distance from 2nd dorsal, which is larger than Ist, originates

above posterior third of base of anal, and whose base is 14 in its

distance from caudal. Length of base of anal twice (2? in young)

base of Ist dorsal, 1? (2 in young) base of 2nd dorsal, and 1} (1 in

young) times its distance from caudal. Pectoral rounded, its posterior

margin extending half-way to base of pelvics, which in g¢ are united

for rather more than half their posterior margins. Lower caudal lobe

very shallow. Teeth tricuspid.

Length.—Up to 550 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Light, with darker spots on upper part of

body and dorsal and pectoral fins, these spots being considerably

larger than the intervening light ground-colour (except in very

young) and closely set so as to leave a reticulate pattern of ground-

colour.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and East London, 95-250 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The proportions, except that the anal is proportionately longer

as noted above, are the same for the young (180 mm.) as for the adult.

The snout in the young is more rounded in shape.

Like polystigma, to which it is closely related, this species resembles

Scylliorhinus proper in having the pelvic fins in the ¢ united.

Easily distinguished from punctatus, the only other South African

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 43

species with somewhat similar markings, by the snout, the distance

of anal from caudal, and other features.

Scylliorhinus natalensis Regan.

Banded or Natal Dog-fish.

1904. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xiv, p. 128.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 138.

Snout pointed. Nasal flaps separated, without cirri. A short

labial fold on both jaws. Base of anal less than its distance from

caudal.

Length.—Up to 425 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or reddish brown, with darker transverse bands

usually in pairs ; upper parts reticulated and mottled with darker.

Locality.—Algoa Bay to Natal, to 50 fathoms.

Type in British Museum.

*Scylliorhinus punctatus Gilch.

Punctate Dog-fish.

1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 129, text-fig.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 413 (polystigma).

‘Snout rounded. Nasal flaps separated, without cirri. No labial

folds. Dorsal fins subequal or 2nd larger than Ist. Base of anal

less than its distance from caudal. Pelvic fins in 3 (polystegma)

united for their basal third.

Length.—Up to 320 mm.

Colour.—Upper parts and fins covered with numerous small round

dark spots and also a few white spots; 2 faint brown bands

between gill-slits, 1 below base of pectorals, 2 across body between

pectorals and 1st dorsal, 1 in front and 1 at base of Ist dorsal,

2 between Ist and 2nd dorsals.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 148-226 fathoms (punctatus); Natal,

120 fathoms (polystigma).

Type of punctatus in coll. Gilchrist ; of polystigma in British Museum.

Regan’s polystigma apparently differs from Gilchrist’s punctatus

only in one particular: the 2nd dorsal being larger than the Ist.

It is not stated whether in punctatus the pelvics are united in 3.

Gilchrist (Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 46) expresses the

opinion that these two forms are synonymous, and this would seem

to be very probable.

44 Annals of the South African Museum.

The following species, an inhabitant of the coasts of Chile, has been

doubtfully recorded from South Africa.

*Scylliorhinus bivius (Smth.).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 136.

Nasal flaps widely separate, small, narrow, acutely pointed, and

notched on posterior margin, without cirrus. Labial folds on both

jaws for about half their length. Base of anal less than its distance

from caudal.

Length.—Up to 750 mm.

Colour.—Black, with dark blotches or transverse bars, upper parts

with roundish blackish spots and usually some pale spots.

Scylliorhinus saldanha n. sp.

Deep-water Dog-fish.

Length of head (tip of snout to hindmost gill-cleft) 24 in length of

body (to vent), 5 in total length. Length of eye (not the orbit as

indicated by the scaleless skin) equal to length of nasal cavity, 2 in

interorbital width, 3 in snout, 74 in length of head (to hindmost gill-

cleft). Length of nasal cavity 2} in preoral length, which is equal to

width of mouth. Posterior nasal flap rudimentary, with only an

indication of a cirrus opposite the cirrus on the anterior flap, which

is not confluent with its fellow. Lower labial fold extending half-

way to symphysis, upper labial fold extending a little over halfway

towards nasal cavity. Ends of pectoral fins separated from origin

of ventrals by a distance equal to length of snout, or to length of

base of ventral. First dorsal arising above vent, slightly smaller

than 2nd. The two dorsals separated by a distance equal to that

between tip of snout and spiracle. End of base of 2nd dorsal opposite

end of base of anal, the length of which is equal to distance between

hind end of bases of pectorals and origin of ventrals, or almost equal

to distance from tip of snout and Ist gill-cleft. Origin of anal slightly

behind level of end of base of 1st dorsal, its distance from vent equal

to length of snout. Greatest depth of caudal lobe considerably greater

than depth of caudal axis aboveit. Claspers reaching to origin of anal.

Teeth tridentate, 7.e. only one lateral cusp on each side of the median

one. Dermal scales ovoid, tricarinate, the median keel ending in a

point, the lateral ones ending in obscure points. Conspicuous patches

of mucous pores on upper and lower surfaces of snout, especially in

the middle line, and below the eyes.

Length.—810 mm.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 45

Colour.—Slaty grey, the smooth skin (at bases of pectoral fins, etc.)

blackish brown ; pupil pale translucent green.

Locality. —Oft Saldanha Bay, 500 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

It is impossible to correlate this species with the description given

of S. microps Gilch., though the localities are nearly the same. The

figure of microps is very poor and the length of the specimens is not

mentioned. If the specimens are young, one would expect the eye

to be even smaller in the adult. For this reason alone the species

described above cannot be identified with mucrops. There are,

moreover, several other differences in the proportions of the fins

which separate it from microps, and also profundorum and indicus.

Fam. 7. HETERODONTIDAE.

Port Jackson Sharks.

Body elongate. Skull autostylic (though not so completely auto-

stylic as in the Holocephalc). Two dorsal fins, with spines, Ist

between pectoral and pelvics, 2nd in advance of anal. Lower caudal

lobe well developed. Nostrils connected with the mouth. Spiracles

small. Teeth similar in both jaws; front ones small, obtuse (in young

pointed with 3 cusps) ; lateral ones large, pad-like, arranged obliquely.

Five gill-shts.

Oviparous. Hgg-case oval with an external spiral fold and 2 long

tendrils.

The inclusion of this family in the South African fauna-list is based

on a record of a specimen supposed to have come from Table Bay,

which was named by Ogilby in 1908 as a new species, but without

any description.

*Heterodontus bonae-sper Ogilby.

1908. Ogilby, Pr. Roy. Soc. Queensl., vol. xxi, p. 2 (sine descrip-

tione).

Even if the specimen was caught in Table Bay, it seems probable

that it should have been identified as H. philippi, the well-known

Port Jackson shark, which has a fairly wide distribution in Austral-

asian waters, and may occasionally stray further afield.

Fam. 8. SQUALIDAE.

Spiny Sharks and Dog-fish.

(Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. 1, p. 39, 1908.)

Body elongate. Skull hyostylic. Two dorsal fins, with or without

46 Annals of the South African Museum.

spines. Anal absent. Spiracles present. Teeth small, uni- or

multicuspid, erect or oblique. Nictitatmg membrane absent.

Nostrils not connected with mouth. Labial folds present. Five

gill-slits, narrow, all in front of pectoral.

So far as is known all the species are viviparous.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Mouth crescentic. No spines in dorsal fins. Dermal denticles large, scattered,

with strong spines .. : 3 : : : . LEchinorhinus.

II. Mouth transverse, with oblique groove on either side. Dorsal fins with spines.

A. Spines without grooves 3 ; . ; ; : . Squalus.

B. Spines laterally grooved.

1. Teeth in upper jaw tricuspid : : : : Etmopterus.

2. Teeth unicuspid.

a. Inner angle of pectoral not produced.

i. Dermal denticles pedunculate, with flat rounded crowns.

Centroscymnus.

ii. Dermal denticles pedunculate, with triradiate crowns.

Acanthidium.

b. Inner angle of pectoral produced . : . Atractophorus.

Gen. ECHINORHINUS Blnvlle.

1816. Blainville, Bull. Sci. Philom., p. 121.

Dorsal fins very small, without spines, lst opposite pelvics. Skin

with large scattered round tubercles, each with (usually) a single

spine. Mouth crescentic. Teeth alike in both jaws, very oblique,

with denticulations on either side of the central cusp. Spiracles

small. Gill-slits moderate, increasing in width posteriorly. Pupil

round.

Only a single species is known.

Echinorhinus spinosus (Gmel.).

Spiny Shark.

1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. S.A. Pisces, pl. i (not good).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 151.

- This form will be recognised from the above characters. An

embryo in the South African Museum may be briefly mentioned.

It isa 3, 285 mm. long, and has the greater part of the skin smooth,

but the dermal denticles are developed on the back and sides in the

form of small villose papillae; there is no trace of the large dermal

denticles. The teeth are feeble, but show the characteristic form.

The lateral line is very distinct ; it is subdermal on the head, but

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 47

rises to the surface at the level of the 2nd gill-slit, and runs thence to

the tip of the tail as an open canal bordered by dermal papillae.

Lower lobe of tail not notched. (Plate II, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 3000 mm. (10 ft.).

Colour.—Dark bluish grey above, slightly lighter below; pupil

emerald green, iris black.

Locality.—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, Agulhas Bank, 30-50 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic, Mediterranean, to Australia, New

Zealand, and Japan.

Gen. Squauus Linn.

Spiny Dog-fish.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 233.

Two dorsal fins, with spines which are not grooved, Ist larger than

2nd. A long, deep, oblique groove on either side of transverse mouth.

Teeth equal in both jaws, very oblique, inner margin forming a

cutting edge. Spiracle rather large, immediately behind eye. Gill-

slits narrow, in front of pectoral. Pupil round.

These dog-fish usually congregate in shoals, and frequently prove

a great nuisance to both line-fishermen and trawlers. They are

viviparous, and it is interesting to note that the embryo is furnished

with a pad of soft tissue capping the spines in the dorsal fins so as

to prevent injury to the internal tissues of the mother.

The abundance of Spiny Dog-fish in America and elsewhere has

led to various investigations into the possibilities of utilising them

commercially. Both the skin and the oil from the liver are valuable,

but one of the main difficulties in starting the industry seems to be

the reluctance of the fishermen to bring into port an adequate and

steady supply of the fish.

Key to the South African species.

I. Nasal flap simple, triangular. Grey, with white spots . , acanthias.

II. Nasal flap bilobed. Colour uniform. : : : 3 acutipinnis.

Squalus acanthias (Rond.).

Piked or Spiny Dog-fish.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1158, pl. lu, figs. 1, 2, text-figs.

338, 339. ;

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 149.

1922. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., ili, p. 48.

Snout acutely pointed. Nasal flaps simple. Dorsal fin spines

not grooved (laterally). Preoral length of snout greater than distance

48 Annals of the South African Museum.

from eye to Ist gill-slit. Pelvics much nearer 2nd dorsal than 1st

dorsal. (Plate II, fig. 7.)

Length.—Up to 700 mm.

Colour.—Slaty grey, with irregularly scattered white spots on back

and sides, lighter below.

Locality.—Ofi Table Bay and Natal coast.

Distribution.—Atlantic coasts of Europe and N. America, Medi-

terranean.

Squalus acutipinnis Regan.

The Common Cape Dog-fish.

1908. Regan, Ann. Natal Mus., vol. i, p. 248, pl. xxxvi..

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 152.

Snout bluntly poimted. Nasal flaps bilobed. Dorsal fin spines

not grooved. Pectoral in 3 when laid back extending well beyond

vertical from hind end of base of Ist dorsal, apex acute. Pelvics

midway between Ist and 2nd dorsals.

Length.—Up to 800 mm.

Colour.—Uniform greyish ; pupil emerald green, iris same colour as

body.

Locality.—Table Bay to Natal, to 100 fathoms.

Distribution.—Mauritius.

It is open to doubt whether acutipinnis is specifically distinct from

the European blainvilli (Risso). The pectoral fin is said to be longer

and sharper in the former, but it must be noted that in acutipinnis

this fin is considerably more acute in the ¢ than in the 2 and young.

The Australian megalops Macleay is another very closely allied

species which may not merit a separate name. The relationships

of these forms, and also of fernandinus Molina, should be carefully

studied. Gilchrist (1922, Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., mi, p. 48)

states that the spine of the 2nd dorsal is longer in fernandinus than

in acutipmnnis, and that the fins are edged with white, and identifies

the South African form with fernandinus. Regan, however, places

fernandinus among the species which have simple nasal valves,

but among the many hundreds of specimens that I have handled I

have found none with simple nasal flaps. I consider, therefore,

that the name of fernandinus is inapplicable to the South African

specimens.

Gen. ETMopTERUS Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratteri Nuovi Gen., p. 14.

Dorsal fins with spines which are doubly grooved laterally, 2nd

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 49

larger than Ist, behind pelvics. A long, deep groove on each side

of transverse mouth. Teeth of lower jaw very oblique, inner margin

forming a cutting edge, upper teeth erect, tricuspid. Spiracle wide,

above and behind eye. Nostrils on lateral margin of snout. Gill-

slits narrow. Dermal denticles placoid, granular, or setiform.

The species of this genus possess luminous organs. These are

minute but very numerous and aggregated into lines and patches

covering very nearly the entire ventral surface of the body.

Key to the South African species.

I. Dermal denticles close-set, irregularly arranged. . | spinan}

II. Dermal denticles arranged in longitudinal series, at least on tail

a. Pelvic fins nearer caudal than pectorals ; 5 : granulosus.

-b, Pelvic fins equidistant from caudal and pectorals . ; . lucifer.

*Etmopterus spinax (Linn.).

Phosphorescent Dog-fish.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 233.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 223.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 49.

Dermal denticles setiform, close-set, irregularly arranged. Length

of base of Ist dorsal (excluding spine) % distance from 2nd. Pelvics

much nearer caudal than to pectorals.

Length.—Up to 530 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown or black.

Locality.—Oft Cape Point, 417 fathoms.

Distribution.—Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe, to

365 fathoms.

Etmopterus granulosus (Giinth.).

1880. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. i, p. 19, pl. u, fig. C.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ui, p. 49.

Dermal denticles covering whole body except the median ventral

surface of snout, the circumference of the mouth, an area surrounding

the base of each dorsal fin, and the rays of the fins including the

caudal ; the denticles are widely enough spaced to show the smooth

skin in between, and on the sides of the tail are arranged in longi-

tudinal rows, more marked in 3 than 2. Length of base of 1st dorsal

(excluding spine) + distance from spine of 2nd dorsal. Pelvics nearer

caudal than pectoral. Length of head to pectoral nearly twice its

greatest width. (Plate II, fig. 8.)

Length.—Up to 450 mm.

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 4

BO Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Uniform dark brown or black.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 250-800 fathoms.

Distribution.—Chile to Hawaiian Islands, 222-498 fathoms.

Two young specimens (g and 9 210 mm.) deserve mention because

they resemble very closely the adult of the North Atlantic species

spinax. Seeing that they were caught in the same locality as the

adults described above, one cannot but presume that they should

be considered as the same species.

The proportions of the fins are the same, but the dermal denticles

are very much more closely set, with a scarcely perceptible longi-

tudinal arrangement on the tail. They cover the whole body, right

up to the margins of the fins, except for a narrow ring around the

mouth. But for this smooth ring around the mouth the specimens

are in perfect agreement with niger.

*Etmopterus lucifer Jord. and Snyd.

1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 79.

1903. Jordan and Fowler, zbid., vol. xxvi, p. 634, fig. 5.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 226.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ui, p. 49.

Dermal denticles setiform, regularly arranged in longitudinal rows.

Length of base of Ist dorsal + distance from 2nd. Pelvics equidistant

from caudal and pectorals.

Length.—Up to 380 mm.

Colour.—Brown or black.

Locality.—Natal coast, 113-152 fathoms.

Distribution.—Japan.

Gen. ACANTHIDIUM Lowe.

1839. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 91.

Two dorsal fins, with spines which are laterally grooved, 2nd spine

much longer than Ist. A long, deep groove on either side of the

transverse mouth. Nostrils transverse. Snout produced. Teeth

triangular, unicuspid, the cusps erect or oblique. Inner angles of

pectoral not produced. Gill-shts narrow. Dermal denticles pedun-

culate, with 3-4 spines.

All the species of this genus are very closely related, and appear

to differ only in slight variations in the positions of the fins and the

other proportions.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 51

*Acanthidium natalense Gilch.

Long-snouted Spiny Dog-fish.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 49, pl. vii, fig. 2.

Inner angle of pectoral (according to figure) quadrate and extending

to vertical from origin of Ist dorsal. Hye nearer to pectoral than

to end of snout. Teeth not described. (Plate III, fig. 1.)

Length.— %

Colour.— ?

Locality.—Natal coast, 160 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. CENTROSCYMNUS Boe. and Cap.

1864. Bocage and Capello, Diag. fam. Squal., p. 3.

Two dorsal fins, with laterally grooved spines which are small, with

only the points projecting, or quite hidden. Mouth with a deep groove

on either side. Nostrils oblique. Snout produced. Teeth unicuspid,

dissimilar ; those in upper jaw small, narrow, erect ; those in lower

jaw broad with oblique cusps. Inner angle of pectoral not produced.

Dermal denticles pedunculate, with flattened ovoid crown. Pupil

circular.

Centroscymnus fuscus Gilch. and von B.

Slender-toothed Spiny Dog-fish.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.

Wally 105 2

Preoral distance equal to distance between eye and Ist gill-slit.

Second dorsal about equal to Ist, points of spines exposed. Dermal

denticles on head with 3-5 keels, those on body with concave crowns.

Length.—1100 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brown, pupil emerald green.

Locality.—Oft St. Helena Bay (32° S., 16° E.), 280 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. ATRACTOPHORUS Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iu, p. 48.

Two dorsal fins, with spines which are laterally grooved, the 2nd

being also barbed ; Ist dorsal larger than 2nd but the spines subequal.

A long, deep groove on either side of the transverse mouth. Nostrils’

52 Annals of the South African Museum.

transverse. Eye large. Snout short. Teeth unicuspid, cutting edge

horizontal except in the median upper tooth which is erect. Inner

angle of pectoral produced. Gill-slits narrow. Dermal denticles

acuminate, with converging raised ridges.

This genus is very closely related to Centrophorus, differing only

in the barbed 2nd dorsal spine. In fact, there seems little reason for

separating this one species into a new genus.

* Atractophorus armatus Gilch.

Barbed Spiny Dog-fish.

1922. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 48, pl. vu, fig. 3.

The 2nd dorsal spine barbed. (Plate III, fig. 2.)

Length.—355 mm.

Colour.— ?

Locality.—Natal coast, 160 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Fam. 9. PRISTIOPHORIDAE.

Saw-sharks.

Body elongate. Skull hyostylic. Two dorsal fins, without spines,

Ist in front of pelvics. Anal absent. Spiracles present. Teeth

small, with conical cusp on broad base, arranged in several series.

Snout produced into a long flat rostrum armed with teeth along each

side ; the teeth are fixed to the dermis and not embedded in sockets.

Nictitating membrane absent. Nostrils not connected with mouth.

A pair of long tentacles on ventral surface of rostrum. Five or six

gill-slits, lateral in position, all in front of pectoral, which is normally

shaped.

The Saw-sharks are not to be confounded with the true Saw-fishes

(Pristidae) which belong to the Hypotremata, with ventral gill-slits.

With the exception of one species in Japan, the family is confined

to Australasia and South Africa.

As regards the structure of the vertebra of Pliotrema warrent,

Ridewood (1921, Ph. Tr. Roy. Soc., B379, vol. cex, p. 374, fig. 24B)

states that there are 8 radiating projections from the central calcified

ring. His figure is taken from a vertebra just behind the Ist dorsal

fin, though he has apparently examined a complete skeleton. In 2

adult specimens I find that behind the Ist dorsal there are 8 rays,

but that anterior to this fin there are 10 rays. In embryos (290 mm.)

there is a calcified ring, but no projecting rays.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 53

Key to the South African genera.

I. Five gill-slits, rostral teeth not serrated : ; ; . Pristiophorus.

II. Six gill-slits, rostral teeth serrated behind : : ; Pliotrema.

Gen. PristropHorus M. and H.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 98.

Five gill-slits. Rostral teeth not serrated.

*Pristiophorus cirratus (Latham).

Saw-shark.

1794. Latham, Tr. Linn. Soc. London, vol. ii, p. 281, pl. xxvi,

figs. 5, 27.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 153.

Tentacle on rostrum a little nearer tip of snout than to nostril

(adult), or a little nearer nostril (young) ; in other species it is much

nearer to the nostril.

Length.—Up to 1200 mm.

Locality.— False Bay.

Distribution.—Australian seas.

The record of this species from South African waters rests on the

identification of a specimen from False Bay by Dr. Boulenger. Dr.

Gilchrist thinks it possible that the specimen was really a Pliotrema

warrent, and that Boulenger either overlooked the 6th gill-slit or

regarded it as an individual aberration. The presence of this shark

in these waters must, therefore, be considered doubtful.

Gen. PLioTREMA Regan.

1906. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 1.

Six gill-slits. Rostral teeth serrated behind. Pupil subcircular.

Photrema warrent Regan.

Warren's Saw-shark.

1906. Regan, loc. cit., p. 1, pl. 1 (head).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 152.

Embryos 290 mm. long, with the yolk-sac attached, have the

rostral teeth folded back beneath the skin. These embryos also

show 2 other rows of teeth on the under side of the rostrum, each

one extending from the tip to the tentacle, close to the lateral margin ;

54 Annals of the South African Museum.

like the marginal teeth they are folded back beneath the skin. These

teeth on the under side become lost with age, and in some adults

scarcely one remains. (Plate III, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 810 mm.

Colour.—Uniform greyish ; pupil emerald green.

Locality.—F alse Bay to Natal, 30-50 fathoms.

Type in British Museum.

Fam. 10. SQUATINIDAE.

Angel-sharks or Monk-fish.

Body elongate, but depressed. Head broad. Skull hyostylic.

Mouth terminal, not connected by grooves with the nostrils, which

are situate on the edge of the snout and furnished with skinny

flaps. Spiracles present. Tail with well-developed lower lobe. Two

dorsal fins, without spines, Ist on tail behind pelvics. Anal absent.

Pectoral large, produced forwards along the side of the head, but

not fused to it. Gill-slits close together, lateral, in front of pectoral.

Teeth conical.

Viviparous ; the European species produces about 20 young at a

time.

Widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions.

The Angel-sharks are frequently classified among the Skates, but,

apart from a similarity in body form, they possess all the features

which characterise the Plewrotremata.

Only one genus.

Gen. Squatina Dum.

1806. Duméril, Zool. Analyt., p. 102.

With the characters of the family.

Squatina africana Regan.

South African Angel-fish.

1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 248, pl. xxxviii.

1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 3,

p- 284.

Upper surface, with small tricarinate dermal denticles; irregular

groups of larger tubercular denticles on the supraoccipital region and

occiput. No series of enlarged denticles down the middle of the

back. Abdomen naked. Lower surface of pectoral and pelvic fins

with marginal bands of denticles in adult. Upper surface of pectoral

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 55

in g with a marginal series of spines. Folds at sides of head not

produced into lobes. Outer nasal flaps with entire edges; inner

flaps with 2 simple prolongations, the outer with a fringed lobe at

base. (Plate III, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with numerous paler spots marked with brown

reticulations.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Type in British Museum.

SuBpoRDER 2. HYPOTREMATA.

Skates.

Gill-slits ventral, all below the pectoral. Upper margin of eye not

free, but fused with the eyeball. Anterior margin of the pectoral

joined to side of body or head, all the rays reaching the fin-margin.

Suprascapulae united either to the vertebral column or to one another

above it. Skull with preorbital cartilages attached to nasal capsules.

Palatoquadrate without a process, not articulated or attached to skull.

Hyomandibular cartilage without any rays; the Ist gill is supported

entirely by rays from the lower half (ceratohyal) of the cartilage in

front of the Ist gill-sht.

Key to the South African families.

I. No electric organs (Batoidei).

A. Dorsal and caudal fins well developed.

1. Snout produced in a long rostrum : ; : Pristidae.

2. Snout not produced . : ; , 5 . Rhinobatidae.

B. Dorsal and caudal fins reduced.

1. No serrate spines on tail : 5 . Raidae.

2. One or more serrate spines on tail ( secastonallg absent).

a. Eyes dorsal, well within lateral margin . : Dasybatidae.

b. Eyes lateral, or at least near lateral margins.

i. Snout more or less pointed. Teeth large, tessellated

Myliobatidae.

ii. Snout blunt. A pair of cephalic fins on either side of

mouth. Teeth minute . 5 ; Mobulidae.

II. Electric organs between head and pectoral fin (Narcobatoidei) Torpedinidae.

A useful, though not quite complete, account of the Skates and

Rays (Platosomia) collected during the course of the Marine Survey

is given by von Bonde and Swart (Fish. Mar. Invest. Special Report,

v, 1923). The present author disagrees with these collaborators in

several points.

56 Annals of the South African Museum.

Group 1. BATOIDEI.

No electric organs, at least not between head and pectoral (see

under Razidae). Suprascapula united to vertebral column. The

cartilage supporting rostrum, if developed, is unpaired. Praeorbital

cartilages simple, short, not projecting forwards.

Fam. 1. PRISTIDAE.

Saw-fishes.

Body elongate, shark-like, though somewhat depressed. Skull

hyostylic. Snout produced into a long flat rostrum bearing teeth

along each margin, the teeth being embedded in calcified sockets.

No tentacles on rostrum. Tail well developed, with lateral fold and ~

usually with distinct lower lobe. No nictitating membrane. Spir-

acles rather large. First dorsal opposite or close to pelvics. Pectoral

not fused with head. Teeth minute, obtuse, numerous.

The true Saw-fishes are widely distributed in tropical and sub-

tropical seas, and frequently ascend rivers for considerable distances.

They are said to attack large marine animals and to hack off portions

of flesh by means of the saw. As they live on the bottom like Skates,

it is more probable that they use the saw for routing out small organ-

isms from the sand. But when entangled in fishermen’s nets, or

otherwise angered, they prove formidable antagonists.

Viviparous.

Gen. Pristis Latham.

1794. Latham, Tr. Linn. Soc. London, vol. i, p. 276.

With the characters of the family.

Key to the South African species.

I. First dorsal almost entirely in advance of pelvics. A small lower caudal lobe.

Seventeen to twenty-one pairs of rostral teeth : : perrotteti.

II. First dorsal opposite pelvics. No lower caudal lobe. Twenty-four to thirty-

two pairs of rostral teeth . : 2 : : . pectinatus.

Pristis perrottett M. and H.

1909. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. 1, p. 3, fig. 2.

Seventeen to twenty-one pairs of rostral teeth, not trenchant

behind, and distant from one another about 3 times the basal width

of each. Outer angle of pectoral moderately sharp. First dorsal

almost entirely in advance of pelvics. A small lower caudal lobe.

PLATE III.

TEXT-PAGE

Acanthidium natalense Gilch. (after Gilchrist) : 1 aol

. Atractophorus armatus Gilch. (after Gilchrist)

FIG.

Pliotrema warrent Regan (original) : :

4. Pristis pectinatus Latham (original)

5. Squatina africana Regan ¢ (original) .

6. Rhynchobatus djeddensis (Forsk.) (original)

. Rhinobatus holcorhynchus Norm. (original)

Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI, Plate III.

4 H.B. de?.

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 57

Length.—Up to 10 ft.

Colour.—Uniform greyish.

Locality.—Zambesi, Shiré, and other rivers.

Distribution.—Tropical seas, ascending rivers: Indian Ocean,

West Africa, West Indies.

Pristis pectinatus Latham.

Saw-fish.

1794. Latham, Tr. Linn. Soc. London, vol. ii, p. 278, pl. xxvi,

fig. 2 (rostrum).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 153.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. 1x, -p. 320.

Twenty-four to thirty-two pairs of rostral teeth, not trenchant

behind, the anterior ones close together. Outer angle of pectoral

very obtuse. First dorsal opposite pelvics. No lower caudal lobe.

(Plate III, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 15 ft.

Colour.—Uniform greyish.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Tropical seas: Indian Ocean, West Indies.

Specimens up to 794 lb. (Durban) and 450 lb. (Tugela Mouth)

have been taken on rod and line (R. Robinson, Natal Fish. Rep. for

OOS ps5):

Fam. 2. RHINOBATIDAE.

Shovel-nosed Skates.

Body elongate, but depressed. Head produced in a long pointed

snout. Skull hyostylic, with rostral cartilages. Tail well developed,

with lateral fold, with or without lower lobe. Dorsal fins well de-

veloped, 1st opposite or behind pelvics. Pectorals large, fused with

sides of head, the fin-rays extending forwards as far as the snout.

Teeth obtuse, numerous, pavement-like.

Distributed over all tropical and subtropical regions, some of the

species attaining a considerable size. Viviparous.

I follow the older authors in keeping the two genera Rhynchobatus

and Rhinobatus, the former including the two species ancylostomus

and djeddensis, although there is much to be said in favour of putting

djeddensis into Rhinobatus (see Annandale, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. ii,

p.9, 1909):

58 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African genera.

I. First dorsal opposite pelvics. Dental surfaces undulated . Rhynchobatus.

II. First dorsal behind pelvics. Dental surfaces flat . : 6 Rhinobatus.

Gen. RHYNCHOBATUS M. and H.

1838-41. Miller and Henle, Plagiost.

First dorsal opposite pelvics. Anterior margin of pectoral free.

Dental surfaces of jaws undulated; teeth obtuse, pavement-like.

Caudal fin with well-developed lower lobe.

Rhynchobatus djeddensis (Forsk.).

The Shovel-nose.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 730, pl. exci, fig. 1.

The dental surfaces of the jaws are only feebly undulated. Snout

pointed. Two very small folds on hind margin of spiracle. A row

of blunt, backwardly directed tubercles above each orbit, one median

row from nape to Ist dorsal and between Ist and 2nd dorsals, and

another submedian row on each shoulder. (Plate ITI, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 9 ft. 8 in.

Colour.—Greyish, with interrupted longitudinal bands of lighter

spots and rings, pectoral and pelvic fins also frequently spotted,

usually a dark spot at base of each pectoral.

Locality.—Natal, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution. — Indian Seas, Malay Archipelago, East coast of

Africa.

This giant skate is a well-known visitor to Delagoa Bay where

it affords splendid sport to anglers. It has been recorded from

Zanzibar, so that it is not surprising to find it coming further down

south with the Mozambique current. There is no certain record of

it reaching Natal.*

It appears, however, to be only a visitor to Delagoa Bay. A

report that it can be found all the year round in a certain part of the

Bay lacks confirmation. The regularity with which the Shovel-

noses make their appearance off the Polana beach at Lourenzo Mar-

* From the following quotation apparently this species is a regular visitor to

Natal: ‘‘ The large spotted variety, which is so common along our shores in the

summer months, and also in the spring, is one of the gamest of our fishes . . . it

attains a very large size, the record here being 240 lb., but at Delagoa Bay a

specimen of 439 lb. has been captured” (Robinson, Natal Fish. Rep. for 1919,

p- 50). Mr. Robinson identifies it as a variety of Rhinobatus columnae.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 59

ques just about Christmas-time is noteworthy. It is possible that

these visitors are females which have come into the shallower waters

of the Bay for purposes of giving birth to their young, although

unfortunately in the records of captures there is only one instance in

which the sex is stated (female).

These fish are angled for with rod and line of special construction ;

even so, it is only to be expected that though many are hooked, but

few are landed. The largest specimens hitherto recorded seem to be :

weight 343 lb., length 9 ft. 8 in.; and 432 lb., length not stated.

The latter was a female.

Gen. RHINOBATUS BI. and Schn.

1801. Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 353.

First dorsal far behind pelvics. Dental surfaces of jaws not undu-

lated ; teeth obtuse, pavement-like, each with a faint transverse

ridge. Caudal fin without lower lobe. A bifid flap of the iris pro-

jecting over the round pupil from the upper side.

Although the term Shovel-nose Skates is frequently used to desig-

nate the members of this genus, it is better to keep this name for

the skates belonging to the preceding genus. For the members of

this genus the term Sand-sharks is used, though they are not sharks

at all. But the name appropriately indicates the nature of the

habitat where these fish are usually found, namely, on sandy bottoms.

Key to the South African species.

I, Spiracle with two folds.

A. Length of nostril equal to space between inner angles of nostrils and about

4 width of mouth : j : : : 5 annulatus.

B. Length of nostril nearly twice space between inner angles of nostrils and

4 width of mouth . : : : : . holcorhynchus.

II. Spiracle with one fold.

A. Anterior nasal valves expanded inwards and almost meeting in middle

Line 3 : 5 : : 5 : ; : blochi.

B. Anterior nasal valves not expanded inwards : : . obtusus.

Rhinobatus annulatus M. and H.

Spotted Sand-shark ; Zandkrucper.

1841. Miller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 116.

1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8.A. Pisces, pl. xvi.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 155 (columnae).

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v, p. 3

(rhinobatus).

60 Annals of the South African Museum.

Distance between inner margins of spiracles twice in preorbital

length of snout. Distance between external angles of nostrils about

half distance between mouth and tip of snout. Length of nostril

subequal to space between inner angles of nostrils and about half

width of mouth. Anterior nasal flaps expanded inwards and almost

meeting in middle line ; hind lobe of posterior flap not reaching inner

angle of nostril by 4 length of latter. Mouth wider than length of

nostril. Two projections from posterior margin of spiracle. A

median series of enlarged spines which are worn down in adult, leaving

Fic. 9.—Diagrams of the mouth and nostrils of A, Rhinobatus annulatus ;

B, R. blochi ; C, R. holcorhynchus.

only the bases. In young there are also spines around anterior and

internal margins of eyes and one or two on shoulders, all of which are

lost in adult. Rostral cartilages convergent in front, separate

throughout their length. Snout somewhat pointed, its margins

nearly straight.

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, with lighter vermiculations and scattered round

white spots each with a darker centre, uniform lighter below ; iris

and flap golden brown, pupil black.

Locality.—Simon’s Bay to Natal.

Closely allied to the Mediterranean columnae, but distinguished by

the anterior nasal flaps being more expanded inwards so as nearly

to meet one another. Although listed by von Bonde and Swart

(under the name rhinobatus) there is no evidence to show that the

Mediterranean species occurs in South Africa.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 61

Rhinobatus holcorhynchus Norm.

Unicolourous Sand-shark.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 318.

1925. Fowler, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. 2, p. 195, fig. 1 (natalensis).

Distance between inner margins of spiracles a little over twice in

preorbital length of snout. Distance between external angles of

nostrils 13 in distance from mouth to tip of snout. Length of nostril

nearly twice space between inner angles of nostrils, and + width of

mouth. Anterior nasal flaps expanded inwards, but not extending

nearer to median line than inner angle of nostril; hind lobe of pos-

terior flap extending almost to inner angle of nostril. Two projections

from margin of spiracle. A feeble series of slightly enlarged spines

down the middle of the back. Rostral cartilages separate and almost

parallel throughout their length. Snout pointed, its margins straight.

(Plate III, fig. 7.)

Length.—Up to 1050 mm. (South African Museum.)

Colour.—Brownish or greyish above; lighter below, tip of snout

black.

Locality.— Natal and Zululand, to 45 fathoms.

Type of holcorhynchus in British Museum.

Close to the Indo-Pacific schlegeli M. and H., with which species

I had in fact identified the large museum specimen. As Mr. Norman

has seen a specimen of schlegeli I accept his opinion that holcorhynchus

is distinct.

Rhinobatus blochi M. and H.

Bloch’s Sand-shark.

1841. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 115, pl. xxxvii, fig. 1.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 154.

Distance between inner margins of spiracles 14 in preorbital length

of snout. Distance between external angles of nostrils 3 distance

from mouth to tip of snout. Length of nostril about equal to space

between inner angles of nostrils and about half width of mouth.

Anterior flaps of nostrils continued inv ards, but separated by a space

about equal to § length of nostril; hind lobe of posterior flap not

reaching hind angle of nostril by about 4 length of latter. One

projection from margin of spiracle. A median series of enlarged

spines, worn down in adult, leaving only the bases ; in young, additional

spines around anterior and internal margins of eye, on shoulders, and

rostral ca1‘ilages. Rostral cartilages convergent in front, separate

throughout their length. Snout obtuse, its margins convex.

62 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, with scattered round white spots; young with

white snout, lighter below.

Locality.—Table Bay to Natal.

*Rhinobatus halavi (Forsk.).

Blunt-nosed Sand-shark.

1841. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 122, pl. xxxvui, fig. 2 (obtusus).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 155 (obtusus).

Distance between outer angles of nostrils about 2 in preoral length

of snout. Anterior nasal flaps not dilated inwards. Back with

distinct denticles, but no median series of spines. Rostral cartilages

confluent in their anterior third. Snout somewhat obtuse.

Length.—Up to 750 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or brownish, lighter below.

Locality.—Natal.

Distribution.—Red Sea, Indian and East Indian seas.

Fam. 3. RatiDaer.

Skates ; Rays.

Body depressed, forming a rhombic or subcircular disc, the snout

more or less produced. Skull hyostylic, with rostral cartilages.

Pectoral fins, extending more or less closely to extremity of snout.

Two dorsal fins, small, usually near the end of tail. Ventral fins more

or less deeply notched. Tail with lateral cutaneous folds, but no

serrate spines ; caudal fin greatly reduced or absent. Teeth numerous,

tessellate, obtuse, or with small points in g. Skin more or less covered

with denticles. A small electric organ is present in most species on

the sides of the terminal part of the tail.

Oviparous ; egg-cases rectangular, with a projecting horn at each

corner, but no tendrils.

This family is cosmopolitan in distribution, representatives being

found in all seas, and from shallow water down to considerable depths.

Only one genus in South Africa.

Gen. Rata Linn.

1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 231.

Dise rhombic to subcircular, snout more or less produced. Rostral

cartilage well developed. Rays of pectoral fins widely separate in

front, or at least not actually reaching the tip of snout. Nostrils

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 63

with 2 valves, the anterior flap folded into a tube, the posterior

broad, fimbriate, reaching the mouth. Dorsal fins near end of tail,

which may have a rudimentary caudal fin. Pupil round, with a

digitate flap depending over it from the iris on the upper side.

There are often considerable differences between the sexes. The

33 have a series of large, erectile, claw-like spines (tenacula) on the

upper side of the pectoral fin, and sometimes another series on the side

of the head. Large bucklers and asperities are usually only found in

2°. The teeth are obtuse in the 9, but often pointed in the 3.

There is also frequently a more or less marked change in the shape

of the outline between the young and adult stages.

This genus contains a large number of species from all parts of the

world, and ranging from shallow to deep water. The identification

of the species is often a matter of difficulty, and authors are not

agreed in all cases on the synonymy of the species. In fact, the whole

genus requires a critical revision.

In the following key the number of series of teeth in the upper jaw

has been used as a convenient means of identifying specimens, but

this preliminary identification should always be confirmed by examina-

tion of the other diagnostic characters set out under each species.

The species described by von Bonde and Swart have been examined

by myself in regard to this character, and can therefore be included.

Key to the South African species.

I. Teeth in less than 50 rows.

A. With large buckler-like spines in 2, but mostly absent in g. Teeth 38-44

clavata.

B. No large buckler-like spines in either sex.

1. Snout abruptly narrowed into a long, sharp point. Teeth 44

marginata.

2. Snout not abruptly narrowed.

a. Back for the most part smooth.

i. Tail with only a median row of spines. Teeth 28-30

smithi.

ii. Tail with 3 (median and submedian) rows of spines.

Teeth 32-36. : : . caudaspinosa.

iii. Tail with lateral rows as well as a median row of spines.

a. Eye less than interorbital width. Teeth 46-50

ocellifera.

fp. Eye greater than interorbital width. Teeth 40-44

miraletus.

6. Back entirely and closely covered with minute spinelets.

i. Anterior margin convex. Teeth 32-36 . . plutonia.

ii. Anterior margin straight. Teeth 40 . durbanensis.

64 Annals of the South African Museum.

II. Teeth in more than 50 rows.

A. Back for the most part smooth.

1. Median line of back and tail without spines. Teeth 70-80

quadrimaculata.

2. A median series of spines at least on tail. Teeth less than 70.

a. Body without large spines (except on supraorbital in young)

batis.

6. Body with large spines.

i. Teeth 60-70.

a. Snout obtuse : : : : . maculata.

f. Snout acute 2 : : ; : lintea.

ii. Teeth 54. ° 0 : : ; . naevus.

B. Back entirely covered with close-set spinelets.

1. No large spines . ; ; : spinacidermis.

2. A median row of large spines on back and tail 2 leopardus.

Raia clavata Rond.

Buckler Skate ; Thornback ; Cape Skate.

1841. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 151 (capensis).

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1104, pl. xlvu, text-fig. 315 (clavata).

1906. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, No. 1, p. 3, pl. 1 (rhizacanthus).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 157 (capensis).

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v, p. 4

(capensis).

Width equal to distance from tip of snout to middle of tail. Snout

somewhat obtuse, anterior margin undulate, outer pectoral angle

about 90°, hind margin convex. Eye less than interorbital width,

which is 24-24 in preocular length of snout. Internasal width less

than distance of nostril from tip of snout. Rostral cartilages united

for about half their length. Teeth in 38-44 series, the median ones

pointed in g. Whole upper surface, including tail, covered with small

asperities, more numerous in adult than in young ; lower surface more

or less covered with asperities in adult, smooth in young; large

round bucklers bearing claw-like spines scattered irregularly over

both surfaces ; tail with a median, and in @ one or two lateral, series

of spines; ¢ and young much smoother than adult 9. (Plate IV,

fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Brown or greyish, with or without darker spots and oval

or irregular patches of orange or buff; lower surface light, occasionally

with irregular dark patches; iris and flap golden brown, pupil black.

Locality.—Walfish Bay, West coast, Table Bay to Natal waters,

20-160 fathoms.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 65

Distribution.—West coast of Europe from Norway southwards,

Mediterranean, Madeira, Madagascar.

Type of rhizacanthus in British Museum.

Sauvage (Hist. Poiss. Madagasc., p. 1, 1891) regards R. capensis

as a local variety of clavata, but there appear to be no constant

characters by which Cape specimens can be distinguished from North

Atlantic ones.

The development of the osseous bucklers varies greatly, some

2° resemble the ¢ in being almost or entirely devoid of them. As

a rule the g has no other large spines besides the tenacula on the

pectoral and side of head.

A complete series of numerous specimens in the South African

Museum, from 130 mm. in length upwards, shows that rhizacanthus

is only the young of this species.

Raia marginata Lacep.

Long-nosed Skate.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 158.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v,

p. 5 (alba).

1923. Id., ibid., p. 12 (stabulrforts, non Garman).

Width equal to distance from snout to middle (or a little more) of

tail. Snout abruptly narrowed into a long, acute projection. Anterior

margin concave and strongly undulate, outer pectoral angle about

90°, hind margin almost straight or even concave near outer angle.

Internasal width less than distance from nostril to tip of snout. Eye

less than interorbital width, which is 24-3 in preocular length of

snout. Rostral cartilages separate for not quite their basal quarter.

Teeth 40-46, with sharp points in 3. Upper surface smooth; one

spine in front of and usually one behind each orbit ; a median series

of spines on tail, bordered on each side by a lateral series. Lower

surface with small 4-rooted spines and asperities on snout and along

anterior margin of pectoral. (Plate IV, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 7 ft. (2100 mm.).

Colour.—Brownish, uniform or more or less spotted with white,

darker towards extremities of pectoral fins; lower surface white,

tail and margins of pectorals and pelvics often brownish or blackish,

especially in young.

Locality.—Walfish Bay, Table Bay, False Bay to Algoa Bay, and

Natal.

Distribution.—Coasts of Europe, Mediterranean.

VOL) XXT, PART I. 5

66 Annals of the South African Museum.

Raia smithi M. and H.

Smith’s Skate.

1841. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 150, pl. xlix, fig. 1.

1876. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4), vol. xvu, p. 390

(eatont).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 159.

Width equal to 14 times length of body, equals distance from snout

to $ length of tail. Snout slightly produced and pointed, a little over

90°, anterior margin undulate, outer pectoral angle rounded, hind

margin convex. Eye less than interorbital width, which is about 3

times in preocular length of snout. Internasal width nearly equal to

distance of nostril from tip of snout. Rostral cartilages separate

for nearly half their length. Anterior rays of pectoral extending |

quite close up to (5 mm. in a specimen 310 mm. long) the point of

snout. Teeth 28-30, not very close together, with points in 2 as

well asin g. Upper surface with 4-5-rooted asperities on snout,

interorbital space, anterior, posterior, and outer margins of pectoral,

back and tail; with or without a spine in front of orbit; a median

series of spines on back and tail, the former sometimes incomplete

or absent. Lower surface smooth. (Plate IV, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 650 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with or without whitish spots, lower surface

white, sometimes blotched with black, as is also tail.

Locality.—Cape Point, 380-475 fathoms.

Distribution.—Kerguelen Island.

Types of both smithi (a dried skin) and eatonz in British Museum.

There is little doubt that eatonz is a local variety of smithi and

scarcely deserves a separate name. The South African Museum

specimen combines characters of both.

*Raia caudaspinosa von B. and §S.

Spiny-tailed Skate.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v,

Pecspl: xx nigel:

2.—Width equal to distance from snout to a little beyond end of

pelvic fins. Snout bluntly rounded, scarcely produced, anterior

margin convex, outer pectoral angle rounded, hind margin convex.

Eye larger than interorbital width, which is about 2 in preocular

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 67

length of snout. Tail longer than body. Teeth 32-36, pointed.

Disc sparsely covered with stellate-based spines, with exception of

back; groups of antorbital, postorbital, and suprascapular spines ;

a triple row (median and submedian) of spines down back and tail,

under side smooth.

Length.—346 mm.

Colour.—Uniform dusky grey, light beneath.

Locality.—Natal coast, 280 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Raia ocellifera Regan.

Ocellate Skate.

1906. Regan, Ann. Natal Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 2, pl. ii.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 158.

Width equal to distance from snout to middle of tail. Snout

with a short, obtuse projection. Anterior margin undulate, outer

pectoral angle rounded (broadly rounded in young), hind margin

convex. Internasal width greater than distance of nostril from tip

of snout. Eye less than interorbital width, which is 24 in preocular

length of snout. Rostral cartilages united in their distal half, which

is very slender. Teeth 46-50, with sharp points in g. Upper

surface smooth, except for a few small asperities on tip of snout and

along anterior margin of pectoral, stronger in g than 29; 3-4 spines

in front of, and 2-3 behind each orbit, one on each suprascapula in

young, 2 median spines in front of suprascapulae; a median series

beginning above abdomen, farther forward in 9 than g, but in young

commencing immediately behind suprascapulae, and continued on

tail to dorsal fin; tail with one (3) or 2 (@) lateral series of spines

which are absent in young, under 200 mm. in length. Lower surface

smooth.

Length.—Up to 510 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with or without small darker spots, a large

blue-black, white-edged circular ocellus near middle of base of pec-

toral; lower surface uniform light ; iris and flap golden brown, pupil

black.

Locality.—False Bay to Natal, 5-40 fathoms.

Type in British Museum.

Garman (loc. cit., 1913, p. 365) makes rhizacanthus a synonym of

this species, and includes also capensis M. and H. (non Gmelin). I

cannot agree with this synonymy.

68 Annals of the South African Museum.

*Raia miraletus Linn.

Angular Skate.

1862. Couch, Fish. Brit. Isl., vol. i, p. 112, pl. xxvii.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 158.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v, p. 9,

pl. xxi, fig. 2 (parcomaculata).

Snout produced and pointed, anterior margin undulate, outer

pectoral angle about 90°, hind margin convex. Eye greater than

interorbital width, and 3 times in length of snout. Internasal width

less than distance of nostril from tip of snout. Teeth 40-44, sharply

pointed in g. Upper surface smooth except tip of snout, head, and

anterior margin of pectoral, which are rough with small asperities ;

1-3 spines in front of and behind orbit; a more or less complete

median row of spines along back, continued on tail to dorsal fin, and

flanked on either side by another row. Lower surface of snout

rough.

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with small, darker, more or less ocellate spots, and

a white-edged blue-black ocellus at base of each pectoral; lower

surface white, with a dark spot below snout.

Locality Agulhas Bank, 36 fathoms; Natal.

Distribution.—S. Europe, Mediterranean.

Type of parcomaculata in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

This species is included on the authority of Dr. Boulenger, who

identified a specimen sent to the British Museum by Dr. Gilchrist.

R. parcomaculata seems to be founded on young specimens of this

species.

Raia plutonia Garman.

Atlantic Deep-water Skate.

1881. Garman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. viii, p. 236.

1896. Goode and Bean, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxi, p. 27,

pl. vin, fig. 26.

1913. Garman, ibid., vol. xxxvi, p. 335, pl. xvi, fig. 1.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v, p. 6,

pl. xx, fig. 1 (albalonea).

Dise subcircular. Width a little more than distance from snout

to end of pelvics. Snout rounded, with a small triangular projection,

anterlor margin straight or very slightly concave near the middle,

outer pectoral angle broadly rounded, hind margin convex. Hye

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 69

equal to, or slightly longer than, interorbital width, which is 24-24

in preocular length of snout. Internasal width less than distance

from nostril to tip of snout. Rostral cartilages united for about

half their length. Anterior rays of pectoral extending quite close up

to the point of the snout. Tail longer than width of disc. Teeth

32-36. Whole upper surface of disc and tail closely covered with small

spinelets. A row of tubercles on the orbital ridge, one on occiput,

1-4 on the suprascapula, and a median series from occiput to dorsal

fin ; one lateral row on each side of the tail, absent or feebly developed

in the young. Lower surface smooth.

Length.—Up to 250 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Pale brown, more or less blotched with

darker brown and white, the latter often forming narrow lines on the

dark ground colour; tail transversely banded ; lower surface white.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and South of Agulhas Bank, 450-560

fathoms.

Distribution.—Kast coast of North America, 333 fathoms.

Type of albalinea in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Two young specimens, the larger 190 mm. long and 100 mm. across

the disc, agree perfectly with Garman’s description and figure.

*Raia durbanensis von B. and 8S.

Natal Deep-water Skate.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v,

pomp ols xcxat, tie Ws

Width equal to distance from snout almost to middle of tail. In

$ snout pointed but not produced, about 90°, anterior margin almost

straight. In 2 snout rounded, without point, anterior margin un-

dulate. Outer pectoral angle broadly rounded, hind margin moder-

ately convex. Hye a little less than interorbital width, 4 in preocular

length of snout. Tail longer than body. Teeth about 40, slightly

denticulate. Whole upper surface of disc and upper and lateral

surfaces of tail covered with spinelets; in 3 1 large spine in front

of, 2 behind orbit; in 25 and 3 respectively ; 2 (3) or 1 (9) supra-

scapular spines ; a median row from occiput to Ist dorsal in 3, in Q

only extending about half-way along tail ; lower surface quite smooth.

Length.—Up to 311 mm.

Colour.—Reddish brown, lighter beneath.

Locality.—Natal coast, 470 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

70 Annals of the South African Museum.

Raia quadrimaculata Risso.

Sandy Skate.

1862. Couch, Fish. Brit. Isl., vol. 1, p. 115, pl. xxvin (R. circularis).

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 462.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 323 (RK.

quadrimaculata).

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v,

p. 9.

Width scarcely more than distance from tip of snout to end of

pelvics. Snout somewhat obtuse, with a broad and short triangular

projection, anterior margin undulate, outer pectoral angle broadly

rounded, hind margin convex. Eye equal to interorbital width,

which is 24 in preocular length of snout. Internasal width less than

distance from nostril to tip of snout. Rostral cartilages united for

about half their length. Teeth 70-80, sharply pointed in both sexes

(adults). Upper surface more or less covered with scattered stellate-

rooted asperities ; a row of spines on the supraorbital ridge and a

triangular patch between occiput and suprascapula, a more or less

complete series on either side of median line of back, 2 lateral rows

on either side of tail; the median line of back and tail is devoid of

spines. Lower surface with tip of snout rough. (Plate IV, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Brown, uniform, or with darker spots or light, dark-edged

ocelli; young mostly with a round black spot marbled with yellow

on each shoulder, under surface light; iris and flap golden brown,

pupil black.

Locality.— Off West coast, off Cape Peninsula, and Saldanha Bay,

100-250 fathoms.

Distribution. —Coasts of Europe and Madeira.

Raia batis Linn.

Smooth or Common European Skate.

1895. Smuitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1120, pl. xlvii, and text-figs. 322,323.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ui, p. 156.

Width scarcely greater than length (of disc). Snout long, produced,

pointed, anterior margin deeply emarginate and slightly undulate,

outer pectoral angle rather pointed, hind margin convex. LHye less

than interorbital width, which is 3 times in preocular length of snout.

Internasal width less than distance of nostril from tip of snout. Teeth

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 71

52-56, sharply pointed in 3, slightly so in 9. Upper surface with

small asperities, chiefly on snout ; one or two spines in front of and

another behind orbit in young; no other large spines on body ;

1 (3) or 3 (9) series on tail. Lower surface rough on snout.

(Plate IV, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 1950 mm. (64 ft.).

Colour.—Brown or dark greenish brown, uniform, or with white and

dark spots ; lower surface grey, with dark specks.

Locality.—False Bay and off Cape Point, 34-100 fathoms.

Distribution.—Coasts of Europe.

A 2 specimen in the South African Museum, 680 mm. long, has a

single large spine in the middle line between the suprascapulae and

occiput, and 4 spines on the suprascapular ridge. The dorsal fins are

separated by 3 spines.

*Raia maculata Mont.

Mottled Skate ; Rog.

1861. Couch, Fish. Brit. Isl., vol. i, p. 104, pl. xxiv.

1884. Day, Brit. Fish., vol. u, p. 345, pl. clxxi.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 157.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v,

p. 4 (oculata).

Snout obtuse, but with a slightly produced tip. Anterior margin

undulate, outer pectoral angle about 90°, hind margin convex. Hye

less than interorbital width. Teeth 60-70, somewhat pointed in g.

Upper surface nearly smooth, or with small asperities, chiefly on

snout ; claw-like spines on supraorbital ridge, one or more on supra-

scapular region, and a median row, somewhat irregular, down back ;

tail with a median row and usually also lateral rows. Lower surface

of snout rough.

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Brown, uniform, or with numerous darker brown spots,

or with a few large white spots, more or less ocellate, on bases of

pectorals.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Coasts of Europe, Madeira.

This species was first recorded by Bleeker in 1860, but no descrip-

tion of the Cape form is given. Pappe, in 1866, gives a brief descrip-

tion which unfortunately does not enable one to identify the species

with certainty. No more recent records apparently exist. It is

72 Annals of the South African Museum.

possible that the true maculata does not occur in South Africa, and

that the specimens so called should be referred to some other species.

Raia lintea Fries.

Sharp-nosed Skate.

1838. Fries, Vet. Ak. Handl., p. 154.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 466.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 329.

Width only a little greater than length of body, equal to distance

from end of snout to not quite end of pelvics. Snout produced and

pointed, the tip acute, anterior margin slightly undulate, outer

pectoral angle broadly rounded, hind margin convex. Eye less than

interorbital width, which is 4 times in preocular length of snout.

Internasal width twice in distance of nostril from tip of snout. Rostral

cartilages united for about half their length. Teeth 60, with very

small points (2). Upper surface with stellate-rooted asperities and ~

small hooked spines over snout, anterior margins, and posterior parts

of pectoral; groups of slightly larger spines in front of and behind

orbits, on and in front of suprascapular region, and in about 5 irregular

rows down back, continued along tail to dorsal fin; sides of tail

closely set with smaller spines; lower surface with minute asperities

on snout.

Length.—740 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brownish grey, light beneath.

Locality.—West coast, off Cape Peninsula, 200-300 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic.

Except that the spines on the body, and the teeth, are rather more

numerous than in the descriptions of the northern form, there is nothing

to separate the Cape form specifically. The single specimen is a Q.

Raia naevus M. and H.

Spotted Skate.

1841. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., pp. 158, 194.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 321.

Width a little greater than distance from snout to end of pelvics.

Snout somewhat obtuse, short, only slightly produced. Anterior

margin undulate, outer pectoral angle broadly rounded, hind margin

convex. Eye less than interorbital width, which is a little over 3

times in preocular length of snout. Internasal width less than

PLATE IV.

FIG. TEXT-PAGH

1. Raia marginata Lacep. ¢ (original) . é : : é : 7 0d

2. Raia clavata Rond. (original) . : : : : : : . 64

3. Raia batis Linn. (original) ; 2 : ; : : : oe HW)

4. Raia smithi M. and H. (original) 4 3 F : : ; 66

5. Rava quadrimaculata Risso (original) . : : : : : 5

6. Raia spinacidermis Brnrd. (original) . ‘ : : A ; eS

7. Myliobatis aquila (Linn.) (original) . ; i : : 3 Foe,

8. Dasybatis pastinaca (Linn.) (original) . , : é 5 : Penney Ti

Ann. 8S. Afr, Mus., Vol. XXI. Plate IV.

Netll & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 73

distance of nostril from tip of snout. Rostral cartilages united for

about half their length. Teeth 54, with short points in g. Upper

surface with small asperities on snout, anterior margin of pectoral,

and sides of tail, more numerous and widely spread in young ; spines

on supraorbital ridge, one or two on suprascapula, a median row

from occiput to dorsal fin, flanked on the hinder part of body and on

tail in larger individuals by another row, sometimes by two rows on

tail. Lower surface smooth.

Length.—Up to 700 mm.

Colour.—Brown, uniform, or (chiefly in young) with numerous

round dark spots, of which one near base of pectoral is usually more

prominent and larger than the others, and surrounded by a lght

ring; under surface light, with usually some irregularly shaped,

but more or less symmetrically arranged, dark blotches on the pectorals

and pelvics.

Locality.—West coast, off Cape Peninsula and Saldanha Bay,

100-200 fathoms.

Distribution.—Atlantic coasts of Europe, Mediterranean.

Raia spinacidermis Brnrd.

Rough-skinned Skate.

1923. Barnard, Ann. S.A. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 8, p. 440.

- 9.—Shape of microps (Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. i, pl. iv), but

a little broader in proportion to length, and snout sharper. Width

equal to distance from snout to middle of tail. Snout pointed but

not produced, about 90°, anterior margin almost straight, outer

pectoral angle broadly rounded, hind margin convex. Eye a little

less than interorbital width, which is 3% in preocular length of snout.

Internasal width less than distance of nostril from tip of snout. Rostral

cartilages narrow and slender, united for a little more than half their

length. Anterior rays of pectoral reaching to 25 mm. from tip of

snout. Taila little shorter than length of body ; the lateral cutaneous

fold confined to the posterior third. Teeth 60, median ones slightly

pointed. Whole upper surface of disc and upper and lateral surfaces

of tail covered with closely set, fine setiform spinules (resembling the

skin of Spinax, whence the name), larger and closer on the tail than

elsewhere ; large spines entirely absent ; lower surface of tip of snout

with a few spinelets ; lower surface of tail, except the median line

of the basal 2, with setiform spinules similar to those on upper

surface. (Plate IV, fig. 6.)

74 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length.—600 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Pale slaty grey, becoming slightly darker

towards hinder margins of pectorals, and distinctly darker on pelvies

Lower surface similarly and as deeply coloured as upper surface.

Locality.—South Africa, probably off Cape Point in deep water

(locality label lost).

Type in South African Museum.

This species is represented by a Q only and is noteworthy for the

entire absence of enlarged spines.

*Raia leopardus von B. and 8.

Leopard Skate.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., v, p. 7, ~

ple xxestion 2.

Width equal to distance from snout to only a short distance behind

pelvic fins. Snout poimted but not produced, about 115°, anterior

margin convex, outer pectoral angle broadly rounded, hind margin

convex. Eye subequal to interorbital width, about 2 (according to

figure) in preocular length of snout. ‘Tail considerably longer than

body. Teeth 52-56. Whole upper surface of disc and upper and

lateral surfaces of tail closely covered with spinelets; 2 antorbital,

2-3 postorbital, and 2 suprascapular spines; a median series from

suprascapular region to Ist dorsal ; lower surface smooth.

Length.—Up to 247 mm.

Colour.—Dirty yellow-brown, with numerous dark brown or black

round spots on disc and tail, front portions of both dorsal fins black,

lower surface pale.

Locality.—Natal coast, 40-280 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Fam. 4. DASYBATIDAE.

Sting-Rays and Butterfly Rays.

Body depressed, forming a subcircular or subrhombic disc. Skull

hyostylic, without rostral cartilages. Pectoral fins extending to

extremity of snout. Dorsal fins absent or a single small fin near root

of tail, which has no lateral folds and often no caudal fin, but almost

always one or more serrated spines. Pelvics usually not notched.

Teeth numerous, tessellate, obtuse, or with small points. Dermal

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 75

denticles in varying abundance, sometimes greatly reduced, or

confined to caudal region, or even absent.

Viviparous ; only a small number of young produced at a birth.

In several cases there are developed from the walls of the uterus long

thread-like filaments, called trophonemata, which secrete a nutritive

fluid for the nourishment of the embryo. These trophonemata in

one species of Pteroplatea are inserted through the spiracles into the

alimentary canal of the embryo. Further information on the repro-

duction of these rays is needed.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Disc about as broad as long.

a. Tail long, with serrated spine : : ; , : Dasybatis.

6. Tail short, without serrated spine . : ; ; Anacanthobatis.

2. Dise much broader than long. Tail very short : : 5 Pteroplatea.

Gen. Dasypatis Raf.

(=Trycon Adamson.)

Sting-Rays.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratteri Nuovi Gen., p. 16.

Head and body forming a subrhombic or subcircular disc, never

much broader than long. Tail elongate, with or without cutaneous

(rayless) folds, which, if present, do not reach apex; one or more

serrate spines; no dorsal fin. Pelvics not notched. Cutaneous

processes, varying in number and form, on the floor of the mouth

behind the teeth. Teeth flattened, usually with a transverse ridge,

rarely with a backwardly directed point ; the dental bands undulate.

Skin frequently with tubercles, especially on the tail. A bifid flap of

the iris projecting over the round pupil from the upper side.

Sting-Rays are moderate or rather large sized fishes, easily dis-

tinguished from the true Rays by the serrate spines on the tail, and

from the Eagle Rays by the teeth and by the tail being always stout,

though variable in length.

They are able to inflict serious wounds by means of the spines on

the tail. No actual poison is secreted, but the wounds are very liable

to become septic owing to the laceration caused by the saw-like edges

of the spines and the mucous with which they are covered. Such

wounds should be thoroughly well washed with antiseptic solution

as soon as possible after infliction.

In contrast with the Rays, the Sting-Rays are inhabitants of he

shallower tropical and subtropical seas.

76 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African species.

J. Front margin of pectorals longer than, or subequal to, hind margin.

1. Tail long, tapering, without cutaneous folds . : ; . Uuarnak

2. Tail tuberculate, with fold below, no ridge above.

a. Tail not or scarcely longer than disc, anterior margin convex

schreinert.

6. Tail 14 times length of disc, anterior margin straight or concave

agulhensis.

3. Tail longer than disc, with fold below and keel above. . pastinaca.

Il. Front margin of pectoral considerably shorter than hind margin . purpurea.

Dasybatis warnak (Forsk.).

Marbled Ray.

1909. Annandale, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. i, p. 22, pl. 1, figs. 1, 2;

pl. i, figs. 1, la; pl. m, fig. 2 and text-fig. 2.

Disc a little wider than long, the anterior margin of pectoral a

little longer than posterior. Anterior margins nearly straight, snout

not strongly produced. Lateral and posterior angles of pectoral

rounded. Back smooth in very young, in adult with a band of

subcircular or heart-shaped denticles, largest on the median line

and diminishing in size outwards, the band not definitely limited,

but not extending on to the pectorals. Tail 3 times (unless mutilated)

as long as body, tapering, almost whip-like, without any cutaneous

folds. One or two serrate spines much nearer base than apex of tail.

Four to five (or seven) equidistant cutaneous processes in mouth.

Teeth with transverse ridges. Eyes large and prominent.

Length.—Up to 4 ft.; 5 ft. across.

Colour.—Young nearly white, spotted with darker, the ground

colour darkening to grey in adult, and the spots more or less coalescing

to form larger spots, blotches, or variegated markings.

Locality.—Natal, Portuguese East Africa.

Distribution.—Whole Indian Ocean to East Indies.

This ray affords good sport in Natal, where the record is one of

106 lb. (R. Robinson, Natal Fish. Rep. for 1919, p. 51).

Dasybatis schreinert (Gilch.).

Short-tailed Sting-Ray.

1913. Gilchrist, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 33, text-fig.

Disc a little wider than long, the anterior margin of pectoral also

longer than the hind margin. Anterior profile broadly convex, with

a very small median point. Lateral and posterior angles of pectorals

rounded. Discsmooth. Tail subequal to length of body, tuberculate,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. Un

with a cutaneous fold below, terminating before tip of tail, deepest

anteriorly where it is ? diameter of tailabove. A series of 7 median

spines increasing in length to the 6th, which is about 4 length of

tail; 7th considerably less. Teeth with transverse ridges, in about

48 rows. Eyes small.

Length.—6 ft. (including tail), 4 ft. across.

Colour.—Dark greenish slate above, whitish below.

Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank, shallow water to 40 fathoms.

The type, with the exception of the tail which is now in the South

African Museum, seems to have been destroyed, the original figure

being based on a photograph. The original description makes no

mention of the cutaneous processes in the mouth, nor of several other

important characters. |

There are also in the South African Museum the tail and jaws of

another specimen (Q). The tail corresponds exactly with the type.

There are 48 rows of teeth.

This species appears to be closely allied to the Australasian

D. brevicaudatus (Hutton). The latter species, however, according to

Waite (Rec. Canterb. Mus., vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 151, pl. xxu, 1909) has

only 25 rows of teeth.

A young g, 910 mm. in length, which I assign provisionally to

schreinert, has the following characteristics: tail shghtly longer than

disc, with 1 large spine preceded by a small one, 5 cutaneous flaps

on the floor of the mouth, teeth in 33 rows, outer angles of internasal

flap rounded, eyes closer together than spiracles.

Dasybatis pastinacus (Linn.).

Common Sting-Ray.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1098, pls. cecxiu, cccxiv.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 162.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.

Disc a little broader than long, the anterior margin of pectoral

also longer than hind margin. Anterior margins nearly straight,

snout produced in a very short point. Lateral and posterior angles

of pectorals rounded. Disc smooth. Tail about 13 times length of

body, with a ridge above, a cutaneous fold below, and 1-2 spines.

Three or, more usually, 5 cutaneous processes in mouth. Teeth in

42-46 rows, with transverse ridges, sharper in § than 9. Eyes about

as far apart as the spiracles. (Plate IV, fig. 8.)

Length.—Up to 780 mm.

78 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Greyish or brownish, mottled, sometimes spotted with

white, or olivaceous marbled with dark brown, whitish beneath,

occasionally margined or blotched with darker.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank to Natal coast.

Distribution.—Mediterranean and Kastern Atlantic, Madeira.

(The West Indian and Japanese forms are probably not synonymous,

and the records from Madagascar require confirmation.)

The inclusion of this species rested on the record of Bleeker {Visch

v. d. Kaap., p. 58, 1860) until 1922, when Norman recorded it from

Natal waters. It appears to be quite common on the Agulhas Bank.

Dasybatis agulhensis n. sp.

The Agulhas Sting-Ray.

Disc a little wider than long, the anterior margin of pectoral slightly

longer than the hind margin. Snout obtusely angular with a small

median point. Anterior margin straight or shghtly concave. Lateral

and posterior angles of pectoral rounded. Disc smooth, except for

a group of 3-4 small tubercles (on radiate bases) on point of snout,

1-2 slightly larger ones in front of each orbit, and 4 compressed spine-

like scutes in the middle of the back between the posterior gills.

Tail 14 times length of body, not basally depressed, tuberculate,

with a cutaneous fold below and extending from beneath spine to

or almost to tip, about 4 depth of tail; length of the single spine

about 4 its distance from base of tail. Eyes small, nearer to-

gether than the spiracles. Cutaneous flaps on the floor of mouth 9,

3 median, | submedian, and 2 lateral (1 submedian and | lateral are

missing in the specimen, but will probably be found to be present in

other specimens). Teeth in about 46 rows, not angularly bent, each

tooth more or less hollowed in the centre. Outer angles of internasal

flap quadrate.

Length.—6 ft. 3 in. (including tail) ; 3 ft. 3 in. across disc.

Colour.—Uniform bluish slate.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank.

Type in South African Museum.

*Dasybatis purpurea (M. and H.).

Purple Sting-Ray.

Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 160, pl. li (in British Museum copy

of this work).

Rhombic, front margins much shorter than hind margins, and snout

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 79

quite obtuse. Outer angles rounded. Tail somewhat shorter than

body, spine somewhat before middle of tail. Body apparently quite

smooth.

Colour.—Dark violet above, lighter below.

Locality.—Cape seas.

This species is known only from a drawing by Dr. A. Smith in the

British Museum, and reproduced in Miiller and Henle’s work.

Gen. ANACANTHOBATIS v. B. and S.

1923. Leiobatis von Bonde and Swart, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

v, p. 18 (name preoce. Leiobatus Blainv., 1816. Lerobatis Bleeker,

1879).

1923. Anacanthobatis, id., ibid., errata.

Head and body forming a subcircular or subrhombic disc, a little

broader than long. ‘Tail shorter than disc, thin, tapering, without

lateral folds or serrated spine, with very small caudal fin; no dorsal

fin. Pelvics notched. A pair of cutaneous flaps on roof of mouth.

Teeth in numerous rows, rounded, blunt, or pointed. Skin quite

smooth on both disc and tail. Tenacula present in 3.

With regard to this form it would seem that the institution of a

new family is not really necessary. There are characters uniting

this form with the Rawdae, namely, the notched pelvics and the

presence of tenacula in the g, but the rest of its features are

overwhelmingly Dasybatoid. The absence of the serrated spine is

paralleled by the genus Urogymnus M. and H., 1837.

* Anacanthobatis marmoratus (v. B. and S.).

Smooth-skinned Ray.

1923. Von Bonde and Swart, loc. cit., p. 18, pl. xxii.

Disc a little broader than long. Tip of snout produced to a sharp,

acute point. Anterior margin nearly straight, posterior margin

convex. Lateral angles broadly rounded. Tail (7.e. the free part

visible above) shorter than disc. Eyes rather larger than spiracles.

Pectorals fused with pelvics on dorsal surface in 2, notin 3. A double

row of tenacula just behind lateral angles of pectoral in 3. No spines

or tubercles on skin, but small dermal papillae are scattered over

upper surface.

Length.—Up to 245 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with light ocelli, and very numerous small

white spots over upper surface.

80 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality. — Natal coast, 160 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

A single small male specimen of a supposed second species, dubius,

was described by the same joint authors, differing from marmoratus

in that the pectorals were fused with the pelvics as in the 2 mar-

moratus. I am unwilling to admit this species until more material

has come to hand. The specimen was caught outside Delagoa Bay

in 180 fathoms.

Gen. PTEROPLATEA M. and H.

Butterfly Rays.

1838-41. Miller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 168.

Head and body forming a broad lozenge-shaped or subtriangular

disc, much broader than long. Tail short and somewhat feeble,

with or without cutaneous folds, with a serrated spine; a small

dorsal fin sometimes present. Pelvics not notched. No cutaneous

processes on floor of mouth. Teeth with a curved base and 1-2

backwardly directed points. Skin smooth or with minute denticles.

Key to the South African species.

E No tentacle on spiracle 3 3 2 5. : . macrura.

2. A small tentacle on hind margin at sniaclo : ; : s natalensis.

Pteroplatea micrura (Bl. Schn.).

Atlantic Butterfly Ray.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 414,

pl. xxxi, figs. 3, 4.

(non micrura of Giinther, 1870, or Lloyd, 1909.)

Disc lozenge-shaped, anterior and posterior margins of pectorals

convex, a line joining the subacute points of the pectorals passing

well in advance of the base of tail. No dorsal fin. Tail not exceeding

half the body length, with upper and lower cutaneous folds. No

tentacle on the spiracle. Interorbital width about equal to length

of snout.

Length.—Up to 6 ft. (across disc).

Colour.—Dark brown with lighter vermiculations, whitish below,

tail annulate with darker and lighter bands.

Locality.— Agulhas Bank.

Distribution.—West Indies, Brazil.

P. hirundo from Madeira and P. japonicum from Japan are both

closely allied.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 81

Pteroplatea natalensis G. and T.

Natal Butterfly Ray’; Short-tailed or Diamond Skate (Natal).

1911. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. §.A. Mus., vol. xi, pt. 2, p. 56.

Disc subtriangular, the anterior margin slightly undulate, posterior

margin very slightly convex, a line joining the rounded angles of the

pectorals passing through the root of the tail. No dorsal fin. Tail

about half the body length, with upper and lower cutaneous folds.

A small pointed tentacle on inner posterior margin of spiracle. Inter-

orbital width greater than length of snout.

Length.—280 mm. (across disc).

Colour.—Light brown, with faint, darker spots, whitish below, tail

annulate.

Locality.— Natal coast.

Type in South African Museum.

The original description is both incorrect and misleading in certain

respects. The paragraph about the dental laminae, for instance,

obviously refers to another fish.

The specimen is a very young 3, with non-serrated caudal spine

and undeveloped teeth. The latter consist merely of a rounded base

with, in some cases, a minute point.

The specific determination is difficult. In shape it agrees very

nearly with P. tentaculata as figured by Annandale (Mem. Ind. Mus.,

vol. u, p. 40, pl. iv, fig. 4), but is even more triangular. It differs

from this species in having no trace of a dorsal fin. Possibly when the

adult of this form is discovered it will be found referable to one of

the previously known species.

Fam. 5. MyLioBaTIDAE.

Eagle-Rays.

Body depressed, forming with the head and pectoral fins a sub-

rhombic disc. Head prominent, with the eyes lateral. Skull

hyostylic, without rostral cartilages. Anterior rays of the pectoral

fins contiguous in front of snout. Pelvics small, not notched. Tail

very long, whip-like, with a small dorsal fin at its base, followed by

one or more serrate spines. Teeth large, flat, tessellated, im one or

more series. Nasal flaps fused, forming a prominent flap overhanging

the upper lip. Dermal denticles absent or confined to the tail.

Viviparous.

The Eagle-Rays grow to a considerable size, and like the Sting-Rays

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 6

82 Annals of the South African Museum.

frequently inflict bad wounds with the spines on their tails. The

same remarks as were made with regard to the Sting-Rays (ante

p. 75) on the dangerous nature of the wounds apply here also.

They are inhabitants of all warmer seas, and their food consists

chiefly of Molluscs, for the breaking and grinding the shells of which

their teeth are admirably adapted. Frequently they do considerable

damage to oyster beds.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Teeth in several rows.

a. Pectoral fins continuous at sides of head with rostral fins Myliobatis.

b. Pectorals not continuous with rostral fins , : . Pteromylaeus.

2. Teeth in a single row . , ‘ : : : ; : . Aetobatis.

Gen. Myxiospatis Dum.

1817. Dumeéril in Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 1, p. 137.

A continuous series of fin-rays from the main portion of pectoral

fin along the sides of the head to the anterior part of the fin. Dorsal

fin behind end of ventrals. Teeth in about 7 series, the central

series much larger than the lateral ones. A circular flap of the iris

projecting over the pupil from upper side.

Myliobatis aquila (Linn. ).

Eagle-Ray or Whip-tailed Ray.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1095, pl. ccexi.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 165.

Snout broadly rounded. The flanges on sides of head narrow,

supported by short fin-rays. No conical horn above the orbits.

Central teeth 3-4 times as broad as long, the width increasing with

age. Dorsal small, distant from base of ventrals 3 times its length.

Skin smooth. (Plate IV, fig. 7.)

Length.—A4% ft. (across disc).

Colour.—Brown above, whitish below, pupil black.

Locality —Walfish Bay, Table Bay to Algoa Bay.

Distribution. — Atlantic and Mediterranean. The Madagascan

records probably refer to one of the Indian Ocean forms.

Gen. PTEROMYLAEUS Gar.

1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxxvi, p. 437.

Fin-rays of the pectoral fins not continued along the sides of the

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 83

head to join the rostral rays. Dorsal fin between the ventrals. Teeth

in 7 series, the central series much larger than the three lateral ones.

Distinguished from Myliobatis by the narrower head, more pointed

snout, and more falciform pectoral fins.

Pteromylaeus bovinus (G. St. Hil.).

Duck-billed Sting- Ray.

1827. G. St. Hilaire, Descr. Egypt., vol. i, p. 323, pl. xxvi, fig. 1.

1843. Valenciennes, Ichthyol. Canar., p. 98, pl. xxiv (M. episcopus).

1844. Lowe, Fish. Madeira, p. 99, pl. xv (M. aquila, non Linn.).

1913. Garman, loc. cit., p. 439.

Disc not quite twice as wide as long. Snout produced, pointed.

Dorsal arising immediately behind end of base of ventrals, extending

to end of ventrals. Tail twice or thrice as long as disc (if not muti-

lated). Upper surface smooth, except for a band of fine granulations

down middle of back, sometimes, especially in old specimens, extending

on to the pectorals; lower surface smooth, end of tail rough with

small granulations.

Length.—Up to 930 mm. (across disc), 1310 mm. (total length).

Colour.—Uniform brownish or bluish grey, sometimes, in young

specimens, with more or less distinct whitish cross-bands.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank.

Distribution.—Mediterranean and neighbouring parts of Atlantic.

Gen. AETOBATIS Blainv.

1816. Blainville, Journ. Phys., vol. Ixxxiu, p. 261.

The fin-rays of the pectoral fin are absent from the side of the head,

but are continued in the rostral portion of the fin. Dorsal fin between

the ventrals. Teeth in a single series, the teeth much wider than

long, sometimes angularly bent.

Aetobatis narinarz (Kuphr.).

Spotted Hagle Ray ; Bonnet Skate (Natal).

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 743, pl. exciv, fig. 4.

1910. Annandale, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 4, pl. u, fig. 2.

1911. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8.A. Mus., vol. xi, pt. 2, p. 56.

1914. Gudger, Publ. Carnegie Instit., Washington, No. 183, p. 243,

pls. 1-x, text-figs. 1-19 (historical account).

84 Annals of the South African Museum.

Snout conical, pointed, more pointed in g than in Q, its length

equal to basal width, apex more or less retroverted. Tail 4-5 times

the body length. (Plate V, fig. 1,)

Length.—Up to 6 ft. (across disc).

Colour.—Dark brown above, with bluish white dark-edged spots

extending over disc and pectoral fins and also sometimes on to head,

whitish below ; young and very old specimens uniform.

Locality. Natal coast.

Distribution.—Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.

It is probable that when sufficient material has been accumulated

and critically examined, the Indian Ocean form will prove to be

specifically distinct from the Atlantic form as maintained by Annan-

dale. Gudger also expresses the same opinion. If so, the Natal form

will be referred to the Indo-Pacific species under the name guttata

Bl. Schn., 1801 (=ocellatus Russell, 1803, and guttata Shaw, 1804).

Gudger gives a full account of the history of the Spotted Eagle Ray,

together with such biological data as are known. It appears to be

an inhabitant of shallow water and to feed exclusively on clams and

pearl-oysters, its depredations being frequently very serious from an

economic point of view. It is said to plough up sand and mud banks

with its pointed snout in search of molluscs, whence the name “ sea-

hog ” has been suggested for it.

They are frequently seen in pairs, but at other seasons apparently

congregate in large shoals. A case is known where 4 young were

born after the mother was cast up on the beach. Ordinarily each

young is said to be born while the mother is in the act of leaping out

of the water.

Fam. 6. MoBULIDAE.

Devil-fish.

Body depressed, forming with the head and pectoral fins a sub-

rhombic dise wider than long. The anterior extension of the pectoral

fin projects forwards as a cephalic fin or “ horn ” on either side of the

mouth and widely separated from its fellow. Ventrals small, un-

divided. A small dorsal fin at base of tail, which is whip-like, with

or without serrated spines. Skull hyostylic, without rostral carti-

lages. Mouth terminal or ventral. Teeth minute, tubercular or

shortly columnar, in numerous series. Nasal flaps continuous,

forming a very short projecting flap extending the whole width of the

mouth. Eyes lateral. Spiracles behind the eyes.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 85

Viviparous. As a rule only a single young is produced at a birth,

though cases where 2 have been born, or found in utero, are known.

In the case of the specimen of Manta ehrenbergi captured at Durban

in August 1921 (see anfra) one young was born on the sands in the

death agony of the mother and two more embryos were found

inside.

These gigantic rays are plentiful in all warmer parts of the ocean,

though on account of their size and the superstitious dread of the

native fishermen, specimens are but rarely secured. Our knowledge

of them is therefore very incomplete, and whenever one of these mon-

sters is stranded or captured it behoves the finder to inform the

nearest museum or scientific institute immediately, so that the

specimen may be properly examined and preserved.

Many are the tales told about the Devil-fish. Most of them are

either apocryphal or exaggerated, though some have a kernel of truth

which has been perverted by faulty observation and misinterpretation

of facts.

Like the giant sharks, Rhinodon and Cetorhinus, these rays have only

minute teeth, and are consequently quite incapable of feeding on large

animals. Their food consists of small, and perhaps also microscopic

Crustacea, Mollusca, etc. It seems probable that the peculiar pre-

branchial organs, which are unique among fishes, serve the same

purpose as the elongate gill-rakers of the above-mentioned sharks,

namely, to strain the small floating organisms out of the water which

circulates through the gill-slits.

An interesting account of the Devil-fish is given by Gill, Smith-

sonian Misc. Collect., vol. v, pt. 2 (vol. li), 1909, p. 155, figs.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Mouth ventral. Teethin bothjaws . j E F : . Mobula.

2. Mouth terminal. Teethin lower jaw only . ; ; . Manta.

Gen. Mosuta Raf.

(=Dicerospatis Blnvl. and CEPHALOPTERA auct.)

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ittiol. Sicil., p. 61.

Pectoral fins pointed. Tail almost or quite as long as length of

disc, with a small dorsal at its base; a serrated spine frequently

present, but rather small, sometimes absent and replaced by a sub-

osseous swelling. Mouth ventral, with teeth in both jaws; teeth small,

86 Annals of the South African Museum.

numerous, granular, flat, with 1-4 points behind. Cephalic horns

projecting straight forwards. Body smooth or with minute tubercles

on centre of back only ; tail usually with minute tubercles.

Mobula kuhli (M. and H.).

Straight-horned Devil-fish.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 185, pl. lix, fig. 1.

1899. Millar, Zoologist, No. 694, April 1899, p. 145, pl. i.

Teeth in about 50 series. Margin of the pectoral fin between its

apex and the side of the head nearly straight or slightly convex.

(Plate V, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 144 ft. (across disc), 6 ft. (length excluding tail).

Colour.—Dark greenish brown above, whitish below.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Dstribution.—Indian Ocean, Zanzibar, Japan.

The specific determination of the specimens recorded from South

Africa is uncertain.

Mr. A. D. Millar (loc. cit.) has given a brief notice of a specimen

143 ft. in breadth, which was landed at Durban in April 1898. The

length of the body was 6 ft., as was also the length of the tail. No

details of the teeth are given, but the photograph leaves little doubt

as to the generic position of the specimen.

The South African Museum possesses a cast of a small specimen

from Natal, but although the specimen was cast with its mouth open,

there are no impressions of the individual teeth or of the extent of

the dental band. The specimen itself appears to have been destroyed.

In the absence of any data as to the number and extent of the teeth,

therefore, it seems impossible to decide whether these South African

specimens should be assigned to eregoodoo Cuv. or kuhli M. and H.

As the cast in the Scuth African Museum is coloured greenish brown

on the back, and thus corresponds more with kuhli than eregoodoo,

and as, moreover, kuhli has been recorded from Zanzibar, I have

decided to record these specimens provisionally under this name.

Lloyd (1908, Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. 11) gives figures of stuffed specimens

and of the teeth of M. eregoodoo and a new species, M. thurstont.

Gen. Manta Bancroft.

(=CrERATOPTERA M. and H.)

1828-29. Bancroft, Zool. Journ., vol. iv, p. 444.

Pectoral fin pointed. Tail shorter than length of body, with a

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 87

small dorsal fin at its base ; no serrated spine, but a small subosseous

swelling behind the dorsal fin. Mouth terminal, with teeth in lower

jaw only ; teeth small, numerous, tubercular, erect. Cephalic horns

curved inwards. Body and tail covered with small sharp tubercles.

Manta ehrenbergr (M. and H.).

Devil-fish ; Sea-devil ; Zee-duivel.

1838-41. Miiller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 187.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 745 (the figure given is that of a

monstrosity of an ordinary Rava).

I8Siz Macleay, Proc; Linn! Sec. NSW: vol) vi, p: s8l (e

alfredt).

19085 Lloyd, Kec: Ind. Mus, vol. 1) py lie; ple v, figs: 1-35

plax, figs, 1, 2°(C. orissa);:

The teeth do not extend over the whole width of the jaw and are

arranged in about 200 series.

A mutilated skin from the old Museum collection (Table Bay, 1873)

measures 94 ft. across the wings. The width of the mouth is 16 in.,

of the dental band, 10} in. A portion of the dental band is missing,

but there appear to have been about 230 series of teeth, about 11 in

each series; the teeth are shortly columnar, set moderately close

together, sloping backwards, with obliquely truncate apices (cf. Lloyd,

loc. cit., text-fig. 1). The tail is broken.

A specimen, 17 ft. 6 in. across the wings and 13 ft. from mouth

to end of tail, was caught at Durban on 19th July 1907. Two photo-

graphs, which appeared in the Natal Mercury Pictorial of 31st July

1907, show that this specimen belonged to the present species and

was incorrectly identified by the writer of the Angling Notes in

that issue with the specimen of the preceding species landed in 1898.

Another specimen, of which I have seen a photograph, was captured

at Durban on 2nd August 1921, and measured 18 ft. across the wings

and 12 ft. from mouth to end of tail. The photograph shows clearly

the terminal mouth, the incurved horns, and caudal swelling behind the

dorsal fin, though, unfortunately, the extent of the dental band cannot

be determined.

There can be little reasonable doubt that these two specimens

belong to the same species and should be referred to M. ehrenbergt,

though it is most desirable that all specimens captured in future should

be examined by a competent observer before they are mutilated.*

* See Appendix.

88 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Greenish grey above; horns, sides of head, and under

surface whitish.

Locality.—Table Bay, East London, Natal coast.

Distribution.—Red Sea, Indian seas. Probably throughout the

whole Indo-Australasian region (M. alfredi from New South Wales).

The Atlantic form, M. vampyrus, differs in having the dental band

extending over the whole width of the jaw, and having fewer and more

widely spaced teeth.

Lloyd has separated C. orissa from ehrenbergi on account of the

different number of teeth. But as the above-mentioned South African

Museum specimen is intermediate in this respect, and as so few

specimens have been accurately examined, it seems probable that

orissa 1s but a synonym of ehrenberg?. The number of teeth may

vary according to age and sex.

This fish is called the Eagle Ray in Natal, but must not be confused ;

with the true Eagle Ray (Myliobatis).

Group 2. NARCOBATOIDEI.

Head and body forming a circular or ellipsoidal disc. Electric

organs between head and pectoral fins. Suprascapulae united to

one another above vertebral column. The cartilage supporting the

rostrum paired or branched. Preorbital cartilages greatly expanded,

branched, extending forwards, supporting the whole anterior margin

of disc, and widely separating the forward extensions of the pectoral

fin-rays.

Fam. TORPEDINIDAE.

Electric Skates.

Skull hyostylic. Dorsal fins two, one, or none; when present,

situate on tail. Caudal present. Ventrals not notched. Body

forming a subcircular disc, rounded in front, tail short and stout,

with lateral folds. Teeth usually with backwardly directed points,

which, however, are frequently worn away on the anterior teeth.

This family is remarkable for the development of a powerful electric

organ consisting of 2 kidney-shaped masses between the head and

the pectoral fins. These organs are composed of modified muscular

fibres, arranged in a number of vertical prisms and abundantly supplied

with nerves. These nerves are branches partly from the trigeminal

(5th cranial nerve), but chiefly from the vagus (10th cranial nerve),

PLATE V.

FIG. TEXT-PAGE

1. Aetobatis narinari (Euphr.) (original) bs “ ° «gh eee ene

; 2. Mobula kuhli (M. and H.) (original) . cos . ey Bes + 5.86 =

; 3. Narke capensis (Gmel.) (original) . . . . - «© « 92 —

pe 4. Narcobatus marmoratus (Risso) (original) . — . : a ‘ 1 Zo078

| 5. Chimaera monstrosa Linn. 3 (after Smitt, teeth after Garman) . 5 — 945

6. Callorhynchus capensis Dum. ¢ (original) . : : a SS 5, £8

In figs. 5 and 6, ais the upper dental plate, b the lower. |

Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate VY.

Neill & Co., Ltd.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 89

in connection with which there is developed a special electrical lobe

on the hinder part of the brain.

The dorsal surfaces of the electric organs are positive to the ventral

surfaces, and therefore the electric current passes from the latter

to the former. As the animal lies on the ground, it is the dorsal

surface with which other animals, either enemies or prey, come into

contact and which gives off the paralysing shock.

The discharge of the shocks may be either reflex or under the control

of the animal.

The larger individuals are capable of giving a very severe shock,

but are soon fatigued by repeated discharges.

Sluggish animals, lying on the bottom, with which the coloration

of their upper surface usually harmonises, and widely distributed in

the warmer seas. They appear to be all viviparous.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Two dorsal fins.

a. Spiracles a little way behind eyes . : : : 3 Narcobatus.

6. Spiracles contiguous with eyes.

i. Nasal flap much broader than long. : : : . Narcine.

ii. Nasal flap only a little broader than long : : Heteronarce.

2. One dorsai fin. : : : 4 : ; : . WNarke.

Gen. Narcosatus Blnvl.

(=TorpEpo auctorum.)

1816. Blainville, Journ. Phys., p. 262.

Two dorsal fins. Spiracle some little distance behind eye. Teeth

with short points, dental plate as wide or almost as wide as jaws.

A bifid flap of the iris projecting over the round pupil from the

upper side.

Key to the South African species.

A. Spiracles not fringed. First dorsal twice size of 2nd : : nobilianus.

B. Spiracles fringed. First dorsal not twice size of 2nd.

1. Diameter of spiracle equal to its distance from eye . 2 marmoratus.

2. Diameter of spiracle scarcely half its distance from eye . . smithia.

Narcobatus nobilianus (Bonap.).

Electric Skate.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 159 (7. hebetans).

Spiracles not fringed, their diameter about equal to their distance

90 Annals of the South African Museum.

from eyes. First dorsal twice size of 2nd, situate nearly entirely

behind end of base of ventrals. Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Uniform dark brown, sometimes with small white dots,

whitish below.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank.

Distribution.—Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean.

Narcobatus marmoratus (Risso).

Marbled Electric Skate.

1810. Risso, Ichthyol. Nice, p. 20, pl. i, figs. 4, 5.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 159.

Spiracles fringed, their diameter about equal to their distance from

the eyes. First dorsal not twice size of 2nd, about its anterior half

opposite to base of ventrals. The mandibular dental plate nearly as

wide as jaw. A low flap of skin without processes behind the teeth

on both jaws. (Plate V, fig. 4.) -

Length.—Up to 470 mm.

Colour.—Brown above, mottled in varying degrees with light brown

or white, white below; sometimes dark brown with well-defined

darker round spots.

Locality.—F alse Bay to Natal and Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, Eastern Atlantic, Indian Ocean.

Several other closely allied species from the Indian Ocean have been

described: sinus-persicti Kaempfer, panthera Olfers, fuscomaculatus

Peters, polleni Blkr., swessi Stndnr. As these forms appear to be

based on differences in the position of the Ist dorsal fin, which is

exceedingly variable even in specimens from one locality, they should

probably all be made synonyms of marmoratus.

* Narcobatus smithi Guthr.

Smith’s Electric Skate.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 451.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vcl. u, p. 160.

Spiracles fringed, narrow, their diameter scarcely one-half their

distance from eyes, which are very small. End of base of Ist dorsal

opposite end of base of ventral. The mandibular dental plate occupies

the whole width of jaw.

Length.—Up to 375 mm.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 91

Colour.—Dark brown with darker spots.

Distribution.—S. Africa (?).

Only the type specimen appears to be known, and though it came

from Sir A. Smith’s collection, Giinther queries the locality. It is

possible that it is only an aberration of marmoratus, and the fact that

specimens of the latter species are found with exactly the same kind

of pattern as described for smith to a certain extent supports this

view. Garman, followed by von Bonde and Swart, identifies this

species with sinus-persict Kaempfer.

Gen. NARCINE Henle.

1834. Henle, Uber Narcine, p. 31.

Tail longer than disc. Two dorsal fins. Spiracles immediately

behind, and contiguous with, eyes. Mouth protrusible, its cleft

narrow. ‘Teeth with small points. Nasal flap much broader than

long.

*Narcine brasiliensis (Olfers).

1831. Olfers, Torped., p. 19, pl. 11, fig. 4.

1905. Jordan, Guide to Study Fish, vol. i, p. 553, text-fig.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 160.

Outline of disc elliptical. Spiracles surrounded by a ring of small

tubercles.

Length.—Up to 525 mm.

Colour.—Brown, variously blotched with darker.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Atlantic coasts of tropical America. Enters fresh-

waters.

Von Bonde and Swart (1923, loc. cit., p. 14) state that this species

has not been found during the Marine Surveys, and that there is

some doubt about its occurrence in South African waters. For

description of NV. natalensis Fowler, see Appendix.

Gen. HETERONARCE Regan.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 414.

Two dorsal fins. Spiracles contiguous with eyes. Nostrils minute.

Nasal flap only a little broader than long, studded with pores.

A deep-water genus containing one other species, H. mollis (Lloyd),

from the Indian Ocean.

92 Annals of the South African Museum.

*Heteronarce garmant Regan.

1921. Regan, loc. cit., p. 414.

Distance between spiracles about ? preocular length of snout.

Length.—Up to 170 mm.

Colour.—Brown above, white below.

Locality.—Natal, 120 fathoms.

Gen. NarKE Kaup.

(=AsTRAPE M. and H.)

1826. Kaup, Arch. Anat. Phys., p. 365.

One dorsal fin. Spiracles larger than, and immediately behind, eyes ;

their margins unfringed (in some specimens appearing almost as if

fringed on account of their irregular margins). Teeth with short

blunt points; dental plate not extending to sides of jaw, only twice

as broad as long.

Narke capensis (Gmel.).

One-finned Electric Skate.

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vel. u, p. 161.

Vent nearer end of tail than anterior margin of body. A pair of

small cutaneous papillae behind the dental plate in both jaws. (Plate

Vintig3))

Length.—Up to 280 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brown above, white below.

Locality.—False Bay to Natal.

Distribution.—Madagascar.

OrpER 2. HOLOCEPHALI (CHISMOPNEA).

Chimaeras.

Skull autostylic. Gill-slts four in number concealed beneath a

fold of skin which contains a rudimentary cartilaginous gill-cover

(operculum), with a single external opening. Spiracles absent.

Skin smooth, the dermal denticles confined to certain areas. Both

jaws covered with large dental plates, two pairs in upper, one pair in

lower jaw.

The Chimaeras are essentially members of the group of Carti-

laginous Fishes, but they exhibit some curious modifications in the

direction of the Bony Fishes. The general characters of the skeleton

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 93

and the internal organs are those of the Elasmobranchs. On the

other hand we see traces of the Teleostean organisation in the develop-

ment of an operculum, the suppression of the spiracle, and the vent

opening separately from the urino-genital apertures. There are

other features as well, but these are the most important. As special

adaptations of the group may be noted, the autostylic condition of

the skull, probably correlated with the need of supporting the large

crushing dental plates, and the frontal and ventral tenacula in the

male.

The frontal tenaculum is a club-shaped process, studded with

recurved hooks, and retractile into a pit on the forehead. The ventral

Fic. 10.—Egg-cases of A, Chimaera monstrosa (after Dean); B, Callo-

rhynchus capensis (original).

tenacula are likewise studded with hooks, and each is retractile into

a pouch in the skin in front of the ventral fins.

Like other Elasmobranchs the eggs are large. They are enclosed

in horny egg-cases which are fusiform in shape, surrounded by a more

or less wide laminar margin. There are no tendrils, and it is probable

that the egg-cases are laid on the sea-bottom or embedded in the

00ze.

The living Chimaeras are survivals from a very remote period.

Fossil remains of the dorsal spines and dental plates are found in

Palaeozoic strata and the group became abundant during Mesozoic

times.

Two representatives of this order are found in South African waters

and are referred to two families.

94 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to families.

1. No rostral projection. Tail long, lower lobe shallow : - Chimaeridae.

2. A rostral projection. Tail shorter, lower lobe well developed Callorhynchidae.

Fam. 1. CHIMAERIDAE.

Snout without rostral process. All the dental plates with tritors

(molar tubercles) on the anterior edges. The dorsal fins occupying

nearly the whole length of the back. Anal and ventral lobe of the

caudal very shallow. Lateral line sulcate, 7.e. an open groove. Egg-

case elongate, spindle-shaped, but truncate in front, margin narrow.

Gen. CHIMAERA Linn.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 236.

With the characters of the family.

Key to the South African species.

1. Lateral line sinuous. Anal distinct from caudal. , 3: monstrosa.

2. Lateral line straight. Anal not distinct from caudal 4 . africana.

Chimaera monstrosa Linn.

Common Chimaera.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 1079, pl. xlvi, figs. 2, 3.

1904. Garman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xli, No. 2,

pp. 258, 271, pl. vil, figs. 1-3 (dental plates).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 165 (references).

1922. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii, p. 51.

Tail ending in a long filament about 4 total length. First and

second dorsals subcontinuous, upper margin not notched, except just

above caudal. Anal distinct from caudal. Pectoral large, reaching

to posterior margin of ventral. Lateral line simuous; malar and

opercular branches arising together from the suborbital. Claspers

trifid, divided for about half their length. (Plate V, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 1200 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back and some spots and blotches on the sides

brown.

Locality. Off Cape Point and Saldanha Bay, 450-500 fathoms.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 95

Distribution.—North and middle Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian

Ocean.

Dean (1906, Publ. Carnegie Inst., No. 32, p. 7) mentions a

“C. vaillanti”’ from the Cape. The specimen is in the Paris Museum.

No description is given, and the name is, therefore, not valid. Dr.

Pellegrin, who was appealed to on the matter, writes that the lateral

line is slightly less sinuous than in typical specimens, but that in other

respects the specimen agrees so well that he sees no reason for separat-

ing it from monstrosa.

*Chimaera africana Gilch.

African Chimaera.

1922. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 51, pl. viii.

Tail ending in a long filament about 3-4 total length. First and

2nd dorsals subcontinuous, upper margin not notched except just

above caudal. Anal not distinct from caudal. Pectoral large,

reaching to middle or beyond base of ventral. Lateral line straight ;

malar and opercular branches uniting in a common branch which

arises from the suborbital. Claspers divided for about 4 their length.

Length.— %

Colour.—Dark brown ; fins purplish black.

Locality. Off Natal coast, 324 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The egg-cases have been described by Gilchrist (loc. cit., p. 52) from

specimens found in the same locality as the adults. They are about

190 mm. in length (excluding the terminal filament which measures

about 10 mm.) and 20 mm. in width.

Fam. 2. CALLORHYNCHIDAE.

Snout with a rostral projection terminating in a cutaneous flap.

Palatine and mandibular dental plates each with one or two tritors.

Dorsal fins not occupying the greater part of the back. Anal and

ventral lobe of caudal well developed. Lateral line tubular, opening

through a series of pores. Hgg-case spindle-shaped, pointed at both

ends, with a wide margin.

Gen. CALLORHYNCHUS Gronov.

1754. Gronovius, Mus. Ichth., vol. i, p. 59.

With the characters of the family. Pupil vertically ovate.

96 Annals of the South African Museum.

Callorhynchus capensis Dum.

Joseph ; Josup ; Dodskop.

1904. Garman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xli, No. 2,

pp. 257, 271, pl. vi, figs. 5, 6 (dental plates).

1914. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 167 (C. antarcticus).

Palatine dental plate with 2 narrow longitudinal tritors, mandi-

bular plate with a slightly broader median tritor which is anteriorly

acute. (Plate V, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 960 mm. (2), 740 mm. (3).

Colour.—Silvery, the back and fins dark brown; dorsal spine,

dental plates, and hooks on tenacula greenish ; pupil emerald green,

iris same colour as body.

Locality.—West coast from Walfish Bay southwards to Agulhas-

Bank, shallow water to 50 fathoms.

Garman (loc. cit.) has illustrated the forms of the dental plates in

the species of this genus, and on this basis has separated the Cape

species from C. callorhynchus, of which antarcticus is a synonym.

From an examination of many specimens I can confirm the con-

stancy of the form of dental plate as illustrated by Garman for

C. capensis, and, therefore, maintain the specific distinctness of this

species.

Garman states further (loc. cit., p. 257) that: ‘‘ Interest in

C. capensis is heightened by the fact that traces of its existence have

been found in Cretaceous formations and in a locality which greatly

widens its distribution. For the species described by Newton, 1876,

in the Q.J. Geol. Soc., vol. 11, p. 326, and figured and described by

the same author, 1878, in Mem. Geol. Surv. United Kingdom, vol.

iv, p. 41, pl. xu, figs. 11, 12, under the name Callorhynchus hectora

from a fossil palatine tooth found at Amuri Bluff, New Zealand, in a

fine conglomerate believed to be of the age of the Lower Greensand,

Cretaceous, is not to be separated from C. capensis by any of the

characters at present known. This is the earliest positive evidence

of the existence of a species of now living Chimaeroid.”

The characteristic egg-cases of this fish are frequently found

washed up on the beach. They are black in colour, spindle-shaped,

pointed at both ends, and surrounded by a wide margin which is

shaggy on one side, smooth on the other. In proportion to the

size of the fish they are extremely large, measuring up to 350 mm. in

length.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 97

Suspctass 2. TELEOSTOMI.

Skeleton bony. The skull is hyostylic (autostylic in the Dzpnor)

and, in addition to having the primary cartilage ossified, is overlaid

and strengthened by a secondary development of dermal bones.

The primary upper (palato-quadrate) and lower jaws also are supple-

mented with tooth-bearing bones. The gill-slits are covered over

by an operculum supported by a special opercular skeleton. Spiracle

present only in the Crossopterygw. The pelvic girdle, if present,

is rarely more than rudimentary. The body is normally covered with

scales, which are usually subcircular and imbricated. ‘The tail is as

a rule homocercal, ¢.e. the upper and lower lobes are symmetrical ;

exceptions being the living Chondrostei, and some extinct Crossop-

terygians.

No spiral valve in the intestine, except in Crossopterygii and Dipnoi,

though there are traces in Chirocentrus and some Salmonids. Pyloric

caeca usually present, except in Dipnoi, but extremely variable in

number and arrangement. Air-bladder, either single or double,

present in the great majority of forms. A nictitating membrane in

the eye is not developed. Nostrils as a rule double and situated

dorsally. Urino-genital organs opening behind, and _ separately

from, the vent. Male claspers are absent, though the genital or

urino-genital orifice may be produced in a tubular papilla which may

serve as an intromittent organ or even as an ovipositor.

In coloration, the prevalence of bright colours and well-marked

patterns is in strong contrast with the general uniformity that prevails

amongst the Hlasmobranchs. There is a vast diversity in modes of

life, habits, and life-history which will be referred to under the different

forms. The eggs are, with few exceptions, small and numerous, and

larval forms are frequent ; viviparity is exceptional.

This group contains by far the greater number of living fishes.

The subordinate groups mostly have their origin far back in geological

history.

OrpveER 1. DIPNOI.

Lung-Fishes.

Among the main characteristics of this group are the autostylic

condition of the skull, developed apparently in correlation with the

development of the strong triturating dental plates, the overlapping

cycloid scales, and the use of the air-bladder as an accessory air-

breathing respiratory organ or lung.

VOL. XXI, PART 1. v

98 Annals of the South African Museum.

These curious and interesting fishes live in fresh water, and at

the present day are confined to the tropical regions in South America,

Africa, and Queensland. The only South African representative is

Protopterus annectens Owen, which is described and figured in “ The

Freshwater Fishes of South Africa.” An account of the habits and

breeding of Protopterus will be found in Budgett, Tr. Zool. Soc.,

Volepxval ptar2, pa llOn IOI

Members of this order were widely distributed in former geological

periods, and in South Africa the dental plates of forms belonging to

the genus Ceratodus are found in the Upper Beaufort Beds (Karroo

System).

OrpERS 2, 3, anp 4. CROSSOPTERYGII, CHONDROSTEI, anp

HOLOSTEI. ;

These orders, formerly grouped together as “* Ganoidei,”’ are not

represented in the present-day South African fauna.

They received their name from the frequency with which the scales,

usually rhombic and articulated together instead of overlapping, are

covered with an enamel-like substance called ganoin. The only

surviving Crossopterygians are the Polypteridae, fresh-water fishes

inhabiting the Nile and the rivers of West Central Africa. The

Chondrostei include the Sturgeons, and the Holostei the Garpikes

(Lepidosteus) of N. America.

The following are some of the best known fossil representatives

of these orders found in South Africa :

Elonichthys from the Lower Beaufort Beds.

Helichthys 35 Upper Beaufort Beds.

Semionotus 5 Stormberg Beds.

Cleithrolepis ,, Upper Beaufort Beds.

OrveER 5. TELEOSTEI.

True Bony Fishes.

The great bulk of living fishes belong to this order. They appear to

have been derived from Holostean ancestors and became numerically

predominant over the other groups towards the close of the Secondary

(Mesozoic) Period. It is almost impossible to draw a hard and fast

line of distinction between the Holosteans and some of the more

primitive Teleosteans. Thus the extinct Pholidophoridae, of which a

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 99

South African representative occurs in the Upper Beaufort Beds, are

placed among the primitive Isospondylous Teleoste:, but possess the

ganoid scales, fin-fulcra, and incomplete vertebral centra which are

found characteristically in the Holostev.

Boulenger, writing in 1904 (Cambridge Natural History, vol. vu),

stated that “out of some 12,000 well-established species of Fishes

known to exist at the present day, about 11,500 belong to this order.”

Although the total number of existing species has been considerably

increased since then, the proportion probably still remains correct.

The following artificial key to the divisions of the Teleoste: is

founded on that of Regan (1909, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. viii, pt. 3,

p- 75), but has been considerably simplified by the adoption, as far

as possible, of external characters. It is only intended to apply to

the South African fauna. The student will notice that it includes

all the divisions recognised by Regan except four: the Thoracoster

from the Northern Hemisphere ; the Palaearctic fresh-water Haplomz

and Salmopercae ; and the North American deep-water Malacichthyes.

On the other hand, the Symbranchii are included [in square brackets],

as their members are distributed over the Indo-Australasian seas,

and it is quite possible that sooner or later representatives will be found

in South African waters. There is also a probability that the deep-

water Lyomerz will be found here, hence they likewise are included.

The divisions containing fresh-water forms are also included, and a

brief reference to their characteristics will be made in their proper

systematic positions.

100 Annals of the South African Museum.

I. No spines, or only 1,in dorsal and paired fins. Maxilla forming part, usually

the major part, of the upper jaw, not acting as a lever for protracting

the premaxilla. Mesocoracoid present (except in some Siluridae and in

Galaxiidae).

A. No fin spines. ‘ . IsosPpONDYLI.

B. Sometimes | spine in depres and aired fins. Fresh water mostly

OSTARIOPHYSI.

II. One or more fin spines normally present. No mesocoracoid.

A. Body tapering to a point without caudal fin. Scales cycloid. Dorsal

short or a series of disconnected spines . : ; HETEROMI.

B. These characters not combined.

1. Ventrals, if present, abdominal. Physostomous (except Micro-

CYPRINI).

a. Body eel-shaped. Skin naked or with rudimentary scales.

i. Paired fins absent. Premaxilla forming almost whole

of upper jaw 3 : i . [SYMBRANCHII].

ii. Premaxilla absent.

a. Pectoral arch close behind skull, pectoral fins

usually present. . APODES.

fp. Pectoral arch far behind rail sectoral fins present

[LyomeERt].

b. Body not eel-shaped.

i, An adipose dorsal fin * Bye ac ; . LNIOMI.

ii. No adipose fin. Fresh water é . MicrRocyPRINI.

2. Maxilla not protractile. Physoclystic.

a. Lower pharyngeals united. Fins without spines, dorsal far

back . : : : : ; SyYNENTOGNATHI.

b. Lower pharyngeals separate.

i. Snout tubiform . F ‘ : SOLENICHTHYES.

* Except Ipnops, some species of Bathysaurus, Ateleopidae, and Cetomimidce.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 101

ii. Snout not tubiform.

a. Body encased in bony rings. Snout produced

over mouth . : 3 HYPOSTOMIDES.

fb. Body not encased in bony rings, naked or scaly.

* Suprabranchial organs present. Fresh water

‘ LaBYRINTHICI.

** Suprabranchial organs absent.

+ Dorsal spinous. Ventrals abdominal

PERCESOCES.

tt No bony fin-spines. Ventrals thoracic

ANACANTHINI.

3. Maxilla protractile. Physoclystic. Body usually ribbon-shaped

ALLOTRIOGNATHI.

4, Head asymmetrical. Body flattened. No fin-spines

HETEROSOMATA.

5. Head symmetrical.

a. Body not eel-shaped.

i. Ventrals with 6 or more rays, with or without 1 spine.

a. Body not strongly compressed. Caudal forked

BERYCOMORPHI.

fb. Body strongly compressed. Caudal truncate or

rounded : : : : 7EOMORPHI.

ii. Ventrals with 1 spine and 5 or fewer rays.

a. Gill-openings not reduced.

* No adhesive disc : . PERCOMORPHI.

** An adhesive disc on head . DiscocEPHALt.

*** A ventral adhesive disc : XENOPTERL

fp Gill-openings more or less reduced.

* Ventrals, if present, thoracic. Teeth incisi-

form, separate, or united into a beak

PLECTOGNATHI.

** Ventrals, if present, jugular. Teeth cardiform

or villiform, always separate

PEDICULATI.

b. Body eel-shaped. <Fresh water. f : OPISTHOMI.

102 Annals of the South African Museum.

Division 1. ISOSPONDYLI.

Air-bladder, if present, communicating with digestive canal by a

duct (physostomous). Fins without spines: ventrals, if present,

abdominal; pectorals low down near ventral profile. Anterior

vertebrae distinct and similar to the others (isospondylous). Opercle

well developed. Pectoral girdle suspended from the skull; meso-

coracoid present (except in Galaxizdae).

This division contains the most generalised and primitive Teleostean

fishes, and is closely connected with the Holostean Ganoids by a series

of fossil forms. The most important primitive characters are: the

open duct of the air-bladder, the abdominal position of the many-

rayed ventral fins, the absence of true fin-spines, and the presence of

the mesocoracoid arch in the pectoral girdle.

Key to the South African families.

I. No adipose dorsal fin (Clupeoid series).

A. Scales cycloid, absent from head.

1. Dorsal not far back.

a. Ventral with more than 10 rays.

i. Lateral line present. Branchiostegals more than 20

Elopidae.

ii. Branchiostegals 6-14 . i ; Z . Albulidae.

iii. Branchiostegals 4 A : : : . Chanidae.

b. Ventral with 10 or fewer rays.

i. Lateral line present. Fresh water.

a. Eyes subcutaneous j ; . Mormyridae.

fp. Eyes freely exposed. : . Knertidae.

ii. Lateral line absent.

a. Mouth terminal . : : : Olupeidae.

6. Mouth inferior, snout projecting . Hngraulidae.

2. Dorsal far back, opposite anal.

a. Ventral filamentous, far forward. Fresh water Pantodontidae.

b. Ventral not filamentous, not far forward.

i. Surface forms. Skeleton firm. . Chirocentridae.

ii. Deep-sea forms. Skeletons feebly ossified.

Alepocephalidae.

B. Scales ctenoid, covering head as well as body ; Gonorhynchidae.

II. Adipose fin as a rule present (Salmonoid series).

A. Adipose dorsal, and lateral line present. but no photophores.

1. Branchiostegals 6 or more (—20).

a. Branchiostegals 10-20 . : : j Salmonidae.

b. Branchiostegals 6-10 . , : 3 . Argentinidae.

2. Branchiostegals 3-4. : : : : . Microstomidae.

B. Adipose dorsal, and lateral line absent. Fresh water. Galaxiidae.

C. Photophores present. Adipose dorsal, and lateral line present or absent.

Marine: deep water . ; : : : ‘ Stoniatidae.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 103

Ham. 1. ELopipAe£.

Maxilla more developed than premaxilla, extending backwards to

or beyond posterior margin of eye. A bony sublingual (gular) plate

between the rami of the lower jaw. Teeth on jaws, palatines, ptery-

goids, vomers, pharyngeals, and tongue, all numerous and minute.

Pectorals low down. No adipose fin. Ventrals with 10-16 rays.

Branchiostegals over 20. Giull-rakers rather long and slender. Air-

bladder large. Lateral line present. Scales cycloid. Belly not

keeled. Caudal forked.

A small family, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas,

frequently entering the estuaries of rivers. Though not of much

value as edible fishes, owing to the quantity of bones in the flesh,

they are splendid game-fishes for anglers.

The life-history is remarkable in that the young pass through a

“ Leptocephalus ” stage, similar to the Leptocephalus of the Eels.

The larva is ribbon-shaped and quite transparent, but is easily dis-

tinguished from the Eel larva by its forked tail. In the course of its

metamorphosis into the adult form it becomes shorter and thicker

and gradually develops pigmentation. (Fig. 11.)

Key to the genera.

1. Scales small. Dorsal longer than anal . 4 ; Elops.

2. Scales large. Dorsal shorter than anal, its last ray elongate . . Megalops.

Gen. Exors Linn.

1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 518.

1909. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. 1, p. 37 (revision).

Body elongate. Scales small. Lateral line with simple tubes.

Dorsal longer than anal, both with basal sheath of scales. Pseudo-

branchiae well developed.

Elops saurus Linn.

Cape Salmon (Port Elizabeth, East London) ; Springer (Natal).

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 50, fig. (references).

1916. Thompson, zbed., vol. i, p. 69 (machnata) (references).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 291 (machnata) (references).

Depth of body 43-6, head 32-434 in length. Eye 4-5 times in

head, subequal to snout and interorbital width, partly covered by

104 Annals of the South African Museum.

adipose eyelids. Lower jaw included within upper when mouth is

closed. D 22-25, A 13-17. Scales rather small, cycloid : 1.1. 100-120 ;

11-13

Length.—Up to 925 mm.

Colour.—Silvery.

Locality.—Port Elizabeth to Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—All warm parts of the Atlantic.

Regan recognises seven species in this genus. He separates the

South African (and Indo-Chinese) form under the name machnata

Forsk. (=capensis Smith) from the Atlantic form sawrus. In the

latter the lower jaw is included within the upper when the mouth is

closed, the whole premaxillary band of teeth being exposed. In

machnata, however, the lower jaw projects and covers the anterior

part of the band of teeth. Other differences in the scaling, etc., are

given.

All the specimens I have examined, ranging from 200 mm. up to

600 mm., agree with Regan’s diagnosis of sauwrus, especially in the

character of the mouth and scaling. Iam therefore unable to accept

the name machnata for the South African species.

Ltr Branchiostegals about 30. (Plate VI, fig. 1.)

Gen. Mecatops Lacép.

1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 289.

Body elongate, compressed. Scales large. Lateral line with

branched tubes. Dorsal shorter than anal, its last ray greatly elongate,

no basal sheath, but small scales extending on to anal. No pseudo-

branchiae.

Megalops cyprinordes (Brouss.).

Tarpon.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 52, fig. (references).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i,-pt. 4,

p. 292 (references).

Depth of body 33-4, in length, head equal to or a little less than

depth. Eye 3-3} in head, slightly larger than snout or interorbital

width, partly covered with adipose eyelids. Lower jaw projecting

well beyond upper. D 17-20, A 24-30. Scales large, cycloid :

Ll. 36-42 ; Ltr. Paul Branchiostegals about 27.

7-8

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 105

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, bluish on back; dorsal, caudal, and upper part

of pectorals dark bluish black.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.

M. atlanticus is the large tarpon of the east coast of the United

Fic. 11.—Megalops cyprinoides (Brouss.). Larval form, x 4.

(After van Kampen.)

States and the West Indies, reaching a length of 6 ft. and a weight of

110 lb.

It is probable that spawning takes place in deep water, the young

fry migrating shorewards to the shallow water where they undergo

their metamorphosis.

Fam. 2. ALBULIDAE.

Margin of upper jaw formed by maxilla, which does not extend as

far back aseye. Small villiform teeth on premaxilla, maxilla, vomers,

palatines, and lower jaw; larger flat-topped teeth on pterygoids,

parasphenoid, tongue, and pharyngeals. No sublingual plate between

rami of lower jaw. Pectorals low down. No adipose fin. Ventrals

with 10-14 rays. Branchiostegals 12-14. Gill-rakers short, knob-

like. Air-bladder large. Pseudobranchiae present. Lateral line

present. Scales cycloid. Belly not keeled. Caudal forked.

This family has only one living representative, unless the deep-sea

Japanese form Pterothrissus be also included.

As in the Elopidae, the young pass through a ‘“ Leptocephalus ”

Stage.

Gen. ALBULA Gronov. (BI. and Schn.).

1763. Gronovius, Zoophyl., p. 102.

1801. Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 432.

Body elongate. Dorsal fin short, in centre of back. Lateral line

with simple tubes.

106 Annals of the South African Museum.

Albula vulpes Linn.

Tarpon. Lady-fish (America).

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 53, fig.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, ps. 4,

p- 293 (references). ;

Depth of body 4-44, head 3} in length. Eye 6 in length of head,

24 in snout, 14 in interorbital width, almost completely covered with

adipose eyelids. Snout prominent, lips rather thick. D 17, A 8.

8-9

11-13)

Scales in very regular longitudinal rows: 1.1. 70-75; Ltr.

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark above ; margins of dorsal and caudal dark.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Widely distributed in all warm seas.

Fam. 3. CHANIDAE.

Upper margin of upper jaw formed by maxilla, to whose anterior

end the premaxilla is firmly attached. Mouth small, toothless.

Pectorals low down. No adipose fin. Ventrals with 10-11 rays.

Branchiostegals 4. Gull-rakers numerous, moderately long. Air-

bladder large. Pseudobranchiae present. Lateral line present,

with simple tubes. Scales cycloid. Belly not keeled. An accessory

branchial organ. Caudal forked. Guill-membranes united below.

Represented by a single living species.

Gen. CHANOos Lacép.

1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 395.

With the characters of the family.

Chanos chanos (Forsk.).

Milk-fish (America).

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 54, fig. (C. salmoneus).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 298 (references).

Body elongate, compressed. Depth of body 33-33; head 4 in

length. Eye 33 in head, rather larger than snout, 14-14 in interorbital

width, completely covered by skin. Mouth terminal. D. 14-16,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 107

A 8-10, both with scaly sheath at base. Scales strongly grooved

longitudinally : 1.1. 85-90; 1.tr. = (Plate VI, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark above ; dorsal, caudal, and tip of anal dark.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Fam. 4. CLUPEIDAE.

Herrings, Shads, Sardines, Pilchards, Whitebatt.

1916. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xviii, p. 1.

Mouth moderately large, terminal or lower jaw slightly projecting.

Margin of upper jaw formed by maxilla which is composed of 3

pieces. Teeth minute, often rudimentary or absent on some or all

of the usual tooth-bearing bones. Pectorals low down. No adipose

fin. Ventrals with 6-11 rays. Branchiostegals 5-20. Gill-rakers

usually very numerous. Air-bladder large. Lateral line absent.

Scales cycloid, more or less deciduous. Pseudobranchiae usually

present. Belly usually keeled, with scutes. Caudal forked.

Widely distributed over the whole globe and of great economic

importance in nearly every region. The economic value lies in the

fact that the members of this family are gregarious and occur in vast

shoals. Moreover, they inhabit the shallower water at no great dis-

tance from land, frequently entering the estuaries of rivers.

Their habits, breeding, and migrations have been studied in great

detail in the Northern Hemisphere (see Meek, Migrations of Fish,

chaps. v, vi, 1916).

It is a remarkable fact that while all the better known species have

pelagic floating eggs, the herring forms an exception in having

demersal eggs which are attached to various objects at the bottom of

the sea. There are, however, many species, especially in the warmer

seas, whose life-histories are yet unknown.

In South Africa this family is but poorly Sea. There is no

member of the genus Clupea to which the true herring (C. harengus)

belongs. As regards size, the Natal herring is the largest species in

these waters, but is too bony to become popular. Nevertheless, there

is no reason why a lucrative business should not be established in

tinning the Cape sardine and placing a continuous supply of whitebait

on the market.

108 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Belly without scutes.

A. Ventrals entirely behind dorsal. Eye subcutaneous . . Ltrumeus.

B. Ventrals almost or entirely in front of dorsal. Eve fully exposed

Spratelloides.

II. Belly with scutes.

A. Adipose eyelids.

1. Body strongly compressed.

a. Ventrals very small. Anal very long . : . Pellona.

b. Ventrals not very small. Anal moderately long . Ailsa.

2. Body not much compressed ‘ : : . Sardina.

B. Eyelids not adipose.

1. No teeth on jaws. 3 : : : : Sardinella.

2. Teeth on jaws : 4 : : , : Harengula.

Gen. EtruMEus Blkr.

1853. Bleeker, Vert. Batar. Gen., vol. xxv, p. 58.

Body scarcely compressed, belly rounded, without scutes. Scales

very deciduous. Ventrals entirely behind dorsal. Anal very short,

not nearly reaching base of caudal, last ray slightly enlarged. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Teeth sparse on maxilla and lower jaw, patches of

villiform teeth on vomer, palatine, pterygoid, and tongue. Supple-

mentary bones of maxilla very narrow. Gill-rakers long on anterior

arch. Branchiostegals rather numerous (15). Eye entirely covered

with skin.

Etrumeus micropus (Schleg.).

Round Herring.

1846. Schlegel, Fauna Japon. Poiss., p. 236, pl. evu, fig. 2.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 295 (references).

Depth of body 53-6, head 4 in length. Eye subequal to snout

and to postocular part of head, nearly twice interorbital width.

Mouth terminal or the lower jaw slightly projecting, maxilla reaching

to vertical from anterior margin of eye. D 18-19, A 9-11, both

with basal sheaths. Branchiostegals about 15. Scales: Ll. 52-56;

Ltr. 13-14. A long oval scale on ventral side of each ventral fin.

Colour.—Silvery, dark on back.

Locality.— Port Elizabeth and Natal coast.

Distribution. Japan, China, Hawaii Islands.

The Australian jacksoniensis Macleay, 1878, seems scarcely dis-

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 109

tinct ; the specimen described by McCulloch from West Australia

in 1914 (Rec. W. Austr. Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 211, pl. xxix) has D 21,

A 11 (2), while Macleay gave the fin formula of his specimens as D 16,

A 13.

Gen. SPRATELLOIDES Blkr.

1852. Bleeker, Verh. Batav. Gen., vol. xxiv, p. 29.

Body more or less compressed, belly rounded or not sharply keeled,

without scutes. Scales deciduous. Ventrals almost or entirely in

front of dorsal. Anal moderately short or long. A silvery lateral

stripe. Teeth minute or absent. Branchiostegals 6. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Gull-rakers about 30, long, moderately slender.

Supplementary bones of maxilla broad. Adipose eyelids obsolete.

Key to the South African species.

1. Anal rather long, 18-21. Dorsal nearer caudal than snout : aestuarius,.

2, Anal short, 9. Dorsal nearer snout than caudal . : ; delicatulus.

Spratelloides aestuarvus Gilch.

Whitebatt.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 55, fig.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 296.

Body elongate, rather strongly compressed, belly bluntly keeled.

Depth of body equal to length of head, 4-43 in length. Hye subequal

to snout, 3-3} in length of head, 1} times interorbital width. Adipose

eyelids absent. Lower jaw slightly projecting beyond upper, maxilla

reaching to or a little beyond vertical from anterior margin of eye.

Maxilla, premaxilla, and lower jaw with feeble teeth, which are often

absent. D 14-16, much nearer root of caudal than tip of snout;

A 18-21 beginning under end of dorsal; V wholly in front of dorsal.

Scales: 1.1. about 40; Ltr. about 10. <A hard sharp keel on thoracic

region in front of pectorals.

Length.—Up to 70 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, a brilliant silver lateral stripe, back dark.

Locality.—Princess Vlei (False Bay), Port Elizabeth, East London,

Natal. Estuarine and fresh water.

Types in South African Museum.

This species has a considerably longer anal fin than is usual in this

genus, resembling in this respect Dusswmieria, but in the characters of

the fully exposed eye and the few branchiostegals it agrees with

Spratelloides.

110 Annals of the South African Museum.

*Spratelloides delicatulus (Benn.).

1872. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 96, pl. celxiv, fig. 3.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 296 (references).

Depth of body 6-7, length of head 4-4} in length. Hyes smaller

than snout, about 4 in length of head. Lower jaw slightly projecting,

maxilla extending to vertical from anterior margin of eye. D 11-12,

nearer end of snout than caudal; A 9-10; V inserted below posterior

third of dorsal. Seales: 1.1. about 35; ltr. 7-8.

Length.—Up to 90 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with lateral silver stripe, back dark.

Locality.— Zululand coast (Kosi Bay).

Distribution.—East Indies and Australia.

Gen. PELLONA Val.

1847. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xx, p. 300.

Body strongly compressed, belly keeled, with scutes. Scales

deciduous. No enlarged scales on tail. Ventrals very small, below

origin of dorsal. Upper pectoral ray strong. Anal very long. Teeth

on palatine, pterygoid, and tongue, none on vomer. Supplementary

bones of maxilla broad. Giull-rakers long, not very numerous.

Pseudobranchiae present. Branchiostegals 6.

This genus is distributed over the tropics and subtropical parts of

the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans. It is easily distinguished by

the very small ventrals and the very long anal fin.

The name Ilisha Gray appears to have been proposed without

description, and is therefore not acceptable.

Pellona natalensis G. and T.

Straight-back Herring.

1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8.A. Mus., vol. vi, p. 202.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 298.

Upper profile almost straight. Depth of body 22-3, head 34 in

length. Eye greater than snout, nearly twice interorbital width,

23 in head, partly covered with narrow adipose eyelids. Mouth

superior, lower jaw projecting, maxilla very oblique, scarcely (in

adult) reaching vertical from anterior margin of eye. A toothed

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 111

bone connecting premaxilla with maxilla, the latter with minute teeth.

Posterior halves of occipital ridges converging. D17, A 37. Scales:

1.1. (about) 41; ltr. (about) 13. Scutes 16-19 in front of, 8 behind,

ventrals. (Plate VII, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 150 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a dark dorsal stripe.

Locality.— Natal coast, 24 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum. I have examined two young

specimens which agree with the type, though the body is proportion-

ately a little deeper. Contrary to the statement of the original

authors, I am unable to find any teeth on the vomers, a fact which is,

moreover, more in accordance with the definition of the genus. This

species is very closely allied to hoeveniw Blkr., and ditchela C. and V.

Gen. Hrtsa Regan.

1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 167 (Paralosa non

Bleek.).

1917. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xix, p. 303 (revision).

Body compressed, belly keeled, with scutes. Scales not deciduous.

Premaxillae meeting at an acute angle. Ventrals below dorsal.

Anal long. Pseudobranchiae present. Teeth none. Gill-rakers very

numerous, long, and slender. Supplementary bones of maxilla rather

broad. Branchiostegals 5. No enlarged scales at base of caudal.

A genus of several species distributed over the Indo-Chinese region,

differing mainly from the N. Atlantic and the Mediterranean genus

Alosa (The Shad) in the larger scales and absence of the enlarged

scales on the caudal.

Hilsa durbanensis (Regan).

Natal Herring.

1906. Regan, Ann. Natal Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 4, pl. iv.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 297 (references).

1917. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xix, p. 305.

Depth of body 22-24, head 33-32, in length. Eye subequal to

snout, rather smaller than interorbital width, 4-44 in head, not

completely covered by the adipose eyelids. Parietal ridges expanded

and striated, not covered with smooth skin. Lower jaw closing

within upper. Operculum smooth. D 16-18, A 19-22, both with

112 Annals of the South African Museum.

basal sheaths. Branchiostegals 5. Scales finely longitudinally

striated, edges more or less ciliated: 1.1. 42-45; ltr. 14. Scutes

14-15 (or 17 according to Regan) in front of, 12-13 behind, ventrals.

150-200 (less in juv.) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.

Length.—Up to 265 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a dark spot on shoulder and dark edge to

dorsal, sometimes also tips of caudal dark.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Is occasionally seen as smoked fish, but is not popular owing to its

being too bony.

There is a remarkable resemblance in superficial appearance between

this species and the Sydney herring (Harengula castelnaui Ogilby),

even to the black tip to the dorsal, and the black tips to the caudal,

which are sometimes found in young specimens of the Natal herring.

Gen. Sarpina Antipa.

1906. Antipa, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, vol. lxxii, p. 54.

1916. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xvii, p. 11.

Body not strongly compressed, belly only slightly keeled with

scutes. Scales very deciduous, with interrupted transverse striae.

Ventrals opposite dorsal. Anal long, last 2 rays enlarged. Gill-

rakers very numerous, long, and slender. Teeth absent.

Branchiostegals 6. Supplementary bones of maxilla broad. A

pair of enlarged scales on each side of base of caudal. Operculum

with radiating grooves. Pseudobranchiae present.

A small genus found in both the north and south temperate zones,

its place in warmer waters being taken by the next genus Sardinella.

It includes the pilchard of Hurope.

Sardina sagax (Jenyns).

Sardine, Sardyn.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 57, fig. (Clupea sagaz).

1916. Zd., ibed., vol. ii, p. 20, fig. (egg and larva).

1916. Thompson, ibid., vol. 11, p. 71 (reference).

Body elongate. Depth of body 5-54, length of head 33-34 in

length. Eye subequal to interorbital width, 14-14 in snout, 43-43

in length, partly covered with adipose eyelids. Lower jaw scarcely

projecting, maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye.

D 17-19, A 18-20, both with low basal sheath. Scales all exposed,

PLATE VI.

FIG.

1. Elops saurus Linn. (after Day)

2. Chanos chanos (Forsk.) (after Day)

3. Chirocentrus dorab Forsk. (after Day)

4. Gonorhynchus gonorhynchus (Gmel.) (after Richardson)

5. Thryssa vitrirostris (G. and T.) (original) —. 5

TEXT-PAGE

+108

Plate VI.

. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI,

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 113

with a few transverse striae: 1.1. about 54; l.tr. about 12. Scutes

18-20 in front of, 12-14 behind, ventrals. Giull-rakers 105-110 on

lower part of anterior arch.

Length.—Up to 210 mm. (or 290 mm. Chile).

Colour.—Silvery, dark above, with 20 or fewer black spots along

side of body, sometimes absent altogether.

Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay to Natal.

Distribution.—Japan, Pacific coast of North and South America.

The Sardine is one of the most valuable economic fishes in Europe,

Japan, and California. Although the South African species is

abundant and of excellent flavour, no use has yet been made of it.

The egg is large, 1-7 mm. in diameter, with large perivitelline space,

a postero-ventral oil-globule 0-2 in diameter, and vesiculate yolk.

The larva is very elongate, 4-1 mm., with only a few black spots over

the body, and the vent in the posterior third of the body.

The occurrence of this species in Natal is probably exceptional.

In the warm waters of Natal and the east coast its place is taken by

Sardinella gibbosa and the species of Harengula.

Gen. SARDINELLA Val.

1847. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xx, p. 263.

1917. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xix, p. 377 (revision).

Adipose eyelids small. Body compressed, belly keeled, with

scutes. Scales large, usually firm, with interrupted transverse

striae. No enlarged scales on tail. Ventrals opposite dorsal. Anal

long, last 2 rays enlarged. Giull-rakers numerous, long. Teeth

feeble on palatine and tongue. Branchiostegals 6. Supplementary

bones of maxilla broad.

Pseudobranchiae present. Operculum with only a single groove,

near anterior edge.

A genus of numerous tropical and subtropical species, distinguished

chiefly by the absence of the radiating grooves on the operculum

and the form of the branchial chamber from the genus Sardina of

temperate waters.

*Sardinella gibbosa Blkr.

The Lesser Sardine.

1849. Bleeker, Journ. Indo-Archip., vol. 11, p. 72.

1872. Id., ibid., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 106, Clup. pl. vii, fig. 6

(Clupea tembang).

VOlexxd PART 1) 8

114 Annals of the South African Museum.

1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 167 (S. sendensis

non Day).

197. Id., vbed., vol. 1, pt. 5; p. 458:

1917. Id., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xix, p. 383.

Depth of body 33-4, head 4-44 in length. Eye subequal to snout,

34-4 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below anterior +4

of eye. D 17-20, A 17-19. Ventral 8-rayed. Scales: 11. 44-48 ;

ltr. 11-13. Scutes sharply keeled, 18-20 in front of, 13-15 behind,

ventral. Fifty to fifty-five gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.

Length.—Up to 160 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark bluish above, a dark spot at base of anterior

dorsal rays, upper part of dorsal and edge of caudal often dusky.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa to India and East Indies.

Gen. HARENGULA Val.

1847. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xx, p. 277.

1917. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xix, p. 386 (revision).

Body compressed, belly keeled, with scutes. Scales firm, with

continuous transverse striae. Ventrals opposite dorsal. Anal long,

last 2 rays not enlarged. Teeth on jaws, palatine, pterygoid, and

tongue. Supplementary bones of maxilla broad. Branchiostegals

6. Adipose eyelids small. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-rakers

numerous, long. No enlarged scales at base of caudal. Lower jaw

rather prominent.

A genus of tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific and W. Atlantic

fishes, closely allied to Sardinella, but distinguished by the con-

tinuous striae on the scales, and the last 2 anal rays not being enlarged.

Key to the South African species.

Gill-rakers less than 40 on lower part of anterior arch : 3 . punctata.

Gill-rakers more than 40 on lower part of anterior arch ; : » ewittata:

Harengula punctata Riipp.

Punctate Lesser Herring.

1835. Riippell, N.W. Fische, p. 78, pl. xxi, figs. 2, 3 (Clupea pune-

tata and quadrimaculata).

1872. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 107, pl. cclxiu, figs. 1, 2

(Clupea moluccensis and kunzet).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 115

1917. Regan, loc. cit., p. 390 (synonymy).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 320 (name only).

Depth of body 34-4, length of head 34-4 in length. Hye subequal

to snout, 3-34 in head. Maxilla extending to below anterior 4 of eye.

D 17-19, A 17-19. Ventral below middle of dorsal. Scales: 1.1.

42-45 ; ltr. 11-12. Scutes 16-20 in front of, 11-14 behind, ventral.

Thirty to thirty-four gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.

Length.—Up to 130 mm.

Colour.—Back steely blue with a series of 10-12 round black spots,

a yellowish lateral stripe, sides and belly silvery, anterior part of

dorsal blackish.

Locality.—Natal coast ; Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Harengula vittata C. and V.

Banded Lesser Herring.

1847. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xx, p. 352.

1872. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 111, pl. cclxix, fig. 5

(Clupea melanura).

1917. Regan, loc. cit., p. 392 (synonymy).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (name only).

Depth of body 34-33, length of head 33-4 in length. Eye subequal

to snout, 32-32 in head. Maxilla extending to below anterior 4 of

eye. Fifty to sixty gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. D 16-17,

A 18-19. Ventral below anterior half of dorsal. Scales: 1.1. 40-42 ;

ltr. 12. Scutes 17 in front of, 13 behind, ventral.

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour.—Steely blue above, sides and belly silvery, base of caudal

brownish, tips of caudal lobes black.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Fam. 5. ENGRAULIDAE.

Anchovies.

Mouth very large, inferior, being overlapped by snout. Margin

of upper jaw formed by maxilla, which is composed of 3 pieces and is

very long; premaxilla very small. Teeth small, rudimentary or

absent. Pectorals low down. No adipose fin. Ventrals with 6-12

rays. Branchiostegals 5-14. Gill-rakers fairly numerous. Air-

bladder large. Pseudobranchiae present. Belly rounded or keeled.

116 Annals of the South African Museum.

Scales cycloid. Caudal forked (except in Coilia, where body ends in

a tapering tail). Lateral line absent. Eyes completely covered over

by skin.

The Anchovies are extremely closely allied to the Herrings, but

although there is scarcely any important structural difference be-

tween the two families, the Engraulidae can be at once recognised by

the projecting snout and the very short free portion of the tongue.

The family is widely distributed in all seas, frequently entering the

estuaries of rivers. Like the members of the Herring families, most

of the species are usually found in enormous shoals.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Belly rounded . : : : 3 F F : : . Engraulis.

2. Belly sharply keeled. ;

a. Pseudobranchiae obsolete. A silvery lateral stripe . : Stolephorus.

b. Pseudobranchiae present. No silvery lateral stripe : . Thryssa.

Gen. ENGRAULIS Cuvier.

1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 1, p. 174.

Body little compressed, belly rounded, without serratures. Gill-

membranes very short. Branchiostegals 12-14. Maxilla not ex-

tending as far as edge of gill-cover. Anal long, commencing a little

way behind end of dorsal, both dorsal and anal with low basal sheath.

Teeth usually on jaws, vomer, palatine, and pterygoid. Pectoral

rays not prolonged into a filament. Pseudobranchiae present. No

silvery lateral stripe. Vertebrae 44-47. Flesh dark.

Engraulis capensis Gilch.

Cape Anchovy.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 62, fig.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (occurrence).

Body elongate, not strongly compressed, belly scarcely keeled.

Depth of body 6-63, length of head 3}-32, in length. Eye slightly

larger than snout, 43-43 in head. Teeth on both jaws, palatine,

pterygoid, and vomer. Maxilla not tapering behind, rounded, extend-

ing not quite to end of mandible. Gill-rakers about 35 on lower part

of anterior arch. D 14-15, A 18-20, commencing a little way behind

vertical from end of dorsal. Scales: 11. 42-44; ltr. 6. No spini-

form scales along belly. Pseudobranchiae well developed.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 117

Length.—Up to 120 mm.

Colour.—Dark above, silvery on sides and belly.

Locality.—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay, Natal.

Type in coll. Gilchrist.

The 8th caudal ray, both from the upper and the lower outer sides

of the tail, has a large skinny flap, extending towards its fellow

and covering over the middle caudal rays, similar in appearance to

the enlarged alar scales on the tail of the Sardine (Sardina sagaz).

Very closely allied to #. australis (Shaw), the Australian anchovy,

which, however, has a slightly smaller eye, and fewer scales and

anal rays.

Gen. STOLEPHORUS Lacép.

1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 381.

Body compressed, belly keeled, with a series of bony scales, each

bearing a sharp spine. Maxilla not extending beyond edge of gill-

cover. Gill-membranes very short. Anal long, commencing opposite

dorsal. Both dorsal and anal with low basal sheath. Pectoral rays

not prolonged. Teeth usually present on jaws, vomers, palatine, and

pterygoid. Pseudobranchiae present. Vertebrae 40-42. Flesh light.

A silvery lateral stripe.

Stolephorus holodon (Blgr.).

East Coast Anchovy. Whitebait.

1900. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 12, pl. iu, fig. 1.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 61, fig.

Body elongate, moderately compressed, belly keeled. Depth of

body 5-54, length of head 4, in length. Eye larger than snout, 3

in length of head. Teeth in both jaws and on palatine and vomer.

Maxilla tapering to a blunt point behind, extending to edge of gill-

cover. Gill-rakers 25 in lower part of arch. D 14-15; A 19-20,

commencing below middle of dorsal. Scales: 1.1. 40-42; Ltr. 9.

Scutes 8-9 from pectoral to ventral, 6-7 behind ventrals. Pseudo-

branchiae well developed.

Length.—Up to 70 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a brilliant silver lateral stripe.

Locality.—Algoa Bay to Natal, estuarine.

Type in British Museum, cotype in South African Museum.

I am unable to confirm two points in Boulenger’s original descrip-

tion, which has been copied verbatim by Gilchrist in 1913. There are

118 Annals of the South African Museum.

said to be only 12 gill-rakers on the lower part of the anterior arch :

in the cotype and all other specimens I find about 25. Further,

both the cotype and the other specimens have spiny scales along the

whole of the belly, as shown in Boulenger’s figure, though he only

mentions those between the pectorals and ventrals in his description.

Very abundant in the Zwartkops River near Port Elizabeth,

where it is known as “ Whitebait.”’

Gen. THryssa Cuv.

1815. Rafinesque, Analyse Nat. (Thrissa).

1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim. (Thryssa).

Body strongly compressed, belly keeled, with long scutes. Gill-

membranes very short. Maxilla extending to or beyond edge of

gill-cover. Branchiostegals 10-14. Anal long, but not exceeding 50

rays. A minute spine in front of dorsal. Pectoral with none of the

rays prolonged. Teeth usually on jaws, vomer, palatine, pterygoid.

Pseudobranchiae obsolete. Both dorsal and anal with basal sheath.

No silvery lateral stripe. Flesh pale.

I feel justified in resuscitating Cuvier’s genus, as it is impossible

to include such forms as setvrostris, with trenchant scutigerous belly,

and the typical species of Engraulis in one and the same genus. Even

from Stolephorus it is abundantly distinct by the absence of psendo-

branchiae as well as the elongate maxilla. A skinny flap arising from

the scapular region and marked with dark venules is typically present.

The genus is distributed over the Indo-Pacific region.

Key to the South African species.

. Maxilla reaching base of pectoral . : : : : : vitrirostris.

. Maxilla reaching to or beyond ventral . 5 ; : : setirostris.

Thryssa vitrirostris (G. and T.).

Glass-nose.

1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,

pe 20r:

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p- 296.

Depth of body 33-33, length of head 4-43, in length. Hye larger

than snout, subequal to interorbital width (3? young), 4-44 in length

of head. Maxilla elongate, extending to base of pectoral, dilated

above angle of mouth, thence tapering to a fine point. Teeth on jaws,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 119

vomer, palatine, and pterygoid. Gill-rakers 21-24 on lower part of

anterior arch. D I+12-14, A 40-42, commencing below last dorsal

ray. Scales with transverse striae: 1.1. 36-40; ltr. 10. Scutes 17-18

in front of, 9 behind, ventrals. (Plate VI, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back darker, dark venules on shoulder. Edge of

caudal dark.

Locality.—EKast London, Natal, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.

Type in South African Museum.

There is considerable variation in the hind extremity of the maxilla,

due in many instances, no doubt, to injury. In the typical Natal

form the maxilla tapers to a fine point and its width (including the

membrane) behind the dilatation is not as great as that of the anterior

portion. But other specimens from Portuguese Hast Africa, not

otherwise differing from the typical form, have the hind part at least

as broad as the front part, tapering very slightly and terminating in

a blunt point. In one of these specimens the maxilla on one side

does not extend beyond the edge of the gill-cover, while that on the

other side stops short immediately behind the dilatation. The

identification, therefore, of single specimens in this genus should be

undertaken with caution.

Thryssa setirostris (Brouss).

Whiskered Herring.

1866-72. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 134, pl. cclxi, fig. 1.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 296 (references).

Depth of body 33, length of head 44-45, in length. Eye a little

larger than interorbital width, considerably larger than snout, 33-4

in length of head. Maxilla very elongate, dilated above angle of

mouth, extending to or beyond ventral, sometimes almost to vent,

tapering evenly, with a broad membrane. Teeth on jaws, vomer,

palatine, and pterygoid. Gill-rakers 10-12 on lower part of anterior

arch. D I+13-15, A 34-38, commencing below last dorsal ray.

Scales with transverse striae: 1.1. 40-44; ltr. 10-11. Scutes 14-15

in front of, 8-9 behind, ventrals.

Length.—Up to 165 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back dark, dark venules on shoulder.

Locality.—Natal, Portuguese East Africa.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

120 Annals of the South African Museum.

Fam. 6. CHTROCENTRIDAE.

Body very elongate, strongly compressed. Mouth large, superior,

cleft oblique. Margin of upper jaw formed by the firmly united

premaxilla and maxilla. Teeth on jaws large, minute on palatine,

pterygoid, and tongue. No adipose fin. Pectoral low down. Eye

completely covered over by skin. Ventral very small, with 7 rays ;

dorsal short; anal long. Branchiostegals 8. Gill-rakers neither

numerous nor long. Caudal forked. Scales deciduous, thin, cycloid.

Head naked. Lateral line absent. Air-bladder large. Pseudo-

branchiae absent.

Mucous membrane of intestine forming a spiral fold comparable

with the spiral valve in the Elasmobranchs.

Only one genus.

Gen. CHIROCENTRUS Cuv.

1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., p. 178.

With the characters of the family. A single species.

Chirocentrus dorab Forsk.

The Dorab ; Wolf Herring.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 652, pl. clxvi, fig. 3.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 295 (references).

Depth of body 63-63, length of head 53, in length. Hye 54 in

length of head. (These proportions are those of specimens not

exceeding 700 mm. in length.) Lower jaw projecting. D 16-18,

A 33-35. (Plate VI, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 12 ft.

Colourv.—Bluish or greenish above, silvery on sides and belly.

Locality.—Natal, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa and whole Indo-Pacific region.

The larger specimens of the Wolf-Herring, so called from its fang-

like teeth, are extremely vicious when caught, and must be handled

with care.

Fam. 7. ALEPOCEPHALIDAE.

Body more or less compressed, skin scaly or naked. Mouth

moderate or large, margin of upper jaw formed by premaxilla and

maxilla. Teeth feeble. No adipose fin. No barbels. Pectoral

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 121

moderately low down. Eye not covered over by skin. Ventral

sometimes wanting. Dorsal rather long, far back, opposite anal or

partly so. No air-bladder. Branchiostegals 6-7. Gull-rakers not

very numerous. Gill-openings very wide. Head naked. Scales, if

present, thin, deciduous, cycloid. Lateral line usually distinct.

Pseudobranchiae present.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Body scaly.

a. Maxilla without teeth . : : P : : . Alepocephalus.

b. Maxilla with teeth : : : : : : : Bathytroctes.

2. Body naked : b ; ‘ : : : : A enodermichthys.

Gen. ALEPOCEPHALUS Risso.

1820. Risso, Mem. Ac. Nat. Sci. Turin, vol. xxv, p. 270.

1908. Holt and Byrne, Fish. Iscl. Sci. Invest., 1906, vol. v, p. 32,

pls. ili, iv (key to species).

Body moderately compressed, scaly. Mouth moderate, snout

pointed and somewhat prolonged. Teeth on premaxilla, vomers,

palatine, and lower jaw; none on maxilla. Branchiostegals 6. Gill-

membranes entirely separate. Dorsal opposite and about equal to

anal. Ventrals rather small.

Alepocephalus australis Brnrd.

South African Smooth-Head.

1923. Barnard, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xin, pt. 8, p. 440.

Depth of body 52-6, length of head 3, in length of body. Greatest

depth at level of pectoral. Hye subequal to snout, not quite twice

interorbital width, 32 in length of head, 103-11 in length of body.

Eye touching dorsal profile, interorbital space flat or slightly concave.

Maxilla posteriorly enlarged, extending to vertical from centre of eye.

Opercular flaps voluminous, overlapping. D 16-17, A 16-17; dorsal

commencing opposite vent, slightly in advance of anal, which com-

mences behind middle of body. P 10. Caudal peduncle 23 times

its greatest depth. Scales: 1.1. 53-55; ltr. 13-14. Gill-rakers 14 on

lower part of anterior arch. Pyloric caeca (14-)15. (Plate VII, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 325 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Deep violet-black on head, lighter on body.

Locality. —Oft Cape Point, 630 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

122 Annals of the South African Museum.

Gen. BATHYTROCTES Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. u, p. 249.

Similar to Alepocephalus, but with teeth on the maxilla, 7 branchio-

stegals, and dorsal arising rather further forward. Teeth on the

premaxilla and mandible uniserial.

* Bathytroctes rostratus Guthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 11, p. 250.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 227, pl. lvin, fig. B.

1902. Brauer, Verh. d. Zool. Gesell., vol. xii, p. 43 (proroscopus).

1906. Id., Wiss. Hrg. D. Tiefsee Exp.; vol. xv, pt. 1, p: 17, ply xiv,

figs. 2, 3.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 35, p. 5, pl. i,

fig. 1 (young).

Depth of body 5-7, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye

subequal to snout, greater than (Brauer: equal to) interorbital space,

and 3-32 in length of head. Eye almost touching dorsal profile,

interorbital concave. Maxilla broadening behind, extending to below

posterior margin of eye. Premaxilla produced forwards in a short

spiniform process. D 17-20, A 17-19; dorsal commencing slightly in

front of level of vent. Scales: 1.]. 98-100; l.tr. 22-24. Gull-rakers

20 on lower part of anterior arch.

Length.—Up to 165 mm.

Colour.—Dark bluish grey or black.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 700 fathoms.

Distribution.—Temperate and tropical Atlantic, Indian Ocean,

650-1000 fathoms.

There is a specimen in the British Museum from the above locality,

presumably collected by the s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure,” and registered under

the name homopterus Vaill.

B. homopterus Vaill. (Exp. Trav. Talisman. Poiss., pp. 153, 386,

pl. xvii, fig. 1) has been considered by Vaillant himself (p. 386) and by

Brauer (1906) as a synonym of rostratus, but Goode and Bean (Ocean

Ichthyol., p. 45, 1896) have kept it separate. The latter course appears

to be correct in view of the larger scales and lesser extent of the

maxillary, though the necessity for the institution of a subgenus

(Lalismania) for homopterus and some other species, based on the

relative positions of the dorsal and anal fins, is more than doubtful.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 123

Compare, in this respect, Giinther’s figure of rostratus with Vaillant’s

figure of homopterus.

The British Museum specimen should be identified as rostratus.

Gen. XENODERMICHTHYS Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. u, p. 250.

1915. Roule, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1915, No. 2, p. 42.

Body compressed, naked, skin minutely longitudinally rugulose,

with more or less numerous, scattered nodular or hemispherical

photophores. Mouth small. Teeth feeble and rudimentary on

premaxilla and lower jaw. Dorsal opposite and equal to anals, both

long and low (more than 25 rays). Ventral small. Lateral line more

or less distinct.

The genus Aleposomus Gill 1884 as emended by Roule 1915 only

differs in having the dorsal and anal shorter (less than 20 rays) and

higher.

Two species are known: X. nodulosus Guthr. from Japan and

X. socialis Vaill. from N. Atlantic. Aleposomus, as defined above, is

restricted to the Indian Ocean.

Aenodermichthys socialis Vaill.

The Gregarious Smooth-skin.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travaillem et Talisman, p. 162, pl. xi,

Liga

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 65 (name only).

1919. Roule, Res. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 52, p. 10, pl. i, fig. 5

(references).

Body deepest across base of pectoral. Depth 43-5, length of head

34-32, in length. Eye greater than interorbital width or snout, 3 in

length of head, projecting above dorsal profile. Maxilla to vertical

from centre of eye; premaxilla and lower jaw with minute teeth.

D 27-28, A 27-28 ; distance between last dorsal or anal ray and 1st

accessory caudal ray subequal to greatest depth of caudal peduncle.

Photophores scattered over head and body, most numerous on the

lower surface, but nowhere forming definite lines, a few extending on

to the vertical fins.

Length.—Up to 147 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Dark brown; eye purplish, photophores

translucent azure blue or pearly.

124 Annals of ‘the South African Museum.

Locality. —Oft East London, 300-400 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic and N.W. coast of Africa, 380-700

fathoms.

There are two specimens in the collection, the larger measuring

65 mm., presumably the ones on which Gilchrist based his record.

The number of photophores, as Roule (1919) points out, is variable.

There are only two points of difference between the South African

and the Northern specimens. The body proportions are different, the

South African specimens being relatively deeper, with a longer head ;

the greatest depth being immediately behind the head. This may be

accounted for by their being immature. Vaillant gives the number of

pyloric caeca as 5-6. Later writers have neither confirmed nor

altered this number. In the present specimens there are 7 (65 mm.)

and 8 (44. mm.).

It is probable that the South African specimens represent a distinct

species and should be given a separate name; but as the present

examples are immature, it is better to wait for the results of the

s.s. “‘ Pickle ” (see Fish. Mar. Biol. Survey Rep., p. 1, 1921).

Fam. 8. GONORHYNCHIDAE.

Mouth small, inferior, with fleshy lips. Snout projecting, with a

single median barbel. Margin of upper jaw formed by premaxilla

and maxilla, the latter articulated above the former. Teeth: a

round patch of bluntly conical teeth on each pterygoid opposed to a

similar patch on the hyoid bones. Pectoral low down. No adipose

fin. Dorsal far back, opposite ventrals, short, as is likewise the anal.

Ventral with 9-10 rays. Branchiostegals 4. Gill-rakers few and

short. No free tongue. Guill-membranes united to isthmus. — Air-

bladder absent. Head and body with small ctenoid scales. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Caudal forked. Lateral line distinct. Hyes

covered by skin.

A single existing genus containing one species. Nothing is known

of its spawning habits or life-history.

Gen. GONORHYNCHUS Gronov.

1763. Gronovius, Zoophyl., No. 199.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 202.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 125

Gonorhynchus gonorhynchus (Gmel.).

Beaked Salmon or Sand Fish (Australia).

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, pp. 207,

212, pl. dlxvui.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ili, p. 73 (references).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 299 (references).

Body very elongate, rounded. Depth of body 114 (young) to 8

(adult), head 43-43 times in length. Eye 43-5 in length of head.

D 11-13, A 9-10. Both lips fringed with papillae. One median

papilla and 2 pairs of submedian papillae on roof of mouth in front of

the pterygoid teeth. (Plate VI, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Greyish brown above, silvery below, a pink lateral stripe

from snout to tail; upper part of iris, axillary scale of pectoral, and

tips of caudal lobes pink; tips of pectoral, ventral, dorsal, and anal

fins, and median part of each caudal lobe black; mouth, branchial

cavity, accessory branchial organ, and whole intestinal canal purplish.

Locality.—Port Nolloth, Table Bay, and False Bay to Natal, shallow

water.

Distribution.—Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

This fish frequents sandy localities. It can scarcely be classed

among the edible fishes, though its flesh possesses no injurious pro-

perties and it is frequently eaten in New Zealand.

A curious accessory branchial organ is present behind the 4th gill-

arch, partly attached to this arch and partly to the humeral arch.

Giinther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vu, p. 374) states that he found

the young examples less elongate than the adult. I find exactly the

contrary, as will be seen from the relative proportions of depth to

length given above. The youngest example I have seen is 75 mm.

and is extraordinarily slender.

The following three fresh-water families complete the representatives

of the Clupeoid series of the Jsospondyli so far as South Africa is

concerned. They are dealt with in Gilchrist and Thompson’s * Fresh-

water Fishes of South Africa,” but the diagnoses of the families may

be given here.

Fam. MormMyriIpDAE.

Body more or less elongate. Mouth ermine subterminal, or

inferior, often small. Margin of upper jaw formed by the single

126 Annals of the South African Museum.

premaxillary bone and the two maxillae. Teeth usually small and

feeble; usually some on the parasphenoid and the tongue ; no pharyn-

geal teeth. Pectorals low. No adipose fin. Dorsal and anal often

very long. Air-bladder present. Giull-rakers and _branchiostegals

few (4-8). Ventral, anal, and caudal absent in Gymnarchus. Pseudo-

branchiae and eyes covered over with skin. Head naked. Scales

very small, cycloid. Caudal forked. Gill-slits very small. Gill-

membranes.

Most of the members of this family possess an electric organ situated

on either side of the caudal peduncle. The family is also remarkable

for the comparatively enormous size of the brain.

*KRam. PANTODONTIDAE.

Body not very elongate. Mouth large. Teeth on all the usual

bones, including the pharyngeals. Premaxilla single. Pectorals

enlarged. Ventral with 7 rays, some filamentous, placed exception-

ally far forward, immediately behind pectoral. Dorsal short, far

back. No adipose fin. Scales large, cycloid.

The only known species, the little “ fresh-water flying fish’ of the

Zambesi, is not represented in the South African Museum collection.

Fam. KNERIIDAE.

Body elongate. Mouth large, inferior, toothless. Guiil-opening very ©

small. Scales small, cycloid. Branchiostegals 3. Dorsal and anal

short. Air-bladder present.

Fam. SALMONIDAE.

Body elongate. Mouth terminal, usually large. Teeth varying,

sometimes wanting. Guill-membranes not connected. Branchio-

stegals 10-20. Gill-rakers various. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-

bladder large, only exceptionally absent. Adipose dorsal fin present.

Anal long or short. Dorsal not long. Ventral with 6-14 rays.

Caudal more or less forked. Head naked. Scales cycloid. Lateral

line present. Eggs large. Stomach siphonal, not in the form of a

blind sac. Pyloric caeca numerous.

Although this family is only represented in South Africa by intro-

duced fresh-water species, yet as these species sometimes find their

way into the sea, and as, moreover, they are not mentioned in Gilchrist

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 127

and Thompson’s “Freshwater Fishes of South Africa,” they may

receive brief notice here.

The family is one of numerous marine and freshwater species in the

Northern Hemisphere, whence several kinds have been transported

and acclimatised in the Southern Hemisphere.

Gen. Saumo Linn.

1758. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 308.

Mouth deeply cleft. Teeth strong on jaws, vomer, palatine, and

tongue. Vomer flat. Scales small. Branchiostegals 10-15. Dorsal

and anal fins short. Ventrals with 9-10 rays. Males in the breeding

season usually with the jaws prolonged and front teeth enlarged.

The marine species like the Salmon (S. salar) and the Sea Trout

(S. trutta) are anadromous, 2.e. they migrate up the rivers for the pur-

pose of spawning. The other trouts are fluviatile all their life.

In South Africa the introduction of the Brown, Loch Leven, and

Rainbow Trouts (S. fario, levenensis, and wideus respectively) dates

from about the year 1894. The history of the undertaking may be

read in W. W. Thompson’s “ Sea Fisheries of the Cape Colony (1913) ”

and A. H. Reid’s “ Trout Fishing and Angling in South Africa (1922).”

Key to the species of Trout in South Africa.

ape 40) AS 14: A red or pink lateral stripe from head to tail . trideus.

2. 11.120. A. 11-12. No red Jateral stripe.

a. Pyloric caeca 33-46 : : ; : fario.

b. Pyloric caeca 60-80 5 : ; . levenensis.

Fam. 9. ARGENTINIDAE.

Smelts.

Body elongate. Mouth terminal. Teeth varying. Guill-mem-

branes not connected. Branchiostegals 6-10. Gull-rakers usually

long. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-bladder large, single. Adipose

dorsal fin present. Anal moderate. Dorsal short. Caudal forked.

Ventral with 8-14 rays. Head naked. Scales cycloid (usually).

Lateral line present. Eggs large. Stomach a blind sac. Pyloric

caeca few or none.

A family of small marine fishes, some of them anadromous, some

of them inhabitants of deep water, and most of them found in the

Northern Hemisphere. They are easily distinguished from the

Salmonidae by the fewer branchiostegals, as well as the stomach and

128 Annals of the South African Museum.

pyloric caeca. The majority of them, like the Smelt, are delicate

food-fishes.

Gen. ARGENTINA Artedi.

1758. Artedi, Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 315.

Mouth small, maxilla not reaching level of eye. Scales rather large,

sometimes rough, with small spinose points. No teeth on jaws; fine

points on foreparts of vomer and palatine and on each side on tongue.

Dorsal fin short, in advance of ventrals. Branchiostegals 6-8. Pyloric

caeca present.

Chiefly Atlantic, but one species from California and one from

Australasia.

* Argentina sphyraena Linn.

Sul-Smelt or Argentine.

1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 513.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 51.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 917, fig. 230.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

p. 3.

Depth 7-8, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Eye 3-34 in

length of head, subequal to snout. D 9-12, height about 14 in length

of head; A 11-13, base greater than diameter of eye; V 10-11;

P 13-14. Gill-rakers 13-14 on anterior arch. Scales rough:

1.1, 52-58; I.tr. 7.

Length.—Up to 265 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, translucent.

Locality.—Natal coast and off Delagoa Bay, 180-201 fathoms.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, N. Atlantic, (?) New Zealand.

If the New Zealand and South African specimens are correctly

identified, this species appears to have a remarkable distribution.

Fam. 10. MicrostToMIDAE.

Body elongate. Mouth small, terminal. Teeth small, on lower

jaw and vomer. Gill-membranes separate or united. Branchio-

stegals, 3-4. Adipose dorsal present. Dorsal short. Ventral with

8-12 rays. Head naked. Scales deciduous, cycloid, thin. Lateral

line present. Pyloric caeca few or none.

A small family of bathypelagic fishes allied to, and evidently

derived from, the same stock as the typical Salmonids.

PLATE VIL.

FIG.

1. Pellona natalensis G. and T. (original)

2. Alepocephalus australis Brnrd. (original).

3. Bathymacrops macrolepis Gilch. (after Gilchrist)

4. Astronesthes boulengeri Gilch. (after Gilchrist)

5. Malacosteus indicus Gnthr. (after Brauer) .

Plate VII,

Ann. 8S. Afr Mus., Vol. XXTI.

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 129

Key to the South African genera.

1. Ventral opposite dorsal d : : ; : 0 : Bathylagus.

2. Ventral behind dorsal . é : : F ‘ : . Bathymacrops.

3. Ventral in advance of dorsal : ‘ : : 3 . Rhynchohyalus.

Gen. BatHyLaGcus, Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 1, p. 248.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull., vol. xlvu, p. 528.

Body compressed. No luminous spots. Teeth in upper jaw

rudimentary, in lower jaw very small, minute on vomer and palatine.

Eye very large. Dorsal and ventrals opposite, about in middle of

body. Anal moderate or rather long. Gull-membranes united.

Gill-rakers rather long. Pseudobranchiae well developed.

*Bathylaqus antarcticus Guthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 1, p. 248.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 220.

1905. Lénnberg, Swed. Siidpol. Exp., vol. v, p. 68 (B. gracilis).

1906. Brauer, Deutsch. Tiefsee Exp. Valdivia, vol. xv, pt. l,

p. 12, text-fig. 2.

Depth of body much less than length of head, 6-74 and 44 times

respectively in length. Eye twice as large as snout, 24 in length of

head. D 9-10; A rather long, 18-22.

— Length.—Up to 130 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown or blackish.

Locality.x—South of Agulhas Bank (37° 31’ 8., 17° I’ E.), 1000

fathoms.

Distribution.—Southern Indo-Antarctic Ocean, 800-2000 fathoms.

Gen. Baraymacrops Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 53.

Body compressed. No luminous spots. Teeth in upper jaw

absent, well developed on lower jaw and vomer. Eye very large.

Ventral behind dorsal, with 12 (10 in figure) rays. Anal rather short.

Gill-membranes united anteriorly. Gill-rakers rather long.

*Bathymacrops macrolepis Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 53, pl. ix, fig. 2.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

p. 4.

ViOlapxex (PART 9

130 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth of body 74, length of head 5, in length of body. Eye 23 in

length of head. Interorbital equal to snout, 4 diameter of eye. D9,

A 9 (6 in figure). Scales: 1.1.ca.50; ltr.8. (Plate VII, fig. 3.)

Length.—(?)

Colour.—Uniform brown.

Locality.—Natal coast, and off Delagoa Bay, 240-260 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. RHYNCHOHYALUS nom. nov.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

p. 4. (Hyalorhynchus, nom. preocc. Ogilby 1910.)

Body short, compressed. Snout long, rounded, transparent.

Scales moderate. Eye apparently telescopic (asin Winterza). Mouth

small. Teeth absent. Dorsal short. Adipose dorsal present. Ven-

trals in middle of body, in advance of dorsal, elongate. Pectoral

moderate. Anal short, behind end of dorsal. Caudal forked.

Pseudobranchiae absent. Branchiostegals, gill-membranes, and

pyloric caeca (?).

Owing to no mention being made of the branchiostegal rays and

other characters, it is uncertain in what family this Salmonid should

be placed. Gilchrist evidently referred to this form when he men-

tioned (1922, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ui, p. 53) a “ new genus

allied to Winteria.”” The relationship seems clear, but unfortunately

Brauer in describing Winteria also made no mention of the number of

branchiostegals or of the internal anatomy.

Both genera may be placed provisionally in the Microstomidae.

Winteria Brauer, 1901, differs in possessing pseudobranchiae and

small ventral fins. One species, W. telescopa Brauer, is known from

deep water in the Gulf of Guinea.

*Rhynchohyalus natalensis (G. and v. B.).

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, loc. cit., p. 4, pl. i, fig. 1.

Depth nearly 4, length of head 24 (3 according to figure), in length

of body. Eye 44 in length of head. Snout equal to $ length of head.

D 10, A7, P14, V 12, rays longer than length of head. Scales: Ll. 41.

Length.—158 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Yellowish ; operculum bronzy ; abdomen,

ventral fins, top of pectoral fin, adipose, and base of caudal black.

Locality.—Off Table Bay, 135 fathoms (not Natal !).

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa, 131

Fam. GALAXIIDAE.

1905. Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1905, vol. 1, p. 363 (revision).

1913. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xl, pt. 9, p. 389 (systematic

position and distribution).

Body elongate, naked. Mouth terminal, moderate. Teeth small,

on jaws (except maxilla), pterygoid, and tongue. Gill-membranes

free. Branchiostegals 5-11. Air-bladder present. No adipose dorsal.

Caudal truncate or subtruncate. Dorsal far back, more or less

opposite anal. Ventrals with 6-7 rays (absent in the New Zealand

mud-burrowing Neochanna). Pseudobranchiae present. Lateral line

absent. Mesocoracoid absent.

A family of nearly 30 species, circumpolar in distribution in the

Southern Hemisphere. They are closely allied structurally to the

Salmonidae, and like them are a group of marine fishes which have

more or less permanently established themselves in fresh water.

Many of the species, e.g. the South African ones, are non-migratory,

and live permanently in the rivers and lakes; others, however, are

migratory and descend to the sea to spawn (catadromous), in this

respect being the opposite of the Salmonids, which are anadromous.

The extent of their distribution includes the southern portions

of the southern continents: South Africa, Australia, Tasmania,

New Zealand and neighbouring islands, South America, Falkland

Islands. There are two or three closely allied species in South

Africa, the description of which will be found in Gilchrist and

Thompson’s “‘ Freshwater Fishes of South Africa.”

The family was formerly ranged in the Haplomz on account of the

absence of the mesocoracoid arch, but the other resemblances in

osteology to the Argentinidae and Salmonidae as well as the dentition

and the absence of oviducts, have induced Regan (1909) to transfer

them to the Isospondylv.

Fam. 11. SToMIATIDAE.

Body short or elongate, more or less compressed. Skin naked or

scaly. Photophores more or less developed. Mouth large. Teeth

well developed, often very powerful. Maxilla more developed than

premaxilla, forming part of upper jaw and set with teeth. Adipose

dorsal present or absent. Pectoral low down, sometimes reduced

or even absent. Ventrals usually far back. Dorsal and anal usually

132 Annals of the South African Museum.

far back, though dorsal sometimes far forward. Lateral line present

or absent. Branchiostegals 5-18. Giull-rakers well developed or

obsolete. With or without a barbel on chin. Gill-openings wide.

Air-bladder present or absent. Pseudobranchiae present or absent.

This family embraces a large number of deep-sea fishes which were

formerly ranged under two families: the Stomzatidae and Sternopty-

chidae. They were then split up into several families, chiefly by

American authors, but have now been reunited under the one name

by Boulenger and Regan. One of their characteristic features is the

well-developed maxilla set with teeth, which at once distinguishes

them from other deep-sea fishes, e.g. the Alepocephalidae and Mucro-

stomidae, and also the Scopelidae (Division Iniomi).

All the forms are bathypelagic, often living at great depths, but

apparently in many cases rising towards the surface at night time.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Gill-rakers obsolete.

A. Dorsal not far forward (Stomiatinae).

1. Adipose fin present.

a. Maxillary teeth close-set, comb-like : . Astronesthes.

b. Maxillary teeth distant from one another . Borostomias.

2. Adipose fin absent.

a. Eyes not stalked.

i. Dorsal and anal very long, dorsal beginning about in

middle of bedy . F : : Idiacanthus.

ii. Dorsal and anal not very long, far back.

a. Barbel present.

* Pectoral normal . : : . Stomias.

** Pectoral reduced to a single ray Neostomias.

$8. Barbel absent. : : . Malacosteus.

b. Eyes stalked ‘ : : : : . Stylophthalmus.

B. Dorsal far forward (Chauliodontinae) . F : : Chauliodus.

Il. Gill-rakers developed. Barbel present : : : . Melanostomias.

III. Gill-rakers well developed. Barbel absent.

A. Body elongate or very elongate.

1. Photophores evenly arranged.

a. Dorsal and anal arising at same level.

i. A 23-31. Suborbital expanded . ; Gonostoma.

ii. A 16-20. Suborbital not expanded Cyclothone.

b. Dorsal slightly in advance of anal, its posterior rays overlap-

ping anterior rays of latter.

i. Moderately elongate. Depth + of length . Yarrella.

ii. Very elongate. Depth at least 4 of length Diplophos.

c. Dorsal entirely in advance of anal é C Photichthys.

2. Photophores more or less aggregated into groups . Maurolicus.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 133

B. Body short (Sternoptychinae).

1. A bony plate in front of dorsal rays. Post-temporal spine weak.

a. Eyes vertical . : ; : : . Argyropelecus.

b. Eyes lateral ; : ; : : Sternoptyx.

2. No upstanding bony plate in front of dorsal. Post-temporal spine

strong. : é ; : ; : Polyipnus.

Gen. ASTRONESTHES Rich.

1845. Richardson, Voy. Sulphur. Ichthyol., p. 97.

1906; Brauer, Wiss. Hrs: 1D. Tiefsee’ Exp., vol) xv, pt. I, p: 27

(account of genus).

Body elongate. Skin naked, with photophores arranged in longi-

tudinal rows on lower part of body. Mouth large. Teeth strong,

unequal, canines in both jaws; teeth on palatine, and also as a rule

on the tongue; maxilla with a comb-like series of close-set teeth on

its posterior half. Barbel present. Paired fins well developed ;

ventral before middle of body. Dorsal arising behind ventrals.

Adipose dorsal and also usually an adipose ventral present. Caudal

forked. Lateral line absent. Gill-rakers minute. Pseudobranchiae

absent. Branchiostegals rather numerous. Air-bladder present.

Pyloric caeca said to be absent, but 2 in bouwlenger’.

A small genus hitherto only recorded from the deep water of the

North and South Atlantic. The generic name alludes to the star-like

appearance of the photophores, and does not, as has been suggested,

signity star-fish eater ; from the character of their teeth it is evident

that these fishes live on mobile prey, not sedentary star-fishes.

Key to the South African species.

1. D 15-16. AI5. : : : , : ; ‘ : boulengert.

ZW HOs CAL27 : : 3 ; : 2 : : : . capensis.

Astronesthes boulengert Gilch.

1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8.A., vol. ii, p. 103, pl. vi.

Depth of body 6, length of head 5, in length of body. Eye shorter

than snout, 13 in interorbital width and 44 in length of head. Mavxilla

extending almost to hind margin of operculum; the 2nd canine

from the front in both jaws very long. Free portion of tongue very

small, without teeth. D 15-16, A 15. Dorsal arising immediately

behind level of ventral, and anal arising immediately behind level of

end of dorsal. Adipose dorsal fin above posterior half of anal ; adipose

134 Annals of the South African Museum.

ventral fin just in front of vent. Branchiostegals 18. A small

backwardly directed spine above eye. Photophores numerous ;

minute spots scattered over head and body chiefly on lower surface ;

larger pearly spots in a single row at base of branchiostegals, and in

a double row along whole lower surface of body ; about 15 between

pectoral and ventral and 18 between ventral and anal; one spot on

edge of operculum and another covered by a flap of skin like an eyelid,

immediately below eye; glandular patches, probably luminous,

between dorsal and adipose dorsal, and between latter and caudal,

on either side of anal and between anal and caudal. Barbel on chin

extending at least to end of lower jaw, with flattened expanded apex.

(Plate VII, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 213 mm. (without caudal).

Colour.—Very deep brown, probably black in life, bronzy on

operculum.

Locality.—Offt Cape Point and East London, 360-490 fathoms.

Type and cotype in South African Museum.

An anatomical examination of the type shows that the “ pit in front

of the anus,’ mentioned in the original description, is in reality the

vent, the opening behind it being the opening of the urino-genital

organs. There are 2 short blunt pyloric caeca (Brauer gives absence

of pyloric caeca as a generic character).

The pelvic girdle is remarkably large, consisting of an ovoid plate

38 mm. in length, extending from midway between bases of pectoral

and ventral to 4 distance between bases of ventral and ventral adipose

fin. This plate is composed of the 2 pelvic plates incompletely

fused posteriorly, rounded in front, and notched behind. There is a

strong ridge on the ventral (outer) side from near the front to the base

of the fin-rays, and a less prominent one from the hind end.

* A stronesthes capensis G. and v. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

Vil, p. 5.

Depth of body 6, length of head 54, in length of body. Hye greater

than snout, a little over 5 in length of head. Two long teeth on

vomer, and 3 on each palatine. (Upper jaw damaged.) D 10,

A 27. Dorsal arising the length of its base behind level of ventral.

Origin of anal in relation to end of dorsal (?). Adipose ventral fin (?)

absent. Photophores: 14 between isthmus and pectoral, 13 between

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 135

pectoral and ventral, 15 between ventral and anal, and 17 along base

of anal. Barbel 14’ in length of head.

Length.—170 mm.

Colour.—Probably black.

Locality.— Off Table Bay, 790 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Although the character of the maxillary teeth could not be deter-

mined, this species appears to belong to Astronesthes and not to

Borostomias.

Gen. Borostomias Regan.

1908, Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc., vol. xii, pt. 3, p. 217.

Similar to Astronesthes, but with the teeth on maxilla few and set

widely apart, not in a comb-like series ; ventral fins behind middle

of body, and dorsal rather shorter.

This genus contains, besides the species mentioned below,

B. elucens (Brauer) from the Gulf of Guinea and B. brauer: Regan,

from the Western Indian Ocean.

* Borostomias richardson (Poey).

1853. Poey, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, vol. i, p. 176 (Astronesthes 7.).

1895. Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyol., p. 106, fig. 125 (As-

tronesthes r.).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 29

(Astronesthes r.).

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

vu, p. 5 (Astronesthes r.).

Depth of body 7-8, length of head 42-44, in length of body. Eye

greater than snout, 4 in length of head. Maxilla extending to edge

of operculum. D 11, A 14-15. Dorsal arising above ventral and

ending well in front of level of origin of anal. No adipose ventral.

Photophores: one suborbital and a double row along ventral surface,

about 15 between pectoral and ventral, and 15-20 between ventral

and anal.

Length.—Up to 320 mm.

Colour.—Black.

Locality.— Off Great Fish Bay (16° 24’ S., 11° 8’ E.), 1100 fathoms ;

off Table Bay, 985 fathoms.

Distribution.—West Indies, Pacific Ocean.

136 Annals of the South African Museum.

Gen. IDIACANTHUS Peters.

1876. Peters, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss., Berlin, p. 846.

Body extremely narrow and elongate. Skin naked, with longi-

tudinally arranged photophores. Mouth large. Teeth unequal,

extremely large, canine-like, barbed, depressible in both jaws; teeth

similar on vomer, palatine, and tongue. Pectoral fins absent, ventral

fins in middle of length. Dorsal and anal very long, dorsal com-

mencing in front of ventral; each dorsal and anal ray with a spine at

its base on either side. No adipose fins. Caudal forked. Gill-

rakers obsolete. Lateral line absent. Giull-opening very wide.

Branchiostegals numerous (14-16). Air-bladder, none. Pseudo-

branchiae absent. Pyloric caeca few. Barbel present.

Extremely delicate fishes, with feebly developed muscular system,

inhabiting deep water in the tropical and subtropical regions.

Key to the South African species.

1. D 60. A 45. Ventrals midway between head and vent . : ; ferox.

2. D 54. A35. Ventrals much nearer vent than head ; ‘ atlanticus.

*Tdiacanthus ferox (Guthr.).

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. u, p. 181.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 216, pl. lu, fig. D.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 66 (name only).

Length of head about 14 times in length of body. Eye rather

smaller than snout, 4-5 in length of head. D 60, A 45. Dorsal

commencing above ventrals, which are midway between head and vent.

Barbel twice as long as head, towards the end expanded in a narrow

fold on either side, terminating in a fine point. Photophores: a

round spot below eye and above middle of upper jaw, smaller spots

at bases of branchiostegals, a double row along belly to ventral fins,

whence a single row is continued to the tail, about 23 in front of ventrals

and 17 between ventrals and vent.

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Jet black, expanded folds on barbel white.

Locality.—South African seas (Gilchrist).

Distribution.—Middle of N. Atlantic, 2750 fathoms.

*Tdiacanthus atlantecus Brauer.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 62,

text-fig. 21.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 137

Length of head 143 in length of body. Eye 1} in snout, 7 in length

of head. D 54, A 35. Dorsal commencing very slightly in advance

of ventrals, which are much nearer vent than head. Barbel probably

similar to that of ferov. Photophores: as in ferox, about 23 in front

of ventrals and 22 between ventrals and vent.

Length.—Up to 204 mm.

Colour.—Jet black, fins white.

Locality.— Offi coast of S.W. Africa (25° 25’ S., 6° 12’ H.; 26° 49’S.,

5° 54’ H.; 28° 28’ S., 6° 13’ E.), 600-2000 fathoms.

Although not recorded from within the limits of our region, it is

sufficiently near to be included for the sake of comparison with feroz.

Gen. STomIAs Cuv.

1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 11, p. 184 (or 3rd ed., Poissons, 232).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 42

(account of genus).

Body elongate, compressed. Skin covered with very thin, hexa-

gonal scales, not overlapping one another, with longitudinal rows of

photophores. Mouth large. Teeth large, unequal and more or less

widely spaced on lower jaw and premaxilla; a comb-like series of

numerous small close-set teeth on maxilla; teeth on vomer, palatine,

and tongue. Paired fins well developed, ventral far back. Dorsal

opposite anal, far back. No adipose fins. Caudal forked. Lateral

line absent. Gill-rakers absent. Branchiostegals rather numerous,

Pseudobranchiae absent. One pyloric caecum. Air-bladder absent.

Barbel present.

A genus of about a dozen species, bathypelagic, widely distributed.

*Stomias boa (Risso).

1810. Risso, Ichthyol. Nice, p. 330, pl. x, fig. 34.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poissons, vol. xviii,

p. 372, fig. 545.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 107, fig. 127 (S. feroz).

1906. Brauer, loc. cit., p. 49.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Monaco, vol. xxxv, p. 71, pl. iv, fig. 1.

Depth of body 12-13, length of head 10, in length of body. Eye

subequal to snout, 4-6 in length of head, larger in ¢ than 2. D 17-18,

A 19-21. Barbel about as long as head terminating in 3 short

filaments. Premaxilla with 4-5 teeth, larger than those in lower

138 Annals of the South African Museum.

jaw, the 2nd from front very long. Scales: 1.1. 76-78. Photo-

phores: a suborbital spot, a row along bases of branchiostegals,

2 longitudinal rows on lower part of flanks from isthmus to caudal

and from operculum to anal, 44-47 from pectoral to ventral and 10-13

from ventral to anal.

Length.—Up to 205 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown, lower two rows of scales silvery, belly black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point (35° 32’ §., 18° 20’ E.), 1000 fathoms.

Distribution.—North and Middle Atlantic, Mediterranean, South

Pacific, 500-2500 fathoms.

The German “ Valdivia” is the only exploring vessel which has

captured this species in South African waters.

Gen. NEostomtas Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. §.A., vol. iv, p. 168°

1914. Pappenheim, Deutsch. Siidpol. Exp., vol. xv (Zool.), pt. 7,

Dalit:

Body elongate, compressed. Skin naked, with longitudinally

arranged photophores. Mouth large. Teeth not very large, canine-

like, depressible; no teeth on vomer or palatine; (?) on tongue.

Barbel present. Pectoral reduced to a single fine ray. Ventrals

behind middle of body. Dorsal and anal far back. No adipose

fins. Caudal forked. Lateral line absent. Gull-opening wide.

Branchiostegals not numerous (9). Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-

bladder and pyloric caeca (2).

This genus is close to Eustomias Vaill. (EZ. obscurus from the Azores),

but has only | filament in the pectoral instead of 3. Only one other

species, NV. fissitbarbis Pappenh. from the N. Atlantic, is known.

*Neostomias filiferum Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Invest. 8.A., vol. iv, p. 168, pl. 1.

Depth of body 113, length of head 8, in length of body. Eye about

13 im snout, 5 in length of head. D 22, A 40. Dorsal commencing

above middle of anal; pectoral ray not as long as head. Barbel

very long, extending almost to middle of anal, filamentous, with 3

accessory filaments arising at first + of length, apex bulbous, with

several short filaments. Photophores: none on head, single spots at

bases of branchiostegals, 2 rows along lower part of each flank from

operculum to beginning of anal, whence a single row continues to tail,

about 67 between isthmus and anal.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 159

Length.—Up to 230 mm.

Colour.—Jet black, barbel colourless.

Locality. —Ofi Cape Point, 660 fathoms.

Type (2) lost.

Only a single specimen of this form has been hitherto found, and it

appears to have been lost, as it is no longer amongst the “ Pieter

Faure” collection which is now preserved in the South African

Museum.

Gen. Matacosteus Ayres.

1857. Ayres, J. Boston Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. vi, p. 53.

Body compressed. Skin naked. Photophores on the head and

body, but the latter completely hidden under the skin (Brauer).

Snout very short. Mouth very large; end of jaws reaching beyond

root of pectoral. Eye large. Teeth in single series on both jaws

and tongue, none on vomer or palatine. Dorsal and anal far back.

Ventral behind middle of body. Pectoral reduced (3 rays). No

adipose fin. Caudal forked. No barbel. Pyloric caeca none.

* Malacosteus indicus Guthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 11, p. 181.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 214, pl. liv, fig. B.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 65, pl. iv,

fig. 1, text-figs. 23-25.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 54.

Depth of body 54-64, length of head 33-4, in length of body.

Eye equal to interorbital, 4-45 in head, 3-34 times as long as snout.

Largest teeth not longer than diameter of eye. D 16-18, A 18-20.

Photophores: one large crescentic suborbital, one as large as or

larger than eye, one postorbital, smaller than eye, circular and movable,

2 lateral subcutaneous rows. (Plate VIL, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 112 mm.

Colour.—Velvety black, the suborbital photophore crimson, the

postorbital one green.

Locality.—_Off Cape Point, 1014 ‘aroma!

Distribution.—South Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, 500-1250 fathoms.

Closely related to the tropical Atlantic species niger Ayres.

Gen. STYLOPHTHALMUS Brauer.

1902. Brauer, Zool. Anzeiger, vol. xxv, p. 298.

1902. Id., Verh. D. Zool. Gesellsch., p. 56 (structure of eye).

140 Annals of the South African Museum.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 66.

1916. Regan, Brit. Antarct. Exp. Zool., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 136.

Body extremely long, snake-like, compressed. Head flattened.

Skin naked, with a longitudinal row of photophores. Snout long,

rounded, cleft of mouth not very wide. Teeth small, on both jaws.

Pectorals present. Ventralsabsent. Dorsal and anal far back, former

commencing in front of latter. No adipose fins. Caudal forked.

Lateral line absent. Vent situate on a papilla. Eyes situate on

stalks, which in young stages are very long.

*Stylophthalmus paradoxus Brauer.

1906. Brauer, loc. cit., p. 67, pl. v, figs. 1-7.

1916. Regan, loc. cit., p. 137.

Depth of body 30, length of head about 8, in length of body.

D about 60, A about 33. Eye-stalks short in young larvae, in later

ones very long, }- of body length. In still older stages they appear

to grow shorter again. The same applies to the anal papilla. Photo-

phores on branchiostegal membrane and from isthmus to caudal.

Length.—Up to 40 mm.

Colour.—Colourless, a series of black specks along sides.

Locality. Off Cape Point (33° 23’ §., 16° 19’ E., and 36° 23’ S.,

17° 38’ E.), 1000-1250 fathoms.

Distribution.—S. Atlantic, Antarctic and Indian Oceans, 750-1250

fathoms. Regan’s specimen was taken at a depth of 1 fathom from —

the surface.

This remarkable form was first taken by the German Deep Sea

Expedition and later by the British Antarctic Expedition.

Although these larvae cannot be definitely referred to any adult form,

there seems no doubt that the specimens belong to this family. The

varying length of the eye-stalks suggests that the larvae belong to

more than one species of Stomiatid.

Gen. CHAULIODUS BI. and Schn.

1801. Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 430.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. l pavam

(account of genus).

Body very elongate, compressed. Skin with very thin, deciduous,

hexagonal scales, not overlapping one another, with longitudinal

rows of photophores. Head deep. Mouth large. Teeth strong,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 141

unequal ; canines in both jaws; teeth on palatine; maxilla with a

comb-like series of teeth on posterior half. Paired fins well developed.

First ray elongate. Dorsal farforward, short. Analfarback. Adipose

dorsal and ventral fins. Caudal forked. Gill-rakers minute. Lateral

line absent. Pseudobranchiae absent. Branchiostegals numerous.

Air-bladder present. Barbel absent or quite rudimentary.

Bathypelagic in tropical and subtropical seas, sometimes apparently

ascending to the surface.

Chauliodus sloanet B. Schn.

Sloane's Viper-Fish.

1801. Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 430.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 96, fig. 115.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 40,

text-figs. 7-9.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 66 (name only).

Depth of head about equal to its length, 7—8 times in length of body ;

body less deep than head, tapering gradually posteriorly. Eye equal

or slightly larger than snout, about 4 in length of head, larger in 3

than 9. Maxilla extending to edge of operculum. First canine from

front in lower jaw, 2nd in upper jaw are longest. D 6, A 11-13.

First dorsal ray elongate, thread-like, extending back to adipose dorsal.

Branchiostegals 18-20. Scales: 1.1. about 60. Photophores: small

spots along jaws and lower surface of body, 1 in centre of each scale,

there being 23-26 between ventral and anal fins, 2 below eye, and 2 on

operculum. Pyloric caeca 3.

Length.—Up to 215 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with metallic silver sheen, the photophores

forming dark brown or black spots.

Locality —Ofi Cape Point, East London, and Durban, 300-790

fathoms.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, N. and 8. Atlantic, Indian Ocean,

N. Pacific, 400-1590 fathoms.

Brauer states that the filamentous Ist dorsal ray is movable

separately from the rest of the fin and can be turned forwards. Other

authors have not observed this, and I am unable to confirm it. In

all the specimens examined by me the Ist ray is attached by membrane

to the 2nd ray and can neither be moved separately nor turned

forwards.

142 Annals of the South African Museum.

Gen. MELANOSTOMIAS Brauer.

1902. Brauer, Zool. Anz., vol. xxv, p. 284.

1905. Gilbert, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. for 1903, pt. 2, p. 606

(Leptostomias) .

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 53.

Body elongate, compressed, naked. Eye moderate. Mouth

very large. Teeth on jaws, large, depressible, bifid; teeth also on

vomer, palatine, and tongue. Barbel well developed. Pectoral

small, without elongate free ray. Ventral long, far behind middle of

body. Dorsal and anal opposite, far back. No adipose fin. Caudal

forked. Pseudobranchiae absent. A large suborbital photophore

and 2 lateral rows. Gill-rakers present (in the Cape species).

Three other species known from the Indo-Pacific.

* Melanostomias niger G. and v. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

PO, pleal, foe 2:

Depth 7, length of head 7, in length of body. Eye subequal to

snout, slightly less than interorbital width, 6 in length of head.

Teeth: 11 in upper jaw, Ist and 3rd small, 2nd and 4th largest,

5th-7th and 8th—11th increasing in size ; 11 in lower jaw, Ist and 2nd

small, 3rd larger, 4th—7th and 8th—11th increasing in size; a single

series on vomer, 3 widely set teeth on each palatine and 2 pairs on

tongue. Gill-rakers 12 on anterior arch. D and A ? (the figure

shows D 10, A 17); P 5, short ; V 7, longer than pectoral. Photo-

phores: a large suborbital, 3 on operculum, and smaller ones on

head and around orbit between branchiostegals (number 2), 1 at

end of barbel, 8 on each side of isthmus ; an upper row of 40, 27 from

pectoral to ventral, 13 from ventral to anal; a lower row of 54-55,

30 from pectoral to ventral, 10-11 from ventral to anal, 11 along base

of anal, 3 on caudal peduncle. Barbel about twice length of head,

terminating in a rounded luminous organ.

Lengith.—220 mm.

Colour.—Black.

Locality.— Off Table Bay, 135 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Very close to melanops Brauer from the Indian Ocean, but differing

in the teeth, number of photophores, and number of dorsal and anal

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 143

rays (if the figure is correct). There is apparently no series of small

fine teeth on the posterior margin of the maxilla in the Cape species,

as there is in the other species.

Gen. GonostToma Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ittiol. Sicil., p. 64.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 70

(account of genus).

Body elongate, compressed. Skin naked, or occasionally with very

thin deciduous scales. Photophores longitudinally arranged. Mouth

large. Teeth unequal, slender ; canines mixed with smaller teeth in

Fie. 12.—Diagrams of heads of A, Gonostoma, and B, Cyclothone,

to show generic differences.

both jaws; slender teeth on palatine, pterygoid, and sometimes also

vomer. Paired fins well developed. Ventrals in middle of body.

Barbel absent. Dorsal arising above or very slightly behind origin

of anal; the latter long, dorsal much shorter. Adipose dorsal fin

normally present. Caudal forked. Lateral line absent. Gill-rakers

slender, long. Branchiostegals rather numerous (10-14). Pyloric

caeca several. Suborbital enlarged, nearly or quite covering the

whole cheek.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Gonostoma grandis Coll.

1896. Collett, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. xxi, p. 99.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 66 (name only, Cyclothone

bathyphilum Vaill.).

Depth (behind head) nearly 7, length of head 44 in length of body.

144 Annals of the South African Museum.

Eye 2 in snout and interorbital width, 9 in length of head. Sub-

orbital not completely covering cheek. Vomer with one or two slender

teeth. Skin naked. D 13, A 23; both commencing at same level.

Adipose dorsal present. Branchiostegals 13. Giull-rakers about 16

on lower part of anterior arch. Photophores very indistinct, 6 near

mid ventral line between pectoral and pelvic; a series of about 8

higher up on flank, commencing near top of operculum, descending

to base of pectoral, then rising again. Pyloric caeca 5-6.

Length.—Up to 160 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brown, the head and belly darker.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 660-800 fathoms.

Distributvon.—Azores.

The above description is based on two specimens, presumably the

same ones on which Gilchrist based his record of C. bathyphilum.

They appear, however, to be nearer to grandis, though it is not im-

possible that both these forms may be really one and the same species.

The vomerine teeth are very distinct in both specimens, and the

photophores extremely difficult to discern.

Gen. CYCLOTHONE G. and B.

1882-3. Goode and Bean, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard, vol. x,

p. 221.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, pp. 70-77

(account of genus).

Extremely similar to and frequently confused with Gonostoma.

Brauer has endeavoured to separate the numerous species of both

genera, and I follow his diagnosis here.

Suborbital not enlarged. Skin usually with large but very thin

cycloid scales. Teeth in both jaws mostly equal, without canines,

and often sloping obliquely forwards on the hind part of maxilla.

Eye very small. Adipose dorsal usually absent. Photophores usually

feeble or even obsolete.

A further character might perhaps be drawn from the upper profile

of the head, which seems to be convex in Gonostoma and concave

(especially above snout) in Cyclothone.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, Antarctic seas.

The fishes of this genus, mostly small (under 1 foot) in size, are

amongst the most numerous deep-sea fishes which are brought to

light by exploring vessels.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 145

Key to the South African species.

I. Photophores present.

A. Colour pale. Skin naked . : 3 : : : . signata.

B. Colour dark. Scales present.

1. Posterior maxillary teeth unequal. Vent nearer ventrals than anal.

a. Vent immediately behind ventrals. Caudal glands well

developed. : : : : : 5 livida.

b. Vent a little way behind ventrals. Caudal glands obsolete

microdon.

2. Posterior maxillary teeth all equal. Vent midway between ventrals

and anal. : : : F : ; acclinidens.

II. Photophores obsolete : 3 : 3 : : : . obscura.

*Cyclothone signata, Garman.

1899. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxiv, p. 246, pl. 1, fig. 3.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 78,

pl. vi, fig. 6, text-figs. 28, 29.

Depth of body 64, length of head 44, in length of body. Hye 2

in snout and interorbital width, about 11 in length of head. Skin

naked. D 13-14, A 19-20. Pectoral reaching almost to ventral.

Vent close behind ventrals. Teeth on hinder part of maxilla rather

unequal and oblique; no teeth on vomer. Branchiostegals 12-13.

Pyloric caeca 3. Photophores well developed: 2 spots on operculum,

9-10 at bases of branchiostegals, an upper series of 7 from above

pectoral to ventral, a lower series of 13 between isthmus and ventrals,

4 from these to anal, 13 along base of anal to caudal. No glandular

tissue at bases of anterior (dorsal and ventral) caudal rays.

Length.—Up to 280 mm.

Colour.—Pale, whitish, with black specks scattered over body ;

according to Garman with red and blue tints on belly.

Locality. Off Cape Point and South of Agulhas Bank, 300-1500

fathoms.

Distribution.—k. side of Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Panama,

S. Pacific.

Brauer describes (loc. cit., p. 80, text-fig. 30) a variety, alba, occurring

with the typical form, from which it is distinguished by having

4 pyloric caeca and slightly fewer photophores.

*Cyclothone lida Brauer.

1902. Brauer, Zool. Anz., vol. xxv, p. 279.

1906. Id., loc. cit., p. 80, pl. vi, fig. 5, text-fig. 31.

Depth of body 64, length of head 44, in length of body. Eye 2 in

VOL xox, PART |. 10

146 Annals of the South African Museum.

snout and interorbital width, 11 in length of head. Scales large:

ltr. about 6. D 13-15, A 16-18. Pectoral not reaching ventral.

Vent immediately behind ventrals. Teeth unequal, not very oblique

on hinder part of maxilla; 5-6 teeth on vomer. Branchiostegals

13-14. Pyloric caeca 3. Photophores distinct : 10 spots at bases of

branchiostegals, an upper series of 7-+-1, a lower series of 13 between

isthmus and ventrals, 5 from these to anal, and thence 14-15 to caudal.

A patch of whitish glandular tissue at bases of anterior caudal rays.

Length.—Up to 390 mm.

Colour.—Velvety black.

Locality.— Off Great Fish Bay (16° 24’ 8., 11° 8’ E.), 1100 fathoms.

Distribution.—Eastern Atlantic from Canary Islands southwards

as far as the above locality, 300-2000 fathoms.

*Cyclothone microdon (Guthr.).

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 187.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, -p. 175.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman. Poissons, p. 99,

pl. viii, fig. 2 (Neostoma quadrioculatum).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 82,

pl. vi, fig. 4, text-fig. 32.

1916. Regan, Brit. Antarc. Exp. Zool., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 137, pl. v,

fig. 5 (young) (synonymy).

Depth of body 7-8, length of head 5,in length of body. Eye 2-3

in snout and interorbital width, 12 in length of head. Scales large :

ltr. 4. D 13-14, A 19. Pectoral not nearly reaching ventral.

Vent a little way behind ventrals. Teeth unequal, oblique; 4-5

on vomer. Branchiostegals 12-13. Pyloric caeca 3. Photophores

moderately distinct: 9-10 at bases of branchiostegals, an upper

series of 7+1, a lower series of 13 from isthmus to ventrals, 5 from

ventrals to anal, thence 14-15 to caudal. Caudal glandular patches

very indistinct.

Length.—Up to 60 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown; blackish on belly.

Locality.—Off Cape Point and Agulhas Bank, 1000-1500 fathoms.

Distribution.—Arctic, Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, and Antarctic seas,

450-2900 fathoms.

A variety, described by Brauer as var. pallida (loc. cit., p. 84, pl. vi,

fig. 2, text-fig. 33) differs from the typical form mainly in being paler

and having an unpigmented area in front of the dorsal and on belly

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 147

between ventrals and anal. (See also 1911, Zugmayer, Res. Camp.

Sci. Monaco, fase. 35, p. 44, pl. ii, fig. 3.)

Cyclothone acclinidens Garman.

1899. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxiv, p. 247, pl. i, fig. 4.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 85,

pl. vi, fig. 1, text-fig. 34.

Depth of body 7, length of head 43-5, in length of body. Hye 1}

in snout and interorbital width, 10 in length of head. Scales large:

ltr. 4-5. D 13-14, A 18-20. Pectoral not reaching ventrals.

Vent midway between ventrals and anal. Teeth increasing in size

posteriorly on maxilla, on hinder part very oblique; 4-5 on vomer.

Branchiostegals 14. Pyloric caeca 3. Photophores not very distinct :

10 at bases of branchiostegals, an upper series of 7-8 +2, a lower series

of 13-14 from isthmus to ventrals, 4 from ventrals to anal, thence

14-16 to caudal. Caudal glandular patches very distinct, extending

to the ends of dorsal and anal respectively.

Length.—Up to 420 mm.

Colour.—Brown ; belly blackish.

Locality. —Ofi Cape Point, 660-1000 fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle and South Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, 100-2200

fathoms.

Some small specimens, not exceeding 70 mm. in length, seem to

belong to this species, whose nearest recorded locality has hitherto

been 28° 28’ S., 6° 13’ E.

*Cyclothone obscura Brauer.

1902. Brauer, Zool. Anzeiger, vol. xxv, p. 280.

W0Gs lds Wasss ire) DEY Tiefsee Exp: vol xv, pt. 1) ps 88,

pl. vi, fig. 3, text-fig. 35.

Depth of body 63-74, length of head 44, in length of body. Hye

3-4 in snout and interorbital width, 15-20 in length of head. Scales

large: ltr. 5-6. D 13-15, A 17-19. Pectoral not reaching ventrals.

Vent midway between ventrals and anal. Teeth unequal, not very

oblique; 5onvomer. Branchiostegals 13. Pyloric caeca 3. Photo-

phores obsolete, except a few minute specks at bases of branchio-

stegals. No caudal glandular patches.

Length.—Up to 1500 fathoms.

Colour.—Dark brown or black.

Locality.—31° 21’ §., 9° 45’ E., 1500 fathoms.

148 Annals of the South African Museum.

Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans,

400-2000 fathoms.

Also not actually found within our area, but so near to it that there

is every probability that its habitat extends into our area.

Gen. YARRELLA G. and B.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 103.

Body elongate, compressed. Scales large, thin, deciduous. Lateral

line absent. Photophores arranged longitudinally. Snout pointed.

Cleft of mouth very wide, lower jaw projecting. Teeth in both jaws

and on vomer and palatine; premaxillary and mandibulary teeth in

a double, maxillary teeth in a single row. Paired fins well developed.

Dorsal arising in advance of anal, but posterior rays overlapping

anterior rays of latter. Ventral before middle of body. Caudal

forked. Noadipose fin. Pseudobranchiae absent. Giull-rakers rather

short. Barbel absent.

One other species from the N. Atlantic.

*VYarrella africana G. and v. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

p. 6, pl. 1 fig: 2:

Depth 6, length of head 44, in length of body. Eye equal to snout,

43 in length of head. D 11, A 25, V 8, P10. Photophores: 9 on

isthmus, 20 between symphysis and mandible and base of ventral,

7 between base of ventral and vent, 24 from vent to caudal; a higher

row of 18 from above base of pectoral to origin of anal.

Length.—Up to 180 mm.

Colour.— ?

Locality.— Natal coast, 200-240 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.

Gen. DipLopHos Gnthr.

1873. Giinther, Journ. Mus. Godeffroy, vol. 1, p. 101.

Body very elongate, compressed. Scales large, deciduous. Lateral

line absent. Photophores arranged longitudinally. Snout pointed.

Mouth wide. Teeth in both jaws, small and somewhat unequal,

also on vomer and palatines. Paired fins well developed. Dorsal

arising in advance of anal, but posterior rays overlapping anterior

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 149

rays of anal, which is very long. Ventral before middle of body.

Caudal (probably) forked. No adipose fin. Pseudobranchiae present.

Gill-rakers long. Barbel absent.

*Diplophos taenva Gunthr.

1873. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 104.

1889. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxxi, p. 32, pl. iv, fig. C.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 89,

text-fig. 36.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 55.

Depth of body 10-16, length of head 6-7, in length of body. Eye

equal to interorbital, 1$ in snout, 5-6 in length of head. Maxilla

extending diameter of eye behind eye. D 8-11, A (ca. 43) 55-61.

Scales: 11. 91; Ltr. 7. Photophores: 1 suborbital, 3 opercular,

a row on the branchiostegals, small ones on upper and lower jaws,

a double row (106-110 in lower, 68-72 in upper row) near ventral

profile of body, and a single row of 90-93 in the position of the lateral

line.

Length.—Up to 59 mm.

Colour.—Brownish.

Locality.—Natal Coast, 250 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tropical and Southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The “‘ Challenger” specimens were young and were taken at the

surface at night. It seems open to doubt whether the other species,

pacificus Guthr., is not synonymous in view of the variations recorded

by Brauer.

Gen. PHoticutuys Hutton.

1873. Hutton, Tr. N.Z. Instit., vol. v, p. 55 (Photichthys).

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 177.

Body elongate, compressed. Skin with very thin, deciduous,

cycloid scales. Photophores arranged longitudinally. Mouth large.

Teeth slender, more or less equal, a canine on the vomer, teeth also

on palatine and sometimes pterygoid. Paired fins well developed.

Ventrals before middle of body. Dorsal short, opposite space between

ventrals and anal. Adipose dorsal present. Caudal forked. Lateral

line absent. Gill-rakers long. Branchiostegals numerous. Pseudo-

branchiae absent. Barbel absent. Air-bladder present. Pyloric

caeca few.

Besides the present species, only one other species is known:

150 Annals of the South African Museum.

P. corythaeolus Alcock, from the Indian Ocean, which has the dorsal

fin ending at the level of the commencement of the anal, and a different

number of photophores.

*Photichthys argenteus Hutton.

1873. Hutton, loc. cit., p. 269, pl. xv, fig. 90.

1887. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 178, pl. xlv, fig. A.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 104, fig. 122.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 92,

text-fig. 37.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 55.

Depth of body 6-64, length of head 4-43, in length of body. Eye

equal to snout and interorbital width, 4-5 in length of head. D 12,

A 23-26, dorsal ending well before commencement of anal. Branchio-

stegals 21. Scales: LJ. ? 50. Photophores: 1 suborbital, 3-4 on

operculum, a row at bases of branchiostegals, 2 lateral rows, upper

from operculum to anal, lower from isthmus to caudal containing

11 from isthmus to pectoral, 14 from pectoral to ventral, 15 from

ventral to anal, thence 18 to caudal.

Length.—Up to 305 mm.

_Colour.—Brown, silvery below.

Locality. Off Cape Point, 290-1000 fathoms.

Distribution.—Off coast of New Zealand.

Gen. Mavroticus Cocco.

1838. Cocco, Lett. su Salmoni, p. 32.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. i, p. 576.

1896. Collett, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 10, p. 129.

Body elongate, compressed. Skin with very thin, large, deciduous

scales, with longitudinal rows of photophores which appear as simple

impressions on the skin, to a certain extent aggregated into groups.

Mouth very oblique, large. Teeth small, subequal, on both jaws,

none on vomer or palatine. Mavxilla broad, extending to below, but

not beyond, eye. Paired fins well developed. Ventrals behind

middle of body. Dorsal opposite space between ventrals and anal.

Anal long. Adipose dorsal more or less well developed. Barbel

absent. Lateral lie absent. Caudal forked. Branchiostegals not

numerous (8-9). Gill-rakers long. Air-bladder none. Pseudo-

branchiae present.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 151

Maurolicus pennant (Walb.).

1792. Walbaumin, Artedi. Pisc., p. 47.

1835. Nilsson, Observ. Zool., p. 9 (borealis).

1838. Cocco, Lett. su Salmoni, p. 32, pl. iv, fig. 12 (amethystino

punctatus).

1871. Klunzinger, Verhl. K. K. Zool. Bot. Ver. Wien., vol. xxi,

p- 593 (mucronatus).

1875. Hutton, Tr. N.Z. Instit., vol. vii (1874), p. 250 (australis).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 96, fig. 111.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, loc. cit., p. 577 (references).

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep.,vol.i, p. 66 (name only : amethystino

punctatus).

Depth of body 4-44, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 1}

times larger than snout, twice interorbital width, 24-23? in length of

head. D 10, A 10+15. Photophores: a suborbital, 3 on oper-

culum, a pair on chin at symphysis, 6 at bases of anterior branchio-

stegals, 6 from isthmus to pectoral, a lower row of 12 from (just in

front of) pectoral to ventral, an upper row of 8-9 from behind pectoral

to ventral, 5-6 from ventral to vent, 16 along base of anal, 7 from anal

to caudal.

Length.—Up to 65 mm.

Colour.—Brilliant silvery, back dark greenish brown.

Locality.—Oft Cape Point, 190 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tristan d’Acunha (South African Museum), N. and

S. Atlantic, Mediterranean, Japan, New Zealand, Red Sea.

Frequently found floating dead on surface, or cast up on beach

after storms.

Gen. ARGYROPELECUS Cocco.

1829. Cocco, Giorn. Sci. Sicil., fase. 77, p. 146.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee, Exp., vol: xv, pt. 1, p. 101

(references and account of genus).

1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Zool., vol. xii, pt. 3, p. 218 (key to

species).

Body short, strongly compressed, hinder part abruptly narrower.

Skin naked, with photophores on head and lower side of body and tail.

Mouth very oblique, large. Teeth minute, on both jaws and palatine,

those on premaxilla and maxilla in a single series. Pectorals well

developed. Ventrals very small.

Bones of the shoulder and hip girdles prolonged into pointed pro-

cesses projecting outside the body.

152 Annals of the South African Museum.

A series of sharply keeled scutes from below pectorals along belly

to ventrals. Dorsal short, preceded by several neural spines forming

a triangular bony plate. Anal short, rays divided into 2 groups or the

fin completely divided into 2 portions. Adipose dorsal rudimentary.

Caudal forked. Lateral line absent. Giull-rakers very long. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Branchiostegals 9. Air-bladder present. Pyloric

caeca few (4). Eyes directed upwards, very close together, the inter-

orbital space very narrow, the supraoccipital ridges almost contiguous.

A small genus of widely distributed species. They are bathypelagic,

but in all probability frequently ascend to or near the surface at night.

The elongation of the eyes in a vertical direction, so that they gaze

upwards instead of sidewards or forwards, forms a noticeable char-

acter separating them from the allied genera Sternoptyx and Polyipnus.

The photophores are remarkably constant in position and number. -

There are always (in the adult) 50, arranged as follows: 1 pre-

orbital, 1 postorbital on the operculum, 2 near lower margin of oper-

culum, 6 on the branchiostegal membranes, 6 along isthmus, followed

by 12 along ventral keel, 2 above base of pectoral, and 20 from pec-

toral to caudal ; the latter row is divided (except in affinis) into groups

of 6 from pectoral to ventral, 4 pre-anal, 6 supra-anal, and 4 caudal.

Young stages are described in Brauer’s work. There is considerable

variation in the proportions of the body according to age.

Key to the South African species.

1. Photophores in a continuous series : ; ‘ : affinis.

2. Photophores between ventrals and caudal in 5 groups.

a. Preoperculum with I spine. D9 . ; : : : . olfersi.

b. Preoperculum with 2 spines. D7-S . i : . hemigymnus.

*Argyropelecus affinis Garman.

1899. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xxiv, p. 237.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 103,

pl. vil, figs. 1, 2, text-figs. 43, 44.

Depth of body 23, length of head 33, in length of body. Hinder

part of body not very abruptly narrower, its greatest depth 1} in

greatest depth of fore part of body. Eye larger than snout, 24—

23 in length of head. Dorsal and ventral ridges not serrated, no

spines on lower surface of tail. One spine on post-temporal, | at

angle of preoperculum, 1 at end of isthmus, and 2 at end of ventral

keel. D VII+9, A 13 (7+6). Photophores from the ventrals to the

caudal in a continuous series. (Plate VIII, fig. 1.)

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 153

Length.—Up to 45-5 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, blackish along back, eyes with metallic sheen.

Locality.—Off south-west coast of Africa (31° 8., 8° E.), 1000 fathoms.

Distribution.—West Indies, Gulf of Guinea, Indian Ocean, 500-

1250 fathoms.

This species is almost certain, sooner or later, to be captured within

our limits, and is therefore included for the sake of comparison.

Argyropelecus olfersi (Cuv.).

1829. Cuvier, Regne Anim., 2nd ed., p. 316, pl. xiul, fig. 2.

1896. Collett, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 10, p. 127, pl. in,

fig. 14.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 108,

text-fig. 46.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ili, p. 72 (references).

Depth of body 14-12, length of head about 3, in length of body.

Hinder part of body very abruptly narrower, its greatest depth about

twice in greatest depth of fore part of body. Hye greater than snout,

23-3 in length of head. Dorsal and ventral ridges not serrated, no

spines on lower surface of tail. One spine on post-temporal, 1 at

angle of preoperculum, 1 at end of isthmus, and 2 at end of ventral

keel. D VII+9, A 12 (7+5). Photophores from ventrals to caudal

in three groups, pre-anal (4), supra-anal (6), and caudal (4).

Length.—Up to 99 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back blackish, eyes with metallic sheen.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 460 fathoms.

Distribution.—North and South Atlantic, Indo-Pacific.

Argyropelecus hemigymnus, Cocco.

1829. Cocco, in Giorn. Sci. Sicil., fase. 77, p. 146.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 106,

text-fig. 45.

1913. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 66 (name only).

Depth of body 13-2, length of head about 3, in length of body.

Hinder part of body very abruptly narrower, its greatest depth 24

in greatest depth of fore part of body. Eye rather greater than snout,

about 3 in length of head. Dorsal and ventral ridges not serrated,

no spines on lower surface of tail. One spine on post-temporal, 2

at angle of preoperculum, 1 at end of isthmus, and 1 at end of

ventral keel, the last mentioned one projecting backwards and

154 Annals of the South African Museum.

finely and variably denticulate both on its upper and lower edges.

D VII+7-8, A 11 (6+5). Photophores from ventrals to caudal in

three groups as in olfersv.

Length.—Up to 40 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back blackish, eyes with metallic sheen.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 156-630 fathoms.

Distribution.—North and South Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian

Ocean.

This species seems to be commoner in these waters than olfersz,

judging from the relative numbers of specimens taken by the s.s.

** Pieter Faure.”

Gen. STERNOPTYX Herm.

1781. Hermann, Der Naturforscher., vol. xvi, p. 8.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 168.

Body short, strongly compressed, hinder part abruptly narrower.

Skin naked, with photophores on head and lower side of body and tail.

Mouth very oblique, large. Teeth minute, in several series on both

jaws, the largest in the inner row; none on vomer or palatine. Pec-

torals well developed. Ventrals very small. Bones of the shoulder

and hip girdles prolonged into pointed processes projecting outside

the body. A series of sharply keeled scutes along belly to ventrals.

A transparent membrane, on which anal fin is situated, between ven-

trals and base of caudal peduncle. Dorsal short, preceded by a tri-

angular bony plate. Analrather long, undivided. Adipose dorsal more

or less developed. Caudal forked. Lateral line absent. Gill-rakers

long on upper, but rudimentary on lower, part of arch. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Branchiostegals 5. Air-bladder present. Hyes

lateral, the supraorbital and occipital ridges well separated.

Only a single species known.

Sternoptyx diaphana Herm.

1781. Hermann, loc. cit., p. 8, pl. i, figs. 1, 2.

1887. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 169, pl. xlv, figs. D, D1.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 115,

text-figs. 56-63.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 35, p. 54, pl. u,

fig. 5.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

Deroe

Proportions of body variable. Depth of body nearly or quite equal

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 155

to length, length of head about 22. Eye variable, about 2 in length

of head, much larger than snout. DI+9-12,A 12-14. Photophores :

1 postorbital, 2 near lower margin of operculum, a group on branchio-

stegal membrane, 5 on isthmus, followed by 10 along ventral keel,

3 above pectoral, 3 pre-anal, 3+1 supra-anal, and 4 caudal.

Length.—Up to 50 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back blackish.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 312-1014 fathoms.

Distribution.—Atlantic and Indo-Pacific (but not in high latitudes),

surface to 2500 fathoms. Probably rises to the surface at night.

Gen. Potyrpnus Gnthr.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxi, p. 170.

1899. Alcock, Ind. Deep-Sea Fish., p. 137.

Body short, strongly compressed, hinder part not abruptly narrower.

Skin with large, extremely thin and deciduous scales; photophores

strongly developed. Mouth vertical, large. Teeth minute in several

series in both jaws, and on vomer, none on palatine. Eye lateral,

supraorbital and occipital ridges well separated. Pectorals and

ventrals well developed. Bones of pectoral and pelvic girdles pro-

jecting, but not prominently ; a striated and denticulated fan-shaped

bony process below base of pectoral. A series of sharply keeled scutes

along belly. A strong spine on each post-temporal, being a continua-

tion of the occipital ridge. Dorsal moderate, preceded by a small

bifurcate spine. Anal moderate, undivided. Adipose dorsal present.

Caudal forked. Lateral line absent. Gill-rakers long. Branchiostegals

9-10. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-bladder present.

This genus is confined to the warmer parts of the Atlantic and

Indo-Pacific, and Southern Australia. Several species have been

described, but it is probable that most of them are varieties of spinosus.

Polyipnus spinosus Guthr.

1887. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 170, pl. hi, fig. B.

1904. Jordan and Starks, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. for 1902, p. 581,

pl. ui, fig. 3 (stercope).

1905. Gilbert, zbid. for 1903, p. 609, pl. Ixxili (nutteng?).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 120,

pl. vu, fig. 3, text-figs. 64-66.

1914. McCulloch, Endeavour Res., vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 87, pl. xvi, text-

fig. 4 (tridentifer).

156 Annals of the South African Museum.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

1D. B

Depth of body 14-12, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye

much larger than snout, which is subequal to interorbital width, 2

in length of head. D 12-13, A 14-18. Lower edge of mandible

serrate, ending in a short spine. Lower edge of preoperculum serrate,

ending in a strong downwardly directed spine. The post-temporal

spine may be simple or have accessory denticles on its lower edge,

or may even be trispinate. Photophores: 1 preorbital, 1 on

operculum behind eye, 2 (1 very large) on the lower margin of oper-

culum, 6 on Pranemoetegay membrane, 6 along isthmus, followed

by 10 along ventral margin, 2 above pectoral, followed by 3, forming

a 2nd tier on flank, above these a 3rd tier of 2, 5 pre-anal, 11-16

supra-anal, and 4 caudal. (Plate VIII, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 93 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back black, with a descending patch below the

post-temporal spine, all the photophores outlined in black.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Morgan and Natal coast, 174-306 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific,

Southern Australia, 150-650 fathoms.

Three specimens, up to 60 mm., have been examined. They

confirm McCulloch’s count of the number of branchiostegal rays,

namely 9, though one specimen has distinctly 10 on one side. The

number of pyloric caeca could not be determined owing to defective

preservation. Gilchrist and von Bonde give a locality record only,

without any details.

This species seems to be gregarious.

Division 2. OSTARIOPHYSI.

1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, pp. 13-32 and

553-557 (classification).

Air-bladder, if well developed, communicating with digestive canal

by a duct, typically divided into anterior and posterior portions by

a narrow constriction. Fins without spines, or the dorsal and pectoral

each with a single stout spine. Ventrals abdominal. Pectorals low

down near ventral profile. Anterior 4 vertebrae strongly modified,

often co-ossified, and bearing a chain of small bones (Weberian

ossicles) connecting the internal ear with the air-bladder. Pectoral

girdle suspended from the skull. Mesocoracoid present (except in

some Siluridae). Scales cycloid, or replaced by bony plates, or absent.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 157

In spite of the enormous number of species, of multiform and

diversified appearance, grouped together in this division, the Ostario-

physi are one of the most clearly marked and natural groups of

Bony Fishes. Without exception, they all possess the Weberian

mechanism, which is briefly described by Regan (loc. cit., swpra),

and which, by connecting the ear with the air-bladder, has the effect

of converting the latter into an organ of hearing.

The vast majority of the fresh-water fishes of the world belong to

this division, which indeed contains very few marine forms.

In the following key all the South African families are included,

but detailed descriptions are given of the marine forms only, the

fresh-water forms having been described in “ The Freshwater Fishes

of South Africa.”

Two subdivisions are recognised : (1) the Cyprinozdea, including the

Tiger-fish of South Africa, the Electric Eel of South America, the

Carp and Tench of Europe, and the Barbel (Geel-visch) of South

Africa; (2) the Szluroidea, including the cosmopolitan Cat-fishes

(barbels) and the South American Loricaridae.

Key to the South African families.

I. Head naked, body usually scaly. Branchiostegals 3-5 (Cyprinoidea).

A. Adipose dorsal usually present. Jaws usually toothed . Characidae.

(=Characinidae.) F.W.F., p. 335.

B. Adipose dorsal absent. Jaws toothless 5 : Cyprinidae.

F.W.F., pp. 345, 553.

Il. Body naked or covered with bony plates. Branchiostegals usually numerous

(Siluroidea) : : é ; ‘ f : . (=Siluridae).

F.W.F., pp. 437, 556.

A. Dorsal and anal fins long.

1. Dorsal with a spine . : : : : B Plotosidae.

2. Dorsal without spine . ; : : . : . Clariidae.

F.W.F., p. 488.

B. Dorsal short, anal long : : 5 é : : Schilbeidae.

F.W.F., p. 449.

C. Dorsal and anal short. :

1. Head and shoulders covered with a bony shield . Synodontidae.

F.W.F., p. 457.

2. Head and shoulders not covered with a bony shield.

a. Nostrils close together . : ‘ ; : . Ariidae.

6. Nostrils far apart.

i. Head and body depressed. : . Amphiliidae.

F.W.F., p. 557.

ii. Head and body not depressed ; ‘ . Bagridae.

F.W.F., p. 452.

158 Annals of the South African Museum.

Regan’s (1911) arrangement of the families of Silwroidea is here

adopted. Only the Ariidae and Plotosidae are marine and estuarine,

the others being strictly fluviatile. The letters ““ F.W.F.” in the above

key refer to the page in “ The Freshwater Fishes of South Africa,”

where the fluviatile representatives of the various families are described.

The marine forms retain to a greater extent the more primitive and

generalised characters, while the fresh-water forms have become

specialised in various directions.

Fam. 1. ARIIDAE.

Body moderately naked. Gill-membranes united, forming a trans-

verse fold across the isthmus. Dorsal short, with a spine. Adipose

dorsal present. Anal short. Pectoral with a spine. Ventral 6-

rayed. Mouth terminal or subterminal. Teeth in both jaws, and

often on palate. Nostrils close together, without barbel. One pair

maxillary and 1-2 pairs mandibular barbels. Mesocoracoid absent.

Littoral and estuarine fishes of the tropical and subtropical regions.

A few have become permanently fluviatile.

It has been observed in the case of some species of this family that

the males hatch out the eggs in their mouths. This habit is probably

characteristic of all the species in the family. Further details are

given below.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Palatal teeth in one or two oval or subtriangular groups, on either side of the

middle line . 3 ‘ : : : 3 : : i Arius.

2. Palatal teeth forming a crescentic band continuous across the middle line

Galeichthys.

The Madagascan genus Ancharius Stndr. is distinguished by having

no teeth on the palate.

Gen. Arius C. and V.

1840. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xv, p. 53.

Body -feebly compressed. Occiput and nape bony, not covered

by skin; dorsal and pectoral spines also naked. The united gill-

membranes forming a very open angle. Adipose dorsal fin small.

Dorsal with 6-7 rays. Nostrils close together, the posterior one with

a valve. One maxillary pair and 2 pairs mandibular barbels. Upper

lip projecting slightly over mouth. Eyes lateral, with free borders.

Bands of teeth in jaws, and on pterygoids, the teeth on the latter

villiform or granular, in one or two oval or subtriangular groups on

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 159

either side of the middle line (these teeth have been called by some

authors vomerine and palatine, but they are borne by the pterygoid

bones according to Boulenger). Branchiostegals 5-6.

Tropical seas. Mostly marine and estuarine, but a few apparently

strictly fresh water.

Key to the South African species.

1. Eye 6-64 in length of head. A 13-14 . ? : : ; dussumiert.

2. Eye 43 in length of head. A 17 . : ‘ ‘ : ; : kirkt.

Arius kirki Gnthr. is a fresh-water species from the Zambesi, but is

only known from a mutilated skin in the British Museum. It is

described on p. 456 of “‘ The Freshwater Fishes of South Africa.”

Arius dussumiert C. and V.

Dussumier’s Barbel.

1840. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xv, p. 84.

1864. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. v, p. 163.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 467, pl. evil, fig. 7.

Depth of body 43-5, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye

24 in snout, 4 in interorbital width, and 6-64 in length of head. Head

smooth above anteriorly, the occipital and nuchal shield granulate.

Premaxillary band of teeth 4-5 times as wide as long; palatal teeth

granular, in two groups on each side, the anterior small, oval, widely

separated from its fellow, and narrowly from the posterior group,

which is elongate triangular, 3 times as long as wide, and extending

back almost to the dorsal edge of the Ist gill-slit. Maxillary barbel

reaching to basal 4 of pectoral spine, mandibular barbels shorter.

Gill-rakers, 9-10 on lower part of anterior arch. DI7. Spine a

little longer than distance between anterior margin of eye and hind

edge of operculum, feebly serrate in front and behind. Pectoral

spine equal to length of dorsal and similarly serrate on both edges.

A 13-16 (10-11 branched rays). Caudal lobes pointed.

Length.—Up to 550 mm.

Colour.—Slaty brown, lighter below.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay, Chinde, estuaries of rivers.

Distribution.—Coasts of India and Ceylon.

Day (loc. cit., p. 456) recounts that he found 15-20 eggs, measuring

0-5—0-6 inch in diameter, and in different stages of development, in the

mouth of the male Arius. Other observers have noted the same

method of protecting the eggs and embryos; thus Pellegrin (Mem.

160 Annals of the South African Museum.

Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc., vol. i, pt. 2, p. 44, fig. 25, 1921) records it for

Arius fissus. Therefore, although it has not been actually recorded

for the present species, it 1s probable that this species has similar

habits. Day found also that the ventral fins of the female were

larger than those of the male, and might form, he conjectured, a

receptacle for the eggs while they were being fertilised, before being

taken into the mouth of the male.

Like all the barbels with strong dorsal and pectoral spines, these

fish should be handled with care.

Gen. GALEICHTHYS C. and V.

1840. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xv, p. 28.

Body feebly compressed. Head and nape, and the dorsal and

pectoral spines, entirely covered with soft skin. The united gill-

membranes forming a very open angle. Adipose dorsal fin moder-

ately large. Dorsal with 7 rays. Nostrils close together, the pos-

terior one with a valve. One maxillary pair and 2 pairs mandibular

barbels. Upper lip projecting slightly over mouth. Eyes lateral,

with free borders. Bands of villiform teeth in jaws, and on vomer

and pterygoid, the palatal teeth forming a single crescentic band

continuous across the middle line.

A South African genus. Marine, but often entering the estuaries

of rivers.

Three species have been described: feliceps C. and V., 1840; ater

Castln., 1861; and ocellatus G. and T., 1916. But evidence is given

below that these are all one form and should be united under the name

feliceps.

Galeichthys feliceps C. and V.

White or Red Barger, Bagger, or Barbel.

1840. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xv, p. 29,

pl. cdxxiv (feliceps).

1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr., pl. vin.

1911. Boulenger, F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. 1, p. 381, fig. 295.

1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, pp. 82, 88, 104 (biology).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 74 (references).

Black Bagger.

1861. Castelnau, Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 62 (ater).

1911. Boulenger, loc. cit., p. 382, fig. 296.

1916. Thompson, loc. cit., p. 74.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 161

Ocellate Bagger.

1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ui, p. 60, fig.

(ocellatus).

Depth of body 32-44, length of head 3}~4, in length of body. Hye

24 in snout, 34-4 in interorbital width, and 6—7 in length of head

(proportionally larger in young). Premaxillary band of teeth 4-5

(3). or 6 (9) times as wide as long, longer than the palatal band.

Maxillary barbel reaching basal 4 of pectoral spine (3), or of operculum

(2); mandibular barbels shorter. Gill-rakers 9-11 (3¢), 7-8 (9) on

lower part of anterior arch. D I-+7, spine 4-2 length of head, very

feebly serrated in front, especially in 9. Adipose dorsal 13-1? as

long as base of dorsal, 13-2 times in its distance from latter. A 17-19,

11-13 branched rays. Pectoral spine subequal to dorsal spine, but

stouter, feebly serrated on front edge. Caudal peduncle, 2-24 (3),

13(Q), times as long as deep. Caudal lobes long and narrowly rounded

in 3, short and broadly rounded in 9, the upper longer than lower.

(Plate VIII, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 420 mm.

Colour.—3 brownish above, with slaty or bronzy-green sheen,

sides grey or yellowish, belly light, fins grey, often with a pinky tinge,

all the fins except the adipose dorsal darker at their extremities ;

2 much darker all over, almost black, belly light, fins blackest; young

are frequently more or less mottled along the sides; iris orange

to red.

Locality.—Walfish Bay round the coast to Natal, 0-33 fathoms.

Marine, but frequently entering estuaries.

Type of ocellatus (?) lost.

As regards Gilchrist and Thompson’s species ocellatus, founded on

a single specimen from Zwartkops River, there is no distinguishing

character which does not fall within the limits of variation of felvceps

except the number of the fin rays and the colour pattern. The former

is given as 13 (10 branched) and even this character may be regarded

as an individual variation (if the count 1s correct). The colour pattern

is, I believe, only a variation of the mottled pattern frequently seen

on young specimens.

I have come to the conclusion that there is but a single species of

Bagger, the reasons for this conclusion being as follows :—

The most prominent differences between the White (Red) and the

Black Bagger are the shorter and deeper caudal peduncle and the

wider band of premaxillary teeth in the latter. These differences

VOL. XXI, PART 1. ll

162 Annals of the South African Museum.

are quite constant and enable one at a glance, without reference to

colour or any other correlated character, to separate the White from

the Black. But on dissection of the specimens in the South African

Museum it was found that all the White Baggers were males and all

the Black females.

This fact, together with the fact that only the male carries the eggs

in its mouth, explains the following observation quoted from Gil-

christ (Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, 1914, p. 88): ‘“‘ The fishermen have

observed that the Red barger sheds its eggs when placed in the boat,

but have never observed this of the Black Barger.” A further

statement in the same Report (loc. cit., p. 104), namely: “ A Black

Barbel was on one occasion brought to the aquarium with the eggs,

which it had ejected from its mouth, but it would not again take them,”

may be cited as confirmatory evidence. If the view here adopted is.

correct, this specimen, being a Black Bagger, was a female and |

naturally would not take the eggs into her mouth. And it should

be noted that there is no proof that the eggs had been ejected by that:

particular specimen, other than the statement of the person who

brought them to the aquarium, probably some fisherman or youngster.

On the other hand, Gilchrist has recorded an instance of a Black

Barger having “ numerous eggs in its mouth though of a smaller size

than those of the White Barger ”’ (Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, 1916, p. 19).

If this specimen was identified solely by the colour, which may well

be a rather variable feature, it can scarcely be adduced to contradict

the opinion that there is only one species, which is, indeed, based on

anatomical evidence. The question, however, is one which requires

further investigation.

As stated above, the eggs of this species are received into the mouth

of the male after fertilisation, and there they remain until the embryos

are hatched, and even until these latter have absorbed the whole of

the yolk-sac. Batches of 20-30 have been found in the mouth of one

male. It is not known whether all the eggs in a batch are laid and

fertilised at the same time, but if so they certainly develop at different

rates, because all stages from the simple egg to the already hatched

embryo are found in one batch. The eggs are about 5-6 mm. in

diameter, and the embryo, when hatched, is about 35 mm. long.

The adult in captivity 1s chiefly nocturnal, hiding by day im dark

corners. The young, however, appear to be active by day as well.

They rely mainly on their sense of smell and the very sensitive barbels

for finding their food, which consists of crabs and dead flesh or offal.

The Bagger is considered good eating ; the flesh is usually smoked.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 163

Care should be exercised in handling these fish when alive, as their

sharp spines inflict painful wounds.

Fam. 2. PLOTOSIDAE.

Body elongate, naked. Guill-membranes free or narrowly attached

to isthmus. Dorsal of two portions, the first (true dorsal) short,

with a spine, followed by a gap, after which comes a second dorsal,

long and confluent with caudal. Anal long, confluent with caudal.

No adipose dorsal. Ventrals 10-16 rayed. Pectoral with a spine.

Mouth subterminal. Teeth in both jaws, conical, obtuse, or mixed ;

a patch of molars on the vomer. Nostrils remote from one another,

the posterior with a barbel. One or two pairs maxillary and 2 pairs

mandibulary barbels. Mesocoracoid present.

In most of the genera of this family there is a curious arborescent

appendage arising from the bottom of a pit behind the vent, the

function of which is obscure. Its stalk when traced through the skin

is found to have a tendinous connection with the basal process of the

last abdominal vertebra, so that apparently it can be retracted.

Between this appendage and the vent is a conical papilla bearing the

urinary openings (see Hirota, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, vol. vii, p. 367, 1895).

Marine and estuarine fishes of the Indo-Pacific regions; some

species are permanently fluviatile. Detailed observations on their

breeding habits appear to be lacking.

Only one genus recorded from South Africa.

Gen. PLotrosus Lacép.

1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 129.

Body compressed, tapering behind. Head depressed. Whole

of head and fin spines covered with soft skin. Eye supero-lateral,

with free borders. Premaxillary teeth numerous. Guill-membranes

very narrowly united with isthmus, deeply notched. Giull-arches

without special cartilaginous posterior processes or membranes.

Ventrals 12-14 rayed. Second dorsal arising above or in advance of

vertical from ventrals. One pair maxillary barbels. Branchiostegals

11-13. Arborescent appendage behind vent present.

Plotosus anguillaris (Bl.).

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 483, pl. exii, fig. 4 (arab).

1911. Boulenger, F.W. Fish. Africa, vol. 1, p. 278, fig. 229 (references).

1913. Gilchrist and Thompson, F.W. Fish. 8. Africa, p. 448, fig. 101.

164 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth of body 6-8, length of head 43-5 times in length of body.

Eye 24 in snout, 24 in interorbital width, and 6—7 in length of head.

Teeth conical in upper jaw, molariform on vomer, mixed in lower jaw,

the front ones opposing the upper jaw being conical, the hinder ones

opposing the vomerines being molariform. Lips strongly papillose.

Barbels rather short, the nasal reaching to eye, the maxillary to about

half length of head, outer mandibular subequal to maxillary, inner

mandibular shorter. Gill-rakers 20-22 on lower part of anterior

atch. D115, spine strong, serrated on both edges, 4—4 length of head.

Second D+C+A, 110-180 (not exceeding 200). Pectoral spine

similar to but shorter than dorsal spine.

Length.—Up to 460 mm.

Colour.—Brown, usually with 2-3 whitish longitudinal stripes on

each side which tend to disappear in adult; margins of 2nd dorsal

and anal darker.

Locality.— East London and Natal coast.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, coasts of India and the Western

Pacific as far north as Japan. Marine and estuarine.

A large specimen from Hast London (460 mm.) in no wise differs

from the above diagnosis except that it has only 12 gill-rakers

on the lower part (16 on the whole) of the anterior arch. This

character alone is not sufficient to justify the institution of a

new species, especially as this particular character is not referred

to in the descriptions of the various other species which have been

proposed.

Small specimens, 150 mm. in length, have well developed ovaries.

The food consists mainly of crabs. Dangerous wounds are inflicted

by the dorsal and pectoral spines; no actual poison is injected,

but the slime from the fish and the lacerated nature of the wound

frequently causes festering and delays healing.

Division 3. HETEROMI.

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). Fins with or

without spines, ventrals abdominal, pectorals not near ventral profile,

dorsal short or composed of a series of disconnected spines. Tail

tapering to a point, without, or with greatly reduced caudal fin.

Operculum well developed. Mouth inferior, snout more or less

projecting. Pectoral girdle suspended from skull, but from the

supraoccipital (or epiotic) and not from the post-temporal which

is small or replaced by a ligament. Parietals meeting in middle

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 165

line, thus separating frontals from supra-occipital. Mesocoracoid

absent.

A small division containing three families of deep-sea fishes, easily

recognisable by the tapering tail, dorsal fin, and cycloid scales, without

reference to internal characters. Two families are represented in

South African waters. The third family Lipogenyidae contains only

a single species, which has a toothless sucker-like mouth and in the

character of the dorsal fin is intermediate between the Halosauridae

and the Notacanthidae, having a short fin composed of both spines

and rays.

Key to the South African families.

1. Dorsal fin short, spineless. : : : . . Halosauridae.

2. Dorsal composed of a series of disconnoneed spines . : . Notacanthidae.

Fam. 1. HALOSAURIDAE.

Body elongate, compressed. Scales cycloid, those of the lateral

line, which is near the ventral profile, sometimes enlarged and bearing

photophores; head scaly. Mouth bordered by premaxilla and

maxilla, both bearing teeth. Teeth in villiform bands on both jaws,

palatine, pterygoid, and hyoid. Preoperculum rudimentary. Sub-

orbitals large. Facial bones with large muciferous canals. Dorsal

short, composed of soft rays only, above or a little behind ventrals,

which are composed of 9-10 soft rays. Anal very long, without

spines. Caudal fin absent. Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder

large, simple. Giull-rakers short. Branchiostegals about 14. Gill-

membranes free.

The species of this family have been separated into three genera.

The typical genus, Halosaurus Johns., has the scales of the lateral

line only very slightly enlarged, and the head with narrow interorbital

width, without lateral ridges. Halosawrichthys Alck. resembles

Aldrovandia in most respects, but has the ventral fins united.

According to my observations on A. affinis the formation of the

palate is rather curious. The palatine bone is small and rudimentary,

but bears quite a strong band of teeth which occupies a position

immediately behind the premaxilla. Thus at first sight it appears to

be the vomer. Dissection, however, shows that the vomer is com-

pletely hidden underneath the palatine and premaxilla, bears no

teeth, and takes no part in the formation of the palate. The palatine

might therefore almost be said to form a secondary palate.

166 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Interorbital width less than eve. Scales of lateral line scarcely larger than the

others . ; : : : : : : : : Halosaurus.

2. Interorbita] width at least equal to eye. Scales of lateral line considerably

enlarged : : : : ; ; : ; . Aldrovandia.

Gen. Hatosaurus Johns.

1863. Johnston, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 406.

Vertex of head (? and snout) with scales. No lateral ridges on

head. Interorbital width less than diameter of eye. Ventrals not

united. Scales of lateral line scarcely larger than the others

(apparently) without photophores.

*Halosaurus owent, Johns.

1863. Johnston, loc. cit., p. 406, pl. xxxvi, fig. 2.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean Ichthyol., p. 130, fig. 152.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

vi, p. 10.

Depth of body 6, length of head 34, in length of body to vent.

Length of head about equal to its distance from ventrals. Eye 2 in

snout, 5in length of head. Maxilla not reaching vertical from anterior

margin of eye. D 11, behind base of ventrals. V 10. Pectoral not

nearly reaching ventrals. Scales: 1.1. ca. 64 as far as vent (according

to Goode and Bean’s figure). Pyloric caeca 12.

Length.—Up to 525 mm.

Colour.—Brownish.

Locality.—Ofi Table Bay, 600 fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, 240-690 fathoms.

Gen. ALDROVANDIA.

*1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 132.

1896. Collett, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 10, p. 143 (Halo-

S@UIOPSis).

Snout and vertex of head naked. Lateral ridges above eye well

developed. Interorbital width at least equal to, usually greater than,

* The dates given by Roule (Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 52, p. 29, 1919) are:

July 1896 Halosauropsis Collett, and September 1896 Aldrovandia G. and B.

Goode and Bean’s work, however, bears date 1895.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 167

eye. Ventrals not united. Scales of lateral line enlarged, each with

1 photophore, and enclosed in a cutaneous pocket open below,

which thus conceals the photophore except when viewed from below.

Photophores on head below the eye, on the operculum, and on the

mandible, covered over by thin skin. There are also 3 pairs of small

luminous organs on the lower surface of the snout.

Most of the known species of the family belong to this genus.

The food of these fishes consists of Crustacea and Cuttle-fish, and

occasionally also bathypelagic Mollusca.

Key to the South African species.

1. Pectoral not nearly reaching ventral : : . ; . affinis.

2. Pectoral reaching ventral. ; : 4 : : ; macrochir.

Aldrovandia affinis (Guthr.).

1877. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xx, p. 444.

i887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 241, pl. lix, fig. B.

1889. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 453 (anguilliformis).

1890. Id., ibid., p. 309 (hoskynt).

1892. Id., Mlustr. Zool. Investigator. Fish., pl. vii, fig. 3

(hoskynt).

1899. Id., Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus., p. 184 (angualliformis).

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 171.

1913. Jordan, Tanaka, and Snyder, Cat. Fish. Japan, p. 40.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 84.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

palo:

Depth of body 63-74, length of head 3 in length of body to vent.

Length of head equal to its distance from ventrals. Eye equal to

interorbital width, 33 in snout, 3 in postocular part of head. Snout

pointed, subequal to postocular part of head, its preoral portion almost

half its length. Maxilla scarcely reaching level of anterior margin of

eye. D 12, a little behind origin of ventrals. V 9. Pectoral not

nearly reaching ventral. Scales: 1.]. as far as vent 28-30. Pyloric

caeca 8.

Length.—Up to 525 mm.

Colowr.—Light or dark brown; the throat, gill-membranes, and often

the greater part of the head black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point and Table Bay, 500-1400 fathoms.

Distribution.—Japan, Indian Ocean, 565-1000 fathoms.

168 Annals of the South African Museum.

Though closely allied to the Atlantic species rostratus Guthr., this

species seems easily separable by the greater number of scales along

the lateral line.

Aldrovandia macrochir (Gnthr.).

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 1, p. 251.

1881. Gill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vi, p. 257 (goodev).

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 237, pl. lx, fig. A;

pl. lx, figs. 1-8.

1896. Collett, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 10, p. 146, pl. v,

figs. 23, 23b.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 170, pl. li (ger).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 84.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

vu, p. 10 (niger).

Depth of body 54-6, length of head 2? in length of body to vent.

Length of head rather more than its distance from ventrals. Hye

twice in interorbital width, 4 in snout, and 4 in postocular part of head.

Snout bluntly pointed, almost equal to postocular part of head, its

preoral portion 3-34 in its length. Maxilla reaching level of anterior

margin of eye or slightly beyond. D 12-13, a little in advance of

ventrals. V 9-10. Pectoral reaching almost or quite to ventral.

Scales: l.J. as far as vent 27-29. Pyloric caeca 10-11. (Plate VIII,

fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 650 mm.

Colour.—Uniform black.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and Table Bay, 800-1400 fathoms.

Distribution.—Central and South Atlantic southwards to Marion

Island, 600-1730 fathoms.

Type of H. niger in South African Museum.

Gilchrist’s original description is incorrect in certain respects, and

I have no hesitation in identifying these specimens with Giinther’s

species.

Fam. 2. NOTACANTHIDAE.

Body elongate, compressed. Scales cycloid, very small. Lateral

line above the middle of the body, at least in anterior part of body.

Head scaly. Mouth bordered by premaxilla only. Teeth in both

jaws and on palatine, in a single series on the premaxilla, in a single

or double row on the mandible and palatine. Preoperculum small.

Suborbitals none. A sharp backwardly directed spine at end of

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 169

maxilla, hidden by a small fold of skin at the angle of the mouth.

Dorsal composed of a series of disconnected spines. Anal with spines

and rays. Ventral with 1-5 spines and 7-10 rays. Caudal very

small, confluent with anal. Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder

large, simple. Gull-rakers moderately long. Branchiostegals 6~-9.

Gill-membranes partly united.

This family contains two well-characterised genera, Notacanthus

and Polyacanthonotus. Goode and Bean in 1895 proposed two other

genera on rather unsatisfactory grounds; Gigliolia certainly cannot be

maintained, as shown by Boulenger in 1903 and confirmed by the

present author’s examination of more abundant material.

One of the South African species has a double row of teeth on the

mandible, which conflicts with the diagnosis usually given of this

family.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Dorsal spines VI-XII. Anal spines XITI-XIX : ¢ . Notacanthus.

2. Dorsal spines XXVII-XXXVIII. Anal spines XL—-L, or more Macdonaldia.

Gen. Notacantuus Bloch.

1795. Bloch, Ausl. Fische., vol. xu, p. 114.

Snout short. Dorsal spines numbering VI-XII, the first above or

behind level of ventrals. Anal spines XII-XIX. Ventrals normally

joined by a membrane (which, however, is frequently torn), I-IV

spines and 6-7 rays. Pectoral arising only a short way behind edge of

operculum. Premaxillary teeth acicular, close set, more or less slant-

ing obliquely outwards. Lateral line straight, nearer to dorsal than

to ventral profile throughout its length.

As shown by the variation in N. annectens, the genus Gigliolia,

proposed by Goode and Bean in 1895 for those species in which the

dorsal commences above instead of in front of the vent, cannot be

maintained even as a subgenus.

Key to the South African species.

1. D VI-VIII. -A X-XV. VI-II 6-8 . F : : : Sexspinis.

, ID) ID INDO S\N , 5 : ; : ; moseleyt.

Notacanthus sexspinis Rich.

Spiny-back.

1846. Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terror. Fish., p. 54, pl. xxxu,

figs. 4-11.

170 Annals of the South African Museum.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 163, figs. 192 a, b.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 243, pl. lx, figs. 9-15 ;

Tole ixare home

1903. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ui, p. 167, pl =

(annectens).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 84 (annectens).

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

p- 11 (sexspinis).

Depth of body 33-4, length of head 22-23 in length of body to vent.

Snout bluntly pointed. Eye 14-1? in snout, 14 in interorbital width,

and 53-6 in length of head. No labial fold on upper jaw. Lip not

continuous across chin. Maxilla ending in a sharp spine below middle

of eye. Teeth 20-28 on premaxilla, 24-28 on lower jaw, on each side ;

palatine teeth in a single series. D VI-VIII, commencing as a rule

about midway between ventrals and vent. A X—XV, 150-160 rays.

V L-II, 6-8; ventrals wholly or in part united. Scales: l.tr. 20-25

between dorsal and lateral line, 35-40 between latter and vent.

Pyloric caeca 7.

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Brown ; mouth, margin of operculum, and soft portion

of anal fin blackish.

Locality. Off Table Bay, Cape Point, and Natal coast, 200-560

fathoms.

Distribution.—South Australia and New Zealand.

Type of annectens in British Museum, cotypes in South African

Museum.

I have examined 5 cotypes (topotypes) and 11 other specimens.

The above description, consequently, differs slightly from Boulenger’s

original description in certain details. It has been found that there

is a considerable range of variation, especially in the number and

position of the dorsal spines, fully confirming Boulenger’s remarks

about the inadmissability of the genus Gigliolia. Seven is the usual

number (cf. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 244) of dorsal spines, and as a rule the

Ist is at a level midway between the ventral and the vent, the 3rd

spine being above the vent. The last dorsal spine may be above,

but is usually some little distance in advance of the last anal spine.

There are usually XI—XII anal spines.

In view of the great variability of the specimens of annectens and

sexspinis I feel justified in uniting the two.

The statement of Gilchrist and von Bonde that the maxillary spine

is absent in their specimens is most certainly due to the fact that it is

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 171

frequently hidden under the loose skin and is difficult to find without

opening up this skin.

Notacanthus moseleyr (G. and B.),

Moseley’s Spiny-back.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 249, pl. lxi, fig. C

(bonaparte, non Risso).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 169, figs. 187, 193.

Depth of body 34, length of head 2? in length of body as far as vent.

Snout bluntly pomted. Eye 14 in snout, 14 in interorbital width,

and 54 in length of head. No labial fold on upper jaw. Lip not

continuous across chin. Maxilla ending in a sharp spine. Teeth

ca. 24 on premaxilla (on each side); in two rows on lower jaw, ca. 20-22

in each row on each side; palatine teeth in a double row. D IX,

commencing at a level midway between ventral and vent. A XVI,

ca. 100 rays. Last dorsal spine well in advance of last anal spine.

V IV 7; ventrals united. Scales: l|.tr. 25 between dorsal and lateral

line, 45 between latter and vent. Pyloric caeca 5.

Length.—Up to 500 mm..:

Colour.—Dark brown; mouth, margin of operculum, pectoral fin,

and hinder portion of anal fin blackish.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 500 fathoms.

Distribution.—S.W. coast of South America, 400 fathoms.

The single specimen seems referable to this species. Giinther states

that the depth is contained “‘ 22” in length to vent, but the figure

and the measurements given make it 34, which makes the proportions

between the “Challenger”? and the Cape specimens strictly com-

parable. The only serious difference is the number of ventral spines,

Giinther giving | for his specimen, whereas the present specimen has

4 very prominent spines.

Gen. Macponatpia G. and B.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 171.

Body very elongate. Snout elongate, but only moderately produced,

in advance of mouth. Dorsal spines numbering XX VII-XXX VIII,

short and stout, the first in advance of the pectoral. Anal spines

XL-L or more, the posterior ones less conspicuously distinct from the

rays than in Notacanthus. Ventrals more or less united (“ entirely

separate,’ Goode and Bean): 1 spine and 9-10 rays. Pectoral

172 Annals of the South African Museum.

arising well behind edge of operculum (at a distance about equal to

depth of head through eye). Premaxillary teeth acicular, close set,

erect, in a single series as are those on lower jaw and palatine. Lateral

line straight, nearer dorsal than ventral profile throughout its length.

Mucous pores on snout and along lower jaw very distinct.

This genus is separated from Polyacanthonotus Bl. by having the

snout moderately instead of strongly produced, the dorsal spines

short (less than diameter of eye) and stout, instead of long (greater

than eye) and flexible, and the lateral line straight instead of curved

and running from the vent onwards below the middle of the body.

Goode and Bean’s statement (copied by Jordan and Evermann,

Fish. N. Amer., vol. i, p. 617) that there are teeth on the vomer

seems to be a mistake, though it is stated that there are vomerine

teeth in africana.

Key to the South African species.

1. Dorsal spines 27-30. ; : : : ; ; : . rostrata.

2. Dorsal spines 36 . : : ; ‘ ‘ ‘ ; : . africana.

Macdonaldia rostrata (Collett).

Long-snouted Spiny-back.

1889. Collett, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. xiv, p. 307.

1894, Goode and Bean, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xvii, p. 467,

pl. xviu, fig. 2.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 171, figs. 189, 195.

1896. Collett, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 10, p. 48, pl. v, fig. 21.

1919. Roule, zbed., fase. 52, p. 29.

Depth of body (by vent) 33-44, length of head 25, in length of body

to vent. Snout 3 in length of head. Eye 24 in snout, subequal to

interorbital width and 63 in length of head. Lip not continuous

across chin. Teeth ca. 22 (on each side) on both premaxilla and

mandible, in a single series as on the palatine. D XXVII-XXX,

commencing in advance of pectoral, last one very small and contained

in the membrane of the skin. A XLII—LIII, passing gradually into

the soft rays. V I7 (9 Collett); the spine feeble; ventrals united

in their basal half. Pyloric caeca 3. (Plate VIII, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 425 mm.

Colour.—Brown; mouth, margin of operculum, and soft anal

blackish.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 900-1000 fathoms.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 173

Distribution.—N. and Middle Atlantic, 650-963 fathoms.

The present specimen, 330 mm. long, undoubtedly belongs to this

species, the only difference being the fewer rays in the ventral and the

fact that the ventrals are united in their basal half instead of being

quite separate. It has D XXX, the last spine being minute. The

greater depth of Collett’s specimen is due to its being a female.

The food consists of Crustacea and Cuttle-fish.

* Macdonaldia africana G. and v. B.

Cape Spiny-back.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

[Oo TUL, yall sul sake lt

Depth of body 4, length of head 22, in length of body to vent.

Snout 3 in length of head. Eye 24 in snout, 74 in length of head.

Lips (?). Teeth minute, on jaws, vomer, and palatine. D XXXVI,

commencing above middle of pectoral. A XLVII, passing into the

soft rays. V 19; ventrals not confluent at base.

Length. —395 mm.

Colour.—Presumably brown.

Locality. —Off Table Bay, 1220 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Division 4. APODKES.

1912. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. x, p. 377 (classification).

Air-bladder, if present, communicating with the digestive canal by

a duct. Fins without spines, ventrals absent, the vertical fins,

when present, confluent behind, or separated by the projecting tip

of the tail. Operculum bones small, frequently reduced, always

hidden under the skin. Giull-openings small or minute. Pectoral

girdle, if present, not connected with skull; mesocoracoid absent.

Premaxilla absent; maxilla, when present, separated in the front

median line by the coalesced ethmoid and vomer. Palato-pterygoid

often reduced or absent. Parietals meeting in middle line. Body

naked or with minute rudimentary scales embedded in the skin

obliquely in groups at right angles to one another.

The Eels are one of the most easily recognisable divisions of fishes,

their chief characters being the elongate snake-like body, the absence

or supposed absence of scales, and the absence of the ventral fins.

The degeneration of some of the bones of the mouth is noteworthy.

174 Annals of the South African Museum.

Eels are cosmopolitan ; some are exclusively marine, both shallow

and deep water, others partly marine and partly fresh water. . The

mystery concerning the breeding of the common European Kel

remained unsolved for many centuries, and it is only within the last

few years that the full details have become known. The unravelling

of the life-history of the Hel forms one of the most fascinating chapters

in scientific research. An account of the life-history is given below.

Other eel-like forms which are grouped near the Apodes are the

Symbranchi and Lyomert. The former are small, partly fresh-water,

forms from tropical and subtropical, Asia, Australia, and America,

distinguished from the Muraenoids by the small mouth and non-

tubular nostrils. The Lyomer: or Gulpers are deep-sea Atlantic

fishes, remarkable for the enormous gape of the mouth.

Key to the South African famalies.

I. Large interbranchial slits. Tongue usually free. Opercular bones well

developed. (Anguilloid series.)

A. With scales (except Gymnosimenchelys, Japan).

1. Lower jaw projecting beyond upper. : : Anguillidae.

2. Lower jaw not projecting beyond upper.

a. Mouth transverse, snout very blunt : Simenchelridae.

b. Mouth with lateral cleft. Snout conical.

i. Suspensorium vertical. Cleft of mouth not far behind eye

Ilyophidae.

ii. Suspensorium sloping obliquely backwards. Cleft of

mouth usually far behind eye . Synaphobranchidae.

B. Without scales.

1. Dorsal and anal confluent around tail.

a. Jaws not attenuate (though snout sometimes produced).

i. Jaws without strong canines in front.

a. Eye large . . : : : Congridae.

fp. Eyesmall . ; ; . Dysommidae.

. Jaws and vomer with atronne canines in front

Muraenesocidae.

b. Jaws very attenuate . é : . Nemichthyidae.

. Dorsal and anal not confluent, tail projectiite . Ophichthyidae.

II. Small erence slits. Tongue absent. Opercular bones reduced

(Muraenoid series). Gill-slits lateral, small, roundish. Pectorals absent

Muraenoidei.

Anguilloid Series (Platyschistae).

The internal branchial openings into the gullet are wide slits. The

tongue is either free or partly or wholly adnate to the floor of the

mouth. The opercular bones are well developed. Maxillae present.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 175

Fam. 1. ANGUILLIDAE.

True Eels.

Body moderately compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth

moderately large. Lower jaw projecting. Scales present. Tongue

free. Gull-slits well separated, lateral, and vertical. Lateral line well

developed. Teeth small, in bands in both jaws, and on the vomer.

Nostrils superior, well separated, anterior one slightly tubular.

Vent far from head. Rays of ventral fins embedded in thick skin.

Dorsal commencing far behind head, confluent with anal. Pectorals

well developed. Palato-pterygoid present. Frontal bones paired.

A single genus, which is cosmopolitan in temperate and tropical

regions. All the species spend the greater part of their lives in fresh

water, but descend to the sea to breed. They are thus said to be

“ catadromous,”’ 7.e. running down stream to the sea for the purpose

of spawning (contrast the “‘ anadromous ” Salmon).

Gen. ANGUILLA Shaw.

1804. Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. iv, p. 15.

With the characters of the family.

Although the South African species of True Hels have been

described and figured in “ The Freshwater Fishes of South Africa,” it

is necessary to give descriptions of them again here as they spend a

portion of their lives in the sea, and also for the sake of completeness.

Their biology is dealt with after the description of A. australis.

Key to the South African species.

1 Dorsal commencing about midway between pectoral and vent.

a. Teeth on sides of jaws in 3 (young) to 6 series, without any intervening

longitudinal interspace . : : : : : mossambica.

b. Teeth on sides of jaws in a double series, with intervening groove

bengalensis.

2. Dorsal commencing only slightly in advance of vent : : australis.

Anguilla mossambica (Peters).

The Cape or Mozambique Eel.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Freshwater Fish. 8. Afr., p. 466,

figs. 1lla, 112 (references).

Distance from end of snout to gill-slt 24-3} in distance from end of

176 Annals of the South African Museum.

snout to vent. Mouth extending to below or slightly beyond posterior

margin of eye. Tail much longer than body. Dorsal commencing

well in advance of vent, about midway between pectoral and vent.

Teeth in jaws in moderately broad bands of 3-6 series, slightly tapering

behind ; vomerine teeth in a similar band narrowing behind.

Length.—Up to 1120 mm.

Colour.—Olive green or brown above, yellowish or whitish beneath.

Locality.—Rivers of Transvaal, Zululand, Natal, and Cape Province.

Distribution.—East Africa to India and Southern Pacific (but not

Australasia).

I have examined the specimens referred by Gilchrist and Thompson

to this species (except those from Isipingo, Natal, which are not in the

South African Museum) and have come to the conclusion that they

really belong to bengalensis. On the other hand, the Orange River

specimen referred to bengalensis is undoubtedly mossambica. It —

should be stated, however, that the specific distinction of these two

species is often obscure, and quite possibly only one species should

really be recognised.

The Orange River specimen was the subject of some remarks by

Dr. Kannemeyer in the Proc. 8. Afr. Philos. Soc., 26th June 1895. It

was caught at the junction of the Orange and Caledon Rivers, N.E. of

Burghersdorp, and seemed to disprove the then prevalent idea that

eels were only found in rivers flowing “ zon op ” (eastwards). Kanne-

meyer tentatively put forward the suggestions that the Great Augrabies

Falls might prove an insuperable barrier, and also that the voracious

Mud barbel (Clarias) might be an all too successful competitor. As

regards the first suggestion, there is the possibility of an overland

migration from the upper reaches of one of the east-flowing streams

rising near the head waters of the Caledon or Orange Rivers, as the

European eel has been often found in damp meadows away from

water. The second suggestion is disproved by the presence of both

eels and Clarias in many of the eastern rivers (the Manzemtonto

and Dwaars Rivers, Transvaal, are specific instances).

Gilchrist and Thompson state that large specimens are occasionally

reported from the mouth of the Orange River. They do not specify

the species, however, and it is not improbable that these are reports

by an unqualified observer and refer not to an Anguilla, but to a

species of Ophichthys.

A large stuffed specimen (1120 mm.) of this species is in the South

African Museum, and was caught in the Liesbeck stream near Cape

Town in 1891.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 177

It is probable that this species occurs in all the rivers of the Cape

Province, as well as further east and north.

Weber (1913, Siboga Exp. Fishes, p. 31) and Weber and de Beaufort

(1916, Fish. Indo. Austr. Archip., vol. i, p. 243) separate mauritiana

Benn. from bengalensis Gray (=elphinstonet Sykes) on the ground

that the origin of the dorsal is nearer to the gill-opening than to the

vent in the former, vice versa in the latter. An examination of the

Museum material does not bear out the reliability of this distinction.

Anguilla bengalensis (Gray).

The Bengal Eel.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Freshwater Fish. 8. Afr., p. 467,

figs. 1116, 113.

Distance from end of snout to gill-slit 23-3 in distance from end

of snout to vent. Mouth extending beyond posterior margin of eye.

Tail much longer than body. Dorsal commencing well in advance of

vert, about midway between pectoral and vent. Teeth in jaws

narrowing rapidly on the sides to a single or double series, separated

by an interspace from an inner series of minute teeth ; vomerine teeth

in a band tapering rather strongly behind.

Length.—Up to 1200 mm. (1620 mm., Weber, 1913).

Colour.—Olive-brown or greenish above, often mottled with

darker ; lighter below.

Locality.—Rivers of Zululand, Natal, Transvaal, and Cape Province.

Distribution.—East Africa to India and Southern Pacific (but not

Australasia).

In view of the statement made under mossambica that the Orange

River record refers to that species, there appears to be no record of

this species having been found in the Cape Province west of the Great

Fish River. But a very much larger amount of material must be

collected before the south-western limit of this species can be

determined.

*Anguilla australis Rich.

The Australian Eel.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Freshwater Fish. 8. Afr., p. 469,

figs. 111c, 114.

Distance from end of snout to gill-slit 3-3} in distance from end of

snout to vent. Mouth extending to or beyond posterior margin of

eye. Tail longer than body. Dorsal commencing above or slightly

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 12

178 Annals of the South African Museum.

in advance of vent. Teeth in broad bands in 4-10 series, slightly

tapering behind; vomerine teeth also in a broad band tapering

behind.

Length.—Up to 1070 mm.

Colour.—Olive or dark green above, yellowish or whitish below.

Locality.—Lake Usilonde, Zululand.

Distribution.—Rivers of east coast of Africa, Indian and 8. Pacific

Oceans.

This species has only been taken on one occasion within the limits

of South Africa as here adopted.

General Remarks on the Biology of Eels.

It is unfortunately necessary to state at the outset that nothing

is known as to the life-history of the South African Eels ; even their

presence or absence in many of our rivers has not been satisfactorily

and positively ascertained. No apology is therefore needed in giving

here an epitome of the life-history of the European Eel (A. vulgaris).

It has long been known that in spring countless numbers of young

eels, known as “ elvers”’ in England, appear at the mouths of the

rivers and make their way up stream, and that in the autumn a migra-

tion down stream of full-grown eels takes place. The exact locality

of the spawning ground and the full life-history remained unknown

until 1920 and 1921, when the main outlines of the Eel’s development

were discovered. The history of the investigations may be read in an

interesting article by Dr. Schmidt on “ The Breeding-places of the

Kel ” (Tr. Roy. Soc. London, B, 385, vol. cexi, p. 179, 1922).

The spawning grounds lie in an area to the N.E. and N. of the

West Indies, between about 20°-30° N. Lat. and 50°-65° W. long.

Here in spring and early summer the eggs are laid. Owing to their

specific gravity, the eggs rise and the young larvae when hatched

float about at a depth of 100-150 fathoms until at the end of the first

summer they are 25 mm. long. They then rise to the upper layers

quite near the surface and, aided by the currents, start on their

eastward journey across the Atlantic to the shores of Europe. At

the end of the 2nd summer they are 50-55 mm. long and have reached

the central Atlantic. By the 3rd summer they have arrived off the

coastal banks of Europe and are full grown, averaging about 75 mm.

in length.

Up to this stage the eel-larva is quite unlike the adult eel. It is

of an elongate-oval shape, compressed from side to side to the thinness

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 179

of a sheet of paper, and perfectly transparent (see fig. 13, p. 217). It

was described many years ago as an independent species of fish under

the name Leptocephalus ; many different “ species” of Leptocephalus

are now known, but only a small proportion of them have been

definitely correlated with their adult form. The larva of the Euro-

pean Hel is known as L. brevirostris Kaup.

During the autumn and winter of the 3rd year the Leptocephalus

larvae undergo a metamorphosis, in the course of which they lose

their transparency and leaf-like shape, becoming shorter in length

(60-70 mm.), but thicker and more cylindrical, opaque, and pig-

mented. They are now elvers, and in the spring of the 4th year,

v.e. when they are 3 years old, they ascend the rivers. Here they

sojourn for a number of years, at least 4-5 in the case of males, or 7

in females (the age being told by the rings of growth on the minute

scales, asin other fishes), the females growing to a larger size than the

males. During this period they are termed “ Yellow” eels, being

more or less yellow in colour and without any silvery lustre. When,

however, the time comes for them to migrate to the sea, they cease to

feed and a metallic sheen develops on the body, so that they are called

“ Silver ” eels; the eye also increases in size.

As stated above, the Silver eels descend the rivers in the autumn and

make their way along the sea bottom to the spawning grounds across

the Atlantic. How long the journey takes is not yet known. The

roe and milt is not developed until the eels reach the sea, and after

spawning both sexes apparently die.

The only other True Eel whose life-history is known is the American

Kel (A. rostrata). It spawns in almost the same area as that where

the European Hel spawns, but its larvae grow much more rapidly,

taking only one year to reach the elver stage, a fact which seems

correlated with the lesser distance the larvae have to travel in order

to reach the coast.

In the case of the Hels occurring in South African waters, since they

are all Indo-Pacific species, the conclusion may be hazarded that their

spawning grounds will eventually be found to be somewhere in the

depths of the Indian Ocean.

Schmidt has shown (1909, Medd. Comm. Havunders. Fisk., vol. 111,

No. 7, pp. 29-36, and map) that the American and European eels

spawn outside the 1000 metre (about 550 fathoms) line, but only

where the temperature at this depth is over 70° C. Such conditions

are found in the Indian Ocean only on either side of the Indian

Peninsula and in a small area to the S.H. of Madagascar. It is

180 Annals of the South African Museum.

reasonable to suppose, therefore, that somewhere in these areas will

eventually be found the spawning ground of the species of eel which

frequent the South African rivers.

If this proves to be the case it will explain why eels are common in

the rivers flowing eastward and scarce or exceptional in those flowing

westward. But for this purpose a specially equipped research vessel

is required to carry out investigations over a large area and for a

considerable number of years. It has taken the International Council

for Fishery Investigations twenty years to track down the spawning

ground of the European Eel and work out its life-history.

But there are several questions, in the solution of which the fisher-

man on shore can help. What is the distribution of eels in South

Africa, and in particular of the different species? Does the Bengal

Kel, for example, ever occur south and west of the Great Fish River ?

Is there any particular season when adult eels are observed descending,

or the young elvers ascending, the rivers ?

Fam. 2. SIMENCHELIIDAE.

Snub-nosed Eels.

Body moderately compressed. Snout blunt. Mouth small, trans-

verse. Tongue free. Scales present (except in Gymnosimenchelys).

Gill-slits moderately far apart, horizontal, and ventral. Lateral line

well developed. Teeth either uniserial in both jaws, with a median

series on the vomer, all incisiform (those on the jaws being pleurodont,

those on the vomer acrodont) ; or pleuriserial in the jaws and none on

vomer. Nostrils superior, well separated, anterior one very shortly

tubular. Vent far from head. Rays of vertical fins embedded in

thick skin. Dorsal commencing shortly behind pectoral, confluent

with anal. Pectorals well developed. Palato-pterygoid present.

Frontals paired. Maxilla and mandible massive.

Two genera and three species known. Gymnosimenchelys Tanaka,

1908, is only known from Japanese seas.

Gen. SIMENCHELYS Gill.

1879. Gill in Goode and Bean, Bull. Essex Inst., vol. xi, p. 27.

1889. Collett, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. xiv, p. 122 (Concho-

gnathus).

1890. Gill, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xiii, p. 239 (osteology).

1920. Jaquet, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 56 (anatomy and

osteology).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 181

Scales present. Teeth uniserial in jaws, with 2-3 in a median series

on vomer.

Jaquet shows that the vomer preserves its distinctness, whereas

the premaxillae are completely fused with the ethmoid. Although

Boulenger (1904, Camb. Nat. Hist., pp. 599, 600) does not state

whether he has actually examined the skull of this form, he seems to

be of the opinion that the premaxilla has disappeared in all the members

of the group. In the single Cape specimen I have been unable to see

any suture between the vomer, which bears 2 teeth, and the ethmoid,

or to separate the two bones. The anterior part of this composite

bone bears 4 teeth, as found by Jaquet. The vomerine teeth are

incisiform like all the others, not conical as represented in Jaquet’s

rmx, Bill

Simenchelys parasiticus Gull.

Snub-nosed or Parasitic Eel.

1879. Gull, in Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 27.

1889. Collett, loc. cit., p. 122 (Conchognathus grimaldit).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 139, fig. 161.

1896. Collett, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 10, p. 156, pl. v,

fig. 22.

Depth of body a little less than length of head, which is about 5

times in length of body as far as vent. Tail rather longer than body.

Eye 2 in snout, 24 in interorbital and in length of head. Lips thick,

fleshy, corrugose. Dorsal commencing about a head’s length behind

base of pectoral. Vertebrae 118-120. (Plate VIII, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 430 mm.

Colour.—Brownish.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 810 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic (off Newfoundland and Azores), 80-1000

fathoms. This curious and easily recognised eel is found burrowing

and eating into the flesh of living fishes, halibut and other kinds,

somewhat after the manner of a Hagfish (Myzine).

This is the first occasion on which this species has been recorded

from the South Atlantic.

Two other species have been described from Japanese waters :

S. dofleint Franz, and S. taketae Tanaka.

Fam. 3. ILYOPHIDAE.

Body compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth large, extending

a short way behind eye. Scales present. Tongue scarcely developed,

182 Annals of the South African Museum.

adnate to floor of mouth. Gill-slits well separated, horizontal, and

ventral. Lateral line well developed. Teeth small, in bands in both

jaws and on vomer. Nostrils lateral, widely separate, the anterior

shortly tubular near tip of snout, the posterior immediately in front

of eye. Vent remote from head. Rays of vertical fins embedded

in thick skin. Dorsal commencing shortly behind pectoral, confluent

with anal. Pectorals well developed. Palato-pterygoid very slender.

Frontals fused into a single bone.

Regan (loc. cit., p. 387) suggests that the suspensorium is “ pro-

bably directed somewhat obliquely backwards.” In the specimens

which I have examined I find that it is quite vertical, so that the

separation of this family from both the Dyssommuidae and the Syna-

phobranchidae seems justified.

Up to the present only a single genus and species has been recog-

nised.

Gen. Inyopuis Gilbert.

1892. Gilbert, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xiv, p. 351.

Ilyophis brunneus Gilbert.

1892. Gilbert, loc. cit., p. 352.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 141, fig. 162.

Body compressed. Depth 64, length of head 23-23 in length of

body to vent. Tail twice as long as body. Eye 3 in snout, 1$-2 in

interorbital, and 8-9 in length of head. Mouth extending to about

half an eye’s length behind eye. Dorsal commencing about the length

of the pectoral behind base of pectoral. Pectoral 4 in length of head.

Gill-shts subequal in length to eye and separated from one another

by about the same distance. Teeth on maxilla villiform in a narrow

band shortly separated from the vomerine teeth; teeth on vomer

conical, in front in transverse rows of 4, 5, 2, and 2, then in a double

or triple series, thinning out behind to a single series ; in the lower jaw

in a narrow band, villiform, but the inner row rather larger.

Length.—Up to 375 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, head darker, abdominal region with a violet

tinge.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 800 fathoms.

Distribution.—Pacific (Galopagos Islands), 634 fathoms.

This species was formerly only known from the single type specimen

captured by the U.S. vessel “ Albatross.”’ It is therefore extremely

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 183

interesting to find that the s.s. “ Pieter Faure”’ took two specimens

in Cape waters. The specimens are smaller than the type, 250 mm.

and 210 mm. long, but agree perfectly with Gilbert’s description,

except that the pectoral is slightly longer (4 in head instead of 6)

and the body slightly longer (3 in total length instead of 34). These

characters are obviously not sufficient to establish a separate species.

Fam. 4. SYNAPHOBRANCHIDAE,

Body compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth very large,

extending usually well behind eye. Scales present. Tongue scarcely

developed, adnate to the floor of the mouth. Gill-slits ventral or

ventrolateral, separate or confluent into a single longitudinal opening.

Lateral line well developed. Teeth in narrow villiform bands in

both jaws and on vomer. Nostrils lateral, well separated, the anterior

tubular near tip of snout, the posterior slightly in advance of eye.

Vent usually in anterior third of body, far from head. Rays of

vertical fins embedded in thick skin. Dorsal commencing either

behind or in advance of vent, confluent with anal. Pectorals well

developed. Palato-pterygoid very slender. Frontals fused into a

single bone.

Two genera were formerly known, both represented in the South

African fauna. ‘To these a third is now added.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Dorsal commencing behind vent. Cheeks scaly.

a. Gill-slits confluent F : ; : 3 : Synaphobranchus.

6. Gill-slits separate : : : : : : Diastobranchus.

2. Dorsal commencing in advance of vent. Cheeks not scaly. Gill-slits confluent

Histiobranchus.

Gen. SYNAPHOBRANCHUS Johnson.

1862. Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 169.

Dorsal commencing behind vent, which is about a head’s length

distant from gill-slits. Pectoral longer than snout. Gill-slits ventral,

longitudinal, confluent into a single opening. Scales extending over

head and cheeks.

Synaphobranchus pinnatus (Gronov.).

1854. Gronovius (ed. Giinther), Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., p. 19.

1862. Johnson, loc. cit., p. 169 (Kaupi).

184 Annals of the South African Museum.

1877. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xx, p. 445.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 253, pl. xu, fig. A.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur and Talisman, Poiss., p. 88,

pl. vi, fig. 2.

1919. Roule, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. 52, p. 99, pl. vi, fig. 3

(var. parvipinnis).

Depth of body about 4, length of head (to base of pectoral) 2-24

in length of body (to vent). Length of body (to vent) 34-32 in total

length. Eye 2-24 in snout, 1-1} in interorbital and 7-8 in length of

head. Mouth twice length of snout, 13 in length of head, extending

to midway between hind margin of eye and front margin of gill-slits.

Dorsal commencing }+-3 head’s length behind vent. Pectoral inserted

about midway between tip of snout and vent, subequal to snout plus

eye, 24-3 in length of head, about 15 in length of body to vent.

Length of gill-slits equal to or slightly larger than eye. Teeth in

narrow villiform bands on maxilla and mandible, with an inner row

of slightly larger conical teeth ; in the anterior part of the lower jaw

these larger teeth are alone present, and in the upper jaw there is at

most a single row of the smaller teeth ; large conical teeth on front

part of vomer in a longitudinally oval patch, followed at some little

distance by a long narrow band of small conical teeth in a single (or

at most partly double) series.

Length.—Up to 550 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown or blackish, margins of vertical fins and

region of gill-slits darker, mouth blue-black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, Agulhas Bank, and East London, 400-560

fathoms.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Japan, 200-1730 fathoms.

One of the commonest of deep-sea eels. They appear to feed

mainly on Crustacea.

Gen. DiastoBprancHus Brnrd.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus, vol. xin, pt. 8, p. 441.

Dorsal commencing behind vent, which is less than a head’s length

distant from gill-shits. Pectoral considerably longer than snout.

Gill-slts ventro-lateral, oblique, separated. Tail more than 3 times

length of body to vent. Scales extending over head and cheeks.

The patch of teeth on front of vomer distinctly separated by a gap

from the single series on the hinder part, the first two teeth of which

are conical and larger than any of the other teeth in the snout.

Except for the separate gill-slits, the single species contained in

PLATE VIII.

: TPXT-PAGE

Argyropelecus affinis Garm. (after Brauer) . a lla?

Polyipnus spinosus Guthr. (after Brauer) . 2 ;

Galeichthys feliceps C. and V. (after Cuv. and Val.) ;

Aldrovandia macrochir (Gnthr.) (after Gilchrist) j

Macdonaldia rostrata (Collett) (after Collett) ;

Simenchelys parasiticus Gill. (after Collett) .

B= 9

Diastobranchus capensis Brnrd. (original) —.

Dysomma anguillaris Brnrd. (original) ,

Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI Plate VIII.

Bere anrtpezs

Dene

Se ee eh

SSS CSS =

Neill & Co., Ltd.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 185

this genus might well go into Synaphobranchus, as the forward position

of the vent is not by itself of sufficient importance to be considered

a generic character. In the short extension of the cleft of the mouth

behind the eye, it resembles Ilyophis.

Diastobranchus capensis Brnrd.

1923. Barnard, loc. cit., p. 441.

Depth of body 3 (adult) to 4 (juv.), length of head (to pectoral) 13-1?

in length of body (to vent). Length of body (to vent) 42-5 in total

length. Eye 2—24 in snout, 1-1} in interorbital width, 6-7 in length

of head. Mouth not more than twice length of snout, extending not

more than an eye’s length behind posterior margin of eye, 13 in length

of head. Dorsal commencing about § of a head’s length behind vent.

Pectoral inserted considerably nearer vent than tip of snout, $-§ as

long as head, extending to or almost to vent, pointed. Gill-slits

separated at their anterior ends by a space equal to the length of one

gill-slit. Teeth in jaw as in Synaphobranchus pinnatus; teeth on

front part of vomer enlarged, conical, in an oval patch, separated by

a space from the single series on the hinder part of vomer, the first two

teeth of which are also conical and larger than any of the others.

(Plate VIII, fig. 7.)

Length.—Up to 790 mm.

Colour.—Blackish brown, branchial region with a violet tinge;

mouth blue-black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 470 fathoms.

Types in South African Museum.

The food consists of various Crustacea.

Gen. HISTIOBRANCHUS Gill.

1883. Gill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vi, p. 255.

1890, Id., abed., vol. xiii, p. 161.

Dorsal commencing shortly behind pectoral, about midway between

tip of snout and end of tail, which is subequal to, only very little

longer than, snout. Vent 2 heads’ length distant from gill-slits,

which are ventral, longitudinal, and confluent into a single opening.

Scales not extending over head and cheeks.

Regan (1913, Tr. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xlix, pt. 2, p. 235) regards

Histiobranchus as a subgenus of Synaphobranchus, but if the characters

separating these two genera are considered only of subgeneric im-

186 Annals of the South African Museum.

portance, surely the characters relied on by Regan for distinguishing

the 3 species of Histiobranchus are equally invalid. In fact, they fall

well within the range of variation such as one finds in the allied and

equally widely distributed Synaphobranchus pinnatus. I therefore

recognise only one species, which is included here, as there can scarcely

be any doubt that it will one day be captured within our limits.

*Histiobranchus bathybius Guthr.

1877. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xx, p. 445.

1883. Gill, loc. cit., p. 255 (infernalis).

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 254, pl. Ixu, fig. B

(bathybius).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 145, fig. 165 (infernalis).

1913. Regan, Tr. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xlix, pt. 2, p. 235, pl. viui,

fig. 5 (australis).

Depth of body 43-5, length of head (to base of pectoral) 3-34 in

length of body (to vent). Length of body (to vent) about equal to

tail. Eye 12-2 in snout, 7-8 in length of head. Mouth twice length

of snout, 14 in length of head. Dorsal commencing above pectoral,

which is 34—44 in length of head and 15-14 in length of body (to vent).

Teeth as in Synaphobranchus pinnatus.

Length.—Up to 612 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown.

Locality.— Between Cape of Good Hope and Kerguelen, 1375

fathoms.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, N. Pacific and 8. Indian Oceans,

1375-2050 fathoms.

The only specimen taken in proximity to South Africa is that taken

by the “ Challenger” and which was made the type of australis by

Regan. It is an albino specimen, 350 mm. in length.

Fam. 5. CoNGRIDAE.

Conger Eels.

Body moderately compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth large

but not extending far behind eye. Scales absent. Tongue free

or adnate to floor of mouth. Gull-slits separate. Lateral line well

developed. Teeth conical or granular, usually strong, in bands or

in one or more series on jaws and vomer. Nostrils lateral. Vent

far from head. Rays of vertical fins embedded in thick skin. Dorsal

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 187

commencing above or behind pectoral, confluent with anal. Pectorals

well developed, or absent. Frontals fused into a single bone. Sus-

pensorium vertical or directed obliquely forwards. Palato-pterygoid

present. Caudal vertebrae with transverse processes. Maxilla arti-

culated with ethmoid near end of snout.

The Congers are a large family, exclusively marine, but including

both shallow and deep-water forms, and ranging over the whole world.

Nettastoma and certain allied genera were once placed in a separate

family, but have been united by Regan with the Congers. The entire

absence of pectorals, however, and the long slender tail mark them off

very distinctly, and they are here accorded subfamily rank.

Key to the South African families.

I. Pectorals well developed. Tongue free (Conyrinae).

A. Vomerine teeth in a band.

1. Outer series of teeth in jaws closely set and forming a cutting edge

Conger

2. Outer series not forming a cutting edge. E . Congermuraena.

B. Vomerine teeth in a single series . 5 : : : Uroconger.

II. Pectorals absent. Tongue adnate (Nettastominae).

A. Snout not produced . : é : é 5 : Nettastoma.

B. Snout produced in a slender fleshy process. : F . Venefica.

Gen. CONGER Cuv.

1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 1, p. 350.

Pectorals well developed. Head flat above. Tongue free. Lips

thick. Maxillary and mandibular teeth in series, in outer of which

the teeth are set closely together so as to form a cutting edge. Inner

series minute or obsolete. Vomerine teeth in a short band. No

canine teeth. Dorsal commencing behind root of pectoral. Mucous

pores on jaws inconspicuous. Anterior nostril tubular.

Key to the South African specves.

1. Dorsal commencing above or behind tip of pectoral ‘ ; . vulgaris.

2. Dorsal commencing in advance of tip of pectoral. : : . cinereus.

Conger vulgaris Cuy.

The Conger.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 38.

1895. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., vol. ii, p. 1037, pl. xlv, fig. 2.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 80 (larval form only).

188 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length of head 23-2? in length of body to vent. Tail longer than

rest of body. Eye 13-1? in snout, subequal to interorbital width,

5-6 (or a little more) in length of head. Posterior nostril on level

with antero-superior angle of orbit. Cleft of mouth extending to

vertical from posterior third of eye. Upper and lower jaw about

equal. Vomerine teeth not extending back as far as tip of tongue.

Dorsal commencing above or slightly behind extremity of pectoral,

which is 34 in length of head. Vertebrae 153-164.

Length.—Up to 8 ft. (2400 mm.).

Colour.—Greyish or blackish, sometimes entirely black, vertical

fins with black margins, the pectoral immaculate.

Locality.— Agulhas Bank, 20-40 fathoms.

Distribution.—Nearly cosmopolitan, but not occurring in the Kastern

Pacific.

The Conger is an excellent food-fish, but is not abundant enough in

these waters to be of any importance. The larva is known as Lepto-

cephalus morrissi and will be described below (p. 219).

*Conger cinereus Riipp.

1828. Riippell, Fische des Roth. Meeres, p. 115.

1841. Valenciennes, Voy. Bonite. Poiss., p. 201, pl. ix, fig. 1.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol. Muraen., p. 26, pl. xxiii, fig. 2

(noordzickr).

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 38 (references).

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fishes Monogr., vol. lxv, p. 48

(references).

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. in,

p- 258, fig. 107 (cznereus).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (marginatus)

(name only).

Tail longer than rest of body. Eye nearly 14 in snout, 54 in length

of head. Posterior nostril slightly below level of antero-posterior

angle of orbit. Jaws about equal. Dorsal commencing conspicuously

in advance of extremity of pectoral. Vomerine teeth extend back

to or slightly beyond tip of tongue. Vertebrae 142.

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or blackish, vertical fins with black edge, pectoral

frequently (chiefly in adults) with a black spot.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 189

Gen. CONGERMURAENA Kaup.

1856. Kaup, Cat. Apod. Fish, p. 108.

Pectoral present. Head more or less flat above. Tongue free.

Lips often thick and fleshy. Mucous pores on lips well developed.

Dorsal commencing above root of pectoral. Teeth in both jaws and

on vomer forming bands. No canines. Anterior nostril tubular.

Several species have been instituted in this genus from various parts

of the world, comprising inhabitants of both shallow and deep waters.

The separation of those species with villiform teeth (Congrellus

Ogilby) from those with granular teeth (Congermuraena) would seem

to be impossible in practice. In all the South African species the inner

teeth on the jaws and the vomer all tend to be more granular than the

outer and anterior teeth.

Key to the South African species.

1. Gill-slit less than interspace.

a. Vertical fins without dark edging . : ; . albescens.

b. Vertical fins with dark edging. Eye subequal to snout : . australis.

2. Gill-slit subequal to interspace. Vertical fins with dark edging : anago.

Congermuraena albescens Brurd.

The White Conger.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, pt. 8, p. 442.

Depth of body about 5, length of head nearly 3 in length of body to

vent. Length of body to vent about 14 in distance from vent to tip

of tail. Eye 14 in snout and in interorbital width, 53 in length of head.

Dorsal commencing above middle of pectoral, which is 3? in length of

head. Lips rather thick and fleshy, upper jaw alghely longer than

lower, but snout not projecting, cleft of mouth extending to below

centre of eye. Teeth in about 4 series on jaws and vomer ; maxillary

and mandibular bands 4 mm. wide (wider in front), vomerine band

elongate ovate, 6 mm. wide, extending back beyond tip of tongue

and almost to level of front margin of eye; the teeth mostly conical,

but the inner ones more or less tubercular with rounded tops, the

vomerine teeth especially so. Length of gill-slit 24} in interspace.

(Plate IX, fig. 1.)

Length.—700 mm.

190 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour (as preserved).—Yellowish-white, vertical fins without any

traces of dark edging.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 250 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

Congermuraena australis Brnrd.

Cape Lesser Conger.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, pt. 8, p. 442.

Depth of body about 7, length of head 23 in length of body to vent.

Length of body to vent about 1} in length of tail. Hye nearly equal

to snout, twice interorbital width, 43-5 in length of head. Dorsal

commencing immediately behind origin of pectoral, which is 3 in

length of head. Lips thick and fleshy, snout overlapping lower jaw

by at least half diameter of eye, cleft of mouth extending to below

anterior third of eye. Vomerine teeth extending back to tip of

tongue (7.e. not as far as front margin of eye) below anterior third of

eye; about 3 series in each band, more numerous in front, some of

the vomerine teeth subtubercular. Length of gill-sht half the inter-

space. Vertebrae about 136.

Length.—Up to 375 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, the vertical fins with dark edging.

Locality.—Coast of 8.W. Africa, off Cape Peninsula, False Bay,

Tristan d’Acunha, 2-60 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This species is closely allied to both balearica and mystaz. It

resembles the latter in the longer tail proportionally to the head and

trunk, and in the projecting snout and the thick lips; but it has the

vertical fins with black edging as in balearica. As regards the average

number of vertebrae it appears to be intermediate between the two

northern species.

The assumed larva of this species is described below (p. 219) as

Leptocephalus capensis Kaup.

Congermuraena anago (Schleg.).

Japanese Lesser Conger.

1846. Schlegel, Faun. Jap. Poissons, p. 259, pl. exiul, fig. 1.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 660, pl. clxix, fig. 2.

1901. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxii, p. 855,

text-fig. 8.

A Monograph of the Marie Fishes of South Africa. 191

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. 11,

p. 262, text-figs. 109, 111.

Depth of body about 7, length of head 23-25, in length of body to

vent. Length of body to vent 14-14 in length of tail. Hye subequal

to snout, 14-2 times as large as interorbital width, 43-5 in length of

head. Dorsal commencing immediately above gill-slit. Pectoral

24-21 in length of head. Lips rather thin, snout not prominent,

cleft of mouth extending to level of centre of eye. Vomerine band of

teeth half as long as maxillary band, extending back to tip of tongue ;

2-3 series in all the bands, some of the vomerine teeth subtubercular.

Length of gill-sht subequal to interspace.

Length.—Up to 600 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, fins yellowish, the vertical ones (usually) with

dark edging, tip of tail white.

Locality.—Natal coast, 22 fathoms.

Distribution.—Indian Seas, East Indies, Japan.

Gen. UROCONGER Kaup..

1856. Kaup, Cat. Apod. Fish., p. 110.

Pectorals present. Head more or less flat above. Tongue free.

Lips moderately thick. Maxillary and mandibular teeth biserial,

acicular, not closely set; vomerine teeth uniserial, some of them

canines. Dorsal commencing above root of pectoral. Mucous

pores on jaws well developed. Anterior nostril tubular. Tail

tapering.

Only two species of this genus are known, one from shallow

water and the other from deep water. Both are found in the South

African region.

Key to the South African species.

1, Vomerine series of teethlong. Interspace between gill-slits less than their length

lepturus.

2. Vomerine series very short. Interspace between gill-slits greater than their

length . : u : g ; : : : : - vicinus.

Uroconger lepturus (Rich.).

1844-5. Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Fish., p. 106, pl. lvi, figs. 1-6.

1844. Id., Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fish., p. 109.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol. Muraen., p. 29, pl. v, fig. 1.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 44.

192 Annals of the South African Museum.

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. iii,

p. 265, text-figs. 113, 114.

Body not much compressed. Snout overhanging lower jaw.

Depth of body 7, length of head 24 in length of body to vent. Tail

at least twice length of rest of body. Eye not quite twice in snout,

subequal to interorbital width, 62-74 in length of head. Cleft of

mouth extending to level of hind margin of eye. Dorsal commencing

above root of pectoral, which is 33-4 in length of head. Vomerine

series extending back at least as far as level of front margin of eye, the

2 anterior teeth canines. Gill-slits longer than the interspace between

them.

Length.—Up to 430 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, the vertical fins with black margins.

Locality.—Coast of Zululand, 26 fathoms.

Distribution.—East Indies and China.

A shallow-water species.

The single specimen in the South African Museum lacks all trace of

the right pectoral fin.

Uroconger vicinus Vaill.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur and Talisman, Poiss., p. 86,

le swat, he Ae

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 138, fig. 160 (immature).

Body considerably compressed. Snout scarcely projecting. Depth

of body 5-54, length of head 3 in length of body to vent (or 8 in total

length). Tail not twice length of rest of body. Eye 1? in snout,

subequal to interorbital width, 7 in length of head. Cleft of mouth

extending to level of hind margin of eye. Dorsal commencing at a

level nearer tip than root of pectoral, which is 3$ in length of head.

Vomerine series of teeth consisting of 2 large canines only; strong

canines in. the front of both jaws. Gill-slits shorter than the inter-

space between them.

Length.—Up to 640 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, vertical fins black posteriorly.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 345 fathoms.

Distribution.—Off west coast of Africa (Cape Verde), 300-700

fathoms; ‘“‘ Albatross” station, 210.

A deep-water species. The larger of the two specimens taken by

the ‘“‘ Pieter Faure’ is the largest known specimen, 510 mm. being

the length of the largest ““ Talisman’ specimen. The “ Albatross ”

specimen is an immature one provisionally identified with this species.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 193

Brauer identified the “ Valdivia” specimen as lepturus, and was of

opinion that Alcock’s specimens (Cat. Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus.,

p. 200, 1899) also should have been identified with this species instead

of with viconus. Sewel (1912, Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. vii, pt. 1, p. 12)

is of the same opinion. But it is quite clear that these specimens

cannot be identified with leptwrus of Richardson, and in 1916 (Fish.

Indo-Aust. Archip., vol. 11, p. 266) Weber and de Beaufort have

renamed the Indian Ocean form of Alcock and Brauer as braueri.

The question still remains whether the Indian Ocean form braueri

is really distinct from the Atlantic vicinus. Brauer gives the number

of pectoral rays in the former as 17 and the proportion of head to

lengthas1: 7or8. Alcock also gives the latter proportion. Vaillant

gives the proportion as 1: 11, but does not state the number of pec-

toral rays, though his figure indicates far fewer than 17.

Weber and de Beaufort appear to have based their description

on those of Alcock and Brauer, but unaccountably give the length of

the tail as “ more than 23” times that of the trunk. According to

Brauer the tail is less than twice as long as the trunk.

In the Cape specimens the head to length proportions are 1 : 8 and

1: 8-5. The number of pectoral raysis 9. I have, therefore, decided

to identify them with Vaillant’s species. The specific distinctness of

brauert seems to need confirmation.

Gen. NETTASTOMA Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratter1 Nuovi Gen., p. 66.

Pectorals absent. Tongue adnate to floor of mouth. Lips thin

and feebly developed. Snout elongate, without a fleshy prolonga-

tion. Upper jaw projecting beyond lower. Teeth villiform, in

narrow bands on jaws and vomer. Dorsal commencing above gill-

slits. Nostrils superior, the anterior ones shortly tubular. Tail

tapering. Mucous pores on head well developed.

The Mediterranean species, N. melanurus, is well known to the

fishermen at Nice and elsewhere, who have bestowed upon it the name

of Sorceress. Its Latin equivalent is the scientific name of the

following genus. The name of the present genus really means

** duck-mouth,” here modified into ‘‘ duck-billed.”’

A metamorphosing larval form supposed to be the larva of the

Mediterranean species has been named Hyoprorus messinensis (Giinther,

Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 144).

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 3}

194 Annals of the South African Museum.

Nettastoma parviceps Guthr.

Duck-billed Eel.

1877. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xx, p. 446.

1887. Id., Challenger Report, vol. xxu, p. 253, pl. lxin, fig. A.

Length of body to vent 1}—2 in length of tail. Length of head (to

gill-slits) 24 (juv.) to 24 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Hye 4 in

snout, a little (considerably in juv.) larger than interorbital width,

9-10 in length of head. Cleft of mouth extending slightly beyond

hind margin of eye. Dorsal commencing in front of gill-slits, which

are shorter than the interspace between them. A low fleshy ridge

from the anterior to the posterior nostril demarcating the upper and

lateral surfaces of the snout.

Length.—Up to 662 mm.

Colouwr.—Brownish, edges of the vertical fins posteriorly black,

lining of abdominal cavity purplish black.

Locality.—Off East London and eastern declivity of Agulhas Bank,

33-400 fathoms.

Distribution.— Japan, 345 fathoms.

Several specimens in the South African Museum from 230 mm.

up to 460 mm. The largest specimens were taken in the shallower

waters. The tail varies considerably in proportionate length, perhaps

due to mutilation at an early stage of growth, but always possesses

distinct caudal rays.

Gen. VENEFICA Jord. and Dav.

1891. Jordan and Davis, Rep. U.S. Fish. Commis. for 1888, p. 651.

Similar to Nettostoma, but with a slender fleshy process on the apex

of the snout projecting forwards.

Two species are known, but the necessity for separating them

generically from Nettastoma seems rather doubtful.

Venefica proboscidea (Vaill.).

Proboscis Eel.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talism., Poiss., p. 84, pl. vu,

fig. 3.

Length of body to vent (the process on snout is not included in any

of the measurements) nearly 3 times in length of tail. Length of

head 3 times in distance from gill-slits to vent. Eye 83 in snout,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 195

greater than interorbital width, 17 in length of head. Cleft of mouth

extending an eye’s length beyond hind margin of eye. Dorsal

commencing slightly behind gill-slits, which are subequal to the

interspace between them. Snout depressed, the fleshy process 1?

in its length, or 4 times the diameter of eye.

Length.—Up to 960 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, lining of abdominal cavity black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 660 fathoms.

Distribution.—Oft Atlantic coast of Morocco, 1100 fathoms.

The single specimen, 910 mm. long, is evidently referable to Vail-

lant’s species, which was founded on a slightly larger, but somewhat

mutilated specimen.

There is a slight gap in the maxillary band of teeth at the level of

the apex of the lower jaw, and the vomerine band also ends at the

same level, so that the teeth on the apex of the upper jaw form an

isolated patch.

Fam. 6. DySOMMIDAE.

Body moderately compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth

large. Scales absent. Tongue adnate to floor of mouth. Gill-slits

separate. Lateral line present. Teeth conical, small and in narrow

bands or a single series on jaws, large and in a single series on vomer.

Nostrils lateral, the posterior very large. Hye very small, sub-

cutaneous. Vent immediately, or only a short distance behind gill-

slits. Rays of vertical fins embedded in thick skin. Dorsal commenc-

ing above gill-slits, confluent with anal. Pectorals well developed,

or absent. Frontals united into a single bone. Suspensorium

directed very obliquely backwards. Palato-pterygoid absent.

Two genera, both from the Indian Ocean, have been described by

Alcock.

Gen. Dysomma Alcock.

1889. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), vol. iv, p. 459.

Pectorals present. Vent between, or only a very short distance

behind, gill-slits. Dorsal commencing above gill-slits.

Dysomma anguillaris Brurd.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xin, pt. 8, p. 443.

Length of body to vent 5 times in length of tail. Length of head

(to gill-slt) 7 in total length. Head flat above. Eye 4 in snout,

196 Annals of the South African Museum.

3 in interorbital space. Snout overlapping lower jaw, 44 in length of

head. Lips thick and fleshy. Cleft of mouth extending 2 eye

diameters behind eye. Posterior nostril almost as large as eye.

Pectoral about 4% in length of head. Dorsal commencing above or

slightly in advance of gill-shts, which are subequal to the interspace

between them. Distance of vent from posterior end of gill-slit equal

to length of 1 gill-sht. A narrow band of viliform teeth on posterior

3 of maxilla; 2 conical teeth, set transversely, in front of upper jaw,

followed by 4 canine teeth on vomer, the 3rd being the largest ; 7-8

canine teeth on each mandible, set well apart, but not so large as those

on vomer ; each of the canine teeth is set in an oval conical fleshy

papilla, with only its point projecting. Snout and lower jaw thickly

covered with minute villiform papillae. (Plate VIII, fig. 8.)

Length.—360 mm.

Colour.—As preserved, silvery white ; bases of vertical fins posteriorly

dark, but edge white.

Locality.—Ofi Tugela River mouth, Natal, 63 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

The elongate form at once distinguishes this species from the only

other species of the genus: bucephalus Alcock, 1889.

The body cavity extends to within 70 mm. of the end of the tail,

but the intestinal loop only extends to about the middle of the total

length of the body. The stomach contained portions of crabs.

Fam. 7. MURAENESOCIDAE.

Body moderately compressed. Snout conical, long. Cleft of

mouth large. Scales absent. Tongue adnate. Gill-slits separate.

Lateral line well developed. Teeth in two or three series in the jaws

and on vomer; the median rows on the vomer large and conical,

similar canines in the front of the jaws. Nostrils lateral, the anterior

one tubular. Vent far from head. Rays of vertical fins not en-

veloped in thick skin. Dorsal commencing above gill-slits, confluent

with anal. Pectorals well developed. Frontals united into a single

bone. Suspensorium vertical or directed obliquely forwards. Palato-

pterygoid present. Caudal vertebrae without transverse processes.

Maxilla articulated with ethmoid at a considerable distance from the

end of the rather long snout.

As now restricted, this family contains only the one genus. There

are several species distributed over the tropical and subtropical

Tegions.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 197

Gen. MurRAENESOX McClell.

1843. McClelland, Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. iv, p. 408.

With the characters of the family.

Muraenesox cinereus (Forsk).

Silver Eel ; Conger-Prike.

1878. Day, Fish. India, p. 662, pl. clxviii, fig. 4.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 302 (references).

Tail rather longer than length of body to vent. Head (to base of

pectoral) 23-22 in length of body to vent. Hye 24-23 in snout, once

in interorbital width, about 10 in length of head. Cleft of mouth

extending half an eye’s diameter beyond eye, less than half length of

head. Dorsal commencing above anterior end of gill-slits. Pectorals

3 in length of head. Median vomerine teeth compressed with basal

lobe in front and behind, the lateral rows small; maxillary teeth

small; inner mandibular row small, the outer ones larger, but not as

large as the vomerine teeth, not bent outwards. Vertebrae, 154.

(Plate IX, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, whitish beneath; vertical fins yellowish, with dark

margins ; pectoral yellowish or blackish.

Locality.— Natal coast, shallow water, occasionally entering

estuaries.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific Ocean, to Japan and Australia.

Fam. 8. NEMICHTHYIDAE.

Thread Eels.

Roule and Bertin, Bull. Mus. d’hist. nat. Paris, 1924, no. i, p. 61.

Body very elongate, compressed. Snout acutely pointed, jaws very

long and attenuate. Cleft of mouth extending behind eye. Scales

absent. Tail very long and tapering. Tongue adnate. Gaill-slits

wide, sometimes confluent. Lateral line present. Teeth on jaws

small and numerous in villiform bands, retrorse, those on vomer either

similar, or large, conical, and in a single series. Nostrils lateral,

close together in front of eye, not tubular. Vent not far from gill-

slits. Rays of vertical fins connected by membrane, not enclosed

in thick skin. Dorsal commencing either far forwards or some

way back. Pectorals usually present, sometimes absent. Frontals

198 Annals of the South African Museum.

paired. Suspensorium vertical. Palato-pterygoid absent. Caudal

vertebrae without transverse processes. Maxilla articulated with

ethmoid far behind tip of snout.

These eels, remarkable for the long, slender, beak-like snout and the

long, tapering tail, are all deep-water forms. Their slender and

fragile bodies consequently are always more or less mutilated in the

process of capture. The family contains about half a dozen genera,

three of which are represented in South African waters.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Vomerine teeth small and similar to those in jaws.

a. Lateral line triple : : : : : : : Nemichthys.

b. Lateral line single : f ; : : : ; Avocettina.

2. Vomerine teeth large, in a single series . : : : : Serrivomer.

Gen. NEMIcHTHYS Rich.

1848. Richardson, Voy. Samarang, Fishes, p. 16.

1924. Roule and Bertin, loc. cit., p. 62.

Snout very long, needle-like, upper jaw curved upwards (at least

in most preserved specimens). Teeth small, villiform, retrorse,

regularly arranged in quincunx on jaws and vomer. Gill-slits separate,

but rather close together ventrally. Lateral line triple, each large

pore alternating with two pairs of small pores, one pair above, the

other below, the central line. Dorsal and anal confluent around end

of tail. Dorsal commencing far forward above gill-openings. Pec-

torals present. Tail extremely tapering, thread-like. Vent below

the pectorals.

Four species have been described, but their specific distinctness 1s

a matter of uncertainty.

Nemachthys scolopaceus Rich.

Thread Eel.

1848. Richardson, Voy. Samarang, Fishes, p. 25, pl. x, figs. 1-3.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, p. 93, pl. vu,

1894. Alcock, J. Asia. Soc. Bengal, vol. xiii, pt. 2, p. 136 (acantho-

notus).

1895. Zd., Illustr. Zool. Investigator. Fishes, pt. 3, pl. xiv, fig. 5

(acanthonotus).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 152, fig. 170.:

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 199

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 126,

pol eiexe tole

1910. Roule, Ann. Instit. Ocean, vol. i, fasc. 6, p. 1, pl. 1.

1924. Roule and Bertin, loc. cit., p. 62 (synonymy).

Depth of head about 7 in its length. Hye about 3 in distance

between its hind margin and pectoral. Dorsal commencing on

occiput in advance of gill-slits, the rays in the middle third with short

spines at their bases. Pectoral half postorbital length of head.

Rays in anal longer than those in dorsal. Tail posteriorly of thread-

like fineness.

Length.—Up to 1445 mm.

Colour.—Brownish or blackish, lighter above ; iris blue or purplish.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 400 fathoms ; Natal coast.

— Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, Indio-Pacific Ocean, 300-1000

fathoms.

Gen. AVocETTINA Jord. and Davis.

1891. Jordan and Davis, Rep. U.S. Fish. Comm. for 1888, p. 655.

' 1924. Roule and Bertin, loc. cit., p. 63.

Similar to Nemichthys, but the vent situated about a head’s length

behind gill-slits, lateral line composed of only a single series of pores,

and tail not thread-like.

Labichthys Gill and Ryder, 1833, is supposed to be distinct in that

the type species, carinatus, has the vent beneath the pectorals as in

Nemichthys. Specimens of this family are notoriously difficult to

examine owing to mutilations, but a re-examination of the species of

these two genera would be welcome.

Avocettina infans (Gnthr.).

Avocel Eel.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ii, p. 251.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 264, pl. lxin, fig. B.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 153, figs. 173, 174.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 129,

pl. vii, figs. 5, 6.

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo.-Austr. Archip., vol. 1,

p. 334, text-figs. 161, 162.

1924. Roule and Bertin, loc. cit., p. 63 (synonymy).

Depth of head about 9 in its length. Eye 24-3 in its distance from

pectoral. Postorbital portion of head about 4 in snout. Dorsal

200 Annals of the South African Museum.

commencing above middle of pectoral, which is ? in postorbital length

of head. Dorsal rays uniform, shorter than anal rays.

Length.—Up to 680 mm.

Colour.—Brownish black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 480-630 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. and Middle Atlantic, Indo-Pacific Ocean, 300-

2500 fathoms.

Gen. SERRIVOMER Gill and Ryder.

1883. Gill and Ryder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vi, p. 260.

1924. Roule and Bertin, loc. cit., p. 63.

Snout not very attenuate. Teeth on upper jaw and in front of

lower jaw minute, on hinder part of lower jaw more widely spaced

and somewhat enlarged and canine-like ; vomer with a single series

of enlarged, lancet-like teeth set closely together. Giull-slits appar-

ently confluent. Lateral line with a single row of pores. Pectoral

present. Dorsal commencing behind anal. Vent distant from gill-

slits. Tail not thread-like.

Serrivomer beant Gill and Ryder.

1883. Gill and Ryder, loc. cit., p. 261.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 155, fig. 175.

1899. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard, vol. xxiv, p- 320,

fig. 63 (sector).

1905. Gilbert, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1903, vol. xxii, pt. 2, p. 586.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 132,

pl. vin, fig. 4.

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. iu,

p. 332, text-figs. 159, 160 (sector).

Snout less than postocular length of head. Eye about 10 in post-

ocular length of head. Pectorals about equidistant from eye and

vent. Dorsal commencing at a distance behind anal about equal to

length of snout.

Length.—Up to 594 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with black specks.

Locality.—South of Agulhas Bank, 560 fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, Indo-Pacific Ocean, 600-1200

fathoms.

S. sector Garman is in all probability to be identified with beanzz,

an opinion expressed by both Gilbert and Brauer. S. sector is stated

by Garman to have 144 vertebrae.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 201

Fam. 9. OPHICHTHYIDAE.

Serpent Eels.

Body slightly compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth moderate

or large. Scales absent. Tongue adnate. Gill-slits separate. Lateral

line well developed. Teeth in a single or in only a few series in both

jaws and (usually) on vomer; canines sometimes present. Nostrils

labial, the anterior tubular. Vent far from head. Rays of vertical

fins not enveloped in thick skin, occasionally entirely absent. Dorsal

commencing well forward, sometimes on the head, not confluent

with anal, the tip of the tail projecting freely, but without caudal fin.

Pectorals present or absent. Frontals united into a single bone.

Suspensorium vertical or directed obliquely forward. Palato-

pterygoid present. Caudal vertebrae with transverse processes.

Maxilla articulated with ethmoid near end of snout.

A family of numerous species, most abundant in tropical seas.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Pectorals and vertical fins present.

a. Lips not fringed 6 : : : ; : : Ophichthys.

b. Upper lip fringed : 3 é : : 3 . Cirrhimuraena.

2. Pectorals and vertical fins absent . : } : : . Sphagebranchus.

Gen. OpuHtcutTuHys Ahl.

1789. Ahl, De Muraena et Oph., p. 3.

Pectorals present, rarely rudimentary. Vertical fins present.

Teeth on vomer as well as on jaws.

A large genus which has been subdivided with more or less satis-

factory results. So far as the South African fauna is concerned any

subdivision is entirely superfluous.

Key to the South African species.

I. Cleft of mouth wide, extending well behind eye.

A. Pectoral present.

1. Teeth uniserial in lower jaw (Oxystomus) : : . serpens.

2. Teeth biserial in both jaws.

a. Canines present in upper jaw (Mystriophis) . rostellatus.

6. All teeth subequal (Ophichthus) . : : . unicolor.

3. Teeth triserial in both jaws . : : : : . algoensis.

B. Pectoral absent : 2 : : : kirkit.

Il. Cleft of mouth narrow, not extending behind eye . ! ; - apicalis

202 Annals of the South African Museum.

Ophichthys serpens (Linn.).

The Common Serpent Eel.

1849. Smith, Illus. Zool. 8. Afr. Fish., pl. vi (Leptorhynchus

capensis).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 77 (references).

1917. Seale, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. lxi, pt. 4, p. 84

(serpentinus).

Length of head (to base of pectoral) 3-44 in distance from gill-slits

to vent. Tail not quite twice as long as body. Snout produced into

a narrow point. Cleft of mouth half length of head, extending 2

eye diameters beyond eye. Lips not fringed. Eye 23-3 in snout,

slightly more than interorbital width. Teeth pointed, unequal,

the anterior ones in jaws and on vomer canines, biserial (at least in

posterior half) in upper jaw, uniserial on lower jaw and vomer (very

frequently a short inner row right at the back of lower jaw). Dorsal

commencing twice or rather more than twice length of pectoral

behind base of pectoral, which is 53-6 in length of head. Vertebrae

208. (Plate IX, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 3000 mm. (10 ft.).

Colour.—Light or dark brown above, silvery below; vertical fins

usually light, with dark margins.

Locality.—Walfish Bay to Table Bay and False Bay to East London,

shallow water.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, Eastern Atlantic, Japan, Australia.

Young specimens of this species are rather liable in one respect to

be mistaken for O. unicolor, because the inner row of teeth in the lower

jaw extends at least half-way forwards; the relative proportions of

the head and body and extent of cleft of mouth will, however, at once

distinguish the two species.

Ophichthys rostellatus (Rich.).

Rostellate Serpent Eel.

1844. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Ichthyol., p. 105.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 56 (part).

Length of head about 3 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail

not twice length of body. Snout produced, flattened, apically

rounded, constricted behind the apex (like a crocodile’s snout). Cleft

of mouth not half length of head, extending behind eye a distance

subequal to length of snout. Lips not fringed. Eye 23-3 in snout.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 203

Teeth pointed, unequal, the anterior ones in jaws and on vomer

canines, those at apex of upper jaw forming a transverse series,

biserial in both jaws, the inner row smaller than the outer. Dorsal

commencing immediately behind end of pectoral, which is 4 in length

of head.

Length.—Up to 1350 mm.

Colour.—Brown above, pale beneath.

Locality.—Walfish Bay.

Distribution.—West coast of Africa.

The single specimen in the South African Museum is stuffed and

measures 1350 mm. It is the only record of this species in South

Africa, or in fact south of the equator.

Jordan and Snyder (1901, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiii, p. 875)

have already shown that the Japanese porphyreus Schleg. is not

synonymous with the West African species.

*Ophichthys unicolor Regan.

Unicolourous Serpent Eel.

1908. Regan, Ann. Natal Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 250, text-fig. 1.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 78.

Length of head 24 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail nearly

twice length of body. Snout pointed. Cleft of mouth about 4 length

of head, not extending beyond posterior margin of eye. Lips not

fringed. Eye not quite 2 in snout (according to description, a little

more than 2 in the figure). Teeth pointed, subequal, biserial in both

jaws and on vomer. Dorsal commencing a little way behind end of

pectoral, which is 2 in length of head.

Length.—Up to 260 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brownish.

Locality.—Algoa Bay, 40 fathoms.

Type in the British Museum.

I have seen no specimens other than the type in the British Museum.

Ophichthys algoensis Brurd.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xin, pt. 8, p. 444 (triserzalis

non Kaup).

1925. Id., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv. p. 498 (algoensis

nom. nov.).

Length of head 24 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail three-

204 Annals of the South African Museum.

quarters as long again as body. Snout conical, somewhat depressed.

Cleft of mouth moderate, not extending beyond hind margin of eye.

Lips not fringed. Eye 2 in snout, subequal to interorbital width.

Teeth pointed, subequal, but largest in front of upper jaw, triserial

on both jaws and on vomer. Dorsal commencing just behind end

of pectoral, which is 4 in length of head.

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Colour.—Unitorm ; vertical fins light, with dark margins posteriorly.

Locality. Algoa Bay, 55 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This specimen bears a very close resemblance to unicolor, which was

also described from Algoa Bay. The difference in the teeth is indeed

the only important distinguishing character, and a longer series may

eventually prove that the number of rows of teeth is a variable

character. There is only the one specimen of this form in the Museum

collection.

*Ophichthys kirki Guthr.

Kirk’s Serpent Eel.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 89.

1908. Regan, Ann. Natal Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 243 (name only).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 302.

Length of head 8-9 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail some-

what longer than body. Snout pointed. Cleft of mouth moderate,

extending some distance behind eye. Lips not fringed. Eye about

in middle of cleft of mouth, 2 in snout. Teeth pointed, equal,

uniserial. Dorsal commencing in advance of gill-slits. Pectorals

absent.

Length.—Up to 350 mm.

Colour.—Uniform.

Locality.— Kosi Bay, Zululand.

Distribution.—Rovuma Bay, East Africa.

Ophichthys apicalis (Benn.).

Short-nosed Serpent Eel.

1830. Bennett in Life of Raffles, p. 692.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol. Muraen., pp. 57, 52, pl. xiv, fig. 1;

pl. xv, fig. 4 (banko and diepenhorstz).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 205

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 70 (references).

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. iii,

p. 305, text-fig. 145 (dentition).

Length of head 24 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail half as

long again as body. Snout short, bluntly conical. Cleft of mouth

extending to, but not beyond, hind margin of eye, about 4 in length

of head. Upper lip with one or two minute papillae, but not fringed.

Eye 2 in snout, 14 in interorbital width. Teeth pointed, subequal,

uniserial in both jaws, biserial on vomer. Dorsal commencing just

behind root of pectoral, which is 24-23 in length of head.

Length.—Up to 460 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brownish, lighter beneath ; fins light.

Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand, shallow water.

- Distribution.—Indian, East Indian, and Chinese seas.

Gen. CIRRHIMURAENA Kaup.

1856. Kaup, Cat. Apod. Fish., p. 27.

Similar to Ophichthys, but with the upper lip fringed with barbels.

An Indo-Pacific genus.

Curhimuraena playfairi (Gnthr.).

Playfair’s Serpent Eel.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 76.

Length of head 34—4 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail twice

or a little more length of body. Snout conical, projecting over lower

jaw. Cleft of mouth moderate, 23-3 in length of head, extending

not quite 2 eye diameters behind eye. Upper lip fringed. Eye 24

in snout, subequal to interorbital width. Teeth subgranular, equal,

in narrow bands, triserial in the jaws, 5-serial on vomer. Dorsal

commencing about midway between angle of mouth and gill-slits.

Pectoral 4 in length of head.

Length.—Up to 620 mm.

Colour.—Uniform, lighter below.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Zanzibar.

This species does not seem to have been observed since Giinther

described it. I have examined the type in the British Museum and

find one or two discrepancies in the figures given in the original diag-

206 Annals of the South African Museum.

nosis. There is no doubt, however, that the Delagoa Bay specimen

is conspecific.

Gen. SPHAGEBRANCHUS Bl.

1795. Bloch, Ausl. Fische., vol. ix, p. 88.

Both vertical fins and pectorals entirely absent, the former repre-

sented by mere ridges. Gill-slits ventral, or subventral, converging

or subparallel, close together. Snout projecting. Mouth small.

Tongue free only at its extremity. Teeth uniserial in both jaws and

on vomer.

A genus of small, shallow-water marine or estuarine species.

Sphagebranchus acuticeps Brurd.

1923. Barnard, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 8, p. 444.

Body cylindrical. Depth of body 43 in lengthof head. Length

of head a little over 3 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail only a

very little longer than rest of body. Cleft of mouth 3 in length of

head. Snout pointed, projecting, 43-5 in head. Branchiostegal

membranes rather swollen. Eye about in middle of cleft of mouth,

well developed but small, about 4 in snout, subequal to interorbital

width. Gill-clefts longitudinal, parallel, subequal in length to snout.

Teeth rather large, pointed, lancet-shaped, recurved, uniserial, 15 in

upper jaw, 12 on vomer and on lower jaw, 3 in a triangle in front of

upper jaw, the vomerine series extending back beyond tip of tongue,

which is free.

Length.—Up to 188 mm.

Colour.—Brown ; eyes black.

Locality.—Off mouth of Tugela River, Natal coast, 37 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

Very like O. orientalis McClell, but without any trace of dorsal or

anal rays. The anal ridge is distinct; the position of the dorsal

is marked in the posterior quarter by a low ridge, and in anterior

three-quarters by a shallow groove which commences above the

anterior ends of the gill-slits.

Muraenoid Series (Engyschistae).

The internal openings into the gullet are narrow slits. Tongue

absent. Opercular bones reduced.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 207

Fam. 10. MURAENIDAE.

Morays.

Body more or less compressed. Snout conical. Cleft of mouth

usually large. Skin thick, leathery. Tongue absent. Scales absent.

Gill-slits small, roundish, lateral. Lateral line obsolete. Teeth

strong, conical or obtuse, in one or more series in both jaws and on

vomer. Nostrils superolateral, the anterior tubular, the posterior

with or without a tube. Vent far from head. Body longer than tail.

Dorsal and anal fins embedded in thick skin, confluent around tail,

sometimes greatly reduced or present only at end of tail. Pectorals

absent. Frontals paired. Palato-pterygoid almost vestigial. Caudal

vertebrae with transverse processes.

A large family of temperate and tropical forms especially numerous

in regions of coral reefs. They are often of large size and brilliant

coloration, and their strong dentition and pugnacious temperament

necessitates careful handling when they are captured.

The teeth are often very variable and especially so at different

stages of growth. Young specimens usually have more series of teeth

than adults. The large teeth in front of the upper jaw frequently

get pushed out from the centre into the outer row in adults. Too

much reliance, therefore, must not be placed upon this character in

identifying single specimens.

The typical genus Muraena (M. helena of the Mediterranean),

characterised by having well-developed fins, conical teeth, and both

pairs of nostrils tubular, is not represented in our fauna.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Vertical fins well developed and conspicuous.

A. Teeth mostly conical.

1. Tail not greatly longer than body. : P . Gymmnothorax.

2. Very elongate. Tail twice length of body. ; Thyrsoidea.

B. Teeth mostly blunt : : : : . Echidna.

II. Vertical fins greatly reduced, visible only at end of tail . . Gymnomuraena.

Gen. GYMNOTHORAX Bl.

1795. Bloch, Ausl. Fische., vol. ix, p. 83.

Vertical fins well developed. Tail about as long as body. Eye

about in middle of cleft of mouth. Teeth mostly conical. Posterior

nostril not tubular.

This genus comprises the majority of the Morays.

208 Annals of the South African Museum.

Although the species hitherto recorded from South Africa are few

and comparatively easy to identify (undulatus and flavomarginaius

causing the most difficulty), as time goes on other species of this large

genus will most certainly be discovered. Many of the species are very

difficult to separate on account of the great variability in coloration

and pattern. The remarks made on the teeth under the family must

also be borne in mind in comparing specimens with the following

descriptions.

Key to the South African species.

I. Teeth in upper jaw biserial for greater part of jaw. Well-defined whitish

spots.

A. Small irregularly arranged spots . 5 : : : . meleagris.

B. Larger spots in 4 series : : F ; . stellifera.

II. Teeth in upper jaw uniserial (cecacionally one or mio! in an inner row anteriorly).

A. No teeth on vomer. Well-defined white spots posteriorly nudivomer.

B. Teeth on vomer.

1. Well-defined polygonal or round black spots . : favagineus.

2. Irregular mottling, reticulation or vermiculation.

a. Without well-marked canines ; : : - pictus:

b. With well-marked canines.

i. Gill-slit notin a black spot . : : undulatus.

ii. Gill-slit in a black spot. . : flavomarginatus.

Gymnothorax meleagris (Shaw).

Spotted Eel or Moray.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 97, Muraen., pl. xxxiv,

fig. 2 (chlorostigma).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 304 (references).

Length of head 23-3 in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail rather

longer than rest of body. Eye 2} in snout, 1} in interorbital width.

Snout 23 1in cleft of mouth, which is almost half length of head. Mouth

not completely closing. Teeth biserial in upper jaw, uniserial in lower

jaw and on vomer, depressible canines in front. Vertebrae 120.

Length.—Up to 570 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown, with innumerable tiny white (in spirit) dots

about the size of a pin’s head, rather widely spaced on tail and becom-

ing more thickly set on body and extending all over head, snout, and

lower jaw.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distributvon.—Indo-Pacific.

Three similar specimens in the South African Museum, two of which

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 209

served as a basis for Gilchrist and Thompson’s description in Ann.

S. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, pt. 2, p. 53, 1911. The above description is

taken from these specimens and differs slightly from that usually

given ; e.g. most authors except Bleeker say the mouth can be com-

pletely closed. The white dots also are considerably smaller than is

implied in other descriptions and in Bleeker’s figure. In fact, the

resemblance in all respects is very close to Giinther’s description

(Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 101) of flavopicta, except that in

that species the head is reticulated with dark lines. It also bears

considerable superficial resemblance to punctata (Bl. Schn.) (see Day,

Fish. Ind., p. 669, pl. clxxiii, fig. 1), but is distinguished by the biserial

teeth in the upper jaw.

*Gymnothorasx stellifera (Rich.).

Pearl-spotted Moray.

1844. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fish., p. 86.

1864. Bleeker, Ned. Tydschr. Dierk., vol. 11, p. 53 (margaritophorus).

1864. Id., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 97; Muraen., pl. xxxi, fig. 1

(cdem).

Length of head 23-2? in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail a little

longer than rest of body. Eye 1?in snout. Snout 2 in cleft of mouth,

which is 3 in length of head. Mouth not completely closing. Teeth

uniserial in both jaws and on vomer, except for an inner row of 4-5

in upper jaw, canines strong.

Length.—Up to 150 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with 4 regular longitudinal series of pale bluish

spots about the size of the eye, sometimes a brown interrupted stripe

from eye to gill-slit.

Locality. Zululand coast. An example from Kosi Bay is in the

British Museum.

Distribution.—Madagascar and East Indies.

Gymnothorax nudivomer (Guthr.).

1866. Giinther, Fish. Zanzibar, p. 127, pl. xvii.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 305 (references).

Length of head nearly 3 in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail

a little longer than rest of body. Eye nearly 3 in snout. Snout 53,

cleft of mouth nearly 3 in length of head. Mouth completely closing.

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 14

210 Annals of the South African Museum.

Teeth uniserial on both jaws, the anterior ones serrated, 2-3 additional

teeth in front of jaws not markedly canine, no vomerine teeth.

Length.—Up to 908 mm.

Colour.—Head and front part of body white, with small brown spots

and lines, hinder part of body, tail, and fins brown, with white ovate

spots, larger than eye, more or less closely set or even confluent.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa.

Gymnothorax favagineus Bl. Schn.

Tessellate Moray.

1845. Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Ichthyol., p. 108, pl. xlviui,

fig. 1; and pl. ly, figs. 5-8 (tessellata and isingteena).

1864. Bleeker, Alt. Ichthyol., vol. iv, pp. 92,93; Muraen., pl. xxvii,

fig. 3, pl. xxvii, fig. 1, pl. xxxvu, fig. 1 (tessellata and isingteena).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 303 (references).

Length of head 2? in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail about

equal to rest of body. Eye 23-22 in snout, 12 —2 in interorbital width.

Snout 24 in cleft of mouth which is 2} in length of head. Mouth

completely closing. Teeth uniserial in both jaws and on vomer,

depressible canines in front. (Plate IX, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 1170 mm.

Colour.—Whole body with large polygonal or roundish black

blotches, with narrow intervening reticulations of white or yellowish

ground colour. The pattern is continued over the lips on to the floor

and roof of the mouth.

Locality.—Port Alfred and Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

The largest specimen in the Museum (1170 mm.) has a double row

of teeth on the vomer.

*Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl).

Ocellate Moray.

1789. Ahl, De Muraen. Ophichth. in Thunb. Dissert., vol. i, p. 6,

plano De

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 87;. Muraen., pl. xxvi,

figs. 3, 4, pl. xxvii, fig. 3, pl. 29, fig. i, pl. xlv, fig. 3.

1864. Id., abid., p. 96, pl. xxx, fig. 3 (polyophthalmus=juv. pictus).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 211

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 116 (references).

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 672, pl. clxxiul, fig. 4.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1903,

vol. xxii, pt. 1, p. 103, pl. xix (references).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 3805 (polyophthalmus).

Length of head 2% in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail about

as long as body. Hye 24in snout. Cleft of mouth nearly 3 in length

of head. Teeth uniserial, without well-marked canines, the vomerine

series usually bifurcate anteriorly with short and blunt teeth.

Length.—Up to 250 mm.

Colour.—Brownish with innumerable very small black spots more

or less confluent into larger spots, often with indistinct series of light,

black-edged ocelli which, however, are more conspicuous in the young

(polyophthalmus).

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

*Gymnothorax undulatus (Lacép.).

Undulate Moray.

1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, pp. 629, 644.

1844. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fish., p. 87, pl. 46

(cancellatus).

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 93; Muraen., pl. xxxu,

fig. 3, pl. xxxui, fig. 2, pl. xxxix, fig. 1 (cancellatus).

1864. Id., abid., p. 95, pl. xli, fig. 2 (agassiz).

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 110 (references

and synonymy).

1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 671, pl. clxxi, fig. 5, pl. clxxiu,

fig. 2.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1903,

vol. xxiii, pt. 1, p. 98, pl. xvi (references).

Length of head 24 in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail a little

longer than body. Kye 14 in snout. Snout 24 in cleft of mouth,

which is a little over 2 in length of head. Mouth completely closing.

Teeth uniserial, with sometimes an inner series of 2 in upper jaw,

depressible canines in front. Vertebrae 132.

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown, very variously speckled, reticulated or

undulated with yellowish lines, more or less forming vertical or

212 Annals of the South African Museum.

cancellate bands, gill-slit not in a black spot, fins without light

edging.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax flavomarginatus (Riipp.).

Yellow-edged Moray.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 95,. pl. xxxu, fig. 2;

pl. xxxiv, fig. 3; pl. xxxv, fig. 2 (yavanicus).

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1903, vol.

MIs ps Goel xvall:

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 303 (references).

Length of head 22-3 in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail a little

longer than rest of body. Eye 14-2 in snout. Snout 24 in cleft of

mouth, which is 24 in length of head. Mouth completely closing.

Teeth uniserial, the vomerine series bifurcated anteriorly, depressible

canines in front.

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Light or yellowish brown, densely marbled with darker,

head and end of tail black, sometimes (javanicus) with well-defined

black spots more or less in series, vertical fins usually with yellow

margin, gill-slit in a black spot.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gen. THYRSOIDEA (Kaup), Blkr.

1856. Kaup, Cat. Apod. Fish., p. 73.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 110.

Very elongate. Vertical fins well developed. Tail twice as long

as body. Eye conspicuously nearer end of snout than angle of

mouth. Teeth conical and subequal. Posterior nostril not tubular.

The elongate form. with the tail twice as long as the body, distin-

guishes this genus from Gymnothoraz.

*Thyrsoidea macrurus (Blkr.).

Long-tailed Moray.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 111; Muraen., pl. xxii, fig. 2.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 304 (references).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 213

Length of head 4 in length of body to vent. Tail twice as long as

body, eye small, 2-3 in snout. Snout 3 in cleft of mouth, which is

3 in length of head. Teeth biserial in the jaws, uniserial on vomer,

subequal.

Length.—Up to 3000 mm. (10 ft.).

Colour.—Uniform dark brown, margins of fins black.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gen. Ecutpna Forster.

1788. Forster, Enchiridion hist. nat., p. 81.

Vertical fins as a rule well developed. Tail about as long as body.

Eye about in middle of cleft of mouth. Teeth mostly blunt, tuber-

cular or molariform, in bands or plates. Posterior nostril not tubular,

situate between the eyes.

The blunt teeth will at once distinguish the members of this genus.

Key to the South African species.

1. 26-29 narrow light bands on a dark ground . : ‘ . polyzona.

2. Two more or less distinct longitudinal series of dark dendrite spots on a light

ground . ; ‘ : d : : ; i : . nebulosa.

Echidna polyzona (Rich.).

Banded Moray.

1845. Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Zool., p. 112, pl. lv, figs. 11-14.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 81; Muraen., pl. xxiv,

fig. 3.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 306 (references).

Length of head 34 in length of body to vent. Tail about as long as

body. Eye 1? in snout, 14 in interorbital width. Vertical fins

distinct. Mouth completely closing. Teeth uniserial in upper,

biserial in lower jaw, the front ones rather pointed, 4-5 series of

molars on vomer, forming a broad oval crushing-plate.

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with 26-29 white or yellowish transverse bands

from behind eye to tip of tail, not as a rule exceeding in width the

diameter of eye; angle of mouth brown.

Locality.—Natal coast.

214 Annals of the South African Museum.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

E. fascigula Peters, 1855, from Mozambique, seems to be only a

variety with dark longitudinal lines on sides of throat, and the trans-

verse bands reduced to a few at end of tail.

Echidna nebulosa (Ahl).

Clouded Moray.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 80; Muraen., pl. xxiv,

fig. 2 (variegata).

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1903,

vol. xxii, pt. 1, p. 110, pl. 1 (coloured).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 305 (references).

Length of head 43 in length of body to vent. Tail about as long as

body. Eye 2 in snout and in interorbital width. Vertical fins

distinct. Mouth completely closing. Teeth biserial or uniserial on

both jaws, in 2—4 longitudinal series on vomer, the front ones sub-

conical. Vertebrae 122.

Length.—Up to 520 mm.

Colour.—White or yellowish, with 26-30 black-brown transverse

bands each more or less divided up to form two longitudinal series of

stellate or dendritic blotches containing one or more small yellow

spots, more or less numerous small dark spots between the bands,

anterior nostril and iris yellow-orange.

Locality.— Natal coast.

Dstribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gen. GYMNOMURAENA Lacép.

1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 648.

Vertical fins absent (either visible only on dissection or completely

absent) except a small rudimentary one around the extremity of the

tail. Tail usually about as long as or distinctly longer than body.

Eye about in middle of cleft of mouth. Teeth pointed, subequal, in

one or more series. Posterior nostrils with or without a tube, situate

between the eyes.

Lacepede (Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 648) recognised two species

in this genus Gymnomuraena: doliata and marmorata. The former

has since been transferred to Echidna, but because doliata has line

precedence and, therefore, might be regarded as the geno-type, there

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 215

is no reason why Gymnomuraena should be rejected. The genotype

becomes marmorata and Uropterygius, instituted by Riippell for

concolor, becomes a synonym. Bleeker is of this opinion, but American

writers reject Gymnomuraena and accept Uropterygius. Further,

Jordan and Snyder (1901) propose the genus Scuticaria for those

species having the posterior as well as the anterior nostril tubular.

In view of the fact that some species of Gymnomuraena have a raised

rim around the posterior nostril, which varies in conspicuousness, and

consequently the distinction between a well-developed raised rim and

a short tube may vary according to individual definition, the necessity

for the genus Scuticarza seems doubtful. At the most, it can only

be accorded subgeneric rank.

Key to the South African species.

1. Posterior nostril not tubular (Gymnomuraena).

a. Uniform brown . 4 ; ; : 5 2 ; . concolor.

b. Brown, vermiculated with black, tail fin yellow ; . xanthopterus.

2. Posterior nostril tubular (Scuticaria) . 5 é : : tigrinus.

*Gymnomuraena concolor (Riipp.).

Brown Finless Moray.

1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt, Fische, p. 83, pl. xx, fig. 4.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 134.

1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 458 (locality).

Length of head 4 or a little more in length of body to vent (according

to Riippell’s figure). Tail slightly longer than body. Snout 55 in

length of head. Eye about 2 in length of snout. Teeth biserial in

jaws, uniserial on the vomer. Posterior nostril not tubular (Giinther).

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brown.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

*Gymnomuraena marmorata Laceép.

Marbled or Yellow-tailed Finless Moray.

1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 650.

1826-30. Lesson, Voy. Coq., Poiss., vol. ii, p. 181, pl. xi (pan-

therinus).

216 Annals of the South African Museum.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., Muraen., p. 113, pl. xxxi, fig. 3.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., Muraen., pp. 114, 115, pl. xxi,

fig. 2; pl. xx, fig. 4; pl. xx, fig. 2 (macrocephalus, xanthopterus,

mocropterus).

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 133.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 674, pl. clxxii, fig. 5.

1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ui, pt. 4, p. 197 (wanthopterus).

Length of head 43 in length of body to vent, 9-10 in total length.

Tail slightly longer than body. Snout 5 in length of head. Hye

about 2 in length of snout. Teeth biserial in jaw, uniserial on vomer.

Posterior nostril not tubular.

Length.—Up to 800 mm.

Colour.—Dark purplish brown, marbled and vermiculated with

black, iris blue, caudal fin more or less bright yellow.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gymnomuraena tigrina (Less.).

Spotted Finless Moray.

1829. Lesson, Mem. Soc. d’Hist. Nat. Paris, vol. iv, p. 399.

1830. Id., Voy. Coquille, Zool., vol. 1, p. 129, Atl. Poiss., pl. xii.

1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., Muraen., p. 113, pl. xxi, fig. 3.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1903, pt. 1,

pal spl xxi.

Body slightly compressed. Length of head 64 in length of body to

vent, 15-13} in total length. Tail distinctly longer than body.

Snout elevated, with a rather prominent median ridge, 7 in length

of head. Eye small, about 2} in snout and in interorbital width.

Cleft of mouth 34 in length of head. Teeth in 2 series (at least

anteriorly) in both jaws, in a single series on vomer. Posterior nostril

tubular.

Length.—Up to 1050 mm.

Colour.—Yellowish brown, with large and smaller, irregularly round,

black, yellow-edged spots, snout and mandibles with small spots.

Locality. Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacifie.

A specimen in the South African Museum evidently belongs to this

species, but has a very short tail, only 2 length of the body ; conse-

quently while the length of the head is 13 in the total length, it is

84 in the body.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 217

LARVAL FORMS.

The larval forms present an appearance so different from adult eels

that for long they were thought to be independent fishes and were

placed in the genus Leptocephalus. Their true nature, however, has

now been proved beyond any doubt, and, in addition to the original

genus, three others have been instituted.

The common characters of all the larvae are as follows: body

elongate, ribbon- or leaf-shaped, very strongly compressed, the

muscle-segments or myomeres showing as zigzag lines; head small,

with large eyes, which are frequently telescopic, the jaws each with a

single series of strong but deciduous teeth, dorsal and anal fins feeble,

confluent with caudal, pectoral also feeble ; whole animal except the

eyes and a few minute pigment specks perfectly transparent.

During the course of metamorphosis of the larval into the adult

RRS se

OM SSS =

Fic. 13.—Leptocephalus capensis Kaup, the larva of the Cape Lesser Conger,

Congermuraena australis Brnrd. d, digestive canal ; v, vent.

form, the body becomes shorter and more cylindrical, opaque and

pigmented, the tail increases greatly in proportion to the trunk, the

eyes if telescopic become sessile and normal, and the larval teeth are

replaced by the single or multiple adult series.

A large number of larval forms has been described, but only a few

have been definitely identified with the adult form. For purposes

of identification, one of the most important characters is the number of

myomeres, which corresponds with the number of vertebrae in the

adult, and which has been found to be constant within certain reason-

ably narrow limits of variation for each species.

In referring to the various larval forms it is customary to give the

generic name, and where the larva cannot be identified with a

particular adult form, to add a specifie name. Where the adult is

known, however, the whole name of the adult, in the genitive case,

is added to the generic name of the larva.

In the case of the South African specimens of Leptocephalus, which

cannot be correlated definitely with the adult, I have preferred to

indicate the different forms with a letter rather than to add to the

already large number of specific names.

218 Annals of the South African Museum.

The generic forms of the larvae may be distinguished as

follows :—

1. Segments less than 250 ‘ 3 P ; : : . Leptocephalus.

2. Segments more than 250.

a. Eye normal.

i. Snout short, teeth strong . : : . Tilurus.

ii. Snout elongate, rostrate, teeth aeeiit or minute . Tilurella.

b. Eye telescopic . : : : 2 ‘ : : Tiluropsis.

As our knowledge of these peculiar larvae increases, it may be found

unnecessary to retain the four generic names. Several adult genera

in various families have a Leptocephalus larva. Tilurella has been —

considered with good reason to be the larva of Nemichthys. But the

adults of Tilurus and Tiluropsis still remain uncertain. A form with

the upper jaw strongly projecting is supposed to be the larva of

Nettastoma and has been named Hyoprorus.

Up to the present only Leptocephalus forms have been found in

South African waters.

Key to the South African forms of Leptocephalus.

I. Segments rounded above and below lateralline . Synaphobranchi pinnati.

II. Segments angular above and below lateral line.

A. Segments less than 200.

1. Segments 150-160 ; : : : : . Congri vulgaris.

2. Segments 130-140 : : : . Congermuraenae australis.

3. Segments 120-130 : : : : : Species A.

B. Segments more than 200. : : : Ophichthysdis serpentis.

Although no forms have yet been found in South African waters

which can be assigned to the genus Anguilla, it may be useful to

indicate here the number of myomeres in the North Atlantic species.

Anguilla vulgaris (Leptocephalus brevirostris). Length 75 mm.

Segments 110-120 (preanal 68-74, postanal 42-46).

Anguilla chrysipa (Leptocephalus grass). Length 65 mm. Seg-

ments, 103-113.

*Leptocephalus Synaphobrancht pinnati.

Larva of Synaphobranchus pinnatus.

1913. Lea, Se. Res. Michael Sars Exp., vol. iu, p. 14, pl. ui, figs. 1-4

and text-figs. 5-9.

Larva: elongate, tapering evenly at both ends. Total length up

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 219

to about 107 mm., postanal portion about 2—1, depth about ~,—,

of total length. Segments 102-108 +42-49— 144-157, semicircular

above and below lateral line. About 15 teeth in both jaws (fully

grown). Very transparent except for an opaque whitish stripe along

lateral line (at least in preserved specimens).

Leptocephalus Congri vulgaris.

Leptocephalus morrisw, Gmel.

Larva of the Common Conger.

1902. EKigenmann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxi.

1912. Schmidt, Vidensk. Med. Nat. For. Kopenhagen, vol. lxiv

(1913), p. 40, pl. i, figs. 1, 2.

1913. Lea, Sci. Res. Michael Sars Exp., vol. ii, pt. 1, p. 20.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 80 (L. morrisw

Gmel.).

Larva: elongate, tapering evenly at both ends. Total een up

to 160 mm., postanal portion about 1—%, depth about ;4,—;4, of total

length. Seamionte 123-125 +30-35=155-159, angularly bent above

and below lateral line. About 30 teeth in upper jaw (fully grown),

20 in lower. A series of pigment specks along upper margin of

alimentary canal, another series of rather large spots along lateral

line, minute specks at bases of anal and caudal rays.

One very large specimen, apparently just about in the initial stage

of metamorphosing, seems to be this species. 180mm. Vent about

in middle of length, height 20 mm. Segments 62+ca. 92=154.

Nostrils separate. Teeth obsolete in upper jaw, 2 series, very

minute, in lower jaw. Tongue free. All traces of pigment have

disappeared. There are no data attached showing where or when

the specimen was taken. (S.A.M., No. 12826).

Leptocephalus Congermuraenae australis.

Leptocephalus capensis Kaup.

Larva of the Cape Lesser Conger.

1856. Kaup, Apod. Fish., p. 153 (capensis).

Larva: elongate, tapering evenly at both ends. Total length up

to 133 mm., postanal portion about 1-3, depth about 54-4. Seg-

ments 100- 1 + 26-36= 130-137, angularly bent above and below

lateral line.

220 Annals of the South African Museum.

A series of pigment specks along alimentary canal and bases of

anal rays, but no other pigment visible.

The following specimens form the basis of the above descrip-

tion :—

Ses esi | S| a abel.

ae £ 2 s bp = ay 23 Total Locality. Date.

Sh eee eres

Leptocephalus Stage.

mm. | mm. | mm |

12818 | 53 9 7 | 104; 26 | 130 | E. London, 400 fms. . | 17/4/01

12817} 88 | 138 8 | 105 | 30 135 |Struys Bay, 42 fms. . | 28/8/02

14683 | 97 | 12 9 | 100} 34 | 134 | Cape Point, 8i5fms. .| 9/02

12813 | 108 | 14 | 11 | 110] 27 137 3p ” ” . | 8/9/02

12815 | 123 | 15 LOM a eG er 137 is » lslfms. . | 28/3/00

13091 | 133 } 20 12 | 100} 36 136 | Sea Point Beach ?

Metamorphosing.

12814 | 100 | 32 ll 80 | 56 | 136 | 36° 40’ S., 21° 26’ E., | 17/6/06

200 fms.

12823 | 75 | 43 5 50 88 138 | Cape Infanta, 44 fms. . | 13/7/00

12824} 84) 50 5 45 | 90 135 | Sandy Point, 51 fms. . | 14/8/01

It is reasonable to identify these larva with the form named, but

inadequately described, by Kaup.

That it is the larva of Congermuraena australis seems probable

from the agreement in the number of vertebrae and muscle

segments.

Schmidt (Vidensk. Medd. Naturh. Forenig., vol. lxiv, p. 45, 1912)

states that Str6mman (Leptoceph., Univ. Mus., Upsala, 1896) mentions

a form from the South Atlantic (35° 40’ 8., 18° 45’ E.) which seems to

be very closely allied to the larva of C. mystav. Although I have

not seen Str6mman’s paper, the form he refers to is evidently the same

as the ones here assigned to C. australis, which, as stated above in

the description of the adult, is closely allied to C. mystax.

Leptocephalus Ophichthidis serpentis.

Larva of the Serpent Eel.

1883. Bellotti, Atti Ital. Nat. Milan, vol. xxvi (quoted from Lea,

Sci. Res. Michael Sars Exp., vol. iii, pt. 1, p. 7 (1913).

Larva: elongate, tapering evenly at both ends; total length

100 mm., length from snout to vent 50 mm., depth 9 mm. Segments

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 221

90 -+120=210, angularly bent above and below lateral line. Teeth

16 in upper, 14 in lower jaw. Dorsal and anal fins abruptly shortening

at base of caudal, the rays of which project as a blunt point.

The metamorphosing stage: total length 95-110 mm., depth

3:75-5 mm. Segments 94+116, 92+121, 86+120=206-213. Rays

of caudal projecting as a blunt point, but somewhat reduced, the

extremity bearing a very distinct resemblance to the shape found in

the adult.

Colour.—Hight dark spots, composed of aggregations of stellate

specks, along the ventral line, the first below the gill-slits, the anal

fin, and usually a speck in each muscle segment at the lateral line ;

indications of 6 dark spots between vent and end of tail just below

lateral line.

One larva found at Dyer’s Island (Agulhas Bank) in August 1919,

and 3 metamorphosing specimens cast up on beach at Muizenburg

(False Bay) in April 1917.

I find no other reference to the larva of the Serpent Eel except that

given above. Bellotti’s paper I have not seen, but Lea gives the

number of segments as 208. As the forms above described have a

corresponding number, I have identified them as the larvae of this eel.

In support of this there is the similarity in the caudal extremity and

the fact that the metamorphosing specimens were washed up on the

shores of False Bay, in the shallow waters of which locality this eel is

very common.

*Leptocephalus Nettastomatis.

The larva of the Mediterranean species N. nelanurum has been

described under the following names and may be cited here for the

sake of comparison :—

Hyoprorus messinensis, Kélliker, Verh. Ph. Med. Ges. Wurzburg,

vol. iv, p. 101, 1854.

is Kaup, Apod. Fish., p. 144, fig. 4, 1856.

ie pioconhaliis longirostris, Kaup, wbid., p. 150, figs. 14, 14a.

The larva is deep in proportion to its length (length 65 mm., height

18 mm.), and the dorsal and ventral profiles rise very abruptly: behind

the head. Posterior end tapering to an acute point. Snout rather

long, about twice diameter of eye.

The metamorphosing form (Hyoprorus) is of the same shape, but

the snout is longer and the larval series of teeth are replaced by those

of the adult.

222 Annals of the South African Museum.

The following specimens in the South African Museum collection

are not as yet referable to adult species.

Species A.

Leptocephalus Stage.

asg|/eS| #2 /e./é&..

erik = & $s a ou 32 Be Total. Locality. Date.

SS am esiactes| eee ae

mm. | mm. | mm .

12819| 77 | 27 | 10 | 70 | 58 | 128 | Gt. Fish Point, N.xE.| 5/9/01

3 mls., 40 fms.

12816 | 96 30 8 70 55 125 |C. Morgan, N. 3? W., 13] 8/7/06

mls., 250 fms.

12821 | 65 28 6 56 70 126 | Algoa Bay, 39fms. . | 27/9/01

Rows of pigment specks along alimentary canal and bases of anal

rays. This form bears considerable resemblance to spinocadux Lea

1913, but the vent is further back, the postanal length being 3 in total

length instead of less than 23.

Young Eel Stage.

i) ea aa & rs

AM| G3 | e4| 3 S Ai oc ;

S.A.M 2 00) oO) op | S20) oY |-Total. Locality. Date.

No. |S 8/88] 8 |28| 38 J

. o oo 2 Oo G2

Alea] oo |e aif

16233 | 60 | 38 | 3-75| 33 | 90 | 123 Struys Point, 49 fms. . | 17/7/02

15664 | 82 | 50 5 36 | 92 128 | Off Nahoon R., 45 fms. | 10/7/01

Length of head equal to distance between gill-slits and vent.

Tail 13 as long as rest of body. Dorsal commencing above middle of

pectoral. Teeth in narrow bands (in the smaller specimen the

maxillary and mandibular teeth are uniserial), no canines, vomerine

band extending nearly to tip of the free tongue. Hye 14-1} in snout,

4-5 in length of head. Cleft of mouth extending to below anterior

third of eye. Snout overlapping lower jaw.

Species B. (Young Eel).

S.A.M. 12820. Length 72 mm., postanal length 45 mm., height

2mm. Segments 40+104=—154. Teeth in narrow bands, vomerine

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 223

band long, no canines. Dorsal commencing just behind pectoral.

Tail 12 as long as rest of body. Length of head twice in distance from

gill-slits to vent. Eye about 94 in length of head. Cleft of mouth to

below hind margin of eye. Tongue not free.

This slender specimen may be a very young Muraenesox cinereus ;

the number of segments agrees exactly with the number of vertebrae

given for the adult, but the teeth have not the distinctive characters

of those of the adult. As regards the teeth it might be a species of

Ophichthys, but the dorsal and anal fins are confluent with the caudal

around the end of the tail.

Tilurella Nemichthydis scolopacet.

Larva of Nemichthys scolopaceus.

1919. Roule, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fase. 52, p. 108, pl. vu,

figs. 1, 2.

Larva: Exceedingly elongate, head with long beak-like snout.

Total length about 250 mm., height about 3, of total length. Post-

anal length about 4 of total length. Segments about 215 +115=330,

angular above and below lateral line. Jaws without teeth. Perfectly

transparent, without pigment. The “ Hemi-larva’”’ (Roule) has

58+about 308=366 segments, the vent thus being in the anterior

quarter of the body. Jaws with minute teeth.

Only 5 specimens have hitherto been captured: 8.W. of the Azores

and off Monaco.

Division 5. INIOMI.

1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, p. 120 (structure

and classification).

Physostomous. Fins without spines. Ventrals abdominal (or

thoracic). Pectoral usually low down. Adipose dorsal usually

present. Premaxilla excluding the maxilla from the upper margin

of mouth. Gill-openings wide. Shoulder girdle attached to skull

by a forked post-temporal. Mesocoracoid absent. Air-bladder

small or absent. Ovaries with oviducts.

This division is to a large extent composed of deep-sea forms.

Ichthyologists are not yet entirely in agreement as to what limits

and families should be assigned to it. Regan’s arrangement is here

followed.

224 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African families.

J. Dorsal about in middle of body or anterior.

A. Pectorals lateral. Caudal well developed, free from anal (Myctophoidea).

1. No definite photophores on body.

a. No supramaxilla . 5 : : : . Synodontidae.

6. One supramaxilla ; F : : : . Sudidae.

2. Definite photophores on body , ; : . Myctophidae.

B. Pectoral low down. Caudal well developed, free from anal (Alepi-

sauroidea).

1. Dorsal fin short.

a. Ventral not very small. : : 5 . Scopelarchidae.

b. Ventral very small : : ; ‘ 5 Omosudidae.

2. Dorsal fin very long . é . Alepisauridae.

C. Pectoral lateral. Caudal rediiced, wititied wath anal (Ateleopoidea)

Ateleopoidae.

II. Dorsal far back, opposite anal. No adipose fin . P . Cetomimidae.

Fam. 1. SYNODONTIDAE.

Body with cycloid scales, extending on to postorbital part of head.

No supramaxilla, maxilla slender and united to premaxilla. Bands

of curved teeth on both jaws and palate. Branchiostegals 11-17.

Pectoral lateral. Adipose fin sometimes absent. Photophores

absent. No air-bladder.

The shallow-water representatives of this family have been named

Lizard-fishes, from cavpus, a lizard.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Scales of the lateral line not larger than the others. Adipose fin present.

a. Two bands of teeth on each side of palate. : : . Saurida.

b. One band of teeth on each side of palate.

. Snout equal to or longer than eye . : ; ; . Synodus.

. Snout shorter than eye 3 ; c Trachinocephalus.

2. Scales of ihe lateral line much larger than the Sitors! Adipose fin (in the South

African species) absent . : : ; F F . Bathysaurus.

Gen. SAURIDA C. and V.

1849. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xxii, p. 499.

Body cylindrical, elongate. Cleft of mouth very wide. Teeth

slender, depressible, in bands on both jaws, palatines, and tongue ;

those on palatines in 2 bands, the inner much shorter than outer.

Eyes moderate, partly covered by adipose eyelids. Dorsal short, in

n a

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i Nin

: 4

4 ‘

on Pe wD Es

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PLATE IX.

. Congermuraena albescens Brnrd. (original)

Muraenesox cinereus (Forsk.) (original) D

. Ophichthys serpens (Linn.) (original) . 6

Gymnothorax favagineus Bl. Schn. (after Day)

. Synodus indicus Day (alter Day) : 5

. Bathypterois ater Gilch. (after Gilchrist)

Myctophum humboldti (Risso) (original) aif

TEXT-PAGE

189

197

202

210

227

234

. 243 -

Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., Vol. X-XTJ, Plate IX,

acini ime OE eee ne, a=

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SSS SSF

paeadscdm peruano

TOTO RS iH ett

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Neill d& Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 225

middle of body. A small adipose dorsal opposite the short anal.

Ventral 9-rayed, the inner rays not much longer than outer. Branchio-

stegals 13-16. Pseudobranchiae well developed. A more or less

conspicuous ridge along caudal part of lateral line.

Key to the South African species.

—

. Seales: 1]. 54-63; Ltr. a : ; ‘ : : : ; ; tumbil

2. Scales: 1.1. 50-52; ltr. — . : : : : : ; . gracilis.

Saurida tumbil (Bl.).

Lizard-fish.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 504, pl. exvii, fig. 6.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 307.

1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, pt. 2, p. 76 (undosquamis).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 55 (wndosquamis).

Body subcylindrical, somewhat depressed anteriorly. Depth 7-9,

length of head 44-43, in length of body. Hye subequal to snout and

to interorbital width, 44—5 in length of head. D 11, 2nd ray longest ;

A 10-11; P 14-15, shorter than postorbital part of head, and

reaching to 10th scale of lateral line. Scales: 1.1. 54-63; IL-tr. a A

conspicuous ridge along caudal portion of lateral line.

Length.—Up to 420 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, mottled with darker, silvery below ; pectorals,

dorsal,and caudal more or less dotted with black; ventrals occasionally

dark.

Locality.—Natal coast, 22-191 fathoms.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacifie to Australia.

*Saurida gracilis (Q. and G.).

1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. de l’Uranie, Zool., p. 224.

1849. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xxii, p. 504

(nebulosa).

1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. i,

p. 143, fig. 53, and p. 149, fig. 55 (young).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (nebulosa).

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 15

226 Annals of the South African Museum.

Body subcylindrical, slightly depressed. Depth 53-7, length of

head 43-5, in length of body. Eye shorter than snout, 4-54 in length

of head. D 11; A 9-10; P 12-13, shorter than postorbital part

of head, reaching to 9th scale of lateral line. Scales: 1.1. 50-52;

Ltr. %: An inconspicuous ridge along caudal part of lateral line.

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, more or less marked with irregular dark patches

or crossbands, silvery below; fins with dark patches or bars.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Australia.

Gen. Synopus (Gronov.) Bl. and Schn.

(=Saurvs Cuv.).

1801. Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 396.

Body cylindrical, elongate. Head depressed. Snout equal to or

longer than eye. Cleft of mouth very wide. Teeth slender, in bands

in both jaws, palatines, and tongue; those on palatine in a single

band. Eye moderate, without or with very narrow adipose eyelids.

Dorsal short, about in middle of body. A small adipose dorsal

opposite the short anal. Ventral 8-rayed, the inner rays much

longer than the outer. Branchiostegals 12-16. Pseudobranchiae

well developed.

Key to the South African species.

5-6

1. Scales: 1.1. 60-64; 1.tr —— : : : : : variegatus.

10-11

©) i

2. Seales: 1.1. 55-57; ltr. — . : : ; : : 5 . indicus.

Synodus variegatus (Lacép).

Variegated Lizard-fish.

1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. ii,

p. 14, fig. 54 (references).

1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 76 (varius).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (varius).

Body and head depressed. Depth 6, length of head 33-4, in length

of body. Eye with very narrow eyelids, subequal to interorbital

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 227

width, 1} in snout, 5-7 in length of head. D 12, A 8-9, P 12-13.

Scales: 1.1. 60-64; Ltr. aay predorsal 19-20.

10-11

Length.—Up to 240 mm.

Colour.—Brownish or reddish, ith darker crossbands, yellowish

below; fins, except anal and ventrals, more or less conspicuously

spotted.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.

Synodus indicus, Day.

Indian Lnzard—fish.

-1873. Day, J. Linn. Soc. Lond., Zool., vol. xi, p. 526.

1878-88. Id., Fish. India, p. 503, pl. exvu, fig. 4.

1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 7.

Body and head depressed. Depth 7-8, length of head 4-44, in

length of body. Eve without adipose eyelids, subequal to interorbital

width, 14 in snout, 52-6 in length of head. D 12, A 10, P 12-14.

Ncaless: Il b5=pi,6 eletr: gaa predorsal 17. (Plate IX, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with bluish irregular spots, lighter below; dorsal

and caudal fins spotted.

Locality.—Mossel Bay, Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indian seas.

A single specimen from Mossel Bay agrees in all essentials with

Day’s description. Von Bonde gives D 13, A 9 for his Natal specimen.

Gen. TRACHINOCEPHALUS (Gill) J. and G.

1851. Gill, Cat. Fish. EH. Coast N. Amer., p. 53.

1883. Jordan and Gilbert, Synopsis, p. 281.

Close to Synodus: but body and head compressed, the latter large ;

snout very short, blunt; anal fin longer than dorsal.

Trachinocephalus myops (Forst.).

Blunt-nosed Lizard-fish.

1875. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth. Saurida, pl. u, fig. 3.

1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. ii,

pp. 145, 149 (young).

228 Annals of the South African Museum.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 306 (references).

Body and head compressed. Depth 43-54, length of head 33-4, in

length of body. Eye greater than interorbital width and snout,

about 5 in Jength of head, with rudimentary adipose eyelids. D 12-13,

A 15-16. Scales: 1.1. 55-58; 1.tr. ie predorsal 17-18.

Length.—Up to 325 mm.

Colour.—Golden brownish, with bluish wavy longitudinal stripes,

silvery below; scapula black, fins yellowish, dorsal spotted.

Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, 1-25 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.

Gen. BATHySAURUS Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 11, p. 181.

Body elongate, somewhat depressed. Head strongly depressed.

Cleft of mouth very wide, lower jaw projecting. Teeth mostly

depressible in bands in both jaws and in a single band on the outer

margin of the palatine, a few teeth on tongue and gill-rakers. Dorsal

in about middle of body. Adipose dorsal present or absent. Anal

of moderate length. Ventral 8-rayed. Gill-openings very wide;

gill-membranes separate. Branchiostegals 11-12. Pseudobranchiae

well developed.

Bathysaurus ferox, Guthr.

Deep-sea Lizard-fish.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 11, p. 182.

1883. Goode and Bean, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. x, p. 215

(agassizit).

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 181, pl. xlvi, fig. A.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Trav. et Talisman, Poiss., pp. 139, 385,

pl. x, fig. 1 (agassizi).

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,

[bb

Depth 83-9, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Hye 14-14

in interorbital width, 24 in snout, 63-7 in length of head. D 18,

lst ray very short and easily overlooked, 2nd half length of 3rd which

is longest. No adipose dorsal. A 11-12. Scales: 11. 72-74.

Scales of the lateral line much larger than the other scales, of which

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 229

there are about 120 transverse series, each scale with 2 large

pores.

Length.—Up to 662 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, ventral surface darker; mouth and branchio-

stegal membrane purplish.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and Table Bay, 600-1400 fathoms.

Distribution.—East coast of New Zealand, N. Atlantic, 984-1100

fathoms.

Two specimens agreeing in all respects with Giinther’s description.

Fam. 2. SuUDIDAE.

Maxilla dilated behind, with (usually) a single supramaxilla. Teeth

in bands or a single series in jaws and usually on palatines ; vomerine

teeth when present forming 2 well-separated patches. Eyes well

developed, or reduced, or even absent. Dorsal short. Pectoral

lateral. Adipose fin sometimes absent. Photophores absent (except

a special organ in Ipnops). No air-bladder.

A family of deep-sea fishes.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Ventrals below dorsal F ; p : j ; Chlorophthalmus.

II. Ventrals in front of dorsal.

A. None of the fin rays prolonged.

1. Eyes present . : : : . Bathysauropsis.

2. No eyes, but large paired phosphorescent organ. No adipose fin

Ipnops.

B. Upper pectoral rays very prolonged. : : . Bathypterors.

Gen. CHLOROPHTHALMUS Bonap.

1840. Bonaparte, Fauna Ital., fase. 28.

Body cylindrical, elongate. Scales more or less pectinate, arranged

in very regular oblique rows. Head compressed. Hyes well de-

veloped, lateral. Maxilla long, posteriorly dilated. Teeth minute

in bands on jaws, palatine, vomer, and tongue. Dorsal short, in front

of middle of body. Adipose dorsal present. Anal short. Pectoral

lateral. Ventrals 9-rayed. close together, behind origin of dorsal.

Vent close behind ventrals. Giull-openings very wide. Branchio-

stegals 8-10. Pseudobranchiae well developed.

The genus derives its name from the very large yellowish pupil of

the eye in preserved specimens.

230 Annals of the South African Museum.

Chlorophthalmus punctatus Gilch.

Punctate Yellow-eye.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 11, p. 15, pl. xxxv.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

Dome

Depth 64-62, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye not quite

twice interorbital width, subequal to snout, 3in length of head. D 12,

its distance from snout 3 times in length of body; V arising below

middle of D; A9; P equal to its distance from tip of snout. Scales:

lel 665 Vtr. 7 (to mid-ventral line; 7 between 1.1. and origin of V).

Length.—Up to 80 mm.

Colour.—Yellowish, with obscure dark blotches, rows of minute

specks marking the oblique rows of scales.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 154 fathoms; Natal coast and off

Delagoa Bay, 175-240 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This species is near to the N. Atlantic species chalybetus Goode.

As, however, the descriptions of the latter and of agassizi given by

various authorities differ in many respects, it is better to recognise

the Cape form as a definite species for the present.

Gen. BatHysauropsis Regan.

1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, p. 127.

Like Chlorophthalmus, but: body more slender ; head depressed ;

snout broadly rounded; eyes well developed; ventrals further apart

and arising in front of origin of dorsal; vent about midway between

ventrals and anal.

Bathysauropsis gracilis (Gnthr.).

Flat-snouted Yellow-eye.

8. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. u, p. 182.

7. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 194, pl. xlix, fig. A.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 165.

1911. Regan, loc. cit., p. 127.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 82 (Chlorophthalmus).

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 231

Depth of body 7} (adult) to 9 (juv.), length of head 33—4, in length

of body. Eye (horizontal diameter) $ of snout, a little greater than

interorbital width (which is greater than vertical diameter of eye),

41-5 in length of head. D 10-11, lst ray unsegmented and almost

spiniform, half length of 2nd; A 11; P 22-24, extending to hind

end of D; V (8)-9, the outermost rays covered with callous-like fleshy

skin in adults. Scales: 1.1. 58-60; 1. tr. a Teeth well developed,

premaxilla toothed right to its posterior end, vomerine bands separated

in front, only a few small teeth on tongue.

Length.—Up to 320 mm.

Colour.—Purplish brown ; fins lighter.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and Table Bay, 475-1220 fathoms.

Distribution.—Pacific (off New Zealand and Juan Fernandez),

S. Atlantic, 1100-1425 fathoms.

The s.s. ‘‘ Pieter Faure ” took a considerable number of this species,

the largest being considerably larger than the “‘ Challenger ” specimens.

Gen. [pnops Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ui, p. 187.

Body elongate, cylindrical. Scales large, deciduous. Head de-

pressed, with spatulate snout. Eyes absent. Maxilla posteriorly

dilated. Narrow bands of villiform teeth in both jaws, none on

palatine or vomer (Gilchrist states that there is a small patch of

teeth on the palatine in the Cape specimen). Dorsal short, in front

of middle of body. No adipose dorsal. Anal short. Pectoral

lateral. Ventrals 8-rayed in front of dorsal, not close together.

Branchiostegals 12. Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder absent.

A pair of large luminous organs occupying the whole of the top of

the head, covered over by 2 transparent membrane bones.

This genus is noteworthy for the remarkable phosphorescent organ

on the head. A second species, agassizi Garm. 1899, is known from

the neighbourhood of the Galapagos Islands.

*Tpnops murrayt Guthr.

Murray's Lantern-fish.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ii, p. 187.

1887. fd., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 191, pl. xlix, fig. B.

232 Annals of the South African Museum.

1887. Moseley, cbid., Append. A, p. 269, pls. Ixvii, xviii (structure

of phosphorescent organ).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 67, figs. 67, 68.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 166.

Depth of body 133, length of head 6 (10-12 and 5 respectively

according to the figures), in length of body. Lower jaw projecting.

Maxilla extending beyond middle of length of head. D 10, A 13.

Caudal rounded. Scales: 1.1. 55, lateral line very faint ; |.tr. 6.

Length.—Up to 140 mm.

Colour.—Brown; mouth, branchial cavities, and lower side of

head black.

Locality.— Offi Cape Point, 800-900 fathoms.

Distribution.—-_N. and 8. Atlantic, East Indies, 955-2150 fathoms.

Only a single specimen of this remarkable fish has been taken in

Cape waters. It appears to have been lost, as it is not in the “ Pieter

Faure ”’ collection.

Gen. BATHYPTEROIS Gnthr.

1878. Ginther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. i, p. 183.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 64.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 148.

1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vu, p. 126.

1919. Roule, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fase. 52, p. 35.

Body elongate, somewhat compressed. Scales cycloid, adherent.

Head depressed in front, lower jaw projecting. Eyes very small.

Maxilla dilated posteriorly. Teeth in narrow villiform bands on both

jaws, a small patch on the vomer, none on palatine or tongue. Dorsal

about in middle of body, of moderate length. Adipose fin present or

absent. Anal short. Pectoral lateral, rays elongate, some of the

uppermost rays greatly prolonged and separate from the rest of the

fin. Ventrals 8-rayed, close together; outer rays more or less pro-

longed. Caudal forked. Guill openings very wide. Branchiostegals

12. Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder absent.

A genus of several species, not always very clearly defined. As

Brauer (1906) remarks, a revision of the genus is much wanted. Since

then Regan (1911) has added the genus Hemzpterois (for B. quenthert

Alck.) without taking into account Goode and Bean’s (sub)-genus

Synapteretmus, and Roule (1919) has instituted Belonepterois (also

for B. quentheri) without mentioning Regan’s genus. Under these

circumstances I assign both the Cape species to Bathypterois in its

wide sense.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.

Key to the South African species.

1. Lower caudal rays prolonged.

a. Ventral large, reaching to extremity of anal . ; 3 . filiferus.

b. Ventral not reaching extremity of anal . :

2. Lower caudal rays not prolonged. Ventral not reaching to extremity of anal

ater.

. CApensis.

Bathypterois filiferus Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 166, pl. xlviii.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

Wills ps Cl.

Depth of body 6, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Inter-

orbital width subequal to snout, 24-22 in length of head. Teeth on

vomer very minute. D 12, nearer to base of caudal than to tip of

snout. Adipose fin present. <A 8-9, arising below last dorsal ray.

P 2+42+11-13, the 2 uppermost rays separating opposite adipose

fin, the uppermost nearly twice length of body; 2 small axillary

rays; the remaining rays reaching to end of anal (not caudal as in

Gilchrist’s description). V reaching nearly to base of caudal, 2

outermost rays prolonged beyond the others for a distance about

equal to depth of body, dilated at their extremities. Caudal with 2

lowest rays shortly produced and apically dilated. No notch at base

of caudal fin on lower margin. Scales: 1.1. 55-57; 1. tr. 5

Length.—Up to 300 mm. (to end of longest caudal ray).

Colour.—Brownish ; branchial cavity purplish.

Locality. —Off Cape Point and Table Bay, 600-1400 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

*Bathypterois capensis G. and v. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

Wl Ja hy Olle rls soe Ihe

Depth of body 73, length of head 44, in length of body. Inter-

orbital width subequal to snout, 24 in length of head. D 14, nearer

to base of caudal than to tip of snout. Adipose dorsal present.

A 8, arising just behind vertical from last dorsal ray. P 2+12, the 2

uppermost rays separating opposite base of caudal, the uppermost

nearly twice length of body; other rays reaching to middle of dorsal.

V reaching to end of anal, the 2 outermost rays prolonged beyond

the rest by about the depth of the body and apically thickened.

234 Annals of the South African Museum.

Caudal with the 2 lowermost rays shortly produced and apically

dilated. Apparently no notch below caudal. Scales: 1J.]. 48.

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Presumably brownish.

Locality.— Off Table Bay, 1220 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

*Bathypterois ater Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 167, pl. xlix.

Depth of body 6, length of head 53, in length of body. Interorbital

width shorter than snout, 24 in length of head. D ? (14 in figure),

a little nearer to base of caudal than to tip of snout. Adipose dorsal

present. A ? (8 in figure), arising below last ray of D. P 2+8, the 2

uppermost separating opposite adipose fin, the upper 14 times length

of body ; no axillary rays; the remaining rays reaching to middle of

anal. V reaching to end of anal, 2 outermost rays shortly produced

beyond the others and slightly thickened apically. Caudal with

2 lowest rays slightly swollen, but not produced. A notch on lower

margin of tail at base of caudal fin. Scales: ? (in figure: 1.1. ca. 66;

ltr. ale (Plate IX, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 150 mm.

Colour.—Presumably dark brown or black.

Locality. —Oft Cape Point, 900 fathoms.

Type lost.

Only one specimen of this species was obtained. It is no longer

in the “ Pieter Faure” collection, and I am therefore unable to

supplement the rather inadequate original description.

The species has affinities with atricolor Alek. and indicus Br. from

the Indian Ocean.

Fam. 3. MycTopHIDAE.

Body compressed, with scales. Maxilla either enlarged behind,

with supramaxilla, or slender and united with premaxilla. Teeth on

both jaws and palate, small or minute, in bands; vomerine teeth

when present forming 2 well-separated patches. Dorsal short or

moderate. Pectoral lateral. Photophores only exceptionally absent,

arranged in definite groups and series. Air-bladder sometimes present.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 235

Key to the South African genera.

J. Maxilla extending beyond eye. Anal with more than 15 rays.

A. Photophores in definite groups. : : : ; Myctophum.

B., A minute photophore under each scale ; , : Scopelopsis.

I]. Maxilla not extending beyond eye. Anal with less than 15 rays Neoscopelus.

Gen. Myctoruum Raf.

(=Scoretus Cuv.).

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ittiol. Sicil., p. 56.

Body compressed. Scales more or less deciduous, cycloid, or

denticulated. Maxilla extending beyond hind margin of eye, pos-

teriorly dilated. Minute villiform teeth in bands in both jaws, and

on vomer, palatine, pterygoid, and tongue. Dorsal moderate. Adi-

pose dorsal present. Anal rather long, more than 15 rays, arising

below posterior rays of dorsal. Guill-membranes free. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Branchiostegals 8-10. Air-bladdersmall. Photo-

phores arranged in definite groups.

This complex genus has given a lot of trouble to systematists, owing

to the difficulty of subdividing its numerous species. The most

natural basis of classification seems to be the position of the luminous

organs, which was first utilised by Liitken (1892, Spola Atlantica)

and later by Brauer (1906, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1).

This system has been followed by Weber and de Beaufort (1913,

Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. 11), and it will be convenient to adopt

the same system for the comparatively small number of South African

species.

In order to shorten the descriptions, it is customary to define the

various groups into which the photophores are aggregated by means

of letters. The following diagram, based on Brauer, will render the

terminology intelligible. The 2 opercular and 3. branchiostegal

photophores are always present, so that these are not mentioned in

the descriptions. There are three types of photophore (fig. C.):

round and undivided; round and divided by a horizontal black

septum; and small kidney-shaped. Luminous scales (fig. A) are

thick, whitish, overlapping scales on the upper and lower margins

of the caudal peduncle and sometimes on other parts of the body.

Luminous plates (fig. B) are shiny, whitish patches or spots, situate

in the same positions on the tail, but distinguished from the scales

not only by their appearance, but by the fact that they are only present

on sexually mature individuals. They are usually found on the dorsal

236 Annals of the South African Museum.

margin in the male, on the ventral in the female, and thus form an

easy means of distinguishing the sexes.

Fic. 14.—Diagrams to show: A, the terminology of the groups of photophores in

Myctophum ; B, two forms of luminous plates ; C, three types of photophore.

Br. Branchiostegal. VO. Ventral. Pre. Precaudal.

Op. Opercular. VLO. Supraventral. a. Antorbital.

PLO. Suprapectoral. AO. Anal. l.p. Luminous plates.

PVO. Infrapectoral. SAO. Supra-anal. ls. Luminous scales.

PO. Pectoral. Pol. Postero-lateral.

Key to the South African species.

I. Photophores not divided by a black septum.

A. Intra- and supra-caudal luminous scales (subgen. Lampanyctus).

1. Luminous organs circular.

a. Pre 3-4.

iaeeole2ee : : é : : j warmingi.

rns. 1etol Gh.

a. D shorter than A . 3 : j procerum

fp. D longer than A . ! : : elongatum.

6. Pre 5 : 2 : ; : : : argenteum.

2. Luminous organs kidney-shaped.

a. Pectoral short, scarcely reaching ventral : . nigrum.

b. Pectoral very long, reaching anal . : : . alatum.

B. No luminous scales (subgen. Myctophum).

1. Maxilla reaching vertical from hind margin of eye, strongly expanded.

a. Pol absent : : 5 : : ‘ antarctium.

b. Pol one.

i, A 20-21. LI. 38. SAO ina straight line phengodes.

il. A 17-18. 11.34. SAO in a curved line . pterotum.

cheboly2 : : 3 3 : : benoiti reinhardti.

2. Maxilla reaching beyond hind margin of eye, slightly expanded.

a. Snout not projecting over lower jaw.

i, SAO forming aright angle . P : humboldtz.

ii, SAO forming a very oblique curved line 3 hians.

b. Snout projecting over lower jaw.

i. D in front of middle of body. PO photophores equi-

distant from one another : : 2 coccot.

ii. A behind middle of body. PO at unequal distance apart

rarum.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 237

II. Photophores divided by a black septum.

A. No luminous patches . 0 : . [subgen. Diaphus}.

B. Infra- and supra-caudal Teeeous! vatohes : [subgen. Lampadena}.

No examples of the last 2 subgenera have yet been found in South African waters.

Subgen. Lampanyctus Bonap.

1840. Bonaparte, Fauna Ital., fase. 27.

Photophores not divided by a black septum, round or kidney-

shaped. Infra- and supra-caudal luminous scales, sometimes also on

other parts of the body. Pol 1-4, AO always in 2 groups, PLO always

dorsal to the pectoral fin. Maxilla feebly dilated, extending beyond

hind margin of eye.

Myctophum (Lampanyctus) warnungi (Liitken).

1892. Liitken, Spolia Atlantica, p. 259, fig. 18.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 229,

text-fig. 149.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fase 35, p. 34.

Depth of body 4-5, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye

large, touching dorsal profile, twice length of snout, 3—4 in length of

head. Median ridge on snout strong. D 13-14, arising in middle of

body and about same level as ventral. <A 13, origin below end of

dorsal. Pectoral long, reaching to anal. Scales cycloid (all lost in

South African Museum specimen) : 1.1. 36 (Zugmayer). Photophores

rounds: PO 53 BVO’ 2; one above other); VOL4 > AO 5—6)--4—5 ;

PLO above dorsal; PVO; VLO, nearer lateral line than ventral:

SAO 3, in a nearly straight and nearly vertical line above last VO;

PO 2, one above other; Pre 4, 4th on lateral line. Antorbital organ

between eye and nostrils. Luminous scales precaudal, 3 dorsal,

8-10 ventral, also along base of anal and dorsal, between ventrals

and anal, on chest, and between dorsal and occiput.

Length.—Up to 75 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 600 fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, Indian Ocean.

Of this species, which is closely allied to maderensis (Lowe) and

guenthert (G. and B.), the South African Museum possesses a single

specimen 37 mm. long. It has lost all the scales, but evidently agrees

with warmingi except for the much more numerous luminous scales.

238 Annals of the South African Museum.

*Myctophum (Lampanyctus) procerum Brauer.

1904. Brauer, Zool. Anz., vol. xxviii, p. 402, fig. 9.

1906. fd., Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp.,.vol.-xv, pt. 1, p. 231)

text-fig. 157.

Depth of body 53, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye large,

touching dorsal profile, subequal to interorbital width, 43 in length

of head. D 17, arising a little in front of middle of body and behind

V; A 21, arising almost below middle of D. Scales cycloid: 1.1. 40.

Photophores round, rather small: 3 on cheek; PO 2+4; PVO 2,

one above the other; VO 5, at same level; AO8+9; PLO, above

dorsal PVO; VLO, nearer lateral line than ventral fin; SAO 3, ina

nearly vertical line above the last VO; Pol 3, above 8th AO; Pre 4,

first 3 near ventral profile, 4th near lateral line. Antorbital organ

below level of nostrils. Luminous scales precaudal.

Length.—Up to 22 mm.

Colour.—?.

Locality. —Ofi Cape Point, 1000 fathoms (“ Valdivia ’’ Expedition).

*Myctophum (Lampanyctus) elongatum (Costa).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 232,

text-figs. 152-153 (references and synonymy).

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fase. 35, p. 37.

Depth of body 5, length of head 32-34, in length of body. Eye

large, touching dorsal profile, twice length of snout, 32-4 in length of

head. D 21—24, arising in front of middle of body, at same level as V;

A 17-19 arising below last third of D; P reaching to V. Scales

cycloid: 1.1. 39-40. Photophores round: PO 1+4; PVO 2, one

above the other; VO 5-6, at same level; AO 8-10+6-7; PLO, above

dorsal PVO; VLO, nearer ventral than lateral line; SAO 3, in a

nearly vertical line above last VO; Pol 3, above end of anal fin; Pre

3-4, first 2 near ventral profile. Antorbital organ dorsal to nostrils.

Luminous scales precaudal and on other parts of body.

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour.—?.

Locality.—Oft Cape Point.

Distribution.—N. and Middle Atlantic.

Myctophum (Lampanyctus) argenteus (Gilch.).

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 15, pl. xxxvi.

Depth of body 5, length of head 35, in length of body. Eye large,

touching (or almost) dorsal profile, twice length of snout, 4 in length

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 239

of head. D 14, arising in front of middle of body and above ventral.

A 15, arising below last ray of dorsal. P, low down, reaching base

of ventral. Scales cycloid: 11. 38. Photophores round: PO 5,

3rd above level of others, 5th on base of ventral; PVO 2, horizontal,

very close together, sometimes contiguous, immediately below base

of pectoral; VO 5, in a curved line, 3rd highest; AO 7-8+5-6;

PLO, vertically above base of pectoral and nearer to latter than to

lateral line; VLO, nearer ventral than lateral line; SAO 3, in a

straight oblique line, the lowest near the last VO; Pol 1, close to last

of anterior AO; Pre 5, in a slightly curved row near ventral profile,

the last one highest. Antorbital organ below nostril. Luminous

scales precaudal, 3 dorsal and 3 ventral, and also along outer rays of

caudal and base of dorsal and anal rays.

Length.—Up to 70 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, brown above.

Locality.—Off Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, and Cape Point, surface to

315 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

Besides the type there are several other specimens of this species

in the South African Museum, all showing constantly the 5 Pre

and 2 contiguous or almost contiguous PVO photophores. These two

characters render this species easily recognisable.

*Myctophum (Lampanyctus) nigrum (Guthr.).

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 199, pl. li, fig. B.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 242,

text-fig. 159.

Depth of body 43-5, length of head 33-32, in length of body. Eye

not very large, not touching dorsal profile, subequal to snout, 5-7 in

length of head. D 13-15, arising in middle of body between V and A ;

A 16-19; P short. Scales cycloid: 1.1. 35. Photophores kidney-

shaped: PO 1+4; PVO 2, the upper in advance of lower, near

upper corner of base of pectoral; VO 4; AO 6-8+7-10; PLO,

above the dorsal PVO; VLO, near lateral line; SAO 3, in an oblique

row; Pol 2, oblique; Pre 2, one above the other, the upper one

near lateral line. Antorbital organ ventral to nostrils. Luminous

scales precaudal only, 3-4 dorsal, 6-8 ventral.

Length.—Up to 112 mm.

Colour.—Black.

Locality.—-Off Cape Point.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, Indo-Pacific.

240 Annals of the South African Museum.

Myctophum (Lampanyctus) alatum (G. and B.).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 79, fig. 92.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 244,

text-figs. 161, 162.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fase. 35, p. 38.

Depth of body 44-5, length of head 33-35, in length of body. Eye

large, touching dorsal profile, larger in g than 9, 34-42 in length of

head. D 11-14, arising before middle of body and behind V; A

15-18, arising below last third of dorsal; P long, reaching to end

of anal. Scales cycloid: Ll. (82-33) 35-37. Photophores kidney-

shaped: 1 on cheek; PO1+4; PVO 2, upper in advance of lower ;

VO 4: AO 4-8+8-9 (usually 6-7 +8-9); PLO, above dorsal PVO;

VLO, near lateral line; SAO 3, in an oblique curved row; Pol 2,

oblique; Pre 2, one above the other. Antorbital organ absent (2).

Luminous scales precaudal only, 3-4 dorsal, 3-6 ventral.

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish.

Locality._-Off Cape Point and East London, 300-800 fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, Indian Ocean.

The single photophore on the cheek is very characteristic of this

species.

Three fairly well-preserved adults and 2 juveniles in South African

Museum.

Subgen. Mycropuum Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, loc. cit.

Photophores not divided by a black septum, always round. No

luminous scales. Precaudal luminous plates present (in adult).

AO in one or two groups. PLO often ventral to pectoral fin. Maxilla

either reaching beyond hind margin of eye and feebly dilated, or reach-

ing to hind margin of eye and strongly dilated.

*Myctophum (Myctophum) antarcticum (Gnthr.).

8. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 1, p. 184.

7. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 196, pl. li, fig. D.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 168,

text-figs. 82 a—c.

Depth of body 34, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye large,

touching dorsal profile, more than twice length of snout, 24 in length

of head. Maxilla reaching to or very slightly beyond hind margin

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 241

Laut

of eye, strongly dilated. D 13-15, arising just in front of middle

of body, behind ventral; A 19-23, arising below middle of dorsal ;

P, rather long, reaching to beginning of anal. Scales cycloid:

1.1. 37-40. Photophores: PO 5; PVO 2, oblique, in front of base

of pectoral; VO 4; AO 16-19; PLO, in front of base of pectoral ;

VLO, between ventral and lateral line; SAO 3, in an oblique curved

row; Pol absent; Pre 2, near ventral profile. Antorbital organs,

one above and one below nostrils. Luminous plates, 7 dorsal in 4,

5 ventral in &.

Length.—Up to 61 mm.

Colour.—?.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 1500 fathoms.

Distribution.—S. Atlantic, 8. Indian, and Antarctic Oceans.

Not recorded actually within our area, but so near (“ Valdivia ”’

Expedition, 31° 21’ S., 9° 45’ E.) that there is every possibility of its

being found. :

Easily distinguished by the absence of the postero-lateral (Pol)

photophore.

Myctophum (Myctophum) phengodes (Liitken).

1892. Liitken, Spolia Atlantica, p. 253, fig. 11.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 177,

text-fig. 88.

Depth of body 4-44, length of head 33-34, in length of body. Eye

large, touching dorsal profile, twice length of snout, 24-3 in length

of head. Maxilla reaching to hind end of eye, moderately dilated.

Upper part of operculum striate, with serrated margin. D 12,

arising in front of middle of body, at same level as ventrals; A 20-22,

arising at level of end of dorsal. Pectoral reaching origin of anal.

Scales cycloid: 1.1. 37-38. Photophores: PO 2+3 (or1+4); PVO 2,

oblique, in front of base of pectoral; VO 4; AO 6-8+7-9; PLO,

above base of pectoral; WLO, between ventral and lateral line;

SAO 3, in slightly oblique straight line; Pol 1 on the lateral line;

Pre 2, the last one near lateral line. Antorbital organs, one above

and one below nostrils. Luminous plates, dorsal in 3, ventral in 9.

Length.—Up to 90 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Pale brownish.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, surface.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, Indian Ocean.

The single male specimen in the South African Museum has 8 dorsal

VOL. XXI, PART l. 16

242 Annals of the South African Museum.

luminous plates. The striate and denticulate upper portion of the

operculum is a feature which is not remarked upon by Brauer; I

have not seen Liitken’s work.

*Myciophum (Myctophum) pterotum (Alck.).

1890. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), vol. vi, p. 217.

1899. Id., Illustr. Investigator. Fish., pl. ix, fig. 3.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 182,

text-figs. 93, 94.

1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. 11,

p. 157.

Depth of body 34-4, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye

large, touching dorsal profile, 34 times length of snout, 23-3 in length

of body. Maxilla reaching vertical from hind margin of eye,

moderately dilated. D 11-15, arising in middle of body and behind

ventral; A 17-19, arising under last rays of dorsal; P long, reaching

to middle of anal. Scales cycloid: 1.1. (28-)34. Photophores :

PO 5; PVO 2, nearly horizontal; VO 4, the 2nd much above

level of others; AO 5-6+4-5; PLO, near lateral line; VLO, nearer

lateral line than ventral ; SAO 3, ina very oblique curved line; Pol 1,

on lateral line; Pre 2, the last one near lateral line. Antorbital

organ above nostril. Luminous plates, 3-4 dorsal in g, none (?) in 9.

Length.—Up to 100 mm.

Colour.—Silvery; base of caudal and anal and upper rays of

pectoral blackish (Weber and de Beaufort).

Locality.— Off Cape Point.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Myctophum (Myctophum) benoiti (Cocco).

var. reinhardti Liitken.

1892. Liitken, Spolia Atlantica, p. 257, fig. 16.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 185,

text-figs. 96-101.

1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. iu,

p. 155, text-fig. 60.

Depth of body 4-43, length of head 3-33, in length of body. Eye

large, touching dorsal profile, twice length of snout, 34 in length of

head. Maxilla reaching to vertical from hind margin of eye, moder-

ately dilated. D 12-14, slightly before middle of body and behind

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 243

ventrals; A 18-20, arising below last rays of dorsal. Pectoral

reaching to anal. Scales cycloid: 11. (?) ca. 40. Photophores :

PO 5; PVO 2, very oblique, below level of pectoral; VO 4; AO

4-7+6-8; PLO, a little before and above base of pectoral; VLO,

near but always below lateral line; SAO 3, in an oblique, curved

line; Pol 2, forming an oblique line with the last of the anterior

series of AO; Pre 2, last on the lateral line. Antorbital organs

dorsal and ventral to nostrils. Luminous plates, 1 dorsal in g, 2-4

ventral in 9.

Length.—Up to $ 33 mm., 9 50 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Dark brown.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and 8. of Agulhas Bank, surface to 200

fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle and 8. Atlantic, Indo-Pacific Oceans.

A large number of specimens in the South African Museum, all

possessing a single dorsal luminous plate.

Myctophum (Myctophum) humboldti (Risso).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 192,

text-figs. 108-111 (references).

1911. Waite, Rec. Canterb. Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 166, pl. xxvu,

fig. 3.

Depth of body 42-5, length of head 34-3}, in length of body.

Kye large, touching dorsal profile, twice length of snout, 3-34 in

length of head. Maxilla extending beyond hind margin of eye,

feebly dilated. Snout not projecting. D 13-15, arising in front of

middle of body, at same level as ventrals; A 20-23, arising below

or just behind last ray of dorsal; P, moderately long, not quite

reaching to vent. Scales cycloid: Ll. 40-42. Photophores: PO 5,

last on base of ventral, at a higher level than the others; PVO 2,

oblique, below base of pectoral; VO4; AO 7-9+4-9 (usually

8+7-8) ; PLO, above base of pectoral; VLO, about midway between

ventral and lateral line; SAO 3, forming a right angle, the 2

posterior ones above vent, the anterior one above the 2nd VO;

Pol 1, near lateral line; Pre 2, oblique, but both near ventral profile.

Antorbital organs dorsal and ventral to nostrils. Luminous plates

1-2 dorsal, 2-3 ventral, in both sexes. (Plate IX, fig. 7.)

Length.—Up to 120 mm.

Colour.—Silvery ; skin beneath scales brown.

Locality.—Off Cape Point and East London, surface to 470 fathoms.

244 Annals of the South African Museum.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, N.—S. Atlantic, Indo-Pacific Oceans,

New Zealand.

This species is easily identified by the 3 SAO photophores forming

a right angle. There are several well-preserved specimens in the

South African Museum.

*“Myctophum (Myctophum) hians Rich.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 194,

text-fig. 112 (references and synonomy).

Depth of body 5, length of head 4-43, in length of body. Eye

moderate, not touching dorsal profile, 1} times length of snout, 3-33

in length of head. Maxilla extending beyond hind margin of eye,

feebly dilated. Snout not projecting. D 12-13, arising slightly

before middle of body and behind ventrals; A 19-22, arising below

last rays of dorsal; P, moderate, reaching midway between ventral

and vent. Scale cycloid: 11. ca. 41. Photophores: PO 5; PVO

2, oblique, below base of pectoral; VO 4; AO 5-7+11-14; PLO,

close to upper end of base of pectoral; VLO, about midway between

ventral and lateral line; SAO 3, in a slightly curved and very oblique

line; Pol 1, near lateral line; Pre 2, near ventral profile. Antorbital

organs above and below nostrils. Luminous plates 5 dorsal or 5

ventral (Liitken).

Length.—Up to 50 mm.

Colour.—?.

Locality.—Off Cape Point (“* Valdivia ’’ Expedition).

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic and 8. Indian Oceans.

Myctophum (Myctophum) coccor (Cocco).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 199,

text-figs. 116-120 (references).

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 165.

1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. u,

p. 158, text-fig. 61.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 83 (references).

Depth of body 43-5, length of head 4-43, in length of body. Hye

moderately large, not touching dorsal profile, 14 times length of

snout, 34-4 in length of head. Maxilla extending beyond hind

margin of eye, feebly dilated. Snout projecting over lower jaw.

D 10-12, arising before middle of body and behind ventrals ; A 19-21,

arising below last rays of dorsal; P, rather short, not reaching beyond

end of ventral. Scales cycloid: 1]. 39-41. Photophores: PO 5;

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 245

PVO 2, oblique, below base of pectoral; VO 4; AO 4-8+9-14

(usually 5-7-+11-13); PLO, close to upper end of base of pectoral ;

VLO, about midway between lateral line and ventral; SAO 3, in an

oblique curved line; Pol 1, near lateral line; Pre 2, near ventral

profile. Antorbital organs above and below nostrils. Luminous

plates 6-8 dorsal in g, 4-6 ventral in 9.

Length.—Up to 60 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with blue or greenish sheen; back (as preserved)

dark brown.

Locality.—Off Cape Point.

Distribution.—Cosmopolitan.

This very common species is represented in the South African

Museum by a large number of specimens, all, however, from the one

locality.

*Myctophum (Myctophum) rarum (Liitken).

1892. Liitken, Spolia Atlantica, p. 246, fig. 4.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 204,

text-figs. 123, 124.

Depth of body 54, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye

moderate, not touching dorsal profile, 15 times length of snout, 3-3}

in length of head. Maxilla extending beyond hind margin of eye

feebly dilated. Snout projecting over lower jaw. D 13, arising

behind middle of body and ventral; A 17, arising almost below

middle of dorsal; P reaching to ventral. Scales cycloid: 1.1. 38-40.

Photophores: PO 5-6 (usually 6), at same level and more or less

equidistant ; PVO 2, almost horizontal, below base of pectoral ;

VO 2, 1st behind ventral, 2nd in front of vent; AO 6-8+5-7; PLO,

at upper end of base of pectoral; VLO, nearer ventral than lateral

line; SAO 3, in a nearly vertical line; Pol 1, near lateral line;

Pre 2, near ventral profile. Antorbital organs above and below

nostrils. Luminous plate, 1 dorsal in g, none in 9.

Length.—Up to 29 mm.

Colour.—?.

Locality.—37° 40’ §., 12° E. (Liitken).

Distribution.—North, Middle, and South Atlantic.

Gen. ScoPELopsis Brauer.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 146.

Similar to Myctophum, but with a small photophore under each

scale. Branchiostegals 9-10. Maxilla very feebly expanded pos-

246 Annals of the South African Museum.

teriorly. Pseudobranchiae present. Scales with denticulate margin.

Air-bladder well developed.

Scopelopsis multipunctatus Brauer.

1906. Brauer, loc. cit., p. 146, text-fig. 71.

Depth of body 43-5, length of head 33-33, in length of body. Eye

nearly twice length of snout (adult), 14 in interorbital width, 33-34

in length of head. A median ridge on snout. Cleft of mouth extend-

ing one eye diameter beyond hind margin of eye. D 21-22; A 23-25,

arising below middle of dorsal; P, reaching base of ventral, with the

2nd uppermost ray prolonged, reaching to midway between base of

ventral and vent. Scales: Ll. 37-38; L-tr. ie Photophores: one

under each scale over the whole body, similar ones on the head,

around the orbit, on lower jaw, branchiostegal membrane, isthmus,

and caudal fin ; in adult there is further an elongate luminous patch

on the upper margin of the caudal peduncle between the adipose fin

and base of caudal fin.

Length.—Up to 75 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown ; fins lighter.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 800-1000 fathoms; off Cape Morgan,

480 fathoms. The British Museum has a specimen labelled from the

Agulhas Bank.

Brauer had only one very young specimen on which his description

was based. I am able to add several other details from ‘the dozen

adult specimens collected by the s.s. “ Pieter Faure.”” The luminous

supracaudal patch is only found in adult males.

Gen. NEoscopEetus Jhnsn.

1863. Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 44.

Body compressed. Scales large, deciduous, cycloid, but with minute

spinules. Cleft of mouth not extending beyond eye. Mazxilla

strongly dilated posteriorly. Teeth in bands in both jaws, on vomer

and palatine. Dorsal short. Adipose fin present. Anal short (less

than 15 rays). Pectoral lateral, long. Ventrals below dorsal.

Branchiostegals 8-9. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-bladder large.

Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Jhnsn.

1863. Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 44, pl. vii.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 93, figs. 108, 109.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 247

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 147,

pl. xi, figs. 2, 3, text-figs. 72-76.

1914. McCulloch, “ Endeavour ” Fishes, vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 90, pl. xvii.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iti, p. 56.

Depth of body 4-43, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye

subequal to snout, slightly greater than interorbital width, 44-5 in

length of head. Maxilla extending to below hind margin of eye.

D 12-13, A 11-13. The first 4 rays in the dorsal, the first 3 in the

anal, are almost spiniform and not branched. Scales: 1.]. 30-31;

Tea

preoperculum ; a marginal row on the tongue and a pair of large ones

on its lower side at base; 9 on isthmus ; a mid-ventral row from gill-

opening to vent of 18-20, and 4-5 behind and of anal fin; a lower

lateral row of 8 (gill-opening to ventrals)+19 (ventrals to anal); a

group of 3 large in front of, and 3-4 small ones behind, pectoral.

Length.—Up to 240 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a more or less pronounced reddish sheen ;

ventral surface violet, fins pinky red.

Locality.— Off Cape Morgan and Natal coast, 174-290 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. and S8. Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, New Zealand,

8. Australia, 200-1500 fathoms.

Ltr. (Gilchrist gives 1.1. 26; l.tr. 12.) Photophores: 1 on

Fam. 4. SCOPELARCHIDAE.

Body cylindrical, more or less compressed. With or without scales.

Snout short. Maxilla with small expansion in front, with a supra-

maxilla. Teeth on both jaws and palate, unequal in size, depressible.

Dorsal fin short. Adipose dorsal present. Pectoral lateral, but

usually low down. Caudal well developed, forked. Eyes in vertical

sockets, directed upwards and outwards. Branchiostegals 8. Pseudo-

branchiae present. Gull-rakers small or absent. Photophores absent.

This family of deep-sea fishes contains three genera: Scopelarchus

Alck., Evermanella Fowler, and Dissomma Brauer.

According to Regan, Neosudis Castln. may also belong to this

family. Only one genus is represented in South African waters.

Gen. Dissomma Brauer.

1902. Brauer, Zool. Anz., vol. xxv, p. 278.

Body strongly compressed. Snout conical. Probably with scales.

Eyes lateral, but directed upwards. Cleft of mouth wide. Manilla, if

248 Annals of the South African Museum.

present, very small. Teeth on premaxilla, mandible, vomer, palatine,

and tongue ; no canines onvomer. Dorsal in front of middle of body.

Pectoral lateral, not very low down, with 19-20rays. Gull-rakerssmall.

Roule (1919, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fasc. 52, p. 30) makes

this genus a subgenus of “‘ Odontostomus”’ (=Evermanella), differing

from the latter chiefly in the greater number of pectoral rays, and the

strong canine teeth on the tongue. Roule makes some rather dis-

paraging remarks about Brauer’s description, but himself fails to give

the number of dorsal and anal rays in the new species instituted by him.

From the figure the numbers appear to be the same as in Brauer’s

species, and in fact there appears to be no reason for a new species

at all.

*Dissomma anale Brauer.

1902. Brauer, loc. cit.

1906. Zd., Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 138;

plyxceiss: eZ:

1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Archip., vol. ui,

p. 181, fig. 71.

1919. Roule, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fasc. 52, p. 32, pl. v, figs. 2,

2a (perarmatus).

Depth of body 6-64, length of head 4—44, in length of body. Hye

(vertical height) subequal to snout, 2?-5 in length of head. Canines

on premaxilla, mandible, and tongue. D 7, arising midway between

bases of pectoral and ventral, or a little nearer latter; A 25, arising

midway between dorsal and adipose fin. Caudal deeply forked, the

basal rays continued a long way along caudal peduncle. (Plate X,

fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 83 mm.

Colour.—Pale pinkish brown.

Locality.—S. of Agulhas Bank (34° 31’ S., 26° E.), 500 fathoms

(“ Valdivia ” Expedition).

Distribution.—Middle and 8. Atlantic, Subantarctic, Indian Ocean.

Fam. 5. OMOSUDIDAE.

Body moderately elongate. Snout short. Maxilla large with

triangular expansion in front, no supramaxilla. Teeth on both jaws

and on vomer and palatine. Dorsal fin short. Adipose dorsal present.

Pectoral lateral, but low down. Ventral very small. Caudal

forked. Eyes lateral. Branchiostegals 8. Pseudobranchiae present.

Gill-rakers short. Photophores absent. Stomach very distensible.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 249

A family of a single genus, containing three small species, combining

characters of both the Scopelarchidae and the Alepisauridae, but

differing from both in the structure of the pectoral arch (see Regan,

loc. cvt., 1911, p. 131).

Gen. Omosunpis Guthr.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 201.

*Omosudis elongatus Brauer.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 140,

fig. 68.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, vol. xxxv, p. 18, pl. i,

fig. 6.

-1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

VALI OU Ce

Depth 6-7, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Tail elongate.

Eye 2 in snout, 4 in length of head. Maxilla reaching to level of

posterior margin of eye. D 9-10, A 24-26. Ventral rudimentary,

below anterior ray of dorsal.

Length.—Up to 30 mm.

Colour.—Browunish or greyish, speckled ; sides with 2-10 patches of

black pigment.

Locality.—Natal coast, 600 fathoms.

Distribution.—Subtropical Atlantic, Gulf of Guinea, and Indian

Ocean, 600-1200 fathoms.

Fam. 6. ALEPISAURIDAE.

Body elongate, compressed. Skin naked. Lateral line (in fresh

state) a gelatinous keel, bordered above and below by a series of

pores. Snout pointed, produced. Dorsal formed by long slender rays

extending nearly whole Jength of back. A small adipose dorsal.

Pectoral on ventral profile. Maxilla with large triangular expansion

in front, no supramaxilla. Teeth on both jaws and palatine unequal,

compressed, immovable, none on tongue or vomer. Skeleton very

feebly ossified. Pseudobranchiae large. Vent close behind ventrals.

Air-bladder absent. Photophores absent.

Gen. ALEPISAURUS Lowe.

1833. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 104.

With the characters of the family.

Several species of this genus have been described, but owing to the

250 Annals of the South African Museum.

extreme fragility of the body and fins, and the consequent difficulty

of obtaining perfect specimens of these fishes, it seems unwise at

present to recognise more than the one species. The specific identity

of the only known South African specimen is not certain, though it

is here assigned to the fairly well-known Madeiran species.

As Lowe seems to have called his new genus Alepisaurus, this

spelling must be accepted, though most authors alter it to “‘ Alepi-

dosaurus.” Plagyodus Pallas (in MS. Steller, 1831) has also been used

by some authors (e.g. Giinther), but according to Goode and Bean,

“it is doubtful if it was originally used in the sense of a Linnean

genus.”

Alepisaurus ferox Lowe.

1833. Lowe, loc. cit., p. 104.

1835. Id., Tr. Linn. Soc., vol. i, p. 124, pl. xix, and p. 395, pl. hx.

1864. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. v, p. 421.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 117, fig. 142.

1896. Collett, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fasc. 10, p. 119, pl. iv,

fig. 16 (head only).

Depth of body about 10, length of head about 6, in length of body.

Eye 23 in snout, 6 in length of head. Teeth: long canines on lower

jaw and palatine. D 39-44, arising above hind margin of operculum

and extending nearly whole length of back to anal, very high, longest

rays exceeding length of head; A 14-17, far back; P 14-15, not

reaching ventral; V 8-10. Caudal deeply forked, the upper lobe

prolonged in a curved form like a scimitar. Branchiostegals 6-7.

(Plate X, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Brownish above, with oblique patches descending into

the white or silvery sides, a bluish sheen on head ; dorsal steely blue,

other fins bluish or brownish.

Locality.—Kast London.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, Australia, and Tasmania.

The single specimen in the South African Museum was caught in a

Harder-net near East London, and fought fiercely when caught. It

has the scimitar-like upper caudal lobe as described by Lowe (loc. cit.,

p. 395, pl. lix).

Fam. 7. ATELEOPIDAE.

Body elongate. Skin naked, thick, gelatinous. Mouth small,

inferior, protractile. One supramaxilla present. Pupil of eye very

small. Teeth small, villiform, in bands in upper jaw or both jaws,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 251

none on palate. Dorsal short, far forward. Anal long, united to

reduced caudal. Pectoral lateral. Ventrals jugular, well separated,

each consisting of a simple or bifid ray. Branchiostegals 6-8. No

air-bladder. Photophores absent. Skeleton largely cartilaginous.

This family was formerly placed near the Macruridae, then among

the Ophididae (Zoarcidae). In 1909 Regan put it into a separate

division, the Chondrobrachi; but in 1911, as a result of further

researches, abolished the division and transferred the family to its

present: position.

Two genera, with a few species from the Indo-Pacific. Pavrateleopus

Smth. and Radd., 1912, differs from the type genus in having a small

low dorsal fin with only 3 rays.

Gen. ATELEOPUS Schlegel.

1846. Schlegel, Fauna Japan. Poiss., p. 255.

1905. Sauter, Annot. Zool. Jap., vol. v, pt. 4, p. 2385 (Lyumaza).

With the characters of the family. Dorsal high, with several rays.

Ateleopus natalensis, Regan.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 414.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 77.

Length of head about equal to its distance from origin of anal,

6-7 in total length. Eye 22 in snout, 7-8 in length of head. Lower

jaw toothless, without spine at theangle. Lipsfinely plicate. D 9-10,

height equal to, or more usually greater than, length of head; A+C

100-110; P equal in length to head; V about ? length of head.

(Plate X, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 540 mm.

Colour.—Blackish brown; dorsal, pectoral, and margin of anal

fins black.

Locality. —Off Natal coast, 120-168 fathoms.

Type in British Museum.

All the five specimens (topotypes) in the South African Museum

have the lips finely, though distinctly, plicate, as in plicatellus Gilb.,

but show no sign of a spine on the lower jaw as in that species.

Fam. 8. CETOMIMIDAER,

Body compressed. Skin naked. Head enormous. Cleft of mouth

very wide. Teeth small, granular, on both jaws, vomer, palatine,

252 Annals of the South African Museum.

pterygoid, Ist gill-arch, tongue, and upper pharyngeal bones. Eye

very small. Dorsal and anal fins opposite one another and far back.

No adipose fin. Ventrals absent. Photophores absent.

A remarkable family of deep-sea fishes hitherto only found in the

N. Atlantic, containing the two genera Cetomimus G. and B. 1895,

and Cetostoma Zugmayer 1914. The systematic position of the

family, as also that of the related family Rondeletizdae, is still uncertain

owing to the skeleton not having been thoroughly studied. The

discovery of a third genus in South African waters is extremely

interesting.

In shape the typical form resembles the right whale, whence the

name. In Cetostoma and the present genus the resemblance is not

so striking.

Gen. PELEcINoMIMUS Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 56.

Body tapering from head posteriorly. Eye close to upper jaw.

Lateral line a single furrow.

Gilchrist states that this form has “ very long scales,” the longest

“2-4 in depth of body.” This feature, if correct, is unique in this

family. The scales are not represented in the figure, which gives the

impression that the fish has a naked skin like the typical members of

the family.

*Pelecinomimus pickle: Gilch.

South African Whale-fish.

119225 (Gilchrist, loc: \cvts) p. SW; plaax, tie. 1"

Depth of body 62, length of head 32, in length of body. Snout

equal to interorbital width, 24 in length of head. D15; A 15-16,

shghtly in advance of dorsal. (Plate X, fig. 4.)

Length.—?.

Colour.—? Black.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 1014 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Division 6. MICROCYPRINI.

1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, p. 320 (classification).

Mostly physoclystic (air-bladder without an open duct). The

premaxilla excludes the maxilla from margin of upper jaw. No

mesocoracoid. <A single dorsal fin composed of soft rays. No adipose

fin. Ventrals sometimes rudimentary or absent. No lateral line.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 253

This division includes the widely distributed Cyprinodontidae

and the North American Amblyopsidae, comprising small fishes

inhabiting fresh or brackish water ; very few are really marine.

In South Africa only the genus Haplochilus is found, although

the genus Fundulus has representatives in Central and East Africa,

and eventually some may be found in North Rhodesia or Portuguese

East Africa within our regional limits.

The two South African species of Haplochilus will be found described

in “ The Freshwater Fishes of South Africa,” p. 473. Both species

should be placed in the genus Haplochilichthys, according to Regan.

Division 7. SYNENTOGNATHI.

-Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vu, p. 327,1911 (classification).

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). Fins without

spines, dorsal opposite anal, far back, ventrals abdominal, pectorals

high up on the side of the body. Premaxilla non-protractile and not

entirely excluding maxilla from margin of upper jaw. Lower pharyn-

geals united into a single bone. Scales cycloid. Lateral line near

ventral profile. Branchiostegals 9-15. Pyloric caeca absent.

The fishes of this division are inhabitants of shallow waters, either

near the shore or on the high seas. Both the Needle-fishes and Gar-

pikes, with their elongate beak-like jaws, and the Flying-fishes, with

their large spreading pectoral fins, are easily recognisable.

Key to the South African families.

I. Scales small. Mouth large, both jaws produced and narrowed (Scombreso-

coidea).

A. Bands of small teeth and a single series of enlarged conical teeth. No finlets

Belonidae.*

B. Teeth very small. Posterior rays of dorsal and anal form detached finlets

Scombresocidae.

II. Scales large. Mouth small, neither jaw or only the Jower one produced

(Hxocoetoidea).

A, Lower jaw produced. Pectoral short or moderate. Hemirhamphidae.

B. Neither jaw produced. Pectoral large . ; : . LExocoetidae.

Fam. 1. BELONIDAE.

Needle-fishes and Gar-fishes.

Body very elongate, slender. Scales small, thin. Both jaws

produced in a long beak. Maxilla completely fused with premavxilla.

* For vindication of the family and generic name see Regan, loc. cit., pp. 329, 332.

254 Annals of the South African Museum.

Bands of small teeth in both jaws, interspersed with a single series of

large, erect, conical teeth. Lower pharyngeal triangular or long and

narrow. ‘Third upper pharyngeals enlarged, separate; 4th usually

present. Dorsal and anal both rather long. No detached finlets.

Air-bladder present. Pseudobranchiae absent.

A family of carnivorous fishes found in all warm seas, and sometimes

entering rivers. The bones are more or less green in colour, and this

fact often prevents people from eating these fishes, which, however,

are perfectly wholesome and highly esteemed in many parts of the

world.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Gill-rakers developed. Enlarged teeth moderate. Lower pharyngeal

triangular.

A. Body feebly compressed. 5 5 : ‘ : . Belone.

B. Body strongly compressed . : : : 3 Petalichthys.

II. Gill-rakers absent. Enlarged teeth strong. Lower pharyngeal elongate,

narrow.

A. Body feebly compressed. : : : P a Tylosurus.

B. Body strongly compressed . : : : s : Athlennes.

Gen. BELONE Cuv.

1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., vol. u1, p. 185.

Body not or only moderately compressed. Enlarged teeth in the

jaws moderately developed. Lower pharyngeal triangular. Gaill-

rakers present. Preorbital not completely covering maxilla (in the

South African species). The scaly appearance on the top of the head

does not extend forwards beyond the anterior margin of preorbital

(in the South African species).

Key to the South African species.

. Dorsal] 17-18. Anal 24 : t : : : 3 F natalensis.

. Dorsal 14. Anal15 . : : F : : ; : . capensis.

N =

* Belone natalensis Gnthr.

1866. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 243.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 310 (Tylosurus).

Body moderately compressed. Caudal peduncle not compressed

but somewhat depressed. Length of head about 3 or a little more in

length of body. Upper surface of head with a broad shallow groove,

tapering behind, widening in front, supraorbital region faintly striated.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 255

Eye less than interorbital width, 22 in postorbital part of head.

Maxilla not completely hidden by preorbital. Vomerine teeth, none.

D 17-18, A 24. Middle and posterior rays of D and A subequal

in length, the latter ending at a considerable distance from base of

caudal. V nearly midway between base of caudal and front margin

of orbit. Caudal truncate.

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark on back.

Locality.—Natal coast.

* Belone capensis Guthr.

1866. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 247.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 94 (Lylosurus).

Body not compressed, subcylindrical. Caudal peduncle compressed,

deeper than broad. Length of head 25, in length of body. Upper

surface of head with a very shallow and broad groove, supraorbital

region striated. Hye less than interorbital width, 3 in postorbital

part of head. Maxilla not completely hidden by preorbital. Vomerine

teeth, none. D 14, A 15. Middle and posterior rays of D and A

subequal in length, the latter ending at a considerable distance from

base of caudal. V nearly midway between caudal and eye. Caudal

slightly emarginate.

Length.—Up to 325 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark on back.

Locality.—Cape seas (Giinther).

Gen. PETALICHTHYS Regan.

1904. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xiv, p. 129.

Body strongly compressed. Enlarged teeth in jaws moderately

developed. Lower pharyngeal triangular. Giull-rakers present.

Maxilla completely hidden by preorbital. Scaly appearance on top

of head extending forwards beyond anterior margin of preorbital.

Only a single species known.

Petalichthys capensis Regan.

Common Cape Needle-fish.

1904. Regan, loc. cit., p. 129.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 91.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.

Body strongly compressed. Caudal peduncle compressed. Length

256: Annals of the South African Museum.

of head (to end of upper jaw) 33-4, in length of body. Upper surface

with a very shallow groove, sometimes scarcely indicated, presenting

a scaly appearance which is continued on to base of upper jaw beyond

the level of the anterior margin of preorbital ; supraorbital very

faintly striate. Maxilla completely hidden by preorbital. Hye a

little larger than interorbital width, 24 in postocular part of head.

Vomerine teeth none. Tongue smooth. D 16-18, A 20-22. Pos-

terior rays of both D and A not larger than middle rays and ending

Fic. 15.—Diagrams of the upper surface of the head of: A, Belone (acus,

Mediterranean); B, Petalichthys capensis ; C, Tylosurus choram ; D, Athlennes

hians.

é, eye 3 ”, nostril; p, front margin of preorbital.

at a considerable distance from base of caudal. V midway between

base of caudal and posterior end of pectoral. Caudal forked. (Plate

X, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 320 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark steely blue on back.

Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay to Natal coast.

Gen. TyLosurus Cocco.

1829. Cocco, Lettr. in Giorna Sci. Sicil., vol. xvii, p. 18.

Body very elongate, feebly compressed. Enlarged teeth in both

jaws very strong. Lower pharyngeal elongate, narrow. Gill-rakers

absent. Base of upper jaw depressed.

PLATE X.

FIG. TEXT-PAGE

1, Dissomma anale Brauer (after Roule) . ; : : 3 : . 248

2. Alepisaurus ferox Lowe (original, but after Lowe) , : : ; 250

3. Ateleopus natalensis Regan (original) . : ; : : : soll

4. Pelecinomimus picklet Gilch. (after Gilchrist) : : i : a Aa

5. Petalichthys capensis Regan (original) : : : : ; - 255

6. Hemirhamphus delagoae n. sp. (original) 263

7. Halocypselus evolans (Linn.) (after Day) . : : : : . 268

Ann 8. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI, Plate X.

SAG

SS Creare enc NE EEE a

Neill & Co., Ltd.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 257

Key to the South African species.

1. Tongue rough. Last rays of dorsal reaching base of caudaJ. A lateral keel on

peduncle. 6 : : : é 6 : : . choram.

2. Tongue smooth. Last rays of dorsal not reaching base of caudal. No keel on

peduncle. : , 3 : ; : ; : . leivroides.

Tylosurus choram (Forsk.).

Gar-fish.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 510, pl. exviii, fig. 4.

1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 243 (robusta non

Giinther).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 309 (references).

Caudal peduncle feebly compressed, scarcely deeper than wide,

with lateral keel. Length of head about 3 in length of body. Upper

surface with shallow groove more or less scaly anteriorly, supraorbital

striated. Eye # interorbital width, 24 in postocular part of head.

Maxilla completely hidden under preorbital. Teeth strong, none on

vomer. Tongue rough. D 22-23, last rays elongate and reaching

base of caudal. A19—-21. V midway between base of caudal and eye.

P longer than depth of body, equal to postocular part of head. Caudal

forked, lower lobe longer than upper.

Length.—Up to 600 mm.

Colour.—Dark bluish above, lighter below, a silvery lateral stripe ;

pectoral and margin of dorsal usually black.

Locality.— Natal and Zululand coasts, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—. coast of Africa to Indian seas.

Regan has recorded the species robusta from Kosi Bay. The

specimen in the British Museum from this locality is, however, un-

doubtedly an example of choram. T. robusta is more nearly allied

to the following species ; indeed, they may prove to be merely varieties

or different sexes of the same species (levwrordes).

Tylosurus levuroides (Blkr.).

1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tidsschr. Ned. Ind., vol. 11, p. 479.

1866. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 243.

Caudal peduncle about as deep as broad, without lateral keel.

Length of head about 3 in length of body. Upper surface with well-

marked groove, supraorbital region feebly striated (except the ridge

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 17

258 Annals of the South African Museum.

bordering the median groove). Eye #? interorbital width, 24 in

postocular part of head. Maxilla not completely hidden under

preorbital. Teeth strong, none on vomer. Tongue smooth. D 19,

last rays not elongate and not nearly reaching base of caudal. A 22.

V midway between base of caudal and eye. Pectoral equal to, or a

little longer than postorbital part of head, considerably greater than

depth of body. Caudal emarginate, lower rays longer than upper.

(South African Museum.)

Length.—Up to 470 mm.

Colour.—Dark bluish brown above, lighter below, with a silvery

lateral stripe ; pectoral dark, other fins light.

Locality.—Chinde (Portuguese East Africa).

Disiribution.—Indian Ocean.

Gen. ATHLENNES J. and F.

1886. Jordan and Fordice, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. ix, p. 342.

Like Tylosurus, but body strongly compressed, base of upper jaw

raised, and teeth not so strong.

Athlennes hians (C. and V.).

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xviii, p. 432,

pl. dxlviii.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 310 (references).

Caudal peduncle not so strongly compressed as body, but deeper

than broad, without lateral keel. Length of head about 3} in length

of body. Upper surface flat, with scarcely perceptible groove and

supraorbital striae. Hye a little less than interorbital width, 24 in

postocular part of head. Maxilla completely hidden under preorbital.

Teeth moderately strong, none on vomer. Tongue smooth. D 25—

26, last rays reaching base of caudal. A 26-27. V slightly nearer

eye than base of caudal. P subequal to depth of body and greater

than postocular part of head. Caudal forked.

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Brownish above, silvery-white below, sometimes some dark

blotches below dorsal; fins dark brown.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—W. Indies, Brazil, Indo-Pacific.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa, 259

Fam. 2. SCOMBRESOCIDAE.

Sauries.

Body elongate, slender, compressed. Scales small, thin. Both

jaws produced in a pointed beak. Maxilla completely fused with

premaxilla. Teeth very small, in bands in both jaws. Third upper

pharyngeals moderately large, separate; 4th very small. Lower

pharyngeal forming a moderately broad triangular plate. Dorsal

and anal rather long, the posterior rays forming detached spinelets.

Gill-rakers present. Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder present.

Pelagic fishes swimming near the surface in large shoals in all

temperate seas.

Gen. ScomBresox Lacép.

1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 344.

Jaws produced in a long beak in the adult, lower jaw longer than

upper. In the young the jaws are quite short (see fig. 16). In the

only other genus, Cololabis Gill, the jaws remain short throughout

life.

Scombresox saurus (Walb.).

Saury ; Skipper.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iii, p. 145, pl. x, figs. 53-56

(egg and larva).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 90 (references) (saurus

and rondeletit).

Depth of body 9, length of head 34, in length of body (adult). Eye

14 interorbital width, 24-2 in postorbital part of head. D 9-11, 5-6;

A 12-13, 6-7. P shorter than postorbital part of head. V midway

between base of caudal and anterior margin of eye. Caudal forked.

Length.—Up to 450 mm.

Colour.—Dark blue on back, separated by a silvery lateral stripe

from the silvery-white lower parts ; fins light.

Locality.—St. Helena Bay, Table Bay, and Cape Point to Mossel

Bay.

Distribution.—Temperate parts of N. Atlantic, St. Helena, New

Zealand, 8S. Australia.

The Australasian species, forstert C. and V., apparently does not

differ from the typical species. Another species, rondelett C. and V.,

also recorded from the Cape, is said to differ from saurus by the absence

of an air-bladder. This feature was not confirmed by Liitken (Spolia

260 Annals of the South African Museum.

Atlantica, p. 567), and there is little doubt that rondeletz is not a valid

species. All well-preserved Cape specimens that I have examined

have the air-bladder present.

The common Skipper or Saury is found in large schools swimming

near the surface. They are much sought after by mackerels, tunnys,

and bonitos, and when pursued leap out of the water, often to a height

Fic. 16.—Scombresox saurus. Three stages to show the gradual increase

in the length of the jaws. a and 6 enlarged; c, natural size.

of several feet, or skim along the surface. From the habits of this

fish, it is easy to see how the evolution of the true Flying-fish (see

p.'265) has taken place.

Fam. 3. HEMIRHAMPHIDAE.

Half-beaks.

Body elongate, slender. Scales rather large, thin, deciduous.

Lower jaw only produced into a beak (except in Chriodorus). Maxilla

firmly united with premaxilla. Teeth in both jaws small, compressed,

usually tricuspid. Lower pharyngeal broadly triangular. Third

upper pharyngeals fused into one. Fourth pair absent. Dorsal and

anal not very long. No detached finlets. Pectoral short or moder-

ately long. Gull-rakers long. Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder

large, simple, or cellular.

The fishes of this family are very similar in form to the Skippers,

but are easily distinguished by the upper jaw not being produced.

Their habits are the same. They skim the upper surface of the sea

and feed on minute particles of vegetable matter. Unlike the

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 261

Skippers, however, they are inhabitants of the warmer seas, mostly

near the shore, though a few are pelagic. Some forms are viviparous,

but the majority are oviparous.

Two genera have hitherto been found in South African seas.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Pectoral about equal to depth of body, which is not strongly compressed

Hemirhamphus.

2. Pectoral much longer than depth of body, which is strongly compressed

Huleptorhamphus.

Gen. HEMIRHAMPHUS Cuv.

1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., vol. u1, p. 186.

_Body more or less compressed. Lower jaw produced in a long

slender beak. Pectoral short. Anal not modified in males. Caudal

forked. Air-bladder cellular with many partitions (Hemirhamphus)

or simple (Hyporhamphus). Oviparous.

Gill (1859, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 131) instituted the genus

Hyporhamphus for those species having a simple air-bladder. The

simple air-bladder seems to be correlated with the forward position

of the ventral fins, but so few species have been examined (to judge

by the descriptions) as regards the character of the air-bladder, that

the use of Gill’s genus is really not practicable for the present.

From personal inspection I find that one of the South African

species belongs to Hemirhamphus (sensu stricto) and two to Hypo-

rhamphus ; the fourth (dussumiert) I have not seen, but it is placed

in Hyporhamphus by Evermann and Seale (1907, Fish. Philipp. Isl.,

p- 58).

Coastal forms, some of the species ascending rivers.

Key to the South African species.

I. With black blotches. Middle caudal rays equal to eye . E : far.

II. Without black blotches.

A. Middle caudal rays longer than eye.

1. Dorsal and anal scaleless —. : : : : calabaricus.

2. Dorsal and anal scaly (in their anterior part) ‘ delagoae.

B. Middle caudal rays shorter thaneye . : : : dussumiert.

Bianconi (Spec. Zool. Mosamb., 1855-59) has recorded H. russellz

C. and V. from Mozambique. As the synonymy of this species

appears to be somewhat confused (see Day, Fish. India, p. 514) and as

Giinther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi) does not record this species

from the locality mentioned, I prefer not to include it herein.

262 Annals of the South African Museum.

Hemirhamphus (Hemirhamphus) far (Forsk.).

Large Half-beak ; Groote Half-bek.

1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. de l’Afr. Austr., p. 64 (obesus).

1866. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 54, pl. vi, fig. 3.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 516, pl. cxx, fig. 3.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 310 (references).

Body somewhat compressed. Length of head (including lower jaw)

24-3, of lower jaw (beyond the end of the upper jaw) 44-5, in length

of body. Eve less than interorbital width, ? postorbital part of head.

Triangular part of upper jaw (formed by premaxillae) much broader

than long, scaleless. D 13-14, A 11-12. Dorsal longer than anal,

both scaly in their anterior parts, anal arising below middle of dorsal.

V well back, midway between base of caudal and extremity of pectoral.

Middle rays of caudal equal to eye. Scales: 52-55. Air-bladder

cellular.

Length.—Up to 430 mm.

Colour.—Dark bluish green above, a silvery lateral stripe, 4 (or 5)

vertical black blotches.

Locality. False Bay, Natal coast, frequently enters estuaries and

rivers, having been found in the Mazoe River, Rhodesia (Boulenger,

Freshwater F. Afr., vol. ii, p. 15, 1915).

Distribution.—E. coast Africa, Indian Ocean.

This species is common in Natal waters, but does not seem to extend

further south. The single example from False Bay, presuming the

locality has been correctly recorded, is evidently an exception. It

is easily distinguished by the black blotches on the sides. Although

Castelnau does not mention this feature, it is probable that his quite

inadequately defined species obesus is synonymous.

Hemirhamphus (Hyporhamphus) calabaricus Guthr.

Needle-fish ; Naald-visch (Knysna).

1866. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 266.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 92.

Body slightly compressed. Length of head 22, length of lower jaw

4-5, in length of body. Eye equal to interorbital width, } postorbital

part of head. Triangular part of upper jaw as broad as long, scaly.

D 13-15, A14-15. Dorsal longer than, and arising slightly in advance

of anal. both scaleless. V well in advance of dorsal, midway between

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 263

base of caudal and hind margin of operculum. Middle rays of caudal

longer than eye. Scales: 50-52. Air-bladder simple.

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Dark (bluish) above, a silvery lateral stripe.

Locality.— Knysna, Algoa Bay, East London.

Distribution.—-W. coast of Africa, Calabar (Giinther), Cameroons

(South African Museum), Angola (Guimaraes).

It is little remarkable that this W. African form should be met with

as far to the east as Hast London.

Hemirhamphus (Hyporhamphus) delagoae Brnrd.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 498.

Body slightly compressed. Length of head 24, length of lower jaw

4? inlength of body. Hye $ interorbital width, which equals postorbital

part of head. Triangular part of upper jaw as broad as long, scaly.

Longitudinal length of preorbital half diameter of eye. D 14, A 14.

Dorsal a little longer than, and arising at about same level as, anal ;

both scaly in their anterior parts. V well forward, midway between

base of caudal and eye. Middle rays of caudal longer than eye.

Scales: 50. Air-bladder simple. (Plate X, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Locality. —Delagoa Bay.

Allied to unzfasciatus (including neglectus), melanurus, and balinensis.

It may be the same as the species recorded from Kosi Bay by Regan

as dussuimert, but it certainly does not correspond with any of the

descriptions of that species.

*Hemirhamphus (Hyporhamphus) dussumvert C. and V.

Dussumier’s Half-beak.

1866. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p.56; Scombr., pl. vu, fig. 3.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 311 (references).

Body subcylindrical. Length of head 23, length of lower jaw 53,

in length of body. Eye greater than interorbital width, scarcely less

than postorbital part of head. Triangular part of upper jaw broader

than long. D15,A14. Dorsal longer than, and arising in advance

of, anal, both nearly scaleless. V midway between base of caudal

and head. Middle rays of caudal shorter than eye (Giinther, but not

in Bleeker’s figure). Scales: 50-52. Air-bladder simple.

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

264 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Dark greenish above, a silvery lateral stripe.

Locality.—Kosi Bay (Zululand).

Distribution.—. coast of Africa, East Indies, Philippine Islands.

Gen. EULEPTORHAMPHUS Gill.

1859. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 131.

Body strongly compressed, very slender. Lower jaw produced

in a long beak. Pectoral long. Anal not modified. Ventrals very

small. Caudal forked. Air-bladder simple (Jordan and Evermann

say “ not described, probably cellular ’’).

These fishes have the general body form and beak of Hemirhamphus

but the pectoral fins are very large like those of the Flying-fishes.

They are, in fact, pelagic Half-beaks. A few species, of doubtful

synonymy, have been described from the West Indies and the Indo-

Pacific.

Euleptorhamphus longirostris (Cuv.).

Pelagic Half-beak.

1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 11, p. 286.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 52.

1859. Gill, loc. cit., p. 131 (brevoortz).

1867. Poey, Synopsis, p. 383 (veloz).

1878-88. Day, Fish. India., p. 513.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. 1, p. 724.

1905. Id., Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii (1903), pt. 1, p. 128,

text-fig. 43.

Depth of body 22, length of head 34, length of lower jaw 5% (or

a little less, because tip of lower jaw is broken off), in length of body.

Eye greater than interorbital width, 2 postorbital part of head.

Longitudinal length of preorbital # diameter of eye. D 23, arising

shghtly in advance of anal. A 21. V inserted at a distance in front

of anal equal to distance from end of snout (upper jaw) to hind

margin of operculum, its length less than diameter of eye. P 8,

uppermost ray enlarged, at least as long as head (but mutilated).

Air-bladder simple. Scales: ? (nearly all lost).

Length.—190 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brown, with traces of a silvery lateral

stripe.

Locality.— Walfish Bay.

Distribution.—West Indies (velox) ; Indian seas (longirostris).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 265

The above description is based solely on the unique specimen in the

South African Museum. The descriptions given by other authors are

based on larger specimens, and this may account tor the fact that this

specimen is considerably longer compared with the depth of the body.

There is still some doubt, which can only be resolved by an examina-

tion of more and better preserved material, whether the West Indian

form described by Poey is synonymous with Cuvier’s Indian form.

Another species, #2. macrorhynchus (C. and V.) from the Pacific Ocean,

may also prove to be synonymous.

The specimen here described is one of the Old Museum collection

and is credited in the register-book to the traveller, Mr. Anderson.

No further examples of this interesting fish appear to have been caught

in South African waters.

Fam. 4. EXOcoErTIDAE.

Flying-Fishes.

Body oblong or moderately elongate. Scales rather large, thin.

Mouth terminal, neither jaw produced into a beak (slightly produced

in Fodiator). Maxilla free from or merely adherent to premaxilla.

Teeth in both jaws and often on palate, minute, villiform. Lower

pharyngeal broadly triangular. Third upper pharyngeals merely

coalescent and easily separated; 4th pair absent. Dorsal and anal

not very long, far back. No detached finlets. Pectoral greatly

enlarged (only moderately so in Evolantia S. and H.). Gull-rakers

various. Pseudobranchiae absent (concealed, glandular). Air-

bladder very large, extending back along the caudal vertebrae.

The enormous development of the pectoral fins render the Flying-

fishes one of the most easily recognisable types of fish. Only in the

Indo-Pacific species, Evolantia microptera (C. and V.), are the pectoral

fins not exceptionally enlarged. In many species the ventral fins are

also enlarged and are used as aids to flight.

The actual mode of flight was for a long time a matter of controversy

among both ichthyologists and laymen. The point at issue was

whether the pectoral fins were vibrated or moved like those of a bird,

or were just rigidly extended. In other words, whether the fish

actually “ flew ” or merely “ planed.”

It is now generally agreed by all competent observers that the fish

planes, the impetus being derived from the vibration of the tail

while in the water, additional impetus being derived from the vibra-

tion of the lower lobe of the tail while the fish is skimming the surface

266 Annals of the South African Museum.

immediately after emergence and before it rises clear of the surface.

There is undoubtedly a vibration of the pectoral fins immediately the

fish leaves the water, but this is entirely involuntary and due to the

air-resistance. Throughout the “ flight” the pectoral fins are held

rigidly extended, though they may be slightly altered in position

so as to alter the angle of incidence of the air pressure and thus effect

an alteration in the speed or the direction of the fish. As a rule,

changes of direction while in the air are very slight. If the fish

wishes to change its direction suddenly, it drops into the water and

emerges again immediately. Similarly, a fresh impetus is given by a

momentary submersion, or by the vibration ot the lower lobe of the

tail at each contact with the crest of a wave.

The length of the flight varies from a few yards up to as much as

200-300 yards or perhaps even more. The smaller species or in-

dividuals naturally do not execute such long flights as the larger ones.

The velocity varies also, and has been stated by various observers

as from 2 miles an hour up to 25 or 35 miles an hour. The latter

figures are probably excessive. It must be remembered that the

speed and indeed the length and direction of the flight is dependent

on the atmospheric conditions. When the wind is very strong, for

instance, the fishes cannot rise with the wind, but must rise against it.

The flight may terminate suddenly, either by the fish gliding into

the water or falling with a splash; or it may be gradually checked

until the fish enters the water with practically no splash. The latter

only occurs in those species with enlarged ventral fins. These are

expanded horizontally during flight like the pectorals, but are rotated

downwards so that they offer the maximum amount of resistance to

the air when the fish desires to check its speed.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Ventrals short, not extending to anal.

a. Pectoral not reaching beyond middle of dorsal : . Parexocoetus.

b. Pectoral reaching base of caudal . : . : . Halocypselus.

2. Ventrals long, extending beyond origin of anal : : : Exocoetus.

Gen. PAREXOCOETUS Blkr.

1865. Bleeker, Nederl. Tydsskr. Dierk., vol. ii, p. 105.

Body moderately elongate, elliptical in cross-section. Snout short,

lower jaw not produced. Teeth on vomer, palatine, and pterygoid.

Pectoral fin moderate, not reaching beyond middle of dorsal. Ventral

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 267

short, not extending to anal, inserted in or slightly behind middle of

body. Dorsal high. Anal about as long as dorsal.

Mostly small species.

Key to the South African species.

1. Pectoral dark A ‘ mento.

. Pectorallight -. : : : : : E i : mesogaster.

Parexocoetus mento (C. and V.).

Pointed-chinned Flying-fish.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 124.

1866. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., p. 77; Scombr., pl. v, fig. 6.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 520, pl. exxxi, fig. 9.

1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 76.

Depth of body 42-5, length of head 3-4%, in length of body. Hye

subequal to interorbital width, 22-3 in length of head, 14 times snout.

Point of lower jaw verv slightly produced, tubercular. Interorbital

space flat, with 2 faint ridges from snout, ending opposite hind margin

of eye. D 10-12, its longest rays reaching to basal rays of caudal.

A 11-13, arising almost at same level, and as long, as dorsal. P half

length of body, reaching to middle of dorsal. V arising midway

between base of caudal and end of snout, reaching to vent. Scales:

35-38 ; 17-19 between occiput and dorsal fin.

Length.—Up to 120 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark blue above ; upper part of dorsal and end cf

pectoral black, lower lobe of caudal yellowish, other fins transparent.

Locality.—Durban Bay, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.

* Parexocoetus mesogaster (Bl.).

1795. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. xu, p. 17, pl. ccexcix.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 131

(orbignianus).

1846. Solander in Richardson, Ichth. China, p. 265 (brachypterus).

1851. Gosse, Nat. Soj. Jamaica, p. 11, pl. i, fig. 1 (hallianus).

1866. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 284.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. i, p. 728.

1905. Jd., Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii (1903), pt. 1,

pl. ui (brachypterus).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (hellzanus).

Donalds

268 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth of body 43-5, length of head 41-42, in depth of body. Eye

nearly equal to interorbital width, 3 in length of head. Snout short,

blunt, 3 diameter ofeye. Interorbital space flat. D 12-13, its longest

rays reaching caudal. A 13-14, arising almost at same level as dorsal,

and as long. P 3-3 length of body, reaching to first rays of dorsal.

V arising midway between base of caudal and anterior margin of eye,

reaching to, or slightly beyond, origin of anal. Scales: 38-42; 19

between occiput and dorsal fin.

Length.—Up to 180 mm.

Colowr.—Silvery, dark blue above; upper part of dorsal black,

other fins transparent, sometimes pectorals, ventrals, and caudal

with a rosy tinge.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—West Indies, Indo-Pacific.

Gen. HaLtocyPsEtus Weinl.

1859. Weinland, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. vi, p. 385.

Body moderately elongate, subquadrate in cross-section. Snout

short, blunt. Teeth present or absent on vomer and palatine; none

on pterygoid. Pectoral fin very long, reaching base of caudal.

Ventral inserted before middle of body, nearer to snout than to caudal,

short, not reaching to base of anal. Dorsal not elevated. Anal

opposite to and nearly as long as dorsal.

Only one species in South African waters.

Halocypselus evolans (Linn.).

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 519, pl. exx, fig. 5.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 93 (references, but not

including those under volitans, which is a different species).

Depth of body 53-6, length of head 4, in length of body. Hye a

little greater than snout, less than interorbital width, 34-4 in length

of head. Interorbital space nearly flat. D 12-14, A 13-15. P

reaching to base of caudal. V not nearly reaching to vent. Scales:

40-42, 20 between occiput and dorsal fin. (Plate X, fig. 7.)

Length.—Up to 220 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark blue above ; pectoral grey or blackish, with

white edge, ventral white, caudal dusty.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Cosmopolitan.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 269

Gen. Exocortus (Artedi) Linn.

1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 6.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 316.

Body elongate, subquadrate in cross-section. Snout blunt. Teeth

very feeble or wanting. Eyes large. Pectoral fin very long, reaching

to base of caudal. Ventral inserted behind middle of body, nearer

caudal than snout, large. Dorsal not, or not very, elevated. Anal

long or short.

This, the typical genus of the family, contains the majority and also

the largest of the species. A large number of species have been de-

scribed, but many of them are either quite inadequately described,

or founded on the young of some other species.

Of the five species recorded from South Africa, only two really

deserve to be included in the fauna-list. H. cyanopterus is most prob-

ably synonymous with bahiensis, and the descriptions of longipinnis

and chloropterus afford no distinctive characters by which these species

can be recognised. They are included here chiefly with a view to

showing how little we really know about the species of Flying-fishes

in South African waters.

Key to the South African species.

1. Pectoral uniformly dark.

a. Anal 9-10 . é : : : : ; : : bahiensis.

6. Anal 11-12 : : : : ‘ : ‘ : cyanopterus.

2. Pectoral dark with oblique white band . F ; altipennis.

3. Pectoral uniformly light : § 5 : longipinnis and chloropterus.

Exocoetus bahiensis Ranz.

1866-72. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 71; Scombr., pl. ii,

fig. 2.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 311 (references).

Depth of body 52-63, length of head 43-5, in length of body. Eye

a little greater than snout, 34-34 in length of head, 14 in interorbital

width. D 12-14, A 9-10. Anal arising below middle rays of dorsal.

V arising midway between base of caudal and middle of operculum,

reaching to middle of anal. Scales: 50; 35-40 between occiput and

dorsal fin.

Length.—Up to 380 mm.

270 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Silvery, dark blue above ; pectoral dark, especially towards

its extremity, dorsal usually with a dark blotch, ventral light.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic, Indo-Pacific.

*Haocoetus cyanopterus C. and V.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 97.

1866. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 294.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. i, p. 739.

Depth of body about 7, length of head about 54, in length of

body. Eye slightly larger than snout, 34 in length of head. Teeth

moderately developed. D 12-13, A 11-12. Dorsal low. V arising

midway between base of caudal and margin of operculum, reaching

almost to base of last anal ray.

Length.—Up to 375 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark blue above, with dusty lateral blotches ;

pectoral bluish black, lower and hind margins white, ventral white,

dorsal with large blackish blotch.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank (British Museum).

Distribution.—Coast of Brazil, West Indies.

Probably the same as bahiensis.

Ezxocoetus altipennis C. and V.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 109,

plivdiz:

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 92 (references).

Depth of body 7-74, length of head 54-53, in length of body. Hye

subequal to snout, 3-34 in length of head. Teeth rudimentary.

D 13, A 10-12. Dorsal and anal both high, longest dorsal ray at least

equal to length of head (in a small specimen, 100 mm. long, it is twice

as long as head and reaches to middle of upper caudal lobe). Anal

arising below middle rays of dorsal. V arising midway between hind

margin of eye and base of caudal, reaching to end of anal (or beyond

in young). Scales: 52; 28 between occiput and dorsal fin.

Length—Up to 350 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark blue above ; pectoral black with an oblique

white band, ventral blackish with white border, caudal dusky.

Locality.—Algoa Bay, Agulhas Bank.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 271

*Hxocoetus longypinnis Cast.

1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. de Afr. Austr., p. 64.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 94 (references).

Length of head about 6 in length of body. Ventrals 24 or less in

length of body. D 12, A 10.

Length.—Up to 480 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark above; fins vellow, ventrals white.

Locality. Agulhas Bank.

*Hxocoetus chloropterus C. and V.

1846. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xix, p. 109.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 92 (references).

Eye 24 in length of head. D 13, A 9.

Length.—Up to 162 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark blue above; pectoral, dorsal, and caudal

greenish, ventrals blue.

Locality.—Cape seas (Bleeker).

Distribution. —33° 14’ 8., 44° 30’ W.

Division 8. SOLENICHTHYES.

Jungersen, Vidensk. Selsk. Skr., (7), vol. vi, p. 41, 1908.

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). The anterior

bones of the skull greatly produced forwards, forming a long cylindrical

tube terminating in a small mouth. Maxilla protractile. Teeth, if

present, very small, on both jaws, palatine, and vomer. Lower

pharyngeals separate. Spinous dorsal composed of feeble isolated

spines or absent ; soft dorsal and anal of moderate length. Ventral

fins, if present, abdominal, with or without spines. Body naked,

scaly, or with a more or less complete bony armature. Branchio-

stegals 3-7. Gills either laminate or lobate, 7.e. formed of small

rounded lobes. Giull-rakers present or obsolete. Pseudobranchiae

present or absent. Pyloric caeca few or none.

The chief external distinguishing character of this group is the

elongate tubular snout. In no other of the South African fishes is

the snout produced to such a marked degree. The other external

character which is shared by most of the members is the more or less

complete bony armature.

These fishes are all shore fishes, inhabiting chiefly tropical regions.

Some of the forms evolved among the Sea-horses are remarkable

272 Annals of the South African Museum.

instances of protective resemblance. Some interesting cases of care

of the young are also found.

Key to the South African families.

I. Gills laminate.

A. Teeth present. Body elongate (Aulostomoide?).

1. Body with ctenoid scales, compressed . : Aulostomatidae.

2. Body scaleless, depressed. ; : ; . Fistulariidae.

B. Teeth absent. Body not very elongate, with bony plates or nearly

completely enclosed in bony armature (Centriscoidet).

1. Body scaly or rough, with isolated bony plates Macrorhamphosidae.

2. Body encased in bony armature . F : . Centriscidae.

II. Gills lobate. Teeth absent. Body more or less elongate.

A. Body with stellate ossifications. Two dorsal fins. Ventrals large

(Solenostomoidet) Solenostomidae.

B. Body encased in bony rings. One dorsal fin. Ventrals absent

(Syngnathoidei) Syngnathidae.

Fam. 1. AULOSTOMATIDAE.

Body compressed. Scales ctenoid, very small. Teeth present.

Spinous dorsal composed of separate spines. Ventral nearer to anal

than to pectoral, without spine. Anal opposite soft dorsal. Anterior

vertebrae fused into one. Supratemporal produced back over anterior

vertebra. Caudal fins without filiform rays. Lower jaw with a

barbel on chin. Branchiostegals 4. Gills laminate. Gill-rakers

obsolete. Pseudobranchiae present. Lateral line continuous.

A single genus with the characters of the family.

Gen. AuLostoma Lacep.

1803. Lacépeéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 357.

* Aulostoma valentini (Blkr.).

Spiny-back Flute-mouth.

1726. Valentinus, Descr. Amboin, vol. ii, p. 448, fig. 323; p. 502,

fig. 494 (pre Linnean).

1738. Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, p. 575 (chinensis part).

1853. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. iv, p. 608 (valentinz).

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii

(1903), pt. 1, p. 114, fig. 34.

Length of head (to gill-opening) about 5, snout 43, in length of

body. Eye nearly half postorbital length of head. D VIII-XII

+24-27, A 26-28, V 6.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 273

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Variable, lemon-yellow to light or dark brown, with or

without 5—6 longitudinal dark stripes, or with light cross-bands ; base

of dorsal and anal black, a black spot on maxilla, at base of ventral,

and usually 2 on caudal, rest of fins pale yellowish or rosy.

Locality.—Mozambique.

Distribution.—E. coast of Africa to East Indies and Japan.

Fam. 2. FISTULARIIDAE.

Body depressed. Skin naked, but with bony plates in various

parts, mostly covered by the skin. Teeth present. Spinous dorsal

absent. Anal opposite dorsal. Ventral much nearer to pectoral

than to anal, without spine. Caudal fin with middle rays elongate,

filamentous. Anterior vertebrae fused into one. Supratemporal

produced back over anterior vertebrae. Membrane uniting the bones

of the snout below very distensible. No barbel on chin. Branchio-

stegals 5-7. Gills laminate. Gill-rakers obsolete. Pseudobranchiae

present. Lateral line continuous.

A single genus with the characters of the family.

Gen. FistuLtaria Linn.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 312.

1921. Weber and de Beaufort, Zool. Meded., vol. vi, pt. 1, p. 64

(discussion of synonymy of species).

The synonymy of the two species mentioned below is very difficult

to unravel. Weber and de Beaufort have come to the conclusion that

the depressed form should bear Lacépede’s name petimba, and that

serrata, being ill-defined by Cuvier, should be replaced by villosa

Klunzinger. These conclusions seem to be well based and are here

adopted. 7

Key to the South African species.

1. Interorbital space concave. Ridges on head strongly serrate and crenulate

villosa Klunz.

2. Interorbital space flat. Ridges on head feebly crenulate . petimba Lac.

Fistularia villosa Klunz.

Flute-mouth.

1871. Klunzinger, Abh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien., vol. xxi, p. 516.

1880. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. i, p. 68, pl. xxxi, fig. C

(serrata).

VOle xoxd, PART Its 18

274 Annals of the South African Museum.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiu,

pt. 1 (1903), p. 116 (serrata).

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische., pt. 65, p. 101, text-fig. 32 (juv.)

(petemba non Lac.).

Body 14 times as broad as deep. Length of head (to gill-opening)

22-23, of snout 33-33, in length of body. Eye (longitudinal diameter)

24-2? in postorbital part of head. Interorbital space concave,

width $ diameter of eye. Lateral edges of snout very distinctly

and strongly serrate, dorsal ridges running parallel and then con-

verging to the tip of the snout. Ridges on top of head and behind

orbit strongly serrate and crenulate. D 13-15, A 14-15, V 6. A

series of small narrow plates along the lateral line, those in the anterior

part of the body sunken beneath the skin, those on the hind part

of the body and caudal peduncle bearing each a compressed back-

wardly directed spine. (Plate XI, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 900 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or brownish, light beneath ; fins pale.

Locality.—Mossel Bay to Natal, 25-100 fathoms.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.

The Flute-mouths are said to prefer a muddy habitat, and they

frequently ascend the estuaries of rivers. Their food probably con-

sists of Crustacea and worms, which they dig out of the soft mud with

their long snouts.

Fistularia petimba Lac.

Flattened Flute-mouth.

1803. Lacépeéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 349.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 360, pl. Ixxvi, fig. 3 (serrata .

1880. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol.i, p. 69, pl. xxxu, D (depressa).

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxi,

pt. 1 (1903), p. 116.

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische., pt. 65, p. 101 (depressa).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 85 (part references).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 308 (part references).

Very similar to villosa, but easily distinguished by the following

characters. Body more depressed, twice as broad as deep. Hye

larger, scarcely more than twice in postorbital part of head. Inter-

orbital space flat, its width twice in diameter of eye. Snout flatter ;

the 2 dorsal ridges diverging in the anterior half before converging to

the tip of snout. Lateral ridges on snout as strongly serrate as in

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 275

villosa, but the ridges on top of head and behind orbit only feebly

crenulate or even quite smooth.

The armature of the lateral line posteriorly is the same as in villosa,

and I am unable to appreciate the respective roughness (villosa) and

smoothness (petemba) of the skin, as stated by Giinther, in the

specimens at hand.

Colour and size the same as in villosa.

Locality.—Mossel Bay to Natal, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and California.

Fam. 3. MACRORHAMPHOSIDAE.

Trumpet-fishes.

Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xiii, p. 17 (1914) (synopsis).

Body compressed, oblong, or somewhat elevated. Skin with small

scales, which are either distinctly overlapping, keeled, and ctenoid,

or indistinct, giving the skin a rough feel. Lateral line indistinct or

quite obsolete. Bony plates on the side of the back and along the

ventral margin. Teeth absent. Two dorsal fins, the first of 4-7

spines, 2nd spine Jong and strong ; soft dorsal and anal fins moderate,

opposite one another. Ventrals small, capable of being more or less

completely folded into a groove, composed of spine and 4-5 rays.

Caudal fin emarginate. Anterior vertebrae fused into one. Branchio-

stegals 4. Gills laminate. Gill-rakers present, about 20 on whole of

first arch.

Four genera, two of which are South African. The other two

genera are characterised as follows :—

Centriscops Gill, with 4 large well-developed bony plates in each

series, and Scolopacichthys Regan, with the Ist dorsal spine 2 the

length of the 2nd, which equals length of head or depth of body.

The species mostly inhabit rather deep water.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Skin with small but distinct scales. Dorsal fins separate Macrorhamphosus.

2. Skin rough. Dorsal fins contiguous. : : ; 3 Notopogon.

Gen. MacrorHampnHosus Lacép.

1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 136.

Body oblong. Skin with distinct overlapping scales. Dorsal

profile evenly convex. Two series of bony plates on each side of back,

276 Annals of the South African Museum.

each series containing 3 well-developed plates with a smaller one behind.

Two dorsal fins separate, or with a series of disconnected spines be-

tween them. First dorsal spine very short.

A small genus ranging over the whole world.

Key to the South African species.

1. Eye equal to, or greater than postorbital part of head.

a. Second dorsal spine not reaching beyond soft dorsal : - gracilis.

b. Second dorsal spine reaching to caudal fin. : : . sagifue.

2. Eye less than postorbital part of head . : 2 : j . velitaris.

Macrorhamphosus gracilis (Lowe).

Trumpet-fish ; Bellows-fish.

1839. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 86.

1866. Bleeker, Visch. v. d. Kaap, p. 55 (name only).

1914. Regan, loc. cit., pp. 17, 19. .

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 86 (scolopax non Linn.).

Depth of body 4-534, length of head 23, in length of body. Snout

not quite twice rest of head. Eye equal to, or greater than, postorbital

part of head, 53 in length of snout. D IV+11, A 18. Second

dorsal spine inserted a little in advance of vent, strong, serrated,

though often feebly so, when laid back reaching to origin, or some-

times end of base of soft dorsal.

Length.—Up to 115 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, back bluish black.

Locality.—Table Bay to Algoa Bay, 25-66 fathoms; frequently

washed up on beach after storms.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic.

It seems highly probable that this is the species which Bleeker

recorded as scolopax. The true scolopax Linn. is easily distinguished

by its deeper body and the 2nd dorsal spine being inserted behind the

vent above the origin of the anal fin.

Macrorhamphosus sagifue J. and 8.

Long-spined Trumpet-fish.

1902. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvi, p. 69,

fig. 2.

1914. Regan, loc. cit., pp. 17, 19.

Depth of body 4-44, length of head 2-21, in length of body. Snout

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 277

not quite twice rest of head. Kye slightly greater than postorbital

part of head, 34 in length of snout. D V+12, A 18-19. Second

dorsal spine inserted a little in advance of vent, strong, serrated,

when laid back reaching to caudal fin.

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Reddish brown ; pale red in life (according

to Jordan and Starks).

Locality.—East London.

Distribution.— Japan.

The single specimen agrees so closely with the original description

as to leave no doubt as to the identification.

*Macrorhamphosus velitaris (Pall.).

1769. Pallas, Spicil. Zool., vol. vii, p. 36, pl. iv, fig. 8.

1866. Steindachner, 8.B. Ak. Wien., vol. liv, p. 374, pl. 1, fig. 9

(brevispinis).

1905. Gilbert, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii (1903), pt. 2,

p. 613, fig. 2587 (hawaiensis).

1914. Regan, loc. cit., pp. 17, 20.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 57

(scolopax non Linn.).

Depth of body 44, length of head 24, in length of body. Snout

1$ times rest of head. Eye less than postorbital part of head, 53

in length of snout. D V+12, A 18. Second dorsal spine inserted

well in advance of vent (nearer to base of ventrals than to vent),

half length of head, when laid back reaching to middle of soft dorsal.

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, darker above.

Locality.—Natal Coast, 114-160 fathoms.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean, China, Hawaian Islands, Medi-

terranean.

There seems no doubt that the specimens recorded by Gilchrist,

at any rate the large specimen mentioned by him, should be reterred

to this species, already recorded by Norman from the Natal coast.

Gen, Noropocon Regan.

1914. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xi, p. 14.

Body rather elevated. Skin rough, without distinct scales. Dorsal

278 Annals of the South African Museum.

profile more or less sinuous or angular. Two series of bony plates on

each side of back, each series with 3 well-developed plates, and a

smaller one behind. Two dorsal fins contiguous. First dorsal spine

very short, 3rd—7th nearly equidistant and gradually decreasing in

size. Adult with a patch of bristles on nape.

Key to the South African species.

I. Second dorsal spine inserted over origin of soft dorsal. Eye 24 in snout

natalensis.

II. Second dorsal spine inserted in advance of soft dorsal.

A. Eye 3} in snout : ; : : : : ‘ lilliet.

B. Eye 5in snout . ‘ ‘ : : : : : macrosolen.

Notopogon natalensis (Gilch.).

Natal Trumpet-fish or Bellows-fish.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii, p. 57, pl. xu,

fig. 2.

Distance from base of 2nd dorsal spine to vent a little greater than

distance from head to caudal fin. Length of head 24 in length of

body. Snout 14 times rest of head. Eye subequal to postorbital

part of head, 24 in length of snout. D VII 16, A17. Distance from

origin of soft dorsal to base of 2nd dorsal spine equal to distance to

(nearest point on) edge of back. Second dorsal spine moderately

stout, subequal to snout in Gilchrist’s figure, but in a small specimen

70 mm. long equal to distance from hind margin of eye to end of snout,

more slender and serrate; inserted above origin of soft dorsal.

Dorsal profile concave above nape with a patch of rather long bristles ;

in the small specimen in the South African Museum the profile nearly

evenly convex, but the patch of bristles is developed though not so

long as in Gilchrist’s figure.

Length.—Up to 142 mm.

Colour.—Brownish red.

Locality.—Offt Buffalo River and Natal coast, 150-195 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

This species, as remarked by Gilchrist, is near to schoteli Weber from

off the east coast of South America. The specimen which Gilchrist

states was previously recorded as Centriscus humerosus is not this

species, nor is it smaller ; it really belongs to the following species, under

which name it was recorded by Gilchrist and Thompson in 1917.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 279

Notopogon lillie Regan.

Lnllie’s Trumpet-fish.

1911. Waite, Rec. Canterb. Mus., vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 169 (Centriscops

humerosus non Rich.).

1911. McCulloch, Endeavour Fish, vol. i, pt. 1, p. 24, pl. v, and

text-fig. 9 (Centriscops humerosus non Rich.).

1914. Regan, loc. cit., pp. 14, 18, 20.

1914. Id., Terra Nova Exp. Zool., vol. i, p. 15, pl. xii, fig. 4.

1914. McCulloch, Zool. Res. Endeavour, vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 91.

1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 3,

p. 85 (Centriscops humerosus non Rich.).

1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, p. 309.

Distance from base of 2nd dorsal spine to vent 14-12 in that from

head to caudal fin. Length of head about 2 in length of body.

Snout twice length of rest of head. Eye a little greater than post-

orbital part of head, 34in length of snout. D VII, 14(-16); A 17-19.

Second dorsal spine strong, serrated in young, its length 1} (juv.) to 34

(adult) in distance from head to caudal fin ; inserted above middle of

anal. Dorsal profile evenly convex with a patch of short bristles.

Length.—Up to 270 mm. (the single South African Museum specimen

is 225 mm.).

Colour.—Rose-pink, with silvery spots and bars.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Southern Australia, New Zealand, 18-90 fathoms.

I have seen only the specimen reported upon by Gilchrist and

Thompson, and which seems to be the only specimen of this species

as yet caught in South African waters. The 4th bony plate in each

series is much smaller than the other 3, as is characteristic of the

genus.

Notopogon macrosolen Brnrd.

Long-snouted Bellows-fish.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 498.

Distance from base of 2nd dorsal spine to vent 14-14 in that from

head to caudal fin. Length of head twice in length of body. Snout

24-24 times length of rest of head. Eye subequal (or a trifle less than)

postorbital part of head, 5 in length of snout. D VII, 15; A 18.

Second dorsal spine strong, serrated, its length 24-22 in distance

from operculum to caudal; inserted above middle or posterior third

of anal. Dorsal profile evenly convex with a very slight concavity

280 Annals of the South African Museum.

in which the patch of very short (and inconspicuous) bristles is situate.

(Plate XI, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 280 mm.

Colour.—Very pale rose-pink with a silvery lustre ; fins transparent,

with 2 cross-bands on caudal, 2 on dorsal, and 1 on anal rose-pink.

Locality.—Ofi Table Bay, 200 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This splendid species is easily distinguished from lzlliei, and indeed

from all other species of the genus, by the great length of the snout.

It appears to be not uncommon in the deeper waters to the N.W. of

Table Bay, being obtained by fishing vessels when trawling for Stock-

fish.

Fam. 4. CENTRISCIDAE.

Body elongate, strongly compressed, covered with bony plates

forming a dorsal cuirass, terminating posteriorly in a long spiniform

process, which may or may not have a movable spine at its extremity.

A series of ventral bony plates forming a very thin, sharp cutting-edge.

The very small portion of the body not covered with the bony armature

is naked. Lateral line absent. Teeth absent. Two dorsal fins,

contiguous, situate below the dorsal spiniform process. Ventrals

small, of 3-4 soft rays without spine. Caudal deflected downwards,

rounded. Branchiostegals 3-4. Gills laminate. Gull-rakers present.

Pseudobranchiae present.

It should be noted that although the body appears to be covered

by an external armature, the plates forming this armature are really

modified portions of the vertebral column. The humerus also takes

part in the formation of this bony cuirass.

Two genera in the Indo-Pacific region : Centriscus Linn. (= Ampha-

sile Cuv.) has the dorsal cuirass ending in a long unjointed spine.

Gen. AEottscus J. and S.

1902. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvi, p. 71.

With the characters of the family. The Ist dorsal spine is movably

articulated with the spiniform process of the dorsal cuirass.

Aeoliscus punctulatus (Bianc.).

Razor Fish.

1855. Bianconi, Spec. Zool. Mosamb., fasc. 10, p. 221, pl. i, fig. 2.

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 527.

1885. Trimen, Trans. 8. Afr. Philos. Soc., vol. iv, pt. 2, p. 53.

PLATE XI. ay,

FIG. re _ PEXT-PAGE

Fistularia villosa Klunz. (original) — . a weve i & wt d

Hippocampus kuda Blkr. (after Day) . : ; : 2 - 4s

Notopogon macrosolen n. sp. (original) é ieee gS é a

4. Solenstoma cyanopterus Blkr. (after Jordan and Evermann) . a 2

5. Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bl.) (after IDE) gi % : F : is

Aeoliscus punctulatus (Biance.) (original) —. é : : : ;

273°

293

279

281

285

280

Ann. S. Afr, Mus., Vol. XXI. Plate XI,

Neill & Co., Ltd.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 281

1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 76.

Depth of body 6-7, length of head 22-3 in length to end of dorsal

spine. Eye 10 in length of head. Second lateral plate nearly as

deep as long, 3rd 14 times as long as deep. D III, 10; A 12-13.

(Plate XI, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 145 mm. (to end of dorsal spine).

Colour.—Brown, with small round black dots.

Locality.—East London, Durban, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.

Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa to Red Sea.

Trimen’s statements (not based on personal observation) as to the

weak powers of locomotion possessed by these fishes is not borne

out by the observations on the living animal. Willey (Zool. Res.,

pt. 6, p. 719, fig. 12, 1902) found an allied species, 4. strigatus Gnthr.,

living in small shoals among the coral reefs, and states that the fishes

swam “ with great rapidity in a vertical position, cleaving the water

with their razor-shaped bodies,”’ 7.e. belly foremost, and were so quick

and deft in turning and doubling back that on many occasions he

was quite unable to capture them.

Fam. 5. SoLENOSTOMATIDAE.

Body compressed. Skin with stellate ossifications. Tail very short.

Teeth absent. Two dorsal fins; spinous dorsal short but elevated,

well separated from soft dorsal. Soft dorsal and anal on elevated

bases, opposite, rays short. Ventrals situate well forward, below

spinous dorsal, large, composed of 7 rays, free in male, jointed to the

body in the female to form a brood-pouch. Pectoral rays numerous

but short. Caudal fin large. Branchiostegals 4. Gills lobate.

Gill-rakers (?). Lateral line obsolete. Air-bladder absent. Pseudo-

branchiae absent.

A single genus, with the characters of the family, containing a few

species from the Indo-Pacific region.

Gen. SoLeNostomMA Lacép.

1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 360.

*Solenostoma cyanopterus Blkr.

1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 507.

1866. Giinther, Fishes Zanzibar, p. 137, pl. xx, figs. 2, 3.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxi

(1903), p. 118, text-fig. 35.

282 Annals of the South African Museum.

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fish., pt. 65, text-fig. 33a, on p. 104.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.

Depth 5, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye not quite twice

in postorbital part of head, 7 in snout. Depth of snout in middle 44

in its length. Caudal peduncle deeper than long, shorter than base

of 2nd dorsal. D V+18-20; A 16-19. Dorsal spines half length

of head. Ventrals as long as snout. Caudal] about equal to length of

head. (Plate XI, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 140 mm.

Colour.—Pinkish, with small round black dots, 2 blue-black spots

on spinous dorsal, dark patches on caudal.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacifie to Japan.

It should be noted that in this family, in contrast to the next

family, the female carries the eggs in a brood-pouch formed by the

ventral fins. The inner walls of the brood-pouch are lined with long

filaments, arranged in series along the fin-rays, which serve to retain

the eggs in the pouch.

Fam. 6. SYNGNATHIDAE.

Pipe-fish ; Needle-fish ; Sea-horses.

1912. Duncker, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., vol. xxix, p. 219.

1915. Id., ibid., vol. xxxii, p. 9 (revision).

Body elongate or very elongate, compressed or slender, and cylindri-

cal, encased in bony rings forming a complete carapace. ‘Tail long,

sometimes prehensile. Teeth absent. One dorsal fin composed of

soft rays (absent in Penetopteryx Lunel, 1881. Syn: Apterygocampus

Weber, 1913). Pectorals small or wanting. Ventrals absent. Caudal

usually present but small. Anal minute but usually present, often

rudimentary or even absent. Gills lobate. Giull-opening reduced to

a very small opening near upper angle of gill-cover. Gull-rakers

absent. Pseudobranchiae absent. Branchiostegals absent. Lateral

line present or absent.

A large family ranging over the whole globe. Most of the species

are marine, but some are estuarine or even fluviatile. They are found

in sandy and muddy localities, and especially where there is an abund-

ant growth of Sea-grass (Zostera), Laminarians, and Fucus. The

Sea-horses present a remarkable instance of adaptation to a more or

less sedentary mode of life, and of protective resemblance. In the

latter respect the most remarkable are some of the Australian species

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 283

of Phyllopteryx, in which the spines and knobs on the body are furnished

with irregular flexible flaps of skin exactly resembling the leaves of

the Fucus.

Perhaps even more remarkable is the method of protecting the

developing eggs. Throughout the family the care of the brood

devolves on the male, and for this purpose the ventral surface is

modified in various ways.

The simplest mode is found in the European and N. Atlantic genera

Entelurus and Nerophis, where the eggs are glued together in a mass

forming a plate adherent to the belly.

In Syngnathordes and Solenognathus the eggs are embedded singly

in a spongy mass, but without any protective covering.

Protective coverings are formed either by dermal folds (Doryrham-

phus) or projections from the bony rings of the body armature (Belo-

nichthys). Both kinds of protective coverings may be present together

(Syngnathus). But whereas the protective (bony) plates never fuse,

the dermal folds frequently join, either temporarily while the brood

is hatching, or permanently.

The highest development of the brood-pouch is found in Hippo-

campus, where the dermal folds are completely fused, leaving only a

small aperture open in front. This small opening, moreover, can

be completely closed by a muscle.

Except in the simplest mode where the eggs are glued to the belly

in a mass, two portions of the ventral surface may be utilised for

purposes of carrying and protecting the brood: either the belly or

the basal part of the tail. The family may thus be divided into the

Gastrophort and the Urophori respectively.

There is a further peculiarity about the young in this family. In

the majority of bony fishes and also in the two genera Entelurus and

Nerophis the larva when hatched has merely a fold of skin without

rays representing the fins ; but in all the other Syngnathidae the larva

is hatched with definitely developed fins with rays.

In order to distinguish clearly the numerous genera and species, it

is necessary to detail the composition of the encasing armature and

name the various parts.

With the exception of the Ist body ring, or shoulder ring, each ring

corresponds with one vertebra. The trunk rings, 7.e. those between

the shoulder ring and the vent, are composed of 7 plates, the tail

rings of 4 plates (text-fig. 17 a, B). Each plate is angularly bent in

the middle, forming a keel externally. The keels on the successive

plates, being contiguous, form a ridge or crest (crista). Thus there

284 Annals of the South African Museum.

are on each side of the trunk 3 crests: a supero-lateral (C. sup. t.),

a medio-lateral (C. med. t.), and an infero-lateral (C. inf. t.). On the

tail there are only two, a supero-lateral (C. sup. ec.) and an infero-

lateral (C. inf. c.). The varying manner in which the transition

occurs from the 3 trunk crests to the 2 tail crests forms a valuable

method of separating the genera.

Thus, in the South African forms, the supero-lateral and infero-

C.supt.__ _C,sub.c,

pS, Ee NCA G EL Ss

G@latat! --¢ \

G Rees

C. venir.t.”

Fic. 17.—Diagrammatic cross-sections through the trunk (A) and tail (B) regions

to show disposition of the keeled plates. Diagrams to show transition from

the three trunk crests to the two tail crests in various genera: C, Syng-

nathus acus; D, Syngnathus spicifer; E, Syngnathoides; F, Belonichthys,

Yozia, and Hippocampus; G, Corythoichthys. (Original, but after Duncker.)

lateral ridges are continuous on the trunk and tail in Syngnathoides,

but discontinuous in the other genera. The medio-lateral trunk

ridge is continuous with the infero-lateral on the tail in Belonichthys,

Yozia, and Hippocampus. In Syngnathus the medio-lateral trunk

ridge may be continuous with, as a rule, the supero-lateral, but

sometimes with the infero-lateral tail ridge. In Corythoichthys it is

subcontinuous with the supero-lateral tail ridge (see text-fig. 17, c—e).

The Ist trunk ring (shoulder ring) has, in addition to the paired

supero-lateral plates, 2-3 unpaired mediodorsal plates; one pre-

nuchal and 1-2 nuchal plates.

The number of body rings in the whole body and in the region of

the dorsal fin, as well as the number of fin-rays, seems to be very

constant for each species. But the fact that injuries to the tail often

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 285

occur, and that the animals possess the power of rejuvenating the lost

parts to a greater or lesser extent, necessitate a certain caution in

identifying individual specimens. The number of trunk rings is more

important than the number of tail rings.

In the following descriptions the number of body rings is given,

those of the trunk first, then those of the tail. Subdorsal rings are

those over which the base of the dorsal fin extends.

Key to the South African genera.

J. Brood-pouch on belly (Gastrophori).

A. Eggs embedded singly in a spongy mass without covering. C. sup. t. and c.

continuous. Caudal fin absent, tail prehensile . Syngnathoides.

B. Eggs protected by lateral plates. C. sup. t. and c. discontinuous. Caudal

fin present, tail not prehensile 6 : ; . Belonichthys.

II. Brood-pouch on tail (Urophori).

A. Tail not prehensile. Caudal fin present.

1. C. inf. t. and c. continuous. Dorsal fin mainly on tail.

a. C. med. t. continuous with C. sup. c. or C. inf. c. Syngnathus.

b. C. med. t. subcontinuous with C. sup. c. Corythoichthys.

2. C. inf. t. and c. discontinuous. Dorsal fin about equally on trunk

and tail F : : 5 Yozia.

B. Tail prehensile ; caudal fin absent. C. inf. t. and c. discontinuous

Hippocampus.

Gen. SYNGNATHOIDES Blkr.

(=GastTROTOKEUS Kaup.)

1837. Bleeker, Nat. Tidjs. Ned. Ind., vol. 11, p. 231.

1856. Kaup, Cat. Lophobr. Fish. Br. Mus., p. 18 (Gastrotokeus).

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 38 (Gastrotokeus).

1921. Weber and de Beaufort, Zool. Mededeel, vol. vi, pt. 1, p. 67.

Eggs embedded singly in a spongy mass on belly, without covering.

Tail prehensile, without fin. Dorsal fin mainly caudal in position.

Two nuchal plates, no prenuchal plate. Operculum without keel.

Trunk depressed, its lateral margins formed by C. med. t., C. sup. t.,

and c. continuous. C. inf. t. and c. continuous. C. med. t. almost or

quite reaching the C. sup. c. at the hind end of dorsal. Lateral line

absent.

A single widely-distributed species. Weber and de Beaufort have

vindicated the name Syngnathoides for this genus.

Syngnathordes biaculeatus (Bl.).

1785. Bloch, Ausland. Fische., vol. i, p. 10, pl. cxxi, figs. 1, 2.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 681, pl. clxxiv, fig. 5.

286 Annals of the South African Museum.

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 38 (references).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.

Rings 15-17 (trunk) +40-54 (tail), subdorsal 1-2 (trunk) +8-10

(tail). Operculum radiately striate. Snout about twice postorbital

part of head. Each supraorbital ridge ends behind in a sharp point.

Chin with 2 barbels. Cutaneous papilliform or branched processes

on various parts of the body. D 37-50, A 4-6, P 20-23. (Plate

XI, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 260 mm.

Colour.—Pale brown or green, with or without lhght, reddish, or

dark spots.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.

Distribution.—Whole Indo-Pacific to China and Australia.

Gen. BELONICHTHYS Peters.

1868. Peters, Reise nach Mozamb. Fische., p. 108.

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 57.

Brood-pouch abdominal, formed of bony plates (which are prob-

ably jomed at their posterior ends by dermal folds). Tail not pre-

hensile, with caudal fin. Dorsal fin mainly on the trunk region.

One prenuchal, 2 nuchal plates. Operculum without keel. Trunk

not depressed. C. sup. t. and ¢. discontinuous. C. inf. t. and c.

discontinuous. C. med. t. continuous with C. inf. c. Lateral line

present.

A single Indo-Pacific fluviatile species.

*Belonichthys fluviatilis (Peters).

1852. Peters, Ber. K. Preuss. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 685.

1868. Id., zbid., p. 109, pl. xx; fig. 5 (zambezensis).

1915. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. i, p. 82, fig. 68

(zambezensis).

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 58. -

Rings 19-20+18-24, subdorsal 11-12+4-5. Operculum finely

radiately striate. Snout nearly as long as postorbital part of head.

D 64-69, A 4, P 17-20.

Length.—Up to 188 mm.

Colour.—Yellowish brown, with black specks and a dark streak on

either side of head.

Locality.—Lower Zambesi River (Tette) and rivers of Mozambique.

Distribution.—E. Africa, Madagascar, Celebes, Philippine Islands.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 287

Gen. SYNGNATHUS Linn.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 336.

1915. Duncker, loc: cit., p. 78.

Brood-pouch caudal, with more or less strongly developed bony

plates, and broad dermal folds, often uniting during the period of

incubation. Tail not prehensile, with caudal fin. Dorsal fin

mainly on the tail, its base not raised. Pectoral with 17 or fewer

rays. One prenuchal and 1 nuchal plate. Operculum with more or

less complete horizontally longitudinal ridge. C. sup. t. and c.

discontinuous. C. inf. t. and c. continuous. C. med. t. continuous

with C. inf. c. or more usually with C. sup. c. Lateral line present.

Key to the South African species.

I. Operculum with ridge only in anterior part. C. med. t. continuous with C.

sup. c. 2 : ; : : oi : ; Syngnathus s. str.

A. Plates terminating in a spine : ; : 6 : . phlegon.

B. Plates without spines.

1. Dorsal with 35 or more rays : : : : : acus.

2. Dorsal with less than 35 rays.

a. Trunk rings 19. : : F ; : temmincki.

6. Trunk rings 17. , :

: é pelagicus.

Il. Operculum with complete ridge extending along whole length

s.g. Parasyngnathus.

A. C. med. t. subcontinuous with C. inf. c.

1. Brood-pouch extending over 15-21 rings. Abdomen with black

and white cross-bands : 5 : : . spicifer.

2. Brood-pouch extending over 12-15 rings. Abdomen uniform

cyanos pilus.

B. C. med. t. subcontinuous with C. sup. ec. : : 2 [ansorget].

S. ansorgei Blgr. is a fresh-water species from the Quanza River,

Angola, just outside the limits of our region (15° 8.).

Up to the present time the second part of Duncker’s Monograph

of the Syngnathidae containing the genus Syngnathus sensu stricto

(and Hippocampus) has not been published, nor has any other author

apparently undertaken a revision of the species in this genus. I have

had, therefore, to take the characters of the species phlegon, temmincki,

and pelagicus (none of which are represented in the South African

Museum collection) from the inadequate descriptions of Giinther.

Consequently, the characters here given may be unreliable.

For example, in the numerous specimens in the South African

Museum the extension of the supraorbital ridge over the temporal

288 Annals of the South African Museum.

region is a very variable feature, but I am unable to refer any of these

specimens to any other species but acus.

SYNGNATHUS s. str.

(=SipHostomMa Raf.)

1810. Rafinesque, Caratt. Nuovi Gen., p. 18.

Operculum with ridge at its base (anteriorly) only.

Syngnathus acus Linn.

Common Pipe-fish.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ili, p. 88 (references and

synonymy).

Rings (15-18) 19-21 -+38-44, subdorsal 1+8-9. Operculum radi-

ately striate, with a short basal ridge. Snout equal to length from

anterior margin of orbit to root of pectoral. A mediodorsal ridge

along snout, more or less serrulate. Supraorbital ridge usually

continued over temporal region, but often faint. Plates without

spines. D 35-41, commencing on last trunk ring. P 13-14. Brood-

pouch extending over about 22 rings.

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Colour.—Brown, more or less speckled, sometimes with whitish

spots on the keels, forming a ring on every 4th or 5th segment.

Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay to East London, littoral to 30

fathoms, frequently entering estuaries of rivers.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, eastern parts of Atlantic.

*Syngnathus temmincki, Kaup.

Temminck’s Pipe-fish.

1856. Kaup, Cat. Lophobr. Fish. Br. Mus., p. 36.

1860. Bleeker, Vische v. d. Kaap, p. 56.

1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 165.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 89.

Rings 19+37. Plates without spines. Snout equal to postorbital

part of head. D 31, commencing in advance of vent.

Colour.—Dirty yellowish brown, irregularly speckled.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Types in Leyden Museum.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 289

*Syngnathus phlegon, Risso.

Spiny Pipe-fish.

1827. Risso, Eur. Merid., vol. iii, p. 181.

1860. Bleeker, Visch. v. d. Kaap, p. 56.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 156.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 89 (references).

Rings 19-+-49-50. Plates terminating in a spine. Snout equal to

distance from anterior margin of orbit to 2nd body ring. Supra-

orbital ridge continued over temple. D 40-42, commencing in advance

of vent.

Colour.—Brownish.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Mediterranean and temperate N. Atlantic.

*Syngnathus pelagicus Osb.

Pelagic Pipe-fish.

1757. Osbeck, Dagbok Resa Ostind, p. 305.

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 165.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. N. Amer., vol. i, p. 767.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 89 (references).

Rings 17+32-35, subdorsal 1+9. Plates without spines. Snout

equal to distance from anterior margin of orbit to base of pectoral

fin (Ginther; twice in this distance, according to Jordan and

Evermann).

A median ridge on the nuchal plates. D 29-32, commencing on

last trunk ring. Supraorbital ridge not continued over temple.

Colour.—Brown, with or without light cross-bars on belly; dorsal

fin with oblique dark bars.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, temperate and subtropical Atlantic,

West Indies, Falkland Islands, Indo-Pacific to China and Australasia.

Often met with in the Sargasso Sea and open sea amongst floating

seaweed.

Subgen. ParasyneanatHus Duncker.

1915. Duncker, loc. ctt., p. 79.

Operculum with complete ridge.

Syngnathus sprcifer Riipp.

1840. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische., p. 143, pl. xxxiu, fig. 4.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 678, pl. clxxiv, fig. 1.

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 79 (references).

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 19

290 Annals of the South African Museum.

Rings 14-16+857-42, subdorsal 6-7. Operculum with complete

ridge and radiate striae. Snout equal to rest of head. D 25-31,

commencing on 2nd (or 3rd) caudal ring; A 2-3; P 14-18. Brood-

pouch extending over 15-21 rings. C. med. t. almost touching

C. inf. c. C. sup. c. extending forwards on to 2nd caudal ring.

C. sup. t. extending backwards to 6th caudal ring. C. ventr. t.

prominent forming a sharp keel.

Length.— Up to 154 mm.

Colour.—Brownish ; belly with alternating black and white cross-

bands.

Locality.— Natal coast.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific.

*Syngnathus cyanospilus Blkr.

1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tidsch. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 114.

1868. Peters, Reise u. Mozamb. Flussfisch., p. 104, pl. xx, fig. 3

(mossambicus).

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 81 (references).

Rings 13+32 and 36, subdorsal 1+4—5. Operculum with complete

ridge. Snout scarcely longer than postorbital part of head. D 21-25,

commencing on last trunk ring; A 2-3; P 12-16. Brood-pouch

extending over 12-15 rings. C. med. t. almost touching C. inf. ¢.

C. sup. t. and c. overlapping only on last trunk and first 2 caudal

rings. C. ventr. t., especially in g, strongly projecting.

Length.—Up to 152 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with dark cross-bands at the junctions of the

trunk rings, ventral keel in 3 black, dorsal with dark oblique

bars.

Locality.—Mozambique.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gen. CorytHotcutuys Dekr.

1909. Duncker, Fauna 8.W. Austral. Pisces, pt. 1, p. 237.

1915. Id., abid., p. 72.

Brood-pouch caudal, without bony plates, dermal folds narrow,

not joining together during the period of incubation. Tail not

prehensile, with well-developed fin. Dorsal mostly on tail, its base not

raised. One nuchal and 1 prenuchal plate. Forehead and eyes

prominent, snout forming an angle with forehead. Operculum with

complete horizontal longitudinal ridge. CC. sup. t. and c. discon-

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 291

tinuous. C. inf. t. and c. continuous. C. med. t. subcontinuous with

C. sup. c. Lateral line present.

This genus is very like Syngnathus (s. str.), but may be distinguished

by the slight break between the C. med. t. and the C. sup. c., and (in

adults) by the sharply defined angular profile of the snout and fore-

head. Its range is Indo-Pacific and east coast of Central and South

America, among coral-reefs.

*Corythoichthys fasciatus (Gray).

ssa Grave lilustr indeypZoolsevolwas) pla lexxax (Riser =plesva)s

figs. 2, 2a.

1840. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische., p. 144 (flavofasciatus).

1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 7,

pl. v (isigakius).

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische., pt. 65, p. 108, text-fig. 34

(head only).

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 72 (references and synonymy).

Rings 15-18+33-37, subdorsal O-1-+5-6. Snout subequal to

length of rest of head, slender. Occiput and nuchal plates with strong

scalloped median keel. D 25-32, A 3-4, P 14-18. Brood-pouch

extending over 10-18 rings.

Length.—Up to 173 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with dark cross-bands composed of numerous

longitudinal lines, with or without white spots between the bands ;

operculum with one or two longitudinal stripes, a similar stripe on

ventral surface of head, first 2-4 body rings with black cross-band in 3

or mottled in @.

Locality.—Mozambique.

Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa and Indo-Pacific.

Gen. Yozta J. and S.

1903. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 8.

Brood-pouch caudal, without bony plates, but with dermal folds.

Tail not prehensile, with small caudal fin. Dorsal fin about equally

on trunk and on tail, its base scarcely or only very slightly elevated.

One prenuchal, 2 nuchal plates. Operculum with a ridge curving

upwards towards the gill-opening, but usually distinct only at base.

C. sup. t. and c. discontinuous. C. inf. t. and c. discontinuous.

C. med. t. continuous with C. inf. c. Lateral line present.

An Indo-Pacific genus.

292 Annals of the South African Museum.

Yozva bicoarctata (Blkr.).

Slender Pipe-fish.

1857. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl., vol. 11, p. 99.

1866. Giinther and Playfair, Fish. Zanzibar, p. 140, pl. xx, fig. 5

(zanzibarensts).

1902. Jordan and Snyder, loc. cit., p. 8, pl. vi (wakanourae).

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 107 (references and synonymy).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 309 (zanzebarensis).

Rings 21—22-+59-63, subdorsal 3+3-4. Operculum with radiate

striae and faint keel. Snout 14-14 times rest of length of head, dorsal

keel smooth. Ridges on body smooth, somewhat rounded. No

cutaneous processes. D 27-29. Subdorsal region rather swollen,

but base of dorsal fin scarcely elevated. A 4, P 16-17. Caudal

very small, often rudimentary. Brood-pouch extending over 16-19

rings. Trunk between the 6th and 13th rings rather swollen.

Length.—Up to 325 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with large black spots on snout, operculum, and

sides of body ; irregular silvery spots on C. inf. t.; sides of trunk and

folds of brood-pouch sometimes speckled with white.

Locality. Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, 1-22 fathoms.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific to China.

Gen. Hippocampus Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Car. Nuovi Gen., p. 37.

1915. Duncker, loc. cit., p. 115.

Brood-pouch caudal, without bony plates, dermal folds completely

and permanently fused, leaving a small opening in front which can

be closed by a muscle. Tail prehensile, without caudal fin. Dorsal

fin on a raised base, partly over trunk and partly over tail. Head

sharply bent at right angles (or thereabouts) with axis of body.

Two nuchal plates and 1 prenuchal, the latter expanded to form

a coronet. The bony rings elongated in a transverse direction with

their ridges more or less produced into tubercular or spiniform pro-

cesses. C.sup.t.andc. discontinuous. OC. inf. t. and c. discontinuous.

C. med. t. continuous with C. inf. c. Lateral line present.

The Sea-Horses are cosmopolitan in range.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 293

Key to the South African species.

A. 10 body rings. 2 knobs below dorsal . é é 5 : . capensis.

B. 11 body rings. 3 knobs below dorsal.

1. Coronet low.

a. P 17-18. Subdorsal rings 24-2 . ; : : é kuda.

6. P 15-16. Subdorsal] rings 3+1 . : : novae-hollandiae.

2. Coronet elevated camelopardalis.

*Hippocampus capensis Blgr.

Cape Sea-Horse.

1900. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 11, pl. ii, fig. 2.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 90.

Rings 10+34, subdorsal 2+1. Snout very short, shorter than

postorbital part of head, scarcely twice diameter of eye. Tubercles

absent on head and body, short and blunt on tail, 2 at base of dorsal.

Coronet obsolete. D17. P (%).

Length.—Up to 90 mm.

Colour.—Brown ; dorsal fin with black submarginal band.

Locality.—Knysna.

Type in British Museum; cotypes in University of Cape Town

Museum.

I have seen no specimens of this species. Boulenger’s figure does

not seem to bear out his description as regards the number of body

rings.

Hippocampus kuda Blkr.

1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tids. Ned. Ind., vol. iii, p. 82.

1854. Id., cbid., vol. vi, p. 338 (polytaenca).

1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 202 (guttulatus

part synonymy for Indian specimens).

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 682, pl. clxxiv, fig. 6 (guttulatus).

1910. Id., Fische. d. Sudsee., vol. ix, p. 485 (synonymy).

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische., pt. 65, p. 119.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (and

polytaenia).

1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 9, pl. i, fig. 1

(natalensis).

Rings 11 +33-35, subdorsal 2+2. Snout equal to or slightly longer

than postorbital part of head. Tubercles generally obtuse. Supra-

orbital spine truncated, sometimes with a second smaller spine in

front. Coronet low. D 16-18, P 17-18. (Plate XI, fig. 2.)

294 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length.—Up to 115 mm.

Colour.—Light or dark brown, uniform, or spotted and marbled,

or with broad irregular blackish cross-bands, dorsal fin with or with-

out a dark submarginal band.

Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.

This is a very variable species with a large number of synonyins,

of which the latest appears to be natalensis von Bonde. With regard

to the latter species there is an evident discrepancy between the text

and the figure as to the position of the dorsal fin. The figure shows

the fin extending over the last two body rings and the first two

abdominal rings, which is probably correct.

*Hippocampus novae-hollandiae, Stndr.

1866. Steindachner, SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien., vol. li, p. 474, pl. 1,

fig. 2.

1921. Waite and Hale, Rec. 8. Austr. Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 320,

fig. 55.

1921. Waite, cbid., vol. 11, pt. 1, p. 62, fig. 93 (g and 9).

1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 9.

Rings 11 +32-36, subdorsal 3(2)+-1. Snout equal to rest of head.

Tubercles somewhat acute in 3, blunt in 2 and old individuals, every

3rd or 4th tubercle on dorsal profile in Q more prominent than the

others. Supraorbital spine low, blunt, a second smaller one in front

of orbit. Coronet with 5-6 blunt tubercles. D 16-17, P 15-16.

Length.—Up to 85 mm.

Colour.—Brown with darker mottling.

Locality.—Natal coast, 25 fathoms.

Distribution.—S. and §.E. Australia.

Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianc.

1855. Bianconi, Nov. Comm. Inst. Sc. Bonon., p. 145, pl. 1, fig. 3.

1866. Giinther and Playfair, Fish. Zanzibar, p. 139, pl. xx, fig. 4

(subcoronatus).

1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 205.

Rings 11+36, subdorsal 2+2. Snout equal to postorbital part of

head. Tubercles obtuse, 3 at base of dorsal. Supraorbital and

occipital spines simple. Coronet elevated, subpentagonal at top.

D 18.

Length.—Up to 100 mm.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 295

Colour.—Brown ; head variegated with yellowish.

Locality. —Mozambique.

Distribution.—Kast coast of Africa.

This species possesses a considerably higher coronet than the

preceding species.

Division 9. HYPOSTOMIDES.

Air-bladder absent. No mesocoracoid. Body encased in bony

plates which are firmly united on the trunk, but movably articulated

on the tail. Snout produced forwards over mouth, but not tubular.

Mouth inferior, without teeth. Lower pharyngeals separate.

Gill-cover formed by a large plate. One rudimentary branchiostegal.

Gill-opening narrow. No pseudobranchiae. One short dorsal and

anal fin, without spines. Pectorals large, composed of a number of

elongate rays some of which may be spinous. Ventrals abdominal,

unbranched, of 1 spine and 1-3 rays.

Fam. PEGASIDAE.

With the characters above.

This small family of Indo-Pacific-Australian fishes comprises three

genera: Pegasus Linn., Parapegasus Dum., and Acanthopegasus McCull.

These fishes are inhabitants of shallow or moderately deep water,

and are easily recognised by the produced snout and the large pectorals

which are spread out like wings, whence the name of Dragon-fish.

No record of this family has yet been published, but I have been

shown by Dr. Gilchrist a specimen taken in the survey of the coast off

Portuguese Kast Africa.

Division 10. LABYRINTHICI.

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). No mesocora-

coid. Fins with or without spines. Dorsal and anal fins long.

Ventrals, if present, abdominal, but wellforward. Lower pharyngeals

separate. Scales cycloid or ctenoid. An accessory suprabranchial

organ in a cavity above the gills. Pseudobranchiae rudimentary or

absent. Branchiostegals 4—6.

Fresh-water fishes confined to South-Eastern Asia and neighbouring

islands, and Africa. They are mostly carnivorous, and are note-

worthy for their ability to live out of water for a considerable time.

296 Annals of the South African Museum.

The Indian Climbing Perch (Anabas scandens) is the best known

representative of this division.

Descriptions of the Cape Kerper (Anabas capensis) and the other

South African species will be found in the “ Freshwater Fishes of

South Africa,” p. 542.

Division 11. PERCESOCES.

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). No mesocoracoid.

Two dorsal fins, the first spinous. Ventrals abdominal but well

forward. Lower pharyngeals separate. Scales usually cycloid.

Pseudobranchiae present. Branchiostegals 5-7.

The fishes in this division represent transitional stages between the

lower Pike-like forms and the higher typical Perch-like forms ; hence

the name (Perca and Esox). Many of them, such as the Mullets and

Barracudas, are edible fishes of considerable economic importance.

Key to the South African families.

1. Pectoral fin not divided.

a. Pectoral fin high up. Teeth minute.

i. A burnished silver (or blackish) lateral stripe . : Atherinidae.

ii. More or less silvery all over, without a burnished lateral stripe

Mugilidae.

b. Pectoral fin nearer ventral than dorsal profile. Teethlarge Sphyraenidae.

2. Pectoral fin divided into two portions, the lower filamentous . Polynemidae.

Fam. 1. ATHERINIDAE.

Silversides.

1919. Jordan and Hubbs, Stanford Univ. Publ. (revision).

Body elongate. Scales cycloid or ctenoid. No lateral line, but the

scales sometimes with pits or rudimentary mucous canals. Mouth

rather large, strongly protractile, teeth feeble, on jaws and sometimes

on vomer and palatine, maxilla excluded from border of upper jaw.

Pectoral fins inserted high up. Ventral fins more or less closely

approximate to the pectorals, the pelvic bones connected with the

clavicles by a ligament. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-rakers

usually long. Branchiostegals 5-6. No pyloric caeca.

Small carnivorous fishes inhabiting the coastal waters in tropical

and temperate regions ; some are fluviatile. A characteristic silvery

lateral stripe is present in most species, but sometimes (usually in

specimens preserved in formalin) replaced by a black stripe.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 297

Although smaller and of less economic value than the Mullets,

these fishes are excellent eating.

Key to the South African genera.

1. Breast and belly rounded. Head and body scaly.

a. Upper edge of mandible expanded and elevated posteriorly . Atherina.

b. Mandible not expanded posteriorly : . Hepsetia.

2. Breast and belly sharp. Head and anterior part ai Bode soalelees : Iso.

Gen. ATHERINA (Artedi) Linn.

1738. Artedi, Synon. Pisc., p. 116.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 315.

Breast and belly rounded. Head and entire body scaly. Scales

rather large. Cleft of mouth extending to or just beyond anterior

border of eye. Upper edge of mandible expanded and elevated

posteriorly. Premaxilla narrowed posteriorly. Edges of upper jaw

nearly straight. Villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer and palatine.

Vent situate far from origin of anal fin.

The posterior expansion of the ramus of the lower jaw can easily

be seen by opening the mouth.

Key to the South African species.

1. A distinct pit on each scale of the lateral line : : : : afra.

2. No pits on the lateral line scales . : : Sea : . breviceps.

Atherina afra Peters.

Black-backed Silversides.

1855. Peters in Wiegm. Arch., p. 244.

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 398.

Depth 54, length of head 44, in length of body. Eye 3 in length

of head, equal to interorbital width, longer than snout. Teeth

distinct in jaws and on vomer and palatine. D VI+110, A I 13-14.

First dorsal arising immediately opposite vent which is midway

between root of ventrals and anal. Tips of ventrals scarcely reaching

vent. Scales: 1.1. 36-39, l.tr. 6, predorsal 16, 5 between Ist and 2nd

dorsals. Lateral streak on 3rd row of scales. Each scale of the lateral

line with a small but distinct round pit.

Length—Up to 75 mm.

Colour.—Pale silvery, the scales on the back blackish with light

dots, a brilliant silvery lateral stripe (becoming black when preserved

in formalin).

298 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—-Delagoa Bay, Mozambique coast.

Although Peters’ description is brief, I have no hesitation in identi-

fving the three specimens with his species, with which they agree in

all the characters he mentions.

Atherina breviceps C. and V.

Cape Silversides ; Spieringtye ; Assous.

1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 445.

1835. Id., cbid., p. 446 (parvipinnis).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 95.

Depth 43-54, length of head 44-5, in length of body. Eye 3-34

in length of head, equal to interorbital width, and equal to or slightly

longer than snout. Teeth distinct in jaws and on vomer. D VI(—VII)

+I 13-14, A I 16-18. First dorsal arising opposite or slightly in

advance of vent, according as latter is almost midway between

ventrals and anal or distinctly nearer the ventrals. Tips of ventrals

likewise scarcely or just reaching vent according to its position.

Scales: 1.]. 45-49, l.tr. 10, predorsal 23-25, interdorsal 7-9. Lateral

streak on 5th row of scales (and adjoining angles of 4th and 6th).

No pits on the scales in lateral line. (Plate XII, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 110 mm.

Colour.—Pale silvery, with more or less distinct black speckles on

back, a brilliant silvery lateral stripe. Ovary covered with black

peritoneum.

Locality —Port Nolloth, Table Bay, False Bay to East London ;

frequently living in estuaries and brack-water vleis.

The above description is based entirely on the South African

Museum specimens, and although in general agreement with the rather

inadequate original description, diverges very strongly therefrom in

one particular. Cuvier and Valenciennes state that the depth is

contained 7 times, the length of the head 64 times, in the length of

body. Giinther confirms this, apparently from examination of an

actual specimen. Even including the tail in the length, I have not

seen any specimens so slender. Nevertheless I cannot doubt that the

present specimens should be identified as breviceps.

The varying position of the vent seemed at first to indicate that

perhaps two species were being confused. But I could find no other

structural difference correlated therewith ; and moreover, there were

specimens taken together from the same shoal showing variation in

this respect. Nor is the difference in position sexual.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 299

A further question arises, namely the validity of Cuvier and Valen-

ciennes’ second species parvipinnis. The description is hopelessly

inadequate, but such characters as are given fall within the limits of

variation as given above for breviceps. And as I have seen specimens

from widely separated localities all round the coast, I believe that there

is only the one species.

A. breviceps appears to extend eastwards as far as Hast London ;

on the east coast it is replaced by A. afra. Neither species has yet

been found in Natal, though eventually one or other, or perhaps both,

will be discovered.

Gen. Hepsetta Bon.

1832. Bonaparte, Faun. Ital. Pesc., fasc. 91.

Breast and belly rounded. Head and entire body scaly. Scales

rather large. Cleft of mouth extending to or just beyond anterior

border of eye. Upper edge of mandible not expanded posteriorly.

Edge of upper jaw nearly straight. Vent situate far from origin of

anal fin.

Hepsetia pinguis (Laceép.).

1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 372, pl. ui, fig. 1.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p- 311 (references).

1921. Weber, Zool. Meded., vol. vi, pt. 1, p. 52.

Depth 44, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Eye 24 in length

of head, equal to interorbital width, nearly twice length of snout.

Teeth distinct in jaws and on vomer and palatine. D V-+I 9-10,

A 113-14. First dorsal arising behind vertical from vent, which is

slightly nearer to root of ventral than to anal; distance of Ist dorsal

from operculum 14—14 times length of head. Scales: 1.]. 40, Ltr.

6, predorsal 18, interdorsal 6. Lateral streak on 3rd row of scales, and

adjoining angles of 4th. Each scale of lateral line with a small pit.

Length.—Up to 120 mm.

Colour.—Pale silvery, the back speckled with darker, a brilliant

silver lateral stripe, a blackish blotch on tip of pectoral (usually).

Locality.—Nata] and Zululand coasts.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Australia.

The above description is taken from actual specimens. As Regan

has already recorded this species from Kosi Bay (Zululand), I have

simply followed him without entering the discussion as to the synonymy

of this species or whether the forms from different parts of the Indo-

Pacific can be divided into well-marked varieties or species. Weber

300 Annals of the South African Museum.

(loc. cit.) reckons forskali Riipp: synonymous with pinguis; and the

present specimens seem to accord better with that species (as described

in Giinther, Brit. Mus. Cat., vol. i, p. 397) than with the description

of pingurs (see also Ogilby, Mem. Queens]. Mus., vol. i, 1912, p. 36,

figs.).

Gen. Iso J. and S.

1901. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 204.

Body strongly compressed, breast sharply keeled. Belly with a

thick, sharp fold of skin (at least in 3). Head and anterior part of

body scaleless. Scales small. Cleft of mouth extending to below

anterior margin ofeye. Edge of upperjawcurved. Teeth very small

in jaws and on vomer and palatine. Vent situate near origin of anal

fin.

Only two species known. The Japanese species flosmaris J. and —

8. lives in the surf breaking into tide pools, and is known as the

Surf-sardine.

*Iso natalensis Regan.

Natal Surf-sardine.

1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 200, fig. 3.

Depth 34, length of head 4%, in length of body. Eye not quite 3

in length of head, longer than snout. Maxilla extending to below

anterior + of eye. DIV+I16, A I 22. First dorsal arising about

midway between root of ventrals and anal. Scales (?).

Length.—Up to 52 mm.

Colour.——“‘ A broad bluish-silvery lateral band, margined above with

a blackish stripe ” (Regan).

Locality.— Natal coast.

Type in British Museum.

Fam. 2. MUGILIDAE.

Mullets ; Harders.

Body elongate. Scales cycloid, or with the edges finely denticulate.

No lateral line, but the scales usually with pits or rudimentary mucous

canals. Mouth small or moderate, protractile; maxilla excluded

from margin of upper jaw; teeth in jaws (and occasionally on palate)

minute, or absent. Pectoral fins inserted high up. Ventral fins more

or less closely approximate to the pectorals; pelvic bones suspended

from the postclavicles. Pseudobranchiae present. Gull-rakers long.

Branchiostegals 5-6. The upper part of the stomach very tough and

muscular, like a bird’s gizzard. Pyloric caeca few.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 301

Mullets, or Harders, as they are known in South Africa, are cosmo-

politan in range in all temperate and tropical climes. The species

are numerous, rather variable, and often difficult to differentiate.

They live in large shoals along the coasts, never going far out to sea,

and in estuaries, brack-water lagoons, and rivers. Some species seem

to be permanently fluviatile. They feed on mud, which is triturated

between the pharyngeal bones and in the gizzard-like portion of the

stomach, and from which they extract the organic particles. The

gill-rakers also act as efficient strainers of the water which passes

through the gills. They also feed on the minute organisms and algae _

floating on the surface of the water.

The breeding habits and life-history are not at all well known. The

adults appear to come in shore, and especially into brackish water

and estuaries, to spawn, and the difficulty of obtaining the eggs and

young larvae may be that in brackish water the eggs would probably

sink to the bottom (cf. Meek, Migrations of Fish, p. 205, 1916, and

Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 12, 1916).

Harders are everywhere highly prized as an article of food. They

are captured in large numbers by means of Seine-nets operated either

from boats or from the shore.

Key to the South African genera.

1. No true teeth in jaws or on palate ‘ F f . Mugil.

2. Asingle row of teeth in upper, and sometimes Hap in ieee jaw . . Myzus.

Gen. Muait (Artedi) Linn.

1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 32.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 316.

Body somewhat compressed, the head frequently depressed and

flat on top. Minute cilia-like teeth in one row or a few rows in jaws,

none on vomer or palate (in many species the teeth are better developed

in the young, which thus resemble the species of the genus Myzus,

q.v.). Hye large, with or without adipose eyelids (which in any case

are not so well developed in the young).

Key to the South African species.

J. Adipose eyelids well or moderately well developed.

A. Eyelids large, reaching at least to the pupil . : . . cephalus.

_B. Eyelids moderate, not reaching pupil.

1. Scales ].]. 40-42 . F : ; : : . speiglert

2. Seales 1.1. 33-35 . : ; : “ ; : .cunnesius.

302 Annals of the South African Museum.

II. Adipose eyelids rudimentary or obsolete.

A. A scaly process in axil of pectoral.

1. Pectoral shorter than head.

a. Scales 1.1. 39-47. Pectoral 2-2 length of head 3 capito.

b. Scales 1.1. 35-38. Pectoral 2 length of head . . robustus.

2.: Pectoral equal to head.

a. Scales 1.1. 31-33 . : : : : : ceylonensis.

b. Scales 1.1. 38-42 . F : ; : : : sehelt.

B. No scaly axillary process.

1. Lips thick and papillose : 2 eae : crenilabis.

2. Lips thin and smooth.

a. Scales 1.1. 39-46.

i. Pectoral 2-3 length of head . : , . saliens.

ii. Pectoral ?-1 length of head . 3 : . auratus.

6. Seales 1.1. 30-35.

i. Eye 34-41 in head : : : : macrolepis.

ii. Eye 5-54 in head. : : : i . diadema.

c. Seales L.1. 26-27. Caudal feebly emarginate . waigiensis.

Mugil cephalus Linn.

Harder ; Springer.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 316.

1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 107

(constantiae).

1849. Smith, Ilustr. 8. Afr. Zool. Pisces, pl. xxvii, figs. 1, le

(constantiae).

21861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’Afr. Austr., p. 48 (camptoszensis).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 97 (references).

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 80, fig. 47.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 314 (references).

Depth 32-5, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Eye 3 (young)

to 5 length of head, 13-24 in interorbital width, better visible from

below than above in adult, to a large extent covered by well-developed

adipose eyelids, the posterior one extending at least up to pupil,

usually covering part of pupil. Snout as long as eye (adult), shorter

in young. Nostrils rather far apart. Mouth (viewed from below)

forming an obtuse angle, or semicircle in very largespecimens. Maxilla

almost completely concealed when mouth closed. A lanceolate space

between rami of lowerjaw. Upper lip narrow, with less than half

eye. Preorbital finely serrated. DIV-+I7,A III8. Second dorsal

arising above anterior third or middle of anal. Pectoral 3—? length

of head, with a large scaly axillary process. Caudal deeply forked.

Seales: 1.1]. 39-45; ltr. 14-16. Two series on cheek.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 303

Length.—Up to 560 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, olive, or bluish above, silvery-white below, a

series of darker streaks along the sides; fins greyish, a more or less

distinct dark spot at root of pectoral.

Locality.—Table Bay to Natal, entering rivers and fresh-water

vleis.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, west coast of Africa, United States

to Brazil, Pacific coast of South America, Hawaii Islands.

This species of Harder is at once distinguished from all other South

African species by its adipose eyelids. In some young and half-grown

specimens the mouth forms a right angle, a character relied upon by

Boulenger to separate the Indian Ocean species oewr Forsk. from

cephalus. M. oeur, however, appears to lack the dark spot at base of

pectoral.

It is known as the Fresh-water Springer and is ofttimes to be

obtained in Princess and Zee-koe Vleis on the Cape Flats, though it

does not appear to be very common.

Mugil speiglert Blkr.

Spergler’s Mullet.

1859. Bleeker, Nat. Tijds. Ned. Ind., vol. xvi, p. 279.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 548, pl. Ixxiv, fig. 1 (references).

Depth 4, length of head 44, in length of body. Eye 33 in length

of head, 14-1? in interorbital width, better visible from below than

above, adipose eyelids moderately developed, the posterior one better

developed than the anterior, but not extending up to pupil. Snout

rather shorter than diameter of eye. Nostrils close together. Mouth

forming aright angle. End of maxilla visible when mouth closed. A

short and narrow lanceolate space between rami of mandibles. Upper

lip rather broad, but not more than half diameter of eye, forming end

of snout; preorbital serrated. D IV+I8, A III 9. Second dorsal

arising over anterior + of anal. Pectoral] as long as head, with large

axillary process. Caudal deeplyforked. Scales: ].1. 40-42; ltr. 12.

Four series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 200 mm. (South African Museum).

Colour.—Dark greyish above, silvery below ; tips of both dorsals,

end of caudal, and a spot at base of pectoral more or less distinctly

dark.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indo-Malay seas.

304 Annals of the South African Museum.

Mugil cunnesius C. and V.

1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 114.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 349, pl. lxxiv, fig. 3 (references).

Depth subequal to length of head, 32-4} in length of body. Eye

34-4 in length of head, 14 in interorbital width, better seen from

below than above, adipose eyelids moderately developed, the posterior

one better developed than the anterior but not reaching to the pupil.

Snout rather shorter than eye. Nostrils rather far apart. Mouth

forming a right angle. Maxilla completely concealed when mouth

closed. A short and narrow lanceolate space between rami of

mandibles. Upper lip thin. Preorbital finely serrated. D IV-+I18,

A IILT9. Second dorsal arising above commencement of second third

ofanal. Pectoral as long as head, with large axillary process. Caudal

deeply forked. Scales: 1.1. 33-35; ltr. 12. Four series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Dark greyish above, silvery below, a dark axillary spot.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indo-Malay seas.

Mugil capito Cuv.

Harder ; Grey Mullet.

1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., 2nd ed., vol. 11, p. 232.

1849. Smith, Illustr. 8. Afr. Zool. Pisces, pl. xxx, fig. 1 (capensis

1849. Id., cbid., pl. xxx, fig. 2 (multilineatus).

1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 47 (smithi).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 111, p. 96 (references).

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 83, fig. 49.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 312 (references).

Depth 4-5, length of head 3} (young) to 44, in length of body.

Eye 3 (young) to 5 in length of head, 1-23 in interorbital width,

better visible from below than above in adult, adipose eyelids rudi-

mentary. Snout nearly as long as eye in adult, shorter in young.

Nosirils close together. Mouth forming an obtuse angle. Maxilla

nearly completely hidden. A lanceolate space between rami of

lower jaw. Upper lip narrow, width less than half eye. Preorbital

finely serrated. D IV+I (8) 9-10, A III 9. Second dorsal arising

above anterior third of anal. Pectoral $-3 length of head, with

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 30:

large scaly axillary process. Caudal deeply forked. Scales: 1.1.

40-47; l.tr. 14-16. Four to five series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or olive above, silvery white below, more or less

distinct darker lateral stripes; fins greyish, frequently a black spot

at root of pectoral.

Locality.—Table Bay to Natal, entering rivers.

Distribution.—Atlantic from Scandinavia to South Africa, Mediter-

ranean, Angola.

*Mugil robustus Guthr.

Stout Mullet.

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iu, p. 432.

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 92, fig. 54.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 317 (references).

Depth equal to length of head, 4 in length of body. Eye 33-44 in

length of head, 13-2 in interorbital width, better visible from below

than above, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout as long or nearly as

long as eye. Nostrils rather far apart. Mouth forming an obtuse

angle. Maxilla entirely concealed when mouth closed. Space between

rami of mandibles very narrow. Upper lip narrow not half diameter

of eye. (Preorbital very finely denticulate.) D IV+I 8, A III 9.

Second dorsal arising above anterior third of anal. Pectoral a little

more than 3 length of head, with a large scaly axillary process.

Caudal deeply emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 35-38; ltr. 12. Four series

on cheek.

Length.—Up to 240 mm.

Colour.—Greenish golden above, lighter below, a small black spot

in axil of pectoral.

Locality.—Zululand coast.

Distribution.—Madagascar.

Mugil ceylonensis, Guthr.

Ceylon or Blue-tail Mullet.

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, p. 446.

? 1861. Castlenau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 49 (radians).

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 93, fig. 35.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 316 (references).

Depth 34-43, length of head 4—4%, in length of body. Eye 34

VOL. XXI, PART I. 20

306° Annals of the South African Museum.

(young) to 5 in length of head, 13 to nearly 3 in interorbital width,

nearly perfectly lateral, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout very

blunt, as long as eye in adult, shorter in young. Nostrils rather far

apart. Mouth forming an obtuse angle. Maxilla entirely concealed

when mouth closed. Space between rami of mandibles very narrow.

Upper lip narrow, not half diameter of eye. Preorbital denticulate.

DIV+I1 8, A III 9. Second dorsal arising exactly opposite origin

of anal. Pectoral equal to head, with large scaly axillary process.

Caudal deeply emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 31-33; Ltr.11-12. Three to

four series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 480 mm.

Colour.—Dark greenish above, silvery white below, with or without

indistinct dark lateral stripes, a small black spot at base of pectoral.

Locality.— Natal, Zululand, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa to Ceylon.

This species is easily distinguished from all the other species found

in South Africa by its very short and bluntly rounded snout.

There is a young specimen jn the South African Museum, which

cannot be identified with any other species, labelled from Knysna.

The occurrence so far west of this east coast species is exceptional and

may be due to a misplaced label.

* Mugil sehelt Forsk.

Indian Mullet.

1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 73.

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 91, fig. 53.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 317 (references).

Depth 34-4, length of head 4-48, in length of body. Eye 33-42%

in length of head, 13-24 in interorbital width, better visible from

below than above, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout as long as

eye in adult, shorter in young. Nostrils moderately distant from

one another. Mouth forming an obtuse angle. Maxilla entirely con-

cealed when mouth closed. Rami of mandibles contiguous, leaving

no intervening space. Upper lip narrow, not half diameter of eye.

Preorbital finely denticulate. DIV+I18, A III 9. Second dorsal

arising opposite origin of anal. Pectoral as long as head, with large

scaly axillary process. Caudal deeply forked. Scales: 1.1. 38-42;

ltr. 13-14. Four series on cheeks.

Length —Up to 370 mm.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 307

Colour.—Dark brownish or greenish above, silvery beneath, a dark

spot at base of upper pectoral rays.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific

Mugil crenilabis Forsk.

Fleshy-lipped Mullet.

1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 73.

1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 123.

1836. Id., ibid., p. 125 (fasciatus).

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 458.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 355 (references).

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320 (locality

only).

Depth 44-5, length of head 42-5, length of body. Hye 34 in length

of head, 1? in interorbital width, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout

blunt, shorter than diameter of eye. Mouth forming an obtuse angle.

End of maxilla just visible. A very narrow space between rami of

mandibles. Upper lip thick, with about 5 rows of fleshy tubercles,

the lower ones branched. Lower lip thick, reflexed, also set with

fleshy tubercles. Preorbital serrated. D IV+I18, AITIIT9. Second

dorsal arising opposite origin of anal. Pectoral nearly as long as head,

no axillary process. Caudal deeply forked. Scales: LI. 41; Ltr. 13.

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Greenish brown above, whitish below, with or without

5-6 indistinct dark cross-bands, a dark axillary spot.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Red Sea, Andamans, and Nicobars.

This is the only species in South African waters with thick crenulate

lips, and is easily recognised by this character.

Mugil saliens Risso.

Harder ; Springer.

1810. Risso, Ichthyol. Nice, p. 345.

1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 108.

1849. Smith, Illustr. 8. Afr. Zool. Pisces, pl. xxix, fig. 1 (richard-

son).

1849. Id., ibid., pl. xxix, fig. 2 (ewronotus).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 111, p. 100 (references).

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 85.

308 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth 44-54, length of head 33-41, in length of body. Hye 4-44

in length of head, 13-2 in interorbital width, better seen from below

than above in adult (lateral in young), adipose eyelids rudimentary.

Snout as long as eye in young, longerin adult. Nostrils close together.

Mouth forming an obtuse angle. Maxilla not quite completely con-

cealed when mouth closed. A lanceolate space between rami of

mandibles. Upper lip narrow, not half diameter of eye. Preorbital

serrated. DIV+I7-8, AIII9. Second dorsal arising above anterior

third of anal. Pectoral 2-3 length of head, without axillary process.

Caudal deeply forked. Scales: 1.1. 40-46; ltr. 14-15. Four to

five series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 330 mm.

Colour.—-Dark above, silvery below, without or with indistinct

lateral stripes.

Locality.—Table Bay to East London.

Distribution.—Mediterranean to South Africa.

This species and capito are the two commonest species of Harder

caught in Table Bay. Besides the presence or absence of the axillary

process, the curve of the mouth as seen from below appears to be much

more convex in saliens than in capito (cf. Athanassopoulos, Ann. Mus.

Genova, (3), vol. viii, p. 264, 1919).

Mugil auratus Risso.

Golden or Flathead Mullet.

1810. Risso, Ichthyol. Nice, p. 344.

1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 50 (natalensis).

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 86, fig. 50.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 312 (references).

Depth 33-5, length of head 4-5, in length of body. Hye 4-5 in

length of head, 13-23 in interorbital width, better visible from below

than above in adult, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout as long as

or a little longer than eye in adult, shorter in young. Nostrils

close together. Mouth forming an obtuse angle. Maxilla entirely

or almost entirely concealed when mouth closed. A. lanceolate

space between rami of mandibles. Upper lip rather narrow, not

exceeding half diameter of eye. Preorbital finely serrated. DIV+I

7-8, A III 9. Second dorsal arising above anterior third of anal.

Pectoral 2-1 length of head, without axillary process. Caudal deeply

forked. Scales: ].]. 40-46; l.tr.13-15. Four to five series on cheek.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 309

Lenath.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or brownish above, silvery white below, with

more or less distinct dark lateral stripes ; one or two golden spots on

the gill-cover, with or without a dark red centre.

Locality.—Kast London and Natal coast.

Distribution.—Atlantic and Mediterranean.

In a fresh state the golden opercular spot is sufficient to identify

this species, which apparently does not occur in the neighbourhood

of the Cape, though it reappears again off the Congo coast.

*Mugil macrolepis Smith.

Large-scaled Mullet.

1849. Smith, Ilustr. 8. Afr. Zool. Pisces, pl. xxvii, fig. 2.

1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’Afr. Austr., p. 49 (crenzlepis).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 100 (references).

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 94, fig. 56.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 316 (references).

Depth 34-44, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Eye 34

(young) to 4+ in length of head, 14-2 in interorbital width, better

visible from below than above, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout as

long as eye in adult, shorter in young. Nostrils close together. Mouth

forming an obtuse angle. End of maxilla exposed when mouth

closed. A narrow lanceolate space between rami of mandibles.

Upper lip narrow, less than half diameter of eye. Preorbital finely

serrated. D IV+I18, A III9. Second dorsal arising above anterior

rays of anal. Pectoral 3—? length of head, without axillary process.

Caudal deeply forked. Scales: 1.1. 30-35; ltr. 11-12. Three to four

series on cheek. (Plate XII, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 350 mm.

Colour:—Dark above, silvery below, with more or less distinct

lateral stripes.

Locality.— Algoa Bay, Natal, and Zululand.

Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa, Madagascar, 8. Pacific.

Mugil diadema G. and T.

Diamond Mullet.

1911. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, p. 42.

1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 316.

310 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth of body equal to length of head, 44 in length of body. Eye

5-54 in length of head, 23 in interorbital width, better seen from

below than above, adipose eyelids rudimentary. Snout longer than

eye. Nostrils close together. Mouth forming an obtuse angle. End

of maxilla visible when mouth closed. A narrow lanceolate space

between rami of mandibles. Upper lip narrow, less than half diameter

of eye. Preorbital serrated. D IV+I18, A III 9. Second dorsal

arising over anterior rays of anal. Both supra-dorsal and anal some-

what falciform, anterior rays of former $ length of head. Pectoral

nearly as long as head. No axillary process. Caudal deeply

emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 30, ltr. 12. Four series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 313 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Dark above, light below, with a fine dark

line on each scale.

Locality.—Port Elizabeth and Natal coast.

Type in South African Museum.

This is the only species of Mullet confined to the South African

coasts. It was formerly included by Boulenger with macrolepis,

but, as Boulenger later recognised, is apparently distinguished

by the more slender body (in shape resembling the W. African

grandisquamis), longer snout, smaller eye, and falcate soft dorsal

and anal fins.

It does not seem to be a common species; I have seen only the

type.

Mugil waigiensis Q. and G.

1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uran. Zool., p. 337, pl. lix, fig. 2.

1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 359, pl. Ixxiii, fig. 4.

1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 97, fig. 59.

Depth 34-4, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Eye 3 (young)

to 44 in length of head, 14-22 in interorbital width, nearly perfectly

lateral, without adipose lids. Snout as long as eye in adult, shorter

in young. Nostrils rather far apart. Mouth forming an obtuse

angle. Maxilla entirely concealed when mouth closed. A lanceolate

space between rami of mandibles. Upper lip narrow, not half diameter

of eye. Preorbital rather strongly denticulate. D IV+I 7-8,

A III 7-8. Second dorsal arising above middle of anal. Pectoral ?-1

length of head; no axillary process. Caudal feebly emarginate.

Scales: 1.]. 26-27, l.tr. 9. Three to four series on cheek.

Length.—Up to 270 mm.

Colour.—Dark above, silvery below, with more or less distinct

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 511

dark streaks, greater part of pectoral, soft dorsal and anal

blackish.

Locality.—Nata], Delagoa Bay, Chinde.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific.

Gen. Myxus Gnthr.

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, p. 466.

Similar to Mugil, but with a single row of small teeth in upper jaw,

and sometimes also in lower jaw and on palate. Upper lip not very

thick. Margin of lower jaw sharp.

The species of this genus are scarcely distinct from the true Mullets

except as regards the teeth; and as remarked under the genus

Mugil, the young of many species of Mugil have the teeth better

developed than the adult and consequently have been assigned to

this genus as distinct species (Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr.,

vol. iv, p. 78, footnote).

Myzus barnardi G. and T,

1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 3,

p. 83.

Depth 33, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye subequal to

snout, 44 in length of head, 14 in interorbital width, better visible

from below than above, adipose eyelid better developed in front than

behind, but not reaching pupil. Nostrils rather far apart. Mouth

forming a right-angle. A single series of teeth in both jaws ; none on

vomer or palatine. Maxilla completely concealed. A lanceolate

space between rami of mandibles. Preorbital serrated. DIV-+I 8,

A III 8. Second dorsal arising above middle of anal. Pectoral

% length of head, without axillary scale. Caudal deeply forked.

Scales: LJ. 38 (Gilchrist and Thompson, p. 41), 1. tr. 15. Two

series on each cheek.

Lengih.—Up to 60 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with indistinct lateral stripes.

Locality.—Durban Bay.

Type in South African Museum.

There are one or two misprints in the original description. Although

not fully grown, this specimen seems to represent a distinct species.

The anterior adipose eyelid is better developed than in any of the

South African species of Mugil, except cephalus, with which species

312 Annals of the South African Museum.

the double series of cheek scales is also in accord; but there is no

trace of an axillary scale. Nevertheless the possibility of its being

the young of M. cephalus should be borne in mind.

Fam. 3. SPHYRAENIDAE.

Barracudas.

Body very elongate. Scales small, cycloid. Lateral line complete.

Mouth large, protractile, maxilla excluded from border of upper jaw.

Teeth strong in both jaws and on palate. Pectoral fin nearer ventral

than dorsal profile. Ventral fins more or less behind pectorals, pelvic

bones not connected with pectoral girdle. Pseudobranchiae well

developed. Gill-rakers very short or obsolete. Branchiostegals 7.

Pyloric caeca numerous.

The Barracudas are carnivorous fishes, often of large size, found in

all warm seas and frequently ascending estuaries and rivers. They

resemble the European Pike in the shape of the jaws, and are equally

voracious. In many countries they are esteemed as food.

Gen. SPHYRAENA (Artedi).

1738. Artedi, Syn. Pisc., p. 112.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 325.

With the characters of the family. There are two large teeth in

the front of the premaxilla, and a single series of small teeth on its

edge; largest teeth on mandible in front, followed by small ones

and then again large ones in a single series; large teeth on the

palatine, none on vomer.

Key to the South African species.

I. Ventral fins about midway between end of lower jaw and base of caudal fin,

behind end of pectoral fins.

A. First dorsal behind end of pectoral : 5 é : . vulgaris.

B. First dorsal above end of pectoral : : : acutipinnis.

II. Ventrals much nearer end of lower jaw than base of caudal below pectoral fin.

A. First dorsal above end of pectoral. Maxilla reaching orbit. Operculum

with 2 points.

1. Scales: 11.120 . ‘ ; : : : : : jello.

2. Scales: 1.1. 80-90 ; : 6 commersoni.

B. First dorsal behind end of pectoral Maxilla not reaching orbit.

Operculum with one point . : . : : . obtusata.

PLATE XII.

FIG. . TRXT-PAGE

l. Atherina breviceps C. and V. (original) - 298

2. Mugil macrolepis Smth. (after Smith) aie -

Sphyraena acutipinnis Day (after Day)

4. Polynemus sextarius Bl. (original) :

Merluccius capensis Cast. (original)

Ann S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI

Plate XII.

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.

*Sphyraena vulgaris C. and V.

European Barracuda ; Spet.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 327.

1850. Cuvier, Régne Anim. Poiss., pl. xviii, fig. 1.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 102 (references).

Depth 9-10, length ot head 34, in length of body. Eye 8 in length

of head. Operculum with a single fleshy poit. Lower jaw with a

long fleshy appendage anteriorly. Maxilla extending to vertical

from anterior edge of eye. DV+I19, AI 9. First dorsal arising

far behind tip of pectoral, about midway between end of lower jaw

and base of caudal. Interspace between the 2 dorsals not quite half

length of head. Scales: 1.1. 150; 1.tr. 23-30.

Length.—Up to 2000 mm.

Colour.—Greenish leaden above, silvery white below, sometimes

with darker cross-bars on back.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—W. and E. Atlantic, Mediterranean.

This species was recorded from the Cape by Bleeker, but apparently

has not been met with since. It is possible that Bleeker was mistaken

as to the identity ; he gives no details.

Sphyraena acutipinnis, Day.

Pointed-finned Barracuda.

1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 342, pl. xxix, fig. 1.

1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3,

p, 256 (africana).

1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 77.

1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 10, pl. iii, fig. 2

(natalensis).

Depth 72, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 53-6 in length

of head. Operculum with a single fleshy point. Lower jaw with a

conical tubercle in front. Maxilla extending not quite as far as

vertical from anterior margin of eye. DV+I9, AI8. First dorsal

arising above the extremity of pectoral and slightly in advance of

ventral, which arises behind end of pectoral, about midway between

end of lower jaw and base of caudal fin. Interspace between the 2

dorsals equal to half length of head. Scales: 1.1. 115-125 ; 1.tr. 28-32.

(Plate XII, fig. 3.)

314 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length.—-Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Dark grey above, light below, a festooned dark band along

the lateral line; fins dusky.

Locality.— Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indian seas.

Type of S. africana in South African Museum ; of natalensis in

coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

I have examined the type of africana, which does not differ in any

essential point from Day’s species.

Sphraena jello C. and V.

Barracuda.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 101 (references).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 318 (references).

Depth 8-9, length of head 34-4, in length of body. Eye 5-6}

in length of head. Operculum with 2 points. Lower jaw with a

fleshy tubercle. Maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior margin or

anterior third of eye. DV-+I19, AI8-9. First dorsal arising above

posterior third of pectoral, above or slightly behind root of ventral,

which is much nearer end of lower jaw than base of caudal. Inter-

space between the 2 dorsals 3 length of head. Scales: 1.1. 120; Ltr.

35-40.

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Greenish above, silvery white below, with or without

darker cross-bars on back ; fins yellowish.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo-Malay seas.

In all the South African specimens the end of the maxilla is bifid,

a character which separates it from all the other species found in these

waters.

*Sphyraena commersont C. and V.

Black-finned Barracuda.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 352.

1903. Jenkins, Bull. U.S. Fish. Com., vol. xxii (1902), p. 438

(snodgrasst).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 318 (references, except Gilchrist and Thompson, 1909).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 315

Depth 74-9, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Hye 5-74 in

length of head. Operculum with 2 points. Lower jaw with a fleshy

tubercle. Maxilla reaching to anterior edge or anterior third of eye.

D V+I 9, A I 9. First dorsal arising over posterior quarter or

extremity of pectoral, and above the root of ventral, which is much

nearer end of lower jaw than base of caudal. Interspace between

the 2 dorsals about ? length of head. Scales: 1.1. (80-90) 90-95 ;

IGE 2),

Length.—Up to 1500 mm.

Colour.—Greenish or bluish above, silvery beneath ; dorsal, caudal,

and anal fins black, with white tips.

Locality.— Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indo- Malay seas.

The inclusion of this species in the South African fauna list rests

on the record of Castelnau (1861). Apparently it has not been met

with since (see following species).

Weber and de Beaufort (1921, Zool. Med., vol. vi, pt. 1, p. 70) give

reasons for considering the Indo-Pacific commersonu C. and V. as

synonymous with the Atlantic picuda Bl. Schn.

Sphyraena obtusata C. and V.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 350.

1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 539.

1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 3438, pl. lxxi, fig. 5.

1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3,

p. 255 (commersoni non C. and V.).

1921. Waite, Rec. S. Austr. Mus., vol. ii, pt. 1, p. 85, fig. 129.

1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 10.

Depth 63-63, length of head 31-33, in length of body. Eye 44-5}

in length of head. Operculum with a single point. Lower jaw witha

small fleshy knob. Maxilla reaching to below anterior nostril.

DV+I19, AI9. First dorsal arising above last quarter or extremity

of pectoral, and behind root of ventral, which is much nearer to end

of lower jaw than to base of caudal. Interspace between the 2

dorsals equal to half length of head. Scales: 1.1. 85-90; l.tr. 20

(27 Day).

Length.—Up to 330 mm. (South African Museum).

Colour.—Greenish grey above, lighter below, the dark part forming

a festooned edge below ; pectorals grey, the other fins yellowish.

316 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indo-Malay seas, Australia.

The specimen recorded in 1909 by Gilchrist and Thompson as

commersont really belongs to this species, as is evident from the

description. This species is common at Delagoa Bay.

Fam. 4. POoLYNEMIDAE.

Thread-fins.

Body elongate or moderately so. Scales ctenoid or cycloid.

Lateral line complete, continued on to tail. Mouth rather large,

inferior protractile, cleft lateral, extending beyond eye. Maxilla

excluded from margin of upper jaw. Teeth small, in both jaws and on

the palate. Eyes more or less covered with adipose tissue. Pectoral

inserted low down, fin divided into two parts, the lower part consisting

of long filamentous rays, freely movable. Ventral fins more or less

close behind pectorals, pelvic bones suspended from the post-clavicles.

Pseudobranchiae present, but concealed or delicate. Giull-rakers

slender. Branchiostegals 7. Air-bladder, if present, usually very

large. Pyloric caeca varying in number. Muciferous canals on head

well developed.

Moderate sized fishes, carnivorous in habits, but not voracious like

the Barracudas. They inhabit tropical seas and are frequently

found in estuaries. The flesh is of excellent flavour, and isinglass

is made from the air-bladders of certain of the larger species.

The systematic position of this family is perhaps a little uncertain,

as its members seem to show affinities to both the Mugillidae and the

Sciaenidae.

Gen. PoLyNEMUS Linn.

1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. i, p. 521.

Villiform teeth in both jaws and on vomer, palatines and ectoptery-

goids. Maxilla much widened behind. Edge of preoperculum

denticulate. First dorsal with Ist spine very short, 3rd longest,

2nd—5th spines usually winged. Soft dorsal and anal fins of equal

size.

Key to the South African species.

1. Six pectoral appendages : < $ 2 : ; : . sextarius.

2. Five pectoral appendages . 5 i : ‘ : ; . plebeius.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 317

Polynemus sextarius Bl.

Six-rayed Thread-fin.

1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 177, pl. xlii, fig. 6.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 317 (references).

Depth 3-31, length of head 32-33, in length of body. Eye 3-3?

in length of head, about equal to interorbital width, longer than

snout. Preoperculum, with the tooth immediately above the rounded

angle stronger than the other denticulations. An inconspicuous

spine on the shoulder at commencement of lateral line. D VIII+I1

12-13, A III 12-13. Pectoral 14+6; upper rays branched, 3-4

length of head, longest filament reaching to middle or end of ventral.

Scales: 1]. 45-50; Ltr. i Air-bladder small, simple. Pyloric

caeca long and rather numerous. (Plate XII, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Golden, Ist dorsal black tipped, other fins more or less

suffused or dotted with black ; a black ovoid spot on the shoulder.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde, to 30 fathoms.

Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indo-Malay seas.

Polynemus plebeius Brouss.

Striped Thread-fin.

1782. Broussonet, Ichth. Desc. Icones, pl. vii.

1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 327 (loneatus,

taenratus).

1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 179.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 318 (taeniatus).

Depth of body equal to length of head, 32 in length of body. Eye

33-41 in length of head, almost equal to interorbital width and longer

than snout. Preoperculum finely denticulated. An inconspicuous

spine on shoulder at commencement of lateral line. D VIII+I1 13,

A IT 11-12. Pectoral 16-17+-5, upper rays unbranched, $ length of

head, longest filament reaching almost to tip of ventral. Scales:

7-8

1.1. 60-65; 1.tr. 7a° Air-bladder elongate, simple. Pyloric caeca

very numerous.

Length.—Up to 350 mm.

Colour.—Silvery or golden; dark brown longitudinal stripes along

318 Annals of the South African Museum.

the sides; distinct above, disappearing below; fins more or less

spotted with black.

Locality.—EKast London, Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.

Distribution.—Indo-Malay seas to Australia.

Division 12. ANACANTHINI.

1903. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xi, p. 459.

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). Pectoral arch

suspended from skull. No mesocoracoid. Ventral fins below

(thoracic) or in front of (jugular) the pectorals, pelvic girdle only

loosely attached by hgament. All fins without spines (the 1st dorsal

ray in some Macrurids is at least spiniform). One, two, or three

dorsals. One or two anal fins. Caudal sometimes absent. Pseudo-

branchiae rudimentary or absent. Lower pharyngeals separate.

Teeth in both jaws, palate frequently toothless. Scales cycloid or

ctenoid.

This division contains the important family of the Codfishes.

Another family, the Rat-tails (Coryphaenoididae), are also important,

but not so much economically as on account of their abundance in

the deeper waters of the oceans. The third, and small, family

Muraenolepidae is found in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions,

the nearest locality to South Africa being Kerguelen Island.

Key to the South African families.

1. Caudal fin distinct : : 3 i : : : : . Gadidae.

2. Body tapering, without caudal fin. : ; : : Coryphaenoididae.

( = Macruridae.)

Fam. 1. GADIDAE.

Codfishes.

Body elongate. Scales small, cycloid. Lateral line present.

Mouth moderate or large, more or less protractile. Teeth various,

usually absent from palatine, frequently also from vomer. Dorsal

and anal fins long, each consisting of a single fin or divided into 2 or

3 portions. Ventrals in front of pectorals, with 1-9 rays. Caudal

fin well developed. Pseudobranchiae usually absent, occasionally

rudimentary. Branchiostegals 6-8. Barbels on chin and snout

sometimes present.

The family of the Codfishes is economically one of the most im-

portant families of fishes. Although in South Africa there is only

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 319

one representative of any value as a food-fish, namely the Stockfish,

in European and North American seas there are many. In addition

to the Cod, which is the most important, the Haddock, Pollack,

Whiting, Ling, Pout, Burbot, and others all belong to this family.

There are also many species which are not food-fishes, the family

being widely distributed, though mainly in the Northern Hemisphere.

Many live at considerable depths.

Key to the South African genera.

I. A single dorsal fin

II. Two dorsal fins.

A. Lower jaw longer than upper jaw

B. Lower jaw shorter than upper jaw.

1. Snout projecting over mouth

2. Snout not projecting.

a. Three barbels é

b. Not more than | barbel (if any).

i. Ventrals of 6-8 rays, all of nearly equal length Lepidion.

ii. Ventrals of 1-3 elongate rays, with or without additional

shorter rays.

a. Longest ventral ray 4 length of body Bregmaceros.

f. Longest ventral ray shorter than $ body length.

* Ist dorsal 10-11 rayed . 6 Physiculus.

** Ist dorsal 5-6 rayed.

+ Vent below tip of pectoral fin Laemonema.

tt Vent below middle of pectoral fin

Laemonemodes.

Tripterophycis.

Algoa.

Merluccius.

. Antimora.

Gaidropsarus.

Ili. Three dorsal fins

Gen. ALGOA Cast.

1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 69.

A single dorsal fin, well separated from caudal. Ventrals with

several rays. Caudal forked. No barbel on chin. Teeth strong, in

several series ; teeth on “ palate.”’

* Algoa viridis Cast.

1861. Castelnau, loc. cit., p. 69.

Body elongate. Lower jaw a little longer than upper. D 56,

A 24. Rays of dorsal and anal projecting considerably beyond the

intervening membrane. Lateral line forming a very pronounced

angle above the pectoral.

Length.—100 mm.

320 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Greenish above, yellowish below, fins black; extremities

of caudal greenish ; iris golden red.

Locality.—Estuary of Zwartkops River, Algoa Bay.

This fish has not since been recognised. The original description

is very inadequate.

Gen. Mertuccius Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Caratt. Nuovi Gen., p. 26.

Body elongate. Scales small. Snout long, depressed. Mouth

large, lower jaw longer, maxilla extending to below eye. No barbels.

Teeth slender, in jaws and on vomer, in two or three series ; none on

palatine. Two dorsal fins well separated, 2nd long. Anal single,

similar to 2nd dorsal. Posterior rays of 2nd dorsal and anal longer

than middle ones. Ventrals well developed, of 7 rays. Branchio-

stegals 7, Gill-rakers long.

Merluccius capensis Cast.

Stockfish ; Stok-visch ; Hake.

' 1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’Afr. Austr., p. 68.

1906. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 4 (redescription).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 106 (references).

1916. Gilchrist, zbid., p. 14 (eggs).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

Paolo:

1922. Gilchrist, Fish Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 60 (distri-

bution).

Depth 53-64 (young), length of head 33 (young) to 33, in length of

body. Eye 44 (young) to 5}in length of head. Teeth in both jaws in

2 series, rather strong, the inner row larger than the outer. Maxilla

reaching to below posterior third of eye. Thirteen to fourteen gill-

rakers on lower part of anterior arch. D 11+35-—40, A 37-40. Ven-

trals 7-rayed, about half length of head, reaching ? to vent (longer

proportionately in young). Caudal truncate. Scales: 1.1. 130-140 ;

ae Sy (GelekrS OS ates, ,))

Length.—Up to 1000 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, dark greyish on back, inner side of pectoral and

mouth blackish, pupil translucent, iris silvery.

Locality.—Off west coast as far north as Liideritzbucht, 100-300

fathoms; Agulhas Bank (False Bay, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Port

Elizabeth), 40-100 fathoms ; Natal, 100-200 fathoms.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 321

There seems still room for doubt as to whether the Cape Hake is

really distinct from the northern Atlantic M. vulgaris. Regan states

that it is ““ very distinct,” but does not state the characters in which

it is supposed to differ ; his description is practically the same as those

given for vulgaris, except as regards the scales in the lateral line.

But as I have myself counted from 130-140, the limits of variation

may well extend to 150, the number given for vulgaris.

Gilchrist is inclined to query the specific distinctness of capensis,

but in the absence of abundant material of both forms, I accept

Regan’s pronouncement.

The Stockfish is one of the most important edible fishes of South

Africa. It is very abundant at times, but seems to be uncertain in

appearance. Like the northern form, they probably migrate consider-

able distances, both for purposes of spawning and also from one

food-ground to another. According to Gilchrist their chief food

seems to be various species of Rat-tail (Macrurids).

Gen. ANTIMORA Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. u, p. 18.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 93.

Body elongate. Vent behind middle of body. Scales small.

Snout conically pointed, depressed, sharply keeled at the sides, pro-

jecting over the mouth. Mouth rather large, lower jaw shorter than

upper, maxilla extending to below posterior part of eye. Chin with

barbel. Teeth in bands in both jaws, a round median patch at

junction of vomers, none on palatine. Two dorsal fins, the first

portion of 4-5 rays scarcely separated from second portion; Ist ray

elongate. Anal single, but deeply notched. Caudal truncate.

Ventral of 6 rays, the outermost two elongate. Branchiostegals 7.

Gill-rakers short. Pyloric caeca numerous.

A genus of deep-water Gadids, easily recognised by the pointed

projecting snout, resembling that of the Macrurids. Found in N.

and 8. Atlantic, E. Pacific, and 8. Indian Ocean, but apparently

absent from the tropical Indian Ocean.

Antimora australis Brnrd.

(2) 1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

vil, p. 13 (viola non G. and B.).

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 499.

Depth 54-6, length of head 33-44, in length of body. Length of

ViOlLs Xe PAR lls 21

322 Annals of the South African Museum.

head much greater than half (13-12 times) in distance between bases

of ventrals and anal. Caudal peduncle slender, its depth 24 in its

length. Eye 33-4 in length of head, subequal to interorbital width

and slightly less than length of snout. Maxilla not extending quite

to below posterior margin of eye. Barbel 23 in diameter of eye.

Ten gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. D 4+50-54 (1st ray

of Ist dorsal ? length of head); A 38-40; V 6, 2nd ray twice as long

as Ist, slightly longer than Ist dorsal ray, ca. $ length of head. Scales:

1.1. about 130 (but impossible to count accurately) ; I.tr. ca. 10 between

dorsal fin and lateral line. Pyloric caeca 11-12. Vent nearer to

operculum than to base of caudal fin.

Length.—Up to 280 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish, more or less violaceous, especially

on the abdomen and gill-covers; branchial chamber brownish black.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 475-900 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This form does not seem to fit any of the described species of this

genus. The combination of characters comprising the length of the

lst dorsal ray, number of gill-rakers and pyloric caeca, and slender-

ness of body, justifies its separation. The species are all very closely

allied. The present one is perhaps nearest to the N.- Atlantic viola

(G. and B.), the descriptions of which, however, as given by Goode

and Bean, Giinther, Jordan, and Evermann, are not consistent.

This is probably the form referred to by Gilchrist and von Bonde

as viola (G. and B.).

Gen. GAIDROPSARUS Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ithiol. Sicil.

1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., 2nd ed., vol. u, p. 334 (Motella).

Body elongate. Scales minute. Snout short, rounded. Mouth

moderate, lower jaw shorter than upper, maxilla extending to or

slightly beyond hind margin of eye. One barbel on chin and a pair

on the snout. Teeth in bands in both jaws and on vomer, none on

palatine, some of the inner teeth on lower jaw and outer teeth on

upper jaw larger than the others. Two dorsal fins; the anterior

of a single long ray followed by a series of short fringe-like rays more

or less concealed in a groove; 2nd dorsal and anal long. Ventrals

of 5-7 rays. Caudal rounded. Branchiostegals 7. Gill-rakers

almost obsolete.

A small, but widely distributed genus of small fishes from the

shallow-water and littoral regions.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 323

As their name implies, the Kuropean species are frequently to be

found in rock-pools. Similar forms with 4 and 5 barbels are placed

in other genera.

Gaidropsarus capensis (Kaup).

Cape Three-bearded Rockling.

1858. Kaup, Wiegm. Arch., p. 90, pl. xi, fig. 3.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 111, p. 108 (references).

Depth 6, length of head 43, in length of body. Eye 5 in length of

head, slightly greater than interorbital width, and slightly less than

length of snout. Maxilla extending very slightly beyond posterior

margin of eye. Barbels equal to Ist ray of Ist dorsal, longer than

snout, about 34 in length of head. First dorsal with about 55 fila-

ments in the fringe behind Ist ray ; 2nd dorsal with 45 rays. A 40;

P 18-20, rounded; V 7, 2nd ray longest and reaching three-quarter

way to vent. Scales: Ll. (150 2).

Length.—Up to 160 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish.

Locality. Kalk Bay and Algoa Bay, to 25 fathoms.

This species has been considered to be identical with the European

maculata, but seems to be distinguished by the 7 rays in the ventrals.

I regret that I am able to give only an approximate number for the

scale-count owing to all the specimens having lost nearly all their

scales. Nor am I able to give the colour in life.

Gen. LEPIDION Swains.

1838. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Classif. Anim., vol. i, p. 318.

Body elongate. Scales small, cycloid. Snout short, bluntly

conical. Mouth moderate ; lower jaw shorter than upper. Maxilla

extending to below eye. One barbel on chin. Teeth slender, in

bands in both jaws, a round median patch at the junction of the

vomers, none on palatine. Two dorsal fins, narrowly separated ;

1st dorsal short, its rays usually prolonged. Anal single. Posterior

rays of 2nd dorsal and anal longest. Caudal rounded or subtruncate.

Ventrals narrow, of 6-8 (ensiferus) rays. Branchiostegais 7. Gill-

rakers slender. Pyloric caeca 10-15.

Deep-sea species from the N. and 8. Atlantic, Mediterranean, and

Pacific.

Key to the South African species.

1. Eye 34in head. First dorsal with 5rays . : ; i - capensis.

2. Eye 5in head. First dorsal with 8 rays : : : : natalensis.

324 Annals of the South African Museum.

Lepidion capense, Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ui, p. 61.

Depth 43-48, length of head 44-44, in length of body. Length of

head less than distance between root of ventral and vent. Hye

subequal to snout, 14-14 times interorbital width, 34-34 in length of

head. Maxilla extending to below middle of eye. Barbel $2 diameter

of eye. Nine gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. D 5-+50-56,

Ist ray of 1st dorsal extending to middle of 2nd dorsal, 14 times length

of head; A 48-50. Pectoral about 3 length of head. Ventral 7-

rayed, longest (2nd) ray about equal to length of pectoral. Scales :

lJ. about 250; 19-20 between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Pyloric

caeca 15. (Plate XIII, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 430 mm.

Colour.—Grey, margins of dorsal and anal fins blackish, branchial

and abdomen cavities black.

Locality.— Off Table Bay, Cape Point, and East London, 250-630

fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Contrary to the statement in the original description, I find anere

are constantly 7 rays in the ventral fins, the outermost 2 filamentous,

the second one longer than the first.

*Lepidion natalensis Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 62.

Depth 52, length of head nearly 4, in length of body. Length of

head equal to distance between root of ventral and vent. Hye

greater than snout, 5 in length of head. Maxilla extending slightly

beyond centre of eye. Barbel longer than diameter of eye. Gill-

rakers (?). D8-+58, Ist ray of 1st dorsal long, extending to last fourth

of 2nd dorsal; A 54. Pectoral shorter than ventrals, which reach

vent and are about equal to length of head, rays7. Scales: 1.1. about

170; 15 between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Pyloric caeca (?).

Length.— ?.

Colour.—Bright pinkish grey, vertical fins black.

Locality.—Natal coast, 324 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. BREGMACEROS Thomps.

1840. Thompson, Charlesw. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. iv, p. 184.

Body elongate. Scales moderate. Snout short, blunt. Mouth

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 325

moderate, lower jaw not as long as upper, maxilla extending to below

posterior portion of eye. Upper half of eye covered with a trans-

parent membrane. No barbels. Teeth minute, in both jaws and

on vomer, none on palatine. Two dorsal fins, lst consisting of a

single long ray on the occiput (above preoperculum), the 2nd dorsal

and anal long, depressed in the middle forming 2 lobes. Dorsal

and anal can be laid back in a scaly groove. Ventral elongate, with

3 very elongate rays separated nearly to their bases, and 2-4 short

branched rays; received into shallow grooves on ventral surface

of abdomen and along each side of anal. Caudal feeble, emarginate.

Branchiostegals 7. Gill-rakers obsolete. Air-bladder large. Pyloric

caeca 2.

A genus of two species of small tropical pelagic fishes. A very

similar form with the single ray of the lst dorsal arising further back

is called Auchenoceros Gnthr.

Bregmaceros macclelland: Thomps.

1889. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxxi, p. 25, pl. iui, figs. A, B

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische. Monogr., vol. lxv, p. 174.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 319 (references).

Depth 64-74, length of head 53-6, in length of body. Eye

subequal to interorbital width and to snout, 4 in length of head.

Mucous pores on head well developed. D1-+-16 (or 18-20) x 15(-22) ;

A 18(-22) x 20(-22). Pectoral 2 length of head. Ventrals of 3 long

rays and 3-4 short ones in the axil, the longest ray being about

half total length. Scales: 1.1. 58-64; ltr. 14.

Length.—Up to 130 mm.

Colour.—Brown above, more or less speckled with darker, silvery

below ; vertical fins pale in the young, blackish in adult.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank to Natal coast, 30-185 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tropical Indo-Pacific, surface to 300 fathoms.

This little fish is pelagic, living in the open sea, near the surface

or in moderately deep water. It is probable that the bathymetrical

range varies according to time of day or atmospheric conditions.

Gen. PHysicuLus, Kaup.

1858. Kaup, Wiegm. Arch., p. 88.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 350 (Pseudo-

phycis).

326 Annals of the South African Museum.

1899. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xxiv, p. 182

(Leptophycis).

Body elongate. Vent well forward. Snout short, blunt, and

rounded. Eye large. Mouth rather large, lower jaw shorter than

upper, maxilla extending to below centre of eye. Barbel on chin

usually present, sometimes absent (Leptophycis). Teeth minute,

villiform, in a band on both jaws, none on the vomer or palatine.

Two dorsal fins, almost contiguous, Ist arising above root of pectoral,

2nd arising immediately behind Ist; 2nd long. Anal single. Dorsal

and anal fins covered with a loose scaleless membrane. Ventrals

on very narrow and widely separated bases, of 7 rays, the outermost

two elongate and filamentous. Caudal obtusely pointed. Branchio-

stegals 7. Gill-rakers short, slender. Small glandular pseudo-

branchiae in some species.

A genus represented in most of the oceans, usually in deep water.

Key to the South African species.

1. Snout shorter than diameter of eye : : ; : : . capensis.

2. Snout longer than diameter of eye ; : : : : natalensis.

Physiculus capensis Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ili, p. 62.

Depth 43-44, length of head 41-43, in length of body. Eye nearly

twice length of snout, 14 times interorbital width, 3 in length of head.

Barbel ? diameter of eye, about 4in length of head. Maxilla extend-

ing to below posterior margin of pupil. Operculum ending in a short,

more or less concealed spine. No pseudobranchiae. Gill-rakers 7

on lower part of anterior arch. D (9) 10-11+50-60; longest ray

(4th or 5th) in 1st dorsal 2 length of head. A 60-65. Pectoral ?

length of head. V 6-7; longest ray (2nd) 2 length of head, reaching to

base (2nd—3rd ray) of anal. Scales: 1.1. 95-104; 7-8 between Ist

dorsal and lateral line. A scaleless fossa a little distance in front of

vent.

Length.—Up to 170 mm.

Colour.—Lemon-yellow ; abdomen violaceous, with a silvery sheen.

Locality.—W. coast, off Table Bay, off Cape Point, 75-230 fathoms.

Distribution.—Agulhas Bank, Algoa Bay, 25-50 fathoms, off East

London, 310 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

I have examined a large number of specimens from 30 mm. upwards.

The Ist dorsal has 10 or 11 rays of about equal frequency ; I have not

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 327

seen a specimen with only 9. The ventral has usually 7 rays, but the

reduction to 6 is not infrequent, and not correlated with the number

of rays in Ist dorsal.

As the localities show, this species is not confined so strictly to the

Cape region as Gilchrist implies. The specimen from off East London

is a young one (30 mm.), not differing in any respect from the adults.

Often cast up on the Atlantic shore of the Cape Peninsula after

storms.

*Physiculus natalensis Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 63.

Depth 5, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye shorter than

length of snout, + interorbital width, a little over 43 in length of head.

Barbel about 6 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below middle

of eye. Gill-rakers(?). D 8+62; rays of Ist dorsal somewhat

produced, longest nearly 3 times diameter of eye. A 66. Ventrals (?).

Scales: 1.1. about 100; 8 between Ist dorsal and lateral line.

Length.— ?.

Colour.— 2.

Locality.—Natal coast, 183 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. LAEMONEMA Gnthr.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 356.

1908. Holt and Byrne, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. i, p. 86.

Body moderately elongate. Vent behind, or just opposite level of

extremity of pectoral. Scales small. Snout blunt. Mouth rather

large, lower jaw shorter than upper. Maxilla extending to below

middle of eye. Chin with a barbel (normally). Teeth slender, in

bands in both jaws, and on vomer (usually), none on palatine. Two

dorsal fins, narrowly separated; Ist dorsal short, 5-rayed. Anal

single. Caudal rounded or bluntly poimted. Ventral reduced to

“a single long ray bifid its end” or 3 rays. Branchiostegals 7.

Gill-rakers long, slender, numerous. Pyloric caeca (?).

As Giinther says, this genus scarcely merits separation from Phycis ;

this is especially true since it was found that the Cape species possessed

a three-rayed ventral. The difference in the number of rays in the

1st dorsal (Phycis 8-10) alone remains to distinguish the two genera.

Laemonema globiceps Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 157, pl. xlil.

1922. Id., Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 63.

328 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth 5, length of head 44-42, in length of body. Eye subequal to

snout, 14-13 in interorbital width, 33-4 in length of head. Maxilla

extending to below posterior margin of pupil. Teeth in narrow bands ;

none on vomer. Barbel absent. Twenty-six gill-rakers on longer

part of anterior arch. D 5-+ca. 70, 1st ray of Ist dorsal very long,

14 times length of head; A ca.66; V3, the inner one very short and

slender, the middle one reaching to base of anal. Scales: 1.1. ca. 90;

ca. 20 larger, pore-bearing scales at equal distances apart forming the

/16=18)

Length.—Up to 180 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Pale yellowish, more or less silvery, a

brownish or purplish tinge on the abdominal region.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 345-800 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

The rather swollen globose head, the absence of barbel and vomerine

teeth, and the large number of gill-rakers, serve to distinguish this

species from the other species of both Laemonema and Phycis.

Although I have examined several specimens I have been unable

to find any pyloric caeca in any of them.

actual lateral line ; l.tr

Gen. LAEMONEMODES Gilch.

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 11, p. 208.

Body moderately elongate. Vent below middle of pectoral.

Scales small. Snout moderately blunt. Mouth moderately large,

lower jaw shorter than upper. Maxilla extending to middle of eye.

Chin with a barbel. Teeth in bands in both jaws and on vomer,

none on palatine. Two dorsal fins, narrowly separated; Ist dorsal

of 5 rays. Anal single. Caudal pointed. Ventral 8 rays, the

outermost 2 very long and united for greater part of their length,

the inner 6 very minute. Branchiostegals 7. Giull-rakers (?). Pyloric

caeca (2).

This genus is monotypic, and is separated from Laemonema and

allied genera by the character of the ventral fin.

*Laemonemodes compressicauda Gilch.

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 208, pl. xvi.

1922. Id., Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 64.

Depth 53, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye greater than

interorbital space, which equals snout, 3 in length of head. Mazxilla

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 329

extending to below middle of eye. Barbel 12 in diameter of eye.

D 5+46, Ist ray of Ist dorsal about 12 length of head; A 46.

Pectoral 3 length of head. Outer rays of ventral (and longer than

Ist) reaching slightly beyond commencement of anal, about 1%

times length of head. (Plate XIII, fig. 2.)

Length.— 2%.

Colour.—Not stated. The specimen recorded in 1922 bears the

serial number “‘ 1692 ”’ and under that number in the list of captures

(Fish. Mar. Surv. Rep., vol. i (1921), p. 63) we find the record “ small

black fish.”

Locality.—Oft East London and Natal coast, 300-420 fathoms.

Type lost ?.

Only two specimens of this species have hitherto been captured.

Gen. TRIPTEROPHYCIS Bler.

1902. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. ix, p. 335.

Body elongate, tapering posteriorly, the vent far forward. Scales

cycloid, small. Snout short. Eye large. Mouth rather small,

lower jaw shorter than upper, maxilla reaching to middle of eye.

One barbel on chin. Teeth in a single series in both jaws, close-set,

chisel-shaped, none on vomer or palatine. Three dorsal fins, Ist

small, 2nd short and rather high, behind level of vent, 5rd elongate

and low, far back. Anal single, elongate, and of nearly even height

throughout. Caudal small, obtusely pointed. Ventral reduced, of

5 rays, the two outermost elongate and filamentous. Branchio-

stegals 7. Gill-rakers long and slender.

Tripterophycis gulchriste Blgr.

Gilchrist’s Triple-fin.

1902. Boulenger, loc. cit., p. 335.

19032 12d=\loc: ct, p: 168; pl, xi.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 275,

text-fig.\171.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iu, p. 64.

Depth 53-6, length of head 64, in length of body. Eye 1} times

as long as snout, 3 in length of head, 1} times interorbital width.

Barbel small. D4-5+12-14+36-38 ; A103-110; P (15) 19, $ length

of head. Longest ventral ray (the 2nd) 1} times length of head.

330 Annals of the South African Museum.

Scales: 1.1. about 140; ltr. 16-17, between origin of 2nd dorsal and

lateral line which is distinct to base of caudal. A scaleless fossa

immediately in front of vent.

Length.—Up to 210 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, darker above, head with brown speckles, the

abdominal region more or less violet ; gullet dark brown.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 150-250 fathoms.

Distribution.—Ofi Sumatra, E. Indies, 150 fathoms.

Type in British Museum ; topotypes in South African Museum. .

I find that the number of rays in the 2nd dorsal and pectoral as

given by Brauer are the more normal; on the other hand, the 2nd

ray, not the outermost as stated by Brauer, of the ventral fin is

always the longest.

Fam. 2. CorRYPHAENOIDIDAE.

Rat-tails.

1916. Gilbert and Hubbs, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. li, p. 135 (key

to genera and list of known species).

1920. Id., U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull., No. 100, vol. i, pt. 7, p. 369.

Body elongate, tapering posteriorly. Scales usually ctenoid.

Lateral line present. Mouth small, terminal or inferior, protractile.

Teeth in bands in both jaws, sometimes also on vomer. A short

anterior dorsal fin with one spiniform and several branched rays ;

a long posterior dorsal confluent around the tail with the long anal.

Ventrals below pectorals, with 7-12 rays. Caudalfinabsent. Pseudo-

branchiae, if present, usually glandular and reduced. Branchio-

stegals 6-8. Usually a barbel onchin. Muciferous canals of the head

well developed, bones of the skull very thin.

This family used to be more generally known as Macrouridae or

Macruridae, but since the name Macrourus has had to give place to

the earlier Coryphaenoides, the name of the family must follow suit.

Key to the South African genera.

I. No fold of membrane on first gill-arch. Gill-rakers not tubercular. Second

dorsal ray not spine-like.

A. Two dorsal fins . : ‘ ‘ : : subfam. Bathygadinae.

1. Teeth present on vomer ‘ : : , : Melanonus.

2. No vomerine teeth . : : : Bathygadus.

B. One dorsal fin. Vomerine teeth . . subfam. Lyconinae, Lyconodes.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 331

II. A fold of membrane on first gill-arch, restricting the Ist gill-slit. Gill-rakers

tubercular. Second dorsal ray spine-like, often serrated. No vomerine

teeth ‘ : ‘ : : : subfam. Coryphaenoidinae.

A. Branchiostegal rays 6.

1. Dorsal spine serrate . 5 3 3 : Coryphaenordes.

2. Dorsal spine smooth . : : ; : Coclorhynchus.

B. Branchiostegal rays 7.

1. Maxillary teeth biserial, mandibular teeth uniserial. Pyloric caeca

very numerous and branched . : : . Malacocephalus.

2. Maxillary teeth pluriserial, mandibular teeth pluriserial or in

an irregular series. Pyloric caeca moderately numerous, not

branched.

a. Length of upper jaw less than 3 in length of head Ventrifossa.

6. Length of upper jaw at least 3 (usually more) in length of head

Lionurus.

Subfam. BATHYGADINAE.

Gen. MELANONUS Guothr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ii, p. 19.

1887. Jd., Challenger Rep., vol. xxti, p. 83.

1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 106 (Melanonosoma).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 277.

Body elongate, posteriorly compressed. Tail tapering. Scales

small. Mouth wide, terminal lower jaw not longer than upper,

maxilla extending to below posterior margin of eye. No barbel.

Teeth in narrow bands in both jaws and on vomer and palatine.

Dorsal and anal in two divisions, the posterior division in both narrowly

separated from the anterior portion and confluent with the caudal

fin. Dorsal commencing at same level as pectoral and ventral.

Ventral narrow, 5(7)-rayed. Branchiostegals (5) 7. Pseudobranchiae

absent Gill-rakers long and stout. Pyloric caeca ?.

Although I have not seen a specimen, I have little doubt that

Melanonosoma is congeneric with this genus. The apparent differ-

ences seem to be in the verbal descriptions and not in the actual

structure.

The posterior divisions of the dorsal and anal are regarded by

Giinther and Brauer as portions of the dorsal and anal confluent with

a caudal; Gilchrist regards the whole as caudal. Hence a separate

genus and its inclusion in the Gadidae instead of the Macrouridae.

Dissection would probably show that the former interpretation is the

correct one. Brauer has shown that there is no real separation of

the 5 (or 6) anterior rays of the dorsal from the rest of the fin.

This genus really forms a transition between the Gadidae and the

332 Annals of the South African Museum.

Macrouridae. Authorities are not agreed as to which family it should

be assigned ; e.g., Regan claims it as a Macrouroid, but Gilbert and

Hubbs do not accept it as such.

*Melanonus gracilis Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 19.

1887. Id., loc. cit., p. 84, pl. xiv, fig. B.

1902. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 106 (Melanonosoma acutecaudatum).

1906. Brauer, loc: cv., p. 277, pl. xu, fig. 5.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 35, p. 120,

Dl Ayals ante IE

Depth (5) 63-74, length of head (43) 53-63, in length of body.

Eye 44,4, in length of head. D ca. 66-73+21, A ca. 49-54+21, C8.

Scales: 1]. ca. 110 (Zugmayer) ; 1.tr. : (Giinther) : 24 between dorsal

and lateral line; Zugmayer gives i

Length.—Up to 152 mm.

Colour.—Uniform dark brown or blackish.

Locality.—Offt Cape Point, 360 fathoms.

Distribution.—62° 26’ 8., 95° 44’ KE. (S8.W. of Australia), 1975

fathoms (Challenger) ; Gulf of Guinea and 31° 21’ 8., 9° 45’ E. (W. of

Cape Town), 1000-1500 fathoms (Valdivia); 36° 54’ E., 11° 49’ W.

(Zugmayer).

Type of gracilis in British Museum ; of acutecaudatum lost ?.

Taking into account the not too good condition of all the known

specimens and the difficulty of counting the fin rays (commented

on by Brauer), there seems every likelihood that the “‘ Challenger,”

“ Valdivia,” and “ Pieter Faure” specimens all belong to the same

species.

Gen. BarayGapus Gnthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ii, p. 23.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 154.

1920. Gilbert and: Hubbs, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. i,

pt. 7, p. 379 (key to species).

(Syn.: Melanobranchus Regan, 1903, Gadomus Regan, 1903, Regania

Jordan 1904.)

Head short, more or less swollen and cavernous. Snout not pro-

jecting. Mouth terminal, wide. Teeth villiform, in bands in both

jaws, none on vomer or palatine. Barbel present or absent. The

two dorsal fins almost contiguous, lst ray very short and concealed,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 333

2nd more or less elongate. Pectoral and ventral also with the 2nd

and the Ist rays respectively often elongate and filamentous. Anal

rays less developed than those of 2nd dorsal. Scales cycloid. Gills

4; a slit behind 4th gill-arch. Gill-lamellae very short. Gill-rakers

long, slender. Pseudobranchiae, if present, covered with membrane.

Branchiostegals 7. Pyloric caeca few or numerous (8-95).

The rather numerous species of this genus are easily distinguished

by the short and rather swollen head, with terminal mouth. Attempts

have been made to split up the genus, but these divisions are accorded

only subgeneric rank by Gilbert and Hubbs in 1920, with the exception

of Gadomus Regan. Bathygadus is defined as having a very short

barbel (or none at all) and moderate-sized teeth, whereas Gadomus

has a long barbel and very minute teeth.

The present species has a short barbel combined with minute teeth.

Consequently, it would seem as if Gadomus also must be reduced to the

rank of a subgenus, even if it can be maintained at that.

Key to the South African species.

1 Barbel present . . : . : ¢ : : : . fumosus.

2. Barbel absent.

a. No filamentous rays in fins . : 2 melanobranchus.

6. Filamentous rays in dorsal, pectoral and central fire . capensis.

Bathygadus fumosus Brnrd.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 500.

Depth 63-62, length of head 54-61, in length of body. Orbit

(not the actual eye) equal to snout and to interorbital width, 44-43

in length of head. Maxilla extending beyond level of hind margin

of orbit by about 4 diameter of orbit. Teeth minute (not separable

without a lens). Barbel small but distinct, +-2 diameter of eye.

Gill-rakers 27-28 on lower part of anterior arch. D 11+ 2,* 2nd ray

twice as long as head; P 16-17, 2nd ray 24 times length of head ;

V 8, Ist ray twice length of head. Scales: 6 between dorsal and

lateral line. Shoulder-girdle scaly beneath the membraneous flap

of the operculum. Pyloric caeca 18-20. (Plate XIII, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 460 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Greyish, silvery on the head and abdominal

regions, mouth and branchial cavity blackish brown.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 480-810 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

* This letter indicates a larger number of rays, which often cannot be counted

even approximately owing to the frequent mutilation of the end of the tail.

334 Annals of the South African Museum.

The name is a MSS. name given by Boulenger to whom a specimen

was sent by Gilchrist.

As remarked above, this species combines the short barbel of Bathy-

gadus with the minute teeth of Gadomus. It has the orbit equal to

the interorbital width and thus belongs to the Melanobranchus group,

being closely allied to micronema Gilb. It also shows affinities to

Gadomus multifilis (Guthr.) and introniger G. and H., but is distinct

from all in the number of gill-rakers and pyloric caeca and associated

characters.

*Bathygadus melanobranchus Vaill.

1888. Vaillant, Exp. Trav. Talism., p. 206, pl. xviii, figs. 1, le.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 424.

1896. Collett, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, vol. x, p. 88.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,vii, p. 12.

Depth 7, length of head 5, in length of body. Eye equal to snout,

slightly greater than interorbital width, 35 in length of head. Maxilla

extending to or slightly beyond level of centre of eye. Teeth minute.

No barbel. Gill-rakers (?). D (9) 10-12+2, V 8. No filamentous

rays in any of the fins. Scales: l.tr. ca. 24. Pyloric caeca 26.

Length.—Up to 440 mm.

Colour.—Silvery-grey, mouth and branchial cavity black.

Locality. —Oft Table Bay and Natal coast, 514-1400 fathoms.

Distribution.—Middle Atlantic, 400-750 fathoms.

According to Gilbert and Hubbs (1920, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., (100),

vol. i, pt. 7, p. 388) the Indian and E. Indian species furvescens

Alck. is not synonymous with the Atlantic species. The Cape and

Natal specimens, therefore, should be critically examined.

*Bathygadus capensis G. and v. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

vii, p. 13, pl. i, fig. 2.

Depth equal to length of head, 7 in length of body. Eye 14 in

snout, 5 in length of head, 1} in interorbital width. Maxilla extending

to level beyond hind margin of eye. Teeth minute on jaws, vomer,

and palatine; those on vomer slightly larger. No barbel. Gill-

rakers (?). D11+z, P 13, V8. Dorsal, pectoral, and ventral each

with a filamentous prolonged ray, that on dorsal equal to those

on pectoral and ventral, 2} times length of head. Scales: Ltr. ca. 26.

Pyloric caeca (2).

Length.—340 mm.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 335

Colour.—Presumably greyish or brownish.

Locality.—Off Table Bay, 418 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

This species is inadequately described for purposes of comparison

with the numerous other species of the genus. It appears to be

allied to the E. Indian filamentosus (Smth. and Radc.) and the Japanese

antrodes J. and G.

The presence of teeth on the palate seems to be unique.

Subfam. LYCONINAE.

Gen. LyconopEs Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iu, p. 59.

Head short. Snout not projecting. Mouth terminal. Maxilla

extend beyond level of hind margin of eye. Teeth unequal in size,

widely spaced canines in lower jaw, but no anterior ones in upper

jaw. Vomerine teeth (?). Barbel absent. A single dorsal fin, with

somewhat elongate anterior rays. Pectoral much longer than

ventral, neither with filamentous rays. The ventrals (according to

the figure) are abdominal in position, distinctly behind the base of

pectoral. Anal nearly as well developed as dorsal. Scales (?).

Gills 4. Gill-membranes united. Gill-lamellae and gill-rakers (?).

Pseudobranchiae present. Branchiostegals (?). Pyloric caeca (?).

This genus is a close ally of Lyconus Gnthr., though separated by

the abdominal position of the ventral fins. The other characters

mentioned by Gilchrist are perhaps not to be relied upon, in view of the

small number of specimens of both genera which have been captured

up to the present. For example, Brauer notes the absence of scales

and canine teeth in his specimens, the largest of which was only

41 mm. as against 124 mm. in Giinther’s type specimen.

Gilchrist follows Giinther in accepting the family Lyconidae for

these two genera. Gilbert and Hubbs admit them as a subfamily

Lyconinae, of the Coryphaenordidae.

Lyconus pinnatus Gnthr. is recorded from the S. Atlantic and

Indian Oceans.

*Lyconodes argenteus Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 59, pl. x, fig. 1.

Depth 5, length of head 54, in length of body. Eye 2, snout 23,

in length of head (reference to the figure seems to indicate that these

two measurements have been transposed in the description). Teeth,

about a dozen of different sizes in upper jaw, but without anterior

336 Annals of the South African Museum.

canines, small with 4 large posterior canines in lower jaw. D ca. 110;

A ca. 94; P15, reaching beyond origin of anal; V 9, reaching origin

of anal. Scales absent.

Length.—45 mm.

Colour.—Dark, lighter below, with a silvery sheen.

Locality.— Off Table Bay, 500 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Subfam. CoRYPHAENOIDINAE.

Gen. CORYPHAENOIDES Gunner.

1765. Gunner, Trondhj. Selo. Skr., vol. in, p. 50.

1786. Bloch, Naturg. Aust. Fische., vol. 1, p. 152 (Macrourus).

1916. Gilbert and Hubbs, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. li, p. 163.

1920. Id., Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. i, pt. 7, p. 409.

Head moderately long, without strong ridges. Scales ctenoid,

moderate sized, with spinules and keels. Snout variable but not

very prominent. Mouth either nearly terminal (subgen. Chalinura)

or inferior. Teeth in a villiform band in upper jaw, sometimes with

the outer series more or less enlarged, either in a single row (subgen.

Chalinura) or a band in lower jaw. Barbel present. Two dorsal

fins, 2nd ray of 1st spine-like, serrated. Anal better developed than

2nd dorsal. A fold of membrane attached to Ist gill-arch. Gill-

rakers tubercular. Pseudobranchiae absent. Branchiostegals 6.

Pyloric caeca not numerous. Vent immediately before anal (except

in C. hyostomus Smth. and Rad. and heyningent Weber).

This is the largest genus of the family and is widely distributed.

Only two species, however, have yet been found within our limits.

Gilbert and Hubbs (loc. cit., 1920, p. 162, footnote 1) consider that

Nematonurus (teeth in upper jaw biserial, uni- or bi-serial in lower jaw)

should become a subgenus of Coryphaenoides.

Key to the South African species.

1. Each scale with a single strong keel bearing spinules, flanked with 1-4 rows of

very small spinules : é : carinatus.

. Each scale fluted with 12-14 ey si ‘eed rows bok armies , . striatura

Coryphaenoides carinatus Guthr.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ii, p. 28.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxi, p. 137, pl. xxxiii, fig. A.

Depth 63 (or 7), length of head 43 (or 5), in length of body (end of

PLATE XIII.

FIG.

1. Lepidion capense Gilch. (original) :

2. Laemonemodzs compressicauda Gilch. (after Gilchrist)

3. Bathygadus fumosus n. sp. (original)

4. Coryphaenoides striatura n. sp. (original)

4a. a 3 scale enlarged

5. Coelorhynchus braueri n. sp. (original).

6. Lionurus leonis n. sp. (original) .

TEXT-PAGE

324

328

333

337

342

349

Ann, 8. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate XIII.

rap L Nts

Vela tp a WP

ear

BMI VAI

ae ea ee

Yabo yg ey

= aed

Bad

Neill & Co., Ltd.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 337

tail mutilated). Eye * a little longer than snout, nearly twice inter-

orbital width, a little over 3 in length of head. Snout short, obtusely

conical. Under side of head (including rami of lower jaw) scaly.

Maxilla extending nearly to below middle of eye. Teeth in a band

in upper jaw, the outer series slightly enlarged, 3-4 series in the front

part of lower jaw, decreasing to a single series posteriorly. Barbel

half diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 9. D 2, 9-10+za, 2nd dorsal ray

about half length of head, closely and rather feebly serrulate in its

distal half; Aca.110; P 19-21, half, or a little more, length of head ;

V 8, outermost ray very shortly produced, 24-22 in length of head.

Scales: a very strong spinule-bearing keel in the centre of each scale,

flanked by 1-4 sub-parallel rows of very small spinules; 5 scales

between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Distance from vent to isthmus not

quite equal to length of head. No scaleless fossa. Pyloric caeca 13.

Length.—Up to 700 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Light brown.

Locality.—Off Cape Point (probably).

Distribution.—Prince Edward Island (Southern Indian Ocean),

310 fathoms.

The single specimen taken by the “ Pieter Faure’ seems to be

only the second specimen known of this species. It is considerably

larger than the type but agrees almost exactly with Giinther’s descrip- ~

tion. There are 9 dorsal rays instead of 10, and 19 pectoral rays

instead of 21. Unfortunately the exact locality and depth of this

specimen seem to have been lost.

Subgen. CHAaLinura G. and B.

Coryphaenoides (Chalinura) striatura Brnrd.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 500.

Depth about equal to length of head, 53-6 in length of body. Eye

14-14 in interorbital, 14-14 in snout, 5-5} in length of head. Snout

short, obtusely conical. Under side of head (including rami of lower

jaw) scaly. Maxilla extending to below hind margin of eye. Teeth

in a band in upper jaw, outer series enlarged, considerably larger than

the (6-8) inner series, in a single moderately enlarged series in lower

jaw. Barbel subequal to eye. Gill-rakers 10-11. D 2, 9+2, 2nd

ray 12-14 length of head, closely serrate in its entire length; A ca.

* Tn the following descriptions of Macruroids, owing to the considerable difference

in size between the actual eye-ball and the orbit, ‘‘eye”’ is taken to mean the

distance between the orbital margins, unless the contrary is specially stated.

VOI xexds PART le 22

338 Annals of the South African Museum.

110; P 19-21, equal to postorbital length of head; V 12, outermost

ray filiform, twice as long as any of the other rays, ? length of head.

Scales: 12-14 sub-parallel or slightly diverging rows of small spinules

on each scale ; 6 between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Distance from

vent to isthmus equal to length of head. No scaleless fossa. Pylorie

caeca 9-11. (Plate XIII, figs. 4, 4a.)

Length.—Up to 510 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish, fins and gill-membranes plea

Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 450-950 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This species seems close to leptolepis Gnthr. (Brazilian coast), but

differs in the larger eye, more numerous flutings on scales, presence

of scales on lower side of head, and greater number of ventral rays.

This last feature seems to differentiate it from all other species of the

genus. (Strvatura, the fluting on a column.)

Gen. COELORHYNCHUS Giorna.

1803. Giorna, Mem. R. Ac. Torino., vol. xvi, p. 178.

1916. Gilbert and Hubbs, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. li, p. 169.

1920. Id., Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. i, pt. 7, p. 424 (key

to subgenera and known species).

Head moderately or rather long, with definite ridges covered with

modified scales, the suborbital ridge being the most prominent.

Scales ctenoid, moderate, or rather large, with spinules or keels.

Snout prominent, but variable, sometimes comparatively short,

sometimes very long. Mouth inferior, moderately wide. Teeth in

villiform bands in both jaws, occasionally biserial, or nearly so, in

one or both jaws. Barbel present. Maxilla extending to below

middle or hind margin of eye. Two dorsal fins, 2nd ray of Ist spine-

like, smooth. Anal better developed than 2nd dorsal. A fold of

membrane attached to Ist gill-arch. Giull-rakers tubercular. Pseudo-

branchiae absent. Branchiostegals 6. Pyloric caeca moderately

numerous.

A genus of numerous species, about half of which are found in the

Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Key to the South African species.

I. Teeth in lower jaw in 2 (often irregular) series. Scales on head-ridges little

strengthened. Spinules on scales arranged in quincunx. Subopercle

without flap : ‘ C : . subgen. Quincuncia, argentatus.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 339

II. Teeth in bands. Scales on head-ridges more or less strongly armed. Sub-

opercle with acute flap.

A. Spinules on scales on parallel or subparallel ridges subgen. Paramacrurus.

1. Eye longer than snout é : : ; ; . fasciatus.

2. Snout longer than eye : : : ; . denticulatus.

B. Spinules on scales on divergent ridges

subgen. Oxymacrurus, flabellispinis.

C. Spinules on scales on a very strong median ridge, flanked with smaller

ones in parallel rows 6 6 subgen. Oxygadus.

1. Eye greater than interorbital width —. . : . braueri.

2. Eye equal to interorbital width . : : ; acanthiger.

Subgen. Quincuncia G. and H.

Coelorhynchus argentatus 8. and R.

1912. Smith and Radcliffe, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xliu, p. 137,

Tol, SOO, 10%, Te

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 65, Fish, p. 160, pl. i, figs. 4, 4a

(acus).

1920. Gilbert and Hubbs, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. 1,

pt. 7, p. 433.

Depth 64, length of head 4, in length of body. Snout acutely

Fic. 18.—Diagrams representing the types of scale found in four subgenera

of Coelorhynchus: a, Quincuncia argentatus; b, Paramacrurus fasciatus ;

c, Oxymacrurus flabellispinis ; d, Oxygadus brauert.

produced, dorsal profile straight, slightly concave laterally behind

apex, then straight, 2% in length of head. Hye subequal to interorbital

width, 14 in length of snout, 34 in length of head. Lower surface of

head quite scaleless. Barbel 3 diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 5.

Maxilla extending to below middle of eye. Teeth in lower jaw

irregularly biserial. Suboperculum without a flap. D 2, 9+2, 2nd

ray slender (tip broken); P 14, half length of head; V 7, 4 length

of head, not reaching vent. Scales: spinules slender, arranged in

quincunx; ? 6 rows between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Distance

from vent to isthmus 1} times in length of head. A very narrow

340 Annals of the South African Museum.

scaleless fossa extending from vent to midway between base of ventral

and isthmus, expanded at both ends. Pyloric caeca 11.

Length.—Up to 100 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish, sides of head and body and

especially the abdominal region bright silver, the scaleless mid-ventral

line black.

Locality.—Off Nanquas Peak (east of Algoa Bay), 47 fathoms.

Distribution.—Philippine Islands, 100-300 fathoms.

It is with some hesitation that I refer a small specimen 100 mm.

long to this species, which reaches 365 mm. in length. It agrees,

however, very closely with the descriptions except that the maxilla

only reaches as far as below middle of eye, not to below the hind

margin as described by Gilbert and Hubbs and figured by Smith and

Radcliffe. In other respects there seems to be no essential point of

disagreement. The barbel is slightly longer and the under side of the

head is completely scaleless.

Subgen. PARAMACRURUS Blkr.

Coelorhynchus fasciatus (Guthr.).

Banded Rat-tail.

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ui, p. 24.

1887. Id., Challenger Rep., vol. xxn, p. 129, pl. xxviu, fig. A.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 111, p. 135 (egg).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D: Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1,3p7259:

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 105.

Depth 53-6, length of head 5, in length of body. Snout short and

blunt, shorter than long diameter of eye which is 24 in length of head

and almost twice the interorbital width. Head entirely scaleless on

under side, the ridges not very prominent. Barbel 23-3 in long

diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 6. Teeth in villiform bands. Sub-

operculum with flap on lower angle. Maxilla extending to below

middle of eye. D 2,10+a, 2nd ray equal to or slightly longer than

length of head without snout; A 80-90; P 15-17, 3-2 length of

head; V 7, outermost ray filamentous, as long as pectoral. Scales:

12-18 subparallel rows of spinules on each scale; 4 scales between Ist

dorsal and lateral line. Distance from vent to isthmus equal to length

of head without snout. No scaleless fossa. Pyloric caeca 18-20.

Length.—Up to 500 mm.

Colour.—Greyish brown, more or less silvery, usually with a series

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 341

of dark blotches forming irregular cross-bands, pupil translucent, iris

ereyish-silvery.

Locality.—Off west coast, Cape Point, and south slope of Agulhas

Bank, 89-250 fathoms.

Distribution.—Subantarctic, west and east sides of the extremity of

South America. |

The South African specimens agree with the descriptions of Giinther

and Brauer, except that they differ constantly in the greater number of

rows of spinules on the scales. The typical number is 8-10 (fewer on

young specimens).

*Coelorhynchus denticulatus Regan.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 415.

1925. Fowler, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, p. 198, fig. 3 (natalensis).

Head as long as distance from isthmus to vent. Under side of head

scaleless. Snout acutely pointed, edges slightly convex, 14 times

diameter of eye which is 4 in length of head and less than interorbital

width. Barbel nearly equal to eye. Teeth (?). Maxilla extending

to below posterior 4 of eve. Dil+a; P half length of head; V 7,

as long as eye. Scales: 8-10 parallel series of spinules on each scale,

4 between Ist dorsal and lateral line.

Length.—Up to 270 mm.

Colour.—Uniform.

Locality.—Natal coast, 130 fathoms.

Type in British Museum.

Subgen. OxymMacrurRws Blkr.

*Coelorhynchus flabellispinis (Alc.).

1894. Alcock, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. Ixiii, pt. 2, pp. 123, 126.

1895. Id., Illustr. Zool. Investigator Fishes, pl. xvi, figs. 2, 2a.

1899. Id., Cat. Ind. Deep-sea Fish, p. 107.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 258.

Snout acutely pointed, 2 length of head, 13 times diameter of eye

which is 44 in length of head. Head scaly on under side. Barbel about

half diameter of eye. Suboperculum with a pointed flap. Maxilla

extending almost to below hind margin of eye. D 2,8-+2, 2nd ray

about 4 length of head; A 77-95; P 16, half length of head; V 7,

outermost ray filamentous and equal to pectoral. Scales: 7-9

radiating series of spinules on each scale; 4-44 between Ist dorsal

and lateral line. Pyloric caeca about 40 (Alcock), 22 (Brauer).

Length.—Up to 475 mm.

342 Annals of the South African Museum.

Colour.—Greyish, fins and gill-membranes black.

Locality.—Simon’s Bay, 35 fathoms.

Distribution.—Indian Ocean, 300-700 fathoms.

The inclusion of this species in the fauna list rests on a single

specimen taken in Simon’s Bay by the “ Valdivia” and identified by-

Brauer with Alcock’s species.

Gilbert and Hubbs (1920), p. 497, are inclined to doubt Brauer’s

identification ; and the record of this species must therefore remain

somewhat uncertain.

Subgen. Oxycanbus G. and H.

Coelorhynchus (Oxygadus) brauert Brurd.

Shovel-nose Rat-tail.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. i, p. 137 (egg, as Macrurus

parallelus non Gnthr.).

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 257

(parallelus non Guthr.).

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 501.

Depth 7-8, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Depth of body

usually half length of head, or a little more. Snout conically produced,

depressed, dorsal profile concave, margins nearly straight, slightly

concave before the sharply pointed apex, length 24 in length of head.

Distance between isthmus and symphysis of lower jaw a little shorter

than distance between point of snout and margin of upper jaw.

Interorbital width 2 (long) diameter of eye, which is 14 in snout and

34 in length of head. Lower surface of head scaly. Barbel 4 diameter

of eye. Gill-rakers 6 (7). Teeth in villiform bands. Suboperculum

with a narrow acutely pointed flap. D 2, 8+a, 2nd ray slender,

apically filiform, 14 in length of head. Interdorsal space 14-2 times

length of Ist dorsal. Aca. 100; P 18, almost equal to length of snout ;

V 7, about as long as pectoral. Scales: 5-9 subparallel rows of

spinules on each scale, the middle row on a strong keel, scales on

ridges on head with the spinules more or less stellate in arrangement,

the median row becoming predominant posteriorly ; 5 between Ist

dorsal and lateral line. Distance from vent to isthmus about equal

to distance from anterior margin of eye to hind margin of operculum.

A narrow longitudinal scaleless fossa from vent half-way to base of

ventrals. Pyloric caeca 8-9. (Plate XIII, fig. 5.)

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish ; gill-membranes and fins dusky ;

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 343

2nd dorsal ray, outermost ray of ventral, and upper 2-3 rays of

pectoral light.

Locality.—West coast, off Saldanha Bay and Table Bay, off Cape

Point and East London, 250—450 fathoms.

Distribution.—S.W. coast of Africa (25° 25’ §., 6° 12’ E.), 500

fathoms (“‘ Valdivia”’). The distribution is probably continuous

between this locality and the localities off Saldanha Bay.

Type in South African Museum.

The reasons for considering this a new species are as follows: It

agrees in the number of rows of spinules on the scales with the form

recorded by Brauer from the south-west coast of Africa; and also

with the form from the Kermadecs named kermadecus by Jordan and

Gilbert, 1904. It differs from Giinther’s description of parallelus in

the eye being greater than interorbital width, and the number of

pyloric caeca and pectoral rays. On the other hand, it agrees with the

measurements of Japanese and Philippine specimens of parallelus

given by Gilbert and Hubbs as regards the eye and interorbital

width, but not the interdorsal space.

In view of this conflict and the constancy of the characters given

above for the South African specimens, and the fact that as Gilbert

and Hubbs remark several species have been confused under the

name parallelus, it seems better to introduce a new name for the form

hitherto recorded in the South African fauna list as parallelus. I

associate 1t with the name of Brauer, who first gave a brief description

of specimens caught just outside our area.

Coelorhynchus acanthiger Brurd.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 502.

Depth 7, length of head 33, in length of body. Snout conically

produced, not depressed, its dorsal profile straight not concave,

margins gently convex right up to the acute apex, length nearly

24 in length of head. Distance between isthmus and symphysis of

lower jaw equal to distance from tip of snout to margin of upper jaw.

Interorbital width equal to (slightly less in a small specimen) long

diameter of eye, which is 14 in length of snout and 34 in length of

head. Lower surface of head scaly. Barbel 34—4 in diameter of eye.

Gill-rakers 6. Teeth in villiform bands. Suboperculum with a

pointed (but not very narrow and acute) flap. D 2, 7-8+2, 2nd ray

slender, 2 in length of head (it seems to be complete). Interdorsal

space twice (or a little less) length of base of Ist dorsal. A ca. 90;

P 18, 3in length of head; V7, outer ray equal to pectoral and reach-

344 Annals of the South African Museum.

ing to vent. Scales: 5 (in some, scales 6 or 7) subparallel rows of

spinules on each side, the middle row on a strong keel, scales on the

sub- and supra-orbital ridges with a strong median ridge bearing

strong spinules, with or without a flanking ridge on either side ;

5 between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Distance from vent to isthmus

equal to distance from anterior margin of eye to hind margin of

operculum. No scaleless fossa. Pyloric caeca 11.

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Brown ; fins and gill-membranes blackish.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 460 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This species is closely allied to spinifer G. and H., but distinguished

by the shorter snout, greater interdorsal space, fewer dorsal rays, and

more numerous rows of spinules on the scales. The ridges on the

head appear to be as strongly spinose as in spinifer.

Gen. MALACOCEPHALUS Gnthr.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 396.

1916. Gilbert and Hubbs, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. li, p. 189

(Key to species).

1920. ZId., Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. i, pt. 7, p. 541.

Head moderately long. Scales minute, ctenoid, much deeper

than long, extending over whole head. Snout bluntly conical, slightly

projecting. Mouth inferior, wide. Length of upper jaw distinctly

less than 3 in length of head. Teeth biserial in upper jaw, the outer

row much stronger than the inner, uniserial in lower jaw, none on

vomer or palatine. Barbel present. Maxilla extending to or beyond

hind margin of eye. Two dorsal fins, 2nd ray of 1st dorsal spine-lke,

not serrated. Anal fin better developed than 2nd dorsal. A fold of

membrane attached to Ist gill-arch, restricting 1st gill-slit. Gull-

rakers tubercular. Pseudobranchiae absent. Branchiostegals 7.

Pyloric caeca very numerous and profusely branched.

A small genus of four species from the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific

Oceans.

Malacocephalus laevis (Lowe).

Small-scaled Rat-tail.

1843. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 92.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 148, pl. xxxix, fig. B.

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., vol. Ixv, p. 166.

Depth 7, length of head 53, in length of body. Eye equal to snout,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 345

equal to or slightly less than interorbital width, 4 in length of head.

Maxilla extending to below posterior margin of pupil. Barbel equal

to diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 12 on whole of anterior arch. D 2,

11+a, 2nd ray 1% 1m length of head ; P 20, half length of head; V 8,

23 in length of head, reaching to about base of 4th anal ray. Scales :

about 20 between dorsal and lateral line; scales with from 9-20

spinules according to position on body. Vent in an ovoid scaleless

fossa midway between bases of ventrals and anal; a transversely

oval scaleless fossa between the bases of the ventrals.

Length.—Up to 580 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Light brownish, abdominal region dusky.

Locality.— Off Cape Point and East London, 250-450 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, Indo-Pacific Oceans, 200-650

fathoms.

It is not surprising that a species with such a wide range should be

found also in the deep waters off the South African coast. The identity

of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean specimens is attested by both

Alcock and Brauer.

It is therefore all the more remarkable that the specimens (I have

only seen two) from South Africa, while agreeing in general with the

descriptions of laevis, show one or two points of disagreement. Thus

both specimens have 20 pectoral rays, the innermost ones very short

but quite distinct. That it is the eye (as distinct from the orbit)

which is reckoned in the above description may explain the slight

differences from other descriptions where perhaps the two are not

distinguished (cf. Giinther’s figure of the head).

When more specimens are procured it may be possible to separate

the South African form as a species or subspecies.

Gen. VENTRIFOSSA G. and H.

1920. Gilbert and Hubbs, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. i,

pt. 7, p. 543.

The characters of this genus are the same as those of Lionurus

except that the upper jaw is considerably longer, distinctly less than

3 times in length of head ; the ventro-lateral extension of the gill-slits

is continued forwards to below posterior margin of orbit.

Gilbert and Hubbs speak of the mouth as subterminal, but it seems

to be no more “ terminal ”’ than in certain species of Lionurus, and

I omit this character as differentiating the two genera.

The joint authors record eleven species in this genus, forming in

their opinion a very natural group.

346 Annals of the South African Museum.

Ventrifossa divergens G. and H.

1920. Gilbert and Hubbs, loc. cit., p. 549, text-fig. 37.

Depth about 7, length of head about 6, in length of body. Snout

equal to interorbital width ; 14 in diameter of eye, which is about

3 in length of head. Snout bluntly conical, scaly below. Barbel

equal to eye. Teeth in viliform bands, 3-4 series in both jaws, outer

row 1n upper jaw enlarged. Length of upper jaw 24 in length of head.

Gill-rakers 12. D 2, 1l+za, 2nd ray at least ? length of head (tip

broken off), closely serrulate, serrations more or less obsolete basally ;

A ca. 120; P 22-24, 3 length of head; V 9, inserted below base of

pectoral, lst ray shortly filamentous, equal to postorbital length of

head. Scales: about 10 rows of spinules on each scale, arranged in

quincunx ; 7-8 between Ist dorsal and lateral line, 7 between 2nd

dorsal and lateral line. Posteriorly to the abdominal region the

scales appear to be all cycloid, as likewise are those on the shoulder

girdle. No enlarged spineless scales behind Ist dorsal. Vent nearer

to bases of ventrals than to origin of anal fin, preceded by, and im-

perfectly separated from a small round scaleless fossa lying between

bases of ventrals. Pyloric caeca numerous, ca. 80-90.

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish ; gill-membranes and abdominal

region dusky, violaceous ; fins, ight; axil of pectoral dark.

Locality.—-Ofi East London, 300-400 fathoms.

Distribution.—Borneo, East Indies, 305 fathoms.

The two specimens in the South African Museum appear to be this

species which reaches a length of 302 mm. Gilbert and Hubbs do

not mention a band of cycloid scales on the shoulder girdle in

divergens, though they mention it in 1916 (loc. cit., p. 193) for garmant

J. and G. The cycloid scales on the posterior region of the body

in the present specimens may be due to immaturity; the specimens,

however, have lost the scales from the greater part of the body,

only small scattered patches still remaining. Affinity to the smooth

scaled species of Lionurus (subgen. Lionurus) is perhaps indicated.

Gen. Lionurus Gnthr.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxu, p. 124.

1916. Gilbert and Hubbs, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. li, p. 192.

1920. Id., Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. i, pt. 7, p. 553.

Head moderately long. Scales small or moderately small, ctenoid

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 347

as a rule (cycloid in the subgenus Lionurus), extending over the head.

Snout bluntly conical, more or less projecting. Mouth inferior,

moderately wide. Length of upper jaw 3 or considerably more than

3 in length of head. Teeth in bands in both jaws, often in an irregular

series in lower jaw, outer row in upper jaw frequently enlarged.

Barbel present. Maxilla extending to, but not beyond, level of centre

of eye. Two dorsal fins, 2nd ray of Ist spine-lke, serrated. Anal

better developed than 2nd dorsal. A fold of membrane attached

to Ist gill-arch. Giull-rakers tubercular. Pseudobranchiae absent.

Branchiostegals 7. Pyloric caeca in moderate numbers, unbranched.

A genus of rather numerous species, mostly with ctenoid scales

(subgen. Nezumia), a few like the type species with cycloid scales

(Lionurus sens. str.). Widely distributed, but chiefly in the Indo-

Pacific.

Key to the South African species.

1. Ventrals arising in front of base of pectoral.

a. Ventrals arising below middle of operculum. D 2, 11-12. V 11-13

pumiliceps.

b. Ventrals arising below hind margin of operculum. D 2, 10-11. V 13-15

nigromaculatus.

2. Ventrals arising behind or immediately below base of pectoral.

a. Snout scaly below : ; : : : é : 2 leonis.

b. Snout scaleless below . : : : : i . _ brevibarbatus.

*Lionurus pumiliceps (Alc.).

1894. Alcock, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. lxiii, pt. 2, p. 125.

1895. Id., Ilustr. Zool. Investigator Fishes, pl. xvi, fig. 3.

1899. Id., Cat. Ind. Deep-sea Fish, p. 113.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 262.

1920. Gilbert and Hubbs, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 100, vol. 1,

pt. 7, p. 559.

Body very abruptly narrowed from behind Ist dorsal ray and base

of anal. Depth equal to length of head, a little less than 8 in length

of body. Eve 3 (or a little over) in length of head, subequal to snout.

Upper jaw a little over 3 in length of head. Barbel ? length of eye.

Gill-rakers 8. D 2, 11-12+2, 2nd ray as long as head, not strongly

serrate ; P 18 (Alcock), 20-23 (Gilbert and Hubbs), as long as head

without snout; V 11-13, the outermost ray as long as pectoral,

inserted far forward below the middle of operculum. Scales: from

3-8 (usually 6) rows of spinules on each scale ; 8-9 between Ist dorsal

and lateral line. Vent between bases of ventral fins, before level of

348 Annals of the South African Museum.

origin of Ist dorsal, and closely followed by anal fin. Pylorice caeca

9-10 (Alcock), 24-40 (Brauer).

Length.—Up to 275 mm.

Colour.—Greyish or brownish.

Locality.—Agulhas Bank, 35° 10’ §., 23° 2’ E., 250 fathoms

(* Valdivia ’’).

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, 400-900 fathoms.

LTnonurus nigromaculatus (McC.).

Black-spotted Rat-taal.

1907. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 5, p. 346, pl. lxin,

figs. 1, la.

Body very abruptly narrowed from behind Ist dorsal ray and base

of anal. Depth (at 1st dorsal spine) 63, length of head 74, in length

of body. Orbit 24, eye 3, in length of head, greater than snout

which is 4-43 in length of head, interorbital width # diameter of eye.

Upper jaw 34-34 in length of head. Snout blunt, lower surface scaly.

Barbel 2-3? diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 8-9. D 2, 10-1l1+a, 2nd

dorsal ray a little longer than depth of body, with about 22 serra-

tions; P 20-22, 3 length of head; V 13-15, outermost ray shorter

than pectoral, inserted just in advance of base of pectoral and below

hind margin of operculum. Scales: 8—9 rows of spinules on each

scale; 15-16 between Ist dorsal and lateral line. Vent midway

between base of anal and bases of ventrals, between which there is

a small round scaleless fossa. Pyloric caeca 40-50.

Length.—Up to 227 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, hind portion of head and abdominal region

dusky, violaceous; ventrals dark. McCulloch describes a dark blotch

on the Ist dorsal, but there are only obscure indications of it in some of

the South African specimens.

Locality. —Off Cape Point and East London, 150-300 fathoms.

Distribution.—South-East Australia, 800 fathoms.

The South African specimens agree exactly with McCulloch’s

description. He does not, however, give the number of pyloric caeca.

The largest South African specimen measures 200 mm.

This species closely resembles pumiliceps in the shape of the body,

being very abruptly narrowed behind the Ist dorsal and base of anal ;

the ventrals, however, do not arise so far forward, and their rays are

more numerous.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 349

LTionurus leonis Brurd.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 503.

Body not very abruptly narrowed behind Ist dorsal and base

of anal. Depth about 7, length of head about 6, in length of body

(tip of tail lost). Depth 1% in length of head. Eye (not orbit)

subequal to snout and to interorbital width, 34 in length of head.

Snout blunt, lower surface scaly. Length of upper jaw 34 in length

of head. Barbel # diameter of eye. Mandibular teeth in a band

slightly broader than the band in upper jaw, the outer teeth of which

are slightly enlarged. Gill-rakers 8. D 2,8+2, 2nd ray 4 length of

head, with 16-18 serrations; P 22-24, 3 length of head; V 9, 2

length of head, inserted at level of 1st dorsal spine and behind base of

pectoral. Scales: 6 rows of spinules on each scale; 12 between

Ist dorsal and lateral line. Vent between bases of ventrals, with a

small round scaleless fossa in front. Pyloric caeca 14-16. (Plate

XIII, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to (about) 300 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Brownish, gill-membranes dusky.

Locality.—Off Cape Point, 90-345 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

Lionurus brevibarbatus Brurd.

1925. Barnard, Aun. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 503.

Body not abruptly narrowed behind Ist dorsal and base of anal.

Depth about 6, length of head about 5, in length of body. Eye sub-

equal to snout. One and a half times interorbital width, 33 in length

of head. Snout bluntly conical. The apical tubercle of snout fairly

prominent, lateral tubercles not prominent ; lower surface scaleless.

Length of upper jaw 34 in length of head. Barbel 2} in eye. Teeth

in villiform bands, the outer row in upper jaw enlarged. Gill-rakers 9.

D 2, 11+a, 2nd ray 2 length of head, with numerous serrations; P 16,

a little more than half length of head; V 11, 24+in length of head, reach-

ing to base of anal, inserted immediately beneath bases of pectoral

rays and in advance of Ist dorsal spine. Scales: about 10 rows of

spinules on each side ; 6—7 between base of Ist dorsal and lateral line.

Vent midway between bases of anal and ventrals. No (separate)

scaleless fossa. Pyloric caeca ca. 30.

Length.—Up to 260 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, violaceous over the abdomen; gill-membranes

blackish ; fins dusky.

350 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 300-950 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This species is very close to brevirostris Alck., but differs in the larger

eye relatively to the snout, the absence of scales on the under side of

snout, the shorter barbel, fewer pectoral rays, and shorter 2nd dorsal

ray.

It appears to be a common species at considerable depths in the

vicinity of Cape Point.

Division 138. ALLOTRIOGNATHI.

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic) or absent. No

mesocoracoid. Pectoral arch suspended from skull. Pelvic bones

embraced by or articulated to the coracoids. Maxilla free, protractile.

A single dorsal. Ventral fins without spines, often with numerous

rays. Caudal well developed or degenerate. Scales minute or

absent. Teeth small or absent. Pseudobranchiae present or absent.

Fishes of very different aspect are grouped together in this division.

They have in common, besides the characters mentioned above, the

very oblique cleft of the mouth which is more or less protractile.

Key to the South African families.

1. Body deep, not elongate. Lower pharyngeals toothed. Ventrals 15-17-rayed

Lamprididae.

2. Body very elongate, ribbon-shaped. . Lower pharyngeals toothless. Ventrals

never more than 9-rayed, sometimes reduced or even obsolete.

a. No anal fin. Vent in middle of very elongate body . Trachypteridae.

b. Anal very short. Vent far back . : ! 5 : Lophotidae.

Fam. 1. LAMPRIDIDAE.

Body deep, not elongate. Scales minute, deciduous, cycloid.

Mouth bordered by premaxilla and to a certain extent by the maxilla

also, oblique. Skeleton well ossified. Post-temporal forked. Verte-

brae numerous. Ribs strong. Dorsal and anal fins long, without

spines, the anterior rayslong. Pectorals folding downwards. Ventrals

15-17-rayed. Lower pharyngeals toothed. No teeth in mouth.

Pseudobranchiae absent. Air-bladder large.

A single genus.

Gen. Lampris Retz.

1799. Retzius in Nya Handlung, vol. ii, p. 91.

With the characters of the family.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 351

Lampris luna (Gmel.).

Moon-fish ; Opah ; King-fish.

1788. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., p. 1225.

1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 416 (references).

1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., vol. 1, p. 123, fig. 34 (pelagicus).

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8.A., vol. ii, p. 4, pl. xxil (im-

maculata).

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 84.

Depth of body about half length, but proportions varying according

to age. Hye a little more than 5 in length of head. D 53-55,

A 36-40, V (14) 15-17. (Plate XIV, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 1800 mm.

Colour.—Steely or ultramarine blue above, lighter below, with

silvery and rosy sheen, with or without white spots over body; fins

brillant red.

Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic, Mediterranean, N. Pacific, Hawaii

Islands.

Type of ammaculata in South African Museum.

This very distinctive fish is not unfrequently found in the warmer

parts of the N. Atlantic, especially around Madeira. It is, however,

a deep-water fish.

Only two specimens are known from South African waters: one

cast up in Table Bay in April 1887 (no longer in South African

Museum), the other cast up in False Bay in August 1902. The latter

is the type of «mmaculata and, together with a cast, is in the South

African Museum.

As both the specimens found in South Africa had no traces of the

usual spots, Gilchrist created a separate species. But as some of the

European records mention the absence of spots, it would seem that

this character is not of specific importance. Likewise, it seems prob-

able that the other characters, relied upon by Gilchrist, are generic

rather than specific. The anterior elevation of the anal fin is shown

in a picture of a spotted specimen from Honolulu (Jordan, Guide

Study Fish, vol. i, p. 323, 1905).

I fail to find in the dried skin any of the mucous pores on the head

mentioned by Gilchrist.

The flesh of this fish is red in colour and regarded as a great delicacy,

being tender, oily, and of exquisite flavour.

352 Annals of the South African Museum.

Fam. 2. TRACHYPTERIDAE.

Deal-fishes and Oar-fishes.

Body elongate, ribbon-shaped. Scales absent. Mouth very

protractile with a few feeble teeth. Skeleton feebly ossified. Post-

temporal simple. Ribs small and slender, or absent. Dorsal fin

extending from head to end of tail, anterior rays prolonged. Anal

absent. Caudal present or absent. Ventral fins with never more

than 7—9 rays, often reduced or obsolete. Lower pharyngeals tooth-

less. Vent about in middle of body. Pseudobranchiae present.

Air-bladder absent.

Two genera, both of which occur in South Africa.

Key to the genera.

Ventral fin with 6-9 rays. Caudal present : , . Trachypterus.

Ventral reduced to a single elongate ray. Caudal abort é . Regalecus.

Gen. TRACHYPTERUS Gouan.

1770. Gouan, Hist. Poiss., pp. 104, 153.

1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., pt. 1, pp. 310, 314.

Ventral fins well developed, consisting of 6-9 rays. Caudal fin

present, divided into a larger portion projecting upwards and a smaller

lower portion. Lateral line spiny.

Although comparatively little is known about the habits of these

fishes, they appear to inhabit deep water and only after storms are

seen in shallow water or cast on the beach. Owing to the fragility

of both the skeleton and flesh, nearly all specimens are more or less

damaged. Many species have been described from such mutilated

specimens, but it is probable that only a few species should be recog-

nised, the majority being synonymous.

The younger stages have been studied in the Mediterranean, and a

resumé with figures will be found in Smitt’s work (loc. cit.).

The most remarkable feature of the young fish is the great elongation

of the anterior rays of the dorsal and the rays of the ventral and caudal

fins. The caudal fin in the early stages is symmetrical and only becomes

bipartite later, when the elongate rays of the lower portion are broken

off and the upper portion becomes turned upwards like a fan.

Key to the South African species.

1. Greatest depth of body near the occiput : : : : : tris.

2. Greatest depth in the middle of body . ; : : ; . arcticus.

PLATE XIV.

FIG. TEXT-PAGE

1. Lampris luna (Gmel.) (original) . : 3 : ® é = Veer ool

2. Regalecus glesne (Ascan.) (after Layard) . 5 5 : - - 354—

3. Trachypterus arcticus (Briimn.) (original). £5 ee : Z 5 SEP

4. Lophotes cepedianus Giorna (head, after Boulenger) . : : S357

5. Lophotopsis fiski (Gnthr.) (head, after Gunther) . A A ep ood

6 Monocentris japonicus (Hout) (after Cuv. and Val.) . é 5 5 aad)

Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI. Plate XIV.

Neill & Co., Ltd.

wt)

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.

Trachypterus wis (Walb.).

Mediterranean Deal-fish.

1788. Walbaum, Artedi, vol. ii, p. 617.

1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 480 (taenza).

1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 302.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 477, fig. 391.

Greatest depth of body near the occiput, 54-54 in length. D 162-

168, the anterior 6 rays elevated, the others more or less rough and

with a small spine at base of each; V 7(-8). Caudal with 8 rays

projecting upwards. Lateral line spiny. Lower margin of abdomen

with small papillae and tubercles.

Length.—Up to 550 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with 3 blackish spots on the back ; fins rose-red.

Locality.—Table Bay.

Distribution.—Mediterranean.

The only record of this species in South African waters is a specimen,

550 mm. in length, washed up in Table Bay in 1883 and now preserved

in the South African Museum.

Trachypterus arcticus (Brinn.).

North Atlantic Deal-fish.

1788. Briinnich, Vid. Sels. Skr. Nya. Saml., vol. in, p. 408, pl. B,

figs. 1-3.

1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., pt. 1, p. 315, fig. 83.

Greatest depth about in the middle of the body, 54-6 in length.

D 162-172, the anterior 6 rays elevated, the others more or less

rough and with a small spine at base of each; V 6-9 (10). Caudal

with 8 rays projecting upwards. Lateral line spiny. Lower margin

of abdomen with small papillae and tubercles. (Plate XIV, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 2460 mm. (8 ft.).

Colour.—Silvery, with 3 blackish spots on the back, the hindmost

one often absent in large specimens, forehead and front of jaws also

blackish, fins rose-red ; iris black; pupil light, probably greenish or

silvery in life.

Locality.—Cape seas.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic.

Of this species also there is only one record for South Africa. The

specimen is in the South African Museum and is 560 mm. in length,

but the exact place of capture is not recorded.

VOL. XXI, PART 1. 23

354 Annals of the South African Museum.

Gen. REGALECUS Brinn.

1788. Briinnich, Vid. Sels. Skr. Nya. Saml., vol. iii, p. 414.

1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., pt. 1, p. 320.

Ventral fins reduced to a single elongate ray. Caudal fin absent

(except in young). Lateral line not spiny.

The life-history and early stages of the Oar-fish are even less known

than those of the Deal-fishes. Smitt gives particulars of a small

specimen, 560 mm. long, which had a caudal fin consisting of 7 rays,

of which the lower ones were very elongate and delicate. In the adult

the tail is always mutilated, and in the majority of cases the wound

has healed in a characteristic S-shaped curve.

Several “ species ’’ have been described from different parts of the

world, but as these fishes appear to inhabit the deeper waters of the

oceans, it is probable that there is only one widely distributed species.

Some notes on the specimens which have come to the South African

Museum are given below. Our knowledge of the structure is, how-

ever, very incomplete; the exact shape of the occipital crest, for

instance, is not known with any certainty. Vayssiére (Bull. Mus.

Paris, 1917, No. 1, p. 19) states that it is not divided into two.

It is greatly to be desired, therefore, that any specimen which is

captured off the coast or washed up should be immediately reported

to the nearest museum or scientific institution, so that it may be

examined promptly by a competent observer.

The Oar-fish has been seen to swim with an undulating motion and

probably is responsible for many of the tales of “‘ sea-serpents.” It

derives its name from the two long ventral rays, and its other name

from the supposed association with the shoals of herrings on the

Norwegian coasts.

Regalecus glesne (Ascan.).

Oar-fish or King-of-the-Herrings.

1788. Ascanius, Vid. Sels. Skr. Nya. Saml., vol. iii, p. 421.

1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 376

(capensis).

1868. Layard, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1868, p. 319, fig. (capensis).

1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., pt. 1, p. 322, fig. 87.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 153 (gladius)

(references).

Length of head ;.-.), in total length, and less than greatest depth

of body, which is ~;—; in length. Tail tapering to a fine point, but

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 355

in most specimens with the point broken off and ending in an oblique

S-shaped curve. The anterior 10-15 rays elongate, the lst and some-

times also the 6th or 7th rays much stouter and longer than the others,

the webbing of the crest either continuous (?) or divided into two.

P 13, longer than the length of its base. Five longitudinal rows of

tubercles on the sides. (Plate XIV, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to about 16 ft.

Colour.—Silvery, with more or less distinct circular or ovate

brownish spots, some of them ocellate, vertical wavy black stripes in

anterior 4 of body, with a ventral series continuing half-way along

body; dorsal and ventral fins coral-red ; pectoral grey; eye silvery,

with black pupil.

Locality.— Table Bay and Atlantic coast of Cape Peninsula, False

Bay, Mossel Bay, Knysna.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic, Mediterranean, Bermuda, Indian

Ocean, Australia.

The following is a list of records of this fish in Cape waters, with the

dates of capture :—

1. ca. 1834. “Cape” F : . Cuvier and Valenciennes (capensis).

2. ca. 1858. ““ Cape” 6 : 6 . : : 5 Castelnau.

3. Sept. 1865. Simonsbay . : ; : ; , : . Giimther.

4, Feb. 1868. Table Bay 3 , 5 : : : Layard.

5. Feb. 1906. Blaauwberg Beach . : 3 . South African Museum.

§. Feb. 1906. Chapman’s Bay 5 : Bs é

7. Jan. 1914. Clifton-on-Sea : . reported to South African Museum.

8. Jan. 1914. Mossel Bay . : : zs Be a

9. Nov. 1917. Sea Point : s ; é . South African Museum.

10. Apr. 1924. Knysna. : : . reported to South African Museum.

Nos. 5, 6, and 9 are mounted in the South African Museum.

No. 5 has the stout Ist dorsal spine 16 in. in length and followed

by 4 (or probably 5) slender spines, all webbed nearly to the ends.

The base of this portion of the crest is 1 in. in length. Then follows

another strong spine followed by 4 or 5 slender ones about 12 in.

long. Base of 2nd portion of crest 2 in. in length. Short dorsal

spines ca. 250, there being 106 in a space of 67 in. (1678 mm.) (¢f.

Valenciennes and Smitt).

No. 6 has the occipital crest too mutilated for comparison. There

are ca. 200 dorsal rays, 124 in a space of 67 in.

No. 9 is the most interesting specimen. It is 15 ft. 8 in. in length

and has the tai] tapering to a fine point (the other specimens have

356 Annals of the South African Museum.

artificial tails to correspond with this one). The 1st dorsal spine is

very stout and is followed by 11 spines which gradually diminish in

thickness. Short dorsal rays ca. 408, 153 in a space of 67 in. The last

4 inches of the tail comprises 5 vertebrae with articulations for ca. 28

spines, which are, however, very small or almost obsolete. In the

tail region there are 4 interspinal processes in the length of each

vertebra, irrespective of the length of the latter, and one above the

junction of each pair ot vertebrae.

Fam. 3. LoPHOTIDAE.

Ribbon-fishes.

Body elongate, ribbon shaped. Scales absent. Mouth feebly pro-

tractile, with numerous but very small teeth. Skeleton moderately

well ossified. Post-temporal simple. Ribs small and slender, or

absent. Dorsal fin extending from head to end of tail, anterior rays

prolonged. Anal very short. Caudal small, undivided. Ventral

fins very small, with 4—5 rays, or absent. Lower pharyngeals tooth-

less. Vent very far back. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-bladder

present.

Ribbon-fishes do not inhabit such great depths as the Trachypteridae

apparently do; their skeleton is more strongly ossified and their flesh

of much firmer consistency.

Nothing is known about the life-history of these rare fishes.

Only two genera and two, or perhaps three, species are known.

Key to the genera.

_ Front profile of head nearly vertical, straight ; : . Lophotes.

. Front of head produced far forwards in advance of snout : Lophotopsis.

Gen. LopHOTES Giorna.

1803. Giorna, Mem. Ac. Torino, vol. ix, p. 19.

Front profile of the head truncate, rising nearly vertically from the

snout, straight or sometimes sinuous. Length of head less than depth

of body. Body not very elongate. Ventral and anal fins present ;

the ventral fins not on lower profile of body, but below and behind

bases of pectorals.

A single widely distributed species. The Japanese species capellez

is probably synonymous.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 357

Lophotes cepedianus Giorna.

Ribbon-fish.

1803. Giorna, loc. cit., p. 19, pl. xi, fig. 1.

1891. Trimen, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 483.

1900. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. i, p. 13, pl. iv.

1907. Waite, Rec. Canterb. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 33 (fisker non

Giinther).

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 153 (references).

Depth of body 64-64, length of head 8, in length of body. D 230-

245, the Ist ray very stout and elongate, the following 4-5 rays also

somewhat produced; A 18-19; P 14-15; V 5-6. (Plate XIV, fig. 4.)

Length.—-Up to 1800 mm. (6 ft.).

Colour.—Silvery, with more or less distinct brilliant silver spots, all

the fins coral-red (pectoral fin, according to Trimen, silvery).

Locality.—False Bay, Mossel Bay.

Distribution.—Mediterranean, Madeira, New Zealand.

The South African records for this fish are as follows :—-

i. June 1891. Muizenberg, False Bay . : : : : . Trimen.

2. Aug. 1899. Mossel Bay . 2 : : : : Boulenger.

3. July 1915. Hermanus : ; 3 : . South African Museum.

LOPHOTOPSIS N. g.

Front profile of head strongly produced forwards in advance of

snout. Length of head (without projection) greater than depth of

body. Body very elongate. Ventral fins absent. Anal fin probably

also absent, but end of tail mutilated.

Boulenger (1900, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 13) considered that

these characters were sufficient to justify a separate genus for this

remarkable ribbon-fish.

*Lophotopsis fiskw (Gunthr.).

Fisk’s Ribbon-fish.

1890. Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soe., p. 244, pls. xix, xx.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 153.

Depth of body about 28, length of head (without projection) about

17, in length of body. First dorsal ray stout and prolonged. (Plate

SING, silts, ps)

Length.—1250 mm.

Colour.—Silvery.

358 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.— Kalk Bay.

Type in British Museum.

Only one specimen of this fish has been caught. It was found by

fishermen in June 1889 and taken to the Rev. Fisk, by whom it was

presented to the British Museum.

Waite’s record (1907, Rec. Canterb. Mus., vol. i, p. 33) from New

Zealand applies to L. cepedianus, or perhaps to the Japanese form,

if the latter is distinct, certainly not to L. fiskv.

Division 14. BERYCOMORPHI.

1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, p. 1 (classification).

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). No mesocoracoid.

Orbitosphenoid present (except in the Xenoberyces). Maxilla not

strongly protractile. A single dorsal. Ventral fins with usually

more than 6 rays, the first of which may bespinous. Caudal fin forked.

Teeth numerous, though small (except in Cawlolepis). Pseudo-

branchiae present. Branchiostegals 4 or 7-9.

The living representatives of this group are entirely marine and

nearly all inhabitants of deep water, only a few, e.g. Holocentrus and

Monocentris, being found in shallow water. They were very abundant

in Cretaceous times, and the living forms still show many primitive

features.

One of the characteristics of the group is the possession of a highly

developed mucous-secreting apparatus, which may, perhaps, be cor-

related with their deep-sea habits.

The group is not very well represented in South African waters.

Although Regan has separated the Xenoberyces, comprising two

families, from the true Berycomorphs, I have here grouped them

together.

Key to the South African families.

J. Palate toothed. Scales ctenoid (Berycomorphi).

A. Ventral fins without spine, rays 7-8. : : . Polymixiidae.

B. Ventral fins with one spine.

1. Scales large, bony, rigidly united . : , Monocentridae.

2. Scales not bony or united.

a. One supramaxilla. Abdomen trenchant or with a median

series of enlarged keeled scales : Trachichthyidae.

b. Two supramaxillae.

i. Dorsal spines 7 or fewer ; : : Berycidae.

ii. Dorsal spines more than7 . : . Holocentridae.

I]. Palate toothless. Scales cycloid (Xenoberyces). Ventral fins with 1 spine

and 6--9 rays 3 2 : : 3 : Melamphaidae.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 359

Fam. 1. PoLYMIXIIDAE.

Dorsal and anal fins long or moderately long, with a few graduated

spines and numerous rays. Caudal with 16 branched rays. Ventrals

without spine, 7-8 rayed. Villiform teeth in bands on jaws and

palate. A pair of barbels onthe chin. Twosupramaxillae. Branchio-

stegals 4.

A single living genus.

Gen. Potymrixta Lowe.

1838. Lowe, Camb. Phil. Trans., vol. vi, p. 198.

With the characters of the family.

*Polymixia nobilis Lowe.

Barbudo (Spanish).

1838. Lowe, luc. cit., p. 198.

1887. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxii, p. 34, pl. i, fig. B.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 243, fig. 241.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iui, p. 64.

Depth of body 23, length of head 3, in length of body. Snout

blunt, wpper jaw slightly projecting. Cleft of mouth nearly horizontal.

Maxilla extending to or just beyond level of hind margin of eye, which

is 24 in length of head. Operculum spineless. Scales completely

covering body and head. D V 28-38, A III-IV 16-18. Lateral line

48-54. Barbels ? length of head.

Length.—Up to 180 mm.

Colour.—Brownish violet, with golden tints on snout; maxilla rose;

apices of anterior soft rays of dorsal dark.

Locality.—Natal, 180-218 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indian

Oceans, Japan.

Fam. 2. MoNOCENTRIDAE.

Dorsal and anal fins not long, spines of the dorsal separated from the

soft rays, the single anal spine very feeble. Caudal with 17 branched

rays. Ventrals with 1 very strong spine and 3 small rays. Vilh-

form teeth in bands in jaws and on palatine and sometimes also on

vomer. A single supramaxilla. Scales large, bony, scute-like, and

spinose, rigidly united to form a cuirass. Head with bony ridges

bordering mucous channels. Branchiostegals 8.

360 Annals of the South African Museum.

Two genera. Cle:dopus de Vis, with one species (gloria-maris)

trom Australia, has a patch of vomerine teeth, a luminous organ on

each side of the lower jaw, and a narrow suborbital bone.

Gen. Monocentris BI. Schn.

1801. Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 100.

No vomerine teeth. No luminous organ on lower jaw. Suborbital

broad.

A single species.

Monocentris japonicus (Hout.).

Knight or Pine-cone Fish.

1782. Houttyn, Act. Soc. Haarl., vol. xx, pt. 2, p. 329.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 461,

pl. xevil.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ili, p. 110 (references).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 66.

Depth 1%, length of head 23, in length of body. Snout bluntly

rounded, projecting beyond upper jaw. D VI+11, AI 9. Lateral

line 15. (Plate XIV, fig. 6.)

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour.—Golden-brown, scales outlined with darker brown; mouth

blackish.

Locality.—Mossel Bay to Natal and Delagoa Bay, 20-100 fathoms.

Distribution.—Japan, Kast Indies, Andaman Sea, Mauritius.

In Japan this fish is said to be common in clear waters with a rocky

bottom. Most of the South African specimens have been caught in

Mossel Bay.

Fam. 3. TRACHICHTHYIDAE.

Slime-heads.

Dorsal and anal spines few. Caudal with 17 branched rays.

Ventrals with 1 spine and 6-7 rays. Villiform teeth in bands on

jaws and on vomers (sometimes absent) and palatines. A single

supramaxilla. Scales normal, ctenoid. Head with bony ridges

bordering mucous channels. Abdomen with a median series of ridged

or serrated scales, sometimes not well marked. Nasals very large,

covering premaxillary processes.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 361

Key to the South African genera.

1. Abdomen with scutes.

a. Vomerine teeth present : 2 : : : , Gephyroberyz.

6. Vomerine teeth absent : : : : ; : Hoplostethus.

2. Abdomen without scutes 4 : ‘ : : . Trachichthodes,

Gen. GEPHYROBERYX Bler.

1902. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. ix, p. 203.

Scales small, somewhat irregular, those of the lateral line enlarged.

Abdomen with a median series of keeled scutes. Cleft of mouth very

oblique. Opercle irregularly serrate. A strong spine on opercle,

preopercle, and suprascapula. Vomerine teeth present. Dorsal with

8 spines, increasing in length to the 4th, then decreasing, forming a

notch between spinous and soft portions of fin. Ventrals with 6 soft

rays. Three anal spines.

*Gephyroberyx darwint (Lowe).

1866. Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 311, pl. xxxii.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 188, fig. 207.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 412.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iti, p. 64.

Depth 24, length of head 24-22, in length of body. Eye 33-4

in length of head. D VIII 14, 4th spine longest, soft rays higher

than spines, 3rd and 4th longest; A III 12. Lateral line 27-30.

Abdominal scutes 10-12. ;

Length.—Up to 475 mm.

Colour.—Head and fins reddish, body brownish red, sides grey,

belly white, opercle dusky.

Locality.—Natal coast, 148-158 fathoms.

Distribution.—Madeira, Japan, Bay of Bengal, 300-400 fathoms.

Gen. Hoputostetuus C. and V.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 469.

Scales moderate, rough with little spinules, those of the lateral

line larger. Abdomen with a median series of enlarged keeled scutes.

Cleft of mouth very oblique. Opercle entire. A strong spine on the

preopercle and onthe suprascapula. Vomerineteethabsent. Ventral

with 6 soft rays. Three anal spines.

362 Annals of the South African Museum.

Hoplostethus mediterraneum C. and V.

1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 469, pl. xevii bis.

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 189, fig. 208.

1899. Alcock, Cat. Ind. Deep-sea Fish., p. 34; Illustr. Zool.

Investigator, pl. xiv, fig. 3.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fasc. xxxv, p. 96, pl. v,

fig. 4.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 64.

Depth 24-24, length of head 24-23, in length of body. Eye 3 in

length of head. D VI 12-15, A III 9-11. Lateral line: 28-31.

Abdominal scutes, 11-13.

Length.—Up to 280 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with rosy sheen; fins reddish.

Locality.— Off Saldanha Bay, Cape Point, East London, and Natal

coast, 165-450 fathoms.

Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic, Indian Ocean,

Japan, down to 400 fathoms.

Gen. TRACHICHTHODES Gilch.

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 203.

Scales moderate, striate, and ctenoid, regularly arranged, those of the

lateral line not enlarged, abdomen trenchant but without scutes.

Cleft of mouth oblique. Opercle, preopercle, subopercle, and supra-

scapula serrated. Vomerine teeth present. Ventrals with 7 soft

rays. Four anal spines.

McCulloch (1913, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. ix, pt. 3, p. 358) has made

his genus Austroberyx synonymous with this genus. His remarks

about the trenchant abdominal margin and the scales on the operculum

are correct. But McCulloch takes as the type of his genus B. affinis

Gnthr., a species which, according to Regan (loc. cit., p. 4, pl. 1) has

2 supramaxillae and should be placed in the genus Hoplopteryx in the

Berycidae. On the other hand, B. gerrardi Guthr. has only 1 supra-

maxilla according to McCulloch (Res. Endeavour, pt. 1, p. 41, 1911).

According to Regan’s diagnoses, I have determined that Trachich-

thodes spinosus is a Trachichthyid not a Berycid. B. gerrardi should

be transferred to this genus, but the position of affinis remains doubtéul.

If Regan is correct, Austroberyx becomes a synonym of Hoplopteryz,

or may be applied to the living form, leaving the latter genus for the

Cretaceous species.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 363

Roule (1924) makes Trachichthodes, Austroberyz, and Hoplopteryx

(sensu Regan) all synonyms of Centroberyz Gill.

Trachichthodes spinosus Gilch,

1903. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 204, pl. xiii, fig. 1.

Depth a little less than 2, length of head 24, in length of body.

Eye 24 in length of head. Short but well-marked spines on lower

angles of opercle and preopercle. D VI 15, A IV 15, V I 7.

Lateral line, ca. 41. (Plate XV, fig. 1.)

Length.—68 mm.

Colour (as preserved).— Grey ; probably red when alive.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Morgan, 45 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This fish is so close to T. lineatus (C. and V.) from New Holland

that it seems scarcely worthy of specific rank. IT. lineatus is a little

less deep in the body and has 14 rays in both the soft dorsal and

anal, and 45 scales; it is a larger specimen (200 mm.).

Fam. 4. BERYCIDAE.

Dorsal and anal spines few. Caudal with 17 branched rays.

Ventrals with 1 spine and 7-13 rays. Villiform teeth in bands in

jaws and on vomer and palatine. Two supramaxillae. Scales

normal, ctenoid. Head with bony ridges bordering mucous channels.

Nasals moderate, separated by premaxillary processes, but nearly

meeting above them. Branchiostegals 7-9.

Two living genera, Beryx and Hoplopteryx. The latter is an

Australasian genus with 6-7 spines in the dorsal fin, which is longer

than the anal, and with only 7 rays in the ventral.

Gen. BEryx Cuv.

1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 11, p. 151.

1924. Roule, Bull. Mus. d’Hist. Nat. Paris, No. 1, p. 68 (Aetino-

beryx).

Dorsal fin with 4 spines and 13-19 rays. Anal with 3-4 spines,

26-30 rays, much longer than dorsal. Ventrals with 1 spine and 10-13

rays. Opercle and preopercle without spines.

Beryx longipinnis Brurd.

1925. Barnard, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xv, p. 504.

Depth 23, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 24-24 in

length of head. Interorbital width 3 diameter of eye. A strong,

364 Annals of the South African Museum.

horizontally projecting, backwardly curved spine on_preorbital,

bearing on its anterior margin a smaller accessory spine. A short

sharp spine at end of nasal and one at hinder end of lower jaw. Supra-

orbital and interorbital ridges serrulate, each of the latter bearing a

short stout spine above the anterior third of eye. Suprascapula,

preopercle, and subopercle striate and serrate. Maxilla reaching to

below posterior margin of pupil. D IV 18-19, 4th spine 2 length of

head, Ist ray elongate, filamentous, at least ? depth of body. A IV 27;

V 110, elongate, first 3 or 4 rays extending to end of caudal, following

rays becoming gradually shorter; P 15, equal to length of head.

Scales striate and denticulate, but usually with a smooth median

longitudinal groove: 1.1. 60-62; Ltr. 50) (Plate XV, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 360 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with salmon or coral-red tinge which is deepest

on back; fins pale salmon.

Locality. —Off Saldanha Bay and Natal coast, 200-300 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

This species is closely allied to B. splendens and decadactylus, both

of which are found in the Atlantic and off Japan. It is, however, at

once distinguished by the elongate dorsal and ventral fins and the

structure of the scales. Roule (Bull. Mus. d’Hist. Nat. Paris, 1924,

No. 1, p. 68) has described a specimen similar in these respects except

that the dorsal has no filamentous ray. He regards it as a mutation of

B. decadactylus, but nevertheless institutes a new genus and species,

Actinoberyx jugeati. He did not apparently examine its sex, nor the

sex of his normal examples of B. decadactylus. Possibly the long-

rayed forms are males, in which case both jugeati and longipinnis will

fallinto the synonymy of decadactylus. Both the specimens I have

examined are males.

Fam. 5. HOLOCENTRIDAE.

Soldier-fishes.

A long spinous dorsal, soft portion shorter. Anal with 4 spines.

Caudal with 17 branched rays. Ventrals with 1 spine and 5-8 rays.

Cleft of mouth not very oblique or nearly horizontal. Villiform teeth

in bands on jaws, vomer, and palatine. Two supramaxillae. Scales

normal, ctenoid. Mucous channels not strongly developed. Nasals

moderate, separated by the premaxillary processes. Branchiostegals

(7-)8.

PLATE XV.

TEXT-PAGE | na Ras

esa

2. Plectromus macrophthalmus Gilch. (after Gilchrist) A eo OO ae oy

3. Beryx lonyipinnis n. sp. (original) , : : ; 363,

4. Holocentrum rubrum (Forsk.) (after Day) a 5 7 366

FIG.

1. Trachichthodes spinosus Gilch. (after Gilchrist) .

Plate XV.

Ann, S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI.

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 365

The soldier-fishes are a family of brightly coloured shallow-water

fishes, especially numerous in tropical waters.

Key to the South African genera.

1, Preopercle with a spine é : . é 5 : . Holocentrum.

2. Preopercle without a spine . i : : : F : Myripristis.

Gen. HoLocENTRUM Scop.

1777. Scopoh, Int. Hist. Nat., p. 449.

Cleft of mouth nearly horizontal. A strong spine on the preopercle.

Last dorsal spine longer than penultimate, slender and approximate

to the soft rays.

Key to the South African species.

1. Lower jaw very prominent (subgen. Flammeo) : ; : sammara.

2. Lower jaw not prominent.

a. Scales striate. Lat. lineca. 47. ; ; : 4 . diadema.

b. Scales feebly striate. Lat. line ca. 36 . : : : . rubrum.

*Holocentrum sammara (Forsk.).

Dark-striped Soldier-fish.

1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 48.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish Comm., vol. xxiu,

p. 155, fig. 56.

1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 109 (references).

Depth 34-34, length of head 23-24, in length of body. Eye 23-3}

in length of head, greater than snout. Interorbital 4—44 in length of

head. Upper processes of premaxilla reaching far between eyes.

Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of pupil. Lower jaw

projecting prominently. Preorbital with a strong tooth in front,

evenly serrated behind. Opercle and subopercle feebly, supra-

scapula distinctly striated. Two opercular spines. No spine at end

of snout. Posterior nostril without denticles. D XI 11-12, 3rd spine

3-4

longest; AIV7-8. Scales: 1.1. 38-44; Wie aaa

Length.—Up to 275 mm.

Colour.—Dark red or maroon; sides silvery with about 10 more or

less distinct dark stripes, spinous dorsal whitish with dark red blotch

between 1st and 4th spines, soft dorsal reddish, caudal lobes dark red,

pectoral pale red, anal pale yellowish, ventrals white.

366 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—South Africa.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

This species apparently has never been taken in South Africa

since Sir A. Smith presented a specimen to the British Museum.

Holocentrum diadema Lac.

Inght-striped Soldier-fish.

1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pp. 335, 372, 374,

fol, booty 10ers By.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 171.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish Comm., vol. xxiii,

[a UES), jal: ox.

1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann.8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 235.

Depth 3-32, length of head 3-33, in length of body. Eye 2-23 in

length of head, greater than snout. Interorbital 33-4} uf length of

head. Upper processes of premaxillae reaching to vertical from

anterior border of eye. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of

eye. Lower and upper jaws equal. Preorbital with a strong pro-

jection in front. Suprascapula, opercle, and subopercle striated.

Two opercular spines. No spine at end of snout. Posterior nostril

without denticles. D XII 13, 4th-6th spines longest; A IV 9.

Scales striate: 1.1. 47-48; 1.tr. =

Length.—Up to 160 mm.

Colour.—Deep red with about 10 or 11 white stripes, spinous dorsal

dark maroon with a continuous or discontinuous white stripe, other

fins rosy.

Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Holocentrum rubrum (Forsk.).

Red Soldier-fish.

1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 48.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 172, pl. xli, fig. 4.

1921. Gilchrist, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. x, pt. 1, p. 24.

Depth 23, length of head 3, in length of body. Ey2 3} in length of

head, greater than snout. Interorbital 42-5 in length of head.

Upper processes of premaxillae a little beyond vertical from anterior

border of eye. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of eye.

Jaws equal. Preorbital with a strong projection in front, another

behind, dentate between. Suprascapula, opercle, and subopercle

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 367

strongly striated, coracoid and humeral less strongly striate. Two

opercular spines. No spine at end of snout. Posterior nostril with

3 dentales on posterior, | on anterior border. D XII 13-14, 4th

and 5th spines longest; A IV 9. Scales denticulate on margins

but very feebly striate : 1.1. 35-37; Ltr. (Plate XV, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 200 mm.

Colour.—Red with about 8 white stripes ; fins rosy, sometimes with

dusky blotches.

Locality.—Port Amelia, Portuguese East Africa.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.

Gen. MyRipristis Cuv.

1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim.

Cleft of mouth rather oblique. No spine on preopercle. A single

short opercular spine. Scales striate and denticulate, but not re-

markably rough. Last dorsal spine stronger than in Holocentrum.

Myripristis murdjan (Forsk.).

1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 48.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 170, pl. xli, fig. 2.

1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., p. 152, pl. v.

1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.

Depth 23-3, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 24 in length

of head, twice length of snout. Interorbital 4-43 in length of head.

Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Suprascapula, opercle,

preopercle, and subopercle striated. Preorbital serrate, without

prominent tooth. D XI 13-14, 3rd spine longest; A IV 12-13.

Scales striate and denticulate: 1.1. 28-30; 1.tr. ae

Length.—Up to 300 mm.

Colour.—Red, scales lighter in centre ; edge of operculum and axil

of pectoral black; first rays of soft dorsal, caudal, and anal white,

followed by a deep red streak.

Locality.—Natal coast.

- Distribution.—East ‘coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies.

Hawaii.

Fam. 6. MELAMPHAIDAE.

Dorsal and anal fins with a few slender spines, caudal with 17

branched rays. Ventrals with 1 slender spine and 6-9 rays. Palate

368 Annals of the South African Museum.

toothless. A single supramaxilla. No orbitosphenoid. Nasal bones

separate. Scales cycloid. Branchiostegals 8.

This family comprises a few genera, all inhabitants of deep water.

Only one genus has yet been met with in our region.

Gen. PLecTROMUS Gill.

1883. Gill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vi, p. 257.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 278

(united with Melamphaes) (key to species).

Head large, with wide muciferous cavities, and often with foliaceous

projections. Cleft of mouth somewhat oblique. Villiform teeth in

2 (usually) rows in both jaws. Dorsal with 2-3 spines. Ventrals

with 7 rays. Anal arising below end of dorsal. Opercles not armed.

The genus Melamphaes Guthr. is separated by having 6 dorsal

spines and the anal fin arising behind the end of the dorsal. Brauer

(loc. cit.), however, does not consider these distinctions to be of

generic importance.

Key to the South African species.

1. Scales very large, 1.1. 14-16 : é ; : : ; . mizolepis.

2. Scales moderate, |.]. 25 or more.

a. DIII10. Scales 25 . : : : ; : . coronatus.

6. DII11. Scales 39 . : : ‘ ; , macrophthalmus.

*Plectromus mizolepis (Guthr.).

1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (5), vol. ii, p. 185.

1906. Brauer, Wiss. Erg. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 280,

pl. xii, fig. 1.

1911. Zugmayer, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, fase. xxxv, p. 96, pl. v,

Lowel

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 65.

Depth 33, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye about 6 in

length of head. Maxilla reaching to level of front margin of eye or a

little beyond. Head without foliaceous processes. D III 9-11;

A 18, arising below middle of dorsal; P 12-14, reaching beyond end

of anal. Depth of caudal peduncle 2 in length. Scales very large:

1.1. 13-16.

Length.—Up to 125 mm.

Colour.—Dark bluish grey or black.

Locality.—Off Table Bay, 500 fathoms.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 369

Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific

oceans, to 2000 fathoms.

*Plectromus coronatus G. and von B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

p. 14.

Depth about 34, length of head about 23, in length of body. Eye

about 54 in length of head. Head with a median spine in front of

eye, and a crenulate crown-like crest above eye. D III 10; A19;

P 8, reaching to base of anal. Scales moderate: 1.1]. 25; Ltr.

(Extent of maxilla and position of origin of anal not mentioned.)

Length.— °%.

~Colour.— 2.

Locality.—Off Table Bay and St Helena Bay, 500 and 900 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

In the possession of cutaneous processes on the head, this species

is closely related to P. beant Guthr. from the Central Atlantic.

*Plectromus macrophthalmus Gilch.

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 11, p. 205, pl. xiii, fig. 2.

1922. Id., Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 66.

Depth nearly 4, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 24 in

length of head. Maxilla extending to below middle of eye. Head

without foliaceous processes. DII11; ATI 9, arising below posterior

third of dorsal; P reaching to middle of anal; V nearly reaching

vent. Depth of caudal peduncle 32 in length. Scales moderate :

Ii. BO). Iter ao (Leen) DNV ares)

Length.—Up to 42 mm.

Locality. —Ofi Cape Point and Table Bay, 360-1014 fathoms.

Type lost ?

As Gilchrist remarked, this species is closely allied to P. megalops

Litken in the large eye and long caudal peduncle. P. megalops has

been found in the Gulf of Guinea, and it is very probable that the Cape

specimens should be identified with this species, though they have

an even more slender caudal peduncle.

Division 15. ZEOMORPHI.

(See Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vi, p. 481).

Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). No mesocoracoid.

Orbitosphenoid absent. Maxilla strongly protractile. A single

VOL XOX) PAIR TI 24

370 Annals of the South African Museum.

dorsal, with well-developed spinous portion, which may be separate

from the soft rays. Anal spines few, more or less separate from soft

rays. Ventral fins thoracic, with or without 1 spine, and 5-10 rays.

Caudal fin rounded or truncate, rarely slightly emarginate. Teeth

small, in narrow bands or single series in pairs and sometimes on

vomer and palatine. Branchiostegals 4-8. Pseudobranchiae present.

Scales small, or rudimentary or with bony plates, or vertically

elongated.

The members of this group are easily recognised by the high and

strongly compressed shape of the body. They are world-wide in

distribution, and the majority seem to be inhabitants of the deeper

parts of the oceans.

Key to the South African families.

1. No slit behind last gill.

a. Scales vertically elongated, closely contiguous : Grammicolepidae.

6. Scales small, minute, or absent. p ; : . LGeidae.

2. A slit behind last gill . : : ; : : é Caproidae.

Fam. 1. GRAMMICOLEPIDAE.

Body compressed. Scales vertically elongated, linear, closely

contiguous, giving a verysmooth appearance. Mouth small, terminal,

not very protractile; cleft subvertical. No supramaxilla. Teeth

minute, on the jaws only. Lateral line more or less strongly arched

anteriorly. Spinous portion of dorsal fin more or less separated from

the soft portion. Soft anal preceded by 2 or 3 spines more or less

separated. Pectoral and ventral small, the latter of 1 spine and

6 (or 7) rays. Caudal rounded or slightly emarginate. Gill-membranes

broadly united. No cleft behind last gill (Xenolepidichthys).

Branchiostegals 4 (Grammicolepis and Xenolepidichthys). Guill-rakers

short and rather stout (Xenolepidichthys). Pseudobranchiae absent

(Xenolepidichthys). Pyloric caeca very few (Xenolepidichthys).

Three monotypic genera are known, all agreeing in the peculiar

character of the scales which at once distinguishes them from all other

fishes : Grammicolepis Poey from Cuba, Vesposus Jordan from Hawaii,

and the South African Xenolepidichthys.

Gen. XENOLEPIDICHTHYS Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Sury. Spec. Rep., vol. in, p. 73.

Body about as deep as long. Scales greatly elongate, vertically —

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 371

striate, but without denticulate margins. Operculum scaly. Spinous

and soft portions of dorsal and anal united, the 2nd dorsal and Ist

anal spines elongate, stout, serrulate. A series of short spines along

bases of dorsal and anal. Ventral moderate. Caudal truncate or

slightly emarginate. Pseudobranchiae absent. Gill-rakers short

and rather stout. Branchiostegals 4. Pyloric caeca very few.

This genus resembles Vesposus more than the type genus, in the

presence of well-marked spines at bases of vertical fins, scaly oper-

culum, and striated scales.

Xenolepidichthys dalgleishi Gilch.

1922. Gilchrist, loc. cz., p. 13, pl. x1, fig: 1.

Depth equal to distance from tip of snout to base of caudal peduncle,

length of head 33-33 in length of body. Eye 2-24 in length of head.

Maxilla rugulose, reaching to midway between tip of snout and eye.

Preopercle with double serrulate edge. Supraorbital ridges more or

less denticulate. D V 27-29, Ist spine minute, 2nd stout, 24-24

in length of head, 3rd—5th slender and decreasing in length, but 5th

distinctly longer than Ist soft ray, longest soft ray longer than 2nd

spine, 2 in length of head; A II 28, 1st spine 2-3 times as long as

2nd dorsal spine and more slender, 2nd spine very short but longer

than the 1st of the soft rays, which increase in length posteriorly

where they are as long as the dorsal rays; V I 6 (occasionally 7),

length of longest ray about equal to eye; P 14-15, about half length

of head. Caudal truncate or slightly emarginate. Scales with about

6 striae: 1.1. 80-85, l.tr. 5 (a few small ones on ventral margin not

included), 3 on each side of, and 10 around, caudal peduncle ; lateral

line forming a strong arch anteriorly, descending to middle of body

about at the level of middle of soft dorsal, thence running horizontally

on to caudal peduncle. Gill-rakers about 15 on anterior arch.

(Plate XVI, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 120 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with round black spots; spinous dorsal, anterior

rays of ventral fin, and end of caudal also black; the spots do not

always become obsolete in full-grown examples.

Locality.— Off Natal coast, 70-226 fathoms (s.s. “ Pickle’); Algoa

Bay, 50 fathoms (s.s. “ Pieter Faure’”’); off Saldanha Bay, 180

fathoms (South African Museum).

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The above description differs in some few details from the original

description. As Gilchrist remarks, the depth of the body in young

372 Annals of the South African Museum.

specimens is considerably greater in proportion to the length ; e.g. in

a specimen 60 mm. long the depth is equal to the distance between

tip of snout and base of caudal rays.

Fam. 2. ZEIDAE.

John Dories.

Body compressed. Scales small, minute, or absent, sometimes

converted into bony plates in some parts of the body Mouth large,

terminal, more or less strongly protractile. No supramaxilla. Teeth

small, in narrow bands or single series on jaws and vomer and some-

times palatine. Opercle reduced, preopercle not serrate. Bones of

head often with spines. Ventral edge of abdomen often with bony

scutes. Lateral line usually well developed. Spinous and _ soft

portions of dorsal and anal more or less separated. Anal spines 1-4.

Ventrals well developed, originating in advance of, or below, dorsal,

with a spine and 6-8 rays. Caudal rounded. Gill-membranes not

broadly united. No slit behind last gill. Branchiostegals (6) 7-8.

Gill-rakers usually short. Pseudobranchiae well developed. Pyloric

caeca very numerous. ;

Very little is known about the life-history of the Dories. The

eges are said to be demersal, but there is considerable probability

that they are pelagic. Young stages have been described and figured

by Schmidt (Medd. f. Komm. f. Havund. Ser. Fisk., Bd. 11, No. 9, 1908)

and Clark (J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., n.s., vol. x, No. 2, 1914). The adults

are mostly inhabitants of deep water.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Dorsal spines high. Scutes on belly.

A. Four anal spines : : : . : : : ; Zeus.

B. Three anal spines : s Zenopsis.

II. Dorsal spines low. No scutes on belly.

A. No vomerine teeth. Scales deciduous.

1. Enlarged scales on back and belly. Preorbital narrow Cyttosoma.

2. No enlarged scales. Preorbital moderate ; . Pseudocyitus.

B. Vomerine teeth.

1. Scales adherent, ctenoid.

a. Without enlarged scales : : ‘ : Neocyttus.

b. With enlarged scales. : : 2 : Allocytius.

2. Scales cycloid. u

a. Ventral fin large, without spine. : . Paracyttopsis.

b. Ventral fin moderate, with spine . : : . Lenion.

The genera Cyitosoma, Pseudocyttus, Allocyttus, and Paracyttopsis

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 373

as here defined possess only a single species each, Neocyttus has two.

Paracyttopsis with its large spineless ventral fins is distinct enough,

but the differences between the others seem scarcely of generic

importance. Holt and Byrne (1908) did indeed suggest uniting

Neocyttus with Cyttosoma and placed their new species helgae in the

genus Cytiosoma as thus emended. C. helgae is nearest to N. rhom-

boidalis, but differs in having the scaly interorbital area lanceolate.

Gen. Zeus Linn.

1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 137.

Scales very small or absent. Scutes along belly. Dorsal fin with

9-10 elongate spines. Anal with 4 spines. A series of spiny plates

_ along bases of soft portion only of dorsal and anal (sometimes feebly

developed along spinous portions also). Ventrals large, with 1 spine

and 6 rays. Branchiostegals 7.

The four species of this genus: faber, capensis, pungio, and

japonicus, are very closely allied to each other. It is remarkable

that there seems to be no difference between European and Australian

examples of Z. faber.

Key to the South African species.

1. Black spot on side above lateral line. : : : : - capensis.

2. Black spot on side below lateral line. : f ; : . japonicus.

Zeus capensis C. and V.

Cape John Dory.

1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 23.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 154 (comparison

with faber).

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 125 (references).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii, p. 72.

1923. Von Bonde, 2zbid., 1, p. 26.

Depth about 2, length of head about 24, in length of body. Eye

33-4 in length of head. D IX-X 23-24, A III-IV 20-21. Nine-

thirteen spiny plates along base of soft dorsal, 9-11 along soft anal,

each with a single (in adult) spine. Seven—nine keeled scutes along

belly, with or without spines, 4-5 in front of ventrals. No clavicular

spine. (Plate XVI, fig. 3.)

Length.—Up to 600 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a round black spot on the side above the

lateral line, pupil translucent, iris silvery.

374 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—St Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, Agulhas

Bank to Natal, 20-100 fathoms.

Very closely allied to the European Z. faber, especially in the

juvenile stages.

Zeus japonicus C. and V.

Japanese John Dory.

1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 24.

1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 517.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 123 (references).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 72.

1923. Von Bonde, zbzd., i, p. 27.

Depth about 2, length of head about 24, in length of body. Hye

4-41 in length of head. D X 22-24, A IV 20-22. Six-seven spiny

plates along bases of soft dorsal and anal, each with 2 spines. Seven—

eight single spines also along base of spinous dorsal, and 4 similar ones

along spinous anal, all tending to become obsolete in larger specimens.

HKight-nine keeled scutes along belly, and a similar number in front

of ventrals, all with the keel ending behind in a spine. A prominent

flattened, but apically blunt, clavicular spine above pectoral.

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a round black spot in middle of body below

lateral line.

Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, 30-180 fathoms.

Distribution.—Japan.

Closely allied to the Mediterranean species, Z. pungto.

Gen. ZENopPs!Is Guill.

1862. Gill, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 126.

1912. Cliny, Ann. Sta. Aq. Boulogne, vol. u, pp. 82, 104 (Para-

Zenopsis).

Scales absent. Scutes along belly. Dorsal fin with 10 elongate

spines. Anal spines 3. A series of large spiny plates along bases of

both spinous and soft dorsal and soft anal. Ventrals large, with

1 spine and 6-7 rays. Branchiostegals 7.

Zenopsis conchifer (Lowe).

Buckler Dory.

1850. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 247.

1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 395.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 375

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 72 (conctfer

laps. typogr.).

Depth about 2, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 43 in

length of head. D X 24-25; A III 26. Striate bony plates, each

with a single spine, along base of spinous dorsal 2-3, of soft dorsal 4-5,

of soft anal 5-7. Seven-keeled scutes along belly, each ending in a

small spine, 2 scutes in front of ventrals. A small clavicular spine

above pectoral.

Length.—Up to 675 mm.

Colour.—Silvery, with a round black spot in middle of side, with or

without additional round dark blotches.

Locality.—Algoa Bay to Natal, 50-154 fathoms.

Distribution.—Madeira.

The specimen obtained by the s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure’ in Algoa Bay

combines the characters mentioned by Gilchrist for the Natal

specimens, and those of the type; so that there is no question of the

South African specimens belonging to a distinct species. The North

American Z. ocellatus is probably also conspecific. A further question

remains whether conchifer can really be separated from the Japanese

and Australian species nebulosa Schleg.

Gen. CytTosoma Gilch.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ili, p. 6.

1906. Id.,-2bid., vol. iv, p. 151.

1908. Holt and Byrne, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. i, p. 88 (cum

Neocyttus).

1914. McCulloch, Sci. Res. Endeavour, vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 112.

Scales small, mostly cycloid, deciduous, becoming enlarged and

tuberculate on dorsal and ventral regions. No scutes along belly.

No vomerine teeth. Dorsal with 6-8 short spines. Anal spines 3.

A series of spinose scales, but no bony plates at bases of dorsal and

anal. Ventrals moderate, of 1 spine and 7 rays, not received in a

groove. Branchiostegals 7. Mouth very protractile.

Cyttosoma boops Gilch.

Ox-eye Dory.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iu, p. 6, pl. xxiii.

1906. 2d. 7bid> vol. iv, p: 150!

1914. McCulloch, loc. cit., p. 113.

376 Annals of the South African Museum.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep.,

Willy 10s I.

Depth nearly 2, length of head 23-22, in length of body Hye

very large, a little over 14 in length of head. D VI-VIII 29-31,

2nd or 3rd spine longest; A III 28-30; V I7, the spine longer than

any of the dorsal spines, striated. Scales: 1.1. ca. 100.

Length.—Up to 207 mm.

Colour.—Dark brownish.

Locality.—Ofi Table Bay, Cape Point, and Natal coast, 120-760

fathoms.

Distribution.—South Australia, 350-450 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

Gen. PsEupocyttTwus Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 152.

Scales small, cycloid, deciduous, replaced by small tubercles on

dorsal and ventral regions, but without enlarged tubercles. No

scutes along belly. Vomerine teeth absent. Dorsal with 6 short

spines. Anal spines 2. No bony plates at bases of dorsal and anal.

Ventrals moderate, of 1 spine and 5 rays, not received in a groove.

Branchiostegals 6.

*Pseudocyttus maculatus Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 153, pl. xh.

Depth 12, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 23 in length of

head. D VI 34, Ist and 2nd spines longest; A IIT 30; VI 5, spine

longer than dorsal spines. Scales: 1.1. ca. 100.

Length.—Not given.

Colour.—Greyish, with blue spots.

Locality.— Off Cape Point, 315-400 fathoms.

Type lost ?

Only one specimen of this species was found by the s.s. “‘ Pieter

Faure,” and none apparently by the later survey vessel “ Pickle.”

Gen. Neocyttus Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 153.

1908. Holt and Byrne, ia Mar. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. 1, p. 88

(united with Cytiosoma).

1914. McCulloch, Sci. Res. Endeavour, vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 119.

PLATE XVI.

E TRXT-PAGE

Xenolepidichthys dalgleisht Gilch. (original) . , i oul

Antigonia rubescens (Gnthr.) (after Jordan and Fowler)

Zeus capensis C. and V. (original) . . . 5

elon verrucosus (Gilch.) (after MeCulloch)

Ann.

S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate XVI,

Neill d Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 377

Scales small, ctenoid, adherent, spinate on head and ventral region,

but without enlarged tubercles. No scutes along belly. Vomerine

teeth present. Dorsal with 7-8 short spines. Anal spines 3-4. A

series of spinous scales but no bony plates at base of dorsal or anal.

Ventrals moderate, of 1 spine and 6 rays, not received in a groove.

Branchiostegals 7.

The other species is N. acanthorhynchus Regan 1908, from the

Indian Ocean.

Neocyttus rhomboidalis Gilch.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 153, pl. xlu.

1914. McCulloch, Sci. Res. Endeavour, vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 119, fig. 8

(var. gibbosus).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 72.

Depth 14, length of head 24-22, in length of body. Eye 2-24 in

length of head. D VII-VIII 33-35, Ist and 2nd spines stout, striate,

2nd thrice as long as Ist, following spines more slender; A III-IV

30-33, Ist spine } length of 2nd dorsal spine; V I 6, spine sub-equal

to 2nd dorsal spine. Scales: Ll. ca. 104. Scaly interorbital area

rectangular.

Length.—Up to 280 mm.

Colour.—Silvery ; soft dorsal, anal, and ventral blackish.

Locality. Off Cape Point, 312-600 fathoms.

Distribution.—S. Australia, 350-450 fathoms.

Type lost? .Cotype in South African Museum. Type of var.

gibbosus in Australian Museum, Sydney.

The concavity of the dorsal profile is subject to much variation

and it is doubtful whether the Australian form can be maintained

even as a variety. Two specimens in the South African Museum,

about 110 mm., have a more concave profile than the figures of both

the type and the type of var. gibbosus.

Gen. AtLocyttrus McCull.

1914. McCulloch, Sci. Res. Endeavour, vol. u1, pt. 3, p. 114.

Scales small, ctenoid, adherent, and tuberculate on head and ventral

regions, with enlarged plates on sides below the pectorals. No scutes

along belly. Vomerine teeth present. Dorsal with 6 short spines.

Anal spines 2-3. No spiny plates at base of dorsal or anal. Ventrals

moderate, of 1 spine and 6 rays, not received in a groove. Branchio-

stegals 7.

378 Annals of the South African Museum.

Allocyttus verrucosus (Gilch.).

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 151, pl. xl.

1914. McCulloch, Sci. Res. Endeavour, vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 116, fig. 7

(var. propinquus).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii, p. 71.

Depth 13-18, length of head 24-24, in length of body. Hye 2-24

in length of head. D VI 30-32, 1st spine short, 4 (or less) length of

2nd, which is stout, and about 3 diameter of eye; A II-III 28-29,

spines shorter than 2nd dorsal] spine; V I 6, spine longer than 2nd

dorsal spine. Scales: 1.1. ca. 87-95. (Plate XVI, fig. 4.)

Length.—Up to 325 mm.

Colouwr.—Brownish (as preserved), with rounded blotches in the

young.

Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 8. of Agulhas Bank, and Natal coast,

324-890 fathoms.

Distribution.—South Australia, 350-450 fathoms.

Type lost ? Topotypes in South African Museum. Type of var.

propinquus in Australian Museum, Sydney.

The varietal name can scarcely be maintained.

Gen. ParacytTTopsis G. and v. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

p. 18.

Scales rather small, cycloid, without enlarged tubercles. No scutes

along belly. Vomerine teeth present. Dorsal with 7 short spines.

Anal spines 2. Bony plates at bases of dorsal and anal. Ventrals

large, without spines, ot 10 rays. Branchiostegals (?).

* Paracyttopsis scutatus G. and vy. B.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, loc. cit., p. 18, pl. v.

Depth 13, length of head nearly 3, in length of body. Eye 23 in

length of head. Profile of head in front of eyes nearly vertical.

Mouth not very oblique. D VII 28, 3rd spine longest, equal to

diameter of eye; A II 29, lst spine very strong, 2nd very small ;

V 10, reaching beyond origin of anal. Median line of throat and belly

with 2 strong and 2 weak spines. Scales: 1.]. 84.

Length.—125 mm.

Colour.—Light grey ; ventrals blackish.

Locality.—Natal coast, 226 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 379

Gen. ZENION J. and E.

1896. Jordan and Evermann, Check-list Fishes, p. 418.

1898. Zd., Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. ii, p. 1661.

Scales very small, without enlarged tubercles. No scutes along

belly. Vomerine teeth present. Dorsal with 6-7 short spines

originating above ventrals. No anal spines or a single feeble one.

Spiny plates along bases of soft dorsal and anal. Ventrals moderate,

of 1 spine and 6 rays, not received in a groove. Branchiostegals 8.

Differs from Cyttus in the position of origin of dorsal fin and the

ventrals not being received in a groove on belly.

Two species are known.

Key to the South African species.

1. Dorsal arising above ventrals . : ; : : : hololepis.

2. Dorsal arising in advance of ventrals_. : : : j leptolepis.

*Zenion hololepis (G. and B.).

1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 225, figs. 233, 233 a, b.

1898. Jordan and Evermann, loc. cit., p. 1661.

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,

Dali

Depth 24, length of head 22, in length of body. Eye not quite

2 in length of head. D VI-VII 26, 1st spine } length of 2nd, which

equals eye and is serrulate on front margin. Dorsal arising above

ventrals. A 23. Spiny plates at bases of soft dorsal and anal well

developed. V I 6, the spine equal to diameter of eye. Scales:

1]. 67. Gill-rakers 14-15, very small.

Length.—Up to 85 mm.

Colour.—Not mentioned.

Locality.—Off Delagoa Bay, 240 fathoms.

Instribution.—West Indies.

*Zenion leptolepis (G. and v. B.).

1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vi,

Dali

Depth 24, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye 3 in length of

head. D VII 28, arising in advance of ventrals, spines not serrulate.

A J 32. Spiny plates at bases of soft dorsal and anal present ?.

V I 5, the spine slightly longer than longest dorsal spine. Scales:

].]. 90. Guill-rakers (?).

Length.—Up to 160 mm.

Colour.—Not mentioned.

380 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—-Natal coast and off Delagoa Bay, 180-218 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Fam. 3. CAPROIDAE.

Boar-fishes.

Body compressed. Scales small, ctenoid. Mouth terminal, more

or less protractile. Supramaxilla sometimes present. Teeth minute,

on jaws and sometimes also on vomer and palatine. Spinous and

soft portions of dorsal and anal more or less separated ; 3 anal spines.

Ventrals with 1 spine and 5 rays. Caudal rounded. A slit behind

last gill. Branchiostegals 6. Pseudobranchiae present. Pyloric

caeca few.

Two living genera, Capros Lacep. and Antigonia Lowe.

Gen. ANTIGONIA Lowe.

1845. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 85.

Body very deep. Mouth small, moderately protractile. Maxilla

broad, with a large supramaxilla. Premaxillary processes not very

long, only just reaching frontals. Preopercle serrate. Spinous

dorsal shorter than soft portion. Teeth on jaws only.

Six closely allied species in tropical and subtropical seas.

* Antigonia rubescens (Gnthr.).

Red Boar-fish.

1847. Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 84, pl. xli, fig. 2 (Hypsinotus

Sp.).

1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 63.

1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 523,

fig. 2.

1913. Weber, Siboga Exped. Monogr., 57, p. 299.

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vu, p. 412 (capros

non Lowe).

1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 74.

Depth about equal to length, length of head 2? in length of body.

Eye 3 in length of head. Snout about equal to eye. Cleft of mouth

nearly vertical. D IX 26-29, first 2 spines short, 3rd longest, nearly

equal to length of head; A III 25-28; PI11-13; VI5. Scales:

1.1. ca. 60, 6 rows on cheek. (Plate XVI, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 150 mm.

Colour.—Bright rosy red.

Locality.— Natal coast, 160-230 fathoms.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 381

Distribution.—Indian seas, Hast Indies, Japan, 34-300 fathoms.

Gilchrist gives no details of his specimens except the fin formulae.

All the specimens are clearly distinct from the Atlantic species

A, capros.

The question remains, however, whether A. malayana Weber

(1913, loc. cit., p. 299, fig. 69) is not synonymous with rubescens.

Division 16. HETEROSOMATA.

1910. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vi, p. 484 (anatomy

and classification).

Air-bladder absent (in adult). Body strongly compressed, asym-

metrical, with both eyes on one side. Skull twisted anteriorly.

Mouth more or less protractile, margin of upper jaw formed by pre-

maxillae only. Teeth often small and reduced, or absent. No

mesocoracoid. Dorsal and anal fins long, without spines (except in

Psettodes). Ventrals thoracic or jugular, with 6 or fewer rays and no

spine (except in Psettodes). Caudal free, or confluent with dorsal and

anal. Pectorals often reduced or absent. Scales cycloid or ctenoid,

or absent. Lateral line single, double or treble, or absent altogether.

Pseudobranchiae present.

This group, comprising the Soles and Flounders, is one of the most

remarkable among living fishes. In no other fishes is a similar

asymmetry of the body found. As a consequence of this asymmetry

these Flat-fishes do not swim vertically but horizontally, with undulat-

ing movements of the body and the marginal fins, as do the Skates

and Rays. Moreover, they spend the greater part of their time

lying on the bottom, more or less covered with sand and gravel.

Thus, as in the Skates, only the upper side of the body is pigmented,

the under side being usually whitish and without markings.

The most remarkable point about the asymmetry, however, is the

presence of both eyes on the one (upper) side.

The young larva is shaped like a normal fish and swims vertically,

though it is quite transparent. When the tendency to lie on the

bottom sets in, the body turns over to one side or the other, and the

eye on the lower side gradually migrates across the head so as to lie

alongside its fellow on the upper side. This migration of the one eye

takes place while the bones of the skull are still cartilaginous, and is

accompanied by a greater or lesser amount of torsion of the anterior

part of the skull. After the migration of the eye is complete, ossifica-

tion of the bones of the skull sets in.

382 Annals of the South African Museum.

In some cases the shifting of the eye is complete before the dorsal

fin has extended on to the snout. In other cases the dorsal fin has

extended on to the snout first, when the migrating eye passes through

below base of the fin, and gave rise among early observers to the

belief that the eye passed actually through the skull.

In the great majority of Flat-fishes each species is constantly either

dextral or sinistral, 7.e. it has the eyes on the right or left side respec-

tively. In every species, however, reversed examples are occasionally

found ; and some few species have no constant tendency either way,

z.e. dextral and sinistral specimens are about equally numerous.

The Heterosomata are marine, world-wide in distribution, and the

majority are inhabitants of shallow water, though some live at con-

siderable depths. Some are estuarine, and occasionally ascending

rivers. Amongst the shallow-water forms at least, fishery researches

have shown that extensive migrations occur at the spawning season.

The eggs are pelagic, some possessing one or more oil-globules, some

none at all.

Flat-fishes seem to be mostly carnivorous, living on other fishes—

Crustacea, molluscs, worms, etc.—those with feeble dentition and

small mouths living on the minuter forms.

They possess considerable chameleonic powers of altering the

colour of the upper surface to harmonise with the surrounding bottom

on which they rest. Most species seem to prefer a sandy, gravelly,

or muddy bottom.

The Flat-fishes are one of the most important groups of fishes

economically. This is especially the case in the Northern Hemisphere

where such forms as the Halibut, Plaice, Turbot, Sole, Dab, Flounder

occur abundantly. The Halibut reaches a length of 10 feet. Their

life-history and migrations have therefore been the subject of much

research and experiment by several fishery commissions.

The group is well represented in South African Waters, though only

a few of the species are economically important. The two most

important forms are Austroglossus pectoralis and Synaptura microlepis.

The classification of the group is not altogether stable. I have

followed Regan (1910, loc. cit., and 1920, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u1, pt.5,

p. 205). A useful summary of the South African Flat-fishes, including

descriptions of new species, is given by von Bonde (1922, Fish. Mar.

Surv. Spec. Rep., 1*), but I have not followed the arrangement

there adopted. No subfamilies are here recognised: von Bonde’s

* The pagination in the author’s reprints of the Special Report is different from

that in the bound volume. The latter.is here quoted.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 383

arrangement differs radically from Regan’s, and Regan is not con-

sistent as to the position of e.g. Engyprosopon. Therefore keys to

the genera only in each family are given.

Forty-five species are here recognised, thirty-three of which are

peculiar to South Africa.

Key to the South African families.

I. Anterior dorsal rays spinous. Ventral with one spine (Psettodoidea)

Psettodidae.

TI. All fin rays soft and articulated.

A. Preoperculum with free edge. Lower jaw prominent (Pleuronectoidea).

1. Sinistral . : : ; : 3 ; ; . Bothidae.

2. Dextral.

a. Gill-membranes united 5 F : . Pleuronectidae.

b. Gill-membranes separate. : ; Paralichthodidae.

B. Preopereular edge hidden under the skin. Lower jaw not prominent

(Soleoidea).

1. Dextral : : : : : : . Soleidae.

2. Sinistral . : : ; : : : . Cynoglossidae.

Fam. 1. PSETTODIDAE.

Dorsal fin not extending forward on to head ; anterior rays spinous

though feeble. Ventrals nearly symmetrical, with 1 feeble spine

and 5 soft rays. Mouth large, lower jaw prominent, teeth strong,

pointed; jaws and dentition equally developed on both sides ;

palatines toothed. Maxilla with well-developed supramaxiila. Pre-

opercle with free edge. Gill-rakers absent. Sinistral and dextral

indtviduals equally numerous.

A single genus containing one widely distributed species. This

form is the least specialised of all the Flat-fishes, retaining a number of

features characteristic of the Percoids, from an ancestor of which

group the Heterosomata are considered to have sprung.

Gen. PsertropEs Benn.

1831. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc., vol. 1, p. 147.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 401.

With the characters of the family.

Psettodes erumer (Bl. Schn.).

The Adalah.

1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 150.

1866-72. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 4, pl. eexxxu, fig. 2.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 422, pl. xci, fig. 4.

384 Annals of the South African Museum.

Body ovate, rather elongate. Depth 24-22, length of head 33, in

length of body. Upper eye in advance of lower, about equal to

interorbital width and 6$in head. D 47-56, about the first 10 rays

spinous; A 35-41. Pectoral 24 in length of head. Caudal rounded.

Scales ctenoid: |.l.ca.75. (Plate XVII, fig. 1.)

Length.—Up to 600 mm.

Colour.—Brownish; dorsal and anal fins blackish, edged with white ;

a broad whitish band across base of caudal; young sometimes with

4 broad dark cross-bands.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay.

Distribution.—West Africa, Indo-Pacific.

Fam. 2. BoTHIDAE.

Sinistral. Dorsal fin extending forward in front of eye or on to

snout, all the fin rays articulated. Ventrals with 6 or fewer rays.

Mouth with lower jaw more or less prominent. No teeth on palatine.

No supramaxilla. Preopercle with free edge. Olfactory laminae

arranged transversely to, or radiating from, a central axis.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Interorbital space wide or moderately wide.

A. Scales small, 1.1. 80 or more. . : : , 2 . Bothus.

B. Scales moderate, ].]. 50-60 . = , : ; . Crossorhombus.

C. Scales rather large, 1.1. 36-45 3 ; : 5 j . Scaeops.

II. Interorbital space narrow, or a mere bony ridge.

A. Ventrals equal, with short bases.

1. Ventrals symmetrical . ; : : 2 Pseudorhombus.

2. Left ventral median, right lateral : : . Paracitharus.

B. Ventrals unequal, bases long, especially that of right fin.

1. Mouth very large, lower jaw very prominent . . Chascanopsetta.

2. Mouth moderate or small, lower jaw not very prominent.

a. Scales ctenoid. Anterior teeth enlarged . Trichopsetta.

b. Scales feebly ctenoid or cycloid. Anterior teeth not enlarged.

i. Gill-rakers slender. ; : : : Arnoglossus.

ii. Gill-rakers short, stout.

a. None of dorsal rays separate . : . Laeops.

f. First 2 dorsal rays separate . . Lambdopsetta.

Gen. Boruus Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ittiol. Sicil.

1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Class. Fishes, vol. 11, p. 302 (Platophrys).

1856, Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sci. Ned. Ind., vol. i, p. 67 (Rhom-

boidichthys).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 385

Eyes moderately large, well separated. Interorbital space concave.

Mouth moderate, teeth small, uni- or bi-serial. Gill-membranes united.

-Dorsal fin originating on snout. Left ventral median, long-based,

right with shorter base. Upper pectoral rays produced in 3. Scales

small, adherent, ctenoid on left, cycloid on right side. Lateral line

on both sides, strongly arched anteriorly.

Mediterranean, Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.

Bothus pantherinus (Riipp.).

Mottled Flounder.

1828. Riippell, Atlas Fische, p. 121, pl. xxxi, fig. 1. .

_ 1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 400 (references).

1920. Regan, zbed., vol. 11, pt. 5, p. 212, text-fig. 3.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 287.

Body ovate. Depth 13-2, length of head 34-4, in length of body.

Eye 34-4 in length of head. Interorbital width equal to (3), or less

than (), eye. D 85-93, A 65-70. Upper 3 or 4 rays of left pectoral

in ¢ elongate, often reaching caudal. Scales: 1.1. 80-90. In ¢

bony tubercles on snout and antorbital and supraorbital margins of

both eyes ; eye with 2 cutaneous flaps posteriorly.

Length.—Up to 450 mm.

Colour.—Brownish with faint darker spots and rings, a large

black spot on lateral line in posterior half of body.

Locality.—Natal coast, Kosi Bay, Delagoa Bay, 2-60 fathoms.

Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific.

Gen. CROSSORHOMBUS Regan.

° 1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 211.

Eyes moderately large, widely separated. Interorbital space

concave, wider in ¢ than 2. Mouth rather small, teeth small, uni-

serial. Gill-membranes united. Dorsal fin originating in advance

of lower eye. Left ventral median, long-based, right with shorter

base. Upper pectoral ray produced in adult $. Scales rather large,

adherent, strongly ciliate on left side, weakly ciliate or cycloid on

right. Lateral line on both sides strongly arched anteriorly.

Indo-Pacific. Scarcely separable from either Bothus or Scaeops

except by the larger scales.

VOI Sox. PAR Tp 25

386 Annals of the South African Museum.

Crossorhombus dimorphus (Gilch.).

Broad-forehead Flounder.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 10, pl. xxvu.

1906. Id., cbid., vol. iv, p. 161 (Platophys grandisquama non Schlegel).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,

p. 400.

1920. Regan, zbid., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 212.

1920. Id., cbid., vol. u, pt. 5, p. 211 (Engyprosopon natalensis).

Body ovate, broaderin ¢ than 9. Depth 13-2, length of head 33—

in length of body. Eye in young considerably greater than, in

adult 9 equal to, and in adult § 14 times in interorbital width.

D 85-90, A 70-75. Left pectoral about 3 length of head, but with

the uppermost ray (or upper 2 rays) produced in ¢ to a length twice

as long as head. Scales: 1.1. 50-60. In ga bony tubercle on snout,

and 2-3 on the antorbital margins of both eyes

Length.—Up to 140 mm.

Colour.—Greyish-brown with more or less distinct dark spots on

the body and obscure patches along dorsal and anal fins.

Locality.—Natal and Zululand, 3-30 fathoms; Delagoa Bay.

Type in South African Museum ; of natalensis in British Museum.

For the sinking of Engyprosopon natalensis as a synonym, the

following explanation may be given. The original specimens recorded

by Gilchrist as Platophrys grandisquama are in the South African

Museum, nine in number, and measuring up to 70 mm. The bottle

bears a label in Gilchrist’s writing to the effect that a pair were sent

to the British Museum. These are evidently the types of Regan’s

natalensis. All the specimens have lost the scales to such an extent

that it is impossible to count them accurately. The few scales that

do remain are exactly similar to those of C. dimorphus (not at all

‘““ weakly ctenoid,”’ as Regan writes in his generic diagnosis of Engy-

prosopon). In other respects also they are exactly similar to other

juvenile specimens of C. dimorphus, of which I have examined a large

number. The extent of the gill-opening is not a valid character.

At a length of 60-75 mm. the males are just beginning to develop the

tubercles on, snout and orbits, but the pectoral ray is not elongate.

I have come to the conclusion that #. natalensis is nothing more than

the young of C. dimorphus. Other instances where the adult male,

female, and young have all been described as different species of

Platophrys, Scaeops, Engyprosopon are not unknown.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 387

Gen. Scarorps J. and §.

1904. Jordan and Starks, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii (1902),

p. 627.

1906. Id., Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxi, p. 168.

Eyes moderately large, widely separated. Interorbital space

concave, wider in ¢ than 9. Mouth small, teeth small, uniserial.

Gill-membranes united. Gill-rakers very short. Dorsal fin originat-

ing on snout. Left ventral median, long-based, right with shorter

base. Upper pectoral rays not produced in g. Scales moderate or

rather large, deciduous, ctenoid on left, cycloid on right.

Distinguished from Platophrys and Crossorhombus by not having

the pectoral rays produced in the adult, and the larger deciduous

scales.

*Scaeops grandisquama (Schl.).

1846. Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 183, pl. xcil, figs. 3, 4.

1904. Jordan and Starks, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii, p. 627,

pl. vii, fig. 2.

1906. Id., Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxi, p. 168, fig. 1.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 287.

Body ovate. Depth 14, length of head 44, in length of body.

Hye 34 in length of head. Interorbital space 24 in g, 4 in 9 in length

of head, narrower in the young. D 79, A 60. Left pectoral equal

to length of head, right only half as long. Scales: 1.1. 36-40. In ¢

a bony tubercle on snout, and several tubercles or serrations on

antorbital and interorbital margins of both eyes.

Length.—Up to 120 mm.

Colour.—Light brown, mottled with darker; dorsal, anal, and left

ventral with small dark spots, a conspicuous black spot on upper and

lower edges of caudal.

Locality.—Natal to Delagoa Bay, to 30 fathoms.

Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.

Gen. PSEUDORHOMBUS Blkr.

1862. Bleeker, C. R. Acad. Amsterdam, vol. xiii, p. 5.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ii, pt. 5, p. 207.

Hyes large, narrowly separated. Mouth moderate or rather large,

teeth conical, uniserial. Gill-membranes united Dorsal fin originat-

ing immediately in front of upper eye. Ventrals short-based, sym-

metrical. Scales small or moderate, ctenoid on left side, cycloid on

388 Annals of the South African Museum.

right. Lateral line on both sides, with a strong curve anteriorly and

an accessory branch running forwards to the anterior (8th—11th)

dorsal rays.

Indo-Pacific.

Pseudorhombus russelli (Gray).

Russell's Flounder.

1834. Gray, Illustr. Ind. Zool., pl. xciv, fig. 2.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 423, pl. xci, fig. 5 (arszus).

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 11, p. 8, pl. xxv (natalensvs).

1904. Id., ibid., p. 9, pl. xxvi (anderson).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 399 (references).

1920. Regan, zbed., vol. ii, pt. 5, pp. 208, 209, text-fig. 1.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 15.

1925. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 290.

Body ovate. Depth about 2, length of head 33-4, in length of body.

Maxilla extending to below anterior (young) or posterior third of

eyes, which are at same level. Teeth minute and numerous in young,

adult with 5-10 rather strong on either side of lower jaw, and 2—4 in

the front of the upper jaw. D 67-81; A 52-61, a short spine in front

of anal in young; P 3-3? length of head. Scales: 1.1. 70-85. Acces-

sory branch of lateral line extending to base of dorsal rays or at least

half way. (Plate XVII, fig. 2.)

Length.—Up to 365 mm.

Colour.—Brown with darker more or less ocellate spots and markings

on body, smaller spots on fins, a large dark spot at beginning of the

straight pair of lateral lines ; all the spots more prominent in the young

than the adult.

Locality.— East London to Delagoa Bay, 20-60 fathoms.

Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific to Australia..

Types of natalensis and andersoni in South African Museum.

After an examination of a large series of all sizes, including the

types and several cotypes of natalensis, I am unable to recognise

natalensis as a separate species.

P. andersoni is a freak example, showing ctenoid scales and colora-

tion on both sides and incomplete forward extension of the dorsal fin

due to delayed or arrested migration of the eye (cf. Cunningham,

Marketable Marine Fishes, 1896, p. 208: “In certain Flat-fishes,

especially the turbot, specimens are occasionally taken in which

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 389

the dorsal fin does not extend forward in the usual manner, but forms

a hook overhanging the eye nearest it . . .”’).

Gen. PARACITHARUS Regan.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ii, pt. 5, p. 209.

Eyes large, narrowly separated. Mouth rather large, teeth small,

in bands, without canines. Gill-membranes separate. Dorsal fin

originating immediately in front of upper eye. Posterior nostril on

right side covered by a large valvular flap of skin. Ventrals short-

based, the left median and a little in advance of right. Scales rather

large, ctenoid on left, cycloid on right. Lateral line developed on

both sides, strongly curved anteriorly, tubules bifurcate.

A single South African species.

Paracitharus macrolepis (Gilch.).

Large-scaled Flounder.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 12, pl. xxx1.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 398.

1920. Regan, loc. cit., p. 210, text-fig. 2.

-1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xu, pt. 4, p. 288.

Body elongate ovate. Depth 23, length of head 34, in length of

body. Lower jaw prominent. Maxilla extending to below middle

or posterior third of lower eye, which is slightly behind the upper.

Teeth in a narrow band in front, becoming a single series posteriorly.

D 65-72, A 45-50. Left pectoral a little over half length of head,

right rather less. Scales: 1.1. 43-47.

Length.—Up to 215 mm.

Colour.—Light brown with a few dark patches on body and dorsal

and anal fins; two black patches on body at extremities of dorsal and

anal fins.

Locality.—Natal, Zululand, and Delagoa Bay, 50-100 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

-Gen. CHascanopsEetta Alck.

1894. Alcock, J. Asiast. Soc. Beng., vol. lxiu, p. 128.

1897. Gilbert and Cramer, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xix, p. 432>

(Pelacanichthys).

Eyes moderate, narrowly separated by a flat interorbital space.

390 Annals of the South African Museum.

Mouth very large, gape as long as head, lower jaw more or less pro-

jecting beyond upper. Teeth uniserial, slender. Membrane between

lower jaws more or less distensible, forming a gular pouch. Gill-

membranes united. Gill-rakers absent. Dorsal originating on snout.

Left ventral median, long-based, right with shorter base. Pectorals

unequal. Scales exceedingly small cycloid. Lateral line on both

sides arched in front. Vent displaced on to right side of median line,

with a papilla in the corresponding position on left side.

Deep-sea forms from the Indo-Pacific.

Chascanopsetta gilchristt von B.

Pelecan Flounder.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 7.

1922. Id., cbed., p. 8, pl. ui, fig. 1 (maculata).

1925. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 288 (maculata).

Body elongate ovate. Depth 34~4, length of head 4$-54, in length

of body. Eye 33-32 in length of head. D 110-124; A 80-85;

P 15-16, right fin only half length of left. Lower jaw projecting a

little beyond upper. Scales: 1.1. ca. 145. Lateral line forming a

flat-topped arch in front.

Length.—Up to 215 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, with more or less distinct darker spots on body ;

dorsal, anal, and caudal tipped with blackish.

Locality.— Off Natal and Delagoa Bay, 174-275 fathoms.

Types of gilchristi and maculata in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Specimens in the South African Museum combine the characters

of both “ species.”” It is possible that maculata may be the 9.

This species closely allied to the Hawaiian C. prorigera Gilb. and the

Indian C. lugubris Alck.

Gen. TRICHOPSETTA Gill.

1888. Gill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xi, p. 601.

Eyes rather large, narrowly separated. Interorbital space a narrow

ridge. Mouth moderate, teeth uniserial, more or less enlarged in

front of jaws. Giull-membranes united. Gill-rakers slender. Dorsal

originating on snout. Left ventral median, long-based, right with

shorter base, with rays elongate in g. Pectorals unequal. Scales

moderate, adherent, ctenoid. Lateral line on both sides strongly

arched anteriorly.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 391

*Trichopsetta dalgleishi von B.

Dalgleish’s Flounder.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 6, pl. i, fig. 1.

Body elongate ovate. Depth 22, length of head 4, in length of body.

Eye 3? in length of head. D 95, A 73. Left pectoral 13, right 8,

rays of the latter half length of those of former. Scales: 1.1. 70.

Length.—Up to 110 mm.

Colour.—Light grey with dark streaks, fins with irregularly scattered

black blotches.

Locality.—Natal coast, 29 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. ARNoGLossus Blkr.

1862. Bleeker, C.R. Ac. Sci. Amsterdam, vol. xii.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 415.

Eyes moderately large, narrowly separated. Interorbital space a

narrow concave groove, or reduced to a bony ridge only. Mouth

small, teeth minute, ina single series. Guill-membranes united. Dorsal

fin originating on snout. Left ventral median, long-based, right with

shorter base. Scales moderate, deciduous, feebly ctenoid or cycioid.

Lateral line on both sides strongly arched anteriorly.

On account of the ease with which the scales rub off, these Flat-fish

are known in England as Scaldfish.

Arnoglossus capensis Blegr.

Cape Scaldfish.

1898. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 1.

1904. Gilchrist, 2bzd., vol. iii, p. 133, pl. v, fig. 36 (egg and larva).

1916. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 16, fig. 12 (larva).

1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 125.

Body ovate. Depth 24, length of head 44, in length of body. Eye

3% in length of head, and 3-4 times interorbital space which is concave.

D 81-100, A 72-80. Left pectoral about 2 length of head. Scales

feebly ctenoid : 1.1. 60-70.

Length.—Up to 180 mm.

Colour.—Light brown.

Locality.—False Bay to East London, 20-60 fathoms. Occasionally ~

found also on the west side of the Cape Peninsula (Hout Bay).

Type in British Museum ; topotypes in South African Museum.

392 Annals of the South African Museum.

Gen. Larors Guthr.

1880. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. i, p. 29.

1890. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), vol. vi, p. 216 (Scvanectes).

Eyes rather large, narrowly separated by the interorbital ridge.

Mouth moderate or small. Teeth very fine, mostly on blind side.

Gill-membranes united. Gill-rakers short. Dorsal originating in

front of upper eye. Left ventral median, long-based, right with

shorter base; right pectoral somewhat shorter than left. Scales

small, cycloid, deciduous. Lateral line on both sides arched in front.

Indo-Pacific.

Key to the South African species.

1. Dorsal and anal fins broadly margined with black . : nigromaculatus.

2. Dorsal and anal fins unicolourous : ; ; ; microphthalmus.

*Laeops nigromaculatus von B.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 10, pl. 111.

1925. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., vol. xu, pt. 4, p. 289.

Body elongate ovate. Depth 24, length of head 52, in length of

body. Eye 3 in length of head, lower eye slightly in advance of

upper. D 103; A 82; P 14, left 14, right nearly 2, in length of

head. Seales: U1. 102.

Length.—Up to 170 mm.

Colour.—Brownish-yellow with irregularly scattered small dark

spots, caudal and outer half of dorsal, anal, and left ventral fins

blackish.

Locality. —Ofi Natal coast and Delagoa Bay, 100-160 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The figure represents the left ventral and anal as continuous,

which is presumably incorrect.

*Laeops microphthalmus von B.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 11, pl. iv,

fig. 1.

Body elongate oval. Depth 24, length of head 44, in length of body.

Eye 44 in length of head, lower slightly in advance of upper. D 99;

A 80; P 14, left 2, right 3, in length of head. Scales: 1.1. ca. 110.

Length.—Up to 135 mm.

Colour.—Blackish.

Locality.—Natal coast, 150 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

PLATE XVII.

ria. _‘TEXT-PAGE

1. Psettodes erumei (Bl. Schn.) (after Day) . 6 Bees

2. Pseudorhombus russelli (Gray) (after Gilchrist) _ 388

3. Solea capensis Gilch. (after Gilchrist) . 3 ; 402

Plate XVII,

Ann, 8S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI.

Neill & Co., Lid.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 393

Gen. LAMBDOPSETTA Smith and Pope.

1906. Smith and Pope, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxi, p. 496.

Eyes rather large, narrowly separated by the interorbital ridge.

Mouth small, teeth fine, mostly on blind side. Gill-rakers small,

triangular. Dorsal originating over anterior margin of upper eye,

the first 2 rays separate. Left ventral median, long-based, right

with shorter base. Pectorals more or less unequal. Scales moderate,

cycloid. Lateral line on both sides, with an angular bend in front.

Very close to Laeops Gnthr., but distinguished by the 2 separate

anterior rays of dorsal and the more sharply angular arch of the

lateral line.

Key to the South African species.

1. Left pectoral shorter than head. : : : E ; . kitaharae.

2. Left pectoral nearly twice length of head : : : : pectoralis.

*Lambdopsetta kitaharae Smith and Pope.

Kitahara’s Flounder.

1906. Smith and Pope, loc. cit., p. 496, text-fig. 12.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 9.

Body rather elongate ovate. Depth 24-24, length of head 54-53,

inlength. Hye 24in length of head, lower slightly in advance of upper.

D 100-103; A 76; V 6; P 14, left pectoral about 14 in head,

slightly longer than right. Scales: 1.1. 100-102.

Length.—Up to 135 mm.

Colour.—Reddish-yellow, left pectoral and vertical fins blackish or

edged with blackish.

Locality.—Natal coast, 180-230 fathoms.

Distribution.—Japan.

*Lambdopsetta pectoralis von B.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 10, pl. i,

fig. 3.

1925. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 289.

Resembling kitaharae but D 113; A 91; P 12, the left pectoral

much larger than right, nearly twice length of head, which is 64 in

length.

Length.—Up to 190 mm.

Colour.—Blackish.

394 Annals of the South African Museum.

Locality.—Off Natal coast and Delagoa Bay, 150-170 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

It seems worth investigating whether this form is not the adult male

of kitaharae.

Young Forms.

Von Bonde records (1922, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 9)

a young specimen from the Natal coast which he has provisionally

identified as a species of Etropus J. and G. The special reasons for

identifying this specimen with Etropus are not given. This genus is

easily distinguished from all the other genera of Bothidae here recorded

by the almost straight lateral] line.

Some other specimens in the South African Museum, which appear

to be juveniles, are here identified with the following form.

Platophrys circularis Regan.

1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool., vol. xu, pt. 3, p. 233,

Wale O-Gial, wiley, Sy,

Body ovate in a specimen 23 mm. long, becoming nearly circular

in larger specimens. Depth 13 (small) to 14 (larger specimens), head

33-4? in length. Eye about 6 in length of head, equal to in small,

less than interorbital width in larger specimens. D 85-90; A 63-66;

P 8, about 24in length of head. Scales all rubbed off.

Length.—Up to 42 mm.

Colour (as preserved).—Yellowish with a double series of 6-8 small

spots along each margin of body, and another series on the dorsal

and anal fins.

Locality.—Algoa Bay to Natal, 22-47 fathoms.

These specimens are not the young of Crossorhombus dimorphus, of

which species there is a good series in the South African Museum.

It is perhaps possible that P. circularis is only the young of the other

species described by Regan in the same paper, viz. P. ovalis.

Fam. 3. PLEURONECTIDAE.

Dextral. Dorsal fin extending forward above eye or on to snout,

all the rays articulated. Ventrals with 6 or fewer rays. Mouth

with lower jaw more or less prominent. No teeth on palatine. No

supramaxilla. Preopercle with free edge. Olfactory laminae slightly

raised, parallel, without axis.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 395

Key to the South African genera.

—

. Dorsal originating above upper eye.

a. Teeth mostly on blind side only . 4 : : : . Limanda.

6. Teeth well developed on both sides ; : : . Poecilopsetta.

2. Dorsal originating on snout, its anterior rays strongly produced . Samaris.

Gen. LIMANDA Gottsche.

1825. Gottsche. Wiegmann’s Arch., p. 100.

1880. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. i, p. 57 (Nematops).

1895. Goode and Bean, Oceanogr. Ichthyol., p. 427.

Eyes narrowly separated. Mouth moderate. Teeth uniserial,

mostly on blind side. Dorsal originating above upper eye. Left

neutral median, or almost so. Scales moderate or small, ctenoid.

Lateral line on both sides strongly arched anteriorly.

These Flat-fish are termed Dabs in England.

* Timanda beant Goode.

Bean’s Dab.

1881. Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. ii, p. 473.

1895. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 428, fig. 355a—d.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 16.

Body elongate ovate. Depth 22—22, length of head 44-54, in length

of body. Hye 2 (von Bonde)—3 (Goode and Bean’s figure)—in length

of head. D 62-68, A 54-56, P7. Scales: 1.1]. 88-90, 27-30 of which

are in the curve.

Length.—Up to 145 mm.

Colour.—Greyish-brown with darker patches, pectoral and ventral

blackish, dorsal and anal with irregular black streaks, caudal with a

conspicuous black spot on the outer rays on either side.

Locality.— Off Natal and Delagoa Bay, 180-230 fathoms.

Distribution.—N. Atlantic and West Indies, 110-250 fathoms.

Gen. PoECILOPSETTA Gnthr.

1880. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. i, p. 48.

HKyes moderate, narrowly separate. Mouth moderate, teeth sharp,

well-developed on both sides. Gill-membranes united. Dorsal

originating above upper eye. Left ventral median, right nearly so.

Scales small or very small; ctenoid, deciduous. Lateral line on both .

sides strongly arched anteriorly.

Indo-Pacific.

396 Annals of the South African Museum.

* Poecilopsetta bicolorata von B.

Blue-green Flounder.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 14, pl. v,

fig. 2.

Body ovate. Depth nearly 2, length of head 4, in length of body.

Eye 34 in length of head. D 57, 2nd—8th dorsal rays elongate in 3,

twice as long as any of the other rays; A 49; P 9. Right ventral

with first 3 rays elongate in both sexes, equalling the longest dorsal

rays. Scales: 1.1. 82, the arch being somewhat flat-topped.

Length.—Up to 170 mm.

Colour.—Bluish-black tinged with green, with indistinct cross-

bands, all fins mottled with larger or smaller black spots, lower part

and blind side of head spotted with black, branchiostegal membrane

blue.

Locality.—Natal coast, 70-222 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

Gen. Samaris Gray.

1831. Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 4.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 419.

Eyes moderate, narrowly separated. Mouth small, teeth small

in narrow bands on both sides. Gill-membranes united. Gill-

rakers rudimentary. Dorsal originating on snout, its anterior rays

greatly prolonged. Ventrals symmetrical, right longer than left.

Right pectoral long. Scales small, ctenoid. Lateral line on both

sides nearly straight, bifurcate at anterior end behind upper eye.

Nostril with a bifurcate tubular flap of skin.

Key to the South African species.

1. D 84, A 57. Pectoral mottled with white . , : : . ornatus.

2. D 78, A 55. Pectoral mottled with black . : ; : delagoensis.

*Samaris ornatus vou B.

Crested Flounder.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 13, pl. vi.

Body elongate ovate. Depth 24, length of head 44,in length. Hye

3 in length of head. D 84, the anterior 14 rays elongate, the longest

ones 13 in length of body; A 57; P 4, right nearly as long as head ;

V 5, right much longer than left, Ist ray elongate, a little longer than

head. Scales: 11. 84.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 397

Length.—Up to 103 mm.

Colour.—Deep brown, with irregularly scattered black spots; 5

larger blotches along dorsal, 4 along ventral profile, and 2 on lateral

line; dorsal, anal, and both ventrals blackish; elongate rays of dorsal

white towards tips ; pectoral and caudal with white spots.

Locality.— Natal coast, 30 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

*Samaris delagoensis von B.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 289.

Body elongate ovate. Depth 2, length of head 5, in length of body.

Eye 32 in length of head. D 78, the anterior 15 rays elongate, the

longest 14 in length of body; A55; P 4, right nearly as long as head ;

V 5, right much longer than left, first 2 rays elongate, 1+ times length

of head, ending in enlarged skinny flaps. Scales: IL. 94.

Length.—Up to 170 mm.

Colour.—Dark, with blotches of various sizes over body and fins,

with blotches along dorsal and ventral profiles as in ornatus; 35rd,

5th, 6th, and 10th dorsal rays blackish at base; ventrals very dark ;

pectoral dark with black mottling.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The slight differences which occur between these two forms seem

to be no greater than might reasonably be expected within the limits

of variation. Possibly the slight colour differences and the skinny

flaps on the ventral fins are sexual. Both species are close to the

Indo-Pacific cristatus Gray, but differ apparently in the larger number

of scales.

Fam. 4. PARALICHTHODIAE.

Dextral. Dorsal fin extending forward on to snout, all the rays

articulated. Ventrals with 6rays. Mouth with lower jaw prominent.

No teeth on palatine. No supramaxilla. Preopercle with free edge.

Olfactory laminae arranged transversely to or radiating from a central

axis.

A single South African genus.

Gen. PARALICHTHODES Gilch.

1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ui, p. 108.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 5, p. 213.

398 Annals of the South African Museum.

Eyes moderate, moderately separated. Mouth rather large, teeth

in 2-3 series on both sides. Gill-membranes separate. Gill-rakers

well developed, minutely spinulose. Ventrals short-based, equal

but somewhat unsymmetrical, the right nearly median. Scales

small, cycloid. Lateral line on both sides, strongly arched anteriorly.

A strong, but short, forwardly directed spine in front of anal fin.

Paralichthodes algoensis Gilch.

1902. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 108, pl. viii.

1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8.A. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 262.

1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 397.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 125 (references).

1920. Regan., loc. cit., p. 214.

Body rather elongate ovate. Depth 24-22, length of head 4-44, in

length of body. Eye 43-54 in length of head. Interorbital width

2-24 in eye. D 67-74, the anterior rays much branched and the

lst separate; A 47-54; P 11-12, right 14-12 in length of head, left

shorter. Scales: 1.1. 110-125.

Length.—Up to 420 mm.

Colour.—Brownish with small dark dots on head and anterior part

of body.

Locality.—Algoa Bay, East London, Natal coast, 27-40 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

Fam. 5. SOLEIDAE.

Dextral. Dorsal fin extending in advance of eye, all rays articu-

lated. Left ventral sometimes vestigial or absent. Pectorals some-

times absent. Caudal free or united with dorsal and anal. Mouth

small, subterminal, or inferior, lower jaw never prominent; teeth

mostly on blind side only. No supramaxilla. Preoperele covered

over by skin, without free margin. Olfactory laminae arranged

transversely to or radiating from a central axis.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Dorsal and anal not confluent with caudal.

A. Ventrals symmetrical ; pectorals present : ‘ ; . Solea.

B. Ventrals asymmetrical, right joined to anal; pectorals absent.

1. Blind side with IJ lateral line F : : : . Achirus.

2. Blind side with 2 lateral lines : ; 3 : Pardachirus.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 399

II. Dorsal and anal confluent with caudal.

A. Pectorals well developed.

1. Lower lip fringed ; anterior nostri] of blind side surrounded by a

fringed flap. é 5 Synaptura.

2. Lower lip not fringed ; anterior mel i blind side simple

Austroglossus.

B. Pectorals small or rudimentary . : : : j . Aesopia.

Gen. SoLeA Lacép.

1802. Lacépeéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv.

1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol..iv, p. 462 (part).

Dorsal and anal fins not confluent with caudal, their rays scaly

‘and sometimes bifid. Pectorals well developed. Ventrals equal,

short-based, right not joined to anal. Vent median. Nostrils of

blind side dilated or not. Scales small, ctenoid. Lateral line straight

(as far as head), single on both sides.

Key to the South African species.

I. Nostril of blind side not dilated (Solea).

A. Snout truncate : ‘ : : : ‘ . senegalensis.

B. Snout rounded.

1. Body with irregular dark blotches : 5 fulvomarginatus.

2. Body with 5 black spots. : . quadriocellata.

II. Nostril of blind side very slightly dilated, not needs but surrounded by a

bare space. Dorsal and anal fins margined with black melanoptera.

III. Nostril of blind side dilated (subgen. Pegusa).

A. Nostril surrounded by a bare space. : 5 ; . capensis.

B. Nostril not surrounded by a bare space : : 3 . bleekert.

Solea senegalensis Kaup.

Senegal Sole.

1858. Kaup, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 94.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 160, pl. xliv

(cleverleyt).

1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Oceanogr., vol. vi, pt. 4, pp. 74, 75, pl. i,

fig. 1 (var. mbaoensis).

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 126 (cleverleyz).

Body narrow ovate. Depth 3-31, length of head 44—54, in length of

body. Eye 44-53 in length of head, upper in advance of lower by

about 3 diameter, about 2 times the interorbital width. D 82-84;

400 Annals of the South African Museum.

A 67-70; P 8-10 (cleverleyi has 9), right a little longer than left,

13-2 in length of head. Ventrals less than } pectorals, equal and

symmetrical. Snout truncate. Left nostril not dilated or fringed or

surrounded by a naked space. Opercular margins feebly fringed,

lips not at all. Scales: 1.1. 115-120. Lateral line straight to head,

then bending backwards and upwards, and then again sharply for-

wards ; on the blind side there is an additional short branch running

from the lower bend towards the origin of the dorsal.

Length.—Up to 262 mm.

Colour.—Chocolate or slaty-brown, more or less speckled, distal

half of right pectoral black.

Locality.—Walfish Bay, S.W. Africa.

Distribution.—Senegal.

Types of senegalensis and var. mbaoensis in Paris Museum; of

cleverleyi in South African Museum.

S. cleverleyi is clearly the same as senegalensis and resembles more

nearly the variety mbaoensis. The differences in depth of body,

length of pectoral, and size of eye may prove to be sexual.

It is interesting to find the Senegal Sole extending as far south as

Walfish Bay; another example of the southward extension of the

West African fauna being Ophichthys rostellatus (p. 202).

Solea fulvomarginata Gilch.

Yellow-margined Sole.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 13, pl. xxxiii.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 126.

Body ovate. Depth 24-22, length of head 43-5, in length of body.

Eye 6-7 in length of head, upper in advance of lower by about 4

diameter, 14 times the interorbital width. D 75-80, A 60-65. Pec-

torals about equal, 4 in length of head. Ventrals as long as pectorals,

equal and symmetrical. Snout broadly rounded, moderately hooked.

Left nostril not dilated or fringed or surrounded by a naked space.

Opercular margin on both sides fringed, lips not fringed. Scales:

1.1. 105-110. Lateral line straight ; on blind side it continues straight

to middle of head and bifurcates, the lower branch running straight

on, the upper branching off at right-angles and curving round to base

of anterior dorsal rays, sometimes a third branch below running to

angle of mouth.

Length.—Up to 250 mm.

Colour.—Lemon yellow, most marked on the fin margins, body with

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 401

cloudy dark patches, extending more or less on to bases of dorsal and

anal; blind side of fins, and to a certain extent the body also, lemon

yellow.

Locality. —False Bay and Algoa Bay, shallow water.

Type in South African Museum.

*Solea quadriocellata von B.

Ocellate Sole.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 20, pl. ii,

fig. 2.

Body ovate. Depth 2, length of head 41, in length of body, Eye 4

in length of head, upper in advance of lower by about half diameter,

about 14 times the interorbital width. D62; A 48; P 7, right 22 in

length of head, twice as long as left. Ventrals equal and symmetrical.

Snout narrowly rounded. Left nostril not dilated or fringed. Oper-

cular margins feebly fringed, lips not at all. Scales: 11.100. Lateral

line anteriorly curved at right angles towards dorsal margin.

Length.—108 mm.

Colour.—Slate ; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins darker; some faint

darker blotches on anterior part of body, and a large well-marked

black spot on the lateral line a short distance behind the end of the

pectoral; on posterior part of body 2 pairs of round ocellate spots,

black edged with white, a black cross-band on caudal peduncle.

Locality. —Natal coast, 30 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

This species is extraordinarily like ocellata (Iinn.) from the Medi-

terranean and Madeira. The only real difference appears to be the

greater number of scales in the lateral line in the South African species ;

the slight differences in number of fin rays are unimportant.

Solea melanoptera (Gilch.).

Black-finned Sole.

1904. Gilchrist, Mar Invest. S. Afr., vol. i, p. 13, pl. xxxii

(Synaptura m.).

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 127.

Body lanceolate. Depth 3 or a little less, length of head 44-43 in

length. Eye 43-5 in length of head, upper in advance of lower by

about half diameter, about 3 times the interorbital width. D 89-92,

A 70-72. Pectorals equal, 33 in length of head. Ventrals as long as

VOL PART dk 26

402 Annals of the South African Museum.

pectoral, equal and symmetrical. Snout rounded, hooked. Left

nostril tubular, slightly dilated and fringed, surrounded by a bare

space. Opercular margin on both sides tringed, right upper lip

slightly so. Scales: 1.1. ca. 130. Lateral line straight as far as head,

then bending up sharply towards the dorsal margin where it ends at

a level about the middle of upper eye.

Length.—Up to 190 mm.

Colour.—Light brown, with darker patches ; dorsal, anal, and right

pectoral blackish, the latter fin with a white margin.

Locality.— Kast London and Natal, 22-43 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

A second and larger specimen in the South African Museum allows

me to correct some slight inaccuracies in the original description.

The dorsal and anal fins are not really confluent with the caudal at

all, and the species is a true Solea.

Solea capensis Gilch.

Cape Sole.

1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. ii, p. 110, pl. ix.

1916. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 17, fig. 14 (larva).

1918. Thompson, 7bzd., vol. iv, p. 126.

Body ovate. Depth 24-22, length of head 43-53, in length of body.

Hye 44-5 in length of head, upper in advance of lower by about half

diameter, 14 times the interorbital width. D 75-90, A 63-72. Right

pectoral a little longer than left, 24-3 in length of head. Ventrals

shorter than pectoral, equal and symmetrical. Snout rounded,

hooked. Left nostril dilated, fringed, and surrounded by a naked

space. Opercular margin fringed on both sides, lips not fringed.

Scales: LJ. 110-115. Lateral line straight, curving sharply up

towards dorsal profile on head, but indistinct especially on blind side.

(Plate XVII, fig. 3.)

Length.— Up to 345 mm.

Colour.—Brownish, shaded and mottled with greenish or darker

brown, with irregular dark lines, spots, and ocelli; right pectoral dark

with whitish margin.

Locality. False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Algoa Bay, Natal coast,

shallow water.

Type in South African Museum.

Although here called the Cape Sole, this is not a very abundant

species and is not economically important.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 403

Solea bleekeri Blgr.

Bleeker’s Sole.

1863. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Vet. Amsterdam, vol. xv, p. 458 (tmpar

non Benn.).

1898. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. i, p. 2 (bleekert).

1904. Gilchrist, zbed., vol. i, p. 10, pl. xxvii (turbynez).

1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8.A. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 261

(turbynet).

1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 170 (bleekerz).

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, pp. 125, 126 (bleekeri and

turbynet).

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 215 (turbynez).

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, pp. 17, 18

(turbynei and impar).

1922. Id., abid., p. 19, pl. v, fig. 1 (semonensis).

1925. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 291 (turbynez).

Body ovate. Depth 241-23, length of head 4-42, in length of body.

Hye 54-7 in length of head, equal to or a little less than interorbital

width. D 62-74; A 50-59 (young specimens may have D 66, A 45) ;

P 7-8, right a little longer than left, 23-3 in length of head. Ven-

trals shorter than pectoral, equal and symmetrical. Snout rounded,

hooked. Left nostril dilated, but not fringed or surrounded by a

naked space. Opercular margin fringed on both sides, but the lips

only feebly or not at all. Scales: 1.1. 95-105. Lateral line straight

to head, then bending at right angles towards dorsal profile, and then

running forwards parallel with profile.

Length.—Up to 174 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with darker spots and specks on body and darker

streaks on dorsal and anal fins; right pectoral with a black spot on

distal half (rarely absent).

Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Zululand and Delagoa Bay,

down to 30 fathoms.

Types of bleekert in Leyden Museum, of turbynei in South African

Museum, of semonensis in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

In vindication of the above specific name, the history of this species

may be briefly stated.

Bleeker identified a specimen from the Cape of Good Hope with the

Mediterranean species impar, the type of which is in the British

Museum.

404 Annals of the South African Museum.

Boulenger recognised the incorrectness of Bleeker’s identification

and renamed Bleeker’s specimen.

In direct opposition to this, von Bonde identifies bleekert with

Bennett's ampar and doubts the correctness of the locality given by

Bleeker. The first procedure is not justified in view of Boulenger’s

statement (with Bennett’s type before him) that Bleeker’s specimen

is not wmpar; and the latter assumption involves the specific dis-

tinctness of turbynei from both impar and bleekert.

As regards the specific distinctness of turbynez, I have examined

a large series of all sizes in the South African Museum and from these

I have drawn up the above description. The characters of both

turbyner and bleekert fall within this description, and the differences

quoted by von Bonde (loc. czt., 1922, p. 19) do not hold good. They

are largely only variations due to age. Thus the largest specimens

(like Bleeker’s) have the largest number of fin-rays.

I submit, therefore, that the correct name of this Sole is bleekerz.

The only possible alternative is that it is really synonymous with

Bennett's impar; but in deference to Boulenger’s opinion I do not

adopt it.

S. sumonensis is an abnormally deep specimen of bleekert. There is

an intermediate specimen in the South African Museum. The black

spot on the pectoral is sometimes absent, and the upper branch of

the lateral line very indistinct, in otherwise perfectly typical specimens

of bleekert.

Gen. AcuiruS Lacép.

1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 659.

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische. Monogr., lxv, p. 416 (dis-

cussion).

Dorsal and anal fins not confluent with caudal, their rays simple ;

pectorals rudimentary; ventrals unsymmetrical, right joined to

anal. Vent displaced on to left side. Anterior nostril of blind side

dilated and fringed. Scales small, ctenoid. Lateral line straight,

single on both sides. Giull-rakers absent.

Achirus capensis (Kaup).

1898. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol.i, p. 2.

1903. Gilchrist, zbed., vol. ii, p. 191, pl. 1, fig. 16 (egg).

1916. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 17, fig. 13 (egg and larva).

1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 126.

Body ovate. Depth 23-28, length of head 4, in length of body.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 405

Eye 53-6 in length of head. Snout hooked. Snout and lips with

short fringes. D 98-102, A 67-75. Scales: 1.1. 80-85.

Length.—Up to 145 mm.

Colour.—Pale greyish or brownish, with dark specks and 3 more

or less conspicuous longitudinal series of small black spots.

Locality.—Saldanha Bay, False Bay to East London, shallow

water.

Gen. PARDACHIRUS Gnthr.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 478.

1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Fische. Monogr., Ixy, p. 416 (dis-

cussion).

Dorsal and anal fins not confluent with caudal, their rays

scaly and branched; pectorals absent; ventrals unsymmetrical,

right joined to anal. Vent displaced on to left side. Scales small,

cycloid, or weakly ctenoid. Lateral line straight, single on right, a

second line along upper profile of neck on left side. Gill-rakers

rudimentary.

*Pardachirus marmoratus (Lacép.).

1802. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 658.

1826. Riippell, Atlas Fische, p. 122, pl. xxxi, fig. 2.

1862. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 478.

1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagascar, vol. xvi, Poiss., p. 472.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xu, pt. 4, p. 291.

Body ovate. Depth 24-22. D 67, A 53. Scales: 1.1. 100.

Length.—Up to 260 mm.

Colour.—Greyish-olive, with numerous brown dots on head, body,

and fins, and with or without white ocellate spots.

Locality.—Bazaruto Island, Portuguese East Africa.

Distribution.—K. coast of Africa, Madagascar.

Gen. SYNAPTURA Cantor.

1849. Cantor, Cat. Malay. Fish., p. 222.

Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal; pectorals well de-

veloped. Lower lip fringed. Anterior right nostril at end of a tube,

posterior covered by a flap; anterior left nostril surrounded by a

fringed flap, much developed behind and covering a naked groove.

Seales small, ctenoid on right, cycloid (or feebly ctenoid) on left.

Lateral line straight on both sides, with a right-angled bend anteriorly

towards dorsal profile. Ventrals small, equal, and symmetrical.

Gill-rakers rudimentary.

406 _ Annals of the South African Museum.

Synaptura marginata Blegr.

White-margined Sole.

1881. Steindachner, Ichthyol. Beitr., vol. x, 8.B. Ak. Wiss. Wien,

vol. Ixxxiil, p. 207 (punctatissuma non Peters).

1900. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 11, pls. u and in,

fig. 1 (9).

1904. Gilchrist, zbed., vol. ili, p. 14, pl. xxxiv (3) (ciliata).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 3, pt. 4,

p. 398 (references: marginata and ciliata).

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 127.

1920. Regan, Ann, Durban Mus., vol. ui, pt. 5, p. 216.

Body lanceolate. Depth 24-22, length of head 5, in length of body.

Eye 8-9 in length of head, equal to interorbital width. Opercular

margins fringed. D 71-76; A 54 () to 63 (Q), the anterior rays fringed

on left side in g. Pectorals equal, 33-4 in length of head. Scales

strongly ctenoid on right side, and in g some of them bearing short

filamentous processes which are most numerous on the head: 1.1.

100-124.

Length.—Up to 340 mm.

Colour.—Dark brown, uniform or with darker specks; dorsal and

anal speckled with dark spots and edged with white, right pectoral

blackish with a white edge.

Locality.—Algoa Bay to Natal, shallow water.

Type of marginata in British Museum, of ciliata in South African

Museum.

I have examined several specimens and find that the filamentous

processes on the head and body are only present in the g.

It seems more than probable that Steindachner was in error in

assigning his Algoa Bay specimen to punctatissima Peters, which is

found along the coasts of Mauretania (not “ Mauritius ” as quoted by

Thompson, loc. cit., p. 127), Guinea, and Gaboon. 8S. punctatissima

is considerably narrower in proportion to its length and has a larger

number of scales, though the coloration is very similar.

Gen. AusTROGLossus Regan.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u1, pt. 5, p. 217.

Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal; pectorals well de-

veloped. Lower lip not fringed. Anterior right nostril tubular,

posterior patent, between eyes; anterior left nostril shortly tubular,

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 407

without surrounding flap. Scales very small, ctenoid. Lateral

line straight on both sides. Ventrals small, equal, and symmetrical.

Key to the South African species.

1. Right pectoral longer than head . : ; 5 5 ; . pectoralis,

2 Right pectoral shorter than head . P D : : 5 microlepis.

Austroglossus pectoralis (Kaup).

Sole ; Tong.

1858. Kaup, Archiv. f. Natur., p. 96.

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 193 (egg).

1916. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 16 (egg and larva).

1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 127 (references).

1920. Regan, loc. cit., p. 217, text-fig. 4.

Body lanceolate. Depth 34-32, length of head 53-7, in length of

body. Eyes 6-9 in length of head, upper on a level with or very

slightly in advance of lower, nearly equal to interorbital width.

D 95-110, A 80-95. Right pectoral 14-2 times as long as head and

about 3 times as long as left pectoral. Scales only feebly ctenoid on

the blind side: 1.1. 150-170.

Length.—Up to 580 mm.

Colour.—Brown, more or less speckled with darker; dorsal and anal

spotted and speckled with dark brown or black, right pectoral black ;

sometimes some indistinct light transverse bands across body.

Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, down to 60 fathoms.

Two sinistral specimens in the South African Museum.

Economically this is the most important of the South African

Flat-fishes.

Austroglossus microlepis (Blkr.).

Small-scaled Sole.

1863. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Vet. Amsterdam, vol. xv, p. 456.

1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 16 (egg).

1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 127 (references).

Body lanceolate. Depth 3-32, length of head 5-6, in length of

body. Eye 7-8 in length of head, upper in advance of lower, 3 inter-

orbital width. D 82-100, A 65-78. Right pectoral 3-3 length of

head, about 14 times length of left. Scales only feebly ctenoid on

blind side: 1.1. 170-180.

408 Annals of the South African Museum.

Length.— Up to 750 mm.

Colour.—Brown, speckled with darker, with or without indistinct

dark or light transverse cross-bands on body; dorsal and anal s potted

and speckled with dark brown or black.

Locality.—Walfish Bay to Table Bay.

Type in Leyden Museum.

This is also an abundant and important sole, but is only found on

the west coast. It is the largest of the South African soles: a speci-

men in the South African Museum measures 750 mm. in length and

weighs 9 lb.

Gen. Arsopra Kaup.

1858. Kaup, Wiegmann’s Archiv. Natur., p. 95.

1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 487.

1900. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxin, p. 380

(Zebrias).

1906. Id., zbed., vol. xxxi, pp. 232, 235 (Zebrias and Aesopia).

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 218 (Zebrias and

Aesopia).

Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal (or almost so); pectorals

small, especially the left or rudimentary. Opercular membrane

joined to upper margin of pectoral. Lips not fringed. Anterior right

nostril shortly tubular, posterior in front of lower eye; nostrils of

left side inconspicuous. Eyes contiguous. Scales ctenoid or cycloid.

Lateral line straight on both sides to head. Ventrals equal and

symmetrical. Gill-rakers rudimentary.

Jordan and Starks (1906) are of opinion that cornuta should form

the type of a new genus, as it was not originally included in Kaup’s

genus Aesopia. All the species are closely allied, and two separate

genera seem to be quite unnecessary.

Key to the South African species.

1. Scales ctenoid. Cross-bands in pairs (Zebrias)

; s regant.

2. Scales cycloid. First dorsal ray free, swollen, papillose. Cross-bands

single (Aesopia) . : F : : : 3 : . cornuta.

Aesopia reyani (Gilch.).

Regan’s Double-banded Sole.

1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 144 (zebra non Bloch).

1906. Id., cbid., vol. iv, p. 160, pl. xlv (Synaptura r.).

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 409

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 398.

1920. Regan, loc. cit., p. 218.

Body ovate. Depth 24-22, length of head 54, in length of body.

Hye 44-5 in length of head, upper 4-4 diameter in advance of lower.

D 65-70, A 56-60. Right pectoral about equal to eye, left shorter.

Scales ctenoid on both sides: J.1. 82-88.

Length.—Up to 140 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, with 13 dark cross-bands across body and head,

extending on to dorsal and anal fins, each band composed of a pair of

narrow bands; caudal blackish, with white spots.

Locality.—Natal coast, shallow water.

Type in South African Museum.

Aesopia cornuta Kaup.

Horned or Single-banded Sole.

1858. Kaup, loc. cit., p. 95.

1877-87. Day, Fish. India, p. 430, pl. xciv, fig. 4.

1906. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxi, p. 235,

fig. 27.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 161.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 218.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 291.

Body ovate. Depth 23-3, length of head 43-54, in length of body.

Hye 44-54 in length of head, upper very slightly in advance of lower.

D 69-79, A 61-66. First ray of dorsal free, swollen, longer than the

other rays, papillose. Pectorals of both sides rudimentary. Scales

eycloid on both sides: 1.]. 90-100.

Length.—Up to 150 mm.

Colour.—-Greyish, with 15-16 dark single cross-bands across head

and body, and extending on to dorsal and anal fins; caudal dark, with

round white spots.

Locality.—Natal to Delagoa Bay, shallow water.

Distribution.—Indian Seas to Japan.

Fam. 6. CYNOGLOSSIDAE.

Sinistral. Dorsal fin extending in advance of eye, all rays articu-

lated ; right ventral sometimes absent, left sometimes united with

anal; pectorals absent; dorsal and anal confluent with caudal.

410 Annals of the South African Museum.

Mouth rather small, inferior or subterminal. No supramaxilla.

Preopercle covered over with skin, without free margin. Olfactory

laminae arranged transversely to or radiating from a central axis.

Eyes small. Lateral line single, multiple, or absent.

Key to the South African genera.

I. Lateral line present on one or both sides.

A. Lipsfringed . ; : : ‘ ‘ ; . Paraplagusia.

B. Lips not fringed.

1. Two lateral lines on left, one or none on right side. Cynoglossus.

2. Two lateral lines on both sides. ‘ : : . Arelia.

3. Three lateral lines on left side.

a. Two nostrils on left side A : : . Areliscus.

6. A single nostril on left side . : ; : - PFrutla.

II. Lateralline absent . : : : 3 : : : Symphurus.

Gen. Parapiacustia Blkr.

1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 11, p. 224 (Plagusia nom. preocc.).

1866. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 26 (Paraplaqusva).

Lips fringed. Left ventral only present, more or less completely

united with anal. Scales ctenoid. Two lateral lines on left, one or

none on right side. Mouth inferior.

Paraplagusia marmorata (Blkr.).

21828. Riippell, Atlas Fische., p. 123, pl. xxxi, fig. 3 (dipterygia).

1852. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxiv, p. 20.

1866. Id., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 28, pl. cexlvi, fig. 5.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 431, pl. xev, fig. 1.

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 163, pl. xlvii (var.

africana).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 399.

1919. Regan, zbid., vol. ii, pt. 4, p. 203, text-fig. 6 (robinsonz).

1920. Id., abid., vol. ii, pt. 5, p. 219.

Depth 334, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Eye equal to,

or a little greater than, interorbital width, upper in advance of lower.

D 99-110, A 75-86. Scales ctenoid on both sides: 1.]. 100-110;

the two lines on left side separated by 16-19 series of scales, no

distinct line on right side.

Length. Up to 250 mm.

Colour.—Brown or greyish, marbled or spotted with darker.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 411

Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, shallow water.

Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa, Indian seas, and East Indies

to China.

Types of robinsoni in British Museum, of var. africana in South

African Museum.

- From an examination of specimens in the South African Museum

it appears that those individuals with more pointed snouts (robinson)

are females, whereas the round-snouted ones are males.

Gen. Cynoctossus Ham. Buch.

1822. Hamilton-Buchanan, Fish. Ganges, p. 32.

Lips not fringed. Left ventral only present, more or less completely

united with anal. Scales ctenoid. Two lateral lines on left; 2, 1,

or none on right side. Two nostrils on left side, the lower one tubular.

Mouth inferior.

The original genus Cynoglossus has been divided up into a number

of separate genera or subgenera, a course which certainly has much to

commend it from the point of view of convenience. But if carried

too far, it may lead to complications and an undue number of mono-

typic genera. Moreover, the number of lateral lines, which is the

main character used in this splitting up of the genera, is not always 4

constant one (see remarks on Austerrwptus by Jordan and Starks,

Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxi, p. 240, 1906).

Some of the species are estuarine, or even enter quite fresh water

in rivers.

Key to the South African species.

I. Scales ctenoid on both sides.

A. Eyes separated.

1. Angle of mouth nearer gill-opening than snout : : lida.

2. Angle of mouth nearer snout than gill-opening . durbanensis.

B. Eyes contiguous : , : ; : : : gilchristi.

II. Scales cycloid on right side . : : : : ; : . hunteri.

*Cynoglossus lida (Blkr.).

1852. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxiv, Pleuron., p. 23.

1866. Id., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 36, pl. xu, fig. 2.

1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 436, pl. xevii, fig. 3.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ii, pt. 5, p. 221, text-fig. 5.

Depth 4-44, length of head 44-5, in length of body. Eyes separate,

interorbital space less than eye, which is about 10 in length of head.

412 Annals of the South African Museum.

One nostril between eyes, the other tubular, in front of lower eye.

Angle of mouth below posterior margin -of lower eye, nearer gill-

opening than end of snout, which is 24 in length of head. D 99-

110, A 75-86. Scales ctenoid on both sides: 1.1. 85-90; 13-14 scales

between the 2 lateral lines. Lateral line on right side more or less

distinct.

Length.—Up to 180 mm.

Colour.--Greyish or brownish, with a dark opercular mark.

Locality.—Natal coast.

Distribution.—Indian seas and East Indies.

Cynoglossus durbanensis Regan.

1921. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. iii, pt. 1, p. 2.

Depth 314-32, length of head 54-52, in length of body. Eyes

separate, interorbital width less than eye, which is 9-10 in length of

head. One nostril between eyes, the other tubular, in front of lower

eye. Angle of mouth below middle of lower eye, nearer end of snout

than gill-opening. Snout 3 in length of head. D 101-105, A 80-84.

Scales ctenoid on both sides: LJ. ca. 115; 18-20 scales between the

2 lateral lines. No lateral line on right side.

Length. Up to 195 mm.

Colour.—Greyish, with more or less distinct darker blotches or

irregular cross-bands, and numerous small dots over head, body, and

fins.

Locality.—Natal to Delagoa Bay.

Type in British Museum.

Cynoglossus gilchristt Regan.

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. i, p. 12, pl. xxx (brachy-

cephalus nom. preocc. Bleeker).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.1, pt.4, p.399.

1920. Regan, zbid., vol. 11, pt. 5, p. 222 (gilehristi nom nov.).

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 25 (brachy-

cephalus).

1925. Id., Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xu, pt. 4, p. 294.

Depth 4-44, length of head 54-54, in length of body. LHyes con-

tiguous, 6-63 in length of head. One nostril in the angle between

the eyes, the other tubular, in front of lower eye. Angle of mouth

below middle of lower eye, nearer end of snout than gill-opening.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 413

D 105-110, A 82-84. Scales ctenoid on both sides: 1.1. 76-80; 14

scales between the 2 lateral lines. No lateral line on right side.

Length.—Up to 155 mm.

Colour.—Light brown, with darker mottling and speckles; dorsal

and anal light, with dark streaks (mostly in pairs) or blotches ; caudal

with dark central blotch.

Locality.— Natal to Delagoa Bay, 4-30 fathoms.

Type in South African Museum.

*Cynoglossus hunteri von B.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 293.

Depth 44, length of head 5, in length of body. Eyes separate, 8

~in length of head. One nostril between eyes, the other tubular, in

front of lower eye. Angle of mouth below posterior border of lower

eye. Snout about equal to postorbital length. D130, A 98. Scales

ctenoid on left, cycloid on right: 1.1. 97. Number of scales between

the 2 lateral lines (?). A single lateral line on right side.

Length.—78 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brown, operculum darker.

Locality.—Delagoa Bay, 3 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

As von Bonde remarks, this form is very close to the Indian C.

lingua Ham. Buch., differing only in the greater proportional depth

of the body. The specimen, however, is a young one, and further

investigation may show that it is really referable to lingua.

Gen. ARELIA Kaup.

1858. Kaup, Wiegmann’s Archiv. Natur., p. 106.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 23 (Cyno-

glossovdes).

Lips not fringed. Left ventral only present, more or less confluent

with anal. Scales mostly ctenoid. Two lateral lines on both sides.

Two nostrils on left side, the lower one tubular. Mouth inferior.

Arelia attenuata (Gilch.).

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 11, pl. xxix.

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 398.

1920. Regan, zbid., vol. 11, pt. 5, p. 221.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 292.

414 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth 4-44, length of head 43-5, in length of body. Eye about 10

in length of head and about double the interorbital width. One

nostril between eyes, the other shortly tubular, in front of lower eye.

Angle of mouth below posterior border of lower eye, nearer gill-

opening than snout, which is 2 length of head. D 100-118, A 88-95.

Scales ctenoid on left, cycloid on right: 1.1. 84-88; 12 scales between

the 2 lateral lines.

Length.—Up to 290 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brown.

Locality.—Northern Natal and Zululand coast to Delagoa Bay,

3-26 fathoms. |

Type in South African Museum.

Gen. ARELISCUS J. and S.

1900. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiii, p. 380.

1906. Jordan and Starks, zbed., vol. xxxi, p. 240.

Lips not fringed. Left ventral only present, more or less confluent

with anal. Scales mostly ctenoid. Three lateral lines on left side,

the lowest one frequently discontinuous, or even absent in the young.

Two nostrils on left side, the lower one tubular. Mouth inferior.

Key to the South African species.

1. Angle of mouth nearer gill-opening than end of snout. : . marleyi.

2. Angle of mouth nearer end of snout than gill-opening. : ecaudatus.

Areliscus marleyt (Regan).

1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 418.

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 292.

Depth 4, length of head 53-54, in length of body. Eye 9-10 in

length of head, twice the interorbital width. One nostril between the

eyes, the other tubular, in front of lower eye. Angle of mouth below

posterior margin of lower eye, considerably nearer gill-opening than

end of snout, which is rather pointed, 24 in length of head. D 130,

A 105-110. Scales ctenoid on both sides: 1.1. ca. 130; 20 scales

between upper and middle, 26 between middle and lower lateral lines.

No lateral line on right side.

Length.—Up to 340 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brown, caudal and outer margin of dorsal and

anal fins blackish.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 415

Locality. Natal and Zululand coasts to Delagoa Bay, 63-130

fathoms.

Type in British Museum ; topotype in South African Museum.

Regan says “ apparently only one nostril,” but in the specimens

I have examined there are distinctly two, and this species should,

therefore, not be included in the genus Trulla.

Areliscus ecaudatus (Gilch.).

1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 162, pl. xlvi (Cyno-

glossus acaudatus).

1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,

p. 398.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 128.

1920. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, pt. 5, p. 222 (C. ecaudatus).

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 23, pl. iv,

fig. 2 (natalensis).

Depth 3-32, length of head 44, in length of body. Eyes contiguous,

7-74 in length of head. One nostril in angle between eyes, the other

tubular, in front of lower eye. Angle of mouth below middle of lower

eye, nearer end of snout than gill-opening. D 102-106, A 85-86.

Scales ctenoid on both sides: 1.1. 63-67; 10 scales between the 2

lateral lines, the upper one of which extends only half-way along

body. No iateral line on right side.

Length.—Up to 140 mm.

Colour.—Brown, with more or less distinct dark cross-bands,

fins darker and slightly mottled.

Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, 26-30 fathoms.

Type of ecaudatus in South African Museum ; of natalensis in coll.

Govt. Marine Survey.

Closely allied to the Japanese interruptus Gnthr., but with a rather

longer head.

The type specimen has distinct traces of the 3rd lateral line across

operculum and abdominal region.

In Gilchrist’s original description the locality given for the reference

number 11765 is “‘ Cape Point, 480-600 fathoms.” This is wrong.

The locality should be “ Off Tugela River.”

Gen. TRULLA Kaup.

1858. Kaup, Wiegmann’s Archiv. Natur., p. 106.

Lips not fringed. Left ventral only present, more or less confluent

416 Annals of the South African Museum.

with anal. Scales ctenoid on left, mostly cycloid on right side. Three

lateral lines on left side ; none on right side. A single nostril on left

side, situate in front of lower eye. Mouth inferior.

Key to the South African species.

1. Eyes very close together, 6-7 in head; caudal blackish . : . capensis.

2. Eyes separate, 83-10 in head; caudallight . : : microphthalmus.

Trulla capensis Kaup.

1853. Pappe, Synops. Edible Fish. Cape, p. 32 (Solea vulgaris non

Quensel).

1858. Kaup, loc. cat., p. 109.

1898. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. i, p. 4.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 128 (references).

1925. Von Bonde, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. xii, pt. 4, p. 292.

Depth 34-34, length of head 5-54, in length of body. Eyes quite

close together, or even contiguous, 6—7 or 8 in length of head. Angle

of mouth below middle of lower eye, nearer end of snout than gill-

opening. D 115-130, A 97-110. Scales ctenoid on left, mostly

cycloid on the right side, but frequently weakly ctenoid, especially

on the posterior half of body : 1.1. ca. 100-118.

Length.—Up to 400 mm.

Colour.—Brown, more or less mottled, especially in young; dorsal

and anal fins speckled and spotted in adult, with bright red round

spots; caudal blackish.

Locality.—Saldanha Bay to Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank

to Algoa Bay, 10-60 fathoms. Also Delagoa Bay (von Bonde).

Trulla microphthalmus (von B.).

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 24, pl. iv,

fig. 3 (Areluscus m.).

1925. Id: Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Air, vol. xu, pt. 4, p. 292:

Similar to capensis but eyes smaller (84-10 in length of head)

and separated by an interorbital space equal to or a little less than

vertical diameter of eye. D 110-117, A 86-95; 1.1. 89-95; scales

more strongly and numerously ctenoid on right side.

Colour.—As in capensis, but the caudal light, more or less speckled

with darker like the dorsal and anal fins.

Locality.—Table Bay, East London, Port St. John’s, Natal coast,

and Delagoa Bay, 10-40 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 417

Although individual specimens of this form are easy to distinguish

from typical capensis, I rather doubt whether it is a valid species.

Examination of a number of specimens of all sizes shows that the

differences are not nearly so well marked as in von Bonde’s description

(in which “eye 16 in head” is apparently a misprint for “ 107’).

In capensis the scales on the right side are frequently semi-ctenoid.

especially on the hinder part of the body. The differences are not

sexual.

Gen. SymMpHuURUS Raf.

1810. Rafinesque, Indice d’ Ittiol. Sicil., p 52.

1858. Kaup, Wiegmann’s Archiv. Natur., p. 106 (Aphoristia).

1906. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxi, p. 242.

Lips not fringed. Left ventral only present, freefrom anal. Scales

ctenoid. No lateral line on either side. Hyes small, close together.

Two nostrils on left side, the lower one tubular. Mouth subterminal.

Key to the South African species.

1. Head equal to depth of body : : F : : 3 . variegata.

2. Depth greater than length of head.

a. D110, A 99 , : : : ; ; ; 2 . strictus.

b. D 97, A 82 5 : : 3 3 ; i : . ocellatus.

Symphurus variegatus (Gilch.).

1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 211, pl. xvii.

1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 128.

Depth equal to head, 43-5 in length of body. Eyes close together,

without intervening scales, 7-8 in length of head. Posterior nostril

in angle between eyes covered by a flap of skin arising from its anterior

margin; anterior nostril shortly tubular. Angle of mouth below

anterior third of lower eye. D 93-100, the first 4-5 rays more or less

free; A 88-95; V 4. Scales ctenoid on both sides: 1.1. ea. 120-130.

Length.—Up to 90 mm.

Colour.—Light brown, with indistinct and irregular cross-bands.

Locality.— Off East London, 300-450 fathoms.

Type and one other specimen in South African Museum.

*Symphurus strictus Gilb.

1905. Gilbert, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxi, pt. 2, p. 691,

fig. 272.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 26.

VOU XA Tle

NG)

418 Annals of the South African Museum.

Depth 34, length of head 6, in length of body. Eyes close together,

but with a single series of scales between them, 10 in length of head.

Posterior nostril in angle of eyes with a flap of skin; anterior nostril

slit-like, opening under a vertical fold of skin. Angle of mouth below

middle of lower eye. D 110, A 99. Scales ctenoid on both sides :

LJ. ca. 130.

Length.—Up to 140 mm.

Colour.—Light brown, mottled, with indistinct dark narrow

longitudinal lines; fins dusky.

Locality. —Off Delagoa Bay, 260 fathoms.

Distribution.—Hawaiian Islands.

*Symphurus ocellatus von B.

1922. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 26, pl. i, fig. 2.

Depth 33 (figure 34), length of head 52 (figure 54), in length of body.

Hyes close together, but separated by a single row of scales, 53 (figure

8) in length of head. “* Nostrils”’ (sac) in a slender tube midway

between lower eye and lip of snout. Angle of mouth below middle

of lower eye. D97,A82,V5. Scales ctenoid on both sides : number

of scales in a longitudinal series (?).

Length.—Up to 105 mm.

Colour.—Uniform brownish, with a black spot on posterior ends of

dorsal and anal fins.

Locality.—Natal coast, 260-350 fathoms.

Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.

The description and figure of this form are rather conflicting, and

the structure of the nostrils (if correctly given) seems to conflict also

with that in the other species of the genus.

Division 17. DISCOCEPHALI.

Air-bladder absent. No mesocoracoid. Body more or less elon-

gate, head depressed. Skin with small cycloid scales. Anterior

(spinous) portion of dorsal fin modified to form a sucking-dise, with

transverse lamellae, on the top of the head. Soft dorsal and anal

long, opposite one another at hind end of body. Pectorals inserted

high up. Ventrals with 1 spine and 5 rays, more or less adnate to

belly. Vulliform teeth in jaws, on vomer, palatine, and usually on

tongue. Lower jaw projecting beyond upper. Branchiostegals 7.

Gills 4. Gill-rakers short. Gull-membranes free from isthmus.

Pseudobranchiae obsolete.

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