A.
A SYSTEMATIC MONOGRAPH
Ol THK
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
.,^ VOL. I
.r/. ' PSETTOniD/H, r.OTIIID.^i, PLErRONECTID/E
BV
J. R. NORMAN_^,^^
ASSISTANT KtEPER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
LONDON
PRINTED liY ORDER OK
THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM
AND SOLD BV
B. QUARITCH, LTD. DULAU & CO. LTD. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
AND AT THE
BRITISH^MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY). CROMWELL ROAD, S.W. 7.
1934
CONTENTS
A. GENERAL PART.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X
XI.
XII.
Origin and Systematic Position of the Heterosomata . i
Fossil Heterosomata ...... 9
Evolution of Asymmetry within the Order . . 10
Albinism, Ambicoloration and Reversal . . .22
Development . . . . . . .30
Se.xual Differences . . . . . -33
Classification . . . . . . -35
A. General . . . . . . -35
B. Generic and Specific Characters . . . .43
Geographical Distribution . . . . .48
Notes on Measurements, etc. . . . .50
Bibliographical Method . . . . -51
Abbreviations . . . . . .52
List of Papers . . . . . .52
SYSTEMATIC PART.
Order HETEROSOMATA
Family PsETTODiD.iE
I . Psettodes, Bennett
Family Bothid.5
Subfamily Paralichthin.^
1. Tephrinectes, Giinther
2. Thysanopsetta, Giinther
3. Hippoglossina, Steind.
4. Lioglossina, Gilbert
5. Paralichthys, Girard
6. Pseudorhombus , Bleeker
7. Tarphops, Jordan and Thompson
8. Xystreurys, Jordan and Gilbert
9. Taniopsetta, Gilbert
ID. Ancylopsetta, Gill
11. Gastropsetla, Bean
12. Syaciuin, Ranzani
13. Cyclopseita, Gill
14. Citharichthys, Bleeker
15. Etropus, Jordan and Gilbert
1 6. Trichopselta, Gill
17. Engyophrys, Jordan and BoUman
18. Perissias, Jordan and Evermann
19. Monolene, Goode
20. Eucitharus, Gill
21. Citharoides, Hubbs
56
57
57
60
61
62
64
65
68
69
89
1x8
119
122
124
128
129
134
139
154
160
161
162
164
168
170
CONTENTS
Subfamily BoiniN.i:
22. Ar>io!;lossus. Bleeker
23. Pseltiiia, Hubbs
24. Lophoncctcs, Giinther
25. Engyprosopon. Giinther .
26. C rossothombus , Repan
27. Bothui. Hafin. .
28. Partihiillnii, Norman
20 Gramiiiatobothus, Norman
30. Mamopsetla, [Gill] Jordan
ji. Acliiropsella, Norman
32. Chascanopsetta, Alcock .
33. Pelecanichthys, Gilbert and Cramer
34. Lcsops, Giinther
Subfamily Scophthalmi.n.?;
35. Scophthalmns, Rafin
36. Lepidorhombiis, Giinther
37. Plirynorhombus, Giinther
38. Zetigopterits, Gottsche
Family Plel'ronectid.^
Subfamily Pleuronectin/i;
1. Atheresthes, Jordan and Gilbert
2. Reinhardtius, Gill
3. Hippoglossus, Cuvier
-). Hippoglossoides, Gottsche
3. Acanthopselta, Schmidt .
i>. Cleisthcnes.. Jordan and Starks
7. Lyopsetta, Jordan and Goss
8. liopsctta. Jordan and Goss
1 1. Psellulillivs, Girard
]o. \'eraspey. Jordan and Evermann
11 Cltt/i'dciiiia. Bleeker
12. Hypsupsetta, Gill
13. Plt'iiyonichthys, Girard
14. Isopscllii, Lockingtonl Jordan
15. Ptiioplnvs, Girard
10, Lepulopsctta, Gill
17. Linianda, Gottsche
1 8 Pseudopleuroncctes, Bleeker
19. Dexistes, Jordan and Starks
20. PleitroHectes, Linn.
21. Micyosli>t}iits, Gottsche .
22. Embassichthvs, Jordan and Ever
23. Taiiakiits. Hubbs
24. Glvpli'ccphalus, Gottsche
25. Lwpsctla. Gill .
26. Inopsetia, Jordan and Closs
27. Platichthys, Girard
Subfamily PoiciLOPSETTiN.'ii
28. Paxilopsetta, Giinther .
2<), Xenialiips, Giinther
30. Mai'leyclla, Fowler
Subfamily Paralichthodin.e
31. Paralichthodes, Gilchrist
Subfamily Samarin^ .
32. Brachypleura, Giinther
33. Lepidoblepharon , Weber
34. Samaris, Gray .
35. Samariscus, Gilbert
Subfamily Rhombosolein.«
36. Oncopterus, Steind.
37. Psammodiscus, Giinther
38. Azygopus, Norman
39. Pelotretis, Waite
40. Ammotretis, Giinther
41. Colistium, Norman
42. Peltorhamphus, Giinther
43. Ithombosolea, Giinther
PAGE
399
400
401
402
407
413
414
415
416
418
419
424
427
429
437
PREFACE
This volume is the first part of a systematic revision of the Flatfishes
(Heterosomata), and includes three out of the five recognised families — the PsettodidEe,
Bothidae. and Pleuronectidje. The families Soleidae and Cynoglossidae will form the
subject of the second and concluding volume.
The work is based primarily on the rich collection of the British Museum (Natural
History). In addition, the author has been able to study a very large number of
specimens belonging to other museums, either by personal visits abroad, or by the
generous loans made by museums to the British Museum, and often allowed to extend
over a prolonged period.
For these loans and similar courtesies, including the supplying of photographs
of, and notes on, specimens which could not be lent, the thanks of this Department
are due to the following institutions : Fishery Board for Scotland (Aberdeen) ; South
.Australian Museum (Adelaide) ; Zoologisch Museum (.Amsterdam) ; Laboratorium
voor het Onderzoek der Zee (Batavia) ; Bergens Museum (Bergen) ; Zoologisches
Museum der Universitat (Berlin) ; Institute di Zoologia, Universita (Bologna) ;
Queensland Museum (Brisbane) ; Indian Museum (Calcutta) ; Museum of Compara-
tive Zoology (Cambridge, Mass.) ; South African Museum (Cape Town) ; Canterbury
Museum (Christchurch, N.Z.) ; s'Rijk's Museum van Natuurlijke Historic (Leiden) ;
Zoological Museum of the Academy of Sciences (Leningrad) ; Department of Oceano-
graphy, University (Liverpool) ; Fishmongers' Company (London) ; Ministry of
.Agriculture and Fisheries (London and Lowestoft) : Zoologische Sammlung des
Bayerischen Staates (Munich) ; Science Society of China (Nanking) ; American
Museum of Natural History (New York) ; Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle
(Paris) : .Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia) : Museu Nacional (Rio de
Janeiro) ; California .Academy of Sciences (San Francisco) ; Stanford University
(California) ; Wiirttemberg. Naturaliensammlung (Stuttgart) ; Australian Museum
(Sydney) ; Zoological Institute, Tokyo Imperial University (Tokyo) ; Natur-
historisches Museum (Vienna) ; LTnited States National Museum (Washington, D.C.) ;
Dominion Museum (Wellington, N.Z.).
In addition to the help of the various officials of these institutions, the author
has received assistance in other ways from so many colleagues in nearly every country
of the world, that it is almost invidious to select for mention here the following names :
Professor L. F. de Beaufort (Amsterdam), Monsieur P. Chabanaud (Paris), Professor
C, L. Hubbs (.Michigan), Professor W. H. Longley (Baltimore), Mr. J. T. Nichols (New
York), Mr. .A. E. Parr (Yale), Dr. P. Schmidt (Leningrad), Dr. S. Tanaka (Tokyo).
To Lieut. -Colonel W. P. C. Tenison, D.S.O., however, the indebtedness of the
author and of the Zoological Department calls for very special mention ; not only
for the care, skill and knowledge of fishes which he has brought to bear on the
preparation of the large number of text-figures, but also for the assistance which his
familiarity with the subject has enabled him to give to the author in the course of
his work. In addition. Colonel Tenison paid a visit to the United States specially
for the purpose of examining types of Flatfishes contained in the museums of
Washington, New York, and Cambridge, Mass. The sketches and notes which he
brought back from this visit have been of the greatest possible use to the author in
enabling him to refer to their proper positions a number of species which, without
re-examination, must have remained ob.scure.
viii rKKFACE
TIh' Flatfishes aro one of tlie most interesting groups of fishes to the scientific
zooloKist on account of their remarkable departure in general symmetn,' from the
bilateral shape which is characteristic not only of the vast majority of fishes, but ol
the vertebrates in general. The evolutionary steps by which this modification has
been brought about in the natural history of the grouj), and the ontogenetic modifi-
cations by which it is brought about in the history of the individual, have been
extensively discussed and described without the interest of the facts having been
exhausted, and possibly without all the facts themselves having been brought to
light. When it is added to this that the group includes some of the most important
and valuable food-fishes in various parts of the world, it is somewhat surprising to
find that there has been no attempt at a comprehensive systematic revision since the
publication of Volume IV of I3r- Giinther's Catalogue in 1862. The families dealt
with in the present volume were represented in tfiat Catalogue by 22 genera and
00 species. These numbers are here increased to 82 genera and 300 species. Of the
species no less then 247 are now represented in the Museum collection : 8 have
fieen studied by the author in the collections of other museums, 21 were examined
by Colonel Tenison in America, and only 2.4 have had to be included solely on the
evidence of the published descriptions
\V. T. CALMAN,
Bkitism Muskum (N.\TrK.\L HlsTOKV), Kefpcr nf /iioltigy.
Jannarx iilh, 1034.
A SYSTEMATIC MONOGRAPH
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
A. GENERAL PART.
I. ORIGIN AND SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE HETEROSOMATA.
In the ' Systema Naturae ' of Linnaeus all the Flatfishes known to him were placed
in a single genus, Pleuronectes, and it was not until the publication of Cuvier's ' Le Regne
Animal ' that any real attempt was made to indicate the relationships of the various
groups of Bony Fishes. In Cuvier's (1817)' classification the Flatfishes are raised
to the rank of a family, and are associated with the Gadoids, Gobiescocids, Cyclopterids,
Echeneids and Ophiocephalids in the division of sub-brachial malacoptery-gians,
characterised by the thoracic position of the pelvic fins and the absence of spines in
the dorsal fin. Johannes Miiller (1846), who first made use of the relation between
air-bladder and gullet for the definition of higher divisions, removed the sub-brachial
malacopterygians from the abdominales or physostomes, placing them nearer to the
acanthopterygians. In his classification, however, the Pleuronectoids and Gadoids
are still associated, a new order, Anacanthini, being erected to include these fishes
as well as the Ophidioids. This association of the Flatfishes with the Gadoids was
retained in many subsequent classifications, and, indeed, is to be found in a number
of modern text-books. Thus, Giinther (1880) divided the order Anacanthini into two
main divisions — Anacanthini Pleuronectoidei and Anacanthini Gadoidei. Cope (1871)
appears to have been the first to recognise the Flatfishes as a distinct order, to which
he applied the name Heterosomata, originally mvented by Dumeril, but he also
regarded them as related to the Cods. Gill (1893) regarded the Heterosomata as a
suborder of his Teleocephah, equal in rank to the Anacanthini, close to which it was
placed. Jordan and his collaborators recognised the Heterosomata as a suborder
of the order Acanthopteri, in which it was placed near the Ribbon-fishes (Taeniosomi)
and the Cods (Anacanthini). In discussing the systematic position of the Hetero-
somata, Jordan and Evermann (1898, p. 2602) state : " Its near relationship is
probably with the Gadidae, although the developed pseudobranchiae and the thoracic
ventral fins indicate an early differentiation from the anacanthine fishes ".
Among other views as to the relationships of the Flatfishes, mention may be made
of Gill's (1887, p. 86) tentative suggestion that " the Heterosomatous fishes may have
branched off from the original stock, or progenitors of the Taeniosomous fishes ", an
^ See list of references, p. 52.
2 l-'l A ri'ISllKS (HI'.ri-'KOSOiMATA)
iik-.i whuli Ik- lu-vi-r olabor.itcil AyasM/ (iS.)j. p, jOo) placed tlie Flathshes near the
Chirtoiluiitula' ami Scorpiilida', and Holt (181)4, p. 43S) hinted at an affinity with
such deep-bodied hshes as I'lattix or DascyUiis, or even with Zens.
In looj. Houlenger (1902) and Thilo (lyoj). working independently, came to the
conclusion that the John Dories (Zeida?) were nearly related to the Flatfishes, and
Boulcnf^er associated the two groups with Amphistium, a fossil fish from t^c I'pper
ICocene, in a division of the Acanthopterygii to which he gave the name Zeorhombi.
Kegan (lyioB, p. 484) first drew attention to the perch-like characters of Psettodes,
which he regarded as the most generalised member of the Heterosomata and " simply
an asymmetrical I'ercoid " ; he suggested that the rest of the Flatfishes had arisen
from a form not very unlike Psettodes. Later, Regan (1913) placed the Heterosomata
as a specialised oftshoot from the order Fercomorphi, a position which it occupies in
his latest classification of the Bony Fishes (1929). In his most recent arrangement
of the Bonv Fishes. Jordan (1923, p. 167) still places the Heterosomata near the
,<c<^
O'}
7 )
(xj.;
Anacanthini and Allotriognathi (Kibbon-fishes, etc.). but remarks that " the fiounders
and soles, having no spines and the ventral fins thoracic with an increased number
of rays, should not be placed far from the percomorphous series ".
All the authors so far mentioned appear to regard the Flatfishes as a natural
group derived from a single stock, whether Gadoid, Zeoid or Percoid. Recently,
however, Kyle (igai, p. 118) has concluded that the origin of the group has been
polyphyletic. " With regard to Origin," he writes, " the conclusion is reached that
the Flat-fishes are not a homogeneous group. Sympluinis represents the earliest
origm, and has sprung from a stock which has given rise, amongst others, to the
Macrurids and Trachypterids. The Bothus type is related to the Psettida; ; the
Rhomboids have a near relation in Stromateoides, and Zeus is an advanced relative ;
the Fleuronectoids are distinct from both. Psettodes, the ' Percoid ', appears to
have sprung from a different line of evolution, and is a modern accession to the ranks
of Flat-fishes." The evidence on which these conclusions are based, however, is at
times somewhat difticult to follow, and does not always appear convincing.
As will be shown in the section devoted to classification, there seem to he good
reasons for regarding the Heterosomata as a homogeneous group, of which Psettodes
(Fig. I) IS the least specialised member, with the proviso that a more detaileil study
ORIGIN, SYSTEMATIC POSITION"
p^'Xk
Fig. 2. — Psettodeserumei. A.Dorsal view of skull, b, Ventral view of skull, as/*., alisphenoid ;
boc, basi-occipital ; eoc, ex-occipital; epo., epiotic ; eth., ethmoid; /., frontal; opo.,
opisthotic ; p., parietal; pf., prefrontal; pro., pro-otic; psp., parasphenoid ; pto.,
pterotic ; 50c., supra-occipital ; spo., sphenotic ; v., vomer. (x ij.)
Fig. 3. — Psetiodes erumci. a. Pectoral arch and pelvic bone, b, Vertebral colu
skeleton of fins, a.v., abdominal vertebra ; c.v., caudal vertebra ; c/., cleithrum ; cor.,
hypocoracoid ; ep., epural ; f.r.c, fin-ray of caudal fin ; f.r.d., soft fin-ray of dorsal fin ;
h.sp., hsemal spine ; hyp., hypural ; ih.sp., interhcemal spine ; in.sp., interneural spine ;
n.sp., neural spine; par., parapophysis ; pel., post-cleithrum ; pd., pelvic bone; pUe.,
post-temporal; r., radial; rb., rib; sc, hypercoracoid ; scL, supra-cleithrum ; sp.d.,
spine of dorsal fin. (X ^)
4 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA1
of tlic " Solos " (Solcidac and Cynoglossid.'c) may possibly provide evidence of ttieir
origin from a stock of I'ercoids different to that which gave rise to the " Flounders ".'
Genera intermediate between Pscttodes and the more specialised Flatfishes do not
exist to-day. but it is not difficult to see how such a form as Payalichthys or Athcresthes
might have been derived from this primitive genus. In considering the origin of the
—Eptnephdus Uaiar
J.) c, Tectoral arc
5 (,- J). I.etlering;
Heterosomata as a whole, therefore, instead of comparing the highly specialised
Turbot with the John Dory, or the Halibut with the Cod, it is clearly of greater
importance to compare Pseltodes itself with representatives of the groups of fishes
from which the Flatfishes are believed to have been derived. Leaving out of
consideration the aberrant Allotriognathi, it will be convenient to consider in turn the
evidence both for and against a Gadoid. Zeoid and Percoid ancestry respectively.
' Si'e p. .17-
ORIGIN, SYSTEMATIC POSITION 5
Cunningham (1897, p. 498) was the first to throw doubt on the vaUdity of associating
the Flatfishes and Gadoids, remarking that " there can be no doubt that the Gadids
and Pleuronectidae, instead of being closely allied, are very remote from each other in
structure and descent ". Subsequently, Boulenger (1902) and Regan (1910B) have
produced good reasons for the separation of the two groups. The Heterosomata and
Anacanthini agree in having the mouth more or less protractile and bordered above
Fig. 5. — Gadus callarias. a, Dorsj
and pelvic bone, d, Posterio
Figs. 2 and 3. (X J.)
part of vertebral column and <
of skull,
ludal fin
c, Pectoral arch
Lettering as in
by the praemaxillaries alone ; the parietals are separated by the supra-occipital ;
there is no orbitosphenoid ; the pectoral arch is attached to the skull ; and there is
no mesocoracoid. Comparison of the osteology of Psettndes with that of a generalised
Gadoid (Figs. 2, 3, 5), however, reveals the following important differences, among
others : (i) The spinous rays of the dorsal fin and the spinous first ray of the pelvic in
Pseltodes are wanting in the Gadoids ; (2) in Psettodes the pelvic bones are directly
attached to the cleithra of the pectoral arch, whereas in the Gadoids they are connected
6 II. \1 I-ISIIICS iHHTICROSOMAI A)
with them by means of a hfjament ; (3) in Pscttodvs tlie caudal tin is normally formed,
with 17 principal rays, of which 15 are branched, but in the Gadoids the caudal fin is
(urnied mainly of dorsal and anal rays, the true homocercal fin being much reduced ;
14) there is no air-bladder in the adult Psetloiles, but this is present in the Gadoids ;
15) in Psetlodes there are well-developed pseudobranchia[', whereas in the Gadoids
these structures, if present, are reduced and glandular ; and (6) in Pseltodes the
oinsthotic bone is Muall, whereas in the Gadoids it is larce, .ind extends downwards
^^
^=5==.
"^ ,^<^J^fi^ -5"'
"^
^^^
^
^
h. -/.et,s fabcr
prlvic bone.
Iftteringasin
^, Uo
,. I'orti.
1-lKS. -' .
IKl
Mewof skuli. B. Latfr.il vieu
f vertebral colunin, caud.il hn
.. ( ■ J.)
to the basi-occipital. separating the pro-otic and ex-occipital. As Regan (iqioE. p. 48b)
has remarked, " the absence of spinous fin-rays, the large number of rays m the pelvic
fins, and the indirect attachment of the pelvic bones to the cleithra may be regarded
as primitive features, and it is probable that these fishes [the Gadoids'; have evolved
from generalised Iniomi, such as the Aulopida? ".
In suggestmg a near relationship of the Hetero.somata to the Zeidae. Thilo (1902A.
p. 332) emphasised the following points of resemblance : (i) The general form of the
body ; (2) the number of abdominal vertebrae ; (3) the structure of the bony supports
of the anal fin ; (4) the structure of the pelvic bones ; (5) the form of the pectoral
arch ; (0) the connection of pectoral and pelvic fins ; and (7) the form of the urohyal.
ORIGIN, SYSTEMATIC POSITION
7
He also drew attention to the resemblance between the air-bladder of the young
Turbot and that of Zeus, and to the presence of small spines on the gill-covers of
young Turbot similar to those which occur as a juvenile character in the John Dory.
On closer investigation many of these features are seen to be of comparatively little
importance, and comparison of the internal anatomy, and more particularly of the
osteology, of Psettodes with that of Zeus produces very little evidence to support the
view that these fishes are in any way closely related.' The peculiar characters of
the order Zeomorphi as defined by Regan (igioA) are, almost without exception, absent
in Psettodes. These include the more or less separate spinous anal fin ; the caudal fin
with only 12 or 13 principal rays, of which 10 to 12 are branched, and, in addition,
I to 3 small, simple rays above and below ; the simple post-temporal, which bridges
the posterior temporal fossa, is rigidly united to the epiotic or parietal above and to the
opisthotic or pterotic below, and has a " temporal plate " firmly attached along its
anterior edge ; the cleithrum, which runs upwards internal to the supra-cleithrum
. 7. — Jaws and palatine b
articular; d.,dentary; mx.
mental maxillary. (X J.)
. Psettodes er
■ i pn/.,palatii
:, F.pmcplidu
., pra?maxilla:
and ends in a pointed projection just behind the post-temporal ; the single post-
cleithrum on each side ; the first vertebra, which is very firmly attached to the
cranium ; the praecaudal region of the vertebral column, in which the anterior neural
spines are directed backwards, but the posterior spines are erect or even point forwards
(Fig. 6). In the Zeomorphi, moreover, each pelvic fin is composed of a spine and of
from 5 to 9 branched rays, a character suggesting affinities with the Berycomorphi.
Finally, on comparing Psettodes with a generalised Percoid (Figs, 2, 3, 4), the
resemblances are so striking that there can be very little doubt as to its relationship
with these fishes ; indeed, apart from the asymmetry and the long dorsal and anal
fins, Psettodes might almost be placed in the Percoid family Serranidse. The most
important features of resemblance include the form of the dorsal fin, which in Psettodes
has about the first 10 rays composed of slender spines and does not extend fonvard
on to the head ; the caudal fin, which has 17 principal rays, of which 15 are branched ;
the pelvic fins, each of which consists of a spine and 5 soft rays. The maxillary is
provided with a well -developed supplemental maxillary, and the form of the mouth is
that of a typical perch. Apart from its asymmetry, the skull is in most respects
' See Regan (1910B, p. 486).
.s FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
almost fNailly Miiiilar to that of a generalised Serranid. and tiie jiectoral arcli,' the
attachment of the pelvic fins and the form of the vertebral column are all quite
I'ercoiil. ICven more important than these characters themselves is the combination
of 24 vertebra- (10 pra-caudal. 14 caudal). 17 principal caudal rays (15 branched), and
pelvic lins of a spine and 5 soft rays, with the pelvic bones directly attached to the
cleithra. Such a combination is commonly found among the Percoid fishes, but
occurs in no other group-
There is another character, the importance of wliich does not appear to have been
generally realised, which may be of some value, if not in actually indicating lines of
descent among Bony Fishes, at least in confirming already suspected relationships.
This is the form of the otoliths (Fig. 8), which, by a comparison of fossil forms with
those from existing fishes, may be shown to have undergone comparatively little
change in course of time.^ The sagitta of Psetlodes* is seen at once to be quite
. S.— Sagltt.i of A, !■ puifphdus moriu {■ 2i} ;
liiigualula { >. 3); i>, Hippuglossus hippngloisiis
t. Hippoghssouli-s plalessoidcs (x 3) ; t;. Plciii:
irumci ( ■ .;); c, hucitharui
r.phthulmu^ rh,.iul)Hs ( • jj) ;
■ 3) ; H. .s„(,'„ s„Ua{ ■ ^<),
unlike that of the Gadoids, and e\en more unlike the curious sagitta; of the Zeoids.
It agrees closely, ho%vever, with those of tlie rercoids, resembling that of Perca in
shape and that of Centropomus in the form of the sulcus. " The otolith of Psettodes
irumei," writes Frost, " resembles in every feature those of the suborder Percoidea."
Moreover, the sagitta of Eiicitharus is also markedly percoid in form, those of Hippo-
glossiis and of the members of the family Botliida? {Arnoglossus, Bolhns, Lepidorhomhus,
Scophthalnuis) are described as sub-Percid, and those of the Pleuronectidx' and Soleidae
can, for the most part, be shown to have been derived from this type in spite of their
specialised features. These facts not only provide striking confirmation of the l^ercoid
ancestry of the Flatfishes, but also provide additional evidence lu f.ivour of their
being a homogeneous group.
^ Chabanaud (1931, p. 395) states that there is i
I have examined two skeletons of Psettodes eritmei, .
- See Kegan (1929, P- 324)-
' A valuable comparative study lA th.- ntditli
by Frost, whose series of paprrs w.is published in
(1935-1930).
* See I'rost (ni3". p. i^z. pi. i.x. Iig. :;.
inlv
ngle post-cleithr
In botii two close
in I'sellodes bclcheri.
united Ijoncs (Fig. 3).
lit Xeoptervgian tishes h.Ts been niadi
i.ils .uid M.ngazinc of Natural Historv
FOSSIL HETEROSOMATA 9
To summarise the above, the conclusion is reached that Psetlodes is the least
specialised member of the Heterosomata, and all the available anatomical evidence
supports the view that it has been derived from a generalised Percoid stock. Further,
the same evidence suggests that the Heterosomata represent a homogeneous group,
although it is just possible that the Soleidte and Cynoglossidae may have arisen from
another part of the Percoid stem. As was pointed out above, the suggestion has been
made that Psettodes is a modern addition to the Flatfishes, and is not related to the
other Heterosomata. In the present state of our knowledge it is perhaps impossible
to produce conclusive evidence against this view, but if, as seems Ukely on other
grounds, the Flatfishes have been derived from a Percoid stock, then Psettodes provides
just that intermediate stage which might be expected.
The manner in which the Flattishes have evolved from their symmetrical
progenitors is the subject of a considerable literature, and some of the more important
features of this problem are considered in the section devoted to the evolution of
asymmetry. It seems reasonable to suppose that the original Flatfishes arose from
some marine Percoid ancestor which had adopted the habit of resting on one side —
a habit which is found to-day in such families as the Serranidee and Labridae. The
fact that some of the Wrasses frequently rest or sleep lying down on one side at the
bottom was first noticed by Mobius (1867), and afterwards confirmed by Verrill (1897,
p. 136) and Boulenger (1929) ; Verrill himself suggested the derivation of the Flat-
fishes from symmetrical fishes with this habit. " The common Tautog or Black-fish
(Tauloga onitis)," he writes, " has the common habit of resting upon one side, half
buried among gravel, or partly under stones, and is often curved in strange positions.
It is easy to imagine that the flounders originated from some symmetrical ancestral
form that acquired, like the tautog, the habit of resting upon one side, at first only
when sleeping, but afterwards continually, owing to the greater protection that this
habit and its imitative coloration afforded. The one-sided coloration and the changes
in the position of the eyes, etc., would gradually follow in accordance with well-known
laws of evolution." It seems possible that some forms may well have gradually
increased this resting period, until they finally came to lie on one side continuously,
concealed from both their prey and their natural enemies by the similarity of their
coloration to the ground on which they lay, merely darting out at intervals to seize
other fishes. Little is known of the living Psettodes, but it has been suggested that
its habits may be of this nature.
II. FOSSIL HETEROSOMATA.
The known examples of fossil Flatfishes are comparatively few, and provide no
evidence as to the origin of the order. The fact that such diverse forms as Bothus
(= Platophrys auctt.) and Solea were already in existence in the Middle Eocene is of
interest in indicating the antiquity of the group.
I have examined four examples of Eobothiis minimus (Agassiz), preserved in the
Geological Department of the British Museum, all from the Middle Eocene of Monte
Bolca. Originally described as Rhombus minimus} this species was afterwards made
the type of a new genus by Eastman (1914, p. 328), who considered it as allied to the
Turbot and Brill group (Scophthalmina:). It certainly belongs to the sinistral family
Bothidas, but appears to be more nearly related to the existing genera Bothus and
Engypyosopon.^ I have also studied examples of Solea kirchbergana (Meyer), a typical
Soleid from the Miocene of Wurtemberg, and the type of S. eocenica. Woodward (1910),
from the Middle Eocene of Egypt. Jordan and his collaborators have described a
' Agassiz (1839-42, p. 289, pi. xxxiv, fig. i).
* Rhombus slamatini, Pauca, from the Oligocene of Roumania, should perhaps be placed in
this genus.
lo l-'LATFISHES (HK TKKOSOMATA)
few forms from the Miocene of California, but these again represent comparatively
motlcrn types of Flatfishes.'
As has been already noted (p. 2), Boulenfjer (1902) associated the Zeids and
rieuronectida* with the Hocene genus Amphistiitni in his division Zeorhombi, and
reganled the last-named as allied to the symmetrical ancestor of the Flatfishes.
Careful examination of three examples of Amphislium paradoxum, Agassiz,- all from
Monte Bolca. has convinced me that Regan (1910B) was correct in regarding this fish
as a I'ercoid, a view that is confirmed by a study of Eastman's (1914, pi. xlv) figure
of the second species of Aynphistiitm, A. bozziaytum, Massalongo. As Regan has
suggested, this genus is perhaps related to the existing Psettus or Platax, and Boulenger's
restoration of A. paradoxum shows several features of Psettodes or Zetis which are not
to be seen in the fossils.
III. i:\'C)LL'TK)X OF ASVMMHTKV WITHIN THE OKDliK.
.Although the body of a Flatfish exhibits some asymmetry, it is in the head region
that the most pronounced changes have taken place, so that it will be convenient
fir.st to deal with the organs of the head, and afterwards to consider the skeleton of
the body, the fins, scales, viscera and so on.
The nio.st obvious peculiarity of the Heterosomata as a whole, and one which
serves to distinguish them from all other fishes, is the presence of both eyes on the
one .side of the head — the left in some species, the right in others (see p. 27). In the
generalised Pseltodes the eye of the blind side is on the dorsal edge of the head and
has a vertical range of vision (Fig. i). A similar condition is found in Atheresihes,
Remhardtiiis. Cletstlieiies and Parophrvs, all of the subfamily Pleuronectinae, but there
is reason to believe that in Reinhardtius, and possibly in the other genera also, this is
a secondary feature rather than a primitive one. the eyes may be separated by a
flat or somewhat concave space of van,'ing width, or, more generally, by a bony
ridge. In some forms the width of the interorbital region differs in the sexes.
Examination of the skulF (Figs. 2, to) shows that in all Flatfishes the " upper "
( = dorsal I eye is enclosed in a complete bony orbit, whereas the " lower " eye is bounded
on its outer side merely by the muscles connected with the jaws. Between the eyes is
a strong bony interorbital bar, formed mainly by the frontal bone of the ocular side,'
which has been displaced outwards and downwards. The broadened frontal of the
blind side may also share in the formation of this bar, and in such forms as Psettodes,
Hippoghssus and Scophthalinus sends forward a bony process for this purpose. In
lilyptocephalus this process is reduced to a slender rod of bone, and in Plenronectes it
merely forms a short pointed projection (Fig. 9). The main portion of the frontal
bone of the blind side, however, is on the upper (dorsal) side, that is to say, on the
urong side of its eye, although its relations with the praefrontal region and with the
other bones of the skull are perfectly normal. Traquair (1865) su.ggested that this
part of the frontal of the bhnd side represented a new process sent forwards to meet
another directed backwards from the corresponding praefrontal, the resulting bar or
bridge of bone, the pseudomesial bar, being regarded by him as necessary to maintain
the requisite stability of the cranium. This interpretation appears doubtful in view
of the normal relations of the bone in other respects. The interorbital septum,
' These forms are : Evalh,'. inrdaiu. GWhen ; /T. /lomvri, Jordan ; Uomma l>riilinum. ]ov,Un .
i'orntrir (ih/k/iiiis (Jordan) ; and Zornrhnmhus vihger, Jordan. The published restorations show
a number of features wluch cannot readily be seen in the illustrations of the actual fossils.
" See Woodward (1101, p. 434).
^ For good figures and descriptions of the crania of various Heterosomata see Traquair (i86,s,
Scophthalmus, Hippottiossus, Plcuroiu-clcs) ; Cunningham (1890, Solca) ; Cole and Johnstone (I'loi,
I'iturnnicUs) ; Kyle {1921, Anwglossui. Bolhus. Rc-in!iardlius, Pleuronedes, ioUa, Aymphuriis).
' The " upper " or coloured side of the fish is referred to throughout as the ocular side, the
"lower" or unpigniented side
EVOLUTION OF ASYMMETRY ii
whether composed of membrane, cartilage, or a thin lamina of bone, has very much
the same relation to the eyes as in symmetrical fishes, but has come to lie in a morpho-
logically horizontal instead of in a vertical plane. Apart from the reduction in the
extent to which the frontal bone of the bUnd side contributes to the formation of
the interorbital bar in the more specialised forms, the relations of the two frontals
with the eyes is constant throughout the Heterosomata, although in such forms as
Bothus and Engyprosopon, in which the eyes in the mature male are separated by a
wide, concave space, the primary relations tend to be obscured by secondary modi-
fications, such as the forcing upwards and backwards of the roof of the cranium on to
Fig. <).— Disarticulated frontal buues of a, Scuphthalmus maximus ; b, Hippoglossus hippo-
^lossus ; c, Glyptocephalus cytwglossus ; d, PUuroticctes platessa. [After Traquair.] i.,
interorbital bar ; i.p., interorbital process ; pfa., pra'frontal articulation.
the posterior wall, or even over the pectoral arch.' In such forms as Solea and
Symphinns the skull is again very specialised, and, as is the case with Bothus, the
asymmetry appears to increase with age.
Traquair's interpretation of the pseudomesial bar as a new formation was in
harmony with the assumption that the migration of the eye causes, or is caused by,
a twisting of the whole interorbital region of the cranium — a view which seems to have
been widely accepted. As far as the skull in general is concerned, it is a fact that
the otic and occipital regions have undergone comparatively little change, and in
Pscttodes are nearly symmetrical, whereas the orbital region has been greatly modified ;
the ethmoid region, apart from the praefrontals, has undergone considerably less
' Kyle (iqzi, p. /S, pi. V, figs. 12-18).
i; FLATFISHES (HFTFROSOMATA)
change than the nitt-rorbital. As Regan has pointed out. however, embryological
work on the metamorphosis of Flatfishes, and more particularly on the development
of the cranium, provides no evidence in support of Traquair's view of the twisting of
the facial region of the skull. This work may now be brieliy considered.
As is well known, when first hatched the larval Flatfish has one eye on each side
of the head, and swims vertically near the surface of the sea in the normal manner.
At an early stage one eye migrates round the upper surface of the head and comes
to lie more or less close to its fellow of the other side, and from this time onwards the
fish lies on the bottom with the ocular side uppermost. The larva has generally been
described as symmetrical when newly hatched, but, although this may be true of the
eyes, it is doubtful whether the developing skeleton, viscera, etc., are ever quite
symmetrical after the larva has left the egg, or, at any rate after the yolk-sac has
disappeared. The metamorphosis, and more especially the relation of the eyes to the
chondrocranium. has been studied in some detail by Williams (1902) in Pseudopleiiro-
necles and Scophthahnus , by Mayhoft (1914) in Pleiironecles, and by Berrill (1925) in
Pleuronectes and Solea. At an early stage after hatching no cartilages are developed
above the eyes, but early in the metamorphosis the postorbital bar on each side grows
forward to meet the corresponding parethmoid process to form a complete supra-orbital
bar, which connects the ethmoid with the otic region of the chondrocranium. These
bars are, of course, the praecursors of the frontal bones, and are more or less completely
reabsorbed' before the bones commence to ossify. ."Mmost as soon as they are
completed, however, that of the blind side disappears, with the exception of the
postorbital portion and sometimes a small part at its anterior end. That is to say,
that part of the supraorbital bar which lies in the path of the migrating eye is ab.sorbed,
and the eye subsequently passes through the gap thus formed until it reaches the
' The partial or complete absorption of the supra-orbital bars before ossification of the frontals
etc. takes place has been recorded in the ontogeny of several symmetrical Bony Fislies — sec Norman
(ir,:;f,A,p. 425).
EV'OLUTION OF ASYMMETRY 13
supraorbital bar of the opposite side. This bar of the ocular side becomes twisted
over towards that side of the head by the movement of the two eyes into their final
position, and the ethmoid region of the chondrocranium is likewise affected at the
same time. The supra-orbital bar of the ocular side is subsequently reabsorbed also,
except for its anterior part, which remains as a stump — the hamulus ethmoideus.
As soon as the shifting of the eyes has been completed the frontal bones make their
appearance in the positions already indicated.
In all four species of Flatfishes investigated there is, thus, during the ontogeny
a lengthy preparation for a comparatively short metamorphosis. In view of this, it
seems highly improbable that any twisting of the skull has been brought about by
the efforts made by the fish to see with the lower eye. As Regan (1910B, p. 485) has
pointed out, " it is wrong to say that the two eyes are on one side as the result of the
twisting of the orbital region of the skull, for the first step is the migration of one eye
into the territory of its frontal bone, causing resorption of cartilage in the larva, and
in the adult producing the effect that the orbital part of its frontal ossifies round it or
even entirely outside it. The displacement of the frontal of the lower eye has
enlarged the area of that of the upper eye ; but it seems wrong to speak of any part
of the latter bone as a new formation, least of all that part which has the same position
and the same relations {except to the eye) as it would have if the skull were
symmetrical ". The movement of both eyes into their final position on the side of
the head is accompanied by a certain degree of torsion of the orbital part of the
cranium, but this is certainly not caused by the migration of the eye.^
The recent work of Kyle (1921) on the asymmetry of the Heterosomata is very
difficult to follow, and I am unable properly to understand his views as to the causation
of the migration of the eye. His description of the development during metamor-
phosis of a subocular ligament below the eye of the blind side, which " forces the eye
to follow the deflected frontals to the other side ", is somewhat confused, and the
interpretation is not in accordance with other embryological work. According to the
view expressed by this author, the ossifications which subsequently appear in this
ligament to form the pseudomesial bar of Traquair represent new and special structures ;
at the same time, he hints at the homology of the pseudomedial bar with the subocular
shelf found in a number of normal Bony Fishes.
The phylogenetic process by which the asymmetry of the eyes of the Flatfishes
has been acquired and estabUshed has been a matter of considerable controversy, and
cannot be discussed here. Leaving out of consideration the theory that the change
from the normal bilateral condition was originally brought about by a single mutation,
it seems fairly certain that this change must have occurred through gradual modifi-
cation. The two chief lines of argument, based respectively on the Darwinian
principle of natural selection and the Lamarckian theory of the inherited effects of
use and disuse, have been well summarised by Cunningham {1890, p. 51 ; 1892,
p. 193). It seems reasonable to suppose that a symmetrical fish which took to resting
on its side would try to make some use of the eye on the under side, and that the
change in the position of the eyes may have been initiated by the continual pressure
of the lower eye against the edge of the frontal bone.^ The pressure from the migrating
eye was probably the original cause of the resorption of the supra-orbital bar lying in
its path, an event which now takes place in the ontogeny before there is any sign of
movement on the part of the eye itself, as a preparation for the subsequent invasion
by the eye of the territory of the frontal bone of that side.
The important work of Parker and Mayhoff on the optic chiasma in the Hetero-
somata will be considered in the section devoted to reversal (p. 28). It will be of
interest to mention here, however, that, apart from the optic nerves and the larger
^ The view advanced by Rosenthal, and afterwards elaborated by Steenstrup (1S64), that the
eye of the blind side has penetrated through the tissues of the bead to the place it now occupies»
and has there formed for itself a new orbit, is one which is supported by no evidence, either
anatomical or embryological.
^ See Regan (1926, p. 85).
M
1 I.ATFISHES (HETEROSOMATAi
size of the olfactory lobe and nerve of the ocular side, tlie lirani of tlie adult Flatfish
shows no marked asymmetry, and is essentially similar to that of an ordinary Percoid
fish. 'I'he anterior part of the brain is twisted to the ocular side, so that both olfactory
lobes and nerves lie on the same side of the morphological median line.
The position of the nasal organs of the two sides of the head exhibits considerable
asymmetry in many Flatfishes, and provides a character of taxonomic importance
(see p. 37). In Pselloiies the nasal organs are nearly symmetrical, that of the blind
side tieing a little nearer to the median line than that of the ocular side. In the
remainder of the group the organs are nearly or quite symmetrical in position in the
" Soles " (Soleida' and Cynoglossida?), whereas, in the majority of the genera of
BothidiC and Pleuronectida?, that of the blind side has accompanied or followed the
eye in its migration and lies close to the median line of the head (Fig. 11). As far
as the modification of the anterior part of the skull is concerned, such genera as Solea
and Cynnglosstis are equally, if not more specialised than, say, Pleuronectes and
Scophthahnus. in which the nasal organs are markedly asymmetrical. It is of interest
I views of A, Psdtndci crumci ; B. Hlppogloss
D, Pleuronectes platessa ; E, Scophthahnus maximus ; f, Solea solea ;
the relative positions of the nasal organs and the anterior extension of the dorsa
dorsal fin ; /., left nasal organ ; r., right nasal organ.
to note that the only " Flounders " with symmetrical nasal organs are to be found in
the Pleuronectid subfamily Khombosoleina;, and that these all agree in having compara-
tively small eyes — a character which they share with the "Soles". It seems possible
that the symmetrical position of the nasal organs in these fishes may be correlated
with the size of the eyes, since the migration of a small eye would occasion much less
disturbance of the anterior part of the head than would that of a larger eye.'
The anterior extension of the dorsal fin on to the head may be conveniently
considered here, since its relation to the eyes and nostrils is a character of considerable
taxonomic value, and one of some importance to the understanding of the asymmetry
of the head. In the generalised Psettodes the first spine of the dorsal fin is situated
on the nape and well behind the eyes, but in all other Heterosomata the fin has
extended forward at least to above the eye, and in some genera it reaches the extremity
of the snout. This extension is along the ridge of the supra-occipital, and thence
along the bar formed by the union of the prajfrontal and frontal of the blind side
above the upper eye, 1 c. along the pseudomesial bar instead of along the morpho-
logical median line. Above the eye the fin is not infrc<]ucutly bent over a little
an (i<)26b, pp.
-8).
EVOLUTION OF ASYMMETRY
15
towards the blind side, and in some specialised genera {e. g. Pleuronichthys) one or
more rays of the anterior part of the fin may be on the blind side of the head (Fig. 11).
The anterior extension of the dorsal fin in Flatfishes appears to have been effected in
one or other of two ways. In some forms the first few interneural spines (interspinous
bones) are inclined forwards, so that the first of these may actually occupy a horizontal
position, thus carrying the rays of the dorsal fin to the required place ; in others the
anterior interneural spines seem to have themselves moved forward along the upper
surface of the cranium from a position in the region of the supra-occipital to one on
the frontal of the blind side (Fig. 12). In the genus Solea the anterior interneural
spines, which are inclined forward, are supported by a special curved spine-like bone
lying nearly parallel to the axis of the cranium. This may represent a detached and
much modified interneural spine.
The structure of the anterior part of the dorsal fin suggests that phylogenetically
the forward extension in the Heterosomata must have taken place after the two eyes
had established themselves on the same side of the head, or, at any rate, after this
;. 12. — Skeleton of anterior part of dorsal fin and hinder part of skull of a, Pleiironectes
platessa ; b, Solea solea. b.d.f., basal bone of dorsal fin ; f.r.d., ray of dorsal fin ; in. sp.,
interneural spine, (x i.)
process had been initiated, a vie%v which is fully confirmed by a study of its ontogeny.
In most genera the anterior extremity of the fin in the larva lies behind the eyes, in
much the same position as that of the first dorsal spine in the adult Psettodes. As
soon as the migrating eye has passed over the top of the head the dorsal fin moves
forward to take up its final position. In other genera, however, the forward move-
ment of the fin takes place before the eye has had time to pass over the edge of the
head. In Scophthalmiis and related forms the anterior extremity of the fin may over-
hang the eye as it passes over the edge of the head, or the eye may actually pass
through the tissues of the basal part of the fin. In Arnoglossiis the anterior part of
the post-larval dorsal fin becomes detached from the ethmoid region of the cranium,
and the eye passes through the slit thus formed.^ This passage of the eye through a
slit between the fin and the head was observed in a living, but unfortunately uniden-
tified larval form taken in Japan by Nishikawa (i8gi). In Bothus, another highly
specialised genus, the dorsal fin again extends forward before the migration of the
eye is complete, but does not become detached from the cranium. Instead, an
' Kyle (1013. P- 47). See also Facciola t'900, Boll. Soc. Zool. Ital., (2) i, (ix), pp. 169-189,
■ pi.].
i6 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
opening appears between some of the anterior interncural cartilages, through which
opening the eye passes.' In Solea the eye passes over the top of the head fielow the
overhanging extremity of the fin as in ScophthaUnus, but in Symphurus (Plagusia),
as was hrst observed by Agassiz (1879), the migrating eye has to pass through the
tissues of the head, emerging on the other side close to the other eye.^
'I'he muscles of the head in the Heterosomata likewise exhibit a greater or lesser
tlegree of asymmetry, and the various crests and hollows on the skull for their attach-
ment are generally more prominent on the ocular side. The anterior segments of the
dorsal lateral muscles are elongated and bent anteriorly, so that they he on the dorsal
surface of the head on either side of the anterior extension of the dorsal fin. The
eye-muscles, as well as those connected with mastication and respiration, are markedly
;isymmetrical, especially in those forms which spend the whole of their lives on the
sea floor. ^
In many Flatfishes the jaws and dentition exhibit a marked asymmetry, but this
IS of a secondary nature and not related to the original asymmetry produced by the
change in the position of the eyes. Psettodes, which probably lies on the bottom and
makes short dashes after approaching fishes, has a larger mouth than any other
Flatfish, and is the only genus in which the supplemental maxillary bone is developed
(Fig. 7). The jaws and dentition are very nearly equally developed on both sides, and
are essentially perch-like, the teeth being strong and pointed. In the sinistral Bothidae
the mouth is terminal, with the lower jaw prominent, and the jaws and teeth, if not
actually symmetrical, are usually well developed on both sides of the head (Fig. 13A).
The PleuronectidE, also with terminal mouths and prominent lower jaws, fall into two
main divisions. In the first, of w-hich Hippoglossus is a typical example, the mouth
IS large and subsymmetrical, and the dentition more or less equally developed on
both sides (Fig. 13B). These are all strongly swimming forms which live mainly on
small fishes or other agile creatures, and go in active pursuit of their prey. In the
^ Emery (1883, p. 405, figs.) ; Kyle (1913, pp. 48, 99).
- Kyle(i92i,p. 10,'i, figs.).
^ See Cole and Johnstone (1902, p. 178, fig., pye-niuscles of IHcuiontttci] ; Cunningham (1890,
p. 46, general account of muscles of ^olea).
EVOLUTION OF ASYMMETRY
1/
second group, typified by Pleuronectes, the mouth is much smaller, and the whole
jaw apparatus is more strongly developed on the blind side (Fig. 13c). The teeth
are much more developed on this side of the jaws, and are frequently entirely
wanting on the ocular side. These are the forms which have taken to feeding
on the bottom, mainly on molluscs and other invertebrates. The mechanism by
which the torsion of the jaws has been brought about has been well described by
Cole and Johnstone (1902, p. 30) in Pleuronectes. In the Soleida; and Cymoglossidae
the mouth is invariably small, and the lower jaw is never prominent ; the jaws are
markedly asymmetrical, those of the blind side being much better developed, and are
/"--
. 14. — A, Opercular apparatus of Hippoglossus hippoglossus ; B, upper dermal lobe of same
(deflected) ; c, branchiostegal membrane of same, showing the sliding valves. [After
Schmidt], cl., a smooth projection above the clavicle to which the upper dermal lobe is
firmly applied ; p., pectoral fin ; si., the sliding surface of the emarginate urohyal ; sy.,
syphon; /.t'., tongue valve ; u.rf./. , upper dermal lobe ; y., sliding valves ; f./., pelvic fin.
Strongly curved, the convexity of the lower jaw fitting the concavity of the upper
(Fig. 13D), Small teeth are present in the jaws of the blind side, whereas those of
the ocular side are either edentulous or with a few feeble teeth (Cunningham, 1890,
p. 41). These Flatfishes feed largely on the bottom, mostly at night, finding their
food, which consists of invertebrates and small fishes, by means of the senses of smell
and touch.
In a valuable paper Schmidt (1915) has described a number of interesting adapta-
tions connected with the respiratory apparatus of Flatfishes. This work is, unfor-
tunately, written in Russian, and, as it lacks even an abstract in any other language.
iS 1'1.AI'F1SHI;S (IlinKKOSO.MA'lA)
Ins obsfiA.itioiis iiiul coiuluMdiis may lie nucii m soiiic <letail hero.' Schmidt points
out that the normal method of tish respiration, in which first the mouth is opened
and botti opercula raised, thus enhirging the buccal cavity and allownij; the water
to enter, and siibse<|uently the mouth is closed and the water ejected through the
Hill-openings, would be a difficult matter for a fish lying on its side on the bottom.
Not only would considerable force be recjuired to raise the operculum of the blind
side, but the action of the exhalent current of water would tend to lift the body of the
tish from the bottom ; further, the danger of clogging the delicate gill-lamella' with
particles of sand or mud which might enter the lower branchial cliamber would be a
ver\- real one. These factors have led to the adoption of a special respiratory process
in the Hetorosumata. and consequently to the evolution of some interesting mechanical
adajitations.-
It appears that, as a general rule, a Flatfish does not open the gill-opening along
its whole length as is the case in other fishes, during either the inspiratory or the
expiratory pfiase. The apparatus designed to keep the opening closed is divided
into three main parts (Fig. 14) : (i) an " upper " (= dorsal) dermal lobe ; (2) a siphon ;
and (J) the " sliding valves " of the branchiostegal membranes. The upper dermal
lobe forms a projection above the pectoral fin, which by its close application to the
smooth hinder wall of the branchial cavity forms a valve, preventing the entrance of
water into the buccal cavity when the pressure within the latter is diminished. Just
below the pectoral fin the slightly emarginate edge of the operculum and the hinder
wall of the branchial cavity form by their apposition a short tube, the " siphon ",
which is sometimes further defined by a distinct ridge on the branchial wall. The
margin of the siphon on its opercular side is folded, providing for dilation, and a
special fold of meml^rane on the inner surface of the posterior edge of the operculum
forms a valve which closes the aperture of the siphon when the pressure within the
buccal cavity is diminished. Normally in Flatfishes the siphon serves for the ejection
of water during expiration. A " tongue " valve may be present below the siphon :
this is an outgrowth from the liinder edge of the operculum, and forms the lower
margin of the siphon when the latter is open. In some Flatfishes the soft margin
of the operculum in the region of the siphon is crenulate or frilled (Fig. 14). Tlie
sliding valves are folds of membrane developed along the edges of the branchiostegal
membranes and along the branchiostegal rays, which, by their close application to
the smooth wall of the branchial cavity, effectually prevent the entrance of any water,
at the same time allowing free sliding movements of the branchiostegal membranes.
In the form of the sliding valves, as well as in the general manner in which the
closing of the lower part of the gill-opening is effected, the various genera of Flatfishes
exhibit considerable differences, which are dealt with in detail by Schmidt. He
recognises three main types of structure in this part of the respiratory apparatus.
In the first, characteristic of all the Pleuronectim. and found also in certain genera
of Bothidic (Psetidorhombus. BotJiiis, etc.). the branchiostegal membranes of the two
sides are united by means of the posterior (seventh and eighth) brancliiostegal rays,
wliich are fu.sed at their ends, and the sliding valves are well developed. In the second
type, found in Psettodes, in Eucitharus among the Paralichthinas, and probably
throughout the Scophthalmini-e. the two branchiostegal membranes are not fused,
the lower edges being free and overlapping (F"ig. 15) : the sliding valves are usually
developed. In the tliird type, found only in the families Soleidse and tynoglossidee.
the membranes are fused, but there is no actual union of the posterior brancliiostegal
rays, and there are no sliding valves.
Finally, it may be noted that the respiratory apparatus of Flatfishes exhibits a
certain degree of asymmetry. The same general structural plan is apparent on
both sides of the head, but there are differences in detail — a narrower siphon, more
' I iini indebted to Mr. B. 1'. f\.ii..i f..r ,1 li.uisLition of tins p.iper.
■ It must 1)C borne in niintl thai S' lnm.lf-. wc.rlc was carried out wIm.IK .hi pieserird spirnu.ns,
and his interpretation of the parts pl.ivcd bv the various slrurturcs iinobed in the respir.ilory
EVOLUTION OF ASYMMETRY 19
strongly developed sliding valves, etc., on the blind side. There can be little doubt
that under normal circumstances, when the fish is lying quietly on the bottom,
expiration takes place mainly through the upper siphon, that of the blind side being
kept closed.
In the body the asymmetry of the Heterosomata is considerably less marked
than in the head, but is to be seen in the musculature, vertebral column and viscera, ^
as well as in the fins and their supports. Practically all the modifications can be
shown to be related to the adoption of a demersal habit, and many of them are
correlated with the adoption of progression by undulating movements of the body
and marginal fins. In Psettodes, and other acti\-ely predacious forms such as
Hippoglossns, the asymmetry of the body is, as a rule, less marked than in
typically bottom-living forms such as Pleuronectes and Solea.
The structure of the lateral muscles of the blind side is essentially the same as
that of those of the ocular side, but the musculature is nearly always more feebly
developed on the former. Some asymmetry is exhibited in the muscles of the
Fig. 15.— Opercular apparatus of Fsdivcifs ctumei. a, Ventral view of head with the jaws
stretched apart ; B, the same with the jaws nearly closed. [After Schmidt. j (^/., dermal
fold closing the cavity below the branchiostegal membranes ; ins., muscle band along the
edge of the branchiostegal membrane ; r., branchiostegal rays ; nr., lower sliding edge of
urohyal.
abdominal region, and, in a greater degree, by the muscles connected with the paired
fins, gill-arches, jaws and so on. The vertebral column of Psettudes is very nearly
symmetrical, but in all other Flatfishes the individual vertebrae exhibit a greater or
lesser degree of asymmetry, which is less marked in those of the caudal region, and
only slightly developed in the last few caudal vertebra and in the hypural elements
of the caudal fin,- According to Kyle (1921, p. 86) the general ettect of these asym-
metries is to produce " longitudinal curvatures [or torsion] of the vertebral column
and vertical lateral flexures ". The same author has pointed out that the asymmetry
of the viscera is acquired at a very early stage in the development of the individual.^
1 The taxonomic value of the niodihcations in these organs is discussed in the section devoted
to classilication (p. 46).
^ See Cole and Johnstone (1902, p. 40, etc.).
^ Schmidt (1915, p. 444) has drawn attention to the asymmetrical position of the anal papilla,
which in all Flatfishes, including those in which the vent is placed on the blind side, is situated on
the ocular side of the median line. The function of this papilla, which is equally developed in
l>oth sexes, is not known.
20 FLATKISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Ajiart from the anterior part of the dorsal fin, which has been already considered,
the median fins (dorsal, anal and caudal) show little asymmetry The pectoral fins
are subequal in PseKodes and in a number of other genera. In all the more specialised
forms, however, that of the blind side is reduced in size, and may even be altogether
wanting {e.g. Soleidne and certain genera of Bothida-). In some of the Soleidae and
in all the Cynoglossidae both pectoral fins are absent. The difference in the size of
the pectoral fins of the two sides is not accompanied by any marked changes in the
pectoral arch, which, apart from a certain degree of flexure, usually exhibits compara-
tively little asymmetry'. In the more generahsed genera of Bothida-, Pleuronectida;
and Soleidae the pelvic fins are nearly symmetrical, and more or less subequal but in
some of the more specialised forms that of the ocular side is placed on the median
line of the body, and a little in advance of that of the bhnd side. In other genera
this asvmmetry is carried still further, the pelvic fin of the ocular side having an
elongate base and forming a fringe along the lower edge of the anterior part of the
fish, the fin of the blind side remaining small and short-based. In others, again, the
bases of both pelvic fins are elongate (Figs. 24, 25). In some members of the Pleuro-
nectid subfamily Rhombosoleinac, and in certain of the Soleidae and Cynoglossidae,
the pelvic fin of the blind side is absent.
The scales of Flatfishes, although similar in shape and size on the two sides of the
body, generally exhibit differences m spinulation. Thus, in a large number of genera
the scales of the ocular side are ctenoid, those of the blind side cycloid, and in others
the scales are ctenoid on both sides, but the spinules are nearly always more strongly
developed on those of the ocular side. In genera in which the scales are partly or
entirely replaced by bony tubercles, these are usually more feebly developed or alto-
gether absent on the blind side. In many of the Soleidae, fishes which mostly feed
by night, relying almost entirely on the senses of smell and touch to find their prey,
the blind side of the anterior part of the head is provided with flexible tactile filaments,
which probably represent modified scales. Similar filamentous processes are found on the
blind side of the head in certain sole-like genera of Khombosoleina?, which also appear
to have nocturnal habits — an interesting case of parallelism (Norman, 1926B, p. 257).
The lateral line exhibits some asymmetry, more particularly in the head region.
It may be noted that the supra-orbital canal of the blind side, when developed, runs
close to the corresponding canal of the ocular side along the interorbital bar. i. e.
along the morphological median line of the head. In the region of the body the
lateral line is well developed on both sides of the body in Psettodes. as well as in the
majority of the genera of the family Pleuronectidae and in certain genera of Bothida?.
In the Pleuronectid subfamily Pcecilopsettma;, and in a large number of the genera
of Bothinae, the lateral line is either very feebly developed and scarcely apparent to
the naked eye on the blind side, or is altogether wanting on that surface. In the
Soleidjp and Cynoglossid,"E the lateral line may be developed on both sides of the body
or only on the ocular side. In many Cynoglossids more than one lateral line may be
present on the body, and there may be a complicated anastomosing system of canals
on the head.
The general absence of pigment on the blind side is another of the characteristic
features of the Heterosomata. In certain forms a few spots, blotches or bars of black
or brown may be normally present on the blind side, or this may be partially or nearly
completely stained with brown or grey, but in the vast majority of Flatfishes, apart
from the ambicolorate examples to be mentioned in the next section, this surface is
unpigmented. That this asymmetn.' of colour is correlated with a demersal habit is
clear, and is confirmed by a study of the development of individual Flatfishes. The
pelagic lar\-a. with an e)-e on either side of the head, usually has chromatophores on
both sides of the body, but as soon as it takes to lying on the bottom those on the
lower surface disappear. In some forms, however, the larva appears to be unpig-
mented until It becomes a bottom feeder (Williams, iqo2, p. 10).
Mention may be made here of the Greenland Halibut (Reiyihardtius), in which the
body of the adult fish is generally speaking more plump than in most other Flatfishes,
EVOLUTION OF ASYMMETRY 21
the " upper " eye is nearly on top of the head, and the bUnd side of the head and body
is pigmented, althou.gh the coloration is paler than on the ocular surface. The large,
symmetrical mouth, strong teeth, elongate body, slender caudal peduncle and powerful
lunate tail are all characters which denote an active piscivorous fish, which probably
spends the greater part of its time away from the sea floor. There can be little doubt
that the pigmentation of the blind side, like the plumpness of the body and the position
of the ' ' upper ' ' eye, has been secondarily acquired by a fish which has to a great extent
forsaken the normal habits of the group, a view which is borne out by a study of its
development. The pelagic larval stage, as in other Flatfishes, is pigmented on both
sides, although the coloration of the right side (i. e. the future ocular side) is darker.
After passing into the bottom stage the pigment of the blind side gradually disappears,
and this surface becomes quite white to the naked eye ; later on, pigment is again
developed on the blind side (Jensen, 1925, p. 10).
The powers possessed by Flatfishes of changing their coloration to simulate the
ground on which they lie are well known. The view of Cunningham (i8yo, pp. iio-
113)^ that the colour changes are due to the action of light, and have nothing to do
with the colour of the ground, does not meet with much favour among other investi-
gators, and it is now generally believed that a definite relation exists between the
coloration of the ocular surface of the fish and that of the ground on which it lies.
Sumner (191 1) has conducted a series of interesting experiments on the Mediter-
ranean Bolhiis podas, in which living individuals were placed successively on various
backgrounds, consisting of patterns of black and white squares, black and white
circles and so on. It was found that a fish placed on a background of this nature
responded more slowly than when placed on more accustomed grounds (sand, pebbles,
gravel, mud, etc.), but did succeed in simulating the artificial background to a
remarkable degree. The skin patterns were found to \'ary not only with the relative
amounts of black and white in the l)ackground, but also with the degree of subdivision
of the areas of the latter. Further, it was found that with repetition of the experiment
on the same individual the rate at which the fish was able to simulate its surroundings
was considerably accelerated. Sumner points out that the capacity of the fish to
adapt itself to different backgrounds is definitely limited to the black, grey and brown
of its ordinary' environment, and brilliantly coloured grounds seemed to be beyond
its powers of imitation. Moreover, the species is provided with permanent spots
and other markings due to the special grouping of the chromatophores in the skin,
and, although these vary in relative intensity and may even disappear altogether,
they always occupy the same position when present.
The work of Mast (igi6) and Kuntz (IQ18) on Paralichthys and Ancylopselta is
even more striking. Mast found that Paralichthys was able to assume various colours
which corresponded very closely with the background on which the fish was placed,
although some shades proved more difficult to simulate than others. Reds of various
tints were found to be simulated much less accurately than whites, greys, blacks,
browns, greens, blues, yellows or oranges ; further, on yellow or brown backgrounds
the responses were much more rapid than on reds, greens or blues, on wliich it might
take two or three months for the fish to complete the colour change. As in the case
of Bothtis, the time required by a particular individual to copy the ground could be
decreased by repetition.
Recently, Hewer (1926, 1931) has analy.sed the colour patterns of Psettodes and a
number of British Flatfishes. He remarks that the permanent markings " exist for
the most part as morphological entities, and that the background on which the fish
is placed induces the nearest approximation for the fish concerned ". The distribution
of these .specialised spots, such as the dark patches, orange and black, and white
spots, is regarded as being of an ancient nature, such a distribution being fairly constant
in Psettodes, and also being found in some form or another in all the other species
examined. The dark patches found in so many Flatfishes, of which the two situated
on the lateral line are perhaps the most characteristic, are believed by this author
* See also Cunningham and McMunn (1891).
II. A I i-isiiKs (111- ri:i<i)S(iM \ r \i
to liave been (leri\e(l Imni a vertically barred pattern, ^ueh as occurs in many I'crcoiils
ami in the yonn^ I'siUodfs. " The vertical bars, " he writes, " are not harmful (and
may be protective) in a vertically swimming fish with only the vertical shadows to
liide in, but this break-up of the surface is essential, except in very special circum-
stances, to a fish lying closely on the bottom." Hewer also investigated the normal
habitat of the species in question, and found that, in spite of the possession of the
pcrmairent pattern of spots ami markings, presumably inherited from ancestral forms,
there was a consider, iblr measure of agreement in every case lietween the general
effect of the pattern of a particnlar species and the colour antl pattern of its normal
environment.
With regard to the mechanism of the colour changes, Ballowitz (1893) and others
have shown that the ehroniatophores in the skin are surrounded by a dense network
of nerve-fibres, and the experiments of Pouchet (1876) on the Turbot and other fishes
showed conclusively that the responses arc controlled by stimuli received through the
eyes by way of the central and sympathetic nervous systems. It had long been
known that blind fishes were incapable of adaptive colour changes, and I'ouchet'
demonstrated that if the eyes are destroyed, or if the optic nerves or the main sympa-
thetic trunks are severed, changes in the chromatophores do not take place. The
experiments of Sumner and Mast have confirmed these main conclusions, and the
fact that the colour changes in Flatfishes are controlled by the nervous system, and
that the necessary stimuli are recei\ed through the eyes, may be regarded as established.
Mast further concludes that the ability of the fishes which he studied to adjust the
relations between the various types of chromatophores is due to the fact that they
posse.ss colour vision. Thus, although it is unlikely that there is any actual visual
comparison of the skin with the ground, it is necessary for the fish to survey the
ground around it bef<-)re it is able to simulate the colour and pattern. This survey
IS rendered possible liy the possession of an accessory organ, the recessus orbitalis
(Holt, 1894),'- associated with each eye, peculiar to the Flatfi,shes. This is a .sac-like
evagination of the membranous wall of the orbit, which, like the cavity of the orbit
itself, IS filled with fluid. By means of this apparatus the eyes can be protruded
above the surface of the head to a rem.irkable degree, an obvious advantage to a fish
lying more or less buried m the sand Once protruded the eyes can be moved freely
and independenth" m .ill directions, <ind rotr.u tion is subsequently effected by means
of the eve-muscles
IV. .ALBINISM, .\MBIC()L()k.ATIO\ .\ND KEVERS.\I..^
The percenta.t;c of " sports " is perhaps higher in the Heterosomata th.in m any
other grouj) of fishes. Some of these are of great interest and are dealt with in this
.section, but there is no evidence at all that they are in any way connected with the
problem of the origin of species.''
' Similar results lu.vc been obtained ni Ii^Iks ..tljir lli.in Matfishes by Secero\ , Friscli and
fither workers. References to their p.ipers will he foun.l in the bibliography of .Masfs paper (toil)).
- See also Cole and Johnstone (iodj, p. 176).
^ I take this opportunity of placing on record in\' indebtedness to a number of gentlemen and
institutions, who have sent me specimens of abnorinally coloured Flatfishes during the last few
years. My thanks are especially due to the Fishmongers' Company, the Marine Biological Associa-
tion. Plvmouth. and to Messrs'. .■\. F. Brunner. D. W. Collings, I-''. M. Davis, J. T. Jenkins, A. H.
Patterson, F. Smith. I. I,. Stewart, and \V. H. Webster.
' The literature dealing with albinism, ambicoloration and other abnormalities of coloration is
an extensive one. References to many of the works are given in the systematic part under the
individual species. The following should be consulted in connection with ambicoloration, etc. :
Ritzema Bos (18S-). Cunningham (1801), Giard (r8o2A, i8r)::B), Cunningham (1802, 1893),
Cunningham and McMunn (1804), Hateson (1804), Holt (1S.14), Cunningham {1S05, 1007), Franz
liomi, (.einiMiU (Piij), Hussaknf (1.114I, S. hnakcnbei k (PiJ;), Xorman (I'l^i.u. v):7^)-
ALBINISM, AMBICOLOKATION, REVERSAL
^3
As in other groups of fishes, albinism is by no means uncommon, and examples
lacking pigment on a part or on the whole of the ocular side have been described in
such diverse genera as Scophthalnms, Limanda, Platichthys, Pleitronectes and Solea.
As a rule the albinism is of a partial character, and may be of a patchy nature,
jiroducing an effect which is sometimes referred to as piebald.* Even in the more
completely albino examples there is nearly always some pigment on the head on the
ocular side, generally extending from the tip of the snout backwards to about the
region of the prsoperculum, and complete absence of pigment on this surface is very
rare indeed (Fig. i6). Often the pigment extends further back, and examples with
the hinder part of the ocular side white and the anterior part normally coloured are
not imcommon. Xanthochroism, a condition in which only the orange and red
pigment is developed and the fish assumes a bright golden colour, does not appear to
-Dab (l.imandii limanda). .Albino specii
(x- J.)
ha\e been recorded in many Flatfishes, but 1 have seen a small Dab (Limanda) from
Dymchurch, Kent, which exhibited this abnormality.
Of greater interest is the occurrence among Flatfishes of examples in which pigment
is developed on the blind side as well as on the ocular side, a condition for which
Cunningham has suggested the term " ambicoloration ".- A great deal has been written
concerning this phenomenon, and s'arious theories advanced as to its causation, but
few of the authors concerned seem to have appreciated the fact that there is more
than one type of pigmentation of the blind side in Flatfishes, and some confusion of
thought has consequently resulted. After examining a large .series of abnormally
coloured Flatfishes, 1 have been led to conclude that pigmentation of the lower side
may be divided into three categories ; for convenience these may be referred to as
" staining ", " spotting " and " true ambicoloration ".
' Areas on the head or body devoid of pigment frequently folio
especially one which affects any part of the vertebral column.
to the fish, and
■ be observed that in the Witch {Glypiocephalus) the blind side is normally grey instead
vhite, a number of chromatophores being developed. Other Flatfishes have been described in
ch the blind side is normally pigmented to some extent (c. «. Taninpsdla, Eiigyophrys).
z.^ KI.Al I'ISHl'S (IIICI HROSOMATA)
In tlic Inst tyiH' thf ik'sckipnu'nt of i liroin.itoplicires in Cfitain regions of tlie slim
of tlie lilinil side prodnces irrcgnlar patches of dull pigment which give the lower
surface a stained appearance. As a rule, this coloration of the blind side is
considerably less marked than that of the ocular side, and lacks the characteristic
spots and markings of the latter. Flounders with large irregular areas, or even with
tile greater part of the blind side stained with brownish or grey, are quite common,
and a similar condition is found in Plaice, Uab, Lemon Sole and other species. It
seems probable that the pigmentation of tlie blind side artificially produced by
Cunningham in h'lounders which had been exposed for a prolonged period to the action
of light reflected from below the fish was of this type (Cunningham and McMunn,
18(34). i'"" ambicoloration described by Hussakof (1914) in two specimens of the
.Vmerican I'aralichthys dentatus may also be of this nature. As far as this type of
pigmentation is concerned, Cunningham's e.xplanation of its causation may be the
I orrect one. .According to his view, the pigmentation of certain regions of the blind
side in some Flatfishes is due to the action of light entering horizontally or obliquely,
and reaching areas of the skin which are not in contact with the bottom, in cour.se of
time causing the.se areas to become pigmented. He suggested that such a phenomenon
is more likely to occur among Flatfishes living on a hard ground instead of on a sandy
bottom, where they are unable to bury themselves in the normal manner.
In the second type the blind side exhibits a varying number of black or brown
spots. Frequently these have an irregular arrangement, and present the piebald
appearance already de.scribed as occurring on the ocular side. I'laice and Flounders
with a spotted lower surface are of fairly frequent occurrence, and Bumpus (1898)
has described a similar condition in the American species, Pseudopleuronectes ameri-
lanus. Sometimes the spots and blotches have a regular arrangement, and Turbot
and Brill with a series of large, round, dark spots along the upper and lower edges
ol the body on the blind side, with or without an additional black blotch on the lateral
line, the remainder of the skin being unpigmented, are c^uite common. According to
Giard, the piebald condition of tlie lower surface is so common that it was considered
by Dauberton, Bonnaterre, Lacepede and other early French ichthyologists to be a
specific character of the Turbot. It is of some interest to note tliat these spots and
blotches, when present on the blind .side, occupy the same positions as the charac-
teristic dark spots jiresent on the ocular side in so many Flatfishes, which have been
shown to have been derived from ancestral vertical bars (see p. 22). They are, in
fact, as Holt (i8((4) has pointed out, " precisely those which are the most conspicuous
in the metamorphosing and pelagic stage ".
The third type, the true ambicoloration, appears to lie of a different nature from
both those already described, and has an important bearing on the cjuestion of asym-
metry. Here the coloration of the blind side clo.sely resembles that of the ocular
surface, even to the characteristic spots and markings. In ambicolorate Plaice,
for example, there .seems to be a more or less close correspondence m position between
the orange .spots of the " upper " and those of the " fower " side.' True ambicolora-
tion is frequently partial in character, the hinder part of the blind side being coloured
like the upper surface, the front part remaining white. In other examples the pi,gment
on the bhnd side extends forward nearly to the head, and an area in the region of the
viscera is also coloured. In others, again, the pigmentation of the blind side covers
the whole body as well as a part of the head, only a patch on the anterior ]jart of the
head remaining white (Fig. 17). Very occasionally the ambicoloration is complete,
and no trace of white is to be seen on the blind side of the fish.
Ambicolorate examples have been recorded in a number of Flatfishes (Turbot.
Brill, Dab, Flounder. Lemon Sole, Plaice, Sole, etc.), but the condition seems to be
much more common in some species than in others, and to present a more complete
appearance in certain forms Thus. Turbot in which the ambicoloration is complete
except for a patch on the head ,ire l>y no means uncommon, whereas, partially ambi-
colorate examples are rare. Brill (a closely related species) exhibiting any degree
' Sn- li,,lrs..i, (iS,,,. p. ,1.;, ; l-:lTiihirst ( . f, II . p. 771.
ALBINISM, AMBICOLORATION, REVERSAL
^""^«. , i^
wimmmW
JO I'LATFISHES (HHTKKOSO.MATAl
of trill' anibicdloraticiii arc very rare. Partially and nearly totally .imbicolorate
I'laice are frequently encountered, hut, as in the Turbot, those in which the pigmen-
tation of the blind side is most extensive nsnally retain the white patch on the head.
Ambicoloratc Flounders are fairly common, and in this species examples in which
the blind side is entirely pigmented occur from time to time. Partially ambicolorate
Dabs are not uncommon, but Soles or Lemon Soles exhibiting this condition are very
rare. Of the 51 ambicolorate Flatfishes examined by me, the species concerned and
the number of examples of each were as follows: Turbot 14, Brill j. Halibut i, Dab q,
l-'loiinder 10, Plaice 15.
Where the amhicoloration is only partial no other variations in the structure
of the fish arc noticeable, but where the pigmentation of the blind side is complete
or almost complete it is nearly always accompanied by- other variations in the direction
of symmetry.' These are concerned with the scales and associated structures, the
"upper" eye, the anterior part of the dorsal fin, and the paired fins. In the Dab
\I.imanda) the scales are normally mostly ctenoid on the ocular side and cycloid or
feebly ctenoid on the blind side. In totally ambicolorate examples the scales of the
blind side are mostly distinctly ctenoid, and in specimens in which the pigmentation
of the bhnd side is confined to the posterior part of the body, the scales in the pigmented
.area are often more strongly spinulated than those in the unpigmented area. Similarly,
in ambicolorate Flounders (Platichthys) the bony tubercles tend to be more strongly
developed on the blind side than in normal examples. In normal Turbot (Scoph-
ihalmus) the characteristic bony tubercles are either absent, or but feebly developed
on the blind side of the head and body ; in total or nearly total ambicolorates these
are strongly developed on both sides (Fig. 17).
In Flatfishes such as the Turbot, Dab, Flounder and Haice the migration of the
eye is completed liefore the forward extension of the dorsal fin takes place (p. 15),
but in ambicolorate examples this migration appears to be arrested or delayed .-
As a result the anterior movement of the fin is obstructed, and this grows forward
to form a fleshy hook above the eye.^ This hook, which forms so characteristic ,1
feature of ambicolorate Flatfishes, is present only where the pigmentation of the
filind side is complete or nearly so. As far as the Turbot is concerned, Cunningham*
has laid down the generalisation that hooking of the dorsal fin occurs in all examples
that exhibit pigmentation of the blind side in front of an imaginary line drawn through
the opercular bone (Fig. 17).
Finally, Flatfishes with the blind side completely or almost completely pigmented
nearlv alwavs show some variations towards svmmetry in the paired fins In normal
Turbot. Plaice and Flounder the pectoral fin of the ocular side is larger than that of
the blind side, but in ambicolorate examples the fin of the blind side is often a little
larger than usual. Similarly the pelvic fins of ambicolorate Flounders and Plaice
are more nearly- exactly symmetrical in form and position than are those of normal
individuals. Of special interest in this connection is the Australian and New Zealand
genus Rlwmbosolea, in which normally only the pelvic fin of the ocular side (i. e. the
right side) is present ; this is elongate, placed on the median line of the body and
united with the anal. In members of this genus ambicoloration is not only
' It seems probable that such variations al-ji-ays accompany complete or nearly complete ambi-
coloration. iLxamples of Lemon Sole, Dab and Sole have been described in which the blind side
was nearly entirely pi^'inented. but the tish were said to be normal in other respects. It is possible
that closer examination of these specimens would have revealed at least minor modifications of the
scales, etc.
- Holt (iSf)4. pp. 4.^:1-445, figs.) lias described an adult Sole in whicli the eye of the blind side
had remained on that side of the head, nearly opposite to that of the ocular side, but was to a large
extent embedded in the skin. I'here was no trace of pigmentation on the blind side, and the skull
was almost normal.
^ Sometimes in Turbot and Brill the eyes are normal in posuion. but a short portion of the
anterior part of the dorsal fin is free. This condition, which probably arcompanies dda\cd migration
of the eye, is not necessarily associated with ambicoloration.
' LiinriinKh.im and .MarMiinn (1S94. p. 8nl,).
J'-^v"' ->
ALBINISM, AMBICOLORATION, REVERSAL 27
accompanied by the characteristic hook above the eye, but individuals completely or
nearly completely pigmented on the blind side have two pelvic fins of similar form and
equal size (Fig. 18). ^
Mention may be made here of an interesting individual of the Turbot described
by Cunningham (1907). This fish was only 44 mm. in total length, the eyes were on
the right side, the ocular side was unpigmented except for an area in the region of
the eyes, and the blind side was deeply pigmented except for the head and the dorsal
region above it. This provides a unique case, albinism, ambicoloration and reversal
being combined in the same individual.
Various theories have been brought forward to explain the phenomenon of ambi-
coloration, but these cannot be considered in any detail here. It has been suggested
that fish showing this condition swim as larva? in a vertical position for a longer period
than usual, and thus expose the future blind side to the light for a greater length of
time. Jlclntosh (1902) has observed, however, that in normal larvrc the pigmentation
■ c >
%
%
%
Fic. 18. — RhnmbosoUa tapirtna. Anibicolorate specimen. (X I.)
of the lower surface is paler even before the change to a demersal habit occurs, and
that even in cases where the pelagic life is unduly prolonged the same feature is notice-
able. Cunningham's views as to the effects of light on the pigmentation of the blind
side have been already mentioned, and other theories involve the consideration of
such matters as germinal factors, interference with the mechanism of embryonic
transformation, mutation in the direction of secondary bilateral symmetry, and so on.
The available evidence suggests that ambicoloration merely represents variation in
the direction of the original bilaterally symmetrical condition of the ancestors of the
Flatfishes. It is to be observed that the part of the fish last affected by ambicolora-
tion, namely, the anterior part of the head, represents the most asymmetrical portion.
There is absolutely no evidence that the behaviour of ambicolorate individuals is in
any respect different from that of normal Flatfishes.
Reversal, or the occurrence of individuals with the eyes and colour on the side
which is generally eyeless and unpigmented in the species, is a not uncommon pheno-
menon in certain Flatfishes.^ In the great majority of Flatfishes all the individuals
' Norman (1926B, pp. 278-280).
" .\s Bateson (1894) has pointed out, discontinuous variation of this nature is well known in
other groups of animals. In Molluscs, for example, reversed or sinistral shells are not uncommon
III (lastropods, and may even characterise a race or subspecies.
Ill
2>S n.ATFISHF.S (HinEROSOMATAi
of .1 particular species are either riKht-sided (dextral) or lelt-sided (sinistral), but in
a few species reversed individuals occur in var\-ing numbers In the Plaice (Pleiiro-
tieclfs) and the Halibut {Hippoglossus), for example, the lish is normally dextral, but
very occasionally a sinistral individual is recorded. In the European Flounder
iPlatichthvs JIfiiis) and in the Starry Flounder {P. stellatus) of the North Pacific, also
normalK" dextral species, reversed individuals are more common. UuncUer, who
examined samples of Flounders from various localities, found that the percentage of
sinistral individuals varied from 3 to 30. In the Pacific species this percentage may
be even higher.' In the so-called Bastard Halibut (Paralichthys californiciis) of
California, a sinistral species, individuals with eyes on the right side are almost as
common as those with eyes on the left side. Some species of Hippoglossuia and
Xvslreurys, also American .genera, are likewise indifferently sinistral or dextral.
The work of Parker (11)03) on the optic nerves of the Heterosomata, afterwards
confirmed by Mayhoff (1912), is of particular mterest, not only in connection with
these reversed individuals, but also with the general classification of the group. 'I'hc
results of this work may be briefly summarised. In ordinary Bony Fishes the optic
chiasma is dimorphic in character, the right nerve crossing above the left about as
often as the left above the right.'- In the families Soleidae and Cynoglossida?, and in
Piettodes, the chiasma is again dimorphic, and it follows that in these F'latfishes the
optic nerves must be partly uncrossed when the nerve of the migrating eye is dorsal,
and that they almo.st cross each other twice when this is ventral. In all other Flat-
fishes, whether dextral or sinistral, the nerve of the migrating eye is dorsal ; that is to
say, in dextral forms (PleuronectidEe) the nerve of the left eye is dorsal, in sinistral
forms (BothidcE) that of the right eye is dorsal. The only exceptions to this rule are
provided by the reversed individuals just mentioned. In the case of a left-sided
individual of a normally dextral genus {e.g. Platichihys), instead of the nerve of the
migrating eye being dorsal, that nerve is dorsal which is normally dorsal in the genus,
in this case the left nerve. Similarly, although individual examples of certain species
of Paralichthys are indifferently sinistral or dextral, as this is normally a left-sided
genus, the nerve of the right eye is always dorsal (Fig. 19).
This monomorphism of the optic chiasma, which is clearly a specialisation, would
appear to have been adopted on account of its mechanical advantage (Parker, 1903,
pp. Hi), 235). This view is confirmed by the fact that Duncker (1900) has shown
that in the Flounder there is a differential death-rate, that of sinistral (i.e. reversed)
individuals being higher than that of normal ones. .\s far as the optic nerves are
concerned, a reversed Flatfish is not a mirror image of a normal one, and. according
to Parker, the monomorphism of the chiasma is established even before the larva is
hatched. This fact lends additional support to the view already expressed (]i. 12)
that the Flatfish larva is never really symmetrical.
It is difficult to understand why reversed individuals should be coniparati\ely
common in some species and very rare or quite unknown in others. In any case, in
view of Parker's conclusions, it is clear that Thilo (1902B) was incorrect in regarding
the occurrence of dextral and sinistral individuals in nearly equal numbers as a primi-
tive feature. In Psellodes, on the other hand, in which the chiasma is dimorphic as in
the " Soles " and normal fishes, the occurrence of dextral and sinistral individuals in
nearly etjual numbers is very probably a primitive feature (Regan, 1910B, p. 4."<.S)-
As already remarked, the reversed Flatfish is not a mirror image of a normal
individual of the same species, and it is of interest to find that in the genus Rhombo-
solea of Australia and New Zealand there is a tendency to reproduce partially or
completely the pelvic fin of the blind side (normally absent in this genus) in reversed
examples (Norman, 1926B, p. 280). The single pelvic fin is normally elongate, median
' I'ruf. Hul.bs h.is poinn-ti out lo inc ui .1 k-ltcr thai 111 Japan he found IHatuhDns iti-llaliis
nivanably revtrsed (1. ,-. sinistr.ill, whereas m California tht number of dextral and sinistral
individuals was about c<|ual. and in material from Alaska about 75°,, of the hshes were reversed,
the maten.d in the British .Museum, although small in numbers, bears out this conrlusion.
= In I x.UTipl.-s c-x.uiuned the rnjlit rier\e was dorsal in sij, lb.- I.^ft ni ,|Sl,,
ALBINISM, AMBICOLOKATION, REVERSAL 29
in position, and united with the anal fin. In the British Museum collection there is a
specimen of Rhombosolea tapirina, in which the eyes are on the left side, the left pelvic
is elongate, median and united with the anal ; the right pelvic is also developed,
lateral in position, short-based and with only four rays. Kyle (1900A) has described
a new genus and species of Flatfish from New Zealand as Apseita thompsoni} Apart
from the position of the eyes, which are on the left side, and the presence of two nearly
equal but somewhat a.symmetrically placed pelvic fins, each composed of six rays,
this fish appears to be identical with Rhombosolea plebeia, a species common in New
Zealand ; it is, in fact, merely a reversed example of that species. According to
Hutton {1876), such reversed individuals are not uncommon. The same author
(Hutton, 1874) has described and figured a reversed example of R. plebeia with a
single median pelvic fin united with the anal as usual in the genus, suggesting that
reversal is not always accompanied by development of the pelvic of the blind side.
. 19. — Optic chiasma in Heterosoiilata. a, Anterior part of brain, eyes and optic nerves of
Platrunectes platcssa : i, lateral view from the ocular side ; :;, dorsal view. The forebrain
and the olfactory lobes have been removed. [After Mayhoff.] B, Dorsal views of anterior
parts of brains (with cerebral hemispheres removed), eyes and optic nerves of Paralichthys.
frt/i/ornicMS (sinistral species) : i, sinistral individual ; 2, dextral individual. [After Parker.]
c, The same of Platjclithvs slellatus (dextral species) : r, sinistral individual ; 2, dextral
mdividual. [After Parker.)
Cunningham- has drawn special attention to the fact that " in a sinistral Flat Fish,
whether it is normally sinistral like the Turbot, or abnormally like a reversed Flounder,
the viscera are in the same position as in a dextral specimen ; the liver is on the left
side, the coils of the intestine on the right. The reversal of the relations of the two
sides externally does not affect the relations of the internal organs, which remain
constant ". This is exactly what might be expected. In the normal symmetrical
fish the liver is on the left side of the intestine ; thus, a fish lying on its left side would
have the hver on the blind side, but in one lying on its right side, the liver would be
on the ocular side of the abdominal cavity.
' The type is said to have been deposited in the Natural History Department, University College,
Dundee, but it cannot now be found.
2 Cunningham and MacMunn (1894, p. Sol).
l'I.All'ISIll-;S (HI-.I1CI«)S(_).MA'1A)
y. i)h\i:i.()pmi-:nt.
The \aiious stages in the development of a nnnibcr of Flattishes liave now been
slii<lie<l in detail, especially of those species which are valued as food. References to
the more important papers describing the eggs, larvae and young are given in the
systematic part of this work under the inilividual species. The main features of
Klathsh development are too well known to require description at length, but one
or two points, which are of interest in connection with problems of taxonomy or
geogra])hical distribution, may be briefly considered.^
The eggs of the great majority^ of the Flatfishes are buoyant and pelagic, the only
exception among those which have been studied being Pseudopleiironectes aiiiericanus,
of which the eggs are .said to be demersal and adhesive. Those of Solca have a number
of small oil-globules at the surface of the yolk, but in all the members of tlie families
Bothidae and Pleuronectidae the oil-globule is either single or absent altogether (Fig.
.;o). It IS of some interest that, in addition to the monomorphic optic chiasma
mentioned in the previous section, the sinistral Bothida? are well distinguished from
the dextral Pleuronect^da^ by the form of the eggs.- Those of Paraltchthys, Eucilliarus,
Antoglossiis, Boihus, Scophthahnns, Lepidorhombtis, Phrynorhombus and Zeiigopterus
have a single oil-globule in the yolk ; those of Hippoglossiis, Hippoglossoides, Limanda.
Murostoinus, Glyptocephahis, Platichthys and Plciironcctfs have an undivided yolk
without an oil-globule.^
In most respects the early larv;e of the Flatfishes are very similar to those of
ordinary symmetrical fishes, and it is only as the time for the metamorphosis approaches
that they assume the specialised features characteristic of the group. The post-larval
characters may be roughly divided into two categories, permanent and temporary.
The former includes the migration of the eye, growth of the pelvic and caudal fins,
enclosure of the abdomen, etc., and need not be considered further. The second
category includes purely temporary organs which are developed during post-larval
life and disappear when the transformation is complete or even before. These are
the air-bladder, post-larval teeth, dorsal tentacles, spines, pigmentation and so on.
In a genus such as Aytioglossus, where these temporary post-larval characters are more
remarkable and diverse than in any other genus of Flatfishes, a full knowledge of
these characters may be of considerable assistance in elucidating the taxonomy of the
group, a fact which is well brought out by a study of Kyle's work on the European
species.
One of the most characteristic temporary characters of the post-larval Arnoglossus
is the long appendage or tentacle on the head (Fig. zi.\). This appears quite suddenly,
according to Kyle, as the result of a longitudinal splitting of the upper margin of the
embryonic dorsal fin in the region of the second ray of that fin ; it appears long before
the fin-rays are developed and disappears with equal rapidity during the period of
tlie migration of the eye. This appendage is not peculiar to Arnoglossus, but is also
present during the early stages in Bothtis, in which genus, however, it disappears at
a very early stage of piost-larval development (Fig. 21B). It probably also occurs
in other related genera from tropical and temperate seas. Kyle (1913, p. 39) regards
the tentacle as a means of guarding against damage to the anterior part of the cranium,
which at this stage is <)uite unprotected. In the post-larval Symphnms (Cynoglossida?)
the first three rays of the dorsal fin are somewhat prolonged, this number being later
increased to five.
\ lertain number of species of sinistral Flatfishes (Bothidae) develop spines in one
form or another during the post-larval stages. In Arnoglossus there is a well-developed
' lur iii.itiy of the facts coiici.TmnK l.irv.il and po5t-larv.il l-l.illishi-s tlic author i5 mdi-bted to
.1 valuahic paper by Kyle (191,;).
2 Rcf^an (1910U, p. 489).
■' In Psciulo!>leuroncctcsanuruanus the c-g-. when hi^l f.Mrudfrl, ha^ Jio oil-globulc, hut in
liio*t pgss one li dcviloped at .1 l.itii ^taRi
DEVELOl'MENT 3 r
system of spines round the edges of the body, on the abdomen, on the caudal fin and
on the base of the pelvic fin, but there are none on the head (Fig. 21A). The arrange-
ment of these spines is more or less constant in a particular species, and provides a
useful character for distinguishing the post-larvae of the European species. The
spines gradually disappear as metamorphosis approaches, although some may be
retained to form spinules on the scales. In post-larvae identified by Kyle as Ancylop-
setta sp. the first six or seven rays of the dorsal fin are elongated and the edge of the
pra?opercu!um is provided with a strong spiny armature ; in addition, there is a strong
spine on each side of the dorsal fin in the sphenotic region of the head. Similar, but
rather more feeble, spines occur on the head in the post-larval Turbot and Brill
(Scophthalmus) etc. (Fig. 21c), and the skull itself may be provided with spinous
protuberances (" otocystic spines ") in post-larval Lepidorhombus , Phryiwrliombus
and Zeugopterus. All these structures disappear at or before the metamorphosis.
The post-larval teeth pre.sent in Ariioglossus, Bothus and other genera are of the same
nature as the spines described above, and appear to be cast off at about the same time.
An air-bladder is developed as a transient post-larval character in many Flatfishes.
According to Kyle (1921, p. 109), "sinistral forms have almost invariably an air-
bladder lying more or less on the left side . dextral forms have either no
air-bladder or the air-bladder more or less on right side." Among our own Flatfishes,
Fig. 20. — Egg of .\, Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) [after Mcintosh] ; b. Plaice {Plcuronectes
ptatessa) [after Ehrenbaura] ; c, Sole {Solea solea) [after Cunningham]. Greatly enlarged.
those of the family Pleuronectids (Halibut, Dab, Lemon Sole, Witch, Flounder and
Plaice) have no trace of an air-bladder at any stage of their development. In the
sinistral Bothida-, on the other hand, this is generally present, but within the sub-
family Scophthalminae an air-bladder is present only in the post-larval Turbot and
Brill, and wanting in all the other genera. In the genus Solea an air-bladder is
present in post-larval S. solea and S. lascaris, but absent in S. variegata.
An interesting feature of the development of Flatfishes is the length of the pelagic
larval and post-larval life, as this may have an important bearing on the distribution
of the species. In a general way, two types of larvae may be distinguished : those
with a very short pelagic life and early metamorphosis (e.g. Limanda, Platichthys,
Pleuronectes), and those in which the pelagic life is more prolonged (e.g. Arnoglossus,
Bothus). In Arnoglossus the metamorphosis is said to take place at the surface, and
it has been stated that the young stages of Bothus may lead a pelagic life for a short
time after the transformation has taken place (Kyle, 1913, p. 5). Generally speaking,
the Flatfishes of northern seas have a short pelagic life, and it is mostly among species
of tropical and subtropical regions that the metamorphosis is delayed. Frequently
post-larvje of some species of Bothus are captured in mid-ocean many miles from
land, often at considerable depths below the surface, and the " Thor ", " Dana ",
Discovery " and other vessels have collected large numbers of these larval forms
with the eyes still symmetrical in mid- Atlantic, in some cases hundreds of miles from
the nearest shore. In this genus the pelagic lar\'al life is very long. In B. podas.
^i
I'l.A rilSHI-;S (HKTKKOSO.MAI A)
(or i\.mipli'. nuUinicnplHisis does luit take- pl.ur until tlio kirxa has ro.ulu'd .1 length
i)f 30 to 40 nun.,' anil a post-Iaival Bolhns of unUnown species of more than 50 mm.
m length with tile eyes still symmetrical has been rccordeil.- In the absence of know-
ledge of the larval characters it is impossible to be certain whether the larv.-r captnred
i-if. -M. — A, I'ost-larva of A rnoglossus impcrialis (18 mm.) — the spots round the margins
iiidK .itf distribution of spines ; u, postdarva of Boihus podas (8 111111.) ; c, postdarvai
I iirljcit [Scnphthidmus maximus) (aljout s mm.), showins Ihc spines on the head. r.\ and B
.dlrr Kyle, r after Holt. J
' The following tiRures ^ive some idea of the relative lengths at whi. h various Id.itlislies midci
metamorphosis. They do not always give an indieation of the actual duration of larval life,
there is considerable variation in the rate of growth of the larva-. Platichthys y?t'.s»s, 10-12 inn
l'leurnnc(lc$ filnlessa, about 14-16 mm. ; Microsliimus kill, lo mm. ; (jlyptoccphaius cyiwgloss
40 60 mm. ; Anin^lasatta spp., 14-40 (or 50) mm. ; liothus pndiis, 30-40 mm.
' Kvle (,.,.,. p. O.J).
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES 33
in mid-Atlantic belong to liuropean or to American species, but it seems probable
that the majority of them are of American origin. It is of interest to note that most
of those taken by Danish vessels were from the Sargasso Sea, which is practically
(lead water, uninfluenced by currents. This fact led Kyle (1913, p. 112) to suggest
that these post-larval forms " have been derived from adults living at or near the
spot where they were found," and that the " Sargasso Sea has a pelagic, flatfish
fauna of its own," a suggestion which seems very improbable.
Regan (1916, p. 148) has written : " It may be inferred that the distribution of a
benthic species along a coast may be helped by a pelagic larval phase, but that unless
this be prolonged it will not serve to establish the species in places separated from its
original habitat by a wide sea." There is a species of Bothiis (B. mellissi) found only
at St. Helena and Ascension in the Atlantic Ocean, which is very closely related to
the European B. podas, which extends westwards to the Azores and southwards down
the coast of Africa to Angola. There can be little doubt that at some time examples
of B. podas were able to reach these islands by virtue of their prolonged pelagic life.
It also seems reasonable to infer that a species such as Syacium micyitritm, which is
found not only on the Atlantic coast of tropical America, but also on the coast of West
Africa, as well as pairs of closely related species occurring on the two sides of the
Atlantic {e.g. Citharichthys spilopterns and C. stanipflii), must have a larval life of
considerable duration.
Most Flatfishes exhibit certain changes in form and proportions during the period
of growth after the metamorphosis and assumption of a demersal habit. As in most
Bony Fishes, the head and eye are proportionately larger in the young than in the
adult, the snout is generally shorter, and the interorbital space narrower. In adult
individuals the maxillary extends further back in relation to the eye than it does in
younger ones. The actual proportionate increase in the size of the mouth, however,
is very slight, the apparent difference being due mainly to the change in the position
of the eye. The depth of the body is nearly always le.ss in young examples.' In
species distinguished by having one or more rays of the dorsal and anal fins prolonged,
or in which some of the rays of the paired fins are elongate, the length of these rays
is proportionately less in the young and gradually increases with age. The develop-
ment of spines and other processes on the head, and of tubercles or granular plates on
the head and body, is also less marked in immature individuals. The number of
gill-rakers sometimes shows a slight increase with age. Finally, quite considerable
changes in the colours and markings may take place during the growth of certain
.species.
VI. SEXUAL DIFFERENCES.
The differences between the sexes in certain species is most marked, especially in
the family Bothidae, and may be concerned with the scales, rostral and orbital spines,
interorbital width, form of the fins, coloration, and (in one species) with the teeth.
In the Pleuronectinae only two genera exhibit sexual dimorphism, namely, Liopsetta
and Pleuronectes, and in both this is connected with the character of the scales. In
all the species of Liopsetta the scales are much rougher in the male. In the Plaice
(Pleuronectes platessa) the .scales are usually mostly cycloid, but not infrequently some
of them are feebly ctenoid in the male, especially in the small Baltic race (see p. 354).
The closely related Pleuronectes pallasii shows no sexual differences.
In those species in which cephalic spines or protuberances are developed, these
may be confined to the male, as in species of Perissias, Engvprosopon, Crossorhombus
and Bothus, or strong in the male and feebly developed in the female, as in Citha-
richthys cornutus, Lophonectes gallus and Ttsniopsetta ocellata. In the last-named
species the spines round the orbits are much stronger in the male than in the female,
and none of the rays of the dorsal and anal fins are prolonged in the latter ; in the
^ E.xcept in very young Bothus.
34 FLATFISH I'.S (HETEROSOMATA)
closely rt-latfd /'. yadula, however, the spines are about equally developed in botli
sexes and some of the dorsal and anal rays are prolonged in the female also, although
these are less elongate than the corresponding rays in the male.
'Bothus podas. M.ilc and female, (xj.)
nd feuiak-. ( i.)
Frequently the development of rostral or orbital spines is accompanied by a sexual
difference in the width of the interorbital region. In such genera as Syaciiim, Citha-
yichthys [cornntus], Perissias, Engypfosopon, Crossorhombus and Parabothus, the inter-
orbital space is wider in the male, but this curious feature attains its maximum
development in certain species of Bothus (= Platophrys auctt.). The greater width of
the space between the eyes in the male is most marked in mature individuals, and in
CLASSIFICATION 35
the European B. podas the adults of the two sexes are so unUke that they were originally
described as distinct species (Fig. 22).^ Even in young males, however, the inter-
orbital space is already broader than in females of the same size, although the
characteristic spines, protuberances and roughened ridges on the head do not make
their appearance until later.
The form of the fins, and more particularly of the dorsal fin, may present sexual
differences in certain species. In some, for example, the anterior dorsal rays in the male
are prolonged to a greater extent than the corresponding rays in the female (e.g.
Arnoglossus imperialis (Fig. 23), Lophonectes galliis, Marleyella bicolorata) ; in others,
these rays may be very elongate in the male and of normal length in the female {e.g.
Arnoglossus iapemosoma, Brachyphura novel zeelandieE). In other genera (e.g. Samaris)
this elongation of the anterior dorsal rays may occur in both sexes. In the genus
Tesniopsetta, instead of the anterior rays, it is the loth to 13th as far as the 13th to
i8th rays of the dorsal fin that are prolonged. In Arnoglossus, Marleyella, and one
or two other genera, some or all the rays of the pelvic fin, or at least of that of the
ocular side, are more or less elongate in the male, and in Trrniopsetta the first few rays
of the anal fin are prolonged.
It is of interest to note that in such genera as Bothus and Arnoglossus the species
present considerable variation in the degree to which the sexes are difierentiated. In
Arnoglossus imperialis, for example, the first few dorsal rays are very much more
elongate in the male than in the female, whereas, in the closely related A . laterna and
A . thori, apart from a very slight difference in the pigmentation (the black spot on
the pelvic fin of the ocular side is darker in the male), the sexes are alike. ^
Finally, Marleyella bicolorata exhibits a form of sexual dimorphism unknown in
any other Flatfish. The anterior rays of the dorsal fin, as well as those of the pelvic
of the ocular side, are much longer in the male, and, in addition, the teeth on the ocular
side of the upper jaw extend on to the outer surface of the jaw in this sex.
VII. CLASSIFICATION.
A. GENERAL.
The earher ichthyologists nearly all regarded the Flatfishes as constituting a single
family, Pleuronectidee. This was the arrangement adopted by Jordan and Goss
(1889, p. 225), who further subdivided the family into seven subfamilies : Hippo-
glossinae, Pleuronectins,^ Samarina;, Platessius, Oncopterinae, Soleinae and Cyno-
glossinae. Leaving out the Samarina; and Oncopterinae, the members of which were
unknown in his time, the remaining five subfamilies defined by Jordan and Goss
correspond respectively to the genera Hippoglossus, Rhombus, Platessa, Solea and
Plagusia of Curvier (1817). Jordan and Goss recognised the distinctness of the
" Soles " from the " Flounders ", but stated that " the characters which mark them
as a group seem no more important than those which set off one subfamily of flounders
from another." These authors also showed that the Bibroniidae, a family of Flat-
fishes recognised by some Italian ichthyologists, is composed entirely of larval forms
and has no place in the system. Jordan and Evermann (1898, p. 2602) included the
Flatfishes in a single suborder, Heterosomata, and recognised two distinct famiUes,
Pleuronectidae and Soleidae, the last including the Tongue Soles (Cynoglossus,
Symphurus) as well as the true Soles. The Pleuronectidae were further subdivided by
them into Hippoglossinae, Pleuronectinae and Psettinae, and the Soleidae into Soleinae
and Cynoglossinae.
^ The associated chaages in the cranium of old males have been described by Kyle (1921,
p. 78, figs.).
' See Kyle (1913. PP- 30, 94)-
^ Rhombinse, Psettins or Bothin* of other authors . . . Scophthalmins in this work.
30 n.AIKISHKS (HETKROSOMATA)
In uioo Kyle (njooii) published ;i valuable paper on the classification of the
Hetcrosomata, making use of several new characters of some importance He
arranged the various groups as follows :
1-aiiiilics. SubfcUiiilifS.
I Hippoglossinas,
,„ . , Pleuronectina;.
1 leuronectula' „ , u u
H ippoglosso-rhombmae.
Khombina?.
I Solein,T.
Soleid:c Achirina?.
( Cynoglossinae.
Solei-pleuronectinDP.
Incerts sedis ?
In uiio Regan (lyioB) proposed an entirely new classification of the group, based
on a careful study of the anatomy, and especially of the osteology, of a number of
genera. He divided the order mto two suborders, I^settodoidea and Pleuronectoidea,
the former containmg a single family, Psettodida?. The Pleuronectoidea were further
divided into two main divisions, Pleuronectiformes and Sola-iformes, corresponding
to the Pleuronectidae and Soleidae of Jordan and Evermann. each of w-hich contained
a dextral and a sinistral family. Each of the families of Pleuronectiformes was split
up mto three subfamilies. Expressed in tabular form, Regan's arrangement of the
Heterosomata stands as follows :
Order Heterosomata.
Suborder Psettodoidea.
Family Psettodidae.
Suborder Pleuronectoidea.
Division Pleuronectiformes.
Family Bothidse.
Subfamily Paralichthinae.
Platophrinje.
BothinK.
Family Pleuronectidae.
Subfamily Pleuronectina?.
,, Samarinae.
Rhombosoleinae.
Division Solaeiformes.
Family Soleid^.
Cynoglossida;.
In a later classification Regan (1929) omitted the suborders and divisions, recog-
nising five familes : P-settodida", Bothid^, Pleuronectid;c, Soleidae and Cynoglossid^e.
The subfamilies of Bothidae and Pleuronectidae recognised in his original classification
were retained, but the South -African genus Paralichthodes was removed from the
subfamily Samarinae and placed in a separate subfamily, Paralichthodin;e.' In his
most recent classification of fishes Jordan (1923) has followed Regan in the main as
far as the FTatfishes are concerned, merely raising most of the subfamilies to the rank
of families. Apart from the creation of another subfamily in the dextral Pleuro-
nectidx', the I^a-cilopsettin;p, my own work on the group- has pro\'ided no valid
reason for interfering with Kegan's latest arrangement, which would appear to be a
perfectly natural one. The reasons for adopting this classification, many of which
.ippear in Regan's earlier paper, may now be briefly outlined.
' Sec also Regan (1920, p. ::i3J.
= This has been mainly on the " I'loundtrs ". whirh form the snbji-rt of this volume. The
Sok-ida' and Cynoglossid.x- have not yet been txtensivcly studied.
CLASSIFICATION 37
It is quite clear from what has been said in discussing the origin and evolution
of the Flatfishes that Psettodes, the most generalised of existing Flatfishes, is sharply
marked of) from all other members of the order and must rank as the type of a distinct
family. The principal characters distinguishing the Psettodida; are as follows : the
occurrence of dextral and sinistral individuals in equal numbers, the dimorphic optic
chiasma, the posterior origin of the dorsal fin, the presence of spinuous rays in the
dorsal and pelvic fins, the large, symmetrical mouth, with well-developed supple-
mental maxillaTv. the strong teeth, the toothed palatines, the normal urohyal with the
lower edge scarcely curved, the nearly symmetrical position of the nasal organs, and
the small number of vertebrae (24). Psettodes shares most of these characters with its
perch-like ancestors, and, as Regan (1920, p. 324) has pointed out, it may have retained
so many Percoid features "because it has not adopted progression along the bottom
by undulating movements of the body and marginal fins to the same extent as other
flat-fishes."
In all the remaining families the dorsal fin extends forward on to the head at least
to above the eye, all the fin-rays are articulated, and the number of vertebrae
is never less than 28. This increase in the number of vertebra, which reaches
its maximum in the Cynoglossidae, some of which may have as many as 70,
is difficult to explain in terms of any of the orthodox theories of evolution. That
increase in the number of muscle segments (the number of vertebrae being, of course,
determined by the number of myomeres) must be a mechanical advantage to a fish
which has taken to swimming by undulating movements of the whole body cannot
be denied. At the same time, in view of the fact that the number of vertebrse in
Psettodes, as well as in a number of families of Percoid fishes, seems to be rigidly fi.xed
at 24, it is difficult to see how natural selection can be evoked to explain the increase
in number in more specialised Flatfishes. "We are almost compelled to believe."
writes Regan (1926, p. 85), " that muscular movements, the efforts of a fish to swim
m a certain way, may lead to an alteration in the number of muscle segments of its
descendants .
The " Soles ", as represented by the families Soleidae and Cynoglossidae, have
generally been regarded as forming a distinct group, but most authors have looked
upon them as degraded " Flounders ". It is true that these fishes are, in many
respects, highly specialised, but nearly all the more superficial characters in which
they differ from the " Flounders " can be shown to be adaptive, and to be correlated
with their special habits, such as the method of locomotion, burying themselves in
sand or mud by day and seeking their prey mainly by night by the use of the senses
of smell and touch, and so on. There appear to be very few genera of Bothidae or
Pleuronectidae that could fairly be described as leading in the direction of the Soleidae
or Cynoglossidae, and, in spite of the dearth of positive characters to define the two
groups, the line of demarcation between the " Soles " on the one hand and the
" Flounders " on the other is a definite one. Without a detailed study of the two
families concerned, it is difficult to come to any definite conclusions about the origin
of the " Soles ". I would suggest, however, that these famihes have not been derived
either from the Bothidae or Pleuronectidae, but that both the dextral Soleidae and the
sinistral Cynoglossidae have probably sprung independently from generahsed Psettodes-
like stock. The presence of a dimorphic optic chiasma in these fishes led Parker
(1903, p. 235) to the same conclusion, and he regarded the " Soles " as a natural group,
and the " degenerate descendants of the original stock of flatfishes that had not yet
passed beyond the stage of dimorphic chiasmata." The fact that the nasal organs
of the " Soles " are symmetrically placed as in Psettodes, whereas, in most other
Flatfishes that of the bhnd side has accompanied or followed the eye in its migration
and lies nearly on the median line of the head, provides further confirmation of this
view. Finally, the structure of the eggs and the form of the post-larva;' in the
Soleidae and Cynoglossidae again suggests that they have been derived from primitive
Flatfishes rather than from the " Flounders ". The small mouth, with the lower jaw
• See Kyle (1921).
38 FLATFISHES (HETEKOSOMATA)
never prominent, the jaws of the bhnd side strongly cuned and toothed, the absence
of a free jirrcopercular margin, the absence of ribs, etc., are all characters which are
shared by the Soleida? and Cynoglossidae, but in spite of these resemblances, it seems
doubtful whether the two families are really very closely related.'
Mention may be made of certain Australian and New Zealand genera of the
I'leuroncctid subfamily Rhombosoleinrc (Ammntretis, Colislium, Peltorhamphus), some
of the species of which exhibit a striking general resemblance to members of the Soleida>.
This resemblance, which is, perhaps, most marked in Colislium, is shown by the general
form of the body, the shape of the head, particularly its priEorbital part, the small
eyes, the symmetrical nasal organs, the strongly curved jaws of the blind side, the
absence of teeth in those of the ocular side, and the extension of the dorsal fin to the
end of the snout. The development of membranous folds on the blind side of the
rays of the marginal fins, the modification of many of the scales on the blind side of
the head to form filamentous processes, and the fringed lower lip, are other Soleid
features.- Many of these characters, however, are probably correlated with nocturnal
habits, or with the habit of burrowing in sand or mud, and have almost certainly
been evolved within the subfamily. It seems improbable that any of the above-
mentioned genera are closely related to the " Soles ", which they superficially resemble,
but provide a striking example of parallelism.^
The work of Parker was later than that of Jordan and his collaborators and that
of Kyle, and these workers did not appreciate the importance of right- or left-sidedness
m the " Flounders ", sometimes including dextral and sinistral genera within the same
subfamily. The monomorphism of the optic chiasma in these Flatfishes, unaffected
by the occurrence of reversed individuals in certain species, is of primary importance,
and the differences in the structure of the eggs m dextral and sinistral forms (see p. 30)
provides further evidence in favour of the division of the " Flounders " into two
families, one dextral, the other sinistral. The arrangement of the olfactor\' laminae
in the nasal organs, originally believed to be another character separating the two
families,^ has been shown to be of only generic importance.''
The sinistral family Bothidae may be subdivided into three subfamilies, distin-
guished mainly by the form of the pelvic fins (Fig. 24) and the structure of the vertebrae.
In the Parahchthma; (a) the pelvic fins are usually both short-based, although in some
genera that of the ocular side is somewhat extended ; its anterior ray, however, is
never far m advance of the first ray of the pelvic fin of the blind side. The two fins
are symmetrical or that of the ocular side is nearly median in position. The pelvic
fins are supported by the pelvic bones and are placed behind the cleithra.* In the
vertebral column all, or nearly all, the praecaudal vertebra; have the parapophyses
downw'ardly directed, and these are either united directly with one another or con-
nected by bridges to form closed haemal arches. There are no transverse apophyses in
the caudal vertebrae. In the second subfamily, Bothinae, the pelvic fin of the blind
side has a short base as in the Parahchthina>, but that of the ocular .side has become
elongate, and is placed along the median line of the body ; the first ray of this fin is
situated well in advance of that of the fin of the blind side (b). The elongate pelvic
fin IS supported by a cartilaginous plate which is placed in advance of the cleithra,
and extends forward to the urohyal ; the fin of the blind side is supported by the
pelvic bone as in the Parahchthinie. The praecaudal vertebrae have the parapophyses
connected or united as in the previous subfamily, but well-developed transverse
* Another char.ictcr which distinguishes both the Soleido' and Cynogiossid.r from all the
" Flounders " is the absence of a post-cleithrum in the pectoral arch.
' See Norman (1926B, p. Zjq).
^ A study of the osteology of the Rhombosoleina-. and of the optic chiasma in tlie \ arious genera,
would be of considerable interest. I'nfortunately, the material in the Bntisli .Museum is insufficient
for such an investigation.
* See Regan (ioiob, p. 489).
^ See Norman {i(j2bu, p. 25*^).
« For a full account of the pelvii; hns and associated structures see Kyle (i.joob. pp. 340-343)-
CLASSIFICATION
39
apophyses are present in the caudal vertebrae. In the third subfamily, Scophthal-
minae, both pelvic fins are elongate and extend forward to the urohyal. and both are
supported by cartilaginous plates placed in advance of the cleithra (c) . In the vertebral
column, the parapophyses of the praecaudal vertebrae are separate and apophyses are
well developed in the caudal vertebrae.
With two exceptions, Etrnpus in the Paralichthinae and LtBops in the Bothinae,
the mouth is large or at least of moderate size in the family Bothidae, and the jaws
and dentition are about equally developed on both sides. In the Paralichthinae and
. ::4. — Pectoral arch and pelvic bones of a, Fseudorhombus ars
impcrialis (X i) ; c, Scophlhalmus maximus (X j). d., cleithrum ; cor., hj-pocoracoid ;
/.p., left pelvic fin ; /»./., pectoral fin ; />c/., post-cleithrum ; /)W., pelvic bone ; r./>., rigfit
pelvic fin ; sc, hypercoracoid ; set., siipra-cleithrum. [From blind side.]
Scophthalminae the lateral line is nearly always well developed on both sides of the
body ; in the Bothins it is feebly developed or wanting on the blind side in the majority
of the genera.
In the dextral Pleuronectidae five subfamilies may be recognised, distinguished
mainly by differences connected with the position of the anterior part of the dorsal
fin in relation to the nasal organ of the blind side, the form and position of the pelvic
fins, the form of the hypocoracoids, the presence or absence of pectoral radials (Fig.
25), the form of the parapophyses on the praecaudal vertebrae, the arrangement of the
olfactory laminae, and the presence or absence of the lateral line on the blind side of
the body.
40 M.ATFISHKS (HI-/H-:K( )SC)M.\T.\)
With the exception of the genera of Khonibosoleiiue already lueiitiuiieil, in all the
I'leiironei tidic the nasal organ of the blind side has accompanied or followed the eye
in its migration and lies nearly on the edge of the head. The taxononiic importance
of the position of the first ray of the dorsal fin with relation to this nasal organ has
been dealt with at some length by Kyle (1900B). In the Pleuronectina? and the
closely related Pircilopsettinae the origin of the fin is behind the nasal organ of the
blind side and above the "upper" eye. In the two subfamilies Samarina? and Para-
lichthodma; the fin extends forward in front of the eye to the .snout, in the fir.st sub-
family below the nasal organ of the blind side, in the second above it. In the last
subfamily, Khombosoleina?, in the more generalised forms the dorsal fin commences
behind the nasal organ as in the PleuronectiUce, but in other genera it extends forward
on the snout above the nasal organ.
The pelvic fins in the I'leuronectida; (Fig j^) are usually short-based and supported
by the jielvic bones behind or below the clcithra. In the l'leuronectin:r and Piecilop-
-'1.— Pectoral .irrh .ind pelvic hones of a. /■;,
nov.e zedandue ( • ij); c, RhnmhmaU,, plchc
ui Fir. 2i. [Froii, Mind si.le.i
settina? {\) the two fins arc more or less symmetrically placed, but m the I'araluh-
thodina' and Samarina- that of the ocular side is situated on the median line and is
somewhat in advance of that of the blind side (b). In the Rhombosoleinae the pelvic
fin of the ocular side is median, elongate, extends forward to the urohyal, and is
supported by a cartilaginous plate placed in advance of the cleithra. In five of the
eight known genera of this subfamily this fin is united with the anal.' In most of the
genera the pelvic fin of the blind side is also developed, but this is much smaller and
has a base which is short or of moderate length. In Rhombosolea (c), however, only
the pelvic fin of the ocular side is present. -
The pectoral arch provides two characters which may be used to distinguish the
subfamilies of Pleuronectidae. In the Pleuronectina', I'a'cilopsettina?, Samarina; and
Paralichthodinae pectoral radials are present, but in the RhombosoleinEe these are
^ The presence of an elongate pelvic
to a fish which relies upon undulating n
this extends forward to below the jaws,
body of the tish is surrounded by practK
- Except sometimes in reverscil exaii
the ;
line presents a mechanical ad\'antage
■nts of the marginal fins to aid progression. When
united posteriorly with the anal, the whole of the
mtinuous fins — dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic.
,ee p. 2;).
CLASSIFICATION 41
wanting, the rays being inserted directly on the hypercoracoid. In the Samarinae the
hypocoracoids are expanded, but in all the remaining subfamilies these bones are
narrowed forward below (Fig. 25).
In the vertebral column, the parapophyses of the praecaudal vertebrae are separate
in the Pleuronectinae, Poccilopsettina" and Rhombosoleinae, the last pair are connected
by a bridge in the Paralichthodinae, and in the Samarinae all the parapophyses are
united to form closed hsmal arches, which bear the slender ribs at their extremities.
In his classification of the Flatfishes, Kyle (iqoob) made use of one very interesting
character which has been already mentioned, namely, the arrangement of the olfactory
laminae in the nasal organs. The differences in the structure of these organs in various
Flatfishes had been previously noticed by Bateson (1889), and this character was used
by Regan (1910B) to differentiate the dextral Pleuronectidae from the sinistral Bothids.
Kyle stated that in Psettodes and the Bothida?, as well as in the Soleidae and Cyno-
glossidae, the laminae radiate from or are arranged transversely to a central rachis.
This rosette-like form of nasal organ is characteristic of the majority of .symmetrical
Bony Fishes.^ In the dextral Pleuronectidae, on the other hand, he found that in all
the genera examined the laminae were only slightly raised above the level of the basal
supporting membrane, and were arranged parallel to each other and to the main axis
Fig. 36. — Nasal organ of ocular side of a, Hippoglossus hippogtossus ; b, Scophthalmus niaximits.
[After Kyle,] «., nasal bones ; n.s., nasal sacs ; ol., olfactory lamina;.
of the body, without a central rachis (Fig. 26). I have carefully tested this character
in a number of genera and species not examined by Kyle, and find that, although it
is of considerable value in defining genera or even subfamilies, it is of less importance
than was formerly supposed. The form and arrangement of the laminae are described
in the diagnoses of the genera concerned, but some indication of the variation
encountered within the different families and subfamilies may be given here (Fig. 27).
In many of the genera of Bothidae the lamina; radiate from or are arranged transversely
to a central rachis of some length. In others (e.g. Thysanopsetta, Hippoglossina)
the laminae have a radiating arrangement, but the rachis is very short. In others,
again (e.g. Tcrniopselta, Botltiis, Mancopsetta, Phrynorhombiis) the central rachis has
disappeared, and the laminae, although well-developed, may be much reduced in
number, and either arranged in slightly radiating form or parallel to each other and to
the main axis of the body.
Among the Pleuronectida; the parallel arrangement described by Kyle is by no
means constant. In the subfamily Pleuronectinae (in which the laminae are often well
raised) it occurs in all the genera with the sole exception of Atheresthes, in both species
of which the two series of laminae are arranged transversely to a central rachis.'^
Jordan and Evermann (i8g8, p. 2609) regarded this genus as one of the most primitive
^ For a good account of the nasal organs in Bony Fishes generally, see Bume (1909), Derscheid,
(1024).
- 1 am indebted to Prof. C. L. Hubbs for drawing my attention to this fact.
FLATFISHES (HETEKOSOMAI'A)
B C
. ;-.- Air.inKi-iiientof oKaclurv laniiii.Lii] ii.isal ornaii ul ucular side of : a, Pii-nodcs crume: ;
u, I hysanopsctla narcst ; c, Pseudnrhnmbus spmosus ; n, Tamvpsdla ncdlala ; e. Kucitharus
hnt^utitula \ T, Arttoglnssus Interna \ g, liothus podas \ n, Mancapsetta maculata ; t. La-ops
nigrumaculalui ; J, I. crops pecloralis ; K, Phrynnrhombus noriegicus ; i., Phrynorlwmbus
regius ; M, Zi-uqopUrus punctatus ; N, Athercsthcs stomias ; o, Plcuronedes platessa ; p,
Picctlopidta colorala ; y, ParahcMhodes algacnsis ; R, Oncoplerus darwinii \ s, Colislium
nudipinms ; t, Ammolrclis roslralus ; v, Khombnsolca plcbcia. Diagrammatic.
CLASSIFICATION
43
among existing Flatfishes, and it is of some interest to note that Atheresihes resembles
Pseltodes, not only in this character, but also in having the "upper" eye on the dorsal
surface of the head and most of the teeth in the jaws barbed. In all other characters,
however, Atheresthes is a typical Pleuronectid, and an examination of the optic nerves
shows it to be a truly dextral form. It is very doubtful, therefore, whether the resem-
blances to Psettodes indicate close relationship with that genus. In the Pcecilopsettince,
formerly included in the Pleuronectmae, the lamina; are comparatively few in number,
well raised from the basal membrane, and radiate from a central rachis. In the
Paralichthodina: the laminae are likewise arranged transversely to or radiate from a
rachis. In the Samarina; the nasal organs are very small, the laminae being only
slightly raised, but these have the parallel arrangement (without rachis) charac-
teristic of the Pleuronectina. Finally, in the subfamily Rhombosoleinae both types
of arrangement of the laminae are found, and the central rachis may be shown to have
been lost within the subfamily. ^ In the more generalised forms (e.g. Oiicopterus,
Psammodiscus, Pelotretis, Azygopus) the laminae are arranged in pinnate form with a
long central rachis, in Colisiiiim they radiate from a very short rachis, and in Ammo-
tretis, Peltorhamphns and Rhombosolea the rachis has been lost and the laminae have the
parallel arrangement of the Pleuronectinae.
To summarise the above, the order Heterosomata may be divided into five families.
Of these, the sinistral Bothidae and the dextral Pleuronectidae may each be further
subdivided into three and five subfamilies resepctively. The relationships of the
various families and subfamilies are indicated in the following diagram :
SCOPHTHAOIIN.E
PARALICHTHIN^
PLEURONECTIX.E
PCECILOPSETTIX.E
SAMARIN^
PARALICHTHODIX.E
RHOMBOSOLEIN.E
CYNOGLOSSID.C
HETEROSO.MATA
PERCOIDEA
B. GENERIC AND SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.
The characters used for the distinction of genera and species are necessarily either
external or of such a nature that they can be observed without elaborate dissection.
These are too numerous and varied to be dealt with in any detail, but it may be of
interest to consider briefly some of the more important structural modifications and
' Norman (i9::6b, p. .'58, fig.).
.1.) I'l.AlFlSHF.S (HICTIvROSOMATA)
thfir liixoiiomn \,iliic.' In the systematic part ol this monof^raph the classilicatiou
IS boheved to be a more or less natural one, and in the arran(^ement of genera within
the subfamilies, and oven of species within the genera, an attempt has been made to
show their relationships to one another and to indicate probable lines of descent
within the larger ilivisions. Many of the characters used in the definition of genera
and species may be shown to be related to special habits, and particularly to the nature
of the food and the feeding habits. Many others appear to have no adaptive signifi-
cance, but in this connection it may be observed that the habits of very few Flatfishes
have been studied, and these are far from thoroughly understood.
The relative proportions of the various parts of the fish — depth of body, length of
head, length of snout, diameter of eye, width of interorbital space, length and depth
of caudal peduncle, height of fin-rays, etc., as well as the shape of the head and body,
are usually only characters of specific value, but are important in .so far as they
provide a means of expressing what may be called the general " form " of the species.
The position of the nasal organ in relation to the anterior part of the dorsal fin has
lieen already considered, and like the structure of the nasal organs themselves, provides
a vahiable generic or specific character. The form of the nostrils, and especially of
their valves, would appear at first sight to be of taxonomic value, but closer investi-
gation reveals considerable variation even within the limits of a single species. In
two genera of Paralichthmse, luicitharus and Citharoides, the posterior nostril is much
larger than in any other Flatfish, and is covered by an extensive membranous valve
extending downwards towards the mouth. These genera, with large deciduous scales,
branched dorsal and anal rays, the hinder ra\s twisted .1 little towards the blind side
of the caudal peduncle, large mouth with stiimuK iiro]ccting lower jaw and curved
mandible, toothed vomer, etc.. occupy an isnLitcd pusition in the subfamily, and bear
some resemblance to Lepidorhombiis of the Scophthalmnue, to which they, or Flat-
fishes of a similar type, may have given rise. In Eitcitharns and Citharoides the
branchial septum is entire, but in the region occupied by the foramen in Lepidnrhombus
the partition Ijetween the two branchial cavities is formed only by a fragile membrane.
The position of the eyes in relation to each other and to the edge of the head is
fairly constant in most species, and, due allowance being made for age. and, in some
species, for sexual difterences, provides a useful specific character. The presence or
absence of rostral or orbital spines, or of rugose prominences or ridges on the inter-
orbital or post-orbital regions, may also be of value in distinguishing related species,
or may even be used for the definition of genera. The presence of the "upper" eye
on the dorsal edge of the head, the development of scales on the surfaces of the
eye-balls, and the presence of membranous orbital tentacles, are usually characters
of generic importance.
The size of the mouth, although scarcely deserving the importance gi\'en to it by
Giinther (1802, p. 400) and other earlier workers, is, nevertheless, a character of con-
siderable importance in the distinction of .species, genera, or even larger groups. Thus,
in the subfamily I'leuronectinae the genera mostly fall into two main groups, one in
which the mouth is large, or at least of moderate size, and the jaws and dentition
nearly equally developed on both sides, and the other in which the mouth is small
and asymmetrical, with the jaws and dentition more developed on the blind side.
Such genera as Verasper and Clidodernia appear to be transitional between the two
groups, and Isopsetta, with a small, asymmetrical mouth and obtuse teeth, bears a
marked general resemblance to Psettichthys, a member of the large-mouthed group.
In all three subfamilies of Bothida' the jaws and dentition are nearly always more or
less ec|iially developed on both sides, although in some of the more specialised genera
the teeth are stronger on the blind side. The subfamilies I'aralichthina; and Bothin,f
each include one genus — Etropus in the former and Lcrops in the latter — in which the
jaws are unequally developed and the teeth almost entirely confined to the blind side.
In Chascannpsetta, a deep-water Bothine genus from the Indo-Pacific, the mouth is
• The S.ileiil.i- .incl CvnoKlosSHl.r ,ir.- not ioii5itlcr«i hprc, as these families will form the subject
r,f lh,-se{..n,l VMlutur nf tins work.
CLASSIFICATION 45
not only of relatively huge size, but the gape is capable of considerable expansion. In
a closely related form, Pelecanichlhys, the mouth is even larger, the lower jaw projects
well beyond the extremity of the snout, and the mandibular membranes are so
voluminous as to form a distinct gular pouch. All these fishes are piscivorous, and
the wide mouth, expanding gape and distensible stomach enable them to seize and
devour the large fishes that have been found in their .stomachs. The teeth in the
jaws are small and curved, those of the mandibles being depressible inwards, and
the gill-rakers are quite rudimentary.
The form and arrangement of the teeth, although closely linked with the nature
of the food, provide valuable generic and specific characters. The large, symmetrical
mouth and strong teeth of the Halibut or the Turbot, which are in the habit of leaving
the bottom and going in active pursuit of other fishes, are well adapted for such feeding
habits. Similarly, the smaller asymmetrical mouth of the Plaice or Flounder, with
the obtuse or incisor-like teeth developed mainly on the blind side, is correlated with
the habit of feeding on small invertebrates or fishes, which live on the sea floor and are
seized from above with the lower side of the jaws. Comparison of the normal diet of
the Plaice with that of the Flounder reveals the fact that the former includes a much
greater percentage of molluscs in its food ; the incisor-like teeth in the jaws and the
molariform teeth of the lower pharyngeals in the I-'laice are better fitted to deal with
food of this type than are the obtusely conical teeth of the Flounder.
The form of the lower pharyngeals and their teeth, and the form and number of
the rakers on the gill-arches are likewise associated with the nature of the food, but
provide good specific or even generic characters in certain groups of Flatfishes. In
all the Bothidae and many of the Pleuronectidse the lower pharyngeals have the form
of a pair of narrow, rod-like bones, usually armed with one, two or more rows of
sharply pointed teeth. In some of the Pleuronectidae, however, and especially in
the more specialised Pleuronectinse with asymmetrical jaws and dentition, these
bones are broader, with their inner edges angular, and are united to a greater or lesser
extent to form a triangular plate, which is armed with series of conical, rounded or
molariform teeth. Starting with a form like the Dab (Limanda), in which the lower
pharyngeals are narrow, separate, and each armed with two series of conical teeth, it
is possible to trace a complete series of stages, culminating in a solid triangular plate
formed by the union of two broad pharyngeals, covered with a mosaic of molariform
teeth, such as is found in species of Liopsetta and Platichihys. In the Plaice (Pleuro-
nectes) the lower pharyngeals are firmly united, but are not so broad as in the genera
just mentioned, and the round molar-like teeth retain traces of the primitive biserial
arrangement found in Limanda.
In addition to the position of the origin of the dorsal fin already mentioned, both
median and paired fins provide a number of taxonomic characters of varying impor-
tance. Chief among these are the branched or unbranched character of the individual
rays, the presence or absence of scales along the rays, their height or length, whether
free or united by membrane, the development of a scaly sheath at the base of the dorsal
and anal fins, the length of the pectoral fin, the absence of the pectoral or pelvic of the
blind side, the union of the pelvic with the anal, and the shape of the caudal. The
number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins, an important specific character, is dealt
with below.
The presence or absence of an " anal spine " was originally considered to be a
feature of some importance, and one author has recently employed this as a generic
character (see p. 89). This so-called .spine is the lower extremity of a curved bone,
generally of considerable size, which is referred to throughout this work as the first
interhaemal spine. It forms the posterior boundary of the abdominal cavity, curving
downwards and forwards and ending in a point just behind the anus. Above it fits
into a deep groove on the anterior face of the hsmal spine of the first caudal vertebra
(Fig. 3). Both Kyle (iqoob) and Cole and Johnstone (igo2) have pointed out that
the projection or otherwise of this spine depends to a large extent on the state of
preservation of the specimen, and they regard its projection through the thin skin
4(' FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
which normally covers it as a post-mortem condition. Nevertheless, if the appearance
of the outer point cannot always be relied upon, the form of the spine in the difierent
species may be a useful character.
Among other purely external characters, the form of the scales on the two sides
of the body, their size, their transformation into tubercles or membranous processes,
the presence of supplementary scales, etc., as well as the structure and course of the
main branches of the lateral line, all provide features of taxonomic importance. In
Psettodes and in most genera of Pleuronectidae the main lateral line is well developed
on both sides of the body, but in most of the Bothids this is either feebly developed or
absent altogether on the blind side. The presence or absence of a supratemporal
branch, running upwards and forwards in the region of the nape, is another useful
character. A remarkable modification of this branch is found in certain genera of
Pleuronectina", curiously enough all occurring in the North Pacific. Here the supra-
temporal branch runs forward from the anterior part of the main lateral line as usual,
but It then forks into two branches, a short one clirected anteriorly and a more or less
lengthy posterior one which runs just below the dorsal fin (Figs. 234-245). In Lepidop-
selta this posterior branch is not very elongate, and in other respects the genus is
exactly like Litnanda, to which it is closely related ; in Inopsetta it is very short indeed.
In their key to the genera of Pleuronectinje, Jordan and Evermann (1898, p. 2607)
have made use of this character to separate two groups of primarj' importance, but it
would seem to be of less value than they supposed. In the genus Platichthys the
supratemporal branch is not normally provided with this postenor prolongation, but
there is a Flounder (P. flesus) in the collection of the British Museum in which this
firanch is forked and the posterior prolongation is of fair length.
Kyle (1900B, p. 34b) has discussed the value of the alimentary canal as a taxonomic
character at some length, but concludes that this marks " a specialisation in structure
and habits and cannot be used in classification." Examination of the abdominal
cavity in a large number of species, however, has convinced me that, like the lower
pharyngeals, the form of the alimentan,' canal provides a useful character for dis-
tinguishing the species in the more specialised genera of small-mouthed Pleuronectina,
and may even be used for the definition of genera or higher groups. The two most
important features are the intestinal tract (referred to througliout as the intestine) —
its length and the manner in which it is coiled in the abdominal cavity — and the
' ' pylonc ' ' appendages — their presence cir absence, size and number. These appendages
may be grouped round the junction between those parts of the intestinal tract usually
referred to as the stomach and duodenum, or there may be two or more in this situation
with others placed further down the intestine. The group of Pleuronectine genera
including Microstomus, Embassickthys, Tanakiiis and Ghptocephalus have generally
been marked off from the remainder of the small-mouthed members of the subfamily
as a primary- division, distinguished by a generally more elongate body and by an
increased number of vertebra-, fin-rays and of scales in a longitudinal series. Such an
arrangement is clearly an artificial one, and it is doubtful whether these genera really
form a natural group. Microstomus and Embassickthys appear to have been derived
from some form very like Pseiidopleuronectes, and it is possible that Tanakius is most
nearly related to Dexistes. It is of some interest to find that the general elongation
of the body, with the corresponding increase in the number of vertebra? and fin-rays,
has been accompanieii in all four genera by a striking modification of the alimentary
canal. This is usually elongate, and the second coil extends into the secondary body-
cavity of the ocular side. In other genera (e.g. Plcuroncctes] the intestine may project
shghtly into the secondary body-cavity, but in all the above-mentioned genera the
second coil, which lies close to the reproductive organ of that side, runs well backwards
alongside the interhamal spines on the ocular side. A somewhat similar condition is
found in the Soleidse, in which two to four coils of the intestine may enter the body-
cavity of the ocular side
Finally, perhaps the commonest and most widely-used characters for the distinction
of species of Flatfishes are the numerical ones — the number of rays in the dorsal, anal.
CLASSIFICATION
47
pectoral, pelvic and caudal fins, the number of scales in a longitudinal and in a trans-
verse series, the number of pores in the lateral line, and the number of vertebrae. Of
these, the number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins is perhaps the most important, and,
since this is correlated with the number of vertebrae and is subject to the same fluctua-
tions, the two characters may be considered together. Jordan (1893) has shown that,
as a general rule. Flatfishes from tropical seas have fewer vertebrae than those from
temperate or arctic seas, at least as far as the " Flounders " are concerned. Further,
. 28. — Intestine and " pyloric " appendages of a, Psettodcs erumei ; b, Limanda limanda ;
c, PseudopUuronectes yokohamtB ; D, Pleuronectes ptatessa ; E, Microstomus kitt ; f, Glypto-
cephalus cynoglossus ; G, Platichthys flesus ; H, Zebrias zebra. Diagrammatic, d and h
from ocular side, others from blind side, [a and h after Wii.]
as has been pointed out by CoUett (1S80, p. 148), within the limits of certain species
having a wide distribution in arctic and temperate regions the average number of
vertebrie and fin-rays is markedly higher in samples from more northerly localities
than in those from regions further south. This has been tested by me in Paralichthys
olivaceus and Hippoglossoides platessoides limandoides, and the same phenomenon has
been recorded in other fishes.' The well-known work of Johannes Schmidt on Zoarces
viviparus^ has shown that the differences in the number of vertebrae in samples from
different localities may be correlated with environmental factors, particularly with
See Hubbs (1921, i9.;5).
For references see Hubbs {1926).
4S FLATFISHES (HETEKOSOMATA)
siuh (actors as ti-miicratiirc, salinity, etc Hubbs (1922, 1924. 1925, 1026) has more
recently i)nblishe(l a series of iniinutant imjhts ikaluiR with this matter, and concludes
that " the addition of somites. \\ \)u li is pi.M in ilU synonymous with the growth of the
embr\'o. proceeds faster under aci 1 li ratiiii; than under retarding conditions of develop-
ment, but terminates relatively sooner and more abruptly. As a consequence, warm
or brackish water forms of a fish have as a general rule fewer vertebra; than the forms
inhabiting cooler or more saline water." There can be little doubt that a statistical
.study of large numbers of specimens of a species of Flatfish would reveal the existence,
m some species at least, of a number of well-marked races, distinguished mainly by
numerical characters similar to those mentioned above. Duncker has shown that
the I'laice of the Baltic difters from that of the North Sea in having an average of one
\ertcbra less, five rays less in both dorsal and anal fins, and one more ray in the
pectoral fin (see p. 354).
\"III. (iEOGKAl'HICAL DISTKim'TIO.X.
The gcnercd distribution of the families and subfamilies of Heterosomata included
ill the present volume is summarised below, the latitudinal range being indicated in
the accompanying diagram (Fig. 29).
I . Psellodidtr.
Includes a single genus, with one species from tropical West Africa and another
from the Indo-Pacific.
2. Bolhida-.
(a) Paraluhthina-. — Widely distributed in tropical and temperate seas. Eleven
genera are represented on the Atlantic coast of North and South America, and the
same number on the Pacific coast ; of these, eight genera are represented by species
on both coasts. On the Atlantic coast the subfamily ranges from the region of Cape
Cod to the Magellan-Falkland Islands plateau, and on the Pacific coast from British
Columbia to Chile. The genera Syacium and Citharichthys, from both coasts of
America, are also represented on the coast of West Africa, in the case of Syacium by
the .same species [micrnruni) as that of the western Atlantic, and in the case of Citha-
richthys by a species very closely related to one from the Atlantic coast of tropical
America. Species of Paralichthxs occur on both sides of America, and there is one
species in China and Japan. The single species of Eucitharus is found in the Mediter-
ranean and on the West African coast. Citharoidcs is represented by a single species
from the Cape and from Japan, There are no representatives of this subfamily on
the coasts of north-western Europe. There are six genera in the Indo-Pacific. where
the subfamily ranges from the Red Sea and the east coast of Africa eastwards through
the Indian CJcean and Archipelago to the Pacific. In the Pacific it appears to extend
its range northwards to about latitude 45° N., and .southwards to about latitude 35° S.
(b) Bolhinrr. — Also widelv distributed in tropical and temperate seas. On the
.\tlantic coast of America it is represented by the genus Bothiis, which ranges from
Long Island to Rio de Janeiro, and by Mancopselta andAchiropsetta from the Magellan-
Falkland Islands plateau. The same species of Mancopsetta is also found near Prince
Ed\vard's Island in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. On the Pacific coast of
America species of Bolhus again occur, and this genus is also represented on the eastern
side of the Atlantic as well as in the Mediterranean. There are no species common
to the two sides of the Atlantic, but Bothus ocellaiiis of the Atlantic coast of tropical
America is closely related to B. mellissi of St. Helena and Ascension, and to B. podas
of the Mediterranean and west coast of Africa, etc. On the eastern side of the Atlantic
the subfamily ranges considerably farther north than the Paralichthinae, extending
ns far as northern Scotland, the Cattegat and Christianiafiord. Arnoglossus is a widely
distributed genus, being found on the coasts of north-western Europe and in the
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
49
Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well as throughout the Indo-Pacific. One of the
Mediterranean species (thori) is also found on the coast of north-west Africa, and
another (imperialis) extends southwards along the West African coast to Angola.
There is one species found at the Cape. There are no endemic West ,\frica Bothina;.
ARCTIC CIRCLC.
TROPIC OFCANCER.
-^
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN .
ANTARCTIC CIRCLE .
Fig. 2<).- — Diagram illustrating latitudinal range of families and subfamilies of Heterosomata.
There are eleven genera in the Indo-Pacific, including Bothus and Arnoghssiis, where
the subfamily ranges from the Red Sea and the east coast of Africa through the
Indian Ocean and .\rchipelago, and right across the Pacific to the west coast of
America. In the Pacific the range extends northwards to Japan and southwards to
southern Australia and New Zealand.
30 FLATFISHES (HF;TEK0S0MATA)
(c) Scophlhahniiia-.— l Ins siibf.uiuly i?. represented by four genera. ;inil is conlineil
t(i the North AtUintic and Mediterranean, with a northerly range to about hititude
70 N. in the eastern Atlantic. The southernmost limit of its range is a little obscure
A species of Scophlhalmus, (aqnosus) on the coast of America extends as far as South
Ciirolina. I.cpiclinliombiis (iflnff-iai;oi>is) is said to occur on the coast of north-western
Africa.
3. Pleiironectidcr.
Ia| I'hiiruntcliiiir. — This subfamily is entirely conhned to Arctic and northern
seas. There are ten genera represented in the North Atlantic, all of which are also
represented m the North Pacific. In the Atlantic the southerly limit of the range is
New York on the western side and the Straits of Gibraltar on the eastern side
Platichthvs and Pleuionecles enter the Mediterranean, the former being also found in
the Black Sea. There are twenty-eight genera represented in the North Pacific, and
tile range of the subfamily extends southwards to southern Japan and to California.
I-iopselta is a genus including four species, of which one occurs on the Atlantic coast
of North America, two in the North Pacific, and the fourth (glacialis) has a very wide
range along the arctic shores of Kussia and Siberia, Alaska and arctic Canada. Hippn-
ilhssus, Reinhardlhis and Hippoglossoides extend as far north as Bear Island and
Spitzbergen.
(b) Pcecilopseitince. — 'Two species of Pceoilopsetta occur in the western Atlantic,
off the coast of New England, in the Gulf of Mexico, and oft British Honduras. The
remaining two genera and other species of Pcrcilopsetta, are from the Indo-Pacific,
ranging from Natal through the Indian Ocean and Archipelago to southern Japan
and the Hawaiian Islands.
(c) Paralichthodincr. — A single genus and species from south-east Africa.
(d) Samarina?. — Four genera, confined to the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacilic.
ranging from East Africa to northern Australia, China, southern Japan and the
Hawaiian Islands.'
(e) Rhombosoleuice. — This subfamily has an interesting distribution. One genus
{Oncoptenis) occurs on the south-eastern coasts of South America, from the Rio Grande
do Sul to San Mathias Bay, Patagonia. The locality of the related genus Psainnm-
discits is unknown. The remaining six genera are from southern Australia, New
Zealand and neighbouring islands. The most northerly record of any member of
the subfamily is about latitude 30' S . the most southerly .Xuckland Islands and
Campbell Island.
IX NOTES ON MEASUREMENTS. ETC.
1. The l<ilal length is measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the extremities
of the longest caudal rays.
2. The length of the head is measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the extremity
of the bony operculum.
3. The depth of the body refers to the greatest tlepth without the marginal fins.
Where the bases of these fins are covered with scales, it is generally more convenient
to measure the depth on the blind side.
4. Both the depth of the body and the length of the liead are comp.ired with the
length vf the fish, whicli is measured from the tip of the lower jaw to tlie base of the
caudal fin.
5. The length of the snout is measured from its tip to the anterior margin of the
foremost eye.
0. The diameter of the eye refers to the longitudinal diameter of the eye-ball itself,
.ind not that of the orbit.
' TIm- v.il.tlitv uf tlie type locility (Nuw /.-.ihuid) of ISiachyfU-uiii ii.!,; zcdandue is opun to
(luubl.
BIOGRAPHICAL METHOD 51
7. The interorbital width is, in most cases, the distance between the inner margins
of the eye-balls. Where the eyes are separated by a flat or concave space bounded
by a pair of sharp ridges forming the inner edges of the orbits the distance between
these ridges is measured.
8. In indicating the size of the mouth the position of the hinder edge of the
maxillary in relation to the lower eye is given. By the length of maxillary is meant
the total length of the upper jaw, measured from the extremity of the snout, and this
includes the praemaxillary as well as the maxillary itself. Unless otherwise stated,
the jaws are measured on the ocular side of the head.
g. By dental formula — ~ = ^-- it is understood that there are 4 teeth on
■^ ■' 2 — 3+12 — 16
the ocular side of the upper jaw and 13 to 15 on the blind side : in the lower jaw-
there are 2 or 3 teeth on the ocular side and 12 to 1 6 on the blind side.
10. The size of the scales is not indicated by means of a formula, as this not
infrequently leads to confusion. The number of scales in the lateral line is generally
counted just above the line itself, from a point opposite the upper angle of the gill-
opening to the base of the caudal fin. In those species in which the scales are easily
rubbed off it is sometimes necessary to count those in the lateral line itself. Where
the number of pores in the lateral line is less than the number of scales, this fact is
usually indicated The number of scales in a transverse series between the lateral
line and the middle of the back is counted in an oblique row.
By caudal peduncle twice as deep as long is meant that the least depth of the
muscular part of the tail is twice as great as its length, which is measured from opposite
the last rays of the dorsal and anal fins to the posterior part of the peduncle ; the
length does not include the basal part of the caudal fin itself, which may be covered
with scales.
X. BIBLIOGR.\PHICAL METHOD.
In preparing the synonymy of each species an attempt has been made throughout
to limit this as far as possible, by including only the essential references. Thus, all
quotations from purely popular works and manuscript names ha\'e been excluded.^
Extracts from purely nominal lists ha\-e usually been omitted, especially where the
species in question is from a region covered by earUer references, as have references to
descriptions, etc., copied verbatim from earlier authors and accompanied by copies
of original figures. In general, the papers cited in each synonymy are those which
have some bearing on taxonomy, or which extend or alter the known distribution of
the species. In doubtful cases I have erred on the side of liberality, and included a
number of references at the expense of the length of the bibliography. In cases
where the de\elopment of the species has been investigated, a list of the more impor-
tant papers dealing with the eggs, larva; and young has been added below the main
synonymy.
In the case of current journals, etc., the abbreviations used are, for the most part,
those adopted by the compilers of the ' Zoological Record '. For the earlier works,
the abbreviations used by Sherbom in his ' Index Animalium ' have been followed. -
With very few exceptions, every reference has been taken from the original work
and has been checked by myself.
^ Papers in Japanese and Russian, unprovided with an abstract, have usually been omitted
unless of special importance.
- I take this opportunity of expressing my sincere appreciation of the valuable help provided
by the ' Index Animalium ', which has not only greatly lessened the risks of omission, but has
considerably lightened the labour of preparing the synonymies. My best thanks are due to Dr.
C. Davies Sherborn for frequent help and advice on matters nomenclatorial freely given during the
preparation of this monograph.
FI.AIFISHI':S (HF.TEROSOMATA)
XI. ABBRi;\IATIONS.
'I'he following abbreviations have been adopted for names of institutions in the
lists of specimens in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History), etc., given
with each species in the systematic part of this work :
.Amer. Mus. N.it. Hist.
Amsterdam Mus.. .
Austr. .Mus.
Bergen Mus.
Brussels Mus.
C.ilif. Acad. Sd. . .
fanbb. Hiol. I.ab.
Domin. Mus.
I-ish. Board Scotland
Imp. Iiist
Ind. Mus
l-eiden .Mus.
Lcninjrrad Mus. . .
rpool Ur
.Mar. Hiol. Assoc. . .
.Minist. Agric. Fish.
Mus. Comp. Zool.
;Mu
Queensland Mus.
S. Austr. .Mus. .
Sci. Exped. Reseai
Stanford Univ. .
Stuttgart Mus. .
Tokvo Imp. Univ.
U.S. Xat. Mus.i .
Zool. Samml. .Mun
Zool. Soc. Coll.
American Museum of Xatural History, New \''irk.
Zoologisch Museum, Amsterdam.
Australian Museum, Sydney.
Zoologiske Afdeling, Bergens Museum.
Musee Royale d'Histoire Naturelle de Belgiqup, Brussels.
California .\cademy of Sciences, San Francisco.
Caribbean Biological Laboratories Inc., Biloxi, .Miss.
Dominion Museum, Wellington.
Fishery Board for Scotland, Aberdeen.
Imperial Institute, London.
Indian Museum (Zoological Survey of India), Calcutta.
's Rijks Museum van Natuurlijke Historie. Leiden.
Academic des Sciences de I'Union des Republiques Sovietiques
Socialistes, Musee Zoologique.
Department of Oceanography, University of Liverpool.
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Plymouth.
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, London.
Museum of Comparative Zoologv, at Harvard College, Cambridge,
Mass.
Museum National d'Hist..]n" Xaturelle. Paris.
Queensland Musnini, r.r; -hnic
South Australian Mii-c'im, A.|. laide.
Scientific Expedltl..ll..r^ k. „ ,ir.h Association.
Stanford University, California.
Wurltembergische Xaluraliensammlung, Stuttgart.
Zoological Institute, Science Faculty, Tokyo Imperial University.
United States Xational .Museum (Smithsonian Institution),
Washington, D.C.
Zoologische Sammlung des Bayerischen Staates, Munich.
Collection of the Zoological Society of London.
XII. LIST OF PAPERS REFERRED TO IN GENERAL PART.
elopnu
of the Flounde
of Fishes :
-^.V., pi. X
Zeitsihrift Wiss. Zool.,
the Supply
ith Remarks <
Ai.ASSu, .\. iS;o. On the young Stages of Bony Fishes
Proc. Amer. Acad., XIV, pp. 1-25, pis. lii-x.
AcAsslz, J. L. R. 1842. Recherches sur les poissons fossi
Hai-lowitz, E. 1893. Die Xervenendigungen der Pigment
LVI, pp. 673-706, pis. xxxv-xxxix.
liATi.so.s, W. 1889. The Sense-Organs and Percepti
of Bait. Journ. -Mar. Biol. Assoc, {2) I. pp.
1894. Materials for the Study of Variation .
Berrill, X. J. 1925. The Development of the Sku
Micr. Sci., L.X'I.X, pp. 217-244, text-tigs,
iios, J. R. 1887. Einige Bemerkungen iiber Pleuronectiden. Biol. Centralbl., VI, pp. 270-273
HoirrNGER, E. G. 1929. Observations on the nocturnal Behaviour of certain Inhabitants ■
the Society's Aquarium. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1929, pp. 359-362.
. London, 8' ; Flatfishes, pp. 466-473.
n the Sole and the Plaice. Quart. Journ.
' Many of the bottles of specimens in the collection of the British Museum (Xatural History) are
labelled " Smithsonian Institution ", " U.S. Bureau of Fisheries ", " U.S. Fishery Commission ",
" .Albatross ", etc, ; all these appear in the lists as having been received from the United States
.Xational Museum.
LIST OF PAPERS 53
BouLEMGER, G. A. 1902. Notes on the Classification of Teleostean Fishes. IV. On the Syste-
matic Position of the Pleuronectidcc. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) X, pp. 205-304, text-tig.
BuMPUS, H. C. i8g8. A recent Variety of the Flatfish, and its Bearing upon the Question of
discontinuous Variation. Science, n.s., VII, pp. 197, 198.
HuRNE, R. H. 1909. The Anatomy of the Olfactory Organ of Teleostean Fishes. Proc. Zool.
See. London, 1909, pp. 610-663, text-figs.
Chabanaud, p. 1931. Sur la ceinture et quelques autres elements morphologiques des poissons
heterosomates . . . Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., LVI, pp. 386-398, text-figs.
Cole, F. J., and Johnstone, J. 1902. L.M.B.C. Memoirs. No. VIII. Pleuronectes (The PlaiceJ.
Proc. L'pool. Biol. Soc, XVI, pp. 145-396, pis. i-xi.
CoLLETT, R. 1880. Fiske. Norske Nordhavs.-Exped., Zool., 164 pp., 5 pis., text-figs.
Cope, E. D. 1871. Contribution to the Ichthyology of the Lesser Antilles. Trans. Amer. Phil.
Soc, (2) XIV, pp. 445-483, text-figs.
Cunningham, J. T. 1890. A Treatise on the Common Sole . . . Plymouth. 4^, 147 pp.,
18 pis.
■ 1891. An Experiment concerning the Absence of Colour from the lower Sides of Flat-
fishes. Zool. Anz., XIV, pp. 27-32, text-fig.
1892. The Eyolution of Flat-fishes. Natural Science, I, pp. 191-199, 635-638.
1893. Researches on the Coloration of the Skins of Flat-fishes. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc,
(2) III, pp. iii-ri8, text-figs.
■ 1895. Additional Evidence on the influence of Light in producing Pigments on the lower
Sides of Flat-fishes. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc, (2) IV, pp. 53-59, text-figs.
1897. Recapitulation. Science Progress. (2) I, pp. 483-510.
1907. A peculiarly abnormal Specimen of Turbot. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1907, pp.
174-181, pi. xi.
and McMunn, C. A. 1893. On the Coloration of the Skins of Fishes, especially of Pleuro-
nectidae. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc, b CLXXXIV, pp. 765-812, pls.iiti-lv, text-figs.
CuyiER, G. 1817. Le Regne Animal. Ed. i. Fishes, II, pp. 104-351.
Derscheid, J. M. 1924. Structure de I'organe olfactif chez les poissons. I. Osteichthyes
Teleostei Malacopterygii. Ann. Soc. roy. Belgique, LIV, (1923), pp. 79-162, text-figs.
Duncker, G. 1896. Variation und Verwandtschaft von Pleuronectes flesus L. und PI. platessa L.,
. . . Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., I {2), pp. 47-103, 4 pis.
1900. Variation und Asymmetric bei Pleuronectes flesus L. (Statistisch untersucht). Wiss.
Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., Ill (2), pp. 335-406, pis. xi-xiv, text-figs.
Eastman, C. R. 1914. Catalog of the Fossil Fishes in the Carnegie Museum. II. Supplement to
the Catalog of Fishes from the Upper Eocene of Monte Bolca. Mem. Carnegie Mus., VI,
PP- 315-348, pis. xliii-xlviia, text-figs.
Ei.MJiiRST, R. 1911. On Some ambicoloured Flat-fish from the Clyde. Ann. Scott. Nat. Hist.,
1911, pp. 77-79-
Emery, C. 1883. Contribuzioni all'Ittiologia. VI. Metamorfosi del Rhomboidichtbys podos I..
Mitt. zool. Stat. Neapel, IV, pp. 405-409, i fig.
Franz, V. 1910. Zur Physiologic und Pathologie der Chromatophoren. Biol. Centralbl., XXX,
pp. 150-158, text-figs.
Frost, G. A. 1930. A Comparative Study of the Otoliths of the Neopterygian Fishes. Hetero-
somata. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) V, pp. 231-239, pi. ix.
Gemmill, J. F. 1912. The Teratology of Fishes. Glasgow, 4''. Abnormalities of coloration.
pp. 56-59-
Giard, a. 1892A. Sur la persistance partielle de la symetrie bilaterale chez un turbot {Rhnmhus
maximus L.) . . . C.R. Soc Biol. Paris, (9) IV, pp. 31-34-
1892B. The Evolution of Flat-fish. Natural Science, I, pp. 356-359-
GiLE, T. N. 1887. The Classification and Relations of the Ribbon-fishes. American Naturalist,
XXI, p. 86.
1893. Families and Subfamilies of Fishes. Mem. Nat. Acad. Washington, VI, pp. 127-138.
Gunther, a. 1862. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum. IV. Pleuronectida-,
PP- 399-504-
1880. An Introduction to the Studv of Fishes. Edinburgh, 8', 720 pp., text-fig^.
Hewer, H. R. 1926. Studies in Colour-changes in Fish, II-IV. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. b CCXV,
pp. 177-200, pis. xiii-xv, text-figs.
1931- Studies in Colour-changes in Fish, V. Journ. Linn. Soc. London. Zool.. XXXVII,
PP- 493-512, pls. xxxiii, xxxiv, text-figs.
Holt, E. W. L. 1894. Studies in Teleostean Morphology- from the Marine Laboratory at Clee-
thorpes. Proc. Zoo!. Soc. London, 1894, pp. 413-446, pis. xxviii-xxx.
54 ILAIMSIIHS (HETKHOSOMATA)
llrnns. C". L. m;l. The l.iliuulmal \analioM in tin- XuEiibrr of vcrliral Fin-ravi in I.cptncolUis
ttrmtttus. Occ. Papers Mus. Zool. l'ni\ . Michigan, XCIV, 7 pp.
i<j:2. Variations in the Number of Vertcbr.v and other nieristic Characters of Fishes cor-
related with the TcniperatiTrc of Water during Development. American Naturalist, I.VI,
pp. 360-37;.
l<):4. Seasonal Variation in the Xiimberof Nertebra'of Fishes. Papers .Michigan Acad. Sci.
Arts, II, (19.:.:), pp. .207-214.
- — 19-5- Racial and seasonal Variation in the Pacific Herring, California Sardine and California
Anchovy. Calif. Fish Game Bull., VIII, 23 pp.
- — 1926. Tile structural Consequences of Modifications of the developmental Kate in Fishes
. . . .-American Naturalist, L.\, pp. 57-81.
Hiss.^KoF, 1.. 1914. On two ambicolorate Specimens of the Summer Flounder, Puralichthys
ilnilnlus. with an Explanation of Ambicoloration. Bull. Amcr. Mus. Nat. Hist., X.WIII,
pp. 05-100, text-figs.
Hirto-v, F. \V. 1874. Notes on some New Zealand Fishes. Trans. N. Zealand Irisl., \T, pp.
104-107, pis. xviii-xix.
1.S76. Contributions to the Ichthyology of New Zealand. Trans. N. Ze,dand Inst.. \1II,
pp. 209-218.
jhNst.-c, .■\. S. 1925. On the Fishery of the Greenlanders. Mcdd. Konim. Havunders^g. Kji'jl...
Ser. Fisk., VII (7), 39 pp., text-figs.
JoRDAX, D. S. 1893. Temperature and Vertebrae : a Study in Evolution. Wilder Quarter-
Century Book, Ithaca, pp. 13-36.
1923. A Classification of Fishes, including Families and Genera as far as known. St.iiiford
Univ. Publ., Biol. Sci., Ill (2), pp. 79-243.
and EvERMAXV. B. \V. 1898. The Fishes of North and .Middle America . . . III.
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., .KI.VII (3). [Flatfishes, pp. 2602-2712, pis. ecclxxi-ccclxxxviii.]
and Goss, D. K. 1889. A Review of the Flounders and Soles (Pleuronectida?) of America
and Europe. Rep. U.S. Com. Fish. Washington, XIV, (1886), pp. 223-342, <) pis.
KiNl^, A. 1918. The histological Basis of adaptive Shades and Colors in the Flounder Paial-
ichthys albigiilliis. Hull. U.S. Bur. Fish. Washington, .X.X.XV, (1915-16), pp. 1-28, pis. i, ii.
KvLE, H. -M. 1900A. On a new Genus of Flat-fishes from New Zealand. Proc. Zool. .Soc,
London, 1900, pp. 9S6-992, text-figs.
1900B. The Classification of the Flat-fishes (Heternsomata). Rep. Fishcrv Board Scotlanil,
XVIII, pp. 335-368, pis. xi-xii.
1913. Flat-fishes (Heterosomata). Rep. Danish Uiean. l-.xped. i'/<i.S-i.». 11. .A.i, ly, pp..
4 pis., text-figs.
1921. The Asymmetry, .Metamorphosis and Origin of Flat-fishes. Phil. I rans. Roy. S<« .,
B CCXI, pp. 73-129, pis. iv-x.
.McI.vToSH, W. C. 1902. Notes from the Gatty Marine Laboratory, St. .Andrews. -XXII. On
abnormal Coloration in the Pleuronectida;. .-^nn. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) I-X, pp. 291-290.
Mast, S.O. 1916. Changes in Shade, Color and Pattern m Fishes and their Bearing on the
Problems of .adaptation and Behaviour, with especial Reference to the Flounders Pmiil-
ichlhys and Ancylnpselta. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. W.ishington, .XXXU', (1914). PP. in-
Ma^'HOFF, H. 1912. Uber das " monomorphe " Chiasnia opticum der PIcuronectiden. Zool.
Am., X.X.XI.X, pp. 7S-S6, text-figs.
1914. Zur Ontogencse des Kopfes der Plattfische. Zool. .-inz., -XLIII, pp. 3S9-404.
.MOBivs, K. A. 1867. Das Verhalten einiger Fischer bei Nacht. Zool. Garten, \'III, pp. 148-1311.
MuLLER. J. 1846. i'bcr den Ban und die Grenzen der Ganoiden und liber das naturliche System
der I'ische. .•\bh. K. .Akad. Wiss. Berlin, (1844), pp. 117-216, 6 pis.
NlsHlKAWA, T. 1897. On a Mode of the Passage of the Eye in a Flat-fish. Annot. Zool. Japon.,
I, pp. 73-76, text-figs.
Norman, J. R. 1926A. The Development of the Chondrocranium of the Eel [Anzmll" vulgaris),
with Observations on the comparatn'e Morphologv and Development of the Chondro-
cranium in Bony Fishes. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc, b CCXIV, pp. 369-404, text-figs.
1926B. .\ Report on the Flatfishes (Heterosomata) collected by the F.l.S. " Kndea\our"
. . . Biol. Res. •■ F:ndeavour ", V, pp. 219-308, text-figs.
1927A. .Ambicolorate Flatfishes. Natural History .Magazine, I (2), pp. 37-5'i. text-figs.
1927B. Ihe Flatfishes (Heterosomata) of India, with a List of the Specimens in the Indian
.Museum. 1. Rec. Indian Mus., .\X1.\, pp. 7-47, pis. ii-vii, text-figs.
Parker. G. H. i-ioi. The Optic Chiasma in Teleosts and its Bearing on the .\svmijietrv <if the
Heterosomata (Flatftshesj. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., XL, pp. 221-242, 1 pi.
LIST OF PAPERS ^,5
PouciiET, G. 1S76. Des changemcnts de coloration sous I'influencc des iierfs. J. Anat. Physiol.
Paris, XII, pp. i-t)o, 113-165, pis. i-iv.
Rr-r,AN, C. T. 1910A. The Anatoinv and Classification of the Teleostean Fishes of the Order
Zeomorphi. Ann. Mag. Nat.Hist., (8) VI, pp. 481-484.
1910B. The Origin and Evolution of the Teleostean Fishes of the Order Heterosomata.
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) VI, pp. 484-496. text-figs.
1913. The Classification of the Percoid Fishes. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) XII, pp. 111-145.
igi6. Larval and post-larval Fishes. Rept. Urit. Antarct. ("Terra Nova") Exped. loi".
Zool., I, 4, pp. 125-156, 10 pis., text-figs.
1020. A Revision of the Fiat-fishes (Heterosomata) of Natal. Ann. Durban Mus., li. pp.
205-222, text-figs.
1926. Organic Evolution. Rept. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci. (Southampton. 1925), pp. 75-86.
1929. Fishes. Article in Encyclopsedia Britannica, 14th Ed., IX. [Heterosomata, pp. 324-
.^25.]
Schmidt, P. 1915. Respiratory Adaptations of Pleuronectids [in Russian], Bull. Acad. Imp.
Sci. Petrograd, 1915. PP- 421-444, text-figs.
ScHNAKENBECK, W. 1923. Ueber Farbungsanomalien bei Pleuronectiden. Wiss. Meeresun-
tersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., XV, No. lo, 20 pp., i pl.
Steenstrup, J. J. 1864. Bidrag til en rigtigere Opfatelse af Skjievheden hos ilyndeme (Pleuro-
nectides) . . . Overs. Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Forhandl., (1863), pp. 145-194, i pl.,
text-figs.
Su-MN-ER, F. B. 1911. The Adjustment of Flat-fishes to various Backgrounds. Joiirn. Expcr.
Zool., X, pp. 409-505. 13 pis.
Thilo, O. 1902A. Die Vorfahren der Schollon. Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. St. Petersb., (V) XIV,
(1901), pp. 315-350, 2 pis., text-figs.
I902B. Die Umbildungen am Knocbengeruste der Schollen. Zool. Anz., XXV, pp. 305-
320, text-figs.
1902c. Die Vorfahren der Schollen. Biol. Centralbl., XXII, pp. 718-728, text-figs.
1907. Das Schwinden der Schwimmblasen bei den Schollen. Zool. Anz., XXXI, pp. 393-
406, text-figs.
1908. Die Augen der Schollen. Biol. Centralbl., XXVIII, pp. 602-608, text-figs.
Traoi'air, R. H. 1865. On the Asymmetry of the Pleuronectidae as elucidated by an Examina-
tion of the Skeleton in the Turbot, Halibut and Plaice. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, XXV,
pp. 263-296, pis. xxix-xxxii, text-figs.
\'i:rkill. a. E. 1897. Nocturnal and diurnal Changes in the Colors of certain Fishes and of the
Squid (Loligo) with Notes on theirsleeping Habits. Amer. Journ. Sci., (4) III, pp. 135-136.
Williams, S. R. 1902. Changes accompanying the Migration of the Eye and Observations on
the Tractus Opticus and Tectum Opticum in Pseiidopleuroncctes amcricanus. Bull. Mus.
Conip. Zool., XL, pp. 1-57, pis. i-v, text-figs.
Woodward, A. S. 1901. Catalogue of the fossil Fishes in the British Museum (Natural History),
IV. [Flatfishes, pp. 606-611.]
- 1910. On a fossil Sole and a fossil Eel from the Eocene of Egypt. Gcol. Mag., s.s., (V) \II,
pp. 402-405, I pl.
56
B. SYSTEMATIC PART.
Order HETEROSOMATA.
Allied tu the I'crcoinorphi, but asymmetrical, with both eyes on one side of the
head. Body strongly compressed, with the pra;caudal region short ; tlorsal and
anal fins long ; caudal fin generally with 17 principal rays (15 branched) or fewer ;
pelvic fins generally with 6 rays or fewer, thoracic or jugular, with the pelvic bones
directly attached to the cleithra. Air-bladder absent in the adult. Mouth more or
less protractile, bordered above by the prsmaxillaries only. Parietals separated by
the supra-occipital ; interorbital bar mainly formed by the frontal of ocular side ;
frontal of blind side extending to prefrontal external to upper eye ; no orbitosphenoid.
Pectoral arch attached to skull by a forked post-temporal ; no mesocoracoid. N'erte-
bral column of solid centra coossified with the arches ; posterior pra;caudal vertebra?
with downwardly directed parapophyses.
Five families
SVNOPSIb OF THE FAMILIES.
I Dorsal fin not extending forward on the head, the anterior rays spinous ;
each pelvic fin with a spine and 5 soft-rays : maxillary with supple-
mental bone ; palatines tootlied ; vertebr;e 24 (lo ■ 14) ; eyes on the
right or left side i. PsETTODiDAi.
II Dorsal fin extending forward on the head at least to above the eye, none
of the rays spinous ; pelvic fins without spines ; maxillary without
supplemental tmne ; no palatine teeth ; vertebr;e never fewer than
28 (9 + 19).
A. I'raeoperculum with a free margin ; lower jaw generally prominent ;
nasal organ of bhnd side generally near edge of head ; optic chiasma
monomorphic, the nerve of the left eye in dextral forms and that of
the right eye in sinistral forms, always dorsal ; one or two post-
cleithra on each side : ribs present.
I. Eyes on the left side (except in reversed examples) ; nerve of the
right eye always dorsal ; egg with a single oil-globule in the yolk
2 BoTHin.i..
z. Eyes on the right side (except in reversed examples) : nerve of the
left eye always dorsal ; egg without oil-globules . 3. I'LKiiROXKCTiD.ii.
B. rra?opercular margin not free, hidden by the skin and scales of the
head ; lower jaw never prominent ; nasal organs symmetrical
in position ; optic chiasma dimorphic, the right or the left nerve
dorsal without reference to dextrality or sinistrality : no post-
cleithrum ; no ribs,
1. Eves on the right side ....... 4. Soleid.t;.
2. Eyes on the left side 5. Cvnoglossid.i-.
PSETTODID^
Family i. PSETTODID^.
Eyes on the right or left side ; optic chiasma dimorphic. Dorsal fin not extending
forward on the head, the anterior rays spinous. Pelvic fins nearly symmetrical,
thoracic, each of a spine and 5 soft-rays. Mouth large, terminal, with straight cleft ;
lower jaw prominent ; jaws and dentition equally developed on both sides ; maxillary
with a well-developed supplemental bone ; teeth strong ; palatines toothed. Urohyal
normal, the lower edge scarcely curved. Pr^operculum with free margin. Nasal
organ of blind side scarcely higher than the other ; olfactory laminje numerous,
radiating from a rather short central rachis. Vertebra; 24 (10 -f 14) ; praecaudal
parapophyses downwardly directed and united to form closed haemal arches. Two
post-cleithra on each side ;' pectoral radials well developed.
A single genus from tropical seas.
Genus 1. PSETTODES.
Psettodes, Bennett, 1831. Proc. Comm. Zool. Soc. (12), p. 147 [Pseltodes bekhcri, Bennett].
SphagomorusXope, i860, Trans, .Amer. Phil. .Soc. Philad., xiii,p. 407 [Pleuronectes crumei, Schneider].
Body o\ate or rather elongate, not greatly compressed. Eyes separated by a flat,
scaled space of moderate width, the upper placed on the dorsal surface of the head.
Mouth large, the length of the maxillary more than half that of head. Teeth straight
or curved, pointed, some of them with barbed tips ; - in 2 or 3 series in both jaws,
those of the inner row larger, depressible, those of the outer row fixed ; a small patch
of teeth on the vomer and a single row on each palatine ; patches of teeth on tongue.
No gill-rakers, but gill-arches with groups of teeth ; lower pharyngeals very narrow,
slender, not united, each with 2 (or 3) rows of slender curved teeth, those of the inner
row larger. Most of the soft-rays of the dorsal fin and nearly all those of the anal
branched, not scaled ; a low scaled sheath at bases of dorsal and anal ; tip of first inter-
haemal spine not projecting in front of anal. Pectoral fins subequal, middle rays
branched. Scales rather small, adherent, with fine diverging striae and finely crenu-
lated margins. Lateral line well developed on both sides of body, with a low curve
above the pectoral fin ; no distinct supratemporal branch ; tubules branched. Vent
nearly median, just in front of anal fin ; several pyloric appendages.
Two species from tropical West Africa and from the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
T Depth 2j to 2j in length, head 3J to 3§ ; lower jaw 31 to 4J in length of
fish (without caudal) ; 32 to 38 scales round caudal peduncle ; caudal
fin without dark spots . . . . . . . .1. eritmei.
II. Depth 2 J to 2 J in length, head 3f to 3I ; lower jaw 4J to 5 in length of fish
(without caudal) ; 29 to 30 scales round caudal peduncle ; caudal fin with
vertical rows of large dark spots . . . . . .2. belcheri.
I. PSETTODES ERUMEI (Schneider).
Pleuronectes crumci. Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 150.
Hipploglosius erumei, Cuvier, 1829, R. Anim., ed. 3, ii, p. 340 ; Riippell, 1830, Fische Rothen Meeres,
p. 121; Cantor, 1850, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xviii (2), p. 1198 ; Bleeker, 1852, Verb. Batav.
Gen., x.\iv, Pleuron., p. 13.
' According to Chabanaud (1931, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., Ivi, p. 395) there is only one post-
cleithrum on each side. I have examined two skeletons of P. erumei and find two post-cleithra on
each side in this species. The bones are closely united, but in each case the suture is quite distinct.
' See Rendahl, 1921, ' Fauna och Flora,' p. 182, figs.
FI.AIFISHES (HKTKK(^SOMAIA)
Hrlt. Assoc
p. -^7
d (iiinther, iS(i(.. l-ish. Zanzibar,
ler, 186'), Keiso
I'Uunmoli-s n,d,ik,i. Cuvier. IS.-.). K. Alum., cd. _'. ii. p. 14,..
Hipposlossiis (ti-nlex. Kichardscm, 1S4.S. /.uol. 'Sulphur". |
(Camhr., 18.(5), p. 278.
Hipploglossus iirlhorhynchus, Richardson. i.-i-(i>, ii Kept, linl
Hipplosossus fifiiiinoraphicus, Richardson, 1840, Intn. cit., p. 2
Psrllviles enimci. (Uinthi-r, 18(1:!, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 4.i.' : Playf:
p. 112: Hh'ckcr, 1S66-72, Atlas Ichth., vi, p. 4, Pleuron., pi. i, fig. 2; K
" Novara ", Zool., i, 5, Kische, p. 2S2 ; Khinzinger, 1870, Vcrli. /-ool.-bot. (ics. VVien, .vxi, p,
.570; Day, 1S77, Fish. India, p. 422, pi. xci, fig. 4; Saville Kent, 1803, Grcit Harrier Reef
p. ;(|7, pi. .\lvi, fig. 5 ; Barnard, i')25, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 383, pi. xvii, fig. i ; Norman
1026, Biol. Res. " Endeavour", \', p. 2ji ; Xornian, 1927, Rcc. Ind. Mus.. xxix, p. 8, fig. 1
Oshinia, l'(27, lapan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. 178 ; Weber and Beaufort, I'|2(|, Fisli
IndO' Austral. Arch., v, p. 07, fig. 24; McCuiloch, 1920, Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 2r<i ; W "
11)32, This. Facult. Sci. I'niv. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 73.
s/';i,iS">Hi.rii> cnimct. Cope, i8fi.i. Trans. Ainer. Phil. Soc. Phil.id.. xiii, p. 407.
l\,:l,i,l,-. ^.■nn^^riifhutis. lileeK.-i . tS;;. •N'ed. Fildsrhr. Dlcrk., iv, p. 130.
Depth uf body -^i tu Jj in the lenf,'th, leii.^th <if head 3J to 35. Snotit a.s Idii.!^ as or
a little longer than eye, diameter of which is 5 (young) to 7 in length of head and greater
than interorbital width. Maxillary extending to well beyond posterior edge of eye,
length 1 1 to I J in that of head ; length of lower jaw 3 1, to 4 J in that of fish (without
caudal). 08 to 7O scales in a longitudinal series above lateral line, 22 to 28 between
lateral line and middle of back, 32 to 38 round caudal peduncle. Dorsal 50-56 ;
origin above or a little behind level of hinder edge of lower eye. Anal 34-43. Pectoral
of ocular side with 14 to 16 rays, length 2^ to 2| in that of head. Caudal with 17
rays {15 branched), truncate or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle deeper than long.
Brownish or greyish, sometimes with four broad dark transverse bars ; body some-
times with small scattered wlute spots : dorsal, anal and posterior part of caudal
darker, the caudal sometimes w
with small dark spots.
Type. — Zoologisches Museum
Distribution. — East Africa ;
Specimi-:ns Examined :
ith
distinct blacldsh band pcsteriorly ; pectoral
der Llni\ersitat, Berlin,
n.l the Red Sea to the !':
(.540 ni
I.), sluflcd.
Jayakar.
I'ownsend.
Plavfair.
PSETTODID.E
I (165 mm.
, skeleton.
Indi.i.
Hardwicke.
I {440 ,,
, stuffed.
Madras Mus.
I (208 ,,
Madras.
Day.
I (320 ,,
Coast of Orissa.
Ind.Mus.
■ (2=5 .,
Mouth of R. Hughli.
I (355 „
Singapore.
Intern. Fisherie
■ (135 „
E. India Co.
2 (180, 205
mm.).
Singapore Fish .Market.
Raffles Mus.
3 (100-160
mm.), skins.
Penang.
Cantor.
I (193 mm.
Batavia Fish Market.
Hardenberg.
1 ( 58 „
Ambovna.
Frank.
I (280 ,,
Java Sea (6^44' S., iii'ss' E.)
Hardenberg.
> (230 ,,
, skeleton.
China.
Swinhoe.
I (202 „
,,
Reeves.
I (156 ,,
Amoy.
Ping.
I (U2 ,,
Japan.
Frank.
2 (250, 295
mm.).
Off Bowen, Queensland.
Austr. Mus. ("I:
ndea
-\lso 3 from off Gloucester Head, Queensland {Austr. Mus.) ; several from India,
Burma and the Andaman Is. (Ind. Mus.) ; and i from Colombo, Ceylon, and 5 from
Singapore (Mus. Comp. Zool.).
Attains a lengtti of about 2 feet.
2. PSETTODES BELCHERI, Bennett.
Fseltodfs brlcheri, Bennett, 1831, Pror. Comni. Zool. Soc. (12), p. 147 ; Cope, 1S69, Traus. Amer.
Phil. Soc. Philad., xiii, p. 407 ; Chabanaud and Monod, 1927, Bull. Coin. Etud. Hist. Sci.
Afriq. Occ. Fr., (1926), p. 280 ; Monod, 1927, Faune Colon. Fran^., i, p. 720.
Pscttodes erumci (part), Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 402.
Psettodis bennettii, Steindachner, 1870, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ix (l), p. 976.
P^ettndes erumei, Pellegrin, 1905, -Act. Soc. Linn. Bordeaux (6) x (Ix), p. 30, fig. ; Ehrenbaum, 1913,
Fischerbote, v, p. 361, fig. ; Pellegrin, 1914, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, vi (4) p. 73 ; Metzelaar,
1919, Trop. .\tlant. Visschen, p. 275 ; Fowler, 1919, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Ivi, p. 248.
Closely related to P. erumei, but depth of body 2J to 2J in the length, length of
head 3I to 3 J. Length of lower jaw 4I to 5 in that of fish (without caudal). 21 to
zz scales between lateral line and middle of back, 29 or 30 round caudal peduncle.
I-ength of pectoral of ocular side 2 to 2j in that of head. Brownish or blackish, with
irregular darker spots or blotches ; sometimes some small scattered white spots ;
6o FLATFISHES (Hl-nKKOSOMA'I'A)
dorsal and anal fins with irregular darker markings, and with narrow pale margins
caudal with vertical rows of large dark spots, which tend to form irregular cross-bars
and with a narrow pale posterior margin.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.).' Reg. No. 57.6.13.165.
Distribution. — Tropical West Africa.
Specimens E.xamined :
I (315 n
im.). stuffed. Hol<
.tvpe(?).
West Afr.r., (?).
Zool. Soc. Coll.
I (540
Off Mauritania.
Minist. Agric. Fisli
I {36.'i
Lagos.
Cadman.
I (=o.i
I (155
Caboon.
Accra, Gold Coast.
Gerrard.
Irvine.
■j6 mm.).
Sierra Leone.
Lowe.
Family 2. BOTHID.*;.
Eyes on the left side, e.xcept in reversed examples in certain species; optic chiasma
monomorphic, the nerve of the right eye always dorsal. Dorsal fin extending forward
on the head at least to above the eye ; all the fin-rays articulated. Each pelvic fin
of 6 or fewer rays. Mouth terminal, with the lower jaw more or less prominent ;
maxillan,' without a supplemental bone ; palatines toothless. Lower edge of urohyal
deeply emarginate, so that the bone appears forked. Praeoperculum with free margin-
Nasal organ of blind .side near edge of head. Vertebrae never fewer than 30. On each
side one or two post-cleithra ; pectoral radials present. Ribs present. Egg with a
single oil-globule in the yolk.
Three subfamilies may be recognised.
Sy-N'opsis of the Subf.^milies.
I. Pelvic fins generally short-based, but that of ocular side, if somewhat
extended, never with the anterior ray much in advance of first ray of
that of blind side ; pelvic fins supported by the pelvic bones and
situated behind the cleithra, either symmetrical or with the fin of the
ocular side nearly median in position ; caudal vertebrae without
transverse apophyses . . . . . . i. I'.^ralichthin.'e.
II- Pelvic fin of blind side short-based : that of ocular side elongate, extend-
ing forward to the urohyal, supported by a cartilaginous plate placed in
advance of the cleithra, its anterior ray well in advance of first ray of that
of blind side ; caudal vertebra' with well-developed apophyses 2. Bothin.Ii.
Ill- Both pelvic fins elongate, extending forward to the urohyal, supported by
cartilaginous plates placed in advance of the cleithra ; caudal vertebra?
with well-developed transverse apophyses ... 3- Scophth.ilmi.n.'e.
The following genera described in Japanese- belong to this family, but as the
diagno.ses are very brief and no mention is made of the form of the pelvic fins, I am
unable to place them with certainty. Both are compared with Pseiidorhombiis. how-
ever, and may be related to that genus.
.Asterorhombus, Tanaka, 1915, Dobuts. Zasshi (' Zoo). .Mag '), xxvii. No. 325, p.
507 — type A. stellifer, Tanaka. Based on a single example, no mm. in length
(without caudal), from Nagasaki Market.
SciDORHOMBUS, Tanaka, 1915, /"'". cit. — type S. palhdus, Tanaka. Based on a
single example, 80 mm. in length (without caudal), from Nagasaki Market.
' This specimen bears a label " Lophiupsetta erumci. Zoological Soc. Coll.", and a small ticket
on which IS the number " 547 ". There can be little doubt that this is Bennett's original specimen,
which formed part of a collection presented to the Zoological Society by Capt. Belcher, R.X. No
mention of the size of the specimen is made in the original description.
= 1 .im indebted to Dr. Tanaka for Knglish transl.itu.ns of these diagnoses.
PARALICHTHIN.C
Subfamily i. PARALICHTHIN^.
Characters as given in the synopsis above. Twenty-one genera, mostly from
tropical and temperate seas.
Synopsis of the Genera.
I. Pelvics subequal and subsymmetrical.
A. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body ; mouth of moderate
size or rather large, maxillary more than ^ head.
1. Teeth in bands in both jaws ; rays of dorsal and anal not scaled.
a. Dorsal origin above middle of eye, its anterior rays widely
separated ; lateral line with distinct curve above pectoral ;
gill-rakers short and broad .... i. Tephrinectes.
b. Dorsal origin in front of upper eye, its anterior rays close
together ; lateral line with very slight curve above pectoral ;
gill-rakers long and slender . . . 2. Thvsanopsetta.
2. Teeth uniserial in both jaws ; rays of dorsal and anal more or less
scaled on both sides.
a. Jaws and dentition nearly equally developed on both sides ;
lower pharyngeals with numerous minute villiform teeth ;
pectoral of ocular side not prolonged,
a. Lateral line without distinct supratemporal branch.
* Teeth very small, no canines anteriorly : origin of dorsal
about above middle of eye.
t Gill-rakers rather long and slender ; tip of first inter-
haemal spine projecting in front of anal ; scales of
ocular side ctenoid .... 3. Hippoglossina.
ft Gill-rakers rather short and stout; tip of first inter-
haemal spine feeble, not projecting ; scales of ocular side
cycloid ....... 4. LioGLOssiNA.
** Teeth strong or of moderate size, some distinct canines
anteriorly ; origin of dorsal in front of or above anterior
part of eye ; tip of first interhaemal spine feeble, not
projecting ..... 5. Paralichthys.
ft. Lateral line with distinct supratemporal branch.
* Scales small or of moderate size, 58 to 100 in lateral line
6 PSEVDORHOMBUS.
** Scales larger, less than 50 in lateral line . . 7. Tarphops.
b. Jaws equally developed on both sides, but dentition better
developed on blind side ; lower pharyngeals each with 3 or 4
rows of strong, obtusely-pointed teeth ; pectoral of ocular side
more or less prolonged, often much longer than head ; scales
all cycloid ; origin of dorsal above anterior part of eye
8. Xystreurys.
B. Lateral line absent on blind side ; mouth small, maxillary less than
J head ........ g. T.iniopsetta.
II. Pelvics subsymmetrical, but that of ocular side the larger; teeth small or
of moderate size, without canines anteriorly.
A. Scales all strongly ctenoid ; origin of dorsal above anterior edge or
anterior part of eye ...... 10. Ancylopsetta.
B. Scales all cycloid, embedded in skin ; origin of dorsal in front of eye
II. Gastropsetta.
I.J FLATFISHES (HKTEROSOMATAi
111. I'elvics more or less subequal, that of ocular side median.
A, Lateral line without distinct curve anteriorly.
I. Teeth biserial above, uniserial below : anterior teeth of upper jaw
enlarged ; gill -rakers short or of moderate length ; interorbital
space more or less broad in male . . . . 12, Sv.mhim.
J. Teeth uniserial in both jaws.
a. Mouth of moderate size or rather large, maxillary 1} to j} m
head; jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides;
teeth somewhat enlarged anteriorly.
,1. Gill-rakers short, stout . . . 13 Cvclopsetta.
p. Gill-rakers of moderate length, slender . 14. Citharichthvs
b. Mouth small, maxillary 3! to 4! m head ; jaws of blind side
curved, much more strongly toothed than those of ocular side ;
none of the teeth enlarged ..... 15. Ktkoi'us.
B, Lateral line with distinct curve above pectoral
1. Posterior nostril of bhnd side a small opening, without membranous
valve ; scales rather small ; lateral line feebly developed or absent
on blind side ; rays of dorsal and anal simple, scaled.
a. Pectoral of blind side well developed.
u. Jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides ;
rays of pelvic of blind side prolonged ; pectoral of ocular side
smaller than that of blind side ; gill-rakers rather long,
slender ....... 16. TRiCHOPSErrA.
l-j. Dentition nearly entirely confined to blind side of jaws ;
pelvic of blind side without elongate rays ; pectoral of ocular
side larger than that of blind side ; gill-rakers very short
17. Engyophrvs.
b. Pectoral of blind side rudimentary, shorter than eye ; second
rays of dorsal prolonged .... 18. Pkrissias.
c. No pectoral on blind side (in adult) ; none of the rays of dorsal
prolonged ....... ly. Monoi.kne.
2. Posterior nostril a large opening, covered by a membranous valve ;
scales large ; lateral line well-developed on both sides of body ; rays
of dorsal and anal branched, not scaled.
a. Teeth uniserial (except anteriorly in upper jaw), with distinct
canines ; vomer with teeth ; ongin of dorsal behind lower part of
posterior nostril ; tubules of lateral line simple . 20. Eucitharus.
/'. Teeth in bands (at least in adults) ; no distinct canines ; vomer
toothless ; origin of dorsal above posterior nostril ; tubules of
lateral line forked ..... 21. Citharoides,
Genus i. TEPHKINECTES
leplmtis (MOii Latreille, 1.S04), Gunther, 1X6;, tat. I'lsli., iv, p. 40b [/'/<-iiiuiht/, 1 wiuiiwi, l.ac cpc JeJ.
iephrinecUs. Gunther, 1862, Ann. .\Iag. Nat. Hist., (3) x. p. 475 [Plcurmccle^ uncnf-n, LacepL-df] ;
\Vu, 1032, Thcs. Faciilt. Sci. Univ. I'.iris, A. 244 (jdS), p. 75.
\difracta, Jordan. i;,<7. I'ruc. U.S. Xat. .Mus., xxxii, p. 230 [PU-uroncclf. ^memis, l.acop.-dc;.
Body oblong, compressed. Eyes normally on the left side, separated by a ven,-
narrow, naked concave space, dlfactory lamina? rather numerous, arranged trans-
versely to a long central rachis. Mouth of moderate size, the length of the maxillary
more than \ that of head ; jaws and dentition about equally developed on both
sides ; bands of small conical teeth in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers
short, broad, with spinate margins ; lower pharyngeals each with several rows of
small conical teeth. Dorsal fin commencing well behind posterior no.stril of blind
side and above middle of upper eye. its anterior rays much more widely se|iarated
I^ARALICHTHIN^
63
than those which follow ; all the rays branched, not scaled. Pectoral fins unequal,
that of ocular side larger; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal
and subsymmetrical. Scales small, feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind
side. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body, with a distinct curve
above the pectoral fin ; a supratemporal branch : tubules branched. Vent a little
on ocular side, just in front of anal fin. Vertebrae 27 (10 + 17).
A single species from China.
I. TEPHRINECTES SINENSIS (Lacepide).
Pleuronecies sinensis, Lacepede, 1802, Hist. Xat. Poiss., iv, pp. 595, 638, pi. xiv, fig. i.
Piatessa sinensis, Cloquet, 1826, Diet. Sci. Nat., xli, p. 405.
Platessa chinensis. Gray, 1834, Illustr. Indian Zool., pi. xciv, fig, i ; Richardson, 184b, i;
Brit. Assoc. (Cambr., 1845), p. 277.
Platessa chinensis var. aeruleo-iiculca, Richardson, 184G, torn, cit., p. 277.
Platessa velafracta, Richardson, 1846, torn, cit., p. 278.
Tephritis sinensis, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 406 ; Jordan and Scale, 1905, Proc. Dai
Acad. Sci., X, p. 16, pi. xi ; Scale, 1914, Philipp. J. Sci., ix, p. 78.
Tephrinectes sinensis, Giinther, 1862, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (3) x, p. 475 ; Oshima, 1927,
J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. 192 ; Chabanaud, 1929, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, (
370 ; Wu, 1932, This. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 75-
Velifracta sinensis, Jordan, 1907, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxii, p. 239.
Japan.
2) i, p.
Fig. 32. — Tephrinectes ;
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3 J to 3 J. Upper profile of
head distinctly concave above eyes. Snout as long as or longer than eye, diameter
of which is 5^ to nearly 6 in length of head ; upper eye in advance of lower and
meeting edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or beyond, length
2 J to 2 J in that of head; lower jaw scarcely projecting, about i head. 10 or 11
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 76 to 80 scales in lateral line. Dorsal
46-49. Anal (34) 36-39 ; first interhremal spine not projecting. Pectoral of ocular
side with 12 or 13 rays, length i| in that of head. Pelvics 6. Caudal with 20 rays
{14 branched), double-truncate ; caudal peduncle nearly twice as deep as long.
'M FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Brownish ; head and body with a number of small dark spots, with or without pale
margins : median fins blotched and spotted with darker.
Type. — Not traced.'
Distribution. — Chinese seas ; coast of Indo-China.
Specimens Examined :
-• (300 mm.), stuffed. Chma. R.-cves.
I (iSS ,, ). .. .Swmhoc.
I (nn ,, ). Amov, China. Chen.
I (1S5 ,, ). — Haslar Coll.
This species appears to be indifferently sinistral or dextral.
Cenus 2. THYSANOPSETTA.
I hysaiivpidta, (iiinthcr, iS8u, Shore Fishes " Challenger", p. 2- [Thysanofu-tia narcsi, Gilnther].
Body rather elongate, compressed. Ej'es on the left side, separated by a narrow,
Hat, scaled space. Olfactory laminae few in number, radiating from a short central
rachis. Mouth of moderate size, the length of the maxillary nearly \ that of head ;
jaws and dentition alwut equally developed on both sides ; rather broad bands of
small conical teeth in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Margin of gill-cover fringed ;
gill-rakers long, slender ; lower pharyngeals each with .several rows of small conical
teeth. Dorsal fin commencing above nostrils of blind side and just in front of upper
eye ; anterior rays close together ; all the rays simple, not scaled, l^ectoral fins
unequal, that of ocular side larger ; rays all simple. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal
and subsymmetrical. Scales small, ctenoid on both sides of body. Lateral line
equally developed on both sides of body, with a very slight curve above the pectoral
fin ; no supratemporal branch ; tubules simple. .A. prominent flat lobe (? including
the urino-genital papilla) behind the pelvic fin of ocular side and above the commence-
ment of the anal fin ; vent a little on blind side.
.\ single species from south-eastern South America.
The relationships of this genus are somewhat obscure, but it may conveniently
be placed near Tephnnectcs, with which it agrees in the bands of small teeth and
unsealed dorsal and anal rays. It may be readily distinguished, however, by the
absence of a curve in the lateral line, the more anterior origin of the dorsal fin, ami
by the simple median fin-rays, long, slender gill-rakers, etc.
I, THYSANOPSETTA NARESI, Gunther.
Ihysniwpsetta narcsi. Gunther, 1880, Shore Fishes " Challenger ", p. 22. pi. .xi, fig. \ : Dellin, 1901,
Rev. chil. Hist. Xat., iv, (1900), p. 104 ; DoUo, 1004, Res. Voy. " Belgica ", Zool., Trass., p. li ,
Xorman, 1030, " Discovery " Reports, ii, p. 358.
Depth of body z\ to 2\ in the length, length of head 4 to 5. Upper profile of head
generally a little notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of
which is 3 to 3I in length of head and more than twice the interorbital width ; upper
eve a little in advance of lower, and close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to
below middle of eye or not quite as far, length a little more than 1 in that of head ;
lower jaw scarcely projecting, if to nearly 2 in head. 20 to 23 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. 67 to 72 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 84-90. Anal 61-66 ;
first interha;mal spine not projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 or 10 rays,
length about \ that of head. Pelvics 6. Caudal with 15 simple rays, rounded ;
caudal peduncle short. BrownLsh or greyish, mottled and spotted with darker, and
' I am informed by Prof. I.. Roule and Mr. P. Chabanaud that the types of lishes described by
l.arepcde are not now to be found in the collections of the Pans Museum.
PARALICHTHIN.t;
65
with small dark spots forming fine irregular lines running along the body between
the series of scales ; all the fin-rays finely dotted with brown or black.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79.5.14.58.
Distribution. — Magellan-Falkland Islands region of south-eastern South .\merica.
Specimens Examined :
1 {175 mm.).
2 (160 ).
Holotype.
Off C. Virgins, .Argentine, 55 fms.
" Challenger."
4 (63-132 mm
■)■
45-44 fms.
•' W. s'c'oresbv
.; (41-61 ,,
).
West of the Falkland Is., 79-78 fms.
J,
:; (100-127 ,,
)•
OS E. Falkland Is., 57-63 fms.
" Discovery ".
0 (34-80 „
).
N.W. of the Falkland Is., 52 fms.
[From stomach of Merluccius.]
" W. Scoresby
,■) (37-45 ,.
).
N.W. of the Falkland Is., 55-58 fms.
,^
I (142 mm.).
N. of Falkland Is., 120-73 fms.
„
2 (70-75 mm.
•
63-62 fms.
„
Wien, Ixxiv (
). P-
13 (Hippogl
, Bull. U.S. Nat
.\lus
, xlvii (3), p.
Genus 3. HIPPOGLOSSINA.
Hippoglossina, Steindachner, 1876, SitzBer. Akad.
macrops, Steindachner] ; Jordan and Evermann
Body ovate, compressed. Eyes normally on the left side," separated by a bony
ridge. Olfactory laminae not numerous, radiating from a rather short central rachis.
Mouth of moderate size or large, the length of the maxillary more than \ that of
head ; jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides ; teeth small,
pointed, not much enlarged anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless.
Gill-rakers rather long and slender ; lower pharyngeals each with numerous rows of
minute, pointed teeth. Dorsal fin commencing well behind posterior nostril of blind
side and above middle of eye ; most of the rays simple, scaled on both sides. Anal
fin preceded by projecting tip of first interhsemal spine. Pectoral fins unequal, that
of ocular side larger, but not prolonged ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-
based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Scales small, ctenoid on ocular side, ctenoid
H. stomata and H . macrops
indifferently dextral or sinistral.
66
FLATFISHHS (HKTEROSOMATA)
or cycloid on blind side. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body, with
a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; no distinct supratemporal branch. Vent a
little on blind side, in front of anal fin.
Three species from the Pacific coast of Lower California, Central and north-western
South America.
Synopsis of thk Species.
1- Maxillary to below posterior part of eye, 2 to 2 J in head ; dorsal 67-70,
anal 52-54 ; 13 or 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch i slomata.
11. Maxillary to below middle of eye or a little beyond, i\ to -zl in head.
.\. Dorsal 65-67, anal 51-52 ; highest rays of dorsal about 2 in head ;
12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ... 2. macrops.
\i. Dorsal 60-63, anal 47-49 ; highest rays of dorsal 2! in head ; 8 or 9
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch . . . . 3. bolhnani
HIPPOGLOSSINA STOMATA, Eigenmann & Eigenmann.
Htppoglossma stomata, Eigenmann and Eigenmann, r
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., iii (11), p. 242 ; Gilbert,
Hubbs, 1916, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool.. xvi (13). p. :
P- 7, fig- 87.
Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., (2) ui, p. 22 ;
1 (3), p. 2620 ; Starks and Morris, 1907,
;, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 377;
Starks, 191,8, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4J,
Depth of body 2J to 23 in the length, length of head 1} to 35. Snout as long as
or a little longer than eye, diameter of which is about 5 in length of head ; lower eye
a little in advance of upper. Ma.xiUary extending to below posterior part of eye,
length 2 to 2j in that of head ; lower jaw i| to i J m head. Gill-rakers long, slender ;
13 or 14 on lower part of anterior arch. About 80 scales in lateral line. Dorsal
67-70 ; highest rays more than \ length of head. Anal 52-54. Pectoral of ocular
side with 11 rays, length about 2 in that of head. Pelvics 6. Caudal with 17 rays
(13 branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle about as deep as long.
Brownish, with numerous spots of bluish, pale or darker brown ; five pairs of large
dark brown ocelli near upper and lower edges of body, each alternate one longer and
PARALICHTHIN^
67
more conspicuous ; fins profusel>' mottled with lighter and darker ; pectoral fin
barred ; a dark spot above and below on the caudal peduncle immediately in front
of base of fin, clearly visible on blind side.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 41905.
Distribution. — Southern CaUfornia.
Specimens Examined :
I (320 1
3 (73-1
I.). Co-type.
San Diego.
California.
Eigenmann.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
2. HIPPOGLOSSINA MACROPS, Steindachner.
Hippoglossina macrops, Steindachner, 1876, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxiv (i), p. 13, pi. iii ;
Giinther, 1881, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 21 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish.,
xiv (:886), p. 242 ; Jordan and Evermann, l8g8. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2621 ;
Abbott, 1899, Proc. .'\cad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 475.
Fig. 35— Hi.
t macrop
B.M. (N.H.) 79-8.20.3. X J.
Depth of body 2j to 2J in the length, length of head 3 to 3^. Snout shorter than
eye, diameter of which is 3J to nearly 4 in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance
of upper. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or a little beyond, length
2f to 2j in that of head ; lower jaw 2 to 2\ in head. Gill-rakers long, slender ; 12 on
lower part of anterior arch. 76-79 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 65-67 ; highest
rays about ^ length of head. Anal 51-52. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 1 1 rays,
length i| to 2^ in that of head. Pelvics 6. Caudal with 17 rays (13 branched),
rounded ; caudal peduncle deeper than long. Brownish, with obscure darker spots
and blotches on head, body and fins.
Type. — Vienna Museum.
Distribution. — Coast of Chile.'
Specimens Examined :
2 (132, 205 mm.).
Trinidad Channel, Magellan Strait.
Coppinger (" Alert ").
■ As suggested by .\bbott, the t>-pe locality (Mazatlan) gi'
incorrect.
I by Steindachner is almost certainly
FLATFISHES (HETI':R0S0MATA)
3. HIPFOGLOSSINA BOLLMANI, Gilbert.
'np% [non Stcindachner), Jordan and Bolln
igo, Proc. U.S. X.it. Mus.,
Jordan and Evt
nd Hildcbrand, 102.S, Field Mr
HippofUKsi
(ISS'J). . ..
Hippoglossina bolhnani, Gilbert, 1891, Proc. I'.S, Nat. Mus., xiii, (1800), p. i::
mann. 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., .tlvii (-,), p. 262
Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser., xv. No. 240, p. 973.
Hippoglossina vagrnns, Garman, 1899, Mem. Mus. Coinp. Zool.. xxiv, p. 221.
Depth of body 25 to 2f in the length, length of head 3. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 35 to 4 in length of head ; lower eye slightly in advance of upper.
Maxillary e.xtending about to l)elow middle of eye, length .;J to 2g in that of head :
lower jaw about 2 in head. Gill-rakers moderately long and slender : 8 or 9 on lower
part of anterior arch. 70-75 scales in lateral Ime. Dorsal 60-63 ■ highest rays
2-' in length of head. .\nal 47-49. Pectoral of ocular side 2 in length of head.
Greyish brown, with a number of small, round, bluish spots ; a series of four large
black spots near upper edge of body and 2 or 3 similar spots near lower edge ; median
fins dusky, with small whitish spots ; pectoral and pelvic dusky.
Type. — Ignited States National Museum. No. 41 143.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of Colombia.
Numerous specimens of this species were dredged by the " Albatross " (Stn. 2805)
at a depth of 51^ fathoms. The largest specimen in the collection of the United
States National Museum is 160 mm, in total length.
Col. Tenison has examined the types of H. vagrans in the Museum of Comparative
Zoology [No. 28549], and informs me that this species is identical with H. boUmani.
Genus 4. LIOGLOSSIXA.
l.wsU.iium. Gilbert. iS.,i, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xiii, (1S90),
Gilbert] ; Jordan and Evermann, 1S98, Bull. U.S. Nat. .Mu
i(.^). p. :
tctr.'phlhaUi
Close to Hippoglossina, but the scales are all cycloid, the first mtcrhaemal spine is
feeble and does not project in front of the anal fin, and the giU-rakers are rather
short and thick.
.■\ single species from the Gulf of California.
PARALICHTHIN^ 69
r. LIOGLOSSINA TETROPHTHALMUS, Gilbert.
Lioglositna Utrophthalmus, Gilbert, 1891, torn, cit., p. 122 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, liull. U.S.
Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2622.
Depth of body 2 J in the length, length of head 3 J. Snout about as long as eye,
diameter of which is (3J) 5 in length of head ; lower eye slightly in advance of upper.
Maxillary extending nearly to below posterior margin of eye, length 2^ in that of
head. 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 97 scales in lateral line. Dorsal
76-83 ; commencing above anterior part of eye, highest rays 3 in length of head.
Anal 58-62. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length le.ss than | tliat of head.
I'elvics 6. Caudal sharply double-truncate ; caudal peduncle i i times as deep as
long. Dusky brownish, with two pairs of conspicuous round black spots edged with
grey, the anterior pair above and below middle of straight part of lateral line, the
posterior smaller, nearer edges of body, and opposite hinder parts of dorsal and anal
fins : median fins obscurely blotched with darker ; pelvic fin of ocular side with a
conspicuous black blotch margined with white ; pectoral with a dark spot near its
base.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 47268.
DiSTRiBUTio.N'. — Gulf of California.
The two types were collected by the " Albatross " at Stations 3014 and 3016,
at depths of 29 and 76 fathoms. The type specimen figured measures 320 mm. in
total length
Genus 5. PARALICHTHYS.
Paralichthys, (iirard, 1S5S, L'.S. Pacific R.R. Survey, x, Fishes, p. 146 {PUurnnectes macuiosus,
Girard] ; Jordan and Evermann, i8q8, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2624.
I'ropsctta, Gill, 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., (1862), p. 330 [Hippoglossus californicus, Ayres].
Chanopsetta, Gill, 1S61, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. Coast N. Anier.), p. 50
[PUuronecles oblongus, Mitchill] ; Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 218 [Platessa
ncdlaris, De Kay].
Body ovate or oblong, compressed. Eyes normally on the left side,' separated
by a bony ridge or flat space of moderate width. Olfactory laminae in moderate
' P. californicus is almost as frequently dextral as sinistral.
70 FLATFISHES (HF: TEROSO.MATA)
number, radiating from or arranged transversely to a fairly long central rachis. Mouth
large, the length of the maxillary \ or nearly ^ that of head : jaws and dentition
about equally developed on both sides ; teeth strong or of moderate size, rather
blender and sharply pointed, more or less enlarged anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ;
\ omer toothless. Gill-rakers of moderate length or rather long, generally slender :
lower pharj-ngeals each with numerous rows of minute pointed teeth. Dorsal fin
commencing above or immediately behind posterior nostril of blind side and in front
of or above anterior part of eye ; most of the rays simple, scaled on both sides. Tip
of first interha?mal spine feeble, not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins
unequal, that of ocular side larger, middle rays branched, but not prolonged. Pelvic
fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Scales small, feebly ctenoid or
cycloid ; small supplementary scales sometimes present. Lateral line equally
developed on both sides of body, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; no
distinct supratemporal branch. Vent on blind side, in advance of or above first ray
of anal fin. \'ertebrre 34 to 41 (lo — 11 -1-24 — 30).
Nineteen species from both coasts of America and from China and Japan.'
Synopsis of the Species.
Atlantic Species.
(I J) 13 to 17 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
A. Dorsal 70-74 (77), anal 52-57 ; teeth rather small . . .1. orbignyana.
B. Dorsal (80) 87-95, anal (60) 65-75 ; teeth strong . . . z. dcntattis.
7 to II (12) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
A. ICyes separated by a flat space (except in very young), 4J to S in head.
1. Scales all cycloid.
a. Origin of dorsal just behind posterior nostril of blind side.
n. Interorbital width equal to or a little less than eye, which is
5J to 8 in head ; 85 to 100 scales in lateral line . 3. lethostigina.
S Interorbital width rarely more than % eye, which is 4J to 6 in
head ; 70 to 82 scales in lateral line ... 4. albigiitta.
•.. Interorbital width much less than eye, which is 5 to 5j in
head; about 115 scales in lateral line . . .3. squamileiUus.
h. Origin of dorsal above posterior nostril of bhnd side ; interorbital
width equal to eye, which is AJ to 8 in head ; 73 to 77 scales in
lateral line ........ 0. brasiliensis.
2. Scales ciliated : two distinct circular ocelli on body ; about 100 scales
in lateral line .7. bicycloplwrus.
B. Kyes separated by a narrow ridge, 3J to 5 in head.
1. 88 to 95 scales in lateral line ; eye 4 to 5 in head.
a. Depth 2 J to 2-; in length ; 4 distinct circular ocelli on bodv
8. oblongiis.
b. Depth 2..\, m length ; 3 distinct circular ocelli on body . o. isosceles.
2. About 60 scales in lateral line ; eye 3I to 3^ in head ; 2 or 3 distinct
circular ocelli on body ....... 10, triocellatus.
' The following species of Paratichthys have recently been de^t nlud by (jinsluiru', but his paper
• received too late for inclusion in this inonoj^aph :
1. Paralichthys schmillt, Ginsburg, loss, I'roc. U.S. Xat. Mus., lx.\xii (20). p. i. Described
from a single example (U.S.N. M., Xo. 888.?i). 4ii mm. in total length, from Juan
Fernandez Island, Chile. Probably identical with P. hilgendorfi, Steindachner.
2. Paraltchlhys tropicus, Ginsburg. I93S, torn. cit.. p. 5. Described from a single example (U.S.
N'.M., No. 34'Vi')), .>::i mill, in total length, from off Tnnidad, West Indies, 31 fathoms.
Verv close to P. sqiaimdciitui, Jordan and Cilliert.
PARALICHTHIN^ 71
Pacific Species.
I. ^4 to 1 40 scales in lateral line ; dorsal 66-84, anal 5 1-64 ; eye 4 to 8 in head.
A. 20 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; scales of ocular side
ctenoid, those of blind side cycloid.
1. Depth 2\ to 2} in length ; dorsal 69-74, ^^^^ 5--57 ■ n- californicus.
2. Depth 2j in length ; dorsal 72-83, anal 58-63 . . 12. esstuarius.
13. 15 to 18 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; scales of ocular
side ctenoid, those of blind side cycloid.
1. Depth 2 to 2 J in length ; maxillarj^ (in adults) to a little beyond
posterior edge of eye . . . . . .13. adspersus.
2. Depth 2j to 2§ in length ; maxillary {in adults) to well beyond
posterior edge of eye ...... 14. olivaceus.
c. 12 to 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; scales all cycloid
15. woolmani.
D. 9 to II gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; scales of ocular side
ctenoid, those of blind side cycloid.
1. 140 scales in lateral line ; majullary to beyond eye, which is 7f in
head ........ 16. fernandezianus.
2. 94 scales in lateral line ; maxillary to below posterior edge of eye,
which IS 5i in head ...... 17. hilgendorfi.
II. About 80 scales m lateral line ; dorsal 72-73, anal 56 ; 18 to 21 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch ; eye 4J to 5^ in head . . 18. microps.
III. 75 scales in lateral line ; dorsal 87, anal 70 ; 20 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; eye 3 in head .... 19. cteruleosticia.
I. PARALICHTHYS ORBIGNYANA (Valenciennes).
Flatessa orbignyana, (Valenciennes) Jenyns, 1842, Zool. Voy. " Beagle ", IV, Fish, p. 137 ;^ Valen-
ciennes, 1847, Voy. Amer. Merid., V, 2, Poissons, p. 10, pi. xvi, fig. i.
Piiralichthys brasiliensis (non Ranzani), Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish, xjv, (1886),
p. 246 ; Berg, 1S95, An. Mus. nac. B. Aires, iv, p. yy ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, BuU.
U.S. Xat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2626 ; Fowler, 1927, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Ixxviii, (1926),
P- -'73-
Pseudorhombus dentaitis, Perugia, l8gi, Ann. Mus. Stor. nat. Genova, (2) x [.xxx], p. 629.
Faralichthys brasiliensis (part), Ribeiro, 1915, Arch. .Mus. nac. Rio de J., xvii, Heterosoraata, p. 15.
Xysireurys ribeiroi. Fowler and Bean, 1923, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Ixiii (19), p. 26.
Depth of body 2\ to 2| in the length, length of head 3J to nearly 4. Upper
profile of head straight or slightly concave. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which
is 6 to 7 in length of head and greater than interorbital width ; eyes separated by a
flat space, their anterior margins about level- Maxillary extending to a httle beyond
posterior edge of eye, length a little more than 2 in that of head : lower jaw somewhat
projecting, i§ to ij in head. Teeth rather small, canines of moderate siEe. i5 or
17 gUl-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; 90 to 100 in lateral
line; very few supplementary- scales. Dorsal 70-74 (77) ; commencing above posterior
nostril of bhnd side and just in front of eye. Anal 52-57. Pectoral of ocular side
with II rays, length 2\ to 2 J in that of head. Caudal double-truncate; caudal
peduncle more than twice as deep as long. Brownish, mottled and spotted with
darker, and sometimes also with pale spots ; pectoral fin not very distinctly barred.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.
Specimens Examined :
2 (227, 275 mm.). Rio de Janeiro. Mus. Comp. Zool.
3 (105-325 ,, )- Rio Grande do Sul. Ihering.
I (170 mm.). Montevideo. Stanford Univ.
I (210 „ ), skin. Bahia Blanca. "Beagle."
' The fact that Jenyns quotes Valenciennes' name in 1842 appears to be due to the earlier
publication of the .^tlas of D'Orbigny's voyage.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Fig. ^^a
Judging from a drawing of the type-specimen jNu ^3404 made by Col. Tenison.
Xyslretirvs nbeirui. Fowler and Bean, from Rio de Janeiro, is probably this species '
The proportions, scale and fin-ray counts, etc., are almost identical, but the drawmg
shows a distinct supratemporal l)ranch of the lateral line.
J. I'ARALU H rnVS DENTATUS (Linnaeus).
Sr.MMhK FLfirNiii:R.|
PUuronectes dentatus, I.iiiiiapus. n^u, Sv,l. .\.il,, cd. i-'. p. .|iS; .Mitchill, iSii. Tr, Lit. I'hjl.
Soc. N. York, i, p. 3((('.
I'lcurnnectt's tnelanojiaster, Mitchill, 181s, torn, cit., p. 390.
I'lalfssa occltaris, De Kay, 1842, N.H.Ncw York (Fish.), p. y«j.
Fseudfirhombus occllaris, (iunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 430.
( hcrnopsc-lta ocellarii. Gill, 1864, Proc. .'Xcad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 218.
t'seudorhnmhii'. drntafu-., <, oc.de and Ik. 111, iSNd, I'roc. U.S. N'at, .Mus., u. (I87'll, p. I-'V
the Tniti'd States XatK
PARALICHTHIN^
73
Faralichthys ocellaris, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 617.
Paralichthys ophyms, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 82a.
Faralichthys ienlatus, Goode, 18S4, Nat. Hist, .\quat. .\nim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., I), p. 178,
pi. xlii; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 246 ; Jordan and Ever-
mann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2629, pi. ccclxxiii, fig. 922 ; Bean, 1902, Ann.
Rep. Forest Fish Game Comm. N.Y., vi, (1901), p. 472 ; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S.
Bur. Fish., xl (l), (1924), p. 491, fig. 249; Nichols and Breder, 1927, Zoologica, ix, p. 176,
fig. ; Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xliii (l), (1927), p. 165, fig- 86.
Eggs, Larvae and Young.
.'^gassiz, 1878, i'roc. .'^mer. .\cad., xiv, p. i, figs.; Hildebrand and Cable, 1931, Bull. U.S. Bur.
Fish., xlvi, (1930), p. 464, figs.
Depth of body about 2J in the length, length of head 3J to 4. Upper profile of
head straight. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is 6 to 7 in length of head
and somewhat greater than interorbital width ; eyes separated by a fiat space, their
anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending to beyond posterior edge of eye,
length about 2 in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, i J to if in head. Teeth
strong, canines of moderate size. 14 to 17 (occasionally 12 or 13)' gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; about 108 in lateral line ; supplementar>'
scales present- Dorsal (80) 87-95 ; commencing immediately behind posterior
nostril of bhnd side and just in front of eye. Anal (60) 65-75. Pectoral of ocular
side with 11 rays, length about 2 in that of head. Caudal double-truncate : caudal
peduncle i J to i J times as deep as long. Brownish or greyish, variously spotted with
white and dark brown ; generally a row of 4 or 5 round dark spots, sometimes ocellated.
along upper edge of body, and a similar row of 3 or 4 along lower edge, a pair abo\e
and below anterior part of lateral line, and a single spot on middle of straight portion :
these spots are rarely absent, but sometimes inconspicuous ; median fins uniform or
with indistinct and irregular darker markings.
Type. — Linnean Society of London. =
^ See Hildebrand .and Cable, 1931, turn, cit., p. 465.
- This is a well-preserved skin, 280 mm. in total length, bearing a label in Garden's handwriting.
A second skin, 296 mm. long, from the same source, is also in the possession o£ the Society. Both
probably came from South Carolina. [See Giinther, 1899, Proc. Linn. Soc, London, (Oct.), pp.
=9, 37.]
KL.Vl FISH lis (HKIKKOSOMATA)
ica. from tin
DlSTRIBl'TION- Atl.intir coast of North A
Florida.
SPKCIMENS K.XAMIN'EI) :
1 (440 mm.).
2 (128, 130 mm.).
I) (35-8.3 ,. ).
4 (1IO-I40 ,. ).
Woods Hoi,-, .M.1,^.
Hampton Roads.
Charleston Harbonr. S. C.i
St of Maine' to
I'.S. Nat. Mus.
Mus. Comp. Zoul.
Charleston Mus.
Also 2 young specimens from Florida (.Mus. Comp. Zool ). and the type and .second
specimen (Linnean Soc).
This species is saiil to attain a length of about 3 feet and a weight of about 15
pounds.
Hussakof (1914, Bull. .\mer. Mus. Nat. Hist., xxxiii, p. 95, figs.) has described
two examples of this species partially pigmented on the blind side (see p. 24).
Pleuronectes melanogaster appears to have been an ambicolorate example of this
species.
3. PARALICHTHYS LETHOSTIC;MA, Jordan and Gilbert.
^Southern Flounder.]
nalf.-.ii MuHfu {mm .\Iitc hill), De Kay, 1842, N.H. New York (Fish.), p. 290, pi. xlviii, lig. 150.
Pseudorhumbus oblongus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 426.
PseuJorhombus vora.x (part), Giinther, 1862, toin, cit., p. 42g.
Chanopsiita dcntata, <;ill, 1864, Pror. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 21S.
Fig. ^.i.—Vaniluhihyi Uthailis
P-.nidvrh„mbui dciilatus. I.oodi', iSSo, rrnc. I'.S. N.it. Mus., 11, (iS^q), p. no; (.m,d.- and iiean
1880, torn, cit., p. 123.
Paralichlhys dentatus, Jordan and Gilberl. 1S83, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.. v, (1SS2), pp. 302, O17;
Jordan and Gilbert, 18S3, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. S22.
Paralichlhys lelhostigma, Jordan and Gilbert, 1S85, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vii, (1884), p. 237 ; Jordan
and Goss, 188(1, Kep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 247, pi. iii, ftg. 7 ; Jordan and F.vermann,
iSr,8. Hull. U.S. Nat. Mus., .\lvii (3), p. 2630 ; Bean, i<i02, Ann. Kep. Forest Fish Game Comm.
N.V.. VI. (noi), p. 4-3.
liGGS, L.lRV.t AND YoUNG.
Hildebrand and Cable
Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xlvi, (1930), p. 4t>4, hgs
PARALICHTHIN/E 75
Depth of body zl to 2J in the length, length of head 3J to 3J. Upper profile of
head nearly straight. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is 5J to nearly 8 in
length of head and (in adults) equal to or a little greater than interorbital width ;
eyes separated bv a flat space, their anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending
to beyond posterior edge of eye, length about 2 in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting
about if in head. Teeth strong, canines of moderate size. 9 to 11 (occasionally 8
or 12)' gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; 85 to 100 in
lateral line ; supplementary scales present. Dorsal 78-93 (95) ; commencing imme-
diately behind posterior nostril of blind side and just in front of eye. Anal (58) 60-
74. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length about 2 in that of head. Caudal
double-truncate ; caudal peduncle twice or more than twice as deep as long. Dark
olive brown, obscurely spotted and mottled with darker, and with traces of some
white spots ; median fins generally with round dusky spots.
Typk. — Not traced.^
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of America, from New York to Trinidad.
Specimens Examined :
1 (::io mm.). North Carolina. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
I (147 ,, ). Beaufort, North Carolina. Ginsburg.
3 (150-230 mm.) Charleston Harbour, South Carolina. Charleston Mus.
I (302 mm.). Florida. U.S. Nat. Mus.
12 (170-290 mm.). Biloxi Bay to Horn Is., Mississippi. Caribb. Biol. Lab.
1 (x.'io mm.). Tobago. Guppy.
2 (210, 330 mm.). Two of — Haslar Coll.
the types of P. vorax.
This species has been frequently confused with P deutaius, from which it may be
distinguished by the smaller number of gill-rakers, lower average number of dorsal
and anal rays, and by the coloration.
4. PARALICHTHYS ALBIGUTTA, Jordan and Gilbert.
[Gulf Flounder.]
Paralichthys albigtitla, Jordan and Gilbert. 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 302 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 823 ; Jordan and Goss, i88g, Rep. U.S. Com.
Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 248 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2631.
Eggs, Larv.« .\.\-d Young.
Hildebrand and Cable, 1931. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xlvi, (1930), p. 464, figs.
Perhaps identical with P. lethostigma, but with somewhat larger eye, narrower
interorbital space, rather fewer dorsal and anal rays, and larger scales. Interorbital
width rarely more than 5 diameter of eye, which is 4I (young) to about 6 in length of
head. 70 to 82 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (72) 74-80. Anal 56-62. Brownish
or olivaceous, mottled and spotted with darker, and generally with numerous pale
spots ; young with 3 more or less distinct ocellated spots forming a triangle, a pair
above and below the lateral line just behind the curve and the third on the middle
of its straight portion ; these spots frequently persisting in the adult ; median fins
with dark spots and blotches and with some smaller pale spots ; pectoral finely
spotted with brown.
Type. — United States National Museum.
Distribution. — South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the X'nited States.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
fi (75-90 mm.). North C arolina. .-imer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
1 (295 mm.). Cedar Key, Florida. Jordan.
2 (232, 280 mm.). S.W. Florida. ."Vmer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
I (150 mm.). Apalachicola Bay, Florida. Ginsburg.
* See Hildebrand and Cable, 1931.
^ No type specimen appears ever to have been designated.
76
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
The confusion of this species with P. lelhoslif;nia, as well as with P. dentattis, makes
it impossible adequately to disentangle the synonymy of the three species. Hilde-
brand and Cable (1931, torn, cit.), who have examined a large series of specimens from
Beaufort, North Carolina, find themselves unable to recognise more than one form
with a small number of gill-rakers, and it is possible that lethostignia, albigutta and
squamilentus will eventually have to be regarded as representing one variable species.
The size of the scales, however, a character which is not considered by these authors,
seems to provide a means of distinguishing these forms, coupled with the size of the
eye and the width of the interorbital space, as well as the a\'erage number of rays in
the dorsal and anal fins.
This species is said to reach a smaller size than lethostigmu or dcntatus.
5. PARALICHTHYS SQUAMILENl US, Jordan and Gilbert.
ahchthys squamiUntus , Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Pror. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 303 : Jordan
and Gilbert, 1885, Hull. U.S. X.it. Mus., .xvi, p. S::; ; lordan and (loss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com.
Fish., xiv, (1886), p. ^48 ; Jordan and Hv,.Tinann, is.jS, Hull. U.S. Xat. Mus., xlvii (i), p. 2631,
Pl-
PARALICHTHIN^
Closely related to P. albiguita. Depth of body about 2 in the length, length of head
3i to 3f . Upper profile of head nearly straight. Snout longer than eye, diameter
of which is 5 to 5I in length of head and much greater than interorbital width ;
eyes separated by a fiattish space, the upper a little in advance of lower. Maxillary
extending to below posteror edge of eye or a little beyond, length 2 in that of head;
lower jaw a little projecting, i§ in head. Teeth rather strong, canines large. 9
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; about 115 in lateral
line ; no supplementary scales. Dorsal 75-78 ; commencing immediately behind
posterior nostril of blind side and just in front of eye. Anal 59-61, Pectoral of
ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length about \ that of head. Caudal rounded ; caudal
peduncle twice as deep as long. Brownish ; the body and fins obscurely spotted with
darker ; caudal mottled with white ; pectoral with dark cross-bars and some dark
spots.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 30862.
Distribution. — South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.
Specimens Examined :
2 (119, 121
I (360 mm.
Pensacola, Florida.
Dry Tortugas, Florida.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Longley.
6. PARALICHTHYS BRASILIENSIS (Ranzani)
840, De Nov. Pise, (2) [N. Comm. \c. Sci. Inst. Bonon.,
, p. 7&, pi. xl, fig. 3.
Hippoglossus brasiliensis, R;
p. 10, pi. ill.
Rhombus aramaca, Castelnau, 1855, Anim. Nouv, Rares Amer. Sud
t Pseudorhombus dentatus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 425.
Pseudorhombus vorax (part), Giinther, 1862, torn, cit., p. 429.
Pseudorhombus brasiliensis, Giinther, 1869, Trans. Zool. See, vi, p. 429
Paralichthys paiagonicus, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Cora. Fish.,
1895, An. Mus. nac. B. .'\ires, iv, p. 77 ; Evermann and Kendall, 1
XXXI, p. 107.
Paralichthys brasiliensis (part), Ribeiro,
Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de J.
, (1886), p. 248 ; Berg,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
i, Heterosomata, p. zi.
Fig. 43. — Paralichthys
Depth of body 2J to 2| in the length, length of head 3J to 4. Upper profile of
head a little notched in front of upper eye. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which
is 6J to 8 in length of head and about equal to interorbital width ; eyes separated by
a fiat space, their anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending to a little beyond
78 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
posterior edge of eye, length about 2 in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting,
I i to 15 in head. Teeth strong, canines large. 10 or 11 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales all cycloid : 73 to 77 in lateral line ; few supplementary scales.
Dorsal 70-75 : commencing above posterior nostril of blind side and well in front of
eye. Anal 52-56. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays, length i* to 2J in that
of head. Caudal rounded or double-truncate; caudal peduncle about 15 times as
deep as long. Brownish, indistinctly blotched or mottled with darker and with
numerous small, more or le.ss distinct, pale spots ; often a dark spot at base of upper and
lower rays of caudal tin ; median fins with some large dark spots and with a number
of smaller pale spots ; pectoral with irregular dark cross-bars.
Fic. 44.— Para/uA/Ziv.'i braiUu-tiii^. Type of /'. patagnnicui. M.C.Z. 11399. X J.
Xype. — Instituto di Zoologia, Universita di Bologna
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of South America, from southern Brazil to Pata-
gonia.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
? I (670 mm.), stuffed. i*ort Famine, Magellan Strait. Zool. Soc. CoU.
I (385 .1 )• O"^ °* ""■ tyP«» S- -America. Schomburgk.
of P, vorax.
I {320 mm.). ,, — —
There appears to be little doubt as to the identity of P. patagonicus with the species
described by Ranzani as brasihensis. The type of Jordan and Goss's species [Mas.
Comp. Zool., No. 11399J has been examined by Col. Tenison and is illustrated here.
The proportionately larger eye (5J in head) and narrower interorbital space are
accounted for by the smaller size of the specimen.
7. PARALICHTHVS BICYCLOPHORUS, Ribeiro,
I'araUMhyi bicyclnphonn , Ribciro, 1915, Arcli. Mus. nac. Rio de J., xvn, Hcterosoiiiata, p. 14, fig.
Depth of body about 2 J in the length, length of head nearly 4. Uppier profile of
head nearly straight. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is 5^ in length of
head, and greater than interorbital width ; eyes separated by a flat space, the lower
a little in advance of upper. Maxillary extending almost to below posterior edge of
eye. Teeth apparently of moderate size. 11 giU-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales ciliated ; 103 in lateral line ; supplementary .scales present. Dorsal
S4 : origin in front of eye. Anal 65. Pectoral of ocular side about 2 in length of
head. Caudal double-truncate. Brownish, mottled and spotted with darker and with
traces of paler markings ; a large round black ocellus margined with paler below the
PARALICHTHIN^ 79
junction of the straight and curved portions of the lateral line, and a similar but
smaller ocellus on the middle of the straight part.
Type. — Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.
Distribution. — Rio de Janeiro.
This species is known only from the two types, each 330 mm in total length.
8. PARALICHTHYS OBLONGUS (Mitchill).
[Four-spotted Flounder.]
PUttroncch-s oblongus, Mitchill, 1815, Tr. Lit. Phil. Soc. N. York, i, p. 391.
Platessa quadrocellata, Storer, 1848, Proc, Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., ii, (1847), p. 242 ; Storer, 1S67,
Hist. Fish. Massach., p. 203, pi. .xx.xi, fig. 3.
Platessa quadrocellaris , Gill, 1861, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. Coast N. .\raer.),
p. .SI.
Chanopselta ablonga, Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 218.
Paralichthys oblongus, 1881, Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), p. 472 ; Jordan and Gilbert,
1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., .\vi, p. 824 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv.
(1886), p. 249, pi. iii, lig. 8 ; Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 436 ; Jordan and Ever-
raann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2632, pi. ccclxxiv, fig. 924 ; Bean, 1902, Ann.
Rep. Forest Fish Game Comm. N.Y., vi, (1901), p. 473 ; Bigeiow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S.
Bur. Fish., xl (i), {1924), p. 494, fig. 250 ; Nichols and Breder, 1927, Zoologica, ix, p. 177, fig.
Eggs, Larv.e and Young.
.^gassiz, 1878, Proc. .Amer. .Acad., xiv, p. r, figs.
Depth of body 2J to 2| in the length, length of head 3I to 4. Upper profile of head
straight or slightly concave above eyes. Snout about as long as or longer than eye,
diameter of which is 4 to 4§ in length of head ; eyes separated by a prominent, narrow
ridge, their anterior margins about level. Maxillary e.xtending to below posterior
part of eye, length 2^ in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, i| in head. Teeth
rather small, canines moderate. 7 to 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales cycloid or feebly ctenoid ; about 95 in lateral line ; no supplementary scales.
Dorsal (72) 75-82 (86) ; commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side and
U.S. Nat.
Mus.
Amer. Mi
Mus. Con
IS. Nnt.
ip. Zou
Hist.
1.
.So FL.MFISHKS (HHTKROSOM.X'l A)
above anterior edge or anterior part of eye. .^nal (58) 60-68 (76). Pectoral of ocular
side with 1 1 rays, length a little more than I that of head. Caudal pointed ; caudal
peduncle rather deeper than long. Greyish or brownish, generally mottled or blotched
with darker ; 4 rather conspicuous ocelli, each surrounded by a pinkish area, a pair
just behind middle of body and near its edges, and another lielow last rays of dorsal
and above last rays of anal respectively.
Tvpi;, — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of New England and New York ; extending into deeper
water as far as the 100 fathoms line.
Specimens Examined ;
I (302 mm.). Woods Hole, Mass.
J (88, 115 mm.). Vineyard Sound, Mass.
I (107 mm.). Buzzards Bay,
I (2S5 ,, ). Approx. 4n' 10' N., 73' 36' W.
I (.'•;.: ,, ). N. Atlantic.
9. P-^RALICHTHYS ISOSCELES, Jordan.
raiahchthyi isoicdcs, Jordan, 1890, I'roc. U.S. X.it. Mus., xiu, p. 330.
Apparently clo.se to P. oblongus and P. triocdlatiis. Depth of body 2.;'^ in the
length, length of head 3|. Diameter of eye 5 in length of head ; eyes separated by a
narrow, nearly or quite naked ridge. Maxillary scaled, length i\ in that of head.
Teeth slender, sharp, the anterior moderately enlarged. 8 or g giU-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales finely ciliated ; 88 to 90 in lateral line. Dorsal 84.
.\nal 66. Length of pectoral of ocular side if in that of head. Caudal double-
truncate. Greyish brown, more or less mottled with darker ; snout and lower jaw
with dark spots ; a vague dark spot just above curve of lateral line and another
behind pectoral ; three large black ocelli forming a triangle, a pair above and below
lateral line and near edges of body, the third on lateral line just before end of dorsal ;
fins all more or less speckled or mottled with dark ; peh'ic blackish, with two or three
small, inky spots.
Type. — United States National Museum.
Distribution. — Bahia, Brazil.
Known only from the 4 types, 125 to 280 mm. in total length.
This species may prove to be identical with P. tnocellatus. Allowing for the
liiHerence in the sizes of the .specimens described by Jordan and those of tnocellatus
in the British Museum, the two are very similar, but Jordan records 88 to 90 scales
m the lateral line in isosceles.
10 PARALICHTHYS TRIOCELLATUS, Ribeiro.
l\iralUhth\slTu,ccllcitui, Ribeiro, 1904, Lavoura (Bol. Soc. Nac. Agric), 4-7. (1903), p. iqj ; Ribeiro,
1915, Arcli. Mus. Nac. Rio do J., xvii, Hotcrosomata, p. 13, fig. ; Rihfiro. uiiS, Arch. Mus.
nac. Rio de J., xxi, p. 16;,
I'aralichthys oblongus, ReKan. 1914, Rep. Urit. Antarct ("Terra Nova") Expcd., 1910, Zool., 1,
I. p. 23-
Depth of body 2^ to 2| in the length, length of head 3J to 35 Upper profile of
head a little concave m front of upper eye. Snout equal to or shorter tlian eye,
diameter of which is 3I to 3 1 in length of head ; eyes separated by a low narrow ridge,
their anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending to a little beyond middle
of eye, length about 2 in head ; lower jaw not projecting, 1 3 to if in head. Teeth of
moderate size, canines not much enlarged. 8 or 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales mostly feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; about 60
in lateral line ; very few supplementary scales. Dorsal 82-86 ; commencing imme-
diately behind posterior nostril of blind side and in front of eye. Anal 67-69. Pectoral
]'AKALICHTHIN.E
8i
of ocular side with lo or ii rays, length i^ to if in that of head. Caudal double-
truncate ; caudal peduncle more than twice as deep as long. Brownish, with traces
of irregular darker markings ; a pair of conspicuous ocelli above and below the straight
portion of the lateral line, midway between it and the dorsal and anal fins ; a similar
ocellus, sometimes wanting, on hinder part of lateral line ; distal part of pelvic fin
of ocular side duskv.
Type. — Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.
Distribution. — Coast of Brazil.
Specimens Examined :
4 (So- 1 35 I
C. Frio, Brazil, 40 fms
" Terra Nova.'
Also a photograph of the type.
II. PARALICHTHYS CALIFORNICUS (Ayres).
[Bastard Halibut, Monterey Halibut.]
Plcuroiucles maculosus (no» Cuvier),^ Girard, 1856, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vii, (1854), p. 155,
Paralichthys maculosus, Girard, 1858, U.S. Pacific R.R. Survey, x. Fishes, p. 147 ; Gunther, 1862,
Cat. Fish., iv, p. 431 ; Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 197 ; Lockingtoa, 1880,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii, (1879), p. 79.
Hippoglossus californicus, Ayres, 1862-3 (?), Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ii, (1859), p. 29; ii, (i86n),
fig. 10.
Pseudorhombus californicits. Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 426.
Uropsetta californUa, Gill, 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., (1862), p. 330; Gill, 1864, Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 198.
Paralichthys califormcus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 821 ; Jordan and
Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 245 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2625 ; Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zoo!., iii (11),
p. 242 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv {4), p. 9, fig. 89.
Depth of body 2 J to 2 J in the length, length of head 3 J (young) to 4 J. Upper profile
of head nearly straight. Snout as long as or longer than eye, diameter of which is
4 (young) to 7 in length of head and somewhat greater than interorbital width ; eyes
separated by a flat space, the upper a little in advance of lower. Maxillary (in adults)
extending to beyond posterior edge of eye, length a little more than 2 in that of head ;
* A species of Pseudorhombus (see p. 104).
s>
FLATFISHES (HHTEKOSOMAIA)
lower jaw scarcely projecting, about ij in head. Teeth rather strong, canines of
moderate size. About 20 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly
ctenoid on ocular side, mostly cycloid on blind side ; about 100 in lateral line ; numerous
supplementary scales present, especially on anterior part of body. Dorsal tiq-74 .
commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side and just in front of eye. Anal
32-57. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays, length about 1 that of head. Caudal
double-truncate ; caudal peduncle about as deep as long. Greyish brown, sometimes
mottled or spotted with paler and darker ; the head sometimes sprinkled with black
dots ; young brownish, with bluish spots.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coast of California, from San Francisco to the Gulf of California.
Specimens E.xaminkd ;
I (330 mm.). .S,m I'-rancsco. liiKenmann.
I (315 ,, ). Magdalena Bay. U.S. Nat. Mus.
I (205 ,, ). San Diego.
10 (70-290 mm.). ., Jordan.
I (160 mm.). ., U.S. Nat. .Mus.
This species is said to attain to a length of 3 feet and a weight of 60 pounds. It is
indifferently sinistral or dextral.
12. PARALICHTHVS ^STUARIUS, Gilbert and Scofield.
Pamlichthys icsluarius, Gilbert and Scolield, iSyti. I'roL. U.S. Xat. .Mus., xx, (iS'j?), p. .|.)(), pi.
xxxix ; Jordan and Evermann, 18118, Bull. U.S. .Nat. .\luii., xh li (3), p. .'620. (iilliert and
Starks, 1904, Mem. Calif. Acad. Sci., iv, p. 19S.
Parahchthys magdaleiur, (.M.bott) Jord.in and Kvermann, iS.,,s, lUill. U.S. X.it. Mus. xlvu ( i).
Very close to the preceding species, but depth of body i\ m the length : gill-rakers
rather shorter, 20 on lower part of anterior arch ; dorsal 72 -83, anal 5H-O3. Pale
chocolate brown.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 481 2S.
Distribution. — Mouth of Colorado River, Mexico.
Specimen Examined :
(190 1
atype.
Shoai I'oint, .Mouth uf Colorado R
Mexico.
Gilbert.
PARALICHTHIN^
83
Fig. 4S. — Paralichth
All the known specimens of this species are small, measuring from 6 to g inches
in length.
13. PARALICHTH YS ADSPERSUS (Steindachner) .
? Hippoglossus kingii, Jenyns, 1842, Zool. Voy. " Beagle ", iv. Fish., p. 138, pi. xxvi.'
Pseudorhombus adspersus, Steindachner, 1867, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, iv (i), p. 7ofj, pi. ii.
Paralichthys adspersus, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 246 ; Abbott,
1899, Proc. .\cad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 363 ; Thompson, 1916, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1, p. 468 ;
Evermann and Radcliffe, 1917, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xcv, p. 140.
? Pseudorhombus hingii, Reed, 1897, Cat. Feces Chilenos (An. Univ. Chile), xcv, p. 16.
? Paralichthys kingii, Delfin, 1901, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., i\', (1900), p. 104; Fowler, 1^)27, Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Ixxviii, (1926), p. 282.
Depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of head 3J to 3|. Upper profile of
head nearly straight. Snout a little longer than eye, diameter of which is 4 J to 6 J in
* No specimen was preserved, the description being based on a coloured drawing made by
Mr. King, an officer of the " Beagle ". This drawing shows the dorsal fin with a distinct anterior
portion, lower than the remainder and with the membrane notched between the rays.
84 FLATFISHICS (HETEROSOMA lA)
lenj^th of head and greater than intcrorbital width ; eyes separated by a flat space,
the npper a Uttle in advance of lower. Maxillary (in adults) extending to a little
hevond posterior edge of eye, length 2^ to 2 J in head ; lower jaw not projecting, if
in head. Teeth of moderate size, canines not much enlarged. 16 or 17 (18) gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
about 1 05 in lateral line ; some supplementary scales present. Dorsal (67) 72-74 ;
commencing behind posterior nostril of blind side and above anterior margin or
anterior part of eye. Anal (54) 57-58. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, length
.', or nearly ^ that of head. Caudal double-truncate ; caudal peduncle about twice
as deep as long. Brownish, mottled and variegated with darker spots, blotches and
rings ; three larger and more distinct ocelli on body, one above commencement of
straight part of lateral line, one at an equal distance below but a little more pos-
teriorlv, and a third on the straight portion ; traces of other ocelli .nt iijiper and lower
edges of body ; median fins mottle<l and spotted with brown ; pectoral with irregular
dark cross-bars.
Type. — Vienna Museum.
DisTRiBtiTiON. — Coasts of Fern and Chile
Specimens Examined :
I (89 mm. ). Peru. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
I (310 ,, ). Iquique, Chile. Godeflroy Mus.
I (98 ,, ). Lota, ,. Stanford Univ.
? I (405 ,, ). Stuffed. Pescadores B,iy, Chile. Whitely.
? I (650 ,, ). ,. Juan Fernandez Is. Keid.
This species appeares to have been confused by many authors with the common
Paralichlhvs of Mazatlan {P. woolmani), from which it may be readily distinguished
bv the ctenoid scales on the ocular side and the larger number of gill-rakers.
The large specimen described by Fowler from Chile as P. kiiiqii has fewer dorsal
(66) and anal (53) rays than any of the species of Paralichthy<i from the Pacific coast
of South America. This may prove to be a Hippoglossina.
14. PARALICHTHYS OLIVACEUS (Temmmck and Schlegel).
Hippoglossu!. olnacciis, Temminck and Schlegel, 184(1, in Siebold, I'. Japon. (Piscesl, p. 1S4, pi. xciv.
fig- 9-t-
Khombiis wolffii. Bleeker, 1854, Xal. Tijdschr. Xed. Ind., vi, p. 421 ; lileeker. 1854-7, Verh. Batav.
Gen., xxvi, Japan, p. i:;:; ; Bleeker, 1859, Act. Soc. Sci. Indu-Xeeri., v, Japan, pi. 11, fig. j.
Phil,- . .1 ■ , I. . . ,":/,(, Basilewskv, 1855, Nouv. Mem. Soc. Xat. Moscou, (j) x, p. 245.
I\,u.i " .::,,ccus, Gunthcr, i86c. Cat. Fish., iv, p. 429 ; Otaki, 1897, J. Fish. Bur. Tovko,
M I , !• , 1 I V, fig. 2.
Ckun,i ,!:.i : r.:.,,<a. Bleeker, 1873, Xed. Tijdschr. Dierk., iv, p. 130 ; Bleeker, 1879, \'erh. .\lia<l.
WcL. Amsterdam, xviii, Poiss. Japon., p. 21.
Chanopidla wolffii, Bleeker, 1879, torn, cit., p. 21.
Parahchthys olwaceus, Steindachner, 1896, Ann. naturh. .Mus. Wien, xi, p. 217 ; Otaki, Fujita and
Higurashi, 1904, Fish. Japan, i (2) ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc.
p. 180 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii
Metz, 1913, Mem Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 59 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925,
p. 297; Schmidt and I.indberg, 1930, Bull. Acad. Leningrad, p. 1148
Pac. Com. Acad. Sci., U.S.S.R., ii, p. 125; Schmidt, 1931, C.R. Acad. Si 1. Kiis>;., p. 315 ;
\Vu, 1932, This. F.-icult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 77.
I'snidrjrlwmbus suiinhnms, Gunther, 1873, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4) xii, p. 379.
I'araUclithys olivacfus \ar. coreanicus, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 230.
Piirnlnhthys cnrcanicu!^, Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 181.
Puraluhlhys penocephalus, Jordan and Starks, 1906, lom. cit., p. 181 ; Jordan and .Metz, 1913,
Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 59.
Depth of body 2 J to 2j in the length, length of head 3.! (young) to 4. LI|iper profile
of head straight or a little concave. Snout (in adults) much longer than eye, diameter
of which IS 4i (young) to 8 in head and a little greater than interorbital width ; eyes
U.S.
Nat.
Mus.,
xxxi.
(0, p.
317 :
Jorda
in and
Mem.
Cam
egie M
us., X,
; Schl
nidt.
1931, ■
Trans.
PARALICHTHIN^ 85
separated by a flat space, the upper slightly in advance of lower. Maxillary (in
adults) extending to well beyond posterior edge of eye, length about 2 in that of
head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, ij to i§ in head. Teeth strong, canines well
developed. 15 to 18 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 108 to 122 scales in lateral line ; supplementary
scales present. Dorsal (66) 68-84 : commencing behind posterior nostril of blind
side and just in front of or above anterior margin of eye. Anal (49) 51-63. Pectoral
of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length about i that of head. Caudal double-truncate ,
caudal peduncle somewhat deeper than long. Greyish or brownish, speckled and
spotted with dark brown, the spots sometimes arranged in rings or half rings ; body-
often with numerous small white spots ; median fins mottled and spotted with darker ;
pectoral sometimes with irregular dark cross-bars.
Fic. 50. — Paralichlkys otivaceiis. B.M. (N.H.) 79.
X i.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Coasts of China and Japan.
Specimens Examined ;
(330 mm.).
China.
(85, no mm.).
Daipo, Hong Kong,
(180 mm.).
Amoy, China.
(115-165 mm.).
(250 mm.).
Coast of Shan-Tung
(230, 420 mm.). Types of
Chefoo, China.
P. swinhonis.
(375 mm.).
Inland sea of Japan
(78-125 mm.).
Nagasaki, Japan.
(loo, 155 ,. ).
Wakanoura, ,,
(115 mm.).
Kawatana, ,,
(110-340 mm.).
Hondo Is., ,,
(235 mm.).
Matsushima, „
{285 ,, ).
Toyama, ,,
(370 ,, ).
Bay of Mutsu. Japar
(162-1O8 mm.).
Port Arthur.
Intern. Fisheries Exhib.
Chen.
Swinhoe.
Light.
Wu.
Swinhoe.
" Challenger '*.
Jordan.
Tokyo Imp. Vn
Kishinouye.
Jordan.
Also one from Hong-Kong {Mus. Conip. Zool.).
The variation in the number of dorsal and anal rays in this species is very marked,
but there appears to be no very definite increase in number from south to north as
suggested by Jordan and Hubbs.* The following table shows the number of dorsal
and anal rays in selected specimens from several localities.
iiples (
ited, however,
FI,A I I-ISIIKS (HHTICKOSOMAIA)
Hong Kong.
Amoy
Nagasaki
Kawatana .
Chefoo
Shan-Tung .
Hondo Is .
I'ort Arthur
Matsushima
liav of Mutsii
Hakodate .
An nn]X)rtant Japanese food-hsh, which attains a large size
77-84
38-63
79-84
60-63
7.')-7f'
.58-59
73
52
6<)
51-52
&0
54
76-80
55-62
68-69
52-55
75
57
73
58
72
57
h attains
1 large size.
I'AKAl.lCHl HVS WOOl.MANI, [Jordan and Williams] Gilbert.
I'firalnlilhrs iiil-.pnsi,'. {,i,„i SIcjmcI.m liiiti I, lord.in .iiul Gilbert, iSS,!, I'r.K. U.S.Nal. Mu5..v, (l88j),
p. .570; Jordan nnd Bollnian. 1850, I'ror. U.S. N'at. Mus., xii. (1880), p. 182; Jordan and
Evermann, i8g8, Bull. U..S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2627.
Paralichthvs uoolmani, (Jordan and Williams) Gilbert, 1807, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xi.x, p. 457 ;
lordan and Evermann, 1808, Hull. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2628 ; Evermann and Radclifle,
"1017, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xcv, p. 140 ; Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field Mus. Pub. Chicago,
/ool. Ser., XV, No. 240, p. 074.
rataltclithvs siimloa-, (Jordan and Abbott) Jordan and Evermann, 1808, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvi. (;), p. 2X72.
I',ij,ilulilltvs ■n-nnh,i,niiit. (.ilbiTt .iikI StafUs, lOiM, .Mi-111. f.ilif. Ai-.id. Sri., iv, p. Iy7.
Depth of body 1 ,''„ to .;] in the length, length of head 3I to 3iJ. I'pper profile of
head a little concave. Snout as long as or longer than eye, diameter of which is
Sj to 6J in length of head and much greater than interorbital width ; eyes separated
by a flat .space, the upper a little in advance of lower. Maxillary e.xtending to below
posterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length a little more than 2 in that of head ;
PARALICHTHIN^ 87
lower jaw scarcely projecting, ij to i§ in head. Teeth rather strong, canines large.
(11) 12 to 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; 102 to
1 10 in lateral line; supplementary scales present. Dorsal 70-80; commencing a
little behind posterior nostril of blind side and just in front of eye. Anal 52-64.
Pectoral of ocular side with 1 1 or 1 2 rays, length about J that of head. Caudal double-
truncate ; caudal peduncle nearly twice as deep as long. Greyish or brownish, spotted
and blotched with darker and often with pearly white ; on the median fins the dark
blotches are more distinct, especially on the caudal, where they form two or three
irregular rows ; pectoral spotted with darker.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 47575.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of tropical America from Lower California to Panama ;
Galapagos Is.
Specimens Examined :
2 (150, 223 mm.). Two of the I.n Paz, Lower California. Jordan (Hopkins
types of P. sitialoiS. Exped.).
2 (2.50, 268 mill.). Panama. Jordan.
1 (230 mm.). Panama Market. U.S. Nat. Mus.
^ (3"" ,, )■ Panama Canal Zone. ,,
Also one from Galapagos (Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.), and one from Panama (Mus.
Comp. Zool).
16. PARALICHTHVS FEKNANDEZIANUS, Steindachner.
Parahchthy!, ft-rnandcziaiius, Steindachner, 1905, Zool. Jahrb., Suppl. vi, p. 208.
Depth of body 2J in the total length, length of head 4. Snout longer than eye,
diameter of which is 75 in length of head. Maxillary extending to beyond posterior
edge of eye, length 2 J in that of head. There are 5 large canine teeth on ocular side
of lower jaw and 10 smaller ones on the blind side. 11 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; about 140 in
lateral line ; supplementary scales present. Dorsal 78 ; commencing a little in front
of eye. Anal 60. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length a little more than
2j in that of head. Brownish, sprinkled with fine darker dots ; blind side of dorsal
fin with large irregular brown spots.
Type, — Not traced.
Distribution. — Juan Fernandez Is., Chile.
The type was 510 mm. in total length.
17. PARALICHTHVS HILGENDORFI, Steindachner.
Pamlichlhys hilgcnJnrfi, Steindachner, 1905, Zool. Jahrb., Suppl. vi, p. 209.
Depth of body twice in the total length, length of head 3^. Snout a little longer
than eye, diameter of which is 5} in length of head and much greater than inter-
orbital width. Maxillary extending to below posterior edge of eye, length less than 2j
in that of head, 8 or 9 teeth on each side of lower jaw, those in front stronger, but
scarcely larger than anterior teeth in upper jaw. 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; about 94 in lateral line.
Dorsal 75 ; commencing above anterior edge of eye. Anal 61. Pectoral of ocular side
with II rays, length 2 in that of head. Greyish brown, with numerous fine darker
dots.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Juan Fernandez Is., Chile.
The type was 273 mm. in total length.
88 FLATFISHES (HF.TEROSOMA TA)
iS PAKALICHTHYS MICROPS (Giinther).
Uippoglossina murops, Gunthc-r, 1881, Proc. Zool. Sor., p. .' i ; Uelfin, vnn. Kc-v. Chil. Hist. N'.U-.
iv, (1900), p. 103.
? Paralkhthys jonlaiii, Stfindachner, i8.|.t. /ool. Jalirb,, Siippl. iv, p. 3^5 ; Dellin. i.i.n, /i.m. ciL.
p. 104.
Depth of body -^i to 2J in the length, length of head 3J to 35. Upper [irofile of
head a little concave. Snout about as long as eye, diameter of which is 4 J to 5 J in
length of head, and much greater than interorbital width ; eyes separated by a flat
space, the upper a little in advance of lower. Maxillary extending nearly to below
posterior edge of eye, length about 2! in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting,
i] to nearly 2 in head. Teeth rather strong, canines of moderate size. 18 to 21
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on
bhnd side ; about 80 in lateral hne ; supplementary scales present. Dorsal 72-73 ;
commencing behind posterior nostril of blind side and above anterior half of eye.
Anal 56, Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length about i that of head.
Caudal rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle about i\ times as deep as long.
Greyish or brownish, spotted and mottled with darker.
Typk. — British Museum (Nat. Hist,). Reg. No, 80.7.28.1),
Distribution, — Coast of Chile
Specimens Examined :
(I8r, )
I.).
). Holotypc.
Co.Tit of Chile.
West coast of Pal.iROnia.
Delfin.
Coppinger {" Alert '
In the position of the origin of the dorsal fin P. nncrops approaches some of the
species of Hippoglossina, but the form of the teeth and the absence of an anal spine
suggest that it belongs to this genus.
Paralichthys ccrruleosticta, Steind
Chil. Hist. Nat., iv, (iqoo), p
PAKALICHTHYS CCERULEOSTICTA, Steindachner,
18. ,S, Zuol. Jahrb , Suppl. iv, p. -7; Delfii
Depth of body less than 2;^ in the length, length of head more than 4J, Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3 in length of head and more than 3 times the
interorbital width. Length of maxillary 3 m that of head. Teeth slender, pointed.
PARALICHTHIN^ 89
somewhat enlarged anteriorly. 20 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 75 in lateral line. Dorsal 87 ; com-
mencing in front of eye. Anal 70. Pectoral of ocular side 15 in length of head.
Brownish, with numerous small blue dots margined with darker scattered over the
head and body, between many larger, mostly very diffuse dark brown spots ; the
latter are much clearer m the centre than at the margin, and form a regular series
parallel with and at a short distance from the base of the dorsal hn ; in the lower half
of the body these markings appear to be mostly wanting.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Juan Fernandez Is., Chile.
The ty'pe was 73 mm. in total length.
Genus 6. PSEUDORHOMBUS.
Psciidorhombus, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 426 [Rhombus polyspilus,
Sleeker] ; Day, 1877, Fish. India, p. 422 ; Regan, 1920, Ann. Durban Mus., ii, p. 207 ; Weber
and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 99 ; Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist., (:o) viii, p. 597 ; Wu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 79.
"i Neorhombus, Castelnau, 1875, Research. Fish. Austral. (Vict. Offic. Rec. Philad. Exhib.), p. 45
[Neorhombus unicolor, Castelnau].^
Tcratorhombus, Macleay, 1882, Free. Linn. See. N.S.W., vi, p. 126 [Teratorhombus excisiceps,
Macleay.]
lihombiscus, Jordan and Snyder, 1901, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 379 [Rhombus cinnamoncus,
Temminck and Schlegel.]
Spinirhombus, Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. .Abstr., i (5), p. 187 [Spimrhombus ctenosquamts,
Oshima.]
IsHorhombus, Whitley, 1931, Aust. Zool., vi, p. 322 [Pscudorhombus spiiwsus, McCulloch.]
Very close to Paralichthys, which it replaces in the Indo-Pacific region, but with a
supratemporal branch of the lateral line running upwards towards the anterior part
of the dorsal inn. Eyes separated by a bony ridge. 58 to 100 scales in lateral line.
Generally the body is less elongate than in Paralichthys. the mouth smaller, and the
teeth rather less strong. In general, the species are of smaller size.
A number of species from the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Gill-rakers palmate (short, strongly spinulate), as broad as long ; 3 or more
distinct ocelU or double ocelli on body.
A. Origin of dorsal well in front of nostrils of blind side, a line connecting
base of first ray and posterior nostril, if continued, passes above hinder
end of maxillary ; upper profile of head evenly convex . i. spinosus.
K. Origin of dorsal above or just behind nostrils of blind side, a line
connecting base of first ray and posterior nostril, if continued, crosses
maxillary ; upper profile of head notched.
1. Depth 2j to 2j in length ; maxillary to below posterior edge of eye
or beyond, 2 to 2j in head ; canines strong ; 4 to 8 teeth on blind
side of lower jaw . . . . . . .2. diplospilus.
2. Depth 2^ to 2 1 in length; maxillary to below middle of eye or
beyond, 2J to 2J in head ; canines moderate or small ; 13 to 22
teeth on bhnd side of lower jaw . . . . 3. dupliciocellatus .
^ It is impossible to identify this fish with certainty from Castelnau's brief description. The
type of A', unicolor was from Fremantle, Western .\ustralia.
MO FLATFISHES (HICTEROSOMATA)
II. Gill-rakers pointed, longer than broad.
.\. Scales all cycloid ; canines very small ... -). tDitiixistniiH.
H. Scales of ocular side more or less ctenoid, at least anteriorly ;iiul at edges
of body.
1. .\nterior rays of dorsal longer than those that follow and free from
membrane; 23 to 25 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch;
depth li to if in length.
a. Scales cycloid on blind side, except anteriorly and at edges of body :
3 conspicuous ocelli on body . . . . ■ ,t tnoccltatus.
b- Scales all ctenoid on blind side ; body with dark rings but no
conspicuous ocelli ....... ti. annnlatus.
2. .\ntenor rays of dorsal not prolonged, never entirely free from
membrane ; 5 to 18 giU-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ;
depth if to 2^ in length.
<(. Scales of blind side ctenoid,
n. Depth if to 2, head 3J to 3! in length ; pectoral of blind side
I J to about 2 in head ; dorsal 71-77, anal 33-fii 7. walaviiiins.
(3. Depth 2 to 2^, head 3^ to 3I in length ; pectoral of blind side
2j to 2j in head ; dorsal 78-82, anal O1-65 . 8. olii;iHl:i>:.
b. Scales of blind side cvcloid.
(1 Origin of dorsal above or a little in front of nostnls of lilind side,
well in advance of eye,
* Teeth strong, rather w-idely set, canines large ; '» to it> teeth
on blind side of lower jaw .
I Dorsal 68-70, anal 52-55 ; tip of first interha'mal spine
projecting ; maxillary about 2 in head ; head 3^ in
length ; caudal peduncle about twice as deep as long
g. quinquocellatus.
tt Dorsal 78, anal 59 ; tip of first interha'mal spine project-
ing ; maxillan.- about i J in head ; head more than
4J in length ..... 10, ctoiosqiiaiins.
ttt Dorsal 72-80, anal 54-O2 ; tip of first interhEemal spine
feeble, not projecting ; maxillary 2i to 2| in head ; head
3 J to 3 J in length ; caudal peduncle 2 J to 3! times as
deep as long . . . . . . 11. nnins.
** Teeth smaller, more close-set, nut much enlarged anteriorlv ,
usually more than 20 teeth on blind side of lower jaw.
t Origin of nostril above posterior nostril or above space
between nostrils ; a line connecting base of first ray anfl
posterior nostril, if continued, crosses the maxillary.
* .\laxillary not reaching middle of eye, 2 .J to nearly 3 in
head ; head 3I to 3I in length ; 11 to 13 gill-r.ikers
on lower part of anterior arch.
§ 58 scales in lateral line ; eye 3!, maxillarj' 2 J in head ;
body w-ith conspicuous darker rings more or less
regularly arranged . . . .12. iiatale}ists.
§§ 65 or more scales in lateral line ; eye 4 or more,
maxillary 2 J to nearly 3 in head ; body without
rings, but with 3 or 4 ocelli . . 13, micrognaihus.
JJ Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or beyond,
2 to 2J in head; head 3 J to 35 in length ; (15) 17 or 18
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch
14. prutnpkthdlwus.
PARALICHTHIN^ ,j,
ft Origin of dorsal above or a little in advance of anterior
nostnl, a line connecting base of first ray and posterior
nostril, if continued, passes above hinder end of maxillarv
or crosses its most posterior part.
i Dorsal 67-76, anal 51-58.
§ Depth If to 2, head 3^ to neariv 3 J m length ; scales all
ctenoid on ocular side ; upper profile of head
notched . . ,^ „;„ ,
§§ Depth 2^ to 2i head 3f to 4 in length ; scales of
ocular side more or less ctenoid anteriorly mostly
cycloid posteriorly; a strip of ctenoid scales at
edges of body ; upper profile of head scarcely
notched, usually evenly cuned . . 16 iavanicif;
it Dorsal (78) 80-89, anal (59) 63-69. lavamcus.
§ u or 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ■
scales all ctenoid on ocular .side . 17. cinnamoneus.
^^ 8 (or 9) giU-rakers on lower part of anterior arch •
scales cycloid on ocular side except for a strip of
,? Origin .f H*''"°','^'^'''''',''*^''^'''°^''°'^>' • ■ ^8- levisquamis.
li. Ongm of dorsal immediately behind (occasionally above)
posterior nostnl of blind side, above or verj- little in advance
of antenor part of eye.
(12) 14 to i6 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch • eye
4 to 4J in head ; upper profile of head with distinct notch
** (6) 8 to 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch • eye '"^^'"'
(4) 4i to 6f m head : upper profile of head usually with a
^ more or less distinct notch . . . . -.0 jenynsii
** 9 to II (12) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ■ eye 3* '
to 4j in head ; upper profile of head straight or wth
rather shallow notch ,1 „eglecl„s.
DouBTFiTL Species.
22. nauphala.
23. guliulatus.
24. moorei.
th.^^" .^"■^"f5;"<="t of the lamins in the nasal organs is somewhat variable among
^e Troup fur^he^°'°r'' ^"* ' ^T" been unable to m^ake use of this character to dMdf
found °n^P««^W,/y,J^' fh'^T''^' '"'k' '^^ ='^^"g'='"^"t *= niore or less similar to that
rachis hnffn .1^ ^ • Tu""^ ''u"'^ arranged transversely to a fairly elongate
I^an^men '7^0/^'",;'/'''' 'fo' '" ""^''"^^ ^"<^ ^^^ '='™'"'^ have a radiating
arrangement. In P. inocellatus and P. anrndatus the lamina are rather broader inri
more numerous than m other species. Broader and
I. PSEUDORHO-MBUS SPINOSUS, McCulloch.
I'^cmlorhombus sp,„osus McCulloch, 19,4, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", ii, p. ,.9. p| ^,v ■ Xonnan
1926 Biol. Res. •' Endeavour ", v, p. ,24 : .McCuUoch, 19.9, Mem ^ust Mus v 0 ,-0 '
/stwrhombus sp„wsus, Whitlev, 1931, Aust. 2ool vi p 3-> ' ' ^' -'^■
hliorhombus spinosus normani, Whitley, 1931, torn, cit., p. ,22.
h.=.?^^*^,°* ^°'^^ -* *° -* '" ^''^ '^"Sth, length of head 3I to 3t Upper profile of
whichira/to'm' ierth°*n "^'h" ''r' °' '>"^- ^°°"* '°°Ser th\n ey^e^ia'Lieter ^f
Which is 4i to 3 in length of head ; lower eye scarcely in adxance of upper which is
separated from edge of head by a space equal to f its diameter. .Maxilla^ Extending
,,j FI,ATFISHI':S (HETEROSOMATA)
to below posterior J or J of eye, length about twice in that of liead ; lower jaw not
projecting, 13 to i J in head. Teeth of upper jaw rather small laterally, not close-set.
enlarged anteriorly ; teeth of lower jaw stronger, a single pair of enlarged teeth
anteriorly. Gill-rakers " palmate " (short, the margins strongly spinulate), as broad
as long ; 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales cycloid or feebly ctenoid on ocular
side, often more or less embedded in the skin, cycloid on blind side ; 73 to 83 scales
in lateral Une. Supratemporal branch of lateral line short, not reaching base of dorsal
tin. Dorsal 72-76 ; commencing well in front of nostrils of blind side, and at a distance
in front of eye equal to or greater than its diameter ; a line connecting base of first
rav and posterior nostril, if continued, pjisses above hinder end of maxillary. Anal
57 : tip of first interhimal spine generally projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with
10 to 12 rays, length i| to 2 in that of head. Caudal obtu.sely pointed; caudal
H.M. (X.H.) 1025.7.
peduncle 2J to 23 tm
ep
and rings, and with 3 large, conspicuous ocelli arranged thus
spotted and blotched with brown.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. I
Distribution'. — Western Australia
Specimens Examined :
long. Pale brownish ur greyi.-'li, witli darker siiots
median hns generally
southern Queensland.
(iqo inm.j.
mil.
;s off lius
Queenslan
miles X.W. c
Queensland, 9
d Head I.]
JO fms.
)f Hervey 1
fms.
;ht.
sir. .\his (■■ I-nde
Also S from southern Queensland (Austr. Mus. "Endeavour").
Whitley (1931) remarks that the Queensland examples differ from the types from
Western Au.stralia " in details of squamation ", and separates them as a distinct
subspecies (normani). He makes this species the type of a new genus (I shorhombus) ,
distinguished by the convex dorsal profile of head, palmate gill-rakers, cycloid scales,
origin of dorsal fin in front of nostrils, and strong preanal spine.
Pseudorkomb,
Fseudorhombus diplospil
1929, Mem. Aust. Mi
Psettdorhombus condorens
PARALICHTHIN.E
FSEUDORHOMBUS DIPLOSPILUS, Norman.
[Twin-spot Flounder.]
sp., Ogilby, 1912, Mem. Qd. Mus., i
nan, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endea^
.., V, p. 280.
, Chabanaud, 1929, Bull. Mus. Hist.
ur", V, p. 226, fig. 1 ;
at. Paris, (2) i, p. 370.
Depth of body (2J) 25 to 2f in the length, length of head 3J to 3}. Upper profile
of head with a distinct notch in front of eyes. Snout (in adults) a little longer than eye,
diameter of which is 4J (young) to 5J in length of head ; upper eye a little in advance
of lower, .separated from edge of head by a space equal to J to J its diameter. Ma.xillary
(in adults) extending to below posterior edge or hinder part of eye or beyond, length
2 to 2j in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, a strong knob at the symphysis,
i| to i|^ in head. Teeth of upper jaw small and rather close-set laterally, one or two
Fig. 54. — Fseudorhombus diplospitus. B.M. (N.H.) 1925.7.22. 15. x i.
pairs of strong canines anteriorly, which are clearly visible when the mouth is closed ;
lateral teeth of lower jaw much stronger and wider apart than those of upper jaw ;
4 to 8 teeth on bUnd side of jaw ; one or two pairs of strong canines anteriorly. Gill-
rakers " palmate " (short, the margins strongly spinulate), as broad as long ; 8 to 10
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales cycloid or feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid
on blind side ; 89 to 95 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line reaching
base of ninth or tenth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 75-79 ; commencing just behind
posterior nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to J or J its
diameter. Anal 61-64 '■ tip of first interha;mal spine not projecting. Pectoral of
ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length about twice in that of head. Caudal pointed or
double-truncate ; caudal peduncle 2| to 2j times as deep as long. Brownish, with
some faint darker spots and markings, and with four large conspicuous double ocelli
arranged thus, : : ; median fins with small brown spots ; a series of rings on dorsal
and anal.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. E.6678.
Distribution. — Indo-China ; east coast of Queensland.
Specimens Examined :
2 (225, 232 1
I.}. Paratypes,
3 to 7 miles N.W. of Hervey .\ustr. Mus. (" Endeavour ").
Bay, Queensland, 9-1 1 fms.
f>-t
FLATFISUKS (HETEROSOMATA)
unci a co-type of P. condorensis
Also 5 from Oueensland (Aiistr. Mils. " Endeavour ")
from I'oulo-Conclore, French Indo-China (Paris Mus.)
The co-type (240 mm.) of P. condorensis ha.s the head and anterior part of the body
somewhat distorted, makin.i; direct comparison with the paratypes of P. diplospilus
difluult However, 1 have little hesitation in uniting the two species
3 PSEUDORHOMBUS DUPLICIOCELLATUS, Regan
iidorhnmbtis dupltcioccUah
Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S.
Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p
.N'ornian,' 1927, Rec. Ind
Weber and Beaufort, 10
Regan,
at. Mus.,
1905.
.nn. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) xv, p. 25 ; Jordan and
I. 177 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll.
1926, Biol. Res. "Endeavour", v, p. 228, fig. 2;
, Mus., xxix, p. 10; McCuUoch, 1929, Mein. Aust. Mus., v, p. 278 ;
:9, Fish. Indo-.^ustral. Arcli., v, p. 102 : Schmidt, 1931, Trans. Pac.
Com. .Acad. Sci., U.S.S.R.,ii. p. 124.
Platapltrys palad, Evermann and Scale, 1907, liuil. U.S. liur
Psciiilorhumbus cnrlurigMi. Ogilt>v, 1912, .Mem. lid. Mus.. 1, p
1-isli,
, (I9"0). p.
Depth of body 2 ^ to 2? in the len<^th, length of head 35 to 4. Upper profile of
head more or less strongly notched in front of eyes. Snout as long as or a little longer
than eye, diameter of which is 4! to 6i in length of head ; upper eye generally a little
in advance of lower, separated from edge of head by a space equal to ^ or h its diameter.
Maxillary e.xtending to below middle of eye or beyond, length 2^ to 2| in that of head ;
lower jaw not projecting, a rather obtuse knob at the symphysis, i| to 2 in head
Teeth of upper jaw rather small and close-set laterally, somewhat larger and wider
apart anteriorly ; those of lower jaw stronger, 13 to 22 on blind side of jaw. Gill-
rakers " palmate " {short, the margins strongly spinulate), as broad as long; 8 or
9 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
73 to 84 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line generally reaching base
of eighth or ninth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 74-78 ; commencing above or immediately
behind posterior nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to j to J its
diameter. Anal 56-63 ; tip of first interhsmal spine not projecting. Pectoral of
ocular side with 10 to 12 rays, length ij to 2J in that of head. Caudal pointed ;
caudal peduncle 2J to 2| times as deep as long. Brownish, with a number of darker
spots and rings, and with 3 or 4 large double ocelli arranged thus, : : or . : , which are
not usually so prominent as those of P. diplospilus ; the two dark spots forming each
PARALICHTHIN.E
95
ocellus, as well as the ocellus itself, may be margined with small white spots ; fins with
small brown spots ; generally a series of rings on dorsal and anal, and sometimes a
pair on base of caudal.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1905.6.6.243.
Distribution. — From the Nicobar Islands through the Malay Archipelago to
north-eastern Australia and Japan.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
I (97 mm.).
Nankauri Harbour, Nicobar Is.
Ind. Mas.
2(200,22211
im.).
Java Sea, i5i-20 fms.
Amsterdam Mus.
I (165 mm.).
Java Sea (7°I4' S., 114° E.).
Hardenberg.
I (220 „ ).
Queensland (!).
Austr. Mus. {" End(
2 (260, 282 n
im.).
25 miles S.E. from Double Islan
Point, Queensland, 33 fms.
id
5 (165-227
„)■
Northern New South Wales.
I (385 mm.).
Holoty
pe.
Inland Sea of Japan.
Smitli.'
Also several from Queensland and New South Wales (Austr. Mus.
and one from the Nicobars (Ind. Mus.).
Endeavour "),
4. PSEUDO RHOMBUS TENUIRASTRUM (Waite).
[Deep-water Flounder ; Slender Flounder.]
Paralickthys tfnuirastrum, Waite, 1899, Mem. Aust. Mus., ii
Pseudorkombus tenuirastrum, Ogilby, 1912, Mem. Qd. Mus.,
Res. " Endeavour ", ii, p. 130 ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res
1929, Mem. .Aust. Mus., v, p. 279.
;viii, text-fig. 10.
McCuUoch, 1914, Biol.
', V, p. 225 ; McCuUoch,
-Pseudorho,
Depth of body 2| to 2J in the length, length of head 4 to 4J. Upper profile of
head notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 4^
in length of head ; upper eye generally a little in advance of lower, and close to upper
edge of head. Maxillary extending about to below middle of eye, length 2J to 3 in
that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, 2 to 2^ in head. Teeth all small, rather
close-set, little enlarged anteriorly. Gill-rakers rather long and slender : 11 to 13 on
lower part of anterior arch. Scales cycloid on both sides of body, those on the ocular
side frequently with a rough or spiny patch well within the hinder margin of the
scale ; 71 to 80 scales in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line reaching
06
FLATFISHES (HF:TER0S0MATA)
base of eightli or ninth ray of dorsal fin. I^orsal 74-80 : commencing just behind
posterior nostril of blind side, above or a little in front of anterior margin of eye.
Anal 58-61 (63) ; tip of first interha?mal spine not projecting. Pectoral of ocular
side with 11 to 13 rays, length ij to ij in that of head. Caudal pointed or doublc-
tnincate ; caudal peduncle more than twice as deep as long. Brownish, with a number
of darker spots and markings, of w-hich 6 ocelli arranged thus, : : : , and a series of
S or 6 smaller ones at edges of body, are generally most prominent ; fins with numerous
dark brown spots and markings ; dorsal and anal each with a scries of 7 tn ii promment
spots near basal parts of fins ; a pair of dark blotches at base of caudal fin.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. I. 3080.
Distribution. — Coasts of south-eastern Australia,
Oucensland.
Specimens Ex.vmined :
Northern New South Wales.
8 miles E. of Sandon Bluff,
N'.S. Wales, 35-40 fms.
Port Jackson, .\.S, Wales.
northwards
3 {igz~220 mm.).
4 (210-235 ,, ).
(•• ICndc
str. Mm
(Austr. Mus.
,\lso several from New South Wales and southern (Queensland
" Endeavour ").
5. PSEUDORHOMBUS TRIOCELLATUS (Schneider).
PU-uronecUs trwcfllatus, Schneider 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 145.
Khomhus InocMalus, Sleeker, 1853, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind., v, p. 5-8.
Pseudorhombus Iriocdialus, Gunther, 1S62, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 428 ; Kncr, 1869, Roise
" Novara ", Zool. i, 5, Fische, p. 284 ; Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi, p. t), Pleuron., pi.
Mil, fig. I ; Uay, 1877, Fish. India, p. 424, pi. xcii, fig. i ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus.,
.\xix, p. II ; Fowler, 192S, Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 93; Weber and Beaufort, 1929,
Fish, Indo-.-\iistral. Arch., v, p. loS.
raniUcUhys hincclhilm. Fowler. 10..4, J. .\rad. Nat. Sci. rhilad. (2) Xli, p. 555.
Depth of body i^ to ij in the length, length of head 3^ to 3J. Upper profile
of head sometimes a little notched in front of eyes. Snout about as long as eye,
diameter of which is 3 J to 4 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level, or lower
a little in advance of upper, which is separated from edge of head by a space equal to
PARALICHTHIN.t;
97
J or J its diameter. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or not quite as far,
length 2l to 2^ in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, nearly twice in head. Teeth
minute in both jaws, scarcely enlarged anteriorly. Gill-rakers rather long, slender ;
about 23 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on
blind side, except anteriorly and near bases of dorsal and anal fins, where they are
ctenoid ; 63 to fag scales in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line
extending towards tenth to thirteenth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 65-70 ; commencing
above or a little in front of anterior nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of
eye equal to about J its diameter ; anterior rays somewhat prolonged, free from
membrane, first ray nearly f length of head. Anal 49-52 ; tip of first interhaemal
spine sometimes projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length ij
to li in that of head. Caudal rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle 3 to 3J
times as deep as long. Brownish, with indistinct darker spots and markings, and
sometimes with some scattered white spots and blotches ; three large conspicuous
dark ocelli arranged in the form of a triangle on the body ; median fins with dark
spots and blotches.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — East coast of India to the Malay Archipelago ;
Specimens Examined :
2 (85, 100 mm.). —
I (120 mm.). .Madras.
; (112, 114 mm.).
7(100-130 ,, ). Orissa Coast, 8 fms. Ind. Mus.
Also several from Ceylon, Madras, Orissa coast and Burma (Ind. Mus.) ; i from
Moluccas, I from Borneo, and 2 (Bleeker Coll.) from India (?) (Leiden Mus.) : and i
from Colombo (Mus. Comp. Zool).
Attains a length of 6 or 8 inches.
Tahiti I
Zool. Soc. Coll.
Day.
Pseudorhombu
6. PSEUDORHOMBUS ANNULATUS, Norman.
nulatus, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 12, pi. ii.
Fig. 58. — Psiudorhombus annulatus. B.M. (N.H.) 1904.5.25.74. X i.
' Kccorded by Kner (1S69) ; locality probably
<)S
FLATFISHES (HF.THROSOMATA)
Close to P. Iiiocellalus. Depth of body 15 in the length, length of head 3I to 35.
Snout shorter than eye. diameter of which is 3 to 35 in length of head. Length of
maxillary a little more than twice in head. 23 to 25 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales all ctenoid on both sides of body ; 60 to 67 in lateral line. Dorsal
67-70 ; anterior rays somewhat prolonged, quite free from membrane, hrst ray not
much more than i length of head. Anal 49-51 : tip of first interha-mal spine projecting.
Length of pectoral of ocular side 1} to i? in that of head. Pale brownish, with a
number of more or less ilistmct darker rmgs ; median tins with brown spots and
blotches.
Type, — British Museum (Nat. Hist ). Reg. No. 1904, 5.23.74.
Distribution. — Muscat, Gulf of Oman.
Specimens Ex-mwined :
.i ('to-
Tvpes
Mus
:il. I'.ulf of Oiii.
Tdwnsend.
7. PSEUDORHOMBUS MALAYANUS, Blceker.
PseuUorhovibiis russcUii (part), Glinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., \v. p. 424.
Pscudorhombus malayanus, Bleeker, 1866, Ned. Tijdschr. Dieriv., lii, p. 43;
All. Ichth.. vi, p. 7, Pleuron., pi. iii, fig. 2 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. M
Pseudnrlwmbiis nrsiiis (part), Jenkins, 1910, Mem. Ind. llus., iii, p. 24.
Fscudorhotfihiis vUgudon, Weber and Beaufort, 1029, Fish. Indo-.Anstr.d.
Chabanaud, 1929, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) i, p. .374.
Bleeker, 1SO6-72
r..M. (\.H.)
Depth of body if to twice in the length, length of head 3J to 3!. Upper
profile of head a little notched in front of eyes. Snout as long as or a little longer
than eye, diameter of which is 4^ to nearly 0 in length of head : anterior margins of
eyes level or upper a little in advance of lower, separated from edge of head by a
space equal to ^ or ^ its diameter. Maxillary extending to below po.sterior ed.ge or
hinder part of eye, length 2 J to 2 J in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, 15 to
1 1 in head. Lateral teeth of upper jaw small, rather close-set, anterior teeth enlarged ;
teeth of lower jaw stronger and wider apart than those of upper, 7 to 11 on blind side
of jaw ; some of the teeth in lioth jaws with barbed tips. Gill-rakers rather short ;
Tlie largest sper
elected as the holotvpe
PARALICHTHIN.E 09
8 to lo on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body ; 70 to
78 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line extending towards ninth
to eleventh ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 71-77 ; commencing above or verj- little
in advance of posterior nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye
equal to J or J its diameter. Anal 55-61 ; tip of first interhaemal spine sometimes
projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length if to i J in that of head ;
pectoral of blind side if to about twice in head. Caudal double-truncate ; caudal
peduncle 3 to 4 times as deep as long. Brownish, with or without indistinct groups of
small white spots above, below, and on straight part of lateral line : generally a dark
blotch at commencement of straight part of lateral line ; sometimes other more
irregular darker spots and markings ; median fins with indistinct dark spots and
rings.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution, — East coast of India through the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago
to the Philippines
Specimens Ex.\mined :
I
(143 mm.)
Madras.
Day.
2
{185,192
mm.).
Orissa Coast.
Ind. Mus.
2
(160, 205
„ ).
Singapore Fishmarket.
Raffles Mus.
I
(142 mm.)
. Paraty
pe.
East Indian Archipelago.
Bleeker.
^
{115, 165
(140 mm.)
(200, 215
(187 mm.)
(145 ,. )
(150 ,, )
mm.),
mm.).
Java Sea (6° 52' S., 1:2° 35'
Ceram.
Nhatrang Bay, Indo-China.
Bay of Manila, Philippines.
Philippines.
Manila, Philippines.
E.).
Hardenberg.
Pfeiffer.
Paris Mus.
Meyer.
Veitch.
Herre.
Also several from the east coast of India and Burma (Ind. Mus.).
Apart from the presence of ctenoid scales on the blind side of the body, this species
is very similar to P. arsius. If specimens of more or less equal size are compared,
however, the latter species may generally be recognised by the shorter lower jaw,
the stronger canines in both jaws, and the shorter pectoral fin on the bhnd side.
8. PSEUDORHOMBUS OLIGODON (Bleeker).
Rhombus oligodon, Bleeker, 1854, Nat. Tijdschr. Xed. Ind., vi, p. 419 ; Bleeker, 1858-9, .\ct. Soc.
Sci. Indo-Neerl., v, Japan, pi. iii, fig. 2.
Pseudorhombus russellii (part), Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 424.
? Pseudorhombus cinttamoneus. Otaki, 1897, J. Fish. Bur. Tokyo, vi (i), p. 6, pi. iii. fig. 2 ; Tanaka.
1913, Fish. Japan, xiv, p. 231, pi. Ixv, fig. 238.
Paralichthys oligodon, Jordan and Snyder, 1901. Annot. Zool. Japon., iii, p. 121.
Pseudorhombus oligodon, Jordan and Evermann, 1902, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxv, p. 365 ; Jordan
and Snyder, 1906, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xxxi, p. 177; Snyder, 1912, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus.,
xlii, p. 43S ; Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, (10) viii, p. 598 ; Wu, 1932, Th^s. Facult.
Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 80.
? Pseudorhombus arsius, Jordan and Seale, 1905, Proc. U.S. Nat. ,Mus., x.xix, p. 529.
Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus, Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 174 ; Hubbs.
1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 462 ; Fowler and Bean, 1922, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ixii
(2), p. 66 ; Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. iSo.
Very close to P. malayanus, but depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of
head 3I to 3J. Maxillary not extending to below posterior edge of eye, length 2 to
2^ in that of head ; lower jaw about i| in head. 7 to 9 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. 80 to 90 scales in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line
extending towards seventh to ninth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 78-82. Anal 61-65.
Pectoral of ocular side 15 to ij in head, that of bhnd side 2 J to 2 J. Brownish, \vith
or without darker spots or rings ; a large dark spot at commencement of straight
part of lateral line, which may be rounded and distinct or diffuse; median fins with
irregular brown spots and markings.
I'l.AIFISlllCS (HKTKKOSOMATA)
TvPE. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — China and Japan ; Formosa.
Specimens Ex.'^mined ;
I ( 143 mm.). China.
I (150 ,, ). Amoy.
I (.'jn ,, ). Hong KonR, 7 fms.
I Ui).S ,, ). D.iipo, Hong Kong.
Reeves.
Light.
" Challenger '
Chen.
9. PSEUDORHOMBUS QUINQUOCELLATl"S, Weber & Beaufort.
I'seuUnrlinmbus qutnqwKcUatu%, Weber and Beaufort. 1020, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p.
I'sfUiiorhimhus quuulufcdlalui. Co-type. X §.
PAKALICHTHIN^ loi
Depth of body a little more than twice in the length, length of head 3J. Upper
profile of head a little notched in front of upper eye. Snout about as long as eye,
diameter of which is 4J in length of head ; lower eye very slightly in advance of
upper, which is separated from edge of head by a space equal to about J its diameter.
Maxillary' extending to below posterior part of eye, length about ^ that of head ;
lower jaw scarcely projecting, if in head. Lateral teeth of upper jaw small and rather
close-set ; 3 or 4 pairs of strong canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw much
stronger and wider apart than those of upper jaw ; 12 to 14 teeth on blind side of
jaw and one or two canines anteriorly. Gill-rakers of moderate length ; 9 or 10 on
lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side :
76 to 79 in lateral line, Supratemporal branch of lateral line extending towards
eighth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 68-70 ; commencing above space between nostrils
of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to more than J its diameter.
Anal 52-55 ; tip of first interhamal spine strongly projecting. Pectoral of ocular
side with 12 or 13 rays, length if in that of head ; that of blind side more than twice
in head. Caudal double-truncate (?) ; caudal peduncle about twice as deep as long.
Reddish brown, with 5 dark blotches arranged thus : : •, each being surrounded at
some distance by a brown ring ; indistinct dark rings scattered over body.
Type. — Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — Indo-Australian Archipelago.
Specimens Examined :
2 co-types (182 and 185 mm.) from Madura Strait (7' 39' S., 114^ 17-18' E.)
[Amsterdam Mus.l
10. PSEUDORHOMBUS CTENOSQUAMIS (Oshima).
Spitnrhombus ctenosguamis, Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. 188.
Close to p. arsius. Depth of body trwice in the length, length of head more than
4J. Snout as long as eye, diameter of which is a little less than 3^ in length of head.
Maxillary extending to below middle of eye, length about i* in that of head. Lower
jaw of ocular side with 6 widely set canine teeth, that of blind side with 16 pointed
teeth. Gill-raker.s long, slender, pointed ; 10 on lower part of anterior arch. 85 scales
in lateral line. Dorsal 78, commencing on blind side opposite notch in upper profile
of head. Anal 59 ; tip of first interhaemal spine projecting. Length of pectoral
of ocular side about ij in that of head. Caudal double truncate. Greyish brown,
with a round dark blotch encircled by minute white spots at angle of lateral Une :
round dark spots with pale centres scattered irregularly over body ; median fins
fuscous.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Formosa.
The single type-specimen was 140 mm. in length, and was taken at Anping, near
Tcunau .
Wu [1932, Thes.' Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 85] includes this species
in the synonymy of P. cinnamoneus, but does not state whether he has examined the
type.
II. PSEUDORHOMBUS ARSIUS (Hamilton).
[Large-toothed Flounder.]
PUuronecUs arsius, Hamilton, iSzz, Fish. Ganges, p. 128 ; Hora, 1929, Mem. Ind. Mus., ix, p. 86.
pi. xvii, figs. I, 2.
? PUuronecies maculosus, Cuvier, 1829, R. Anim., ed. 2, ii, p. 341.
Plalcssa russMii, Gray, 1834, Illust. Indian Zool., ii, pi. xciv, fig. 2 ; Cantor, 1850, J. .Asiat. Soc.
Beng., xviii(2), p. 1196.
Rhombus Untiginosus, Richardson, 1843. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., xi, p. 495 ; Bleeker, 1852, \*erh.
Batav. Gen., xxiv, Pleuron., p. 1,5.
02 FLATFISHES (HETEKOSOMAI A)
laUssa hciltcala. Richiirdson, 1.S46. i~, Kept. Brit, .\ssoc.. (Camlir. 1K45)
Khombus arsius. Bleekpr. 1853. Verb, liat.iv. Gen., xxv, Bengal, p. 76.
lombus polyspiliis, Bleeker, 1H53, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind.. iv, p. 503.
niil'irltomhux nissdhi (part), C.unther, 186;, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 424 ; B
Mm^.. XXI, p. 3SS.
,-ii,i.:rhomhr,s Intligiiwsus. Bleeker, 1865, Ned. Tijdsch
"st-udnrhnmbus russdh:. Kner, 1860, Reise " Xovara "
cttdorhombits rtisseltii, Hav, 1865, Fish. Malabar, p. i;
Pleuron., pi. ii, fig. 2 ; Macleay, 187S, Proc. Linn
Hist. Nat. Madagascar, xvi, Poiss,
p. 399 ; Regan
.\nn. S. Afr,
Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. S. Afr., ii, (1921), Spec.
Philad., Ixxvii, {1925), p. 204 ; Oshima, 192;
udorhombus nrstus, Giinther. 1862, Cat. Fish., i
Jordan and Seale, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bi:
DierU.,ii,p. 184.
ira ", Zool. i, 5, Fische, p. 28 V
p. 172 ; Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi,
Linn. Soc. N.S.W., ii, p. 362 ; Sauvage,
473: Gilchrist and Thompson, 1917, Ann. Durban
08, fig. I ; Von Bonde, 1922, Rep.
Rep. i, p. 15 ; Fowler, r926, Proc. Acad.
, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. 183.
V, p. 426 ; Day, 1877, Fish. India, p. 423, pi.
r. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 45 ; Snvder, 1912, Proc.
U.S. \at. Mus., xlii, p. 439 ; Hora. 1923, .Mem. Ind. Mus., v, p. 758 ;
Res. "Endeavour", v, p. 231 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p.
Mem. B. P. Bishop .Mus., x, p. 93; Weber and Beaufort, 1920. Fish. Indo
p. 105 ; .McCulloch, 1929, Mem. .Aust. Mus., v, p. 270 ; VVu. 1932, Thes.
Paris, A. 244 (20S), p. 86.
cudorhcimbus pohspilui, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. .Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii,
1866-72, Atl. ichth., vi, p. 7, Pleuron. pi. vi, fig. 3 ; Jordan and Seale, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur.
Fish., xxvi, (1906). p. 43 ; Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austr;
tig. 26 ; Schmidt, 1930, Trans. Pacif. Comin. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.R., i, p. 11
ml.jr!,nml>!(s ,irisifc/>s. Macleav, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vi, p. 126.
niroiHcle-^ n:„rlniuciists. De Vis, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vii, p. 370.
an, 1926, Biol.
Fowler, 1928,
stral. Arch.,
Bleeker,
Ps,
udnrlumi
hl(«
tnull
nnaiula
Xf
Pat
rhombus
ahchthvs
at
■llalu
s, De V
Rutter
Mus., 1
v.
p. I
20. fig.
N.S. W
lie
s p.
103.
I'at
ahchlhrs
P'
Iv.p,
MS, FOW
Pse
tidiiihotu
>>»?
n,uh
rsoiu, G
Platuphrxs 1
IIS
cll„.
Everma
Meyer, 1885, Anal. .Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat., xiv,
886, Ann. Kept. Q'Id. Mus.'
7. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil.ad.. p. 87; Wai
Stead, 1906, Fish. .Austral., p. 178 ; Stead
p. 40
Edible Fish,
Pii-mlnrlwmln,
ler, 1904, J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., (2) x
, Gilchrist, 1903, Mar. Invest. S. .Mr., iii, p. '
d Seale, t907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish.,
), Jenkins, 1910. Mem. Ind. Miis., m, p. 24
, p. 55.^
-P^cudnihomhu-. iir
I, -sic X. K. .McCulloch.
PARALICHTHIN.E
103
Depth of body ij to 2 J in the length, length of head 3I to 3f. Upper profile of
head straight or a little notched in front of eyes. Snout (in adults) longer than eye.
diameter of which is 45 to 7 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level or upper
a little in advance of lower ; upper eye separated from edge of head by a space equal
to J to J its diameter. Maxillary extending to below posterior edge or hinder part
of eye (middle of eye in young), length 2 J to 2§ in that of head ; lower jaw not pro-
jecting, I J to 2 in head. Lateral teeth of upper jaw small, and rather close-set ;
2 to 4 pairs of rather large canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw much
stronger and wider apart than those of upper jaw ; 6 to 13 teeth on blind side of jaw,
and one or two pairs of strong canines anteriorly ; none of the teeth with barbed tips.
Gill-rakers of moderate length or rather short ; 8 to 15 on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 69 to 80 in lateral line.
Supratemporal branch of lateral line reaching eighth to twelfth ray of dorsal fin.
Dorsal 72-80 ; commencing above or a little in advance of nostrils of blind side, and
at a distance in front of eye equal to J to 3 its diameter. Anal 54-62 ; tip of first
interhaemal spine feeble, not projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 to 13 rays,
length i^ to 2 in that of head ; that of blind side 2 to 2| in head. Caudal double-
truncate ; caudal peduncle 2J to 3i times as deep as long. Brownish or greyish,
generally with some darker spots and rings : usually a dark spot, sometimes surrounded
by a ring of white dots, at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line, either
small and distinct or larger and more diffuse ; frequently one or two smaller spots on
straight portion of lateral line ; head and body sometimes with numerous scattered
small dark spots, with or without bluish-white margins [polyspilus) ; median fins with
brown spots and rings.
Type. — None.^
Distribution. — From the East coast of Africa through the Indian Ocean and
Archipelago to the Pacific.
Specimens Examined :
\
(260 1
(-00,
232
1, skm.
mm.).
(168-
202
., )•
(:;55i
mm.:
I, skin.
(319,
320
)■
mm.).
(42-5
8
,, )■
(114
mm.
).
(190
).
(152,
205
mm.).
(180-
235
,, )•
(138-
162
,, )■
(145,
(215
155
).
(135
).
(160
).
(35,
♦ .5'ram.).
(13".
205
., ).
(140,
175
„ ),sl
(87
mm.
(135
(95
,,
(164
(160
Near Mouth of Uu
Port Natal.
Durban Bay, Natal.
Zanzibar.
Muscat.
Persian Gulf.
Karachi.
S. Canara.
Sind.
Madras.
Puri Beach, Orissa.
Balasore Bay, Orissa.
Chilka Lake.
Calcutta.
Bengal.
Andaman Is.
. R..Port Natal.
Ay res.
Warren.
Playfair.
Jayakar.
Townsend.
Townsend.
(" Golden Crown "J.
Ind. Mus.
Day.
Waterhouse.
Day.
' According to Hora {1929, Mem. Ind. Mus., ix, p. 175). no zoological collections were ever
kept by Hamilton (formerly Buchanan). Apart from the original description, therefore, the only
indications of his species are the manuscript drawings, many of which (including that of P. arsius)
are preserved.
I'l.ATl-ISHHS (HKIKROSOMAIA)
(148 "iin.l.
(90, i)j mn
".).
(130,210
.. )-
(305 mm.),
sliilfed.
(i?5 .. )■
I'ar.ilvpc of
pnlyit>ilus.
(12S. ;2oi
mn.l. skins.
{-00-245
,. ).
(75 mm.),
(200 ,. ).
(-45 .. ).
Singapore* I'i
Buntal. Sara
Borneo.
X. Celebes.
Kota Radja,
Xear Cheribo
Eastern part
Batavi.i
Zamboa
Sumatra,
n, Java Sea.
Fis
Chunripon.
Whitely.
Bleeker.
Cantor.
Raffles Mns.
Brooke.
Hardenberg.
Amsterdam :
Hardenberg.
" Challenger.
(I'>2 ,, ).
(265 ,, ).
(210 ,, ).
(220 ,, ).
(130-325 n
(235 mm.),
(235 .. ).
(125 ,. ).
(225 ,, ).
Type
2 (85, 8-
Santu.10. China.
Amov, China.
Port Malle, Queensland.
4 to 20 miles N.E. of Ciloucester
Head, Queensland, rg-35 fms.
3 to 7 miles N.W. of Hervey Bay,
Queensland, g-ri fms.
Mouth of Wide Bay, Queensland.
New Soutli Wales.
I'urt .[.aksMU. X.S.W.
Port Essi'n'gton, N.'s.W.
St, \'uirenl(,illf, S, Aiisir
Coppinger ("Alert").
Austr. Mus.
(" Endeavour ").
Stead.
Imp. Ins
Also numerous examples from the coasts of India and Burma, Andaman Is, and
Mer^ui Archipelago (Ind, Mus.) ; several from the coasts of Queensland and New
South Wales (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ") ; 6 from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and
New Guinea (Leiden Mus.) . and several from the Malay I'emnsula and Archipelago
(Mus. Comp. Zool).
Pkuronectes macuiosus, Cuvier, is based on the figure of " Nooree Nalaka A" in
Russell's ' Descr. Fish. Vizag.'. i, p. 5S, pi. Ixxv (1803), which may represent this
species. Teratorhombus e.xcisiceps, Macleay, and Pseiuiurhombus andersoni, Gilchrist,
were ambicolorate examples. The identity of P. arsiiis and P. russellii seems fairly
certain, but the former is based on a drawing of a youn,g specimen, and the latter
on a poorly stuffed skin. P. pnlyspilus should perhaps rank as a distinct variety or
subspecies.
This species is abundant 111 the Indo-l'acilic region, and attains a length of alioiit
15 to 18 inches.
I'SEUUtJKHoMlU'S \A1 ALIiNSlS. Gilchrist.
Pscuiiorhnmbus nutaU-iisis, i.ii' iin
M, I'.
.^. M,,r 1
iiM.st, S. .\fr ,
lii, p.
N. pi.
xxy : r.ililirist am
Thompson, 1917, Ann. Hurl..
Hi Mn
,^ , 1 P V
II, ; Keg.in. 1.12.
1,. Ann
1. Durl
lan Mils., ii, p. 209
Von Bonde, 1125, Trans. K"V
■. Sm(
s Mr . x
ii.p. 2.,..: Fo«
der. II
1211. P
rnr. Acad. Nat. Sci
I'hll.Kl.,l.\XVil, (1.125). p. 2"!
; .\"i
Hi. Ill, I'Jil
1, Ann. MiiK. X.
It. His
I.. (I")
viii, p. 50S.
I\r:i,l-'ih„mhu, rusuitu (pari). H,ir
■iiard.
reus. Am
1. S. .\tr. Mils . :
«i. p
•,^>*. p
1 xvn. liK. 2.
PARALICHTHIN.^i 105
Close to P. arsius. Depth of body twice in the length, length of head 3]!. Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3 J in length of head ; lower eye a little in
advance of upper, which is separated from edge of head by a space equal to about
J its diameter. Maxillary extending to below anterior ^ of eye, length 2J in that of
head; lower jaw not projecting, i j in head. Teeth small and close-set, scarcely
enlarged anteriorly. Gill-rakers rather short, 11 on lower part of anterior arch.
58 scales in the lateral line. Dorsal 70 ; commencing above posterior nostril of blind
side and at a distance in front of eye equal to J its diameter. Anal 52 ; tip of first
interhaemal spine feeble, just projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length
about I; in that of head. Caudal double-truncate; caudal peduncle more than twice
as deep as long. Brownish, with a number of distinct dark rings arranged symmetri-
cally on body ; a series of conspicuous brown spots on dorsal and anal fins ; tip of
pelvic of ocular side with a dark spot.
Fig. 63. — Pseudorhombus nataUi
B..\I. (X.H.) 1903. 13.31.9. X }.
Type. — South African Museum.
Distribution. — Natal.
Specimen Examined :
I (135 mm.). Co-type (?). fij miles \V. by N". of C. Natal, 54 fms
13. PSEUDORHOMBUS MICROGNATHUS, Norman.
Pseudorhombus javanicus (part), Da>
iii, p. 24.
Pseudorhombus micrognathus, Norma
:877, Fish. India, p. 424 ; Jenkins, 1910, Mem. Ind. Mus.,
1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., x-xix, p. 16, pi. iii.
Close to P. elevatus, but length of head 3i to 3§ in that of fish (without caudal).
Diameter of eye 4 to 4J in length of head. Maxillary scarcely reaching middle of
eye, length 2| to nearly 3 in that of head ; lower jaw more than twice in head ; teeth
minute. Gill-rakers shorter, 13 on lower part of anterior arch. 65 or more scales in
lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line reaching seventh or eighth ray of
dorsal fin. Dorsal 69 ; origin above space between nostrils and at a distance in
front of eye equal to about ^ its diameter ; anterior rays nearly free. Anal 56 ; tip
of first interhaemal spine feeble, scarcely projecting. Brownish, with numerous small
dark spots ; 3 or 4 fairly prominent ocelU, one above and one below anterior third of
straight part of lateral Une, a third below junction of straight and curved portions,
io6 FLATFISHES (HKTP:R0S0.MATA)
and sometimes an inconspicuous fourth ocellus above the curved portion : sometimes
.1 faint blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral hne ; median tins
with small brown spots.
Tvpi:, — Indian Museum, No. F.3441 i.
Distribution. — Coast of Orissa, India.
Specimens Examineh :
I (ii.smm.i. P.iratype. I'uri Kc.uh. Ori^sa. liid. MiH.
Also the holotype (165 mm ) and one other specimen from Orissa (Ind. Mus.).
14. I'SEUDORHOMBUS PENTOPHTHALMUS, Giinther.
Pictidnrhumlms pcntophlhalmus, (iunther, 186::, Cat. i-ish.,iv, p. 428 ; Cunther, iS8n, Shore Fishes,
"Challenger", p. 6q ; Jordan and Starks, IQ04, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxii, (1Q02), p. 626;
Fowler and Bean, io::2, Pror. U.S. Xat. Mus., Ixu (2), p. 66 ; Weber and Beaufort, lo^o. Fish.
Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 114 ; Norman, lo.-ji, Ann. Mag. Xat. Hist, (to), viii, p. VV) ; Wu,
I'fSl, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ. Pans, A. 244 (268), p. 88.
Pieudorlwmbus riissdlti, Otaki, 1897, J. Fish. Bur. Tokyo, p. 6.
Pscudorhnnibus ocdUfer. Regan, 1905, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) xv, p. 25 ; Jordan and Starks,
1906, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xxxi, p. 17S ; Hubbs, iqi.'i, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 463 ;
Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 297 ; Oshinia, 1927, Japan. J. ZooL, Trans.
.^bstr., i (5), p. 186 ; Schmidt and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Acad. Leningrad, p. 1147.
? Pscudorhombits antiamctisis , Chabanaud, 1929, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Pans, {2} i, p. 374.
Ariwf^lussits wakiyat, Schmidt, 1931, C. R. Acad. Leningrad, p. 313, tig. r.
Depth of body 2 to 2j in the length, length of head 3J to 3f. Upper profile of
head notched in front of eyes. Snout as long as or shorter than eye, diameter of
wliich is 33 to 4^ in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level, the upper eye
rather close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or
beyond, length 2 to 2J in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, ij to 15 in head.
Teeth all rather small and close-set, somewhat enlarged anteriorly ; more than 20 on
blind side of lower jaw, GilPrakers rather long and slender ; (15) 17 or 18 on lower
part of anterior arch Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on lilind side ; i)2 to
I'AKALICHTHIN.'E 107
73 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line extending towards seventh
to ninth ray of dorsal tin. Dorsal 68-73 ■ commencing above space between nostrils
of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to J or ^ its diameter. Anal
53-57 : tip oi first interhaemal spine projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or
12 rays, length i J to i^ in that of head ; that of blind side 2 to 2^ in head. Caudal
pointed or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle 2 to 3 times as deep as long. Brownish,
with darker spots and markings, of which five ocelli arranged thus, : :•, are most
prominent ; median fins with small, dark spots.
(90 mm.
). Holotvpe.
(110-12,=
1 mm.). Types of P.
ocMifc-r.
(113.12c
> ,, )■
'■)■
(48' ,.
).
, 65.—Pscudorlwmlius pnitophthalmus. B.M. (N.H.) 48.3.16.207.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 48.3.16.207.
Distribution. — Java Sea ; Indo-China ; Formosa ; China and Japan ; Corea.
Specimens Examined :
China. Belcher.
Inland Sea of Japan. Smith.
" Challenger."
Japan. Jordan.
Also 8 from Fukuura, Japan (Zool. Samml, Munich) ; and a co-tvpeof P. annamensis
(Paris Mus.).
Apart from a supposed difference in the size of the eye, P. ocellifer is very close to
P. pentophthalnius, and as the eye appears to be very variable in size I am unable to
recognise this as a distinct species. Arnoglossus wakiyai, Schmidt, from Fusan (Corea),
is almost certainly this species, and, in view of the fact that the pelvic fins are de-
scribed as " attached nearly symmetrically and ... of the same length ", it is
difficult to understand why it was placed in the genus Arnoglossus. I have examined
a co-type (120 mm.) of P. annamensis, from the Bay of Nhatrang, French Indo-China.
and regard this species as probably identical with P. pentophihalmus, which has been
recorded from the Java Sea by Weber and Beaufort. The body is very sUghtly
deeper, the anterior profile a little more elevated, and the third and fourth rays of
the dorsal fin longer than those that follow, but in other respects it agrees very
closely with examples of P. pentophihalmus of equal size.
This is a small species, rarely exceeding a length of 5 or 6 inches.
FLATFISHES (HF.TKKOSO.MATA)
I'SEUDORHOMBUS ELEVATUS. Osilby.
[DhEP FLOUNDIiK.]
(p.ill), 11. IV, iHrr. l-ish. Inill.i. p. -tJ-l, pi. x.Ml. flK, J ; Jenkins
1927, Rec. Ina. Mm
Mrriillo.h,
W (.|,.-r ,inrl
r^cuduthumbus javan
In.l. Mus..iii.p. 24.
Pseminrhombus cUmitui, Osilby, loi-'. Mom. Qd. Mus,, i. p. 4s; Xn
"Endeavour", v, p. 234, hg.
li);c), Mem. .A.ust. Mu5., v, p. 27').
I'scudurhombus affinis, Weber, igi3, " Siboga "Expt-d., Vise
Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-.-\ustral. .\rcli., v, p. no, ftg. 23.
'; I'seudorhonibus oligodiin, Schmidt and Lmdberg, 1930, Bull. Acad. I.eiiingiad, p. 1147.
Depth of body i j to twice in the length, length of head 3{ to nearly 3.; Upper
profile of head .somewhat notched in front of eyes. Snout about as long a.s eye,
diameter of which i.s 3.1 to 4 J in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level, or
lower very slightlv ni advance of upper, which is separated from edge of head by a
space equal to i or .1 its ihameter. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or a
little beyond, length 2\ to -!j in that of head : lower jaw .scarcely projecting, i| to
nearlv twice in head. Teeth all small m both jaws, scarcely enlarged anteriorly ;
23 to 32 teeth on blind side of lower jaw. GiU-rakers rather long, slender; 11 to
15 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on Wind
side ; 63 to 74 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line nearly reaching
base of ninth to eleventh ray of dorsal fin. Donsal 67-74 '■ commencing above anterior
nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to about ^ its diameter ;
a line connecting base of first ray and po.sterior nostril, if continued, passes above the
hinder end of the maxillary or crosses its most posterior part. Anal 52-5S ; tip of
first interhaemal spine, if projecting, comes out on the blind side, behind the vent
and above first or second ray of anal fin. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays,
length li to 1 1 in that of head. Caudal double-truncate; caudal peduncle 2^ to
2f times "as deep as long. Pale brownish, with 5 rows of inconspicuous darker rings ;
generally a dark blotch, with or without a margin of small white spots, at junction
of curved and straight parts of lateral line, and one or two smaller ones on the straight
portion ; sometimes similar blotches above and below lateral line ; median fins with
brown spots and markings.
PARALICHTHIN.E
109
Type. — Queensland Museum.
Distribution. — Persian Gulf, through the Indian Ocean and Archipelago to
Australia.
Specimens Examined :
2 (135, 140 mm.).
3 (105-134 .. )•
I (133 mm.).
1 ("5 ,, )•
2 (120, 130 mm.).
1 (115 mm.).
2 (37, 50 mm.).
z (147, 150 mm.).
5 (80-130 ,, ).
2 (95-105 „ )■
1 (133 mm.).
4 (i 18-146 mm.).
Persian Gulf, 10-20 fms.
Orissa Coast, 7-1 1 fms.
Puri Beach, Orissa.
Sandheads, R. Hughli.
Mouth of R. Hughli.
Gulf of Cambay, 25-30 fms.
Gulf of Martaban.
Xahtrang Bay, Indo-China.
Bali Strait, 109 fms.
.Malacca Strait (3° 43' N.,
99° 10' E.).
3 to 7 miles N.W. of Hervey
Bay, Queensland, 9-1 1 fms.
12 miles N.E. of Bowen,
Queensland, 19-25 fms.
Gates.
Paris Mus.
Hardenberg.
Austr. Mus.
(■' Endeavour ").
Also a number from the Persian Gulf, coasts of India and Burma (Ind. Mus.) ;
from the east coast of Queensland (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ") ; and 2 from Malacca
Strait (Laborat. Onderzoek Zee, Batavia).
16. PSEUDORHOMBUS JAVANICUS (Bleeker).
Rhombus javanicus, Bleeker, 1853, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind., iv, p. 502.
Pseudorhombus javanicus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 427 ; Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi,
p. 8, Pleuron. pi. i, fig. 3 ; Weber, 1913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 424 ; Norman, 1927,
Rec. Ind. Mus., x.xix, p. 16 ; Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 109 ;
Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 598; Wu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ.
Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 82.
Plaiophrys javanicus , Evermann and Seale, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 105.
Fig. 67. — Pscudorhomb
Depth of body 2 j^ to 2j in the length, length of head 3I to 4. Upper profile of
head evenly convex or very slightly notched in front of eyes. Snout as long as or a
little longer than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 5 in length of head ; anterior margins
no ILATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
oi eves about lewl, llic upper separated from edge of head by a space equal to J to
J its diameter. Maxdlary extending to below middle of eye or a little beyond, length
2j to 25 ni that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, twice or nearly twice in head.
Teeth all small in both jaws, a little enlarged anteriorly ; 15 to 25 teeth on blind side
of lower jaw. Gill-rakers pointed, rather short ; 12 to 15 on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales of ocular side more or less ctenoid anteriorly, mostly cycloid on posterior
part of body ; a narrow strip of distinctly ctenoid scales at bases of dorsal and
anal fins ; scales of blind side cycloid ; 67 to 74 scales in lateral Ime. Supra-
temporal branch of lateral line nearly reaching base of ninth to eleventh ray of dorsal
tin. Dorsal 69-76 ; commencing in advance of anterior nostril of blind side, and at
a distance in front of eye equal to f to | its diameter ; a line connecting base of first
ray and posterior nostril, if continued, passes above hinder end of maxillary. Anal
51-56 ; tip of first interha>mal spine feeble, sometimes projecting. Sectoral of ocular
side with 11 or 12 rays, length li to if in that of head. Caudal double-truncate:
caudal peduncle 2^ to nearly 3 times as deep as long. Brownish or greyish, with
darker spots and l:)lotches ; often a number of pale spots and ocelli, which are .scattered
irregularly over the body and extend on to the median fins ; a round black blotch,
sometimes surrounded by white dots, at the junction of the straight and curved
parts of the lateral line, and usually another smaller blotch on middle of straight
portion ; median fins with small brown spots.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — East coast of India through the .Malay Peninsula and Archipelago
to southern China.
Specimens Examined :
5 (155-1S5 miii.). SmR,iporc Fishiiiarkct. Raffles Mus.
t (200 mm.). I'.ir.ilvpc. H. Indian Archipelago. Bleeker,
I (170 ,, ). Menam, R. Siam. Roy. Siamese Mils.
I (185 ,, ). Xhatrang Bay, Indo-China. Paris Mus.
I i22o ., ). Daipu, Hong Kong. Chen.
I (107 ,. ). I.ink.ai, H.ilnan.
17. I'SEUDORHOMBUS CINNAMONEUS (Temminck and Schle.gel).
? PUuroiuclfS chrysnptvrits. Schneider, l8ol, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 131.
V Plalessa chrysoptcra. Richardson, 1846, 15 Rept. Brit. Assoc. (Canihr. 1845), p. 278.
Rhomhus cinnamoticus, Temminck and Schlegel, 1S46, in Siebold, F. Japon. (Pisces), p. 180, pi. xciii ;
Richardson, 1846, hnn. cil., p. 279 ; Bleeker, 1858, Act. Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl., iii, Japan, p. 25.
I'sfiidnrhombus cinnamoimis. Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 427; Snyder, i(ii2, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus.. xlii, p. 438 ; Schmidt, tgji, Trans. Pac. Com. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.R., u, p. 124 ; Schmidt,
1931, C.R. Acad. Leningrad, p. 315 ; Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hisl., (10) Mn. p. ,599 ;
\Vu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 8.1.
Kliombiscus ctnnamoiuus. Jordan and Snyder, 1901, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 379.
I'seudtirhombus. misakius, Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 175, hgs. 4, 5 ;
Jordan. Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 316, fig. 264 ; Jordan and
Thompson, 1914, .Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 306, fig. 79 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus..
xlviii, p. 463 ; Schmidt and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Acad. Leningrad, p. 1147.
? Psfudurhombus cmnamotieus, Tanaka, 191.3, Fish. Japan, xiv, p. 231, pi. Ixv, fig. 238.
Psetidorhimibus formosanui. Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. 182.
Spiiurhombui laiwanm, Oshima, 1927, lum. cit. p. 189.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 35 to nearly 4. lipper
profile of head distinctly convex above eyes, notched in front of upper eye. Snout
(in adults) longer than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 5 in length of head ; anterior
margin of eyes about level, the upper separated from edge of head by a space equal
to about J its diameter. Maxillary extending to a little beyond middle of eye, length
2^ to 2^ in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, nearly twice in head. Teeth
all rather small, scarcely enlarged anteriorly (at least in lower jaw) ; 20 to 25 teeth
on blind side of lower jaw. Gill-rakers of moderate length, r.ither slender, margins
PARALICHTHINyE in
feebly spinulate ; 1 1 or 1 2 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all ctenoid on ocular
side, cycloid on blind side ; 75 to 82 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral
line branched, nearly reaching dorsal fin between bases of ninth and tenth rays.
Dorsal 80-89 ; commencing about above anterior nostril of blind side, and at a
distance in front of eye equal to nearly | its diameter ; a line connecting base of
first ray and posterior nostril, if continued, passes above the hinder end of the maxillary
or crosses its posterior part. Anal 63-69 ; tip of first interha;mal spine rather feeble,
sometimes projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 rays, length about ij in that
of head. Caudal pointed or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle 3 times as deep as
long. Brownish, with a number of darker rings more or less regularly arranged, those
near edges of body most prominent ; a dark spot or diffuse blotch, generally with a
white margin, at junction of curved and straight portions of lateral line, and generally
one or two similar spots on the straight part ; median fins with numerous small
brown spots ; sometimes flecked with white.
4
(70-1
(113
:4o n
im.).
)•
2
(100,
210
mm.
2
{235,
305
TvPE. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — China and Japan ; Formosa.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
Amoy, China. Light.
Shanghai, China. Swinhoe.
Coast of Shan-Tung, China. Wu.
). Inland Sea of Japan. Smith.
Also I from Japan (Leiden Mus,, Bleeker Coll.), and i from Japan (Zool. Samml.,
Munich).
Platessa chrysoptera, Richardson, which is doubtfully identical with Pleuronecies
chrysopterus, Schneider, is based on a figure in the collection of water-colour drawings
made by Mr. J. Reeves (plate 44, number 104), which may represent this species.
i8. PSEUDORHOMBUS LEVISQUAMIS (Oshima).
Spinirhombus Uvisquamis. Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5). p. 189.
Pseudorhombus Icvisqiiamis, Wu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 83.
Very close to P. cinnamoneus. Depth of body twice in the length, length of head
nearly 3|. Snout nearly as long as eye, diameter of which is 4^ in length of head.
II-' FI.AIFISHES (HHTKKOSOMAI A)
M.iXiUan- oxU-niling to a little beyond midcllc of eye, length jj m that ol liead. About
20 teeth on blind side of lower jaw. Gill-rakers rather short and stout, margins
strongly spinulatc ; 8 (0) on lower part of anterior arch. Scales mostly cycloid on
ocular side, except at edges of body, where there is a narrow strip of ctenoid scales ;
scales of blind side all cycloid : about 75 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (78) 85 (86).
Anal (59) 63 (64). Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length if in that of head.
Caudal peduncle 2\ times as deep as long. Brownish ,with traces of darker spots, and
with a series of dark rings near upper and lower edges of body ; a diffuse black
blotch at junction of curved and .straight parts of lateral line.
TvrE. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Formosa ; China.
Specimen Examined :
I (250 mm.) from China (Mus. Comp. Zoi>l., No. 1 1201)
10. rSEUDOt<HOMBUS ARGUS, Weber.
r^tudoihomhus arRus, Weber, i<)i.>, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische
iiinl. Res. " Endeavour", v, p. 236; Weber and Beaufo
V, p. 113, fis- -7 ; MrCulloch, 1929, Mem. Aust. M
Fish. Indo-Austral. Ar
p. 27s.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 35 to 3 J. Upper profile of
head notched in front of eyes. Snout a little shorter than eye, diameter of which is
4 to 4 J in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level or upper slightly in advance
of lower ; upper eye separated from edge of head by a space equal to J its diameter.
-Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or a little beyond, length (2) z\ to 2\ in
that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, i| to 2 in head. Teeth all small and
rather close-set, scarcely enlarged anteriorly ; 15 to 19 teeth on blind side of lower
jaw. Gill-rakers slender, of moderate length ; (12) 14 to 16 on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 70 to 77 in lateral line.
PARALICHTHIN.'E
"3
Supratemporal branch of lateral line extending towards base of seventh to ninth ray
of dorsal fin. Dorsal 68-6g ; commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side,
and immediately in front of eye or above its anterior edge. Anal 51-54 ; tip of first
interhaemal spine feeble, not projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays,
length 15 to I J in that of head. Caudal double-truncate; caudal peduncle about
3 times as deep as long. Brownish, with darker spots and rings, and with 5 more or
less conspicuous ocelli arranged thus, : : • ; median fins with brown spots ; a series
of rings on dorsal and anal.
Fig. 70. — Pseudorhombus argu
;.M. (N.H.) I925.7,,:;=.34. X
Type. — Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — Aru Islands ; southern Queensland.
Specimens Examined :
I (175 mm.) 3 to 7 miles N.W. of Hervey Bay,
Queensland 9-1 1 fms.
Austr. Mus.
(" Endeavour "}.
Also 2 from southern Queensland (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ").
This species is very closely related to P.jenynsii (Bleaker), but may be distinguished
by the more numerous gill-rakers.
20. PSEUDORHOMBUS JENYNSII (Bleeker).
[Small-toothed Flounder.]
Platessa ?, Jenyns, 1842, Zool. Voy. " Beagle ", iv, Fish, p. 138.
Platessa jenynsii, Bleeker, 1855, Verb. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, ii, Viss. Van Diemen. p. 15, sp. 265.
Pseudorhombus muHimaculatus, GUnther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 427 ; Steindachner, 1867, SitzBer.
Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ivi (i), p. 318 ; Macleay, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vi, p. 125 ; Ogiiby,
1S93, Edible Fish. Crust. N.S.Wales, p. 157, pl. xx.wiii ; McCuIloch, 1914, Biol. Res.
" Endeavour ", ii, p. 131, pl. xxiv ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour", v, p. 237;
McCuUoch, 1929, Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 278.
Pseudorhombus multiradiatus, Macleay, 18S3, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vii, p. 13.
11^ FLATFISHES (HF.TEROSOMATA)
I'aridichlhyi iwiur-cnmbriir, Ogilby, 189S. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., xx
Mem. .Ausl. Mus., iv, p. 120, hs. 0 : Stead. lgo6. Fish. -Austral., p. 1
Pseudorhnmbiis novit-camhria, Ogilby, 1908, Troc. Roy. Soc. Queensl.,
Mem. Q(i. Mus., i, pp. 43, 43-
t Pscudorlwmbus anomalus, Ogilby, 1912. torn- "(., p. 48 ; Norman, 1920,
V, p. 239 ; Whitley, 1931, .Aust. ZooL, vi, p. 322, pi. xxv.
PsiudorUombus jenvnsii, Whitley, H131, Aust. Zool.. vi, p. 313.
p. 25 ; Ogilby
nbus jenyn
[After Whitley],
Depth of body i J to 2 i in the length, length of head 3? to nearly 4. Upper profile
of head more or less distinctly notched in front of eyes. Snout as long as or a little
longer than eye, diameter of which is (4) 4^ to 6| in length of head ; upper eye a
very little in advance of lower, separated from edge of head by a space equal to about
i its diameter. Ma.xillary extending to just beyond middle of eye or to below its
PARALICHTHIN/E
"5
posterior edge, length 2 J to 2 J in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, if to
2 in head. Teeth of upper jaw small and rather close-set laterally, becoming somewhat
larger and wider apart anteriorly ; teeth of lower jaw a little stronger ; no prominent
canines in either jaw. Gill-rakers pointed, generally rather short and broad, sometimes
more elongate ; (6) 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular
side, cycloid on blind side ; 68 to 75 in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral
line extending to base of sixth or seventh (occasionally eighth) ray of dorsal fin.
Dorsal 67-74 ■ commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side and above or
a httle in advance of anterior edge of eye. Anal 51-60 ; tip of first interhaemal spine
feeble, not projecting. Pectoral of ocular side with n or 12 rays, length i^ to i§ in
that of head. Caudal pointed ; caudal peduncle about 3 times as deep as long.
Brownish or greyish, with darker spots and markings, of which 5 ocelli arranged
thus, : : • are most prominent : these ocelli usually provided with a number of small
white dots and surrounded by a dark ring ; median fins with brown spots ; a series of
larger and more distinct dark spots on basal parts of dorsal and anal fins.
Fig. 73. — Fseitdorhombus jenynsii
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1933.2.28.5.
Distribution. — Coasts of Australia, from Fremantle, Western Australia, to
southern Queensland.
Specimens Examined :
3 (170-220 n
im.). Types of P.
muUimaculalus
I (165 mm.)
skin. Holotype
of the species.
■ (270 „ )
I {215 ,, )
3 (218-340 n
im.).
I (260 mm.)
skeleton.
I (140 ,, )
I f220 )
[V'ar. anomalus.']
I (155 ., )
I (183 „ )
). [Var. dubiiis
King George Sound, W. Australia.
St. Vincent Gulf, S. Australia.
New South Wales.
Port Jackson, N.S.Wales.
Port Hacking, N.S.Wales.
Port Bowen, Queensland.
3 to 7 miles N.W. of Harvey
Queensland. 9-ri fms.
S. Austr. Mu
.\ustr. .Mus.
Imp. Inst.
.\ustr. Mus.
Godetiroy.
.\ustr. Mus.
(" Endeavour ").
lib FLATFISHES (HETEKOSOMATA)
Also 4 Ironi Queensland (Aiistr. Mus. " Endeavour "), and i from St. Vincent
Gulf, S. Australia~(S. Austr. Mus).
It seems probable that more than one form is included within this widely distri-
buted and apparently variable species, but the material in the British Museum is
quite inadequate to 'settle this matter. I have compared examples representing
Ogilbv's P. yiovfP-cambricF with the types of P. miiltitnaculatits, and believe them to
be identical, but the latter are in a poor state of preser\ation. and the type locality is
unknown. The type of P. jenynsii (Bleeker) is a dried skin, but appears to be the
same species.' Whitley has recently given an excellent figure of Ogilby's P. anomalus,
the type of which is in the Queensland Museum (Reg. No. I. I3'i568). and I am
indebted to him for several notes on this specimen. It differs from typical examples
of P. jetiynsit only in the rather more slender body and in the somewhat longer and
slightly more numerous gill-rakers. Among specimens from Port Jackson in the
Bntisli Museum is one (140 mm ) which agrees well in general appearance with the
hgure of P attomalus, and also exhibits the longer gill-rakers, which are 10 in number.
This form is. perhaps, best to be regarded as a variety of jenynsii [anomalus, Ogilby],
and a copy of Whitley's figure is given here. Among the material collected by the
" Endeavour " is one specimen (E. 6680), previously identified by me as P. multi-
maculaliis (^jenynsii), which differs from that species in the following characters:
The length of the head is a little less than 3J in that of fish (without caudal) : the
upper profile of head is nearly straight ; the diameter of the eye is 4, the length of
the maxillary a httle more than 2f in that of head ; there are 5 or 6 very short, stout
giU-rakers on the lower part of the anterior arch. I am not inclined to describe this
as a new species on the basis of a single specimen, but it may well be regarded, for the
present, as another variety o! jeiiy^isii, for which I propose the name dubius (var n).
A figure of this fish (B j\l. Reg. No. 1925.7.22.35) is also included liere.
21. PSEUDORHOMBUS NEGLECTUS, Bleeker.
rscudorlwmbus negleclus, Bleeker. 1866, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk., iii, p. 44; Bleeker. 1866-7;, Atl.
Ichlh.. VI, p. 8. Pleuron. pi. 111, fig. i; Weber. 1913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 424;
Weber .ind Beaufort, 1929. Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. in.
Platophrys neglectus, Evermann and Seale, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 105.
Depth of body i^'n to 2J in the length, length of head 3! to 3';. Upper profile
of head straight or a little notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter
of which is 3J to 4i in length of head ; upper eye a little in advance of lower, and
very close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or a little
beyond, length 2^ to 2 J in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting. i| in head. Teeth
all rather small, scarcely enlarged anteriorly. GiU-rakers rather short, compressed ;
g to II (12) on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, the spinules
sometimes confined to a patch in the centre of the piostenor edge of each scale, cycloid
on blind side ; about 77 scales in lateral line. Supratemporal branch of lateral line
extending towards space between seventh and eighth rays of dorsal fin. Dorsal
(68) 72-75 ; commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side, and above anterior
margin of eye. Anal (53) 56-59 ; tip of first interha;mal spine not projecting.
Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length ij to lA in that of head. Caudal
bluntly pointed ; caudal peduncle nearly 3 times as deep as long. Pale brownish,
with or without numerous small dark dots ; a dark blotch, often encircled with white,
at junction of curved and straight portions of lateral line, and a second on middle of
straight part ; median fins with brown spots and markings.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Indo-Australian Archipelago ; Philippines; southern Chinese Sea.
' The new names proposed by Bleeker in this list (1 85 51. one of the first rheck-hsts of .Australasian
fislies, had been generally overlooked until thev were noticed by Whitlev (1931).
PARALICHTHIN^
-Pscttdorhombus ncglectus. B.M. (X.H.) 1924.9.30.3. X |.
Specimens Examined :
3 (145-205 mm.).
I (172 mm.).
1 (155 ,. ).
2 (165, 187 mm.).
Singapore Fishmarket. Raffles Mus.
S. Chinese Sea. Amsterdam Mus.
Malacca Strait (3" 40' N., 99" 10' E.). Hardenberg.
Cap Saint Jacques, French Indo-China. Paris Mus.
DOUBTFUL SPECIES.
22. PSEUDORHOMBUS [?] XAUPHALA (Hamilton).
Pleiironectes naitphala, Hamilton, 1822, Fish. Ganges, p. 126.
" The fish is narrow in proportion to its length, being shaped like the iron of a
lance, while its greatest width is before the middle. . . .In each jaw is a single
row of sharp, awl-shaped large teeth, nearly equal in size, and placed at equal distances
from each other. . . . The scales adhere firmly ; those on the upper side are
finely indented on the edge, those below are smooth. . . . The lateral lines run
straight along the middle of the sides, but, in their fore part, send off a branch, which,
forming an arch forward, is then bent up to the back. . . There are seven
distinct fins. That of the back is slightly arched, and contains seventy-three undivided
flexible rays. The fin behind the vent is slightly arched, and contains
fifty-five undivided flexible rays. . The fin of the tail is undivided and sharp-
pointed, and contains seventeen rays, of which two on each side are undivided, and
the others are branched. ... Its upper or left side is rough, and of a greenish-
brown colour, on which are scattered some black spots ".
Type. — None.
Distribution. — Estuaries of the Ganges.
Said to grow to a length of about 8 inches.
There is no manuscript drawing of this species in existence, but, judgmg from the
very inadequate description, it is probably a Pseudorhombus, and may be near P.
arsius (Hamilton) or P. elevattts, Ogilby.
Il8 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
23. PSEUDORHOMBUS GUTTULATUS, Macleay.
Pseudorhombus f^uttulatui, Macleay, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., viii, p. 276; I-'owler, iq;8,
Mrm. H. T. ISishop Mus., x, p. 93; Weber and Beaufort, :o::9, Fish. Indo-Au'^tral. Arch., v,
p. 115.
The depth of the body is nearly ^ the total length. Eyes large, separated by a
narrow ridge. Teeth acute, sloping backwards. Dorsal 75 ; commencing in front of
eyes. Anal 63. Uniform grey, fins lighter, the whole covered with minute brown
dots.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. 1. 9180.
Distribution. — Hood Bay, New Guinea.
The type is 100 mm. in length.
Apparently close to P. arstiis (Hamilton).
24. PSEUDORHOMBUS MOOREI, Thominot.
Fiduiorhombus moorei, Thominot, 1880, Bull. Soc. philom. Pans, (7) iv, p. 175 ; McCulloch, 1939,
.Mem. Aust. .Mus., v, p. c8o.
Depth of body twice in the length, length of head 3J. Snout as long as eye ; eyes
separated by a sharp ridge. Teeth strong. Scales ctenoid ; 75 to 80 in lateral line.
Dorsal 65. Anal 52-55. Pectoral with 10 rays. Caudal rounded. Greenish, with
23 spots or ocelh on body ; dorsal and anal fins spotted ; a black spot on pectoral
fin.
Type. — No longer exists.
Distribution. — Melbourne, Western Austraha.
Apparently nearest to P. jenynsii (Bleeker).
Genus 7. TARPHOPS.
Tarphops, Jordan and Thompson, 1914, Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 307 [Rhombus oli^oUpjs,
Bleeker] .
Perhaps identical with Pseudorhombus, but the scales larger, there being less
than 50 in the lateral line. The single species grows to a very much smaller size
than any Pseudorhombus, an example of 74 mm. in total length having been recorded
with ripe ova.
A single species from Formosa and Japan.
I. TARPHOPS OLIGOLEPIS (Bleeker).
Rhombus oligolepii, Bleeker, 1858-9, Act. Soc. Sci. Indo-N'eerl., v, Japan, p. 8. pi. 11, fig. ::.
Pseudorhombus oligolepts, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 430 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 179 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, .x.xxiii
(i), p. 316 ; Schmidt, 1931, Trans. Pac. Com. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.R., 11, p. 124.
Tarphops oltqoUpis, Jordan and Thompson, 1914, Mem. Carnegie .Mus., vi, p. 307, pi. xxxix ; Hubbs,
1915, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xlviu, p. 462 ; \Vu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci. Umv. Pans, A. 244
(:68), p. 88.
Spinirhombus oligolepis, Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool.. Trans, .\bstr., i (5), p. 191.
Depth of body ij to 2J in the length, length of head 3 J to 3J. Upper profile of
head evenly curved or very slightly notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than
eye, diameter of which is 3 to 4 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes nearly
level, the upper close to edge of head. Maxillary not reaching middle of eye, length
a little more than twice in head ; lower jaw not projecting, i| to i| in head. Teeth
very small in both jaws, scarcely enlarged anteriorly. GiU-rakers long, slender, close-
set ; about 16 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body.
PARALICHTHINiE 119
42 to 48 in lateral line. Dorsal 62-66 ; commencing above posterior nostril of blind
side and just in front of eye. Anal 48-52 ; tip of first interhimal spine projecting.
Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length i J to if m that of head. Caudal rounded
or double-truncate. Brownish, with irregular darker spots and markings.
Fig. 75. — Tarphops oUgolepls. B..M. (N'.H.) 1905 .5.6.237. X2.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Formosa ; Japan.
Specimens Examined :
(i (55-60 mm.). Inland Sea of Japan. Smith.
I (67 mm.). Senzaki, Nagato Prov., Japan. Tokyo Imp. Univ.
Genus 8. XYSTREURYS.
Xystrcurys, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., iii, (iSSo), p. 34 [Xy^treurys liolepis,
Jordan and Gilbert].
Verecundum, Jordan, 1S90, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., .xiii, p. 330 [Verecundum rasile, Jordan].
Body ovate or rather deep, compressed. Eyes normally on the left side,^ separated
by a narrow ridge. Olfactory laminaa arranged transversely to or radiating from a
fairly lengthy central rachis. Mouth of moderate size, the length of the maxillary
more than ^ that of head ; jaws about equally developed on both sides, but dentition
more developed on the blind side ; teeth rather small, blunt, conical, without distinct
canines anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws : vomer toothless. Gill-rakers short or of
moderate length ; lower pharyngeals each with 3 or 4 rows of strong, bluntly pointed
teeth. Dorsal fin commencing well behind posterior nostril of blind side and above
the eye ; the rays simple or bifid at their tips, scaled on both sides. Tip of first
interhaemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that of
ocular side prolonged, much longer than that of Wind side ; middle rays branched.
Pelvic fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Scales small, all cycloid :
some minute supplementary scales present, particularly in region of pectoral arch.
Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body, with a distinct curve above the
pectoral fin ; no distinct supratemporal branch. Vent nearly on median line, just in
front of anal fin. Vertebra 37 (12 + 25).
Two species from the coasts of California and Brazil.
' .V. liolepis is indifferently sinistral or dextral.
120 FLATFISHES (HF.TEROSOMATA)
Synopsis of thk Species.
I. Depth nearly twice in length ; eye 4^ to nearly 5 in head : (> or 7 short,
thick gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch; about uo scales in
lateral lino : many dorsal and anal rays bifid ; caudal double-truncate
1. liolepis.
II. Depth i\ ni length ; eye 2§ to 3j in head ; 10 or 11 gill-rakers of moderate
length on lower part of anterior arch ; 82 to 80 scales in lateral line ;
only the last few dorsal and anal rays bifid ; caudal pointed 1. rasilf.
I. XYSTREURYS LIOLEl'IS, Jordan and Gilbert.
Xyslicurys hulcpit. Jordan and Gilbert, iSHi, I'ror. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii. (i8(
Cross, 1S89, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv (18S6), p. ^43 ; Jordan and Ever
Nat. Mus., xlvii (-5), p. zf>2\; Starks and Morris, 1007, Univ. Calif. Pub.
Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 8, fig. 88.
ramhchlhvs IwU-fiis, Jordan and Gilbert, 18S3. Cull. U.S. N'at. Mus., xvi, p. ;
'-') P- ^4 '■ Jordan anfl
inann, 1898, Bull U.S.
Zool., ill (11), p. 242 :
, Iwlcp.
Depth of body nearly twice in the length, length of head 3J to 4. Upper profile
of head very little notched above eyes. Snout as long as or a little shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 4 J to nearly 5 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes about
level, the upper close to edge of head. Slaxillary extending to below middle of eye,
length 2j to 2| in that of head ; lower jaw 2 to 2j in head. GiU-rakers short, thick ,
6 or 7 on lower part of anterior arch. About 120 scales in lateral line ; supplementary
scales numerous. Dorsal 74-78. Anal 59-62. Rays of posterior halves of dorsal
and anal fins bifid at their tips. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 rays, falcate; length
variable, equal to or much longer than that of head. Caudal double-truncate, length
of middle rays ij to i J in that of head ; caudal peduncle more than twice as deep as
long. Brownish, mottled with darker ; sometimes with distinct round black blotches.'
median fins blotched with darker ; pectoral fin with oblique cross-bars.
Type. — United States National Museum (?).
Distribution. — Southern Cahfornia.
light part.
of straight mh\
id p.irli.
Specimens Examined :
2 (260, 262 mm.).
PARALICHTHIN,4i
San Diego Bay.
California.
Eige
This species, in which the coloration and length of the pectoral fin on the ocular
side is subject to considerable variation, is indifferently sinistral or dextral. It grows
to a length of about 15 inches.
2. XYSTREURYS RASILE (Jordan).
V'frecundum rasile, Jordan, 1890, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mas., xiii, p. 330.
Hippoglossina notata. Berg, rSgg, An. Mus. nac. B. Aires, iv, p. 75.
Xystreurys notatus, Ribeiro, 1904, Lavoura (Bol. Soc. nac. Agricult.}, 4-7 {1003), p. 192 ; Ribeiro,
1915, Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de J., xvii, Heterosomata, p. 11.
Xyslreurys brasiliensis, Regan, 1914, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) xiii. p. 17 ; Regan, 1914, Rep. Brit.
Antarct. (" Terra Nova ") Exped., 1910, Zool., I, i, p. 23, pi. x, tig. i.
Fig. 77. — Xystreurys
Depth of body 2J in the length, length of head about 4. Upper profile of head
not notched above eyes. Snout shorter than eye. diameter of which is 2 f to 3; in
length of head : anterior margins of eyes about level, the upper entering dorsal profile
of head. Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior third of eye. length about
2 J in that of head ; lower jaw 2 in head. Gill-rakers of moderate length : 10 or 11
on lower part of anterior arch. 82-86 scales in lateral line ; supplementary scales
not very numerous. Dorsal 78-S3. Anal 64-67. Most of the rays of dorsal and
anal fins simple, only the last 3 or 4 branched. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays,
a little falcate, nearly as long as or a little longer than head. Caudal pointed, middle
rays a little longer than head ; caudal peduncle more than twice as deep as long.
Pale brownish ; a large double ocellus at junction of curved and straight parts of
lateral line, and a small ocellus between this and the dorsal fin ; a black spot
posteriorly on lateral line ; traces of another pair of spots above and below its
straight part.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 43430.
Distribution. — Coasts of Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine Republic.
Specimens Examined :
(98, 170 mm. J. Types of A', hn
C. Frio, Brazil, 40 fms.
122 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
I am indebted to the Director of the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. Buenos
Aires, for a photograph of the type-specimen of Hippoglossina notata, preserved in
that institution. This is in very poor condition, but appears to be identical with the
specimens described above.
Cenus 9. T.-ENIOPSETTA.
ianiopsetta, Gilbert, igoj, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (2), (1903), p. 68(1 [Tamopsclla rndula,
Gilbert.]
Body rather deep, greatly compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a
ridge. Olfactory laminae reduced to 3 or 6, slightly radiating, without central rachis.
Mouth rather small, the length of the maxillary less than J that of head : jaws and
dentition about equally developed on both sides ; teeth small, conical, without
canines anteriorly, uniserial in both )aws; vomer toothless. GiU-rakers rather short
and broad ; lower pharyngeals each with a row of sharp-pointed teeth on outer edge
and one or two irregular teeth inside them. Dorsal fin commencing just above
posterior nostril of blind side, and well in front of eye : all the rays simple, scaled on
both sides. Tip of fir.st interhaemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Some
of the rays of the dorsal and anal fins prolonged. Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular
side larger ; all the rays simple. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical.
Scales very small, cycloid or feebly ctenoid on ocular side, all cycloid on blind side.
Lateral line developed only on ocular side of body, with a strong curve above the
pectoral fin : no supratemporal branch. Vent on blind side, above first ray of anal
fin ; urino-genital papilla occupying a similar position on ocular side.
Two species from deep water in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Depth 1 1 to a little more than twice in length : scales all cycloid, about 105
in lateral line ; some of the dorsal and anal rays prolonged only in the
male ........... i . ocellata.
II. Depth about ij in length ; scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind
side, about 140 in lateral line ; some of the dorsal and anal rays prolonged
in both sexes ......... 2. radula.
The sexual differences in this genus are discussed on p. 33.
I. T.ENIOPSETTA OCELLATA (Giinther).
Pseudorhombus occUaius, GUnther, 1880, .Shore Fishes " Challdi^er ", p. 56, pi. xxiv, tigs, s, b ;
Regan, 1908, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., xii, p. 232.
t aniopsetta ocellata, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 17.
Depth of body i| to a Uttle more than twice in the length, length of head 3I to
4. Anterior profile of head steep, a little concave in front of eyes. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is about 3 in length of head ; lower eye in advance of
upper, which is close to edge of head. A strong spine in front of each eye in the male,
but only a blunt spine in front of lower eye in the female ; a spine on the snout above
the maxillary' in both sexes, and sometimes one or two spinous processes on the
interorbital ridge. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3}
to 3 J in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, i\ to 2| in head. 5 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid, about 105 in lateral hue. Dorsal
88-93 '■ first ray with a broad membranous flap ; in the male the rays increase more
or less regularly in height to the twelfth, the next six or seven rays being prolonged
and more or less free from the membrane of the fin, the highest much longer than
head ."^nal 74-78 ; the first six or seven rays prolonged in the male, the fir.st ray
PARALICHTHIN.E
123
being shorter than the others and with a membranous flap. None of the rays of
the dorsal and anal fins prolonged in the female. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 or
14 rays, length J to nearly § that of head. A strong spine between the pelvic fins.
Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle very short. Pale brownish, speckled and spotted
with darker, and with a number of rings or U-shaped markings, of which the series
of large ones at edges of body are most prominent ; median fins with irregular spots
and streaks of dark brown ; sometimes a deep black blotch at bases of anterior rays
of anal fin ; distal part of pectoral dusky. Blind side of body dusky in its posterior
half, yellowish white anteriorly.
FtG. yS.—Taniopsetta ocellala. B.M. (N.H.) 79.5.14.76, 77. X i.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1879.5. 14.76.
Distribution. — Saya de Malha Bank, Indian Ocean ; Admiralty Islands.
Specimens Examined :
3 (c?. ^So, 155; ?. 148 mm.}. Saya de Malha Bank, 123 fms. Gardiner.
- is* 135: ?- 14- nim.). Types.^ Nares Harbour, Admiralty Is., 152 fms. " Challenger.'
2. T^NIOPSETTA R.'VDULA, Gilbert.
TaniopsHta radula, Gilbert, 1905. Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (2}, (1903), p. 680, fig. 266 : Xorman,
1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 599.
Tczniopseita oc£llatus. Fowler, 1928, Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 90.
Close to T. ocellata, but depth of body about 1} in the length. Scales ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; about 140 in lateral line. Dorsal 88-93 • loth or
12th to 15th or i8th rays prolonged in the male, loth to 13th or 14th in the female.
Anal 72-75 : first 4 or 5 rays prolonged in the male, first 3 or 4 in the female. All
these rays are rather shorter in the female. Membranous flap of first ray of dorsal
with a black spot narrowly bordered with white ; a jet black spot margined with
white on anterior rays of anal ; blind side of body without pigment.
' The male is selected as the holotype.
I'i.ATFlSHFS (HiniiKOSDMATA)
Type, — United States National Museum.
Distribution — Hawaiian Islands.
Specimens Examined :
2. {3,02 ■ ?, no mm.). F'ar.itvpes.
No. 51639.
t'.S. Nat. Mus.
(.enus 10. ANCYLOPSETTA.
Ancylopietla. Gill, iK(m, I'ro
c. Ac
ad. Nat. Sci. Philad.. p. .
Notosctna, Goode and Bean,
1883
, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoul.,
Bean].
Ramularia, Jordan and Kv
ermai
in, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat.
dntUnhca, Gilbert].
-■4 [Ancyl<ipsina guadrocMala, GUI].
X, p. 193 [Notoscma dilecta, Goode and
xlvii (3), p. 2633 [Ancylopsetta
Body oblong or ovate, compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a ridge
or flattish, scaled space. Olfactory laminae not numerous, arranged transversely to
or radiating from a central rachis of moderate length. Mouth rather small, oblique,
the length of the maxillary' more than \ that of head ; jaws and dentition about
equally developed on both sides ; teeth rather small, conical, pointed, somewhat
enlarged anteriorly, but without distinct canines, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer
toothless. GiU-rakers short and broad ; lower pharyngeals each with numerous
rows of minute pointed teeth, and with two or three larger teeth on posterior part
of inner margin. Dorsal commencing above or a little behind nostrils of blind side,
and above anterior edge or anterior part of eye ; most of the rays simple, more or
less scaled on both sides. Tip of first interha;mal spine not projecting in front of
anal fin Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side larger : middle rays branched.
Pelvic fins short-based and subsymmetrical, that of ocular side with the rays longer
than those of pelvic of blind side. Scales small, strongly ctenoid on both sides of
body , no supplementary scales Lateral line equally developed on both sides of
PAKALICHTHIN^ 125
body, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; a suprateraporal branch present.
Vent on blind side, in advance of or above first ray of anal fin. Vertebrae 35 (9 + 26).
Three species from both coasts of North America.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Pelvic of ocular side about as long as or longer than head, twice or more
than twice as long as that of blind side ; depth about twice in length.
A. Anterior dorsal rays not prolonged ; tubules of lateral line much
branched ; gill-rakers rounded, as broad as long ; anal 63-66
I. dendritica.
B. Some of the anterior dorsal rays prolonged, forming a distinct lobe ;
tubules of lateral line simple ; gill-rakers pointed, longer than broad ;
anal 54-56 ......... 2. dilecta.
II. Pelvic of ocular side (in adults) less than | as long as head, not much longer
than that of Wind side : depth i§ to i| in length . . 3. quadrocellata.
I. ANCYLOPSETTA DENDRITICA, Gilbert.
AncylopscUa dndritica, Gilbert, 1891, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xiii, (1890), p. 121 ; Gilbert and Starks,
1904, Mem. Calif. Acad. Sci., iv, p. 199, pi. xxxiii, fig. 62.
Kamularta dendritica, Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2633.
Hippoglossina sabanensis, Boulenger, 1899, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, xiv, No. 346, p. 4.
Pseudorhombus dendritica, Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser., xv, No.
249, p. 972.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head nearly 4. Upper profile
of head very slightly notched in front of eyes. Snout with a blunt bony knob on
ocular side, shorter than eye, diameter of which is 5 to 5J in length of head, and more
than twice the interorbital width ; eyes separated by a flat scaled space, anterior margins
about level, the upper close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below posterior
part of eye, length 2i to 2} in that of head : lower jaw a httle more than twice in
head. Teeth directed obliquely inward. Gill-rakers rounded, as broad as long :
5 or 6 on lower part of anterior arch. 86 to 88 scales in lateral line. Tubules of
lateral lines (in adults) much branched ; suprateraporal branch well developed.
Dorsal (76) 80-82 (84) ; commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side and
126
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
above anterior part of eye ; first few rays more or less free from membrane, but
scarcely prolonged. Anal 63-66. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length i^
to 15 in that of head. Pelvic fin of ocular side about as long as or longer than head,
more than twice as long as that of blind side. Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle
twice or more than twice as deep as long. Greyish or brownish, with 3 large, round,
dark ocellated spots, with pale centres and bluish-white margins, the two anterior
ones above and below lateral line in middle of body, and the third on posterior part
of lateral line ; median fins nearly uniform.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 47291.
Distribution. — Gulf of California to Panama Bay.
Specimens Examined :
I {215 mm.). Panama. lordan.
1(270 ,, ). Panama Canal Zone. U.S. Xat. Mus.
The type, 13 mches in length, was taken by the
(Gulf of CaUfornia), in 1 1 fathoms.
.\lbatro3s " at Station 3022
2. ANCYLOPSETTA DILECTA (Goode and Beanl.
Nolosema dilccta, Goode and Bean. 1S83, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool.
Ocean. Ichth.. p. 437, figs. 362, 365 ; Jordan and Evermann,
P- 2635.
Paralichthys sligmalias, Goode, 1884. Nat. Hist, .\quat. Anini
Ancylopselta dth-cta, Jordan, 1885, Cat. Fish. N. An
Com. Fish., xiv, (1SS6), p. 250.
134
c. p. 193 ; Goode and Bean, 1893.
ioS, Bull. U.S. .Nat. Mus., xlvii (3),
(Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., I.),
Jordan and Goss, 1880, Rep., U.S.
Depth of body twice in the length, length of head 4. Upper profile of head a
little notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is about
4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow ridge, their anterior margins about
level, the upper close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye,
length 2i in that of head ; lower jaw i J in head. Teeth only shghtly directed inward.
Gill-rakers pointed, longer than broad ; 7 on lower part of anterior arch. About 86
scales in lateral line. Tubules of lateral line short, simple ; supratemporal branch
feebly developed. Dorsal 68 ; commencing a little behind posterior nostril of blind
PARALICHTHIN^
127
side, and above anterior margin of eye ; second to fifth or sLxth rays prolonged,
forming a distinct lobe, highest rays } length of head. Anal 54-56. Pectoral of
ocular side with 11 rays, length ij in that of head. Pelvic fin of ocular side longer
than head, nearly 3 times as long as that of blind side. Caudal double-truncate ;
caudal peduncle twice as deep as long. Brownish, speckled with darker ; 3 large,
round, dark ocelli of complicated pattern, with pale margins, the two anterior ones
above and below lateral line in middle of body, and the third on posterior part of
lateral line ; median fins blotched with dark brown.
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 25783.
Distribution. — Oflf the coast of Carolina, United States.
Specimen Examined :
(1921
N. Atlantic (Gulf Stream)
U.S. Xat. Mus.
3. ANCYLOPSETTA QUADROCELLATA, Gill.
Ancylopselia quadrocellata, Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 224 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889,
Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 250; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvii (3), p. 2634, pi. ccclxxv, fig. 925.
Pscudorhombus quadrocellatus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1879, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mu5., i, (1878), p. 370.
ParalicMhvs oinmatus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 616 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 824.
Fig. Sz.—Ancylopsella quadrocellata. B.M. (N.H.) 1913.12.8.4. x i.
Depth of body i§ to i| in the length, length of head 3 J to 3f. Upper profile of
head a little notched in front of eyes. Snout about as long as eye, diameter of which
is 5 to 5|- in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow ridge, their anterior margins
about level, the upper close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle
of eye or beyond, length about li in that of head ; lower jaw twice in head. Teeth
only slightly directed inward. Gill-rakers short, broad, bluntly pointed , 7 on lower
part of anterior arch. About 80 scales in lateral Une. Tubules of lateral line short,
simple ; supratemporal branch well developed. Dorsal 70-75 (76) ; commencing
just behind posterior nostril of blind side and above anterior margin or anterior
part of eye ; some of the anterior rays more or less free from membrane, a little
prolonged, forming a low lobe. Anal 56-58 (59). Pectoral of ocular side with
I 28
FLATFISHES (HETFROSOMATA)
II rays, loiisth i; to 15 in that of head. Pelvic fin of ocular side (in adults)
a little less than J length of head (nearly 5 or more in young), not much longer
than that of blind side. Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle more than 3 times
as deep as long. Brownish, with 4 conspicuous oblong ocellatcd spots, a smallish
one above curve of lateral line, a pair of large ones above and below lateral line in
middle of body, and a fourth large one on posterior part of lateral line ; often some
scattered white spots on body and median fins ; a series of small indistinct dark
spots on dorsal and anal.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 8081.
Distribution. — Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.
Specimens Examined :
1 (loS ,, ).
I (::io „ ).
lu (So-JOo mil
Morehcad, N Carolina.
C. Lookout, N. Carolina.
Off Charleston Harbour, S. Carolii
Off Horn. Isd., Mississippi.
Coles.
Amer. Mus. Xat. H.st.
Charleslon Mus.
Canhli. Hiol. L.ili.
Regan [IQ16, Rep. Brit. Antarct. (" Terra Nova ") Exped., 1910, Zool., i, 4,
p. 146, pi. ix, figs. 3, 4] has described some post-larvrc, said to be of Ancylopsetta,
from Rio de Janeiro. The locality at which these were taken, however, suggests
that they do not belong to this genus, but probably to a species of Paralichthys.
Cenus II. CASTRO PSETTA.
(.aslropselta, Bean. 1895. Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xvii, (1894), P- 633 [Gaslrofiu-lla frn,i!aU<:, Bean) ;
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. ^636.
Close to Ancvlopseita. Teeth small. Dorsal fin commencing in advance of eye.
its anterior rays free and somewhat prolonged. I'elvic fin of ocular side with the rays
prolonged. Scales all cycloid, embedded m the skm.
A single species from off the coast of Florida.
npsftta fronlalii. Bean. iS.|S, Proc.
1.S9S. Bull. U.S. Nat. M
GASTROPSETTA FRONTALIS, Bean.
. iS.,5, Proc. U.S. Xal. Mus,, xvii, (1S94). p. 633, fig. 1 ; Jorda
I'AKALICHTHIN.E 129
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 4 to 4J. A blunt
rostral spine. Eye large, diameter 3 to 3J in length of head ; eyes separated by a
narrow ridge. Maxillary extending nearly to below middle of eye, length 2i in. that
of head. Gill-rakers very short, as broad as long ; 7 on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales small. Dorsal 60-62 ; anterior rays with membranous distal processes, the
third and fourth highest, as long as or longer than head. Anal 48-52 ; none of the
rays much prolonged. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 or 10 rays, length about ij in
that of head ; that of blind side very little shorter. Caudal pointed. Brownish,
spotted with darker ; 3 large, conspicuous dark ocelli on body, two along the back
and one near base of anal fin ; head and upper surfaces of eye-balls with vertical dark
stripes ; fins with dusky blotches.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 37668.
Distribution. — Off the coast of Florida.
Specimen Examined :
I (148 mm.). Dry Tortugas. I.onglev.
Two examples of this species were collected by the " Albatross " at Station 2317,
near Key West (24°25' N., 8i°46' W.), in 45 fathoms, of which the smaller (160 mm.)
is figured here. A third specimen was taken at Station 2373, near Apalachicola.
Genus 12. SYACIUM.
Syacium, Ranzani, 1840, De Nov. Pise, (2) [N'. Comm. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., v], p. j8 [Syacium
micrurum, Ranzani] ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2670.
Hemirhombus, Bleeker, 1862, Vers]. .\kad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 425 [Hemirhombus guineensis,
BleekerJ.
Atamaca. (Jordan and Goss) Jordan, 1885, Cat. Fish. N'. Anier., p. 133 [H emirhombus pattuhts (Bean)
Jordan and Gilbert].
Body ovate or rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by
a concave space (in adults), which is narrow in the female and more or less broad in
the male ; no spines on the head in either sex. Olfactory laminae in moderate number,
arranged transversely to or radiating from a fairly lengthy central rachis. Mouth of
moderate size, the length of the maxillary more than J that of head ; lower jaw slightly
included ; jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides ; teeth conical,
curved; teeth of upper jaw biserial, those of the outer series stronger and enlarged
anteriorly ; teeth of lower jaw uniserial ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers short or of
moderate length, few in number ; lower pharyngeals each with an inner row of long,
slender teeth and an outer row of smaller teeth. Dorsal fin commencing on blind side
of head, above posterior nostril and well in front of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled
on both sides. Tip of first interhsemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin.
Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side with the upper rays prolonged in the male ;
middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal, that of ocular side on
median line. Scales of moderate size or rather small, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid
on blind side ; small supplementary scales generally present, particularly in region
of lateral line. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body, without a distinct
curve above the pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch. Vent on blind side, above
first rays of anal fin. Vertebras 35 or 36 (lo-ii + 25).
Four species from both sides of the Atlantic and from the Pacific coast of tropical
America.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Anterior teeth of upper jaw forming distinct canines [Atlantic species].
A. Interorbital width equal to or greater than eye (mature 3'). or about |
eye (?) ; 46 to 56 scales in lateral line.
I. Depth 2j to 2| in length ; 50 to 56 .scales in lateral line ; dorsal 82-
91, anal 65-70 ....... i. papillosum.
13°
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
2. Depth twice or less than twice in length ; 46 to 48 scales in lateral
line ; dorsal 74--S2, anal 60-65 ..... 2. gunteri.
v.. Interorbital width J to i eye (mature ^), or much narrower (2) : 54 to 65
scales in lateral line . . . . . . 3. ynicrnrum
U. .\nterior teeth of upper jaw more or less enlarged, but not forming distinct
canines [Pacific species] ........ 4. ovale.
The three .Atlantic coast species of this genus are not easily differentiated. .A
further revision, based on adequate material, is required.
I. SYACIUM I^APILLOSUM (Linnaeus).
PUitronectcs papiUo:
Plcuronectc:
. p. 341.
s, LinniEus, :758, Syst. N'at.. ed. x, p. 2-
Walbaum, 179.!, .Artedi Ichth.. (3I, ed. 2
Nat.,
1766, ed. .xii I
121 : Cuvier.
Platessa papulosa, Cloquet, 1S26, Diet
Y Rhombus soUtsfonms, (Cuvier) Agassiz, 1831, in Spi.v, Pise. Brasil., p. .S6, pi. xlvii.
Hippozloss'is intermedius, Ranzani, 1S40, De Mov. Pise., (2) [N. Coinm. Ac. Sci. Inst
p. 14, pi. iv.
Hemirhomhus (?) soUaforims, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 423.
Hcmirhombus />a;(u;us, (Bean) Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. N'at. .\Iu5., v, (i
Goode and Bean, 1883, Proc. U.S. N'at. Mus., v, (18S2), p. 414.
Ctlharichthys aramaca, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xvi, p. 816.
Citharichthys pcstulus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883. torn, cil., p. 964 ; Goode and Bean,
Ichth., p. 448, tig. 373.
Aramaca papulosa, Jordan, 1887, Proc. U.S. N'at. Mus.. ix, (i580)
sole<ifo,
^yacium papUlosu
Everniann. if
Jordan, 1887, torn. cit.. p. 60
Jordan and Goss. 1889. Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 269 ;
, Bull. U.S. N'at. .Mus.. xlvii (3), p. 2671, pi. ccclxxxiii, fig. 941 ; R
. Mus. nac. Rio de J., xvii, Heterosom.ita, p. q ; Ribeiro, 191S, Arch. Mus. na
p. 160; .Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Sen, xv
Chabanaud, 1930, Bull, Mus. Hist. nat. Pans. (2) 11, p. 628.
>nicrurum, Gilbert. 1900, Proc. Washington .\cad. Sci., li, p. 182.
182), p. 30
[895, Oce;
:. Rio de .
No. 249,
Fic. 84. — Syaci
Depth of body 2i to 2| in the length, length of head 35 to nearly 4. Upper profile
of head with a shallow notch in front of eyes. Snout about as long as eye, diameter
of which is 4^ to 5 in length of head : interorbital width greater than diameter of eye
(mature 3).' about f eye (2) ; lower eye distinctly in advance of upper, which is well
PARALICHTHIN^
131
separated from edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or not
quite as far. length 2 1 to 25 in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. Some of
the anterior teeth in the outer series of upper jaw forming fairly strong canines.
8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 50-56 scales in lateral line ; supple-
mentary scales numerous. Dorsal 82-91. Anal 65-70. Pectoral of ocular side with
II rays, the upper rays prolonged and filamentous (at least in the male). Caudal
double-truncate. Uniformly brownish, or dotted and mottled with darker ; median
fins generally mottled with dark brown ; pectoral with obscure and irregular cross-
bars ; blind side of body sometimes wholly or partly dusky.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of America from South Carohna to Rio de Janeiro.
Specimens Examined :
I (<J. 290 mm.).
Bermudas.
Jones.
I ($, 222 ,, ).
Pensacola, Florida.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
12 W, 9. 150-280 r
nm.;
1.
Do' Tortugas, Florida.
Longlev.
I (<J, 205 mm.).
Florida.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
2(?, I23;<?, 150 r
nm.
1-
Eschschalbe Bay, S. of Tortugas.
,,
8 (7 (J, 150-210; ;
I?,'
158
mm.).
Tobago.
Guppv.
2(<J, 195,210 mm
.).
Rio de Janeiro.
Gildi.
Pleiironectes papillosus , Linnaeus, and P. aramaca, Walbaum, were based on the
" Aramaca " of Marcgrave (1648, 'Hist. Brasil.', p. 181, fig. I, which, judging from the
brief descnption and crude figure, appears to be this species. The specimens from Rio
de Janeiro included in the above description agree closely with the figure of Rhombus
soletzjormis, Agassiz, except that that species is depicted as havmg a dark blotch on
the shoulder. The otherwise uniform coloration and the wide interorbital space
shown in the figure suggest that Agassiz could not have had an example of Syaciiim
micrurum before him when describing his Rhombus soUceformis, although a diffuse
dark blotch on the anterior part of the lateral line is sometimes found in that species.
2. SYACIUM GUNTERI, Ginsburg.
Syacium gunteri, Ginsburg, 1933, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Ixxxii (20), p. 7.
Syacium longleyi, Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) xii, p. 201.
unten. B.M. (X.H.) 1931 . 1 1 .5 . 23. X |.
I3i FLATFISHKS (HKTKKOSOMATA)
Close to the preceding species, but deptli of body twice or less than twice in the
length. Interorbital width (j) nearly equal to diameter of eye. Gill-rakers a little
shorter and stouter. 7 on lower part of anterior arch. 46 to 48 scales in lateral line ;
supplementary' scales rather less numerous. Dorsal (74) 7q-8i (82). Anal fio-63 (65).
Length of pectoral of ocular side equal to or less than that of head, upper ray some-
times a little prolonged.
Typi;. — United States National Museum. No. 02800.
Distribution. — Coasts of Florida and Louisiana.
Specimens Examined :
I (o'. M-- mm.). Tvpe ..f .S. Iniishxi. Off Breton Is.. I.i.uisi.ma. CiriM.. Hiol, L.ili.
1 (J. sS-icm itun.). Kev West, Florid.i. Amer. Mils. \at. Hi'.t.
I (;, Momm.). Dry TortUKas. Florid, 1. I.onsley.
3 SYACII'M MICRl'Rl'M. Ranzani.
SvaciuiH munaum. R.mz,mi, 1S40. De Xov. I'lsr.. (2) X. Comm. Ac. Sri. Inst. Bonon., vl, p. iS.
pi. V ; Jordan and (ioss. 18S9, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 269 ; Jordan and Hverni.inn,
i8i|8, Bull. U.S. Xal. .Mus., .\Ivii (3). p. 2672 ; Evermann and Marsh, 1902, Bull. U.S. Com.
Fisli., XX, (1900). p. 324 ; Ribeiro. 191s, Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de I., xvii. Heterosomata, p. o ;
Kilu-lro. 1917, Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de j., xxi, p. K.i ; Meek and Hildebrand, 192S, Field Mus.
I'ul). ( lurago, Zool. Ser., xv, No. 249, p. 9S1.
Hi/>/>.i;;n.s.si(S nccllatus, Poev, KS56-58, Mem. hist. nat. Cuba, li, p. 114,
Hnnirlumibus aramaca. Giinthcr, 1S62, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 422 ; Carman, i.Soh, Bull. Lab. Xal, S< 1.
Umv. Iowa, p. 91-
Hcmirhnmhus guineensis, (Blceker) Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 423 : Bleeker, 1863, Nat. Verb.
Holl. Maatsch. Wet.. (2) xviii, p. 25, pi. iii ; Steindachner, i8,S2. Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
xlv, p. 13 ; Steindachner, 1894, Notes Leyden Mus.. xvi. p. .si ; PelleRrin, 1905, Act. Soc. Linn.
Bordeaux, (6) x [Ix], p. 31, tig.; Pellegrin, 1914, .-Vnii. Inst, ocranogr. Paris, vi (4), p. 73:
.Metzelaar, 1919, Trop. Atlant. Vissch., p. 277 ; Chabanau.l .md Monod, 1927, Bull. Com. F.tud.
Hist. Sci. Afriq. Occ. Fr., (1926), p. 280.
Hcmuhombui accllaliis, Poey, iSfiS, Rcpertorio Cuba, 11, p. 407 ; Poey, 1875, Enuui. Plsc. Cubcns.,
p. i.lS.
CUharuhthys ncdlalus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1S83. Bull. U.S. Xat. Mus,, xvi, p. 964.
Citharuhthys athalion, Jordan. 1887, Proc. U.S. X.il. Mus,, ix, (1SS6I, p. S2,
Hemirhnmbits iilhalwn. Jordan, 1887, torn. cil.. p, i.n:,
Syacium sumentsts. Fowler, 1919, Proc, U.S. X.it .Mu, , Ivi, p. 26S.
Metzelaar, 1919, Frnp, .\tl.ml. \ i5S( h., p. 151.
;93o, Ann. Xat. Mus. Wi.n, p. -,7.
Depth of body 2J to 2| in the length, length of head 3^ to nearly 4. Upper profile
of head with a shiallow notch in front of eyes. Snout as long as or shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 4 to nearly 5 in length of head ; interorbital width J to i diameter
of eye (mature J), or much narrower (2), reduced to a narrow bony ridge in the young ;
lower eye a little in advance of upper or anterior margins of eyes about level. Maxil-
lary extending to below middle of eye or not quite as far, length 2| to 2'i in that of
head ; lower jaw 2 to 2J in head. Teeth as in S. papillosum. 7 or 8 giU-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch. 54 to 65 scales in lateral line ; supplementary scales
present, less numerous than in S. papillosum. Dorsal 85-91. .\nal 68-73. i'ectoral
of ocular side with 1 1 rays, the upper rays prolonged and filamentous (at least in
the male). Caudal double-truncate. Browni.sh, with or without irregular darker
markings ; generally numerous spots and rings of pale grey and blackish, some of
the dark rings with a black central spot (at least in American examples) : sometimes
a diffuse dark blotch on lateral line above pectoral fin and another near base of caudal
peduncle ; median fins spotted and speckled with dark brown ; pectoral with
irregular dusky cross-bars.
Tvpi; — Institute di Zoologia, L'niversita di Bologna,
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of tropical America from hlorida to Kio de Janeiro .
tropical West Africa.
PARALICHTHIN^
Specimens Examined :
I (9, 140 mm.).
.A.nierira.
' ($,90 ,, ).
West Indies.
2{$, .10, ix6m,n.).
Tctron Bav, Tri
I (?, 144 mm.).
Porto Rico.
7 ((J, 9, 100-200 mm.), skins.
Jamaica.
I (^, 180 mm.).
Cuba.
= (?, 135, 173 mm.).
2 W, 230 ; $, 235 mm.).
Rio de Janeiro.
5 ((J, $,90-270 mm.).
C. Verde Is.
I (^, 210 mm.).
Lagos.
4 (?, II5-I55 mm.).
Sierra Leone.
I (?(?), 51 mm.).
Banana, Congo.
Leiden Mus.
Totton.
Amer. Mus. Nat.
Parnell Coll.
Zool. Soc. Coll.
Mus. Comp. Zool.
Lowe.
Cadman.
Lowe.
Brussels Mus.
Also 13 (,^, 5) from the West Indies, i (?) from Brazil, and 2 (?) from Liberia
^Leiden Mus).
13.M. (N.H.) 1930. 9. 4-6, 7.
The examples from C. Verde Islands and from the coast of West Africa are very
similar to those from the western Atlantic, and I have hesitated to regard them as
a distinct species. In 9 specimens from Brazil and the West Indies I count 58 to 65
scales in the lateral line, but the supplementary scales are numerous in this region,
making an exact count difficult. In I2 specimens from C. Verde Islands and West
Africa there are 54 to 60 scales in the lateral line and the supplementaries appear to
be usually less numerous. When specimens of equal size and of the same sex are
compared, the interorbital width seems to be a very little narrower in West African
examples, but I am unable to detect any other differences. If the form from the eastern
Atlantic be regarded as a distinct subspecies it will stand as Syacium micruriim
guineensis (Bleeker).
4. SYACIUM OVALE (Gunther).
Hemirhombus ovalis, Gunther, 1864, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 154 ; Gunther, iSfiS, Trans. Zool. Soc, vi,
p. 472, pi. Ixxx, fig. I.
Cilharichlhys latifrons, Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., i, (1881), p. 334.
Citharichthys ovalis, Jordan, t886, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., viii, (1885), p. sgr.
Syaciitm ovale, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, {1886), p. 271 ; Jordan and
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2674; Gilbert and Starks, 1904, Mem.
Calif. Acad. Sci., iv, p. 199 ; Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser.,
XV, No. 249, p. 982.
Syacium latifrons, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., .xiv, (1886I, p. 271 ; Jordan and
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2673; Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field
Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser., xv. No. 249, p. 984.
34
l-I.ATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Depth of body Jj to ij in the length, length of head nearly 4, Upper profile of
head straight or with a very shallow notch in front of upper eye. Snout about as
long as eye, diameter of which is 4 to nearly 5 in length of head : interorbital width
greater than diameter of eye (mature J), much narrower and about equal to pupil ($) ;
anterior margins of eyes about level (5) or lower in advance of upper (jj) ' upper eye
close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye, length 2 1 to 25 in
that of head : lower jaw about twice in head. Anterior teeth in upper jaw more or
less enlarged, but not forming distinct canines. 7 or 8 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. 52 to 57 scales in lateral line ; supplementary scales not numerous.
Dorsal 80-88. Anal 63-68, Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, the two upper rays
prolonged and filamentous m the male. Caudal double-truncate. Brownish, with
or without indefinite darker spots and blotches : dorsal and anal fins with dark dots
and with a row of brown spots ; caudal fin with large irregular dark spots ; pectoral
(rj) with dusky cross-bars.
TvPH. — British Museum (Nat, Hist.). Keg No. 64.1.26.348.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of tropical .\merica.
Specimens Ex.'^mined ;
I ($, 1^5 mm.). (,ulf of t;ihfoi-nia. U.S. Nat. Mus.
1 (?, 165 ,, ). Hololvpe I'acilic 1 oast of Panama. Salvin.
2 ($, 158, 170 mm.). Panama. Jordan.
.!(?, 95-150 ,, ). Mazatlan.
I (130 mm.), skeleton.
Col. Tenison has examined the type of Syacium latifrons, and informs me that this
is without any doubt the male of the species described by Giinther as ovale Apart
from the form of the teeth, 5. ovale is very close indeed to .S". papillosum of the Atlantic
coa.st.
(ienus 13. CYCLOPSETTA.
lyclnpsella, Cill, i88q. Prof. U.S. Nat. Mus., xi. (i.SH,S), p. 601 \Hctinthiimbm jimhrmlui, (jooiie and
Bean].
Aztvm, (Jordan) Jordan and (loss, i.^.S.,, Kep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (18S6), p.. 271 [C ttharicMhys
panamensts, Stemdachner].
Close to Syactunt, Eyes separated by a flat space, which is narrow or of moderate
width and similar in both sexes. Mouth large, the length of the maxillary J or nearly J
that of head ; lower jaw included ; teeth uniserial in both jaws ; lateral teeth of upper
jaw of moderate size, a pair of canines anteriorly ; teeth of lower jaw all strong,
PARALICHTHIN^
135
widely separated, largest at the sides. Gill-rakers very short, broad, strongly spinulate.
few in number ; lower pharyngeals each with a single row of slender, somewhat
curved, pomted teeth. Dorsal fin commencing above or in advance of nostrils of
blind side. None of the rays of pectoral fin prolonged. Scales small, ctenoid or
cycloid ; sometimes a few supplementary scales in region of lateral line. Lateral
line with a short, irregular supratemporal branch. Vertebrap 33.
Four species from both coasts of tropical North and Central America.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Scales of ocular side cycloid [Cyclopsetta].
A. Dorsal 89-93, anal 70-74 ; lateral line tubules much branched ; 92 to
98 scales in lateral line ; upper eye in advance of lower . i. querna.
B. Dorsal 80-83, anal 60-68 ; lateral line tubules not much branched ;
70 to 88 scales in lateral line ; anterior margins of eyes about level.
I. Scales firm, 83 to 88 in lateral line; hinder margin of left
pectoral oblique . . . . . .2. chittendeni.
1. Scales deciduous, about 70 in lateral line ; hinder margin of left
pectoral subtruncate ...... i. fiinbriata.
11. Scales of ocular side ctenoid [AzeviaJ.
A. Dorsal 90-99, anal 70-78 ; eye 4! to 5J in head . . •4- panamensis
B. Dorsal 85, anal 65-67 ; eye nearly 4 in head ... 5. maculijera.
I. CYCLOPSETTA QUERNA (Jordan and Bollman).
Azevia querna, Jordan and Bollman, 1890, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xii, (1889), p. 174.
Cyclopsetta querna, Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2675 ; Gilbert
and Starks. 1904, Mem. Calif, .^cad. Sci., iv, p. 200 ; Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field Mus.
I'ub. Chicago. Zool. Ser., xv, No. 249, p. 991.
-Cyclopsetta q
Depth of body 2j to 2j in the length, length of head 3^ to nearly 4. Upper profile
of head slightly and evenly convex. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is
6 to 6J in length of head, and about twice interorbital width ; upper eye in advance of
lower and fairly close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to well beyond eye,
length I J to nearly 2 in that of head ; lower jaw i J to 15 in head. 8 or 9 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid, 92 to 98 in lateral line. Tubules
13"
FLATl-ISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
of lateral liiu- profusely branclied ; a network of similar tubules on postociilar part of
head, but no distinct supratemporal branch. Dorsal 89-93 ; commencing just in
advance of posterior nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to
i Its diameter. Anal 70-74. Pectoral of ocular side with 14 to 16 rays, length about
J that of head. Caudal double truncate ; caudal peduncle nearly 3 times as deep as
long. Uniformly bro%vnish.
Typk. — I'nited States National Museum. No. 41 159.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of Panama and Colombia.
Specimens Ex.imini;i) :
Jorda
xdopiMa cliiflendcnt. Bean. 1805, PrO'
Kvermann, 18(18, Hull. U.S. Xat. M
2. CYCLOPSETTA CHITTENDEN!, Bean,
. (1S.14). p. (.35
U.S. Xat. Mil
>.,xlvii(3),p.
Depth of body 2^^ to 2j in the length, length of head 3. I to 3J, Upper profile
slightly and evenly convex Snout longer than eye, ihameter of which is about 5J
-I \cU,psetta chittendcni. B.M. (N.H )
in length of head, and more than twice interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes
about level, the upper well separated from edge of head. Maxillary extending to a
little beyond posterior edge of eye, length ij to ij in that of head ; lower jaw i| to
13 in head. 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid, firm, S3 to
88 in lateral line. Tubules of lateral line not much branched ; a short irregular
supratemporal branch. Dorsal 82-85 ; commencing in advance of posterior nostril
of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to | or j its diameter. Anal
63-68. Pectoral of ocular side with 15 or 16 rays, length 1 1 in head ; hinder margin of
fin oblique. Caudal rounded ('-) : caudal peduncle more than twice as deep as long.
Brownish ; a large dark blotch with some white spots in its centre below anterior
part of lateral line ; two or three similar but more distinct rounded spots on dorsal
and anal fins ; dorsal fin with three smaller and less definite spots anteriorly ; pelvic
of ocular side dusky ; caudal with three large black spots at its extremity.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 44100.
IMsTRiurTioN. — Trinidad.
PARALICHTHIN^
Specimens Examined ;
I (205 mm.).
Trinidad.
I (207 ,, ).
Gulf of Paria
t (230 ,, ).
I (210 „ ).
Port of Spain
Guppy
Rodgei
3. CYCLOPSETTA FIMBRIATA (Goode and Bean).
Hemirhombus fimbriatus , Goode
Arnoglossus (1) fimbriatus, Jorda
Cydopsetta fimbnata. Bean, 1895
1895, Ocean. Iclith., p. 451,
(3), p. 267.6.
and Bean, 1886, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., viii, (1885), p. 591-
1 and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 262.
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvii, (1894), p. 635, fig. 2 ; Goode and Bean,
fig- 368 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii
Fig. 90. — Cydopsetta fimbriala. U.S.N.M. 37330. X -r,
Verj' close to C. chittendein, but the teeth apparently smaller ; the scales larger
and more deciduous, 70 in lateral line ; dorsal 80, anterior rays of fin a very little
prolonged ; anal 60-61 ; hinder margin of pectoral subtruncate ; spots on dorsal and
anal fins prominent ; a similar spot on middle of caudal fin and another on distal part
of pectoral.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 37330.
Distribution. — Deep water in the Gulf of Mexico.
The type is 213 mm. in length, and was taken by the " Albatross " between the
Mississippi Delta and Cedar Keys.
4. CYCLOPSETTA PANAMENSIS (Steindachner).
Citharichthys panamensis, Steindachner, 1875, SitzBer. .Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxii (i), p. 62.
Azevia panamensis, Jordan and Goss, i88g, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 272 ; Jordan and
F.vermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2677, pi. ccclxxxiv, fig. 942 ; Gilbert and
Starks, 1904, .Mem. Calif. Acad. Sci., iv, p. 200 ; .Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field .Mus. Pub.
Chicago, Zool. Ser., xv. No. 249, p. 990.
Depth of body 2j to 2J in the length, length of head nearly 4. Upper profile of
head evenly convex. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is 4} to 5^ in length of
head, and 4 or 5 times interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes level, the upper
well separated from edge of head. Maxillary scarcely extending to beyond posterior
edge of eye, length twice in that of head ; lower jaw i* in head. 8 or 9 gill-rakers on
138
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMAI'A)
lower part of anterior
about 75 in lateral line,
supratemporal branch.
irch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
Tubules of lateral line not much branched ; traces of a short
Dorsal (90) 03-95 (99) ; commencing in advance of anterior
nostril of blind side, and at a distance in front of eye equal to more than i its diameter,
.•\nal 70-7S. Pectoral of ocular side with 15 rays, length i| in that of head. Caudal
double-truncate ; caudal peduncle more than 3 times as deep as lon.q. Brownish,
with indefinite darker blotches, which arc more distinct on the median tins.
Tvi'i:, —Vienna Museum.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of .-Vmerica from Lower CaUfornia to Panama.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
I (220 mm.). Panama. Joi'dan*
.Ma?atlai
Stanford Uni'
5. CYCLOPSETTA MACULIFERA (Garman).
Cillmruhlhvs macuUIci, l.anuan, l.Sof,, Mem. Mus. Conlp. Z06I., .\xiv, p. m.
Depth of body about 2\ in the length, length of head 3^. Upper profile of head
with a very shght indentation in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of
which is nearly 4 in length of head and about 4 times interorbital width ; lower eye
a very little in advance of upper, which is well separated from edge of head. Maxillary
extending nearly to below middle of eye, length 2i in that of head ; lower jaw a little
more than twice in head. 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid
on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 57 to 59 in lateral line. Dorsal 85 : commencing
near posterior nostril of blind side and at a distance in front of eye equal to about 5
Its diameter. Anal 65-67. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length ij in
that of head. Caudal blunt or rounded ; caudal peduncle about i\ times as deep as
long. Greyish brown, with numerous ocellate spots of bluish and of brownish on body
and tins ; caudal with brown spots forming irregular transverse series ; pectoral with
two brownish cross-bars.
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 28546.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of Panama, 66 fathoms.
PARALICHTHIN.^i
Fig. 9:
Known from 2 specimens, 127 and 200 mm. in total length, both collected by the
" Albatross " at Station 3368 (5° 32' 45" N., 86° 54' 30" W.).
I am indebted to Mr. N. A. Borodin for sending me the gill-arch of one of these
specimens. This confirms my opinion that this species should be placed in the genus
Cyclopsetta.
Genus 14. CITHARICHTHYS.
Citharichthvs, Bleeker, 1S62, \'ersl. Akad. Wet. .Amsterdam, xiii, p. 4:17 [Citharichthys cayennensis^
Bleeker] ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2678.
Orlhopselta, Gill, 1862, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 330 [Psetlichthys soriidus, Girard].
Mctoponops, Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 198 [Metoponops cooperi, Gill.).
Close to Sy actum . Body ovate or rather deep. Eyes separated by a bony ridge
or concave space, which may be similar in both sexes or broader in the male. Olfactory
laminae in moderate number or rather numerous arranged transversely to or radiating
from a central rachis which is generally short or of moderate length. Mouth of
moderate size, the length of the maxillary 2 to 3J in that of head. Gill-rakers short or
of moderate length, rather slender. Dorsal fin commencing on blind side of head,
above or just behind nostrils. Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side larger ;
upper rays usually not prolonged. Scales cycloid or feebly ctenoid. Vertebrje 33
to 40.
Fourteen species from both coasts of America and from tropical West Africa.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Vertebrae 37 to 40 ; interorbital ridge sharply elevated ; head not greatly
compressed [species of the North Pacific — Orthopsetta].
A. Interorbital space concave, scaled (at least posteriorly).
I. 15 to 18 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
a. 15 or 16 gill-rakers ; maxillary 2} to nearly 3 in head ; 61 to 67
scales in lateral line ; dorsal go-98, anal 72-80 . . i. sordidus.
b. 18 gill-rakers ; maxillary 2% in head ; about 50 scales in lateral
line ; dorsal (83-87) 88, anal (67) 69 (70) ... 2. fragilis.
1. 10 or II gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; maxillary about
3 in head ........ 3. xanlhosligma.
B. Eyes separated by a sharp, nearly naked ridge ; 9 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch ; dorsal 83-92, anal 67-72 ... 4. stigmaus.
140 FI.ATFISHHS (lIKTKKOSOiMA lA)
1 1 . N'ertebrs ^i to 30 ; eyes separated by a low ridge or concave space : head
closely compressed species of the Atlantic and tropical Pacific —
CiTHARICHTHVS].
A. Maxillary 2j to 3i in head ; interorbital space similar in both sexes. '
I. Eye 3 to 4i in head.
(7. Heail 3 to 3j in length.
<i. Interorbital width less than ! eye ; 2 rostral spines ; dorsal 01,
anal 73 ........ 3. ilmnceros.
.•I Interorbital width aliout \ eye : no rostral spines ; dorsal 7.S,
anal ()_• . . . . . . . . b. platophrys.
h- Head 3^ to 4J in length.
,1. Depth 2} to 25 in length ; maxillary 3J (3J) in head 7. arclifrons.
f1. Depth 2 to 2j in length ; maxillary 2| in head.
* Dorsal 80-82, anal 59-02 ; 41 to 44 scales in lateral line
8. niactops.
** Dorsal 08, anal 52 ; 52 to 53 scales in lateral line . g. uhlert
2 Eye 4i to nearly 8 in head.
CI. Depth a little less than twice in length ; dorsal (68) 75, anal (48)
55 ; 50 scales in lateral line . . . . .10. areiiaceiis.
b- Depth 2 to 2j in length : dorsal 77-87, anal 58-65 ; 40 to 48 scales
in lateral line.
<i 43 to 47 scales in lateral line ; 10 to 13 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; maxillary to below hinder part or posterior
edge of eye, 2j to 2i in head . head 35 to 3I in length
II, spilvplt-yus.
1^. 46 to 48 scales in lateral line ; 14 to 17 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; maxillary to below middle or posterior i
of eye, 2J to 2| in head ; head 35 to 3I in length
12. stanipflit.
y 40 to 43 scales in lateral line ; 12 to 14 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; maxillary to below middle or posterior
part of eye, 2? to 2f in head ; head 3J to 35- in length 13. gilberti.
B. Maxillary scarcely more than twice in head ; interorbital space broader
in male ; male with prominent rostral spines ; eye 2;V to 3 in head
14. cornutus.
This genus forms a very heterogeneous group, but I am unable to find valid
reasons for its subdivision. C . aniifyons has a greater number of olfactory laminje in
the nasal organ, with a longer median rachis, than any other species examined by me,
but, as I have seen no examples of dmoceros, platophrys and uhlevi, I have hesitated to
remove it on this account. C. cornutus shows marked secondary sexual differences,
but otherwise appears to be a typical Ciiharichthys.
Parr (11131, Bull, Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i), p. 2) unites l:li,ipiis with Cill:-
arichthys, but, since the species of the former genus appear to form a natural group,
characterised by the smaller mouth and feeble dentition, with the teeth nearly
confined to the blind side of the jaws, it is more convenient to retain the two genera, at
any rate for the present.
1 CI rH.XKK HTHVS SORDIUIS (Girard).
Soft E'lounder.]
I\dti(hth\s s.n;lulu<., Girard, l,S5h. I'lur. A.ad, \at, Sci. Phllati.. vii, (i«.i^), p. 14: ; (.irard, 1S5.S,
U.S. I'aiilii K.K. Survfv, x. Ilslio, p. 155.
Orthopsetta i„i,hii,i. (,ill, i.Sii;. Proc. .\r,id. Xat. Sci. Philad., p. 3311.
.\Utopow:ps ,n,,pn,, r.ill, iSi,|, Pr...-. .\,,id. Nat. Sn. Philad., p. loS.
PARALICHTHIN^ j^j
Citharichthv^ sordidwi Giintlipr i^fii r-,* ttj^k ■ , , .
US NaT Mus''' ^l ,'?• "T- ^'^,''- '"^' <'^«'>' 'P- =^^ "'j-d:- and^ive"nLn 858^°Buir
Pub. Zool ,"•;,') '<'■?• %'"• P'- ^'=^''"'''i^-. fig- 943 ; Starks and Morns, .go^.'univ Cal f
(IQ06) D ;.R fiV "^^ ■*= ' ?™™«"" ^"d Goldsborough, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish xxv
11906), p. 358, fig, ,44 ; Starks, 19.8, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4) p 17 fig ,01
abouUevd th?,fn'n. / I "^ '°'^" ^y'^ '^^"T'y '^■'^^^t'^d ■ ^"tenor margins of eyes
The ow middle of. ""."^^ °' ""*"'"« ^°^^^' P™'^'« °f ^ead. Max.Uar^ extendfng
jLaTttTe more than 7 ^"f ^f ^^'^ '""§*'' '^ '° "^"'^ 3 in that of h^ad ; lowef
for„,mg d stmct canmes 'nirril"'- l'''"^ somewhat enlarged anteriorly, but not
o ciistmct canmes. Gill-rakers rather long and slender ; 15 or i6 on lower part
Fig. g^.—Cillmrichthys sordiius. B.M. (N.H.) 90. 11. 15.-58.
merr;':Li:fgene'r^lrn7r^'e^'.r 'Z^Z^'::^^: "' *° '' '" '^*-^' "^ ■ ^PP'^
nostnl ^f bhnd'side, and a Uttle in fr^nt of'ye ' A^TyT^! 'l' 'f "f T'^^'
^^r;-Se^r;in|.^■lr;:^--!;^
dull orange spots and blotches each seal e^fh'l 1 t ^^^J' '^™^™'sh : male with
Type. — Not traced.
CalifoSa""""''-^^"'^^ '°''' °' ^°rth ^-— f™- British Columbia to Lower
Specimens Examined
: (3.0 mm,).
■ ( = 55, 275 mm.).
(250 mm
' (210 „
■ (2^5 „
skeleto
Nanaimo, B.C.
Port Reyes, California.
Coast of California.
Monterey, California.
-N'. Pacific, off California.
Clemens.
Eigenmann.
-Avres.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
142 FLATFISHES (HKTEKOSOMATA)
Although much larger in size than any other species of the ^cnus, C. iordidus is
said rarely to exceed 2 pounds in weislit.
2. CITHARICHTHYS FRAGILIS, Gilbert.
Citharichthys fragilis, Gilbert, 1S51, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xiii, (l8go), p. l:o ; .Tordan and Ever-
mann. 1S98. Hull. U.S. Xat. Mus., .\lvii (3), p. c08o ; Starks and Morris, i<)ii. Univ. Calif,
Pub. Zool., viii (.:). p. iS.
Close to C. soiditlus, but length of maxillary 25 in that of head. 18 gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch. About 50 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (S3-87) 88.
Anal (67) 69 (70). Vertebrs 37 (10 + 27). Brownish.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 44409.
Distribution. — Gulf of California.
Specimen Ex-iiMiNEU :
I {140 mm.) Gulf of Californi.i. Jordan.
3. CITHARICHTHYS XANTHOSTIGMA, Gilbert,
Citharichthys xanthostigma, Gilbe
189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
1S90, Proc. U.S. N.it. Mu
II (3), p. :6So.
Jorda
Depth of body a little more than twice in the length, length of head 3^ to 3J. Head
not closely compres.sed, its upper profile with a shallow notch in front of eyes. Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3I to 3! m length of head ; interorbital space
narrow, concave anteriorly, crossed by an oblique ridge posteriorly, width (in adults)
less than J diameter of eye ; ridge above lower eye sharply elevated ; anterior margins
of eyes about level, the upper nearly reaching dorsal profile of head. Maxillary
extending nearly to below middle of eye, length about 3 in that of head ; lower jaw
a little more than twice in head. Teeth somewhat enlarged anteriorly, but not form-
ing distinct canines. GiU-rakers long, slender: 10 or 11 on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales mostly cycloid, a few feebly ctenoid ; about 50 in lateral line ; very few
supplementary scales in region of lateral line. Dorsal (81) 83-88 ; commencing just
behind posterior nostril of bhnd side and a little in front of eye. Anal 63-67. Pectoral
of ocular side with 10 rays, longer than head. Caudal rounded or double-truncate ;
caudal peduncle about 2 1 times as deep as long. Vertebra? 37 (11 -f26). Pale brownish,
irregularly spotted with'paler and darker ; a number of bright yellow spots ocellated
PARALICHTHINjE 143
with brownish black, of which a series on the lateral line and 2 or 3 pairs between this
and the edges of the body are most prominent : fins faintly marked with brownish :
pectoral sometimes with faint, broad, dusky cross-bars.
FiG. 95. — Ciiha.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 4440S.
Distribution. — Both coasts of Lower Cahfomia.
Specimens Examined ;
2 (102, 160 mm.). Paratypes. 26° 16' 15' N., 113^ 42'
4. CITHARICHTHYS STIGM^US, Jordan and Gilbert.
Cltharichthys stigma
and Gilbert, 18
Fish., xiv, (1S81
Evermann, 189
Pub. Zool., iii (
s, Jordan and Gilbert, 1S83, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 411 ; Jordan
3, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 965 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com.
, p. 274 ; Gilbert, 1895, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xix, (1893), p. 473 ; Jordan and
, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2681; Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif.
i), p. 246 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish. Game, iv (4), p. 18.
Flc. 96. — CUharichthys stignh
B.M. (N.H.) 90.11
'41
I'l.ATl'ISHKS (HETEROSOMATA)
Depth of body 2}, to jj in tlu' lonsth. length of head 3 J to 3.1, Hoad not closely
compressed, its upper profile straight or a little notched in front of upper eye. Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3! to 4J in length of head ; eyes separated bv a
sharp, nearly naked ridge, their anterior margins level ; upper eye very close to edge of
head. Maxillary scarcely extending to below middle of eye, length 2 J in that of head ;
lower jaw about twice in head. Teeth somewhat stronger than in C. sordidiis. Gill-
rakers of moderate length ; 9 on lower part of anterior arch. 53 to 58 scales m lateral
line ; supplementary scales present in lateral line region. Dorsal 83-92 ; commencing
immediately behind posterior nostril of blind side and a little in front of eye. Anal
'17-72. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, length 15 to i* in that of head. Caudal
rounded ; caudal peduncle more than 3 times as deep as long. Brownish : edges
of scales sometimes darker ; fins dusky : dorsal and anal each with a row of small
dark spots.
Type. — United States National Museum No. 31099.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North .\merica from (.iregon to San Diego.
Specimens Examined :
(6S, 1
(80 ir
(85
Pt. Reyes California.
Pt. Finos, California.
Gulf of California (Stn. .^0.17).
on Central California (Stn. -,i
\. Paciiic.
Eigenniann.
U.S. Nat. M
.' (63, SS mm.).
This species is very close to C. sordidiis, but may be distinguished by the inter-
orbital ridge and smaller number of gill-rakers. Further, if specimens of equal size
are compared, the head is larger, the eye smaller, and the caudal peduncle shorter
than in (.". sordidiis. It rarely exceeds a length of 5 or 6 inches.
5 CTTHARICHTHYS DINOCEROS. Goode and Ifean
Cilharicktliys dmaceros, Goode and Bean, 1SS6, liull. Mus. Comp. Zool., .\ii. p. i
Goss, iSSg, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., .\iv, (1S86), p. r-5 : Good^
p. .(47 ; Jordan and Evermann, J89S, Bull. U.S. .\.u. Mu- , xl
Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i;, p. 8.
ool., .xu. p. 157 ; Jordan and
nd Bean, 1805, Ocean. Iclith..
(3), p. 2(,S2 ; Parr, 1931, Bull.
Dcj.th of body
ipper profile witfi ;
J m the length, length of head 3,5 Head closely compressed, its
shallow notch in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter
PARALICHTHIN.C
M5
of which is about 3J in length of head and more than 5 times interorbital width : eyes
separated by a narrow, rather prominent, sharp ridge, the lower a little in advance of
upper, which is close to edge of head. A strong rostral spine overhangmg the upper
lip and a shorter spine in front of upper eye. Maxillary extending to below middle of
eye, length a little more than twice in that of head. Anterior teeth enlarged. Gill-
rakers rather long and slender ; S on lower part of anterior arch. Scales thin,
deciduous, all cycloid ; 48 in lateral line. Dorsal 91 ; commencing well in advance of
eye. Anal 73. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length about ij times that of
head. Caudal bluntly pointed ; caudal peduncle very short. Vertebrae 33 to 36.
Greyish brown ; median fins with large blackish blotches.
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 27963.
Distribution. — West Indies, in deep water (175 to 1000 fathoms).
The holot)'pe is 92 mm long to base of caudal fin, and was taken by the " Blake "
from off Guadeloupe, in 175 fathoms. Other examples were obtained from off Ste.
Lucie and Barbados.
Cilharichthys plalopl:r\s, Cilbcrt. 18.
niann, 1S98, Bull. U.S. Nat. M
6. CITHARICHTHVS PLATOPHRYS, Gilbert.
.(iSgo). p. 45-
Proc. U.S. Xat. Mu
, xlvii (3), p. 2683.
Fig. 98. — Cilharichthys platophrys. U.S.N..M. 43415.
Depth of body twice in length, length of head 3. Head closely compressed, its
upper profile \'ery slightly notched in front of eyes. Snout a little shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 4 in length of head and about twice interorbital width ; eyes
separated by a concave space divided by an oblique ridge, the lower a little in advance
of upper, which touches dorsal profile of head. No rostral spines. Maxillary extending
to below middle of eye, length zh in that of head. Anterior teeth somewhat enlarged,
but not forming distinct canines. Gill-rakers short, wide-set, very slender ; g on
lower part of anterior arch. Scales on blind side very feebly ctenoid ; 43 scales in
lateral line. Dorsal 78 ; commencing behind nostrils of blind side and in advance
of eye. -■^nal 62. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length about ij in that of
head. Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle very short. Pale brownish : fins some-
what dusky ; pelvic fin of ocular side black, that of blind side blackish on distal
portion of inner rays.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Tvi'i:- — United States National Museum. No. 43415.
Distribution. — Bay of Panama, in deep water.
Only the holotype, 95 mm, in total length, known.
Albatross " at Station J799 {S" 44' N., 79^ og' W.), in 2r
This was taken by the
fathoms
7. CITHARICHTHYS ARCTIFRONS. Goode.
Ctlharichlhys arclifroiis. Goode, iSSi, Troc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), pp. 341, 472 ; Goode and
Bean, 18S3, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zocil., x, p. 194 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus..
xvi.p. 818 ; Jordan and Goss. 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (i8«6), p, 275 : Goode and Bean.
1S95. Ocean. Ichth., p. 442, fin. 366 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvii (3), p. 2683; Bigelow and Welsh, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xl (i), (1924), p. 521, fig. 271 ;
Breder, 1927, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., i (i), p. 88 ; Parr, 1931, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll.,
IV (I), p. 8.
Depth of body 2? to 25 m the lenntli. lc^,^th of licad 4 to 4J
pressed, its upper profile very -lightly notched in front of eyes-
Head closely com-
Snout shorter than
eye. diameter of which is 35 in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow ridge, the
lower very little in advance of upper, which is very close to edge of head ; a blunt,
bony protuberance projecting forward in front of lower eye and above upper lip.
Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3^ (3^) in that of head ;
lower jaw a little more than twice in head. Anterior teeth not enlarged. Gill-rakers
short; 7 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales cycloid or very feebly ctenoid , about
40 in lateral line. Dorsal 7S-83 ; commencing above posterior nostril of bUnd side
and a little in front of eye. Anal (61) 64-67. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 or 10
rays, length about | that of head. Caudal double-truncate (?) ; caudal peduncle
very short. Uniformly pale brownish.
Type. — Umted States National Museum, No, 2590S.
Distribution. — Deep waters of the Gulf Stream '
Specimens Examined :
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Also I from 40' 02' N., 70° 37' 30° \V,, loi fathoms (Mus. Comp. Z06I.).
• According to Parr, tins species is quite abundant on tlie continental shelf between Cape Cod
,ind Cape Hatteras (40 to 200 fathoms).
PARALICHTHIN^
8. CITHARICHTHYS MACROPS. Dresel.
Cilharichthys macropi, Dresel, 1885, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vii, (1884), p. 539; Jordan and Goss,
1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv (1886), p. 275 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat.
Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2684, pi. ccclxxxv, fig. 944 ; Parr, 1931, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i),
p. 20.
Depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of head 3J to 4. Head closely com-
pressed, its upper profile slightly notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is about 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a low, narrow,
more or less concave ridge, their anterior margins about level ; upper eye close to
edge of head. Maxillary extending nearly to below middle of eye, length 25 in that
Fig. too. — Citharichtbys macrops. B.M. (N.H.) 1923.6.8.
of head; lower jaw if in head. Teeth minute. Gill-rakers rather slender; 14 on
lower part of anterior arch. Scales firm, cycloid or very feeble ctenoid ; 41 to 44 in
lateral line. Dorsal 80-82 : commencing above space between nostrils on blind side
and in front of eye ; anterior rays more or less free from membrane, first longer than
those which follow. Anal 59-62. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length if in
that of head. Caudal pointed (?) ; caudal peduncle verj' short. Vertebras 34 (9 +25)-
Brownish, with a number of more or less regularly arranged round dark brown spots
on body and median fins, the largest nearly as large as eye.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 21500.
Distribution. — South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.
Specimens Examined :
1 (117 mm.).
2 (95, 97 mm.).
3(65-82 ,. ).
Cape Lookout, N. Carolina.
Ofl Charleston Harbour, S. Carolii
Caximbas, Florida.
, Mus. Nat. Hist.
Charleston Mus.
FLA IFISHES (HETEKOSOMATA)
I). CITHARRHTHYS UHLEKl, ijordanl Jordan and Goss.
Cilharichlhvs uhUri. (Jordan) Jordan and Goss, iSSci, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (i
Jordan and Hvermann, iS.iS, Bull. L'.S. Nat. Mu
Ocean. Coll.. iv (i), p. 23.
1(3), p. Q684 ; Parr, I93r, Bull. Bingh;
Close to C. macrops, but diameter of
coalescent- Gill-rakers short, very slendei
finely ctenoid ; 52 to 55 in lateral line,
whitish blotches ; fins mottled.
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No.
Distribution. — Haiti, West Indies.
Only the holotype, loM mm. in total length, ku'
?ye 4V in length of head ; orbital ridges
; 12 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
Dorsal b.S, Anal 52. Dark brown, with
10. CITHARICHTHYS ARENACEUS, Evermann and Marsh.
ruhaiichlhvs
arcnaccus, Evermann and Marsh,
106; N<
)rman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
Coll.,i%-
(I), p. 22.
Cithanchlhys
raihbum. Ribeiro. loii, Arrh. Mu
rtlhanchllm
cvermmuu. .Meek and Hlldcbran^
No. 249.
p. y89, pi. c.
Fish., XX, (1900), p. 326, fig.
T, 1931, Bull. Bingham Ocean.
Depth of body a little less than twice in the length, length of head nearly 4. Head
closely compressed, its upper profile very slightly notched m front of eyes. Snout
as long as or a little longer than eye, diameter of which is about 6 in length of head ;
intcrorbital space narrow, a little concave ; upper eye a little in advance of lower
and rather close to edge of head. Maxillary nearly reaching posterior edge of eye,
length 2\ in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. GiU-rakers of moderate
length, slender , 13 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular
side, cycloid on blind side ; about 50 in lateral line ; siipplementarv- scales usually
PARALICHTHIN.E 149
present in lateral line region. Uorsal (68) 75 ; commencing above anterior nostril of
blind side and in front of eye. Anal (48) 55. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays,
length if in that of head. Caudal pointed (?) ; caudal peduncle more than twice
as deep as long. Pale brownish, speckled and spotted with darker ; median fins
spotted with dark brown.
;.M. (N.H.) 91.5. 12.54. X }.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 49536.
Distribution. — West Indies, southwards to Bahia, Brazil.
Specimen Examined :
II. CITHARICHTHYS SPILOPTERUS, Giinther.
Citharichthys spilopterus (part), Giinther, 1S62, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 421.
Citharichthys cayennensis, Bieeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 427.
Citharichthys guatimaUnsis , Bieeker, 1863, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xv, p. 452 ; Bieeker, 1865,
Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk.,ii, p. 73.
Hemirhombus fuscus, Poey, 1868, Repertorio Cuba, ii, p. 406; Poev, 1875, Enum. Pise. Cubens., p.
138.
Citharichthys spilopterus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 618 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 817; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Cora.
Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 276 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2685 ;
Evermann and Marsh, 1902, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xx, (1900), p. 326 ; Jordan and Dickerson,
1908, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxiv, p. 22 ; Ribeiro, 1915, Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de J., xvii, Hetero-
somata, p. 15 ; Ribeiro, 1918, Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de J., xxi, p. 162 ; Metzelaar, 1919, Trop.
Atlant. V'issch., p. 133 ; Parr, 1931, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i), p. 21.
Depth of body 2 to 2j in the length, length of head 3I to 3f . Head closely com-
pressed, its upper profile distinctly concave. Snout (in adults) longer than eye,
diameter of which is 5J to nearly 8 in length of head ; interorbital space narrow, a
little concave (in adults) ; upper eye very little in advance of lower, close to edge of
head. Maxillary extending to below posterior edge or hinder part of eye, length
2j to 2j in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. Gill-rakers of moderate
length, rather stout ; 10 to 13 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on
1.5°
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
ocular skIc, cycloid on blind side : 43 to 47 in lateral line ; very few supplementary
scales- Dorsal 77-84 ; commencing above or a little in advance of posterior nostril
of blind side, and a little in front of eye. Anal 58-63. Pectoral of ocular side with
11 or 10 rays, length ij to ij in that of head. Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle
short. Brownish, with or without darker spots and blotches; fins spotted or speckled
with dark brown.
Type, — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 52.8.16.23.
Distribution. — .\tlantic coast of America, from New Jersey to Brazil.
Specimens Examined:
I (147 mm.).
Holotvpe.
New Orleans.
1(11^-1-3 11
im.).
Off Cliarleston Harboi
S. Carolina.
10(75-145
,. ).
Off Breton Isd.,
Louisian.1
I (135 mm.).
Grenada.
2 (125, 140 11
nm.).
St. Croix.
14 (105-135
mm.).
AntiKua.
; (124, 130 n
im.).
Barbados.
8(115-15011
im.), skins.
I'nratyp.s.
Jamaica.
3 (95-168 mi
T,.). Rirat!
• pes.
Santo Domingo.
I (142 mm.).
Trinidad.
(112 ,, ).
(65 ,, ).
1 (105 mm.).
2 (135, 175 mm.)
2 (97, 142 mm.).
Gulf of Paria. Trinidad.
Oyapok R., French
Guiana.
I-'ernambuco.
ISahia.
Rio de Janeiro.
Charleston Mus.
Caribb. Biol. Lab
Crawford.
Stevens.
Hay.
Beckford.
Parnell Coll.
Cuming.
Guppy.
Rodger.
Sci. Exped. Researcli
Assoc. ("St. George").
Ternetz.
-Mus. Comp. Zoc
Wucherer.
Ternetz.
Also I from Guatemala, i from Cayenne and 2 from Surinam (Leiden Mus ]
2 from the coast of Texas (Mus. Comp. Z06I.).
This species rarely exceeds 5 inches in length.
PARALICHTHIN.E
12. CITHARICHTHYS STAMPFLII (Steindachner^.
Cilharichthys spilopierus (part), Gunthcr, i86:. Cat. Fish., iv., p. 421.
Ciharichlhys spilopierus (non Gunther), Steindachner, 1870, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ix (i). p.
975 ; Boulenger, 1916, Cat. Afr. F.W. Fish., iv, p. 5, tig. 2 ; Metzelaar, 1919, Trop. Atlant.
V'issch., p. 276 ; Monod, 1927, Faune Colon. Frani;,, i, p. 720.
H emirhombus stampfiii, Steindachner, 1894, Notes Leyden Mus., xvi, p. 52, pi. iii, fig. 3 ; Pellegrin,
1914, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, vi (4), p. 73.
Closely related to C . spilopierus, but length of head 3f to 3I in that of fish (without
caudal) ; anterior edge of head more blunt and its upper profile less distinctly concave.
Diameter of eye 4^ to 6 in length of head. Maxillary extending to below middle or
posterior half of eye, length 2J to 2J in that of head. 14 to 17 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. 46 to 48 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 82—87 '• commencing
104. — CUharichthys stampftn. B..\I. (N.H.) 1913 . 3.9.S. X J.
above space between nostrils on blind side. Anal 62-65. Caudal pointed. Brownish,
with darker spots and blotches, and often with a series of conspicuous spots along
upper and lower edges of body ; a dark blotch at base of caudal fin ; dorsal and anal
fins each with a row of small dark spots, and a pair of similar spots on middle of
caudal.
Type. — Vienna Museum.
Distribution. — West Africa, from Senegambia to Angola ; entering fresh water.
Specimens Examined :
2 (107, 109 mr
n.). Paratypes of
C. spilopUrus.
—
Zool. Soc. Coll
2 (105, 125 „
—
Haslar Coll.
2 (120, 132 ,,
Benito R., Spanish Guinea.
Bates.
7(65-130
Sierra Leone.
Lowe.
2 (90, 117 ,,
Lagos Lagoon.
Bruce.
2 (105, 135 ,,
). Paratypes of
C. spilopierus.
Niger.
Fraser.
4 (85-120
Degama, Lower Niger.
.\nsorge.
2 (88, 107 ,,
Banana, Congo.
Derscheid.
2 (95, 103 ,,
Chiloango Town.
Ansorge.
2 (125, 130 ,,
Bengo R., Quifangondo
Angola.
FLATP'ISHKS (HKIKKtJSOMAlA)
13 ( ITHAKKHTHVS tULBKKTI. Jenkins and J'Aermann.
Cttharichlhys spilaplirui (iwii Gunther, 186;), Gunther, 1860, Trans. Zool. Soc, vi. p. 471
fig. :: ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., 11, (1882), pp. 108, iii.
CilharuMhys gilbi-rli, Ji-nUins and Evermann, 1889, I'roc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xi, (1888), p. i.s/
i8t)i, I'roc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xiii, (i8cio), p. 454 ; Jordan and Evermann, l8g8, Bull.
-Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2682 ; Gilbert and Starks, 1^04, Mem. Calif. Acad. Sci., iv, p. 200
ii)o6, Pror. U.S. N'at. Mus., xxx, p. 800 ; Regan, iijob-H, Biol. Centr. .Anier., Pise. p.
mann and Radclifle, 1917, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xcv, p. 141 ; Meek and Hildcbra
Eield Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser., xv, No. 249, p. gS-.
Citharichthys sumichrasli, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1SS6), p. 27(
; (Gilbert,
U.S. Nat,
illwiuhllirs '^ilhnh. 1!,M. (X.U.) I'M.
Vei-j- closely related to C . spiluplenis. Depth ul body :: to J^ in the length, lensth
of head 3J to 35. Diameter of eye 43 to nearly 6 in length of head. -Maxillary e.xtend-
ing to below middle or hinder part of eye, length 25 to 25 in that of head. Gill-rakers
of moderate length, a little longer and rather more slender than in (
12 to 14 on lower part of anterior arch. 40 to 43 scales in lateral line.
(89). Anal 5S-64 (68). Pale brownish, spotted or mottled with darker
1'ype. — United States National Musciiin No 39627.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of tiojiicd America, from Lower Caliti
entering fresh water
spilopter
Dorsal 77-
Specimens Examined :
.ipa-
Me
(142
(98, :
N. Pacitic.
Rio Sapayo, Ecuado
Buller.
Jordan.
U.S. Nat. Mu
Rosenberg.
PARALICHTHINili;
14. CITHARICHTHVS CORNUTUS (Giinther).
Rhomboidichthys cornutus, Gunthe
Citharichthys unicornis^ Goode, 18
1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., :
(1886), p. 275 ; Goode and Bi
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., :
Sya
880, Shore Fishes " Challenger ", p. 7, pi. ii fig. b.
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, {1880), p. 343 ; Jordan and Gilbert,
p. 818 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv,
, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 444, fig. 369 ; Jordan and Evermann,
i (3), p. 2683 ; Evermann and Marsh, 1902, Bull. U.S. Com.
Fish., XX, (1900), p. 325; .Metzelaar, 1919, Trop. Atlant. Vissch., p. 132; Parr, 1931, Bull.
Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (1), p. 17, fig. 7.
ium cornutum, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 269.
Depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of head 3 J to 35. Head closely com-
pressed, its upper profile evenly convex. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which
is 2i to 3 in length of head ; interorbital width (in adults) about i (J) or less than \ (5)
diameter of eye' ; lower eye in advance of upper, which is very close to edge of head.
Male with a strong spine projecting forward from the profile of the snout in front of
the eyes, two smaller spines in front of upper eye, one or two in front of lower eye,
and a short spine in advance of the nostrils and above the upper lip ; in the female
and in young males^ these spines are represented by slight prominences. Maxillary
extending to below anterior part of eye, length a little more than twice in that of head ;
lower jaw i| to nearly twice in head. Teeth small, somewhat enlarged anteriorly.
Gill-rakers of moderate length, rather slender ; 14 or 15 on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 40 to 45 in lateral line.
Dorsal (74) 76-80 ; commencing above posterior nostril of blind side and well in front
of eye. Anal (60) 62-66. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length nearly equal
to that of head. Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle very short. Brownish, with
traces of irregular darker markings ; a series of large dark spots on basal parts of
dorsal and anal fins, more distinct in the male ; similar spots on caudal ; pectoral
with dusky cross-bars.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79-5. 14-53.
Distribution. — Deep waters of the Gulf Stream ; off the coast of Brazil.
' In juvenile examples the eyes are nearly contiguous or separated by a very narrow ridge.
^ The sexual differences and growth changes in C. cornutus have been described in detail by Parr
154 KI.ATFISHHS (HKTEKUSUMA lA)
SpiiCIMliNS KXAMINED :
- (<J, S4, S7 mm.).' Types. Off Ihe (oast of lirazil, ju or J50 fms. " Cliallrnger."
: ((J. 47. 82 ., ).
I ((J, 70 mm.). N. .\tlantir. U.S. .Val. .Mus.
:: (o. 70 ; S. 58 mm.). 28° ,0- N.. 85' 33' W.
The marked sexual difference.s cliarac trristic of this species have not been described
in any other species of Citharichthvs.
Genus 15. ETROPUS.
lilrvpus, lordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U..S. Nat. Mii5.,iv, (18S1), p. 364 ]Klropiis crossotus, Jordan
and Gilbert] ; Jordan and Evermann, iSoS, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2687.
( ttharuhlhys (part), Parr, K331, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i), p. 2.
Very' close to Citharichihys, but eyes always separated by a narrow, bony ridge ;
mouth small, the length of the maxillary' 3! to 4 J in that of head ; dentition generally
more feeble, the teeth mostly on blind side of jaws ; none of the teeth enlarged. Gill-
rakers short or of moderate length, few in number. Vertebrae 34 (10 + 24).
Si.x species from both coasts of America.
Synopsis of the Specius.
I. Depth more than twice in length ; upper profile of head straight or a little
concave ; back not much elevated.
A. Pectoral 4 to ji in length of fish (without caudal).
1. Dorsal 88-93, anal 72-78 ; snout without scales; 9 gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch ; 50 to 54 scales in lateral Une ; no
supplementary scales . . . . . . .1. ecteiics.
2. Dorsal 67-81, anal 50-60 ; snout partially .scaled ; 5 (occasionally
6 or 7) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; 39 to 45 scales
in lateral line ; supplementary .scales present, not very numerous
2. microstonnis.
B, Pectoral 3 to 35 in length of fish (without caudal) ; dorsal 79-85, anal
60-73 : snout without scales ; 6 or 7 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch ; no supplementary scales ... 3. longiiiiuniis.
II, Depth about twice in length ; upper profile of head nearly straight ; back
moderately elevated ; pectoral about 6 in length of fish (without caudal) ;
no supplementary scales ....... 4. internieditis.
HI. Depth less than twice in length ; upper profile of head more or less concave
(at least in adults) , back distinctly elevated.
.\. Snout entirely covered with coarse ctenoid scales : supplementary
scales present on body, numerous ; about 5 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; interorbital ridge high ... 5. rimosus.
B Snout without scales ; no supplementary scales on body ; 6 to 9 (usually
7 or 8) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; interorbital ridge
rather low ........ 6. crossoliis.
The species of this genus are difficult to distinguish and have been frequently
confused. For this reason it has proved impossible adequately to disentangle the
synonymies of some of the species.
' The larger is selerted as the holotype.
PARALICHTHIN^ 155
I. ETROPUS ECTENES, [Jordan] Jordan and Goss.
F.tropus cctenes, (Jordan) Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 277.
Depth of body 2j to 2f in the length, length of head a little more than 4. Upper
profile of head a little concave ; back not much elevated. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 4J to 4 J in length of head ; interorbital ridge only shghtly elevated;
anterior margins of eye nearly level, upper entering dorsal profile of head. Snout
without scales. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length nearly
4 in that of head. Gill-rakers short, stout ; 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 50 to 54 in lateral line , no supple-
mentary scales. Dorsal 88-93. Anal 72-78. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays,
length 5 to 5j in that of fish (without caudal). Yellowish brown, with indistinct
darker spots and blotches ; median fins spotted with brown ; pectoral with irregular
cross-.bars.
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 11605.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of South America.
Specimens Examined :
Mus. C'omp. Zodl.
2. ETROPUS MICROSTOMUS (Gill).
Citharichihys microstomus. Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 223; Goode and Bean, 1895,
Ocean. Ichth., p. 446 ; Parr, 1931, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i), p. 11, figs. 4-5.
Eiropus microstomus, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 278 ; Bean, 1902,
Ann. Rep. Forest Fish Game Comm. N.Y., vi, (1901), p. 474 ; Nichols and Breder, 1927,
Zoologica, ix, p. 182, fig. ; Hildebrand and Schrocder, 192S, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xliii (l),
(1927), p. 173.
.' Etropus microstomus, Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2687.
Citharichihys micros, Fowler, 1911, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Ixiii, p. 200, tig.
Depth of body 2J to 2\ (to 2J) in the length, length of head 3I to 4 (to 4J). Upper
profile of head nearly .straight, a shallow notch m front of eye ; back not much elevated.
Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is about 4 in length of head ; interorbital
ridge moderately elevated ; lower eye a very little in advance of upper, which is very
close to edge of head. Snout with ctenoid scales in front of eyes, but only partly
covered farther forward. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length
about 3i in that of head. Gill-rakers short, stout ; 5 (rarely 6 or 7) on lower part of
1,56 I'T^ATKISUKS (HI' 1 )• KUSOMAIA)
anterior arcli. Scales very finely ctenoid ; 311 to 45 m lateral line ; supiileineiitary
scales present, 2 to 7 (usually about 5) covering anterior part of free portiiui of each
primary scale. Dorsal 67-81. Anal 50-60. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays,
length 4 to 5 in that of fish (without caudal). Uniformly browni.sh.
I-IG. lu^.^Klnp
Iypk. — Not traced.
DisTKiKt-TioN— Atlantic coast of North America, from the New England coast
to Florida
SPECIMli.NS E.N.^MINED
nelawarc Ha\ .
Off Chadestnn H.irlK.ur. S. Carolina.
Charleston Mus
ntinpus tnurnslinino
/...ol.,i, i.p. ,3,
ht,,,fy„s l„,:i;i,„aiiu-..
3. ETROl'US I.ONGIMANUS, Norman.
(nun I, ,11). UuKan, i;iA. Ki'p. lint. ..\ntant. ("rcri
NoriLian. i<,33, Ann. .Mag. \at. H.st., (10) xii, p. J02.
Depth of tiody ->} to 2i m the length, length nf head 4 to 4^' Upper profile of
head nearly straight : back not much elevated. Snout shorter than eye, diameter
of which is 35 to 3J in length of head ; interorbital ridge moderately elevated ; lower
eye a little in advance of upper, which is very close to edge of head. Snout appa-
rently without scales. Maxillarv- extending to below anterior edge of eye or a little
PARALICHTHIN.E
157
beyond, length 3i to 4 in that of head. Gill-rakers short, rather stout ; 6 or 7 on
lower part of anterior arch. Scales finely ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind
side ; 43 to 47 in lateral line ; no supplementary scales. Dorsal 79-85. Anal 60—
73. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 rays, length 3 to 3I in that of fish (without caudal).
Uniformly brownish ; dorsal and anal fins each with a row of small, brown spots ;
pectoral with irregular brown cross-bars.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1913. 12.4.311.
Distribution. — Coasts of Brazil and Argentina.
Specimens Examined :
16 (35-115 mm.). Types
2 (82, 88 mm.).
C. Frio. Brazil ; 40 fms.
Argentina.
*' Terra Nov.
Stanford Un
4. ETROPUS INTERMEDIUS, Norman.
Jordan and Gilbert), Ribeiro, 1915, Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de J.,
? Etropus crossotus
somata, p. 7.
Etropus iniermedius, Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10)
Fig. iio.— £/
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 4 J to 5. Upper profile
of head nearly straight ; back moderately elevated. Snout much shorter than eye,
diameter of which is about 4 in length of head : interorbital ridge moderately elevated ;
lower eye scarcely in advance of upper, which touches dorsal profile of head. Snout
and greater part of interorbital ridge without scales. Maxillary extending to below
anterior part of eye, length about 4 in that of head. Gill-rakers short ; 8 or 9 on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales finely ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
about 45 in lateral line ; no supplementary scales. Dorsal 80-84. Anal 65-67.
Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length about 6 in that of fish (without caudal).
Brownish, finely sprinkled with very small dusky spots ; scales mostly with dark
edges ; median fins with small, brown spots.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1932.5.9.19.
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of South America, from Trinidad to Rio de Janeiro.
Specimens E.xamined :
I (1221
I (90
I (105
I.). Holotype.
). Paratype.
).
Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Victoria, Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rogers.
Mus. Comp. Zool.
Temetz.
. in length, has been selected as the holotype.
la.AIFrSHES (HETEROSOMATA)
ETROPUS RIMOSUS, Goode and Bean.
, (18S5}, p. 593 ; Goode and I'-i
nam, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. M
Elropus rimosus, Goode and Bean. 1S86, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mu
1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 450, figs. 360, 361 ; Jordan anc
xlvii (3). p. :68S, pi. ccclxxxv, fig. 045.
atharichthys rimosus. Pair, 1931, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i), p. 9, figs. ;, 3.
Depth of body ij to nearly twice in the length, length of head 4J to 43. 1,'pper
prohle of head straight or a little concave ; back distinctly elevated. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3! to 3I in length of head ; interorbital ridge strongly
elevated ; lower eye a very little in advance of upper, which is very close to edge of
head. Snout and interorbital ridge densely covered with coarsely ctenoid scales,
their free portions characteristically thickened and modified ; dorsal surface of each
eye-ball with a small patch of scales. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of
eye, length 3! to 4 in that of head. Gill-rakers rather short ; 5 on lower part of
anterior arch Scales mostly very finely ctenoid or cycloid ; 40 to 41 m lateral line ;
free portion of each primary scale nearly completely covered by a number of smaller
supplementary scales. Dorsal 77. Anal 61. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays,
length 4J to 4I in that of fish (without caudal). Greyish, with a few irregularly placed,
indi.stinct brownish blotches.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 37332.
Distribution. — Off the coasts of South Carolina and Florida.
The type is 100 mm. in length, and was collected by the " Albatross " at Station
2408, between Pensacola and Cedar Keys, Florida, at a depth of 21 fathoms.
I., ETROPUS CROSSOTUS, Jordan and Gilbert,
l:iropus crossolus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1SS2, Proc. U.S. Nat. .\lus., iv, (iSSi), p. 364 ;
Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., v, (1SS2), pp. 305, 618 ; Jordan and Gilbert,
U.S. Nat, Mus., xvi, p. S39 ; Jordan and Swain, 1885, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., vu, (18
Jordan and Goss, 1S89, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 278 ; Jordan and
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii {3), p. =689, pi. ccclxxxvi, fig. 946; Evermann
1902, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xx, (1900), p. 328, fig. 107; .Meek and Hildebrand,
Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser., xv. No. 249, p. 992 ; Hildebrand and Schrocder,
U.S. Bur. Fiih-. xliii (i). (1927), p. I73. fig. 88.
Jorda:
n and
1S83,
Bull.
i84),p.
= 34;
Evermann,
and Marsh,
192S,
Field
. I'12S,
Bull.
PARALICHTHIN.^ 159
Citharichthys crossotus. Parr, iy3l, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., iv (i), p. 13.
Citharichthys crossotus atlanticus, Parr, 1931, toyn. cit., p. r6.
Citharichthys crossotus crossotus, Parr, 1931, torn, cit., p. 16.
Depth of body if to nearly twice in the length, length of head 3J to 4I. Upper
profile of head (in adults) distinctly concave, nearly straight in the young ; back dis-
tinctly elevated. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 4^ in length of
head ; interorbital ridge slightly elevated ; lower eye a little in advance of upper,
which is verj- close to or enters dorsal profile of head. Snout without scales. Maxil-
lary extending to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length 4 to 4^ in that
of head. Gill-rakers of moderate length ; 6 to 9 (usually 7 or 8) on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales very finely ctenoid or cycloid ; 41 to 47 in lateral line ; no
supplementary scales. Dorsal (75) 77-87. Anal (58) 60-65 (68). Pectoral of ocular
side with 10 rays, length 5 to 5 j in that of fish (without caudal). Brownish, with or
U.S.X.M. 51935.
without darker blotches, which may form irregular cross-bars ; median fins finely
spotted and mottled with black and grey ; often a row of larger spots on dorsal and
anal ; other fins more or less spotted.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 28124.
Distribution. — Both coasts of America, from Chesapeake Bay to the West Indies
(? and beyond), and from Lower California to Panama.
Specimens Examined :
1 (115 mm.).
I (83 ,, ).
4 (98-140 mm.).
1 (92 mm.),
2 (78, 81 mm.).
12 (95-140 mm.).
:o (86-125 ., )■
2 (88, 100 „ ).
2 (79, 84 mm.).
2 (115. 135 mm.).
5 (65-125 „ ).
2 (53, 75 mm.).
I (92 mm.).
Beaufort, X. Carolina.
S. Carolina.
Off Charleston Harbour, S. (
St. John's R., Florida.
Florida.
Off Breton Isd., Louisiana.
Cerros Isd., California.
Lower California.
San Bartholome, Mexico.
Mazatlan, Mexico.
Panama.
Pacific.
Jordan.
Stanford Univ.
Charleston Mus.
U.S. Nat. .Mus.
.-imer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Caribb. Biol. Lab.
Jordan'.'
Amer. Mus. Xat. Hist.
Jordan.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
i(.o l-LATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Jordan ami l''.vermann (l8q8) were unable to find any constant distnutit>iis betucen
examples of this variable species from the Atlantic and I'.n itu i im^i-, i. s|hc ti\. K oI
tropical America. Parr (1931) fonnd himself nnable to dillcrrnii.ii. ih. InlK jn.wn
specimens of the two regions, but noted that " there is ,1 1 unsnl'iMMr .iml ^i^mlii ant
ditterence in the ontogenetic development of the body width ". On the basis of this
chtterence he distinguished an Atlantic (atlanticus) and Pacific (crossotus) subspecies.
He further suggested the possibility of two separate forms still being confused in the
Pacific /;. ciossotus crossotiis, again distinguished by differences in body width at
certain stages of development. The type of E. crossotus, about 125 mm. in total
length, came from Mazatlan. On the Atlantic coast the species appears to grow to
about 140 mm. in length, and on the Pacific coast to more than 100 mm.
(ienus 16. TKICHOPSETTA.
Inchopsdla, C.ill, iSSr,, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., .si, (1SS8), p. 601 [CUharichthys venlrahs. (Inodc and
Bean] ; .lordan and Evermann, 189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 266.J.
Hody ovate, much compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a narrow ridge,
with a median groove, at least anteriorly. Posterior nostril of blind side small, with-
out membranous valve ; olfactory laminae few, nearly parallel with each other and with
the main axis of the body ; no central rachis. Mouth of moderate size, the length of
the maxillary more than \ that of head ; jaws and dentition more or less equally
developed on both sides ; teeth very small, pointed, somewhat enlarged and curved
anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers rather long, slender.
Dorsal fin commencing above posterior nostril of blind side, and well in front of eye :
all the rays simple, more or less scaled on both sides. Tip of first interhaemal .spine not
projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that of blind side usually larger ;
all the rays simple. Pelvic fins short-based, that of ocular side with somewhat longer
base and placed on median line, that of blind side with the rays much prolonged.
Scales .small, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line developed
only on ocular side of body, with a strong curve above the pectoml fin ; no supra-
temporal branch. Vent on blind side, above first ray of anal fin.
.A single species from the Gulf of Mexico.
I. TKICHOPSETTA VENTRALIS (Goodc and Bean).
CWmrichlhvs vcntrahs, Goode and Bean, 1886, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., viii, (1SS5), p. y)2.
Arnnglossus (?) vcnlraln. Jordan and Goss, i88g, Rep. U.S. Com. Fisli., xiv, (1886), p. 2(>2.
Tnchopsella voilraUs, Gill, 1889, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus.. .xi, (iSSS), p. (>oi ; Gonde and Bean, 1S95.
Ocean. Ichth., p. 440, fig. 372 ; Jordan and Evermann, iSyS, Bull U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvu (3),
p. 266Q, pi. ccclxxxiii, fig. 940.
Depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of head 3* to 4. Upper profile of head
notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is about 4 m
length of head ; lower eye in advance of upper, which is separated from edge of
head by a space equal to about ^ its diameter. Maxillary extending to below middle
of eye, length 2^ to 1% in that of head ; lower jaw ij in head. 9 or 10 giU-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch, .\bout 65 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 91-94. Anal
71-74. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length about li in that of head ;
that of bUnd side with g rays, as long as or shorter than head. Caudal pointed :
caudal peduncle very short. Pale brownish ; some obscure dark markings at
junction of straight and curved portions of lateral line ; a dark blotch on anterior
rays of anal fin.
Type. — United States National Museum. No 37343.
Distribution. — Deep water in the Gulf of Mexico.
PARALICHTHIN.E
Fig. 113. — TrichnpscUa vcntralis. B.M. (M.H.) 96. :j . 10. 74.
Specimens Examined :
I (130 mm.).
3 (132-146 mm.).
29^ 14' 30" N., 88^ og' 30* W.
Dry Tortugas, Florida.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Longley.
Genus 17. EXGYOPHRYS.
Eitgyophrys , Jordan and Bollman, 1S90, Proc. U.S. Xa
lauretttii, Jordan and Bollman] ; Jordan and Ever
, Mus., xii (1889), p. 176 [Engyophrys sancti-
lann. Bull. U.S. N'at. Mus., .\Ivii (3), p. 2668.
]5ody ovate, compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a narrow ridge,
armed with one or more backwardly directed spines. Posterior nostril of blind side
small, without membranous valve ; olfactory laminae few, nearly parallel with each
other and with the main axis of the body ; no central rachis. Mouth small, the length
of the maxillary less than J that of head ; jaws equally developed, but dentition
almost entirely confined to blind side ; teeth small, pointed, scarcely enlarged
anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers very short, few in
number. Dorsal fin commencing above posterior nostril of blind side and just in
front of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled on ocular side. Tip of first interhaemal spine
not projecting m front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side larger ;
all the rays simple. Pelvic fins short-based, that of ocular side with somewhat longer
base and placed on median line ; rays of pelvic of blind side not prolonged. Scales of
moderate size, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line developed
only on ocular side of body, with a strong curve above the pectoral fin ; a short
bifurcated supratemporal branch. Vent on blind side above first ray of anal fin.
Two species from both coasts of tropical .America.'
' Ginsberg has recently described a second species of this genus, but his paper was received too
late for inclusion in this monograph :
Engyophrys scntus, Ginsburg, 1933, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., Ixxxii (20), p. 6. Described from a
single example (U.S.N.M., Xo. 91402), 83 mm. in total length, from off Dry Tortugas, Florida
(24^ 23'-25' N., 82^ 57'-58' W.), 50 fms. Said to differ from the Pacific species in having four
spines on the interorbitai ridge, spinous processes on the " ocular shelves ", less numerous scales,
and differently shaped body. The blind side is devoid of pigment.
II
I'l.AIFISHI'.S (HF.TKRl)SOM.VIA)
I. HNGVOl'HKVS SAXL ll-LAUKENTI 1, Jordan and Hollman.
Ln!:\ophrys sancti-liiurcntii, Jordan and liollnian, 1890, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xii, (iSSg), p. 170 ;
Jordan and Evcrmann, 189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii {3), p. lOoS ; Cannan, iSgq, Mem.
Mus. Comp. Zool., x.tiv, p. 2::; ; Meek and Hildcbrand, iqj8, Field Mus. I'ub. Chicago. Zoi.l.
Ser., XV, No. 249, p. 97(>.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3J to 3!. Upper profile
of head notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 33
to 4 in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper, which enters dorsal
profile of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3 J to nearly
4 in that of head ; lower jaw 2i in head. 6 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
()4 to 68 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 85-89. Anal 6O-71. Pectoral of ocular side
with 10 or 1 1 rays, length about 1 that of head. Caudal rounded or obtusely pointed ;
caudal peduncle very short. IJrownish, with scattered paler and darker spots : some
B.M. (X.H.) :goo.
more distinct blackish spots at edges of body, and 3 dark blotthes on straight part of
lateral line ; dorsal and anal fins with scattered black and white spots : caudal with
5 dark spots forming a curved cross-band ; in life there are 5 or 6 curved, parallel,
dusky bands on blind side of head and anterior half of body.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 41155
Distribution. — Off the coast of Colombia, south-west of I'anama.
Specimens Examined ;
(1Z5 nun.). Paratvpe. Oil ro.ist ..{ Colonibia, 51J fn
(115 ,. ).
(48 ,, ). I. orgona Is., Colombia, 30 fn
Jordan.
Stanford Univ.
Sri. Exped. Research .\ssoc.
(" St. George ").
Jordan am
s, Gilbert).
(lenus iS. PEKISSIAS.
I, 1S9S, Hull. U.S. Xat. Mus,. xlvu (!), p. ■M>7 \l'Uilnphr
Apparently related to Engyophrys and Trichopsetta. Eyes separated by a concave
space of varying width, broader in the male, Male with spines on the snout and on
orbital margins. Mouth small, the length of the maxillary about 3! in that of head ;
teeth small, pointed, a little enlarged anteriorly, iiniserial (or biserial '') in both jaws ;
PARALICHTHIN^
163
vomer toothless. Gill-rakers few in number, short. Dorsal fin commencing well in
advance of eye ; second ray in both sexes produced into a flat, ribbon-shaped filament ;
all the rays simple, scaled on ocular side. Tip of first interhaemal spine not pro-
jecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that of blind side rudimentary,
shorter than eye. Pelvic fins rather short-based, subequal, that of ocular side on
median line, two anterior rays in the male produced to form flat filaments. Scales of
moderate size, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line developed
only on ocular side, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal
branch ; straight part of lateral line with several broad cutaneous flaps.
A single species from the coast of California.
I. PERISSIAS T^NIOPTERUS (Gilbert).
Pldtuphrys laniopterus, Gilbert, 1890, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xiii, p. 118.
Perissias ti^niopterus, Jordan and Evermann, i8g8, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2667.
Fig. II
U.S.N..M. 43095
Depth of body 2 J in the length, length of head 3f . Diameter of eye 3 J in length of
head ; interorbital space in the female and in very young males a narrow concave
groove, equal to or greater than diameter of eye in larger males (3^ inches) ; lower
eye well in advance of upper. Supraorbital ridge of lower eye serrated, the spines
being less marked in the females ; anterior edge of upper orbit similarly but less
strongly marked ; a strong double spine on maxillary in front of nostril, and a spine
near end of maxillary in the male. Maxillary not reaching front of pupil, length
about 3^ in that of head. 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 60 to 65 scales
in lateral line. Dorsal S6-88 ; second ray as long as head. Anal 67-70. Pectoral
of ocular side a little more than | as long as head, that of blind side about J as long
as orbit. Two anterior rays of left pelvic as long as head in male. Olive brown,
with numerous small irregular spots of pale grey, each with a darker border ; 3 or
4 dark blotches along lateral line ; about 5 pairs of pale spots, broadly ocellated with
blackish, along upper and lower edges of body ; male with a bright blue spot on
anterior profile at base of each of first 10 or 12 dorsal rays, and one on end of snout ;
male with a broad, oblique, dark bro%\Ti bar on blind side, from the upper antenor
part of which a number of narrow parallel streaks run forward towards the head ;
filamentous rays of dorsal and left pelvic white ; fins all speckled ; a small black spot
at base of median caudal rays.
i6^ FI.AITISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Tvpii. — United States National Museum. No. 43095.
Distribution. — Deep water off the coast of California.
The type (about Qo mm.) was taken in the Gulf of California, north of La Paz
(i4 51' N., no' 39' W.), in 40 fathoms.
Genus 19. MONOLEXE.
M<')iol,n,\ Goode, iSSi, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ill, (1880), p. 338 [Monolaic sesnticauJu. Goode) ;
Jordan and Evermann, 189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2b<),}.
ihyris, Cioode, 1881, lorn, cit., p. 344 [Thvrxs peUucidtts, (ioodcj.
Delolhyns, Goode, 18S4, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., vi (1883), p. 109 [Thyns fidluculic:. Goode]."
Body ovate or rather elongate, much compressed. Eyes on the left .side, separated
by a ridge or very narrow space. Po.sterior nostril of blind side small, without mem-
branous valve ; olfactory laminae few, parallel to each other and to the main axis of
the body ; no central rachis. Mouth rather small, the length of the ma.xillary less
than J that of head ; jaws and dentition more or less equally developed on both sides ;
teeth minute, scarcely enlarged anteriorly ; uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless.
Ciill-rakers rather .short. Dor.sal Jin commencing above nostnls of blind side and well
in front of eye ; all the rays simple, more or less scaled on both sides. Tip of first
interhsemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fin (in adults) developed
only on ocular side ; all the rays simple. Pelvic fins with bases of moderate length,
that of ocular side on median line, but scarcely in advance of that of blind side ; none
of the rays prolonged. Scales rather small, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind
side. Lateral line feebly developed on blind side : a strong cur\'e above the pectoral
fin ; no distinct supratemporal branch, \'ent on blind side, above first ray of anal
fin. Vertebra; 43.
E'lve species from both coasts of tropical America.
Synopsis of the Species.
L Depth about 2j in length ; eye 5* in head; dorsal 82, anal 63 . i dubiosa.
H. Depth 2^ to 3j in length ; eye 2| to 3J in head.
A. Dorsal 96-106, anal 76-88.
1. Depth nearly 3, head 5 in length . eye 3} in head ; 93 scales in lateral
line ......... 2. ses'.ilicaiida.
2. Depth 3 to 3!, head 4^ to 4J in length ; eye 3^ to 3^ in head ; 87
to 88 .scales in lateral line ..... 3. aiiltllaiiiin.
3. Depth il to 35, head 3! to 3I in length : eye 3J to 3? in head ; 104
to 108 .scales in lateral line . . . . ■4- macidipinna.
H. Dorsal 124, anal 100 ; eye z", in head .... 5 atrimana.
I. .MONOLENE DUBIOSA, Garman.
MimnUne iliibiosa, Garman, iXyo, Mtni. .Mus. Comp. Zool., xxiv, p. 227.
Depth of body about 2^ in the length, length of head 3J. Upper profile of head
with a small notch in front of eye. Snout shorter than eye. diameter of which is
3* in length of head ; interorbital ridge low ; upper eye a little in advance of lower,
close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye. length about
4 in that of head ; lower jaw 3 in head. 83 scales m lateral line. Dorsal 82. Anal
03. Pectoral with 12 rays, length 2i in that of head. Caudal pointed (?) ; caudal
peduncle very short. Brownish ; edges of scales darker ; dorsal and anal fins brown,
with paler spots ; caudal pale with blackish dots , posterior half of pectoral black.
' Substitute for I liyns (preoccupied).
PARALICHTHIN.E
165
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 28538.
Distribution. — Off the Pacific coast of Central America ; in deep water.
Known only from the type, 70 mm. in total length, taken by the " Albatross '
Station 3422 (16° 47' 30" N., 99° 59' 30" W.), at a depth of 141 fathoms.
138, 472 ; Jordan and
Rep. U.S. Com. Fish.,
2. MONOLENE SESSILICAUDA, Goode.
Monolene sessilicauda, Goode, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), pp.
Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. N'at. Mus., xvi, p. 841 ; Jordan and Goss, r88c
xiv, (1886), p. 280.
Thyris pellucidus, Goode, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.. iii, {1880), p. 344.
Delolhyris pellucidus, Goode, 1884, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vi, (1883), p. 109.
Monolene sessilicauda (part), Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 452, fig. 357 ; Jord
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2691.
Monolene alrimana, Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., pi. ciii, fig. 3,^9.
Depth of body nearly 3 in the length, length of head 5. Upper profile of head
with a small notch in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is
1 66
M.ATi'isn i-;s (11 !•; nc kc )Soma r.\)
3j in lensth o( head ; mterorbital ritlgc luw : lower eye in atlvanec cif upiier. whuli
IS separated from edge of head by a narrow space. Maxillary extending to below
anterior part of eye, length a little more than 3 in that of head ; lower jaw a little
more than twite in head. 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 93 scales
in lateral line. Dorsal (96-103) 104. Anal (7f)-8i) 85. I'ectoral with 13 or 14 rays,
length nearly 5 that of head. Caudal pointed ; caudal peduncle very short. Brownish,
with numerous more or less distinct darker spots : lower part of pectoral fin with
blackish spots and blotches, which tend to unite to form irregular cross-bars.
TypK. — I'nited States National Museum No, J6004.
Distribution. — Off the coast of southern New England ; in deep water
Specimen Examined ;
(i.;ri
Olf Ncwpcirl, Khude Is
U..S. ,\,i
Mils
The post-larval form described by Goode as Delotliyns pellucidus is the young of
this species. The type is -1 mm in length.
3. MONOLENE
St'ssihcauda (part), Goode and Bea
, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 26.11.
ic-ssihcaudn, Garman, 1S96, Bull. Lab. Nal. St
iintillurum. Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nal. Hi
ANITLLAKUM, Norman.
, iRy.^, Orean. lrluh.,p. .(5-- ;
Closely related to M . sessilicauda, but tlepth of body 3 to 3,^ in the Icngtli, length
of head 4J to 4J ; upper profile of head le.ss elevated above and behind eyes; diameter
of eye 3 J to 3. J in length of head ; lower jaw a little longer and rather more vertical.
S or 9 giU-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 87 to 88 scales m lateral line. Dorsal
102-106. Anal 80-88. Pectoral with 12 to 14 rays, length 3 to \ that of head.
Brownish, with indistinct darker markings, of which those near edges of body are most
prominent ; pectoral with irregular blackish cross-liars, which are more distinct in
its lower part.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist). Keg. No, 1032 . 12.31 . 15.
Distribution. — Off the coast of Florida and the West Indies ; in shallow or deep
water.
Specimens E.\.\mined :
-' (.::o, 135 ir
0(84-1-0 mil
I (1 3,1 ">"■.).
Types.
I!,S. N.il, Mus.
The larger has been selected as the holotypc.
PARALICHTHIN^
167
c,<lip„
4. MONOLENE MACULIPINNA, Garman.
, Garman, 1899, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., xxiv, p. 226, pi. hi, figs.
Depth of body 3J to 3^ in the length, length of head 3J to 3^. Upper profile of
head notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3i to 3I
in length of head ; interorbital ridge rather low ; lower eye well in advance of upper,
which is very close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of
eye, length a little more than 3 in that of head ; lower jaw more than twice in head.
8 or 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 104 to 108 scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 98-100 (102), Anal 78-80 (85). Pectoral with 15 or 16 rays, length rj to
twice in that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed : caudal peduncle very short. Brownish,
irregularly clouded with darker ; posterior part of caudal fin blackish : pectoral black,
except for its anterior third, with some elongate white spots, which tend to form
one or two irregular cross-bars.
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 28541-2.
Distribution. — Off the Pacific coast of Panama and Colombia ; in deep water.
Specimens Examined :
(123, 150 1
atypes.
7^ 40' N., 79' 17' \\'., 127 fms. Mu
lip. Zool.
C Albatross ").
5. MONOLENE ATRIMANA, Goode and Bean.
MonoUnc atrimana, Goode and Bean, 1886, Bull. .\Ius. Comp. Zool., xii, p. 155 ; Jordan and Goss,
1S89, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 280 ; Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 455,
fig- 358 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2692.
Depth of body more than 3J in the length, length of head 4J to 4^. Upper profile
of head notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 2|
in length of head ; lower eye well in advance of upper, which is very close to edge of
head. Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior edge of eye, length 35 in that
of head. 105 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 124. Anal 100. Pectoral with 11 or 12
rays, about as long as or longer than head. Caudal pointed ; caudal peduncle very
short. Pale brownish grey ; median fins dusky ; pectoral black.
FLATFISHKS (H1:TF.K()S().M.\I A)
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No,
Distribution. — Off Barbados ; in deep water
The tvpe. 114 mm. in len.sth, was taken by the
in ::S8 fathoms
( lenus
EUCUHARUS.
si. .Akad. Wet. Aiiistfrdain, xiii, p. 424 [Plfuroncctes
[Ctlhanis, (Ri.sc), I7<)3,ni W .ilbaum, Artcdi U
Cilharus [iwn Reinhardt), Bleeker, i!
cilharus, Spinolaj.
Eucilharui, ('.ill, 18S0, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., .xi, (1888), p. Goo [Fkuroiuctcs Imgimtuh, Linnwus.]-
Chopiyinpat'tta, Whitley, 1031, Aust. Zool., vi. p. z~~ [Plcuroncctcs Imgiiatula, Linnseus.}^
Body rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a low,
bony ridge. Olfactory lamins rather numerous, arranged transversely to a long
central rachis. Mouth large, the maxillary about ^ as long as head ; lower jaw
strongly projecting, each mandible with a strong emargination near its anterior end ;
jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides ; teeth of moderate size,
with well-developed canines anteriorly ; uniserial (except at front of upper jaw) ;
vomer toothed. Gill-rakers of moderate length, rather slender ; lower pharyngeals
each with two irregular rows of pointed teeth, those of the inner row much larger.
Dorsal fin commencmg immediately behind lower part of posterior nostril of blind side,
which has the form of a large opening covered by a membranous valve extending
downwards towards the mouth ; origin of fin just in front of eye ; nearly all the ray.s
branched, not scaled ; hinder rays of fin highest, slightly deflected on to blind side of
caudal peduncle. Tip of first interha>inal spine not projecting in front of anal fin.
I'ectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side larger : middle rays branched. Pelvic fins
short-based, subequal. that of ocular side on median line. Scales large, rather deci-
duous, more or less ctenoid on both sides of body. Lateral line equally developed on
both sides of body, continued posteriorly to margin of caudal fin ; a distinct curve
above the pectoral tin ; no supratemporal branch ; tubules simple \'ent on ocular
side, above first ray of anal fin. Vertebra; 35 (10 + 25).
A single species from the Mediterranean and West Africa.
* The generic names attributed by Jordan and F.vcrniann {lqi7, t^'Cn
Kosc, listed in the appendix included in part iv oi Walbauni's ' Arted
(179.3. PP- 110-118), do not appear to be atlniissiljle, beiii^ iinacto
Citharus, lileeker (1862), is preoccupied by Cilhani-.. Keinli.udl ( 1.S3H), a s)
- Substitute for Cithtirus, Bleeker — preoccupird.
' An unnecessary substitute for Eucilharui, (.ill. uhn h. .icordniB to the rules (Art.
invalidated bv its .^i'milaritv to rualhar.i. Fisi li.-r ( rs.s ->| - ,1 niollusr.ui Renu-.
. p. .St) to A. I'.
Ichlhyologica '
of H:f>poil„
PARALICHTHIN.E
169
I. EUCITHARUS LINGUATULA (Linnaeus).
PUuronecUs linguatula, Linnxus, 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 270 ; Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst.
Ichth., p. 151.
Pleuronectes macroUpidoius, Bloch, 1787, Xat. Ausl. Fische, iii, p. 34, pi. cxc ; Delaroche, 1809,
Ann. Mus. H. N. (Paris), xiii, p. 353 ; Bonaparte, 1841, Icon. F. Ital., {4), Indice (2) and (22),
fig. ; Canestrini, 1862, Arch. Zool. .Anat. Fisiol. Geneva, i, p. 16, pi. ii, fig. i.
Pleuronectes citharus, Spinola, 1807, .•^nn. Mus. H. X. Paris, x (58-59), p. 374 ; Bonaparte, 1846,
Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 47 ; Moreau, 1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 334, fig. 186.
? Solea limanda, Rafinesque, l8ro, Ind. itt. Sicil., p. 14.
Solea cithara, Rafinesque, 1810, torn, cit., pp. 14, 52.
Hippoglossus [?] macrolepidotus, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anim., ed. I, ii, p. 221 ; Cuvier, 1829, R. Anim.,
ed.
, p. 340
1S4;
. 246 ; Costa, 1847, Faun. R. N'apoli,
, Sin. raed. spec. Lag. Veneto, p. 12 r.
424.
Hippoglossus citharus, Risso, 1826, H. N. Europe,
fasc. 55-8, p. 27.
Pleuronectes patarachia, Nardo (ex Chiereghini MS.),
.'' Pleuronectes chiiarus, Nardo, 1847, torn, cit., p. 121.
Citharus macrolepidotus. Sleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, .xiii,
Citharus Itnguatula, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 418 ; Steindachner
Wiss. Wien, Ivii (i), p. 717 ; Jordan and Goss, t889. Rep. U.S. Com. Fish
Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espan. Marruecos, p. 95 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. Mus. Hist
nat. Paris, (2) ii, p. 627 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 17 ; Chabanaud,
1931, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., l\-i, p. 393 ; Chabanaud, 1933, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc, xxxv,
p. 6, pi. i, figs. 1-3, text-figs.'
Eucitharus linguatula. Gill, 1889, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xi, (1888), p. 599 ; Cams, 1889-93, Prodr.
Faun. Medit., ii, p. 588 ; Buen, 19 19, Bol. Pesc. Madrid, iv, p. 302 ; Norman, 1930," Discovery "
Reports, ii, p. 359.
SitzBer. Akad.
(1886), p. 253;
-Eucitharus linguaiuta. B.M. (N.H.j 1930.
Depth of body 2^ to 2i in the length, length of head 3 to 3J. Upper profile of
head distinctly concave. Snout a little longer than eye, diameter of which is 5 to 5f
in length of head ; upper eye a little in advance of lower, which is very close to edge
of head. Maxillary extending to below posterior edge of eye or not quite a.s far,
length about ^ that of head ; lower jaw 15 to if in head. Pramaxillarj' with an
outer series of rather strong teeth, inside which are one or two strong canines : maxil-
lary with a single series of smaller teeth ; mandibular^' teeth uniserial. somewhat
enlarged anteriorly ; two or three strong teeth on the vomer. 11 or 12 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. 35 to 39 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 64-72. Anal
' This paper, which contains a number of valuable obser\'ations on the osteology, etc., of
Eucitharus, Arnoglossus, Bothus, and other Flatfishes, was unfortunately received too late for
inclusion in the present monograph.
170 I-LAIFISHES (HETEKUSU.MAIA)
44-4S. I'cctoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length a little more than \ that of head.
Caudal pointed or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle about 15 times as deep as long.
Yellowish or greyish brown ; a black spot at base of last rays of dorsal fin and a
similar spot above end of anal fin ; a cow of round blacl< spots on dorsal and anal
fms.
Typk. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Mediterranean and adjacent parts of Atlantic ; West .\frica.
Specimens Examined :
I (;i3 mm.).
t, (Mn-I').i mm.).
I (I 35 inni.), skL'Icto
I (I7.i ,. ).
.; (140, I7.imm.).
•(30,801
Mediterr.i
.Naples.
Off C. Lopez, Frenrli Congo, v-^7 fms.
Off Elephant Bav, Angola, 40-5 ! fms.
Off St. Paul lie Lo.inda, Angola, ^'.-^f< fn
Wolfende
Kvle.
Also 3 from the Mediterranean (Leiden Mus.).
The type of Pleuroiiectes macrolepidotus was said to have come from Brazil, but
there can be no doubt that Bloch had an example of this species and that the locality
was incorrect.
(',enus2i. CITHAROIDES.
CUhuruiJcs, Hubbs,
Pariuillmrus, Regan,
Ptol-. U.
iiii.p. 451 ICttharoidcs macrolrpuloltis, Hubb^.]
JOT [.in:oslossus macroh-fis, Gilrhnst.)
Closely related to Eiicitharus, but teeth all small, pointed, in bands in the jaws
(at least in adults) ; vomer toothless : anterior end of each mandible flat or with a
very shallow emargination ; dorsal fin commencing immediately above posterior
nostril of blind side : tip of first interhaemal spine feeble, just projecting m front of
anal fin ; tubules of lateral line forked, Y- or T-shaped.
A single species from South Africa and Japan.
I. CITHAROIDES MACKOLEPIS (Gilchrist).
T-.^RGE-sc.\Li;!i Flounder,]
.-Ifiios/ossus macrolcpts, Gilchrist, 1005, Mar. Invest. S. .\fi., 111, p. i;, pi. xxxi ; \'on Honde, 1925,
Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr., xii, p. ::SS.
Citharoides macroUpidotus, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 453, pi. xxv, tig. i.
ratiuilharui miurnlepis. Regan, 19^0, Ann. Durban Mns., n, p. 21.1, fig. 2 ; Barnard, iu;5, Ann. S.
Afi. Mus,, XXI. p, 3S., ; Fowler, I'^i;!., Pror. Acad. Xal. Sci. I'liilad., Ixxvii, (l.);5l. P- 203.
BOTHIN^ 171
Depth of body 2^ to 2} in the length, length of head 3J to nearly 3J. Upper
profile of head a little concave in front of eyes. Snout as long as or shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 3J (young) to nearly 5 in length of head ; upper eye a little in
advance of lower and close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below posterior
part of eye, length twice or a little more than twice in head ; lower jaw i| to i| in
head. 9 to 11 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 40 to 46 scales in lateral
line. Dorsal 66-72. Anal 43-50. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length a
little more than i that of head. Caudal rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle
(in adults) about twice as deep as long. Pale brownish ; a dark spot at base of last
rays of dorsal fin and a similar spot above end of anal ; a row of round, black or brown
spots on dorsal and anal.
Type. — South African Museum.
Distribution. — South Africa, from Zululand to Delagoa Bay ; Korean Strait,
Japan.
Specimens Examined :
1(198 mm.). Paratype. 22 miles N. of mouth of R. Tugela, Gilchrist.
Natal, 63-73 fms.
I (245 ., ). Natal.
I (182 ,, ). Sea of Japan, off Nagato Prov. Tokyo Imp. Univ.
The type of C. macrolepidotus, taken by the " Albatross " in the Korean Strait,
in 66 fathoms, is only 59 mm. in total length. The teeth were described as uniserial
in the upper jaw, with several large teeth irregularly placed, and uniserial posteriorly
in the lower jaw, becoming biserial further forward and forming a narrow band at the
symphysis. Col. Tenison has e.xamined the type in the United States National Museum
(No. 75670), and assures me that it is a young example of C. macrolepis. An adult
example from Japan received after the completion of this work confirms this view.'
Subfamily 2. BOTHIN^.
Pelvic fin of blind side short-based ; that of ocular side elongate, extending forward
to the urohyal, supported by a cartilaginous plate placed in advance of the cleithra,
its anterior ray well in advance of first ray of that of blind side ; caudal vertebrae with
well-developed apophyses.
Thirteen genera, mostly from tropical and temperate seas.
Synopsis of the Gener.\.
I. Dentition more or less developed on both sides of jaws ; mouth a little
protractile.
A. Mouth small or of moderate size, maxillary \ or less than i head ; lower
jaw not very prominent.
I. Both pectorals developed.
a. Lateral line absent or feebly developed on blind side.
a. Eyes separated by a bony ridge or narrow concave space ; inter-
orbital region similar in both sexes.
* Male without rostral spines or tubercles.
t Scales of ocular side cycloid or rather feebly ctenoid ;
maxillary 2 to 3J in head . . .22. Arnoglossus.
tt Scales of ocular side strongly ctenoid; maxillary 2| to
3I in head ...... 23. Psettina.
** Male with bony tubercles on snout and at mandibular sym-
physis, which are feebly developed or absent in female ;
maxillary 3 J to nearly 4 in head ; anterior dorsal rays
prolonged in male . . . . .24. Lophonectes.
* Unfortunately the lateral line scales are all missing in this specimen.
17^ FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMAIA)
li. liyt'S separated by a more or less coiKa\i' sjiacc (except in very
young), which is usually broad in the mature male ; male
generally with one or more rostral spines.
* Less than 65 scales in lateral line ; gill-opening extending to
lateral line, or ending a short distance above pectoral fin,
in which case scaling of head and body is continuous below-
lateral line.
t Scales of ocular side rather feebly ctenoid ; maxillary 2i to
3i in head ..... 25. ENtivrRosopoN.
tt Scales of ocular side strongly ctenoid ; ma.xillary 3I to
nearly 4 in head .... 2O. Crossorhombus.
** More than 74 scales in lateral line ; upper angle of gill-opening
a short distance above pectoral fin or close to lateral line ;
membrane joining operculum to pectoral arch scaleless
or partly scaled.
t Eyes generally separated by a broad interspace (at least
in male), the lower well in advance of the upper ; male
nearly always with rostral and orbital spines ; teeth
in jaws in two or more series (at least anteriorly)' :
membrane joining operculum to pectoral arch scaleless
27. BOTHfS.
tt Eyes separated by a narrow or moderately wide space in
both sexes, the lower only a little in advance of the upper ;
male without distinct rostral or orbital spines ; teeth
uniserial in both jaws , membrane joining operculum
to pectoral arch partly scaled . . 28. Parabothus.
b. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body ; interorbital
region narrow, concave, similar in both se.xes ; scales small
29. GRAMMATOBOTHrs.
2. No pectoral fins.
a. Scales small, ctenoid, the spinulcs directed horizontally ; body
normal ....... .30. Mancopsetta.
i. Scales very small, ctenoid, the spinules directed vertically, giving
the skin a pilose appearance ; body with a thick, muscular
central portion, continued abo\'e and below as a thin, semi-
transparent region . . . . -31 ACHIROPSHTTA.
!■. -Mouth very large, iTia.x!llar\' more than J head ; lower jaw very promi-
nent : body elongate.
1. Mandibular membranes not forming a pouch ; only the tip of lower
jaw projecting ...... 32. Chascanopsktta.
2. Mandibular membranes forming a gular pouch : about ^ of length of
lower jaw projecting ..... 33, Pelecanichthys.
11 Dentition nearly entirely confined to blind side of jaws; mouth small,
protractile, maxillary 38 to 4? in head ..... 34. L.^OPs.
The subdivision into genera of the subfamily Bothina?, and particularly of those
related to Ayiioglossxs, Engvpinsopun, Bothus, etc., presents some difficulty.- The
form of the gill-openings, although a useful character, proves to be of less imjiortance
than it was believed to be, and the form of the interorbital region, dentition, and
the scaling are all very' variable features. The arrangement of the olfactory lamina"
in the nasal organs provides a character which is somewhat more reliable, but this
requires further investigation with well-preserved material.^ Weber and Beaufort,''
working on Indo-Australian Heterosomata only, would unite the genera Anmglossus,
p. 4().s.
^ Sometimes uniserial in B. tt
- See Jordan and Hubbs, if>]
[;, Ann
I. Carnegie Mus., xi.
^ Thi^ character has not been
used 1
n the synopsis of th<
* u,2n. !-ii;h. Indo-Austral- Ai
-cli.. V.
p. 11;.
BOTHIN^ 173
Pseitina, Engyprosopon, Crossorhombus, Bothus, Parabothus and Gramma lobothiis, into
a single genus (Bothus). When dealing with all the Indo- Pacific species, however,
together with those from Europe and America, such a genus would assume very
clumsy proportions. Practically all the species fall readily into one or other of the
genera defined in the abo\e synopsis, and it is only some 3 or 4 species, most of
them known from only a single example or from specimens of one sex only, whose
systematic position is more difficult to determine.
Genus 22. ARXOGLOSSUS.
r Peloria, Cocco, 1S44, in Krohn, Giom. Gabin. Messina, Ann. iii, v (xxv), p. 21* {Peloria heckeli,
Cocco].
Arnoglossus, Bleeker, 1862, \"ersl. .Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 427 [PUuronecies arnoglossus,
Schneider] ; Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Xat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 599.
Bascanius, Schiodte, 1868, Natur. Tidsskrift, (3) v, p. 275 [Bascanius tadifer, Schiodte].
Aiilicitharus, Giinther, 1880, Shore Fishes " Challenger", p. 47 [Anticitkarus polyspilus, Giiother].
Cliarybdia, Facciola, 1885, Nat. Sicil., iv, p. 265 [Peloria rueppellii, Cocco].
Caulopsetta, Gill, 1893, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. Washington, vi, p. 124 [Pleuroncctes scaphus (Forster)
Schneider].
KyUia, Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. See. zool. Fr., Ivi, p. 393 ; Chabanaud, 1933, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat.
Maroc, xxxv, p. 49 [Arnoglossus tkori, Kyle].
Dollfusina, Chabanaud, 1933, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc, xxxv, pp. 31, 44 [Peloria rueppellii,
Coccoj.
Body ovate or rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a
bony ridge or narrow concave space, the interorbital region similar in both sexes.
No rostral or orbital spines. Olfacton,' laminae few or in moderate number, arranged
transversely to or radiating from a central rachis of varying length. Jlouth of
moderate size or rather small, the length of the maxillary 2 to 3^ in that of head ;
jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides : teeth small or of moderate
size, slender, sharply pointed, sometimes enlarged and canine-like anteriorly, uniserial
in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers comparatively few in number, generally
rather slender and of moderate length ; lower pharyngeals each with a single series
of sharply-pointed teeth. Dorsal fin commencing above nostrils of blind side and
well in front of eye ; all the rays simple, generally scaled (at least on ocular side).
Tip of first interhaemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal,
that of ocular side larger ; all the rays simple. Tip of pelvic bone projecting down-
wards and backwards between the pelvic fins. Scales small or of moderate size,
feebly ctenoid or cycloid on ocular side, generally cycloid on blind side ; no supple-
mentary scales. Lateral line developed only on ocular side of body, with a distinct
curve above the pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch. Vent on bhnd side, above
anterior ray of anal fin.
About twenty-four species from the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa, the
Mediterranean, and the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
European and African Species.
I. Dorsal 73—80, anal 51-57.
A. About 50 scales in lateral line ; second ray of dorsal prolonged ; eye
about 3i in head . . . . . . . i. grohmanni.
B. 38 to 40 scales in lateral line ; second ray of dorsal not prolonged ;
eye about 4^ in head ........ 2. kessleri.
II. Dorsal 81-106, anal 62-82.
A. Dorsal 81-93 (9^). anal 62-74 '■ ^f^ ii to 5^ i" head.
I. Second ray of dorsal prolonged in both sexes; maxillary 2 J to
about 3, lower jaw about 2 in head ..... 3. thori.
^ Teste Facciola, 1885.
FI.ATFISHKS (HF.TEROSOMATA)
.'. Nonf of the rays of dorsal iirolonged.
a. Head 33 to 4 in length ; maxillary 2J to j|. lower jaw r ;] to 2 in
head ......... 4. Intiriia.
b. Head 3^ to 3? in length ; maxillary .' ^ to 2 J, lower jaw about
1 3 in head ....... 5. niairosloma.
H normal 1J3-106, anal 74-82 ; eye 2 ji to 4 in head ; anterior rays of dorsal
more or less prolonged.
I Depth 2 J to 2| in length : eyes (in adults) separated by a bony ridge
6. impcrialts.
2. Depth 2j to 2S in length ; eyes (in adults) separated by a narrow
concave space . . . . . . .' . y. capensis.
Dorsal I lo-i 16 (i iS). anal 86-94 ■ depth j to 3 J in length ; eye about 3 in
head .......... S riteppelhi-
Indo-Pacific Species.
.\nterior teeth of upper jaw scarcely enlarged ; teeth of lower jaw small,
rather close-set, similar to those of upper jaw ; eyes separated by a bony
ridge.
A. Anterior rays of dorsal greatly prolonged in the male, a little longer than
those which follow in the female ; eye 3 to 3J in head . o. tapemosoma.
B. Anterior rays of dorsal not or a little prolonged.
1. Eye 3j to 5 in head ; depth ij to 2S, head 4 to 4J in length.
a. Eye 45 to 5 in head ; depth i; to 2^ in length ; dorsal and anal
rays not scaled ........ 10. fisoni.
h. E)ye 3^ to 4! in head ; depth 2 J to 25 in length ; dorsal and anal
rays scaled.
.1. Dorsal 80-84, anal 61-64 ■ . • • ■ .11 aspilos.
fi. Dorsal 93-103, anal 70-82.
* Depth 2 J to 25 in length ; dorsal 93-98, anal 70-74 . 12. tenuis.
** Depth 2^ to 2I in length ; dorsal 94-103, anal 76-82 . 13. tvatlei.
2. Eye about 3 in head ; depth 3 or nearly 3, head 3I to 35 in length
14. eloiigaliis.
Anterior teeth of upper jaw larger than those at sides ; teeth of lower jaw
stronger and more wide-set than lateral teeth of upper jaw.
A. Eyes separated by a bony ridge or very narrow space ; gill-rakers pointed,
longer than broad.
I. Less than 100 scales in lateral line ; width of curve of lateral line i.l
to 2^ in head ; upper profile of head moderately conve.x aliove and
behind eyes.
«. Dorsal 90-106, anal 72-84
n. Maxillary to below anterior p.irt or middle of eye, 2^ to 3 in
head.
* 63 to 75 scales in lateral line,
t Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, 68 to 75 in lateral line ;
maxillary to below anterior part of eye, 2j to 3 in head.
J Depth 25 to 2|, head 3I to 3I in length ; eye 3I to 4J in
head ; dorsal 103-106, anal 81-S4 . . 15. polyspiliis.
+ + Depth 2 J to 2i, head 4 to 4^ in length ; eye 4 to 5 in head ;
dorsal 90-97, anal 72-75 . . . 16. mitclleyi.
ft Scales cycloid on ocular side, 113 to 04 in lateral line ;
maxillary to below middle of eye, a little more than
twice in head . . . . . . 17. japoniciis.
** 87 to 92 scales in lateral line ; scales cycloid on ocular side ;
dorsal 98-c)9, anal 77-78 .... 18. bassensis.
li. Maxillary to below posterior \ of eye, about twice 111 head .
70 scales in lateral line ..... I'j dalgleishi.
BOTHIN^E
175
b. Dorsal 112-iig, anal 88-g6.
a. Scales cycloid on ocular side, 94 to g8 in lateral line . . 20. debilis.
13. Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, 80 to 89 in lateral line.
* Maxillarj' to below anterior part or middle of eye, 2 i to 2 1 in
head ; lower limb of praeoperculum J or less than i as long
as head . . . . . . . .21. scapha.
** Maxillary nearly to below middle of eye (in an example of 156
mm.), 2\ in head ; lower limb of praeoperculum rather
more than J as long as head . . . . .22. boops.
2. About 110 scales in lateral line ; width of curve of lateral line 1%
in head ; upper profile of head markedly convex above and behind
eyes ; dorsal 106, anal 84 .... 23. microphthalmiis.
B. Eyes separated by a concave space, its width J to J eye ; gill-rakers
palmate (short, strongly spinulate), about as broad as long ; 45 to 50
scales in lateral line ....... 24. intertnediiis .
The genus Arnoglossus still remains a somewhat heterogeneous group, but I am
imable to find any valid reasons for its further subdivision. Apart from the two species
placed at the end of the genus, microphthalmiis and intermedins, which might perhaps
be regarded as representing distinct genera, the species seem to form a natural group.
Those species with canine teeth anteriorly in the jaws should perhaps rank as a
subgenus, for which the name Anticithams is available.
I. ARNOGLOSSUS GROHMANNI (Bonaparte).
.'' Bothus tappa, Rafinesque, 1810, Car. n. gen., p. 23.
Pleuronectes grohmanni, Bonaparte, 1837, Icon. Faun. Ital., (19), fig.
? Arnoglossus grohtnanni, Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espari. Marruecos, p. 95 ; Chabanaud, 1930,
Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 18.
LarVvE
Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 190!
ID PoST-LARV.t.
i9io,ii, A.I, p. 51, pi. i, figs. 1-4, text-fig. 51.
Depth of body 2i in the length, length of head about 3|. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is about 3J in length of head : eyes separated by a narrow ridge,
the lower in advance of the upper. Maxillary scarcely extending to below middle of
eye, length about 3 in that of head. Teeth all minute, not enlarged anteriorly. About
50 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 80 (73-80) ; second ray somewhat thickened, about
twice as long as those which follow. Anal 52 (51-57). Pectoral a Little more than i
length of head. Caudal rounded. Vertebrs 10 -f 23 — 24. Pale brown or yellowish
176 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
j;rey, with darker markings on the body, particularly towards the cdHcs ; liead, body
and tins covered with small black dots.
Type. — Not traced.
OisTRiBL'TiON. — Mediterranean ; Black Sea (?).
.Mthough no adult specimens have been recognised since the time of Bonaparte.
Kyle has given good reasons for regarding this as a species distinct from that identified
,is grohmanni by most other authors (i.e. thori). There seems to be no ailequate reason
for assuming that the number of dorsal and anal fin-rays given in Bonaparte's descrip-
tion is incorrect, and the larval forms a.scribed by Kyle to this species may be readily
distinguished from those of A. thon or of any other European species. It is possible,
however, that some of the lar\'^ described bv Kyle [e.^. those from the Black Sea)
may have belonged to A. kesslen.
2. ARNOGLOSSIS KESSLERI, Schmidt.
.4r)iui;(os,wis kcssUri. Sihmidt, 1015, .Ann. .Mag. X.it. Hist., (S) .\vi, p. 108.
Depth of body about 2j in the length, length of head 35 to 3J. Snout about as
long as eye, diameter of which is 4! in length of head ; eyes separated by a bony ridge,
the lower in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye,
length 3 in that of head ; lower jaw a little more than twice in head. Teeth all minute,
not enlarged anteriorly. 7 or 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
feeblv ctenoid ; 38 to 40 in lateral line. Dorsal 74-76 ; tips of first two rays free
from membrane, but none of the rays prolonged. Anal 53-57. Pectoral of ocular
side with 10 rays, length about | that of head. Caudal rounded (?). Vertebra-
10 ■ 23. Brownish, with or without dark spots or black dots.
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. No. 18861-2.
Distribution. — Black Sea.
Specimens Ex.\mineu :
According to Schmidt, specimc
largest example describeil was ')'> m
Popo\"
Berg.
full-grown and ripe '
3. ARNOGLOSSUS THORI, Kyle.
Pleuronecies grohmanni (non Bonaparte), Canestrini, 1862, Arch. Zool. Anat. Fisiol. Genova, i, p. iz,
pi. i, fig. 3 ; Moreau, 1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 326, fig. 185.
Arnoglossus grohmanni, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 417 ; Steindachner, 1868, SitzBer. Akad.
Wiss. Wien, Ivii (i), p. 716 ; Vinciguerra, 1883, Ann. Mus. Stor. nat. Genova, xviii, p. 570 ;
Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish, xiv, (1886), p. 261; Carus, 1889-93, Prodr.
Faun. Medit., ii, p. 587; Giinther, 1890, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 42, pi. iii, fig. a; Cunning-
ham, i8go, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 544, fig. ; Holt and Calderwood, 1895, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin
Soc, (2) V, p. 505 ; Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, v (5), p. 96, fig.
Arnuglossus thori, Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. E.xped. i9o8-r9ro, ii, A. i, p. 55, text-fig. 8 ;
Bowman, 1923, Fish. Scotland Sci. Invest., 1922, ii, p. 17 ; Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit.
Espaii. Marruecos, p. 95 ; Chabanaud and Monod, 1927, Bull. Com. l^tud. Hist. Sci. Afriq.
Occ. Fr., (1926), p. 280 ; Bertin, 1929, in Joubin, Faune Ichth. Atlant. Nord,iii, fig. ; Berlin,
1929, in Faun. Flore Medit., ix, fig. ; Chabanaud, r93o, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 18 ;
Bertin, 1932, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., Ivii, p. 240.
A'yici'a Wort, Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr.,lvi,p. 393 ; Chabanaud, 1933, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat.
Maroc, :
, p. 49, pi. i, fig. 6, text-figs.
Eggs, Larv.c and Post-Larv.-e.
Raflaele, 1888, Mitt. Zool. Stat. Neapel, viii, p. 50, pis. i, iii ; Graefle, 1888, Arb. Zool. Inst. Univ.
Wien u. Zool. Stat. Triest, vii (3), p. 455 ; Holt, 1897, J. .Mar. Biol. Ass., n.s., v, p. 50 ; Holt,
1897, Ann. Mus. Hist. nat. Marseille, Zool., v (i), p. 32, spec, iv ; Holt, r899, Ann. Mus. Hist,
nat. Marseille, v (2), p. 8r, pi. viii, figs. 81-84 ; Petersen, 1909, Medd. Komm. Havunders0g.
Kj^b., Ser. Fisk., iii (i), p. 8, pi. ii, figs. 32-34 ; Fage, 1910, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, i (7), p.
35 ; Kyle, r9i3, <om. cit., p. 55, pi. i, figs. 5-10, pi. iii, figs. 32-33-
Depth of body 2^ to 2 J in the length, length of head 3} to 4^. Snout about as
long as eye, diameter of which is 3 J to 4^ in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow
concave space (a bony ridge in the young), the lower a little in advance of upper.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior \ of eye, length 2i to about 3
in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. Teeth all small, not enlarged an-
teriorly. 7 to 9 rather short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 49 to 56 in lateral line. Dorsal 8i-gi
(93) ; second ray prolonged, varying (in adults) from f to a little more than length of
head ; ray fringed by a broad membrane, which gives it a pinnate appearance ; first,
third and fourth rays sometimes a little prolonged in mature specimens. Anal (61)
178 FLATFISHES (HF.TEROSCIMATA)
02-67 (6c)). Pectoral of ocular side with n to i [ rays, length i^ to 15 in that of head.
Caudal rounded. \'ertebr:e 10 -r 27-30. Brownish or greyish, with darker spots
and blotches, of which a patch just behind curve of lateral line and another on hinder
end of straight part are most prominent ; generally a narrow dark bar at base of
caudal fin : all the fins sprinkled with small dark spots ; often a dark spot distally
on fourth to sixth ravs of pelvic hn of ocular side ; first three or four dorsal rays
generally blackish in adults, but only the second ray is dark in immature specimens.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. qo.3,jo.i (lectotype).
Distribution. — Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Ivuropc. northwards to
the British Isles : coasts of north-west Africa.
Specimens Examined :
I (130 mm.). Lectotvpc. Kraiii.ire R., Co. Kerry. 11. fins. Creeii.
:: (1)8, 138 mm.). inishofm, Co. Gahvav. Holt.
I' (07-155 ,, ). Wcsl roast of Ireland.
I (140 mm.), skeleton.
S (120-170 mm.). I'lyniouth. Mar. Biol. Assoc.
3(120-158 ,, ). ,, Clark.
4(75-100 ,, ). Nice. Bellotti.
34 (65-105 ,, ). Spalato, Dalmatia. Kolombatovic
I (102 mm.). Dalmatia. Doria.
In all the Mediterranean examples examined the second dorsal ray appears to be
much less broad and pinnate than in those from more northerly localities, but this
may be accounted for by the fact that the Mediterranean specimens have all been
preserved in alcohol, the others mainly in formalin. Kyle has pointed out that this
ray is very liable to damage, and its length is consequently very variable.
In a letter dated January, 1933, the late Professor Johannes Schmidt points out
that Kyle has informed him that no type specimens were selected to represent this
and other new species and subspecies described in the report on the collections made
by the " Thor ". I have, therefore, chosen a well-preserved specimen in the British
INIuseum collection which will serve as a lectotype.
Chabanaud (1931, 1933) has erected a new genus (Kyleia) for this species, distin-
guished from Arnoglossus by having the two interorbital ridges distinct and separated
instead of united As Bertin (i'i32) has recently pointed out, this genus cannot be
maintained.
4. ARNOGLOSSrS LATERNA (Walbaum).
[SC.\LI1-K1SH.^
Pleurcii:eclfi Uilcnia. Walbaum, 1702, Artedi Ichth., (3), ed. 2, p. 121.
Ptcuranech-s iinwstassiis, Schneider, 1801. in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 157.
PUuronectcs diaplmiius, Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool., iv (2), p. 309.
Pleiironecit-s Uotardi, Risso, 1810, Ichth. Nice, p. 318.
:Soh-a arnngh}ssa, Ralinesqiie, 1810. Ind. itt. Sicil., pp. 14, 52.
? PUuroneclfs casurus. Pennant {ex Hannier MS.), 1812, lirit. Zool., niw ,■(1,, 111. p. -525, pi. lui.
Rhombus niidus, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anini., ii, p. 222 ; Risso, 1826, H. N. Kuropc, lii, p. 251.
.' Rhombus candidissimus, Risso, 1820, Journ. de Physique, xci, p. 247.
PUuronectes pclhtcidits, Nardo, 1S24, Giorn. di Fisica etc., (2) vii. p. 2 Vi : Nardo, 1827. Prodi
Adriat. Ichth., p. 15, No. 134.
Rhombus arnoglossus, Yarrell, 1841, Hist. Brit. Fish., ed. 2, ii, p. 345, tig.
Htppoghssus arnoglossus, Costa, 1847, I'aun. R. Napoli, Pesci, I. Pleuron., p. ',2.
PUuronectes conspersus, Canestrini, 1862, Arch. Zool. Anat. Fisiol. Genova, i. p. i... pi. i, hg. 2 :
Moreau, 1881. Hist. Nat. Poiss, France, iii, p. 329.
Arnoglossus lalenta, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 415 : Steindarhner. l868, KitzBer. Akad.
Wiss. Wien, Ivii (i), p. 716; Collett, 1880, Vid.-Sclsk. Forh., (1S79), p. 77; Day, 1880-S4,
Fish Britain, ii, p. 22, pi. xcix, tig. 2 ; Collett, 1884, Nvt. Mag. Naturv. Christiania, xxix, p. loi ;
.lordan and Goss, 18S9, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv,' (1886), p. 261 ; Carus, 1889-93, Prodr.
Faun. .Medit., ii, p. 586 ; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 329 ; Collett, 1903, Vid.-
Sclsk. I'orh., (1902), p. 93; Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, occanogr. Paris, v (5), p. gfj, fig. 167;
Jordan and Hubbs, 1917, Ann. Carnegie Mus.. xi, p. 467 ; Biien, I'lio. Hoi. Pesc. Madrid, iv,
BOTHIN,E
179
p. 302 ; Bowman, 1923, Fish. Scotland Sci. Invest., 1922, ii, p. 15 ; Schnakenbeck, 1925,
Tier. Nord Ostsec, L. ii, xii (i), p. 11, tig. 13 ; Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espan. Marruecos,
p. 96; Bertin, 1929, in Joubin, Faune Ichtfi. Atlant. Nord, iii, tig. ; Bertin, 1929, in Faun.
Flore -Medit., ix, tig. ; Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., Ivi, p. 391.
Arnoglossus conspcrsus, Gtinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 416; Steindachner, 1868, SitzBer. Akad.
Wiss. Wien, Ivii (i), p. 716 ; Vinciguerra, 1883, Ann. Mus. Stor. nat. Geneva, xviii, p. 568 ;
Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (18S6), p. 261.
Rhombus sokaformis, Malm, 1865, Forh. Skand. Naturf. Stockholm, (1863), p. 413.
Arno^lossus soleceformis. Malm, 1877, Goteborgs Bohus. Faun., p. 519 ; Malm, 1882, Goteb. Mus.
Arsskr., (188:), p. 24.
Arnoglossus laierna (part), Cunningham, 1890, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 540; Holt and Calderwood,
1895, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, {2) v, p. 488 ; Chabanaud, 1930, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii,
p. 19.
Platophrys (Arnoglossus) laierna, Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 428, pi. xix, fig. 4.
Arnoglossus laterna microstoma, Kvle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, -A. i, p. 64,
figs.
A rnoglosi
Arnoglosi
Arnoglo.
'> laterna microstoma form, communis, biscayensis, Kyle, 1913, torn.
I laterna conspersus, Buen, 1919, Bol. Pesc. Madrid, iv, p. 302.
: (Arnoglossus) laterna, Chabanaud, 1933, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Marc
figs. 4, 5, text-figs.
p. 31, pi.
Eggs, La
Young.
, N. H. Market. Mar.
Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, (1893), p. 44 ; Cunningh.ii
Fish., p. 274, fig. 128 ; Ehrenbaum, 1897, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., ii (i),
p. 298, pi. v, figs. 25-29 ; Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 355 ; Holt.
1897, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., x.s., v, pp. 48, 135 ; Holt, r897, Ann. Mus. Hist. nat. Marseille, v (i),
p. 32, sp. iv ; Holt, 1899, Ana. Mus. Hist. nat. Marseille, v (2), p. 78, pi. viii, figs. 77-80 ; Ehren-
baum, r905, in Brandt and -Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv. Fisch. (l), p. 189,
figs. ; Petersen, 1909, Medd. Komm. Havunders^g. Kj^b., Ser. Fisk., iii (i), p. 8, figs. ; Kyle,
1913, tom. cit., p. 64, pi. ii, figs. i3-2r ; Clark, 1920, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., n.s., xii, p. 189.
Fig. 126. — Arnoglo
B.M. (N.H.) 98.2.26.30.
Depth of body 2} to 2j in the length, length of head 3* to 4. Snout as long as or
longer than eye, diameter of which is 4^ to 5J in length of head ; eyes separated by a
verj' narrow space or bony ridge, the lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillary
extending to below anterior part of eye, but scarcely reaching its centre, length 2J to
2} in that of head ; lower jaw 1 1 to 2 in head. Teeth all small, not enlarged anteriorly.
8 or 9 gill-rakers of moderate length on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on bUnd side ; 51 to 56 in lateral line. Dorsal (82)
87-93 {98) : first 5 or 6 rays more or less free from membrane distally, not or only
very sUghtly longer than those which follow. Anal (63) 65-74. Pectoral of ocular
tSo
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMA lA)
side with 1 1 or I ^ rays, length i J to if in that of head. Caudal rounded. Vertebra;
ID + 27-32. Brownish or greyish, sometimes with irregular darker markings : fins
often with small dark dots ; pelvic fin of ocular side occasionally with a black spot.
Type — Not traced.
Distribution. — South-western Europe, from the Cattegat and Christianiafiord to
the Sea of Marmora.
Specimens Examined :
Ci.llctt.
Murrav.
Yarrell Col
Mar. Biol.
Hyrne.
Wolfenden.
Argyll.
Gunthcr.
Day.
Willi penny.
Yarrell Coll.
Zool. Soc. Coll.
I (1S8 mill.).
I |i;o ,, ).
Christianiafiord.
Kilbrennan Sound. .-.. fm
I (17.5 „ ),
I (10; „ ).
skin.
Brixham.
Dunmanus Bay.
I (164 ., ).
Bigbury Bay, 6 fms.
;o (4S-17; n
im.).
Off Plymouth.
io(8j-i34
,, )•
^0 (100-150
I (125 mm.),
2(ioo, 123 n
,, )•
skill.
11m.).
Plymouth,
6 miles S. of the JMewstor
M128, 131
„ )■
Falmouth Bay.
2(130, 13S
,, )•
St. Anthony Bight, Corn'
0 (8.^-1:0 mi
ni.).
Cawsand Bay, Cornwall.
4 (-7-3" ,
. )■
South Cornwall.
5 (100-17511
im.), skins.
Great Britain.
.! (■:>:, 113 .
I (108 mm.).
, ).
Off Malaga, 40 fms.
Cannes.
I (fiJ , , )■
1 (h-' ,, ).
Palermo.
2 ((,7. So mil
1.).
Near Port .Said.
I (no mm.),
skill.
Mediterranean.
(130
This is a \ery variable species, and it is probable that the examination of a large
series of examples would lead to the recognition of two or more distinct races or sub-
species,^ Apart from a slight difference in pigmentation, there are no apparent sexual
differences. The species has long been confused in the Mediterranean with A.
macrostoma, and some of the references in the above synonymy may refer to the
latter form.
5. ARNOGLOSSUS M.VCROSTOMA, Kyle.
Ital., (19), fig.; C.uiestMi
au, 1881, Hist. \at. Pui;
I'lcuraufctes artUi(:lossus (? non Schneider), Bonaparte, 1837, Icon.
1S6J, Arch. Zool. Anat. Fisiol. Genova, i, p. 14, pi. i, fig. 4
France, in, p. 3^8-
Platophrys [Arnoglossus) latcrna form rnacroccphala . . . , Siiiitt, i8g3, Scand. Fish., i, p. 428.
Arnnglossus lalenm ittacroslfunii, Kyle, i<jl3. Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. IQ08-1010, ii, A. 1, p. 1)4,
hg. 2fj.
Close to ,4. laleyiia. Depth of body I'j to 25 in the length, length of head 3^^ to
35. Snout rather longer than eye, diameter of which is (3J to) about 5 in length of
head ; eyes separated by a bony ridge, the lower a little in advance of the upper.
Maxillary extending to a little beyond middle of eye, length 2-1^ to 2 J in that of head ;
lower jaw about i J in head. Teeth somewhat larger than in A . latcrna, but not much
enlarged anteriorly. 7 or 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly
ctenoid; about 50 in lateral line. Dorsal (86) 89-91. Anal 65-68 (6g). Pectoral
(if ocular side with 13 rays, length about 2 in that of head. Caudal rounded. Vertebra;
10 - 29. More or less uniformly pale brownish ; fins with traces of darker dots.
Die;
See Jordan and Hubbs, 191
L- authors may have included <
Mu
p. 4(-
The material described by
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.).
Distribution. — Mediterranean.
Specimens Examined :
Reg. No. 93.2.28.20 (lectotype).
: (100,
: {147,
1.^2 mm.).
152 ,, ).'
Nice. Deakin.
Zara, Dalmatia. Spada-Novak.
Also 2 from the Mediterranean (Leiden Mus.).
Comparison of specimens of similar size leaves little doubt that the form described
abpve is distinct from the typical A . laterna of the Mediterranean, and, although I have
examined comparatively few examples of this large-mouthed form, I am inclined to
recognise it as a distinct species. To ascertain its correct name is more difficult, but
the subspecific name macrostoma proposed by Kyle seems to be the first which is
applicable with certainty. The Pleuronectes arnoglossiis of Bonaparte and Canestrini
was almost certainly this species, but Schneider's earlier description of an Arnoglossus
with the same specific name is too brief to allow of a positive identification. Should
this prove to have been the large-mouthed form, this species will then bear the name
Arnoglossus arnoglossus (Schneider).
6. ARNOGLOSSUS IMPERIALIS (Rafinesque).
[SC.\LD-FISH.]
Bothus impi-riahs, Rafinesque, 1810, Car. n. gen., p. 23.
? Pleuronectes casurits. Pennant {ex Hanmer MS.), 1812, Brit. Zool., new ed., iii.p. 325, pi. liii.
Arnoglossus lophotes, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 417 ; Facciola, 1886, Atti Soc. Nat. Modena,
{3) iii, p. 91 ; Giinther, 1890, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 40 ; Collett, 1896, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, x,
p. 95, pi. iii, fig. 13.
Arnoglossus grohmanni (part). Day, 1882, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 74S, pi. liii.
Charybdia rhomboidichthys, Facciola, 1885, Nat. Sicil., iv, p. 265.
Arnoglossus laterna (part), Cunningham, 1890, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 540 ; Holt and Calderwuod, 1895,
Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (2) v, p. 488.
Arnoglossus imperialis, Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish. Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, A. I, p. 79, figs. ;
Berlin, 1929, in Joubin, Faune Ichth. Atlant. Nord, iii, fig. ; Bertin, 1929, in Faun. Flore
Medit., ix, tig. ; Chabanaud, 1930. Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 19 ; Norman, 1930, " Dis-
covery " Reports, ii, p. 360 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., Ivi, p. 392 ; Bertin, 1932,
Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., Ivii, p. 242.
' The larger of these is selected as the lectotype (see note on p. 178).
i82
1-LA
TFISHE
S (HETEROSC
ArtiOi^losst
fifis. ;
,s {An
iI..S(..5..
-.„s) ,
mfcn,,
(is. Chaba
KCGS, 1.
naud, VIM. McMi.
ARV.»: ANI> VOUN
l-.irrioln.
ill (II
Scotl.
iSSs /
. p. s.
iiKi Sr
I. IllM
L, p.
; Kv
•St., 1
IVlerseii.
3, /om. r.^
. p. 4. tiK-
I ). Mcdd. Kol
., p. 7'>. Pis-u.u
Ser. I'lsk.
i.);3. Fish
Depth of body z^ to ij in tlie length, length of head 3f to 4^. Snout .shorter than
eye, diameter of which is 2| to 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a bony ridge,
the lower a little in advance of the upper. Ma.xillary extending to below anterior
part of eye, length 2| to 3J in that of head ; lower jaw 2^ to 2i in head. Teeth all
small, not enlarged anteriorly. 8 to 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 58 to f)3 in lateral line.
Dorsal (94) 93-106 ; second to fifth or sixth rays thickened, prolonged, and free for
most of their length in the mature male, the highest ray nearly as long as head ; in
the mature female the second to fifth rays are somewhat thickeneti, a little longer than
ahs. li.M. (X.H.) ,S
those which follow. .\nal 74-82. Pectoral of ocular side with q to 11 rays, length
I J to 1 1 in that of head. Rays of pelvic fin of ocular side rather longer in the male.
Caudal rounded. Vertebra; 10 + 32-35. Greyish or brownish, generally with irre-
gular darker patches ; fins with some small dark spots ; male with a conspicuous
black blotch on hinder end of pelvic fin of ocular side ; in the female this is greyish in
colour and very indistinct.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — .Atlantic coasts of Europe and .\frica, from nortliern Scotland to
Angola ; western part of the Mediterranean.
Specimens Examini-;i> :
Tvpr-s Unlisli C0.1-.I (V). Varrell Coll.
3 (^15-245 1
,.), skill
of A . InphoU
1 (170 mm.).
.3(183-2000
im.}.
» (145-175
,, )■
I (:7o mm.),
skcletc
::; (125-190 "
im.).
3 (180-200
.. )•
8 (150-200
,, )•
Off Cardiff.
F.ilinouth Bii
Moscley.
Xewburgh.
Mar. Hiol. Assoc.
Cunningham.
Paris Mus.
Johnson.
BOTHIN^
183
(80 nin..).
(75 ., ).
(90 ., ).
(136 „ ).
Off Elephant Bay, Angola, 40-53 fins.
Off St. Paul de Loanda, Angola, 35-36 fn
C. Lopez, French Congo, 32-37 fms.
Palermo.
ARNOGLOSSUS CAPENSIS. Boulenger.
[Cape Scald-fish.]
; capcnsis, Boulenger, 181
/. Ges. Jena, -xvii, p. 156
Gilchrist, 1904, Mar. Invest. S. .\fr.
lii, p. 16, tig. i;.
8, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., i, p. i ; Lampe, 1913, Denkschr. med.-
Barnard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., .\xi, p. 391.
Eggs and Larv.e.
ii, p. 133, pi. V, fig. 36 ; Gilchrist, 1916, Mar. Biol. Rep. S. .A.fr.,
Depth of body 2^ to 2| in the length, length of head 3§ to 4J. Snout shorter than
eye, diameter of which is 3^ to 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a concave
scaled space, its width z^ to 3J in diameter of eye ; lower eye a little in advance of
upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length
3 to 3 J in that of head ; lower jaw 1 1 to 2 J m head. Teeth all small, scarcely
enlarged anteriorly. 10 to 13 gill-rakers of moderate length on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, mostly cycloid on blind side ; 62-66 in
lateral line. Dorsal g6-ioo ; anterior rays more or less free from membrane and
somewhat prolonged in both sexes, highest ray i| (J) or more than twice (9) in head.
Anal 7(>-8o. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length § to J that of head.
Caudal rounded. Brownish, with traces of darker markings ; a series of indistinct
dark spots on dorsal and anal fins.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 97. 10. 18.3.
Distribution. — South Africa.
Specimens Examined :
(160 mm.). Holotvpe.
(16S, 170 mm.).
(125 mm.).
liaise Bay.
Saldanha Bay.
Gilchrist.
Clark.
Gilchrist.
I.S4
l-IA IFISHl'.S (HKTKKOSOMAI A)
8. ARNOCiLOSSUS RlTEl'l'KLLII (tixto).
;v;«riii nu-fi/t.-llii, tocro, 1S44, m Kroliii, Gioni. G.ibiii. Messin.i, Ann. iii, v (xxv), p. ;i.'
liascaniui lirdifc-r. Schiodte, 1S68, Naturhist. Tidsskrift, (3) v, p. 275, pi. xi, fig. 7.
I'lmrybdui rucppdUi, Facciola, 1S85, Nat. Sicil., iv, p. 265 ; Jordan and Goss, 1880, Rep. I'..S. Cum.
I'lsh., xiv, (iSSo), p. 329 ; CoUett, 1806, Ri-s. Camp. Sci. Monaco, x, p. <ig.
Amoglussus rufppfUii, Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1911). u. .A. i, p. S7, lij;. ;
Fage, 191S, Bull. Sor. zool. Fr., xUii, p. 6g, tigs. t~3 ; Chabanaud, 1930, Kukt.i Sci.. Suppl,
Mem. ii, p. 20 ; liiTtin, 1933, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., Ivii, p. 495, figs.
Dollfustim rucppdUi, Cli.iban.uid, K132, in Joubin, Faune Ichth. Atlant. Xord, x. fiy.
Arnoglossus {Doll/iisiiui) r^ieppelll, t hab.inaud. Piii. Mi-m. Soc. Sci. Xat. Man., , xx\v,pp.44, i„|,
fi25. 29-32.
AND POSI
i. figs. 2;-
IX-ptli C.I huily J 1(1 3! Ml tlie length. IciiKtIi ol lieail 4J t<i 5. Snout a little shorter
tlian eye. diaraeter ot wiucli is about 3 111 length of head , eves separated by a narrow
bony ridKe, the lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillary (in adult) extending to
below anterior part of eye. length about zi in that of head. Teeth rather small, a
little enlarged anteriorly. 1 1 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
ctenoid {.') on ocular side, cycloid on blind side : about 75 in lateral line. Dorsal
I ro-i 16 (i 18) ; none of the rays prolonged. Anal S6-c)4. I'ectoral of ocular side with
13 rays, length about i that of head. Vertebnc 10 i- ^^ — 35. Brownish, with
or without traces of darker markings ; young with a series of incomplete dark bars
across dor.sal and anal hns ; caudal with a dark vertical band ; pectoral with dusky
cros.s-bars.
Typk. — Not traced-
DISTRIBI-TIOX. — .Mechterr.inean anil adj.uent p.irts of tiie .\tlantii .
SriiCIMKNS EXAMINKII ;
Slr
nf -Ml-
r.ovalh
{^^
Almost all the records of this species refer to larval or post-larval specimens.
Only two adult examples have been described, one (^J) from the Atlantic ct)ast of
Morocco (Chabanaud) the other ;!') from Banyuls (Bertin), Post-larv.T were taken by
the '■ Thor " from various Imalities in the Mediterranean, from the coast of Spam U>
the Gulf of Corinth.
■s/,- l--,
ciola,
i85
g. ARNOGLOSSUS TAPEINOSOMA (Bleeker).
Platophrys [Arnoglassus) tapeinosoma, Bleeker, 1866, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk., iii, p. 49 ; Bleeker,
1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi, p. 13, Pleuron. pi. iv, fig. 4.
ArnoglosSHS macrolopkus, Alcock, 1889, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., Iviii (2), p. 280, pi. xviii, fig. 2 ; Alcock,
1890, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 433; Alcock, 1898, lUust. Zool. " Investigator ", Fishes,
pi. xxiii, fig. 3; Johnstone, 1904, Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fish., Suppl. Rep., xv, p. 211 ; Weber,
1913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 432 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 21, fig. 3 ;
Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x, p. go.
Bothus{Arnoglossu$) tapeinosoma, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 127.
Fig. 131. — Arnoglossits tapei
B..M. (N.H.) 90.11.2S.43, 44- X
Depth of body 2^ to 3 in the length, length of head 3 to nearly 4. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3 to 3J in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow
bony ridge, their anterior margins level or lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillarj'
e.xtending to below anterior edge or anterior J of eye, length 2 1 to 2 1 in that of head ;
lower jaw nearly twice in head. Teeth all small and close-set, not enlarged anteriorly.
8 to 12 slender gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid on bUnd side ; 48 to 55 in lateral line. Dorsal (83) 89-98 ; anterior
rays greatly prolonged in the mature male, a little longer than those which follow in
the female. Anal (65) 67-72. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length
about 5 that of head. Caudal pointed or double truncate. Brownish ; a series of
indistinct darker blotches along upper and lower edges of body ; a dark blotch at
junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line, and generally one or two smaller
blotches on straight portion ; median fins with numerous small brown spots ; a
large dark spot at base of posterior parts of dorsal and anal ; a dark spot on distal
part of pectoral ; distal ends of pelvics blackish.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — From the Persian Gulf to the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago
and beyond.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Sl'lXIMENS EXAMINHIl
^ (5::, 55 mm.).
I (S6 mm.).
North end of Persian C.ulf.
Ganjani Coast, 25-35 fms.
(57
2(50, 58 mm.).
:^ (68, 72 ,, ). Andam.m Is., 53 fins.
3 (72-Qo ,. ). Bali Sea (8° -9' S., 114' 40' E.), 5S fms. HardcnlierR.
-Mso several from the Persian Gulf. India and Burma (Ind. Mus.) ; one from off
C.alle. Ceylon (Liverpool Univ.) ; and one from the Java Sea (.Amsterdam Mus).
ARNOGLOSSUS FISONI, Ogilby
nn. Soc. N.S.W.,
,lfii..WoSiiis fisoni, Ogilbv, l.S.,,S, Pn.r. I.inn. So
Res." Endeavour '■, v, p. 243, hs. 5 : McCulloch, I<12>)
and Mohr, 1929, Mitt. Zool. Mus. HauilmrR, xliv, p. 80
i, p. ^05 ; Nn
Aust. Mus., V,
Depth of body ij to J ,^ in the length, length of head .| to 4 J. Snout a little
longer than eve, diameter of which is 45 to 5 in length of heatl ; eyes separated by a
narrow bony ridge, the lower very little in advance of upper, which is well separated
from edge of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length 2J
to 3 in that of head ; lower jaw nearly twice in head. Teeth all small, scarcely
enlarged anteriorly. 9 or 10 slender gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
cycloid on both .sides ; 52 to 56 in lateral hne. Dorsal 96-101 ; all the rays unsealed,
none prolonged. Anal (74) 77-80. Pectoral of ocular side with 8 or 9 rays, the two
upper rays a little prolonged in the male : length 1} to i J in that of head. Caudal
obtusely pointed. Brownish, with or without irregular dusky markings ; a narrow
k-ellowish band at upper and lower edges of body, parallel with the profile ;
small brown spots.
Type. — Not traced (? Queensland Mus.).
Distribution. — Coast of .southern Queen.sland ; Bismarck .\rchipclago.
Specimens Examined :
I (130 niMi.). 7 to 10 miles N.W. of Huuimocky Is,, Quc-eiis- Austr. Mus. (" End^
land, 14-16 fms.
1 (mt ,, ). About 20 miles N.E. of Bust.ird Head l.iglu, ,,
Queensland, 20-21 fms.
.\Ki) 1 from (Uicensland (.\ustr. Mus. " ICndeavour ").
fins with
i87
II. ARNOGLOSSUS ASPILOS (Bleeker).
Khombui uspilos, Bleeker, 1851, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind., i, p. 408 ; Bleeker, 1852, Verh. Batav.
Gen., xxiv, Pleuron., p. 14.
Arnoglossus aspilus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 417.
Platophrys (Arnoglossus) aspilus, Bleeker, 1866-7;, Atl. Ichth., vi, p. 15, Pleuron. pi. vi, fig. 2.
Arnoglossus aspilos. Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 89.
Bothus {Arnoglossus) aspilus, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 132.
Depth of body 2 J in the length, length of head 4. Diameter of eye 3 J to nearly
4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow interspace, the lower a little in advance
of upper. Majdllary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 2| in that of
head ; lower jaw about twice in head. Teeth minute, rather close-set, not enlarged
anteriorly. 7 rather slender gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid
M. (N.H.) 1931.4.23.16. X ij.
on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 46 to 48 in lateral line. Dorsal 80 (84) ; all the
rays scaled, at least on ocular side, none prolonged. Anal 61-62 {64). Pectoral of
ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length about 5 that of head. Uniformly brownish.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Malay Peninsula and Archipelago.
Specimens Examined :
I (75 mm.)
I (72 ,, ).
3 (68-72 mm.)
Paratype.
East Indies.
Cheribon, Java
Off Sumatra (i
Bleeker Coll.
Hardenberg.
12. ARNOGLOSSUS TENUIS, Giinther.
Arnoglossus tenuis, Gunther, 1880, Shore Fishes "Challenger", p. 55; Jordan and Seale, 1905,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxix, p. 528 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 295 ;
Wu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 89.
Depth of body 2j to 2| in the length, length of head 4 to 4^. Snout about as long
as eye, diameter of which is about 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a bony
ridge, the lower generally in advance of upper. Maxillar>- extending to below anterior
i8S
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
ed<;e of eye, lengtli nearly 3 in that of licad ; lower jaw twice in heail. Teeth all small,
rather close-set, not enlarged anteriorly. 8 or g rather slender giU-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
51 to 54 in lateral line. Dorsal 93-98 ; all the rays more or less scaled, at lea.st on
ocular side, none prolonged. Anal 70-74. Pectoral of ocular side with 1 1 or 11 rays.
length about if in that of head. Caudal pointed. Uniformly pale browmsli, or
with traces of small dark spots near bases of dorsal and anal lins.
Type.— British Museum (Nat. Hist,). Reg. No. 79.5.14.95-
Distribution, — Coast of southom China ; Japan.
Specimens Examineh :
:: (62, no mm.). Types.' Honn Kong.
14 (35-63 m"")- Santuao.
.\lso 4 from Hong Kong (Mas Coniji ZooL).
■' Ch.illenger."
Walker.
ARNOGLOSSUS WAITEI, Norman.
rno^lossui iispiltis inen
rnoglossus waitei, Norm
.Mem. .'\\ist. Mus., V,
.McCullorh, 1929,
Close to A. tenuis. Depth of body jj to 2 J in the length, length of head 4 ^ to
4i, Diameter of eye 3J to 3J in length of head. Maxdlary extending to below
anterior edge of eye, length 3 to 3^ in that of head ; lower jaw 2^ to 2J in head. 7 to
9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales cycloid or feebly ctenoid on ocular
side, all cycloid on bUnd side ; 49 to 54 in lateral hne. Dorsal 94-103, Anal 76-82.
Pale brownish, with traces of darker markings on body ; dorsal and anal fins with
some blackish spots and blotches ; a pair of dark blotches near base of caudal fin.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. E.295g.
Distribution. — Arafura Sea ; east coast of Queensland
The larger specimen is selerted i
' Iiolotype
i89
Specimens Examined :
I (78 mr
n.).
.\rafura Sea, 49 fms.
" Challenger."
2 (87, ic
10 mm.).
3ofms.
. (92 mr
n.). Paratype.
r r to 14 miles N.W. of Pine Peak, Queensland,
Austr. Mus.
24-26 fms.
(" Endeavour").
I (130..
mi.). Paratype.
3 to 7 miles N.W. of Hervey Bay, Queensland,
9-r r fms.
Pic. 135. — Arnogi
waitci. B.M. (N.H.) 1925.7.22.40. XI.
Also the holotype and one other paratype from Queensland (Austr. Mus.
Endeavour ").
14. ARNOGLOSSUS ELONGATUS, Weber.
Arnoglossus elongatus, Weber, 1913, '* Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 431, fig. 79.
Bothus {Arnoglossus) elongatus, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fisli. Indo-Austral. Arch.,
fig. 29.
Fig. 136. — Arnoglossus elongalus. B.M. (N.H.) 1930.10.16.
Depth of body 3 or nearly 3 in the length, length of head 3J to 3? . Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is about 3 in length of head ; eyes separated by a bony
ridge, the lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior
uio FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
A of oyo. leiiglli 2\ to jj in that of head ; lower jaw I'j to z in head. I'cetli nunute,
those of npper jaw somewhat larger and wider apart anteriorly. 8 or ij slender pill-
rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid
on blind side ; 64 to 66 in lateral line. Dorsal 100-102 ; all the rays scaled, at least
on ocular side, second to fourth rays somewhat prolonged (male ?). Anal 78-79.
Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays, length il to ij in that of head. Caudal
rounded. Yellowish brown, with some indistinct darker markings, including a blotch
just behind curve of lateral line ; a series of dark spots on dorsal and anal tins.
Type. Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — Madura Sea. Indo-Australian Archipelago; in deep water
Specimens Examined :
(Sot
1.). Paratype.
sterdaui Mus. (" SiboRa ")■
Also J other paratvpes from the same locality (Amsterdam Mus
\KNOGLOSSUS rOLVSFILUS (Giinther).
48. pi.
AiUictthariii polyspilus, Gunther, 18S0, Sliore Fishus " Challenger "
Arnoghasus polyspilits, Norman, ig27, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 20
Bothus [Antintharus) polyspilus, \^'ebe^ and Beaufort, iq^o. Fish.
Indo Austral. .Arch.
-Anwglossiis polyspilus. B.M. (X.H.) 7
Depth of body 23 to 2J m the length, length of head 3J to 3^. Upper prohle
of head only moderately convex above and behmd eyes. Snout as long as or shorter
than eye. diameter of which is 3^ to a little more than 4 in length of head . eyes separated
bv a low, narrow ridge, the lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillary exteniUng
to below anterior i (adult) or anterior i (young) of eye, length z^ to 2^ in that of head ;
lower jaw about twice in fiead. Teeth of upper jaw small and rather close-set laterally,
some enlarged canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw much stronger and wider
apart than those of upper, anterior teeth somewhat enlarged. 8 or 9 slender, pointed
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular si<lc, cycloid
on bhnd side ; 70-75 in lateral line. Width of curve of lateral line i| to 2 J in length
of head. Dorsal 103-106; none of the rays prolonged. Anal 81-84. Pectoral
of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length a little more than i that of head. Caudal
pointed. Pale lirownish. with traces of darker markings : a series of rather large
brown spots on dorsal and anal tins, and a pair of smaller spots at base of caudal
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79.5.14.56.
Distribution. — Mergui Archipelago ; Kei Islands ; Timor Sea : in deep water.
Specimens Examined :
2 (180, 220 mm.). Types. ^ Kei Is., 129 fms. " Challenger
16. ARNOGLOSSUS MUELLERI (Klunzinger).
Pseudorhombus mueUt-ri, Klunzinger, 1872, Arch. Naturgesch., p. 40 ; Klunzinger, 18S0, SitzBer.
Akad. Wiss. \Vien, Ixxx (i), p. 407, pi. ix, fig. 2 ; Waite, 1905, Rec. Aust. Mus., vi, p. 73.
Arnoglossus muelleti, Korman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour *', v, p. 245 ; McCulloch, 1929, Mem.
Aust. Mus., V, p. 277.
Depth of body 2J to 2J in the length, length of head 4 to 4J. Upper profile of
head only moderately convex above and behind eyes. Snout as long as or a little
longer than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 5 in length of head : eyes separated by a
-Arnoglo.
B.M. (X.H.) 192
X j.
narrow, bony ridge, the lower very little in advance of upper. -Maxillan,- extending
to below anterior edge or anterior \ of eye, length 2j to 3 in that of head ; lower jaw
about twice in head. Teeth of upper jaw rather small and close set laterally, becoming
larger anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw stronger and wider apart than those
of upper. 8 to 10 rather short, pointed gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 68 to 73 in lateral line.
Width of curve of lateral line ij to twice in length of head. Dorsal 90-97 ; none
of the rays prolonged. Anal 72-75. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length
I i to I J in that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed. Uniformly brownish ; fins with
small brown spots.
Type. — Wiirttembergische Naturaliensammlung, Stuttgart.
Distribution. — Southern Australia.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
1(135 mm.). 42 miles S. of St. Francis Is., S. Australia, 35 fms. Austr. Mus. (" Endeavour ").
1(78 ,, ). Doubtful Is. Bay, east from Albany, W. Australia, ,, ,,
20-25 fms.
Also the holotype, 180 mm. in length (Stuttgart Mus). and 5 from South and
Western Australia (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ").
^ The larger is selected as the holotype.
.■Irtwgh
i ;<//>..
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
I-. ARNOCLOSSUS JAI'ONICUS. Hiibbs
ri(5, HuMis, 1915. Tror. U.S. \al. Mus., xhiu, p. .(M, P
Depth of body about 2 J in the length, length of head 3 J to 3J. Upper profile
of head only moderately convex above and behind eyes. Snout about as long
as eye, diameter of which is 3 g in length of head ; eyes separated by a low ridge,
the lower very slightly in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below middle
of eye, length a little more than twice in that of head. Upper jaw with 4 canine
teeth anteriorly ; 8 moderate canines on each side of lower jaw. 8 short, pointed
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; 63 to 64 in lateral
line. Width of curve of lateral line about twice in length of head. Dorsal 97-99 ;
second ray a little prolonged. Anal 74-79. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 rays,
length rj m that of head. Caudal rounded. Pale brownish, with indications of
, j„po
U.S.N.M.
cept pectorals and pelvic
darker mottling ; all the fins dark or with dark spots
of blind side.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 75671.
Distribution. — Japan.
Known only from the type (lob mm ) from south of Kiusiu, 84 fms, ; and two
other specimens (41, 8g mm.) from oft Hondo and Siiruga Gulf, 47 fms,, respectively.
18, ARNOGLOSSUS BASSENSIS, Norman.
Uosstis basscnsis, \
19:^6, Biol. Re
, p. 246, tig. 6 ; .McCillIoch, igjr,
p. 277-
Depth of body 2J to 2J in the length, length of head 4^ to 42. Upper profile
of head only moderately convex above and behind eyes. Snout a little longer than
eye, diameter of which is 5 to 5i in length of head ; eyes separated by a low, narrow
ridge, the lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior
I or i of eye, length 2§ to 2 J in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. Teeth
of upper jaw small laterally, becoming larger anteriorly, not close-set ; .some of the
teeth on ocul.Tr side nf lower jaw movable. 7 to 11 rather short, pointed giU-rakers
BOTHINJi
193
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; 87 to 92 in lateral line. Width
of curve of lateral line about 15 in length of head. Dorsal 98-99 ; none of the rays
prolonged. Anal 77-78. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, length if to 2J in
that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed. Greyish brown, with some irregular dark
blotches and spots on body, of which a pair of large black blotches on lateral line
is most prominent.
.Auslr. .Mils. E.38CJ.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. E. 389.
Distribution. — Bass Strait, south-eastern Australia.
Specimens Examined :
Also the holotype (245
Mus. "Endeavour").
Kangaroo Is., S. Australia. Austr. Mus. (" Endeavour ").
) and one paratype (190 mm.) from Bass Strait (Austr.
19. ARNOGLOSSUS DALGLEISHI (Von Bonde).
Trichopsclta dalglci^hi. Von Bonde, 1922, Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. S. Afr.,
p. 6, pi. i, tig. I ; Barnard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 591.
, (1921), Spec. Rep. i.
104
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Depth 1)1 boiiy jA in the length, length of head nearly 4 Lpper pri)lile o( head
only moderately convex above and behind eyes. Snout about as long as eye, diameter
of which is a little more than 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a sharp ridge,
the lower very little in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below posterior J
of eye, length about twice in head ; lower jaw 15 in head. Teeth of upper jaw small
and rather close-set laterally, some curved canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower
jaw stronger and wider apart than those of upper, somewhat enlarged anteriorly.
Q rather slender, pointed gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales feebly
ctenoid (?) on ocular side ; apparently about 70 in lateral line. Dorsal 99 ; none
of the rays prolonged. Anal 77. Pectoral of ocular side with 14 rays, length more
than J that of head. Caudal rounded (?). Greyish ; dorsal and anal each with a
number of dark blotches ; first t%vo rays of dorsal black.
Type. — Government Marine Survey of South Africa Collection.
Distribution. — Natal.
Specimen Examined :
(155 I
1.). Paratype.
Natal, :;9 fin
AiUuitharus dcbil:i, Gllbtrt, Mni, iiull. U.S. C
1928, Mem. I!. P. Bishop Mils., \. p. qo.
ArrwglosstiS {Anlictlhnfic) ilfbil}^, Norman, 19;
\KNOGLOSSUS DEBILIS (GiUiert).
,Fish.,xxill(^),(l903),p. l>S3, Pl. xcvii;
Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii. p. 599.
Depth of body nearly 2| in the length, length of head about 4. Upper profile
of head only moderately convex above and behind eyes. Snout a little shorter than
eye, diameter of which is about 35 in length of head : eyes separated by a narrow
ridge (?) or slightly wider and more evidently grooved space (J), the lower a little in
advance of upper. Maxillary extending nearly to below middle of eye, length about
^l in that of head. Teeth in upper jaw rather small and close-set laterally, some
moderate canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw much stronger and wider
apart than those of upper. 10 or 11 slender, pointed gill-rakers of moderate length
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid, 94 (to 98) in lateral line. Width
of curve of lateral line a little more than twice in length of head. Dorsal (112) 114
(117) : none of the rays prolonged. Anal (90) 93 (93). Pectoral of ocular side with
13 rays, length J that of head. Caudal wedge-shaped, with rounded tip. Pale olive
brown, with traces of darker markings.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51657.
Distribution. — Hawaiian Islands ; in deep water.
Specimen Examined :
I (142 ram.). Hawaiian Is. U.S. Nat. Mus.
This species was taken at depths ranging from 122 to 220 fathoms.
21. ARNOGLOSSUS SCAPHA ([Forster] Schneider).
["Megrim."]
Plcuronedes scapha, (Forster) Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 163.
Rhombus scapha, Richardson, 1843, Rept. Brit, .\ssoc., {Manch., 1842), p. 27.
Platessa (Rhombus ?) scapha. Gray and Richardson, 1843, in Dieffenbach, Trav, N. Zealand, ii, p. 222.
Pseudorhombus scaphus, Hutton, 1872, Cat. Fish. N. Zealand, p. 51, p. ix, iig. 82.
Pseudorhombus boops {nan Hector) Giinther, 1880, Shore Fishes "Challenger", p. 26 ; Regan, 1914,
Rep. Brit. Antarct. (" Terra Nova ") Exped., 1910, Zool., i, p. 21.
Pseudorhombus hectoris, Giinther, 1887, Deep-Sea Fishes " Challenger ", p. 163, fig. 4.
Caulopsetta scapha. Gill, 1893, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. Washington, vi, pp. 121, 124 ; Waite, 191 1, Rec.
Canterbury (N.Z.) Mus., i, p. 200, pi. xxxiv; Thomson and Anderton, 1921, Bull. N.Z. Board
Sci. Art., ii, p. 82 ; Phillipps, 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., iv, p. 121 ; Phillipps, 1927, N.Z. Mar.
Dept., Fish. Bull., i, p. 27.
Caulopsetta hectoris, Philhps, 1927, torn, cit., p. 27.
Eggs, Larv.« a.nd Young.
Anderton, 1907, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxix, p. 479, pi. xix, figs, c, e.
Depth of body 2\ to 2J in the length, length of head 3? to nearly 4. Upper profile
of head only moderately convex above and behind eyes. Snout longer than eye
(except in young), diameter of which is 3 J to 5 in length of head ; eyes separated
by a bony ridge, the lower a little in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below
anterior part or middle of eye, length 2^ to 25 in that of head ; lower jaw nearly twice
in head. Lower limb of pra:operculum \ or less than \ as long as head. Teeth of
upper jaw small and rather close-set laterally, some enlarged canines anteriorly :
lateral teeth of lower jaw much stronger and wider apart from those of upper, enlarged
101) FI.ATFISHHS (HETEKOSOMA'IA)
anteriorly lo td 14 rather slender, pointed gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales ratlier feebly ctenoid on ocular side, mostly cycloid on blind side ; cSo-8q in
lateral line. Width of cun,-e of lateral line i J to 2 in length of head. Dorsal II2-H();
none of the rays prolonged. Anal S8-q6. Pectoral of ocular .side with 12 to 14 rays,
length I? to nearly 2 in head. Caudal rounded. Pale greyish or brownish, with or
without small black spots ; pectoral sometimes blackish.
'I'VPE. — Not traced.
Distribution. — New Zealand.
Specimens Examined :
(;-o-340 mm.).
(i.Vimm.). Type of
Pseudorhombus hector is
Chnstchiir. h.
Sill. 167(30'
3^'S., 171
'4S-E.), I
50 fms.
(anlfTl.urv
'■ Hi.illciifiel
(15.^, 154 mm.).
|.ss-i6<> mm.).
(J33mm.).
Cape N'ortli, 7
Uunedin.
0 fills.
" Terra No\
Ol.nso .Mus.
22. AKNOGLOSSUS BOOPS (Hector).
U'lidorhombus boops. Hector, 1875, Trans. N.Z. Inst., vii, p. 149, pi. xi, tig. &^h ; Hector, 1S75, Ann.
.Mag. Xat. Hist., {4), xv, p. 81 ; Giinther, 1887, Deep-Sea Fishes " Challenger ". p. 164, hg. 5.
aulupsetla boops. Gill, 1893, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. Washington, vi, p. 121 ; Phillipps, 1927, N.Z.
Mar. Dcpt., Fish. Bull., 1, p. 27.
Perhaps identical with ,1 scap/ui, but depth of body 2J in the length, length of
head ^i. Diameter of eye a little more than 3 in length of head. Maxillary nearly
reaching middle of eye, length 2J in that of head : lower jaw about twice in head.
Lower limb of pra^operculum rather more than ^ -is long as head. About 80 scales in
lateral line. Width of curve of lateral line ij in length of head Dorsal 112. Anal
<j2. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 rays, length a little more than twice in that of
head. Uniformly yellowish brown.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg, No. 85. 10. 15. 4
Distribution. — Deep water off Cape Farewell, New Zealand.
SPECIMEN Examined :
1.). Holotype.
iiles of? C. F;
fill!
■ Challenger.'
23. ARNOGLOSSUS MICROPHTHALMUS (Von Bonde).
l.aops microphthalmus. Von Bonde, 1922, Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. S. Afr., ii, (x92i). Spec. Rep. i,
p. II, pi. iv, fig. I ; Barnard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 392.
Arnoglossus microphthalmus, Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (to) viii, p. 508.
Depth of body 2 j in the length, length of head 4J. Upper profile of head markedly
convex above and behind eyes. Snout as long as eye, diameter of which is about
4J in length of head : eyes separated by a low ridge, the lower a very little in advance
of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length nearly 2J in
that of head ; lower jaw nearly twice in head. Teeth of upper jaw small and rather
close-set laterally, some enlarged canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw
stronger and wider apart than those of upper. 8 or 9 rather short, pointed gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales apparently cycloid on both sides of body ;
about no in lateral line. Width of curve of lateral line 2 J in length of head. Dorsal
B..\I.(X.H.), 1922. 3. 27. 12. X i.
lo6 ; none of the rays prolonged. Anal 84. Pectoral of ocular side with 14 rays.
length ? Caudal rounded. Pale brownish : median fins darker.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1922.3.27.12.
Distribution. — Coast of Natal ; in deep water.
Specimen Examined :
I (135 mm.). Holotype Off Natal, 150 fms. Gilchrist.
Apart from the somewhat smaller scales and shorter curve to the lateral line, this
species agrees fairly well with some of the species of Arnoglossus and may be
provisionally placed here. Only the type-specimen is known.
24. ARNOGLOSSUS INTERMEDIUS (Bleeker).
Platophrys [Arnoglossus) intermedius, Bleeker, 1866, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk., iii, p. ^7; Bleeker.
1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi, p. 14, Pleuron. pi. i, fig. i.
Rhomhoidichthys intermedius, Regan, 1902, in Gardiner, Faun. Maldive Laccadive Arch., i, p. 277.
Engyprosopon intermedius, Regan, 1908, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., .xii, p. 235.
Anticitharus annulatus, Weber, 19 13, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 433.
198
I'LATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
)::6. Biol. Res. '* Endeavour *', v, p
jwler, 1928, Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus
-rTian, 1927, Rec.
McCullocii, 1920,
Arno^tosntti mtermcdtus, N'oriii
Ind. .Mus.,.xxix,p. 2i,pl. i
Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 277.
Holhus {Arnof^losstis) tntermedius, Weber .ind Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. .\rrh., v, p. 1 30.
Depth of body z\ to 2g in the length, length of head about 3J. Snout longer
than eye, diameter of which is 4i to 5 in length of head ; eyes separated by a concave
space, its width J to J diameter of eye : lower eye a little in advance of upper.
.Maxillar\' extending to below- anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length about
i\ in head : lower jaw ij to if in head. Teeth of upper jaw very small and close-set
laterally, becoming stronger and wider apart anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw
somewhat stronger and wider apart than those of upper. Gill-rakers " palmate "
(short, broad, the margins strongly spinulate) : 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blinrl side ; 45 to 50 in lateral line.
Dorsal 77-83 ; first rav somewhat prolonged and expanded distally .\nal 56-62.
ntermcdius. B.M. (.\.H.) 190
Pectoral of ocular side with 9 to 11 rays, length about i head. Caudal rounded or
obtusely pointed. Brownish ; a number of dark brown blotches and annular markings
on body, of which a series near upper and lower edges of body, a pair above and below
commencement of straight part of lateral line, and another pair on the straight portion,
are usually most conspicuous ; all the fins with numerous dark brown spots ; a row
of larger spots along basal parts of dorsal and anal.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution.— Indian Ocean and .\rchipelago to Austraha and the Solomon
Islands.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
(40,
4 (s
Maldive U.
Seychelles, 37 fins.
Off Hervcy Bay, Queensla
.\us
Mu
' Ende
Also 4 from Queensland (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ").
This .species is provisionallv placed here, but perhaps represents a distinct genus.
It mav be distinguished from all species of Arnoglossiis by the form of the gill-rakers,
which' are similar to those of certain .species of Pscudorhombus, and from most of them
by the concave interorbital space.
Genus 23. PSETTINA.
Psettina, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlviii, p. 456 [Engyprosopon iijimce, Jordan and Starks].
CrossoUpis, Norraan, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 22 [Arnoglossus brevirictis, Alcock].
Very close to Arnoglossus, but the scales strongly ctenoid on ocular side (cf. Crosso-
rhombus, p. 217') ; a blunt rostral spine, more prominent in the male ; mouth somewhat
smaller, the length of the raaxillan,' 2* to 3J in that of head; teeth all small, scarcely
enlarged anteriorly ; gill-rakers rather short and stout.
Three species from the Indian Ocean and Archipelago and Japan.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Dorsal 76-82, anal 60-66; maxillary 3I to 3I in head, which is about
3i in length ......... i. brevirictis.
II. Dorsal 80-95, anal 69-75 ; maxillary about 3 in head, which is 3} to nearly
4 in length.
.\. Longest ray of left pelvic 2^ to 2| in head ; lower eye very little in
advance of upper . . . . . . . .2. iijiinis.
B. Longest ray of left pelvic 13 to if in head ; lower eye well in advance
of upper ......... 3. profunda.
I. PSETTINA BREVIRICTIS (Alcock).
Arnoglossus brevirictis, -Alcock, 1890, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
See. Beng., Ixv {2), p. 327 ; Alcock, 1898, lUust. Zool.
Weber, 1913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 432.
Crossolepis brevirictis, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus.
(6) vi, p. 433
' Investigator
p. 23, fig. 4.
Alcock, 1896, J. Asiat.
', Fishes, pi. xxii, fig. 4 ;
Bothus {.4 rnoglosSHs) brevirictis, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 129.
Fig. 147. — Psettii
virictis. B.M. (N.H.) 1927.1.6.30. XI.
* The similarity between the scales of Psettina and Crossorkombus is very striking, and it is
possible that the two genera should be united. In view of the marked diflerences in the interorbital
region, it seems inadvisable to do this, particularly as the logical outcome would have to be the
union of Arnoglossus and Engyprosopon.
I'LATl'ISHICS (HinKROSOMATA)
Depth ul hotly about Iwict- in the length, length of he.ul about 3!, I'ppcr profile
of head with a slight notch in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of
whicli is 3 to 3^ in length of head : eyes separated by a narrow ridge, the lower a
little in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or a
little beyond, length 35 to 3I in that of head ; lower jaw 25 to 2| in head. 7 or K
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 47 to 52 scales in lateral line. Dorsal
(76) 78-82. Anal 60-66. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length f to 5 that of
head. Longest rays of left pelvic about 2| in length of head. Caudal rounded.
Brownish, a series of rather indistinct dark blotches along upper and lower edges of
body, continued on bases of dorsal and anal fins ; two or three blotches on lateral
line ; a dark patch on distal part of pectoral ; hinder part of caudal lin with a broad
blackish band.
Type. — Indian Museum. No. 13922.
Distribution. — South-eastern India ; Celebes : in r.ither deep water.
Specimens Examined :
.;(/-
Madr
^ Coast, 2u iu
hid. .\lii^.
Also 0 from Ganjani, Madras and Travancore
species (Ind. Mus.).
sts, uuluding the tyi>fs of tin
PSETTINA IIJIM.E (Jordan and Starks).
Fiigy/tr^tsiiftfin njtmu-. Jordan and Starks, 1904, Hull. U..S. Com. Fish
lig. I ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., x.txi, p.
and Svmler, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 31 i, fig. 263.
I'setltna ujimtr, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 456.
Piillnui uinna (part), Xonii.m, igji, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (in) viu
fig. .1 ;
Depth of body 23 m the length, length of head nearly 4. Upper pmlile of head
distinctly notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is
3 in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow bony ridge ( J ), the lower very little
in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length
about 3 m that of head ; lower jaw a little more than twice in head, f) or 7 gill-rakers
BOTHIN.C 20I
on lower part of anterior arch. 55 (?) scales in lateral line. Dorsal (8o-<)o) 95. Anal
(69-73) 75- Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length about if in that of head.
Longest ray of left pelvic 2J to 2| in length of head. Caudal rounded. Brownish,
with a number of darker spots and rings, of which rows at upper and lower edges
of body are mo.st prominent ; median fins spotted with darker.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51461.
Distribution. — Southern Japan ; in rather deep water.
Specimen Examined :
I (5, uu nini.). Oki Shim.i. U.S. Nat. Mus.
3. PSETTINA PROFUNDA (Weber).
Arnoglossus profundus, Weber, 1913, *' Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 430, pi. vi, fig. 3.
Bothus {Arnoglossus) profundus, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch.,
Pseltina iijnnit (part), N'orinan, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 600.
Fig. 149. — Psellitm profunda. Parat\'pe. X
Probably identical with P. iijimcs. Depth of body 2-5 in the length, length of
head 3f . Upper profile of head with a slight notch in front of eyes. Diameter of
eye 3J in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow scaled space (J) or bony ridge
($), the lower well in advance of upper. (55) 60 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 90—95.
Anal 70-73. Length of pectoral i J in that of head. Longest ray of left pelvic about
i§ or 1 1 in length of head. Reddish brown, clouded with darker ; median fins with
brown blotches.
Type. — Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — Indo-Austrahan Archipelago ; in deep water.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
(<J, 105 I
Madu
I Strait {7° 40' S., 114* 21' E.).
Hardenberg.
Also 4 paratypes from Java, Madura Sea and Timor Sea, 55 to 61 fms. (Amsterdam
Mus. " Siboga ").
This species will probably prove to be identical with P. iijimtB of Japan. Unfor-
tunately I have only seen a female of P. iijimce.
I'l.ATFISIllCS (HKTEROSOMATA)
C.enus _'4. I.OPHONECTES.
l.oplwiu-cirs, C.unthcr, iSSo, Shore l-'isl
I.nphorhomhui, MKleay, 1883. Proc. Li
p. 2i> [I.nphom-cU-s sitlluf. Gii
i, p. If [Luphorhombus crtaial
Made
Close to Arnnglossxis, but mouth smaller, the length of the maxillary 3J to nearly
4 in that of head : male with bony tubercles on the snout and at symphysis of lower
jaws, these being much smaller and blunter or absent altogether m the female ;
anterior rays of dorsal fm greatly prolonged in the male, slightly prolonged in the
female.
A single species from Australia and Xew Zealand.
L01>H0NECTES GAL1,US, Gunther.
iCrestkd Flounder. 1
;o, pl. XV, lig. H ; .McLuIlorli,
I. Zool., 11, p. 45, pi. Xlll; \
21., Biol. Res. ■■ lindeavom
Inphoiuctcs g.%llus, Gimther, 1880, Shore Fishes " Challenger
liiol. Res. " Endeavour " , 11, p. 12S ; McCulloch, 1021
1921, Rec. S. Aust. Mus., ii, p. 156, fig. 256 ; Normal
p. 249 ; McCulloch, 1929, Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 278.
Laops parviccps (part), Giinther, iSSo, Shore Fishes " Challenger ", p. 29.
l.ophorhombus cnslatus, Macleay, 1883, Proc. Linn. Sec. N.S.W., vu, p. 14 ; Maclea
Linn. Soc. N.S.W., ix, p. 52.
Arno^ilossus mongonuicnsis , Regan, 1914, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) xiii, p. 16 ; Reg
iirit. Antarct. {" Terra Nova ") Exped., 1910, Zool., i, i, p. 21, pi. xi, hj;. 2.
Lophoncctes mongonuiinsis, Phillipps, 1927, N.Z. Mar. Dept., Fish. liull., i, p. 30,
~l..,ph<;H-clc^ Kulhis. H.M. (N.H.) 90.
Depth of bodv about 2I in the length, length of head 4J to 3!. Snouth shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3} to 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow
bony ridge, the lower very slightly in advance of upper, which is separated from edge
of head by a space equal to J to J its diameter. Maxillary extending to below anterior
edge of eye or a little beyond, length 3J to nearly 4 in that of head : lower jaw 2\ to
->5 m head. Teeth small, scarcely enlarged anteriorly. Gill-rakers short or of
BOTHIN.E 203
moderate length, rather stout ; 6 or 7 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid
on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 62 to 70 in lateral line. Dorsal 87-93 ; second
(occasionally first) to fifth, sixth or seventh rays much prolonged in the male (except
in very young), longest rays (in adults) i J to about twice length of head ; only the
third to fourth or fifth rays are prolonged in the female, length i to 1°,-, that of head.
Anal 71-77. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length f to J that of head.
Caudal pointed. Brownish or greyish, with or without darker markings, the most
conspicuous of which are three blotches on the lateral line ; fins with dark dots ;
pelvic of ocular side generally blackish posteriorly, with a pale margin.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79.5.14.93.
Distribution. — South-eastern Australia ; Tasmania ; New Zealand.
Specimens Examined :
2 (128, 135 mm.). Types.i St. 16.: (Bass Strait), 38 fms. "Challenger."
6 (135-180 ,, ). Port Jackson, N.S. Wales. Imp. Inst.
I (155 mm.), skeleton. ,, ,, ,,
1 (60 ,, ). Off ,, ,, , 30 fnis. " Challenger."
3 (63-88 mm.). Off Twofold Bay, N.S. Wales,
120 fms.
3 (100-118 mm.). 8 miles east of Sandon Bluff, N.S. .Austr. iMus. (" Endeavour ").
Wales, 35-40 fms.
4 (75-85 mm.). T\-pes of Off C. North, N. Zealand, 14-30 fms. " Terra Nova."
Arnoglossiis mongonuiensis.
Also 6 from Bass Strait and New South Wales (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ").
This species attains a length of about 8 inches.
Genus 25. ENGYPROSOPON.
Engyprosopon, GUnther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 431 [Rhombus mogkii, Bleeker].
Scaops, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 627 [Rhombus grandisguatna,
Schlegel].
Body ovate or rather deep, strongly compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated
by a flat or concave space of varying width, which is generally broader in the male ;
eyes sometimes separated by a bony ridge in young. Male usually with one or more
spines on the snout and on the orbital margins. Olfactory laminas as in Arnoglossus.
Mouth rather small, the length of the ma.xillary 2\ to 3J in that of head ; jaws and
dentition about equally developed on both sides ; teeth small, sometimes uniserial,
but generally with an outer series of larger teeth anteriorly in upper jaw ; no distinct
canines ; vomer toothless. Gill-opening extending upwards to lateral line, or ending
a short distance above pectoral fin, in which case the scaling of the head and body is
continuous below lateral line ; gill-rakers comparatively few in number, short or of
moderate length. Dorsal fin commencing above or a little in advance of nostrils of
blind side, and well in front of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled (at least on ocular
side). Tip of first interhaemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins
unequal, that of ocular side larger ; all the rays .simple ; upper ray sometimes prolonged
in the mature male. Tip of pelvic bone projecting downwards and backwards between
the pelvic fins. Scales of moderate size or rather large, somewhat feebly ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; no supplementary scales. Lateral line developed
only on ocular side of body, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; no supra-
temporal branch. \'ent on blind side, above first ray of anal fin.
About fifteen species from the Indo-Pacific.
' The larger specimen is selected as the holotype.
FLAinSHES (HKTEROSOMATA)
6. grundisquaina.
. 7. xvsfnas.
Imwaiwnsis.
Synopsis uf the Species.
I. Miixillary 2.! to jj in head.
.\. Interorbital width i to ^ (^) or J to J (5) eye : 5 to 7 pointed gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch ; about 45 scales in lateral line i. cocosensis
K. Interorbital width equal to {^) or ^ (5) eye : 11 or 12 pointed gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch : 50 scales in lateral line . 2. xenandrus
( . Interorbital width about § eye ; 8 "palmate" gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; about 60 scales in lateral line . . • 3. fijiensis
II. Maxillary 23 to 3J in head.
.•\. 50 or more scales in lateral line.
"i. Dorsal (78) 83-86, anal (58) 61-62 4. mogkii
2. Dorsal 90-93, anal 68-74 • • ■ • • • -5 bleeheri
ij. 36 to 46 scales in lateral line.
I . Dorsal 78-go, anal 56-69.
a. Caudal fin with a pair of large, dark spots.
(T. 5 to 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch
^. 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch .
b. Caudal fin without large dark spots.
a. Eye more than 4 in head , interorbital spac
36 .scales in lateral line ....
/3. Eye 3 to 4 in head.
* 46 .scales in lateral line ; depth \\ m length
** About 40 scales in lateral line
t Depth 1 1 to 2 in length.
J Pectoral 3 to about § head, upper ray scarce
in male.
5 Interorbital width i to i J times (^) or J to j (V) eye ;
maxillary 25 to 2f in head ; anterior edge of upper
eye above middle of lower ... 10. tatifroiis
§§ Interorbital width J (q) or ^ (5) eye ; maxillary 2?
to 2 1 in head : anterior edge of upper eye above
anterior part of lower . . . . 11. natalensis
XX Tectoral as long as or longer than head (at least in male),
upper ray prolonged in male.
§ .\nterior edge of upper eye above anterior part of
lower : eye 3 J in head . . . .12. macrolepis
SS .\nterior edge uf upper eye aljovc middle of lower :
eye 3 m head . . . . . 13. fihmanus
tt I>cpth zi in length ..... 14 sechellensis
2 Dorsal 70 76, anal 53-58 ; caudal without large, tlark spots
15. malilivensis
The following two species from Japan have been (lescril)ed in Japanese, but. as
the diagnoses are very brief, it is impossible to place them :
1. Scoops kaitekonis, Tanaka, igi8, Dobuts. Zasshi ('Zool. .Mag. '), xx.x, p. 226
2. Sca'ops III. Tanaka, lorn. fit.
y prolonged
I. ENGYPROSOPON COCOSENSIS (Blecker).
Sleeker, 1855, Xat. Tijdschr. Xed. Ind., viii, p. 17.1.
in) cncosensis, Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl. Ichth., p. M, I'leiiro
ViMKs (part), Jenkins. 1910, Mem. Ind. .Mus.,iii,p. 27.
isis, N'orrn.Tn, 1027, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 24.
>, Xorm.in, i(,27. mm. cil.. p. 19.
cocnsi-nsis. Welier.ind Ik-.iufort, 1920, Fish. Indo .Anstr.il.
BOTHIN.^
205
Depth of body a little more than twice in the length, length of head 3^ to 3j.
Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3 to 3J in length of head ; interorbital
space concave, width i to J (^) or J to J (?) diameter of eye ; anterior margins of
eyes level or lower a little in advance of upper. A short spine on the snout in the
male. Ma.xillary extending to below middle of eye or not quite as far, length 2i to
2; in that of head. Teeth uniserial ; some enlarged canines anteriorly. 5 to 7
short, pointed gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. About 45 scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 77-84. Anal 56-63. Pectoral of ocular side with 1 1 or 12 rays, the upper ray
prolonged in the male, length } to t that of head. Brownish, with traces of some
paler areas, and with some black spots and blotches ; median fins with small dark
spots ; pectoral with dusky cross-bars.
Fig. 151. — Engyprosopon cocosensis. B.M. (N.H.) 1927. i .6. 33, 34. X i.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Travancore coast (?) ; coast of Burma ; Nicobar Is. ; Cocos
Specimens Examined :
5(3cJ, 45-62; 2$, 50, 6n mm.). Nankauri Harbour, Xicobar Is. Ind. Mus.
Also 7 from India, Burma and Nicobar Islands (Ind. Mus.)
2. ENGYPROSOPON XENANDRUS, Gilbert.
Engyprosopon xenandrus, Gilbert, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (2), (1903), p. 687, fig. 270.
Saeops xenandrus. Fowler, 1928, Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 92.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3J to 3|. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is about 2| in length of head ; interorbital space concave,
width nearly equal to (3) or about ^ (9) diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper
eye above middle of lower in the male ; each eye in the male with a broad semi-
circular fringed membrane. A strong spine on the snout in the male and one or more
on each orbital margin. Maxillary nearly reaching middle of eye, length 2J to 2J
in head. Teeth uniserial (?). 11 to 12 pointed gill-rakers of moderate length on
lower part of anterior arch. 50 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 79-gi. Anal 61-69.
Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, length | that of head. Yellowish brown ; traces
of small dark spots on median fins.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51651.
Distribution. — Hawaiian Islands ; in ratlicr deep water.
Specimkn's Examined :
^ (<J. 53. 65 "11".). r.lratypf-. H.,u.ui.
3. ENGVPROSOPON FIJIENSIS, Norman.
Khamboidiclilhys sp. (?), GUnther,
Engyprosopon fijiensis, Norman, ir
, Shore Fishes " Challenger '
\nn. Mag. Nat, Hint., (10), v
p. 36.
ii, p. 508.
Depth of body nearly twice in the length, length of head 3. J. Snout longer tlian
i-vc, diameter of which is about 5 in length of head and somewhat greater than width
of concave intcrorbital space : lower eye in advance of upper. No rostral or orbital
spines. Maxillarv extending to below anterior edge of eye, length jj in that of head.
BOTHIN^
207
Teeth uniserial in both jaws. 8 very short " palmate " gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. About 60 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 71. Anal 61. Pectoral
of ocular side with i o rays, length about | that of head . Greyish brown, with numerous
paler and darker spots and ocelli ; a dark blotch on hinder part of lateral line ; median
fins variegated with paler and darker.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79.5.14.89.
Distribution. — Fiji Islands.
Specimen Examined :
I.). Holotype
I.evuka.
" Challenger."
In the peculiar form of the gill-rakers, as well as in other characters, this species
resembles Arnoglossus intermedins (Bleeker), and should perhaps be included in that
genus. The type is rather poorly preserved, and it is impossible to determine the
sex.
4. ENGYPROSOPON MOGKII (Bleeker).
Rhombus mogkii, Bleeker, 1854, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind., vii, p. 256.
Achirus mogkt, Bleeker, i860, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind., xxii, p. loi.
Rhomboidichthys (Etigyprosopon) mogkii, GUnther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 438.
Pssudorhombus mogkii, Bleeker, 1863, Nat. Tijdschr. Dierk., i, p. 230.
Platophrys (Arnoglossus) mogki, Bleeker, 1866-72, .-^tl. Ichth., vi, p. 14, Pleuron., pi.
Engyprosopon mogki, Weber, 1913, " Siboga "-E.\ped., Fische, p. 429 ; Norman, i
Mus., xxix, p. 27, pi. V.
Bothus (Arnoglossus) mogki, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-.A.ustraI. .\rch., v
27, Rec. Ind.
). 128, fig. 30.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head a Uttle more than 4.
Snout a little shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3! to 35 in length of head ; inter-
orbital space concave, width J to J diameter of eye ; lower eye a little in advance
of upper. No rostral or orbital spines. Maxillary extending to a little beyond
anterior edge of eye, length 2i, to 3 in that of head. Upper jaw with an outer row
of stronger teeth. 6 gill-rakers of moderate length on lower part of anterior arch.
51 to 53 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (78) 83-86. Anal (58) 61-62. Pectoral of
ocular side with 11 rays, length | that of head. Brownish, with numerous small
dark spots on head, body and fins.
S FLA'IMSHICS (HEIEROSOMAIA)
Tvim: — Leiden Museum.
DlsTRiBVTUiN'. — Indian Ocean ; Mal.iy I'eninsula ami Archipelago.
SPECIMKNS KXAMINED :
Also one from the Indian Dcean (7 47' M , 7*> 42' E. to 7 48' N., 76 41' E ). 102 to
105 fathoms (Ind. Mus. " Investi.sjator ").
5. ENGYPROSOrON BLEEKEKl (Matleay).
Anuiglossus bh-cheri. Macleay, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vi, p. 124 ; McCnllorli and Whillcy,
1925, Rec. Anst. Mus., xiv, p. 346, fig. 2 ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endraxour ", v, p. 240.
Dejith of ho<ly about twice in the length, length of head 4J to 4J. Snout shorter
th.in eye, diameter of which is 3^ to 3J in length of head ; interorbital space a narrow
groove, width 8 in diameter of eye ; lower eye a little in advance of upper. No
rostral or orbital spines. Maxillary extending to Ijelow anterior edge of eye or a
little beyon<i, length about 3 in that of head. Teeth of upper jaw liiserial anteriorly,
uniseriai laterally. 7 or 8 gill-rakers of moderate length on lower part of anterior
arch. About 50 scales in lateral line. Dorsal go-93. Anal 68-74. Pectoral of
ocular side with 12 rays, length about § that of head. Brownish.
Type. — Macleay Museum, Australia.
Distribution. — East coast of Queensland.
Specimens Examined :
(? ';, 8"
ilesX.H.of Ho
iland,
9-25 fn
kiistr. MU5.
(■• Endcax
Also 4 from the same locality (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ").
This species may prove to belong to the genus Arnoglossus. but the biserial teeth
in the upper jaw suggest that it should be placed here.
The type is 73 mm. in total length.
Since the completion of this catalogue, the following specimen has been received
at the British Museum (Natural History) as Sea-ops kobensis, Jordan and Starks.
It appears to be an undoubted lingyprosopon, and may prove to be a. male of this
species.
BOTHIN.?i
209
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 4^. A rather blunt
rostral spine. Diameter of eye 3^ in length of head, about equal to interorbital
width. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length about 3 in that
of head. 6 or 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. About 47 scales in lateral
line. Dorsal 90. Anal 70. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, upper ray prolonged,
longer than head. Brownish, with indistinct darker markings.
{^, 106 1
Nagasaki, Japa
Tokyo Imp. Uni
6. ENGYPROSOPON GRANDISQUAMA (Temminck and Schlegel).
Rhombus grand isqnama, Temminck and Schlegel, 1S46, Faun. Japon. ( Pisces), p. 183, pi. xcii, figs. 3, 4.
Rhombus pacilurus, Bleeker, 1852, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind.,iii,p. 293 ; Bleeker, 1852, Verh. Batav.
Gen., xxiv, Pleuron., p. 29.
Rhomboidichthys grandisqitama (part), Giintlier, 1S62, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 437.
Cat.
Pseudorhombtis pcrcilurus, Bleeker,
Platophrys (Arnoglossus) pcecilurus,
Rhomboidichthys spilurus, Giinther,
Rhomboidichthys spiniceps, Macleav
Fish. N.S. Wales, p. 32.
Rhomboidichthys pmcilurus, Regan, 1902, in Gardiner, Faun. Maldive Laccadive Arch., i, p. 277 ;
Regan, 1905, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, xvi, p. 332.
Amoglossus spilurus, Johnstone, 1904, Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fish., Suppl. Rep., xv, p. 211.
Sccsops grandisquama, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 627, pi. viii
fig. 2 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. r68, &g. i ; Fowler and Bean,
1922, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Ixii (2), p. 67 ; Von Bonde, 1925, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xii,
p. 287 ; Barnard, 1923, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 387.
SccEops pcecilurus, Jordan and Starks, 1905, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mu
Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., xii, p. 233 ; Weber, 191 3,
Fowler, 1928, Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 92.
Scc£ops spilura, Jordan and Scale, 1906, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., 3
Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 92.
Sca:ops orbicularis, Jordan and Seale, 1907, BulL U.S. Bur. Fish
Richardson, 1909, Mem. Carnegie Mus., iv, p. 201 ; Oshii
1865, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk., ii, p. 274.
Bleeker, 1866-72. Atl. Ichth., vi, p. 13, Pleuron., pi. v, t
1880, Shore Fishes '* Challenger ", pp. 47, 53, pi. xxi tig.
, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vi, p. 127 ; Ogilby, i887:
xxviii, p. 803 ; Rega
' Siboga "-Exped., Fische,
Trans. Abstr
14
{5).p. 179; Wu
XV, {1905), p. 412 ; Fowler, 1928,
, (1906), p. 4S ; Jordan and
1927, Japan. J. Zool. Tokyo,
2, Thes. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 {268), p. 91
FLATFISH ES (HETEROSOMATA)
Khotnliiniluhlhy^ valih-roslralus. linkjiis. iQlr). Mem. Ind. Mus., ill, p.
Platophrys ^randisquama, tlilclinst and Tlionipson. 1917, Ann. Durb
Platophrys spinxceps, McCulloch, itj::!, Aust. Zool., ii, p. 4(1.
EngypTosopon {Sarops) s^andisquama, McCulloch and Wliitley. i<)25.
Halhw-iAr
flin:
s)p„cilut
Korinan,
, p. 2,1, fig. 5 ;
1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. j^^o ;
McCulloch, 1929. Mem. Aust. Mus.. v. p. z:
Mi Beaufort, 1920, Fish. Indo Austral. Arch.,
t.M.I't; 31
Uepth of bodv i§ to Ji 111 the k-iiKtli, length of tiead 3? to 4 J. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 25 to nearly 4 in length of head ; interorbital space
concave, widtli 5 to i| times (q) or J to | ($) diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper
eye above middle or posterior part of lower. Rostral and orbital spines present
in the male, very small or absent in the female. IVfaxillary extending to, nearly
to. or beyond anterior edge of eye, length 3 to 3} in that of head. Teeth of upper
jaw biserial anteriorly (at least in adults), uniserial laterally : those of lower jaw
uniserial. sometimes in two rows posteriorly. 5 to 7 short gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch. 36 to 45 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 79-89. Anal 59-68. Pectoral
of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays, the upper ray sometimes a little prolonged in the
male, length equal to or less than that of head. Brownish, generally with some
darker spots and other markings ; median fins usually with small brown spots ;
a pair of large blackish spots in the middle of upper and lower margins of caudal.^
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — East Africa, through the Indian Ocean and .Archipelago to
Australia and Japan.
Specimens Examined :
Marley.
Townsend.
Gardiner.
I ($, 108 mm.).
3{2(J, 60, 70; I?, f,4mm.).
5 (?, 65-82 mm.).
4 (3<?. 44-72; I ?, 73 nun,),
8 l<3. 33-38 mm.).
5 «, 56-74 ,, ).
3W, 63-?9 ,. )■
I (<J, 83 mm.).
I (<J, 108 „ ).
I (<J, 45 ,. )■
I (<J, 103 ,. )■ Type of Rlu.m-
boidichlhvs spilums.
1(^,83 mm.).
3(?. 96; 2 (J, 83, 105 mm).
2(S, 117; c5. i^"'"'".).
5 (2<J. 72. .H„; 3$, 80-108 mn-
3(1$, 105; 2cJ, 106, 127 mm.)
7 (3$. 65-67; 4 (J, 67-98 ,, I
2(?, 80; <J, 92 mm.).
■! I (9, 65 mm.).
Also several from the Mekran Coast, Burma, ami the Nicobar Is. (Ind. Mus.) ;
and several from New South Wales and Queensland (.Vustr Mus " Endeavour ").
This species e.xhibits some variation in respect to the relative positions of the
eyes, width of the interorbital space, etc., and it is possible that the examination
of a large series of specimens from various localities would reveal the existence of
more than one species with a pair of dark spots on the caudal fin.
(■alle, Ceylon.
Liverpool 1'
.\ripu, Ceylon.
Arakan Coast, Burma.
Ind. Mus.
Java Sea, (3' 26' S., 107' 51
' I-;.).
Hatdenberg
(5° 33' S., 106' 2':
F.).
Bali Strait, ■,■, fras.
S. of New Guinea.
■■ Challengei
Zebu.
Platypus Bay, Queensland,
7-9 f'US
Austr.'Mus.
(■■ Endeavour
7toiomilesN.\V.of Hunim.
ockyls.
Queensland, 14-16 fms.
20 miles N.N.E. from Do
uble Is
Point, Queensland, 29-30
fms.
Northern N.S. Wales.
China.
Belcher.
Nagasaki, Japan.
Stanford Vi
(iulf of Fonseca (??).
Richardson.
ck and Schiegel's figure, but the
:ites sout en graiide
7. ENGYPROSOPON XYSTRIAS, Hubbs.
Engyprosopon xyslrias, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 457. pl- "xv, fig. 3.
Close to E. grandisquama, but with anterior profile of head rather more vertical
than in the female of that species ; anterior teeth of upper jaw protruding outside
the symphysis of the lower jaw when the mouth is closed ; gill-rakers short, slender,
14 on lower part of anterior arch.
Type, — United States National Museum. No. 75672.
Distribution. — Vincennes Strait, Japan ; in rather deep water.
Known only from the type, a female, 69 mm. in length, taken by the " Albatross "
at Station 4931, in 83 fathoms.
8. ENGYPROSOPON ARENICOLA, Jordan and Evermann.
Engyprospon arenicola, Jordan and Evermann, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (igoz), p. 207;
Jordan and Evermann, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (i), (1903), p. 515, pl. Ixii ; Fowler,
1928, Mem. B.P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 92.
nicola. U.S.N.M. 5065S.
JI2 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Depth of body nearly twice in the length, length of head more than 3^- Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4J in length of head ; mterorbital space very
narrow, concave ; lower eye a little in advance of upper. No rostral or orbital spines.
Maxillary extendmg to below anterior part of eye, length 3 in head. Teeth biserial
m upper jaw. Gill rakers rather short : 7 on lower part of anterior arch. 36 scales
in lateral line. Dorsal 7S. Anal 57. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, length
I J in that of head. Pale brownish, with many large incomplete rings of blackish
or diiskv, and with a number of dusky spots in between ; median fins with blackish
spots, those on the caudal forming about 4 cross-bands ; .several dusky spots at
base of pectoral.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 50O58.
DiSTRiBt'TiON. — Hawaiian Islands.
Known only from the t\-pe (63 mm.) and one other specimen (30 mm ), lioth
from Hiln. The sex of these examples is not given by Jordan and Evermann.
g. ENGYPROSOPON HAWAIIENSIS, Jordan and Evermann.
tnsvpnis.,pun haumiemis, Jordan and Evermann, 1004, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902)
Jordan and Evermann, 1005, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (i), {1903), p. 514, lig. 227;
njo.s. Bull, U.S. Com. Fish., x.\iii (2), (1003), p. 687 ; Fowler, 1922, Copeia, No. 11:
I'owler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x. p. 92.
p. 2u7 ;
Gilbert,
, p. 84 ;
-l\n^yprosopon haica
Depth of body ij in the length, length of head 3I- Snout a little shorter than
eye, diameter of which is about 3J in length of head : interorbital space concave,
width about I diameter of eye ; lower eye in advance of upper. No rostral or orbital
spines. Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior margin of eye, length 2| in
that of head. Teeth in 2 or 3 series in upper jaw. Gill-rakers rather short ; 7 on
lower part of anterior arch. 46 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 79-80. Anal 56-58.
I'ectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length if in that of head. Dark brown, with or
without darker markings ; fins greyish brown, finely speckled with darker.
•(•ypE. — United States National Museum. No. 50657.
Distribution. — Hawaiian Lslands.
The type is 76 mm. in total length, from Hilo The sex is not given
213
lo. ENGYPROSOPON LATIFRONS (Regan).
Sctsops latifrons, Regan, 1908, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., xii, p. 233, pi. xxv, fig. 3.
Depth of body i| to twice in the length, length of head 3^ to 4. Snout as long as
or shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3 to 4 in length of head ; interorbital space
concave, width i to i i times (,^) or \ to f (^) diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper
eye above middle of lower. Rostral spine present in the male, but no orbital spines.
Ma.xillary e.xtending to below anterior j of eye, length 2j to 2J in that of head. Teeth
of upper jaw biserial anteriorly (at least in adults). 6 to 8 gill-rakers of moderate
length on lower part of anterior arch. About 40 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 80-90.
Anal 58-67. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, length § that of head ; upper ray
scarcely prolonged in male. Pale brownish, with traces of dark spots and markings
on body and median fins.
Fig. 160. — Engyprosupon latifrons.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist).
Distribution. — Indian Ocean.
Specimens Examined :
4 (3 <?, 75-88 ; 1 $, 73 mm.). Paratypes.
2 (?. 72 ; (J, 92 mm.). Holotype (92 mm.)
and paratype.
2 (cJ 64. 93 mm.). Paratypes.
3 y, 71-86 ,, .).
B.M. (\.H.) 1907. 3. 23. 143, 144.
Reg. No. 1907.3.27. 143.
Seychelles, 37 fms.
Saya de .Vlalha Bank, 47 fn
Cargados Carajos,
Maldives.
II. ENGYPROSOPON NATALENSIS, Regan.
EngypTOSopon nataUnsis, Regan, 1920, .\nn. Durban Mus., ii, p. 211 ; Von Bonde, 1925, Trans.
Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xii, p. 2SS.
Close to E. latifrons. Depth of body twice in the length, length of head 3^.
Diameter of eye 3J to 3J in length of head, twice (^) or 3 times (5) interorbital width ;
anterior edge of upper eye above anterior part of lower. Rostral spine present in the
■;i4
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
male- Maxillary extcnilinf; to below anterior J of eye. length il to 2'?, m that of head,
o sill -rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 40 .scales in lateral line. Dorsal 85.
.\nal <>4. I'ectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length J that of head , upper ray
scarcely prolonged in male. Brown ; traces of small dark spots on the fins.
Typk. — British Museum (Nat. Hist). Keg. No. 1903.9,29.3.
Distribution. — Portuguese East Africa and Natal.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
: ((?. -^5;?, 76 mm)- Type^.' (iff ni.,utli of .Aiii.itikulu R,, N,U,il, zi
12. ENGYPROSOPON M.\CROLEPIS (Regan),
../(■fj\, KrKJn, 1908, Trans, Linn. Soc. London, ZooL, xii, p. ::33, pi.
(9) is selected .is the holotype
BOTHIN.E
215
Depth of bodj' i j in the length, length of head 3^. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 3J in length of head ; interorbital space concave, width a little
more than diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above anterior part of lower.
Male with a spine on the snout, one above the lower eye and two in front of the upper
eye. Ma.xillary extending to below anterior J of eye, length 2J in that of head. 6 to
8 gill-rakers of moderate length on lower part of anterior arch. 40 scales in lateral
line. Dorsal 84. .^nal 60. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, upper ray slightly
produced (in the male), length scarcely greater than that of head. Coloration uniform.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1908.3.23. 145.
Distribution. — Cargados Carajos, Indian Ocean.
Specimen Examined :
I (<J, 72 ram.). Holotype.
Cargados Carajos, 20-30 fms.
Gardiner.
13. ENGYPROSOPON FILIM.A.NUS (Regan).
;gan, 1908, Trans. Linn. See. London, Zool., xii, p. 234, pi.
I'ic. ibi.—Engvprosopnn fiUmaniis. B..M. (X.H.J 1901 . 12 . 31 . 105, 106,
Depth of body i| to twice in the length, length of head 3J to 3}. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3 in length of head ; interorbital space concave, width
equal to or a little less than diameter of eye. Anterior edge of upper eye above
middle or anterior part of lower. Male with an antrorse spine on the snout and one
or two in front of the upper eye ; one or two spines above the lower eye and sometimes
one or two very small ones below the upper eye. Maxillary extending to below
anterior \ of eye, length about 2| in that of head. 7 gill-rakers of moderate length
on lower part of anterior arch. 40 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 78-80. Anal 62.
Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, upper ray produced and longer than head (in
the male). Pale brownish, with more or less distinct darker spots and markings.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1901 . 12.31 . 105.
Distribution. — Muscat (?) ; Maldive Islands.
Specimens Examined :
? 3(2?, 63, 64; i<J, 681
3 (I 9,47; 2<J, 52, 70 m)
m.).
1.). Types.'
.Muscat, 15-30 tms.
.Maldives, 27-44 fras.
The largest specimen {^) is selected as the holot\T>e.
FI,ArFISHl';s (HI'VIUKOSOMAIA)
14. i:Nt;vrkOS()l'().\ SKCHKIJ.KN.SIS (Rega
Scaops s^chcIUnsis, Kega
n, /.ool.,
.p. - 14, pl-
Depth of body ^J in tlie length, length of head 35. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 3 J in length of head and equal to width of concave interorbital
space ; anterior edge of upper eye alcove posterior part of lower. Male with a spine
on the snout, one in front of and one above the lower eye, one in front of and one below
the upper eye. Maxillary extending to below anterior J of eye. length about 25 in
that of head. 6 gill-rakers of moderate length on lower part of anterior arch, 40 scales
m lateral line. Dorsal 82. Anal 63. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, upper
ray produced and longer than head (ni the male) I 'ale brownish , dark spots or
markings on body and fins
Typk.— Hritish Museum (Nat Hist ).
Distribution. — Seychelles.
Specimkn Examined :
I y, 7- mm. I. Holotvpe.
15 KNGVl'ROSOl'ON .MAI.DUKNSIS (Regan),
Scaops
Rfgaii, !<).., s,
niidon, Zool.,
-34, pl.
V, fig. I.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 35 to 4. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3 in length of head ; interorbital space concave, width
nearly J (^) or less than » (5) diameter of eye : lower eye a little in advance of upper.
Male with a spine on the snout ; no other spines on head. Maxillary extending to a
little beyond anterior edge of eye, length \ that of head. 8 or g gill-rakers of moderate
length on lower part of anterior arch, .\bout 40 scales in lateral line. Dorsal yo-yb
Anal 53-58, Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays, upper ray produced and ij
times length of head (J), or without produced ray and as long as head (v) I'niformly
pale brownish or with traces of darker spots and markings.
-Engyprosopon maid,
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.).
Distribution. — Maldive Islands.
Specimens Examined :
8 (5$. 35-60; 3cJ, 38-63 I
Types. ^
B.M. (N.H.) 1901. 1^.31.
Reg. No. 1901 . 12.31 .94.
Maldives.
Genus 26. CROSSORHOMBUS.
Crossorhombus, Regan, 1920, Ann. Durban Mus., li, p. 211 [Platophrys dimorphxts, Gilchrist].
Close to Eyigyprosopov , but mouth smaller, the length of the maxillary 3f to
nearly 4 in that of head ; teeth uniserial in both jaws. Upper angle of gill-opening
a short distance above pectoral fin ; scaling of head and body continuous below
lateral line ; gill-rakers short, few in number. Scales of moderate size, strongly
ctenoid^ on ocular side, feebly ctenoid or cycloid on blind side.
Two species from the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I . Interorbital width i ^ to if times (^J) or ? to i ^ times {$) eye ; upper pectoral
ray prolonged in male . . . . . . .1. valde-rostratus.
II. Interorbital width f to i^ times d^) or ^ to f ($) eye ; upper pectoral ray
not prolonged in male . . . . . . .2. azuretis.
I. CROSSORHOMBUS VALDE-ROSTRATUS (Alcock).
Rhomboidichthys valde-rostratus, Alcock, 1890, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 435 ; Alcock, 1S98,
Illust. Zoo!. " Investigator ", Fishes, pi. xxiv, fig. 2.
Platophrys dintorphus, Gilchrist, 1905, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., iii, p. 10, pi. xxvii ; Gilchrist and
Thompson, 1917, Ann. Durban Mus., i, p. 400.
SciEops kobensis, Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 170, fig. 2 ; Franz, 1910,
Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, Abb. i, p. 61, pi. vii, fig. 55, pi. viii, fig. 6r ; Jordan and
Thompson, 1914, Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 308, fig. 80.
* A male of 63 mm. is selected as the holotype.
2 The long and delicate spinules of the scales tend to wear off with repeated handling of specimens,
so that in fish which have been preserved for some time the scales may appear to be feebly ctenoid
or even cycloid. Closer examination, however, generally reveals the presence of a few scales with
the spinules still intact. Scales of this nature also occur in the genus Pscttina.
2l8
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
I'lalophrvs iraiitlisquama (part). Gilchrist, lOoS, Mar. Tnvcst. .S. A(r., iv, p. i6i.
EngypToiopim knbfnsu. Hubbs. 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 458.
Crossorhombiis dimorphus. Regan, igza. Ann. Durban Mus., ii, p. zzz \ Barnard, igrj. Aim. S. Afr.
Mus., xxi. p. .-^Sb ; \'on Bonde, 1925, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xii. p. 287.
( rossothombtis valdf-roslralus , N'orman, I'lc", Roc. Intl. Mus., xxix, p. =8, fig. 0.
Depth of body i* to twice in the length, length of head 3f to a little more than 4.
Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is i\ to 3,? in length of head ; each eye
with a broad membranous flap in the male: interorbital width ij to i; times (J)
or J to I i times ($) diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above middle or
posterior part of lower. Male with a strong spine on the snout and some smaller
spines on orbital margins. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length
35 to nearly 4 in that of head. 5 to 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 48 to
01 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 79-89, Anal (61) 63-74. I^ectoral of ocular side
with 10 or II rays, the upper ray prolonged and filamentous m the mature male;
length ij to I J times (J) or J to ; (V) that of head. Greyish brown, with darker
spots and blotches, of which a row near upper and lower edges of body and 2 or 3
larger ones on lateral line are usually most prominent ; male sometimes with small
dark or bluish spots on head in front" of interorbital space ; median fins spotted with
darker ; hinder part of caudal with a broad blackish band.
Type. — Indian Mu.seum. No 12910.
Distribution. — East .\frica
Specimens Examined
2 (o^ i.)7;$, 120 n,n,.). Co
phrys dtnwrphui-
1 ($, 106 mm.).
3 (?, loi-io.s m....).
Cevlon ; ("hin.i and Japan.
X. Chii
Japan.
J.i
.\l.so the holotype of the species {,3, 05 mm), from the coast of Ceylon, 32 f.itlionis
(Ind .Mus. " Investigator"); and 2 (2, "84. 123 mm.) from Hong Kong (Mus ( onip.
Zool).
Barnard (1925) regards Engvprosafion natalensis, Regan, as synonymous with this
species, and states that the original bottle of specimens identified by Cikhrist as
PlatKphrva grandiu/uaiiui (from which Regan's types are said to have been taken) is m
BOTHIN.E 219
the South African Museum. He finds that the nine examples in this bottle, measuring
up to 70 mm., are exactly similar to young specimens of C. dimorphtis. It must be
concluded, therefore, that specimens of two distinct species were originally included in
Gilchrist's series of so-called Plalophrys grandisquama . The two examples sent to
the British Museum undoubtedly belong to the genus Engyprosopon , the scales being
feebly ctenoid and the length of the maxillary 2| to 2f in that of head.
I have identified Sea-ops knbensis with this species with some doubt, and it may
prove to be the same as Crossorhonibus aziirens. Unfortunately, the four examples
of kobensis in the British Museum are all females. Franz (1910), however, has given
an excellent figure of the male, showing the upper pectoral ray filamentous and longer
than the head.
2. CROSSORHOMBUS AZUREUS (Alcock).
Rhomboidichthys azureus, Alcock, 1889, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., Iviii (2), p. 283, pi. xvi, fig. 3 ; Alcock,
1890, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 435 ; Alcock, 189S, lUust. Zool- " Investigator ", Fishes,
pi. xxiv, (ig. 3 ; Johnstone, 190.1, Cevlon Pearl Ovster Fish., Suppl. Rep., xv, p. 210 ; Jenkins,
lOio, .Men.. Ind. Mus.,iii, p. 27.
B.M. (N.H.) 1927.1.6.41,42.
Platophrys microstoma, Weber, IQ13, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 427, pi. vii, fig. 3.
Crossorhombus azureus, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 30 ; Wu, 1932, This. Facult. Sci.
Univ. Paris, A. 244 (268), p. 93.
Bothus (Arno^lossus) microstoma, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 126.
Bothus microstoma, Chabanaud, 1929, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) i, p. 379.
Crossorhombus azureus (part), Norman, 1931, .\nn. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 600.
Very close to the preceding species. Depth of body nearly twice in the length,
length of head 3J to 4. Diameter of eye 3^ to 3j in length of head ; membranous
flap in male much smaller : interorbital width f to i J times (^) or J to J (J) diameter
of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above middle or anterior part of lower. Maxillary
extending to below anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length 3? to 3* in that of
head. 5 or 6 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 52 to 57 scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 84-90. Anal 64-73. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, the upper
ray not prolonged in the male; length § to J that of head. Greyish or brownish,
variously spotted and blotched w-ith paler and darker ; generally one, two or more
dark blotches on lateral line ; male sometimes with two or more series of dark spots
blue in life) on head in front of interorbital space ; median fins with dark brown or
210 FLATFISHKS (METFROSOMAIA)
blackish spots ami blotclu's : caudal often with a broad blackish band .icross its
hinder part and a similar but less distinct band at its base.
TvpK. — Indian Museum. No. 12184.
DisTKiuvTuiN.— South-eastern India and Ceylon; Indo-China ; Aru Islands;
(.'hina.
Si'K< IMKN'S EXAMINKO :
1(2,84 111111.1. Paratypc. Orissa Coast, 7-13 fms. Iiid. Mus.
"(IiivcsliRalor").
1 ((J, 104 mm.). (laiijam Coast, 30-33 fms.
4 (2 cJ. 7-. 7t) ; 2 9. 00. 7u iiuu ) Off S. coast of Ceylon, 3; fms.
2 ((J, 57. 08 null.) Gailc, Cevlon. Liverpool Univ.
1 (^,112111111). I'ouloCoiidor Is. French Indo-Cliina. Chabanaud.
Also several from Ceylon, India, Burma and the Nicobar Islands, including the
holotype {£] of the species (Ind. Mus,).
Genus 27. liOTHUS.
Bnlhui, Katinesqiie, iSlo, Car. n. gen., p. 23 [bolhus nimtitn, Rafinesque) ; Bonaparte, 1833, Icon.
Faun. Ital., fasc. iv, (24); Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. nietod. Pesci Enrop., p. 45; Kyle, 1013,
Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, A. i, p. 94.
SoUa («(!»! Quensel, 1806), Rafinesque, 1810, Ind. itt. Sicil., pp. 14, 52 [Solea rhombuide, Rafinesque).
I'lalnphryi, Swainson, 1839. N. H. Fishes, etc., ii, pp. 1H7, 302 [Rhombus ocellatus, Agassiz] ; Jordan
and Evennann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2660.
.- I'doria, Cocco. 1S44, in Krohn, Giorii. tlabin. Messina, Ann. iii, v (xxv), p. 21' [Peloria heckeli,
Cocco].
f Coccolus, [Cocco, 1844, ioOT. cit., p. 21I ; Bonaparle, 1S46. Cat. uietod. Pesci F;urop., p. 47 [Coccolus
annectens, (Corco) Bonaparte].
Rlwmboidichthys. Blecker, 1856, Act. Sor. Sci. Indo-Neerl,. 1, Manado etc., p. 67 [Rhnmbmduluhys
my r taster, Bleeker].
:■ Citharuhthvs (tion Bleeker, 1S62), Dav, 1S77, Fish. Indi.i. p. 422.
Psrityhs, Alcock, i8yo, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 436 IFsellylis pdluadii, Alcock] ; Johiistone,
1904. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fish., Suppl. Rep., xv, p. 207.
.' I'seitdKcUharichthys, Weber, 1913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 413 [Cttharichthys aureus, DayJ.
Platnliehthys, Xichols, 1921, Bull. Anier. Mus. Nat. Hist., xliv. p. 21 [PlatoHcMhys Charles, Nichols].
Symbouhchthys, Chabanaud. 1927, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr.. In. p. 76 [Plalnphrys macuhfer, Jordan ami
Body ovate or rather deep, strongly compressed. Kyes on the left side, separated
by a flat or concave space of varying width, sometimes broader in the male ; lower
eye well in advance of upper. Male generally with spines on the snout and sometimes
on the orbital margins. Olfactory laminae rather feebly developed, few in number,
slightly radiating or sometimes nearly parallel to one another and to the axis of the
body, without central rachis. Mouth of moderate size or rather small, the length
of the maxillary 2^ to 4 in that of head ; jaws and dentition about equally developed
on both sides or stronger on blind side ; teeth small, pointed, without distinct canines,
in two or more series in both jaws, at least anteriorly (e.xcept in young) ;- vomer tooth-
less. Upper angle of gill-opening a short distance above pectoral tin, the membrane
joining the operculum to the pectoral arch scalele.ss ; gill-rakers few in number, short
or of moderate length ; lower pharyngeals very narrow, each with an inner row of
rather strong pointed teeth, and generally one or two outer rows of smaller teeth.
Dorsal fin commencing above or just in advance of nostrils of blind side and well in
front of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled (at least on ocular side). Tip of first inter-
ha?mal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unecpial, that of ocular
side larger , all the rays simple ; upper rays sometimes prolonged. Tiji nf pelvic
' resu- F.ii. inla. 1.S.S5.
BOTHIN^ 221
bone projecting downwards and backwards between the pelvic fins, sometimes blunt
and inconspicuous externally. Scales small, ctenoid or cycloid on ocular side, cycloid
on blind side ; no supplementary scales. Lateral line developed only on ocular side
of body, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; a bifurcated supratemporal
branch behind upper eye. Vent on blind side, above or a little in front of anterior
ray of anal fin. Vertebra; 38 to 40.
About fourteen species from the Mediterranean and from the warmer parts of the
Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
Mediterranean and Atlantic Species.
I. Less than 80 scales in lateral line ; eye 3J to nearly 4 in head ; dorsal
79-91, anal 59-68 ; depth li to if in length . . . . .1. ocellatus.
11. More than 80 scales in lateral line.
A. Eye 3<^ to 4! , maxillarj' 3^ to 4 in head ; interorbital width much
greater in male ; upper pectoral rays not prolonged.
1. Depth if to 1} in length ; eye 3^ to 4 in head ; interorbital width
if to nearly 2^ times (mature ^), or f to a little more than once
(mature and half-grown $) eye . . . . . .2. podas.
2. Depth ij to nearly if in length ; eye 4 to 4f in head ; interorbital
width if to 2 J times (mature (J), or ij to if times (mature $) eye
3. mellissi.
B. Eye 4f to 6, maxillary 2f to 3 in head ; interorbital width similar in both
sexes or a little greater in male ; upper pectoral rays prolonged in
mature male.
1. Dorsal 90-99, anal 70-76.
a. Anterior profile notched in front of eyes (except in very young),
never convex ; eye 5 to 6 in head ; anterior edge of upper eye
above posterior edge of lower. 8 to 10 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch . . . . . . -4. lunatus.
b. Anterior profile of head distinctly convex, not notched in front
of eyes ; eye 4 f to 5 in head ; anterior edge of upper eye above
middle or posterior J of lower ; 6 or 7 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch . . . . . . -5- rnaculiferus.
2. Dorsal 105, anal 80 ; anterior profile of head convex . 6. ellipticus.
Indo-Pacific Species.
1. Dorsal 98-103, anal 76-80 ; 9 to 11 rather slender gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch ; eye 45 to 6J in head ; anterior edge of upper eye above
or behind posterior edge of lower . . . . . •7- mancus.
n. Dorsal 85-99, anal 62-73 ; 6 to 8 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch ; eye 3 to nearly 5 in head ; anterior edge of upper eye above or in
front of posterior edge of lower.
A. Scales all ctenoid on ocular side ; interorbital width usually not much
greater then eye (even in male) ; 75 to 92 scales in lateral line.
1. Maxillary 3 J to nearly 4 in head ; anterior profile of head more or
less notched in front of eyes ; male without orbital spines ; 75 to
80 scales in lateral line.
a. Depth i| in length ; anterior profile of head distinctly notched ;
eye about equal to interorbital width ; pectoral with 10 rays
8. leopardinus.
b. Depth 1 J to ij in length ; anterior profile slightly notched ; eye
I J to I J in interorbital width ; pectoral with 12 rays 9. constellattis.
2. Ma.xillary about 3 in head ; anterior profile of head more or less evenly
convex ; male with orbital spines ; 80 to 92 scales in lateral line
10. pantherinus.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Scales mostly cycloid on ocular side, sometimes ctenoid at edges of
body ; interorbital u-idth (in adidts) much greater than eye,
I. Scales ctenoid at edges of body on ocular side ; 95 to 104 scales in
lateral line ; eye 3 to 3 J in head
a. Maxillan,- 3J to 3J in head ; depth i J to iJ. head 3J to nearly 4
in length . . . . . . . . .11. blcekeri.
b. Maxillary 3i to 3* in head.
<t. Depth 1} to if, head 4^ to 4J m length . . 12, myrtaster.
li. Depth 15, head 3^ to 3} in length .... 13. uvalis-
1. Scales all cycloid on ocular side, 80 in lateral line ; eye 4 in head
The following species from Japan has been described in Japanese, but the diagnosi-^
is very brief and it is impossible to place it with certainty :
Plalophrys kie'iists, Tanaka, iniS. Debuts, Zasshi ('Zool. Mag '), xxx, p. 225.
I, BOTHUS OCEI.LATUS (Agassiz).
Khombus ocMulus, .\sas5iz, 1S31. m Spix, I'lsc. Hr.Kil. p. 85, pi. xlvi.
Platophryi ucdialus, Swainson, 1.S39, N.H. Tishoi. L-tc, ii, p. 302 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S.
Com. Fi5h., XIV. (i8S6), p. 266 ; Lonnbcrs. 189.1, Overs. \'et.-Akad. Forh., hi, p. 661 ; Jordan
and Evcrmann, 189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2663, pi. ccclxxxii, fig. 939 ; Evermann
and .Marsh, 1902, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xx, (iqoo), p. 321, fig. 105 ; Nichols and Breder, 1927,
Zoologica, ix, p. 182, fig. ; Meek and Hildebrand, 1928, Field Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Ser.. xv,
No. 249, p. 979.
Rhombus balimiius, Castelnau, 1855, Anim. Xouv. Rares Amer. Sud., ii, p. 78, pi. xli, fig. i.
Rhumbuiiiichthys ocellaliis, Giinther, 1S62, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 433 ; Poey, 1868, Repert. Fis.-.\'at. Cuba,
ii, p. 4uS : Metzelaar, 1919, Trop. .Atlant. \'issch., p. 129, fig. 36.
Khomboidichthys sptnosus, Poey, 1868, lotn. cit.. p. 409 ; Poey, 1875, Anal. See. Espah. Hist. Xat..
Plalophrys nebulans, Jordan and Gilbert, 1885, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., vii, (1884), pp. 31, 1
Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 441.
Plalophrys spinosus, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 266 ; Jordan
Evermann, 1S98, Bull. U.S. Xat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2662.
? Bolhus allanficus, Kvle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Fxped. 1908-1910, ii, A. i, p. 105.
Bolhus ocdialus, Reg.in, 1911., Rep. Bnt. .infarct. (■'Terra Xova") Exped,, 191... Zoot, i, 4, p.
43 ;
BOTHIN^
length of head ; interorbital width ij to ?J tfmes (5 o7 Wn fTf, ^* '° "^^""'y ■♦ '"
?) diameter of eye ■ anterior edseal LJJT *;?* °"^ i to a httle more than once
part (?) of lower.' Male ^:[ ^a spTne on Te sn^ut an'd%Ce;;,r "'''' '^' "' """"''
of each eye. Maxillary extending to hflnw l,T ''"'^ g'^^^f^^y one or two in front
length 3i to 4 m head.^8 or gsK.ltraTerron lower '^'^ ?^ f^'^-^ ""'^ '^'^y°°d.
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind sTde °- to "s .^i^t m''"""" ?^''^ ^^'^'^
Anal 59-68. Pectoral of ocular side with lo ravs .f,.., '"'• ^°""^' 79-91.
longed in the male. Caudal pointed 4le browmsror Z''^- "u '^-' '^T'^"*'^^ P^""
round spots of darker grey, and with irregular nnler^n^ ^ ^'"^i "T""^ "''^'^ ^"^^'l
enclosing areas of the ground cXrmed an fin^^ '^^T^''^, ^^^''^ ^"**^ d^'^'^e^-
series of small dark spots ; body with so^e darker.n";''''''^/"'""'*^'^' ^"^^ ^"th a
at junction of straight and curved parts oTlatera^ 1 ne'^^nH "" .^'^l^ "^'^"^^ '^'°''='^
S;fc™HNy°E^7MU'r" '"'-' °' •'"'"'^^' ^^^ ^-g I^'-d to Rio de Janeiro.^
1 ("5 mm.). Bermudas. ,
2 32. 68 mm.). Kev West, Florida I""?'
I (57 mm.). luiiua. Jordan.
^ {^^ m^.)." Lt-larva. ^^ ^--^"^''f ' t:^-" ""■
2 (104, 117 mm.). ^3^;;-^ '5 ^■' ' '■"■ "Terra Xova."
9 (60-95 mm.). Ri„ de Janeiro. Terae.T'"'
^^^Also 100 from the West Indies (Leiden Mus.), and one from Ne Jort (Mus. Comp.
furth^^^e^^'etrairaTes^^d oTloTh^ t^ef't "j^^ ""'"hT'^ '"'' '^'' -'*^°-
Examples from the Bermudas F°orida and P- '7P°/^'bIe to settle this point.
deeper body and a smaller e^; -^n^^e-rL^amTrr r^Sis^e^appUTxTc^tf;
two^s5:cSS:i°;iS:.n1rg\f Sy^'"''^"%^r^^ •^^"^^■^'^ *° ^'^ -P--nted by
These^ which ha^Vteer^artly^dn^d in th^T^nTe^oreT^""" "345)
examined by Col. Tenison who regards thel^^'^^^^^^^^
B.o«//a/»5descnbed above ^ ' identical with the examples of
doubtf^ther -i^rr-r^cefdrxro 'Z. '" *°*^' '^"^''' '^'^ "P^ — , and it is
2. BOTHUS PODAS (Delaroche).
PlfuronecUs podas, Delaroche, iSog, Ann Mus H V (P=ri=i •■, ,
PUuroneaes argus. R.sso, iS.o. Ichth Nice p ,1, ' '' "'" '=''*■ ?' 354-
Pleuronectes mancus Inon Broussonetl Ri«r,' i«,„ i^k.u >-
flort« r„mu/., Rafinesque, 18,0 Car' n ge'n ^'^f "' ^^ '"^■
SoUarhomboide, Rafinesque, iSio, Ind. itt Sicil on i.. ^,
Bothus diaphanus, Rafinesque, 1814, Precis Som.,'p 17.
the Atlantic as far as about 35° W. spec.es. If this is so, the larval forms extend into
224 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
:■ Khombu!. camliJiisimus, Risso, i8io, journ. di- I'llysiqiie, xci, p. 347 ; Risso, iS^fi, H. N. Europe,
lli.P- ^53-
Khombus tnancus, Risso, 1S26, H. X. luirc^pe. iii. p. 35 V
Hhombus i:i:sntri, Risso, 1826, lorn, ctt., p. ::54.
I^hombus hfternphthalmus , Bennett. 1831, Proc. Coiuin. .Sci. Zool. Soc, (12), p. 147.
Khombus rhofnboides, Bonaparte, 1833, Icon. Faun. Hal., fasc. iv, (23), fig. ; Costa. 1S47, Faun. R.
N'apoli, ii, fasr. 55-8, p. 19 ; Canestrini. 1862, Arrh. Zool. Anat. F'isiol. Genova, i, p. 24, pi. in,
tig. 2.
Rhombus podas. Bonaparte, 1833, Icon. Faun. Ital.fasc. iv, (24), fig. ; Costa, 1847, I'aun. R. Napoli.
11, fasc. 55-S, p. 22, pi. xliii ; Canestrini, 1S62. Arch. Zool. Anat. Fisiol. (lenova, 1. p. 21, pi. li.
fig- 3-
Kbcmbus madeunsis, Lowe, 1834, Proc. Zool. Sor., 1 (12), p. 143 ; Lowe. i83,S. Irans. Cambridge
Phil. Soc, vi, p. 201, pi. vi.
Khiimhus scrratus, Valenciennes, 1843, in Webb and Herthelot, lies Canar., Iclith., p. 82, pi. xviii,
fig. I.
Pdnria heckdii. Corro, 1S44, inKrohn, Giorn. (.abin. Messina. .Ann. iii. v (xxv). p. 21 \le'.lc Facncla.
18S5].
} ? Coccolus anm-ctt-ns, (Corco. 1844, torn, cit., p. 21) Bonaparte, 1S46, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ.,
P- 47-
liothus podas, Bonaparte. 1S46, torn, cit., p. 41 ; Stemdachner, 1S6S, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
Ivii (I), p. 717 ; -Moreau, iS.Si, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 346 ; Kyle, igi3. Rep. Danish
Ocean. Exped. 1908-1010, ii, -A. I, p. 100, figs. ; Ehrenbaum, 1913, Fischcrbote, v, p. 362, figs. ;
Buen, 1926, Cat. Ictiol. Medit. Espan. Marruecos, p. 96 ; Norman, 1930, " Discovery " Reports.
ii, p. 362-
liolhus rhnmboidcs, Bonaparte, 1846, torn, cit., p. 49 ; Moreau, 1881, torn, cit., p. 344, fig. igo.
KI:ninhoidichthys podas, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 432 ; Vinciguerra, 1883, Ann. Mus. Stor.
nat. Genova, xviii, p. 570 ; Emery, 1885, Mitt. zool. Stat. Neapel, vi, p. 161 ; Carus, 1889-93.
Prodr. Faun. Medit., u, p. 589 ; Vinciguerra, 1893, Atti Soc. ital. Milano. xxxiv, p. 32S ; Monod,
1927, Faune Colon. Frant;., i, p. 721.
Khomhoidichthys mancus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 432 ; Emery, 1885, .Mitt. zool. Stat.
Xeapel. vi, p. 161 ; Pellegrin, 1914, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, vi (4), p. 74 ; Chabanaud and
Monod, 1927, Bull. Com. Etud. Hist. Sci. Afriq. Occ. Fr., {1926), p. 280.
Rhombus diaphanus, Richiardi, 1881, Zool. .\nz., iv, p. 502.
I'lalophrys podas, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 265 ; CoUett, 1S91.,
Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, x, p. 100 ; Pietschmann, 1906, Ann. naturh. Mus. Wien, xxi, p. 141 ;
Chabanaud, 1930, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem., ii, p. 20 : Chabanaud, 1933, Mem. Soc. sci. nat.
Maroc, xxxv, pp. 56, 104, figs.
Platophrys mancus, Lampe, 1914, Deutsche Siidpol. Exped., xv (Zool. vii), p. 247 ; Chabanaud,
i.,3S. ' '" "' . P- 57-
[I'lcurotmtcs cu-.puialu'.. .Machado, Catal., p. 23 {teste Stemdachner).]
Eggs, L.^Rv.t and Young.
Emery, 1SS3, Mitt. zool. Stat. Neapel, iv, p. 405, pi. xxviii, figs. 4-6 ; I-'age, 1910, Ann. Inst,
oceanogr. Paris, 1 (7), p. 34 ; Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, li, A. i, p.
100, figs. i2-ifi ; Pietschmann, i'ii4. SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wicn, cxxui (i), p. 461, pi. vi, figs.
Depth of body 15 (occasionally i9) to i| in the length, length of head 3 J to 4.
.■\nterior profile of head nearly vertical (:^) ; a slight notch above and in front of lower
eve (.J and 5). Diameter of eye 3^ to 4 in length of head ; interorbital width 15 to nearly
2 J times (mature 3) or 5 to a little more than once (mature and half-grown 5) diameter
of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above hinder edge or posterior part (^J) or about
above middle (i) of lower.' .Male with a spine on the snout and one in front of lower
eve ; sometimes another in front of upper eye. Maxillary extending to below anterior
edge or anterior part of eye, length 3J to 35 in that of head. 7 to 9 short giU-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
82—91 in lateral line Width of curve of lateral line 5 to 6 times in straight part.
Dorsal (85) 87-94. Anal (63) 65-73. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or u rays,
' Chabanaud (1933) has recently described an example with the eyes wide apart which proved
to be a female. He regards this as a case of sexual inversion.
BOTHIN.E 225
none of the rays prolonged. Caudal pointed. Vertebra; 10 + 28 — 30. Greyish,
brownish or blackish, usually covered with greyish or bluish spots and ocelli (made
up of similar spots narrowly edged with darker) ; sometimes nearly uniformly brown' ;
generally a diffuse dark blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line,
and another, more distinct, on middle of straight portion ; coloration of median fins
similar to that of body ; pectoral generally with small brown spots.
I-IG. l6g.—Botkus podas. (J B.M. (N.H.) 61 .5 . 19.42 ; ? B.M. (N.H.) 79.5 . 14 .55. X J.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Mediterranean and adjacent parts of Atlantic, westwards to
the Azores and southwards to Angola.
Specimens Examined :
3 {90-98 mm.)
(135 mm.).
)
I (100
1 (125
I (90
I (87
I (35
1 (144
2 (130,
1 (127
2 (200, 207 r
3(152-170
3 (133-195
I (200 mm.).
I (128 „ ).
I {38 „ ).
3 (55-72 mm
-Mediterranean.
Askalon.
Cyprus.
Sicily.
Messina.
Cannes.
Nice.
Lazarote.
.Madeira.
St. Vincent, C
C. Verde Is.,
Elephant Ba^
Verde Is.
-6 fms.
, .\ngola, 23-0 fn
Carmichael.
Swainson.
Milan Mus.
Giinther.
Deakin.
Lowe.
Baring and Gra
Johnson.
Powell.
Zool. Soc.
*' Challenger."
'■ Discovery."
Also one from the Azores (Mus. Comp. Zool.).
This species appears to grow to a larger size in the Atlantic than in the Mediter-
ranean, but I am unable to detect any other differences between specimens from the
two regions.
According to Kyle
15
: has been rubbed.
I'l.AI I-ISIllCS (HKTHKOSOMATA)
3. BOTHUS MELLISSI, Norman,
Khomboidichlhys sp.. Melliss, 1875, St. Helena, p. luy.
Platophrvs ptnlas {non Delaroche), Cunningham, 1910, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. im.
B()/;iiis mdlissi, Norman, 1031, .-^nn. -Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), vin, p. 5o<i.
Close to B. podas. Depth of body i\ to nearly if in the length, length of head
il to 4 J. Upper profile of head steeply sloping in front of eyes in the male, but less
vertical than in B. podas. Diameter of eye 4 to 43 in length of head ; interorbital
width 1 1 to 2 J times (mature q) or i J to i3 times (mature '4.) diameter of eye ; anterior
edge of upper eye above posterior edge or hinder part of lower. Maxillary extending
to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length 3 j to 4 in head, o or 10 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. 86 to go scales in lateral Imc Width of curve of
lateral line 4* to 5^ times in straight part. Dorsal nj-iiS. .\nal 70-73 Pectoral of
ocular side with 11 or 12 rays. \'ertebrae 10 + 30.
lYPE.— British Museum (Nat. Hist ). Reg. No. 67. 10. 8. 54.
Distribution. — St. Helena and .\scension Islands.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
4 (182-225 mm.). Holotype and St. Helena. Melliss.
para types.'
7 (158-215 ,, ). Paratypcs. ,, Cunnmgh,
I (220 mm.), skeleton. ,,
I (2IU ,, ). Paratype. Ascension. McCloy.
4. BOTHUS LUNATUS (r.inna"us),
[Peacock Floumii.r.!
FUuronectes lunatus, Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 269 ; 17OO, ed. 12, p. 45'j
I'Uuronecles argus, Bloch, 1783, N'aturgesch. Fische Deutsch., ii, p. 51, pi. xlvui.
? ? PUufonectes surinamensis, Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 150.
The holotype is a $, 225 1
BOTHIN.E
227
Rhombus ar/^us, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anini., ii, p. ::22.
Rhombus lunatus, Cuvier, 1817, torn, cit., p. 222.
RhomboidUhthys lunatus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 433 ; Poey, 1868, Repert. Fis.-Xat. Cuba,
ii, p. 408 ; Metzelaar, 1919, Trop. Atlant. Vissch., p. 130.
Rhomboidichthys lunulatus, Poey, 1875, Anal. Soc. Espaii. Hist. Nat., v, p. 180.
Plalophrys lunatus, Jordan, 18S-, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., i.\, (1886), p. 31 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889,
Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 267 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvii (3), p. 2665 ; Evermann and Marsh, r902. Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xji, (1900), p. 322 ;
Borodin, 1928, Bull. Vanderbilt Ocean. Mus., i (i), p. 15.
Plaiotickthys chartes, Nichols, 1921, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., xliv, p. 21, pi. iii.
Bothus lunatus, Chabanaud, 1927, Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., hi, p. 74, fig.
Fig. 172.— B0//1US /ii)in/us. Type oi Platolichthys charles. X 2.
2J.S M.AlllSHKS (H1-:TEKOSOMATAi
Depth of body ij to a little more than twice in the length, length of head 3f to
^J. Anterior profile of head oblique ; a slight notch above and in front of lower eye.
Diameter of eye 5 to 6 in length of head ; interorbital width i J to 2 J times diameter
of eye, somewhat wider in the male than in the female ; anterior edge of upper eye
above posterior edge of lower ; eyes in the male each with a fringe of dermal appen-
dages. Male with a strong spine on the snout, represented in the female by a blunt
knob. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length
2* to 3 in that of head. 8 to 10 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 86 to 92 in lateral line. Dorsal 93-99.
.Anal 71-76. f'ectoral of ocular side with ii or 12 rays ; upper rays filamentous and
reaching base of caudal in the mature male, about as long as head in the female.
Caudal rounded or fjluntly pointed. Greyish or brownish ; body with numerous
rings, curved spots and small dots of sky blue, mo.stly margined with darker, which
are largest near the middle of the side ; two or three obscure dark blotches on straight
part of lateral line ; head and median fins with sharply-defined curved or rounded
blue spots, mostly margined with darker ; pectoral with narrow dark cross-bars.
Type. — Xot traced.
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of America, from Florida to Fernando Noronha.
Specimens E.xamined :
Bcrniud.i';. Jones.
I (362 mm.)
■ (330 ,, )
; (175.2681
iim.).
I (1^5 mm.)
I (45 ,. )
4 (212-265 I
I (270 mm.)
1 (165 „ )
2 (68, 113 It
iim.),
, skin.
im.).
1(313 iiiin.)
2 (3.38, 350;
mm.).
San Juan, Portu Rico.
Amer. Mus.
Barbados.
Beckford.
Jamaica.
—
West Indies.
Scrivener.
Tobago.
Guppy.
Fernando Xuroniia.
R.dlcv.
—
Haslar Coll.
Also z from the West Indies (Leiden Mus.).
This species attains a length of about 18 inches.
There can be no doubt that Platotichlhys chartes is a post-lar\al Bothus. and it is
probably the young of this species. .\ figure of the type is included here (.\.M.N.H.
No. 7388).
5. BOJHfS MACULIFERUS ([Poey ''] Jordan and Goss).
:- PlcuronccUs maadt/cru^, Pocv, 1856-8, Mem. H. N. Cuba, 11, p. 316.
:■ Rhomboidichlhys macuhfcrus, Poey, 1868, Repert. Fis.-Xat. Cuba, il, p. 408 ; Poey, 1875, .\nal. Soc.
Espan. Hist. N'at., v, p. 181.
Platophrys elUptrctn (imn Poev), Jordan, 1887, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ix, (1886), p. 51.
Platophrvs maculifcr, Jordan and Goss, i.S8.j, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 267 ; Jordan and
Evcrmann, 1S98, Hull. U.S. Xat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2664.
Khomboidichthys macuUfer, Metzelaar, lyiq, Trop. Atlant. Vissch., p. 130, fig. 37.
Plalophrys nmculiferus. Meek and Hildi-liran.l, i.,.-.s, Field Mus. Pub. Chicago, Zool. Scr., xv,
No. 249, p. 977.
Symboulichlhys nuuultfcr. Chabanaud, I'uV, Pull. S..c. zool. Fr.. lij, p. 76, figs. 2-4.
Depth of body ij to li in the length, length of head 3 J to 3|. Upper profile of
head convex, scarcely notched in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 4j to 5 m length
of head ; interorbital space more or less similar in both sexes, width \ to more than
once diameter of eye (in mature and half-grown specimens) ; anterior edge of upper
eye above middle or posterior ^ of lower. Mature male with a strong spine on end
of snout, a smaller one more posteriorly, and some more spines on the orbital margins.
Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3 or nearly 3 in that of head.
-\n inner regular series of teeth directed somewhat inwards, and i, 2 or (in large
BOTHIN.?i
229
examples) 3 or 4 irregular outer rows anteriorly in both jaws.* 6 or 7 short gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
87 to 95 in lateral line. Dorsal (90) 92-95. Anal 70-73. Pectoral of ocular side
with 9 or 10 rays, upper rays greatly prolonged in the mature male. Caudal pointed.
Greyish or brownish ; body co\'ered with rings formed of small sky-blue spots ; head
with similar spots, but no rings ; body with a few other darker markings and with a
large diffuse dusky blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line,
another, better defined, on middle of straight portion, and sometimes traces of a third
farther back ; median fins mottled and spotted ; pectoral with irregular dark cross-
bars.
Fig. 173.— Bothiis nmnilif,
M. (X.H.) 1924.7.22.82, 83. X |.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — West Indies.
Specimens Examined :
I {98 mm.).
1 (150,, ).
2 (145, 200 mm.).
I (180 ram.).
Curasao, \V. Indies.
St. Croix.
Tobago.
Buccoo Reef, Tobago.
Leiden Mu
Stevens.
Guppy.
Totton.
.\lso 3 from Cura9ao (Leiden Mus.).
Chabanaud places this species in a distinct genus, Symboiilichthys, distinguished
from Bothiis by the nature of the dentition. I find, however, that in several species
of Bothns the inner teeth tend to be directed somewhat inwards, and in large specimens
there may be more than one outer series, at least anteriorly. Comparing the dentition
of a specimen of Bothus maculiferus with that of an example of B. podas of similar
size, I feel certain that the two species are congeneric.
6. BOTHUS ELLIPTICUS (Poey).
Pleuronectes elliplicus, Poey, 1856-8, Mem. H. X. Cuba,ii, p. 315.
Rhomboidichthys dlipticus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 434 ; Poey
Cuba,ii,p. 408 ; Poey, 1875, Anal. Soc. Espan. Hist. N'at., v, p. iSi.
Plaiophrys dUplUus, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p,
Evermann, l8gS, Bull. U.S. .\at. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2665.
^ See Chabanaud, 1927, p. 76, figs. 2, 3.
86S, Repert. Fis.-Xat.
67 ; Jordan and
-3"
FI.ATKISHKS (HETEROSOMATA)
Probably identical uitli H maculifcnis. Depth of body ij m tlic length Inter-
orbital width il in length of head- <)i scales in lateral line, Dors.il 105. Anal So.
Greyish ; much spotted and mottled with whitish.
Typk. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Cuba.
A specimen in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, which measures 4J inches in
length, is regarded by Jordan and Goss as repre.senting B. ellipticus. This iish was
sent to the Museum by Poey, and has been examined by Col. Tenison, who records
that It IS doubtfully ilistinct from B. maculiffrui.
liOTHUS MANCl'S (Broussonet).
PU-uroiu-cUs maiicus, liroussoiut, 178^, Ichthyol.
.= PInironcclis spinosus, Schneider, {ex Forstcr MS.), in Bloch, iSu
? Rhombus macrapterns, Quoy and Gaimard, 1824, Voy. " Uranie '
? PUitruitectt's piftus, Forster, 1844, Anim. Mar. Aust., p. 285.
Rhombus pavo, Bleeker, 1855, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind., viii, p. 177.
Pleuroncctcs . . . rhombus . . . , Jouan, 1861, Mem. Soc. Chcrbuurf
Rhomboidichthys pavo. Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 435.
Plalophrxs (Platophrvs) pavo, Bleeker, 1866-72, .M\. Ichth., vi, p. 11, Pleuroi
Platophrxs mancus, Smith and Swain, 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882]
Evermann, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (i), (1903), p. 513 ; Gilbert
Fish., xxiii (2), (1903), p. 684 ; Jordan and Seale, 1906, Bull. U.S. Bur
412 ; Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., xxvi, p. 331 ; Rendahl. i'
Nat. Hist. Juan Fern. Easter Is., iii. No. 10, p. 66 : Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. T. Bishop M
. go, pi. iv, fig. B ; Fowler, 1931, .Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., xi, p. 320
, Syst. Irhth., p. in
, Zool., p. 2 36, pi, 1.
. Pl.
Jordan and
1905, Bull. U.S. Com.
Fish., XXV, (1905}, p.
d McGregor, 1S99, Rep. U.S. Ct
01, Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 1:
Platophrvs leopardinus, Jordan
Plalophrys pavo, Steindachner,
Papers B. P. Bishop Mus., i, p. 128.
Rhomboidichthys mancus, Giinther, 1900. Fisrhe Siidsce, vii
Plalophrys smithi. Rendahl, 1921, torn, cil., p. 66.
llnlhus mancus, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 34
(10) via, p. 309.
liolhus {Platophrvs) mancus, Weber and Beaufort. 1929. 1-1
Parabolhus mancus, \Vu, 1932, Thes. Facult. Sci, Univ. Par
Fish.,
', (1S98), p.
Seale, I90I
Ann. Mag. Nal. Hist.,
II... ly^.—Uothus miincus. B.M. (N.H.) 77-7.24
BOTHINiE
^31
Depth of body i J to a little more than twice in the length : length of head 3i to
3^. Anterior profile of head a little concave in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 4I to
(Vj in length of head : interorbital width 2 to 2J times {^) or a little more than
once to 2 j times ($) diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above posterior
edge of lower (young) or farther back ; eyes in the male each with some dermal
appendages. Male with a strong spine on the snout, and another in front of lower
orbital ridge ; 3 or 4 small spines anteriorly on upper orbital ridge. Maxillary
extending to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length 2| to 3 in head.
Teeth mostly uniserial in both jaws, but with traces of a second row anteriorly.
Gill-rakers rather slender and of moderate length, 9 to 11 on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales feebly ctenoid or cycloid on ocular side, all cycloid on blind
side ; 85 to 90 in lateral line. Dorsal 98-103. Anal 76-80. Pectoral of ocular
side with 10 or 11 rays, upper rays greatly prolonged in the mature male, moderately
produced in the female. Caudal pointed. Pale brownish, everywhere mottled with
grey and brown ; head and body with rounded bluish spots edged with darker ; a
diffuse dark blotch at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line, another
on middle of straight portion, and a smaller and less distinct blotch near base of
caudal fin ; other faint dusky blotches on head, and a series near upper and lower
edges of body ; median fins variegated with bluish grey spots and ocelli, and with
some dark blotches ; pectoral with irregular dark brown cross-bars ; lower surface
sometimes sprinkled with numerous small brown spots.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Indian Ocean, through the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago to
the Pacific ; west coast of Mexico.
Specimens Examined :
J (240 mm.).
I (395 ,, )■
I (280 „ ),
I (280 ,, ).
I (242 „ ).
I (360 „ ),
■ {297 ,, ).
I (308 ,, ).
I (160 ,, ).
' (98 „ ).
China.
Malanipa Isd., iic
Aneiteum.
l.ifu, Loyalty Is.
Samoa.
Tahiti.
Ponape.
Christmas Is.
Clarion Is
iff west coast of Mexico.
Richardson.
" Challenger.'
Macgillivray.
Whitmee.
Schmeltz.
Whitmee.
Godeffroy Mu
Kirkpatrick.
McGregor.
Also I from the Maldives (Ind. Mus.) ; and i from the Marshall Islands (Mas.
Comp. Z06I.).
This species attains to a length of about i8 inches.
Pleuronectes spinosus, Schneider, which was later described by Forster as P.
pictus. may be this species. The locality was given as Nanoeka Is., New Caledonia.
The specimen from the Pacific coast of Mexico, described by Jordan and McGregor
as Platophrys leopardinus, is young, but almost certainly represents this species.
8. BOTHUS LEOPARDINUS (Giinther).
Rhomboidickthys leopardinus, Giinther, 1S62, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 434.
Parophrys leopardinus, Jordan, 1885, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vii, p. 260.
Platophrys leopardinus, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 26S ; Jordan
and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2666 ; Garman, 1899, Mem. Mus. Comp.
Zoo]., xxiv, p. 225.
? Platophrys leopardinus, Kendall and Radcliffe, 1912, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., xxxv, p. 160, pi. viii,
fig. 2.
Depth of body if in the length, length of head 3|. Anterior profile of head concave
in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 3^ in length of head ; interorbital width about
equal to diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above middle of lower. No
-'32 ri..\IFISHi:S (HKTHKOSOMATA)
spines on tlic tioad (? ^). Maxillary cxtenduiH to below anterior edge of eye, length
33 in that of head. 7 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid
on ocnlar side, cycloid on blind side ; 80 in lateral line. Dorsal (86) Sg (02). Anal
(64) 68 (70). Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, none of the rays prolonged. Caudal
obtusely pointed. Pale brownish, with traces of numerous ocellated spots on head
and body ; median fins dotted with brown and white
Fic. i-f,.—Bolhui h-npaniinui. V.M. (\.H.) ss.'i. ly. 1:^31..
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist). Keg. No. 35.0.10.1250.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of Mexico ami Central .\menca
Specimen Examined :
.,. BOTHL'S CONSTELLATES (; Jordan 1 Jordan and Goss).
Platophrys com/Mains, (Jordan) Jordan and Coss. 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (188O), p. 265 ;
Jordan and Bollman, i8<;o, I'roc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xii, (1889), p. 183 ; Jordan and Evermann,
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mu*., xlvii (3), p. ^663 ; Cilbcrt and Starks, 1904, Mem. Calif. Arad. Sci.,
iv., p. 199 ; Kendall and Radcliffe, 1912, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zoiil., xxxv, p. 160 ; Meek and
Hildebrand, 192S, Field Mus. Puli. Chicago, Zool. Sei., xv, Xo. ;49. p. 97S ; Fouler. luS,
Mem. B, P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 92.
Depth of body li to ij in the length, length of head 4. Anterior profile of head
very little concave in front of eyes. Diameter of eye about 3J in length of head,
I J to I J times in interorbital width ; anterior edge of upper eye above middle of
lower. A blunt rostral .spine ; no orbital spines. Maxillary extending to below
anterior edge of eye, length 3 J to nearly 4 in that of head. 75 scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 89. .\nal 65. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays, length about i| in that
of head. [Dark brown, with numerous stellate white spots, the more distinct of them
with darker margins ; these generally scattered over the body, but some of those on
sides grouped together to form small rings ; fins mottled with dark brown ; pectoral
finely barred (Jordan and Goss).^
Type. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. No. 11146.
Distribution. — Panama Bay ; Galapagos Islands ; Low Archipelago, Oceania.
Specimen Examined :
I (46 mm.).i James I., Galapagos Is. Sci. Exped. Research Assoc.
{" St. George "}.
I have examined no mature examples of this species, and the above description is
based on the notes made by Col. Tenison from the 3 type-specimens, said to be males,
preserved in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, one of which is figured here. B.
constellatus is very doubtfully distinct from B. leopardinus.
10. BOTHUS PANTHERINUS (Riippell).
Rhombus pantherinus, Ruppell, 1830-31, in Atlas zu Riippell, Reise (Senckenb. Kat. Ges.) Fische,
p. 121.
Rhombus parvirttanus, Bennett, 1832, Proc. Comra. Sci. Zool. Soc, (14), March, p. 168.
Rhombus sumatranus, Bleeker, 1851, Nat. Tijdschr. Xed. Ind., i, p. 409.
Psetta pantherina, Ruppell, 1852, Verzeichn. Samnd. Senckenb. Mus., iv, Fische, p. 19.
? Passer marchionessarum, Valenciennes, 1855, in Du Petit-Thouars, Voy. "Venus", Zool., p. 344.
Pleuronectes lunulatus, Jouan, 1861, Mem. Soc. Cherbourg, viii, p. 256.
.' Rhomboidichthys marchionessarum, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p, 435,
Rhomboidichthys pantherinus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 436 ; Playfair and Giinther, 1866,
Fish. Zanzibar, p. 112 ; Klunzinger, 1871, Verb, zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxi, p. 571 ; Giinther,
1909, Fische Sudsee, viii, p. 342.
Pseudorhombus pantherinus, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiv, p. 103.
Platophrys {Platophrys) pantherinus, Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi. p. ii. Pleuron., pi. ii, fig. 3.
? Cithartchthys aureus, Day, 1877, Fish. India, p. 422, pi. xc, fig. 3.
Platophrys pantherinus. Day, 1877, torn, cit., p. 425, pi. xcii, figs. 3,4 ; Steindachner, 1901. Denkschr.
Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixx, p. 511 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii,
(1903), p. 512 ; Jordan and Seale, 1906, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxv, (1905), p. 412 ; Kendall and
Goldsborough, 1911, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., xxvi, p. 332 ; Weber, 1913, " Siboga "-Exped.,
Fische, p. 427 ; Ogilby, 1913, Mem. Qd. Mus., ii, p. 90 ; Gilchrist and Thompson, I9i7» Ann.
Durban Mus., i, p. 400 ; McCuUoch, 1922, Mem. Qd. Mus., vii, p. 244 ; Von Bonde, 1925, Trans.
Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xii, p. 287 ; Fowler, 1926, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Ixxvii, {1925), p. 204 ;
Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 91 ; Schmidt, 1930, Trans. Pacif. Comm. Acad.
Sci. U.S.S.R., i. p. Ill ; Fowler, 1931, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., xi, p. 320.
* Not included in the above description.
-34
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Platophrv!. nwncus. Jordan and Snyder. 1004, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xxvii. p. 946.
.' Pseuiiocttharuhthys aureus, W'eher, 1913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 413.
Holhiis panlhertnus. Regan, l9;!o, Ann. Durban Mus.. ii, p. 212, fig. 3 ; Barnard, lo^s, \un. S. Afr.
Mu^.. xxi. p. 3,^5 ; N'ornian. locfi, Hiol. Res. " Endeavour", v, p. 252 ; Xornian, 1927, Rec.
Ind. Mus.. xxix, p. 33 ; McCuIloch, 1929. .Mem. .\ust. Mus., v, p. 276.
ll.4hus {I'lalophrys) panlhermus, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-.\ustral. .\nh.. v. p. 123.
Depth of body i§ to twice in the length, length of head 3J to 4 t'pper profile of
head convex, or with a .slight notch in front of lower eye. Diameter of eye 3J to
nearly 5 in length of head ; interorbital width equal to or a little less than diameter
of eye in the male, rather narrower in the female ; anterior edge of upper eye above,
or a little behind middle of lower ; male generally with a dermal tentacle on hinder
jxirt of each eye. Mature male with one or more irregular bony tubercles on the
snout, in front of lower eye, and often one or two in front of upper eye ; except for
,1 blunt knob on the snout, these are wanting m the female. .MaxiUan,- extending to
below anterior edge or anterior J of eye. length about 3 in that of head. About 6 to 8
\'ery short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side,
cycloid on blind side : 80 to 92 in lateral line. Dorsal 85-95. .\nal 1)4-71. Sectoral
of ocular side with 9 to 11 rays, upper rays greatly prolonged in the mature male,
sometimes reaching ba,se of caudal. Caudal obtusely pointed. Vertebrae 10 + 29.
Hrownish. covered with paler and darker spots, blotches, rings or ocelli ; generally
a large dark blotch on middle of straight portion of lateral line ; median fins similarly
coloured and marked ; pectoral spotted with brown, with or without irregular dark
cross-bars.
Type. — Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt a. Main.
Distribution. — From East .\frica and the Ked Sea. tlimugh the Indi.in Ocean
and .\rchipelago, to -Australia and the I'acific.
Specimens Exami.ned :
Cuninghame.
.Marley.
Cutler.
Gerrard Coll.
2 (68, 80 mm.;
1 (85 mm.).
2 (190, 205 mr
2 (33. 34 mm.]
n.), skir
1. Post
.-larva.
.Madagascai
/..-inzibar.
1 (144 mm.).
2 (142, 172 mi
I (184 mm.).
11.).
Mombasa.
Durban.
.i (34-45 mm.;
I (132 mm.).
1.
Type of Rhoti
nbm
Mauritius.
BOTHIN^
235
I (50 mm.).
Persian Gulf.
Townsend.
I (52 „ ).
Muscat.
1 (200 „ ).
SeycheUes.
Wri'g'ht.
5 (ll7-l9omm.).
. (83 mm.).
Amirantes, 30 fms.
Gardiner.
2 (58, 135 mm.).
Maldives.
. (37 mm.).
Feheudu Isd., Maldives.
Ind'.Mus.
4 (60-105 mm.).
Karachi.
Townsend.
I (72 mm.).
Nicobar Is.
Day.
I (87 „ ).
Andaman Is.
I (180 ,, ).
Java Sea (8° 47' S., 114° 38' E
). Hardenberg.
2 (144, 173 mm.).
Ambovna.
Frank.
2(145, 152 ,, )•
N. Celebes.
Higgins and Meyer.
I (120 mm.).
New Britain.
—
2 (82, 120 mm.).
Goram.
B.O.U. New Guinea Exped.
I (130 mm.).
Manado, Philippines.
.Meyer.
I (98 ,, ).
Lord Howe Isd.
.Austr. Mus.
2 (180, 183 mm.)
Raine Isd., N. Queensland.
Queensland Mus.
I (150 mm.).
Honolulu.
■■ Challenger."
I (128 „ ).
Stanford Univ.
3 (140-154 mm.).
Hawaiian Is.
Hawaiian Govt.
I (130 mm.), skeleton.
,,
,,
I (170 „ ).
Coast of Savaii, Samoa.
Whitmee.
I (52 ,, ;.
Schmeltz.
I (42 ,, ).
,, ,,
I (185 „ ).
Samoa.
Whitmee.
2 (170, 184 mm.).
Fiji Is.
.Admiralty {" Herald ").
I (210 mm.).
Tahiti.
Godefiroy Mus.
I (163 „ ).
Ponape.
I (190 „ ).
I (200 „ ).
"
Also specimens from Madras, Maldives and Andaman Islands (Ind. Mus.) ; Red
Sea, Java, Amboina and East Indies (Leiden Mus.) ; and Red Sea, Hawaiian and
Caroline Islands (Mus. Comp. Zool).
The type of Citharichthys aureus. Day (= Pseudocitharichthys , Weber), examined
by me, appears to be a post-larval Bothus, and probably belongs to this species.
II. BOTHUS BLEEKERI, Steindachner.
Rhomboiiichtkys myriaster (non Temminck and Schlegel), Bleeker, 1856, .\ct. Soc. Sci. Indo-Xeerl.
i, Menado etc., p. 67.
Bothus bleekeri, Steindachner, 1861, Verb, zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xi, p. 178.
Rhomboidichthys myriaster, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 436.
Platophrys [Piatophrys) myriaster, Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl. Ichth., vi, p. 10
pi. xi, fig. I.
Psettvlis Qcellata, Johnstone, 1904, Ceylon Pearl Ovster Fish., Suppl. Rep
pi. ii.
? Platophrys {myriaster), Weber, rgi3, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 428.
Platophrys thompsoni. Fowler, 1923, Occ. Papers B. P. Bishop ^Ius., viii
Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x., p. 91, pi. iv, fig. c.
Bothus ovalis (part), Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 32.
Bothus {Platophrys) myriaster, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-.\ustral. .\rch., v, p. 120.
Depth of body ij to i* in the length, length of head 3^ to nearly 4. Profile of
head convex in front of upper eye, conca\e above and just in front of lower eye.
Diameter of eye 3i to 3J in length of head ; interorbital width ij to nearly ij times
(a little less in young) diameter of eye : anterior edge of upper eye above middle of
lower. Male with a strong spine on the snout, and another at symphysis of lower
jaw ; one or two spines anteriorly on orbital margins. Maxillary extending to below
anterior margin of eye, length 3 J to 3J in that of head. Teeth more strongly developed
Pleuron., pi. ix, fig. 4,
XV, p. 207, pi. i, fig. 3,
p. 3S8 ; Fowler, 1928,
^-i<>
l-T.A'IKISHI'.S (HF.l l-:i<()S()M.\r.\)
on blind side of jaws. 8 sliort K'll->'d<er.i on lower part of anterior art h. Scales all
cycloid on ocidar siile. except at extreme upper and lower edges of body, where they
are ctenoid : those of blind side cycloid ; about loo scales in lateral line. Dorsal
(So) So-oy. Anal (bi) 07-73. Pectoral of ocular side with 8 or 9 rays, upper rays
greatlv prolonged in the male, a little produced in the female. Caudal obtusely
pointed. Brownish, with numerous dark spots and annular markmgs .scattered over
the body : often a circular ocellus just behind curve of lateral line : a iliffuse dark
blotch on middle of straight portion ; .sometimes some transverse dark bands (blue in
life) on blind .side of body : dorsal and anal fins with a series of dark brown spots,
and with other darker markings ; distal j)art of caudal dark brown.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Ceylon
Specimens Ex.^mixkd :
dian Archipelago; Hawaiian Islands
This species is very doubtfully distinct from B. myriastcr and B. oralis, and it
>eems probable that an examination of a complete .series of examples of both sexes
iind of all ages would show that the three species are identical.
ij. BUTHIS .MVKIASTEK (Temminck and Schlegel).
A'/,ura6asmvnas(cr.TemminckandSchlegel, 1846, in Siebold, K. Japon. (Pisces), p. iSi, pi. X( ii, fig. ::.
IHatophrys mynusler. Jordan and Everniann, 190:;, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxv, p. 365 ; Jordan and
Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xxxi, p. 167 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Mat. Mus., xlviu,
P- 457.
.' Plalnphrvs circularis, Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, Abii. 1, p. 6::, pi. via, fig. 66.
linlhus mvna^lcr. Chabanaud. I9::9, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. I'aris, (2) i, p. 379 ; Wu, 193-, Thes.
I'.iciilt. Sci. I'niv. Pans, A. J44 (JfiS), p. 9.i.
BOTHIN^
237
Depth of body 1 J to it in the length, length of head 4 J to 4^. Profile of head
distinctly convex in front of upper eye, concave in front and just above lower eye.
Diameter of eye 3 J in length of head ; interorbital width more than twice diameter of
eye : anterior edge of upper eye above posterior part of lower ; each eye with a large
membranous flap on its hinder part in the male. Male with a strong spine on the
snout and another at symphysis of lower jaw ; some smaller spines round orbits.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length 3* in that of head. Teeth
more strongly developed on blind side of jaws. 6 short giil-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales all cycloid on ocular side, except at extreme upper and lower
edges of body, where they are ctenoid ; those of blind side cycloid ; 104 scales in
Fig. 179. — Bothus myriaster. Paris Museum (Indo-China).
lateral line. Dorsal 93-95. Anal 67-71. Pectoral of ocular side with 8 or 9 rays,
upper rays prolonged and filamentous in the male, longest more than twice as long
as head. Caudal obtusely pointed. Pale brownish : head and body with numerous
small brown spots ringed with pale brown, paler than the ground-colour, and pale
blue spots ringed with dark brown ; a diffuse dark blotch at junction of straight and
curved parts of lateral line and another more distinct blotch at the middle of its
straight portion ; dorsal and anal fins with small brown dots, and each with a row of
larger dusky spots ; caudal dark at base and at tip of rays, a pale band across the
middle ; pectoral with traces of faint cross-bars ; blind side of fish yellowish-white
anteriorly, becoming dark bro\vn posteriorly ; a number of narrow, wavy, dark
transverse bars (blue in life) just in front of the posterior dark portion.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Indo-China; coast of China (?) and Japan ; Formosa.
Specimens Ex.mhined :
? I (43 ■
!(<?,. I
China Seas.
Keerung, Formosa.
Belcher.
Tokyo In
ip. Univ.
Also one {^, 190 mm.) from Indo-China (Paris Mus.).
238
FLATFISHF.S (HETEROSOMATA)
13 BOTHUS OVALIS (Regan).
I'sMylis ocdILila (nun Rhombus uallalus, Agassiz), Alcock. 1890, Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) '
iig. 3 ; .-Mcock, i8q6. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., l.w (2), p. 328.
.- Ftatophrys myriastcr, Steindachner, 1902, Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxi, p. 152.
Platophrys oralis, Regan. 1908, Trans. I, inn. Soc. London, Zool., -Kii, p. 232, pi. xxvii, tig.
rUitophrvs circularis, Regan. 1908, torn, cit., p. 233, pi. xxvi, fig. 3.
Platophrys panlhcrinus, Jenkins, 1910, .\Ieni. Ind. Mus., iii, p. 26.
- Flalnphrys circularis, barnard, t<)25, Ann. S. Afr. iMus., xxi, p. 304.
llolhus ovahs (part), .N'orman, 1027, Ker. hid. .Mus., x.\ix. p. 32, tig. 7.
U.M. (X.H.) 190S.3.23.12
Depth of body iS in the length, length of head 3^ to 33. Profile of head distinctly
convex in front of upper eye. concave in front and just above lower eye. Diameter
of eye 3 to 3^ in length of head ; interorbital width a little less (young) or a little
greater than diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above middle of lower ;
each eye with a semi-circular membranous flap on its posterior part in the male.
Male with a strong spine on the snout, but only a slight projection below symphysis of
lower jaw. Maxillary extending to below anterior margin of eye or a little beyond,
length 3 1 to 35 in that of head. Teeth more strongly developed on bUnd side of jaws.
6 or 7 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid on ocular
side, except at e.xtreme upper and lower edges of body, where they are ctenoid ;
those of blind side cycloid ; 95 to 100 scales in lateraHine. Dorsal 88-92. Anal 64-70.
Pectoral of ocular side with 8 or 9 rays, upper rays more or less prolonged in both
sexes. Caudal obtusely pointed. Greyish brown, clouded and marked with darker,
and with numerous small pale spots ; head with some small sky-blue spots ; a circular
ocellus just behind curve of lateral line, and 3 or 4 similar but less distinct ocelli on
upper and lower halves of body, becoming fainter with age ; a diffuse dark blotch on
middle of straight portion of lateral line, and generally a faint blotch near base of
caudal fin ; dorsal and anal fins with minute dark brown spots, and with a series of
larger spots : distal part of caudal dark brown.
BOTH I N^
239
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1908.3.23.127.
Distribution. — South Africa (?); Seychelles Group ; south-eastern India ; Burma.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
3 {44-95 mm.). Holotype (95 mm.) .^mirantes, 30 fms. Gardiner.
Holotype (95 m:
and paratypes.
(38 mm.). Type of Platophrys
circularis
(88 ,, ).
-85
Also one from Arakan Coast, Burma, and the type of Pseltylis ocellala (Ind.
Mus.).
Examination of a series of examples leaves no doubt that B. circularis [=Psettylis
ocellala) is the young of B. ovalis, and it is more than likely that this species may
itself prove to be the same as B. myriaster.
14. BOTHUS ASSIMILIS (Giinther).
Rhomboidichthys assimilis, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 437.
Platophrys assimilis, Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool. Tokyo, Trans. Abstr., i (5), p. 178.
Bothus assimilis, Wu, 1932, Th4s. Facult. Sci. Univ. Paris, A. 244 (2f)8), p. 95.
Depth of body i J in the length, length of head 3|. Profile of head convex in front
of upper eye, concave above and in front of lower eye. Diameter of eye 4 in length of
head, about ^ the interorbital width : anterior edge of upper eye abo\e posterior
edge of lower. .\ blunt spine on the snout. Maxillary extending to below anterior
edge of eye, length nearly 4 in that of head. 6 or 7 short gdl-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales all cycloid ; about 80 in lateral line. Dorsal 87. Anal 65.
Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, upper rays not prolonged (?). Caudal obtusely
pointed. Brownish ; several series of dark spots on anterior part of interorbital
space ; median fins dusky.
rim
1.1.
Richardson.
'S sp.
;t.,|h) V
Weber,
i.p. 4
I'll?,
i7, fig. ; ;
■■ Siboga
Johnstone
■•■H.xped.,
. 10.14, Ceylon.
J-.s<he, p. .,!-■.
2.(0 l'[,.\IFISHI-:S (HKTICROSOMATA)
TvpK. — British .Museum (Nat Hist ). Ri'S. No. ;74<;].
DiSTRinuTioN. — China ; Formos.i.
Spkcimf.n Ex.amined ;
1 (ISO mm.). Hololype.
BOTH US
Pscttylts pdluada. .Aleocli. iS.io. .Ann, .\I jg. N.it. Hr
Pearl Oyster I-"ish., Suppl. Kop., x\, p. ::o7 ;
footnote.
liollnis ,<p., Xorman, 1937, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 34.
The descriptions quoted above refer to post-larval specimens, probably belonging
to this genus, which cannot be specifically identified. The following post-larva; are
also indeterminable ;
1 (40 mm.). Dar-es-Salaani. Smart.
I (21 ,. ). Abvssinia. Dav.
; (35, 37 mm.). .Madras coast, ;n fms. Ind. Mus.
I (3J mm.). Ganjam coast.
I {40 ,, ). Ceylon. Colombo .Mus.
1(41 ,. ). Paik Bay, Cevlon. Liverpool Univ.
1(3:: ,, ). Nankauri Harbour, Xicobar Is., Ind. Mus.
13-27 fms. ("Investigator").
Cenus 28. P.\R.\P,OTHUS.
Farabothus, N'orman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 60a [Arnoglossus polylepis, Alcock].
Close to Arnnglossus and Bolhus. Body ovate or rather elongate. Eyes on the
left side, separated by a flat or concave space, which is narrow or of moderate width
(a bony ridge in the young), and somewhat broader in the male ; lower eye only u
little in advance of upper. Male without rostral or orbital spines. Olfactory lamince
few in number, radiating from a very short central rachis.^ Mouth of moderate size,
the length of the maxillary 2\ to 3 in that of head ; jaws and dentition about ecjually
developed on both sides ; teeth small, pointed, more or less enlarged and wider apart
anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Upper angle of gill-opening
close to lateral line ; the membrane joining the operculum to the pectoral arch partly
scaled : gill-rakers of moderate length or rather short. Dorsal fin commencing above
nostrils of blind side and well in front of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled (at lea.st on
ocular side). Tip of first interhaemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral
fins unequal, that of ocular side larger ; none of the rays prolongefi. Scales small,
ctenoid (or cycloid) on ocular side, cycloid on blind side. I^ateral line developed only
on ocular side, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin.
Four or five species from the Indo-Pacific.
Sv.NOPSIS OF THE SPECIES.
1 Depth 2 to 2 3 in length ; scales ctenoid on ocular side.
.\ Head 3! to 3 J m length ; donsal 83, anal 63-60 . . . i. polylepis.
\: Head 3I to 4 in length ; dorsal 106-121, anal 86-qii.
1. Dorsal iofr-113, anal 86-94; depth about 2^ in length; eye 3,
maxillary 2| in head . . . . . .2. chlorospilus.
2. Dorsal 115, anal <i2 ; depth 2! in length; eye 4J, m.ixillary 2^ in
head ......... 3. violaceus.
3 Dorsal 114-121. anal 03-911 ; depth 2? in length ; eye 32, maxillary
2f m head ........ 4. coayctaliis.
1 1 Depth about 3, head 4 m length ; scales cycloid on ocular side ; dorsal 112,
.inal M2 ........ . '5. inalhensis].
' In /'. chU.iuspdui. X..t ex.niiin.M m ulhrr specie^.
BOTHIN^
I. PARABOTHUS POLYLEPIS (Alcock).
Arnoglossus potylcpis, Alcock, 1889, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., Iviii {2}, p. 290, pi. xvi, fig.
Khomboidichthys polytepis, Alcock, 1890, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 434 ; Alcoc
Zool. " Investigator ", Fishes, pi. xxiv, figs. 4, 5.
Bothus polylepis, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 31.
Parabothus polylepis, Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 600.
Fig. 182. — Parabothus polylepis. Ind. Mus. 12713. X I.
Depth of body 2j in the length, length of head 3^ to 3^. Upper profile of head
a little notched in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 3 to nearly 4 in length of head,
and about 6 times interorbital width (mature §). A blunt knob on the snout above
the maxillarj'. Maxillarj' extending to a little beyond anterior edge of eye, length
.2} to 3 in that of head. 8 or 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 82 to 85
scales in lateral line. Dorsal 83. Anal 63-66. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays,
length I J to i§ in that of head. Brownish ; a series of large dark rings at upper and
lower edges of body, inconspicuous in the larger specimen ; two dark blotches or
ocelli at junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line, and a larger blotch on
middle of straight portion ; median fins with small brown spots ; pectoral with three
indistinct brown cross-bars.
Type. — Indian Museum. No. 11 750.
Distribution. — Off Ceylon, 32 to 34 fathoms.
Specimens Examined :
The holotype ($, 80 mm.) and another example (2, 130 mm.) from off Ceylon (Ind.
Mus).
2. PARABOTHUS CHLOROSPILUS (Gilbert).
Plalophryschhrospilus, Gilbert, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (2), (1903), p. 684, fig. 26- ; Fowler,
1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 91.
Platophrys inermis, Gilbert, 1905, torn, cit., p. 685, fig. 268.
Khomboidichthys chlorospilus, Giinther, 1909, Fische Siidsee, viii, p. 343.
Parabothus chlorospilus, Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 601.
Depth of body about 2 J in the length, length of head 3} to 4. Upper profile of
head scarcely notched in front of eyes. Diameter of eye about 3 in length of head,
about ij times (q) or nearly 3 times (5) interorbital width. Maxillary extending to
below anterior part of eye, length 2i in that of head. 9 or 10 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. 83 to 90 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 106-113. Anal 86—94.
16
^4-
I'l.AIFISHKS (HETEKOSOMATA)
IVctoral of ocular side with ij or 14 rays, length 1} to nearly li in that of head,
(".rovish or brownish, with olive-brown dots, spots, rings or ocelli ; male with some
greenish-yellow spots on tlie snout and an interorbital bar of the same colour ; median
tins Imelv spotted with dark brown ; dorsal and anal each with a series of oblong
s,>\.t-.
Type. — United States National Museum. Xo. 5i'J47
Distribution. — Hawaiian Islands, 75-173 fathoms.
Specimens Ex.\minei> :
= ((J, 9? : 5. 165 mm.). Hawaiian Is.
3. PARABOTHUS VIOLACEUS (Franz).
Arnoglossus violaceus, Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, Abh.
Parabothus (?) violaceus, Norman, 1931, Ann. -Mag. Xat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 60
(U.S. N'at. Mus. \
BOTHIN.E
243
Depth of body 2J in the length, length of head 4. Upper profile of head a little
concave in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 4^ in length of head, about 3^ times inter-
orbital width. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 2J in that
of head. 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 100 scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 115. Anal 92. Length of pectoral ij in that of head. Dark brown, with
black spots on head and body ; fins blackish, spotted with paler.
Type, — Zoologische Saramlung des Bayerischen Staates, Munich.
Distribution. — Japan.
The type, from Aburatsubo, the only specimen known, is 235 mm. in length.
4. PARABOTHUS COARCTATUS (Gilbert).
Platophrys coarctatus, Gilbert, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii {2), (1903), p. 686, fig. 269 ;
1928, Mem. B. P, Bishop Mus., x, p. 92.
Rhomboidichthys coarctatus^ Giinther, 1909, Fische Siidsee, viii, p. 343.
Parabothus coarctatus, Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (lo) viii, p. 601.
Depth of body about 2J in the length, length of head 3|. Upper profile of head
a little concave in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 3^ in length of head ; interorbital
space a very narrow concave groove (5). Maxillary extending to below anterior
part of eye, length 2} in that of head. 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
93 to 96 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 114-121. Anal 93-99. Pectoral of ocular side
with 13 or 14 rays, length nearly f that of head. Pale olive brown, profusely covered
with green spots of varying size, each margined with darker ; a series of larger spots
near upper and lower edges of body ; two dark spots at junction of straight and cur\-ed
parts of lateral line, one on middle of straight portion, and another near base of caudal
fin ; head with spots and dashes of green ; dorsal and anal fins mottled with darker,
and each with a series of regularly arranged dark blotches.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51602.'
Distribution'. — Hawaiian Islands, 138 to 220 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
A paratype (154 mm.). U.S. Nat. Mus. No. 51694.
This species may be identical with P. polylepis.
A female, 162 1
in lengtli.
l-l.Air]SHI-:S (HHTHKOSOMATA)
5. I'AKAHorurS' .MAI.UHNSIS (Regan)
oglossus tnalhfii^is, Regan, iqoS, Trans. I. inn. Sor. Londnn, Zool., xii, |
1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. ::i.
-3.'^. Pl-
Depth of body about 3 in the length, length of head 4 Upper profile of head
a little concave in front of eyes. Diameter of eye 4 in length of head and about
tj times the interorbital width. Maxillary extending nearly to below middle of
eye, length 2 J in that of head. Teeth of upper jaw rather small and close-set laterally,
some enlarged canines anteriorly ; lateral teeth of lower jaw much stronger and wider
apart than those of upper. 1 1 rather slender gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales apparently all cycloid: 06 in lateral line. Dorsal 113. Anal 92.
Pectoral of ocular side with 13 rays, length more than i that of head. Uniformly
yellowish.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1Q08.3. 23 . 147.
Distribution. — Saya de Malha Bank, Indian Ocean.
Specimen Examined :
I (^, 175 mm.). Holotypi-. S.iy.i dc Malha H.ink, ..vii 1 23 fms. (.ardmcr.
The generic position of this species is uncertain, but, pending the discovery of
further specimens, it may be provisionally placed here.
Genus 29. GRAMMATOBOTHUS.
nmatobnthus
Blccker].
p. :^5 3 [Platophryi pnh'ophthaUi
Very close to Bothiis. Olfactory lamins' few or in moderate number, radiating
from a rather short central rachis. Interorbital region narrow, concave, similar in
both sexes. Teeth uniserial in both jaws, scarcely enlarged anteriorly. Scaling of
head and body more or less continuous between lateral line and upper angle of gill-
opening. Anterior rays of dorsal fin somewhat prolonged in both sexes. Scales
small, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on bhnd side. Lateral line equally developed
on both sides of body.
Three species from the Indo-Pacific.
245
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Depth about if in length; dorsal (77) 80-86, 2nd to 5th or 6th rays
moderately prolonged : anal (61) 64-67 . . . i. polyophthalmus .
II. Depth 1 1 to 2 in length ; 2nd to 4th rays of dorsal more or less prolonged,
expanded and pinniform.
A. Dorsal 88-gi, anal 72-76 ; rays of left pelvic not prolonged. 2. pennatus.
B. Dorsal 82, anal 66 ; rays of left pelvic prolonged and pinniform . 3. krempfi.
I. GRAMMATOBOTHUS POLYOPHTHALMUS (Bleeker).
I'latyophrys polyophthalmus, Bleeker, 1866, Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk., iii, p. 46; Bleeker, 1866-72, Atl.
Ichth., vi, p. 12, Pleuron., pi. iii, tig. 3 ; McCulIoch, 1922, Mem. Qd. Mus., vii, p. 244.
Rhomboidichthys angustifrons, Giinther, 1880, Shore Fishes "Challenger", p. 46. pi. xxi, fig. b;
Alcock, i8go, Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 435.
Psettylis ocellaia, Jenkins, rgio, Mem. Ind. Mus., iii, p. 27.
Orammatobothus polyophthalmus, Xorman, 1926, Biol. Res. "Endeavour", v, p. 253; Norman,
1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 35, fig. 8 ; McCuUoch, 1929, .Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 276.
Platophrys anguslifrons. Fowler. 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., x, p. 91.
Bothus [Platophrys) polyophthalmus, Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 119.
Fig. 1S7. — Grammatobothus polyophthal.
B..M. (N.H.) 79. 5.14 •
X !•
Depth of body about if in the length, length of head 3J to 4. Upper profile of
head more or less deeply notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter
of which is 3I to 3* in length of head and about 3 times interorbital width : lower
eye a little in advance of upper. Usually one or two blunt prominences in front of
lower eye, and two more above the maxillar\-. Maxillary extending to below anterior
edge of eye or a little beyond, length 3J to 3J in that of head ; lower jaw 2\ to 2J in
head. 8 or 9 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 77 to 82 scales in
lateral line. Dorsal (77) 80-86 ; second to fifth or sixth rays moderately prolonged,
highest § to t length of head. .\nal (61) 64-67. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 to
15 rays, upper ray frequently prolonged to below posterior half of dorsal (? male) ;
length (without produced ray) ij to ij in that of head. Caudal pointed. Pale
brownish, with 3 large conspicuous black ocelU forming a triangle, the two anterior
ones above and below the pectoral, the third on the middle of the straight portion
i40 !■! A I 11S111-:S (HliTEKOSOMATA)
of the lateral line ; head ami body with a number of smaller and less distinct spots
and markings, arranged in more or less regular series ; generally a dark bar above
upper eye : median tins with obscure dusky spots and blotches ; pectoral with broad
darker and paler cross-bars.
Tvi'K. — Leiden Museum
DlsTRIBTTlON. — From the Indi.in Ocean tlirough the Malay Peninsula and
Archipelago to Australia.
Sl'KCIMEXS F.XAMIXKl) :
bid. Mus.
Oate5.
2' E.). Hardenberg.
34" "4' K.).
■• Challenger."
. (i7 .".,
Ofl r. Xegrai!^. Hiu
Culf of Martaliaii.
J [["; ■■
1^ Type
uhthv-
).
.)( lih
.l,),n„s.
.IavaSea'(5"-:;'S.
Malacca Strait {0° i
.\rafura Sea, 30 luv
I J iiulesN'.E. of Ho
sland,
10-
Au5tr. Mil
(•' l-Iiuleav
(131
miles XAV. of Pine Peak,
ensland, ::4-26 fnis.
Also 1 from off Ceylon (Ind. Mus ), and 3 from Queensland (.\ustr. Mus.
Endeavour ").
CK.VMMAIOBOTHUS TENNATUS (OKilby).
Plalophrys pcnimta, Ogilby. 1913, Mem. Qd. Mus., 11, p. X <>.
(irammatobothus penimliis, Norman, 1926. Biol. Res. " l{ndc
i.ij.l, Mem. Aust. .Mus., v, n. 277.
Depth of body li to twice m the length, length of liead 33 to 4, Xotcli 111 front
if eyes less marked than m the preceding species, the upper prohle of the head lesi
iinv'cx. Snout about as long as eye, diameter of which is about 4 in Icngtli of head
BOTHIN.E 247
and 3 to 4 times the interorbital width ; lower eye in advance of upper. One or
two blunt prominences in front of lower eye, and two more above the maxillary.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length a little more than 3 in that
of head ; lower jaw 2I to 2J in head. Gill-rakers rather more .slender than in G.
polyophthalmus ; 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch. 79 to 83 scales in lateral
line. Dorsal 88-gi ; third ray prolonged, more or less expanded and pinniform,
about f length of head ; the fourth ray also prolonged in one or two specimens. Anal
72-76. Pectoral of ocular side with 13 to 15 rays, upper ray sometimes moderately
prolonged. Rays of left pelvic not prolonged. Coloration similar to that of G. poly-
ophthalmus, but the black ocellus on middle of straight part of lateral line is darker
and more prominent.
Type. — Queensland Museum.
Distribution, — Eastern Queensland.
Specimens Examined :
2 (159, 177 mm.). \z miles N.E. of Bowen, Queensland, ig-25 fms. Austr. Mus.
(" Endeavour "J.
I (162 mm.}. 25 miles S.E. of Double Island Point, Queensland,
33 fms.
Also 5 from Queensland (Austr. Mus. " Endeavour ").
3. GRAMMATOBOTHUS KREMPFI, Chabanaud.
Grammatobothus krcmpfi, Chabanaud, 1929, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) i, p. 377.
Very close to the preceding species, but dorsal 82 ; second to fourth rays pro-
gressively and considerably prolonged, pinniform, third about ij in length of head.
Anal 66. Rays of left pelvic prolonged, pinniform; third ray longest.
Type. — Paris Museum. ^
Distribution. — Poulo Condore, Indo-China.
Genus 30. MANCOPSETTA.
Lepidopsctta (11011 Gill, 1S64), Gunther, 18S0, Shore Fishes "Challenger", p. iS [Lepidopsctla
maculala, Giinther].
Mancopsetta, (Gill) Jordan, 1020, Genera Fish., iv, p. 514 [Lcpidopsetta maculnta, GQnther].
Body rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the left .side, separated by a bony
ridge, the lower a little in advance of upper ; upper parts of both eye-balls densely
scaled ; interorbital region similar in both sexes. No rostral or orbital spines.
Olfactory laminae well developed, rather few in number, parallel with one another
and with the main axis of the body ; no central rachis. Mouth of moderate size,
the maxillary narrow, scarcely expanded behind, length about ^ that of head ; jaws
about equally developed on both sides, but dentition stronger on blind side ; teeth
small, conical, scarcely enlarged anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless.
Upper angle of gill-opening well below lateral line ; gill-rakers comparatively few in
number, rather short and stout. Dorsal fin commencing behind level of posterior
nostril of blind side and just in front of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled. Tip of first
interhaemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. No pectoral fins. Posterior
part of pelvic fin of ocular side scarcely deflected on to left side of body. Scales
small, ctenoid on both sides of body : no supplementary scales. Lateral line equally
developed on both sides of body, nearly straight ; no supratemporal branch. Vent
on median line, just in front of anal fin.
A single species from the southern Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
' A male, 175 mm. in length.
248
FLATFISHl'.S {HKTHKOSC )MA 1 A
K MANCOrSETTA MACUl.AI A (CuntlR-r),
ulala, (.uiiUlK-r, iSSo, Shore I'l^hcs " I li.illi>ii«ir ", p. iS, pi.
p. 5I1-
LepiUopu-lla
1930, " Discovery " Reports, ii, p. 361.
Mancopsctla maculnla, Jordan, 1920, Genera Fish
-Miincnpstlla
Depth of body 2I to 2! in the length, length of head about 3},. Upper profile of
head a little notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye. diameter of which is
3 to 3| in length of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length
i or more than J that of head ; lower jaw about i head. About 12 gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch. 114 to 120 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 118-119. Anal
g--yg. Caudal rounded ; caudal peduncle very short. Brownish ; head, body and
fins covered with irregular rounded darker spots and blotches.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist,). Reg. No. 79.5. 14. go.
Distribution. — South Atlantic, north of the Falkland Islands ; southern Indi.ni
Ocean, near Prince Edward's Island.
Specimens Ex.imined :
Holotype.
Genus 31. AC HI
1930, " Discow
Reports,
Iw.irtl's
Isil.
u. fl
n-.
"Ch
W W.,
170
I-
15 (■
"Di
:()!'SK
,TT
A.
1, P- 3"
I i.-i
<cht
rnf,,
.ella It
icholept
ChallcnRe
Achirapsclltt. Xn
Close to Lepidopsetla, but body more elongate ; the middle portion fairly thick
and muscular, continued above and below as a thin semi-transparent region containing
the supports of the fins. Eyes separated by a flat, scaled space. Jaws and dentition
about equally developed on both sides. Dorsal fin commencing above ]>osterior
nostril of blind side ; dorsal and anal ending very close to base of caudal. Pelvic
fin of ocular side median in position anteriorly, twisted on to left side of body posteriorly.
Scales very small, ctenoid, the long spinules directed vertically, giving the skin a
pilose appearance
A single species from Pierra del Eucgo and tin- l-.ilklaml Isl.mds.
I. ACHIROPSETTA TRICHOLEPIS, Norman,
Achiropsctlatrichotepis, Norman. lo^o, " Discovery *' Reports, ii, p. 362, fig. 47.
190. — Achiropsetta tricholepis. B.M. (N.H.) 1930.5.6.4
Depth of body 2\ in the length, length of head 4J. Upper profile of head evenly-
convex. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is about 3^ in length of head
and 3 times the interorbital width. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of
eye, length a little more than J that of head : lower jaw nearly i head. 9 or 10 gill-
rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal about 130. Anal 114. Caudal rounded.
Uniformly yellowish brown.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1930.5.6.42.
Distribution. — Off Tierra del Fuego ; Falkland Islands.
Specimens Examined :
: (100 1
(105
1.). Holotvpe.
)•
9 miles X. 2i°E. of Arenas Point Light, 12-11 fms.
Falkland Is.
' Discovery."
Genus 32. CHASCANOPSETTA.
%iiopsella higubris, Alcock] ;
. I. p. 60 [Trachypterophrys
Chascanopsetla, Alcock, 1894, J. .•Vsiat. Soc. Beng., Ixiii {2), p. 12S [C)w
Alcock, 1809, Cat. iDdian Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 125.
Trachypterophrys, Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, .^
rapiator, Franz].
Body elongate, tapering posteriorly, strongly compressed. Eyes on the left side,
separated by a rather narrow and slightly concave space ; interorbital region similar
in both sexes. No rostral or orbital spines. Olfactory laminae rather numerous,
arranged transversely to a long central rachis. Mouth ver%' large, the length of the
maxillary more than h that of head ; tip of lower jaw projecting in front of upper ;
mandibular membranes not forming a distinct pouch ; jaws and dentition about
equally developed on both sides ; teeth small, slender, curved, pointed, those of the
lower jaw depressible ; uniserial in both jaws ; no distinct canines ; vomer toothless.
Gill-openings wide ; gill-rakers absent or represented by one or two rudiments. Dorsal
fin commencing above anterior nostril of blind side and well in front of eye ; anterior
rays connected by membrane only at their bases ; all the rays simple, not scaled.
250
FLATFISHES (HE fEROSOMATA)
Tip of first intcrhariial spme not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal,
that of ocular side larger ; all the rays simple. Anterior ray of left pelvic well in
advance of that of right. Scales very small, cycloid on both sides of body ; no supple-
mentary scales. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of hodv. with a low,
flat-topped curve above the pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch \ cut on lilmd
side, just in front of anal fin.
Two species from the Indo-Pacific.
Key to the Species.
I .Maxillary extending beyond posterior edge of eye, length T J to i f in head ;
width of curve of lateral line 5 to 5 J in straight part . . .1. lugubris.
II. Maxillary extending to below posterior edge of eye, length 15 in head;
width of curve of lateral line 6 in straight part ... 2. prorigeya.
I. CHASrANOPSETTA LUGUBRIS, Alcock.
Chascunopsclla lugubris, Alcock, 1S94, J. .\si,it. Soc. Beng., Ixui (;), p. IJ9, pi. vi, fig. 4 ; .\Ici)ck,
1895, lUust. Zool. " Investigator", Fishes, pi. xv, fig. 3 ; Alcock, 1899, Cat. Indian Deep-Sea
Fishes, p. 12^ ; Brauer, 1906, '* Valdivia " Tiefsee-Fische, p. 295 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind.
Mus., xxix, p. 35, fig. 9 ; Xorman, 1931, Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 601.
I rachypterophrys raptator, Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, p. 60, pi. vii, fig. 54 ;
Huhbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xlviii, p.'452.
. Bonde, 1922, Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. S. Air., 11, (19--1), Spec. Rep.
nard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 390.
n Bonde, 1922, Inm. n/,. p. 8 ; Von Bonde, 1925, Trans. Rov. Soc. S.
C hascun'ipsctta gilchristi, V'or
1, p. 7, pl. ii, fig. 2 ; Bat
C hascanopsetta maculata, Vo
Afr.,
xii, p. 28S
Depth of body i\ to nearly 4 in the length, length of head 4 to 5]. Diameter of
upper eye 35 to 4 in length of head, 3 to 3 times interorbital width. Cleft of mouth
generally oblique, but sometimes nearly vertical or horizontal : maxillary extending
to well beyond eye, length ij to 15 in that of head. Width of curve of lateral line
.5 to 5 J in straight part. Dorsal 1 14-122. Anal 77-85. Pectoral of ocular side with
14 to 17 rays, length ij to 2i in that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed ; caudal
peduncle deeper than long. Greyish or yellowish brown, with or without numerous
small dark spots ; fins dusky.
Type. — Indian Museum. No 13728.
Distribution — CJff south-east .Africa ; Crulf of Manar ; Hay of liengal ; Japan :
in deep water.
BOTHIN.E
Specimens Examined :
I (205 mm.). Paratype of C. gUchrisli.
- (145, 245 mm.). Paratypes of
C. maculata.
1 (2IO mm.).
' (180 „ ).
I (142 ,, ). Co-type of Trachyptero-
phrys raptator.
Natal, 275 fms.
174-223 fms
West of Ceylon.
Off Madras coast.
Fukuura, Japan.
Ind. AIus.
Zool. Saraml. Munich.
dncf' 'MnJ™"'l°'^ ^.'^'r ^^.'^ *^^ ^^y °^ ^""g^'' including the type of the species
basJ"of 'Thl^^" f "^i 'i'^"*''" the curve of the lateral line has a sharp angle above the
clelrlv ,n r °'^ ^" T '''^ "'^"'^^^ '•'^^' ^^ ^'^°*" i" Alcock's figure. This is
steofthebod^™ '°"'''"°"' ^""^ ^"^' ''^'"S "°™^"y fiat-topped on the blind
rJ^Jtyl^ S^^i^^'°" '" '°™' ^'^^ °^ ^>'^' ^*^- ''"* I -^ "-^■'^ to
2. CHASCANOPSETT.\ ]>RORIGEK.4, Gilbert.
CAasco«o/ise«a /)ron>f,a, Gilbert, 1905, Bull US Com Fish x-<u\ l-,\ (,n^,i „ as t
Jordan and Seale, ,906, BuU: US Bur. Fish.,.xxv (190 )'p 4 "' " ''' ^^ '''' '^'^ -^'"
Chascomopsetlaprorigera, Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop .Mus.; x, pf 9:;.
Fig. 192. — Chascanopsetta prorigcra. U.S.X.M.
mor?°than°f " 'Si' ^f^^^ °^ ^"^^^ ^^°"' ^ '" ^^^ '^"f^'h, length of head a little
Tdth Cleft o?Z h °h,"PP"" '^'" ^M°"' ■* '" '"^"Sth of head, twice interorb.tal
> ■ Tu , i"""**" oblique; max.llarv extending to below posterior edge of
%s' Inal'ir Pale^'h '"'■ ■ u''T °' '"''" "' '^*<^^^' ""^ "^ " ^^^''^t ;art 'D^^rs^!
Ti^^^ 1 ^ -^i' K, ?! brownish olive, everywhere finelv spotted with pale brown-
fine'v^mottled « r f ' °" '"**?'"' ""?' '""^ """""'' ""'^ '"S^^t ; dorsal a^nd ana°Zs
hnely mottled, a row of inconspicuous large brown spots on ba.sal half
lYPE.— United States National Museum. No 51605 1
Distribution.— Hawaiian Islands, 178 to 202 fathoms
Only the type known.
^ A male, 225 1
in total length.
FLATFISHF.S (HF.TEROSOMA TA)
(leiuis 33. PEI.ECANICHTHYS.
Pelecanichihys, Cilberl and Cramer. 1897, Proc. U.S. X.U. Mii^.. .xix, {1891,), p. 43:: [Pdecanuhlhys
crumntalts, Gilbert and Cramer].
Close to Chascanopsetta, but with larger mouth, the maxillary being longer than
the head (without projection of lower jaw) ; about i of the length of the lower jaw
projecting in front of the upper ; mandibular membranes voluminous, forming a
distinct gular pouch, .\nterior ray of left pelvic not very far in advance of that of
right ; right pelvic with rather long base. The middle portion of the body fairly
thick and muscular, continued above and below as a thin semi-transparent region
containing the supports of the fins.
.\ single species from the Hawaiian Islands.
I'ELECANICHTHYS CRUMENALIS, Gilbert and Cramer.
Prlecainchtlivi crumenaHs, Gdbert and Cramer, 1897, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xix, (iSglj), p. 433, pi.
xlvii ; Jordan and Kvcrmann, 1905, liull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxiii (i), (1903), p. 510, fig. ::::6 ;
Gilbert, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxui (:), (I9i'3), p. f'O" ; Fowler, I9;8, Mem. B. 1'. Bishop
Mus., .\. p. 93.
— ^^^>
Depth of bodv about 4 in the length (without lower jaw), length of head 4J.
Diameter of eye about 4 in length of head (without lower jaw), 4 times the interorbital
width. Maxiilarv extending nearly to edge of operculum, longer than head. Width
of curve of lateral line nearly 6 in straight part. Dorsal 121. Anal 88. Pectoral of
ocular side with 13 or 14 rays, length i3- in that of head. Yellowish brown, with
5 or 6 series of large round dark spots . dorsal and anal fins with traces of similar
spots ; caudal dusky.
Type. — United States National Museum, No 4873S-
DiSTRiBUTioN. — Hawaiian Islands, 238 to 344 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
I (;i5 mm.). Faratype. Haw.uian Is. Stanford Univ.
Genus 34. L/EOPS.
I.anp^, Gimtlier, iS.^.i, Shore Fishes " CliallenHer ", p. Jo ;/..r.i/>s parvuepi. Gunllieri ; Xornia
1931, Ann. Mag. Xat. Hist., do) viri. p. 601.
ScmKecU-.. Aleock, 18S9, J. Asiat. Soc. Beiia., Iviii (2), p. 284 ; AlcorU, 1890, Ann. May. Xat. Hisi
(6) VI, p. 216 [Scuinectes macrophthalmiis, Aleock).
I.ambiop-^etta, Smith and Pope, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mns., xxxi. p. 49(i \Lambdnpsclta kitahar.
Sniilh and Pope].
L.Tnpiuhlhv^. Hubhs, loli, l'n,r. U.S. Xat. Mus., xlviii, p. 460 \I.a-npl:chthY<: fravUs. Huhbs].
BOTHIN^ 253
Body ovate or rather elongate, broad in front, tapering behind, compressed. Eyes
on the left side, separated by a bony ridge or very narrow concave space ; interorbital
region similar in both sexes. No rostral or orbital spines. Olfactory lamina; in
moderate number, arranged transversely to or radiating from a fairly long central
rachis. Mouth small, protractile, the length of the maxillary 3! to 4I in that of head.
Jaws about equally developed on both sides, but dentition almost entirely confined
to blind side ; teeth all very small, pointed, more or less uniserial or in narrow bands
in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers few in number, very short, sometimes
rudimentary. Ilorsal fin commencing above nostrils of blind side and in front of or
above anterior edge of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled (at least on ocular side) ; first
two rays generally separated by an interspace from remainder of fin. Tip of first
interhjemal spine not projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that of
ocular side larger. Scales very small, all cycloid ; no supplementary scales. Lateral
line developed only on ocular side of body, with a distinct curve above the pectoral
fin ; without or with a very short supratemporal branch. Vent on blind side, above
first ray of anal fin.
Eight or nine species from the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Origin of dorsal above anterior nostril of blind side ; first two rays not
detached from remainder of fin, second and tliird a little prolonged ;
dorsal 103-106, anal 83-85 ...... i. nigromaculatus .
II. Origin of dorsal above posterior nostril of blind side ; first two rays detached
from remainder of fin, but none of the rays prolonged (except in very
young).
A. Dorsal 85-90, anal 67-70 ; head 3 to 33 in length ; eye 3 J to 4 J (5 J in
young) in head ....... 2. macrophthalmus.
B. Dorsal 95-115, anal 75-95 ; head 4 to 6J in length.
1. Dorsal 95-104, anal 75-86 ; 89 to 100 scales in lateral line.
a. Pectoral as long as or longer than head, which is 4 to 4§ in length
3. nigrescens.
b. Pectoral shorter than head, which is 4J to 5J in length.
n. Head 4J to 5J in length ; eye 3 to 3J in head.
* Upper profile nearly straight above and behind eyes ; depth
2f, head 5J in length ; maxillary 4^ in head ; dorsal 104,
anal 86 ....... 4. parviceps.
** Upper profile a little convex above and behind eyes ; depth
2 J to 3, head 4 J to 5 in length ; maxillary 4 to 4I in head ;
dorsal 97-102, anal 77-81 .... 5. guentheri.
*•* Upper profile markedly convex above and behind eyes ;
depth 2j to 2j, head 5 to 5J in length ; maxillary a little
more than 4 in head ; dorsal 97-99, anal 75-77 . 6. natalensis.
/3. Head 5} in length ; eye 2^ in head ; depth nearly 3 in length
7. kitaharcB.
2. Dorsal 104-115, anal 85-95 ; 98 to 120 scales in lateral line.
a. Pectoral shorter than head ; eye 2f or more in head.
". Eye 2} to 3|, maxillary 3! to 3f in head ; first dorsal ray not
prolonged ....... 8. lanceolata.
/3. Eye 6^, maxillary about 3§ in head ; first dorsal ray filamentous,
more than twice as long as head ... 9. variegata.
b. Pectoral nearly twice as long as head ; eye 2^ to 2 J in head 10. pectoralis.
Scianectes and Lambdopsetta are clearly synonyms of La-ops, and there seems to be
no valid reason for retaining Laophchthys as a distinct genus (see p. 260). In Lsops
ntgroniaciilatus the first two rays are continuous with the remainder of the dorsal fin,
but in other respects this species is a typical LcEops.
FI.A I l'ISHi;S (lll'VIKROSOMATA)
I. L.KOl'S NIGROMACULATUS. Von Bonde.
pi insrotmiuiliilus, Vuii Hoiiclf, 19.'.', Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Su
p. Ill, pi. ill ; \on Bomic. lo.'S, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xi
Afr. Mus.. .\xi, p. v)2 ; Norman, 1951, Ann. Mag. Xat. Hist
V. S. Afr., ii, (1921), Spc
p. 289 ; Barnard, i'i::s
(10) viii,p. 510.
Depth of body 2| to 2JS in the length, length of head 5 to 5J. Upper profile of head
and body markedly convex above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 33 to 3 J in length
of head ; lower eye scarcely in advance of upper, which is separated from edge of
head by a space equal to :^ or J its diameter. Maxillary scarcely reaching anterior
edge of eye, length 3J to 4 in head ; teeth uniserial, almost entirely confined to blind
side of jaws. () or 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 102 scales in lateral
line. Dorsal 103-106 ; origin above anterior nostril of blind side ; first two rays
not detached from remainder of fin ; second and third rays a little prolonged. Anal
83-85. Pectoral of ocular side with 14 rays, length ij to i J in that of head. Caudal
obtusely pointed. Brownish, with small black spots scattered irregularly over the
body ; outer parts of dorsal and anal fins black ; caudal blackish.
Type. — Government Marine Survey of South Africa Collection.
Distribution. — Off Natal coast and Dclagoa Bay, 55 to lOo fathoms.
Specimens Examined :
(166, 178 1
,.). I',
atypes.
Xatal, 55
Gilchrist.
2. L.5iOPS MACROPHTHALMUS (Alcock).
bciaiiectes macrophthalmus, Alcock, 1889, J. .■\siat. Soc. Beng., Iviii (2), p. 292, pi. .\vi, fig. 4 ; Alcock,
1889, Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (b) iv, p. 398 ; Alcock, 1890, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (b) vi, p. 210 ;
Alcock, 1898, Illust. Zool. " Investigator", Fishes, pi. xxiii, fig. i.
Scianectcs lophoptera, Alcock, 1889, J. .■\siat. Soc. Beng., Iviii (2), p. 284, pi. xvi, fig. 2.
I.izops macrnpMhaimus, Alcock, 1899, Cat. Ind. Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 128 : Regan, 1905, J. Bombay
Nat. Hist. Soc, xvi, p. 329 ; Norman, 192;, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 3S.
I.irops lophoptera, Norman, 1927, torn, cit., p, 39.
Depth of body 2J to 2| in the length, length of heail 3 to 33 Upper profile of head
and body more or less convex above and behind eye^. Diameter of eye 33 to a little
BOTHINiE 255
more than 4 (5 J in young) in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper,
which is \'ery close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to beyond anterior edge of
eye, length 3} to ^^ (3I in young) in that of head ; teeth uniserial, almost entirely
confined to blind side of jaws. 6 to 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. About
93 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 85-90 ; origin above posterior nostril of blind side ;
first two rays detached from remainder of fin ; none of the rays prolonged, longest
shorter than head (except in young). Anal 67-70. Pectoral of ocular side with 13
to 15 rays, length i J to if in that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed. Brownish ;
dorsal and anal fins darker towards their margins ; middle rays of caudal and distal
part of left pectoral dark brown or blackish.
Fic. 195. — L<eops macrophthalmui. B.M. (X.H.) 1027. i .6. 58. x|
Type. — Indian Museum. No. 11721.
Distribution. — From the Gulf of Oman through the Indian Ocean to Burma ; in
deep water.
Specimens Examined :
+ (92-138 mm.). Sea of Oman, 180 fms. Townsend.
2(100,130 ,, ). Off Calicut, iMadras, 100 fms. Ind. Mils.
-(90,95 ,, ). Off Ganjam Coast, Bay of Bengal, 98-102 fms.
2 (105. 106 „ ).
Also several from India and Burma, including the holotype of the species and the
holotype and first paratype of L. lophoptera (Ind. Mus.).
Examination of the types of L. lophoptera (No. 12435-6), 78 and 85 mm. m total
length, leaves little doubt that this is the young of L. macrophthalmus .
3. L.EOPS NIGRESCENS, Lloyd.
Laops nigrescens, Lloyd, 1907, Rec. Ind. Mus., i, p. 9 ; Lloyd, 1908, Illust. Zool. " Investigator ",
Fishes, pi. xliii, fig. 2 ; Lloyd, 1909, Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 161 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus.,
xxix, p. 38, fig. 10.
Depth of body 2^ to 25 in the length, length of head 4 to 45. Upper profile of head
and body moderately convex abo\e and behind eyes. Diameter of eye about 3 in
length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper, which is very close to edge of
head. Maxillary extending to beyond anterior edge of eye, length 3 f to 4^ in that of
head ; teeth more or less biserial, mainly confined to blind side of jaws. 8 to 10
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 89 to 92 scales in lateral line. Dorsal
95-98 ; origin above posterior nostril of blind side ; first two rays detached from
2^h FLAll'ISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
remainder iif I'm ; none of the riiys prolonged. Anal 80-83. Pectoral of ocular side
with 13 rays, as long as or longer than head. Caudal obtusely pointed. Brownish,
with irregular patches of darker ; dorsal and anal fins darker towards their margins.
Type. — Indian Museum. No. F. ijqi.
Distribution. — Gulf of Aden ; in deep water.
Specimens Ex.mhined :
; (147, 1.5'J iiiin.). Paratypcs. i 3' 36' N, 47° .1^' E., 1
.\lso 2 other paratypes from the same locality (Ind. Mus.)
4. L.EOPS PARVICEPS, Gunther.
ops pari'icfp^, (iiiiither,
Mem. Ji. r. Bishop Mu
p. 116, lis. ::S.
Fishes " Challenger ", p.
Weber anrl ISeanfort, 10.
, pi. XV. tlR. A ; I-owler, V
Fish. Indo-.^u5tr.ll. Arrh.
Depth of body 2 J in the length, length of head 5 J. Upjier profile of head and body
irlv straight above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 3] in length of head ; lower
BOTHIN.E
257
eye a little in advance of upper, which touches edge of head. Maxillary scarcely
reaching anterior edge of eye, length 4I in that of head ; teeth in narrow bands,
confined to blind side of jaws. 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 93 scales
in lateral line. Dorsal 104 ; origin above posterior nostril of blind side ; first two
rays detached from remainder of fin ; none of the rays prolonged. Anal 86. Pectoral
of ocular side with 13 rays, length a little more than ^ that of head. Caudal pointed.
Yellowish brown, with traces of darker markings ; dorsal and anal fins darker towards
their margins ; caudal dusky.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79.5.14.98.
Distribution. — Arafura Sea, 35 to 49 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
I {140 mm.). Holotype
.\rafura Sea, 35-40 hi
' Challenger."
5. L^OPS GUENTHERI, Alcock.
Laop& guenihcri, Alcock, 1890, Ann
" Investigator ", Fishes, pi. xxi:
ScianecUs macrophthalmus (part), Je
Mag. Kat. Hist., (6) vi, p. 438 ; Alcock,
fig. 4 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., -xxi
kins, igio, Mem. Ind. Mus., iii, p. 27.
Depth of body 2J to 3 in the length, length of head 4J to 5. Upper profile of head
and body a little convex above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 3 to 3 J in length
of head ; lower eye in advance of upper, which enters upper profile of head. Maxillary
scarcely reaching anterior edge of eye, length 4 to 4 3 in that of head ; teeth in narrow
bands, confined to blind side of jaws. 6 to 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. About 95 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 97-102 ; origin above posterior nostril
of blind side ; first two rays detached from remainder of fin ; none of the rays
prolonged. Anal 77-81. Pectoral of ocular side with 14 rays, length 15 to ij in
that of head. Caudal pointed. Pale brownish ; dorsal and anal fins darker towards
their margins ; caudal dusky.
Type. — Indian Museum. No. 12888.
Distribution. — Persian Gulf; east coast of India; Gulf of Martaban.
Specimens Examined :
I (102 mm.).
1 (100 „ ).
2 (75, 95 mm.).
Ganjam Coast, 15-25 fms.
Puri, Orissa coast.
Mouth of R. Hughli, Calcutta.
Also 6 from the Persian Gulf, India and Burma, including the holotype of the
species (Ind. Mus.).
17
^58
F1,AIFISHI':S (HICTHROSOMATA)
LambJopstlla kilahura (ii.»i Sn
li, (l<l-M), Spec. 1^-p., i, p.
Laops nalaUttsis, Xorm.iri, tq
l.-lCOl'S NAI'ALENSIS.
nil an.l I'cpol, \'..ii Bond.', im
M.i
\.U. H.St.. (lo)
K<-p. lish. Mar. Uiol. Su
i> P-
Depth of body -ij to 2 J in the lengtli. length of head 5 to 5 J. l.fpper profile of head
and body markedly convex above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye about 3 in length
of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper, which almost touches edge of head.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length a little more than 4 in that
of head ; teeth in narrow bands, mostly confined to blind side of jaws. 5 or 6 gill-
rakers on lower part of anterior arch. About 100 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 97-
1)1) ; origin above posterior nostril of blind side ; first two rays detached from remainder
of tin ; none of the rays prolonged. Anal 75-77. Pectoral of ocular side with 14
rays, length about li in that of head. Caudal rounded. Yellowish brown ; median
fins dusky towards their margins.
Fig, 194, — Lcfops natale
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist ). Keg. \o. \qzi
Distribution. — Coast of Natal, 180 to 230 fathoms
Specimens Examined :
Also a paratype (l 15 mm ) from Natal, i.So fins. (Guvernnient Marine Survey Coll.).
Readily distinguished from /, hitaharir by the deeper body, larger head, more
convex profile, etc.
L.^iOPS KITAHAK.E (Smith and Pope).
U.S. N'.it. .Mui., .\x.\i, p. 400
.xxMii (I), p, .!I7, hg. i65.
■; Jordan,
Mag. Nat,
l-ambilop-,clta kilalianr, Sniitli and Pope, irjulj, Pri
Tauaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokv
I.aops kiiahara, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mu
Hist. (10) viii, p. 601.
Depth of body nearly 3 in the length, length of head j\ Upper profile of head
and body moderately convex above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 2 J in length
of head ; lower eye very slightly in advance of upper, which touches edge of head.
.Maxillary extcnrling to a little bevond anterior margin of eye, length nearly 4 in that
BOTHIN.E 259
of head ; teeth in narrow bands, confined to blind side of jaws. 5 or 6 gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch. 100 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 103 ; first two rays
detached from remainder of fin ; none of the rays prolonged. Anal 76. Pectoral of
ocular side about f length of head. Caudal rounded. Greenish yellow ; median
fins blackish towards their margins.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 55612.
Distribution. — Japan.
The type (137 mm.), from Kagoshima, is the only specimen known.
8. L.EOPS LANCEOLATA, Franz.
LiEOps lanceolata, Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, Abh. i, p. 62, pi. viii, fig. 60 ;
Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 460 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie
Mus., X, p. 295.
Laoptichthys fragtlis, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 460, pi. xx\'i, lig. 4.
Depth of body 3 to 3J in the length, length of head 5J to 6. Upper profile of head
and body more or less convex above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 2f to 3f in
length of head ; lower eye very Uttle in advance of upper, which touches edge of head.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or beyond, length 3 f to 3? in that of
head ; teeth apparently in narrow bands, confined to blind side of jaws. 6 to 8
26o FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
gill-rakcrs on lower part of anterior arch. 98 to 120 scales in lateral line. Dorsal
104-115 : first two rays detached from remainder of fin ; none of the rays prolonged.
Anal 85-<)5. I'ectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length li to twice in that of head.
Caudal pointed. Yellowish, with a series of 5 or 6 famt dark blotches at upper and
lower edges of body, extending on to fins ; median fins darker towards their margins.
Type. — Zoologische Sammhmg des Bayerischen Staates, Munich.
Distribution. — Japan.
Specimens Examined :
{801
1.). Co-type.
shi, Jap.i
55 fn
111., Munich.
.\lso 4 other co-types (77-87 mm.) from the same locality (Zool. Samml., Munich).
Col. Tenison has examined the type of Liroptichihys fragilis (U.S. Nat. Mus. No.
75f'73). 68 mm. in length, from Suruga Gulf, 47 fathoms, and assures me that this is
identical with Li^ops lanceolata. Hubbs described the teeth in this species as being
in " a single even .series ", but Col. Tenison was unable to be sure of this character.
Within the genus Leeops the arrangement of the teeth varies from narrow bands to a
single series, and in young or poorly preserved examples it is often very difficult to be
certain whether the teetfi liave the one arrangement or the other.
Lcrnps lanceolata mav eventually prove to be the young of L. kitaharir, with which,
apart from the higher number of dorsal and anal rays, it agrees very closely.
nps raricgaia. Franz, mo. Abh. B,
Hubb5, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus
L.EOPS VARIEG.\TA, Franz.
Siippl. iv, Abh.
Akad. VVi
.■lu, p. 460
.■\ post-larval form, probably identical with /,. lanceolata. Depth of body 2| in
the length, length of head 5. Upper profile of head and body distinctly convex above
and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 6i in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes
about level, upper rather close to edge of head. Length of maxillary about 35 in that
of head. 8 or 9 giU-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 1 10 scales in lateral line.
BOTHIN.?l
261
Dorsal no ; basal part of first ray strong, longer than head, the ray being produced
to form a filament, the whole being more than twice length of head. Anal 90. Pectoral
of ocular side with 15 (?) rays, length 2J in that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed.
Yellowish brown, with dark spots and blotches connected by a network of dark lines ;
dorsal and anal with dark spots and markings ; distal part of caudal with 3 cross-bars.
Type. — Zoologische Sammlung des Bayeri.schen Staates, Munich.
Distribution. — Japan.
Specimens Examined :
Two co-types (77, 92 mm.) from Dzushi, 27 to 55 fms. (Zool. Samml., Munich).
10. L.«OPS PECTORALIS (Von Bonde).
Lambdopseita pectoralis, \'on Bonde, 1922, Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol, feurv. S. Afr., ii, (1921), Spec. Rep.,
i, p. 10, pi. i, tig. 3 ; Von Bonde, 1925, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xii, p. 289 ; Barnard, 1925,
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 393.
Fia. 203.— Laops pecloralis. B.M. (N.H.) 1922. 3.27. 20. Xf.
Depth of body 2| to nearly 3 in the length, length of head 5§ to 6J. Upper profile
of head and body moderately convex above and behind eyes. Diameter of eye 2J
to 2J in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper, which is close to edge
of head. Ma.xillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length about 4J in that
of head ; teeth apparently in one or two series, mostly confined to blind side of jaws.
7 or 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 105 to no scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 108- 11 3 : origin above posterior nostril of blind side ; first two rays detached
from remainder of fin ; none of the rays prolonged. Anal 91-94. Pectoral of ocular
side with 12 rays, length nearly twice that of head. Caudal obtusely pointed.
Brownish ; fins dusky.
Type. — Government Marine Survey of South Africa Collection.
Distribution. — Off coast of Natal and Delagoa Bay, 150 to 170 fathoms.
Specimens Examined :
(190 I
n.). Paratype.
Xatal, 150 fins
Also the holotype (155 mm.) from the same locality (Govt. Marine Survey Coll.).
Both specimens are mature females.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Subfamily 3. SCOPHTHALMIN.E.
Both pelvic fins elongate, extending forward to the urohyal, supported by carti-
laginous plates placed in advance of the cleithra ; caudal vertebrje with well-developed
transverse apophyses.
Four genera from the Xorth Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Synopsis of thh Gkneka.
I . Uranchial septum entire ; scales small, cycloid, or replaced by bony tubercles ;
dorsal and anal fins not continued on to blind side of caudal peduncle ;
post-larval stages with an air-bladder . . . -35 Scophthalmus.
II. Branchial septum with a large foramen between lower pharyngeals and
urohval ; scales ctenoid (at least on ocular side) ; dorsal and anal fins ter-
minating on blind side of caudal peduncle ; post-larval stages without
air-bladder.
A Scales rather small, somewhat deciduous, ctenoid im ocular side, cycloid
on blind side : pelvics free from anal : vomer with teeth 36. Lepidorhombus.
n. Scales small or of moderate size, very adherent.
I. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body : vomer without teeth : pelvics
free from anal ; pyloric appenda.ges present . 37. I'hrvnorhombvs.
J Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cyclonl on blind side ; vomer with
teeth : pelvics united with anal ; no pyloric appendages
38. Zeugopterus
Cenus 35. SCOPHTHALMUS. 1
Rhomhi^ (lum Costa, 1776 ; Humphreys, I7<i7 ; L.iccpi-de, 1801.), l(Klein) Walbaiini, 1792, Artcdi
Irhtli., (i), I'd. 2, p. 582] ; Cuvier, 1S17, R. Anini., li, p. 222 [Pleuronectes rhombus, I.innKus] ;
Kvlf, 1013, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1008-1910, ii, A. i, pp. 8, 14.
Scophlhalmus, Rafinesque, 1810, Ind. itt. Sicil., pp. 14, 53 [Plcuronedes rhombus, Linnajus] ; Chaba-
iiand, 1930, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Pans, (2) ii, p. 628; Nonnan, 1931. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
(in) viii, p. .SI 3.
Wwmhoidcs, Coldfuss, 1820, Handb. d. Zoologie, ii [Handb. d. Nature. (Schubert), iii (2)], p. 73
[Plcuronccles rhombus. Linna;us].
Psella (iiott Psdtus, Cuvier, 1S17), Swainson, 1839, N. H. Fishes, ctr.. n, pp. 1.S7, 3.12 \Ph-uroncdc
maximum. Linnaeus] ; Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. IVsci Eurnp., p. 49.
Pleuromctes [nan Linna?us, 1758), De Kav, 1842, N. H. New Vork (I'lsh.), p. 301 ; Jordan and C.oss,
1SH9, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 2,S4 [Plfur,iiu-cl,'s manmus. Linna-usj.
Passer (lion Brisson, 1760), \'alenciennes, 1S55, Voy. "Wnns", v, Zool., p. 341 [Pleuronccta
maximus, Linna'Us].
LophopsMa, Gill, 1862, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci, Philad., (1861), Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. Coast N. Amer.),
p. 51 ; Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 220 [Pleuronectes maculatus, Mitchill].
Bothus (lion Ratinesque, 1810), Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 815 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1S82), p. 577; Chabanaud, 1930, Riviera Sci.,
Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 21 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) iii. p. 303.
Body deep, more or less compressed. Eyes on the left side, separated by a flat
space of moderate width, the interorbital region similar in both sexes. No ro.stral or
orbital spines. t^Ifactory laminae in moderate number or rather numerous, arranged
transversely to or radiating from a long central rachis. Mouth large, the length of
the maxillary 5 that of head : jaws and dentition about equally developed on both
sides ; teeth small, curved, pointed, in narrow bands in both jaws (sometimes in a single
series posteriorlv) : no canines ; a patch of teeth on the vomer. Gill-rakers of
moderate length and rather slender, not ver\- nnnicrous ; lower ph.iryngeals narrow,
separated for the greater part of their length. r,nli witli several rows of small teeth ;
' I'nr a complete discussion of the nomenclature .it this Kenus, see Nnnn.ui, 1931, Ann. Mag.
SCOI'HTHALMIN^ 263
branchial septum without a foramen between lower pharyngeals and urohyal. Dorsal
fin commencing m front of anterior nostril of blind side and well in advance of eye ;
most of the rays branched. Dorsal and anal fins not continued on to blind side of
caudal peduncle. Tip of first interha-mal spine not projecting in front of anal fin.
Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side a little larger ; middle rays branched. Pelvic
fins free from anal ; first ray of that of blind side opposite second or third of that of
ocular side. Scales, when present, small, cycloid ; sometimes replaced by bony
tubercles. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body, with a strong curve
above the pectoral fin ; a distinct supratemporal branch. Two pyloric appendages ;
vent on blind side, above first ray of anal fin. An air-bladder present in the post-
larval stages.
Four or five species from the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Scales absent, replaced by scattered bony tubercles; anterior dorsal rays
not much branched, not free from membrane [Psetta].
A. Dorsal 57-71, anal 43-52.
1. Depth I J to 1 3 in length ; highest rays of dorsal 2J to zf in head ;
tubercles generally developed only on ocular side, always much
smaller than eye ....... i. maximiis,
2. Depth i^ to if in length ; highest rays of dorsal ij to twice in head ;
tubercles generally developed on both sides of body, mostly larger
than eye (in adults) . . . . . . .2. maeoticus.
B. Dorsal 78-80, anal 55-58 ....... 3. ponticus.
II. Scales present ; no bony tubercles ; anterior rays of dor.sal much branched,
more or less free from membrane [Scophthalmus].
A. Body not strongly compressed ; dor.sal 73-83, anal 56—62 ; 11 to 13 gill-
rakers on lower part of anterior arch .... 4. rhombus.
B. Body strongly compressed, translucent in life; dorsal 65-71, anal 50—
55; 22 to 26 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch . . 5. aquosus.
I. SCOPHTHALMUS MAXIMUS (Linnsus).
[TURBOT.]
PUuronecles maximus, Linnseus, 1758, Syst. Xat., ed. 10, p. 271 ; 1766, ed. 12, p. 459 ; Blocli, 1783,
.Vaturgesch. Fische Deutsch., ii, p. 53 ; Quensel, 1806, Vet. .^kad. Handl., xxvii, pp. 54, 203 :
Risso, 1810, Ichth. Nice, p. 314 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886),
p. 257-
PUuroncctes turbot, Lacepede, 1802, Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, p. 645.
PUuronectcs tuberculalus, Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool., iv (2), p. 312 ; Turton, 1807, Brit. Fauna, p. 97.
Pleuroncctcs Cyclops, Donovan, 1806, N. H. Brit. Fishes, iv, pi. xc ; Turton, 1807, torn, cit., p. 97.
Scophthalmus maximus, Rafinesque, 1810, Ind. itt. Sicil., p. 14 ; Chabanaud, 1930, Bull. Mus. Hist,
nat. Paris, (2) ii, p. 628 ; Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. 513.
Rhombus maximus, Cuvier, 181 7, R. Anini.,ii,p. 222 ; Risso, 1826, H. N. Europe, iii, p. 250 ; Kroyer,
1845, Danmarks Fiske, ll, p. 424, fig. ; Costa, 1847, Faun. R. Napoli, ii, fasc. 55-8, p. 15, pi.
xlviii, figs, 1, 2 ; Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 636 ; Varrell, 1859, Hist. Brit.
Fishes, ed. 3, i, p. 634, fig, ; Canestrini, 1862, Arch. Zool. Anat. Fisiol. Genova, i, p. 25, pi. iii,
fig. : ; Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 407 ; Malmgren, 1864, .\rch. Naturgesch., xxx (l), p.
293; Steindachner, 1868, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. VVien, Ivii (l), p. 714; Collett, 1875, Vid.-
Selsk. Forh., (1S74), Till. p. 137 ; Malm, 1877, Goteborgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 510 ; Collett, 1880,
Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1879), p. 76; Moreau, 1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 338; Day,
1880-84, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 11, pi. xcvi ; Hock, 1903, Pub. Circ. Cons. Explor. Mer., iii, p. 49,
pi. v. ; Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, v (5), p. 98, fig. 170; Saemundsson, 1922,
Videns. Medd. naturh. Foren. Kjob., Ixxiv, p. 162 ; Schnakenbeck ; 1925, Tier. Nord Ostsee,
L. ii, xii (i), p. 7, fig. 7 ; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explor. North, xxvii, p. 137, fig. 100 ;
Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. .Medit. Espan. Marruecos, p. 97 ; Saemundsson, 1927, Videns. Medd.
naturh. Foren. Kj^b., Ixxxiv. p. 173; Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. .Mlant.
Nord, iv, fig.
264
I'l.ATMSMI'.S (lll'ri'EROSOMAIA)
lS4(), C.lt. niototl. Ppsci
PlaUssn Cyclops, I'lcniiiig. iSjS, Urit. Anim., p. igg.
lihombtis aculcaliis, Clottsche, 1S35, Arch. Nntiirgcscli.. i {:), p. 172.
Fsctla maximum, SH-airison, 1839, N. H. Fishes, etc., il. p. 302 ; Bon
Europ., p. 49.
PUuroiicclcs rlwmbus, Gray, 1854, Cat. Fish. Gronnw, p. <).j.
llnllius miiximus, Jordan .ind Gilbert. 188;, Bull. U.S. N'.il. Mus., x\ i, p. 577 ; Collctt, 1SS4, Nyl. Mac.
Naturv. Christiania, xxix, p. 100; I.illjcbors, iSoi. SveriK. Norg. I'iskar. il, p. 303; Smill,
1893. Scand. Fisli., i, p. 434, pi. xvm. fie, i ; CoUett, I'ms, Vid.-Selsk. I'orh , (10..::), p. 86 ;
Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. n. p. ji ; ( habanaud, mu, Hull. .Mus. Hist.
iiat. Paris. (2) iii. p. 303.
■lou:
Holt, 1S91, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc., (;) iv. p. 469, pi. xlviii, fig. 18, xlix. fig. ;.■; ; Canu. 1893,
Ann. Stat, aquic. Boulogne, i, p. 131, pi. x, tigs. 1-3 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv,
(1893), pp. 41, 131, pi. i, figs. 1-4: Mcintosh, 1S95, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xiii (3), p. 224,
pi. viii, figs. 1-14; Cunningham, 1896, N. H. Market. Mar. Fish., p. 260, figs. 120-124;
Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 328, figs. ;
Meercsunters., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., ii (i), p. 282, pi. v, figs. 10, 20,
.-Inn. .Mus. hist. nat. Marseille, Zool., v (2), p. 65, pi. viii, figs. 85-88 ;
1900, Wiss. Meeresunters., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., iii, p. 230^ ; Hoc
Kxplor. Mer.jiii, p. 49, pi. V ; Ehrenbauni, 1905, in Brandt and Apste
I. Eier Larv. Fisch. (i), p. 194, fig. 77.
Ehrenba
uni,
1897,
Wiss-
vi, fig. :
21 ;
Holt,
1899,
Heincke :
tnd Ehrenbaum,
k, 1903,
Pub.
Circ.
Co us.
■in, .\'ord
ische
■s Plai
akton.
Body of a rounded rhomboid form, IJcpth of body i J to 1 3 in the leiifitli, length
of head 2? to 3. Snout much longer than eye, diameter of which is o to 1 1 m lengtli
of head and (in adults) les.s than interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes about
level or lower a little in advance of upper, which is well separated from edge of head.
Maxillary extending to below posterior part of eye or beyond, length 2 J to 2 J in that
' ( onsult f..r full list of references.
SCOFHTHALMIN,*:
265
of head. 10 to 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Head and body without
distinct scales, but with scattered bony tubercles, typically present only on ocular
side or very much more feeble on blind side, always smaller than eye.^ Dorsal 57-
71 ; highest rays 4J to nearly 5 in depth of body and 2^ to 2f in length of head. Anal
43-52. Rays of dorsal and anal without .scales. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or
12 rays, length 2\ to 2f in that of head. First ray of right pelvic opposite second of
left. Caudal rounded. Vertebrae 12 + 18-19. Coloration very variable ; generally
greyish or sandy brown, with darker spots and blotches ; fins spotted and mottled
with brown.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean ;
Iceland.
Specimens Examined :
I (190 mm.
).
Bohuslan, Sweden. =
Malm.
I (19 ,,
)•
Stromstad,
_,
2(18, 20 m
m.).
Lunnevik
I (185 mm.
)•
Gestrickland,
Sweden.
Wheelwright.
2(24, 25m
m.).
Scotland.
Mcintosh.
6 (330-400
mm.).
Aberdeen Ma:
rket.
Fish. Board Scotland.
3 (170-370
,, ), stuffed.
Firth of Forth.
—
18(15-40
,. )■
E. coast of El
ngland.
Giinther.
I, skull.
North Sea.
__
1 (675 mm.
).
Grimsby.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
■ (650 „
), stuffed.
J,
I (780 ,,
), ..
,j
Gerrard.
4 (37-55 mi
m.).
Brighton.
Children.
I (30S mm.
), skin.
Plymouth.
—
I (204 ,,
), ..
,,
Yarrell Coll.
I (600 „
).
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
■ (570 ,, :
), stuffed.
Devonshire.
Spence.
I (180 ,,
), skin.
Yarrell Coll.
20 (10-40 n
im.).
Mevagissey.
Day.
I (470 mm.:
I (loo „ :
I, stuffed.
1-
Jersey.
Mogador.
Hornell.
Rein.
4 (360-570
mm.).
London Market.
Fishmongers' Co,
I (750 mm.:
1, skeleton.
Great Britain
Damon.
I (450 ,, :
1, skin.
Donovan.
' (700 ,, :
1, stuffed.
—
Willoughby.
I (232 ,,
1. .,
—
—
■ (215 „ :
1, skin.
—
Gronow Coll.
I (140 „ :
2 (92, i3on
1.
im.).
—
Haslar Col.
Frank.
Also 2 skins (5 and 9 inches) from Linnaeus's collection (Einnaean Society of
London).
I (410
I (500
I (320
I (150
). Ambicolorate.
). Partial ambicolorate.
London Market.
British coast.
Gow.
Howlett.
Fishmongers' Co.
Day.
^ As Smitt (1893) has pointed out, there are shallow, and, in most cases, definitely bounded
scale-sacs (follicles) in the skin between the tubercles, but these never contain true scale-like
structures.
* It seems possible that the Turbot of the Baltic area may prove to represent a distinct race, as
does the Plaice, but further material is required in order to decide this point.
' The following papers describe abnormalities of the Turbot : Mcintosh, 1875, ' Mar. Invertebr.
Fish. St. Andrews ', p. 179, pi. vi, figs. 5, 6 ; Ewart, 1884, ' Rep. Fish. Board Scotland ', ii (F. 7),
p. 80, pi. xiii ; BatesoQ, 1894, ' Mater. Study Variation *, p. 470 ; Cunningham and McMunn, 1894,
' Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc.', B. 184, p. 803 ; Sacchi, 1898, ' Boll. Mus. zool. anat. comp. Genova ',
II.A 1 I'ISHl'.S (IlirrKKOSdMA lA)
. (490 mm
I (400 ,.
' (300 ,,
■ (-^15 „
.). Aml.icc
). Albino.
). Aintncc
ilor.Ui'.
)lonitc.
I (liSo ,,
Sillfcilk ColIlIlgS.
\\t>iiu,utli. riKiinp.;on.
SiMini'M Lov.-. (.ornu.ill Suw.irt.
— I i.nl Wiil.HiKlil.v.
In spite of the records of gigantic specimens, mostly hascil on liearsav, it is (lr>iil>tfiil
whether this species normally attains a length greater than 3 feet or a weight of
more than 50 pounds.
HvHKin IrRHoT .\.\ii Huiri..
(S. inaxiiiiiis ■ S ili,»iibus )'
llhomhiis livhridtis. Malm, 1877. CxiteborKs liolius. Faiin.i, p. ^11 ; Malm, 18S;, (".olpborgs Mas.
\rsskr.. Ill, (iSSi), p. 23.
}Kh„mln,i Icc-.is var., .Moreau, iS.Si, Hist. Xat. Poiss. FraiKo. ni, p. 54-
liollius nmximiis hybridus, Smitt, 1S93, Scand. I-'ish., 1, p. 444, tiK. 11?.
Hnthus rhombus hybridus, Smitt, 1893, ''^w. cii., p. 44s, tig. 114.
Khombus mmtmus X Khombui rhombus, Buen, 19:16, Cat. irtml. .M.dit. H^p.ia. M.irrucc os, p. 07
I5epth of body about li in the length, length of head 3. Snout longer than eye,
diameter of which is 8J to 9 in length of head and equal to or a little greater than
interorbital width ; lower eye in advance of upper, which is well separated from edge
of head. Ma.xillary e.xtending to below hinder part of eye or beyond, length 2}
to 2^ in that of head. 11 or 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Head and
body on both sides with cycloid scales, separated from each other, embedded in the
.No. (")7, fig. 3; Mcintosh, 1902, 'Ann. .Mag. Xat. Hist.', (7) ix, p. 29: ; (. unmngha
Soc.', p. 174, pi. XI : Cunningham, 1907, ' J. Mar. Biol. .Ass.', n.s., viii, p. 44, p
•Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.', p. 146, iig. ; Eliiihirst, 19H, 'Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist
1911, ' Zoologist ', (4) XV, p. 30 ; Ninni, 1932, ' Hull. Soc. zool. Fr.', Ivii, p 7(1
others arc included in the svnonvmv of the species.
» .See also Qildch, iSh9, ' I'roc. /.ool. Soc.', p. 47? : I.dnnberg, 1894, ' Over*
li. p. ^-i. figs. ; Holt, iSos, ' 1. Mar. Hiol. Ass.'. \.s., 111, p. 292.
u, 1007, ■ Proc.Zool.
. Ill ; Ritchie, 1908,
', p. 79 ; Elmhirst,
hg. References to
. X'et.-Ak.id. I'orh.',
SCOPHTHALMIN.E
267
skin, and appearing as rounded or oval protuberances. Dorsal (63) 69-72 (75) ;
anterior rays more or less forked, but not free from membrane ; highest rays about
4 J in depth of body and 2 J in length of head. Anal (47) 50-52 (58). Most rays of
dorsal and anal with rudimentary scales on ocular side. Pectoral of ocular side with
1 1 or 1 2 rays, length 2 J to 2f in that of head. First ray of right pelvic opposite second
of left. Caudal rounded. More or less uniformly brownish.
Distribution. — Atlantic coasts of Europe; Mediterranean.
Specimens Examined :
I (490 mm.).
I (550 „ ).
• (490 ,. )■
I (450 ,, ). stuffed.
London Market.
Quelrh.
Gibson.
The specimens described above appear to be genuine hybrids, and such forms would
seem to be not very uncommon in the Cattegat (Lonnberg) and on the Dutch coast
(Quelch). No e.xperimental evidence of their hybrid nature is yet forthcoming, but,
in view of the fact that they cannot definitely be assigned to either parent species,
and in certain features seem to be intermediate between the two, this would appear
probable. Further, the Turbot and Brill are closely related forms and spawn at about
the same time and in similar localities. Of five of such forms examined by Lonnberg,
two were males with well-developed testes, one was a female with a large ovary, and
two (the most essentially intermediate examples) showed no trace of reproductive
organs.
2. SCOPHTHALMUS M.liOTICUS (Pallas).
[Black Sea Turbot.]
Fig. 206. — Scophthalmus mcEotit
B..M. (N.H.) 84.8.26.38.
Pleurnnectes mtsoticus, Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 419.
Rhombus stellosus, Bennett, 1S35, Proc. Zool. Soc, iii (30), p. 92.
2()8 FLATFISHES (HKTICKOSOMATA)
Khomhus Inrnsus, R.itliko, iS.ir, Mini, prt-s. Ac. Imp. Sii. St. IV-lcrsb., iii (3 and 4), p. MO-
Rhombus rliombttis, Kathkc. 1S17, lorn, cit., p. J51.
Rhombus mcroticus, Nordnian, 1S40, in Demidov, \'oy. Riiss. iiiLTid., lii. p. 534, pi. zS, lig. j, pk.
z<), io : Kesslcr, 18.10, Bull. Soc. Nat. Moscou, xxxii {:), p. 441 ; Ciinther, iSoj. Cat. Fisli., iv,
p. 409.
Psclta mtFOlicit, Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. niotod. I'esci Europ., p. 40.
I'U-uromcles maximus var. mcroticus, Jordan and Go5s, 18.S.1, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (i8«f)),
p. ;,sr.
Bnthus miFoluus, Berg, miO. Poiss. eaux donees Rnss., p. 4611, fig. 35J.
."^cophlhiilmus mirolicus, Norman. 1931, .Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii, p. .513.
Clo.se to S. maximus, but the body is more rhomboid in shape, the depth ij to ij
in the length, length of head 2^ to nearly 3. Diameter of eye 6 to 1 1, length of maxillary
2 to 2^ in that of head. 1 1 or 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Tuf^ercles
generally strongly developed on blind side of body as well as on ocular side, much
stronger than in S. ma.Miiius (in adults), those on body mostly larger than eye.'
Dorsal 61-68 : highest rays 3 J to 4^ in depth of body, and i J to 2 in length of head.
.\nal 44-50. Pectoral of ocular side with 1 1 to 13 rays, length i J to 2J in that of head.
Caudal roimded.
Type. — Zoologisches Museum der Universitiit, Herhn (?).
Distribution. — Black Sea. extending into the eastern Mediterranean.
Specimens Ex.amined :
Hattcrsli'V.
Dickson.
MiUingen.
Sprat t.
Popov.
3 SCOl'HTHALMUS I'OXTICUS, Nmni.
Srophlhnlmus pnuluus, Xmni, 193;. Bull. .Soc. zool. Fr., Ivii, p. 83.
Very close to the preceding species, but dorsal 78-80, anal 55-58 ; caudal with
19 branched rays.
Type — Not traced.
Distribution — Black Sea
4 SCOPHTHALML'S RHOMRfiS (I.innanis).
[Brill. 1
rintrnnecles rhombus. Linnaius, 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 271 ; I7i>i>. ed. 12, p. 458 ; Blocli. 1783,
Naturgesch. Fischc Deutsch., ii, p. 36, pi. xliii ; Schneider, iSoi, in Hloeh, Syst. Ichth., p. 152;
l.acepede, 1802, Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, p. 649 ; Quensel, 1R06, Vet. Akad. Handl., pp. .14, 307 i
Risso, 1810, Ichth. Nice, p. 315 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886),
p. :58.
PlniTimcctes crislalus, l.ichtenstein, i8ni, in Schneider (Bloch), Svst, h hlh., p. 153.
I'leurnnides l<ivis, Turlon, 1802, l.innans, Svst. Nat., 1. p. 71)4.
ScopUhalmus rhombus, Rafincsque, iSkj, Ind. itt. Sicil., p. 14 ; Chabanaud, 1930, Bull. Mus. Hist,
nat. Pans, (;) 11, p. 6;S ; Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (10), viii, p. 513.
' In voung and immature individuals the form and size of the tubercles, as well ,is the extent
of tlieir development, frequently approach closely to the c<inditions found in .s. maximum-
3 (520-675 mn
1-).
London M,irket.
3 (250-415 ,.
)■
Constantinople.
3 (230-272 ,,
)■
Bosphorus.
2 (470, 500 ,,
).
I (270 mm.).
Ta
,-pe of Rhombi
stdlosus.
(.■, Erzeroum.
z (66, 200 mm
■)■
Black Sea.
I (170 mm.).
Sebastopol.
I (70 ,, ).
4 (54-63 mm.)
2 (155, 175 nil
n.).
Fupatoria, trin
SCOPHTHALMIN.E
269
Buen, 1926, Cat. ictio]. Medit. Espan. Marruecos,
Rhombusrhombus, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anim.,ii,
p. 97.
Rhombus cristatus, Cuvier, 1817, torn, cit., p. 222.
Rhombus vulgaris, {Cuvier) Kroyer, 1845. Danmarks Fiske, ii, p. 405, fig. ; Costa, 1847, Faun.
R. Xapoli.ii. fasc. 55-8, p. 10, pi. xlii : Varrell, 1859, Hist. Brit. Fishes, ed. 3, 1, p. 641, fig.
Rhombus barbalus, Risso, 1826, H. N. Europe, iii, p. 251.
Pleuronecles liodcrma, Nardo, 1827, Isis, xx (6), p. 481.
Rhombus licvis, Bonaparte, 1833, Icon. Faune Ital., (4) ; Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2),
p. 175 ; Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 638 ; Canestrini, 1862, Arch. Zool. Anat.
Fisiol. Genova, i, p. 27, pi. ii, fig. 4; Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 410; Steindachner,
1868, SitzBer. .Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ivii (i), p. 714 ; Moreau, 188:, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii,
p. 340 ; Day, 1880-4, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 14, pi. xcvii : Danois, 1913, An
Paris, v (5), p. 98, fig. 169 ; Schnakenbeck, 1925, Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. ii, ;
Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. Atlant. Nord, iii, fig.
Fselta rhombus, Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 49.
I'lalessa pavoniim, Costa, 1847, Faun. R. Xapoli.ii, fasc. 55-8, p. 5.
Inst, oceanogr.
1(1), p. 8, fig. 8;
Fig. 207. — Scophthalmus rhomb
Pleuronecles passer, Gray, 1854, Cat. Fish. Gronow, p. 90.
Rhombus linnei, Malm, 1877, Goteborgs Bohus. Faun., p. 513.
Bothus rhombus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., v, (1882), p. 577; Lilljeborg,
1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 319 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 441, pi. xviii, fig. 2 ;
Collett, 1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 85 ; Buen, 1919, Bol. Peso. Madrid, iv, p. 301 ;
Nordg.lrd. 1929, Forh. Norske Vid. Selsk. Trondhjem, i (8), p. 24; Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera
Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 21 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) iii, p. 303.
Eggs, Larv.e and You.ng.
Raffaele, 1888, Mitt. zool. Stat. Neapel, viii, p. 48, pi. iv, figs. 8, 11, 12, 13, 18 ; .Manon, 1894, Ann.
.Mus. hist. nat. Marseille, iv, (1890-4), pi. ii, fig. 20 ; Mcintosh, 1891, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland,
IX (3), p. 317, Pl. xiii, figs. 1-3; Mcintosh, 1892, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, x (3), p. 294,
pi. xiv, fig. 9, XV, fig. 1, xvi, figs. 14-1S ; Canu, 1893, Ann. stat. aquic. Boulogne, i, p. 132,
pl. xi, figs. 1-4 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, (1893), pp. 43, 131, pl. i, figs. 5-8 ;
Cunningham, 1896, N. H. .Market. Mar. Fish., p. 267, figs. 125, 126 ; Mcintosh and .Masterman,
1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 337, figs. ; Ehrenbaum, 1897, Wiss. Meeresunters.. Abt. Helgo-
land, ii (I), p. 291, pl. vi, figs. 22-24 ; Heincke and Ehrenbaum, 1900, Wiss. Meeresunters.,
Abt. Helgoland, N.F., iii, p. 231'; Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches
Plankton, I. Eier Larv. Fisch. (i), p. 198, fig. 78 ; Fage, 1910, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, i (7),
P- 35-
Consult for full list of references.
270 FLATFISHES (HETEROSO.MA'IA)
Body not strongly compressed or translucent in life. Depth of body i| to nearly
twice in the length, length of head 3 to 3 J. Snout (in adults) much longer than eye,
diameter of which is bi to 9 in length of head and a little less than intcrorbital width.
Maxillar\' extending to below posterior edge of eye or beyond, length 2 J to 2 J in that
of head. 1 1 to 13 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid, more
or less imbricated ; 115 to 125 in lateral line. Dorsal 73-83 ; anterior rays generally
much branched and more or less free from membrane distally. Anal ^b-bi. Dorsal
and anal rays mostly scaled on both sides. Pectoral of ocular side with 1 1 or 1 2 rays,
length 2 J to 2 J in that of head. First ray of right pelvic opposite .second of left.
Caudal rounded. Vertebra; 11-12 -f 23-25. Brownish or greyish, generally with
numerous small dark spots or pale areas margined with darker ; usually some scattered
small white spots and a series of larger ones at upper and lower edges of body ; fins
spotted and mottled with paler and darker brown .
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of l-"uropc, from Scamlmavia (about (14 N ) to the
Mediterranean.
Specimens Ex.'^mined :
I (360 mm.).
Bohiislan,
.Sweden.
Malm.
l^ (4-24 mm.).
6 (320-430 mm.).
Aberdeen
Market.
Fish. Board Scot
I (290 mm.), skeleton.
Great Bril
;am.
—
3 (120-172 mm.), skms.
Yarrell.
I (595 mm.), stuffed.
Grimsby.
Mar. Biol, .\ssoc
2 (470, 500 mm.).
,,
1 (115 mm.).
Brighton.
Gtinther.
1 (660 ,, ), stuffed.
Plymoutli.
Spence.
I (575 ,, ). ,,
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
3 (197-307 mm.), skms.
Yarrell.
I (640 mm.), stuffed.
Brixham.
Gerrard.
I (600 ,, ).
I-'owev.
Giinther.
I (360 ,, ), stuttc.l.
Jersey.
Hornell.
I (310 ,, ). ,,
France.
Parzudaki.
I (460 ,, )
Lisbon.
Lowe.
I (210 ,, ).
Dalmatia.
—
I (293 ,, ).
Constantii
lople.
Dickson.
This species very rarely exceeds a length of 2 feet or a weight of 8 pounds, although
the Mediterranean larger specimens have lieen recorded.
5. SCOPHTHALMUS AQUOSUS (Mitchil
[Window I^ane,]
Pleuronectes maculalus [non Schneider^), Mitchill, 1814
1842, N. H. New York (Fish.), p. 301, pi. xlvii, fig. i
Sci., S.S., ii, p. 479 ; Storer, 1867, Hist. Fish. Mass
Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 258.
Pleuronectes aquosus, Mitchill, 1815, Tr. Lit. Phil. Soc. N. York, i, p. 389, pi. ii
Kept. Fish. X. York, p. 9 ; De Kay,
I ; Storer, 1846, Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts
:h., p. 204, pi. xxxi, fig. 4 ; Jordan and
' The following papers describe abnormalities of the Brill: Filhol, 1890, 'Bull. Soc. Bhilom.
Paris', (8) ii, p. 54, fig.; Bateson, 1894, ' Proc. Zool. Soc.', p. 246, pi. xvii ; Cunningham and
.McMunn, 1S9.1, ' Pliil. Trans. Roy. .Soc.', B.1S4, p. 807 ; Johnstone. 1909, ' Trans. Liverpool Biol.
Soc.', xxiu, p. 200, pL 111, fig. 1, text fig. 18 ; Ninni. 1932, ' Bull. .Soc. zool. Fr.', Ivii, p. 76, fig.
■ An Indian species of Sole.
SCOPHTHALMIN^
, (Cuvier) Storer, 1839, Rept. Ichth. Massach., p. 146 ; Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish.,
I.ophopsetta maculata. Gill, l8(
N. Amer.),p. 216; Gill, ii
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mu
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., {1861), Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. Coast
\, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 220 ; Jordan and Evermann,
. {3), p. 2660, pi. ccclxxxii, fig. 938 ; Bean, 1902, Ann. Rep.
Forest Fish Game Comm. N.Y., vi, (1901), p. 474; Huntsman
1921, No. iii, p. 22 ; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S. Bur.
iigs. 268-270 ; Nichols and Breder, 1927, Zoologica, ix, p. 181, fig.
1928, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xliii (i), p. 171.
Bothus maculatiis, Jordan and Gilbert, 18S2, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xv
Scophlhalmus aquosus, Norman, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) viii
1922, Contr. Canad. Biol.,
Fish., xl (I), (1924), p. 516,
; Hildebrand and Schroeder,
,p. 815.
p. 513.
.^gassiz, 187^
260, 270
Eggs
Proc. .^mer. .^cad., xiv, p
\Nr> Young.
Bigelow and Welsh,
1925, torn, cit., p. 316. figs.
V\o. zoS.—Scophthalmus aquosus. B.M. (N.H.) 79- 10.9.66. Xj.
Body strongly compressed, nearly translucent in life. Depth of body i^ to i§
in the length, length of head 3^ to 3|. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is
4J to nearly 6 in length of head and greater than interorbital width ; anterior margins
of eyes level or lower a little in advance of upper, which is close to edge of head.
Maxillary extending to below middle or posterior part of eye, length about 2j- in that
of head : a bony tubercle at anterior end of maxillary on ocular side. 22 to 26 gill-
rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid, loosely imbricated ; 90 to
95 in lateral line. Dorsal 65-71 ; anterior rays somewhat higher than those which
follow, branched, free from membrane for the greater part of their length. Anal
50-55. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays, length ij to i| in that of head. First
ray of right pelvic opposite third of left. Caudal rather long, rounded or obtusely
pointed. Vertebrae 11 + 25. Brownish, marbled with paler, and with a number
of small, dark spots irregularly arranged ; median tins with larger brown spots and
blotches.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of the United States, from Casco Bay to South
Carolina.
KI.ATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Spkcimens Examined :
I {r6o lilin.), skin.
I (go ,. ).
I (:65 ,, ).
J {13S, 145 mm.).
3 (95-I-- ., ).
New York.
Long Island. ;
Xoank. Conn.
X. Carolina.
Off Charleston
S. Carolma
X. .\mcrica.
I (Kjo mm.).
Also one from Massachusetts Bay (.Mus. Comp. Zool.).
This species rarely exceeds a weight of one pound.
I'arncll Coli.
Amcr. Mils. Xat. Hist.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Charleston Mus.
U.S. Nat. Mns.
Genus 36. l.EPIDORHOMRUS.
l-CpiUorhimibiis. liUnther, l86j, Cat. Fish.,iv, pp. 407, 411 [Plciir.inecles inci;,islnma, Donovan].
Zeugopteriis (part), Steenstrup, 1865, Overs. Dansk. \'id. Selsk., p. 11;.
Body rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the left side, large, separated by a
narrow .space or bony ridge, the interorbital region similar in both sexes ; upper eye
close to edge of head. No rostral or orbital spines. Olfactory laminje in moderate
number, arranged transversely to or radiating from a central rachis. Mouth large,
the length of the maxillary about i that of head ; jaws and dentition nearly equally
ileveloped on both sides ; teeth small, curved, pointed, in narrow bands anteriorly
in both jaws, tapering to a single series posteriorly : no distinct canines : a few small
teeth on the head of the vomer. Gill-rakers of moderate length and rather stout,
not numerous ; lower phan,-ngeals narrow, separated throughout their length, each
with several rows of small teeth ; branchial septum perforated by a large foramen
between the lower pharyngeals and urohyal. Dorsal fin commencing above or slightly
behind anterior nostril of blind side and well in advance of eye ; most of the rays
branched and scaled on both sides ; dorsal and anal fins terminating a little on blind
side of caudal peduncle. Tip of first interhsemal spine not projecting in front of anal
fin. Pectoral tins unequal, that of ocular side much larger ; middle rays branched.
Pelvic fins free from anal ; first ray of that of blind side oppo.site second of that of
ocular side. Scales rather small, more or less deciduous, feebly ctenoid on ocular side,
cvcloid on blind side, l^ateral line equally developed on both sides of body, with a
strong curve above the pectoral fin : a short, indistinct supratemporal branch. Two
pyloric appendages ; vent a little on blind side, just in front of first ray of anal fin.
No air-bladder in post-larval stages
Two species from the Mediterranean and north-eastern -Atlantic.
Synopsis of thk Spkcies.
I. Eye 33 (young) to 5J in head ; lower jaw strongly projecting : 05 to 109
scales in lateral line : dorsal 85-94 . . . . .1. ivhjff-iagonis.
II. ICye 3 to 3J in head ; lower jaw a little projecting ; .s- to 113 scales in lateral
line ; dorsal 79-86 . . . . . . . . .2. boscti.
I, LEPinORHO.MBUS WHIFF-IAGONIS (Walbaum).
Mf.grim : Sail-fll-ki;
rUu'nnicUi whifj-iiiKftus. Walbaum, 179:, Artedi Ichth., (31, cd. 2, p. i2n.
I'Uuronecles mcgasinma, Donovan, 1804, N. H. Brit. Fish,, iv, pi. 51 ; Moreau, iSSi. Hist. Xat.
Poiss. France, ill. p. 33;; Kolombatovic, 1887, GodiS. izoj. C.K. \'el. Real, Splitu, p. 27;
Vaillant, 1888, Exped. " Travailleur " et " Talisman ", Poissons, p. 1S8.
fleuroneclei piiudopalus. Pennant, 1S12, Bnt. Zool.. new ed,. iii. p. ',;4. pl- 52.
PlmronecUs IKhombus) cardma (parti, Cuvicr, 18:9, R. Anim,, .-d. :, ij, p. 341.
SCOPHTHALMIN^ 273
Rhombus megastoma, Yarrell, 1836, Brit. Fish., ed. i, ii, p. 251, fig. ; 1841, ed. 2, ii, p. 342, fig. ;
Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 641 ; Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 411 ;
.Malm, 1877, Goteborgs. Bohus. Fauna, p. 516 ; Giinther, 1888, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb., xv,
p. 217; Holt and Calderwood, 1895, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (ii) v, p. 481 ; Ninni, 1930.
in Faun. Flore .Medit., x, fig.
Zeugoptcrus megastoma, Yarrell, 1859, Brit. Fish., ed. 3, i, p. 654, fig. ; CoUett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk.
Forh., (1874), Till., p. 138; CoUett, 1880, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1879), p. 76; Lilljeborg, 1891,
Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 341 ; Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, v (5), p. 96,
fig. 165 ; Saeraundsson, 1927, Rit. Visind. Island, ii, p. 35.
Zcugopterus ? velivolans, (Richardson) Yarrell, 1859, Brit. Fish., ed. 3, i, p. 656a, fig.
Arnoglossus megastoma, Day, 1880-4, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 21, pi. xcviii.
Lepidorhombus megastoma, Collett, 1884, Nyt. Mag. Naturv. Christiania, xxix, p. 100 ; Goode and
Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 439 ; Collett, 1896, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, x, p. 93 ; Kyle,
1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, A.i, pp. 15, etc.
Lepidorhombus whiff-iagoms, Jordan and Goss, 1S89, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 252;
Collett, 1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 89 ; Xordg:lrd, 1929, Forh. Norske Vid. Selsk.
Trondhjem, i (8), p. 24 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 22.
Lepidorhombus whiff, Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 448, fig. 115; Schnakenbeck, 1925, Tier.
Nord Ostsee, L. ii, xii (i), p. 9, figs. 9, 10 : Buen, 1926, Cat. Ictiol. Medit. Espan. Marruecos,
p. 98 : Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. Atlant. Xord, iv, fig.
Lepidorhombus megastoma borealis, Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, A.i, p. 13.
Eggs, Larv.c and Yol-ng.
Mcintosh, 1892, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, x (3), p. 292, pi. xvi, figs, l-lo ; Cunningham, 1896,
N. H. Market. .Mar. Fish., p. 271, fig. 127 ; Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-
fish., p. 352, figs. ; Petersen, 1905, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., xii, (1902-3), p. 28, pi. i, figs. 9, 10 ;
Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv, Fisch. (i), p. 202,
fig. 79 : Petersen, 1906, Medd. Komm. Havunders0g. KJ0b., Ser. Fisk., ii (i), p. 8 ; Petersen,
1909, Medd. Komm. HavundersBg. K}0b., Ser. Fisk., iii (i), p. i, pi. i, figs. 7-12.
Fig. 209. — Lepidorhombus U'hiff-iagonis. B.M. (N.H.) 1931 .4 . 12 . 1. X J.
Depth of body 2j to 3 in the length, length of head 3J to 3|. Snout (in adults)
longer than eye, diameter of which is 3f (young) to 5J in length of head ; lower eye
generally in advance of upper, which is close to edge of head. Maxillarj' extending
about to below middle of eye or not quite as far, length 2 J to 2J in that of head ; lower
jaw usually strongly projecting. 12 to 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales moderately deciduous, 95 to log in lateral line. Dorsal 85-94. Anal 64-74.
Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays, length i| to 2 J in that of head. Caudal
rounded or double-truncate. Vertebrae 9-10 + 31-32. Yellowish or greyish brown,
uniform or with some rather obscure darker spots and rings ; median fins with some
indefinite darker spots.
18
-74 l'l.\ ri'lSllI':s (HICTEKOSOMATA)
Type. — Xot traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of western Europe, from Scandinavia (about 64' N.) to
the Iberian Peninsula and beyond^ ; Iceland
SpECIMKNS KXAMINKI) :
I (530 inin). Iceland. Mar. Biol. .^ssoc.
I (410 ., )■
Orkneys.
Rae.
I ^4^^ .. ).
Kilbrennan Sound, 40 fms.
Murray.
I (30.1 .. ).
Off S.W. Ireland (52° :o' N.,
12' W.), i6q fms.
Brunncr.
3 (j3j-4<>5 mm.)
7 1 190-400 ,, )
Plymouth.
Mar.' Biol. Assoc.
I (150 mm.).
Minehcad.
Brunner.
I (540 ,, ).
London Market.
Gibson and Quelch.
() (460-495 mm.)
Fishmongers' Co.
3 (355-475 ,, )
, skins.
Great Britain.
—
. (4^omm.),skil
Yarrell Coll.
I (412 ,, ). skeleton.
—
6 (335-350 mm.)
Coast of Portugal.
Henriques.
Attains to a length of about 24 inches.
It is possible that two species are included here, as suggested by Kyle — a northern
form (velivolans), and the true whiff-iagonis from the EngUsh Channel and western
coasts. Petersen's descriptions of post-larval specimens rather suggest that this is
the case, but the material at my disposal does not enable me to recognise more than
one species. L. velivolans is said to have a deeper body and rather fewer fin-rays than
L. whiff-iagonis.
2. LEPIDORHO.MBUS BOSCH (Risso).
PUuronectes boscii, Risso, 1810, Ichth. Nice, p. 319, pi. vii, (ig. 33 ; Bonaparte, 1837, Icon. Faun.
Ital., (4), fig. ; Canestrini, 1862, Arch. Zool. Anat. Fisiol. Genova, i, p. 19, pi. ii, fig. 2 ; Moreau,
1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 330 ; Kolombatovic, 1887, GodiS. izoj. C. K. Real. Splitu,
p. 27-
Htppoglossus boscii, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anini., ii, p. 221 ; Risso, 1826, H. X. Furopc, in. p. 246;
Costa, 1847, Faun. R. Napoli, ii, fasc. 55-8, p. 31.
Plturoticctes (Rhombus) boscii, Cuvier, 1829, R. Anim., ed. 2, 11, p. 341.
Artwglossus boscii, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 416; Canestrini, 1S71-2, Faun. Ital., Pesci,
iii, p. 163 ; Vinciguerra, 1883, Ann. Mus. Stor. nat. Genova, xviii. p. 570 ; Zugmayer, 1911,
Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco, xxxv, p. 129.
Arnoglossus mcgastoma (part). Day, 1880-4, Fish. Britain, 11, p. 21.
Rhombus boscn. Gunther, 1889, Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) iv, p. 41S ; Gunther, 1890, Proc. Zool.
Soc, p. 43 ; Bourne, 1890, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., n.s., i, p 311 ; Holt and Calderwood, 1895, Sci.
Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (ii) v, p. 486, figs.
Rhombus megastonius, Carus, 1889-93, Prodr. F. Medit., ii, p. 586.
Lepidorhombus boscii, Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., 1, p. 447 ; Collett, 1896. Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco,
X, p. 94 ; Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish. Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, 11, .\.i, p. 15 ; Buen, 1926, Cat.
ictiol. Medit. Espan. -Marruecos, p. 98 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera Sci,. Suppl- Mem. 11, p. 22.
Eggs, Larv.-k and Voi:.mg.
Holt, 1893, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (li) v, pi. xv, fig. 116 ; Petersen, 1905, Rep. Danish Biol.
Stat., xii, (1902-3), pi. i, fig. 11 ; Petersen, 1906, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser.
Fisk., ii (l), p. 8 ; Petersen, 1909, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., iii (i), p. i,
pi. ii, figs. 22-25.
Close to L. whiff-iagoHis. Depth of body 2% to 2J in the length, length of head 3J
to 3^. Snout as long as or shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3 to 3 J in length of
head ; anterior margins of eyes about level. Maxillary extending to below middle of
^ The exact southerly limit of the range of this species is difficult to ascertain, as some of the
records probably refer to L. boscii. According to Vaillant, it occurs off the coast of Morocco and
at the Azores. It does not appear to enter the Mediterranean, except on rare occasions.
SCOPHTHALMIN.?i
275
eye or not quite as far, length if to 2J in that of head : lower jaw a little projecting.
II to 13 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales very deciduous, 87 to 93
in lateral line. Dorsal 79-86. Anal 65-69. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12
rays, length 1} to 2J in that of head. Caudal rounded or double-truncate. Vertebrae
10 + 29-32. Yellowish brown, without definite markings on head or body ; a pair
of large, rounded black spots on hinder parts of dorsal and anal fins.
Fig. 210. — Lepidorkomb,
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Mediterranean ; Atlantic coasts of south-western Europe, in
deep water, northwards to about 52° N.i
Specimens Examined :
3
(192-
(250
(223
-355
mm.).
)■
)•
3
(273,
305
mm.).
I
(188
mm.
)•
I
(180
).
I
(200
).
OfiS.W. Ireland, isofms.
(52° 20' N., 12= VV.)
Off Fastnet, Co. Cork, 180 fms.
Ofl C. St. Mary, 308 fms.
Nice.
Palermo.
140 fms.
Green.
Brunner.
Holt.
Wolfenden.
Bellotti.
Doderlein.
Doria.
It is of interest to note that this species occurs in comparatively shallow water in
the Mediterranean, whereas, in the Atlantic it has always been recorded from deep or
moderately deep water. L. ivhiff-iagonis, on the other hand, occurs at all depths
from 2 or 3 down to about 300 fathoms, and Holt and Calderwood have pointed out
that the uniformly coloured individuals occur mostly in deep water, and those with
dark ring-like markings in shallower water.
Genus 37. PHRYXORHOMBUS.
Scophthalmus {non Rafinesque, 1810), Bonaparte, 1832, Icon. Faun. Ital., (4), p. 23 [under Rhombus
rhomboides] ; Bonaparte, 1846, Cat- metod. Pesci Europ., p. 49 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i,
p. 452 ; Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, .A.r, p. 15.
Phrynorhombus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 414 {Rhombus unimaculatus, Risso].
Zeugopterus (part), Steenstrup, 1865, Overs. Dansk. V'id. Selsk., p. 112.
* Some of Petersen's post-larval forms, ide
off the Hebrides.
itified by him as L, boscii, were taken farther north,
276 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Close to I.epidorhombtis, but olfactory' lamins few in number, parallel or a Uttlc
radiating, without central rachis. Mouth rather smaller, the length of the maxillary
J or less than \ that of head ; teeth very small ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers rather
short. Dorsal fin commencing above or just behind nostrils of blind side ; dorsal
and anal fins terminating well on blind side of caudal peduncle. Middle rays of pectoral
fin simple or branched. Pelvic fins of equal length, symmetrical, free from anal,
their anterior rays united by membrane at their bases. Scales small or of moderate
size, adherent, ctenoid on both sides of body. Two pyloric appendages^ ; vent
median in position, between posterior rays of pelvic fins. No air-bladder in post-
larval stages.
Two species from the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic.
Synopsis of thi-; Sphcies.
1 Depth 2 J to 2 J in length ; eye 3 J to 4, maxillary 2J to 2| in head ; 46 to
52 scales in lateral line . . . . . . .1. norvegicus.
]I. Depth about 2 in length ; eye 4 to 4J, maxillary about 2 in head ; 72 to 80
scales in lateral line ........ 2. regius.
I. PHRYNORHOMBUS NORVEGICUS (Gunther).
[Norwegian Topknot.]
rUurunectcs carduM {nnn Cuvier), Fries, 1839, Vet. Akad. Handl., (1S38). p. is, ; Fries, Ekstroni
and Sundewall, 184ft, Skand. Fisk., p. 200, pi. 50.
Rhombus cnriitna {non Cuvier), Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. O4 3.
Rhombus iiorvcgtcus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 518 ; Gunther, 1888, Fror. Rov. Soc. Edinb.,
XV, p. 217, pi. IV, fig. C ; Holt, 1891, Sci. Proc. R.Dublin Soc. vii, p. 218 ; Cunningham, 1892,
J. Mar. Biol. Ass., n.s., li, p. 325; Holt and Calderwood, 1895, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (ii)
V, p. 484.
Zeugoplerus norvegicus, CoUett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1874), Till., p. 138; Lilljeborg, 1891,
Sverig. Korg. Fiskar, ii, p. 336 ; Saemundsson, 1927, Vit. Visind. Island, ii, p. 3b.
I.epidorhombus norvegicus, Collett, 1880, Vid.-Sclsk. Forh., (1879). p. 77: Collett, 1884, Nyt. Mag.
Naturv. Christiania, xxix, p. 100 : Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886),
P- ^S3-
Scophlhalmus norvegicus, Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 453, pi. xix, fig. i ; Collett, 1903, Vid.-
Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 90 ; Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, A.i, p. 15 ;
Schnakenbeck, 1925, Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. li, xii (i), p. 9, fig. 11 ; Knipovich, 1926, Trans.
Inst. Sci. Explor. North, xxvii,p. 137, fig. loi ; Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth.
Allan t. Nord, iv, fig.
Rhombus [Zeugoplerus] norvegicus, Mcintosh, iSos, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xu (3), p. 227.
Eggs, I.arv.b asi. Vof.vG.
Cunningham, 1S92, J. Mar. liiol. Ass., ,\.s., u, p. 323 ; Holt, 1893, Sci. Irans. R. Huhlin Soc, (11)
v, p. 104, pi. xi : Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, (1893), p. r3j, pi. li, fig. 16;
Ehrenbaum, 1897, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, 11, p. 317 ; Mcintosh and Masterman,
Bnt. .Mar. Food-fish., p. 349, figs. ; Heincke and Elirenbaum, 1900, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch. ,,\bt.
Helgoland, 111, p. 232" ; Petersen, 1905, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., xii (2), (1902-3), p. 23, pi. 1,
figs. 6-8 ; Ehrenbaum, 1903, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv. l-isch.
(i), p. 2x0, fig. 81 ; Petersen, 1909, Medd. Komni. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., iii, (i) p. i.
pi. I, figs, n-il ; Schnakenbeck, 1928, Bcr. d. wiss. Komm. Meeresf., n.f., iv (4), p. 214, pis.
Depth of body 2J to 25 in the length, length of head 2J to 3J. Dorsal profile of
head a little concave m front of upper eye. Snout as long as or shorter than eye.
diameter of which is 3^ to 4 in length of head ; lower eye slightly in advance of upper.
' Not verified in P. norvegicus.
' Consult for fill: list of references.
SCOPHTHALMINJI
277
which is close to edge of head ; upper surfaces of eyes not scaled. Olfactory laminae
parallel. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 2J to 2f in that
of head. 6 to 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Posterior edges of scales
with numerous, fine, close-set spinules ; in certain scattered scales the spinule in the
centre is enlarged and produced backwards, giving the appearance of a pointed
projection ; 46 to 52 scales in lateral line. Curve of lateral line rather low, its width
3i to 3j in length of straight portion. Dorsal 76-84 ; origin immediately behind
posterior nostril of blind side ; first ray not prolonged : rays scaled only on ocular
side. Anal 58-68. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 or 10 simple rays, length 3 to f
that of head. Caudal rounded. Vertebra; 9 + 25-26. Brownish, with irregular
darker markings ; a series of dark brown patches at upper and lower edges of body,
extending on to the fins ; a large dark blotch at commencement of straight portion
of lateral line and another, less distinct, behind middle of straight part ; a dark
transverse band on caudal peduncle : all these markings together suggest traces of 7
or 8 irregular transverse bands ; median fins spotted and streaked with dark brown.
B.M. (N.H.) 88.4.3.83.
Type. — Royal Museum, Stockholm.'
Distribution. — Coasts of Europe, from the Lofoten Islands to south-western
England ; Iceland.
Specimens Examined :
r (94 mm.
I (53 „
I (95 „
r (92 „
I (47 ,,
■ (55 ,,
I (76 ,,
3 (53-67 n
I (86 mm.
Christianiafiord.
Shetland Is.
Lamlash Bay, 6-18 fms.
Kilbrennan Sound, 45 fms.
Clock Light House, Firth of Clyde.
4 3 fms.
Firth of Forth, 25 fms.
Inishotin, Co. Galway.
3 miles S.S.W. of Rame, nr. Plymouth.
4 miles S.W. by W. of the Mewstone,
near Plymouth.
CoUett.
Jeffreys.
Murray.
The maximum length of this species is about 120 mm.
lly described by Fries, from the entrance of GuUmar Fjord
^ These
near Fiskeb;
re the specimens origin
ckskil, B6huslan.
Fl.AlFISHl-IS (HHlEROSCniATA)
/'(<•»
rotifcle^
Phu
ronectes
PUu
rorifclcs
Phil. Zi
11, p. z;
PUiironectt-s
AVioi
•nbiis .<«
Ital.. ('
2. PHKVNOKHOMBUS REGIUS (Bonnaterre).
[Eckstrom's Topknot.]
ni^ius. Bonn.iterrc. 178S, Ency. Meth. (Ich.), p. 79.
calimanda, I.acepMe, iSoj, Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, pp. sqo, 654.
punclalus (iinii Bloch), Fleming, 1818, Mem. Werner. Soc, ii, p. 141 ; Fleming, 1822,
»I.,pI.iii,ftg. z ; Fleming, 1828, Brit. Anim.,p. 196 ; Thompson. 1839, .-^nn. Nat. Hist.,
; unioccllatm, Nardo, 1824, Giorn. di Fisica etc., (2) vii, p. 233.
imaculatus, Kisso, 1826, H. N. Europe, iii, p. 252, fig. 35 ; Bonaparte, 1833. Icon. Faun.
i), p. 28**, fig. ; Costa, 1847, Faun. R. Napoli, ii, fasc. 55-8, p. 24 ; Nilsson, 1855,
I'.iun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 645.
uMdlatiis, Xardo, 1S27, Prodr. Adriat. I.iith.. p. 15, No. 135.
PUuroncctcs [Rhombus) cardma (part), Ciivier, 1S29. R. Anun., ed.
Rhombus siltgcr, Michahellcs, r829, Isis (Oken), p. loid.
Rhombus punclalus. Yarrell, 183(1, Brit. Fish., ed. i. 11, p. 247, fis;. ;
ed. 3, 1, p. 650, fig.
Rhntnbus carUina, Kroyer, 1843-5, Danmarks Fiske, ii. p. 464, fig.
Si'iphthiilnius pututatus, Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ
^Liiphthiilmus unimaculatus, Bonaparte, 1846, torn, cit., p. 40 ; Stei
W'lss. Wien, Ivii (1), p. 715 ; Kyle, 1913, Rep. Danish Ocean. Exped
IJuen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espan. Marruecos, p. 99 ; Sch
Faun. Ichth. .■\tlant. Nord, iv, fig.
Pleuroncctes saxaliUs, Nardo [ex Chiereghini MS.], 1S47, Sin. Mod. spec
st Brit. Anim., viii. Fish, p. 104.
r, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 414 ; Canestrini
9-93, Prodr. F. Medit., ii, p. 586 ; Chabanai
p. 33S, hg. ; 1S5
?hn
d.
ike
La
er, lSh8, SitzBcr
lOoS-igio.u, A.I
nbeck, 1930, in
g. Veneto, p. 121,
. .\k;
. p. I
.|nub
ZeugoplcTus punclalus. White, :
Phrvnorhombus unimaculalus, Giinthei
Ital.. Pesci.ili.p. 161 ; Cams, 188
Sci., Suppl. Mem. li, p. 23.
ZeuRoptcrus unimaculalus. Day, 18S0-1884. Fish, P,ritai
Fish. Board Scotland, iv (2), p. 225, pi. ix ; Prn, .
l.illjeborg, 1891, Svcrig. Norg. Fisk,ir, 11. p. 349.
PUuronccles unimaculalus. Moreau, 18S1, Hist. Nat. Puiss
Phrynnrhombus rectus, Jordan and Goss, 1S89, Rep. I'.S.
17, pl.
Ilr,
l8Kf,. Re
8, pl. XV
SCOPHTHALMIN^
Eggs, Lar
AND Young.
Brook, 1886, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, iv (2), p. 225, pi. ix ; Mcintosh, 1892, Rep. Fish. Board
Scotland, x (3), p. 274, pi. xiv, figs. 2-6, 8, 11 (?) ; Holt, 1893, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (ii)
V, pp. loi, 104, pi. viii, figs. 66-68, pi. xi, figs. 88-93 ; Holt, 1897, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., .k.s., v
pp. 45, 128 ; Holt, 1899, Ann. Mus. hist. nat. Marseille, Zool., v (2), p. 74, pi. viii, fig. 89
Ehrenbauin, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv. Fisch. (l), p. 214
fig. 82 ; Petersen, 1906, Medd. Komm. Havundersog Kjob., Ser. Fisk., ii (i), p. 8 ; 1909, ii
(I), p. I, pl.ii, figs. 20-21.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3^ to 3J. Dorsal profile
of head distinctly notched in front of upper eye. Snout about as long as eye,
diameter of which is 4 to 4I in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower
very slightly in advance of upper, which is fairly close to edge of head ; upper surfaces
of eyes densely scaled. Olfactory laminae a little radiating. Maxillary extending
nearly to below middle of eye, length about twice in that of head. 11 or 12 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Posterior edges of scales of ocular side with a few,
rather strong spinules ; scales of blind side with the marginal spinules feebler and
more numerous ; 72 to 80 scales in lateral line. Curve of lateral line not low, its
width 2\ to 2| in length of straight portion. Dorsal (70) 73-80 : origin above space
between nostrils of blind side ; first ray a little prolonged and setiform ; most of the
rays scaled on both sides. Anal 60-68. Pectoral of ocular side with g or 10 rays,
the middle rays branched ; length i J to if in that of head. Caudal rounded. Vertebrae
y-io + 26. Brownish, with irregular dark spots and blotches ; a distinct round dark
spot on commencement of last third of straight part of lateral line ; a dark blotch below
hinder part of curve of lateral line and pair of larger blotches above and below first half
of its .straight portion, close to upper and lower edges of body ; median fins spotted
and streaked with dark brown or black.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Atlantic coasts of south-western Europe, northwards to the
British Isles and Denmark ; Mediterranean.
Specimens Examined ;
I (Son
I (no
m.)
„ ).
3- (92-1
45 mm.).
1 (104
nm.).
I {123
„ ).
: {160
„ ),5kin.
I (130
,, ), stuffed.
I (145
,, ). ,,
I (125
,, )•
I (95
,, ).
I (128
,. ).
I (120
,, ). skeleton
Ardrossan,
Inverary.
Scotland.
Loch Strive
Off S.W. Ir
Plvmouth.
Arosa Bay, X.VV. Spa
Nice.
Dalmatia.
Mediterranean.
Murray.
Macpherson.
Brook.
Grenfell.
Yarrell Coll.
Gerrard.
Spence.
Ducie.
Gal.
Cutler.
Also one from Europe (Mus. Comp. Zool.^
Genus 38.
1835, Arch. Naturgesch.,
889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish,
ZEUGOPTERUS
(2)
'. 178 [PUuronecUs hirtus, Abildgaard] ;
886), p. 251 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish.,
Kyle, 1913, Rep. Dan
Zeugopierus, Gottsche
Jordan and Goss,
i, p. 456.
Scophlhalmus (part), Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesri Europ., p. 49
Ocean. Exped. 1908-1910, ii, A. I, p. 15.
Zeugopierus (part), Steenstrup, 1865, Overs. Dansk. Vid. Selsk., p. 112.
Close to Phrynorhombus. Body ovate. Mouth very protractile. A patch of
teeth on the head of the vomer. Gill-rakers of moderate length. Nostrils of blind
28o FLATFISHES (HEl'FKOSOMATA)
side very small,' sitiuiteJ below second and third rays of dorsal tin ; olfactory lanuna'
few in number, radiating from a short central rachis. Most of the rays of dorsal and
anal tins branched, scaled only on ocular side. Pectoral fin of ocular side with the
middle rays branched. Pelvic fins of equal length, symmetrical, their last rays
firmly joined by a membrane to the first ray of the anal fin ; a similar but much lower
membrane unites their first rays, the whole forming a channeldike cup. Scales small,
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; each scale of ocular side with only a
narrow strip of the posterior part not covered by the scale immediately in front,
this area provided with strong spinules directed vertically, giving the skin a roughened,
pilose appearance; scales of blind side normally imbricated. No pyloric appendages.
A smgle species from the coasts of western Europe.
I. ZEUGOPTERUS PUNCTATUS (Bloch).
[Common Topknot ; Block's Topknot. j
PleuronccUs punclatus, Bloch, 17S7, Nat. ausl. Fischc, in, p. 31, pi. clxxxix.
Pleuronecles hirtus, Abildgaard, 1789, in Miiller, Zool. I>jn., ed. 3, lii, p. ib. pi. cin ; NiKson, 1832,
Prodr. Ichtli. Scand., p. 59 ; Fries, 183S, Vet. Ak.vd. H.uidl.. p. 184 ; l"riL-s, 1840, .\rch. Natur-
gescli.,p. 32; Kroyer, 1843-5, Danmarks Fisk,, 11. p. 445. tiR. ; Moreau. 18S1, H. N. I'oiss.
France, lii, p. 321.
Pleuronecles kill. Schneider, iSui, in Bloch, Syst. Ichtli., p. luj.
Zeugoptenis hirtus, Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgcsch., (2), p. 17S.
Klwmbus htrliis, Yarrell, 1S36, Brit. Fish., cd. I, ii, p. 243, fig,; 1S41, cd, 2, 11. p. 334. fig.;
Nilsson, 185s, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 646 ; Yarrell, 1859. lint. Fish., od. 3. 1. p. tHU,
fig. ; Smith, 1S64-5, Proc. R. Phys. Soc. Edinb., p. 213.
Scophtkalmus hirtus, Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 49.
Rhombus punctatus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 413.
Zeiigoplerus punclatus, Collett, 1875, Vid.-Sclsk. Forh., (1874), Till. p. 139 ; Malm, J877, GOteborgs
Bohus. Faun., p. .118 ; Day, 1880-4, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 18, pi. c ; Collett, 1884, Nyt Mag.
Naturv. Chrisliania, xxix, p. loi ; Brook, 1886, Proc. R. Phys. Soc. Edinb., ix, p. 366, pi. xiv ;
Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (iSSfi), p. 251 ; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig, Norg.
Fiskar, ii, p. 350 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 45f>, P'- xix, fig. 2, text-fig. iid ; Collett,
1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 92 ; Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, v (5),
p. 94, figs. ; Schnakenbeck, 1925, Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. ii, xii (i), p. 10, fig. 12 ; Buen, I92(>,
Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espafi. Marruecos, p. 99 ; Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, I'auii. Ichth.
Atlant. Nord. iii, fig. ; Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 2i.
Zeugopterus papillnsus. Brook, 1KS6, Proc. R. Phys. Soc. Edinb., ix, p. 367, pi. xv.
Scophlhalmus (Zeugopterus] punclatus, Kyle, 1913. ReP- Planish Ocean. Exped. 191.8191". 11, A.l,
p. Ii.
EOCS, I.ARV.l ,XN1. Vu.N.,,
.Mcintosh and Prince, 1S90, Trans. R. Soc. Edinb., xxxv, p. S52, pi. 1, fig. 6, pi. xix, fig. i (?) ; Holt,
1893, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (li) v, pp. 90, 99, ili, figs. ; Cunningham, 1894, J. Mar.
Biol. .\ss., N.S., iii, p. 202 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, (1893), p. 135, pi. ii.
fig. 15 ; Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 345, figs. ; Holt, 1899,
Ann. Mus. hist. nat. Marseille, Zool., v (2), p. 70, pi. viii, figs. 90, 91; Petersen, 1905. Rep.
Danish Biol. Stat., xii (2), (1902-3), p. 25, pi. i, figs. 1-5 ; Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and
Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier l.arv. Fisch. (i), p. 20(1, fig. 80; Petersen, 1909, Medd.
Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., m (1), p. 1, pi. i, figs. 1-6.
Depth of body i* to twice in the length, length of head about 3, Snout longer
than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 5 times in length of head and 3 or more times the
interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower very slightly in advance of
upper, which is well separated from edge of head ; upper surfaces of eyes densely
scaled. Maxdlary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 2J to 2J in that of
head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, lO to 20 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. About 200 scales in lateral line Dorsal (85) 88-102. Anal I'^-Jd (80).
' In most ipei miens it is impossible to delect Ihesc m the loose skin covering llie nasal cavity.
SCOPHTHALMIN^ 28 r
Pectoral of ocular side with 1 1 or 1 2 rays, length J or less than J that of head. Caudal
rounded. Vertebras 9 + 26-28. Brownish, with darker spots and blotches ; some-
times with numerous small pale spots ; the most conspicuous markings are a pair of
broad bars, one sloping obliquely backwards above the upper eye, the other directed
obliquely downwards and backwards from the lower eye. a rounded blotch just behind
the curve of the lateral line, a smaller blotch below the base of the pectoral fin, extend-
ing on to the operculum, and two or three blotches, less well-defined, near upper and
lower edges of body ; median fins with spots and bars of dark brown.
Fig. 213. — Zeugopteius pioiclaliis. U.M. (N.H.) I9:;S . 7. 12 . 13. < J.
Type. — Zoologisches Museum der Universitat, Berlin.
Distribution. — Coasts of western Europe, from the Trondhjera Fiord to the Bay
of Biscay.'
Specimens Examined :
Christiania6ord. CoUett.
North coast of Norway. Brandt.
Bfihuslan. Malm.
Orkneys. Cowan.
Cumbrae Light House, 60 fms.
Aberdeen Market.
Scotland.
(172.
im.).
(1,51
>i )•
(177,
178 mm.).
(218 1
(80
,. )•
I2I0
(78
,, ). Co-tvp
papMosus
(218
(130
North Sea.
Scarborough.
Yarmouth (?).
Plymouth.
Fish. Board Scotland.
Brook.
Stookes.
Stevenson.
Patterson.
Studdy.
Spain
According to Buen (1926) this species has been recorded from the Mediterranean coast of
la.ATFlSHf^S (HHTI-:HOS()M.\IA>i
I (195 ., ),
stuffed.
: (150 „ ).
Il.iwlish.
;; (125, 168 11
iim.')'.
nartim.Mtli
I {;-'o mm.).
skin.
S. Devon.
1 (190 ,, ),
stviffcd.
Jersey.
3 (S0-160 mi
11.). skins.
Great Hritr
Yarrcll Co)l.
I.ond<.n M.irket. H.irrod's Stores.
Comparison of one of the types of Z. papillosus with an e.xample of Z. punctatus
of similar size leaves httle doubt that the two are identical, pnpillosus being at the
most a local variety.
Family 3. PLEURONECTID.E.
Eyes on the right side, except m reversed examples in certain species : optic
chiasma monomorphic, the nerve of the left eye always donsal. Dorsal fin extending
forward on the head at least to above the eye ; all the fin-rays articulated. Each
pelvic fin of from 3 to 13 rays. Mouth usually terminal, with the lower jaw more or
less prominent ; maxillary without a supplemental bone ; palatines toothless. Lower
edge of urohyal deeply emarginate, so that the bone appears forked. I'ra^operculum
with free margin. Nasal organ of blind side usually near edge of head, but some-
times nearly opposite that of ocular side, \'ertebrap never fewer than 30. On each
side a single post-cleithrum. Ribs present. Egg without an oil-globule in the yolk.
Five subfamilies may be recognised .
SVNOI'SIS OF THE SUBFAMILIES.
1 Pelvic fins generally short-based, symmetrical, or that of ocular side median
and somewhat advanced, the fins supported by the pelvic bones behind
or below the cleithra ; pectoral radials present.
.\. Origin of dorsal fin above the eyes, behind nasal organ of blind side .
praecaudal parapophyses separate, divergent , hypocoracoids narrowed
forward below.
I. Lateral line well developed on both sides of body ; olfactory laminae
(except m .-l/AcresWies) parallel, without rachis . i. Pleuronectin'.i-:.
2- I^ateral line rudimentary and scarcely apparent on blind side of body ;
olfactory laminae radiating from a short central rachis
2. FdCILOPSETTIN.i;.
B. Origin of dorsal fin in front of the eyes, the fin extending forward on snout
either above or below nasal organ of blind side.
1 . Dorsal fin extending forward on snout above nasal organ of blind side :
last 5 praecaudal vertebra" with parapophyses, of which the last
pair are connected by a bridge ; hypocoracoids narrowed forward
below ; olfactory lamina? arranged transversely to or radiating
from a central rachis ; lateral line well developed on both sides of
body . . . . . . . .3. Paralichthodin.i;.
2. Dorsal fin extending forward on snout below na.sal organ of blind
side ; parapophyses of pra?caudal vertebrre united to form closed
ha;mal arches, bearing the slender ribs at their e.xtremities ;
hypocoracoids expanded ; olfactory laminae parallel, without
rachis ; lateral line rudimentary ;ind scarcely apparent on blind
side ......... 4 Samarin^.
PLEURONECTIN.4; ^83
II. Pelvic fins asymmetrical : that of ocular side median, elongate, extending
forward to the urohyal, supported by a cartilaginous plate placed in
advance of the cleithra, well in advance of that of blind side, which (if
present) is small and short-based ; no pectoral radials, the rays inserted on
the hypercoracoid : dorsal fin extending forward on snout above nasal
organ of blind side, or commencing behind it ; parapophyses of prjEcaudal
vertebra; not united ; hypocoracoids narrowed forward below ; olfactory
lamins with or without a central rachis ; lateral line equally developed
on both sides of body ...... 5. Rhombosolei.v.^.
I am unable to determine the systematic position of the following genus and species
from Chesapeake Bay. The eyes and colour are on the right side, but the pelvic
fins are said to be asymmetrical. It may belong to the subfamily Poecilopsettinae.
NEOETROPUS.
Neoctropus, Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xliii (i), (1927), p. 174.
NEOETROPUS MACROPS, Hildebrand and Schroeder.
Neoetropus macrops, Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928, torn. c:t., p. 174, fig. 89.
The single known specimen (U.S. Nat. Mus. No. 87653) is only 55 mm. in total
length, and is from off Smith's Point, Va.
Subfamily i. PLEURONECTIN^.
Characters as given in the synopsis above. Twenty-seven genera from Arctic
and northern seas.
Synopsis of the Genera.
1. Mouth large, maxillary on ocular side generally at least J head ; jaws and
dentition nearly equally developed on both sides ; vertebrae 40 to 62.
A. -Maxillary at least J head ; teeth sharply pointed or barbed.
I. Vertebrae 49 to 62 ; dorsal 93-114, anal 71-89 ; body rather elongate ;
caudal peduncle slender ; caudal strong, lunate.
a. Teeth mostly with barbed tips, some depressible, biserial in both
jaws ; olfactory laminae arranged transversely to a central
rachis ; gill-rakers rather long and slender ; upper eye with
\ertical range ; lateral line without curve anteriorly ; vertebrse
49 to 53 . . . . . . . .1. Atheresthes.
b. Teeth all pointed, none depressible, biserial or multiserial above,
uniserial below ; olfactory laminae parallel, without rachis ;
gill-rakers short and stout.
II. Upper eye with vertical range, the interorbital space broader
than orbit ; lateral line without curve anteriorly ; 10 to 12
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; vertebrae 62
2. Reinhardtius.
13. Upper eye lateral, the interorbital space not broader than orbit ;
lateral line with distinct curve above pectoral ; 7 or 8
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; \ertebrae 50 to 51
3. HlPPOGLOSSUS.
284 FLATFISHES (HI-;TFR0S0:MATA)
J Vertebra' 40 to 45 ; dorsal 67-101, anal 51-79 : body not elongate ;
caudal peduncle not slender ; caudal never lunate ; teeth pointed.
(I. Interorbital space an obtuse ridge ; supratemporal branch of
lateral line, if present, without posterior prolongation ; dorsal
origin above eye. anterior rays not free.
a. Teeth in upper jaw uniseriaj.
* All pectoral rays generally simple ; dorsal origin above
anterior part of eye ; upper eye completely lateral ; snout
and eye-balls not scaled ... 4. Hippoglossoides.
** Middle rays of pectoral branched ; dorsal origin above middle
or posterior part of eye.
t Upper eye completely lateral ; snout and upper surfaces
of eye-balls densely scaled . . 5. Acanthopsetta.
tt Upper eye with vertical range ; snout more or less scaled ;
eye-balls not scaled . . .6. Cleisthenes.
/3. Teeth in upper jaw biserial.
* Scales of moderate size, deciduous ; all pectoral rays simple ;
jaws without distinct canines ... 7. Lyop.sktta.
** Scales small, adherent ; middle rays of pectoral branched ;
jaws with canines anteriorly ... 8. Eopsktt.\.
/), Interorbital space flat ; supratemporal branch of lateral line with
a long posterior prolongation ; dorsal origin in front of eye.
anterior rays a little prolonged, more or less free from membrane ;
teeth in upper jaw uniserial ; middle rays of pectoral branched
9. PSETTICHTHYS.
B. Maxillary scarcely J head ; jaws rather stronger on blind side, but
dentition nearly equally developed on both sides ; teeth obtusely
conical, biserial above, uniserial below .... 10. Verasper.
II. Mouth smaller, maxillary on ocular side less than J head ; jaws and dentition
better developed on blind side.
A. Maxillary on blind side nearly J head ; teeth stout, conical, in two
distinct rows in both jaws ; scales of ocular side (in adults) all replaced
by rough tubercles ; blind side quite naked . . .11. Cliiiouerma.
n. Maxillary on blind side not more than J head.
1 . Teeth small, acute, in villiform bands ; supratemporal branch of
lateral line with a long posterior prolongation ; lower pharyngeals
narrow, scarcely approximated ; scales all cycloid.
a. Lips simple ; dorsal origin on median line of head 12. Hypsopsetta.
h. Lips thick, with transverse plica; ; dor.sal origin on blind side of
head ....... 13. Pleuronichthys.
2. Teeth larger, obtuse, conical or incisor-hke. uniserial or .sometimes
irregularly biserial.
a. Pyloric appendages well developed, generally of moderate length
or rather long, 2 t0 4 -f i to 5 ; lower pharyngeals generally narrow,
the inner edges usually evenly curved and scarcely approximated
(e.xcept in Pleuronectes). the teeth generally in two rows.
<i. Supratemporal branch of lateral line with a posterior prolonga-
tion.
* Lateral line with low curve above pectoral
t Scales of ocular side strongly ctenoid ; eyes rather small,
upper lateral ; teeth conical ... 14. Isopsetta,
tt Scales of ocular side mostly cycloid ; eyes large, upper
with nearly vertical range ; teeth with truncated tips
15. Parophrys
** Lateral line with high curve above pectoral 16. Lepidopsetta.
PLEURONECTIN^ 285
0. Supratemporal branch of lateral line, if present, without
posterior prolongation.
* Vertebrae 35 to 44 ; dorsal less than 90, anal less than 70 ;
intestine nearly entirely contained within body-cavity of
blind side.
t Postocular ridge sometimes rugose or with one or two
protuberances, never broken up into a series of promi-
nences ; lower pharyngeals narrow and rather slender,
4J to 7 times as long as broad, their inner edges evenly
curved and scarcely approximated, the teeth sharply
or obtusely conical.
J Lateral line with more or less distinct curve above
pectoral; scales adherent ; when ctenoid, the spinules
rather short and usually not numerous ; eye-balls
not scaled.
§ Teeth obtusely conical, lanceolate or with truncated
tips, usually not much compressed, never forming
a continuous cutting edge ; at least 6 teeth on
ocular side of each jaw ; intestine of moderate
length, not very narrow, generally with 2 or 3
coils ; caudal with 11 or 12 branched rays
17. LiMANDA.
§§ Teeth incisor-like, compressed, sometimes forming a
more or less continuous cutting edge ; less than 5
teeth on ocular side of each jaw ; intestine elongate,
narrow, with 3 or more coils ; caudal with 13 or 14
branched rays . . .18. Pseudopleuronectes.
II Lateral hne rising a httle above pectoral, but without
distinct curve ; .scales thin, rather deciduous, those of
ocular side ctenoid, the spinules slender and numerous ;
upper surfaces of eye-balls scaled ; teeth obtusely
conical ...... ig. De.xistes.
ft Post-ocular ridge broken up into a series of 4 to 7 bony
prominences ; lower pharyngeals broader, stout, 2} to
nearly 5 times as long as broad, their inner edges more
or less approximated anteriorly, each with about 2 rows
of obtusely pointed or molariform teeth ; lateral line
with very low curve above pectoral ; scales mostly
cycloid and embedded in the skin . 20. Pleuronectes.
** Vertebra; 48 to 65 ; dorsal 80-120, anal 65-102 ; second loop
of intestine elongate, extending well into secondary body-
cavity of ocular side,
■f Teeth almost entirely confined to blind side, never more
than 3 on ocular side of each jaw ; lips thick ; 2 or 3 -i- i
pyloric appendages ; dorsal origin not far behind posterior
nostril of bhnd side ; fin-rays stout . . 21. Microstomus.
tt Teeth fairly well developed on both sides, at least 7 on
ocular side of each jaw ; 2 to 4 -F 2 to 5 pyloric appen-
dages^ ; dorsal origin usually well behind posterior
nostril of blind side.
I Body ovate ; skin thick, the median fins densely scaled ;
lips thick : gill-opening scarcely extending above level
of axil of pectoral ; dorsal origin nearly diameter of
eye's length behind posterior nostril of blind side ;
fin-rays stout .... 22. Embassichthvs
^ N'ot examined in Embassichthvs.
FLATFISHKS (HF.TKKOSOMATA)
J I Body elongate-elliptical ; skin rather tlun, the median
fins not very densely scaled ; lips thin ; gill-opening
extending above level of a.xil of pectoral ; dorsal origin
well behind posterior nostril of blind side ; hn-rays
not stout,
it No mucous cavities on blind side of head ; posterior
rays of dorsal and anal branched . -;3 Tanakius.
§§ Large mucous cavities on blind side of head : all dorsal
and anal rays simple . . .;4. GLvnocKrHAiA's.
Two very short pyloric appendages ; lower pharyngeals broader,
2 to 4j times as long as broad, massive, the inner edges more or
less angular, usually approximated for at least -J their length,
the teeth usually coarser and blunter, often molarift^rm, in 2 or
more series.
a. Scales well developed, ctenoid in male, smoother in female ;
no bony tubercles ; teeth incisor-like, forming a continuous
cutting edge : supratemporal branch of lateral line without
posterior prolongation ..... 25. Liopsktta.
fi. Scales well developed, all strongly ctenoif-l in both sexes, some
of those on head nearly tuberculate ; teeth incisor-like, close-
set ; supratemporal Ijranch of lateral line with short
posterior prolongation ..... 26. Inopsktta.
y. Scales reduced, more or less embedded in the skin, all cycloid :
head and body with bony tubercles or rugose plates ; teeth
obtusely conical or rather incisor-like, not usually forming
a continuous cutting edge .... 27. Platichthys.
Genus i. ATHEKESTHES.
Atkeresthes, Jordan
. and (
lilberl, II
S.Si, I>r<
)c. U.S. N-at. Mu!
i., ill, (i8St.), p. "ii \ rinlvsumatichtkys
stotnias, Jorda
n and
Gilbcrtj ;
Jorda.
I and Evernianii,
189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3),
p. 2609.
Body rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a narrow,
scaled space, the upper with a more or less vertical range. Olfactory lamina' in
moderate number, arranged transversely to or radiating from a long central rachis.
Mouth very large, oblique, the length of the maxillary more than i that of head :
jaws and dentition about equally developed on both sides ; teeth in two series in
both jaws, some of them long, freely depressible, wide-set. others small, fixed and
close-set ; most of the teeth with barbed tips ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers rather
long and slender, few in number ; lower pharyngeals very narrow, scarcely appro.xi-
mated anteriorly, each with two series of slender, slightly curved teeth with barbed
tips, the teeth of the inner row ranch larger than those of the outer. Dorsal fin with
98 to 114 rays, comraencing well behind nostrils of blind side and above eye ; most
of the rays simple, scaled on both sides. Tip of first interhaemal spine not projecting
m front of anal fin, which has 80 to 8g rays. Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular
side larger ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal and subsym-
metrical. Caudal fin lunate ; caudal peduncle slender. Scales small, thin, rather
deciduous, feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; supplementary scales
present. Lateral line without a distinct curve above the pectoral fin. Vent median,
between the pelvic fins. \'ertehrrp 40 to 53 (12 + 37 — 41).
One or two species from the North Pacific.
PLEURONECTI N.E
287
I. ATHERESTHES STOMIAS (Jordan and Gilbert).
[Arrow-toothed Halibut.]
Platysomatichthys stomias, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), pp. 51. 301
Atheresthes stomias, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, torn. cit. p. 51 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 66 ; Bean, 1882, torn, cit., p. 242 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S.
Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 820 ; Bean, 1884, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vi, (1883), p. 354 ; Jordan, 1884
Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 188, pi. liii ; Jordan and Goss
1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 236, pi. i, fig. l ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898:
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii {3), p. 2609, pi. ccclxxi, fig. 917 ; Evermann and Goldsborough
1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi (1906), p. 350, fig. 132 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv
(4), p. 4. fig. 82.
Depth of body nearly 3 in the length, length of head 3|. Snout (in adults) longer
than eye, diameter of which is 4I in length of head, and more than 3 times interorbital
width ; upper eye shghtly in advance of lower, reaching edge of head. Anterior
nostril of blind side with a small flap. Maxillar\' extending to beyond eye, length
I J in that of head ; lower jaw about if in head. Upper jaw laterally with two series
of small, fairly close-set teeth ; anteriorly those of the inner row become long, slender
and wide-set, the outer row being reduced to some small teeth set between the larger
ones ; teeth of lower jaw in two series, in the inner row long, fixed, wide-set teeth
alternating with shorter depressible teeth, in the outer row small, fixed teeth. 11 or
12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. About 95 pores in lateral line.' Dorsal
(loi) 105 (106) ; origin above middle of eye. Anal 81-82 (86). Pectoral of ocular
side vWth 14 or 15 rays, length 2| in that of head. Caudal peduncle a little longer
than deep. More or less uniformly brownish.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from the Bering Sea to San
Francisco.
Specimens Examined :
I (490 mm.).
I {290 ,, ).'
\v.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Pt. Reves, California.
This species is said to attain a length of 2 feet.
* In large examples small pores are present here and there between the principal pores. Only
the latter have been counted here.
* In a very bad state.
; FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
-'. ATHERESTHES E\ERMANNI, Jordan and Starks.
cr.sllus cicrmannt. Jordan and Starks. 1004, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii (1902), p. 621, pi. v,
li.e. 1 ; lordan and Starks. 1906. Proc. U.S. Xat. .Mus., xxxi, p. 197, fiK. 11 ; Jordan. Tanaka
and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. .121, fig. 270 ; Hubbs, 1915, Pror. U.S. Nat.
Mus., xlviii, p. 473 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, .Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 298 ; Soldatov and
l.indberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 399.
Very- close to the preceding species. Depth of body 2J to 3 in the length, length
of head 3^ to 3}. Snout as long as or longer than eye, diameter of which is 4J to 5 in
length of head ; upper eye not quite reaching edge of head. Anterior nostril of blind
Side with a rather long flap. Length of maxillary i| to i §. of lower jaw i^ to if in
that of head. 10 giU-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. (86) 90 to 102 pores in
lateral line. Dorsal (98) 101-107 (114) ; origin in front of middle of eye. Anal (78)
80-87 (89). Pectoral of ocular side with 13 or 14 rays, length about 2 in that of head.
Caudal peduncle longer than deep. Dark brownish ; young somewhat spotted.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51410.
Distribution. — Japan.
Specimens Examined :
3 (248-275 1
Japa
I have been unable to compare these specimens with examples of A . stomias of
Similar size, but the two species may eventually prove to be identical.
Genus 2. REINHAKDTIUS.
Rnnhardtuis, Cill, 1861, Proc.
Acad. Xat. Sci. Philad.
p. sn [Pfeurntiectes cytioghsi
s«s, Fabricius] ; Jordan a
xlvii (3), p. 2610.
I'lah'Somattchtkys, Blecker, iSn;
:, Versl. Akad. Wet. Aiiisl
F.abricius).
, Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. Coast .\. .\mer.),
nd Evennann, 1S98, Bull. U.S. Xat. Mus..
p. 426 [Plcuyonccles pmgui:
Perhaps related to Atheresthes. Body not much compressed. Eyes separated by
.1 wide space, the upper with vertical range. Olfactory laminae fairly numerous,
nearly parallel to one another and to the axis of the body, without central rachis.
Mouth rather large, oblique, the length of the maxillary more than J that of head ;
teeth of upper jaw in two series, which converge posteriorly, inner row with a pair of
strong canines anteriorly on each side ; teeth of lower jaw uniserial ; all the teeth
pointed, none depressible. GiU-rakers short, stout, roughly spmulate, 10 to 12 on
PLEURONECTIN.E 289
lower part of anterior arch ; lower pharyngeals each with a single row of unequal
teeth. Dorsal fin commencing behind or above posterior part of eye. Pectoral fins
nearly equally developed on both sides of body. Scales very small, adherent, cycloid
on both sides of body. Vertebrae 62. Head and body (in adults) coloured on bhnd
side.
One or two species from the Arctic parts of the Atlantic and from Japan.
The following species from Japan has been briefly described in Japanese, without
an abstract in English or other European language :
Reinhardtius oleosus, Tanaka, 1918, Dobuts. Zasshi (' Zool. Mag.'), xxx, p. 226.
I. REINHARDTIUS HIPPOGLOSSOIDES (Walbaum).
[Greenland Halibut ; Lesser Halibut.]
Plcuronectes cynoglossus {non Linnaeus), Fabricius, 1780, Fauna Greenland, p. 163.
PUuronectes hippoglossoides, Walbaum, 1792, Artedi Ichth., (3), ed. 2, p. 115.
Plcuronectes pinguis, Fabricius, 1824, Afbandl. K. Danske Vid. Selsk., i, p. 40.
Fig. 216. — Rcinhardtiits hippoglo.
B.JI. (N.H.) 1926. 2. 17. 1. X }.
Hippoglossus pinguts, Reinhardt, 1838, Afhandl. K. Danske Vid. Selsk., vii, p. 116 ; Kroyer, 1850 (?),
in Fabvre, Voy. Scand. Lapon., Zool., pi. xxii ; Esmark, i86g, Forh. Skand. Naturf., M. x,
(1868), p. 526; Collett, 1S75, Vid. -Selsk. Forh., (1874), TiU. p. 133; Lutken, 1875, in
Jones, Man. Nat. Hist. Greenland, vii, p. 120 ; Collett, 1880, Vid. -Selsk. Forh., (1879), p. 74;
Giinther, 1S87, Deep-Sea Fishes " Challenger", p. 161.
Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Gill, 1861, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. Coast
N. Amer.), p. 50 ; Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 218 ; Jordan and Evermann,
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2611 ; Collett, 1903, Vid. -Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 82 ;
1924, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., {9), xiii, p. 539; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S.
481
;. 242 ; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explo
Versl. .\kad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 426 ; Steenstrup,
Bur. Fish., xl (i), (1924),
xxvii, p. 140, fig. 104.
Platysomatichthys pinguis, Bleeker, 18'
1863, Overs. D. Vid.-Selsk. Forh.,
Hippoglossus grocnlandicus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 404.
Platysomatichthys hippoglossoides, Goode and Bean, 1879, Bull. Essex Inst., xi, p. 7 ; Collett, 1880,
Norske Nordhavs-Exped., Zool., Fiske, p. 142 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat.
Mus., xvi, p. 819 ; Goode, 1884, Nat. Hist. .-Vquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p.
197, pi. Ivi ; Collett, 1885, Nyt Mag. Naturv. Christiania, xxix, p. 98 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889,
Rep. U.S. Coin. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 237, pi. i, tig. 2 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 417, fig.
112 ; Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 435, pi. cv, fig. 364 ; Grieg, 1898, Bergens Mus.
.■\arb., No. iii, p. 14.
19
290 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Htf>po^losstts hippoiiloswiiies, Lilljeborg, iSgi, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 21)3 ; Sat'imintlssoii. 191 \,
Vidensk. Medd. naturh. Foren. Kjob., Ixv, p. 28 ; Saemundsson, 1927, Rit. Visind. Isl.. ii, p. U-
Keinhardtiiifi (Platysomatichtliys) hippuglossoides, Jensen, 1925, Medd. Koniiu. Havuiidersog. Kjoli.,
Ser. Fisk.. vii'(7). p. 10.
Hippni^lnssus {f*l<it\snmutichthys] hippogloasnides, Jensen, 1904, Medd. (ironland, xxix. p. zyi.
Eggs, I.arv.k ,\Nr. VruiNi..
(ri IVleisi'u, 1S94. Kt-p. Danisli Uiol. Stat., iv, (1893), p. J30, pi. ii, lig. 21 ; Schmidt, 1904, Medd.
Koinin. Havimdersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., i (3), p. 8, pi. i, figs. 1-3 ; Ehrenbaum, igo."), in Brandt
and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv, Fiseh. (I), p. 181, fig. 73 ; Koefoed, 1909,
Crois. Ocean. .Mer. (Ironlund 19115. Poiss., p. 17, fig. 9.
Depth of body -if to 3 J in tlio length, length of head 3I to nearly .) Snout longer
than eye, diameter of which is yj to 8J in length of head and equal to or (usnally) less
than interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes about level, the upper entering
dorsal profile of head and with an entirely vertical range. Maxillary extending to
below posterior part of eye or beyond, length i\ to 2J in that of head : lower jaw
strongly projecting, nearly twice in head. 10 to 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. About no pores in lateral line. Dorsal (92) 94-102. Anal 71-76. I'ectoral
of ocular side with 13 to 15 rays, length 2J to 2i in that of head. Caudal with 15
branched rays, emarginate or lunate ; caudal peduncle as deep as long or a little
longer than deep. More or less uniformly blackish or brownish on both sides, the
blind side a little paler ; blind side white in the young.'
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Arctic parts of the ."Atlantic, southwarils to the Grand lianks olt
Newfoundland and the British Isles'- ; in deep water
Specimens Examined :
2 (420, 530 mm.). Off Siglu Fjord, N. Iceland. Ege.
I (490 mm.).' 12 miles off Siglu Fjord, \. Icckiml. Schmidt
(" Dana " Coll.).
9 (470-580 mm.). N. Iceland. Birdarson.
I (700 mm.), stuffed. Greenland. —
One of the types of Hippi:-
f;lossus groenlatuiicus-
I (720 mm.). S.W. of Ireland (52 ',<.' N'.), 170 fms. Tatlorsall.
I (640 ,, ), skeleton. — Brooks.
I {115 .. ). skull. — Kyle.
This species is said to attain a length of a little more than 3 feet.
2. KEINHARDTIUS MATSUUK.E. Jordan and Snyder.
Hippoglossus groenlandtcus (lion Giinther), Ishikawa and Matsu'iira, 1897, Prel. Cat., p. 25.
Reinhardtius matsuurae, Jordan and Snyder, 1901, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xv, p. 309, pi. xvi, tigs. 7,
8 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 196 ; Jordan. Tanaka and Snvder,
1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii(i), p. 322 ; Soldatov and I.indbcrg, iT,n, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish.
Inst., V, p. 398.
Probably identical with the preceding species, but length of head 4^ in that ot
fish (without caudal). Dorsal 96. Anal 69. 117 scales in lateral line.
Type. — Imperial Museum, Tokyo.
Distribution. — Misaki, Japan.
Known only from the type, a stuffed specimen about i^ feet in total length.
' The pelagic larval form is pigmented on both sides, although the coloration is darker on the
riglit side. After passing into the bottom stage the pigment of the blind side gradually disappears
and this becomes entirely white to the naked eye. Later, pigment is again developed on the blind
side [Jensen].
^ Probably extending southwards normally to about 70' N. on the eastern side of the Atlantic.
' Reversed example.
PLEURONECTINvE
Genus 3. HIPPOGLOSSUS.
Hippogtossus, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anim., ii, p. 221 [Pleuronectes hippoglossus
1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 164 ; Jordan and Evermann, rSgS,
xlvii(3), p. 261 1.
Body rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a wide,
flat space, not broader than the orbit, the upper eye not placed on top of the head.
Olfactory laminas in moderate number, parallel, without central rachis. Mouth rather
large, oblique, the length of the maxillary more than J that of head ; jaws and dentition
about equally developed on both sides ; teeth strong, pointed, mostly curved, in two
or more series in the upper jaw and in one or more series in the lower ; vomer toothless.
Gill-rakers rather short, very stout, few in number ; lower pharyngeals narrow,
scarcely approximated anteriorly, each with two series of teeth, those of the inner
row very much larger than those of the outer. Dorsal fin with 93 to no rays, com-
mencing at a short distance behind nostrils of blind side and above eye ; rays simple
anteriorly, branched posteriorly, more or less scaled on both sides. Tip of first inter-
haemal spine projecting in front of anal fin, which has 71 to 85 rays. Pectoral fins
unequal, that of ocular side larger ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based,
subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin lunate ; caudal peduncle slender. Scales
very small, adherent, cycloid, many of them with a small rough plate posteriorly ;
supplementary scales present. Lateral line with a distinct curve above the pectoral
fin. Vent median, between the pelvic fins. Vertebrae 50 to 51 (16 -f 34 — 35).
Two species from Arctic and northern seas.
Synopsis of the Species.
T Dorsal 98-106 (no), anal 73-80 (85) ; depth 2J to 2| in length ; supple-
mentary scales surrounding primary scales .... 1 . hippoglossus .
II. Dorsal 93-97 (100), anal 71-75 (78) ; depth nearly 3 in length ; supple-
mentary scales present, but not surrounding primary scales. 2. slenolepis.
I. HIPPOGLOSSUS HIPPOGLOSSUS (Linnajus).
[Halibut.]
Pleuronectes hippoglossus, Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 269 ; 1766, ed. 12, p. 456 ; Bloch,
1783, Naturgesch. Fische Deutsch., ii, p. 47, pi. xivii ; Schneider, 1801, in Bioch, Syst. Ichth.,
p. 147 : Lacepede, 1802, Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, p. 601 ; Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool. iv (2), p. 295 ;
Quensel, 1806, Vet. Akad. Handl., xxvii, p. 225 ; Nilsson, 1832, Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 57 ;
Valenciennes, 1851, in Trehouart, Voy. Isl. Groen., Zool., Poiss., p. 207, pi. xiv.
Pleuronectes hippoglossus (part), Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 421.
Hippoglossus vulgaris, Fleming, 1828, Brit. .\nim., p. r99 ; Yarrell, 1836, Brit. Fish., ed. i, ii, p.
230, fig. ; Storer, 1839, Rep. Ichth. Massach., p. 145 ; DeKay, 1842, N. H. New York (Fish.),
p. 294, pi. xlix, fig. 157 ; Varrell, 1859, Brit. Fish., ed. 3, i, p. 630, fig. ; Giinther, 1862, Cat.
Fish., iv, p. 403 : Malmgren, 1864, Arch. Naturgesch., xxx (l), p. 296 ; Storer, 1867, Hist. Fish.
Massach., p. 192, pi. xxx, fig. i ; Gilpin, 1869, Proc. Trans. N. Scotia Inst. N.S., ii (2), p. 30 ;
Collett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1874), Till. p. 134-, CoUett, 1880, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1879),
p. 74; Day, 1880-4, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 5, pi. xciv ; Goode, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii,
(1880), p. 471 ; Moreau, 1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 2S7 ; Collett, 1885, Nyt Mag.
Naturv. Christiania, xxix, p. 98 ; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 282 ; Smitt,
1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 409, pi. xvii, figs, i, 2 ; Goode and Bean, r895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 434,
pi. cv, fig. 363 ; Holt and Calderwood, 1895, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (ii) v, p. 478 ; Jouan,
1897-1900, Mem. Soc. Cherbourg, xxxi, p. 223 ; Jespersen, 1917, Medd. Komm. Havundersog.
Kj0b., Ser. Fisk., v (5), p. 3 ; Huntsman, 1922, Contr. Canad. Biol., (1921), No. iii, p. 21 ; Schna-
kenbeck, 1925, Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. ii, xii (i), p. 3, fig. r ; Jensen, 1925, Medd. Havundersog.
Kj0b., Ser. Fisk., vii (7), p. 17; Jespersen, 1926, Rapp. proc. -verb, explor. mer., xxxix, p. 103;
Saemundsson, 1927, Rit. Visind. Isl., ii, p. 34 ; Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth.
Atlant. Nord, iii, fig.
202
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOArATA)
Hip/ioglossiis st-fU-itlriouuhs. Thou. 1S31, In Erscli ,ind (Irubor, Allg. Eiicy., (.') \
Hippoglossus maximiis. Ciotlselie, 183^, Arch, Naturgesch., 1(2), p. 164 ; Krtivor
I-'iske, li, p. 381 ; Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. b3i.
fiippoi^loasus gt^rts, Swainson, 1839, X. H. Fishes etc., ii, p, 302,
- Htppi>i;lot;sus ponticus, Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Fesci Europ., p. 47.^
Hippoglnasus amcncanus. Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. zio.
Hippnglossm linnei. Malm, 187-, Goteborgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 508.
Hippaithissus nitgaris (p.irt), Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi
1884, Nat. Hist, .\quat. .-Vnim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U..S., i), p. 189, pi. I
Anier. Nat., xix, p. 953.
Hippnglossus hippoghssu's (p.irt), Jordan, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xi
and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 237, pi. i, lig.
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii(3), p. 2611.
Hippoglmsiis hippoglossiis. Bean, 1902, Ann. Rep. Forest Fish Game (
472 ; Collett, 1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 78 ; Evermann
Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 351, fig. 133; Pietschmann
Wicn, xxii, (1907-8), p. 304 ; Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst
Belloc, 1925, Rapp. proc. -verb, explor. mer, xxxv, p. 50
819 ; Goode,
Goode, 1885,
(1885), p. 921 ; Jordan
Jordan and Evermann,
im. N.V., vi, (1901), p.
id Goldsborough, 1907,
909, Ann. naturh. Mus.
;eanogr. Paris, v (5), p. 99, fig. 171 ;
Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S.
Fish., xl (i), (1924), p. 473, figs. 238-241; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explo
Corth, xxvii.p. 139 ; Nichols and Breder. 1927, Zoologica N.Y., ix, p. 175, fig. ; Chabanaud,
930. Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) ii, p. 627.
Vor
Mcintosh. 1S92. Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, x, (1891), p. 285, pi. xvi, figs. 11-13, 22 ; Mcintosh,
1S93, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xi, (1892), p. 244 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat.,
IV, (1893), p. 130, pi. ii, fig. 2r (?) ; Cunningham. 1896, N.H. Market. Mar. Fish., p. 242:
.Mcintosh and Masterinan, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 315, figs.; Petersen, 1904, Medd.
Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., i (i), p. 3 ; Schmidt, 1904, torn, cit., (3), p. 5, pi. i,
figs. 5-12; Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv. Fisch.
(I), p. 177, fig. 72 : Jespersen, 1917, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., v(5),p. 28; Nord-
.gSrd, 1929, K. Norske Vid. Selsk. Forh. Trondhjem, i, (i92fi-S), p. 22.
Depth of body 2.5 to 2J in the length, length of head 3I to 4J. Snout (in adults)
longer than eye, diameter of which is 5 to 7 in length of head and a little greater^ than
to nearly three times (young) the interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes level
or lower a little in advance of upper, which is close to edge of head. Maxillary
" 395. H. p,mtu
The interorbital \
Bp. [PUur
tries hippoglossus. Pall). M. i
oader in very large specimens.
PLEURONECTIN^
293
extending to below middle of eye or a little beyond, length 2f to 2f in that of head ;
lower jaw projecting, a little more than twice in head. 7 or 8 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side with rounded outlines, mostly oval or
nearly circular ; most of the primary scales each surrounded by a series of small elongate
supplementary scales with rounded tips ; many of the primary scales with a small
bony plate on their free hinder ends ; about 160 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 98-106
(110) ; commencing above anterior part of eye, highest rays J to J length of head.
Ana! 73-80 (85). Pectoral of ocular side with 15 or 16 rays (12 or 13 branched),
length about twice in that of head. Caudal with 19 rays (15 branched), emarginate
or lunate ; caudal peduncle ij to ij times as long as deep. Nearly uniformly dark
brown or black ; young marbled or spotted with paler.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — North Atlantic, from Spitzbergen, Murman coast and Iceland,
southwards to the Bay of Biscay, and from Greenland southwards to Cape Cod and
Sandy Hook.
Specimens Examined :
(305 mm.).
(595
(22
(670
(1880
)■
)•
), stuffed.
1 (1120 ,, ). „
1 {700 „ ).
2 (690, 700 mm.).
3 (285-365 ,, ).
I (400 mm.), skin.
I (455 „ ).
' (950 I, ), skeleton.
I (600 mm.). Ambicolorate.
Christianiafiord, Norway.
E. Coast of Scotland.
Off the Irish Coast.
Devonshire.
Grimsby Market.
London Market.
Jeffrey's Bank.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Murray.
Holt.
Spence.
Gerrard.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
Fishmongers' Co.
Gronow Coll.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Abnormality.
Norway.
In Europe this species attains a weight of at least 500 lb. There is in the British
Museum a cast of a specimen which weighed about 456 lb. when ungutted. The
length of this fish was nearly 8 feet.
2. HIPPOGLOSSUS STENOLEPIS, Schmidt.
[Pacific Halibut.]
PleuronecUs hippoglossus (part), Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 421.
Hippoglossus vulgaris {non Fleming), Ayres, 1854, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., i, p. 41 ; 1859, ii, p. 30 ;
Bean, 1880, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii, (1879), p. 63; Lockington, 1880, torn, cit., p. 71 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), p. 454 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 66 ; Bean, 1882, torn, cit., p. 242.
Hippoglossus vulgaris (part), Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 819 ; Goode,
1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. .Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. :89 ; Goode, 1885, Amer.
Nat., xix, p. 953.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus (part), Jordan, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiii, (1885), p. 921 ; Jordan
and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 237 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2611, pi. ccclxxi, fig. 918.
Hippoglossus stenolepis, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 224, iig. 15 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 195 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
xxxiii (i), p. 322 ; Schmidt, 1930, C.R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 203, figs. ; Soldatov and Lindberg,
1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 397.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 5, fig. 83.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus camtchaticus, Rendahl, 1931, Ark. Zool., xxii. No. 18, p. 61.
This fish weighed 12 stone.
204
I-I.ATFISHKS (HETKROSOMATA)
Close to H. hippoglossus. but with a more slender body, the depth nearly 3 in the
length ; length of head about 4. Scales mostly elongate, the small supplementary
scales present but not surrounding the primary scales. Dorsal 93-97 (100) ; highest
rays J or less than \ length of head. .\nal 73-75 (78). Length of pectoral of ocular
side I J to 1 1 in that of head. Olivaceous brown, generally mottled with paler.
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. No. 12588.
Distribution. — North Pacific, from the Bering Sea to the Okhotsk Sea, and from
.Alaska to California.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
(135 inn
1.), skull.
(440 ..
),skclet,
(162 ,,
).
Straits of I-nci.
Kodiak, Akiska
.Makushin Bav.
Tokyo Market.
U.S. N'at. .Mus
Bretherton.
U.S. N'at. .Mus
I have only seen young and half-grown Japanese examples of this species, but
follow Schmidt in regarding all Hahbut from the Pacific as representing H. stenolepis.
(;enus4. HIPPOGLOSSOIDES.
Hippoglossoides, Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 164 [Hippoglo.
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Xat. Mus,, xlvii (3), p. 2614.
Citharus (non Bleaker, 1862), Reinhardt, 1838, Afhandl. K. Dansko Vid.-Selsk
nt'ctt's plaU'ssoidcs , Fabricius].
Urepamipsetta, Gill, 1861, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad.. Suppl. (Cat. F
p. 50 [PUttronectcs platessoides, Fabricius] ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish.,
l-umalopsclla. Gill, 1864, Pror. Acad. Xat. Sci. Philad., .\vi, p. 217 [PlalcM
Cvniipietta. (Schmidt m litl.) Jordan and Starks. ii)o6, Pror. U.S. N".u. M
ilossotdes dubius, Schmidt].
Body ovate or rather elongate, compressed. Eyes usually on the right side,'
separated by an obtuse, scaled ridge, the upper close to edge of head, but without
\'ertical range. Snout naked or with very few scales ; eye-balls not scaled. Olfactory
laminae rather few in number, parallel, without central rachis. Mouth rather large,
oblique, the length of the maxillary more than J that of head : jaws and dentition
about equally developed on both sides : teeth sharp, conical, in a single series in
idctim,
iiid(
ttsi
■he)
Isk., vii
h. K. ( .
■ P
nasi
116
; X.
[I'l
An
K-r.)
, p. 420.
dcntata,
, Storer]
p. l8,S
•Hi
,pp„
rding to Jordan and li\
iiple
H. class.ul,,
pleuronectin;e 295
each jaw, more or less enlarged anteriorly ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers rather long
and slender, in moderate number ; lower pharyngeals narrow, scarcely approximated
anteriorly, each with two irregular series of teeth. Dorsal fin with 67 to loi rays,
commencing just behind nostrils of blind side and above anterior part of eye ; anterior
rays not free ; all the rays simple, mostly scaled on ocular side. Tip of first inter-
haemal spine projecting in front of anal fin, which has 51 to 79 rays. Pectoral fins
unequal, that of ocular side a little larger ; all the rays usually simple. Pelvic fins
short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin with the middle rays longest ;
caudal peduncle of moderate length. Scales small, adherent, ctenoid or cycloid ;
supplementary scales not usually developed. Lateral line rising slightly or with a
low cur\-e above the pectoral fin. Vent median, between the pelvic fins ; 3 + 1
pyloric appendages. Vertebrae 42 to 45 (13 + 29 — 32).
Four species from the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species and Subspecies.
I. 8 branchiostegal rays ; lateral line nearly straight ; contours of posterior
parts of dorsal and anal fins (at least in adults) more or less convex
[Atlantic species] . . . . . . . .1. platessoides.
A. Depth 2 J to 2f in length ; maxillary 2j to nearly 3, lower jaw 2^ to 2^
in head ; 41 to 43 scales between lateral line and middle of back
la. platessoides platessoides.
B. Depth (2J) 2| to 3 in length ; maxdlary 2J- to 2 f, lower jaw i § to 2 in head ;
25 to 40 scales between lateral Une and middle of back
16. platessoides liinandoides.
II. 7 branchiostegal rays ; lateral hne generally with a low curve above
pectoral (sometimes nearly straight) ; contours of posterior parts of
dorsal and anal fins more or less concave ; praemaxillary teeth rather
stronger [Pacific species].
A. Dorsal about 8o-go, anal about 60-70; 12 to 19 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch.
1. (14) 15 to 19 gUI-rakers ; canine teeth moderately developed ; outhne
of upper jaw evenly curved ..... 2. elassodon.
2. (II) 13 to 15 (16) gili-rakers ; canine teeth strongly developed ; outUne
of upper jaw more strongly curved and irregular . . .3. dubius.
B. Dorsal about 70-80 ; anal about 50-60 ; 10 to 13 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch ....... 4. robustus.
I have followed Schmidt (1915) in recognising only three forms from the North
Pacific, but prefer to regard these, provisionally at any rate, as species rather than
subspecies. As Hubbs (1918) has pointed out, there is as yet no evidence that these
forms occupy different geographical areas, nor hais any intergradation been demon-
strated in the areas where their ranges overlap. The distinctions between robustus,
hamiltoni and propinqtius — depth of body, length of pectoral fin, form of the scales,
etc. — are of very doubtful value, especially when the differences in the sizes of the
specimens are taken into consideration.
I. HIPPOGLOSSOIDES PL.\TESSOIDES (Fabricius).
[Synonomy under Subspecies'].
Depth of body 2j to 3 in the length, length of head 3 to 4^. Snout as long as or
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3J to 5J in length of head ; anterior margins of
eyes about level. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or a little beyond, length
2j to nearly 3 in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, i f to 2j in head ; anterior
teeth of upper jaw not greatly enlarged, not forming distinct canines. 8 branchio-
stegal rays ; 9 to 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on
29<)
FLATFISHES (1 IF.Tl'.KOSOMATA)
ocular sitle, ctenoid or cvcloid on blind side ; N5 to 97 in lateral Ime. 26 to 44 between
lateral line and midille of back. Lateral line nearly straight. Dorsal (76) 78-98
(101) ; origin above anterior part of eye. Anal 60-79. Contours of posterior parts
of dorsal and anal tins (at least in adults) more or less convex. Pectoral of ocular
side with 9 to 12 rays, length ij to 2^ in that of head. Caudal with 18 or 19 rays
(12 or n branched)' double-truncate; caudal peduncle as long as deep or a httle
deeper than long. Brownish ; with or without some darker spots of varying size ;
fins gencrallv paler.
DisTRiBiTioN. — North .\tlantic, southwards to Cape Cod and the British Isles.
This species appears to be divisible into two distinct forms, each with its own
geographical range, which may be regarded as subspecies. As is to be expected, they
tend to intergrade in the areas where their ranges overlap. Specimens from Iceland
and Spitzbergen, for example, approach the American subspecies in depth of body,
number of scales, etc.
1,/ Hll'l'fX-.LOSSOlDES PLATESSOIDES I'LATESSOIUES (Fal.ncius).
I^S.VND D.\B
-Hippr.glmsoidcs plat
Pli-umniili-i plalissiHih-s. I'.ibntius. i/S.i, I-'. (,nicn. p
Vid. Si-lsk., 1, (1X21), p. 50, Pl- ii. fiS- ::■
I'laliisa ptalcssouics, Cloqm-t, 182(1, Diet. Sci. Xal,, xli
( illmrui philtis'iiiics, Rcinhardt, 1838, Afhandl. K. I).
1850 (?), in Fabvrp, Voy. Scand. Lapon., Zonl., p.
skf \id. ,Sel>k.
Plates
iSjq, Rep. Fish. -Ma
St^
i PP-
1867, Hi5l. Fish. M.iss.irh.
Medd.
Arad. .\al. Sri. Pliil.id.. Suppl. (C.it I ish, i;, Cn.ist N.
iHfi', Ca
ntitla, Store
p. 197. pl. XXX. hi
Dr(pan':psfthi />/a/,ss"i
Aiiicr.), p. 50 ; .!<
Hippnglnssoidfs dentiilus. I, ill, i.M.i, timi. al.. p. 5'> ; (Uiiither,
Htpponhssindcs phdes'.auU-^. Gill, 1864, Fror.. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 217; '..,
Froc. U.S. Xat. Mus.,iii, (18S0), p. 471 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. f.S. Xat.
p. 82fi ; Goodc, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aqiiat. .-^nini. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. i
Jordan and Goss, 18.89, Ri-p. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 240, pl. ii, fig. 4 ; Goode
1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 43.S, pl. cvii. fij». 367; Jordan and Evermann, 189S, Bull.
.\his., xlvii (3), p. 2614, pi. ccclxxii, (if;. 919 ; Huntsman, 1918, Bull. Biol. Board C;
I, /IKS- ; Huntsman, 1922, Contr. Caliad. Biol., (1921), Xo. iii, p. 21 ; Bigelow a
1. 121, Hull, r S. Bur. Fish., xl(i), (1924I, p. 482, tigs. 245-248 ; Nichols and Brc
ZooloKH.i N.\'., IX, p. 175, hg. ; I'lrtsdimann, 1932, Medd. Gronland, xcii (3I, p. ,S7.
)-. pl. Iv ;
;ind Ueaii,
U.S. Nat.
I (42 1,
im.).
I (225
I (360
I (240
I (175
2 (310,
320 1;
I (380
mm.).
PLEUKONECTINiE 297
Pomatopseiia dentata. Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 217.
Hippoglossoides timandoides, Goode and Bean, 1879, .\mer. Journ. Sci. Arts, (3) xvii, p. 39.
Hippoglossoides plalcssoides (part), CoUett, 1880, Norskc N'ordhavs.-Exped., Zool., Fiske, p. 144-
Drepanopseila platessoides (part), Smitt,.i893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 421.
Drcpanopsetta (Hippoglossoides) platessoides, LUtken. 1898, Danish Ingolf Exped., ii (i), p. 19-
Hippoglossoides (Hippoglossoides) platessoides, Hubbs, 1918, Annot. Zool. Japon., ix, p. 373.
Eggs, Larx'.e anu Youn'G.
Huntsman, 191S, Bull. Biol. Board Canada, No. i, p. 14, figs.
Principal characters those of the species. Depth of body 2J to 2| in the length.
Maxillary extending about to below middle of eye, length 2f to nearly 3 in that of
head ; lower jaw 2-^ to 2 J in head. Scales generally rather smoother than in the
European subspecies ; 90 to 97 in lateral line, 41 to 43 between lateral line and middle
of back. Dorsal (80) 86-94. Anal 64-73 (75).
Type. — Zoological Museum, Copenhagen.
Distribution. — Greenland'; Atlantic coast of North America, southwards to
Cape Cod.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
South of Nova Scotia, 83 fms. " Challenger."
Halifax, Nova Scotia. U.S. Nat. Mus.
Chebucktoe Head, Nova Scotia. ,,
Massachusetts Bay. ,,
Salem, Mass. Mus. Corap. Zool.
New York Market. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Said to attain to a length of 20 to 24 inches, and a weight of 2 to 5 pounds.
lb. HIPPOGLOSSOIDES PLATESSOIDES LIMANDOIDES (Bloch).
[Long Rough Dab ; Rough Dab.]
Pleuronecles linguatula (non Linnaeus), Miiller, 1776, Zool. Danica; prodr. Anim., p. 45, No. 377.
Pleuronecles limandoides, Bloch, 1787, Nat. ausl. Fische, iii, p. 24. pl- clxxxvi ; Lacepede, 1802,
Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, p. 635 ; Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool., iv {2), p. 300 ; Quensel, 1806, Vet. Akad.
Hand)., xxvii, pp. 54, 222 ; Nilsson, 1832, Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 57 ; Nilsson, 1855, Skand.
Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 629.
Hippoglossus limandoides, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anim.,ii, p. 221.
Pleuronecles limandanus, Parnell, 1835, Edinburgh New Phil. Journ., xix, p. 210.
Platessa limandoides, Jenyns, 1835, Man. Brit. Vert., p. 459 ; Yarrell, 1836, Brit. Fish., ed. I, ii,
p. 224, fig. ; Parnell, 1838, Mem. Werner Soc, vii, p. 368, pl. xxxviii ; Yarrell, 1841, Brit.
Fish., ed. 2, ii, p. 312, fig. ; Kroyer, 1843-5, Danmarks Fisk.,ii, p. 358, fig. ; Yarrell, 1859,
Brit. Fish., ed. 3, i, p. 625, fig. ; Malmgren, 1864, Arch. Naturgesch., xxx (i), p. 296.
Hippoglossoides limanda, Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 168.
Limanda limandoides, Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 48.
Hippoglossoides limandoides, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 405 ; Collett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forh.,
(1874), Till. p. 136 ; Malm, 1877, Goteborgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 509 ; Day, 1880-4, Fish. Britain,
ii, p. 9, pl. xcv.
Drepanopseila platessoides, Malmgren, 1865, Ofvers. K. Svensk. Vet.-Akad. Forh., (1864), p. 525;
Lonnberg. 1899, Vet. Akad. Handl., xxiv (4), No. 9, p. 20 ; Pietschmann, 1909, Ann. naturh.
Mus. Wien, xxii, (1907-8), p. 301 : Schnakenbeck, 1925, Tier. Nord. Ostsec, L.ii, xii (i), p. 4,
fig. 2 ; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explor. North, xxvii, p. 138, fig. 102 ; Saemundsson,
1927, Rit. Visind. Isl.,ii, p. 35 ; Schnakenbeck, 1930, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. Atlant. Nord,
iv, fig.
^ I have recently received a paper from Dr. Pietschmann (1932), in which a number of
examples from Greenland are described. These appear to belong to this subspecies, but the author
does not give any scale counts.
2<)S
I'l.AlKlSHKS (H1:TKK()S0.MAI.\)
Htppogloisoidcs plaUssoiJcs. Collett, iS-S, Vid.-Sclsk. Forli., No. 14, p. fj-> ; Colletl, 1879, Vid.-
Sclsk. Forh.. No. I, p. 74 ; Gunther, 1888. Proc. Roy. Soc. Kdinb., xv, p. :!i6 ; Lilljeborg, 1801,
Sverifi. Norg. I-"iskar, ii, p. 299 ; Holt and Calderwood, i8<j5, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (ii)
V, p. 478, tigs. ; Collett, 1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 84 ; Johnsen, 1919, Bergens Mus.
Aarb., 1918-19, No. 6, p. 42.
Hippoghssoidts plalfssoides (part), Collett, 1880, Norske Nordliavs-Exped., Zool., Fiskc, p. 144.
Drepannpsdta phtcssoidcs (part), Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 421, pi. xvii, fig. 3.
lltppni;lossoui,-^ {Hipp.islnssoidfs) limnndoidcs, Hubbs, I0l«, Annul, Znol. Jap., ix. p. 373.
Er,
L.\RV
Mr> Y<
iningham, 18SS, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb., xxxiii (l), p. lo.-i, pi. vii, lig. 2 ; Mcintosh, 1889, Rep.
Fish. Board Scotland, vii', (1888), p. 304, pi. iii, figs. 1-3 ; Mcintosh and Prince, 1890, Trans.
Roy. Soc. Edinb., xxxv (3), p. 853, pi. xiii, fig. 3, xviii, fig. 2 ; Mcintosh, 1891, Rep. Fish.
Board Scotland, ix, (1890), p. 3r9 ; Holt, 1893, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (2) v, p. 57, pi. vii,
figs. 57-61, xiii, figs. 98-106 ; Mcintosh, 1895, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, .xiii, (1894), P- 220,
pi. vi, figs, i-ii, vii, iigs. 1-3 ; Cunningham, 1S96, N.H. Market. Mar. Fish., p. 244, figs. 112,
113; Henscn and Apstein, 1897, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Kiel, ii (2), pp. 36, 46, 74,
pi. ii, figs. Il-I3,iii, fig. 22 ; Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 319,
figs. ; Kyle, 189K, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xvi, 3, (1897), pp. 235, 245, pi. x, figs. 17-23.
xi, figs. 24-26 ; Hcincke and Ehrcnbaum, 1900, VViss. .Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland,
ill. pp. 225, 325, fig. 9 ; Petersen, 1904, Medd. Koinni. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., 1 (i),
p. 3, pi. i ; Schmidt, 1904, torn, cit., i (3). p. 10, pi. i, fig. 4 ; Ehrenbaum, 1903. in Brandt and
-Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv. Fisrh. (i), p. 182. fig. 74.
Principal characters those of the species. Depth of body li (occasionally jj) to
5 in the length. Maxillary generally extending to a little beyond middle of eye (at
least in adults), length 2\ to 2S in that of head ; lower jaw i § to 2 in head. .\\\ the
teeth a little stronger than in the American subspecies Scales generally rather
rougher, 85 to tji in lateral line. 25 to 40 between lateral line and niiddle of back.
Dorsal (76) 78-98 (loi). Anal 60-79,
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution, — Coasts of north-western luirope, from the Miirnian ("oast to the
British Isles ; Spitzbergen, Bear Island. Iceland, etc.
Specimens Ex.^mined :
I (390 mm.).
3 (183-222 m
I (182 mm.).
Iceland.
Biol, As
ollett.
PLEURONECTIN^E
5 (225-340 mm.).
1 (308 mm.).
6 (150-325 mm.).
4 (62-88 ,, ).
3 (170-200 ,, ).
3 (200-222 ,, ).
9 (64-144 ,, )•
2 (77, 245 ,, ).
I (200 mm.), skeleton.
9 (98-210 mm.).
I (178 mm.).
1 (158 ,, ).
2 (160, 178 mm.).
4 (60-98 mm.).
2 (128, 140 mm.).
1 (90 mm.).
2 (.00,110 mm.).
3 (65-J12 ,, ).
2 (37, 38 ,, ).
5 (150-295 mm.), skins.
1 (280 mm.), stuffed.
2 (157, 185 mm.).
I (245 mm.), skin.
I (335 ,, ), ,,
Herdla I., nr. Bergen, 66 fms.
Baltic.
St. Andrew's Bay, 13 fms.
Kilbrennan Sound, 20 fms.
26 fms.
Sanda Isd., 30-35 fms.
Between Sanda Isd., and Ailsa Craig,
24 fms.
Loch Houn, 70 fms.
Lamlach Bay.
Off Whiting Bay, Firth of Clyde
Loch Lunart, 45-50 fms.
Off Skate Isd., Loch Fyne, 100 fms.
Upper Loch Nevis, 50 fms.
Loch Duide, 60 fms.
Sound of Mull, 70 fms.
Between Skelmorlie Bay and Cumbrae
Isd., 20 fms.
Firth of Forth.
Off S.w'. of Ireland.
Brixham, Devon.
London Market.
Bergen Mus.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
Fish. Board Scotia
Grenfell.
ParnellColi.
Yarrell Coll.
Collett (i88o)i has shown that (in general) the number of dorsal and anal rays is
greater in specimens from northerly than in those from more southerly localities, and
notes that " the increased number of fin-rays involves a proportionate augmentation
in the number of scales, vertebtcP, and pores in the lateral line ". Below are given
the counts of fin-rays and scales for a number of specimens selected from several
localities :
Locality.
Spitzbergen (3)
Bear Isd. (i) .
Murman Coast (i)
Iceland (i)
Bergen (5)
Baltic (I)
British Isles (35)
This subspecies is said to attain to a length of about 350 mm.
Scales in
Scales between
oreal rays.
Anal rays.
lateral
lateral line
line.
and back.
85-98
69-78
85-90
37-40
85
70
91
32
93
7^
91
33
95
70
90
38
78-81
62-66
8i-go
28-30
84
"5
88
32
77-88
61-71
87-92
26-30
2. HIPPOGLOSSOIDES ELASSODON, Jordan and Gilbert.
Hippoglossoides elassodon, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,iii, (1880), pp. 278, 454 ;
Bean, 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 242 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat.
.Mus., xvi, p. 826 ; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i),
p. 188, pi. lii ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 241, pi. ii, fig. 5 ;
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2615, pi. ccclxxii, fig. 920;
Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 225 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xxxi, p. 189, fig. 8 ; Evermann and Goldsborough, 1907, Bull. Ll.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (.906),
p. 352, fig. 134 ; Gilbert and Burke, 1912, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxx, (1910), p. 95 ; Jordan,
Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 320, fig. 268 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii,p. 466.
* See also Pietschmann (1909).
300 FLATFISHES (Hl'mCKOSOMATA)
Hip/ioglossoides dassodon flassniion, Srlunidt, njij, Ann. .MaR. Nat. Hist.. (8) xvi, p. ^o- ; Soldatov
and Lindborg, 19.V1. Hull- I'ac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 139.1.
Hippoglnssoitlt's {Cynopsclla) clas.uulon, Hubbs, 1918, Annot. Zool. Jap., is, p. 373.
Depth of body 2i to 2J in the length, length of head 3:^ to 3.3. Snout as long as
or shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4 J to 5 J in length of head ; anterior margins
of eyes about level. Ma.xillary extending to below middle of eye or beyond, length
2j to 2I in that of head : lower jaw a little projecting, i j to 2 in head ; outline of
upper jaw evenly curved : anterior teeth in upper jaw somewhat enlarged, but not
forming distinct canines. 7 branchiostegal rays : (14) 15 to 18 (19) gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch. Scales rather strongly ctenoid on ocular side, mostly
cycloid on blind side ; 87 to 94 in lateral line, 36 to 42 between lateral line and middle
of back. Lateral line generally with a low curve above pectoral tin, hut sometimes
-Hlpposlvs^niJ,-
nearly straight. Dorsal (76) 79-86 ; origin above anterior margin of eye. ."^nal
60-67 (&9)- Contours of posterior parts of dorsal and anal fins more or less concave.
Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays, length about twice in that of head. Caudal
with 1 8 rays (12 branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle as long as
deep or a little deeper than long. Brownish ; with or without darker spots ; fins
greyish, spotted and blotched with darker.
Typk. — United States National Museum. No, 27263
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from the Bering Sea to C ,ipe.
Flattery ; Okhotsk Sea.
SPKCIMIi.NS lix.^MINED :
■ (33"
■ (275
t (-M"
Unalaska. Al.iska.
BerinK Sea (57 N.,
153
IS' \V.).
(53 51
>' \.,
166' JK' W.),
58 fni
(53' -1
.' N.,
167' 31' W.),
51 ,,
I'ugc-t Sound.
U.S. Nat. .Mil
'ihis species attains to a length of altont 18 inches
PLEURONECTIN^ 301
3. HIPPOGLOSSOIDES DUBIUS, Schmidt.
Mippoglossoidcs dubius, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. .Mar. Orient., p. 227, pi. vi, tig. i ; Snyder, igl2, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xlii, p. 439 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., .\lviii, p. 466 ; Jordan and
Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 298.
Cynopsetta dubia, (Schmidt in lilt.) Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., .\xxi, p. 188;
Tanaka, 1913, Fish. Japan, xii, p. 207, pi. Ixxviii, fig. 212 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913,
J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (l), p. 320.
Hippoglossoides hatakum, Snyder, 1911, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xl, p. 546 ; Snyder, 1912, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xlii, p. 439, pi. Iviii, fig. i ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 19x3, J. Coll. Sci.
Tokyo, xxxiii (r), p. 320.
Hippoglossoides classodon dubius, Schmidt, 1915, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8)
and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 394 ; Schmidt,
Russ., p. 316.
Hippoglossoides {Cynopsetta) dubius, Hubbs, 1918, .\nnot. Zool. Japon., ix, p
Fig. 222. — Hippoglossoides dubius. B.M. (N.H.) 1923. 11 .21 .4. X \.
Depth of body 2| to 2| in the length, length of head 3J to 3|. Snout (in adults)
longer than eye, diameter of which is 4* to 6j in length of head ; anterior margins of
eyes about level. Maxillary extending to below posterior part of eye, length 2J to
2 J in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, 1% to nearly 2 in head ; outline of
upper jaw more strongly curved and irregular than in H. classodon ; anterior teeth in
upper jaw enlarged and forming distinct canines. 7 branchiostegal rays ; (i i) 13 to ig
(16) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales moderately ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid or rather feebly ctenoid on blind side ; 88 to 93 in lateral line,
about 38 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral line with a low curve
above the pectoral fin. Dorsal (79) 82-87 (9°) '• origin just in front of eye or above
its anterior margin. Anal (62) 64-65 (69). Contours of posterior parts of dorsal
and anal fins more or less concave. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays, length
I j to 2f in that of head. Caudal with 18 rays (10 to 12 branched), rounded or nearly
truncate ; caudal peduncle deeper than long. Uniformly brownish ; dorsal and anal
fins sometimes with pale margins.
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. No. 12366.
Distribution. — Southern Okhotsk Sea ; Gulf of Tartary ; Sea of Japan, south-
wards to Corea.
Specimens Examined :
1 (390 mm.). Gulf of Tartary (47' 32' N., 141' 4,'j' VV.). U.S. Nat. Mus.
2 (165, 260 mm.). Tokyo Market. Tokyo Imp. Univ.
I (415 mm.). ,, ,,
I (300 ,, ). Sea of Japan, off Tajima Prov. ,,
302 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMAIA)
4. HIPPOGLOSSOIDES ROBUSTUS, Gill and Townsend.
Hipffoglossoides robustus, dill and Townsend, 1807. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, xi, p. ::.^vl ; T'rd.in
and Evcrmann, 1808, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2616 ; Jordan and Gilbert, iKo'i, l-nr
seals and fur-seal islands N. Pacific, iii, p. 480 ; Hubbs, 11)15, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p.4''li.
Hifipoglossotdes hamilloni, (Jordan and (Albert) Jordan and p;vermann, l8q8, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvii (3), p. 2616 ; Jordan and Gilbert. 1S99, Fur seals and fur-seal islands N. Pacific, iii, p.
48Q, pi. Ixxxiv ; Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 226 ; Jordan and Starks, 1900, Proc.
U.S. Nat. .Mus., xxxi, p. 190, fig. 9 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
xxxiii (I), p. 320, fig. 269 ; Hubbs, 1915. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 46O.
Hifpnilosanides elassodon robustus, Schmidt, 1915, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) xvi, p. 308 ; Soldatov
.ind l.indberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 395.
Hifl'i.s^l-.sindcs propinquus, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 469, pi. xxvi, fig. 5.
Hipp,>gl,<^s„ides (Cynopselta) robustus. Hubbs. 1918, Annot. Zool. Jap., ix, p. 374.
Hippnglossoides (Cynopsella) hamilttmi, Hubbs, 191S, torn. cit.. p. 374.
Hlppoglossoides {Cynopsellii] propiiiquic. Hubbs, 191S, torn. ri.'.. p. 374
Depth of body (2^) 2J to 2g in the length, length of head 3J to 3.5 Snout as long
as or shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4^ to 5J in length of head ; anterior
margins of eyes about level or upper a little in advance of lower. Maxillary extending
to below middle of eye or a little beyond, length 2J to 2i in that of head ; lower jaw
distinctly projecting, 1 1 to about 2 in head ; anterior teeth in upper jaw somewhat
enlarged, but not forming distinct canines. 7 branchiostegal rays ; 10 to 13 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales very variable, more or less ctenoid on ocular
side, ctenoid or cycloid on blind side ; 87 to 94 in lateral line, about 40 between lateral
line and middle of back. Lateral line with a low but distinct curve above pectoral
fin. Dorsal (67) 69-77 '■ origin above anterior margin or anterior part of eye. Anal
(51) 53-59 (60). Contours of posterior parts of dorsal and anal fins more or less
concave. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays, length ij to 2J in that of head.
Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded or double-truncate : caudal peduncle
as long as deep or a little deeper than long. More or less uniformly brownish ; fins paler.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 48766.
Distribution. — From the Bering Sea southwards to northern Japan.
Specimens Examined :
I (no mm.). Kamchatka. U.S. Nat. Mus.
1 (195 ,, ). Mouth of R. Oscrraja, Kamchatka. Popov.
I (162 ,, ). Avacha Bay, Kamchatka. Berg.
I (105 ,. ). Paralype of Japan. Stanford Univ.
" //, prnp„HIUUS.
PLEURONECTIN^
Genus 5. ACANTHOPSETTA.
Acanthopsella, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 237 [Acanthopsetia nadeshnyi, Schmidt];
Hubbs, 1915, Troc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 464.
Very close to Hippoglossoides, but with snout and upper parts of eyeballs densely
scaled (at least in adults) ; teeth less strong, scarcely enlarged anteriorly ; dorsal
fin commencing above middle or posterior part of eye ; rays of dorsal and anal fins
more or less scaled on both sides ; middle rays of pectoral fin branched ; lateral line
with distinct supratemporal branch.
A single species from the North Pacific.
I. ACANTHOPSETTA NADESHNYI, Schmidt.
Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 237, pi. v, fig. i ; Jordan and Starka,
1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 187; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci.
Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 319 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 464 ; Soldatov and
Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 393 ; Schmidt, 1931, C.R. Acad. Sci. Russ.,
p. 316.
Fig. 224. — Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi. B.M. (N.H.) 1923
Depth of body 2j to 2J in the length, length of head 3I to 3j. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3J to 4 in length of head ; lower eye very slightly in
advance of upper, which touches edge of head. Maxillary not e.xtending to below
middle of eye, length about 3 in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, a little
more than 2 in head. 10 to 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
ctenoid on both sides of body, 75 to 81 in lateral line. Dorsal (67) 70-74 (78). Anal
(54) 57-60 (62). Pectoral of ocular side with 9 to 11 rays (5 to 7 branched), length a
little more than ^ that of head. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded ; caudal
peduncle nearly as long as deep. Uniformly brownish ; median fins rather paler.
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. No. 12339-46.
Distribution. — Okhotsk Sea ; Gulf of Tartary ; Sea of Japan, southwards to
Corea.
Specimens Examined :
I (280 r
.m.).
Petropavlosk.
U.S. Nat
M
I (182
,, ).
Sea of Japan {42^ 51' N.,
133"
56' E.).
Berg.
I (170
„ ).
Broughton Bay, Corea.
Popov.
ILATFISHMS (HEIEROSOMATA)
(ienusf). CLEISTHENES.
CUisthencs. Jorilaii .uiil St.irk^, i.)o4, Hull. l\S. Cimi. Fish., xxii, (no^). p. (.;:; UUiWunc^ pmrlvriim,
Jordan and Starks].
Prolopsclla, Schmidt, 1904, I'lsr. Mar. Orirnt.. p. 2v: [Hippoglossnides hcrzenslcini, Srhniidt].
Close to Hippoglossoides, but with the upper eye on the dor.sal surface of the head,
its range almost entirely vertical ; snout more or less scaled ; eyeballs not scaled :
teeth rather small, scarcely enlarged anteriorly ; dorsal fin commencing on blind
side of head, well behind nostrils and above posterior part of eye ; rays of dorsal
and anal fins more or less scaled on both sides : middle rays of pectoral fin branched.
Two species from the north-western Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
15 to 2! (occ- J3) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch
20 to 25 (occ. 27) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch
hcfzensteiiii.
I. piiictiifuni.
I. CLEISTHENES HERZENSTEINI (Schmidt).
Htppn^loisaidci hcrzfiisteini, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. .Mar. Orient., p. 229.
I'r<iltipsdta hcr:emtcini, Jordan and Starks, 1906. Proc. U.S. Xat. Mus., xxxi, pp
1912, Proc. L'.S. Xat. -Mus., xlii.p. 439 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913,
xxxiii (I), p. 321.
Cltisthcnes herzenstcmi, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. .\at. Mus., xlviii, p. 473; H
Zool. Japon., ix, p. 370 ; Soldatov and I.indberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fis
Schmidt, 1931, C.R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 316.
ClHsthenes pinelnrum, Jordan and Hubbs, 192.t, Mem. Carnesic Mus., x, p. 29S.
194. 5
J. Coll
:5 ; Snyder,
Sci. Tokyo,
Fig. z^i.—CkiMenes hcr-.ensleiiii. B..M. (X.H.) 1923
Depth of body i\ to 2f in the length, length of head 3i to 33. Snout about as
long as eye. diameter of which is 4J to 5} in length of head, and more than twice the
interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes about level. Maxillary extending to
below middle of eye. or not quite as far, length 2J to about 3 in that of head : lower
law projecting, 2 to 2J in head. (15) 17 to 20 (occasionally 23) gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales ver\- variable ; generally more or less ctenoid on ocular
PLEURONECTIN^
305
side, but sometimes a number of cycloid scales present, especially on head and anterior
part of body : scales on head and parts of body frequently with small bony papillae
on their surfaces in addition to the marginal spinules ; scales on blind side all cycloid
or those on posterior parts and edges of body ctenoid ; 77 to 84 scales in lateral line.
Dorsal 70-75 (77). Anal 53-58. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays (7 or 8
branched), length i J to 2 in that of head. Caudal with 18 rays (X2 branched), double-
truncate or rounded ; caudal peduncle about as long as deep. Uniformly brownish.
TypE. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. Nos. 12361-65.
Distribution. — Okhotsk Sea ; Gulf of Tartary ; Sea of Japan ; Corea ; coast
of Shantung.
Specimens Examined :
I (340 mm.).
I (215 „ ).
4 (200-230 mm.)
1 (225 mm.).
2 (207. 225 mm.).
Gulf of Tartary (47' 38' JJ.,
141° 39' E.).
Gensan, Corea.
Tokyo Market.
Toyama, Japan.
Coast of Shantung.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Popov.
Tokyo Imp. Un
The specimens from China have a rather more slender body and narrower caudal
peduncle, but are otherwise identical with the remainder.
2. CLEISTHENES PINETORUM, Jordan and Starks.
Cleisthencs pinelorum, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (igo2), p. 622, fig. ;
Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 192, fig. 10 ; Jordan, Tanaka and
Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (l), p. 323, fig. 271 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., xlviii, p. 472 ; Hubbs, 1918, .\nnot. Zool. Japon., ix, p. 370.
Fig. 226. — Cleisthcnes pineiorum. [After Jordan and Starks,
Probably identical with the preceding species, but with 20 to 25 (occasionally 27)
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid in specimens of 4 to 5
inches in total length ; larger specimens have a few ctenoid scales on ocular side of
head and near upper and lower edges of body. Dorsal 76. Anal 56-57.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51403.
Distribution. — Matsushima Bay, Japan.
Specimen Examined :
(112.
Off Matsushima.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
3o6
FLATFISHES (HF.TEROSOMATA)
Genus 7. LYOPSETTA.
Lyopsclla. Jordan .iiid Goss, 1887. Rep. U.S. Cc
Jordan and Gilbert] ; Jordan and Evernia
Fish., .\iii, (1885), p. 023 [Hippoglo^soides exilis,
, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2612.
Close to fiippoglossoides, but with two series of teeth in the upper jaw, those of
the outer row larger than those of the inner and a little enlarged anteriorly ; no
distinct canines ; pectoral fin of ocular side much larger than that of blind side, all
the rays simple ; scales of moderate size, thin, deciduous, ctenoid on both sides of
biidv : vertebra^ 45 (n + 34)
.\ single species from the North I'acilic.
LYOPSETTA EXILIS (Jordan and Gilbert).
[Slender Flounder.;
r88i, Proc. U.S. Nat.
at. Mus.. iv, (1881), p.
Mu
67; Jo
1, (I
Hippoglnssoidcs fxdis. Jordan and Gilbert,
Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U.S. >
Hull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 827.
Hippoglossoidcs {Lyopsclla) exilis. Jordan and Goss, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiii, (1885), p. 923.
Lyopsclla exilis, Jordan and Goss. 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 238 ; Jordan and
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2612 ; Evermann and Goldsborough, 1907,
Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 352 ; Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool.,
Mu
1(11). p.
xlvii
: Starks, 1911
376 ; Starks,
Ann. Carnegie Mu
. Calif. Fish G,
p. 203 ; Gilbert,
(4). p. 6, ftg, 84.
1915, Proc. U.S. Nat.
227.— Lyopsclla cxiln
l)e])th of body 3 to 3J m the length, length of head 3! to 4. Snout as long as or
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3^ to 4^ in length of head ; anterior margins
of eyes level or lower a very little in advance of upper, which touches edge of head.
Maxillary scarcely extending to below middle of eye, length about 2^ in that of head ;
lower jaw scarcely projecting, 2j to 2J in head. 9 to 11 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. O5 to 72 scales in lateral hue, 16 to 19 between lateral line and middle
of back. i:)orsal (77) 78-83 (85). Anal 59-65. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays,
length i.i to 2 in that of head. Caudal with iS or 10 rays (12 or 13 branched), rounded
PLEUROCENTIN^
307
or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle generally a little longer than deep. Pale
brownish, the scales with or without dark edges ; sometimes some darker spots ; fins
mostly dusky.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 27121.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to San Francisco ;
in rather deep water.
Specimens Examined :
I (240 mm.}.
3 {200-235 mm.).
1 (232 mm.).
2 (232, 245 mm.)
5 (200-255 ,, )■
1 (245 mm.).
2 (148, 162 mm.)
2 (115, 185 ,, )
I (227 mm.).
I (140 „ ).
Nanaimo, B.C.
California.
OB Central California, 77 fms.
San Francisco.
OfiE Avalon.
Sta. Catalina.
Pt. Reyes, Cal.
Off Southern California, 36 fms.
Clemens.
Stanford Univ.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Eigenraann.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Eigenraann.
U.S. Nat. Mus
A small species, rarely exceeding 10 or 12 inches in length.
Genus 8. EOPSETTA.
Eopsetta, Jordan and Goss, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiii, (1885), p. 923 [Hippoglossoides jordani,
Lockington] ; Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) xi, p. 220.
Xystrias, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 623 [Hippoglossus
grigorjewi, Herzenstein].
Close to Hippoglossoides, but with two series of teeth in the upper jaw, those of
the outer row larger than those of the inner, enlarged and forming distinct canines
anteriorly ; teeth of the lower jaw in a single series. Lower pharyngeals narrow,
scarcely approximated anteriorly ; each with an inner row of long, pointed teeth,
outside these an irregular series of smaller teeth, and on the edge a number of minute
teeth. Rays of dorsal and anal fins more or less scaled on both sides. Pectoral fin
of ocular side much larger than that of blind side ; middle rays branched. Scales
small, adherent, mostly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line
nearly straight or with a curve of moderate height above the pectoral fin. Vertebrae
42 (10 + 32).
Two species from the Pacific coast of North America and Japan.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Lateral line nearly straight or with a very low curve above pectoral ; depth
2 J to 2 J, head 3 to 3 J in length ; 45 to 52 scales between lateral line and
middle of back . . . . . . . . .1. jordani.
II Lateral line with a distinct curve above pectoral ; depth 2f to 2f, head 3J
to nearly 4 in length ; 28 to 30 scales between lateral line and middle of
back ........... 2. grigorjewi.
I. EOPSETTA JORDANI (Lockington).
[California " Sole " ; Jordan's Flounder.]
Hippoglossoides jordani, Lockington, 1880, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1879), p. 73 ; Jordan and
Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), p. 454 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 67; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 827;
Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i). p. 187.
3o8
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Hippoglnssoidcs (Kopsella) jordatu. Jordan and Goss, 1SS7, Kep. U.S. Co
F.opsctla jorJant, Jord.nn and Goss, 1880, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xi'
Kvcrniann, l.S.i.S. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. -613 ; Ever
Hull. U.S. Hur. Fish., xxvi, (iqof)), p. 352 ; Starks and Morris
iii (11). p. 242 ; Starks, loiS. Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 6, fig.
), p. 239 ; Jordan and
nd Goldsborough, 1007,
Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool.,
Depth of body 2j to 2f in the length, length of head 3 to 3^. Snout a.s long as or
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4J to ji in length of head and about 4 times
the interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower very slightly in advance
of iipju'r, which is ver\' close to edge of head. -Maxillary e.xtending to below middle
of eye or a little beyond, length about 2| in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting,
2 to 2 J in head. 15 to 17 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 93 to 100 scales
in lateral line, 45 to 52 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral line nearly
straight or with a very low curve above pectoral fin. Dorsal 89-95. Anal 70-75.
Pectoral of ocular side with 13 rays (8 to 10 branched), length i J to 2 in that of head.
Caudal with 19 or 20 rays (14 or 15 branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal
peduncle a little deeper than long. More or less uniformly brownish ; young often
with whitish spots on body ; dorsal and anal fins sometimes clouded with darker.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from Puget Sound to Monterey.
Specimens Examined :
(4.15
mm.
(20s
(1S8
(400,
4 35
(23.S-
-415
I310
mm.
(.570
Vaguma Bay, Oregon.
Off Central California, 37 fii
Coast of California.
rt. Reyesi Cal.
Monterey, Cal.
Brethcrto
U.S. Nat.
.\yres.
Gerrard.
Eigenmar
This species is said to attain to a length of 20 inches and a weight of 6 to 8 pounds.
PLEURONECTIN^E
2. EOPSETTA GRIGORJEWI (Herzenstein).
Hippogtossus grigorjewi, Herzenstein, 1891, [McI. Biol., xiii (i)], Bull. Ac. Imp. Sci. St. Petersbourg,
xxxiv, (N.s. ii),p. 56.
Hippoglossoides sp., Otaki, 1897, Journ. Fish. Bur. Tokyo, vi (i), p. 2, pi. v, fig. i.
Verasper otakii, Jordan and Snyder, 1900, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 378.
Xystrias grigorjewi, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 623 ; Jordan
and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 182, fig. 6 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913,
J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 319, fig. 267 ; Jordan and Thompson, 1914, Mem. Carnegie
Mus., vi, p. 309, fig. 81 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 463 ; Jordan and Hubbs,
1925. Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 297 ; Oshima, 1927, Japan. J. Zool., Trans. Abstr., i (5), p.
193 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 391 ; Schmidt, 1931, C.R.
Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 316.
—Eopsetta grigorjewi, B.M. (N.H.) 98. 12
Depth of body 2§ to 2| in the length, length of head 3f to nearly 4. Snout a little
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4J to 4J in length of head, and about 4 times
the interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes about level, upper very close to edge
of head. Maxillary e.xtending to below middle of eye or not quite as far, length
2j to 2j in that of head ; lower jaw not or a little projecting, about 2 in head. (14)
16 to 18 (19) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 86 to 90 scales in lateral line,
28 to 30 between lateral hne and middle of back. Lateral line with a distinct curve
above pectoral fin. Dorsal (85) 87-88 (92). Anal 67-70 (77). Pectoral of ocular
side with 11 rays (7 branched), length if to ij in that of head. Caudal with 19 to
21 rays (15 branched), rounded or double-truncate; caudal peduncle about as deep
as long. Brownish, with a number of indistinct darker blotches, spots or ocelli, of
which 6 in the middle of the body, 3 above and 3 below lateral line, are most prominent.
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. \o. 8732.
Distribution. — Japan ; Corea ; Formosa.
Specimens Examined :
I (280 I
I (250
I (255
I (235
I (188
Aomori, Japan.
Sea of Japan, off Xagato Prov.
Bay of Mutsu, „
Tokyo Market.
Matsuvama Market.
Jordan.
Tokyo Imp. Univ.
Kishinouye.
Tokyo Imp. Univ.
Apart from the more marked anterior curve of the lateral line, this species is not
unlike the American Eopsetta jordani, and the two appear to be congeneric.
This specimen differs
hat from the others, having a larger head, mouth, eye
FLATFISHES (HETKROSOMATA)
Cjerius 9-
PSKTTICHTHVS.
PsetlicMhys,
Girard]
r.irard, 1854, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vii,
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mu
[.JO [Pscllichlhvs
Ivii (3), p. ^617.
Related to Hippoglossoides, but eyes separatetl by a nearly flat, scaled space of
moderate width : a single series of teeth in each jaw, with a few rather strong canines
anteriorly. Lower pharyngeals each with a row of sharp, curved teeth, and with
traces of a second row of smaller teeth outside. Dorsal fin commencing above posterior
nostril of blind side and in front of eye ; anterior rays a little prolonged, more or less
free from membrane ; rays of dorsal and anal fins more or less scaled on both .sides.
Middle rays of pectoral fin branched. Scales small, adherent, mostly ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line rising a little above pectoral fin ; a
supratemporal branch present, with long posterior prolongation. Vertebrae 40
(II + ^9).
.■\ single species from the Pacific coast of North .\merica.
PSETTICHTHYS MELANOSTICTUS. Girard.
[Spotted Flounder ; " Sole ".]
cttichthvs imlaiimltclus. Girard, 1854, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad.,
U.S. Pacif. R. R. Survey, .\, Fishes, p. 154 ; Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fis
l38o, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii, (1879), p. 76 ; Jordan and Gilbert, :
iii, (18S0), p. 453 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
i, p. 140 ; Girard, 1858
iv, p. 420 ; Lockington
ii, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
s., iv, (1881), p. 67 ; Jordan
1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 186, pi. li ; Jordan and Goss,
i88g. Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 241, pi. ii, fig. 6 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2618, pi. ccclxxiii, fig. 921 ; Evermann and Goldsborough
1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 353, fig. 135 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4)
p. 7, fiR. 86.
HtppoglossotJes melniwsliclus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.. xvi, p. 828.
liepth of body 2 J to 2 1 in the length, length of head 3 J to 3I. Snout longer than
eye, <liamcter of which is 6 to 8 in length of head and ij times to twice the interorbital
width ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower a little in advance of upper, which is
PLEURONECTIN^ 311
close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye or not quite as
far. length 2J to nearly 3 in that of head ; lower jaw projecting, about twice in head.
14 to 17 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 100 to 112 scales in lateral hne,
40 to 46 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral line with a supratemporal
branch, which divides into a short anterior portion and a long posterior prolongation
extending to below the eighteenth to twenty-second rays of dorsal fin. Dorsal 79-85 ;
first ray nearly entirely free from membrane, its height 3 to 3! in length of head.
.\nal 57-61. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays (7 to 9 branched), length 2|
to 2| in that of head. Caudal with 16 to 20 rays (ii to 14 branched), rounded ; caudal
peduncle twice or more than twice as deep as long. Brownish ; head, body and fins
finely speckled with darker.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from Sitka to Monterey.
Specimens Examined :
2 (255, 275 mm.). Vaguina Bay, Oregon. Bretherton.
I (320 mm.). San Francisco Bay. Gerrard.
3 (255-400 mm.). Pt. Reyes, Cal. Eigenmann.
I (250 mm.). Monterey, Cal. U.S. Nat. Mus.
I (212 ,, ). California. Ayres.
This species is said to attain to a length of about 20 inches and a weight of from
4 to 5 pounds.
Genus 10. VEKASPER.
Verasper, Jordan and Evermann (ex Jordan and Gilbert MS.), 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3),
p. 2618 [Verasper moseri, (Jordan and Gilbert) Jordan and Evermann].
Body ovate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a rather flat,
scaled space of moderate width, the upper close to edge of head. Olfactory laminae
in moderate number, parallel, without rachis. Mouth of moderate size, subsymme-
trical, the length of the maxillary scarcely i that of head ; dentition about equally
developed on both sides ; teeth obtusely conical, not greatly enlarged anteriorly ; in
two series in upper jaw and in a single series in lower jaw, except anteriorly, where
there may be an additional irregular series ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers short,
stout, with a patch of spines on their inner margins, few in number ; lower pharyngeals
narrow, scarcely approximated anteriorly, each with conical teeth arranged more or
less in three rows. Dorsal fin commencing at a short distance liehind nostrils of
blind side and above eye ; most of the rays simple, scaled on both sides. Tip of first
interhaemal spine projecting to a greater or lesser extent in front of anal fin. Pectoral
fin of ocular side a little larger than that of blind side ; middle rays branched. Pelvic
fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin with the middle rays
longest ; caudal peduncle short. Scales small, adherent, ctenoid on ocular side,
mostly cycloid on blind side ; no supplementary scales. Lateral line with a rounded
curve above the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch. Vent median, between
the pelvic fins ; 3 -f i pyloric appendages.
Two closely related species from Japanese and Cfiinese Seas.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Anterior curve of lateral line low, its height 33 to 4 in its width ; dorsal and
anal fins with rounded, dark spots . . . .1. variegatus.
II. Anterior curve of lateral line higher, its height 2j to 2^ in its width ; dorsal
and anal fins with vertical dark bars . . . . . .2. moseri.
312 FLATKISHES (HETHKOSOMATA)
I VERASPEK VARIEGATUS (Temminck and Schlegel).
Platesid varit-i^ata, Temminck and Schlegel, 1846, in Siebold, F. Japon. (Pisces), p. 170, pi. xc.
Pliuronecles taritealui, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 453 ; Otaki, 1897, Journ. Fish. Bur. Tokyo,
vi(i), p. 7. pl. vii, fig. 9.
VeraspCT varifgalus, Jordan and Snyder, 1901, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 378 ; Jordan and
Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 184 : Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 191 3, J. Coll.
Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (l), p. 318; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 297;
Soldatov'and Undberg, 1030, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v. p. 3.);: ; Schmidt, I93". C.R. Acad.
Sci. Russ., p. 315.
Depth of body 2 to jj in the leiiKth. length of head 35 to 35. Snout as lonf; as
or a little longer than eye, diameter of which is 4 J to 6 J in length of head and more
than twice the mterorbital width ; lower eye scarcely in advance of upper. Maxillary
extending to below middle of eye or not quite as far, length 3 to 3 J in that of head ;
lower jaw a little projecting, 2 to 2j in head. 0 or 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales all ctenoid on ocular side ; on blind side the scales are mostly cycloid
in young specimens, except tho.se in an area along middle of anterior part of body,
where each scale has a few spinules ; in adults the area of ctenoid scales is more
extensive, and in some large specimens all the scales of the blind side have one or
more spinules : 78 to 90 scales in lateral line, 30 to 36 between lateral line and middle
of back I^ateral line with a low curve above pectoral fin, its height 35 to 4 in its
width. Dorsal 77-87. Anal 57-68. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays
(8 or 9 branched), length 2 to 2J in that of head. Caudal with 18 to 21 rays (14 or
15 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle twice or more then twice as deep as long.
Dark brownish, uniform or variegated with paler areas, of which the most conspicuous
are a large patch behind the head and a series of 3 or 4 patches at upper and lower
edges of body ; in variegated examples the scales are all edged with dark brown .
dorsal and anal fins each with 4 or 5 large, rounded, black or dark brown spots placed
near the ba.ses of the fins ; generally some smaller and less distinct spots on the caudal .
blind side often with small .scattered brown spots ; the large, rounded spots on the
fins are much darker than on the ocular side : tip of caudal dusk\'
Type — Leiden Museum.
DiSTRiBiTION. — Seas of southern Japan and northern China, southwards to
Matsushima I?ay and Chefoo
PLEURONECTINiE
Specimens Examined :
I (255 mm.).
I (410 „ ).
I (170 ,, ).
1 (172 ,, ).
2 (190, 215 mm.).
I (200 mm.).
I (225 ,. ).
6 (120-143 mm.).
r (390 mm.).
Japan.
Tokyo Market.
Matsuyama Market.
Inland Sea of Japan.
Yokohama.
Matsushima.
Port Arthm-.
Chefoo.
Jamracb.
Tokyo Imp. Univ.
Smith.
" Challenger."
Jordan.
2. VERASPER MOSERI, [Jordan and GUbert] Jordan and Evermann.
Verasper moseri, (Jordan and Gilbert) Jordan and Evermann, 1898
p. 2619 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1899, Fur seals and fur-seal Is.
Jordan and Snyder, 1901, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 378 ;
U.S. Kat. Mus., xxxi, p. 185, fig. 7 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Sn
xxxiii (I), p. 3
1(3).
, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlv
N'. Pacif., (3), p. 490, pi. Ixxxv ;
Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc.
yder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
moseri. B..M. (N.H.) 1932.2.26.574.
Perhaps identical with the preceding species. Depth of body about twice in the
length, length of head 3J to 3:. Diameter of eye (in specimens of 105 to 130 mm )
about 6, length of maxillan,- 2* in length of head. About 85 scales in lateral line,
34 between lateral line and middle of back. Anterior curve of lateral hne higher and
more abrupt, its height i\ to 2J in its width. Dorsal 77-84. Anal 55-60. Length
of pectoral of ocular side 2\ to 2J in that of head. Brownish ; scales sometimes
edged with darker ; body sometimes with a number of indistinct paler and darker
spots ; dorsal and anal fins each with 5 or 6 conspicuous dark bars, which are parallel
with the rays, and, Uke the rounded spots of the preceding species, most evident on
the bUnd side.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 48797.
Distribution. — Northern Japan ; Kuril Islands.
Specimens Examined :
(1301
(105
1.). Paratype.
).
Hakodate, Japan.
Same, Japan.
Stanford Ur
Jordan.
Also one from Japan (Mus. Comp. Zool.).
FLATFISIIi:S (HETEROSOMAIA)
(,enus 11. CI.IDODERMA.
flidodirma, Blocker, iSt
luinck and Schlegel]
Akad. \V,'t. ATTisterdam,
Q33. Ann. .\r,K. Xat.
His;., (u.)
II, p. ;;
a.5/>,-.
Body rather deep, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a low,
narrow, scaled ridge, the upper close to edge of head ; snout and upper parts of eye-
balls densely tuberculate. Olfactory lamina? in moderate number, parallel, without
rachis. Mouth of moderate size, the length of the maxillary on ocular side less
than J, on blind side nearly i that of head ; jaws and dentition much stronger on
blind side of head ; teeth stout, conical, somewhat enlarged anteriorly, in two distinct
series in both jaws, those of the outer row stronger ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers
short, stout, few in number ; lower pharyngeals narrow, scarcely approximated
anteriorly, each with 2 or 3 irregular series of teeth. Dorsal fin commencing at a short
distance behind nostrils of blind side and above or a little in advance of eye ; rays
simple or bifid distally, scaled only on ocular side. Tip of first interha>mal spine not
projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fin of ocular side larger than that of blind
side : middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical.
Caudal fin with the middle rays longest ; caudal peduncle short. No .scales ; ocular
side (in adults) with close--set, rough, bony tubercles, most of which bear small spines ;
larger tubercles arranged in 6 more or less definite longitudinal rows ; blind side quite
smooth. Lateral line with a low curve above the pectoral fin ; asupratemporal branch
of moderate length. \"ent median, between the pelvic fins ; 4 pyloric appendages.
A single species from Japan.
The true position of this aberrant genus is somewhat doubtful, but it appears to
be more nearly related to \'erasper than to Platichthvs, with which it has previously
been associated In some respects it forms a connecting link between the large and
symmetrical-mouthed genera and those in which the jaws and dentition are markedly
asymmetrical.
I. CLIDODERMA ASPEKKl.Mr.M (Temminck and Schlegel)
PLEURONECTIN^ 315
Platessa aspcrrima, Tcinminck and Schlegel, 1846, in Siebold, V. Japon. (Pisces), p. 177, pi. xci.
Pleuronecles aspernmus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 453; Otaki, 1897, Journ. Fish. Bur.
Tokyo, vi (i), p. 7, pi. viii, fig. 8.
Clidoderma asperrimum, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 425 ; Jordan and
Snvder, 1900, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 379 ; Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com.
Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 625 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 221, fig. 20 ;
Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 331, fig. 279 ; Hubbs,
1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlviii, p. 488 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, .Mem. Carnegie Mus., x,
p. 300 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 412 ; Schmidt, 1931,
C.R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 317.
Depth of body i| to nearly twice in the length, length of head 3J to 3^. Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 4^ in length of head ; anterior margins of
eyes about level. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular
side 3i to 3J, on blind side i\ to 2J in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting,
2| in head. Teeth of upper jaw largely confined to the blind side ; sometimes 3 or
4 teeth between the two principal rows ; 25 or 26 teeth on blind side of each jaw.
10 to 13 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Skin quite smooth on both sides in
ver^' young examples : older specimens densely tuberculated on ocular side. Dorsal
82-89. Anal 63-70. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 or 13 rays (9 or 10 branched),
length about J that of head. Caudal with 19 or 20 rays (14 or 15 branched), rounded ;
caudal peduncle deeper than long. Uniformly brownish ; blind side greyish.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Coasts of Japan, chiefly northward.
Specimens E.xamined :
I (310 mm.). Hachinohe, Mutsu Prov., Japan. Tokyo Imp. Univ.
I (425 ,, ). Tokyo Market. ,,
(Venu.s 12. HYPSOPSETT.A.
Hypsopsetta, Gill, 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xiv, (1862), p. 330 [PUuronichthys guUulatus,
Girard] ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2639.
Body deep, rhomboidal, compressed. Head without spines or prominences.
Eyes on the right side, separated by a narrow ridge, the upper close to edge of head.
01factor\' lamina; rather few in number, parallel, without rachis. Mouth very small,
the length of the maxillary on blind side about J that of head ; jaws rather stronger
on blind side ; lips rather thick, not plicate ; teeth small, slender, acute, forming
broad villiform bands on blind side of both jaws ; scarcely any teeth on ocular side ;
no canines ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers short, stout, very few in number ; lower
pharyngeals narrow, scarcely appro.ximated anteriorly, each with 3 or 4 rows of small,
slightly curved, acute teeth. Dorsal fin commencing on median line of head, just
behind nostrils of blind side and above the eye ; most of the rays simple, more or less
scaled. Tip of first interha;mal spine projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fin of
ocular side larger than that of blind side ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-
based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin with the middle rays longest,
scaled on both sides ; caudal peduncle rather short. Scales small, adherent, cycloid,
anteriorly more or less embedded in the skin. Lateral line with a very low curve
above the pectoral fin ; a supratemporal branch, with a long posterior prolongation ;
tubules of anterior part of lateral line much branched. Vent on blind side, a little in
front of anal fin : intestine of moderate length ; 2 or 3 -f i pyloric appendages.
Vertebrae 35 (11 -f 24).
A single species from California.
3'6
FLATFISHES (HF,TF.ROSOMA-|'A)
I. HYl'SOPSETTA GUTTULATA (Giranl).
[Diamond Flounder]
PUuronkhlhys i;ultulatu$, Girard, 1857, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., viii, (1856), p.
J. Nat. Hist., VI. p. 54;, pi. XXV, figs. 1-4 ; Girard, 1858, U.S. Pacif. R.R. Sur
p. 15-' ; I.ockington, 1880, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mils., ii, (1879), p. 04.
I'leurnnccUs nullulalus , Gunther, 1862, C,
Parophrys ayrc&ii, Gunther, 1862, torn, cit.,
Hypsopsclla gullulata, Gill, 1863, Proc. Ac^
Gilbert, l88r, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., lii
Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 68 ; Jordan
Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. .\nim
Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish,, xi'
U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3). p. 2639 ; St;
p. 244 ; Starks. 19 18, Calif. Fish Game
Fish.
p. 456-
;d. Nat. Sci. Philad.. xiv, (1862). p. 330; Jordan and
, (1880), p. 453 ; Jordan and Gilbert. 1882, Proc. U.S.
and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 830;
. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S.. 1). p. 185 ; Jordan and
;, (18S6), p. 283; Jordan and Evcrmann. 1898. Bull,
irks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., lii (11).
, iv (4), p. 12, fig. 94.
Depth of body i^ to i| in the leiiRth, length of head 3^ to 4. Upper profile of
head a little concave above eyes. Snout as long as or shorter than eye, diameter of
which is 4 to 5 J in length of head ; interorbital ridge naked or with a few scales ;
lower eye scarcely in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge
or anterior part of eye, length on ocular side 4J to 4^ in that of head ; lower jaw
scarcely projecting. 3 to 3? in head. 5 or 6 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales very small on head, feebly developed in opercular region ; scales on body
smaller on blind side than on ocular side ; 83 to 95 in lateral line. Posterior prolongation
of supratemporal branch of lateral line extending to below fortieth to fiftieth rays of
dorsal fin. Dorsal 66-73 '■ highest rays i or more than i length of head. Anal 48-54.
Pectoral of ocular side with 11 to 13 rays (7 to 9 branched). length 1 5 to j in that of
head. Caudal with ig rays (13 branched), rounded or double truncate , caudal
peduncle about twice as deep as long. More or less uniformly brownish ; young with
small pale spots ; fins sometimes speckled with dark brown or black.
PLEURONECTIN^
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coast of California, from Cape Mendocino to Magdalena Bay.
Specimens Examined :
I (93 mm.).
California.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
I {215 ,, ). Type of
Parophrys
San Francisco.
Ayres.
ayresii.
3 (205-260 mm.).
,,
Eigenmann.
7 (60-232 ,, ).
San Diego
Jordan.
I (215 mm.).
U.S. Nat. Mus.
■ (245 „ ).
2 (205, 265 mm.).
Bay.
,,
Attains to a length of 18 inches and a weight of 4 pounds.
Genus 13. PLEURONICHTHYS.
Pleuronichthys, Girard, 1856, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vii, (1854), p. 139 [Plcuronickthys
caenosus, Girard] ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2637 ;
Starks and Thompson, 1910, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxviii, p. 277.
Heteroprosopon, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 429 [Platessa cornuta, Tem-
minck and Schlegel].
Closely related to Hypsopsetta, but with a ver\' short, blunt snout, which is much
shorter than the eye ; eyes separated by a high, narrow, naked ridge, generally
provided with one or more blunt spines or bony prominences ; other prominences
may be present round the orbits and above the operculum. Lips thick, their inner
surfaces with a series of transverse plic^, inside which is a series of short fringes.
Lower phar\'ngeals each with one or two rows of slender, acute teeth. Dorsal fin
with the anterior rays twisted on to blind side of head, its origin well below level of
nostrils. Pehic fin of blind side inserted a little anterior to and farther from median
line than that of ocular side. Lateral line tubules not greatly branched. Intestine
long or of moderate length ; 2 or 3 + i pyloric appendages. Vertebrae 38 to 40
(13-14 + 25-26).
Seven species from the North Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
L Origin of dorsal a little below level of angle of mouth, 9 or more rays of fin
on blind side of head ; intestine of moderate length, not much coiled
I. decurrens.
IL Origin of dorsal above level of angle of mouth, 5 or 6 rays of fin on bUnd
side of head.
A. Body and fins generally uniformly covered with small brown spots ;
intestine elongate, much coiled ; no teeth on ocular side of lower
jaw ; 98 to no scales in lateral line [Asiatic species] . . 2. cornuhis.
B. Body and fins not uniformly covered with brown spots ; intestine of
moderate length or rather long, usually not much coiled [American
species] .
1. Interorbital ridge high, sharply compressed, ending behind in a promi-
nent, posteriorly-directed spine ; anterior bony prominence over-
hanging mouth ; no teeth on ocular side of lower jaw ; 88 to 96
scales in lateral line ....... 3. veriicalis.
2. Interorbital ridge less high and sharp ; anterior bony prominence not
overhanging mouth ; a row of minute teeth on ocular side of lower
jaw.
a. Less than 75 scales in lateral line ; posterior spine of interorbital
ridge feebly developed or wanting ; colour dark . 4. nepkelus.
3i8 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
l>- 7<i to i|0 scales in lateral line ; posterior spine of interorbital ridge
usually well developed ; colour paler.
a. Eye 3s to 4 in head ; 10 or 1 1 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch : intestine of moderate length, not much coiled ; spot
on lateral line, if present, not conspicuously ocellated.
* No bony prominence on anterior end of interorbital ridge ;
dorsal 70-76, anal 50-53 ; pectoral with 1 1 rays : no
distinct spot on middle of lateral line or below dorsal and
anal fins ....... 5. ccenosus.
** Two bony prominences on anterior end of interorbital ridge ;
dorsal 6i-6q, anal 45-49 ; pectoral with 10 rays ; a
distinct black spot on middle of lateral line and a pair
below hinder parts of dorsal and anal fins . . 6, ritteri.
fi. Eye 2 J in head ; 7 to g gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch : intestine rather long, fairly well coiled ; spot on lateral
line conspicuously ocellated with white ; two bony pro-
minences on anterior end of interorbital ridge . 7. ocellatus.
Pleuroiiccles quadrituberculatus, Pallas,' from the Bering Sea, may be a species of
Pleuronichthvs, but the original diagnosis is too brief for a definite identification to
be made.
I PLEURONICHTHVS DECURRENS, Jordan and Gilbert.
.-.' ricttrunecU-s quadriUtberculaius, Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, lii, p. 423.
PUuronuUhys ciriwsus {iwn Girard), l.ockington, 1880, I'roc. U.S. Nat. Mus., u, (1879), p. 97.
PUuronichthys quadrituberculatus. Jordan and Gilbert, 18S1, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,iii, (1880), p. 50.
PUuronichthvs decurrens, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. iMus., iii, (iSSo), p. 453 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, 1883, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 69 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 8jq ; Jordan and Goss. 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 282 ;
189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlvii (3). p. 2637, pi. ccclxxv, fig. 926;
, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., iii (ri), p. 244 ; Starks and Thompson, 1910,
sxviii, p. 278 ; Starks, 191S, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 9, fig. 90 ;
1932, Copeia, No. 2, p. 67.
Jordan and Ev
Starks and Morris, 1907, Unix
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxviii
Schultz, Hart and Gunderson,
Flc. 2ii.—rh-u,nnnMhvidiCHr,cni. U.M. (N,H.) 81 . 3 . 14 .6. X
1814, ' Zoographia', iii, p. 423
I
(248 r
nm.).
2
{160,
182 mm.).
3
{240-295 ,, ).
I
(170 I
nm.).
I
("5
„ )•
PLEURONECTIN^ 319
Depth of body i| to twice in the length, length of head 3} to 4. Upper eye shghtly
behind lower, entering dorsal profile of head, its diameter 3J to 3I in length of head :
a prominent tubercle or blunt spine at either end of the interorbital ridge, a smaller
tubercle in front of each eye, and others above and behind upper eye ; some bony
prominences above the operculum. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of
eye, length on ocular side 3f to 4, on blind side 3I to 3J in that of head ; lower jaw-
scarcely projecting, about 3 in head. Teeth in 3 rows on blind side of both jaws ;
a single row on ocular side of lower jaw. 8 or 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. 80 to 86 scales in lateral line. Posterior prolongation of supratemporal branch
of lateral line extending to below thirty-seventh to fiftieth rays of dorsal fin. Dorsal
70-75 ; origin a little below level of angle of mouth, at least g rays being on blind side
of head ; highest rays about f length of head. Anal 47-50 ; tip of first interhaemal
spine prominent. Pectoral of ocular side with g to 13 rays (5 to 10 branched), length
i§ to if in that of head. Pelvics with 4 to 7 (generally 6) rays. Caudal with 19 rays
(13 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle i j to 15 times as deep as long. Intestine
of moderate length, not much coiled. Brownish, sometimes with indefinite darker
markings ; rays of dorsal and anal fins tipped with white ; distal part of caudal
dusky, narrowly margined with white.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to the Santa Barbara
Islands.
Specimens Examined :
Pt. Reyes. Eigenmann.
San Diego Bay. Amer. Mus. Kat. Hist.
Monterey. U.S. Nat. Mus.
The recent record (Schultz, Hart and Gunderson, ig32) of two e.xamples of this
species (37 and 207 mm.) from Prince William Sound and Wrangell, Alaska, extends
its known distribution very much farther northwards. It is possible that this may
prove to be the species described by Pallas as Pleuronectes quadrituberciilatus .
2. PLEURONICHTHYS CORNUTUS (Temminck and Schlegel).
Platissa cornuta, Temminck and Schlegel, 1846, in Siebold, F. Japon. (Pisces), p. 179, pi. xcii, fig. i ;
Bleeker, 1854, Verb. Batav. Gen., xxvi, Japan, p. 121.
HeUroprosopon cornutus, Bleeker. 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 429.
Parophrys cornuta, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 455 ; Giinther, 1880, Shore Fishes " Challenger,"
p. 70 ; Otaki, 1897, Joum. Bur. Fish. Tokyo, p. 7, pl. viii, fig. 10.
PUuronichihys cornutus, Steindachner, 1896, Ann. Natur. Hofmus. Wien, xi, p. 207 ; Rutter, 1897,
Proc, Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xlix, p. 88 ; Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish.,
xxii, (1902), p. 623 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 201 ; Starks and
Thompson, 1910, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxviii, p. 279 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913,
J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 325 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii,p. 475 ; Jordan
and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 29S ; Oshima, 1927, Japan J. Zool., Trans. Abstr.,
i (5), P- 194 : Schmidt, 1931, Trans. Pac. Com. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.R., ii, p. 126 ; Schmidt, 1931,
C.R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 316.
Depth of body 1} to twice in the length, length of head 4 J to 5. Upper eye
scarcely behind lower, entering dorsal profile of head, its diameter 3 to 4 in length
of head ; interorbital ridge of moderate height, narrow, compressed, with a more
or less prominent spine at either end, the anterior spine directed upwards, the
posterior backwards ; these spines sometimes obtuse or rounded ; a small prominence
in front of lower eye, a smaller one in front of upper eye, and usually one or two
very small ones on hinder margin of upper orbit ; no prominences above the
operculum. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular
side 3f to 4^, on blind side 3J to 4 in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting.
3-20
FLATFISHES (HF.TEKOSOMA lA)
2] to 3 in head. Teeth in 2 or 3 rows on blind side of both jaws ; no teeth on
ocular side of either jaw. 5 to 8 f^ill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. qS to
1 10 scales in lateral line, Posterior prolongation of supratemporal branch of
lateral line extending to below twenty-fifth to forty-eighth rays of dorsal fin.
Dorsal 70-83 ; origin about level with nostrils, 3 to 6 rays being on blind side
of head : highest rays i J to i J in length of head. Anal 50-62 ; first interha;mal
spine not projecting, e.xcept in young. Pectoral of ocular side with g to 12 rays (6 to
8 branched), length ij to 2 in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 19 rays
(13 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle 2 to 2| times as deep as long. Intestine
elongate, much coiled. Pale grey or reddish brown ; head, body and fins generally
uniformly covered with more or less rounded spots of dark brown, which are sometimes
minute or almost entirely w'anting ; frequently some larger brown spots and blotches,
especially in the young, and often a number of round, white spots, of which a row
near upper and lower edges of body are most prominent; margins of median fins
dusky or brownish on blind side ; pectoral usually with a broad dark band distally
and a narrow pale margin.
Type. — Leiden Museum.
Distribution. — Coasts of China and Japan, from Hakodate to Swatow ; Formosa.
Specimens Examined ;
2 (95-275 ni
I (100 mm.)
m.).
■ (245 ,, )
3 (160-225 I
nm.).
2 (200, 230
2 (195, 230
I (180 mm.)
,, ).
,, )•
1 (210 „ ),
^ \^^D t> ;
nm.).
'1 (143'mm.),
i (190-235 n
I (210 mm.),
, skeleton.
I (272 ,, ).
15 (60-103 m
m.).
B.iv of Mutsi
Tokyo M.irkel.
VV.Tkanou
Inland Se
Japan.
of Japa
Jordan.
" Challenger."
Kishinouve.
Jordan.
Batson.
Tokyo Imp. Unr
Jordan. "
" Challenger."
Smith.
Jamrach.
Science Soc. Chil
Light.
PLEURONECTIN.^
321
As pointed out by Hubbs (iyi5), specimens from Amoy and other parts of southern
China tend to differ somewhat from typical Japanese examples. In view of the
great variation found among Japanese specimens, however, it seems inadvisable to
recognise more than one species at present.
3. PLEURONICHTHYS VERTICALIS, Jordan and Gilbert.
Plcuronichthys wrticalis, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, {1880), p. 49 ; Jordan
and Gilbert, i88j, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 69 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull.
U.S. Nat. .Mus., xvi, p. 829 ; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist, .\quat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust.
U.S., i), p. 189 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. ziz ; Jordan and
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2638 ; Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif.
Pub. Zool., iii (11), p. 243 ; Starks and Thompson, 19 10, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxviii, p. 281 ;
Hubbs, 1916, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., xvi (13), p. 168 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4),
p. 10, fig. 91.
Fig. 237. — Plcuronichthys verticalis
Depth of body ij to twice in the length, length of head 3 J to 4^. Upper eye
scarcely behind lower, entering dorsal profile of head, its diameter 4 to 4J in length
of head ; interorbital ridge high, sharply compressed, with a prominent spine directed
upward and forward at its anterior end, and a strong, backvvardly-directed spine at
its posterior end ; a strong tubercle on the anterior edge of the ridge, in front of the
lower eye and overhanging the mouth ; generally a smaller prominence in front of
upper eye, another above it, and 2 or 3 behind, of which the lowest is most prominent ;
no distinct prominences above the operculum. Maxillary extending to below anterior
part of eye, length on ocular side 4 to 4J, on blind side 4 in that of head ; lower jaw
scarcely projecting, 3 to 3^ in head. Teeth in 3 or 4 rows on blind .side of both jaws ;
none on ocular side of either jaw. 6 or 7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
88 to 96 scales in lateral line. Posterior prolongation of supratemporal branch of
lateral Une extending to below thirty-seventh to forty-seventh rays of dorsal fin.
Dorsal 68-71 ; origin a little above level of angle of mouth, 5 or 6 rays being on blind
side of head. .-Xnal 45-48 ; tip of first interhjemal spine prominent. Pectoral of
ocular side with 10 to 12 rays (8 or g branched), length ij to ij in that of head.
Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 19 rays (13 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle
about twice as deep as long. Intestine of moderate length, not much coiled. Pale
322
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
brownisli. with or without iiiihstiiut darker blotches ; median lins with large brown
blotches, the rays tipped witli white ; youiiH with a distinct ocellus on middle <if
lateral line.
Type. — I'nited States National .Museum, No. 209715.
Distribution. — Coast of C.difornii, from San Francisco to the Gulf of California
Specimens E.xamined :
Eigenrnann.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
1 (31° N., 114" W.). U.S. Nat. Mus.
Also one from off San Martin Isd , flower California (Calif. i'Xcad. Sci ),'
I (i.)5 mm.).
San Fraticisco
I (220 ,, ).
Monterey.
I {285 ,, ).
Monterov Bay
2 {5^. 70 mm.).
Gulf of Califoi
4. FLEUKOMCHTHVS XEi'HELUS, Starks and Thompson.
.= Pleuromchthys canusus (part), Jordan and Gilbert, 1S82, I'roc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 68 ;
Jordan and Gilbert, 1883. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xyi, p. 830; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep.
U.S. Com. Fish.,xiy,(:886),p. 2S2 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlyii (3),
p. 2638.
Ph-uroiuchllns Hcphdus. Starks and Thompson, mo. Pro. . U.S. \.il. Mus., xxxyiii, p. jS;, fig. i.
Depth of body twice in the length, length of head 4 J. Upper eye about level
with lower, scarcely entering dorsal profile of head, which is evenly curved or ver\'
slightly notched ; diameter of eye about i^ in length of head : interorbital ridge low,
without prominent spines, but with indications of tubercles at its anterior and posterior
ends : no prominences round the eyes or above the operculum. Maxillary extending
to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular side 3^, on blind side 3 j in that of head :
lower jaw scarcely projecting, about 2J in head. Teeth in 3 or 4 rows on blind side
of both jaws : a single row on ocular side of low'er jaw. 9 to 1 1 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. 66 (66 to 75) scales in lateral line. Posterior prolongation of
supratemporal branch of lateral line extending to below thirty-nintli ray of dorsal
fin. Dorsal (66) 70 (75) ; origin just below level of nostrils, about 6 rays being on
1 ai
iidfbtcd to Mr. Templuton Crocker for the opp.irtunity of t
ing this fish.
PLEURONECTIN^
323
blind side of head : highest rays about § length of head. Anal (47) 53 (56) ; first
interhaemal spine fairly prominent. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays (8 branched),
length if in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 19 rays (13 branched),
rounded ; caudal peduncle twice as deep as long. Intestine of moderate length, not
much coiled. Olive brown, irregularly mottled with darker ; a large black spot,
indistinctly ocellated, just in front of middle of lateral line ; median fins mottled and
spotted with darker, the rays narrowly tipped with white ; caudal with a large round
dusky spot, and with a dark bar across the bases of the rays ; pectoral indistinctly barred.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 74606.
Distribution. — Puget Sound.
Specimen Examined :
(166 I
I.}. Paratype
San Ju
Amer. Mus. Kat. Hist.
5. PLEURONICHTHYS CCENOSUS, Girard.
PlaironicUhys comosus, Girard, 1856, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vii, (1854), p. 139 ; Girard,
1858, U.S. Pacif. R.R. Surv., x. Fishes, p. 151 ; Lockington, 1880, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii,
(1879), p. 97 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (1880), pp. 50, 453 ; Starks
and Thompson, 1910, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxviii, p. 284 ; Hubbs, 1916, Univ. Calif. Pub.
Zool., xvi, (13) p. 169 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 11, fig. 92.
Parophrys ccenosa, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 456.
PUuronichthys canosvs (part), Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 68 ;
Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 830 ; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat.
Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 189 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish.,
xiv, (1886), p. 282 ; Jordan and Everniann. 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2638.
Fig. 239. — PUuronichthys cixnosus. B.M. (X.H.) 9
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 4. Upper eye a little
behind lower, scarcely entering dorsal profile of head, which is nearly straight ;
diameter of eye 4 in length of head ; interorbital ridge rather high, without spines,
except for a blunt one at posterior end, directed backwards and somewhat downwards ;
generally no prominences round eyes or above operculum ; sometimes a small blunt
tubercle behind upper eye. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye,
3-4
FLATFISH KS (HETFKOSO.MATA)
length on ocular side 4J, on blind side 3^ in that of head : lower jaw a little projecting.
J J in head. Teeth in 3 or 4 rows on blind side of both jaws ; a single row on ocular
side of lower jaw. 10 or 11 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 80 to go scales
in lateral line. Posterior prolongation of supratemporal branch of lateral line
extending to below forty-fourth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal (70) 76 ; origin about level
with anterior part of maxillary, about 6 rays being on blind side of head ; highest
rays I J in length of head. Anal (50) 53 ; first interha-mal spine prominent. Pectoral
of ocular side with 1 1 rays (8 branched), length i J in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays.
Caudal with 19 rays (13 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle about 2^ times as deep
as long. Intestine of moderate length, not much coiled. Brownish, with some
indistinct darker spots and blotches ; a very indefinite dusky blotch at middle of
lateral line ; some irregular dark spots on dorsal and anal fins, and a large blotch
across base of caudal : rays of median fins all tipped with white.
Typi-:. — United States National Museum. No. 607.
Distribution. — Coast of California^
Specimkn Examined :
San Diego Bn
Rigenn
ft. PLEURONICHTHYS RITTERI. Starks and Morris
.' PUutrmichtlns ca-iiosus (part), Jordan and Gilbert. 1S8.:, Proc. U.S. Kat. Mus., iv. (1881), p. 68 ;
Jordan and Gilbert, 1S83, Bull. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xvi. p. 830; Jordan and Goss, i88t). Rep.
U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. ::8:: ; Jordan and Evcrmann, i8q8, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus..
xlvii(3), p. 2638.
PlciironiclUhvs ritteri, Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., iii (11), p. 243. pi. xxi ;
Starks and Thompson, iqio, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.. xxxviii, p. 287 ; Hubbs, 1016. Univ. Calif.
Pub. Zool., xvi (13), p. 169 ; Starks. 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 12, fig. 93.
Close to P. ca-nosus. Depth of body nearly twice in the length, length of head
4J to 4J. Upper eye level with or a little behind lower, entering dor.sal profile of
head, which is distinctly concave ; diameter of eye 35 to nearly 4 in length of head ;
PLEURONECTIN^ ^25
"smaller" 'lt!lnZ'\i:'Zu7 P™---- ^^ the anterior end, of wh.ch the lower
m""^:?" h^'^ir rer -I^t to ^inS °":o°or't?'1r 4°" ^' ?" •^"-'" '^^
mmam
CaWo'Sia""'"" """"'"^ ^'^ '-^ ■ ^°^' °f C^'"°^"-' f^°™ San Pedro to Lower
Specimens Examined ;
I (260 mm.). t:^„ r-»- r.
-' (130, 1 33 mm ) ^''" '^'^S° ^^^'- Eigenmann.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Attains to a length of about 12 inches
to thl^Vptcie"'"^ ''°""' 'P'''™'" "^^"^^^ "^-^ '^'"^^'y "'th the above and may belong
mmmwms
I (iro mm.). Qenng Sea (54^ X., ,66= 3.' VV.). u.S. Xat. Mus.
7. PLEURONICHTHYS OCELLATUS, Starks and Thompson
Plcuronicmys occUatus, Starks and Thompson, ,0:0, Proc. U.S. Xat. .Mus., .xxxviii, p. .85, fig. ,.
326 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Close to P. (■<riwsus and P. ritten. Depth of body twice in tlie length, length of
head abont 4. Upper eye entering dorsal profile of head, which is distinctly concave ;
diameter of eye 2| in length of head ; interorbital ridge rather low, with two promi-
nences anteriorly, close together and situated above front part of lower eye ; a blunt
spine posteriorly, which is rather low and directed straight backwards ; two or three
ven.' small tubercles round upper eye. Length of maxillary on ocular side 3J, on blind
side 35 in that of head : lower jaw 2j in head. 7 to 9 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. About 89 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (61) 69 (72) ; highest rays
1 3 in length of head. Anal (44) 49. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 rays (5 or 6
branched), length ij in that of head. Caudal peduncle 2\ times as deep as long.
Intestme rather elongate and well coiled. Pale brownish ; a prominent dark spot
ocellatcd with white in centre of lateral line ; a pair of similar but very inconspicuous
spots below posterior parts of dorsal and anal fins : body with some indefinite white
spots of irregular size.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 74605.
Distribution. — Northern end of Gulf of California ; in deep water
Specimen Examined :
I (132 mm.). Paratypo. Culf of Californi.i. Slauford Univ.
(lenus 14. ISOPSKTTA.
Hnpsdl,,. (Lockinstoii) Jordan and Gilbert, iSS.-. Bull. U.S. Xat. Mus., xvi, p. s 52 [Lepidnpaellii
noU-l>:s, 1.01 kingtonj ; Jordan and Evcrmann. iH.|8, Bnll. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 264;
Body elliptical, strongly compressed. Eyes on the right side, rather small,
separated by a rather narrow, flat, scaled space, the upper close to edge of head.
Olfactory lamina? rather few in number, parallel, without rachis. Mouth of moderate
size, the length of the maxillary on blind side less than | that of head ; jaws and
dentition stronger on blind side of head ; teeth small, conical, fairly close-set, scarcely
enlarged anteriorly, chiefly uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers
rather short, few in number ; lower pharyngeals narrow, slender, scarcely approxi-
mated anteriorly, their inner edges evenly curved, each with two irregular rows of
obtusely conical teeth. Dorsal fin commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind
side and above anterior ed.ge of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled on both sides. Tip
of first interha?mal spine projecting in front of anal fin. Pectoral fin of ocular side
larger than that of Wind side ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based,
subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin with the middle rays longest : caudal
peduncle short. Scales small, adherent, closely imbricated, strongly ctenoid on ocular
side, ctenoid or cycloid on blind side ; no supplementary scales. Lateral line with a
low curve above the pectoral fin ; a supratemporal branch present, with long posterior
prolongation. Vent median, between the pelvic fins ; intestine with about 2 simple
coils ; 3 -f I rather long pyloric appendages. Vertebra- 42 (10 4- 32).
.\ single species from the Pacific coast ol North ,\merica.
I. ISOPSETTA ISOLEPIS (Lockington)
I.epuifyp^cttct umbrosu (noti Girard), Lockington,
Lepid.ipsetta isolcpn, Lockington, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. M
Parnphrxs tsokpis. Jordan and Gilbert, :88i, lom.cil
Xat. .Mus.. .\vi, p. ,S32 ; Jordan, 1884, Xat. Hii
11. p. 180.
roc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 11, (
1879), p. 106.
Mus.,iii, (i88o),p. 325.
1. 45 3 ; Jordan and Gilbf
■rt, 1882, Bull. U.S.
.\.lnal. .\nini. (Fisheries
r.sli. Indust. U.S.,
PLEURONECTIN^ 327
Isopselta isoUpis, Jordan, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiii, (1885), p. 023 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889,
Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 285 ; Jordan and Evermann, i8g8. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvii (3), p. 2642 ; Starks, 1911, Ann. Carnegie Mus., vii, p. 204 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish
Game, iv (4), p. 14, fig. 96.
Depth of body 2j to 2| in the length, length of head 3I to 4 Snout about as long
as eye, diameter of which is 45 to 5I in length of head and 2J to 4 times interorbital
width ; lower eye scarcely in advance of upper ; post-ocular ridge not apparent.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length on ocular
side about 4, on blind side 3J to 3f in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting,
2f to 2j in head ; dental formula _ , — — . 7 or 8 gill-rakers on lower part
of anterior arch. 85 to 88 scales in lateral line, 24 to 28 between lateral line and
middle of back. Posterior prolongation of supratemporal branch of lateral line
extending to below twenty-first to twenty-eighth rays of dorsal fin. Dorsal 82-91 ;
Fig. 242.— Isopsetta isoh-pis. B.M. (N.H.) 90.
highest rays about i length of head. Anal 62-68. Pectoral of ocular side with
II to 13 rays (6 to 10 branched), length i J to if in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays.
Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded or double-truncate; caudal peduncle
2 to 2J times as deep as long. Pale brownish, sometimes mottled or blotched with
darker.
Type. — United States National Museum (co-types). No. 271 16.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from Puget Sound to southern
California.
Specimens Examined :
I (188 mm.).
I (203 ,, ).
3 (235-285 m
Puget Sound.
San Francisco
Pt. Reyes, Cal.
Cal.
U.S. Xat. Mu
Eigenmar
This species grows to a length of about 15 inches and occurs in rather deep water.
In general appearance it bears a marked resemblance to Psettichthys melanostictus,
and it should perhaps be placed near that genus. The small, asymmetrical mouth
and blunt teeth, however, indicate relationship with the Flounders.
3^« FLATFISHES (HETEKOSOMATA)
(.enus 15 I'AKOl'HkYS.
Parophrys. Girard. 185O, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vii, (1H54), p. 139 [Parophrys v,-lula. dirard] ;
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. N'at. Mas., xlvii (3), p. 2640.
Body rather elongate, compressed ; head pointed. Eyes on the right side, large,
separated by a somewhat high, narrow rulge, with a few scales ; upper eye situated
on top of head, with an almost vertical range. Olfactory lanunas rather few in
number, parallel, without rachis. Mouth rather small, the length of the maxillary
on blind side le.ss than J length of head : jaws and dentition much stronger on bUnd
side of liead ; teeth small, compressed and incisor-like, close-set. not enlarged anteriorly,
uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers rather short, few in number ;
lower pharyngeals narrow, moderately slender, a little approximated anteriorly, their
inner edges somewhat angular, each with two widely separated rows of narrow,
obtusely conical teeth ; posterior teeth of inner row smaller and more close-set than
the remainder. Dorsal tin commencing well behind posterior nostril of blind side
and above eye ; all the rays simple, not .scaled. Tip of first interhsmal spine projecting
in front of anal fin. l^ectoral fin of ocular side a little larger than that of blind side ;
middle rays branched. Pelvic fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical. ( .lud.d
fin with the outer rays a little produced in adults ; caudal peduncle of mn'kr.itr
length- Scales very small, adherent, more or less imbricated, mostly cycloid on both
sides of body : no supplementary scales. Lateral line with a very low curve above
the pectoral fin ; a supratemporal branch present, with long posterior prolongation.
Vent nearly median, between the pelvic fins ; intestine with about two simple coils :
3 -)- I rather sliort pyloric appendages. \'ertebra; 44 (11 + a)
A single species from the Tacific coast of North America.
I. I'AROl'HKYS VETl'LA, Girard,
["Sole"; "C.\ufornia Sole".]
Parophrys vctaln, liirard, 1856, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vii, (1S54), p. 140 ; (.",irard, 1858, U.S.
Pacif. K.K. Surv., x, Fishes, p. 153 ; Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 455 ; Lockington, 1880,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii, (1879), p. 100 ; Jordan and Gilbert, i88i, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii,
(1880). p. 453 ; Jordan and Gilbert. 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 08 ; Jordan, 1884,
Nat. Hist. Aquat. .\nim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 183 ; Jordan and Goss. 1889.
Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 284 ; Jordan and Evermann. 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xlvii (3), p. 2640 ; Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., iii (ii), p. 245 ; Evermann
andGoldsborough, 1907. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi. ( lyob), p. 353 ; Starks. 191 1. Ann. Carnegie
Mus., vii. p. 204 ; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game, iv (4). p. 13, fig. 95.
Pleuroncctcs dtagrammu$, Giinlher, 1862. Cat. Fish., iv. p. 445.
Parophrys hubbardi. Gill. 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xiv, (1862), p. 2S1.
PUuronecUi vetuhis, Jordan and Gilbert, 1883. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 831.
Depth of liody zi to 2J in the length, length of head 3! to 3J. Anterior profile of
head concave. Snoiit somewhat produced, as long as or longer than eye, diameter of
which is 4J to jj in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; postocular
ridge scarcely apparent. Maxillarv extending to below anterior edge of eye or a
little beyond, length on ocular side 4I to 42, on blind side 35 to 3* in that of head ;
6-10 + SS-sS
lower jaw projecting. 2 J to 3 in head; tlental formula .,l(j _i_ jo_,>j- '' '"" '-
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales mostly cycloid, some of those on
head and parts of body on ocular side with 2 or 3 spinules ; 96 to 105 in a longitudinal
series above lateral line. Posterior prolongation of supratemporal branch of lateral
line extending to below twentv-second to thirty-first rays of dorsal fin. Dorsal
74-86 ; origin a little on blind side of head and above middle of eye ; highest rays
28 to 23 in length of head .Anal 5\-ho. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays
PLEUKONECTINyE 329
with'i8°ravs"r?'h' 'T'n '! *° '* '" "'^* °* ^'^'^- P^'^'<== ^'"' ^ ^^V^- Caudal
produced Tn%'ri, It hN*'"T^'",°'" '^""We-truncate in young, outer rays a httle
Pa^e hrown^.h ,■ '^^' Peduncle as long as deep or a little longer than deep.
Tnd sometrme, with '°"V T.""^ '"egularly spotted and mottled with blackish,
and sometimes with a row of white spots at upper and lower edges of body.
Type. — Not traced.
SpTcrr Exrj;:f.^: '^°=^^* °^ ^'"^^^ ^'"^"'^^^ ^-- S^*^- '° ^-^--^ Barbara.
Victoria Harbour, Russell.
Vancouver Isd.
Nanaimo, B.C. Clemens
Puget Sound. u.S. Nai. Mus.
Near Seattle. LLS^Nat, Mus.
California. Wright.
r, T^' Ayres.
Pt. Reyes, Cal. Eigenmann.
2 (170, 205 mm.), skins. Types of
Pleuronectes diagrammus.
7 (185-290 mm.).
1 (208 mm.).
3 (116-138 mm.).
2 (98, 115 ,, ).
r (77 mm.).
3 (150-165 mm.).
3 (325-410 ,, ).
Attains to a length of about 18 inches.
Genus 16. LEPIDOPSETTA.
'■'''t^^'^^'i^^^:.^%^^:^:'^i^:;;-^^^^^^ ■"«-"^- oirar^, .
proSatfo7ofVX:tl^n%^"P^^*'''"P°^^^ ^^^"^^ °' '^*-^' '-■ -'^ ^ P-teHor
Two species from the North Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Depth 2 to 2i in length ; upper profile of head more or less concave ■ mucous
pores on head scarcely apparent ; 70 to 82 scales above lateraufne
" ""m^i^co'* '° "•="'>; t-r '" '^"-"* ■ "PP- P^°fi'e of head nearly straight""'""'-
mucous pores on head prominent ; 86 to 90 scales above lateral line ° '
2. mochigarei.
KLATFISUMS (HETEKOSOMATA)
LEPIDOPSETTA BILINEATA (Ayres).
, Proc. Acad. N.S. Calif., i
1857, Proc. Arad. Nat. Si-
rlateisa bihiuadi, Avrt
I'laticMlns umhrmus, C.irard, 1857, Proc. Arad. Nat. Sii. Philad.. viii. (1S51.), p. ?(> ; i.ir.ird. 185S,
U.S. Parif. R.R. Surv.. x. Fishes, p. 141).
PlnironecU-s bilincalus, Gunther, 186::, Cat. 1-ish,, iv, p. .14 , . loi.l.iu .mrl Cill.ert, t.s«3. Bull, r.S.
Nat. Mus., XVI, p. 833.
I'ieuToncdt'i umbrosus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. I-'isli., iv, p. 454.
I.rpidopsclta mnhrosa, Gil!, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 190.
l.tpidopsMa bilineata, Gill, 1864, torn, cit., p. 196 ; I.ockington, 1880, Proc. U.S. Nat. .\lus., u, (1870),
p. 103; Jordan and Gilbert, l88r, Proc. U.S.Nat. iMus., iii (1880), p. 453; Jordan and Gilbert,
188:, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 68 ; Bean, 1882, lorn. cil.. p. 241 ; Bean, 1884, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., vi, (1883), p. 353; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim.. (Fisheries Fisli.
Indust. U.S., i), p. 185, pi. 1 ; Jordan and Goss, 1880, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 28(1,
pi. V, tig. II ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2643, pi. ccclxxvi,
tigs. 927, 928 ; Evermann and Goldsborough, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 354,
hg. 137 ; Starks, 1911, Ann. Carnegie Mus., vii, p. 204 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913,
J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 325, fig. 274 ; Gilbert, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii,
p. 379; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 476; Starks, 1918, Calif. Fish Game,
iv {4), p. 14, fig. 97 ; Villadolid, 1927, Ann. Carnegie Mus., xvii, p. 396, pi. xxxv, fig. 2 ;
Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 399.
Pleuroncctes perarcuatus, Cope, 1873, Proc. Atner. Phil. Sec, xiii, p. 32.
Lepidop^etta bilineata (part), Schmidt, 1904. Pise. Ma
24^.—Lfpid,ipsctla bd
Depth of body 2 to 2| in the length, length of head 3J to nearly 4. Upper profile
of head more or less concave. Snout as long as or shorter than eye, diameter of which
IS 4 to 5i in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper, which is very close
to or touches edge of head : interorbital ridge rather high, narrow, covered with
rough tuberculate scales : po.stocular ridge scarcely apparent. Maxillary exteniling
to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular side 3^ to 4J. on bhnd side 3J to 33 in
that of head ; lower jaw rather prominent, 25 to 2J m head. Teeth obtusely conical
2-8 + 1 5-24
or with the tips truncated, rather close-set; dental formula ,_,; 1 i7_^2' ''
rakers short, stout. 3 to 8 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales varying from
cycloid to roughly tuberculate on ocular side, nearly all cycloid on blind side ; scales
PLEURONECTIN^
331
on ocular side of head nearly always rough : in some specimens these tuberculate
scales extend on to anterior part of body or even farther back ; 70 to 82 scales in a
longitudinal series above lateral line, 27 to 34 between lateral line and middle of back.
Lateral line with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; posterior prolongation of
supratemporal branch extending to below fourteenth to eighteenth rays of dorsal
fin ; mucous pores on head scarcely apparent. Dorsal 68-81 ; origin above anterior
edge or anterior part of eye ; all the rays simple, scaled on ocular side ; highest rays
a httle less than i length of head. Anal 52-63. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to
12 rays (8 to 10 branched), length if to twice in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays.
Caudal with ig rays (13 branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle
I J to 1 1 times as deep as long. Vertebras 40 ( 1 1 + 29) . Yellowish brown or olivaceous,
sometimes greyish or blackish, with or without irregular darker spots and blotches ;
sometimes numerous round pale spots of varying size ; median fins with darker
spots and blotches, sometimes vertically elongated to form short bars.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, from Bering Strait to Monterey
and San Nicolas Island ; Bering Sea ; Okhotsk Sea.
Specimens Examined :
,
(122 mm.).
Pt. Mulgrave, Yakutat Bav
Alaska.
U.S. Nat. .M
3
{104-385 mm.
South of Alaska (54° 14' X.
164' o6- W.).
7
(235-350 „ :
Nanaimo, B.C.
Clemens.
3
(150-290 ,, )
, skins.
Esquimau Harbour, Vancoi
ver Isd.
Russell.
3
(147-205 ,,
Puget Sound.
Jordan.
I
(260 mm.).
San Francisco, Cal.
Eigenmann.
3
(260-312 mm.
Pt. Reyes, Cal.
(100, 150 „
Lucia Isd., Cal.
U.S. Nat. .\1
I
(330 mm.).
Monterey, Cal.
Attains to a length of 20 inches and a weight of 5 or 6 pounds.
It seems probable that statistical investigation of a large series of specimens of
this species will reveal the existence of two, or even three, distinct races or subspecies.
Jordan and Evermann note that " specimens from Puget Sound and northward are
rougher than southern specimens and constitute a slight geographical variety for
which the name Lepidopselta bilineata innbrosa may be used ", Starks (191 1) has
also drawn attention to the marked differences between examples from Puget Sound
and those from Cahfornia. I find that Puget Sound specimens are very rough, having
strongly ctenoid or tuberculate scales all over the ocular side of the head and body,
but that examples from Alaska and Nanaimo are either intermediate in roughness
between those from Puget Sound and California, or approximate closely to the latter.
In addition to the rough squamation, Puget Sound specimens have a smaller head,
generally fewer and larger scales on cheek on blind side, somewhat fewer teeth, and
an average lower number of dorsal and anal rays (var. umbrosa). The measurements,
etc., of specimens in the British Museum are shown in the subjoined table.
Locality.
Monttrry Pt. Rtve»
n). j Is).'
San
Francisco
(11.
Puget.Sound 1 Nanaimo 1 S. of Alaska
U\ 1 (7). (')•
Total length
Depth of body
Length of head
Diameter of eye .
Gill-rakers .
330 mm. 260-312 mm.
2} 1 2t0 2i
.3j 3j to 35
5i 4! to 5
5 1 5 or 6
22 + 7 1 20-22 4- 6-8
260 mm.
2I
3i
4l
5
23+8
32+12
78
59
2
147-245 mm. 1 235-350 mm. 228-385 mm.
2^ 1 2 to 2! 2ito2j
3! to 3? i ii to 3J 3i
4t t0 5 5 t0 5i 4 to 5j
6 to 8 5 to 8 7
15-17 + 3-5 18-23 + 4-8 1 20-24 + 2-4
Dorsal rays .
Anal rays .
Length of pectoral
32 + 10 26-28 4- 12-13
81 78-79
61 58-61
2 I to 24
15-16 + 2-5 1 19-25 + 3-7 1 19-26 + 4-6
68-72 68-77 73-79
52-55 53-63 , 57-60
iftoij 1 lSt0 2 , 2
!■ LATFISHES (H i'rrHROSOMAlA)
2. LEl'IDOPSETTA MUCHIGAKEI, Snyder.
Lepidopsetla bilineata (part), Schmidt, iqo4, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 23::.
Lepidopsflla mocliigaui, Snyder, igii, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xl, p. 547 ; Snyder, ioi~, Pror. U.S.
Nat. Mns., xlii, p. 441), pi. Iviii, fig. 2 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder. 1013, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
xxxiii (I), p. 326; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlviii, p. 476; Tanaka, 1917, Fish.
Japan, xxv, p. 450, pi. cxxiii, fig. 352 ; Hubbs, 1918, Annot. Zool. Japon., ix, p. 370 ; Jordan
and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 299 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac.
Sci. I-'lsh. Inst.. V, p. 400.
B.M. (X.H.) 192
Close to the preceding species, but dejith of body I J to nearly twice in the lenxth :
lipper profile fif head nearly strai^jht Snout blunter, shorter than eye, diameter of
which is 4 to ^l in length of head : interorbital ridge a little narrower. Teeth bluntly
conical; dent.il formula ^IT T-^ ■ Scales mostly cycloid on both sides of
body, a number of ctenoid or tuberculate scales on ocular side of head and a few
scattered ones on anterior part of body ; 86 to 90 scales in longitudinal series above
lateral line. 41 to 4O between lateral line and middle of back. Posterior prolongation
of supratemporal branch of lateral line extending to below tenth ray of dorsal fin ;
mucous pores on head prominent. Dorsal 71-74 (80) .\nal (57) .5S (61). fniformly
brownish.
Type. — United States National .Museum. No, 68245.
Distribution. — Gulf of Tartary and southern Sakhahn,
Sea of Japan to Corea.
vards through the
Specimens E;x.\mined :
2 (255, 300 mm.).
I (270 mm.).
Tokvo Market.
Sea of Japan, off Tajii
Tokyo
Berg.
Imp. Univ.
PLEURONECTIN^ 333
(ienus 17. LIMANDA.
Limanda, Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 136 [Pleuronecies limanda, Linnaeus].
Myzopselta, Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 217 [Plalessa ferriiginca, Storer].
Body ovate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a narrow ridge,
which may be naked or scaled, the upper close to edge of head : postocular ridge,
if present, rugose ; snout and eye-balls not scaled. Olfactory laminae in moderate
number, parallel, without rachis. Mouth of moderate size, the length of the maxillary
on bhnd side less than J that of head ; jaws and dentition stronger on blind side
of head, but at least 6 teeth on ocular side of both jaws ; teeth bluntly conical, lanceo-
late or with truncated tips, usually not much compressed, not forming a continuous
cutting edge; not enlarged anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless, Gill-
rakers few in number; lower pharyngeals narrow, their width 4f to 7 in the length,
slender, scarcely or not much approximated anteriorly, their inner edges evenly
curved, each with two widely separated rows of conical teeth. Dorsal fin with
less than 85 rays, commencing behmd posterior nostril of blind side and above eye ;
all the rays simple, some of them scaled, at least on ocular side. Tip of first inter-
haemal spine projecting in front of anal fin, which has less than 65 rays. Pectoral
fin of ocular side usually larger than that of blind side ; middle rays branched. Pelvic
fins short-ba,sed, subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin with 11 or 12 branched
rays, middle rays longest ; caudal peduncle short or of moderate length. Scales
small, adherent, imbricated (at least anteriorly), ctenoid or cycloid ; spinules, if present,
short, usually not numerous ; no supplementary scales. Lateral hne with a distinct
and rather high curve above the pectoral fin ; supratemporal branch, if present,
without posterior prolongation. Vent median or a little on blind side, between the
pelvic fins ; intestine not very narrow, of moderate length, usually with 2 or 3 coils,
nearly entirely contained within body-cavity of blind side ; 3 + i pyloric appendages,
of moderate length or rather elongate. VertebrjE 40 to 41 (10- 11 -j- 29-30).
Five or six species from the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Head 35 to 4^ in length ; eye 3J to 5J in head ; maxillary on ocular side
3I to 3I in head.
A. No distinct rugose postocular ridge ; lateral line with short supratemporal
branch ; 73 to 90 scales in lateral line ; 6 to 10 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch ; no yellow streaks at edges of body on blind side.
1. 31 to 38 scales between lateral line and middle of back . i. limanda.
2. 25 to 31 scales between lateral line and middle of back.
a. Depth 2 to 2j in length ; upper jaw on ocular side more or less
arched ; scales on ocular side of body mostly with a single
(sometimes 2 or 3) spinule . . . . . .2. aspera.
b. Depth 2j to 2 J in length ; upper jaw on ocular side nearly straight ;
scales on ocular side of body with a row of 3 to 10 rather feeble
spinules ....... 3. sakhalinensis.
B. A distinct rugose postocular ridge ; lateral line without supratemporal
branch ; 88 to 95 scales in lateral hne ; 10 to 12 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch ; yellow streaks at edges of body on bhnd side
4. ferruginea.
II. Head 3 to 3 J in length ; eye 5J to 6J in head ; maxillary on ocular side 3} to
4i in head ; a distinct rugose postocular ridge ; lateral line without
supratemporal branch ; yellow streaks at edges of body on blind side.
A. 65 scales in lateral line ; maxillary on ocular side 3I to 4 in head ; pectoral
with 8 to 10 rays ; fine dark streaks along series of scales 5. punctatissima.
B. 95 scales in lateral line ; maxillary on ocular side 4J in head : pectoral
with 12 rays ; no dark streaks along series of scales . . 6. proboscidea.
334 bLATFlSHES (HmEROSOMATA)
I I.IMANDA I.IMANDA (Linnaeus).
LDab.]
PleitronecUs limnnda, Linnaeus. 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 270 ; 176G, ed. 12, p. 457 ; Blocli, 1783.
Naturgescli. Fisclie Deutsch..ii, p. 45, pi. xlvi ; Lacep^de, 1802, Hist. Nat. I^oiss.. iv, p. 621 ;
Sliaw, 1803, Gen. Zool., iv {2), p. 298 ; Quensel, 1806, Vet. .A.kad. Handl., xxvii, pp. 54, 220 ;
Nilsson, 1S32, Prodr. Ichtli. Scand., p. 56 ; Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 627 ;
Gunther, 1862. Cat. Fish., iv, p. 446 ; Collctt, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forli., (1874), Till. p. 146; Malm.
1S77, Goteborgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 525 ; Day, 1880-4, Fisli. Britain, ii, p. 31, pi. civ ; Gunther,
1888, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb., xv, p. 219 ; Lilljeborg, rSgi, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 394 ;
Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p. 386, pi. xx, tig. 3; CoUett, 1903, Vid.-Sclsk. Forh., (1902).
p. 08 ; Hock, 1003, Pub. Circ. Cons. Explor. Mer., iii, p. 69, pi. vii ; Schnakenbeck, 1925. Tier.
Nord Ostsee. I., ii, xii (i), p. 7, fig. 6 ; Ehrenbauiu, 1029, in Joubin, F'aun. Ichth. Atlant.
Nord,i(i),fig.
Pleuronecles limanJula, Bonnaterre, 17SS, Fncy. Mt-tli.. (Ich.), p. 75 ; Lacopedo, 1802, Hist. N'at.
Poiss., iv, pp. 595, 635.
Plalessa limanda, Cuvier, 1817, R. .\nini., ii, p. 221 ; Fleming, 1828, Brit. Anim., p. ig8 ; Yarrell.
1836, Brit. Fish., ed. r, ii. p. 219. fig.; Parnell, 1838, Mem. Werner Soc, vii, p. 365.
pi. xxxvii ; Yarrell, 1841, Brit. Fish., ed. 2, ii. p. 307. fig. ; Kroyer, 1843-5, Danmarks Fisk..
ii, p. 29S ; Yarrell. 1859. Brit. Fish., ed. 3. i. p. 628. tig. ; Malmgren. 1864. Arch. Naturgesch..
XXX (I), p. 295.
PUuronectes plalessoidfs, Faber. 1S29, Natur. Fische Islands, p. 140.
Limanda vulgaris, Gottsche. 1835. Arch. Naturgesch.. i (2), p. 160 ; Moreau. 1881. Hist. Nat. Poiss.
France, 111. p. 2S9.
l.imanda ocfniiica. Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ.. p. 48 ; Beiiiinelcn. 1806. in Herklots.
Bouw. Faun. Nederland, iii, p. 328.
.'' Limanda pontica, Bonaparte, 1846. Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 48.
PUuronectes linguatula. Gray, 1854, Cat. Fish. Gronow, p. 88.
Limanda limanda, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (188(1), p. 288 ; Knipovich,
1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explor. North, xxvii, p. 142. fig. 107 ; Chabanaud. 1930, Bull. Mus.
Hist. nat. Paris, {2) ii, p. 627.
PUuronectes {Limanda) limanda, Danois. 1913. .Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, \ (5). p. roo. fig. 173.
EoGS. LARV.t .\su Young.
iMalm. 1S68, K. Svensk. Vet. Akad. Handl., n.f., vii (4), p. 16, pl.ii. figs. lo.ioa.ioft; Cunningham,
1888. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb,. xxxiii (i), p. 100. pi. 11, figs. 9-rr, pi. iii. figs. 1-6 ; Mcintosh
and Prince, 1890. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb., xxxv {3), pp. 791. 837, pi. v, figs. 3. 3fl, 11. pi. xvi,
figs. 3. 4. 6 ; Holt. 1893. Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (2) v, p. 80, pi. xiv. figs. 1:2-115 ; Canu,
1893, Ann. Stat, aquic Bologne, i, p. 128, pi. viii, figs. 1-4 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol.
Stat., iv, (1893,) p. 126, pi. 11, fig. 9; Cunningham, 1896. N.H. Market. Mar. Fish., p. 223;
Hensen and Apstein, 1897, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Kiel, ii (2). pp. 35, 45. 73, pi. ii.
figs. 14-17 ; Mcintosh and Masterman. 1897. Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 374. figs.; Ehrenbaum,
1897. Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, ii (i), p. 268. pi. iii, figs. 1-5; Kyle, 1898, Rep.
Fish. Board Scotland, xvi, (1897). p. 225. pi. x ; Heincke and Ehrenbaum, 1900, Wiss. Meeres-
untersuch.. Abt. Helgoland, in, p. 215. pi. ix. figs. i. 2 ; Hock, 1903, Publ. Circ. Cons. Explor.
Mer., iii, p. 73, pi. vii; Ehrenbaum. 1905.^ in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton. I.
Eier Larv. Fisch (l), p. 151. fig. 67 ; Petersen, 1906. Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser.
Fisk., ii (I), p. 4. pi. i. figs. 7-13; Schnakenbeck. t928, Ber. d. wiss. Komm. Meeresf., n.f.,
iv (4). p. 203, pis. i.ii ; Ehrenbaum, 1929, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. .Atlant. Nord.ii (2). figs.
Depth of body 1 to 2 J in the length, length of head 3 J to 4!. Upper profile of
head a little concave above eyes. Snout as long as or shorter than eye. diameter of
which is 3 J to 5 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower very sUghtly
in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge low. scaled, J to ^ diameter of eye ; postocular
ridge .scarcely apparent. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior
part of eye. length on ocular side 3J to 3J, on blind side 3} to 3^ in that of head ;
lower jaw a little projecting, 28 to 2J in head. Teeth obtusely conical or lanceolate ;
dental formula 5-'-'- ' — ^~- '. Gill-rakers rather short and stout ; 6 to 10 on lower
9-16 + 14-28
' (.nnsult for full list of references.
PLEURONECTIN^
335
part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals about 5 in length ; teeth of inner
row stronger than those of outer. Scales scarcely imbricated and partially embedded
anteriorly, fairly well imbricated on hinder 5 of body ; mostly ctenoid on ocular side,
cycloid or somewhat ctenoid on blind side ; 73 to 90 scales in a longitudinal series
above lateral line, 31 to 38 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral line with
a short supratemporal branch. Dorsal 65-81 ; origin well behind posterior nostril
of bUnd side, above middle of eye or a little farther forward ; most of the rays scaled,
at least on ocular side ; highest rays rather more than J length of head. Anal 50—64.
Pectoral of ocular side with 9 to 13 rays (6 to 9 branched) ; rays more or less scaled ;
length ij to twice in that of head. Pelvics with 6 (occa.sionally 5 or 7) rays. Caudal
with 17 or 18 rays (11 or 12 branched), rounded or double-truncate : caudal peduncle
I J to I J times as deep as long. Intestine with about 2i simple coils ; 3 + i rather
short pyloric appendages. Vertebrae 40 to 41 (lo-ii + 29-30). Brownish or greyish,
with or without darker spots or other markings on body and fins ; young and
immature examples generally with small dark brown spots.
Fig. 246. — Limanda limanda. B.M. (N'.H.) 1923. 1 1 . 12 . 10. X A. />.. lower pharyngeals.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of north-western Europe, from the Murman Coast and
White Sea to the Baj' of Biscay ; Iceland.
Specimens Examined :
Baltic.
Firth of Forth.
,25 fms.
Off Sanda Isd., 30 fms.
Between Cumbrae and Wemys
Point, 30-40 fms.
St. Andrew's Bay.
(31
nm.).
,, ), skin.
(150 „ ).
15 (77-250 mm.).
3 (55-170 ,, ).
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
Paraell Coll.
Murray.
II (105-325 mm
4 (35-72 mm.).
5 (80-90
2 (115, 133 n
4 (260-280
I (265 mm.),
4 (245-265 n
I (325 mm.).
1 (295 ,. ),
2 (230, 235 n
2 (160,
itufied.
), skins. Types
Blacksod Bay, Co. Mayc
Bantry Bay, 33 fms.
Brighton.
Plymouth.
British Coast.
London Market.
Fish. Board Scotland.
Grenfell.
Spence.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
Day.
Yarrell.
Olifie.
Gronow Coll.
of P. Unguatula.
KLAlFlSHliS (HETKKOSCIMATA)
I (^JOI
- (-IO,
. (1401
1 (100
Allii
St. Andrew's Bay.
K. of Liverpool Bar l.lRhlship.
7 fms.
N.N.E. of Puffin Isd., 14 fms.
N.E. entrance of Menai Straits,
7 fms.
I'ish. Hoard Scotland.
at Yr
uth.
). ,, Dymchurch, Kent. Smith.
-Attains to a length of about 12 to 15 inches.
Day (1885, Froc. Zool. Soc,, p. gig, pi. Ixii) describes a supposed hybrid l.imanda
Umanda x Plalichlhys flesus, 15 inches in length, from a fishmonger's shop in
Cheltenham. The specimen \vas said to have come from Brixham.
Duncker (1892, Zool. Anz., xv, p. 451) describes a hybrid Pleuronecles platessa x
Limanda Umanda.
2 LIMANi:)A ASPERA (Pallas).
Al.\sk.\ Dab. J
I'UuronecUs asper, Pallas, 1S14, Zoographia, iii, p. 425 ; l.imlhrr, iSnj, Cat. Tish., iv, p. 454 :
Steindachner and Kner, 1S70, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixi, .\bt. i, p. 4-5; Jordan and
Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 835.
Limanda aspcra, Bean, 18S2, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (i88i), p. 24:: ; Bean, 1884, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., vi, (1883), p. 354 ; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anini. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S.,
1), p. 184, pi. xlviii ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 288, pi. v,
fig. 13; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.. xlvii (3), p. 2645, pi. ccclxxvii,
fig. 930; Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 233, fig. lO ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 204; Evermann and Goldsborough, 1907. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish.,
xxvi, (1906), p. 3^4, fig. 138 ; Jordan. Tanaka and Snyder, 191 1, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i),
p. 328; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 401 ; Rendahl, 1931.
Ark. Zool., xxii. No. 18, p. 65.
.' Limanda aspera, Hubbs, 191s, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 478.=
Limanda aiprdla. Hubbs, 1915, tom. cil., p. 482, pi. xxvii, fig. 7.
^ In albino specimens the- mouth appears to be mc
examples the scales on the pigmented part of the blinds
2 In the examples described by Hubbs the scales ai
netncal than usual. In anit
norcctenoid than in nornialsf
ach to have about in spmiUe
PLEURONECTIN.E
337
Teeth obtusely conical or with truncated tips
Close to L. limanda. Depth of body 2 to 2\ in the length, length of head 3§ to 4.
Upper profile of head straight or a little concave above eyes. Diameter of eye 4J
to 5I in length of head ; interorbital ridge low or of moderate height, usually scaled.
Upper jaw on ocular side more or less arched ; maxillary extending to below anterior
half of eye, length on ocular side 3^ to 3j, on blind side 2f",, to 3 J in that of head.
dental formula 7^- +J7-^ g to
9-14 + 18-25
10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid or cycloid on ocular
side of body, mostly with a single spinule, but some on head and anterior part of body,
as well as a few posteriorly, with 2 or 3 spinules ; scales of blind side mostly cycloid ;
74 to 81 scales in a longitudinal series above lateral line, 25 to 31 between lateral line
and middle of back. Dorsal 67-74 ■ origin a little behind posterior nostril of blind
side ; highest rays J or more than j length of head. Anal 48-56. Pectoral of ocular
side with 10 to 12 rays (6 to 8 branched), length i| to if in that of head. Caudal
rounded ; caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than long. Brownish ;
young with a number of small dark spots on head and body, disappearing in the
adult ; median fins uniform, or with small dark spots or streaks.
Type. — Zoologisches Museum der Universitat, Berlin (?).
Distribution. — Bering Sea, southwards to Vancouver Island and Corea.
Specimens Examined :
(58° 31' N.. 157° 13' W.), 3ifms.
(58° 23' N., 157° 42' W.), 7i fms.
(58° 27' N., 157° 52' W.), 5 fms.
(58° 22' N., 159° 23' W.), iij fms.
(58° 30' N., 159° 35' W,), n\ fms.
Bering Sea
I (172
I (l6o
I (210
I (270
I (280
2 (166,
180 n
I (203
mm.).
I (174
I (130
I (200
U.S. Xat. Mu
Mus. Comp. Zool.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Sitka, Alaska.
Alaska.
Bering or Okhotsk Sea.
Petropavlosk, Kamchatka.
Decastris Bay.
Popov.
U.S. Xat. Mus
Stanford Univ
Berg.
3. LIMANDA S.\KHALINENSIS. Hubbs.
p. 480, pi. xxvi, fig. 6,
Limanda sakhalinensis, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus
? Limanda korigarei. Hubbs, 1915, torn, cit., p. 483, pi. xx^
-•' Limanda aspera var. korigarei, Rendahl, 1931, Ark. Zool
. fig. 8.
txii. No.
3j8 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
I'robiibly identical with L aspt-ra, but boily rather more slender, its depth 2j to
2 J in the length ; upper jaw of ocular side nearly straight ; scales of ocular side,
if ctenoid, with a row of from 3 to 10 rather feeble spinules ; coloration uniform.
Tyfk, — United States National Museum. No. 7,567^.
Distribution. — Kamchatka (') ; Sakhalin Island.
Specimen Ex.\mined :
?? I (125 mm.). I'etrop.ivlusk Harbour, KMmchatk.i. liaden Powell.
Hubbs (1915) describes three new species of Limanda from the North Pacific
(Sakhalin Island), all closely related to L. aspera, but some of the characters used
to distinguish these do not appear to be tenable. The form of the scales, number
of pores in the suborbital branch of the lateral line, and form of the anterior curve
of the lateral line are all very variable. All the examples of L. aspera e.xamined by
me have ctenoid scales with one, or at the most two or three spinules, so that if Hubbs
IS correct in describing forms in which the .scales have about 10 spinules, there would
appear to be a second Pacific species. In one of my specimens of aspera the inter-
orbital region is rather high and is not scaled, and the ridges of the head are somewhat
prominent (as in horigarei), but in other respects this appears to be a typical aspera,
and was collected in the Bering Sea. Quite recently, Rendahl (igji. .\rk, Zool.,
\xii. No 18, p. 65) has discussed the status of these Pacific species of Limanda at some
length.
4. LIMANDA FERRUGINEA (Storer).
[Rusty Dab.]
Platfssa ferruginea, Storer, 1839, Boston Journ. N.H., ii (3), p. 477 ; Rep. Ichth. Massach., p. 141,
pi. ii ; De Kay, 1842, N.H. New York, (Fish.), p. 297, pi. .\Uii, fig. 155 ; Storer, 1846, S>nopsis
Fish. N. Araer., p. 476 ; Storer, 1867, Hist. Fish. Massach., p. 198, pi. xxx, fig. 4.
PlaUssa rostrata, Storer, 1850, Boston Journ. N.H., vi (2), p. 268, pi. viii, fig. 2.
Myzopsettarostrala, Gill, 1861, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Suppl. (Cat. Fish. E. toast N. Amer.),
p. 51.
Pleuronedes fcrrugiiuus, Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 447; Jordan .ind Gilbert, 1883, Bull,
U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. S34.
Myznpsftla ferniginea, Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sii. Philad,, xvi, p, 217.
Limanda rnstrata, Gill, 1864, torn, cit., p. 217.
Limanda ferruginea, Goode, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,iii, (1880), p. 472 ; Goode, 1884, Nat. Hist.
.Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), pi. xlix ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com.
F'ish., xiv, (1886), p. 287, pi. ill, tig. 12 ; Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 427 ; Jordan
and Evermann, 189S, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2644, pi. ccclxxvii, fig. 929 ; Bean,
1902, Ann. Rep. Forest F'ish Game Conim. N.Y., vi, (1901), p. 474 ; Huntsman, 1922, Contr.
Canad. Biol., 1921, No. iii.p. 2: ; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xl (i), p. 495,
figs. 251-4; Nichols and Breder, 1927, Zoologica N.V., ix, p. 17.S. fig,; Hildcbrand and
Schroeder, 1928, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xliii (i), p. 168.
Depth of body 2^ to 2| in the length, length of head 3 J to 4 J Upper profile of
head concave above eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4^ to ji
in length of head ; lower eye very slightly in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge
very narrow, scaled ; postocular ridge not conspicuous, but distinctly rugose.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length on ocular
ocular side 3j, on blind side 3^ in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, 25 to
2^ in head. Teeth obtusely conical or with truncated tips ; dental formula
iJ-^ J'*. GiU-rakers of moderate length, rather slender; in tu 12 on Icnver
10-16 + 30-4-
part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals about 5 in length . a few teeth
forming an incomplete series between the two principal rows. Scales all more or
less imbricated, nearly all ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 88 to 95
.scales in a longitudinal series above lateral line, 36 to 42 between lateral line and
middle of back Lateral line without supratemporal branch. Dorsal 77-85 ; origin
PLEURONECTIN^ 339
just behind posterior nostril of blind side and above anterior part of eye ; most of
the rays scaled, at least on ocular side ; highest rays 2 to 2| in length of head. Anal
58-63. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays (5 to 7 branched) ; rays not scaled ;
length 2 to 2^ in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched),
rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle i| to if times as deep as long.
Intestine with 3 or 4 irregular coils ; 3 + i rather long pyloric appendages. Reddish
brown, generally with numerous darker spots and blotches on body and fins, especially
in the young ; blind side lemon yellow, with bright yellow areas at upper and lower
edges of body.
Fig. 249. — Limanda fcrruginea. B.M. (N.H.) 1923 . 12 . 18 . 1. X i.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Atlantic coast of North America, from Labrador to New York.
Specimens Examined :
1 (280 mm.). Halifax, Nova Scotia. U.S. Nat. Mus.
2 (95, 127 mm.). Off Cape Ann. ,,
I (360 mm.). Massachussetts Bay. Wright.
r (210 ,, ). Off New York. .\mer. .Mus. Nat. Hist.
Goode and Bean have suggested that northern examples may represent a distinct
subspecies (rostrata), distinguished by the lower number of dorsal and anal rays,
and by the blunter, more prominent snout.
5. LIMANDA PUNCTATISSIMA (Steindachner).
Hippoglossoides {Hippoglossina) punclatissima, Steindachner, 1879, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
Ixxx, Abt. I, p. 167.
Limanda iridorum, Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 206, fig. 14 ; Pavlenko,
1910, Trudui Obshch. Kazan, xhi, p. 57 ; Snyder, 1912, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlii, p. 440 ;
Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 327, fig. 276; Hubbs,
1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 484 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish.
Inst., V, p. 403: Schmidt, 1931, C.R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 317: Rendahl, 1931, .\rk. Zool,,
xxii, No. 18, p. 73.
Limatida punclatissima, Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 299.
Depth of body 2 to 2 J in the length, length of head 3 to 3 J. Snout produced;
upper profile of head distinctly notched above anterior margins of eyes. Snout
with a prominent projection formed by the ascending processes of the prEemaxillaries,
34°
FLATFISHES (HE TKROSOMATA)
longer than eye, diameter of which is 5J to 6J in length of head ; lower eye a little
in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge narrow, high, not scaled ; postocular ridge
forming a broad, irregular rugose area, and a similar rough area following ridge of
praeoperculum ; a rough ridge running along blind side of head from snout to origin
of lateral line, ridge of prsoperculum a little roughened. Maxillary scarcely extending
to below anterior edge of eye. length on ocular aide 3J to 4, on blind side 3j to 33 in
that of head ; lower jaw projecting, 2| to 3 in head. Teeth obtusely conical ; dental
14 + 28
formula _ ^^^^o- Gill-rakers rather slender, finely tapering distally ; 10 or 11 on
lower part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals 5^ in length. Scales more
or less embedded anteriorly, fairly well imbricated posteriorly ; scales of body cycloid
on both sides, some ctenoid .scales on ocular side of head ; 65 scales in lateral line. 24
to 25 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral line without distinct supra-
temporal branch. Dorsal (57) bo-62 (65) ; origin just behind posterior nostril of blind
side, above anterior edge or a little in front of eye : some of the middle rays scaled on
ocular .side; highest rays about 2j in length of head. Anal (42)45-50. Pectoral of
ocular side with 8 to 10 rays (5 or 6 branched), length ij to twice in that of head.
Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 18 or ig rays (11 or 12 branched), rounded; caudal
peduncle i? to ij times as deep as long. Intestine with about 2 simple coils ; 3 + i
long pyloric appendages. Greyish brown, speckled with dark brown dots ; body with
tine dark streaks along the series of scales ; fins spotted and speckled with darker.'
TvPK. — \'ienna Museuni.
Okhotsk Sea ; Northern Japan ; Sea of Japan,
Distribution. — Souther
southwards to Corca.
Specimens Examined ;
Bay of Mutsu, J.i
Otaru, Japan.
Tokyo Market.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Tokyo Imp. Univ.
' ■• In life a band of bright (
side •■ (Snyder).
extends along bases of dorsal.
PLEURONECTIN.^ 341
6, LIMANDA PROBOSCIDEA, Gilbert.
Limanda probusciUea. (lilbert, 1895, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xix, (1893), p. 460, pi. xxxiii ; Jordan
and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2645, pi. ccclxxviii, p. 931 ; Schmidt,
1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 236 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 205 ;
Evermann and Goldsborough, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 355, fig- '39;
Pavlenko, 1910, Trudui Obshch. Kazan, xlii, p. 57; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll.
Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (l),p. 328; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 404.
Limanda punctuHssima proboscidea, Rendahl, 1931, Ark. Zool., xxii. No. 18, p. 73.
Depth of body 2J to 2^ in the length, length of head 3 to 3^. Upper profile of
head a little concave above eyes. Snout produced, longer than eye. diameter of which
is about 5^ in length of head ; lower eye markedly in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge narrow, naked or with a single row of scales ; postocular ridge with irregular
rugose patches ; a similar but less developed rough area on blind side of head.
Maxillar>' scarcely extending to below anterior edge of eye, length on ocular side
about 4J, on blind side 3} in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, about 3 in
head. Teeth very small, obtusely conical ; dental formula -■' jlJ^ — J_ Gill-
16-17 + 33-37"
rakers rather slender, finely pointed distally ; g or 10 on lower part of anterior arch ;
width of lower pharyngeals about 7 in length. Scales feebly imbricated and more
or less embedded anteriorly, feebly ctenoid or cycloid on ocular side, cycloid on blmd
side ; about 95 scales in lateral line. Lateral line without distinct supratemporal
branch. Dorsal (62) 65-69 ; origin just behind posterior nostril of blind side, above
anterior part of eye ; some of the middle rays scaled, at least on ocular side ; highest
rays about 2i in length of head. .Anal 46—50. Pectoral of ocular side with 12 rays
{7 branched), length 2§ to nearly 3 in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal
with 18 rays (12 branched), a little rounded ; caudal peduncle i^ to if times as deep
as long. Intestine with about 2 simple coils ; 3 -|- i long pyloric appendages. Pale
brownish, thickly covered with small, indistinct whitish spots ; some indefinite
darker blotches and shades ; median fins greyish, with an occasional dark brown
ray ; blind side lemon yellow, with bright yellow areas at upper and lower edges
of body ; tips of some of the rays of the median fins bright yellow.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 48629.
Distribution. — Bering Sea; Okhotsk Sea; Sakhalin Island ; Peter the Great Bay.
Specimens Examined :
(145 mm.). Paratvpe.
(152 ., ).
Bering Sea (58' 22' X.
Baikal Bav, Sakhalin.
159' 23' W.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Popov.
I'l-ATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
C.fuus 18. PSEUI)()I'LEUR()\I-:CTES.
IhcuJoftUurnnntfs. BlccUer, jSb:;, Vcrsl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xin, p. 4:;8 [PUurnnecles planus,
.\Iitchill] ; Korman, 1933. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) xi, p. i2o.
Itinaiiddla, Jordan and Starks, igo6, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. ::o4 \ Plfurani-ctcs vokohama,
CuntlH-r].
Close to Limanda, ditfering in havinf; the teeth compressed and incisor-like,
close-set, sometimes forming a continuous cutting ctlge ; never more than 6 teeth
on ocular side of either jaw ; caudal fin with 13 or 1 4 branched rays ; intestine narrow,
elongate, with 3 or more coils.
■| hrec species ; one from the Atlantic coast of North America, two from Japan.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. ICyes separated by a ridge, which is naked or scaled, width less than ^
diameter of eye ; postocular ridge rugose.
A. Interorbital ridge nearly naked ; tips of gill-rakers sharply pointed ;
68 to 75 scales in lateralline : dental formuhi ° , '■*"'!^ 1. herzensteim.
'J 2-6 + 19-24
K. Interorbital ridge scaled ; tips of ,t;ill-rakers rounded or obtusely pointed ;
75 to .10 scales in lateral line ; dental formula — ^-i — — ^ 2. yokohamer.
'■' 0—4 -Y 12-20
11, Interorbital space fiat, .scaled, width J to .5 diameter of eye; postocular
ridge not rugose ; 78 to 89 scales in lateral line . . -3 ameyicatius.
I. PSEUDOPLEURONECTES HEKZENSTEINI (Jordan and Snyder).
rieuroiuctes japonicus {non Houttuyn), Herzcnstein, 1801, [Mel. Riol., xiii (i)l Bull. Ac. Imp. Sri.
St. Petersbourg, xxxiv (n.s. ii), p. 52.
I.tmanda herzensteini, Jordan and Snyder, igoi, Proc. U.S. Nal. Mus., .\xiii, p. 74*' : Jordan and
Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (igo;), p. 623.
.' Limanda japonica, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 2.^4.
I.imanda angustirostru, (Kitahara) Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. ;oS,
tig. 15 ; Jord.in, Tanaka and Snyder, 1013, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 326, fig. 275;
Jordan and Thompson, 1914, Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 309, fig. 82 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S.
Nat. .Mus., xlviii, p. 485 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 405.
l.tmanddla angusltrostris, Jordan and Hubbs, 192.S, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 299.
Depth of body 2^ to 2} in the length, length of head 3} to 4J. Upper profile of
head more or less concave (nearly straight in young) above eyes. Snout as long as
or shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 5 J in head ; lower eye a little in advance
of upper : interorbital ridge high, narrow, naked or with a few rudimentary scales,
width less than J diameter of eye ; postocular ridge inconspicuous, with an irregular
series of rugose areas ; similar but less developed rugose areas on blind side of head
in the same region. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or not quite
as far, length on ocular side 4! to 45, on blind side 35 to 4 in that of head ; lower
jaw a little projecting, 2} to 3 in head ; a fleshy projection on ocular side of lower
jaw fits into a distinct concavity in the upper. Teeth close-set, but not forming
a continuous cutting edge ; dental formula — J^ Ltil^ Gill-rakers rather short
2-5 + 19-24
and broad, with sharply pointed tips ; 6 to 8 on lower part of anterior arch ; width
of lower pharyngeals about 5 in length, the anterior teeth, especially those of inner
row, strong and obtusely conical, the remainder smaller and more sharply pointed.
Scales more or less embedded anteriorly, imbricated posteriorly, ctenoid or cycloid
on ocular side, the ctenoid scales being developed chiefly on head an<l posterior part
PLEURONECTINiE
343
of body, cycloid or feebly ctenoid on blind side ; 68 to 75 scales in a longitudinal
series above lateral line, 20 to 26 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral
line with a distinct curve above pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch. Dorsal
(67) 69-75 ; origin a short distance behind posterior nostril of blind side, above middle
of eye or a little farther forward ; middle rays scaled on ocular side ; highest rays
i§ to twice in length of head. Anal (51) 54-57. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or
II rays {5 to 8 branched), length i| to twice in that of head. Caudal with 19 rays
(13 branched), a little rounded ; caudal peduncle i^ to ij times as deep as long.
3 + 1 rather long pyloric appendages. Brownish ; uniform or with irregular dark
spots and blotches ; median fins sometimes with a series of dark spots or bars, not
developed on blind side of fins.
Fig. 252. — Pseudopkuronectes herzensteini. B.M. (N.H.) 1923.9.2
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. Nos. 1583, 6143, 8730.
Distribution. — Shores of Hondo Isd., Japan ; Sea of Japan,
Specimens Ex.\mined :
2 {200, 278 mm.). Aomori.
I (175 mm.). Sea of Japan (38° i6' N., 138° 52' E.).
3 (253-260 mm.). Tokyo Market.
I (225 mm.). Sea of Japan, off Nagato Prov.
Jordan.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Tokvo Imp. Uni'
2. PSEUDOPLEURONECTES YOKOHAM.E (Giinther),
PUuronccles yokohama, GUnther, 1877, Ann, Mag. Nat. Hist., (4) xx, p. 442 ; Gunther, 1880, Shore
Fishes " Challenger ", p. 69.
Limanda yokohamtt, Jordan and Snyder, 1901, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 379 ; Jordan and
Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 209 ; Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss.. Suppl,
iv, Abh. I, p. 64 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 327 ;
Jordan and Thompson, 1914, Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 309 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., xlviii.p. 485 : Soldatovand Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v,p. 404 ; Schmidt,
1931, C.R. ,\cad. Sci. Russ., p. 317.
? Limanda japomca, Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 234.
Limanda schrenki, Schmidt, 1904, torn, cit., p. 235 ; Popta, 191 1, Jahres. Ver. Natur. VViirtt., p. 343.
Limanda schr^ncki. Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 207 ; Soldatov and
Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 404.
? Limanda angustirostris var. maculosa, Pavlenko, 1910, Trudui Obshch. Kazan, xlii, p. 58, tig. 12.
ad. Sci. IJ.S.S.R.
344 FLATFISHES (HFTF:R0S0M.\|-A)
Limaiida jokohama, I'avleliko. 1910, (oiii. cil., p. f,S.
Limandtlia yokohama, Jordan and Hubbs, itjcs, Mem. Carnegie Mus.. x.
l.imanda (LimandcUa) yokohama, Schmidt, 1931, Trans. Pac. Com.
Close to P. herzeyisteini. Depth of body 2! to 2J in the length, length of head
3I to 4J. Upper profile of head straight or a little concave above eyes. Diameter
of eye 4J to 6J in length of head : interorbital ridge lower, narrow, scaled, width
usually less than \ diameter of eye ; rugose areas less developed on blmd side of
head. ' Length of maxillary on ocular side 4 to 4^, on blmd side 35 to nearly 4 in
length of head fleshy projection on lower jaw and concavity in upper less marked.
0-3 + 8-16
Teeth fornniig a more or less contnuious cuttmg edge; dental formula ^ , i,.,^-
GilLrakers short, broad, with rounded or obtusely pointed tips ; d to 8 on lower
part of anterior arch : width of lower pharyngeals 6 or 7 in length. Scales
-PscudofUu
very variable ; generally more or less imbricated, at least posteriorly, often embedded
anteriorly : usually riioderately or strongly ctenoid on ocular side, occasionally
almost entirely cycloid ; varying from cycloid to strongly ctenoid on blind side ;
75 to 90 scales' in a longitudinal series above lateral line, 30 to 43 between lateral line
and middle of back. Lateral line with a moderate or rather low curve above pectoral
fin. Dorsal 61-73 i origin just above posterior nostril of blind side, above anterior
part of eye. Anal 48-56. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 to 12 rays (3 to 8 branched),
length I J to twice in that of head. Caudal with 18 or ig rays (13 or 14 branched),
a little rounded or double truncate ; caudal peduncle i\ to twice as deep as long.
5 or 6 + 2-4 pyloric appendages of moderate length. Vertebra; 35 to 37 (11 +
24-26). Generally uniformly brownish or greyish, but sometimes blotched or spotted
with paler and darker ; occasionally .some more distinct blackish spots, blotches
or annular markings, more evident m young e.xamples : blind side sometimes with
brownish spots ; median fins uniform, or dorsal and anal with a row of indistinct
dark spots or bars, these being also present on blind side of fins ; margin of caudal
blackish on blind side.
Type —British Museum (Nat Hist 1 Keg No 79.5.14.61
Distribution —All shores of J. ipan . Sea of Japan ; Gulf of Tartary , Corea,
PLEURONECTINAi
Specimens Examined
2 (i6o, 300 mm.).* Types.
1 (270 mm.).
I {215 „ ).
I (185
I (192
1 (150
2 {255, 300 mm.).
(220-240
(185-300
(68-90 mm
(103-320 m
(280 mm.).
(155 ,, ).
(120 ,, ).
(90-340 mn
Yokohama Bav, 15 fms.
" Challenger."
Tokyo.
Joyner.
Jordan.
Tokyo Market.
Tokyo Imp. Unj
Matsuyama Market, lyo Prov.
Bay of Mutsu.
Kishinoiive.
Hakata.
Jordan.
Mororan.
,,
Otaru.
Hondo Isd.
Hakodate.
U.S.' Nat. Mus.
St. Olga Bay, Sea of Japan.
Popov.
C. Tchihachof, Tartar Strait.
Berg.
Port Arthur.
Jordan.
Also one from Japan (Mus. Comp. Zool.).
3. PSEUDOPLEURONECTES AMERICANUS (Walbaum).
[Winter Flounder.]
Pleuronedes, Schoepf, 1788, Schrift. Ges. nat. Freunde Berlin, viii, p. 148.
Pleuronecies americanus, Walbaum, 1792, Artedi Ichth., (3), ed. 2, p. 113; Schneider, 1801, in
Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 150; Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 443 ; Jordan and Gilbert. 1883,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 837 ; Stearns, 1884, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vi, (1883), p. 125.
Pleuronecies planus, Mitchill, 1814, Kept. Fishes N. York, p. 8; Mitchill, 1S15, Trans. Lit. Phil.
Soc. N.Y., i,p. 387.
Platessa plana, Storer, 1839, Boston J. Nat. Hist., ii, p. 475 ; Rep. Ichth. Massach., p. 140; De Kay ,
1842, N.H. New York (Fish.), p. 295, pi. .xlviii, fig. 154, pi. xlix, fig. 158; Storer, 1867, Hist.
Fish. Massach., p. 195, pi. xxx, fig. 2.
Platessa pusilla De Kay, 1842, torn, cit., p. 296, pi. xlvii, fig. 153 ; Storer, 1846, Synopsis Fish. N.
Amer., p. 477.
Pscudopleuronectes planus, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, .xiii, p. 428.
Pseudopleuronectes americanus. Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, p. 216 ; Goode, 18S4,
Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 182, pi. xliv ; Jordan and Goss,
1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (t886), p. 289, pi. vi, fig. 14 ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898,
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2647, pi. ccclxxix, fig. 933 ; Bean, 1902, Ann. Rep. Forest
Fish Game Comm. N.Y., vi. (1901), p. 475 ; Huntsman, 1922, Contr. Canad. Biol., (1921),
No. iii, p. 22 ; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xl (i), (1924), p. 501, fig. 256 ;
Nichols and Breder, 1927, Zoologica N.Y., ix, p. 178, fig. ; Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928,
Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., .xliii (i), (1927), p. 169, fig. 87.
Pseudopleuronectes dignabilis, Kendall, 1912, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxx, (1910), p. 392, pi. Ivii;
Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, torn, cit., p. 507, fig. 261.
Eggs, Larv.e
You
Agassiz, 1878, Proc. Amer. Acad., xiv, p. i, figs. ; Breder, 1923, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxxviii,
(1921-22), p. 312, fig. 275 ; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, torn, cit., p. 501, figs. 257-260.
Depth of body 2 to 2 i in the length, length of head 3 J to 41. Upper profile of
head straight or a little concave above eyes. Snout as long as or shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 4^ to 6 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower
very little in advance of upper ; interorbital space rather fiat, scaled, width J to ^
diameter of eye ; postocular ridge low and inconspicuous, not rugose. Maxillary
extending to below anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length on ocular side 3f
' The larger is selected as the holotype.
- This specimen, received as L. schrenki, has a general coloration very similar to that shown in
Pavlenko's figure of the tyiie of L. angustirostris var. maculosa.
34&
FLATFISHES (HKTKKOSOMATA)
to 4J, on blind suk- 3J to 3(1 in tluit of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, about 3 in
head. Teeth forming a continuous cutting edge ; dental formula , .
'^ h s . Q_, _^ 10-17
GUI-rakers short, stout ; 7 or S on lower part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyn-
geals nearly 6 in length ; teeth of inner row stronger than those of outer. Scales all
imbricated, none embedded, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 78 to 89
scales in a longitudinal serie-s above lateral line, 31 to 38 between lateral line and middle
of back. Lateral line with a very low curve above pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal
branch. Dorsal 39-71 (73) ; origin just behind posterior nostril of blind side, above
anterior half of eye : most of the rays scaled, at least on ocular side ; highest ray.s.
nearly 5 length of head. Anal (46) 47-54. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays
(5 to 7 branched), length if to twice in that of head. Caudal with ig rays
(13 branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle ij to i§ times as deep as
long. 3 -+- I pyloric appendages. Vertebrsc 36 (10 4- 26). BrownLsh ; uniform or
with rather indistinct dark spots and blotches ; young sometimes .spotted with paler
and darker.
Type, — Not traccil.
Distribution. — .-\tlantic coast of North .Nnierica, from Labrador to Chesapeake
ly.
Specimens E.^;-^M1NKIJ :
3 (255-265 mm.), skins.
2 {120, 135 mm.).
1 {85 mm.).
I (220 „ ).
1 (270 ,, ).
2 (142, 240 mm.).
I (10.S mm.).
I (265 .. ).
New York.
New York tUy.
Long Island, N.Y.
Prince Edward Isd.
Massachusetts Bav.
Noank, Conn.
Wnght.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
(jno, 224 mm). Partial
ambicolorates.
Attains to a length of 15 inches.
PLEURONECTIN^
347
Specimens from deeper water off the New England coast may represent a distinct
race (dignabilis), with a different spawning season. The characters used by Kendall
in describing this form as a new species (j. e. size of head, number of dorsal and anal
rays, coloration) do not appear to be constant.
Nichols (1918, Copeia, Iv, p. 37) describes a fish from New York Market, believed
to be a hybrid Pseudopleuronectes americaniis •; Limanda ferruginea.
(igo2), p. 624 [Dexistes rikuzeni;
, Jordan and Starks].
(icnus 19. DEXISTES.
Dexistes, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish.,
Jordan and Starks].
Araias, Jordan and Starks, 1904, torn, cit., p. 624 [Araias
Close to Limanda and Pseudopleuronectes , Eyes separated by a high, narrow ridge,
which is naked or scaled, the upper entering dorsal profile of head : parts of snout and
upper surfaces of eye-balls scaled. A strong bony protuberance at symphysis of lower
jaw. Teeth small, obtusely conical, not very close-set, uniserial in both jaws. Dorsal
fin commencing well behind po.sterior nostril of blind side and above middle of eye.
Caudal fin with 12 branched rays. Scales thin, rather deciduous, ctenoid on ocular
side, the spinules slender and numerous, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line
conspicuous, rising a little but without distinct curve about pectoral fin ; supra-
temporal branch present. Intestine not very narrow, of moderate length, with about
2\ coils ; 3 or 4 + I rather short pyloric appendages.
A single species from Japan.
I. DEXISTES RIKUZENIUS, Jordan and Starks.
Z)«is/cs riiazentus, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 624, pi. vi.fig. i ;
Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 212, fig. 17; Jordan, Tanaka and
Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 324, fig. 273; Jordan and Thompson, 1914,
Mem. Carnegie Mus., vi, p. 310, fig. 83 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 487 ;
Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 298.
Araias ariommus, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 624, pi. vi, fig. 2 ;
Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 214, fig. 18.
34S FLATFISHES (HF.TF.ROSOMATA)
Depth of body zl to 2^ in the length, length of head 4 to 4^. Upper
profile of head a little concave. Snout much shorter than eye. diameter of
which is 2| to 3J in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper,
which enters dorsal profile of head ; postocular ridge scarcely apparent. Maxillary
extending to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular side 3J to 35. on blind
side about 3 in that of head; lower jaw scarcely projecting, 2 J to 2 J in head.
Dental formula J^ — '~ ~°~"J . Gill-rakers short, stout ; 6 to 8 on lower part of
icv-ii + 23-25
anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals more than 6 times in length ; teeth of
inner row stronger than those of outer. 57 to 64 scales in lateral line, 18 to 20 between
lateral line and middle of back. Dorsal 65-72 ; some of the middle rays scaled ;
highest rays less than i length of head. Anal 55-58 (60). Pectoral of ocular side
with 10 or II rays (7 or 8 branched), length i| to twice in that of head. Pelvics
with b rays. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal
peduncle about as long as deep. Greyish or brownish, with or without some irregular
darker spots.
Type. — United States National Museum. No 51423.
Distribution. — Shores of central Japan.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
1 (102 mm.). Dago Isd. U.S. N.it. Mus.
2 (150, 185 .um.). Tokvo .Market. Tokyo Imp. Uiiiv.
I(2i.imm.). Sea of Japan, ofl Xagato I'rov.
Genus 20, PLEUROXECTES.
PleuronecUs, [Artedi, 1738, Ichth., gen. xiv, p. 16] Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 268 ; 1766,
ed. 12, p. 455 \Pleuroncctcs platessa, Linnaeus] ; Swainson, 1829, N.H. Fishes etc., ii, p. 302 ;
Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 427 ; Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist.. (10) xi, p. 222.
Platessa, Cuvier. 1817, R. .Aniin.. U, p. 220 [PU-uroitccli-s plaU-ssa, Linnaeus] ; Gottsche. 18^5, Arrli.
Naturgesch., 1 (2). p. 135 ; Jordan and Goss, 188,,, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., .xiv. (1886), p. 290.
Related to Limaiida, but postocular ridge broken up into a series of 4 to 7 bony
prominences, extending from behind the eyes to commencement of lateral line, their
bases sometimes connected by a low keel. Teeth compressed, incisor-like, forming
a more or less continuous cutting edge. Lower pharyngeals narrow or of moderate
width, their width 2} to nearly 5 in the length, rather massive, more or less approxi-
mated anteriorly, each with about two rows of obtusely pointed or molariform teeth.
Scales small, adherent, all more or less embedded in the skin, but imbricated on
posterior part of body ; cycloid or sometimes rather feebly ctenoid in the male.
Lateral line with a very low curve above the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal
branch. Intestine with 2 or 2S coils ; pyloric appendages rather short or of moderate
length, 2 or 3 -f i. Vertebrae 42 to 43 (13 -j- 29-30).
Two species from Arctic anil temperate seas
SvNcipsis (IF THE Species.
1. 5 high, regular, conical prominences behind the eyes; 0-3 + ij-io teeth
in upper jaw ; lower pharvmgeals slender, inner edges evenly curved,
not much approximated, the teeth obtusely pointed, more or less
compressed . . . . . . . . .1 pallasn.
II 4 to 7 irregular, bony prominences behind the eyes ; 0-6 -{- iS-32 teeth in
upper jaw . lower pharvngeals rather massive, inner edges angular,
approximated anteriorly, the teeth coar.se. blunt, molariform . 2 platessa.
PLEURONECTIN^
I. PLEURONECTES PALLASII, Steindachner.
PUuronectes pallasii, Steindachner, 1880, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxx (i), (1879}, p. 163, pi. ii,
Pleuronectes quadrituberculatui
Jordan and Gilbert, 1883
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvi
N. Pacif.,{3),p. 491 ; Sch
1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. M
[non Pallas), Bean, 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 241 ;
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 836; Jordan and Evermann, 1898,
(3), p. 2648 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1S99, Fur seals and fur-seal Is.
idt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 239, figs. 17, 18 ; Jordan and Starks,
xx.\i, p. 216 ; Evermann and Goldsborough, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur.
Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 355, fig. 140 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst.,
V, p. 406.
PlaUssa quadrituberculata, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 292 ; Jordan,
Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 329.
Fig. 256. — Pleuronectes pallasii. B.M. (N.H.) 96.7.23.238. X f. p., lower pharyngeals.
Depth of body i| to twice in the length, length of head about 3J. Upper profile
of head distinctly concave. Snout as long as or shorter than eye, diameter of which
is 4f to 5J in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge low, narrow, with a few embedded scales posteriorly ; behind the eyes a row
of 5 high, regular, conical (lower and obtusely rounded in young) bony prominences,
the first just behind upper eye, clcsely followed by the second, the last just in front
of upper angle of gill-opening. .Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior
part of eye, length on ocular side a little more than 4, on blind side 3! to 3I in that
0-3 + 12-19
of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, about 3 in head. Dental formula —^ — . _ .
7 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower pharyngeals slender, not much
appro-ximated anteriorly, width nearly 5 in length, their inner edges more or less
evenly curved ; each with 2 widely separated rows of obtusely pointed, somewhat
compressed teeth, those of the inner row larger than those of the outer ; one or two
small teeth between the two rows. Scales all cycloid ; about 100 in a longitudinal
series above lateral line ; 80 pores in lateral line. Dorsal (63) 68-72 ; origin above
middle of eye ; middle rays sometimes with a series of embedded scales on ocular
side ; highest rays about J length of head. Anal {48) 50-53. Pectoral of ocular
side with 11 rays {5 branched), length 2| to 2f in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays.
350 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Caudal with i8 or lo rays {12 or 13 branched), more or less rounded ; caudal peduncle
deeper than long. 2 (? 3) pyloric appendages of moderate length and one shorter
appiendage further down the intestine. Brownish, indistinctly spotted with darker,
the spots apparently symmetrically arranged ; young marbled with paler and darker.
Type. — Vienna Museum.
PiSTRiBUTION. — Bering Sea, on both coasts, southwards to soutlicrn Sakhalin
and Kodiak Island.
Specimens F-x.^^mined :
I (235 mm.). Hcremlfcii li.iv. .\lask,i. T.S. Nat. Mus.
I (103 ,. ). .. ,. Stanford Univ.
I (i(,5 " ). li.iik.il B.iv, S.ikh.ihn. I'opov.
This fish cannot be the Pleitronectes quadntuherculatus of Pallas, which may be
a species of Pleiironichthvs. Pallas describes the bony prominences on the head
as being four in number, thus : " tuberculis quatuor osseis, conicis, obtusis,
prominentissimis, serie linese laterali continua, quorum duo approximata antcrius.
tertium orbita- superioris postico margim cnntiguum, quartum maNimum sinui
branchiali adsidet ". He makes no mention of tlio form of the teeth
2. PLEURONECTES PLATESSA. Linnaeus.'
[Plaice. i
Pkuroncctfs plalcs^ti, Linnaeus, 17.18, Sysl. Nat., ed. 1.), p. zbr, ■ 1766, ed. i;, p. 45G ; Bloch, 1783,
Naturgesch. Fischc Deutsch., ii, p. 31, pl..\lu: Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 144 ;
Lacepede, 1802. Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, p. 628; Donovan, 1806, N.H. Brit. Fish., iv, pi . vi ;
Quensel, 1806, Vet. Akad. Handl., xxvii, p. an ; Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 423; Faber.
1828, Isis, xxi, p. 866 ; Faber. 1829, Naturg. Fische Isl., p. 135 ; Nilsson, 1832, Prodr. Ichth.
Scand., p. 54 ; Nilsson, 1855, Scand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 612 ; Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish.,
iv, p. 440 ; Collett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1874), Till, p, 144 ; Malm, 1877. Goteborgs Bohus.
Fauna, p. 525 ; Day, 1880-84, Fish. Britain, 11, p. 25, pi. ci ; Giinther, 1888, Proc. Roy. Soc.
Edinb., xv, p. 218; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 358; Smitt, 1893, Scand.
Fish., i, p. 392, pi. xxi, fig. 2 ; Levander, 1894, Medd. Soc. Faun. Fenn., xx, p. 92 ; Collett.
1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 95 ; Hock, 1903, Pub. Circ. Cons. Explor. Mer., iii, p. 57,
pl.vi; Page, 1907, Arch. Zool. exper. gen., (4) vii, p. 74; Pietschmann, 1909, Ann. naturh. Mus.
Wien, xxii, (1907-8), p. 300; Schnakenbeck, 1926, in Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. li, xii (i), p. 5,
fig. 3; Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espan. Marruecos, p. 99; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst.
Sci. Explor. North, xxvii, p. 143, fig. 108 ; Saemundsson, 1927, Vit. Visind. Island, ii, p. 37 :
Schnakenbeck, 1929, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. Atlant. Nord, iii, figs. : Chabanaud, 1930,
Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) ii, p. 627 ; Chabanaud, 1931, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mem. ii, p. 24.
.So/ra plale'isa, Rafinesquc, 1810, Ind. itt. Sicil.. p. 14.
Plalessa plalessa, Cuvier, 1817, R. Anim., ii, p. 220 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish.,
xiv, (1886), p. 291, pi. vi, fig. 15.
Platessa vulgaris, Cloquct, 1826, Diet. Sci. Nat., xli, p. 403 ; Fleming, 1828, Brit. Anim., p. 198 ;
Gottsche. 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., 1 (2), p. 136; Yarrell. 1836, Brit. Fish., ed. i, ii, p. 209,
fig.; Parnell, 1838, Mem. Werner Soc, vii, p. 361, pi. xxxvi : Kroyer, 1843-5, Danmarks
Fisk., ii, p. 347, fig. ; Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. mctod. Pesci Europ., p. 48; Yarrell, 1859,
Brit. Fish., ed. 3, i, p. 605, fig. ; Moreau, i88i. Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 291.
PhuronccUs borealts, Faber, 1828, Tidsskr. for Naturvid., (14), p. 244 ; Isis, xxi, p. 868,
Plalessa lata, Cuvier, 1829, R. Anim., ed. 2, ii, p. 339.
Pleuronecles latus. (Cuvier) Valenciennes, 1836-49, in R. Anim., Discip. Ed., Poiss , p. 300 ; (iunther,
1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 442.
Platessa lata. Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 48.
Pleuronecles platessa var. baltica, Nilsson, 185,";, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 616.
? Pleuronecles platessa, Trois, 1878, Atti 1st. Venet., (5) iv, (i), p. 321.
Pleuronecles (Platessa) platessa, Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, oct-anogr. Paris, v (5), p. loi, fig. 174.
■ A iiionoKraph of this species, dealing with the anatomy, biology and economics, has been
published bv Cole and Johnstone (1902, Proc. L'pool. Biol. Soc , xvi. pp. 14.^-39''. n pIs).
PLEURONECTIN^
Eggs, Lar
ND Young.
Schiodte, 1868, Naturhist. Tidskrift, (3) v, p. 269, pi. xi, figs. 2-4 ; Cunningham, 1888, Trans. Roy.
Soc. Edinb., xxiii (i), p. 99, pi. ii, figs. 1-3 ; Mcintosh and Prince, 1890, Trans. Roy. Soc,
Edinb., xxxv (3), p. 840, pi. i, fig. 20, pi. v, fig. 6, pi. vi, fig. 7, pi. xii, fig. 7, pi. xiv, fig. 5, pi. xvi,
fig. 5 ; FuUarton, i8gi. Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, ix (iii), (i8go), p. 311, pis. vii-ix ; Fullarton,
1893, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xi (iii), (1892), p. 274, pis. xiii-xvi ; Holt, 1893, Sci. Trans,
R. Dublin Soc, (2) V, p. 76, pi. xiv, figs. 107-111 ; Canu, 1893, Ann. Stat, aquic. Boulogne, i,
p. 130, pi. ix, fig. 2 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, {1893), pp. 2, 125, pi. ii, fig
10; Cunningham, 1896, N.H. Market. Mar. Fish., p. 213, figs. 106-7; Ehrenbaum, 1897
Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., ii (i), p. 260, pi. iv, figs. 12-15 ; Mcintosh and
Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 356, figs.; Hensen and Apstein, 1897, Wiss
Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Kiel, n.f., ii (2), pp. 34, 43, 69, pi. ii, figs. 7-10 ; Dannevig, 1897, Rep,
Fish. Board Scotland, xv (iii), (1896), p. 175, pi. iv ; Kyle, 1898, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland
xvi (iii), (1897), p. 225. pi- X ; Heincke and Ehrenbaum, 1900, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt
Helgoland, n.f., iii, p. 223, pi. ix, figs. 5, 6^ ; Hock, 1903, Pub. Circ. Cons. Explor. Mer., iii
p. 57, pi. vi ; Ehrenbaum and Strodtmann, 1904, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f.
vi, p. 84 ; Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv. Fisch,
(i). P- 156. fig- 68^ ; Petersen, 1906, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., ii (i), p. 4
pi. i, figs. 1-6; Schnakenbeck, 1929, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth., Atlant. Nord, iii, figs.
Fic. 257. — Pleuronectes platessa. B.M. (N.H.) 1923. i
p., lower pharyngeals.
Depth of body i^ to 2^ in the length, length of head 3 to 3-^. Upper profile of
head distinctly concave. Snout (in adults) longer than eye, diameter of which is
4 (young) to 8 in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge low, narrow, naked or with a few embedded scales ; a bony prominence in front
of lower eye and often a trace of another before upper eye ; a row of 4 to 7 irregular
bony prominences extending from behind the eyes to commencement of lateral line,
their bases sometimes connected by a low keel. Maxillary extending to below anterior
part of eye. length on ocular side 4^ to 4! , on blind side 35 to 4 in that of head ; lower
jaw a little projecting. 2J to 2| in head. Dental formula ?r.^-i^ J^—^- . 6 to 9 eill-
2-7 -j- 18-35
rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower pharyngeals broader, width 2| to 3^ in
length, massive, approximated for more than half their length, their inner edges angular ;
^ Consult for full list of references.
.152
KL.\ TFI SH lis ( H ETE KOSOM.-\T A )
facli with 3 rows of lart;e, obtuse, often flat, molanform teeth, arranged close tOf;cther
aloii.s: the inner, outer and posterior edges of the pharyngeal bone, tho.se of the inner
row liein.s; larger than the remainder ; sometimes i to 3 small teeth in the space
between the rows. Scales mostly cycloid, but often more or less spinulate in the male ;
occasionally a few spinulate scales present in the female ; 88 to 115 scales in a longi-
tudinal series above lateral line ; 85 to 102 pores in lateral line. Dorsal 65-79 ;
origin above or a little in front of middle of eye ; middle rays frequently with a series
of embedded scales on ocular side ; highest rays about i length of head. .\nal 48-59.
Pectoral of ocular side with 9 to 13 rays (3 to 9 branched), length 2 to 3 in that of
head, I'clvics with 6 (occasionally 7) rays. Caudal with 19 to 21 rays (12 to 15
branched), rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle generally deeper than long.
2 or 3 rather short pyloric appendages and one smaller appendage farther down the
mtestine. Vertebra 42 to 43 (13 + 29-30). Brownish or greyish, with large, rounded,
red or orange (often l)ecoming white in spirit) spots, .sometimes margined with brown,
scattered o\er the body ; a series of similar spots along dorsal and anal fins and
frequently 2 or 3 at base of caudal.
TvPE. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of north-western Europe, from the White Sea to the Gulf
oi Cadiz ;i Iceland ; Adriatic (?) [see note on p. 353].
Specimens
; E.XAMINED :
4 (370-430 n
im.).
Iceland.
Distr. Inspect. Fish.,
Hull.
I (600 mm.).
i4£lb.
Minist. Agric. Fish.
2 (580, 620 r
nm.).
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
I (625 mm.),
, skeleton.
I (690 „ ).
Off'ingleshoef, Ice
land.
I (390 ,, ).
Lapponia.
Popov.
2 (325, 650 r
nm.).
Norway.
Fisheries Kxhib.
Bohuslan.
Malm.
I (605 ,, i
.stuffed.
Danish Coast.
Gerrard.
S (210-330 n
,lm.).
Baltic.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
I (890 mm.),
stuffed.
18 lb.
Faroe Is.
Gerrard.
3 (65-78 mil
1.), skms.
Firth of Forth.
Parnell.
I (560 mm.),
, stuffed.
4 (21-37 mir
'.).
—
4 (270-410 n
im.).
Kilbren'nan Sound
, 26 fms.
Murray.
3 (24-27 mir
>■).
Off .Ardrossan, lo-
15 fms.
4 (240-255 n
am.).
st. .■Andrew's Bay.
Fish Board Scotland.
4 (36-90 mir
■■)•
St. Andrews.
.Mcintosh.
1 (30 mm.).
I (780 ,, ),
stuffed.
Dogger Bank.
Gerrard.
I (420 ,, ),
skeleton.
North Sea.
Gunther.
I (650 ,, I,
stuffed.
Gerrard.
1 (55 ,, ).
Wales.
Grav.
J (120 ,, ).
Blacksod Bay, Co.
.Mayo.
Grenfell.
I (84 .. )■
Leigh-on-Sea.
Lambert.
5 (285-375 11
im.).
Brighton.
Page.
3 (71-120
,, )■
Gerrard.
5 (77-140
,, )■
Wevmouth.
Brunner.
4 (350-365
,. )■
Plymouth.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
I (118 mm.),
skin.
Yarrell.
') (3-7 ., )■
Mevagissey.
Day.
I (270 ,, ),
stuffed.
British Coast.
—
2 (360, 565 r
nm), skui
—
I (285 mm.).
Yarrell.
I (530 ,. ),
skeleton.
I (3'>5 .. )■
' ..\pp.irratly
entering
the w(
?stern Mediterranean a'
t times. Fage
(1907) records the Plaice
PLEURONECTIN^
(98 ram.)
Naples (?).
Day.
(300
,,
.
Trieste.
Mus. Comp. Zool
(625
, stuffed.
—
—
(250,
260
ram.), skins.
ABNORMALiriES.'
Gronow Coll.
(240
tnm.
. Unusual coloration.
Denmark.
Hattersley.
(425
. Semi-albino.
Aberdeen Market.
Cooke.
(390
. Albino.
Grimsby Market.
Fishmongers'
Co.
(-95-
255
mm.). Blind side
stained.
3 miles N.E. of Liverpool Bar Light-
ship, 7 fms.
Jenkins.
(210,
230
,, ).
Entrance to Menai Straits.
(195-
232
„ ).
Off Moelfre Is., Anglesea, 13 fms.
.'
(315,
(225-
320
275
„ )■
N.N.E.'of Pufifin Isd.',' 14 fms.
(260
. Unusual coloration.
Great Yarmouth.
Patterson.
(295
. Blind side stained.
,,
__
(300
. Partial ambi-
colorate.
"
(360
(2S0
(200
. Blind side stained.
. Semi-albino.
"
(425
^^
. Ambicolorate.
^^
(280
. " Piebald."
Lowestoft.
Davis.
(265
. Nearly complete
ambicolorate.
Minist. Agric
Fis
(170
. Partial ambi-
colorate.
Southwold, Suffolk.
Collings.
(375
,,
{420
. Albino.
Dogger Bank.
Stookes.
(460
Off Terschelling.
Borley.
(245
British Coast.
Minist. Agric
Fis
(560
. Lemon-coloured.
England.
Sunshine.
(360
. Partial ambi-
colorate.
London Market.
Rhodin.
(320
•
Norman.
(350
Fishmongers
Co.
(405
. Unusual coloration.
,,
Hattersley.
(460
,','
. Blind side stained.
(350
. Verv deep bodv.
Fishmongers'
Co.
(375
. Abnormal fins.'
Towse.
(430
. Ambicolorate.
—
Fishmongers'
Co.
(300
. Partial ambi-
colorate.
Harger.
(300
„
. Blind side stained.
—
Norman.
Said to attain to a length of about 3 feet. The occurrence of the Plaice in the Adriatic
is difficult to credit and requires confirmation. In 1878. Trois found two specimens
in the fish-market at Venice, and the only other record of the species being found
in this region is the statement by Jordan and Goss (1889) that they had examined
examples from Trieste (Coll. Salmin). One of these specimens has been sent to the
British Museum by the Museum of Comparative Zoology, through the courtesy of
Prof. T. Barbour, and proves to be a typical Pleuronectes platessa.
^ The following papers describe abnormalities of the Plaice : Malm, 1882, Goteborgs. Mus. Arsskr.,
(1881), p. 23 ; Cunningham and McMunn, :894, Phil. Trans. Royal Soc, b. clxxxiv, pp. 802, 804 ;
Bateson, 1894, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 249 ; Lonnberg, 1894, Overs. Vet.-.Akad. Forh., li, p. 581 ;
Cunningham, 1895, J. Mar. Biol. .Ass., (2) iii, p. 271 ; Gadeau de Kerville, 1895, Bull. Soc. zool.
Fr., XX, p. 155 ; Mcintosh, 1895, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xiii (iii), (1894), p. 234 ; Mcintosh, 1902,
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) ix, p. 291; (7) x, p. 252; Boulenger, 1908, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 161, figs;
Elmhurst, 1911, Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., p. 77; Franz, 1925, Biol. Zentralbl., xli\-, p. 675, figs.;
Demel, 1927, Kosmos Lemburg, li, p. 228, figs.
23
67-74
48-56
9-1 1 (3-7)
70-78
51-58
10-13 (5-7)
69-79
50-57
10-13 (5-7)
70-77
53-56
10-12 (5-g)
354 FLATFISHES (HFTEROSOMATA)
Statistical studies of Plaice from the Barents Sea, Baltic, Helgoland, East Scotland,
and the south-western North Sea, have been made by Duncker and others. ' The
Baltic Plaice would appear to form a distinct race, characterised by the reduced
numbers of dorsal and anal rays (average about 5 rays in each fin), and consequently
a slight increase in the length of the caudal peduncle : a small reduction in the number
of vertebra; (average about -75) : and in the number of rays of the pectoral fin (average
about '5 to -75) ; in addition, the spinulation of the males is generally much more
marked, and the fish mature at a smaller size. The Plaice of the Cattegat agree
with those of the North Sea in the numbers of vertebra; and dorsal and anal rays,
and with those of the Baltic in the number of pectoral rays, differing from both in
having a deeper body. Slight differences have been demonstrated between samples
from various localities in the North Sea and Channel, but these are regarded as
merely " Lokalformen " by Duncker. Large series of specimens from Iceland and
from the White Sea have not yet been investigated.
The following table shows the numbers of dorsal, anal and pectoral rays in specimens
in the British Museum collection from four selected regions :
Locahiv. Dnrsal rays. Anal rays. Pectoral rays.
Baltic (8) .
North Sea (25)
Channel (20)
Iceland (8) .
It is possible that the Baltic race will eventually come to be regarded as a distinct
subspecies — Pleuronectes platessa baliica, Nilsson.
Lonnberg (1894, Overs. Vet.-Akad. Forh., li, p. 582) has described a supposed
hybrid Pleuronectes platessa x Glyptocephalus cynoglossus from the Cattegat.
Hybrid Plaice and Flounder.
PUuroni-clts fleius (part), Xilssoii, 183J, Prodr. Ithth. Scand., p. 55.
Platessa pseudofiesus,' Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 143 ; Mobius and Heinckc, 1883,
Fische Ostsee, p. 92 ; Lenz, 1891, Fische Travemiinder Bucht, p. 10 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand.
Fish., i, pp. 393, 403; Lonnberg, 1894, Overs. Vet.-Akad. Forh., li, p. 579 ; Duncker, 1896,
Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Kiel., .n.f., i (2), p. 76.
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head j3 to 3 J. Snout as long
as or a little longer than eye, diameter of which is 6J to 7 in length of head , inter-
orbital ridge naked or with some rudimentary scales ; postocular ridge consisting
of several small, obtuse prominences, more or less joined together to form a rugose
ridge, which ends in a larger prominence above the operculum and a smaller one
just behind it. Maxillan,' extendmg to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular
side 4, on blind side 3^ to 35 in that of head ; lower jaw about 3 in head. Teeth
somewhat compressed, truncate, close-set, but not forming a continuous cutting
edge ; dental formula J^ — ~ — 2_. g gill-rakers on lower part of antenor arch :
7-10 -I- 19-21
lower pharyngeals rather broad and massive, width about 3 m length, each with
3 rows of obtuse teeth, one along each side of the pharyngeal bone, with some odd.
' See Malm, 1882, Goteb. Xat. Mus. Zool. Afdel., Arsskr., in, (1881), p. 23 ; Holt, 1S94, J. Mar
Biol. Ass., (2)iii,p. 194 ; Duncker, 1895, Zool. Anz., xviii.p. 53 ; Duncker, 1896, Wiss. Meeresunter-
such., Abt. Kiel, N.r., i (2), p. 47 ; Cunningham, 1897, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., (2) iv, p. 315 ; Kyle, 1901,
Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xviii (iii) (1900), p. 189; Duncker, 1913, Jahrb. Hamburg Wiss. Anst.,
XXX (2), (1912), p. 197 : Keilhack, 1913, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, -n.f., x, p. 168 ;
Redeke, 1915, Rapp. proc.-verb. explor. mer., xxii, p. 4 ; Ssytsch-Awerinzewa, 1929, Zool. Anz.,
Ixxx, p. 149 ; Racbmanowa, 1929, Zool. Anz., Ixxxv, p. 139.
^ Some of the descriptions of P. pseiidoflesus may refer to the spinulatcd males of the Baltic race
of P. platessa.
PLEURONECTIN^
355
teeth between these rows ; teeth along the posterior edge more or less compressed
and incisor-like. Scales mostly embedded, not imbricated, except on hinder part of
body, some of those at bases of dorsal and anal fins, along the region of the lateral
line, on the postocular part of the head, and on the abdominal region ctenoid. Dorsal
(62) 67-74. Anal 46-54. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays (7 or 8 branched),
length about twice in that of head. Caudal with 18 to 20 rays (12 to 14 branched) ;
caudal peduncle about as long as deep. Intestine similar to that of Platichthys flesus.
Brownish or olivaceous, with or without orange spots on body and fins.
-Hybrid Pleuroncctes platessa X Platichthys flesu
X J.
Distribution. — Baltic ;
Specimens Examined :
I (305 mm.).
I (390 ,, ).
south-western Cattegat ; Folkestone.
aff Skovshoved.
Johansen.
Haynes.
In most respects these specimens seem to be roughly intermediate betiveen the
two parent species, but in the size of the mouth, form of the interorbital ridge, and
in the form of the intestine, they approach Platichthys flesus.
Genus 21. MICROSTOMUS.
Microstomus,^ Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 136 [Microstomus latidens, Gottsche] ;
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2653.
Cynicoglossus, Bonaparte, 1837, Icon. Faun. Ital.,iii, Pesci, (19), sign. 97 .3,descr. of Platessa passer
[Pleuronectes cynoglossus, Nilsson].
Cynoglossa, Bonaparte. 1S46, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 48 [Pleuronectes microcephalus , Donovan].
Brachyprosopon, Bleeker, 1862, Versl. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, xiii, p. 428 [Pleuronectes micro-
cephalus, Donovan].
Verccqua, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902}, p. 625 ; Jordan and Starks,
1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 210 [Verceqtta achne, Jordan and Starks].
Not to be confused with Microstoma, Cuvier (1817), a genus of Salmonoid fishes.
35f> FLAII-ISHKS (HETEROSOMA TA)
Related to Pseiidopleuyoiiectes, but with an increased number nf dorsal and anal
rays and vcrtebr.T Lips thick ; never more than 3 teeth on ocular side of either
jaw. Gill-opening scarcely extending above axil of pectoral. Dorsal with 80 to 106
rays, commencing rather close to posterior nostril of blind side. Anal with fig to
88 rays ; tip of first interhremal spine not projecting in front of fin. Rays of median
fins stout, more or less densely scaled on both sides. Caudal peduncle very short.
Skin rather thick : scales often more or less embedded, not well imbricated, cycloid ;
supplementary scales generally present in region of pores of lateral line. Intestine
with J coils, the second loop long and extending backwards well into the secondary
body-ravity of the ocular side ; 2 or 3 -|- 1 pyloric appendages, \'crtebra^ about
48 to 52 (12-13 + 35-40)-
Three species from the North Atlantic and North I'acific.
SVNOPSIS OF THK SPECIKS.
I. Snout, eye-balls and interorbital space naked or with very few scales ;
anterior nostril of ocular side with a short tube, with rather short posterior
flap ; head 4 J to si in length ; origin of dorsal at a distance behind
posterior nostril which is less than l diameter of eye.
A. no to 125 scales in lateral line ....... i, kitt.
B. 135 to 142 scales in lateral line ....... 2. achne.
II. Snout, eye-balls and mterorbital space well scaled : anterior nostril of ocular
side with a short tube, with long posterior fiap ; head 4 J to 45 in length ;
origin of dorsal at a distance behind posterior nostril which is at least
^ diameter of eye ; 144 to 149 scales in lateral line . . 3, pactficus.
I. MICROSTOMUS KITT (Walbaum).
|Sme.-\r Dab ; Lemon Dab ; Lemon Sole.]
I'h-uraiicctes kitl (part), VValbauiii, 179:;, Artedl Ichth., (.1), etl. ', p. no.'
IHeiirotiectes kilt, Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 162.
I'liuroiiectes microcephalus, Donovan. 1803, N.H. Brit. Fish., u, p. xhi ^ Fries, 1839, Vet. Akad.
Handl., li.\, (1838), p. 173 : N'ilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar. p. 609 ; Gtinther, 1862,
Cat. Fish., IV, p. 447 ; CoUett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1874), Till. p. 14,1 ; Malm, 1877, Gote-
borgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 526 ; Steindachner, 1880, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxx (i), (1879),
p. 165 ; Day, 1880-84, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 28, pi. cii ; Giinther, 1888, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb.,
XV, p. 219 ; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 402 ; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., 1,
p. 383, pi. XX, fig. I ; Schnakenbeck, 1925, in Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. ii, xii (1), p. 5, fig. 4 ;
•Saemundsson, 1927, Vit. Visend. IsLind, 11, p. 37; Schnakcnlieck, 1.129, in Joubin, Faun.
Ichth. Atlant. Xord, i, fig.
IHeuroncctcs ItTvis, Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool., iv {2}, p. 299.
Pleuronecles quensdii, Hollberg, 1821, N. Handl. Gotheborg Wett. Witt. Samh.. iv. p. 59.
IHeurtmccUs qiitutridens, Fabririus, 1824, Afhandl. K. Danske Vid. Selsk., 1, p. 39. pi. i, figs. 10, ii;
Faber, 1H29, Fische Isl., p. 138.
I'leurnnectes murnstomtis, Faber, 1828, Tidsskr. for N'aturvid,, (14), p, 245 ; Xil«on. 1832, Trodr.
Ichth. Scand., p. 53.
I'lalrssa micracephala. Fleming, 1828, Hist. Brit. Anini., p. 198; Varrell, i8v>. Brit. Fish., ed. i,
11, p. 221. fig. ; Farnell, 1838, Mem. Werner Soc, vii, p. 366, pi. xxxviii ; Yarrell, 1841, Brit.
Fish., ed. 2, ii. p. 309, fig. ; Kroyer, 1843-5, Danmarks Fisk., ii, p, 316 ; Yarrell, 18.59, Bnt.
Fisli., ed. 3,1, p. 022, fig. ; Moreau, 1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 294.
Plates^a pola, Cuvier, 1829, R. Anim., ed. 2, 11, p. 339.
I'teuronectcs cynoglossus, Nilsson, 1832, Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 53.
Mtcroslomus latidens, (iottsche, 1835, Arch. Xaturgesch., i (2), p. i.so.
? Mtcrnslomus gratilanduus, Reinhardt, 1839, Overs. K. Danske Vid. Selsk. Forh., p. 9.
('ynoi;lo<,sa tnicmcephala, lionaparte, 1846, Cat. nietod. Pesci Kurop., p. 48.
' .Mter Jago, in Ray, ' Syn. Pise.', p. 162, pi. i, fig. i (1713). The descript
ith that of Zeugoplenii pumluhts.
PLEUKONECTIN.E
357
Platessa lavis. White, 1851, List. Brit. Anira., Fish., p. 99.
Pleuronectes gilli, Steindachner, 1S68, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Iv
Microstomus kitt, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com, Fish., xi
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2654.
Cynicoglossus microcephatus, Collett, 1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 102.
Pleuronectes {Microstomus) microcephalus, Danois, 1913, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Paris, v (5), p. 99,
1 (I), p. 1004.
, (1886), p. 299 ; Jordan ami
Microstomus
epbalus, Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explor. North, :
. p. 141, fig.
Eggs, Larv,e
Yo
iningham, 1889, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., (2) i, p. 13, iigs. 6-9 ; Mcintosh, i8gi, Rep. Fish. Board
Scotland, ix (iii), (1890), p. 327, pi. x, figs. 1-5, pi. xi, figs, i, 4, 7 ; Holt, 1891, Sci. Trans. R.
Dublin Soc, (2) iv, p. 453, figs. 19-21, 39 ; Holt, 1893, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (2) v, p. 89
figs. 120-122 ; Canu, 1893, Ann. Stat, aquic. Boulogne, i, p. 130, pi. ix, figs. 3-5 ; Petersen
1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, (1893), p. 129, pi. ii, fig. 13; Cunningham, 1896, N. H
Market. Mar. Fish., p. 236, figs. 110, 11 1 ; Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish.
p. 366, figs. ; Kyle, 1898, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xvi (iii), (1897), p. 236, pi. xi, figs. 27-32
Heincke and Ehrenbaum, 1900, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., iii, p. 226, pi. x
figs. 32-34 ; Petersen, 1904, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., i (i), p. 9, pi. ii
figs. 15-21 ; Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv
Fisch. (I), p. 166. fig. 70' ; Allen. 1917, J. Mar. Biol. Ass., (2) xi, p. 229 ; Clark, 1920, J. Mar
Biol. Ass., (2) xii, p. 195, fig. 2 ; Schnakenbeck, 1928, Her. d. wiss. Komm. Meeresf., n.f., i\
(4), p. 208, pis. iii, iv ; Schnakenbeck, 1929, in Joubin, Faune Ichth. Atlant. Nord, iii, figs.
Fig. 259. — Microsiom
Depth of body 2 to 3 in the length, length of head 4J to 5|. Upper profile of
head generally a little concave. Snout naked, shorter than eye, diameter of which
i.s 3 to 4i in length of head ; lower eye scarcely in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge and eye-balls not scaled ; postocular ridge scarcely apparent ; anterior nostril
of ocular side with a short tube with rather short posterior flap. Mouth distinctly
asymmetrical, maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or not quite as far,
length on ocular side 3I to 4^, on blind side 3^ to 3J in that of head ; lower jaw not
projecting, 3 J to 3I in head. Teeth forming a continuous cutting edge ; dental formula
' Gill-rakers of moderate length, rather stout ; 10 to 12 on lower part
width of lower pharyngeals 5 to 6 in length ; each with one or two
* Consult for full list of references.
1-3 + 8-15
of anterior arch
35«
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
irregular series of conical teeth. Scales rather feebly imbricated, some more or less
embedded ; i lo to 1 25 in a longitudinal series above lateral line ; some supplementary
scales in region of pores of lateral line. Lateral line with a distinct but rather low
curve above the pectoral fin ; a short supratcmporal branch. Dorsal 85-97 ; origin
a little on blind side of head at a distance behind posterior nostril which is less than
1 diameter of eye. aliove anterior edge or anterior part of eye : highest rays ij to
twice in length of head. Anal 69-76. Pectoral of ocular side with 9 to 11 rays
(5 to 8 branched), length ij to ij in that of head. I'elvics with 5 or 6 rays. Caudal
with 18 or 19 rays (13 to 15 branched), rounded, more or less densely scaled ; caudal
peduncle j to 3I times as deep as long. Pyloric appendages of moderate length.
Vertebra" 48 (13 -f- 35). Brownish or greyish, often spotted, blotched or marbled
with paler and darker, the markings being very variable ; usually some dark spots
or blotches on median fins ; base of pectoral dusky, remainder of fin with cloudy
markings.
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Coasts of north-western Europe, from the White Sea to the Bay
of Biscay ; Iceland.
Specimens Examined :
I (350 mm.:
Bergen.
U.S. Nat. .Mus.
I (410 ,, :
Scapa Flow, Orkneys.
Cowan.
I (19 ,, :
Shetland.
Nelson.
1 (370 ,, ;
Scotland.
Giinther.
I (295 ,, ,
1, stuffed.
—
I (535 ,, ,
E. coast of Scotland.
Gerrard.
2 (435, 445
mm.),"stui?ed.
Firth of Forth.
Parnell Coll.
1 (4i.=imm.:
1. skin.
I (400 ,, ,
loch Fvnc.
Duke of .Argyll
I (125 ,,
Mouth of Loch Fyne, ;
io-60 fms.
Murray.
I (195 ..
Firth of Clyde, 10 fms.
8 (70-325 n
im.).
S.E. of Sanda Isd., 30-
-35 fms.
I (180 ,,
Sound of Sanda, 22 fm
2 (iSi, 182
mm.).
Kilbrennan Sound, 50
fms.
„
I (io2 mm.
S.W. Ireland.
Grenfell.
I (142 ,.
Off S.W. Ireland, 1 v> I
nis.
Brunner.
I (330 ,,
), skeleton.
British coast.
—
I (380 „
), stufied.
England.
—
3 (280-445
mm.), skins.
Yarrell.
I (350 mm.
English coast.
Gray.
2 (250, 330
mm.), „
Plymouth.
Yarrell.
2 (300, 350
,, ), ,,
S. Devon.
1 {340 mm.;
), stuffed.
Polperro.
—
■(■85 .. ,
—
Gunther.
I (370 mm). Orange and blark.
Attains to a length of 12 to 15 mches
2. MICROSTOMUS ACHNE (Jordan and Starks).
i-emqua achne, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., x.xii, (1902), p. 6^5, pi.
Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 210, fig. 16 ; Jordan, 1
Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 328, fig. 277.
.\Hcrostnmus itelUn. Jordan and Starks, 190(1, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 225, fig. 2;
K112, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlii, p. 440 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913. J- Coll. '.
xxxiii (I), p. 331, fig. 280 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 489 ;
. Japan, xxii, p. 390, pi. cvi, fig. 326 ; Hubbs, i
and Hubbs, 1925, Mem. Carnegie Mus.. x, p. 300
366 ; Soldatov and Lindberg. 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci.
18, Annol. Zool. Japo
Schimdt,
C.R. .\cad. Sci. Ru
I ; Snyder,
5Ci. Tokyo,
laka, 1916,
; Jordan
PLEURONECTIN^
Microstomus achne, Hubbs, 1918, Annot. Zool. Japon., ix, p. 371 ; Hubbs, 1932, Occ. Pap. Mus.
Zool. Univ. Mich., 249, p. 6.
Microstomus sp., Schmidt, 1931, C. R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 318.
Very close to M. kitt. Depth of body 2J to 3 in the length, length of head 4J to 5.
Upper profile of head evenly curved or a very little concave. Diameter of eye 2J
to 4J in length of head ; lower eye very slightly in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge sometimes with a few rudimentary scales. Length of maxillary on ocular
side 3i to 4, on blind side 3J to 35 in that of head ; lower jaw 3J to 3 J in head. Dental
formula
0 +
Gill-rakers short, rather stout ; g or 10 on lower part of anterior
o + 8-12 ^
arch ; lower pharyngeals each with two even rows of sharp teeth. Scales scarcely
Fig. 260. — Microstoti
imbricated ; 135 to 142 in a longitudinal series just above lateral Une. Lateral line
sometimes with a short supratemporal branch. Dorsal (79) 84-95 ; origin above
middle of eye or a little farther forward ; highest rays 2 to 2 j in length of head. Anal
(65) 67-77 (79)- Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays (6 to 8 branched), length
ij to i§ in that of head. Caudal with 21 or 22 rays (16 branched) ; caudal peduncle
2 to 2f times as deep as long. Pyloric appendages rather long. Brownish, with
traces of darker markings ; blind side sometimes spotted or blotched with brown ;
median fins more or less dusky on blind side ; pectoral greyish or blackish.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51448.
Distribution. — Coasts of China and Japan.
Specimens Examined :
I (230 mm.).
I (290 ,, ).
I (210 ,, ).
I (250 „ ).
China.
Japan.
Tokyo Market.
\Vu.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Tokyo Imp. Un
Jordan.
36o
FLATFISHES (HETFKOSOMA TA)
3 MICROSTO.MUS I'ACIKICUS (Lockington).
[SLIPPliKV SoLK.|
Ghptaccphalus pactficui, Lockington, i87,S-(j, Kcp. Cil. Com. l-ishcrics. p. 43; I.OLkmRton, 18S0
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii, (1879). p. 81. ; Jordan, 1S84, Nat. Hist. .-Vqiiat. .Aiiini. (I-ishcries I'lsli
liuiust. i;..S.,i), p. 1S8.
rvnicoe/cssus pacificus, Jordan and Gillierl, i.s.Si. Proc. U.S. Xat. Mc
and Cdbcrt, 1S82, Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mim.. n , (i.ssi), p. (,s ; Jordai
Nat. Mns., xvi, p. 83S.
Microslomm pacificus, Jordan and Goss, i8«i). Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. Jijg ; Jordan
and Evennann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., .\lvii {3), p. 2655 ; Evermann and Goldsborough.
1907, liull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 3J7 ; Starks .and Morris. 1907. Univ. Calif. Pub.
Zool, ill (II), p. 24"^ ; Starks, 1911, .Ann. Canii'Kii- .Mus., vii. ]
Game. IV (.,). p. 10. tig. o'l-
. (iNSo), p. 45.i; Jordan
Gilbert, 18S3, Hull. U.S.
, Calif. iMsh
dental funmila
Gill-rakers rather short and stout ; 9 to 1 1 on lower
Depth of body 2| to 3J in the length, length of head 4J to 45. I'pper profile
of head more or less evenly curved. Snout scaled, shorter than eye, diameter of which
is 3 to 4 in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge
and upper surfaces of eye-balls more or less scaled ; postocular ridge scarcely apparent ;
anterior nostril of ocular side with a short tube, with long posterior flap. Mouth
rather asymmetrical, maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length
on ocular side 4 to 4J, on blind side 33 to 3J in that of head ; lower jaw
scarcely projecting, 3 to 3!- in head. Teeth forming a continuous cutting edge ;
13-1*)
part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals about 7 or S in length ; each with
an inner row of strong conical teeth, and anteriorly an outer series of 5 to 7 much
smaller teeth. Scales fairly well imbricated ; about 146 in a longitudinal .series
above lateral line ; no supplementary scales. Lateral line with a very low curve above
the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch. Dorsal 94-106 ; origin at a distance
behind posterior no.stril which is at least i diameter of eye. a little behind middle
of eye ; highest rays about twice in length of head. Anal 80-88. Pectoral of ocular
side with 9 or 10 rays (6 or 7 branched), length ij to ij in that of head. Pelvics
with 5 or 6 rays. Caudal with 21 rays (15 branched), rounded, densely scaled;
caudal peduncle nearly twice as deep as long. Vertebra; 52 (12 + 40), Brownish ;
indistinctly mottlefl with darker ; all the fins blackish towards their edges on both
sides.
PLEURONECTIN.^i
3f>i
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution.
— Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to southern Cahfornia.
Specimens
Examined
I (325 mm.).
Puget Sound.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
2 (88, 160 mm
1.).
San Juan Is., Washington.
Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
I (245 mm.).
Off central California (37' 49' N.,
123° 23' W.), 191 fms.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
I (138 „ ).
Off central California (37° 05' N..
122° 24' W.), 43 fms.
I (305 „ ).
Off southern California (33° 55' N.,
120° 28' W.), 376 fms.
••
3 (205-230 mi
11.).
Pt. Reyes, Cal.
Eigenmann.
Attains to a length of 15 to 18 inches.
nbassichthys, Jordan ;
balkybius, Gilbert].
Genus 22.
nd Evermann, i89<
EMBASSICHTHYS.
, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xxi
(1895), p. 506 [Cynicoglo.
Apparently closely related to Microslomus, differing in having the teeth nearly
equally developed on both sides of jaws, with at least 7 teeth on ocular side of each jaw.
Dorsal with ill to 117 rays, commencing at a distance behind posterior nostril of
blind side nearly equal to diameter of eye ; anal with 96 to 98 rays ; dorsal and anal
fins densely covered with scales. Skin thick. Vertebrae 63 (14 -(- 49).
A single species from the coast of California.
I. EMBASSICHTHYS BATHYBIUS (Gilbert).
Cynicoglossus bathybius, Gilbert, l8gi, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xiii, (i8go), p. 123.
Embassichihys bathybius, Jordan and Evermann, 1896, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xxi, (1895), p. 506 ;
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2655 ; Townsend and Nichols,
1925, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Hi (1), p. 17, pi. iv, fig. 3.
Body oval, thin. Depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of head 4 to 4J.
Upper profile of head very abruptly angulated opposite hinder margin of pupil of upper
eye, the anterior half of the head conspicuously protruding beyond general outline.
362 FLATFISHES (HETKKOSnMAlA)
Diameter of eye 2 J to 2i in length of head ; lower eye well in advance of npper, which
enters largely into dorsal profile of head ; eyes separated by a high, rather sharp,
--shaped, scaled ridge : postocular ridge not apparent- The length of the maxillary
about J or I that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting. Teeth broad, mcisor-like.
shghth- notched .it tip; dental formula on blind side — . Gill-rakers weak, rather
21
short : 10 or 11 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales cycloid, about i(>5 in lateral
line. Dorsal 111-117; origin above posterior part of eye; highest rays | length
of head. Anal q6-g8. Pectoral with 11 rays, length about J that of head. Pelvics
with 5 rays, small. Caudal small, rounded ; caudal peduncle short. Brownish,
darker towards margins, becoming black on median fins ; body and fins coarsely
blotched with pale blue, the marks so arranged on upper and lower thirds of sides
as to form 5 broad bluish bars, alternating with those of the ground-colour
and corresponding above and below ; lips and branchiostegal membranes black ;
blind side dusky brownish.
TvPH. — United States National Museum. No. S7581 (paratype).
Distribution. — Coast of California, from south of Monterey to Santa Barbara
Isd. ; in deep water.
The species was originally described from two specimens from the Santa
Barbara Channel (33" 49' N., 119' 24' W.). in 603 fathoms. Other examples were
recorded by Townsend and Nichols from 440 to 659 fathoms.
Genus 23. TANAKIUS.
Tanakius. Hubbs. I'llS, Annot. Zool. Japon.. ix. p. i7u [Murnstomus kitulmt<c. Jord.m .ind St.irks] ;
Hubb<i, I0J2, Ore. P.ip. Mus. Zool. Univ. .\Iirh., ^^c,, p. ;.
Apparently related to Dexistes, but with an increased number of dorsal and anal
rays and vertebrae. Body elongate-elliptical. I'pper surfaces of eye-balls scaled.
Lips not thick ; teeth well developed on both sides of jaws ; compressed and incisor-
like, close-set. Gill-opening extending above axil of pectoral. Dorsal with 84 to
102 rays ; commencing well behind posterior nostril of blind side. Anal with 75 to
81 rays ; tip of first interh;emal spine not projecting in front of fin. A few rays at
hinder ends of dorsal and anal fins branched ; fin-rays not stout. Skm thin ; scales
well imbricated, not embedded, cycloid ; no supplementary scales in region of lateral
line ; no mucous cavities on blind side of head. Intestine with two coils, the second
loop long and extending backwards into the secondary body-cavity of the ocular
side ; 2 or 3 -|- 3 or 4 pyloric appendages.
A single species from Japan.
Hubbs (1918) has pointed out the general similarity in appearance between this
genus and Dexistes, and originally placed the two in the same genus. Dexistes would
appear to be more nearly related to Limanda and Psendopleuronecies.
I. TANAKIUS KITAHAR.F: (Jordan and Starks).
Plcuronectcs c\iwi;linsus {non Linnajus), Otaki. 1897, Journ. Fish. Bur. Tokyo, vi (i), p. 7. pi. vi,
fig. "•
Microstomtts kitaharo', Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii. (1902), p. 6:35, pi. vu,
fig. 2 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p, 22.^, fig. 21 ; Jordan, Tanaka
and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 332 ; Hubbs. 1915, Pror. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
xhiii. p. 490 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 413.
Dctistc [lanakius) kitaham, Hubbs, 1918, Annot. Zool. Japon., ix. p. 371.
fnnakius kUahartr, Jordan and Hubbs, 192';. Mem. Carnegie .Mus., x, p. 300 ; Hubbs, 1032, Occ.
Pap. .Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich.. 249. p. b.
i.lyptocephalus kitahar,c (part), Schmidt, 1929, C. R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 3(17.
(.lyptocephalui kitahara, Schmidt, 1931, C. R. .\c,id. Sri. Russ., p. 31S.
Ghptocephalu!. (Iiumkius) kilnharir, Srhmidt, 1931, Trans. Par. Com. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.K., 11, p. 127.
PLEURONECTIN.«
363
Depth of body 3 to 3 J in the length, length of head 4§ to nearly 5. Upper profile
of head more or less evenly curved. Snout naked, much shorter than eye, diameter
of which is 3 to 3J in length of head ; lower eye a very little in advance of upper ;
mterorbital ridge rather high, very narrow, more or less scaled ; postocular ridge
scarcely apparent. Mouth not markedly asymmetrical, the maxillary extending
to below anterior J of eye, length on ocular side 3f to 4, on blind side 3I to 3I
in that of head ; lower jaw scarcely projecting, 2^ to 2J in head. Teeth forming
a continuous cutting edge, rather smaller on ocular side of jaws ; dental formula
-~ ■*- X-'t- . Gill-rakers rather short and stout ; 7 or 8 on lower part of anterior
11-15 + 16-IQ
arch ; width of lower pharyngeals more than 5 in length ; teeth of inner row much
larger than those of outer. About 100 scales in a longitudinal series above lateral
13. M. (X.H.) 1923.
line. Lateral Une with a very slight curve above the pectoral fin ; a very
inconspicuous, short supratemporal branch. Dorsal (84) 87-93 (102) ; origin just
behind middle of eye; highest rays about twice in length of head. Anal 75-81.
Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays (8 branched), length ij to ij in that of
head. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 23 rays (15 branched), rounded or obtusely
pointed ; caudal peduncle if to if times as deep as long. Reddish brown ; distal
parts of pectoral and caudal fins blackish.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51418.
Distribution. — Southern Japan ; Corea.
Specimens Examined :
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Stanford Univ.
Tokyo Imp. Univ.
I (205 mm.).
Japan.
I (170 ,, ). Paratype.
Tokyo.
2 (135, 220 mm.).
Tokyo Market.
Genus 24. GLYPTOCEPHALUS.
Glyptocephalus, Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 136 [PUurontctes saxicola, Faber] ; Gill,
1873, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xxv, p. 360 ; Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) xi,
p. 221.
Errex, Jordan, 1919, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Ixx, (1918), p. 343 [Glyptocephalus zachirus,
Lockington].
364 FLATFISHHS (HETICKOSOMATA)
Close to Tanakiiis. Snout and eye-balls naked or more or less scaled. All the
rays of the dorsal and anal fins simple : tip of first interha;mal spine projecting
in front of anal fin, sometimes very small and hidden in the skin. Blind side of head
with large mucous cavities in the skull. 2 or 3 + 2 to 5 pyloric appendages. Vertebrae
58 to 65 (12-14 + 45-5^)-
Three species from the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Synopsis of thi; Sphcihs.
I. Pectoral of ocular side shorter than head ; snout not scaled . 58 to 60
vertebrs ; anal spine rather small [Glvptocephalus],
.^. Dorsal (95) 97-115 (120). anal 85-qg (102): 2 + 4 or 5 pyloric
appendages . . . . . . . . .1. cynoglossus.
B. Dorsal (83) 88-<)6 (97), anal (72) 75-80 ; 3 or 4 + 2 or 3 pyloric
appendages . . . . . . . . . .2. stelleri.
II Pectoral of ocular .side much longer than head ; snout more or less scaled ;
65 vertebrae ; anal spine strong [Errex] .... 3. zachirua.
I. GLVPTOCEPHALUS CVNOGLOSSUS (Linnjcus).
[Witch : Pole Flounder.]
Pltitronectrs cynoglossus, Linnsus, 1738. Svst. Nat.,ed. 10, p. 269 ; 1766, ed. iz, p. 456 ; Fries, 1839,
Vet. .Akad. Handl., Iix. (1838), p. 166; Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 6:3;
Gunther. 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 449; CoUett, 1875, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1874), Till. p. 147;
Malm, 1877, Goteborgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 527 ; Day, 1880-S4, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 30, pi. ciii ;
Gunther, 1887, Deep-Sea Fish. " Challenger ", p. i6fi ; Gunther, 1888, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb.,
XV, p. 219 ; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 386 ; Sniitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i, p.
378, pi. .xix, tig. 3 ; Holt and Calderwood, 1895, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc., (ii) v, p. 50^ ;
Schnakenbeck, 192.^, in Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. ii, xii (l), p. 6, fig. 5 ; Saeniundsson, 1927, Vit.
Visind. Island, ii. p. 37 ; Schnakenbeck, 1929, in Joubin, Faun. Irhth. .\tlant. Nord, 111, lig.
? Solca cynoglossa. Rafinesque, i8io, Ind. itt. Sicil., p. 53.
Pleuronectes saxicola, Faber, 1828, Tidsskr. for Xaturvid., (14), p. 244.
PlfUTonccles nigromanus, Nilsson, 1829, Isis (Oken), p. 401 ; N'Usson, 1832, Prodr. Irhth. Scand., p.
55 ; Valenciennes, 1838-51, in Gaimard, Voy. Isl. Groenl., Atlas, Poiss. pi. xiii.
Cilyptocephalus saxicola, Gottsche, 1835, Arch. Naturgesch., 1 (2), p. 156.
Platessa pola, Jenyns, 1835, Man. Brit. .■\nim., p. 458 ; Varrell, 1836, Brit, Fish., ed. i, li, p. 227,
tig. ; Bonaparte, 1846, Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 48.
Platessa elongata, Varrell, 1839, Brit. Fish., ed. i, ii, Suppl. p. a ; Varrell, 1S41, lirit. Fish., ed. 2,
ii.p. 31S.
Platessa saxicola, Kro\er, 1H43-5, Daniii.irks Fisk., 11, p. 338, tig.
Pleuronecles elongatus, Giinther, 1862, C.it. Fish., iv, p. 4Su; Dav, 1S79, Proc. Zool. Soc, p. 755,
pi. Ixi.
Glyptocephahis elongatus. Gill, 1873, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. id., xxv, p. 362.
Glyptocephalus acadianus, Gill, 1873, torn, cit., p. 360.
Glvptocephalus cynoglossus. Gill, 1873, toni. cil., p. 360 ; Goode and Bean, 1879, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., i, (1878), p. 21 ; CoUett, 1879, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., {1S78), p. 98 ; Collett, 1880, Vid.-Selsk.
Forh., (1879), p. 82; Collett, 1880, Xorske Xordhavs.Exped., Zool., Fiske, p. 150: Goodc,
1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii, (18S0), p. 475 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
XVI, p. 838 ; Goodc. 1S84, .Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anini. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 198, pi.
Ivii ; Jordan and Goss, 18S9, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 300, pi. viu, lig. 19 ; Goode
and Bean, 1S95, Ocean. Ichth., p. 340, pi. cii, tig. 356 ; Collett, 1896, Res. Camp. Sci. Monaco.
X, p. loi ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2657 ; Collett, 1903,
\'id.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 102 ; Johnsen, 1919, Bergens .Mus. Aarb., 1918-1919, .No. 6, p. 47 :
Huntsman, 1922, Contr. Canad. Biol., 1921, .No. iii, p. 22; Bigelow and Welsh, 1925, Bull.
U.S. Bur. Fish., xl (i), (1924), p. 511, figs. 263-267 ; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci. Explor,
North, xxvii,p. 141, hg. i..i ; Chabanaud, 1930, Bull. .Mus. Hist. nat. Pans, (2) 11, p. 627.
Platessa cvnnglossa. Morcau, 18S1, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, 111, p. 296.
PLEURONECTIN.E
365
Eggs, Larv.€ and Young.
mingham, 1887, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb., xxxiii (i), p. loi, pi. iii, figs. 7-9, pis. iv, v ; Mcintosh
and Prince, 1890, Trans. R. Soc. Edinb., xxxv (3), p. 839, pi. xviii, figs. 7-9 ; Holt, 1891, Sci.
Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (2) iv, p. 455 ; Holt, 1893, Sci. Trans. R. Dublin Soc, (2) v, p. 84, pi. ix,
figs. 71-75, pi. XV, figs. 123-4 ; Petersen, 1894, Rep. Danish Biol. Stat., iv, (1893), p. 130,
pi. ii, figs. 14, 20 ; Cunningham, 1896, N. H. Market. Mar. Fish., p. 233, figs. 108, 109 ;
Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit. Mar. Food-fish., p. 372, figs. ; Heincke and Ehrenbaum,
1900, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland, n.f., iii, p. 229 ; Holt and Byrne, 1903, Rep.
Fish. Ireland, (1901), II. Sci. Invest., iv, p. 67, pi. iii ; Kyle, 1903, J. Mar. Biol. .\ss., n.s., vi,
p. 618, pi. iii, fig. 2; Williamson, 1904, Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xxii (iii). (1903), p. 270,
pi. xvi ; Petersen, 1904, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. Kjob., Ser. Fisk., i (l), p. 9, pi. ii,
figs. 22-28; Ehrenbaum, 1905, in Brandt and Apstein, Nordisches Plankton, I. Eier Larv.
Fisch. (i), p. 171, fig. 71 ; Schnakenbeck, 1928, Ber. d. wiss. Komm. Meeresf., n.f., iv (4), p. 211,
pi. v ; Schnakenbeck, 1929, in Joubin, Faun. Ichth. Atlant. Nord, iii, figs.
Fig. 264. — Glypiocephalus
MISSUS. B..M. (N.H.) 88.3.16.2.
Gill-rakers short, rather stout ; 6 to 9
Depth of body 2| to 3^ in the length, length of head 4 J to 5 J. Upper profile of
head more or less evenly conve.x. Snout not scaled, shorter than eye, diameter of
which is 3 J to 4^ in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge rather low, narrow, scaled ; postocular ridge scarcely apparent ; eye-balls
not scaled. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye,
length on ocular side 4^ to 5, on blind side 3I to 4^ in that of head ; lower jaw a little
projecting, about 3 in head. Teeth somewhat compressed, with incisor-like edges,
forming a subcontinuous cutting edge ; bluntly conical and separated on ocular side
in voung ; dental formula ~ ' ' — ^ — .
9-16 -\- 20-26
on lower part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals more than 5 times in
length ; teeth of inner row distinctly larger than those of outer. Scales varying
in size, somewhat irregularly arranged, mostly cycloid, but sometimes a few feebly
ctenoid on ocular side; no to 140 in a longitudinal series just above lateral line.
Lateral line nearly straight or with a very low curve above pectoral fin ; a short
supratemporal branch. Dorsal (95) 97-115 (120) ; origin on median line, well behind
posterior nostril of blind side and above anterior part of eye ; highest rays about
i length of head. .\nal 85-99 (102) ; interhaemal spine rather small. Pectoral of
ocular side with 9 to 13 rays (6 to 10 branched), length li to 2 J in that of head. Pelvics
with 6 rays. Caudal with 20 to 24 rays (12 to 16 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle
li times to twice as deep as long. 2 -j- 4 or 5 rather long pyloric appendages. Vertebras
58 to 60 (12-14 -|- 45~4*^)- Brownish or greyish brown ; body and fins thickly speckled
with minute black dots, which are generally fewer, larger and more scattered on blind
side ; median fins more or less dusky towards their margins on both sides ; anterior
rays of dorsal and anal sometimes tipped with paler ; distal part of pectoral blackish.
366
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — North Atlantic,
Specimens Examined :
uthwards to Cape Co<i and the Bay of Biscay.'
I (400 mm.).
I (300 ,, ).
1 (480 ,. ). stuffed.
3 (335-410 [iim.).
2 {340,420 .. ).
I (190 mm.}.
I (130 ,, ).
I {430 >. )•
5 (175-350 mm.).
I (22J mm.).
8 (90-360 mm.).
- (225, 375 mm.).
I (356 mm.).
5 (i'o-295 mm.).
1 (350 mm.), stuffed.
2 (176, 180 mm.).
I (430 mm.).
3 (265-475 mm.), skms.
-: (330, 450 ,. ). ..
I (270 mm.), skins.
3 (295-490 mm.), skins.
I (380 mm.), skins.
I (220 ,, ).
I (285 ,. ).
I (270 ,. ).
Chrislianiaiiord.
Westray Sands, Orkney.
Firth of Forth.
Off Skate Isd., Loch Fvne, lou
Lower Loch Fyne, 80 fms.
Loch Houn, 70 fins.
Loch Canon, 60 fms.
Kilbrennan Sound, 60-70 fms.
46 fms.
,, 46 fms.
tollett.
Cowan.
. fms
I3etv
Sanda
24 fms.
Loch Strivan, 40 fins.
Ireland.
02S.W. Ireland. 130 fn
■^'armouth.
nth.
Ply
S. Devon.
Bri,\bam.
British coast.
Gloucester, Ma
37' 10' 15' N.,
31' 53' N'., 70'
17- W.
Attains to a length of 12 to 18 inches.
Lonnberg (1894, Overs. Vet.-Akad. Forh., li, p. 582) describes
Cattegat, which he believes to be a hybrid Pleurouecles plalessa
cynoglossus.
2. GLYPTOCEPHALUS STELLERI (Schmidt).
LSs. Geogr. Soc, ;
Microstomus sUlUri, [Schmidt, 1903, Bull. Imp
Schmidt, 1904, Pisc. Mar. Orient., p. 247.
Glyplocephalus, Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 226.
Gtyplocephalus ostroumowi, Pavlenko, 1910, Trudui Obshch. Kazan, xlii, p. 59, pi
1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviu, p. 491 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925, Mem
Thompson.
Brunner.
Patterson.
Yarrell.
Par'nell Coll.
Yarrell.
Gronow Coll.
U.S. Nat. Mu:
. fish from the
Glyplocephalus
(5), (1902), p. 522] ;
li, tig. 13 ; Hubbs,
Carnegie Mus., x.
p. 301.
Glyptocephalu
Mu5.,xli;
p. 332.
sa$i£, Snyder,
p. 440,pl.xlix,
Proc. U.S. N;
; Jordan, Tac
t. Mus., xl, p. 54S ; Snvder, 1912, Proc. U.S. Nat.
akaand Snyder, 191 3, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i).
p. 67 [in Japanese] ;
Microstomus hireguro, Tanaka, 1916, Dobuts. Zasshi (Zool. Mag.),
Tanaka, 1917, Fish. Japan, xxv, p. 447, pi. cxxii, tig. 351.
Glyptocephaius kitaham (part), Schmidt, 1929, C. R. Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 367.
Glyptocepkalui oitroumovi. Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v. p. 414.
Glyplocephalus stcUeri, Hubbs, 1932, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Umv. .Mich., 249, p. 7.
Close to G. cynoglossus. Depth of body 2j to 3^ in the length, length of head
4J to 4J. Diameter of eye 3J to 4 in length of head ; interorbital ridge high, narrow,
apparently not scaled. Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior edge of eye,
length on ocular side 45 to nearly 5, on blind side 3J to 4 in that of head. Teeth
compressed, incisor-Iike, forming a continuous cutting edge ; dental formula -Z-lt — °
13 + 20-
Scales all cycloid ; about 115 (?)
7 or 8 (10) giU-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
This species appears to be found in rather deeper water tlK
been collected
les appears to be found in rather deeper 1
at all depths from 10 to 730 fathoms.
elated forms, but specimens have
PLEURONECTIN^ 367
in a longitudinal series above lateral line. Dorsal (83) 88-96 (97) ; origin above
middle of eye. Anal (72) 75-80. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 12 rays (7 or 8
branched), length i| to ij in that of head. Caudal with 22 or 23 rays (14 or 15
branched), double-truncate or a little rounded ; caudal peduncle about ij times
as deep as long. 3 or 4 -)- 2 or 3 rather long pyloric appendages.
Type. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. No. 12347-52.
Distribution. — Shores of Japan, from southern Sakhalin to southern Hondo ;
Sea of Japan ; Peter the Great Bay ; Corea.
Specimens Examined :
I (230 mm.). Obama, Wakasa Prov., Japan. Tokyo Imp. Univ.
I (260 ,, ). Sea of Japan, off Kasumi Prov. ,,
I (180 ,, ). 45° 25' N., 140' 53' W. U.S. N'at. Mus.
3. GLYPTOCEPHALUS ZACHIRUS, Lockington.
[Long-finned Sole.]
Glyptocephalus zachirus, Lockington, 1878-9. Rep. Cal. Com. Fisheries, p. 42 ; Lockington, 1880,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., ii, (1879), p. 88 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iii,
(1880), p. 453 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1882. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 68 ; Jordan and
Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi. p. 838 ; Jordan. 1884, Nat. Hist, .\quat. Anim. (Fisheries
Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 188 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com, Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 301 ;
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2658 ; Evermann and Golds-
borough, 1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 357; Starks and Morris, 1907, Univ.
Calif. Pub. Zool.,iii (ri), p. 246 ; Starks, 1911, Ann. Carnegie Mus., vii, p. 206 ; Starks, 1918,
Calif. Fish Game, iv (4), p. 16, tig. 100.
Errex zachirus, Jordan, 1919, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Ixx, (1918), p. 343.
Depth of body 3 to 3^ in the length, length of head 4! to 5J. Upper profile of
head distinctly convex. Snout scaled, shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3J to
3g in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge narrow,
scaled; postocular ridge scarcely apparent ; eye-balls not scaled. Maxillary extending
to below anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length on ocular side 4^ to 5J, on blind
side about 4 in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, 3 to 3I in head. Teeth
compressed, incisor-like, forming a more or less continuous cutting edge ; dental
formula - „ - -— „. Gill-rakers rather short and stout ; 7 or 8 on lower part
10-18 -f 20-28 ^
of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals 7 or 8 in length ; teeth of inner row
3b8
FLATFISUKS (JUCTEROSOMAIA)
much largiT than those of outer. Scales all cycloid ; about 140 in a longitudinal
series above lateral line. Lateral line nearly straight ; no supratemporal branch.
Dorsal 04-107; origin well behind posterior nostril of blind side, above middle or
anterior jiart of eye ; highest rays about -J length of head. Anal 79-86 (8g) ; inter-
hac-nial spine strong. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays (4 or 5 branched),
fourth ray longest, length 2i to 3 in that of fish (without caudal)' ; pectoral fin of
blind side not produced. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 23 or 24 rays (14 or 15
branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle i| to ij times as deep as long. 2 or 3 -|- 3
pyloric appendages of moderate length. Vertebrae 65 (13 -\- 52). Brownish or
greyish ; both sides of body and fins speckled with fine black dots, which are fewer,
larger and more scattered on blind side ; all the fins dusky towards their edges.
I-'IC. 2bb.~Glyplaccphalus zaclnrus. B.M. (N.H.) 90
Type. — Not traced.
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North .America, from the Bering Sea to San
Francisco ; in rather deep water.
Specimens E.xamined :
I (3Jomm.).
I (230 ,, ).
3 (3o.'>-34o mm.)
I (260 ,, ).
Rarely exceeds a length of 12 inches
46° 09' \., 124 z:' \V.
OH central talifonua (37' ji' N.. i:y W.), 217 fms.
Pt. Reves, Cal.
U.S. Nat. Mil
Genus 25. I.IOPSETTA.
I.iopsetta, Gill. 1864, Proc. .\cad. Nat. Sci. Phi
Evermann, i8q8, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.. xl
(10) xi, p. 221.
i.uchalarodus. Gill, 1H64, torn, cit., pp. 216, 22]
i.areus. Hubbs, lois. Pror. U.S. Nat. Mus., .x
[Huchalarodus putnami,
Ivin, p. 4S6 [Pleuronectcs
g,lahm, Storcr) ; Jordan and
1933, Ann. Mat;. 'Nat. Hist.,
Body oblong, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a low, narrow
ridge, which may be naked or scaled, the upper close to edge of head ; snout and
eye-balls not scaled ; postocular ridge rugose. Olfactory laminae few in number,
nearly parallel, without rachis. Mouth rather small, the length of the maxillary
on blind side less than \ that of head ; jaws and dentition stronger on blind side
of head ; teeth compressed, incisor-like, forming a more or less continuous cutting
' Shorter in the young.
PLEURONECTIN^ 369
edge, not enlarged anteriorly, uniserial in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers
rather short, stout, few in number ; lower pharyngeals of moderate width or rather
broad, their width 2 to 4J in the length, generally massive, approximated for at least
5 their length, their inner edges more or less angular ; teeth coarse, obtusely conical,
rounded or molariform, arranged in two or more rows. Dorsal fin with less than
70 rays ; commencing just behind posterior nostril of blind side and above eye ;
all the rays simple, many of them scaled, at least on ocular side. Tip of first inter-
haemal spine projecting in front of anal fin, which has less than 50 rays. Pectoral
fin of ocular side a little larger than that of bhnd side ; middle rays branched. Pelvic
fins short-based, subequal and subsymmetrical. Caudal fin with 12 or 13 branched
rays, middle rays longest ; caudal peduncle short or of moderate length. Scales
small, adherent, more or less imbricated posteriorly, generally embedded anteriorly,
ctenoid or cycloid ; the male with rougher scales than the female ; no supplementary
scales. Lateral line nearly straight or with a low curve above the pectoral fin ; a
.supratemporal branch, without posterior prolongation. Vent median, between
the pelvic fins ; intestine not narrow, of moderate length, with 3 or 4 simple coils,
nearly entirely contained within body-cavity of blind side ; 2 very short pyloric
appendages. Vertebrae (38) 40 (13 -f- 27).
Four species from Arctic and subarctic seas.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Lateral line with low but distinct curve above pectoral fin ; lower pharyngeals
rather narrow, width 3J to 4^ in length, not very massive, each with
2 rows of obtusely conical teeth ; dorsal 59-67, anal 44-49 [Gareus] i. obsciira.
n. Lateral line straight or with very slight curve above pectoral fin ; lower
pharyngeals broad, width 2 to 3 in length, massive, each with more than 2
rows of rounded or molarifrom teeth ; dorsal48-59, anal 35-42 [Liopsetta].
A. Head 3 J to 3I in length ; pectoral about twice in head in male, shorter
in female ; width of lower pharyngeals about 3 in the length, teeth
rounded, not entirely confluent.
1. Dorsal and anal without blackish bars .... 2. glacialis.
2. Dorsal and anal each with a row of blackish bars . . 3. pinnifasciata.
B. Head 3J to 3J in length ; pectoral about i J in head in male, shorter in
female ; width of lower pharyngeals 2 to 2J in length, the teeth more
or less flattened and confluent ..... 4. putnami.
These species form a natural group, which appears to connect Limanda and
Pseudopleuronecles on the one hand with Platichthys on the other. L. obscura is,
in many respects, very similar to Pseudopleuronectes, the lower pharyngeals being
narrower and less massive than in the other species of Liopsetta, and their teeth
conical and arranged in two rows. It agrees with the remaining species of Liopsetta,
however, in having the scales rougher in the male than in the female.^
Liopsetta glacialis, pinnifasciata and putnami are very closely related, and it
would perhaps be better to regard these as subspecies of a single variable species.
I have hesitated to adopt this course, however, as the material at my disposal is
far from adequate.
1. LIOPSETTA OBSCURA (Herzenstein).
Pleuronectes obscurus, Herzenstein, 1891, [Mel. Biol., xiii (l)] Bull. Ac. Imp. Sci. St. Petersbourg,
xxxiv (N.s. 11), p. 45.
Liopsetta obscura, Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2651 ; Jordan and
Gilbert, 1899, Fur Seals and fur-seal Is. N. Pacif., (3), p. 492 ; Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar.
Orient., p. 244, tig. 20; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 217; Pavlenko,
1 9 10, Trudui Obshch. Kazan, xlii. p. 59 ; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 19 13, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
xxxiii (i), p. 329 : Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 407.
Liopsetta {Gareus) obscura, Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 486.
* Unfortunately, it has been impossible to ascertain the form of the pyloric caca in this species.
24
370 FI.ATFISHKS (HKTEROSOMATA)
Deptli of body 2\ to -'J in the length, length of head 3]* to 4. Upper profile of
head nearly straight. Snout as long as or somewhat shorter than eye, diameter
of which is 4J to 6 in length of head and 3 or 4 times interorbital width, which is
scaled ; anterior margins of eyes level ; postocular ridge rather inconspicuous, rugose.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length on ocular
side 4 to' 4^, on blmd side 3I in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, 2| to 3J
m head dental formula ^^ '- ' '"'3 6 or 7 (10) gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
0-2 + 15-16
arch : lower pharyngeals not very massive, their width 3J to 4^ in length, each with
2 rows of obtusely conical teeth, the anterior teeth of the inner row larger than the
remainder.' Scales mostly imbricated, those on head and extreme anterior part of
body more or less embedded ; strongly ctenoid on ocular side and nearly all ctenoid
on blind side in the male, cycloid on both sides of body in the female ; pra'operculum
and operculum naked on blind side of head ; 7S to 83 scales in a longitudinal series
Fig. 267. — Liopsetta nbscti
er pfiaryngeals
above lateral line, 37 to 39 between lateral line and middle of back. Lateral line
with a low but distinct curve above pectoral fm. Dorsal (59) 60-63 (^7) : origin
above antenor i of eye ; highest rays about i| in length of head. Anal 44-48 (49).
Pectoral of ocular side with 11 rays (6 or 7 branched), length i J to 2J in that of head.
Pelvics with 5 or 6 rays. Caudal with 19 rays (13 branched), rounded ; caudal
peduncle li to nearly twice as deep as long. Uniformly dark brownish; young
with darker markings and numerous small pale spots; dorsal with 10 or ti, anal
with 7 indistinct dark vertical bars, visible on blind side of fins ; rays of median
fins sometimes tipped with yellow.
Typh. — Zoological Museum, Leningrad. Nos. 8725-29.
Distribution. — Alaska (?) ; Okhotsk Sea ; Sakhahn Isd. ; Sea of Japan ; Yellow
Sea.
Specimens Examined :
(330 ■
(112
Alaska {■!)■
Iturup Isd., Kurilc Is
V^ladivostock Harboui
Popov.
Stanford Univ.
Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
The inner series of teeth 1
rtlv differentiated into
PLEURONECTIN^
P- 405,
Berg, I
Explor.
Stat., ii
PleuTonectes
Pleuronectes
2. LIOPSETTA GLACIALIS (Pallas).
[Arctic Flounder.]
glacialis, Pallas, 1776, Reise Russ., iii, p. 706 ; Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichtli.,
Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 424 ; De Kav, 1842, N. H. New York, (Fish.), p. 302 ;
882. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1881), p. 241 ;' Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat.
vi, p. 837 ; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p.
xlvii; Lilljeborg, 1891, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 410; Smitt, 1893, Scand. Fish., i,
figs. 110, III ; Gratsianov, 1904, Zap. Russ. Georg. Obsc. St. Petersb., xli (i), p. 227 ;
916. Poiss. eaux douces Russ., p. 470, fig. 354 ; Knipovich, 1926, Trans. Inst. Sci.
North, xxvii, p. 144, fig. no ; Lindberg and Dulkeit, 1929, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Res.
i{i). p. 51.
cicatricosus , Pallas, 1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 424.
(Rhombus) glacialis, Richardson, 1836, Faun. Bor. Amer., Iii, Fish., p. 258.
lower pharyngeals.
Plaiessa glacialis, Richardson, 1852, Zool. Voy. " Herald ", Fish., p. 166, pi. xxxii, fig. 4.
Platessa dw[v]inensis, Lilljeborg, 1851, Ofvers. K. Vet. Ac. Forh., vii (i), {1850), p. 5; Lilljeborg,
1852, Vet. Akad. Handl., Ixxi, (1850), p. 306, pi. xx, figs. 1, 2 ; Nilsson, 1855, Skand. Faun., ed.
2, Fiskar, p. 617 ; Malmgren, 1864, Arch. Naturgesch., xxx (i), p. 295.
Pleuronectes franklinii, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 442 ; Bean, 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv
(1881), p. 241.
Pleuronectes dvinensis, Mela, 1882, Vertebr. Fennica, p. 307.
Liopsetta dvinensis. Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com, Fish., xiv, {1886), p. 294.
Liopsetta glacialis, Jordan and Goss, 1889, torn, cit., p. 294, pi. vii, fig. 17 ; Jordan and Evermann,
1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2649, pi. ccclxxx, fig. 935 ; Evermann and Goldsborough,
1907, Bull. U.S. Bur. Fjsh., xxvi, (1906), p. 356, fig. 141 ; Gilbert and Burke, 1912, Bull. U.S.
Bur. Fish., xxx, (1910), p. 96 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 487 ; Soldatov and
Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 407, fig. 61.
Depth of body if to 2^ in the length, length of head 3^ to 3*. Upper profile of
head more or less concave. Snout about as long as eye, diameter of which is 5§ to 7
in length of head and more than 4 times width of interorbital ridge, which is naked or
occasionally with 2 or 3 scales ; lower eye a Uttle in advance of upper ; postocular
37^ 1-L.\TFISHES (HF.TEROSOM.\T.\)
ridge prominent, rugose, terminating in a rounded protuberance above operculum,
behind which is a smaller prominence on the post-temporal. Maxillary extending
to below anterior edge or anterior part of eye. length on ocular side 4 to 4J, on blind
side J J to 4 in that of head : lower jaw a little projecting, about 3 in head ; dental
formula ^^ X — "L-Z — , 7 to 9 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch; lower
4-16 + 15-22
phars-ngeals massive, rather broad, width about 3 in length ; teeth of inner edge
of each pharj'ngeal 4 or 5 in number, large, rounded or flattened ; those of outer edge
similar but smaller, 7 to 10 in number ; 5 or 6 more compressed teeth with truncated
tips along hinder margin : several teeth, similar to those of the outer row, between
the three principal rows. Scales in the male feebly imbricated, at least on ocular side,
scarcely imbricated and largely embedded (at least anteriorly) in the female ; in the
male the scales are mostly ctenoid on both sides of body, but in the abdominal region
of the blind side they tend to be cycloid and embedded ; in the female the .scales are
nearly all smooth or rather feebly ctenoid, but narrow strips of distinctly ctenoid
scales are present at upper and lower edges of body ; head generally entirely naked
on blind side ; 73 to 76 pores in lateral line. Lateral line rising a little or with a very
low curve above pectoral fin. Dorsal 52-59 ; origin above anterior half or middle
of eye ; highest rays 2 to i\ in length of head. Anal 39-42. Pectoral of ocular side
with 10 or II (occasionally 12) rays (i to 7 branched), length 1} to 2 J in head (about
twice in the male). Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded
or subtruncate ; caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than long Brownish
or blackish, without distinctive markings ; fins paler, sometimes with traces of
darker spots.
Type. — Zoologisches Museum der Universitiit I3erlin (').
Distribution. — Arctic shores of Russia, Siberia and .Maska ; .\rctic North
America : entering fresh water.
Specimens Ex.\mined :
Stanford Univ.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Two forms of this species may be recognised, differing from one another in the
shape of the body. Among the specimens listed above, deep-bodied examples occur
in Arctic America and in Kolguev Isd., north-east of the White Sea: slender-bodied
examples in Alaska and the Pacific coast of Siberia. According to Smitt. however,
the slender form is common in the White Sea. and the specimen of dwinensis figured
bv Lilljeborg is of this type. Both types, therefore, appear to occur together, at
least in northern Eurasia, and, for this reason, and because I am unable to detect
any constant differences apart from the depth of the body. I have been unwilling to
regard these as other than varieties. If it is later found necessary to apply different
names to the two forms, the deep-bodied form will stand as glacialis (= franklinii),
the slender form as cicatricosits (— dti'inetisis).
Ssytsch-.Awerinzewa' has recently made an important statistical study of this
species in the White Sea. in which she compares the numbers of fin-rays and vertebra;
with those found in samples of Platichthys flesw: from the same locality and of
Plettronectes platessa from the Barents Sea.
(212 mm.).
Kowd.i. White Sea.
(1^7 ,, )■
(190,205 m
(192 mm.).
(1S2 „ ).
(1S5 ,. )•
im.).
Kolguev'isd.. N. Ru
Petropaulski Harbou
Kotzebue Sound, Al;
EschschoUz Bay.
(174. 1-8 rr
(170, 180
(170 mm.).
(225 ,. ).
(2ln ., ).
im.).
.. )•
1 Tvpes c
» nccUs f,
if Pleura- 1
'ankltnu. 1
Nushagak K., Mask:
Alaska.
PLEURONECTIN^
3. LIOPSETTA PINNIFASCIATA ([Kner] Steindachner and Kner).
PUuronectes pinnifascialus, (Kner) Steindachner and Kner, 1870, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. W
Abt. I, p. 422, pi. i, fig. I.
Pseudopleuroncctcs pinnifasciatu
Jordan and Evermann, iSgi
l.iopsetta pinnifasciaia, Schmidt
Proc. U.S. Nat. .Mus., xxxi
i(l),p. 33" ; Hubbs,
1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst., v, p. 408.
Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 290 ;
Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2647.
:904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 245, fig. 21 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906,
p. 217; Jordan, Tanaka and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
5, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 487 ; Soldatov and Lindberg,
Fig. 26g.—Uopsetla pinnifasciaia. B.M. (X.H.) 1924.7.26.3
p., lower pharyngeals.
Very close to /.. glacialis, but depth of body 2| in the length ; postocular ridge
not quite so prominent, the protuberances less marked ; teeth of lower pharyngeals
rather more flattened. Dorsal 55-57 ; anal 39-40. Pectoral of ocular side with
12 rays (5 or 6 branched), length ij to ij in that of head. Brownish, with vague
dusky markings ; dorsal and anal fins each with 6 or 7 blackish vertical bars ; some
horizontal elongate blotches on caudal.
Type. — Vienna Museum.
Distribution. — Okhotsk Sea ; northern Japan.
Specimens Examined' :
1 (260 mm.), Imperator Bay. Popov.
I (178 ,, ). Mouth of R. Amur. Berg.
4. LIOPSETTA PUTNAMI (Gill).
[Eel-back Flounder.]
Platessa glabra {non Rathke), Storer, 1844-5, Proc. Boston Soc. N. H., i (2-3), p. 130 ; Storer, i86r,
Mem. Amer. Acad., n.s., viii,p. 393, pi. xxxi, fig. i ; Putnam, 1875, Bull. Essex Inst., vi, (1874),
p. 12.
Euchalarodus putnami, Gill, 1864, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., xvi, pp. 216, 222 ; Gill, 1873, Rep.
U.S. Com. Fish., i, (1871-2), p. 794 ; Goode and Bean, 1877, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, {3) xiv, p. 476.
^ Both specimens are females. The larger is less smooth than the fen
ctenoid scales over the greater part of the body on both sides.
ales of glacialis, and has
374
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
l-iopsella glabra, t'.iU. 1864. '""■■ "'■• P- ^17-
I'Uuranecles glabcr, (lill, 1873, Kep. U.S. Com. Fish., i, (1871-.:), p. 704 : Goode and Bean, 1'.
Anier. J. Sci. Arts, (3) xiv, p. 476 ; Goode and Bean, 1879, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, (3) xvii, p.
Bean, 1S79, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., i, (1878), p. 347 ; Jordan and Gilbert. 1883. Bull. U.S. 1
Mus., xvi, p. S36; Goode, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim. (Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i)
183, pi. xlv.
Lwpsftta putnami, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. ::04, pl. vii, fig.
Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.. xlvii (3), p. zh^o. pl. ccclxxx, fig. 9
Huntsman, 1922, Contr. Canad. Biol.. 1921. No. 3, p. 22 ; BiRelou- and Welsh. 1925. Bull. 1
Bur. Fish., xl (i), (1924), p. 509, fig. 262.
pharyngeals
Close to L. glacialis- Depth of body 1 ,Vi to 2! in the length, length of head jj
to 3;. Snout a little longer than eye. diameter of which is 6J to 7J in length of head ;
interorbital ndge scaled {^) or naked ($). Length of maxillary on ocular side 4 to 4J,
on blind side 3? to nearly 4 in that of head. Lower pharyngeals broader, width
2 to 2^ in length ; completely covered with flat molariform teeth, only those along
hinder edge rounded or a little compressed. Scales more or less imbricated in the
male, distinctly ctenoid on ocular side, ctenoid or cycloid on blind side ; in the female the
scales are scarcely imbricated, nearly all cycloid, but a few ctenoid scales at upper
and lower edges of body and in region of lateral line. Dorsal 48-58 ; highest rays
about twice in length of head. Anal 35-40. I"ectoral of ocular side with 10 or ii
rays (4 to 6 branched), length ij or i^ (q) to about twice (5) m that of head. Greyish
or brownish, sometimes mottled with darker ; fins with large dusky spots.
Type. — I'nited States National Museum. No 5368.
Distribution. — .\tlantic coast of North Amenta, from Labrador to Cape Cod,
Specimens Examined :
(97 mm.
(27.'i ,,
(2-5 ..
(215. 225
Labrador.
Bucksport, Ma
Portland.
Gloucester. Ma
Mus. Conip. Z
U.S. Nat. Mil
Also one from Labrador (Mus. Comp. Zool.).
This species may prove to be identical with L. glacialis, but appears to have a
larger head, broader pharyngeals with more flattened teeth, and a somewhat longer
pectoral fin. The small specimen from Labrador approaches the deep-bodied type
nl glanatts, and is not very unlike the types oi franklimi in the British .Museum.
PLEURONECTIN^
Genus 26. INOPSETTA.
Inopsella, {Jordan and Goss) Jordan, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiii, (1885), p. 924 [Parophrys
ischyrus, Jordan and Gilbert] ; Jordan and Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3}, p.
2641 ; Norman, 1933, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10) .\i, p. 221.
Apparently related to Liopselta and Platichthys. Teeth close-set, incisor-like.
Lower pharyngeals each with 2 rows of coarse, blunt teeth, the inner row partly
differentiated into an inner and a posterior series. Scales similar in both sexes, strongly
ctenoid on both sides of body, those on head nearly tuberculate. Supratemporal
branch of lateral line with a short posterior prolongation.
A single species from Puget Sound.
This genus has been associated by .-Xmerican authors with Parophrys, Isopsetta
and Lepidopsetta, on account of the short posterior prolongation of the supratemporal
branch of the lateral line. It is possible that the single known " species " of Inopsella
from Puget Sound may prove to be a hybrid between Lepidopsetta bilineata and
Platichthys siellatiis.
I. INOPSETTA ISCHYRA (Jordan and Gilbert).
Parophrys ischyrus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,iii, (1880), p. 276.
Pteuroncclcs ischyrus, Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 832.
Isopsetta (Inopsetta) ischyra, Jordan, 1887, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiii, (1885), p. 924.
Inopsetta ischyra, Jordan and Goss, 1S89, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 2S4 ; Jordan and
Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2641 ; Villadolid, 1927, Ann. Carnegie
Mus., xvii, p. 395, pi. XXXV, fig. i.
ngeals ; s., scales.
Depth of body 2 to nearly 2J in the length, length of head 3J to 3J. Upper profile
of head distinctly concave above eyes. Snout a little longer than eye, diameter of
which is 5 J to 5i in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital
ridge narrow, with minute rough scales ; postocular ridge prominent, rather rugose.
Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length on ocular side about 4 in
that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, 2J to 3 in head; dental formula ^ ' — 5..
37<' Fl.All'ISMHS (HI'/IKKOSOMATA)
tUll-ialifis lallRT short, pointed , lo or ii on lower part of anterior arcli. Scales
imperfectly inibncateil. strongly ctenoid on both sides of body, those on head nearly
tubcrculate . 70 to 8() scales in a longitudinal series above lateral line. Lateral line
with a low curve above the pectoral fin : a siipratemporal branch, with short posterior
prolongation, extending to t>elow tenth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal 68-76 ; origin above
middle of eye ; all the rays scaled, highest less than J length of head. Anal 50-57 ;
first interh;rmal spine projecting in front of fin. Length of pectoral of ocular side
about i thatof lieail. I'elvics \vith6rays. Caudal with 18 or 19 rays (12 or 13 branched),
truncate : caudal peduncle about as long as deep or longer than deep. Vertebra;
41. Olive brown, vaguely clouded with paler and darker ; a few black blotche.s on
ocular side ; median fins with faint black bars.
'I'vrii. — I'nited States National Museum. No. 27266.
Distribution. — Puget Sound.
This species was originally described from 4 examples taken bv Dr Jordan at
Seattle in 1880. In 1926, 3 more specimens were collected by Mr. VilladoUd, 2 from
the fish-market at Seattle and i from Holmes Harbour, Puget Sound.
(,enus 27. PLATICHTHYS.
Passer {mm Brisson. 1700), [(Klein) \V.iIb.ium. I7'j2, Artedi Iclith., (3), ed. 2, p. 582].
PlaticUhys, Girard, 1H56, Proc. Acad. Xat. Sci. Philad.. vii. (1854), p. 139 [Platuhlhv. n,i:"uis.
Girard] ; Norman. 1935, Ann. Mag. .\at. Hist., (10) xi, p. 222.
I'Usus. Moreau. 1881, Hist. Xat. f'uiss. France, iii, p. 2'|8 [PU-urom-ch-s flesu^, l.inna'usj.
Knnius, Jordan and Snvder. ifiui. Proc. U.S. Nal. Mus.. x.xiii, p. 379 [PUunmcctcs scultfcr,
Steindachner].
Close to Liopsetla. but with obtu.sely conical or somewhat incisor-like teeth, not
usually forming a continuous cutting edge. Lower pharyngeals massive, broad, their
width 2j to 3^ in length, approximated for at least ^ their length, each with several
rows of obtusely conical or molariform teeth. Scales similar in both sexes, cycloid,
embedded in the skin ; largely replaced by bony tubercles or rugose plates.
Three species from Arctic and temperate seas.
Synopsis of thk Spkciks and Subspecies.
I. Body with a varying number of small bony tubercles; nearly always a
series at bases of dorsal an<l anal fins; dorsal 52-67, anal 3<>-46
t Pl.^tichthys .
.\. Kmbedded cycloid scales present all over body between tubercles ;
dorsal and anal without distinct dark bars .... i.//c.s»,<.
I- 9 to 13 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch . jiectoral ij to 2r
in head ; postocular ridge generally ending in a rounded promi-
nence ; no tubercles on rays of dorsal and anal . \a ftesus flc.sns
2. 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch : pectoral i* to 2 in head ;
postocular ridge ending m a shar|) ])rominence ; no tubercles on
rays of dorsal and anal . . . . . li. flesus ilalkus.
3. 8 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arc h ; pectoral 1 5 to I J in head ;
postocular ridge ending in a sharp prominence ; usually some
tubercles on middle rays of dorsal and anal . . ic. flesus lusciis.
1.1 Kmbedded cycloid scales present only on hinder part of body ; dorsal
and anal each with 4 or 5 distinct dark bars . . . .2. sttilatiis.
11 Body with rugose bony plates, but few rounded tubercles; no series of
tubercles at bases of dorsal and anal fins ; dorsal 63-74, <inal 47-55
K.-\KKius ......... J biciiloralns.
PLEURONECTIN^ 377
I. PLATICHTHYS FLESUS (Linnsus).
[Synonymy under Subspecies.]
Depth of body if to 2^ in the length, length of head 3 J to 3|. Upper profile of
head a little concave. Snout as long as or longer than eye, diameter of which is 5 to
7 in length of head ; lower eye a little in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge low,
rather narrow, naked (occasionally with a few tubercles) ; postocular ridge irregular,
more or less rugose, ending in a prominence above the operculum, which is followed
by a smaller and flatter projection lying just behind. Maxillary extending to below
anterior edge or anterior part of eye, length on ocular side 3I to 4!, on blind side 3^
to 3} in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, 2f to 3J in head. Teeth generally
uniserial in both jaws, but occasionally irregularly biserial anteriorly ; dental formula
- — ^^t — 5 Gill-rakers rather short, the tips pointed ; 7 to 13 on lower part of
6-17 + 17-25 ^ *^ . / i f
anterior arch. Embedded cycloid scales present all over the body between the
spinous scales or bony tubercles, which are variously developed, ranging from ordinary
ctenoid scales with spinules only on their posterior margms to complete rounded
tubercles ; nearly always a series of tubercles at bases of dorsal and anal fins, except
at the anterior and posterior ends, where the tubercles may be very small or even
absent altogether. About 80 pores in lateral line. Lateral line with a very low curve
above the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch.^ Dorsal 52-67 : origin above
anterior edge or anterior part of eye ; highest rays i J to 2 J in length of head. Anal
36-46. Pectoral of ocular side with g to 12 rays (5 to 7 branched), length iJ to 25
in that of head. Pelvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 18 or 19 rays (i i or 12 branched),
a little rounded or truncate ; caudal peduncle variable, generally about as deep as
long. Intestine of more or less uniform diameter throughout, with 3 or 4 irregular
coils ; 2 very short pyloric appendages. Vertebrae 36 (11-12 -j- -4-25). Brownish,
greyish or olivaceous, uniform or variously blotched and mottled with darker ; some-
times with rounded black or orange spots ; blind side usually chalky white ; fins
with darker spots or short indistinct bars.
Distribution. — Coasts of Europe, from the White Sea to the Black Sea ; entering
fresh water.
Three subspecies may be recognised.
la. PLATICHTHYS FLESUS FLESUS (Linnsus).
^Flounder ; Fluke.]
PUuronectes flesus, LinniEUS, 1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 270; 1766, ed. 12, p. 457; Bloch, 17S3,
Naturgesch. Fische Deutsch., ii, p. 39, pi. xliv; Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, Syst. Ichth., p. 146;
Lacepede, 1802, Hist. Nat. Poiss., iv, p. 633 ; Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool., iv (2). p. 301 ; Quensel,
1806, Vet. Akad. Handl., xxvii, p. 214 ; Donovan, 1806, N. H. Brit. Fish., iv, pi. .\civ ; Faber,
1828, Isis, xxi, p. 874 ; Faber, 1829, Naturg. Fische Isl., p. 144 ; Nilsson, 1S55, Skand. Faun.,
ed. 2, Fiskar, p. 618 ; GUnther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 450 ; Malmgren, 1864, .-Vrch. Naturgesch.,
XXX (i), p. 294 ; Steindachner, i858, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. VVien, Ivii (i), p. 719 ; Collett, 1875,
Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1874), Till. p. 146 ; Malm. 1877, Gbteborgs Bohus. Fauna, p. 530 ; Collett,
1880, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1879), p. 82 ; Day, 1880-84, Fish. Britain, ii, p. 33, pl. cv ; Lilljeborg,
l8gi, Sverig. Norg. Fiskar, ii, p. 377 ; Smitt, i893,Scand. Fish., i, p. 398, pl. xxi, fig. I ; Collett,
1903, Vid.-Selsk. Forh., (1902), p. 99 ; Gratsianov, 1904, Zap. Russ. Georg. ObSc. St. Petersb.,
xli (l), p, 220 ; Schnakenbeck, 1925, in Tier. Nord Ostsee, L. ii, xii (i), p. 4 ; Knipovich, 1926,
Trans. Inst. Sci. Explor. North, xxvii, p. 144, fig. 109 ; Schnakenbeck, 1929, in Joubin, Faun.
Ichth. Atlant. Nord, i, fig. ; Ehrenbaum, 1929, in DemoU and .Maier, Handb. Binnenfisch.
Mitteleurop., iii (3), p. iii, figs.; Ssytsch-Awerinzewa, 1930, Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt.
Helgoland, xvii (5), p. i, figs. ; Berg, 1932, Not. Res. Inst. Espafi. Ocean., (ii). No. 58, p. 2.
^ In one ambicolorate example this has a fairly long posterior prolongation.
3rf*
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
IHeuroHcctcs. passer. Linnxus, 1758. Syst. Nat., cd. 10, p. 271 ; 1766, ed. 12, p. 450 ; Blocli, 1783,
Naturgesch. Fische Dcutsrh.. 11. p. 57. pl- 1 : Quensel, 1806, Vet. .'ikad. H.mdl., xxvii, p. 218
Risso, 1810, Ichth. Nice, p. 316.
PUuronrctis flcsoidcs, Pontoppidan, 1765, Kiiiz. Narhr. N.-H. Dannemark, p. 188. pl. xv.
Pleuronecltsrincus.Shztv:, 1796. Nat. Misc., vii, pl. 218; Shaw, 1803, Gen. Zool.,iv (2), p. 302, pl. 43*.
PUuroncctcs flesw^ var.. Delaroche, 1809, Ann. .Mus. H. N., xiii, p. 357.
.- Scophthalmus diurus, Rafinesque, 1810, Ind. itt. Sicil., pp. 14, 53.
Platessa flcius. Cuvier, 1817, R. Anim., ii, p. 220 ; Fleming, 1828, Brit. Anini., p. 108 ; Gottsche,
1835, Arch. Naturgesch., i (2), p. 146 ; Yarrell, 1836, Brit. Fish., ed. i, ii, p. 215, fig. : Parnell,
1838, Mem. Werner Soc, vii, p. 363, pl. xxxvii ; Kroyer, 1843-5, Dannmarks Fisk., ii, p. 276 ;
Yarrell, 1850, Brit. Fish., ed. 3, i, p. 612, fig.
Ptatcssa passer, Cloquet, 1826, Diet. Sci. Nat., xli, p. 405 ; Canestrir
Fisiol. Geneva, i, (1861), p. 8, pl. i, fig. i.
Platessa carnaria. Brown, 1830, Edinb. J. Nat. Geogr. Sci., ii, p. O'), pl.
62, Arch. Zool. Anal.
Platessa [melanogaslcr
-NV, p. 5(,oS.
Higgins, 1855, Zoologist,
, pp. 4596, 4914 ;
1856,
p. 4998 ; 1857,
-Philichthys flesus flesus. B.M. (N.H.) 1924.8.23.3.
p., lower pharyngeals.
PUurnnectes bogdanovi, Sandeberg, 1S7S, Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscow, lui, p. 236, fig.
Flesus vulgaris, -Moreau, 1881, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, iii, p. 299.
l-lesus passer, Morrau, 1881, /om. ctL, p. 301.
Platessa flesus \-^r. flesus. Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (i886), p. 292.
PleurimectLS flesus (part), ( aras, 1889-93, Prodr. Faun. .Medit., ii, p. 590.
Pieurnnectes flesus var. leutrus, Duncker, 1892, Schrift. Nat. Vereins f. Schleswig-Holstein, ix, p. 291.
Pleurnnectes flesus var. Irachurus, Duncker, 1892, lorn, eil., p. 291 ; Berg, 1932, Not. Res. Inst.
Espafi. Ocean., (11), No. 5S. p. 4, fig. 2.
Pieuronectes iFlesus] flesus. Danois, 1913, .\nn. Inst, occanogr. Paris, v (5), p. 11.12, fig. 175.
Pleurnnectes flesus balticus, Suvorov, 1925, .^nn. State Inst. Exper. Agron., 111, p. 2R0 ; Suvorov,
1927, Trans. Inst. Explor. North, No. 38, p. 113.
Pleurnnectes flesus seplentrionahs, Suvorov, 1925, torn. cil.. p. 280; 1927. torn. cil.. p. 6;; Berg,
1932, torn, cit., p. 5, fig. 3.
l-lesus flesus. Buen, 1926, Cat. ictiol. Medit. Espafi. Marruecos, p. 99; Chabanaud, 1931. Bull.
.Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, (2) ii, (1930), p. 627.
Pieuronectes flesus cainnensis, Suvorov, 1929, Trans. Inst. Explor. North, .\o. 43. p. i',i.
Ilesus glaher, Chab.inaud, 1931, Riviera Sci., Suppl. Mom. ii, p. 25
I'leurrinectes flesus bogdanovt . Berg, 1932, torn, cit . p. ti. hg. 4.
PLEURONECTIN.E
Eggs, Larv* and Younc
379
''"'"Rov1;fEd?nb ' xx'x'i.ulr'- "'""V "'.; "' '^'' P' ■'■ ^^^- ^'^ ^ Cunningham. .888, Trans.
Ki^n^.a9^i-^-e-nJ;..S:ZfH:.o^,^;«^.^;^-^---
pl.vi, fig. I,; Mcintosh and Masterman, 1897, Brit Mar Food-fish n ,s„ fi,ii^ u '
and Apstem, ,897, W.ss. Meeresun.ersuch. AM 'Kiel, n^.^ (.) PP j.^^ 7i ot^t 'f^.^TT
Kyle, .S98. Rep. Fish. Board Scotland, xvi, (,897) pp^le 2I! o\ i t ,1^ »'^l i,
Ehrenbaum, ,900 W,ss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helg'o'anl 'n P.!'„f p'',''7 p] 'i "fi"f ! T
Ehrenbaum and Strodtmann, .904, W.ss. Meeresunfersuch , Abt. Helgoland vp' vi n So '
V 111 ITlI^°'^ ;" '^"°'i',^°d Apstem, Nord.sches Plankton, I. EferLarvF/s'ch' 0
p. .61 fig. 69'; Petersen, 1906, Medd. Komm. Havundersog. KJBb., Ser Fisk ii7i)\l'
Pl. .. figs. 14-.9; Schnakenbeck. t9=9, in Jonbm, Fann. Ichth. .Atlait Nord iii, figs! ^' ''
Principal characters those of the species. Depth of body it to 2i in the length
Prominence on postocular ndge above operculum usually pear-shaptd or rounded'
w^dtHr^''^. " *° M (°'^'=^^'°"='»y 8) gill-rakers on lower part oTanterior ^rch
he til Pha,0'ngeaIs 2i to 2 J in length, their inner edges entirely approximated
the tee h arranged in several rows, tho.se of the inner row larger than thrremTmder
Ihttle forL'^rd "0°' edge small, close set, obtusely pointed,'cylindrical and curved
a httle forward occasionally 2 or 3 rows of such teeth overlapping each other alon^
posterior edge of each pharyngeal. Spinous tubercles variously developed near^v
a onTth"""""' -Commencement of lateral Une. and developed^o a Sng extent
along the region of the anterior half or even the greater part of the laterallne some
^mes the remainder of the body as well as the head largely without tuberdes
line'^rhH' ^°'"<^*'";'<=^. tubercles are strongly developed on head, region of late a
he'.'reateToart'of'th' Th* ",l ''f''' '""''"' P^'^""^'^' ^"^ '"^^'^-" extend ov^l
vann,!.K H P 1 i ■! J"^^ (trachurus) ; blind side naked, or with bony tubercles
atera^tie noTh' ^^^ -* bases of dorsal and anal fins and along anterior part of
Anall6 ,6' T ^"\"^Y °" ^"^er side of rays of dorsal and anal fini Dorsal 52-67
truncate 'caodlfni'l T' * K ^' ■ Ho 2 1 in that of head. Caudal a Uttle round;d «;
hT i'.., i^ peduncle about as deep as long or rather longer than deep ■ some
d^app:ari„'sp1ri?"bhnT h"^' ''^^'' ^°""!*""<^^ "'"'^ orange%pots. wMc'h'usu^ly
J .l^K ^ \ ■ '"'^ ''"^'' sometimes with a few brown spots or irre^ulariv stained
o^rs'^otrd-s^tinctverl.raf bars' '"' °^"" ^"^'^ ^ ^^^ °^ '"^ ■"^-"- ^^^
Type.— Not traced.
MecS::r^:ran.°"~^°"*^ °' ^"^°P^' ^^"^ ^'^^ ^^"^'^^ Sea to the western
Specimens Examined :
1 {270 mm.).
■ (145 ,, ).
3 (150-295 mm.).
I (262 mm.).
I (240 „ ).
5 (230-370 mm.).
3 (345-400 ,, ).
1 (245 mm.).
2 (143, 165 mm.).
2 (295, 380 ,, ).
2 (225,420 „ ).
5 (195-360 „ ).
Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea.
R. Dvjna at Archangel.
Nr. Kola, Murman Coast.
Kola Bay,
Lapponia.
Herdla Isd., nr. Bergen.
N.E. Cattegat at Kobbergrund.
S.VV. Cattegat at Grenaa.
Bohuslan.
Baltic.
Ringkabing Fiord.
St. Andrew's Bay.
Berg.
Popov.
Berg.
Popov.
Bergen Mus.
Johansen.
Malm.
Mar. Biol. Assoc.
Johansen.
Fish. Board Scotland.
' Consult for full list of references.
' Of very doubtful occurrence in Iceland.
38o
FLATFISHES (HirrFROSOMATA)
l-irth of Forth.
Mcintosh.
Parnell Coll.
3:5 mm.)
Skull.
Dalbeattie.
Xorth Sea.
Armistead.
Gunther.
400 mm.)
Liverpool.
—
57 ., )
Wales.
Grav.
2.'o-275 I
im.).
Great Yarn
outh.
Patterson.
;oo mm.)
Southwold.
.Suffolk.
Collmgs.
105 ,. )
Canvev Isd
, Essex.
Lambert.
230 .. )
Leigh Creek
120-178 n
im.).
Leigh-on-Sea, ,,
J,
8-10 mm
).
^
22-7S „
)•
440 mm.)
stuffed.
Palmer.
305-355 I
im.).
Brighton.
Page.
330 mm.)
Hastmgs.
Newton.
295-375 '
mi.).
Plymouth.
Mar. BioL A
172-260
,, ), skins.
Varrell Coll.
no mm.)
skin.
Spence.
233 .. )
no ,, )
stuffed.
Cornwall.
British Coas
t.
nav.
180-220 t
ini,), ski-Ictoi
225-270
., ).
.\r. mouth r
f T.ii;u. R.. l',.rtug
il. Ramalho.
182 mm.)
102 ,. )
.\rcachon. I
Cette,
rame.
Paris Mus.
345-365 I
im.).
Monaco Ocea
160 mm.)
skin.
—
—
150-1-01
im.),skms.
—
Gronow Coll
.). Ambicoloratc.
Dalbeattie.
). Albino.
Great Yanuoutl
). Unusual c
oloration.
}. Ambicoloratc.
Lowestoft.
). Semi-albir
0.
Essex coast.
Leigh-on-Sea, 1{
). Spotted 0
a blind
London Market
side.
). Ambicolo
ate.
British Coast.
Minist. Agrit
Field.'
i.ambert.
Webster.
The eastern extent of the range of thi.s subspecie.s in the Mediterranean is not
definitely known. E.\amples have been described from Genoa and Naples, but 1 am
unable to say wliether they belong to this subspecies or to italicus.
Valuable statistical studies of Flounders from the Murman Coast, White Sea.
Baltic, Helgoland, North Sea, EngUsh Channel, etc., have been made liy Duncker,
Kedeke and Ssytsch-Awerinzewa.^ These have led to the definition of a number of
^ The following papers describe abnormalities of the Flounder: Cunningham and McMunn, 1S94,
' Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc.', a. clxxxiv, p. 801 ; Gadeau de Kerville, 1895, ' Bull. Soc. zool. Fr.', xx,
p. 156 ; Sacchi, iSgg, ' Bull. Mus. zool. anat. comp. Genova ', No. 82 ; Mcintosh, 1902, ' Ann.
Mag. Nat. Hist.', {7) ix, p. 292 ; Johnstone, 1906, ' Proc. L'pool. Biol. Soc.', xx, p. 334, tig. ; Elmhirst,
igii, ' Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.', p. 79 ; Demel, 1927, ' Kosmos Lemburg ', li, p. 22S, tigs. Other
references are included in the synonymy of the subspecies.
= Duncker, 1892, ' Schnft. Nat. Vereins f. Schleswig-Holstein ', ix, p. 291; Duncker, 1895,
'Zool. .\nz.', xviii, p. 53; Duncker, 1896, ' Wiss. Meeresuntersuch.', n.f., i (2), p. 47 : Duncker,
1898,' J. .Mar. Biol. Assoc.', (2) v, p. 172 ; Duncker, 1900, ' Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland ',
N.F., iii, p. 333, figs. ; Duncker, 1900, ' Zool. Anz.', xxiii, p. 141 ; Redeke, 191 5, ' Rapp. proc. -verb,
explor. iiier.', xxii, p. 25 ; Ssytsch-Awerinzewa, 1930, ' Wiss. Meeresuntersuch., Abt. Helgoland ',
N.>'.. xvu (■.). pp. I, etc.
PLEURONECTIN.E 381
local forms, which cannot be dealt with here. Duncker defines two distinct races :
trachiirus, from the Baltic and probably also from a part of the northern Arctic Ocean ;
and leiurus, from the North Sea. He finds that the latter race includes a number
of local forms. The difference between the races irachurus and leiurus is mainly
concerned with the extent to which the spinous tubercles are developed on the head
and body, but that from the Baltic is said to have a higher number of caudal vertebrae,
smaller number of gill-rakers, fewer dorsal and anal rays, relatively higher caudal
peduncle and (generally) deeper body. Judging by the .specimens in the British
Museum collection, as a general rule the body tends to become rougher proceeding
northwards from the Channel to the White Sea, but examples from Cette in the
Mediterranean are quite as rough as some of those from the Baltic. Of two small
specimens from Bohuslan, one is moderately rough, with 62 dorsal and 44 anal rays,
and the caudal peduncle a little longer than deep ; the other is much rougher, with
57 dorsal and 40 anal rays, and the caudal peduncle deeper than long. The following
table shows the number of dorsal and anal rays and gill-rakers in specimens from
selected localities :
Doi
alrays
Gill-rake
White Sea (2) .
56
38-40
10
Murman Coast (4)
55-61
40-43
lO-II
Cattegat (4)
55-65
40-43
10-12
Baltic (4) .
55-62
39-44
lO-II
North Sea (20) .
55-65
40-45
10-13
Channel (10)
60-64
43-45
10-12
Portugal (4)
57-67
41-46
10-12
South of France (5)
57-62
40-44
10-13
Sandeberg (1878) gave the name Pleuronectes bogdanovi to the Flounder common in
the White Sea, and Suvorov (1925, 1929) applied names to races from the Murman Coast
(Pleuronectes flesus septentrionalis, P.flesiis caninensis) . In a recent paper. Berg' recog-
nises five subspecies of Platichthvs flesus, namely, flesus, bogdanovi, trachurus, septen-
trionalis and luscus, differentiated chiefly by the number of dorsal and ana! rays and
the number of gill-rakers. He includes italicus with luscus, and leiurus \vit\\ flesus.
My own work, admittedly based on a comparatively small number of specimens,
leads me to conclude that there is only one subspecies ranging from the White Sea to
the western Mediterranean. Local races do undoubtedly occur and can be recognised,
but it seems inadvisable to apply the system of trinomial nomenclature to these at
present.
This subspecies grows to a length of about 16 inches and a weight of 4 to 6 lb.
Reversed examples, with the eyes and colour on the left side, are very common
[see note on p. 28].
lb. PLATICHTHYS FLESUS ITALICUS (Giinther).
Pleuronectes hippoglossus (non Linnaus). N'accari, 1822, Ittiol. Adriat., p. 11.
Pleuronectes flesus var., Nardo, 1827, Prodr. Adriat. Ichth., p. 15, No. 131.
? Plalessa passer [non Linnaeus), Bonaparte, 1837, Icon. Faun. Ital., (19), tig. ; Bonaparte, 1846,
Cat. metod. Pesci Europ., p. 48 ; Costa, 1847, Faun. R. Xapoli, ii, Fasc. 55-8, p. 7.
? Pleuronectes passarinus, Nardo [ex Chiereghini MS.), 1847, Sin. mod. spec. Lag. Veneto, p. 121.
Pleuronectes italicus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 452 ; Faber, 1883, Fisheries Adriatic, p. 216.
Pleuronectes flesus var. glabra, Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 293.
Pleuronectes flesus (part), Cams, 1889-93, Prodr. Faun. Medit., ii, p. 590.
Principal characters those of the species. Prominence on postocular ridge above
operculum usually more or less sharp and compressed. 8 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals about 3J in length, their inner edges less
' 1932, ■ Not. Resum. Inst. Espan. Ocean.,' (ii). No. 58.
38-
KLATFISHKS (HETEROSOMATA)
angular and less entirely approximated than in the preceding subspecies; posterior
edge of each pharyngeal with 3 or 4 rows of curved teeth overlapping each other.
Spinous tubercles very feebly developed, reduced to the rows at bases of dorsal and
anal fins, and occasionally one or two behind eyes or at commencement of lateral hne ;
blind side quite smooth ; no tubercles on rays of dorsal and anal fins. Dorsal 58-62.
Anal 41-43. Length of pectoral i| to twice in that of head. Caudal rounded;
caudal peduncle as deep as long, or a little deeper than long. Greyish or brownish ;
uniform or marbled with darker.
Fig. 27}.— Plalichthys fl,
B.M. (N.H.) 42.6.7.3.
p., lower pharyngeals.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.)
Distribution. — Adriatic.
Specimens Examined :
4 (175-235 mm.). T
1 (195 mm.). Holotype. D
2 (135, 202 mm.). Paratypes.
Reg. No. 42.6.7.3.
V inciguerra.
Meckel.
Milan Mus.
Ninni (1905, Atti Soc. Ital. sc. nat, Milano, xliv, p. 193 ; 1932, Bull. Soc. zool.
Fr., Ivii, p, 76, fig.) describes ambicolorate individuals of this subspecies.
ic. PLATICHTHYS FLESUS LUSCUS (Pallas).
. P- 427;
Cat. Fish.
Pieuronccici luscus, Pallas, 1814, Zoographi;
St. Petersburg, lii, p. 347 ; Glinther, if
Plalessa glabra, Rathke, 1837, lorn, cit., p. 352.
Platessa luscus, Nordmann, 1840, in Demiclov, Voy. Ru
1859, Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscow, xxxii {2), p. 439
Platessa flesus var. marmorata, Nordmann, i84ti, torn. cxt.
Pleuronecies jiesus, Antlpa, 1909, Publ. Fond. Adaraach
fig. 30.
PleuTOnectes fiesus luscus. Berg, 1898, Dnevnik Sect. Zool. Si
Berg, 1916, Poiss. eaux douces Russ., p. 469, fig. 353
Ocean., (ii). No. 58, p. 3, fig. 1.
Principal characters those of the species. Depth of body i,",; to 2 J in the length.
Prominence on postocular ridge above operculum rather compressed. 7 or 8 gill-
rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower pharyngeals similar to those of P. flesus
fiesus. Spinous tubercles moderately or feebly developed, sometimes reduced to rows
Rat
hke, 18
.17, M(
■m. Pres.
Ac
ad
. Imp. Sci
,1V,
p. 452
IKTld.,
111, p.
532, pl.
:vi
1; Kessler
• pl.
XXViil,
fig. I.
1 Ac
ad. RomSn.,
ill. No.
16,
P-
89, pl. VI
1. Sc
.c. Ami'
5 Sci. Nat. Mos
con
,ii
(8), p. 34
353;
Berg,
1932,
, Not. R
es.
In
St. Espafi
PLEURONECTIN^
383
at bases of dorsal and anal fins (var. glaber), sometimes also present on head and
along region of lateral line (var. lusciis) ; blind side nearly entirely smooth ; usually a
few tubercles or ctenoid scales on middle rays of dorsal and anal fins. Dorsal 57-65.
Anal 42-46. Length of pectoral i| to i| in that of head. Caudal peduncle as long
as deep or deeper than long. Greyish or brownish, with or without darker blotches
or other markings ; sometimes some round dark spots edged with white on body ;
fins generally with darker spots or blotches ; blind side often with irregular dark spots.
Fig. 274. — Platichthys fiesus luscus. B.M. (N.H.) 1930.5.9. 14.
p., lower pharyngeals.
Type. — Zoologisches Museum der Universitat, Berlin (?)
Distribution. — Sea of Marmora ; Black Sea.
Specimens Examined :
2 {290, 345 mm
3 {265-280 ,,
3 (105-140 ,,
3 (128-218 „
2 (240, 245 ,,
3 (35-40 mm.).
I ("15 ,, )■
Constantinople.
Bosphorus.
Black Sea.
L. Karadja, Crimea.
Sebastopol.
Dickson.
MiUingen.
Spratt.
Popov.
2. PLATICHTHYS STELLATUS (PaUas).
PUuronectes stellatus, Pallas, 1787, Nova Acta Ac. Sci. Petrop., i, (1783), p. 347, pi. ix, tig. i ; PaUas,
1814, Zoographia, iii, p. 416 ; Giinther, 1862. Cat. Fish., iv, p. 443 ; Steindachner and Kner,
1870, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixi (i), p. 421 ; Jordan and Gilbert, 1881, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., iii, (1880), p. 453; Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., iv, (1S81), p. 68 ;
Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi, p. 835 ; Jordan, 1884, Nat. Hist. Aquat.
Anim.( Fisheries Fish. Indust. U.S., i), p. 184, pi. xlvi; Otaki, 1897, Journ. Fish. Bur. Tokyo,
vi (i), p. 7, pi. vi, fig. 6 ; Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient., p. 240.
Platessa stellata, De Kay, 1842, N.H. New York, (Fish.), p. 301 ; Richardson, 1852, Zool. Voy.
" Herald ", Fish., p. 164, pi. xxxii.
384
FLATFISHES (HFTEROSOMATA)
Platichlhys rii-,.,Mis, (.ir.iiil. l.Sv>, I'r.H . Ar.ul. Nat. S
. .. I'Inhid., VI,, (185.,). pp. I'VI, l.SS ; (;ir.ard,
1858, U.S. Pacif. K. K. Surv., x, I'ish.. p. 148.
PlaliMhys sldlalus, l.ockiiigtoil. 1878-1), Kep. Com.
Fish. Calif., p. 43; I.ockingtori, 1880, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mils., ii, (i87y), p. 91 : Jordan and V,
,oss, i88t,, Kcp. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886),
p. 200. pi. viii, fig. 18 ; Jordan and Everinann,
1808, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3), p. 2652,
pi. rcrlxxxi, figs. liT, 9.1/1; Jordan and Starl,
;s, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xx.xi, p. 218.
fig. If) ; I*A-crniann and Goldsborough, IQ07. Hi
ill. U.S. Bur. Fish., xxvi, (1906), p. 356, tigs.
142. 143: Jordan, Tanaka and Snvder, iqm, J.
Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. tv^. fig. -78 ;
Hubbs. loi's, I'roc. U.S. Nat. Mas., xlvili.'p. j
[88; Starks, 1918, Calif lisl. (,,inic, iv (.|),
p. 15, fig. 98 : Berg, 1916, Poiss.
1930, iiuU. Par. Sci. Fish. Inst., '
douces Kuss., p. 472, fig. 355 ;
109, fig. O3; Schmidt, 1931, C. I
I'lG. 27i.~Plalichlhvs sIMitus. 11, M. (\.H.) 81.3.
X J. P-, lower pha
Very close to P. flesiis. Iiiterorbited ridge .iluay.s with tubercles ; postocular
ridge ending in a sharp bony prominence above the operculum. 8 to 10 gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals 3! to 3J in length ; their inner
edges angular, approximated ; teeth obtuseh' conical, arranged in several rows, those
along the posterior edge of each pharyngeal rather higher and more close-set than the
remainder. Scales nearly all replaced by tubercles, only a few embedded cycloid
scales on both sides of hinder part of body ; spinous tubercles scattered and generally
more widely separated than in P. flesus ; in addition to the series at bases of donsal
and anal fins, they are developed on the head and over the greater part of the body,
being mainly absent, however, towards its edges ; on the blind side the tubercles are
mainly confined to the bases of the fins and the region of the lateral line. 66 to 76
pores in lateral line. Dorsal 56-62. Anal 40-46. Length of pectoral 2 to 25 in that
of head. Caudal peduncle generally longer than deep. Vertebra; 35 (12-1-23).
Brownish or blackish, with or without some paler markings ; dorsal and anal fins
each with 4 or 5 deep black vertical bars, which are more di.stinct on blind side of fins ;
posterior part of caudal with 3 or 4 black horizontal bars.
Tvpi;. — Zoologisches Museum der Universitat, Berlin (?).
nisTRiHUTioN. — North Pacific, southwards to Tokyo, Corea, and southern
California.
I'LEURONECTIN^
385
Specimens Examined :
(85 1
mm.;
(245
.. ]
(212
,,
(220
(210
), skin.
(37-75 m)
m.).
(160
mm.
(153
(205,
215
mm.).
(198
mm.
(370
(135,
153
mm.).
(235-
(174
■242
)•
2
{240,
270
mm.).
2
(115,
280
,, )■
2
(225,
255
,, )•
Sitka, .Alaska.
Kodiak, Alaska.
Coronation Gulf, Bering Straits.
Bering Is., Bering Sea.
Esquimau Harbour, Vancouver
Fraser's R., British Columbia.
Pacific coast of .-Vmerica.
Puget Sound.
Yaguina Bay, Oregon.
San Luis Obispe, Cal.
Pt. Reyes, Cal.
San Francisco, Cal.
California.
Petropaulski Harbour, Kamchat
Tokyo, Japan.
Bay of Mutsu, Japan.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Bretherton.
Haslar Coll.
Popov
Ru
ell.
Plumper.
Gruber.
Jordan.
Bretherton.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Eigenmann.
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Ayres.
Powell.
Tokyo Imp. Uni
Kishinouye.
Rae Coll.
This species grows to a weight of 15 to 20 pounds.
Reversed examples of this species are very common, the percentage of individuals
with eyes and colour on the left side being about 50 in Californian samples, 75 in samples
from Alaska, and in Japan all the individuals appear to be reversed [see note on p. 28].
3. PLATICHTHYS BICOLORATUS (Basilewsky).
Platessa bicolorata, Basilewsky, 1855, Nouv. Mem. Soc. Nat. Moscow, .x, p. 260.
PUuronectes scutifer. Steindachner, 1870, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, l.xi (i), p. 628, p. ii.
Pleuronectes bicoloratus, Herzenstein, 1891, [Mel. Biol., xiii (l)] Bull. Ac. Imp. Sci. St. Petersbourg,
xxxiv (N.s. ii), p. 55-
Kareius scutifer, Jordan and Snyder, 1901, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 379.
Karcius bicoloratus, Jordan and Snyder, 1901, torn, cit., p. 769; Schmidt, 1904, Pise. Mar. Orient.,
p. 243, fig. 19 ; Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxi, p. 220 ; Jordan, Tanaka
and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxiii (i), p. 330 ; Tanaka, 1913, Fish, Japan, xi, p. 192,
pi. lii, fig. 198 ; Hubbs, 1915, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlviii, p. 488 ; Jordan and Hubbs, 1925,
.Mem. Carnegie Mus., x, p. 300 ; Soldatov and Lindberg, 1930, Bull. Pac. Sci. Fish. Inst.,
v. p. 410 ; Schmidt, 1931, C.R. -Acad. Sci. Russ., p. 317.
Depth of body 2 to li in the length, length of head 3 to 3f . Upper profile of head a
little concave. Snout longer than eye (except in young), diameter of which is 4^ to
7 in length of head and 3 or 4 times interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes level
or lower very little in advance of upper ; interorbital ridge low, narrow, naked or with
a few small rugose plates ; postocular ridge irregular, rugose, no marked prominence
above the operculum. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length on
ocular side 3§ to 4, on blind side 3J to 3? in that of head ; lower jaw a httle projecting,
2i to 3 in head. Teeth obtusely conical or rather incisor-like ; dental formula
^ i^ ^. Gill-rakers rather short, the tips pointed ; 5 or 6 on lower part of
7-17 + 18-30 . P F . 3
anterior arch ; width of lower pharyngeals 2 i to 3 in length, their inner edges united
to form a solid triangular plate, entirely covered with closely approximated, rounded,
molariform teeth. Scales very much reduced and embedded deeply in the skin in
young and half-grown specimens, apparently absent, or at least mvisible, in adults ;
a longitudinal row of more or less contiguous rugose plates between the lateral line
and the back, usually a similar row of rather smaller plates between lateral line and
anterior part of anal fin, sometimes reduced to i or 2 plates or absent altogether ; an
irregular series of small plates, often widely separated from one another, above and
below the lateral line ; a dermal groove connects the separate plates of the lateral line
25
38(.
FLATFISHES (HF.TF.ROSOMATA)
series ; small plates irreyularly scattered over pr.xoperculum and operculum, just
behind the eyes, ami sometimes on the interorbital ridge ; other plates on edyes of
caudal peduncle, on base of pectoral, and scattered irregularly over the body ; no
tubercles at bases of dorsal and anal tins ; blind side in adults and both sides of body
in young quite smooth. Lateral line nearly straight or with a very low curve above
the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch ; 73 to 82 pores. Dorsal 63-74 '■
origin above anterior edge or a little in advance of eye : highest rays a little less than
J length of head. Anal 47-55. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 to 13 rays (5 to g
branched), length 2 to 2j in that of head. I'elvics with 6 rays. Caudal with 18 rays
(12 branched), a little rounded or double-truncate : caudal peduncle as long as deep,
longer than deep, or a little deeper than long. Intestine of uniform diameter throughout,
with about 2 simple coils ; 2 very short pyloric appendages. Brownish or greyish ;
uniform or irregularly flecked with small dark spots or other markings, more con-
spicuous and probably always present in young ; generally a series of from 3 to 6
rounded white spots following the upper and lower outlines of the body near the bases
of the dorsal and anal fins ; sometmies other pale spots scattered irregularly over
body.
Tvpt. — Zoological .Museum. Leningrad. No. I1354.
Distribution'. — Coasts of Japan, Corea, and northern China.
Specimens E.x.\mineu :
1.). Inland Sea of |.ip,iii. Smith.
Bay of Mutsu, Kishinouye.
1.). Hakodate. Jordan.
). Tokyo.
2 (225, 250 m
I (330 mm.).
17 (105-350 111
8 (150-195 ,
I (190 mm.).
■ (130 ,. ).
4 ((>K-ioomr
I (150 mm.).
Ma
Tokv
Jord.,
Imp. Vnv
PCECILOPSETTIN^ 387
Subfamily 2. P(ECILOPSETTIN/E.
Close to the Pleuronectinae, but the olfactory laminae are expanded distally and
radiate from a short central rachis ; lateral line rudimentary or absent on blind side
of body.
Three genera from tropical and subtropical seas. Mostly fishes of small size an<l
rather fragile appearance.
Synopsis of the Genera.
I. None of the anterior rays of dorsal or pelvics prolonged ; male similar to
female.
A. No orbital tentacles ....... 28. PoiCilopsetta.
B. Each eye with a tentacle ....... 29. Nematops.
II. Anterior rays of dorsal and of pelvic of ocular side more or less prolonged
in both sexes, very long in male ; male with strong rostral spines, and with
the teeth on ocular side of upper jaw extending on to outer surface
of jaw ......... 30. Marleyella.
Neoetropvs may belong to this subfamily (see p. 283).
Genus 28. PCECILOPSETTA.
Pcecilopsetta, Gunther, 1880, Shore Fishes "Challenger", p. 48 [Pa'cilopsetta colonila, GiirHiiGr] ;
Hubbs, 1919, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, xxxii, p. 163 ; Norman, 1931, Treubia, xiii, p. 423.
Boopsetta, Alcock. 1896, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Ixv (2), p. 305 ; Alcock, 1899, Cat. Indian Deep-Sea
Fish., p. 126 [Boopsetta umbrarum, Alcock].
Alaeops, Jordan and Starks, 1904, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., xxii, (1902), p. 623 ; Jordan and Starks,
1906, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus,, xxxi, p. 198 [Alaeops plinthus, Jordan and Starks].
Paralimanda, Breder, 1927, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., i (i), p. 86 [Paralimanda ineimis, Breder].
Male similar to female. Body ovate or rather elongate, strongly compressed, often
fragile. Eyes on the right side, contiguous or separated by a very narrow space.
Male without rostral spines. Mouth rather small, nearly symmetrical, the length of
the maxillarj' less than i that of head ; teeth small, villiform, in one or two rows or
in narrow bands in the jaws ; dentition better developed on blind side of jaws ; vomer
toothless. Gill-rakers rather short, pointed, few in number ; lower phar\'ngeals
rather narrow, separated for the greater part of their length, each with 2 or 3 rows of
sharply pointed teeth. Dorsal fin with 56 to 68 rays, commencing well behind nostrils
of blind side and above eye ; nearly all the rays simple, not scaled ; anterior rays
not prolonged ; a low scaly sheath covering basal part of fin on ocular side. Anal
with 45 to 58 rays ; similar to dorsal ; tip of first interhsemal spine not projecting in
front of fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side larger, with 7 to 12 rays.
Pelvic fins with 6 rays, short-based, subequal, but somesvhat asymmetrical, that of
ocular side further forward and closer to median line than that of blind side ; none of
the rays prolonged. Scales of moderate or small size, rather feebly ctenoid or cycloid
on ocular side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line on ocular side well developed, extend-
ing on to the caudal fin, with a large flat-topped curve above the pectoral fin ; no
supratemporal or suborbital branches ; lateral line of blind side rudimentary or absent.
Vent nearly median.
Seven species from deep water in the North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
388
FLATFISHKS (HETEROSOMATA)
Synopsis of thi; Species.
1. Teeth in mie or two rows [Atlantic species],
A. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, about 80 in lateral line ; maxillary- about
23 in head ; dorsal 63-68, anal 54-56 . . . , .1. beanii.
H. Scales cycloid on ocular side, about 68 in lateral line : maxillary about 3I
in head : dorsal 62, anal 53 • . ■ . ■ • ■ - inermis.
II loeth in narrow bands, at least in adults [Indo-Pacific species].
.\. i(o to 95 scales in lateral line.
1 , Depth ly'n to 2 J in length ; maxillary 3 to 3! in head ; eyes separated
by a low narrow ridge.
a. Dorsal 56-61, anal 46-50: some of middle rays of right pectoral
branched . • .3. colorata.
b. Dorsal 62-67, firial 53-58 ; all rays of right pectoral simple
4. hawaiiensis.
2. Depth 25 to 3 in length ; maxillary 3! to 3} in head ; eyes contiguous ;
dorsal 59-65, anal 50-54 ...... 5. priplonga.
B, 60 to 70 scales in lateral line.
1. Eye about 3 J in head ; 60 to 65 scales in lateral line ; dorsal 60-64,
anal 48-53 ........ 6. plinthus.
2. Eye 2 J in head ; about 70 scales in lateral line ; dorsal 62, anal 54
7. natalensis.
I. POECILOPSETTA BEANII (Goode).
I, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,iii, (1880), p. 473 ; Jordan and Goss, 1889, Rep.
(1S86), p. 288; Goode and Bean, 1895, Ocean. Ichth., p. 428, pi. cii,
nd Evermann, 1898, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., xlvii (3). p. 2646, pi. ccclxxviii,
I.imanda beanii, Goode,
U.S. Com. Fish., ;
hgs. 355 a-d ; Jord
fig. 932.
PUuroneclei beani. Jordan and Gilbert, 1883, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mi
Pactlopsetta beanii, Hubbs, 1919, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washmgt
Trcubia. xiii, p. 425.
-Picclupsella beaiur I!.M, (X.H,)
Depth of body 2| to 3I in the length, length of head 4^ to about 5J. Snout much
shorter than eye. diameter of which is 2| to nearly 3 in length of head ; eyes separated
bv a very narrow ridge, the lower scarcely in advance of upper, which enters dorsal
profile of head. .Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior margin of eye, length
about 2;^ in that of head : lower jaw 2J in head. Teeth apparently in two rows,
barely discernible in upper jaw. 10 or 11 gill-rakcrs on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; about 80 in lateral line. Dorsal
PCECILOPSETTIN^ 389
(63) 64 (68). Anal 54 (56). Pectoral of ocular side with 10 simple (?) rays, length
about 2j in that of head. Caudal rounded or pointed ; caudal peduncle nearly
twice as deep as long. Brownish, with indistinct darker markings, of which a series
at upper and lower edges of body are most conspicuous ; a pair of conspicuous black
blotches at middle of upper and lower margins of caudal ; pectoral blackish distally ;
young with several series of rather faint dark spots on blind side.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 26102.
Distribution. — Of the coast of New England; Gulf of Mexico: iii to 896
fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
I (84 mm.). 2,s= 41' N., 86° 07' W., 169 fms. U.S. Nat. Mas.
2. PCECILOPSETTA INERMIS (Breder).
Paralimanda inermis, Breder, 1927, Bull. Bingham Ocean. Coll., i (i), p. 87, fig. 36.
Pfecilopsetta inermis, Norman, 1931, Treubia, xiii, p. 425.
Fig. 278.— Pacilopsella tncrmis. [.\fter Breder.] X i.
Depth of body about 2^ in the length, length of head about 4^. Snout much
shorter than eye, diameter of which is a little more than 2i in length of head ; eyes
separated by a narrow ridge, the lower .scarcely in advance of upper, which enters
dorsal profile of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye, length
3I in that of head ; lower jaw 2\ in head. Teeth more or less uniserial, developed
only on blind side of jaws. 11 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
cycloid on both sides of body ; about 68 in lateral line. Dorsal 62. Anal 53. Pectoral
of ocular side with 9 rays (6 branched), length about 2j in that of head. Caudal
rounded , caudal peduncle about twice as deep as long. More or less uniformly
brownish ; distal parts of dorsal, anal and caudal fins dusky ; a pair of black blotches
at middle of upper and lower margins of caudal ; pectoral nearly black ; blind side
pale, with four longitudinal series of faint dusky spots.
Type. — Bingham Oceanographic Collection; Peabody Museum of Natural History,
Yale University. No. 516.
Distribution. — Glover Reef, off British Honduras ; 484 fathoms.
The single known specimen is 11 1 mm. in total length.
Kl.ATMSHKS (HETEKOSOMATA)
V I'd'XlLOl'SETI A CUI.OKATA, Gunther.
l\rcilopsetla colorata. Giinther, iSSo, Shore Fishes " ChallcnRcr ". p. 48, pi. xxii, hR. b ; Norman,
I'):;. Rec. Ind. Mus.. xxix, p. 41 ; Weber and Beaufort, il-V). Fish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v,
p. 136 ; Norman, 1031, Treubia, xiii, p. 425.
I'ncilopsclla maculosa, Alrock, l8<)4, J. .\siat. Soc. Bengal, Ixui (2), p. i ',0. pl. vn, ftp. i ; Alcock,
iSi)S, must. Zool. " Investigator ", Fishes, pl. xv, tig. i ; AlrorU, i.S.,l], ). Asiat. Soc. Uengal,
lxv'(2),p. 3=8.
liaofisilla maculosa, Alcock, 1899, Cat. Indi.an Deep-Sea Fish., p. 127.
- lioopsctla pticlonga, Brauer, 1906, " Valdivia " Tiefsee-Fische, p. 295.
Hnupsclla prirloiiga (part), Scwell, 1912, Rec. Ind. Mus., vii, p. 10.
Depth of body i |",, to 2J in the lengtli. Icnsth of head 3! to 4! . Snout much >,liorter
than eve, diameter of which is about 3 in length of liead ; eyes separated by a low,
narrow ridge, which is scaled in adults, the lower \ery httle in advance of upper,
which enters dorsal profile of head. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of
eye, length 3J to 3J (young) or about 3 times (adult) in that of head ; lower jaw
about 25 in head. Teeth in narrow bands (at least in adults). 10 or 11 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side rather feebly ctenoid m adults,
cycloid in young ; those of blind side cycloid ; 90 to 05 in lateral line. Dorsal 36-61 ;
origin above or a httle behind middle of eye. .Anal 46-50. I'ectoral of ocular side
with II or 12 rays, the middle rays branched (at least in adults) ; length of pectoral
of blind side 2 to 2J in that of head. Caudal pointed : caudal peduncle about 2}
times as deep as long. Pale brownish ; head and body with numerous blackish
dots ; blind side whitish, with traces of black spots ; pectoral with a large dark
spot covering greater part of fin ; a pair of conspicuous black spots at middle of upper
and lower margins of caudal fin ; young pale yellowish brown, with a series of 6 or 7
black blotches or short bars situated at upper and lower edges of body, and with two
series of rather larger blotches on middle of body, one on either side of the lateral
line : on the blind side these markings are very distinct, those on the middle of the
body being smaller and arranged in four rows.
Tvpi:,— British Museum (Xat. Hist). Reg. No 7<). 5. 14.97.
DisTKiBl- riON. — Gulf of Manar; .\ndaman Sea; Kei Islands; north-west of
Sumatra (?) : 120 to 400 fathoms.
PCECILOPSETTINJi
Specimens Examined ;
1 (143 mm.}. Holotvpe.
2 (88, 105 mm.).
Kei Is.,
Andama
29 fms.
Sea, 185 fms.
" Challenge
Ind. Mus.
Also 4 from the Gulf of Manar and the Andaman Sea (Ind. Mus.), including
the holotype of P. maculosa.
4. PCECILOPSETTA HAWAIIENSIS, Gilbert.
Pcecilopsetta hawaiiensis, Gilbert, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish., x,\iii (2}, (1903), p. 679, pi. xcv ;
Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus., ,x, p. 93 ; Norman, 1931, Treubia, xiii, p. 425.
-Pacilopsclla hawaiiensis. B.M. (N.H.) 193
Very close to P. coloraia, but dorsal with (62) 67 rays ; anal with (53) 58 rays ;
pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, all simple ; caudal peduncle a little more than
twice as deep as long. Brownish, with traces of darker markings, those near the edges
of the body being more conspicuous ; a series of brown blotches along dorsal and
anal fins ; a pair of conspicuous black spots at middle of upper and lower margins
of caudal ; pectoral with a narrow black margin ; faint traces of the rows of black
spots on middle of body on bUnd side.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51638.
Distribution. — Hawaiian Islands ; 128 to 238 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
I (121 mm.). Paratype. Hawaiian Is.
The holotype is a male, 126 mm. in total length.
U.S. Nat. iMus.
5. PCECILOPSETTA PR,ELONGA, Alcock.
Pcecilopsetta pralonga, Alcock, 1894, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Ixiii (2), p. 139, pi. vii, fig. 2 ; Alcock,
1895, Illust. Zool. " Investigator ", Fishes, pi. xv, tig. 2 ; Alcock, 1896, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal,
Ixv (2), p. 328 ; Alcock, 1898, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) ii, p. 156 ; Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind.
Mus., xxix, p. 40, fig. II ; Norman, 1931, Treubia, xiii, p. 425.
Boopsetta ttmbrarum, Alcock, 1896, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Ixv (2), p. 305 ; .\Icock, 1897, Illust.
Zool. " Investigator ", Fishes, pi. xvii, fig. 5.
Boopsetta prcrlonga, Alcock, 1899, Cat. Indian Deep-Sea Fish., p. 126.
FLATFISH i;S (HICTI^ROSOMATA)
liiiopselta pnehtngii (pari), Si-wi'll, mi.-, Kim , IirI. Mus.. vii, p. k,
Boopsetia maculosa, W't-bor, it)i3, " Siboga "-lixpcd., i'"isclie, p.
Pacilopsella maculmit. Wcbcr and Beaufort, Kljy, Fish. Indo-Ai
4 3-I.
istral. Ari
p. IJ7, lig. ii.
Close to /'. colorata. but depth of body 2| to 3 in the length, length of head 3J
to 4. ICyes nearly contiguous. Length of maxillary 3I to 3J (young) or yl to 35
(adults) in that of head. Dorsal 59-65 : origin above posterior part of eye. Anal
50-54. Pectoral with 8 to 10 rays, all simple ; length of tin of blind side about 2 in
that of head. Yellowish brown, with some darker blotches ; median fins brownish,
with paler margins ; pectoral brown, with blackish extremity ; blind side whitish,
with traces of black spots ; young coloured as in P. colorata.
Type. — Indian Museum, No. F. 61 /i.
Distribution. — Bay of Bengal ; Andaman Sea ; Tiinur Sea : 120 to 250 fathoms
Specimens Examinkd :
(■H
Bav of Bengal.
Andaman Sea (n i;' N.. ')V
l.Si fnis.
Also 7 from the Bay of Bengal and the .\nd.iman Se.i. incluilmg the hr>l()tyiie
of the species and that of Boopsetta umbriiiuin (Iml Mus )
This species, which has an almost exactly similar ilistribution, may pro\e to be
identical witli /'. cnloiata.
l'(];ClLOPSKTTA I'LINTHUS (Jordan and Starks)
Almpi phnlhus. Jordan and St.irk-
Jordan and Starks, 1906, Proc.
Akad. Wiss., Suppl. iv, Abh. 1.
xxxiii (I), p. 323, fig- 272.
Pacilopsflla plmlkus, Hubbs. 1915.
Soc. Washington, xxxii, p. 163 ;
• •4. liiill, i:.S. Cc
X.Lt Mus., XXXl
r,S. \,it. Mu
man, 1931, Tn
ni. 1-ish., xxil, (lyo::), p. IJJ3, pi. v, hg. j ;
p. 199, hg- t.3 ; Franz, 1910, Abh. Bayer.
d<a and Snyder, 1913, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo,
Depth of body 2j to 2^ in the length, length of head 4! to 4^ Snout much shorter
than eye, diameter of which is about 3} in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow .
naked ridge, the lower scarcely in advance of upper, which enters dorsal profile of
head. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3J to jf, in that of
head; lower jaw i\ in head. 'I'ecth in r.itlicr narrow hands. 10 or 11 gill-rakers
PCECILOPSETTlNvE
393
on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ;
60 to 65 in lateral line. Dorsal 60-64. Anal (45) 50-53, Pectoral of ocular side
with 8 or g rays, middle rays branched, length if to twice in that of head. Caudal
pointed ; caudal peduncle about 3 times as deep as long. Brownish, usually mottled
with black ; a pair of conspicuous black spots at upper and lower edges of body
-Pcrcilopsetta plinth
X \.
below posterior parts of dorsal and anal, situated a head's length in front of base
of caudal ; median fins irregularly spotted and mottled with black ; caudal with a
pair of black blotches, often united to form a black blotch or bar across middle of fin.
Type. — United States National Museum. No. 51406.
Distribution. — Japan.
Specimens Examined :
(130 mm.).
(95 ,, ).
(90 ,, ).
(90 ,, ).
Suruga Bay.
Omai Saki Lt.
Yokohama.
Tanabe, Kii Pi
U.S. Nat. Mus.
Zool. Samml., Mu
Tokyo Imp. Univ
7. PCECILOPSETTA NATALENSIS, Norman.
Flc. 283. — Ptrcilopsetta nalaU
[i.M. (N.H.) 1922.3.27.7. X I
394
FLATFISHES (HETKROSOMATA)
l.imanda beanii (ii.iii Goode), Von Bondc, I92-', Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Siiiv. S. Mr., (1921). Sper.
Rep. i, p. 16 ; li.irnard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. Mus.. xxi, p. 395.
I'acilopsetta iialaUnsts, Xornian, 1931, Treubia, xiii, p. 426.
Depth of body 2^ in the length, length of head 4?. Snout much shorter than eye,
diameter of which i.s 2 J in length of head ; eyes nearly contiguous, the lower scarcely
in advance of upper, which enters dorsal profile of head- Ma.xillary extending to
a little beyond anterior margin of eye. length about 3^ in that of head ; lower jaw
2} in heacl. Teeth in narrow bands. 11 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side; about 70 in lateral line. Donsal
<)2 (?). Anal 54. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays, all simple, length twice in
that of head. Caudal pointed : caudal peduncle more than 3 times as deep as long.
Greyish brown, with darker patches ; dorsal and anal fins with irregular black
markings ; a pair of conspicuous black blotches at middle of upper and lower margins
of caudal ; pectoral blackish distally.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist). Reg. No. 1022.3.27.7.
Distribution. — Off Natal and Delagoa Bav ; 180 to 230 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
(145
1.). Holotype.
S.S ft,
ilchr
Genus 20. XEMATOPS.
Senintops, (junthe
Weber and Be
\'ery close to Poecilopsetta, but each c\'e with a tentacle.
Three species from deep water in the indo-.\ustralian .Xrchipelago.
Synopsis ok the Species.
[. Depth 2j in length ; eye 2^ in head ; about 66 scales in lateral line ;
dorsal 07, anal 55 : pectoral shorter than head . . .1. microslotna.
I. Depth 2I to 2j in length ; eye 2J to 2J in head ; 44 to 48 scales in lateral
hne ; dorsal 52-59, anal 45-48 ; pectoral shorter than head 2. grandisquaina.
I. Depth nearly 3 in length ; eye 2 J in head ; 68 scales in lateral line ; dorsal
65, anal 55 ; pectoral a little longer than head . . .3. maciochnus.
1. NE.M.VTOFS MICROSTOMA, Gunther.
im. (iunthcr, 1S80, Shore I-'ishcs " Challenger ", p. 57. |il.
I'. Bibhop -Mus., .\,p. 92.
¥\o. 2in.— \cmalops nncroUoma. B.M. (N.H ) 71- 5i -4 -Qi. X I.
PCECILOPSETTIN^ 395
Depth of body 2J in the length, length of head 4^. Snout much shorter than
eye, diameter of which is about 2^ in length of head ; eyes nearly contiguous, their
anterior margins about level ; length of tentacle a little less than f diameter of eye.
Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3I in that of head ; lower
jaw 2^ in head. Teeth apparently in 2 or 3 rows in each jaw. 12 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; about 66
in lateral hne. Dorsal 67. Anal 55. Pectoral of ocular side about i as long as head.
Caudal pointed ; caudal peduncle more than twice as deep as long. Brownish,
with indistinct darker markings : rays of dorsal and anal fins dotted with dark brown ;
caudal with a large transverse dark blotch and with a broad whitish posterior margin.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 79.5.14.91.
Distribution. — Admiralty Islands; 152 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
1 (95 mm.). Holotype. Nares Harbour, Admiralty Is., 152 fnis. "Challenger."
2. NEMATOPS GRANDISQUAMA, Weber and Beaufort.
Sematops grandisquama, Weber and Beaufort, ig^g, Fish. Indo-.Austral. Arch., v, p. 134, fig. 32.
Fig. 285. — Sematops grandisquama. B.M. (\.H.) 1933 .2. 18 .6. x ij.
Depth of body 2l to 25 in the length, length of head 3 J^, to 4. Snout much shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 2^ to 2\ in length of head ; eyes nearly contiguous,
their anterior margins nearly level : tentacle nearly as long as eye. Maxillary
extending to a httle beyond anterior margin of eye, length 2t to 3 in that of head.
Teeth in one or tw^o rows. 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on Wind side ; 44 to 48 in lateral line. Dorsal 52-59.
.\nal 45-48 Pectoral of ocular side with 7 to y rays, length about h that of head.
Caudal obtusely pointed. Brownish red, with irregular black blotches on upper
and lower edges of body, one below commencement of last third of dorsal and a
corresponding one above anal more distinct than the others ; fins with dark margins ;
caudal with large transverse black blotches on its hinder half ; tip of pectoral blackish.
Type. — Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — St. Nikolaas Bay, Bali ; 60 to 90 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
I (78 mm.). Paratype. St. Nikolaas Bay, Bali, 60-90 fms. Amsterdam .Mus.
The holotype is 87 mm. in total length.
396
FLATFISHES (HETF.ROSOMATA)
OCllh
3. NEMATOPS MACKOCHIKUS. Norirum.
Xoinum, 103 1. Treubia, .\iii,p. 421, tig. i.
Depth of body nearly 3 in the length, length of head 4J. Snout much shorter
than eye, diameter of which is about 2|^ in length of head ; eyes nearly contiguous,
their anterior margins about level ; length of tentacle about } or ^ that of
eye. Maxillary extending to below anterior margin of eye, length about 3 in that of
head; lower jaw 2 J in head. Teeth in bands. 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 68 in lateral line Dorsal
63. Anal 55. I'ectoral of ocular side with 7 rays, all more or less branched, length
a little greater than that of head. Caudal pointed ; caudal peduncle about twice
as deep as long. Brownish ; some small dark spots and streaks on dorsal and anal
fins ; a dusky blotch on basal part of caudal ; pectoral duskv, with an indistinct
darker blotch distally.
TvPH. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.) Keg. No. 11)31.7.23.1.
Distribution. — Bah Strait ; iO() f.ithoms.
SPECIMKN ExAMINhl) :
{106 1
MarUyella, J
HondeJ.
Holo
■ ■J-5. I'l
Hall sir
l..f, f
ms.'"'"
G
enu
IS
.^0.
MARL
A
cad.
.\
,lt. S.:
1. I'lul.ul
14' 4'.' K.),
HardenbcrR.
, p. ;..;, [PnrtUnf^u-lla buolora/a, Vc
Close to Pcecilopselta, but male with strong rostral spines, and with the teeth
on the ocular side of the upper jaw extending on to the outer surface of the jaw ;
anterior rays of dorsal and of pelvic of ocular side more or less prolonged in both
sexes, very long in the male.
A single species from Natal.
I. MAKLEYELLA BICOLORAT.V (Von Bondc).
liiul. Surv. .S. ."^fr., (nil). Spec. Rep.
X.\l, p. 3ql).
ad. .Vat. Sci. I'hiiad., Iwvii, p. joj.
J'iecUopsflla hiciilurata, Von IJonde, irjjj. Rep. Fish. .A
p. 14, pi. V, tig. 2 ; liarnard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. M
I'lrcilopselta IMarieyclla) hicnl„rata. FomUt. 1.12C.. Proc.
MnrUvMa Im.Anrala. Xorliian. i.,5i, Treul.i.i, xiii, p. 4
PCECILOPSETTIN^
397
Body ovate. Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head about 4.
Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is nearly 4 in length of head ; eyes separated
by a low scaled ridge, its width less than i diameter of eye ; anterior margins of eyes
about level, the upper entering dorsal profile of head. A strong rostral spine over-
hanging the upper jaw of the ocular side in the male, and a similar but rather smaller
spine on blind side ; in the female the spine on the ocular side is represented by a small
prominence, and that of the blind side is absent. Maxillary extending nearly to below
middle of eye, length 2j to 2 J in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. Teeth
Fig. 287. — Marleyella hicolorata
irregularly biserial or in narrow bands, extending on to outer surface of upper jaw
on ocular side in the male. 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales
rather feebly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; 70 to 75 in lateral line.
Dorsal 55-57 ; origin above middle of eye ; second to eighth rays greatly prolonged
in the male, highest nearly twice length of head ; second to fourth or fifth rays a
little longer than those which follow in the female. Anal 46-47. Pectoral of ocular
side with 11 rays (g or 10 branched), length i| to ij in that of head. Pelvics with
first three rays prolonged in both sexes, longest rays f ($) or about twice (,^) length
of head. Caudal obtusely pointed ; caudal peduncle short. Dark brownish, spotted
and blotched with black, the dark blotches tending to form irregular cross-bars ;
branchiostegal membranes azure blue below ; median fins with smaller and larger
black spots ; caudal with a dark vertical bar near its base ; pectoral and pelvic
spotted with darker ; blind side dark brown, with indistinct darker markings ; head
with small round black spots.
S II.ArFIS[Il';S (HKTKROSOMATA)
Type.— British Museum (Nut. Hist). Keg. No. 102^.3.2
Distribution. — Natal coast : 30 to 223 fathoms.
Specimens Examini d :
:: (I7,i. iSj mm.), rypcs.i \,ital, 70-:::^ i fms.
Subfamily 3. PARALICHTHODIN^.
Dorsal fin cxteiuUng lorwaril on the snout above the nasal organ of the blind
side ; pelvic fins short-based, subequal, that of ocular side median and somewhat
advanced, the fins supported by the pelvic bones liehind the cleithra; pectoral radials
present ; hypocoracoids narrowed forward below. Last five pra>caudal vertebra"
with parapophy.ses, of which the last pair are connected by a bridge. Olfactory
lamina" arranged transverselj' to or radiating from a central rachis. I-ateral line
equally developeii on both sides of body.
A single genus
Cemis 31 PAK.ALICHTHODES.
l-aiahihlhocic-.. Cilihrist, looj. Mar. hivrst S .\U.. ii, p. ui.S [Parahihlhodcs ahomsh. Gilchrist];
Kcg.in, itiJo, Aim. Durban Mus., u, p. ji i.
Body rather elongate, compressed Eyes on the right side, separated by a flat
space of moderate width. Mouth rather large, the length of the maxillary nearly
i that of head ; jaws and dentition about equally developed on both .sides ; teeth
small, pointed, in 2 or 3 series in both jaws ; vomer toothless. Gill-membranes
separate ; gill-rakers of moderate length, rather close-set, not numerous : lower
pharyngeals very narrow and slender, not approximated, each with 3 or 4 rows of
pointed teeth. Dorsal fin commencing in front of nostrils of blind side and well
in advance of eye ; most of the rays forked distally, scaled at their bases. Anal
similar to dorsal ; tip of first interha-raal spine not projecting in front of fin. Pectoral
fins unequal, that of ocular side larger ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins with
6 rays. Caudal peduncle very short. Scales small, adherent, imbricated : all cycloid.
Lateral line with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin : a supratemporal branch.
Vertebrae 31 (10 -f 21). Vent on blind side, above first ray of anal fin ; intestine
with 2 or 3 coils ', 2 -\- 2 pyloric appendages of moderate length.
-\ single species from South .Vfnca
I. PARALICHTHODES ALGOENSIS, Gilchrist.
I'arahchthodes algoensis, Gilchrist, 100:;, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., 11, p. 108, pi. viii ; Gilchrist and
Thompson, 1909, Ann. S. Afr. Mas., vi, p. 262 ; Gilchrist and riiompson, 1917. .*\nii. Durban
Mus., i, p. 397; Regan, 19:0, Ann. Durban Mus., ii, p. ::i4 ; Barnard, vw,. Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,
x.\i,p. 398.
Depth of body about 2| in the length, length of head 4 to 4I. Snout about as
long as eye, diameter of which is 4! to nearly 5 in length of head and more than twice
the interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes about level or upper a little in advance
of lower. Maxillary extending to below middle or posterior part of eye, length nearly
\ that of head ; lower jaw projecting. 19 to 21 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch, no to 125 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (67) 72-74; anterior rays much
branched and more or less free from membrane. Anal (47) 51-54. Pectoral of ocular
side with 12 rays (c) or 10 branched), length i§ to if in that of head. Caudal with
16 rays (12 branched), rounded or obtusely pointed. Brownish or greyish, with sin, ill
dark spots on head and anterior part of body.
' The larger specimen, a male, is sclecled ,is the holutype.
SAMARIN^
Type. — South African Museum.
Distribution.— South-east Africa (Algoa Bay, East London, Natal)
Specimens Examined :
i(l8omm.). Durban, Natal. Warren.
' '"'" " '• >■ Marley and Robinson.
Attains to a length of 15 to 18 inches.
Subfamily 4. SAMARIN^.
Dorsal fin extending forward on the snout below the nasal organ of the blind sied
which IS nearly on median line of head; pelvic fins short-based or rather elongate'
that of ocular side median and somewhat advanced, the fins supported bv the pelvic
bones behind or below the cleithra ; pectoral radials present ; hypocoracoids expanded
1 arapophyses of prajcaudal vertebra; united to form closed hjemal arches bearing
the slender ribs at their extremities. Olfactory organ rather feeblv developed the
lamina; slightly raised, parallel, without central rachis. Lateral line rudimentarv
and scarcely apparent on blind side of body.
Four genera from the tropical Indo-Pa'cific.
Synopsis of the Genera.
L Bases of pelvics short ; mouth large, the maxillary i or more than i head •
both pectorals developed : lateral line with distinct curve above pectoral ■
gill-rakers long, slender, denticulated.
A. Scales deciduous, less than 35 in lateral line : snout, jaws, interorbital
space and upper parts of eye-balls not scaled . .3. Br\chypleura
B. Scales firm, more than 50 in lateral line ; snout, jaws, interorbital space
and upper parts of eye-balls scaled . . . 33- Lepidoblepharon.
n. Bases of pelvics rather elongate ; mouth small, the maxillary "enerallv
less than i head ; pectoral of blind side absent ; lateral line nearly straight ■
gill-rakers (if present) short, not denticulated ; scales rather small firm'
a . borne of the anterior dorsal rays and those of pelvic of ocular side prol'on.'ed
and filamentous ; all the caudal rays simple . ,, S^m\ris
B. Anterior rays of dorsal and those of pelvic of ocular side not much pro- '
longed ; middle caudal rays branched . . . .35, Samariscus.
UraclnpUuta. (Uiiithc
Latoplcryx, Weber, ig
FLATFISHES (HFTEROSOMATA)
Cenus 32. BKACHYPLEURA.
lS6;, C:U. Fish., iv, p. 414 [Biachypleura lunurzi
, " Siboga "-E.xped., Fische, p. 422 [Brachyplcur,
aiulia, (amther].
xaiilhiislicla. Alcock].
Body elliptical, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a very narrow
ridge : snout, jaws, interorbital space and upper parts of eye-balls not scaled ; na.sal
organ of blind side above fir.st ray of dorsal fin. Mouth large, the length of
the maxillary i or more than J that of head ; jaws and dentition about equally
developed on both sides : teeth pointed ; anterior teeth of upper jaw enlarged,
biserial : teeth in lower jaw biserial almost throughout, those of the outer series
larger ; head of vomer prominent, with a patch of conical teeth. Gill-membranes
more or less united below the throat ; gill-rakers rather long, slender, denticulated,
not numerous. Dorsal fin commencing on blind side, in front of eye ; some of the
anterior rays prolonged and filamentous in the male ; most of the rays simple, not
scaled ; no .sheath covering basal part of fin. Anal similar to dorsal ; tip of first
mterha-mal spine not projecting in front of fin. Pectoral fins equally developed
on both sides ; middle rays branched. Pelvic fins with 6 rays, short-based, that of
ocular side well in advance of that of blind side. Caudal fin with the middle rays
branched ; caudal peduncle very short. Scales rather large, deciduous, imbricated,
ctenoid or cycloid ; less than 35 scales in lateral line. Lateral line with a distinct
curve above the pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch. Vent nearly median.
.\ smgle species from the Indo-l'acific.
BKACHYPLEURA NOV^-ZEELANDI/E, Gunther.
Jiyplnim iiovu--:ceIan
" Ch.illenger ", p. 41
Rec. Ind. Mus., .x.xix
and Beaufort, 1929,
Her. Gunther, 1802, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 419: Giinther, 1
; I'hiUipps, 1927, N.Z. Mar. Dept., Fish Bull., i, p. 2;
p. 43, fig. 12 ; Fowler, 1928, Mem. B. P. Bishop Mus.
rish. Indo-Austral. Arch., v, p. 145, fig. 37.
,pl.x
8K0, Shore Fishe
lirachypleura xanlhosHcta, Alcock, i88g, J, Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Iviii (2), p. 281
1896, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Ixv {2), p. 327 ; Alcock, 1898, lUust. Zool. " Inve
pi. .\xii, fig. 2 ; Regan, 1908, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., xii, p. 232 ; Je;
Ind. Mus., ill, p. 27 ; Borodin, 1930, Bull. Vanderbilt Mar. Mus., i (2), p. 46.
laiupleiyx xaiilhuslulu. Weber, 191 5, " Siboga "-Exped., Fisrhe, p. 423-
, p. 43 ; Weber
".fig.
;tigato
1-ir,. 2So—Brachyplcu
:ccl,>mlur. 0" B..M. (N.H,)55.
1927- I.I'. 73- ■ I.
SAMARIN^
401
Depth of body 2? to 25 in the length, length of head 3J to 3|. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3f to 4J in length of head ; upper eye well in advance
of lower and close to edge of head. Cleft of mouth curved, a convexity of the mandible
fitting into a concavity of the upper jaw ; maxillary extending to below middle of
eye or beyond ; lower jaw a little projecting. 8 to 10 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid or rather feebly ctenoid on blind
side ; 29 to 32 in lateral line. Dorsal 65-74 '• ^ ^^^ ""^ys in posterior part of fin
forked distally, remainder all simple. Anal (41) 43-49. Pectoral of ocular side
with 10 to 12 rays, length | to it that of head. Caudal with 17 to 19 rays (13 branched),
rounded. Yellowish or greyish brown, sometimes with some indistinct darker
markings ; median fins often with small dark spots.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 55.9. 19. 1234.
Distribution. — Indian Ocean and Archipelago ; Philippines ; New Zealand (?)' :
in deep water.
Specimens Examined :
Paratypes of B.
xanthosticta.
Maldive Is.
Off Gopalpur, Ganjam Coast.
\ Off Ganjam Coast, 25-35 Ims.
Gardiner.
Bay of Bengal, 12 fms.
OS Tenasserim Coast, Burma, 50
Andaman Is., 53 fms.
Java Sea (5° 44' S., 113° 54' E.).
Arafura Sea, 35-49 fms.
New Zealand.
fms.
2 {67, 115 mm.).
I (100 mm.).
3 (90-105 mm.).
3(70-98 ,, ).
I (90 mm.).
I (78 ,, ).
3 (70-93 mm.).
2(80,90 ,, ).
1 (105 mm.).
2 (88, 122 mm.).
I (105 mm.), skeleton.
I (95 mm.). Paratype.
I (89 ,, ). Holotype.
Also numerous specimens from the Ganjam coast. Bay of Bengal, Burmese coast,
and Andaman Islands (Ind. Mus.).
Hardenberg.
" Challenger.'*
Richardson.
Haslar Coll.
Genus 33. LEPIDOBLEPHARON.
LepidobUpharon, Weber, 191 3, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 421 [Lepidoblepharon ophtkalmoUpis,
Weber].
Close to Brachypletira, but snout, jaws, interorbital space and upper parts of
eye-balls covered with scales. Nasal organ of blind side below first ray of dorsal
fin. Teeth small, in bands in the jaws, the bands becoming broader anteriorly :
vomer toothless or with a few teeth on its posterior border. None of the dorsal rays
prolonged ; rays simple or forked distally, scaled ; a low scaled sheath covering basal
part of fin. Posterior rays of anal fin more distinctly forked. Scales of moderate
size, firm, imbricated, ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid on blind side ; more than 50
in lateral line.
A single species from the Indo-Australian Archipelago.
I. LEPIDOBLEPHARON OPHTHALMOLEPIS, Weber.
LrptdobUph
and Be
ron nphthalmolepis , Weber, 1913,
iifort, 192Q, Fish. Indo-Austral.
' Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 422, pi. vi, fig. 7 ; Weber
^rch., V, p. 143, fig. 36.
Depth of body 2| in the length, length of head a little more than 3. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3i in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level,
upper close to edge of head. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye, length
about 2 in that of head ; lower jaw projecting, ij in head. 13 gill-rakers on lower
part of anterior arch. 56 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 62. Anal 46, Pectoral
of ocular side with n rays, length a little more than J that of head, that of blind
It is possible that the type-locality of this species is incorrect.
26
40J FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
side longer. Pelvics with 6 rays, Camlal with n) rays (15 branched), rounded.
Brownish, with a darker brown band below base of dorsal and above that of anal ;
bUnd side paler.
Type. — Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — Near Kei Islands, Arafura Sea : 175 fathoms
Specimen Ex.\mined :
The holotype, 122 mm. in total length (.-Xmsterdani Mus.).
Genus 34. SAMARIS.
Samaris, Gr.iv, 1831, Zool. Misccll. (Gray), (i), p. 4 [Samarzs cnstalus. Gray],
Body elliptical, compressed. Eyes on the right side, nearly contiguous or separated
by a very narrow, scaled ridge ; snout, jaws and upper parts ol eye-balls not scaled ;
nasal organ of blind side above first ray of dorsal fin. Mouth small, the length of
the maxillary not much more than J that of head ; jaws and dentition about equally
developed on both sides ; teeth small, villiform, in narrow bands ; teeth not enlarged
anteriorly ; vomer toothless. Gill membranes broadly united below the throat ;
gill-rakers rudimentary. Dorsal fin commencing on blind side, in front of eye ;
anterior rays greatly prolonged and filamentous ; all the rays simple, not .scaled ;
no sheath covering basal part of fin. Anal similar to dorsal : tip of first interha-mal
spine not projecting in front of fin. Only the pectoral fin of ocular side developed :
all the rays simple. Pelvic fins with 5 rays, bases rather elongate ; that of ocular
side placed a little farther forward that that of blind side, and with the rays prolonged.
Caudal fin with the rays all simple ; caudal peduncle very short. Scales rather
small, adherent, imbricated, strongly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid or moderately
ctenoid on blind side ; more than 50 scales in lateral line. Lateral line nearly straight,
bifurcated behind upper eye ; no supratemporal branch. Vent nearly median.
.\bout five species from the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. 63 or more scales in lateral line ; dorsal with more than 73 rays,
13 of which are prolonged ; anal 50-59.
A. Dorsal (73) 77-80 (81), anal 50-54 (57) ; 68 to 76 scales in lateral line
B. Dorsal 8b, anal 57 ; 80 scales in lateral line ....
c. Dorsal 78, anal 55 ; 94 scales in lateral line ....
D. Dorsal 86, anal 59 ; 63 scales in lateral line ....
[1 55 scales in lateral line ; dorsal with 60 rays, of which 8 only
at least
I ci-islaliis.
2. oruatiis.
3, delagoensii.
4- i'lHlltua-.
re prolonged :
5, macrolepis.
SAMARIN^ 403
I. SAMARIS CRIST ATUS, Gray.
Samariscristalus, Gray, 1831, Zool. Miscell. (Gray), (i), p. 5 ; Gunther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 420 ;
Alcock, 1889, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Iviii (2), p. 291, pi. xvii, fig. 4 ; Alcock, 1896. J. Asiat. Soc.
Bengal, l.xv (2), p. 327 ; Alcock, 1898, lUust. Zool. " Investigator ", Fishes, pi. xxiii, fig. 2 ;
Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 44 ; Weber and Beaufort, 1929, Fish. Indo-Austral.
Arch., V, p. 138, fig. 34.
Fig. 291. — Samaris cristatus. B.M. (N.H.) [750
Depth of body 2\ to 3 in the length, length of head 3I to 5J. Snout shorter than
eye, diameter of which is 2 1 to 4 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or a little beyond, length 2j to
3^ in that of head ; lower jaw a little projecting, ij to 2 in head. Scales ctenoid on
ocular side, cycloid or rather feebly ctenoid on blind side ; 68 to 76 in lateral line.
Dorsal (73), 77-80 (81) ; first 13 or 14 rays greatly prolonged (except in verj- young),
highest rays 4 or 5 times length of head. Anal 50-54 (57). Pectoral with 4 rays,
length I J to I i times that of head. Caudal with 16 simple rays, rounded. Brownish,
variegated with paler and darker in the young, spotted and blotched with blackish in
adults ; generally a series of more distinct dark blotches along upper and lower edges
of body ; snout pale ; anterior dorsal rays white, some of them blackish at their
bases ; rest of dorsal and anal fins brownish, freckled with small white spots, and
darker towards their edges ; tip of caudal often dark brown or black ; pectoral dark
brown.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. [750].
Distribution. — Indian Ocean and Archipelago ; Chinese seas : in rather deep
water.
FLATFISHliS (HETEKOSOMATA)
Specimens
Examined :
1 (45 mm.).
S. of Cevlon (6° 6' X., Si° .'3' E.),
3- fn
I {53 „ ).
■ (2^ ■■ ).
(6° 01' N., 8r i6' E.)
Ross Isd., Andaman Is., 3-4 fins.
34 f
- (i-M, i(,2 m
11.).
Malay Peninsula.
I (1 10 mm.).
Java Sea (4° i5' S., 106= 41' E.).
■ (135 „ ).
■ (7c. .. ).
(4°S., ii3°E.).
China Seas.
I (ibo ,. ).
Holot
vpe.
Cliina.
Skeats.
Hardenberg.
Belcher.
Hardwicke.
Also 6 specimens from off Ceylon and from the .Andaman Islands (Ind. .Mii
SAMARIS ORNATUS, Von Bonde.
S. Afr., ii, (1921), Spec. Rep. i, p. 13,
uins ormitus. \'on Bonde. lO--;, Rep. Fish. .Mar. Bid. S
pi \i ; Barnard, 19-5, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., .\xi, p. 396.
Perhaps identical with -S. crislatiis, but length of maxillary 3^ in that of head ;
about 80 scales in Literal line ; dorsal 86, anal 57 ; pectoral a little shorter than head.
Deep brown, with irregularly scattered black spots ; a row of 5 large blotches along
upper edge, 4 along lower edge of body, and 2 on lateral line : dorsal and anal fins
dusky, darker towards their edges ; anterior rays of dorsal white distally ; caudal
with small pale spots ; pectoral blackish ; both pelvics dusky, darker distally.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1922.3.27.8.
Distribution. — Natal, 33 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
I (103 mm.). Holotype. Xatal, 33 fms. C.ilchnst.
SAMARIN.^E
3. SAMARIS DELAGOENSIS, Von Bonde.
Samaris delagoensis, Von Bonde, 1925, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., xii, p. 289.
Perhaps identical with S. cristatus, but scales ctenoid on both sides of body, the
spinules stronger on those of ocular side ; 94 scales in lateral line ; dorsal 78. first
15 rays prolonged ; anal 55 ; pectoral a little shorter than head ; caudal with 15
rays. Dark brown, with blotches of various sizes scattered all over body and fins ;
third, fifth, sixth and tenth elongated dorsal rays have their bases blackish ; posterior
parts of dorsal and anal and whole of caudal mottled with paler ; pectoral dark,
mottled with black ; pelvics very dark, tips of first 3 rays of that of ocular side black.
Type. — Government Marine Survey of South Africa collection.
Distribution. — Delagoa Bay, S. Africa.
Originally described from 3 specimens, 150 to 170 mm. in total length. No other
specimens known.
4. SAMARIS CACATU^ (Ogilby).
Arnoglossus cacatua, Ogilby, 1910, New Fish. Queensland Coast, p. 130.
Samaris cacatucs, McCuUoch and Whitley, 1925, Rec. Aust. Mus., xiv, p. 348, pi. xlix ; Xorman,
1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 255.
I
Fig. 293. — Samaris cacatua. [After McCuUoch and Whitley.]
Perhaps identical with 5. cristatus, but with 63 scales in lateral line ; dorsal 80,
anal 59. Pale brown, with scattered dark flecks, which coalesce to form irregular
markings on head and body ; a row of 5 circular dark spots along upper edge. 4 along
lower edge of body, and 3 just below the lateral line ; median fins with oblique greyish-
brown bars, tending to form angular markings ; filamentous dorsal rays white ;
pectoral with a black ocellus on its distal portion and with irregular cross-bars ;
pelvics with brown bars, most pronounced on their terminal expansions.
4o6 FLATFISHES (HETF.ROSOMATA)
TvpE. — Queensland Museum.
Distribution, — 20 miles N.E. of Gloucester Head, Queensland ; 35 fathoms.
The unique holotype is 171 mm. in total length.
3. SAMAKIS MACKOLEITS, Norman.
uh-fiii. .Nurni.Mi, i<).'7, R<' . Ind. .Mus., xxix. p. 45, pi. Vl.
,-;,•/.,.
li.M. (N.H.) 88.
(lose to i'. cristalua. Depth of body jj m the lenyth, length of head 4|. Snout
shorter than eve, diameter of which is 3J in length of head ; eyes nearly contiguous,
their anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior
edge of eye, length about 3 in that of head. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body ;
about 53 in lateral line. Dorsal 60 ; first 8 rays moderately prolonged, decreasing
in height from the first, which is 2i times length of head. Anal 47. Pectoral with
4 rays, length li times that of head. Rays of pelvic of ocular side prolonged, longest
nearly twice head ; rays of that of blind side short. Caudal with 16 rays, pointed.
Brownish, mottled and spotted with paler and darker ; median fins with brown spots ;
pelvic of ocular side with 3 narrow cross-bars.
Type.— British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Keg. No. 88. u. i .32.
Distribution. — Gulf of Martaban.
Specimen Examined :
I (ji mm.). Holotvpe.
l-.ulf of Martaba
SAMARIN^
Genus 35. SAMARISCUS.
Samariscus, Gilbert
Gilbert]
? Plagiopsetta, Franz
Franz].
905, Bull. U.S. Com. Fish.,
, 1931, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
910, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wis;
xxiii, (1903), p.
(10) viii, p. 602.
., Stippl. iv, Abh.
82 [Samariscus coraltinus,
, p. 64 [Plagiopseita glossa.
Closely related to Samaris, but none of the rays of the dorsal or pelvic fins greatly
prolonged ; caudal with the middle rays branched.
Six or seven species from the Indo-Pacific.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Depth 2§ in length ; maxillary 3 i to 3 1 in head ;
pectoral longer than head
I. inornatus.
II. Depth 2| to 3f in length ; maxillary 2 to 3 in head.
A. Pectoral shorter than, or a little longer than head.
1. Head 3} in length ; eye 3 J, maxillary 3, pectoral ij in head ; 62 scales
in lateral line . . . . . . . .2. maculatiis.
2. Head 4? to 4J in length ; eye 4, maxillary 2 to zi in head ; pectoral
a little longer than head ; 70 to 75 scales in lateral line . 3. hnysmani.
3. Head 4J to 5 in length ; eye 3J to about 4, maxillary 2j in head ;
pectoral nearly as long as head ; about 100 scales in lateral line
4. corallinus.
B. Pectoral twice or more than twice as long as head.
1. Head 4 to 4J in length ; eye 2| to a little more than 3, maxillary 2I
to 25 in head ; 68 to 74 scales in lateral line . . . .5. sttnieri.
2. Head 3 J to 3f in length : eye 3 J to 3I, maxillary about 3 in head ;
55 to 60 scales in lateral line . . . . .6. longimanus.
I. SAMARISCUS INORNATUS (Lloyd).
figs. 7, ya.
Fig. 295. — iiamariscus inornatus. B.M. {N.H.) 1927. 1. 6. 67.
Depth of body about 2| in the length, length of head 3f to 4. Snout shorter than
eye, diameter of which is nearly 4 in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow,
4o8
FLATFISHICS (HKTEROSOMATA)
scaled space, their anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending to below
anterior i of eye, length 3i to 35 in that of head ; lower jaw about 2i in head. 8 or
o short, tubercular gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales more or less
ctenoid on both sides of body, the denticulations much stronger on those of ocular
side : about 63 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (61) 63-67. Anal 48-50. Pectoral
with 5 rays, longer than head. Caudal with 16 rays, rounded. Brownish, with
darker spots and blotches on head, body and fins ; pectoral blackish.
Type. — Indian Museum.
Distribution. — Gulf of Aden, 130 fathoms.
Specimens Examined :
P.,ratvpc
ib' \., 47' 32
130 fin;
Also anotlier example (130 mm.), from the same locality (Ind. Mus
2. SAMARISCUS MACULATUS (Giinther).
nnrts macidatits, Giinther, 1880, Shore Fishes " CIi.TlIenger ", p. 47, pi. x.xi, hg. a ;
in Gardiner, I-aun. Maldive Laccadive Arcli., i, p. 277 ; Regan, lOoW. Trans. Linn.
ZooL, xii, p. 232.
nariscus maculatm. Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mils,, xxix, p. 47; Weber and Be
Fish. Indo-.\ustnil. Arch., v, p. 141.
li.M. (\.H.) 7'i.5.i4.S4-
Depth of body 3 to 3J m the length, length of head about 3J. Snout a little shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3J in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow
ridge, the lower in advance of upper. Maxillary extending to a little beyond anterior
edge of eye. length 3 in that of head ; lower jaw about twice in head. No gill-rakers.
Scales strongly ctenoid on ocular side, cycloid or moderately ctenoid on blind side ;
62 in lateral line. Dorsal 73. Anal 57. Pectoral with 5 rays, length i^ in that of
head. Caudal with 16 rays, obtusely pointed. Pale brownish, with a series of
5 well separated black spots along upper edge of body, a similar row along lower
edge, and a third, composed of 3 spots, along the lateral line ; median fins with irregular
blackish dots and blackish margins ; pectoral variegated with black.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist,). Reg. No, 79.5.14.84.
Distribution. — Maldive Islands; Kei Islands: 120 fathoms.
Specimens Examined :
(27 nil
(100 ,
M.ildi'
). Holotvpe.
SAMARIN^
3. SAMARISCUS HUYSMANI, Weber.
Samnriscus huysmani. Weber, ,913, " Siboga "-Exped., Fische, p. 420, pi. vi fig 6 • Norman ,a,.
Depth of body 2^ to 2t in the lenRth, length of head 4J to 4? Snout about as
cafed rXe theTo " °' "^h"^ " "♦ ? ''"^'''°' ^^^'^ ■ ^^'^ sept^rated by a narrow
Holotype.
Type. — Amsterdam Museum
[lnd° MuS; "JlTeUrypll^o^L"^) ^::;^thTTivi^ ^e^I ^8 fl^t^^' ^'^ ^^ ^^"-"^
also from the Java SeaT6^- U' S.. n i» 4 ™ET[lnrterran.'yust™'' ' °" °*'"'
4 SAMARISCUS CORALLINUS, Gilbert.
Sanmriscns corallmus. Gilbert, 1905, Bull. U.S. Com Fish
Samarvs corallinus. Gunther, 1909, Fische Sudsee, viii p '
Mus., X, p. 93. ' • y .
ii (^), (1903), p. 682, pi. X
Fowler, 1928, Mem. B.
P. Bishop
anterior pfr^ of eyelenRth i in tha?nrh H^^^r' ^''"*"",^ --tend^^^ to below
nearly ob^solete. ^ScSt'ln^d on"bo\h"si^d:fof ^ ^^^^^L^t^
4IO
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
of ocular side ; about loo scales in lateral line.' Dorsal 75 (77). Anal 63 (65).
Pectoral with 4 rays, nearly as long as head. Caudal with 16 rays, rounded or obtusely
pointed. Coralline red, mottled and spotted with blackish, pearly grey and pinkish
white ; a pair of round black spots with small orange centres situated at upper and
lower edges of hinder ]>,irt of body ; lins mottled and spotted like the body. Init in
tiner pattern.
Type. — United States National Museum No 51396.
Distribution. — Hawaiian Islands, 43 to 73 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
A paratype (83 mm.) .U.S. Nat. Mus. No, 51676].
The holotype is no mm in total length.
;A.MARISCI;S SIWIERI, \Vel)cr and Beaufort
■l.iT anil Be-iufiirt, lyro, Fish. Indo-Austr.il. Arrl,., v, p.
' Gilbert describes the integument of the ocular side as " thickly beset with minute cup-shaped
orRans, possibly glandular in fvmction ".
SAMARIN.E
4"
Depth of body 2f''„ to 3f in the length, length of head 4 to nearly 4 J. Snout
shorter than eye, diameter of which is 2J to a little more than 3 in length of head :
eyes separated by a somewhat elevated, scaled ridge, the lower a little in advance
of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 2 J to 2 1 in that
of head. Gill-rakers short or rudimentary, knob-like. Scales ctenoid on both sides
of body, 68 to 74 in lateral line. Dorsal 70-76. Anal 54-61. Pectoral with 5 rays,
more than twice as long as head. Caudal with 16 rays, rounded or pointed. Dark
brownish, with 5 dark blotches or incomplete rings along upper edge and 4 along
lower edge of body ; body and fins variegated with dark spots ; median fins with a
dark border ; pectoral regularly ringed grey and black.
Type. — Amsterdam Museum.
Distribution. — Bali, 59 to 138 fathoms.
Specimen Examined :
St. Nikolaas Bay, Bali, 60-90 fii
Amsterdam Mas.
6. SAMARISCUS LONGIMANUS, Norman,
: lotigimanus, Norman, 1927, Rec. Ind. Mus., xxix, p. 46, pi. vii.
Fig. 300. — Samariscus longiman,
Depth of body 2| to nearly 3 in length, length of head 3^ to 3|. Snout shorter
than eye, diameter of which is 3i to 3J in length of head ; eyes separated by a narrow
ridge, their anterior margins level, llaxillary extending to below anterior J of eye,
length about 3 in that of head ; lower jaw z^ to 2j in head. Gill-rakers rudimentary.
Scales ctenoid on both sides of body, the denticulations stronger on those of ocular
side ; 55 to 60 (?) scales in lateral line. Dorsal 66-71. Anal 50-54. Pectoral with
5 rays, length twice that of head. Caudal with 16 rays, pointed. Greyish brown,
with a series of 5 black blotches along upper edge, and 3 or 4 along lower edge of
body ; a group of black blotches round anterior part of lateral line, and one or two
smaller ones on the straight portion ; dorsal and anal fins pale, with a narrow dark
margin and a series of dark spots ; distal part of caudal dusky, two small dark spots
near base of fin ; pectoral blackish.
2 FLAIFISHES (HICTEROSOMA'IA)
Typk. — Indian Museum
Distribution. — West of Ceylon, 102 to 105 fathoms.
Specimens Examini-d :
I (loi) iniii.,1. Par.Uvpo. \Vo5t cif Ceylon, 102-105 fins.
Also the holotype (130 mm,), from the same locahty.
PliiKwpsdla s:Ims,i. ¥
Siimrtriscus "/.i.ssn, \c
DOUBTFUL SPECIES.
SAMARISCUS (?) GLOSSA (Franz).
, loio, Abh. Bavcr. Ak.iil. Wiss., Suppl. i\ , .Al.h. 1, p. 64, pi. vii
!i, i.j.ii. Ann. .Mag. .Nat. Hist.. (10) viii, p. hnv
Depth of body jj- in the length, length of head 4J. Snout shorter than eye,
diameter of which is 3J in length of liead ; eyes separated by a narrow, scaled ridge,
their anterior margins about level. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of
eye. Scales ctenoid ; 66 in lateral line. Lateral line with accessory branches.'
Dorsal 70. Anal 53. Pectoral with about 10 (?) rays, a little longer than head.
Caudal obtusely pointed. Brownish, spotted and blotched with black on head, body
and fins ; dorsal and anal fins with dark edges ; pectoral with small dark spots.
Type. — Not traced.^
Distribution. — Japan (Yagoshima), 82 fathoms
The unique holotype was no mm. in total length.
'. describes the lateral line as follows: " Laterallinie ga
urzcn, aufwarts strebenden Ast, ausserdeni iindet sicl
iestrei kt, .in der Augenseite hat
n abgesprengtes Stiick Lateral-
linie dorsal \oni Operculanvinkel ; vielleicht abnormerweise. .A.uf der iJlindseite ist der kurze,
.lufsteiseiide .\st sleichfalls vorhanden und von ihin zieht cine Laterallinie, iini .-^ugenlinie von der
Hasis der Dorsalen entfernt, der letzteren parallel iiber V der Lange des ganzen Tieres."
- i.ir. O. Siiiindler, of the Zoologische SaininUing des liaverischen Staates, Miinchen, informs
tli.it the tvpt
sper
lie fn
RHOMBOSOLEIN^
Subfamily 5. RHOMBOSOLEIN^.
Dorsal fin commencing just behind the nasal organ of the blind side or extending
forward on the snout above it ; pelvic fins asymmetrical, that of ocular side median,
elongate, extending forward to the urohyal, supported by a cartilaginous plate placed
in advance of the cleithra, its anterior ray well in advance of first ray of that of blind
side, which, if present, is small, with the base short or of moderate length ; no pectoral
radials, the rays inserted on the hypercoracoid ; hypocoracoids narrowed forward
below. Parapophyses of praecaudal vertebrae not united. Olfactory laminae with
or without a central rachis. Lateral line equally developed on both sides of body.
Dentition stronger on blind side of jaws. Gill-membranes united. No pyloric
appendages.
Eight genera from .southern South America, southern Australia, and from New
Zealand.
Synopsis of the Genera.
I. Both pelvic fins developed.
A. Pelvic of ocular side free from anal.
1. Lateral line with distinct curve above pectoral ; pelvic of ocular
side with 6 rays.
a. Jaws stronger on blind side ; branchial septum with a large foramen
between lower pharyngeals and urohyal ; first ray of dorsal
much modified, contained in a groove on blind side of head ;
lateral line with several transverse accessory branches
36. Oncopterus.
b. Jaws stronger on ocular side ; branchial septum entire ; first
ray of dorsal fin not modified ; lateral line with a supratemporal
branch, but no other accessory branches . . 37. Psammodiscus.
2. Lateral line with very low curve above pectoral ; pelvic of ocular
side with 10 or II rays ...... 38. Azygopus.
B. Pelvic of ocular side united with anal.
1 . Origin of dorsal above eye ; snout not produced ; nasal organ of
blind side nearly on edge of head ; jaws nearly symmetrical
39. Pelotretis.
2. Origin of dorsal in front of eye ; snout produced to form a fleshy hook ;
nasal organ of blind side nearly opposite to that of ocular side ; jaws
stronger on blind side
a. Mouth visible on ocular side ; none of the pectoral rays prolonged ;
lower lip of ocular side fringed.
a.. Olfactory laminae parallel, without rachis ; dorsal and anal rays
scaled, without basal sheath ; gill-rakers tubercular, few
in number ...... 40. Ammotretis.
(i. Olfactory laminae radiating from a short central rachis ; dorsal
and anal rays not scaled, a low scaled sheath at bases of fins
on ocular side ; gill-rakers short, rather numerous 41. Colistium.
b. Mouth nearly or quite hidden on ocular side by a membranous
flap ; second upper ray of pectoral of ocular side prolonged,
filamentous ; lower lip of ocular side not fringed
42. Peltorhamphus.
n. Pelvic fin of ocular .side only developed, united with anal . 43. Rhombosolea.
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Genus My ONCOI'TERUS.
Oncoptenis, Steindarhiicr, IS75, SitzHiT. Ak.ul. Wiss. \\ leii, Ixx (i|. p. 363 [Oiicn/tlfrus darwinU,
Steindachner].
Body ovate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a shghtly concave
space of moderate width, the upper at some distance from edge of head ; snout,
jaws, interorbital space and upper parts of eye-balls not scaled ; nasal organ of blind
side nearly opposite to that of ocular side; olfactory laminae rather numerous, arranged
transversely to or radiating from a long central rachis. Mouth of moderate width, the
jaws stronger on blind side and rather curved ; teeth small, pointed, not enlarged
anteriorly, in narrow bands in both jaws, better developed on blind side ; vomer
toothless. Gill-rakers of moderate length, rather stout, few in number ; lower
pharyngeals rather broad, scarcely approximated, each with several rows of small
pointed teeth ; branchial septum perforated by a large foramen between the lower
pharyngeals and urohyal. Donsal fin commencing above no.striIs of blind side and
well in front of eye ; first ray enlarged, stiff, curved, movable, connected with first
strongly developed basal bone of the fin, contained in a deep groove on blind side
of head level with upper eye ; most of the other rays forked distally, not scaled ;
no sheath covering basal part of fin. Anal similar to dorsal ; tip of first interhaemal
spine projecting in front of fin. I'ectoral fins unequal, that of ocular side larger ;
middle rays branched. Both pelvic fins developed, each with 6 rays ; that of ocular
side elongate, free from anal, the rays widely spaced, the last in advance of first ray
of that of blind side, which has a very short base. Caudal with the middle rays
branched : caudal peduncle short. Scales small, adherent, not very well imbricated,
cycloid. Lateral line with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; several supra-
temporal accessory branches and others running transversely from main lateral line
to dorsal edge of body. Vent on blind side, just in front of anal fin ; intestine short.
h single species from south-eastern South America.
1. ONCOPTERUS DARWINU, Steindachner.
Uhombus sp., Jenyns, 1842, Zool. Voy. " Beagle ", iv, Fish., p. 139.
Oncopterus darwmii, Steindachner, 1875, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixx (i), p. 363, pi. i ; Jord.m
and Goss, 1889, Rep. U.S. Com. Fish., xiv, (1886), p. 281 ; Perugia, iSgl, Ann. Mus. Stor. nat.
Genova, (2) x [xxx], p. 629 ; Berg, 1895, An. Mus. nac. B. Aires, iv, p. 7S ; Ril.eiro, 1915,
Arch. Mus. nac. Rio de J., .xvii, Heterosomata, p. 16.
RHOMBOSOLEIN,E 415
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3J to nearly 4. Upper
profile of head distinctly convex. Snout longer than eye, diameter of which is 4-J
to 5 in length of head and about twice interorbital width ; anterior margins of eyes
level or lower a very little in advance of upper, which is separated from edge of head
by a space equal at least to its diameter. Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of
eye, length on ocular side 3J to 3^, on blind side 2f to 2J in that of head ; lower jaw
not projecting, about 2 J in head; lips rather feebly fringed. 9 to 11 gill-rakers
on lower part of anterior arch. About 115 scales in lateral line. Dorsal (60) 61-67 '■
first ray with its upper and lower edges fringed ; the remainder of the anterior rays
deeply forked, free from membrane distally ; highest rays ^ to f length of head.
Anal (42) 43-45. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 to 13 rays (8 to 10 branched), length
I J to I J in that of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted below eye.
Caudal with 16 rays (12 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle more than twice
as deep as long. Pale brownish, everywhere covered with small white spots ; some
larger white spots at upper and lower edges of body.
Type. — Vienna Museum.
Distribution. — South-east coast of South America, from Rio Grande do Sul
to San Mathias Bay.
Specimens Examined :
1 (125 mm.), skin. Bahia Blanca, Patagonia. Cambridge Mus. (" Beagle ").
2 (188, 215 mm.). San Mathias Bay, ,, Mus. Comp. Zool.
I (250 mm.).
Attains to a length of 10 or 1 1 inches.
The function of the curiously modified first ray of the dorsal fin is not known,
but it may be sensory. The groove in which it lies penetrates the whole thickness
of the head, being bordered internally merely by the skin of the ocular side. According
to Steindachner, the ray is fixed to the base of the cavity by a muscular membrane,
and only exhibits a moderate degree of mobility. Towards its base the ray broadens
out to form two small plates, which clasp the anterior end of the first strongly developed
basal bone of the dorsal fin.
Genus 37. PSAMMODISCUS.
Psammodiscus , Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 457 [Psammodiscus ocellatus, Giintherj.
Related to Oncopterus. Eyes separated by a low, narrow ridge. Cleft of mouth
nearly vertical, the jaws stronger on ocular side ; teeth uniserial or in a very narrow
band. Gill-rakers rather short, more numerous ; lower pharyngeals very nairow,
not approximated, each with 2 or 3 rows of small, pointed teeth ; branchial septum
entire. Dorsal fin commencing in front of nostrils of blind side ; first ray not specially
modified ; most of the rays scaled, posterior rays mostly forked distally. First
ray of pelvic fin of blind side opposite fourth of that of ocular side ; base of moderate
length. Caudal peduncle very short. Lateral line with a distinct supratemporal
branch, but with no other accessory branches.
A single species.
I. PSAMMODISCUS OCELLATUS, Giinther.
Psammodiscus ocellalus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 457.
Depth of body if to ij in the length, length of head 3J to 35. Upper profile
of head distinctly convex. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3J to 4 in
length of head and about 5 times interorbital width ; lower eye a little in advance
of upper, which is separated from edge of head by a space equal to at least i its diameter.
Maxillary extending to below anterior edge, or anterior part of eye, length on ocular
side 2i to 2§, on blind side 3 J to 35 in that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, 2 J to
2 J in head ; lips not fringed. 15 to 18 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
410
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
(i8 to 78 scales in lateral line. Dorsal 64-68 ; anterior rays simple, more or less
free from membrane distally ; highest rays about J length of head. Anal 50-52.
Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays (about 7 branched), length if to 1 1 in that
of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted just behind angle of lower jaw.
Caudal with 16 rays (12 branched), rounded. Pale brownish, faintly spotted and
marbled with darker ; traces of 4 dark brown ocelli, edged with whitish, one
immediately below middle of .straight portion of lateral line, a similar but less well-
defined ocellus above its anterior part, and two smaller ocelli, one above curve of
lateral line and another below pectoral ; dorsal and anal fins spotted with brown
and white.
Fig. 303
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist
Distribution. — Not known
Specimens Examined :
4 (65-90 mm.). Types.'
ucdlatus. B.M. (N.H.) |
Reg. No. [221
Genus 38. AZYCOPUS.
Azygopu':, No
2f}l [AzYfofii-. piKttifascmtui, No
Body rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, nearly contiguous,
the upper rather close to edge of head ; parts of .snout and whole of upper surfaces
of eve-balls densely scaled ; nasal organ of blind side nearer median line of head than
that of ocular side : olfactory lamina> in moderate number, radiating from a fairly
long central rachis. Mouth rather small, subsymmetrical ; teeth small, movable,
pointed, not enlarged anteriorly, in bands in the jaws ; almost entirely confined
to blind side ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers short, in moderate number ; lower
phary'ngeals moderately broad, curved, approximated anteriorly, each with 3 or 4
irregular rows of teeth : branchial septum entire. Dorsal fin commencing above
nostrils of blind side and just in front of eye ; most of the rays simple, not scaled ;
a low scaled sheath covering basal part of fin on ocular side. Anal similar to dorsal ;
tip of first interheemal spine not projecting in front of fin. Pectoral fins unequal,
' The largest is selected as the holotypp.
RHOMBOSOLEIN.E
417
that of ocular side larger ; middle rays branched. Both pelvic fins developed ; that
of ocular side elongate, with 10 or 11 rays, free from anal, that of blind side with
5 or 6 rays, base very short. Caudal with the middle rays branched : caudal peduncle
very short. Scales rather small, adherent, imbricated, ctenoid. Lateral line with
a very low curve above pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch. Vent a little on blind
side, just in front of anal fin ; intestine short.
A single species from southern Australia.
I. AZYGOPUS PINNIFASCIATUS, Norman.
Azygopus pinnifasciatus, Norman, 10^6, Biol. Res. " Endeavour", v, p. 262, fig. 10; McCulloch
1929, Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 280.
Fig. 304. — Azygopus pinnifasciatus. B.M. (N.H.) 1925.7.2::. 3
Depth of body 2J to 2J in the length, length of head 4J to 45. Upper profile
of head straight or a little convex. Snout shorter than eye. diameter of which is
3 J to 4 in length of head ; anterior margins of eyes level or lower a little in advance
of upper. Maxillary extending to below anterior part of eye, length 3 to 3^ in that
of head ; lower jaw not projecting, 2 J to 2| in head. Bands of teeth in jaws narrowing
posteriorly. 11 or 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side
somewhat more strongly denticulated than those of blind side ; 88 to 95 in lateral
line. Dorsal 104-115; first ray entirely free, longer than those immediately following,
its height 2 to 2i in length of head ; remainder of fin rather low. Anal 84-92.
Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays (6 to 8 branched), length zh to 3 in that
of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted below eye, the posterior
rays twisted a little on to ocular side of median line, sixth or seventh rav opposite
first ray of pelvic of blind side. Caudal with 18 or 19 rays (12 to 14 branched), a Uttle
rounded or double truncate ; caudal peduncle about 6 times as deep as long.
Brownish, with irregular blackish patches ; a series of short blackish bars on dorsal
and anal fins ; some black spots or blotches on caudal.
Type. — Austrahan Museum. No. E. 3600.
Distribution. — Southern Australia ; in deep water.
Specimens Examined :
(>65>
I.). Paratype.
S.S.E. from Genoa Peak, Victoria, 200 fms.
Great Australian Bight, S.W. from Eucla
(126° 45' E.), 190-320 fms.
Also 8 from southern .\ustralia (Austr. Mus.). including the holotype of the species.
27
FLATFISH i:S (HETEROSOMATA)
C-L-nus 39. PELOTRETIS.
Tor. X.Z. Inse., :
' Endeavour ", \
,Iiii,(ioio). Pr.
) [Pclalnluflafdalus. WalU-] :
Body ovate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated by a low, scaled
ridge, the upper touching edge of head ; snout not produced ; parts of snout scaled,
and a patch of small scales on upper surface of each eye-ball : nasal organ of blind
side nearly on edge of head ; olfacton,' laminae in moderate number, arranged trans-
versely to or radiating from a long central rachis. Mouth small, subsymmetrical ;
teeth small, movable, pointed, not enlarged anteriorly, in bands in the jaws of the
blind side ; vomer toothless, Gill-rakers short, few in number ; lower pharyngeals
narrow, evenly curved, approximated anteriorly, each with 3 irregular rows of conical
teeth ; branchial septum entire. Dorsal fin commencing just behind nostrils of blind
side and above anterior part of eye; most of the rays forked distally, scaled ; a low
scaled sheath covering basal part of fin on ocular side. Anal similar to dorsal ; tip
of first interhaemal spine not projecting in front of fin. Pectoral fins unequal, that
of ocular side larger ; middle rays branched. Both pelvic fins developed ; that of
ocular side elongate, with 7 widely spaced rays, united with anal ; that of blind side
with 5 or 6 rays, base very short. Caudal with the middle rays branched ; caudal
peduncle short. Scales of moderate size, adherent, imbricated, ctenoid. Lateral line
with a very slight curve above the pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch. Vent
a little on blind side, just in front of anal fin ; intestine rather elongate.
A single species from New Zealand.
I. I'ELOTRETIS FLAVILATUS, Waite.
[" Lemon Sole ".]
Pdolrelii flavilatus, Waite. lyii, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., xliii, (1910), Proc, p. 50; Waitr, lyii,
Rec. Canterbury (N'.Z.) .Mus., i, p. 212. pi. xli ; Phillipps. 1921. N.Z. J. Sri. Tech., iv, p. 122 ;
Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. "Endeavour", v, p. 265; Phillipps, 102;, N.Z. Mar. Dept., Fish.
Bull., i, p. 29.
Eggs, Larvae and Young.
Thomson and Anderton, 1921. Bull. N.Z. Board Sci. Art, 11, p. S3, tigs.
Fic. io^.—Pelotretis flavilttlii^. B.M. (N.H.) 1923. 11. 5. ^
RHOMBOSOLEIN.^ 419
Depth of body i| to 2 J in the length, length of head about 5. Upper profile of
head distinctly concave. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 4J in
length of head and 2f to 3J times the interorbital width ; lower eye a little in advance
of upper ; a bony protuberance in front of lower eye. Maxillary extending to below
anterior edge of eye or not quite as far, length 4^ to nearly 5 in that of head ; lower
jaw a little projecting, 2} to 3 in head. Band of teeth m lower jaw a little broader
than that in upper. Gill-rakers conical or with 2 or 3 points distally, 7 to 9 on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side more strongly denticulated than those of
bhnd side ; 77 to 85 in lateral line. Dorsal 83-91 ; highest rays 2 to 2^ in length of
head. Anal 70-75. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 to 13 rays (10 or 11 branched),
length if to I J in that of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted below
eye, sixth or seventh ray opposite first ray of pelvic of blind side. Caudal with 18 rays
(14 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle 4 to 6 times as deep as long. Greyish or
brownish, sometimes with irregular darker patches.
Type. — Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.
Distribution. — New Zealand ; Chatham Islands.
Specimens Ex-iiMiNED :
I (260 mm.). Wellington. Dominion Mus.
I (330 ,, ). Timaru. Archey.
I (225 ,, ). Dunedin. Otago Mus.
Grows to a length of about 18 inches.
Genus 40. AMMOTRETIS.
Ammotretis, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 458 [Ammotretis rostratus, GUnther] ; Norman, 1926,
Biol. Res. " Endeavour '*, v, p. 266.
Tapirisolea, Ramsay, 1883, Int. Fish. E.thib., Cat. Exhib. N.S.W. Court, pp. 17, 44 [N. N.].
Body ovate or rather elongate, compressed. Eyes on the right side, separated
by a flatfish, scaled space, the upper at some distance from edge of head ; eyeballs
not scaled ; snout produced into a fleshy hook which hangs freely in front of mouth ;
nasal organ of blind side nearly oppo.site to that of ocular side ; olfactory laminae few
or in moderate number, parallel to one another and to the axis of the body, without
central rachis. Mouth small, visible on ocular side, the jaws much stronger on blind
side, where they are distinctly curved ; lower lip of ocular side fringed ; teeth small,
movable, acutely pointed, not enlarged anteriorly, in bands in the jaws of the blind
side ; vomer toothless. Gill-rakers tubercular, few in number ; lower pharyngeals
of moderate width, their inner edges angular, more or less approximated for the
greater part of their length ; teeth pointed, in several irregular rows, smaller and
more numerous posteriorly ; branchial septum entire. Dorsal fin commencing at
e.xtremity of rostral hook ; anterior rays simple, more or less free, their edges more
or less bluntly serrated on ocular side ; remainder mostly forked distally ; most of
the rays scaled on both sides ; no basal sheath. Anal similar to dorsal ; tip of first
interha;mal spine not projecting in front of fin. Pectoral fins of equal size or that of
ocular side larger ; middle rays branched, none of them prolonged. Both pelvic fins
developed ; that of ocular side elongate, with 7 to 13 rays, more or less united with
anal ; that of blind side with 3 to 6 rays, base very short. Caudal fin with the middle
rays branched ; caudal peduncle short. Scales small or of moderate size, adherent,
imbricated, ctenoid or cycloid. Lateral line rising slightly or with a very low curve
above the pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch sometimes present. Vent a
little on blind side, above first ray of anal fin ; intestine of moderate length or rather
elongate.
Five species from southern Australia.
FLATFISHES (HKTEROSOMATA)
Synopsis of thk Spkcies.
IVlvic of ocular side with 7 rays.
A- Pectorals subcqual, that of blind side pointed ; dorsal 75-86 1. roslrdlus.
B. Pectoral of blind side much shorter, rounded, a Heshy tubercle at tip
of first ray : dorsal 69 ....... 2. brcvipinnis.
Pelvic of ocular side with 10 to 13 rays.
A. Depth i| to 2 in length ; pectoral of blind side with a fleshy tubercle at
tip of first ray.
1. Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of eye ; 78 scales in lateral line 3. tudori.
2. Maxillary extending to beyond anterior edge of eye ; 66 scales in lateral
line . . . . . . . . . ■4- macrolepis.
li Depth 2\ to 2), in length ; pectoral of blind side normal ; 88 to 92 scales
in lateral line ......... 5. elongaius.
I, A.MMOTKETIS F<OSTRATUS, Gunther.
[LoNG-SNOUTED FLOUNDER.]
AmniftrctK rnslrntiis, (liinther, 1S6:;, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 458: Steindachner. 1S80, SitzHcr. .Akatl.
Wiss. Wien, l.\xx (i), p. 171 ; Klunzingcr, 18S0, lorn, cit., p. 407 ; Macleay, 1882, Proc. Finn.
Soc. N.S.W., vi, p. 128 ; Waitc, 1899, .Mem. Aust. Mus., iv, p. 123 ; Stead, 1908, Edible Fish.
X.S.W., p. 103. pi. Ixx ; McCulloch, IQ14. Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", ii, p. 121 ; Waite. 1921,
Rec. S. .-^ust. Mus., ii, p. 158, fig. 259 ; McCulloch, 1921, Aust. Zool., ii, p. 36, pi. xiii ; Waitc,
1923, Fishes S. Austral., p. 182, fig. ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 267 ;
McCulloch, 1929, Mem. -Aust. Mus., v, p. 280; Whitley, 1932, Rec. Aust. Mus., xviii, p. 345.
lihombnsolea tapirina (part), GUnther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 459.
Ammntretis rnstraius \'e\ adspersus, Kner, 1869, Reise " Novara ", Zool. i, 5, Fische, p. 286, pi. xiii,
Steindachner, 1883, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxxviii (i), p.
Khombosolea hansensis, Castelnau, 1872, Proc. Zool. Soc. Victoria, i, p. 167 ; Macleay
Finn. Soc. M.S.W., vi. p. 132.
Sotca uncinata. Klunzinger, 1880, SitzBer. .■^kad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxx (i), p. 408.
Ammolrelts zonatus, Macleay, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.. vii. p. 367.
.4 »i>iio(M-(is macleayi, Ogilby, 1886, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., x, p. 122.
Ammotrehs adspersus, Ogilbv, 1887, Cat. Fish. N.S. Wales, p. 32.
Ammotretis ovalis, Saville-Kent, 1889, Prelim. Rep. Food-fish. Old.,
(ireat Barrier Reef, p. 370 [N. N.].
Pellorhamphus basitnm, Waite, 1906, Rec. .^ust. Mus., vi, p. 198, pi.
82, Proc
Saville-Kent, 1893.
RHOMBOSOLEIN^
421
Depth of body i§ to i| in the length, length of head 3 J to 4. Rostral hook
extending downwards nearly to level of hinder end of maxillary of ocular side. Lower
eye a little in advance of upper, diameter of which is 5 to 5^ in length of head and more
than twice the interorbital width. Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of eye,
length on ocular side about 5, on blind side 3 to 3^ in that of head ; lower jaw 3J to
3^ in head ; a few simple tentacles forming a fringe on lower lip of ocular side. Gill-
rakers rather large, 10 to 12 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales ctenoid, those of
ocular side more strongly denticulated than those of blind side ; 78 to 88 scales in
lateral line. Lateral line with a low curve above pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal
branch, not reaching base of dorsal fin. Dorsal (75) 78-86 ; highest rays iJ to twice
in length of head. Anal (50) 52-56. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 to 13 rays (9 or
10 branched), length 1} to twice in that of head ; pectoral of blind side of equal
length or a little shorter, pointed. Pelvic of ocular side with 7 rays, extending forward
nearly to rostral hook, sixth ray opposite first ray of pelvic of blind side, which has
3 or 4 (6) rays. Caudal with 18 or 19 rays (12 or 13 branched), rounded or subtruncate ;
caudal peduncle li to 3 times as deep as long. Intestine elongate. Coloration
varying from blackish to pale brown, with or without small dark dots ; pectoral
sometimes blackish.
Type.— British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 48.3.18.245.
Distribution. — New South Wales, northwards to Port Jackson ;
Australia ; southern Western Australia ; Tasmania.
Specimens Examined :
Port Jackson, New South Wales.
Pt. Hacking,
Melbourne Markets, Victoria.
Flinders Island.
Norfolk Bay, Tasmania.
Soutii Australia.
( King George's Sound, Western
- Australia.
I Australia.
This species attains to a length of about 12 inches.
(140 m
m.).
(158
, ).
(240 ,
, ).
(155 ,
)•
(99 ,
, ). H
olot
ype.
(Sli ,
, ), stu
Ited
(185 ,
, ), ski
a.
Paratypes of
Rhombosolea
(197 ,
, )■ .
lapirina.
Victoria ; South
Stead.
Austr. llus.
Degen.
Richardson.
2. AMMOTRETIS BREVIPINNIS, Norman.
Fig. 307. — Ammotretis brevipinn
422
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Closely related to A. rostratus. Depth of body twice in the length, length of head
3j. Diameter of eye 5 in length of head and 5 times interorbital width. Length of
maxillary on ocular side 4J, on blind side about 2} in that of head. Gill-rakers of
moderate size, q on lower part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side ctenoid, those
of blind side cycloid anteriorly, ctenoid on posterior part of body ; 84 scales in lateral
line. Dorsal 6g. Anal 47. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 rays (7 branched), length
about A that of head ; pectoral of blind side much shorter, rounded, the first ray with
a fleshy tubercle at the tip. Cauda! peduncle 3J times as deep as long. Brownish,
with traces of small blackish dots.
TvPK. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 1925. i. 26.1.
Distribution. — South Australia.
Specimen Examined :
(s?
I.). Holotvpe
St. Vi
rtl Gulf.
S. Austr. Mu
3. AJLMOTRETIS TUDORI, McCuUoch.
■ Solia Uturalti, Richardson, 1S49, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, iii, p. i^b.
Immotrt'tis Ittclort, McCulloch, 1914, Biol. Res. " Endeavour", ii, p. 124. pi. x.\
Rec. S. Aust. Mus., 11, p. ijci, lis. 2hi : Waite, 1923, Fishes S. Austral., p. if
jg.'h, B.ol. Res. ■• l-:ndcav,.ur ■', v, p. 2-0 ; jMcCulloth, ig.'9, Mem. Aust. Mu
Depth of body 1; in the length, length of head 4, Rostral hook rather broad and
flattened, extending downwards to below level of hinder end of maxillary of ocular
side. Anterior margins of eyes level ; diameter of eye 6^ in length of head, and a little
more than twice the interorbital width. Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of
eye, length on ocular side 5J, on blind side 3 in that of head ; lower jaw 35 in head ;
a row of fringed tentacles on lower lip of ocular side. Gill-rakers reduced to 2 or 3
minute tubercles on lower part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side mostly ctenoid,
more strongly denticulated on posterior part of body, those of blind side nearly all
cycloid ; 78 scales in lateral line. Lateral line rising slightly above pectoral fin ; a
short supratemporal branch, reaching base of twelfth ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal
77 (82) ; highest rays about I as long as head. Anal 54 (58). Pectoral of ocular
side with 10 or 11 rays (7 branched), length twice in that of head : pectoral of blind
RHOMBOSOLEIN^
423
side much shorter, rounded, the first ray with a fleshy tubercle at the tip. Pelvic of
ocular side with 10 rays, extending forward to meet tip of rostral hook, ninth ray
opposite first ray of pelvic of blind side, which has 6 rays. Caudal with 18 rays (12
branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle about 3 times as deep as long. Intestine of
moderate length. Greyish-brown, with a number of small black spots on head,
body and fins.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. I. 10350.
Distribution. — Victoria ; South AustraUa ; Tasmania.
Specimen Examined :
I mm.}.
Spencer Gulf, S. Australi;
. fms
Austr. Mus.
4. AMMOTRETIS MACROLEPIS, McCuUoch.
nmiitrctis macroUpis, McCulIocIi, 1914, Biol. Res. " Endeavour '
1926, Biol. Res. '■ Endeavour", v, p. 271 ; McCuUorh, 10:9, \
. p. 125, fig. 9 ; Norman,
.\ust. Mus., V, p. 281.
Fig. 309,
Perhaps not distinct from A. tudori. Maxillary extending to beyond anterior
edge of eye ; a few small tubercles on lower lip of ocular side. Scales all ctenoid,
those of ocular side more strongly denticulated than those of blind side ; 66 scales in
lateral line. Dorsal 90. Anal 59. Pelvic of ocular side with 12 rays, that of blind
side with 5 rays. Pinkish, with numerous dark grey ocelli on head and body. Fins
dotted with dark grey.
Type. — Australian Museum. No. E. 455.
Distribution. — Flinders Island, Bass Strait.
The unique holotype is 98 ram. in total length.
5. AMMOTRETIS ELONGATUS, McCulloch.
Ammnireiis clongatus, McCuUoch, 1914, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", ii, p. 123, pi. xxvii ; Waite, 1921,
Kec. S. Aust. Mus., ii, p. 159, fig. 260 ; Waite, 1923, Fishes S. Austral., p. 183, fig. ; Norman,
1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 271 ; .McCuUoch, 1929, Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 281.
Depth of body 2J to 2J in the length, length of head 4 to 43. Rostral hook not
extending downwards as far as level of hinder end of maxillary of ocular side. Lower
eye a little in advance of upper, diameter of which is 4J to 5 in length of head and
about 4 times the interorbital width. Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of eye.
4-4
KLATFISHES (HKTEROSOMATA)
IfiiKtli on ocular side 3-3 to ^^, on blind side 3J to 3! in that of head ; lower jaw
ii t" 3I in head : a few simple tentacles forming a fringe on lower lip of ocular side :
teeth much smaller than in other species. Gill-rakers rather small, about 10 on lower
part of anterior arch. Scales of ocular side ctenoid or cycloid, the dcnticulations,
when present, strong but few in number ; scales of blind side nearly all ctenoid, the
denticulations feebler ; 88 to q2 scales in lateral line. Lateral line with a very low-
curve above the pectoral fin ; no supratemporal branch. Dorsal 74-75 ; highest
rays about i J in length of head. Anal 50-51. Pectoral of ocular side with 8 to 10
raj's (5 to 8 branched), length i| to twice in that of head ; pectoral of blind side of
equal length, pointed. Pelvic of ocular side with 13 rays, extending forward to meet
tip of rostral hook ; that of blind side with 3 or 4 rays, the first opposite space between
eleventh and twelfth rays of pelvic of ocular side. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched),
rounded, caudal peduncle very short, the last rays of dor.sal and anal fins nearly
contiguous with bases of outer caudal rays. Pale brownish, with minute black dots
scattered over head, body and fins.
Type. — Australian Museum. No, I. 123'n.
Distribution. — South Australia.
Specimens Examined :
1 {123 mm.). K.-ingaroo Isd.
I {.)>,' ,, ). St. Vincent Gulf.
(.cnus 41. CULISTIUM.
Coliilium, N'orma
io;f', Bu.l. Kc
172 lAmmoliclii luuiifiinnis, Waite].
Close to Ammotretis, but olfactors- laminae radiating from a short central rachis.
Gill-rakers small, rather stout, numerous. Rays of dorsal and anal fins not scaled ;
a scaled sheath covering basal parts of fins on ocular side.
Two species from New Zealand.
Synopsis of the Species.
\. Rostral hook long, extending downwards below level of hinder end of
maxillarv' of ocular side : pelvic of ocular side with 7 rays . i. vmhpuinis.
II. Rostral hook short, not reaching level of hinder end of maxillary of ocular
side ; pelvic of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays ... J. guntheyi.
RHOMBOSOLEIN^L
I. COLISTIUM NUDIPINNIS (Waite).
[" TURBOT ".]
Ammutretis rostralus (moh Giinther), Hutton, 1876, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., viii, p. 215.
Ammotretis nudipinnis, Waite, 1911, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., xliii, {1910), Proc. p. 50 ; Waite, 1911,
Rec. Canterbury (N.Z.) Mus., i, p. 209, pi. xxxix ; Thomson and Anderton, 1921, Bull. N.Z.
Board Sci. Art, ii, p. 82 ; Phillipps, 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., iv, p. 122.
Colistium nudipinnis, Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 273 ; Phillipps, 1927, N.Z.
Mar. Dept., Fish. Bull., i, p. 27.
Colistium nudipmius. B.M. (N.H.) 1924. i .7.4. X J.
Depth of body nearly twice in the length, length of head 35. Rostral hook long,
extending downwards below level of hinder end of maxillary of ocular side. Anterior
margins of eyes level ; diameter of eye 11 J in length of head, less than width of inter-
orbital space, which is naked in the middle and more or less .scaled anteriorly and
posteriorly. Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of eye, length on ocular side 4^,
on blind side 3 in that of head ; lower jaw about 3J in head ; about 12 broad tentacles
forming a fringe on lower lip of ocular side. Band of teeth in lower jaw about 3 times
as long as broad, that in upper jaw about 7 times. 32 gill-rakers on lower part of
anterior arch. Scales of ocular side ctenoid, the denticulations strongly developed ;
those of blind side cycloid ; most of the scales on blind side of head forming membranous
processes ; 85 scales in lateral line. Lateral line with a slight cur\e above the
pectoral fin ; a short supratemporal branch, reaching base of twelfth ray of dorsal
fin. Dorsal 80 (85) ; highest rays 2 i in length of head ; well developed membranous
folds, with their free edges directed posteriorly, on blind side of all rays, the folds on
anterior rays short, and with projecting processes. Anal 58 (60) ; similar to dorsal.
Pectoral of ocular side with (11) 12 rays (9 branched), length 2^ in that of head ;
pectoral of blind side a little shorter. Pelvic of ocular side with 7 rays, the first
inserted below middle of jaws of blind side, the last in advance of first ray of pelvic of
blind side, which has 4 rays. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded; caudal
426
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
peduncle much deeper than lony. Greyish, with traces of some irregular darker
blotches ; an indistinct dark spot edged with paler below and a Uttle behind pectoral
lin ; body and fins on blind side irregularly blotched and spotted with grey.
Type. — Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.
Distribution. — New Zealand.
Specimen Ex.'iMiNEn :
I (460 mm.). I'ini.ini. Canterbury Mus.
2. COLISTITM GUNTHERI (Hutton).
" 15RI1.I, '■,]
Ammotrciti ^untheri, Hutton, 1873, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., v, p. -67, pi. xi, fig. 82a ; Waite, 1911.
Kec. Canterbury (N.Z.) Mus., i, p. zil, pi. xi ; Phillipps, 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., iv, p. 122,
CuHstitnn guntheri, Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 274 ; Phillipps, 1927, N.Z. Mar.
nept.. Fish. Bull., i, p. 2R.
and .\ndcrtun.
Er.r.s. l..u;v.*; Asr. V<
Uull.X.Z. Board .Sci. .\rt.
Flc. iiz.—CoUstiH
Depth ot body il to 2! m the length, length of head 3J to 3J. Rostral hook
short, not extending downwards to le\el of hinder end of maxillary of ocular side.
Lower eye a little in advance of upper, diameter of which is 8J to q\ in length of
head and about twice width of interorbital space, which is almost entirely scaled.
Maxillary not reaching anterior edge of eye, length on ocular side 4^, on blind side
4 in length of head ; lower jaw 3J in head : 10 to 13 broad tentacles forming a fringe
on lower lip of ocular side. Band of teeth in lower jaw i\ times as long as broad,
that in upper jaw about 4 times. 38 to 41 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch.
Scales of ocular side ctenoid, the denticulations strongly developed ; those of blind
side cycloid ; some of the scales on blinil side of head forming membranous processes ;
84 to 8y scales in lateral line. Lateral line with a slight curve above pectoral fin ;
supratemporal branch feebly developed or absent. Dorsal go-92 ; highest rays 2^
in length of head ; membranous folds on blind side of rays well developed, those of
anterior rays short, and with projecting processes with irregular or crenulated edges.
,\nal 6f>-6g ; similar to dorsal. I'ectoral of ocular side with (11) 12 rays (lo branched),
RHOMBOSOLEIN^ 427
length if to if in that of head : pectoral of blind side shorter. Pelvic of ocular side
with 10 or 1 1 rays, the first inserted below anterior part of jaws of blind side, the last
opposite to first ray of pelvic of blind side, which has 4 or 5 rays. Caudal with 18 to
20 rays (12 to 14 branched), rounded ; caudal peduncle much deeper than long.
Greyish, with numerous blackish spots, which are arranged in irregular groups or
form broken longitudinal stripes ; distal parts of dorsal and anal fins blackish, with
a narrow pale margin.
Type. — Not traced.'
Distribution. — New Zealand.
Specimens Examined :
I (335 mm.). Welhngtoii. Dominion Mus.
I (390 It )■ Timaru. Archey.
Genus 42, PELTORHAMPHUS.
Pdtorhamphus, Gunther, 186;, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 460 [Peltorhamphus Kovtz-zcelandia, Giinther] ;
Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 275.
Related to Ammotretis and Colistiiim. Rostral hook somewhat flattened, connected
with the head by a membranous flap, which almost or quite conceals the mouth on
the ocular side ; nasal organs nearly symmetrical in position ; olfactory laminae few,
parallel to one another and to the a.xis of the body, without central rachis. Lower lip
of ocular side not fringed. Teeth slender, pointed, in 3 or 4 series on blind side of each
jaw. Gill-rakers small, conical, in moderate number ; lower pharyngeals rather
narrow, their inner edges scarcely angular, approximated anteriorly, each with several
series of pointed teeth, .\nterior rays of dorsal fin partly free from membrane, but
not serrated, remainder forked distally ; none of the rays scaled ; a low scaled sheath
covering basal part of fin on ocular side. Anal similar to dorsal. Pectoral fin of
ocular side with second upper ray prolonged and filamentous. Pelvic fin of ocular
side with 6 rays, that of blind side \vith 4 or 5 rays. Caudal peduncle ver)' short.
Scales of ocular side ctenoid, those of blind .side ctenoid or cycloid. Lateral line with
a very low curve above the pectoral fin : a more or less distinct supratemporal branch.
Vertebrae 36 (9 + 27). Intestine elongate.
A single species from New Zealand.
I. PELTORHAMPHUS NOV.E-ZEELANDI.5s, Giinther.
[" Sole ".]
I'lilorhamphus novic-:celandiic, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 46: ; Hutton, 1872, Cat. Fish. N.
Zealand, p. 52 ; Hector, 1872, torn, cit., p. 117, pi. ix ; Waite, 1911, Rec. Canterbury (N.Z.)
Mus.,i,p. 2i3,pl. xlii ; Phillipps, 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech.,iv, p. 122 ; Phillipps and Hodgkinson,
1922, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., v, p. 96 ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 276 ; Phillipps,
1927, N.Z. Mar. Dept., Fish. Bull., i, p. 29.
Eggs, Larv.« a.n'u Young.
Anderton, 1907, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxix, p. 481, pi. xix, tigs, d, f ; Thomson and Anderton, 1921,
Bull. N.Z. Board Sci. Art, ii, p. 88, figs.
Depth of body 2 to 2J in the length, length of head 3^ to 4J. Rostral hook
extending downwards well beyond level of hinder end of maxillary of ocular side.
* The Director of the Dominion Museum, Wellington, kindly informs me that the type of this
species is not now in the Museum. He adds that it is believed to have been " thrown out about
thirty years ago when extensive rearrangements were made in the Museum, following a change in
the Directorship '*.
428
FLATFISHES (HKTFROSOMATA)
Anterior margins of eyes level ; diameter of eye 5 to 8 in length of head and etjual to
or greater than width of interorbital space, which is flat and scaled. Length of maxil-
lary on blind side ;jj to 3; in that of head. Teeth of outer series in both jaws a little
enlarged. 8 to 15 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales nearly all cycloid
on blind side in adults, ctenoid on both sides of body in young ; 75 to 85 .scales
in lateral line. Lateral hne openmg by a series of large pores on blind side of head
Dorsal 94-104 ; highest rays 2 J to 25 in length of head ; membranous folds on blind
side of rays moderately developed, .-^nal 60-70. Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or
1 1 rays (5 to 7 branched), length of filamentous ray i to f depth of body ; pectoral of
blind side smaller, none of the rays prolonged. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular side
inserted below anterior part of jaws of blind side and immediately behind rostral
hook ; last ray in advance of first of pelvic of blind side. Caudal with 16 to 18 rays
(10 to 12 branched), rounded. Young brownish, often marbled with darker brown and
dotted with black ; two black blotches often present on lateral line : some of the rays
of the dorsal and anal fins blackish ; these markings tending to disappear in adults,
which arc usually uniformly dark or pale brownish or greyish.
iii.—rcllor!mmpln,s
TVPH. — British Museum (Nat, Hist ). Keg. No. 48.3.18.—.
Distribution. — New Zealand ; Norfolk Island ; Chatham Islands
Specimens Ex.^mi.ved :
WrllinHlnn H.irl>nm-.
- (1.15.
I (380
m"
mil
1.).
I (290
I (70
I (260
I (290
8 (70-r
1 (M,?
I (442
I (MS
,H m
111.)
Holutvpi
, I'aratx
Paratvpi
•pes.
This
spec
ies
attains
to a li
X<.rfnlk Isd.
^th of 15 to iS inches.
l-k-ct..r,
Riili.inKoi
Stokf!..
" Field."
Rich.irdsoi
RHOMBOSOLEIN.E 429
Genus 43. RHOMBOSOLEA.
Rhombosolea, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p, 45S [RhombosoUa monopus, Giinther].
Bowenia, Haast, 1873, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., v, p. 277 [Bowenia novcE-zeelandicE, Haast].
Apsitta, Kyle, 1900, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 986 [Apsetta thompsoni, Kyle].
Body ovate or rhomboidal, compressed. Eyes normally on the right side, separated
by a low, naked ridge, the lower a little in advance of the upper, which is well separated
from edge of head ; snout and eyeballs not scaled ; snout normal or produced into a
short, fleshy process projecting freely above the mouth ; nasal organ of blind side
nearer edge of head than that of ocular side ; olfactory laminae few or in moderate
number, parallel to one another and to the axis of the body, without central rachis.
Mouth of moderate size, the jaws stronger on the blind side, where they are curved ;
the upper jaw notched to receive symphysis of lower jaw ; teeth small, pointed, not
enlarged anteriorly, in bands in the jaws of the blind side ; vomer toothless. Gill-
rakers rather long, slender, in moderate number ; lower pharyngeals of moderate
width or rather broad, their inner edges usually more or less angular, approximated
anteriorly, each with 3 or more series of teeth ; branchial septum entire. Dorsal fin
commencing near extremity of snout and well in front of nostrils of blind side ; most
of the rays forked distally, none scaled ; no basal sheath. Anal similar to dorsal ;
tip of first interhaemal spine not projecting in front of fin. Pectoral fins unequal,
that of ocular side larger ; middle rays branched. Only the pelvic fin of the ocular
side normally developed,^ elongate, with 6 well-spaced rays, united with the anal.
Caudal with the middle rays branched ; caudal peduncle moderate or rather short.
Scales small or of moderate size, firm, rather irregularly arranged, more or less
embedded and scarcely imbricated on head and anterior part of body ; nearly all
cycloid. Lateral line rising slightly or with a very low curve above the pectoral fin ;
a short supratemporal branch. Vertebrae 31 (lo + 21). Vent a little on blind side,
between anal and pelvic fins ; intestine elongate, forming a series of irregular loops
and coils.
Four species from southern Australia and New Zealand.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. 16 to 19 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; body more or less coloured
on blind side . . . . . . . . . . i . retiaria.
II. 7 to 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; blind side of body normally
colourless.
.\ . Shape of body rhomboidal ; dorsal and anal fins elevated ; highest dorsal
rays i| to 2J in head . . . . . . . .2. plebeia.
B. Shape of body ovate ; dorsal and anal fins not much elevated ; highest
dorsal rays 2 to 2 J in head.
1. Snout normal ; eye 6 J to 7} in head . . . . 3. leporina.
2. Snout produced into a fleshy process ; eye 4I to 6 in head 4. tapirina.
I. RHOMBOSOLEA RETIARIA, Hutton.
[Black Flounder ; Patiki.]
Khnmbosolea tapirina {nnn Giinther), Hutton, 1873, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., v, p. 268, pi. xii, (ig. 83*.
RhombosoUa reliaria, Hutton, 1873, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4) xii, p. 401 ; Hutton, 1874, Trans.
Proc. N.Z. Inst., vi, p. 107 ; W'aite, 1911, Rec. Canterbury (N.Z.) Mus., i, p. 207, pi. xxxviii ;
Phillipps, 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., iv, p. 122 ; Thomson and Anderton, 1921, Bull. N.Z. Board
Sci. Art, ii, p. 87 ; Phillipps, 1925, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., vii, p. 368, tig. ; Norman, 1926, Biol.
Res. '* Endeavour '*, v, p. 281 ; Phillipps, 1927, N.Z. Mar. Dept., Fish. Bull., i, p. 29.
* The development of the pelvic fin of the blind side, with base either as long as or shorter than
that of ocular side, in reversed or ambicolorate examples of RhombosoUa has been discussed at some
length elsewhere (Norman, 1926, pp. 278-281). See also pp. 26, 29 of the present work.
430 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3^ to 35. Upper profile
of head straight or a little convex. Snout not produced, longer than eye, diameter
of which is 7 J to 8| in length of head and equal to or greater than interorbital width.
Maxillars' scarcely extending to below anterior edge of eye, length on ocular side
about 4J. on blind side 35 to 3§ in that of head ; lower jaw about 3J in head. 16 to
10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower phar^mgeals 3^ times as long as
broad, triangular, approximated for anterior | of their length, each with several
irregular rows of teeth. Scales mostly cycloid on both sides of body, a few on head
and anterior part of body on ocular side with feeble denticulations ; 63 to 75 scales in
lateral line. Blind side of head largely naked, with a series of large muciferous
cavities. Lateral line rising slightly above pectoral fin. Dorsal (60) 65-67 ; anterior
rays deeply split distally and partly free, remainder forked : highest rays 2 to 2J in
length of head. Anal 43-43 (48). Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays (g or
10' branched), length i? to twice in that of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular
side inserted below middle or posterior part of lower eye. Caudal with 18 rays (12
branched), a little rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle 3i to 3i times as
deep as long. Blackish or brownish, marbled or spotted with darker : head, body
and fins often with numerous whitish (red in life) spots, the largest of which are smaller
than the eyes : blind side suffused with greyish or dusky brown.
Type, — Not traced.^
Distribution. — New Zealand ; entering fresh water.
Specimens Examined :
Dominion Mus.
Otago Mus.
(265 mm.). N.ipier.
(21)0 ,, ). Duncdin.
(120 ,, ), stuffed. ,, Harbour
This species attains to a length of 15 to 18 inches. Specimens from North and
South Island present certain differences, mainly m coloration, hut I am unable to say
whether these are constant.
See footnote on p. 427
RHOMBOSOLEIN^
2. RHOMBOSOLEA PLEBEIA (Richardson).
[Sand Flounder ; New Zealand Flounder ; Tinplate.]
Rhombus plebeius, Richardson [ex Solander MS.], 1843, 12 Rept. Brit. Assoc, (Manch. 1842), p. 27 ;
Richardson, 1843, in Dieffenbach, Travels N. Zealand, ii, p. 222.
RhombosoUa monopus, Giinther, 1862, Cat. Fish., iv, p. 459 ; Hutton, 1872, Cat. Fish. N. Zealand,
p. 51 ; Hector, 1872, torn, cit., p. 117, pi. i.x ; Steindachner, 1880, SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
ixxx (1), p. 170 ; Klunzinger, 1880, lorn, cit., p. 407 ; Macleay, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.,
vi,p. 129.
> Bowenia nova-zeetandiiE, Haast, 1873, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., v, p. 277, pi. xvi.
Rhombosolea plebeia, Gill, 1893, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. Washington, vi, p. 121 ; Waite, 191 1, Rec.
Canterbury (N.Z.) Mus., i, p. 203, pi. XXXV ; Phillipps, 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., iv, p. 122;
Waite, 1921, Rec. S. Aust. Mus., ii, p. 157, fig. 257 ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ",
V, p. 282.
Apsetta thompsoni, Kyle, 1900, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 986, figs.
Eggs, LARViE and Young.
Anderton, 1907, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxix, p. 480, pi. xviii, figs. /, g, xix, (
Anderton, 1921, Bull. N.Z. Board Sci. Art, ii, p. 84, figs.
b ; Thomson and
Fig. 315. — Rhombosolea plebi
Depth of body i^ to i| in the length, length of head 3J to 4. Shape of body
distinctly rhomboidal ; upper profile of head straight or a little concave. Snout not
produced, as long as or a little longer than eye, diameter of which is 4 to 6^ in length
of head and 2j to 3J times interorbital width. Maxillary extending to below anterior
edge of eye or not quite as far, length on ocular side 3§ to 4, on blind side 3J to 3J in
that of head ; lower jaw 2 1 to 3 J in head. lo to 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch ; lower pharyngeals nearly 5 times as long as broad, their inner edges scarcely
angular, approximated for anterior i of their length ; teeth cylindrical, the tips
43^
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
rounded or with narrow, blunt terminal cusps, arranged in series along each edge,
with a few teeth between these rows. Scales cycloid on both sides of body ; 85 to
ikS in lateral line. Blind side of head nearly entirely scaled. Lateral line with a
vcr)- low curve above the pectoral tin. Dorsal 55-65 ; first ray deeply split and
almost entirely free, next 2 or 3 rays decreasingly so, remainder mostly forked or
branched distally : highest rays i| to 2^ in length of head. Anal 38-47. Sectoral
of ocular side with 11 to 13 rays (9 or 10 branched), length i| to i J in that of head,
.interior ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted behind level of posterior edge of lower
eye. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), a little rounded ; caudal peduncle i? to
li times as deep as long. Browni.sh or greyish ; young sometimes with small white
spots ; distal part of pectoral fin darker ; blind side whitish.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist). Reg. No. 42. 10. 12. 2.
Distribution. — Australia (')' ; New Zealand ; Auckland Islands.
Specimens Examined :
(;oo ,
Tvpp of
monopus
(260 ,,
(210 ,.
(160-265 lui").
(250 mm.), skeleton
(^25 „ ).
(62 ., ).
(430 ,, ).
(380 ,, ), stuffed.
Holotype (■>.).
Australia (?).
Bay of Islands.
Xew Zetland.
Wellington Harbour.
Wellington.
South side of Cook Str
Timaru.
Dunedin HarlxMir.
Richardson.
Smith.
Owen.
Hutton.
Archey.
Otago Mas.
Bo:, eiiia )ioi'it-zeelandirr, originally described from 3 specimens from I^ake EUes-
niere, which now appear to have been lost, may be this species or R. leponna. These
were ambicolorate examples, and differ from typical .specimens of Rhonibosolea in
ha\'ing two pelvic fins of equal size.
Apsetta thompsoni , the type of which also seems to have disappeared, is almost
certainly a reversed example of this species. The two pelvic fins are equally developed."
3. RHOMBOSOLEA LEPORINA, Gunther.
JYkllow Belly. 1
Khumbosolea lepor
. Giinthe
1862, Cat. Fish.,
Fische, p. 2S7 ; Hutton.
1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavoi
p. 28.
Khombosolca flesnidc! . Hutton. 1S76, T
Khombosoka millart. Waite, 1911, Re.
1921, N.Z. J. Sii. Tech., iv, p. 12:
Kner, 1869, Reise " Nova
3, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., v, p. 268, pi. .\i, tig. 833 ; Norm;
, V, p. 283; Phillipps, 1927, N.Z. Mar. Dept., Fish. Bull.,
Proc. N.Z. Inst., vi
rUerburv (X.Z.) Mu
i.nnson and .Anderb
,p. 213.
, 1. p. 20i, pi. .\xxvi
1, 1. 121, Bull. N.Z. Ho
; Phillipps,
rd Sci. Art,
Depth of body 2 to 2 J m the length, length of head 33 to 4. Shape of body ovate ;
upper profile of head straight or a little convex. Snout not produced, longer than
eve, diameter of which is 6:^ to 7J in length of head and i J times to twice the inter-
orbital width. Maxillary extending to below anterior edge of eye or not quite as
far, length on ocular .side 3I to 4, on blind side 3} to 3^ in that of head ; lower jaw
' Records of this species from Victoria and from Tasmania are probably incorrect. The specimen
believed to be from Australia in the British Museum collection, presented by Sir J. Richardson, has
a somewhat more slender and less rhomboidal body than the remainder, but is otherwise identical.
It IS doubtful whether this species really occurs in .-Vustralian waters.
= For a more detailed account of BnuYiita and Apsclta see Xonnan (1926, 'Biol. Res.
'■ lindeavour" '. v, p. 27M) ; see also pp. 26, 29 of the present work.
RHOMBOSOLEIN.E
433
3 to 3f in head. lo to 14 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower pharyngeals
about 3 times as long as broad, triangular, their inner edges approximated for the
entire length ; teeth arranged in a series along each edge, with a few teeth between
these rows, those of posterior edge small and pointed, remainder larger, with blunt
and sometimes flattened tips. Scales cycloid on both sides of body ; 75 to 86 in
lateral line. Blind side of head nearly entirely scaled. Lateral line with a very low
curve above the pectoral fin. Dorsal 60-69 ; anterior rays split distally and partly
free, remainder mostly forked at their tips ; highest rays 2 to 2i in length of head.
Anal 41-47. Pectoral of ocular side with 11 or 12 rays (9 or 10 branched), length
1 5 to twice in that of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted below or a
little behind level of lower eye. Caudal with 18 rays (12 branched), rounded ; caudal
peduncle ij to i| times as deep as long. Brownish or greyish, with or without
irregular darker markings ; dorsal, anal and caudal fins often speckled with dark
brown ; distal part of pectoral darker ; blind side whitish.
Fig. 316. — Rkombosolea lepo
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 48.3.18.195.
Distribution. — Australia (?) ; New Zealand.
Specimens Examined :
2 (220, 235 mm.).
I (340 mm.).
3 (215-330 mm.).
I (315 mm.).
I (235 ,, )•
Types.*
Australia (?).2
Auckland.
Wellington Harbour.
Wellington.
Dunedin.
Richardson.
Nicholson.
Colonial Mus.
Dominion Mus.
Otago Mus.
Archey (1924, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., vi,
example of this species.
Attains to a length of about 18 inches.
p. 342) has described an ambicolorate
* The smaller specimen is selected as the holotype.
" It is doubtful whether this species occurs in .Australia, and the locality of the type-specimens
; probably incorrect.
28
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
4. KHOMBOSOLEA TAPIRINA, Giinther.
[Melbourne Flounder ; Southern Flounder : Greenback Flounder.]
Rhombosolca tapirina (part), Cimthi-i, iSl.j, C.it. Fisli., iv. p, 45<i ; Maclcav, iNS^, Proc. I.imi. Soc.
N.S.W., vi, p. 130.
Kbombusolea flesoidcs, GiinthtT, iStij. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ( j) .\i, p. 117; Waitc, moi., Kco. .•\ust.
Mus., vi, p. 197, pi. XXXV ; Stead, lyoS, Edible Fish. N.S.W.. p. 104 ; MtCullocli, iqji, .\ust.
Zool.,ii,p. 36, pL xiii ; Waite, 1923, Fishes S. Austral., p. 181.
PlcHronecifs ? victoricr, Castelnau, 1872, Proc. Zooi. Soc. Victoria, i, p. itiS.
Rhombosolca tapirina, Hutton, 1873, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4) xii, p. 401 ; Hutton, 1874, Trans.
I'roc. N.Z. Inst., vi. p. 106, pi. xix, fig. 83c ; Hutton, 1876, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst., viii.p. 215 ;
Boulenger, 1502, Rep. Coll. Nat. Hist. " Southern Cross ", v, p. 188 ; Waitc, 1000, Subantarclic
Isl. N.Z., XXV, Vertebr.. p. 590 ; Waite, mil, Rec. Canterbury (N.Z.) Mus., i, p. 204, pl. xxxvi ;
Phillipps. 1921, N.Z. J. Sci. Tech., iv, p. 122 ; Thomson and Anderton, 1021, Bull. N.Z. Hoard
Sci. .\rt. ii, p. 87 ; Norman, 1926, Biol. Res. " Endeavour ", v, p. 2S4 ; Phillipps. 1927, N.Z.
Mar. Dept., Fish. Bull., i, p. 29 ; McCulloch, 1929, Mem. Aust. Mus., v, p. 282 ; Whitley.
1929, Pap. Roy. Soc. Tasni.. (1928), p. oO.
Rhombosolea Victoria:, Macleay, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.. vi.p. 132 ; Waite, 1921. Rec. S. Aust.
Mus., ii, p. 158.
:^ Rhombosolca moiwpus. Woodward. 1902, W. .\ustral. \ear book, (kjoo-i). p. 272.
Rhombosolea monopus. Stead, 1906, Fish. .Vustral., p. i.Si.
Depth of body 13 to 2 J in the length, length of head 3J to 33. Shape of body
more or less ovate ; upper profile of head straight or a little convex. Snout longer
than eye, produced into a fleshy process which projects freely in front of the mouth' ;
diameter of eye 4 f to 6 in length of head and 4 to 5 times the interorbital width.
Maxillar>' scarcely extending to below anterior edge of eye. length on ocular side
4 to 4J. on blind side 3? to 3I in that of head ; lower jaw 3 to 35 in head. 7 to 12
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower pharyngeals about 4 times as long
as broad, their inner edges angular, approximated for anterior 5 of their length ; teeth
This process is not de\eloped 1
iiple
RHOMBOSOLEIX.ii— SPECIES INQUIREND.ii 435
mostly cylindrical, each with a narrow, bluntly pointed, terminal cusp, arranged in a
series along each edge, with a number of teeth between these rows. Scales cycloid
on both sides of body ; 72 to 83 in lateral line. Blind side of head nearly entirely
scaled. Lateral line with a very low curve above the pectoral fin. Dorsal 56-69 ;
first two rays split at their tips and partly free, remainder mostly forked or branched
distally ; highest rays 2 to 2J in length of head. Anal 40-50. Pectoral of ocular
side with 10 to 13 rays (9 to 12 branched), length ij to if in that of head. Anterior
ray of pelvic of ocular side inserted below middle of posterior part of lower eye. Caudal
with 18 or 19 rays (12 to 15 branched), subtruncate, rounded, or double-truncate ;
caudal peduncle about twice as deep as long. Brownish or greyish, with or without
large darker blotches ; distal part of pectoral darker ; blind side whitish.
Type. — British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Reg. No. 48.3.18.47.
Distribution, — Southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia ; Western
Australia (?) ; Tasmania ; New Zealand : Auckland Islands ; Campbell Island.
Specimens E.xamined ;
I (201 mm.).
Murray R., Australia.
Gerrard.
I (133 „ )■
Queenscliff, Victoria.
Austr. Mus.
I (200 ,, ).
Adelaide, S. Australia.
Gerrard.
I (350 „ ).
Coorong,
S. Austr. Mus
I (335 ,, ),
skin. Tvpeof
R. flesoides.
South Australia.
Gerrard.
■(183 „ ).
Flinders Isd.
Degen.
I (330 ,, ).
I (90 ., ).
Tasmania.
Allport.
3 (75-88 mm
■)■
4(73-87 „
). Paratypes.
Xorfolk Bay, Tasmania.
Richardson.
5 (85-120 „
). Holotype and
paratypes.^
Auckland Is.
■■
: (230 mm.).
Campbell Isd.
.Abnormalities.
" Southern Ci
I (290 mm.).
- Reversed, with
second pelvic fin.
Dunedin.
Otago Mus.
I (205 ,, ):
' .\mbicoIorate, witii
Coorong, S. .\u5tralia.
S. Austr. .Mus
two equal pelvic fin
The shape of the body and the proportions of the depth and length exhibit
considerable variation in this species. It attains to a length of about 15 inches.
SPECIES INOUIREND^.
The following names have been given to Flatfishes, but the species are either
indeterminable, or the diagnoses appear in works which are not accessible to rae : —
Bothus diagrammus, Rafinesque, 1814, ' Precis Soni.', p. 16.
Bothus punctatus, Ra&nesque, 1814, torn, cit., p. 17.
PlcHTonectes minutus, Nardo [ex Chiereghini MS], 1847, 'Sin. mod. spec. Lag. Veneto', p. 121.
Pleuronectes nigricans, Schneider, 1801, in Bloch, ' Syst. Ichth.', p. 158.
PUuronecUs rhombeus, Schneider, 1801, torn, cit., p. 145.
Pleuronectes striatopinnatus, Tilesius, 1805, Voigt's 'Mag. Naturk.', ix (5), p. 443 [^- ^•]-
Rhombus fitzingcri, Meckel, 1847, ' Ber. Mitth. Fr. Nat. Wien', iii.p. 194 [N. N.].
Rh[ombus] magnus, Minding, 1832, ' Lehrb. Naturg. Fische', p. 90 [teste C. W. Richmond].
Rhombus ramosus, Michahelles, 1831, 'Isis* (Oken), p. 199.
' The largest is selected as the holotype.
^ See Norman (1926, * Biol. Res. " Endeavour " ', v, pp. 278, 2S0, for descriptions of these
specimens.
INDEX
[Xitmbcrs in black type indicate the pages on ivhic
Abbreviations. 52
acadianus, Glyptocephalus, 364
Acanthopseita, 284, 303
— nadesknyi, 303
Achirina;, 36
Achiropsetta. 172, 248
— tricholepis, 248, 249
Achirus mogki, 207
achne, Microstomus, 356, 358, 359
— Vercegua, 355, 358
aculeatus. Rhombus, 264
adspersus, Ammotretis, 420
rostratus vel, 420
— Paralichthys, yi, 83, 86
— Pseudorkombus, 83
astuariua, Paralichthys, 71, 82, 83
cethalinn, Citharichthys, 132
— Hemirhombus, 132
affinis, Pseudorhnmbits, 108
Air-bladder, 31
Alaops, 387
— plmthus. 387. 392
Alaska Dab, 336
nlbigtitta, Paralichthys, 70, 75, 76, 77-
Albinism, 22, 23
algoensis, Paralichthodes, 398
Alimentary canal, 46, 47
AUotriognathi, supposed relationsliip with Flat-
fishes, 2, 5
Ambicoloration, 23-27
americanus, Hippoglossus, 292
— Pleuronectes, 345
— Psettdopleuroncctes, 24, 342, 345
X Limanda ferruginea, hybrid, 347
Ammotretis, 38, 413,419, 427 ; olfactory laminae,
42, 43
— adspersus, 420
— brevipinnis, 420, 421
— elongatus, 420, 423, 424
— macleayi, 420
— macrolepis, 420, 423
— nudipinnis, 424, 425
— ovalis, 420
— rostratus, 419, 420. 422, 425
vel adspersus, 420
— tudori, 420, 422, 423
— zonatus, 420
^m/iAu^ium, 2, lu
— bozzianum, 10
■ ^^''1
^ ami s/J^i
^/«7/.v (/fvcnftfii/.]
Amphistium paradoxum, 10
Anacaathini, s« Gadoids
Anal papilla, 19
— spine, 45, 46
Ancylopsetta, 6r, 124; colour c
larva?, 31
— dendritica, 124, 125
— dilecta, 126
— quadrocellata, 124, 125, 127
andersoni, Pseudorhombus, 102, it
angustifrons, Platophrys, 245
— Rhomboidichthys, 245, 246
angustirostris, Limanda, 342
anM«wensis, Pseudorhombus, 106,
annectens, Coccolus, 220, 224
annulatus, Anticitharus, i<)7
— Arnoglossus, 204
— Pseudorhombus, go, 91, 97
anomalus, Pseudorhombus, 114, ri
jenynsii van, 114, 115, iit
Anticitharus, 173
— annulatus, 197
— debilis, 194
— polyspilits, 173, 190
antillarum, Monolene, 164, 166
antiquus, Vorator, 10
Apsetta, 429, 432
— thompsoni, 29, 429, 43i, 432
aquosus, Pleuronectes, 270
— Rhombus, 271
— Scophthalmus, 263, 270
.4rfl("fls, 347
— ariommus, 347
— papulosa, 130
— soleceformis, 130
aramaca, Citharichthys, 130
— Hemirhombus, 132
— Pleuronectes, 130, 131
— Rhombus, 77
Arctic Flounder, 371
arcti/rons, Citharichthys, 140, 146
ar«n«««s, Citharichthys, 140, 148,
arenicola, Engyprosopon, 204, 211
argtts, Pleuronectes, 223, 226
— Pseudorhombus, 91, 112, 113
— Rhombus, 227
nnomwws, .-Jraias, 347
-»3«
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Arnoglossui, lOo, 171, '7-. 173. irS, 1,17, loS,
IQ9, ioi, 20j, 208, ^41) ; clcirsal trillacic, 30,
.52 ; metamorphosis, 31, 3; ; migration of
eye. 15; olfactory lamina-, 4;; pectoral
arch, pelvic bones, v> : -^fXiMl riimorphisni,
33, 34, 35
— annulatus, j.^
— arnoglossus, iSi
— aspilos, 174. 187
— aspiliis, 1S7, iSS
— bassensis, 174, 192
— hleekeri, zuH
— hoops, 175, 196
— boscit, 274
— brevirictis, H)f>
— cacatiuc, 405
— capensis. 174. 183
— coHspwsus, 1 711
— dahUisIn, 174, 193
— i/ffii/is. 175, 194
— donmttis, 174, 189
— fimhrialiii, M7
— fiso,,,, 174. 186
— .Sfo/imanni, 173. 175, 177, 'XJ
— imperials, u, 174, 181 ; post-larva, i--
— inhrmcduis. 17s, 197, J07
— japanicus. 174. 192
— tesfcri, 173, 176
— lalerna. 174, 178, I7'i, iSi
macrostonui, i8n
— — microstoma, 17<)
— lophotcs, 181, i.Sj
— macrolepis, ijn
— macrolophus, 181
— tnacrostoma, 174, 180
— »ifl//if?isi.s, 244
— nncrophlhahmn. ly--.. 197
— mudUn, 174, 191
— pacilurus, 200, 210
— polyicph, J40, 241
— polvipdus, 174, 190
— profundus, 2<n
— rueppdhi, 174, 184
— scaphtt, 175, 195, i'ii>
— sola-formis. n<j
-- spilurus. 20.,
— iapeinosoma, 174, 185
— /^Huis, 174, 187, 18S
— thori, 173, 170, 177
— vcntralis, ihn
— violaceus, 242
— -avn/fi, 174, 188
— U'akiyai, loO, 107
arnoglossus, Arnoglossu'i, iSi
— Htppoglossus, 178
— Plcurottfcles, 17;, 17X, I.So, l.Sl
— Rhombus, 178
Arrnwtoothcd Halil.ut, 287
(icsiKs, ParaUchlhvs, 102
ar.si'Hs, Flcuronectcs, loi
— Pseudorhombus, on, 08, <)0, 101, 102, 103,
104, 105, 117, 118
— Rhombus, 102
aspcr, Pleuroncctcs, 336
iispi-ra, l.tmaiida, 333, 336, 3-58
nspernma, Platcssa, 314, 315
aspcrrimum, Clidodirma, 314, 115
asperrimus, Pleuroncctcs, 313
aspilos, .-Irnoglossus, 174, 187
— Rhombus, 187
aspilus, .irnoglossus, 187, 188
— Bo/Aus (.-friiogtossMs), 1S7
— Platophrvs [Arnoglossus], 187
assiini/is, B.j/;n(j, 222, 239
— Plalophrr-,, 2V)
— Rhomhoidichthvs, 2^1
Aslcrorhambus, 6u
— stcUlfcr, 60
Asymmetry, in-22
Atheresthes, 4, 10, 283, 286, 2,ss ; olfactory
lamina', 41, 42, 4 ?
— «.<;r»wn,n. 288
— stomias, 287, 288
nllanticus, liothus, 222, 223
— t' itharichthys crossotus, 150, 160
„/fiw,iii«, .Woiio/c.ic, 164, 165, 167, 168
aureus, Citharichthys, 220, 2^^, 235
— Pst'udocitharichthys, 234
Parophrys, 316, 317
.■l:i-i
134
pan
137
135
rtCHrews, Crossorhonibus, 217
— Rhomboidichthys, 210
A:ygopus, 413, 416
— pinnifasciatus, 4111, 417
bahianus. Rhombus, 222
balteata, Platcssa, 102
baltica, PUuronectes platcssa
balttcus, Pleuroncctcs flesus,
barbatus. Rhombus, 260
Bascanius, 171
— tcEdifer, 173, 184
6rtssf«5is, .-1 rnog^fjssits, 174,
— Pdtorhamphus, 420
— Rhombosolea, 420
Bastard Halibut, 81
batkybius, Cynicoglos-ius, V)
— Embassichthys, 361
6tvi>n, Pleuroncctcs, 388
6.vi,ni, Umanda, 388, 3.,4
— Pa-cilopsctlii, 388
bdchcn, Psettodcs, 57, 59
benncttii. Psettodcs, 59
liibliogrraphical method, 51
BU.r
35
bicolorata, Marleydla, 396
— Platessa, 3S5 '
— Pa-cilopsclta, 3'ji)
bicoloratus, Karcius, 385
— Flatichthys, 376, 385
— Pleuronectes, 385
hUyclophorus, Paralichthys, 70, 78
bilineata, Lepidopsetta, 329, 330, 33-
X Flatichthys stellatus, hybrid, 375
— Platessa, 330
bilineatus, Pleuronectes, 330
biscayensis, Arnoglossus latertui tnicrosloma form.,
170
Black Flounder, 429
Black Sea Turbot, 268
bleekcri, Arnoglossus, 208
— Boihus, 222, 235, 236
— En^yprosnpon, 204, 208
Bloch's Topknot, 280
Body, asymmetry of, i')-22
bogdanovi, Pleuronectes, 378, 381
— Pleuronectes flesus, 378, 381
bollmani, Hippoglossina, 66, 68
hoops, Arnoglossus, 175, 196
— Caulopsetta, 196
— Pseudorhombus, 195, 196
Boopsetta, 387
— maculosa, 390, 392
— pmlonga, 390, 391
— umbrarum, 387, 391, 392
borealis, Lepidorhombus megastoma, 273
— Pleuronectes, 350
boscii, Arnoglossus, 274
— Hippoglossus, 274
— Lepidorhombus, 272, 274, 275
— Pleuronectes, 274
— Rhombus, 274
Bothidae, 56, 60 ; classification of, 38, 41, 43
Bothin^e, 35, 36, 38, 39, 171, 172 ; distribution,
48, 49. 50
Boihus, 0, 169, 172, 173, 220, 229, 240, 244, 262 ;
colour changes, 21 ; cranium, 11 ; dorsal
tentacle, 30, 32 ; in Middle Eocene, 9 ; larva;,
31-33; migration of eye, 15; olfactory
lamina;, 41, 42 ; sexual dimorphism, 33,
34, 35
— aspilus, 187
— assimilis, 222, 239
— atlanticus, 222, 223
— bleekeri, 222, 235, 236
— brevirictis, 199
— circularis, 239
— cocosensis, 204
— constellatus, 221, 232, 233
— diagrammus, 435
— diaphanus, 223
— cllipticus, 221, 229, 230
— elongatus, 189
— imperutlis, i8i
— intermedius, 198
— leopardinus, 221, 231, 232
— lunatus, 221, 226, 227
— maculatus, 271
— maculiferus, 221, 228, 229, 230
— maotictts, 268
172. 221, 230
Boihus
hybridus, 266
— mellissi, 221, 226
— microstoma, 219
— mogki, 207
— myriaster, 222, 235, 236, 237, 239
— nebularis, 223
— ocellatus, 221, 222, 223
— ovalis, 222, 235, 236, 238, 239
— pantherinus, 221, 233, 234
— podas, 34, 221, 223, 224, 229
— pcecilurus, 210
— polylepis, 241
— polyophthalmus, 245
— polyspilus, 190
— profundus, 201
— punctatus, 435
— rhomboides, 224
— rhombus, 269
hybridus, 266
— rumulo, 220, 223
— tapeinosoma, 185
— lappa, 175
Bowenia, 429, 432
— nov£B-zeelandi(E, 429, 431, 432
bozzianum, Amphistium, 10
Brachypleura, 399, 400 ; pectoral arch, pelv
bones, 40
— novcE-zeelandics, 400
— xanthosticta, 400
Brachyprosopon, 355
Brain, asymmetry of, 14
Branchiostegal rays, 18, 19
brasiliensis, Hippoglossus, 77
— Paralichthys, 70, 71, 77
— Pseudorhombus, 77
— Xystreurys, 121
Breathing, see Respiration
brevipinnis, Ammotretis, 420, 421
brevirictis, Arnoglossus, 199
— Boihus {Arnoglossus), I99
— Crossolepis, 199
— Psettina, 199
Brill, 268, 426
— X Turbot, hybrid, 266
cacatutE, Arnoglossus, 405
— Samaris, 402, 405
ccsruleo-oculea, Platessa chinensis var., 63
California " Sole ", 307, 328
californica, Uropsetta, 8r
californicus, Hippoglossus, 69, 81
— Paralichthys, 69, 70, 71. 81, 82
— Pseudorhombus, 81
calimanda, Pleuronectes, 278
callarias, Gadus, 5
camtchaticus, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, 293
catuiidissimus. Rhombus, 178, 224
caninensis, Pleuronectes flesus, 378, 381
Cape Scald-fish, 183
capensis, Arnoglossus, 174. 183
44°
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
iiinhnit, I'lLiirniiccles, .-/O
— PUuronccUs (Rhombus). -7^, -78
— lihombus, ^76, ;78
Cttrnariit. Plaifssa, 378
cartwri^hti, Pst-udorhombus, 04
casnrus, Ph-urimcelcs, 178, iSi
Caulopselta. its
— boups, igh
— hcclnns, ii)i
— scapha. i.,s
cttytnneHsta, < itfuinchthys, lyt, 140
Cha-nopsetta. (»>
■ — denUita, 74
— obUni^a, yi)
— oceltarn. 7-
— o;if<u-<vi, h4
— !.v./^,. S4
Charles. PUilolubllns. -j.., ^::7, jjS
CImrvbdm. 175
— rhnmbutdulilhys. iSi
— riu-ppelln. 1X4
Chiiscatnipsella. 44, 45. 17,', 249. ::5::
— gdchristi, :^5(>, 2^1
— lusiibns. 249. 250. Jii
— nuuulala. 2V>. Jii
— prorigera. 2y,, 251
Chnacnmopst'tla prnrii^cru. 251
f^ajK'nsis, Plittessa. 0^
chttarus. PUuronectcs, lOg
chittcndt-ni, Cyclopsetla, 135, 136, 137
chhrospilus. Pambuthus. 240, 241
— Plntophrvi. 241
— Rhombouhchllm. 241
thondrorranuiiii. 12
(-hopuv.psclla. ihS
tliniiii.itophor.'^. 21. 22, 21
cli,\-..,ptcya, I'liiU-iM. III.. Ill
chrys,ipli-nis. Pleurunfilci. in., in
riivi/rRosKS, Pleuroncctes, 371
ctnnamoneiis. Pseudorhombus. >)i, <,<), HO,
— Khombiscus. no
— lihnmbui, S9, no
cundarts. Bathus. 2 if)
— /•lab.phrvs. 230, 23.S, 23.,
itlharu. ^ulca. Ibo
( tllmncMhyi. 62, 139, 140, 154, 220
— - trthaliim. 132
— arctifrons, 140, 146
— «r<:n«r™s, 14", 148, My
— aiir<-ns, 220, 233, 235
— cayciiiK-usis, I3y, 14.;
— cornutus. 140, 153
— crn^^ntits. lyt
— — atlanticui, 159, lOo
— — crossntiis, 159, 160
— ditwceros, 140, 144
— .T^rman,!., 14K
— /mgi/is, 13.J, 142
— K./(<,T/i, 140, 152
— Kualtmaltiiiis, 14.)
— /«/i/r„.i,, .33
Cilluinchlhys macropt. 14,), I47, ,48
— macultft:r, 138
— micros, 155
— w»cro5/o»rtus, 155
— ncdlatus, 132
— ovalis, 133
— pcslulus, 130
— panmnensis. 134, 137
— plalophrys. 140, 145
— ralhbiiiu. 14S
— rimo5»s, 158
— sordidua, 139, 140, 141, 142
— spilopterus, 140, 149, iV), 131, 132
— stampfiii. 140, 151
— stigniteus. 139, 143
— surnichrastt, 152
— Wifcn:, 140, 148
— vcntralis. i6n
— xanthosli^ma. r ;.», 142, 14;,
Cilharoides, 62, 170 ; nostnis, 44
— macrulcpidotits. 17... 171
— macroU-pis. 170, 171
CUUarus. 168, 294
— linguatula. 169
— rnacrolfptdi'lits. 1O9
— plalfssoidi-s, 296
ctthitrus, Hippoghssus, 169
— Pleiirnnedes. 168, 169
Cl.issification, 35-48
Clctsthciu-s. in. 284, 304
— herzonliini. 304
— pinelnrum, ;..,. 305
Clidodermii. 44, 2S), 314
— ff.(^.,T,m»«, 314, 315
axirdalus. Pinnbnilnis. 240, 243
— Plalophrvs. 24;
— khomboiduhlhy,. 243
Caccolns. 220
— annecUns. 22n, 224
fr^ffJSi'KSis, Bothlts {Anwgt'isaus). 204
— EngyprosnpoH, 204
— Plalophrys {Arno^lossiis). 204
— lihombus. 204
Cod, iff (iadus
caHosa, Parophrys. 123
ca-Bosws, PlcuruHuhlhys. 317, 31S, 522, 323,
3^5, 3.:'>
crrruleoslicla. Pttrnlirhlliv., 71, 88
Cohshum, 38, 413, 424, 427 ; ..If.i.lnrv l.mi
4-, 4;
— I'l,.,//,,,., 424, 426
— ;im/,/./,ni/s, 424, 425
ci.nala. P,,, il,.p^rll,i . 387, iS.S, 390, uil. 3.
tuloraUun, .isyiuiiifliy ..f, 2.1-22 ; ..( hliiid s
23-27
Colour-changes, 21, 22
Colour pattern, 21, 22, 24
Common Topknot, 280
communis, Amoglossus later no murnstoma fo
condn
17')
s, Pseudorhombus. 93, 94
conspersus, Arnoglossus, 179
laterna, 179
— Pleuroncctes , 178
constellatus, Bothus, 221, 232, 2 a
— Platophrys, 232
cooperi, Metoponops, 139, 140
corallinus, Samaris, 409
— Samariscus, 407, 409, 410
coreanicus, Paralichthys, 84
— Paralichthys olivaceus var., 84
cornuta, Parophrys, 319
— Platessa, 317, 319
cornutum, Syacium, 153
cornutus, Citharichthys, 140, 153
— Heteroprosopon, 319
— Pleuronickthys, 317, 3t9
— Rhomboidichthys, 153
Cranium, asymmetry of, 10-13
Crested Flounder, 202
cris/a/KS, Lophorhombus, 202
— PUuronectcs, 268
— Rhombus, 269
— Samaris, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406
Crossolepis, 199
— brevirictis, i()g
Crossorkombus, 172, 173, io<(. 217
— azureus, 217, 219
— dimorphus, 218, 219
— valde-rosiratus, 217, 218
crossoius, Citharichthys, 159
— Citharichthys crossotus, 159, r6o
— Etropus, 154, 157, 158, 159
crumenalis, Pelecanichthys, 252
ctenosqiiamis, Pseudorhombus, 90, 101
— Spinirhombus, 8g, loi
cuspidatus, Pleuronectes , 224
Cyclops, Platessa, 264
— Pleuronectes, 263
Cyclopsetta, 62, 134, 139
— chittendeni, 135, 136, 137
— fimbriata, 135, 137
— maculifer, 135, 138, 139
— panamensis, 135, 137, 138
— ^Mfir«fl, 135
Cynjcog/ossMs, 355
— bathybius, 361
— microcephalus, 357
— pacificus, 36a
Cynogiossa, 355
— microcephala, 356
cynoglossa, Platessa, 364
— Solea, 364
Cynoglossids, 4, 9, 14, 18, 20, 30, 35, 36, 37, 56
cynoglossus, Glyptocephalus, 364, 365, 366
X Pleuronectes platessa, hybrid, 354, 366
— PUuronectes, 288, 289, 355, 356, 362, 364
Cynopsetta, 294
— dubia, 301
Dab, 23, 26, 334
— Alaska, 336
— Lemon, 356
414
Dab, Long Rough, :
— Rough, 297
— Rusty, 338
— Sand, 296
— Smear, 356
dalgleishi, Arnoglossu
— Trichopsetta, 19.
darwinii, Oncopteru
debilis, Anticithartts, 194
— Arnoglossus, 175, 194
decurrens, Pleuronichthys, 14, 317, 318
Deep Flounder, 108
Deep-water Flounder, qs
delagoensis, Samaris, 402, 405
Delothyris, 164
— pellucidus, 165, 166
dendritica, Ancylopsetta, 124, 125
— Pseudorhombus, 125
— Ramularia, 125
Dental formula, 51
dentata, Cheznopsetta, 74
— Platessa, 294, 296
— Pomatopsetta, 297
dentatus, Hippoglossoides, 296
— Paralichthys, 24, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 7G
— Pleuronectes, 72
— Pseudorhombus, 71, 7:
dentex, Hippoglossus, 58
Dentition, see Teeth
Dermal lobe, 18
Development, 30-33
Dexistes, 46, 285, 347, 362
— kitaharo', 362
— nkuzeniits, 347
diagrammus, Bothus, 435
— Pleuronectes, 328, 329
Diamond Flounder, 316
diaphanus, Bothus, 223
— Pleuronectes, 178
— Rhombus, 224
dignabilis, Pseudopleuronectes, 345, 347
dilecta, Ancylopsetta, 126
— Notosema, 124, 126
Dimorphism, sexual, 33-35
dimorphus, Crossorkombus, 218, 219
— Platophrys, 217
dinoccros, Citharichthys, 140, 144
diplospilus, Pseudorhombus, 89, 93. 04
Distribution, geographical, 48-50 ; of post-
74. 77
33
diurus, Scophthalmus, 378
Dollfusina, 173
— rueppellii, 184
Dorsal tin, anterior extension of, 14, 15
40
— tentacle, 30
Drepanopsetta, 294
— platessoides, 296, 297, 298
dubia, Cynopsetta, 301
dubiosa, Monolene, 164, 165
dubius, Hippoglossoides, 294, 295, 301
— Hippoglossoides elassodon, 301
44^
Jubi:
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
s£ud<irh(itnhu^ jcnvnaii v.ir., 115, 116
duplicwcellatus, Psciidnrhombus, Sq, 94
dvinensis, Pleuronectes:, 371
— PlnUssa, 371
rckstrom's Topknot, Z7^
ecUnes, Etropus, 154, 155
Eel-back Flounder, 373
Eggs, 30, 31
classodon, Hipposlossoidcs, 294. ^05, 299, 301
— Hippoglossoides (Cynopsclta), 300
— — riassodon, 300
elevatus, Pseudnrhomhus, <)i, 108. 117
dliplicus, Bolhiis, ::i. 229, 2^0
— Platnphrys, :;S, zzt)
— Khnmboidichlhys, 22')
fUiHi^ata, Plates^a, 364
flimgiitus, Amnmlreiis, 420, 423, 424
— Arnoglossus, 174, 189
— Bothus {Arnoglossust, 1S9
— Glyplocephalus, 364
— Ptciironectts, 364
Emhasstchlkvs, 46, 28^, 361
— bathybtus, 361
Embrvologv, 12, 13
hngyophryi. 62, 161: colours, 2-,
— sancti-laurentii, ilii, 162
— senilis, 161
F.ngyprosopon, ',, 172. I7'>. vyi. 203, 208, 210:
cranium, 11
crumei, Sphagomorus, 58
Eiropus, 39, 44, 62, 140, 154
— crossnlus, 154, 157, 158, 15
— eclenes, 154, 155
— intermedius, 154, 157
— longimanus, 154, 156
— microstomu^, 1^4, 155, 150
— rmosus, 154, 158
Euchalarodus, 368
— putnami, 368, 373
Eucithara, 168
Euntharus, 62, 168, 16.), 17.
olfactory laruinx, 42 ; otol
— linguatula, 169
<-ivrii>,i>iiii, Alheraihes, 288
- lUharkhlliv-i, 148
nostrils, 44
rs»ii-i /if
Evolution, 0, 13 : of asymmetry, it
cxcisiceps, Teratorhombus, 89, 102,
ciilis, Hippnglossoide^, 306
— H ippoglossoides {Lyupselta), v>o
— Lyopsella, 306
Eye, migration of, 12, 13, 2h : protr
iinn oi.
— arciicohi. 2.M. 211
— bUekcn, 2.1. 208
— «cos.-.i.s,s 204
— fijiensis, 2,,,. 206
— /i;™a«,(s, 2-4, 215
— grandisquama, 204, 209, 210.
11
— }uiwaiu»sis, 204, 212
— njima:, 199, 200
— intermedins, ii)7
— kobemts, 218
— laU/rons, 204, 213
— macrulepu, 204, 214
— maldivensii, 204, 216, 217
~ mcfft,, 207
— mofftn, 204, 207
— nataUmts, 204, 213, 2m, 21.S
— sechellcnsis, 204, 216
— u-;.anrfr»5, 204, 205
— xyslruis, 204, 211
Eubalhus minimus, 9
Enpsctla, 2S4, 307
— gngorjcu'!. 307, 309
— jordani, 307, 3o<i
hpinephelus, jaws, p.il.itme bones.
; ..steologv.
comparison with Pselt'nies, 4, 7
, S; otolith, 8
£>r,M, 51,3
— - zackirus, V7
fri,m,i, Hipp„it.,ssus, 57
— Luphir.psella, Do
fabcr, Zeus, 6
fcrnatidezianus, Paralichthys, 71,8?
fcrruginca, Limandu, 333, 338
— Limanda X Pseudopleuroiuctt-^ americanus
hybrid, 347
— Myzopsetta, 338
— Plutessa, 333, 338
ferrugineus, Plenronecte^ , 33S
fijiensis, Engyprosopon, 204, 206
I'ilninents. 20
y(7i;»(ai(H.s Engypro^opoiu -'-i. 215
— Scccops, 215
Jitnhriala, Cyclopsclta, i;,.s, 137
fimbriatuSy Arnoglossus, 137
— Hcmirhombus, 134, 137
Fin-rays, numbers of, 47, 4S
Fins, asymmetry of, 20, 2*1 ; .is ;;eneric and
specific characters, 4s
A-^'iMi, .-ii-Hog/ossui, 174, 186
I fitzingt-ri, Rknmbiis, 433
flavilatus, Pelotrctis, 418
fii'soidt's, PU'iironectcs, 378
— Rhombosolea, 432, 434, 435
Flesus, 376
— /?««5, 378
— glaber, 378
— passer, 378
— ru/^-ans, 37S
flt'sus, Flesus, 378
~ Platessa, 378
— Platichthys, 355. 376, 377. ^84
^-sMs, 376. 377, 378, 381
A Limanda limanda, hybrid, 336
X Pleitront'ctes platessa, hyhnd, Z5^. 355
— Pleuronectes, 354, 376, 377, 37<^. v"*!. 382
Flounder, 26, 377
— Arctic, 371
Flounder, Crested, 202
— Deep, 108
— Deep-water, 95
— Diamond, 316
— Eel-back, 373
— Four-spotted, 79
— Greenback, 434
— Gulf, 75
— Jordan's, 307
— Large-scaled, 170
— Large-toothed, loi
— Melbourne, 434
— Pole, 364
— Slender, 95, 306
— Small-toothed, 113
— Soft, 140
— Southern, 74, 434
— Spotted, 310
— Summer, 72
— Twin-spot, 93
— Winter, 345
Flounder and Plaice, hybrid, 354
Fluke, 377
formosanits, Pscudorkombus , no
Fossil Heterosomata, 9
Four-spotted Flounder, 79
fragilis, Citharichthys, 139, 142
— LcBOptichthys, 252, 259, 260
franklinii, Pleuroncctes, 371, 374
Frontal bones, 10, 11, 12
frontalis, Gastropsetia, 128
fuscus, Hemirkombus, 149
Gadoids, supposed relationship with Flatfishes,
I. 2, 5, 6
Gadus, osteology, comparison with Psettodes,
5,6
gallus, Lophonectes, 202
Gareus, 368
Gastropsetia, 61, 128
— frontalis, 128
Generic characters, 43-48
Geographical distribution, 48-50
^esncri. Rhombus, 224
gigas, Hippoglossus, 292
gilbcrti, Citharichthys, 140, 152
gilchristi, Chascanopsetta, 250, 251
gilli, Pleuroncctes, 357
glabcr, Flesus, 378
— Pleuronectes, 374
glabra, Liopsetta, 374
— Platessa, 368, 373, 382
— Pleuroncctes flesus, 381
glacialis, Liopsetta, 369, 371, 373, 374
— Platessa, 371
— Pleuroncctes, 371
glossa, Plagiopsetta, 407, 412
— Samariscus {?), 412
Glyptocephalus, 286, 363,
frontal bones, 10, 11
— acadianus, 364
366 ; colours, 2
intestine, 46, 47
04, 209,
Glyptocephalus, cynoglossus, 364, 365. 3^6 ;
metamorphosis, 32
— cynoglossus X Pleuronectes platessa, hybrid,
354, 366
— elongatus, 364
— kitaharcs, 362, 366
— ostroumovJ , 366
— ostroumowi, 366
— pacificus, 360
— saSiS, 366
— saxicola, 364
— stelleri, 364, 366, 367
— zachirus, 363, 364, 367, 368
goniographicus, Hippoglossus, 58
— Psettodes, 58
Grammatobothus, 172, 17^. 244
— krempfi, 245, 247
— pennatus, 245, 246
— polyophthalmus, 245, 247
grandisquama, Engyprosopon,
— Nematops, 394, 395
— Platophrys, 210, 218, 219
— Rhomhoidichthys , 209
— Rhombus, 203, 209
— Sc(Zops, 2og, 2in
Greenback Flounder, 434
Greenland Halibut, 20, 289
grigorjewi, Eopsetta, 307, 309
— Hippoglossus, 307, 309
— Xystrias, 309
granlandicus, Hippoglossus, 289,
— Microstomus, 356
grohmanni, Arnoglossus, 173, 175
— Pleuronectes, 175, 177
Growth, 33
guatimalensis, Citharichthys, 149
guentheri, Lmops, 253, 257
guineensis, Hemirhombus, 129, 13
— Syacium, 132
Gulf Flounder, 75
guntcri, Syacium, 130, 131
guntheri, Colistium, 424, 426
guttulata, Hypsopsetta, 316
guttulatus, Pleuronectes, 316
— Pleuronichthys, 315, 316
— Pseudorhombus, 91, 118
Halibut, 291
— Arrow -toothed, 287
— Bastard, 8i
— Greenland, 289
— Lesser, 289
— Monterey, 81
— Pacific, 293
hamiltoni, Hippoglossoides, 295, 302
— Hippoglossoides {Cynopsetta), 302
hawaiiensis, Engyprosopon, 204, 212
— Pcrcilopsetta, 388, 391
Head, asymmetry of, 10-19
heckeli, Peloria, 173, 220
heckelii, Peloria, 224
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
he
toris, Cat
l,.ps
elta,
—
Paeudorh
,mh
H
mirhomhu
s. I
-•')'
—
itihalwn,
'■:,-
—
fitnbriatu
1-5-
U.
fmcus, I
guiiu't-nst
t<)
2'),
— ocellatus, 132
— ovalis. 133
— ptettilus, 120, 130
— soletrformis, 130
— stamp jiii, 151
herzensteim. Cleisthcna, 304
— Hippoglnssoidcs, 304
— I.imanda, 342
— Frotopsctta, 304
— PseudopUuronecUs, 342, 344
lu-Urophthalmus, Khombus, 224
Hderoprosopon, 317
— cornutits, 3i«)
Hcterosomata, 1, <). 5(>
hilgendnrfi, Paralkhthys. 70, 71, 87
Htppoglossina, 61, 65, 6S, 84, SS ; reversal, 28
— boUmam. 60, 68
— macrnps, 65, 6(1, 67, 68
— microps, 88
— noiata, 121, 122
— sa6a/i(:»5i5, 125
— stomata, 65, 66
— vagrans, 68
Hippoglossina, 35, 36
Hippoglossoides, 168, 2S4, 294, 303, 3"4, 306,
307, 310 ; otolith, 8
— dentatus, 296
— diibitis, 294, 2<i3, 301
— classodnn, 294, 295, 299, ',01
dubuis, 301
— — elassodoyi^ 300
robusltiSf 302
— exUis. 306
— hamiUom, 295, 302
— fer:6'ns(fin/. 304
— jordam, 307, 311S
— katakuri£, 301
— Iimanda, 294, 297
— /iwaH(ioiiic5, 297, 298
— mclaitoslictus. 310
— plalcssotdcs, 295, 296, 297, 29S
hmamlnides, 295. 297; variationin number
of fin-ravs, 47
platcssnidcs, 205, 296
— propinquity. 295. V'2
— puiictatissima, \yi
— lobusUis, 295. 302
hippoglossoides, Htppoglossits, 29r>
— Plalysomalichlhys, 289
— PleuronccUs, 2S9
— Reiiihardliiis, 289
— Keinhiirdtufi {Plitlysomalichthv^). 29"
Ihppoglas^o rhnrnbm.i-, 36
Hippoglossus, 28 i, 291 ; frontal bonps. 1
mouth, 16 ; opercular app.iratus, I
otolith, 8
— amcricanuSt 292
— arnoghssus, 178
— boscii, 274
— brasiliensis, 77
— californicus, bc), St
— citharus, 169
— dcntcx, 58
— erumei, 57
— gigas, 292
— goniogmphicus, 58
— grigorjewi, 307, 309
— grccnlandicus, 289, 290
— hippoglossoidi-s. 290
— htppoglossits. 14, 291, 292, 29^ 294
— — camtchaticits, 293
— intcrmcdius, 130
— Aidgii, 83
limandoides, 297
macroleptdotiis
169
— ocellatus. i 32
— orthorhynchtis. 58
— pingiiis, 28.,
pOntlCltS, 2'i2
— scptcntrionalis, 292
— steiwlepis, 291, 293, 294
— vulgaris, 291, 292, 293
hippoglossus. Hippoglossus, 14, 291. 292. 293
294
— Platichthys, 381
— PUuronectcs, 291, 292, 293
hirfguro, Microstomus, 366
Airdis, P/i-io-oni-cto, 279, 2S0
— Rhombus. 28,.,
— Scopltllialmui, 2Su
hoove n, Kveslhes, to
hubbardt, Parophrys, 32S
huysmani, Samariscus, 407, 409
Hybrids, 266, 336, 347, 354, 355, 366, 375
hybridus. Bolhus maximtis. 266
■ rhombus, 2tjt)
— Rhombus, 2611
Hypsopsetla, 284, 315, 3i7
— guttulata, 316
iijimir, Engvprosopan. 199, 200
— Psettuui, 199, 200, 20:
imperialis, Arnoglossus. 34, i74, 181 ; post-larv
— .-IniostesKs (.4mwi,';"Sm<s), 1S2
— Bolhus. iSi
■■ Index .\i.iMi,.liuni." 51
im'rrais, I'lirithtiiitndu. 587, 389
— Plalophrys. 241, 242
— Ptcctlopsetla. 38S, 389
Innpsella, 286, 375
— r(f;.v><(, 375
inornata, Samarts, 407
innrnatus, Samariscus, 407
Interhasmal spine, 45
intertnedius, ArnoRlossus. ]
— Bothus (Arnoglossus), 1
~ Engyprosopon, 197
— Etropus, 154. 157
— Hippoglossus, 130
— Platophrys (Arnoglosstis),
— Rhomboidichthys, 197
IntemeuraJ spines, 15
Interorbital bar, 10, 11
— septum, 10, II
Interspinous bones, 15
Intestine, 46, 47
iridorum, Limanda, 339
ischyra, Inopsetta, 375
— Isopseita [Inopsetta), 375
ischyrus, Parophrys, 375
— Pleuronectes , 375
isoUpis, Isopseita, 326
— Lepidopsetta, 326
— Parophrys, 326
Isotnma pristinum, 10
Isopseita, 284, 326, 375
;75. 197, 207
98
ischv
375
— isolepis, 326
isosceles, Paralichthys, 70, 80
Istiorhombus, 8g, 92
— spinosus, 91
91, 92
ilaiara, Epinephelus, 4
italicus, Platichthys fle:
— Pleuronectes, 381
376, 380, 381, 382
japonica, Limanda, 342, 343
japonicus, Arnoglossus, 174, 192
— Pleuronectes, 342
javanicus, Platophrys, 109
— Pseudorhombus, 91, 105, 108, 109
— Rhombus, 109
Jaws, asymmetry of, 16, 17 ; in taxonomy,
44, 45
jenynsii, Platessa, 113
— Pseudorhombus, 91, 113, 114, 116, iiS
John Dory, see Zeus
jokohama, Limanda, 344
jordani, Eopsetta, 307, 309
— Evesthes, 10
— Hippoglossoides, 307
— Hippoglossoides {Eopsetta), 308
— Paralichthys, 88
Jordan's Flounder, 307
kanekonis, SoEops, 204
Kareius, 376
— bicoloratus, 385
— scuti/er, 385
katakura, Hippoglossoides, 301
kessUri, Arnoglossus, 173, 176
ftitfruu, Platophrys, 222
Aittgit", Hippoglossus, 83
— Paralichthys, 83, 84
— Pseudorhombus, 83
kirchbergana, Solea, 9
kitaharcB, Dexistes (Tanakius), 362
— Glyptocephalus, 362, 366
— Glyptocephalus [Tanakius], 362
— L(Sops, 253, 258, 260
— Lambdopsetta, 252, 258
— Microstomus, 362
— Tanakius, 362, 363
fei«, Microstomus, 356, 357
— Pleuronectes, 280, 356
kobensis, Engyprosopon, 218
— Scaops, 208, 217, 219
korigarei, Limanda, 337, 338
— Limamia aspera var., 337
krempfi, Grammatobothus, 245, 247
A>/^ia. 173. 178
/Aor
177
L(sops, 39, 44, 17-. 252, 253, 260; olfactory
laminas, 42
— guentheri, 253, 257
— kitaham, 253, 258, 260
— lanceolata, 253, 259, 260
— lophoptera, 254, 255
— macrophthalmus, 253, 254
— microphthalmus, 197
— natalensis, 253, 258
— nigrescens, 253, 255
— nigromaculatus, 253, 254
— parviceps, 202, 252, 253, 256
— pecioralis, 253, 261
— variegata, 253, 260
Leeoptichthys, 252, 253
— fragilis, 252, 259, 260
/(Sfis, Platessa, 357
— Pleuronectes, 268, 356
— Rhombus, 269
Laiopteryx , 400
I — xanthosticta, 400
I Lambdopsetta, 252, 253
j — kitaham, 252, 258
' — pecioralis, 261
[ Laminae, olfactory, 41-43
I lanceolata, Lcsops, 253, 259, 260
Large-scaled Flounder. 170
Large-toothed Flounder, loi
Larvs, 12, 13, 20, 30-33 ; distribution of, 33
te/a, Platessa, 350
Lateral line, asvmmetrv of, 20 ; in taxonomy,
46
laterna, Arnoglossus, 174. 178, I79» 181
— Arnoglossus {Arnoglossus), 179
— Platophrys (Arnoglossus), 179
— Pleuronectes, 178
latidtns, Microstomus, 355. 356
latifrons, Cithar ichthys . 133
— Engyprosopon, 204, 213
— Scoops, 213
— iyflciwm, 133
44''
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Itjius, Pleurntu-ctis, ^50
Icturus, PUuronectfs Jlesu^, .^r^^. .'wO. .^Si
Lemon Dab, 356
— Sole, 356. 41S
U'ntisinosus, Rbombu.'i, im
' - Ps^udorhombtis, lo-*. 104
Uopardintis, Bothus, .-Ji. 23L -'U
— Parophrys, 231
— Platophrys, 230, -31
— Rhomboidichthys, 231
Uotardi, PUuronccUs, 17^
Lcpidoblcpharon, 30.), 401
— nphthalmolepis, 401. 4"_'
Lepidopsctta, 247, 24S, 2H4, 329. 375
— bilineata, 320, 330, 332
— — X Plattchthys stfllatus, hybrid, 375
— isolepis, 32O
— macitlata, 247, 24S
— mochigarci, 32c), 332
— Hm6ros«, 326, 330, 331
Lfpidorhombus, 262, 272. ::7i'
— &0SC11, 27::, 274, 2-5
— megastotna, 27^
bofi-alis, 273
— norve^icus, 276
— vdivolans, 274
— tt.A.#, 273
— whiff -tagcmis. 272, J75, .'74, :;75
Icporina, RhombosoUa, 420, 432, 433
Lesser Halibut, 289
Idhostigmii, Parahchthys, 70, 74, 75, 7"
Icvisquamis, Pst'udDrhambus, <)i. 111. 112
— Spinirhombtts, ni
l.imanda, 26, 285, 329, 333, Jj8, 342, 347, 348,
362, 369 ; intestine, 47
— angttstirostris, 342
— — var. maculosa, 34^, 345
— aspcra, 333, 336, aS
var. kortgam, 337
— asprella, 336
— beanii. 388, 394
— ferruginca, 333, 338
X PseudopUiiriintcIci amciuaiuii, hybrid,
347
— hcrzenstemi, 342
— indorum, 339
— japonica, 342, 343
— jokohamu , 344
— korigarei, 337, 338
— Hmanda, 333,334,337; albino specimen, 23
X Piatichthys ftcsiis, hybrid, 336
X PUuroneclcs plaUssii. hybrid, 33(1
— limandoides, zo7
— occanua, 334
— ponlica, 334
— probvscidea, 333, 341
— punctatissima, 333, 339
— — probuscidea, 341
— rostrata, 338, 339
— sakhalinensis, 333, 337
— -ichrcnki, 343, 345
l.imanda vulgaris. 334
— ynknimmic. 343. 344
limanda, Hippoglossoides, 204, 297
— Limanda, 23, 333, 334, 337
X Piatichthys flesus, hybrid, 130
X Plcuronectcs platessa, hvbrid, 13(1
— Platessa, 334
— Pleuronedes, 333, 334
— • Pleuroncctes {Limanda), 334
— Soh-a, 169
limandanus, Pleiirnnfctcs, 297
Limandella, 342
— yokohamee, 344
liinandoides, Hippoglossoides, 297, 298
platessoides, 295, 297
— Hippoglossus. 297
— Limanda, 297
— Platessa, 297
— Pkiironectes, 297
litnandula, Pleiironectes, 334
linguatula, Citharus, 169
— Eucitharus, 169
— Pleiironectes, 168, 169, 297, n4, 335
/i7i>ici, Hippoglossus. 292
373,
Iwlcpis, I'aralichthys, 120
— .Yys/««rys, 119, 120
Liopsetta, 286,368, 375, 379
33
— g/a6ra, 374
— glacialis. 369, 371, 37 >
— vbscura, 369
— pinnifasciata ,
— /»»(Hrt»»", 369,
liturata, Solea, 422
Long-tinned Sole, 397
longimanus, Etropus, 154, 156
— SamariscMS, 407, 411
longleyi, Syacium, 131
Long Rough Dab, 297
Long-snouted Flounder, 420
Lophiopsetta erumei, 60
Lophonectes, 171, 202
— ga((»s, 202
— vwngonuiensis, 202
Lophopsetta, 262
— maculata, 271
lophoptera, Licops. 254. 255
— Scianectes, 254
Lophorhombus, 202
— crislatus, 202
lophotes, .inioglossus. 181, 182
Lower pliaryngeals, 45
lugubris, Chascanopsetta. 24./. 21
lunalus, Buthus. 221,226, 227
— Platophrys. 227
— «i-i<rnii,T(.-s, 221.
tunulatus, Pletironedes, 233
— Rhomboidichthys, 227
luscus, Platessa, 382
— Platichthys flcsus, 376, 3S
— Pleuronectes, 382
flesus, 381
Lyopsetta, 284, 306
— MtVis, 306
madeayi, Ammotretis, 420
macrocephala, Platophrys {Arnoglossus) laic
form., 180
macrochirus, Nematops, 394, 396
macrolepidotus, Citlmroides, 170, 171
— Citharus, i6g
— Hippoglossus, 169
— Pleuronectes, i6g, 170
macrolepis, Ammotretis, 420, 423
■ — Arnoglossus, 170
— Citharoides, 170, 171
— Engyprosopon, 204, 214
— Paracitharus, 170
— Samaris, 402, 406
— Scczops, 214
macrolophus, Arnoglossus, 185
macrophthalmus, Laops, 253, 254
— Scianecles, 204, 252, 234, 257
macrops, Citharichthys, 140, 'l47, 148
— Hippoglossina, 65, 66, 67, 68
— Neoetropus, 283
macropterus, Rhombus, 230
macrostoma, Arnoglossus, 174, 180
laterna, 180
maculata Chascanopsetta, 250, 251
— Lepidopsetta, 247, 248
— Lophopsetta, 271
— Mancopsetta, 248
maculatus, Bothus, 271
— Pleuronectes, 262, 270
— Samaris, 408
— Samariscus, 407, 408
maculifer, Citharichthys, 138
— Cyclopsetta, 133, 138, 139
— Platophrys, 220, 228
— Rhomboidichthys, 228
— Symboulichthys, 228
maculiferus, Bothus, 221, 228, 229, 230
— Platophrys, 228
— Pleuronectes, 228
— Rhomboidichthys, 228
maculipinna, Monolene, 164, 167
maculosa, Boopselta, 390, 392
— Poscilopsetta, 390, 391, 392
Limanda angustirostris var., 343 345
maculosus, Paralichthys, 81
— Pleuronectes, 8i, lor, 104
maderensis. Rhombus, 224
maotica, Pselta, 268
Bxio/icKS, Bothus, 268
— Pleuronectes, 267
mrt;cim«5, 268
INDEX
maoticus, Rhombus, 268
— Scophthalmus, 263, 267
magdalena, Paralichthys, 82
magnus. Rhombus, 435
malayanus, Pseudorhombus, 90, 98, 99
maldivensis, Engyprosopon, 204, 216, 217
SciEOpS, 216
malhensis, Arnoglossus, 244
— Parabothus, 240, 244
Mancopsetta, 172,247; olfactory lamina 41
42 ' * '
— maculata, 248
warecMS, Bothus, 172, 221, 230
— Bothus {Platophrys), 230
— Parabothus, 230
— Platophrys, 224, 230, 234
— Pleuronectes, 223, 230
— Rhomboidichthys, 224, 230
— Rhombus, 224
marchionessarum. Passer, 233
— Rhomboidichthys, 233
Marleyella, 387, 396 ; sexual dimorphism, ,3
— bicolorata, 396
marmorata, Platessa flesus var., 382
matsuum, Reinhardtius , 290
msjTJmus, Bothus, 264
— Hippoglossus, 292
— Pleuronectes, 262, 263
— Psetta, 264
— Rhombus, 263
— Rhombus X iJ. rhombus, hybrid, 266
— Scophthalmus, 14, 263, 268 ; ambicolorate
specimen, 23 ; post-larva, 32
X S. rhombus, hybrid, 266
Measurements, 50, 51
megastoma, Arnoglossus, Z73, 274
— Lepidorhombus, 273
— Pleuronectes, 272
— Rhombus, 273, 274
— Zeugopterus, 273
Megrim, 195, 272
melanogaster , Platessa, 378
— Pleuronectes, 72, 74
melanostictus, Hippoglossoides, 310
— Psettichthys, 310, 327
Melbourne Flounder, 434
mellissi, Bolhus, 221, 226
Metamorphosis, 12, 13, 30, 31-33
Method, bibliographical, 51
Metoponops, 139
— cooperi, 139, 140
microcephala, Cynoglossa, 356
— Platessa, 356
microcephalus, Cynicoglossus, 337
— Microstomus, 357
— Pleuronectes, 355, 356
— Pleuronectes {Microstomus), 357
micrognathus, Pseudorhombus, 90, 105, 106
microphthalmus, Arnoglossus, 175, 197'
— Lcpops, 197
microps, Hippoglossina, 88
— Paralichthys, 71. 88
448
FLATKISHKS (HETEROSOMATA)
miir.is, Ctthanclilhyi, 155
microsioma, Ariinglossus laU'rna. lyi)
— liolhlis, J 19
— Holhiis (Arnoslossus), zu)
■ Xniuilnfii, 394
-- Plaluphrys. jn,
Microitomti^. =85. 355; iiiteslm,., |(,. 47
— achnc, 356, 358. jjij
— grccnlandicus, 350
— hiregttrn, 366
— kitaharcc, 362
— kilt, 356, 357 ; Mu-tamorpliosis, 32
— latidens, 355, 3s(»
— microcephalus, ^57
— pacificus. 356, 360
— slelkri, 35H, iho
mifi-oifomiis. Cilharichlhys, 155
— Etropus. 154, 155, 156
— PUuromctcs, 356
murunim, Syacium, i;o, no, ni, 132, 133
MMfrwrMs, H cmirhombus , 1^2
Migr.ition of eve, i:;, 13, 26
milliin, Rluimhoinlm, 432
immmui, Kubnthus, <)
- Khombiii, 9
iinnutus, rUurnnecles, 435
mtsaktwi, Psi'udnrhambus, no
moclnf:ari-i, Lcpidopsctta, ?2C), 332
— «oMhs {.4rKns;,-ssi<j). 207
— Engyprosopnn, 207
— Platophrys (Arnoglossus), 207
mogkn, Engyprnsopon, 204, 207
— Pscudorhombiis, 207
— Rhomboidichthys (Engyprosopon). 207
— Rhombus, 203, 207
mongonuunsis, Arnoglosstts, 202, 20^
— Lophoncctes, 202
.Uo)io/.-n,-, 62. 164
— aniillanim. 1I14, 166
— ainmuna, :64, 165, 167, 16K
— diibiosa. 164, 165
— macuUpinna, 164, 167
— scssihcauda. 164, 165, 166
monn/'us, RhombosoUa, 429, 431, 432, 4^4
Monterey Halibut, 81
moorei, Pseiidorhombus, 91, 118
mor/onitrnsis, Pleuronectes, 102
moseri, Verasper, 311, 313
Mouth, etc., in taxonomy, 44, 45
mudleri, Arnnglossus, 174, 191
— Pseudothotnbus, 191
mullifnaculatus, Pseitdorhombus, in2, iij, 113
muUiradiatus, Pseudorhombus, 113
.Muscles, asymmetry of, U>, 19
myrxaster, iluthus, 222, 236, 237, 259
— Bolhlis (Platophrys), 235
— Platophrys, 235, 236, 238
— Plalrtphrys (Platophrys), 235
~ Rhomhoidichthvs, 220, 235
— A7,„m6.,.s 237
Myzopsetla, 333
— fcrruginea, 33H
— rostrala, 33S
irai/.-s/iiiv;, AcaHlhnpwll,i, 303
Urt/,,*,,, Ph-iir<mcit,s. ss
ilitn-si. I hysa>iop^,il.i. 64. ii,
Nas.il orK.iii, 14. 41 ,n. 11
nalalcmis. /■ mv/'ros.,/.,.,,. 204. 213. ji|, 21S
— /.(fo/>.(, 2 -,5. 258
— Purilnpulln. 3S,s, 393
— Pseudorhombus, 90, 104. n.s
nauphala, Pseudorhombus, i)i. 117
ncbularis, Bothus, zzt,
— Platophrys, Z22
neglcctus, Platophrys, iift
— Pseudorhombus'. 91, 116, 117
Ncmalops, 3S7, 394
— grandisquama, 194, 395
— macr,)f*;rHs. 594. 396
— mirfos/..».n, 394
Nenctropus, 283, 387
— macrops, 283
Ncorhombus, 89
— occUatus, 102
— unicolor, 89
nephelus, Pleuronichlhys, 317. 322
New Zealand Flounder, 431
Miffffsct'ns, l.icops, 2,S3, 255
nigricans, Pleuronectes, 433
nigromaculatus, LiBops, 253, 254
nigroinanus, Pleuronectes, 364
normani, Istiorhombus spinosus, 91, 92
Horirg(("U5, Leptdorhombus, 276
— Phrynorhombus, 276, 277
— Rhombus, 276
— Rhombus (Zeugopterus), 27b
— Seophthalmus, 276
j — Zeugopterus, 276
Norwegian Topknot, 276
Nostrils, 44
ii"/a/n. Hippoglossina, 121, 122
nolalus, Xvstreurys, 121
.Vo/.isfmn, 124
— dilecta, 124, 126
novif-cambrtit, Parolichthys, 114
— Pseudorhombus, 114, 116
novie-zeelandirr, Bowenia, 429, 431, 432
— Brachypleum, 400
— Peltorhamphiis. 427, 42S
nudtpmnis, Ammolieli\, 424, 423
— Colistium, 424, 425
H»f^»s, Rhombus, 178
Numerical characters, 47
oblonga, Cha-nopseltii , 79
— Platcssa, 74
oblongus, Paraltchthv-i, 70, 79, 80
— Pleuronectes, 69, 79
— Pseudorhombus, 74
obscura, Ltopselta, 369
— Liopsella [Gareus], 369
obscurtis, Pleiironectes, 368, 309
oceanica, Limanda, 334
ocdlaris, Clucnopsetta, 72
— Paralichthys, 73
— Platessa, 69, 72
— Pseudorhombus, 72
ocellata, Psettylis^ 238, 239, 243
— Taniopsetta, 122, 123
ocellatus, Bothus, 221, 222, 223
— Citharichihys, 132
— Hemirhombus, 132
— HippoglossHS, 132
— Neorhombus, 102
— Platophrys, 222
— Pleuronickthys, 318, 325
— Psammodiscus, 415, 416
— Psettylis, 235
— Pseudorhombus, 122
— Rhomboidichthys, 222
— Rhombus, 220, 222, 238
ocellifer, Pseudorhombus, 106, 107
Oil-globule, 30
o/tfOSKS, Reinhardtius, 289
Olfactory laminae, 41-43
oligodon, Paralichthys, 99
— Pseudorhombus, 90, 98, 99, 100, 108
— Rhombus, 99
oligolepis, Pseudorhombus, 1 18
— Rhombus, 118
— Spinirhombus, 118
— Tarphops, 118, 119
olivacea, ChcEtiopsetta, 84
olivaceus, Hippoglossus, 84
— Paralichthys, 71, 84, 85
— Pseudorhombus, 84
ommatus, Paralichthys, 127
Oncopterina?, 35
Oncoptirus, 413, 414 ; olfactory laminae, 42
— darwinii, 414
Opercular apparatus, 17, 18
ophthalmolepis, LepidoblepJuiron, 401, 402
ophyras, Paralichthys, 73
Optic chiasma, 13, 28, 29
orbicularis, Scceops, 209
orbignyana, Paralichthys, 70, 71, 72
— Platessa, 71
Origin, 5-9, 37 ; polyphyletic, 2, 4, 37
ornaiMS, Satnaris, 402, 404
Orthopsetta, 139
— sordidus, 139, 140
orthorhynchus, Hippoglossus, 58
os/foumori, Glyptoccplmlus, 366
os(roMmoa/i, Glyptocephalus, 366
otoAtt, Kt'ms^cr, 309
Otocystic spines, 31
Otoliths, 8
ovale, Syacium, 130, 132, 133, 134
ovo/ts, Ammotrctis, 420
— Bothus, 222, 235, 236, 238, 239
— Citharichthys, 133
— Hemirhombus, 133
— Platophrys, 238
29
Pacific Halibut, 293
pacificus, Cynicoglossus, 360
— Glyptocephalus, 360
— Microstomus, 356, 360
patulus, Citharichthys, 130
— Hemirhombus, 129, 130
palad, Platophrys, 94
pallasii, Pleuronectes, 348, 349
pallidus, Scidorhombus, 60
/>flHawt:ttSis, Azevia, 137
— CitharicJUhys^ 134, 137
— Cyclopsctta, 135, 137, 138
pantherina, Psetta, 233
pantherinus, Bothus, 221, 233, 234
— Bothus {Platophrys), 234
— Platophrys, 233, 238
— Platophrys {Platophrys), 233
— Pseudorhombus, 233
— Rhomboidichthys, 233
— Rhombus, 233
papulosa, Armaca, 130
— Platessa, 130
papillosum, Syacium, 129, 130
papillosus, Pleuronectes, 130, 131
— Zeugopterus, 280, 281, 282
Parabothus, 172, 173, 240
— chlorospilus. 240, 241
— coarctatus, 240, 243
— malhensis, 240, 244
— tnancus, 230
— polylepis, 240, 241, 243
— violaceus, 240, 242
Paracitharus, 170
— macroUpis, 170
paradoxum, Amphistium, 10
Paralichthinae, 38, 39, 60, 61 ; distribution, 48,
49
Par alichth odes, 3G, 398 ; olfactory lamina, 42
— algoensis, 398
Paralichthodina?, 36, 40, 282, 398 ; distribution,
Paralichthys,
changes,
6r, 69, 70, 89, 91 ; colour
reversal, 28 ; optic chiasma,
— adspcrsus, 71, 83, 86
— tzstuarins, 71, 82, 83
— albigutla, 70, 75, 76, 77
— bicyclophorus, 70, 78
— brasiliensis, 70, 77, 78
— californicus, 69, 70, 71, 81, 82
— cccruleosticta, 71, 88
— coreamc«5, 84
— deniatus, 24, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76
— fernaiuiezianus, 71, 87
— hilgcndorfi, 70, 71, 87
— isosceles, 70, 80
— jordani, 88
— kingii, 83, 84
— lethostigma, 70, 74, 75, 76
— liolepis, 120
— hwch/oxks, 8i
450
PayolkhUn^ wa-Utilnur.
— microps. 71, 88
— noviF-camhric£, ii.j
- — oblotigus, 70. 79, So
— ocellaris, 7.1
— oligodon, (}<)
— olwaceus. ;i. 84. S3
of fin-rays, 47
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
Pdnna hcckeii. i;,;, ■:•.
[ — heckelii, 224
— rucppellU, 173, 184
Pelolretis, 413, «8
— flavilattn, 418
I Peltnrhnmphus, ?,s, ,1 ■„
v.inatioii in number , — hassi-iisis, ±i::
427
— ommatus, 1*7
- — ophyras, 73
— nrbianyaim. 70. 71. 7-'
— palttgomctis, 77, 7S
— percocephahts, 84
— pohspihis, III.-
— schmilli, 7.1
— siiialois, S(), S;
— squamiletitus, 70, 76
— stigmalias, 126
— it-MioVas/rHm, 95
— triocellaliis, 7<i, 80, Ri. .)i>
— Iropicui, 70
— u-oolmani, 71, S4, 86
— ivoohtmnni, S6
Paralimaniia, 3S7
Parnphrys, 10, ;.S4, 328, i;i
— flVMsii', 516, u7
— co-llosa, 323
— cortntta, 310
— hubbardi, 3jS
— iscbyrits, 375
— isolcpis, 326
— leopardinu^, _Mi
— frtw/a, 328
parviceps, l.aops, 202, 25-, 253, 256
parvittlanus, fihomhu^, 23^, -:34
passariiius, PUuTinifclcs, 381
Passer, 262, 37^1
— tmircliioitt-ssarutH. 23^
passer, J-'Usits, 37.S
— PUile^sa, 353, 37.S, 18 1
— Phiir,m,-cU-i, 261), 37S
patagntiuus. Pnralichthys, yy, 78
pataracliia, PUuronectes, 169
Patiki, 420
^rtfo, Platophrw, 230
— PlaUiphrys'(Plalophrys), 230
— Rhombuidichthvs, 230
— Rhomhui, 2311
pavonina, Phtessn, 260
Pectoral fins, 2<i, 2I'
pectoralis, Lceops, 253, 261
— LambdopseUa, 261
Pelagic life, length of, 31
PeUcanieblbrs, 4s, 172. 252
— <:r.,moi«iis, 252
pellucida, PscUylis. 220, 24.1
pellucidus, Dehlhyns, 103, i6ii
— PlcuronecUs, 17S
— TItvns, 104, 165
Petonn, 17 !, 22.,
— mvic-zcclandiu; 427, 42.S
Pelvic fins, asyniinetrv of, 20. 2b ; in classifica-
tion, 38, 3<)
pennata, Plalophrys, 246
pennaliis, Grammaiobothiis, 24s, 246
penlopbthaUnus, Pseudorlwmbus . 110, 106. 1.17
perarcualtis, Plettronectes, i jo
percnceplmlti, PlaU-ssa, 84
percnccpbalus, Paralichthys, 84
Perroids, supposed relationship with F'latfishes,
-', ;, 8, 0
/'<:r,5.VM.s ''-', 162
— tanioptertts, 163
Pharyngeals, 45
Phrvnorhombus, 21.2. 275. 27g : olfactory
lan.ime, 41. 4 2
— i.ori.<-sici<s, 276. 277
— rfsii,.s. 270, 278
— utdmacidatus, 278
pictus, PUuronectes, 230
Piebald Flatfishes, 24
pineloruin, ( leisthciies, 504, 305
pinguts, Hippnf;lossus, 2S.,
— PUilysinniHichthys, 280
— Pleurunecles, 288, 289
piiinijascinta, l.inpsetta, 361), 373
pinnifasciatus, Azvgopu
— Plcurnnectes, 373
^ Pseudopleurnnedes, 373
Pla^iopsella, 407
— stosSK, 4"7, 412
Plagusia, i(>
Plaice, 48, 35u
Plaice and Flounder, hvbriti.
/./aiw, Pte;«sa, 345
planum,, Plcuronectes, 342, 345
— Pseudopleuronectes, 345
Platessa, 113, 348
— balteata, i
— b i col o rata,
— bilineata.
16, 417
14, 315
— chinensis, 63
— — var. carnleo-oculea, 63
— chrysoptera, no, in
— cornuta, 317, 319
— Cyclops, 264
— cynoglossa, VJ4
— dentata, 294, 296
— rfielKjMioisis, 371
— clongata, 3O4
— ferruginea, ^33, 338
— M«s, 378
\ar. marmoraia, 382
Platessa glabra, 368, 373, 382
— glaciaUs, 371
— jenynsii, 113
— lavis, 357
— lata, 350
— limanda, 334
— limandoides, 297
— luscus, 382
— melanogaster, 378
— microcephala, 356
— oblonga, 74
— ocellaris, 69, 72
— orbignyana, 71
— papulosa, 130
— passer, 355. 378, 381
— pavonina, 269
— percocephala, 84
— ^/ana, 345
— platessa, 350
— platessoides, 296
— />o/fl, 356, 364
-— pseudofiesus, 354
— pusilla, 345
— quadrituberculata, 349
— quadr ocellaris, 79
— quadr ocellata, 7*:j
~ rostrata, 338
— russdlii, 101
— 5axzco/a, 364
— scapka, 195
— 5t«£«5is, 63
— stellata, 383
— variegata, 312
— vclafracta, 63
— vulgaris, 350
platessa, Platessa, 350
— Pleuronectes, 14, 15, 348, 350, 353 ; egg, 31
X Olyptocephalus cyMog/ossws, hybrid, 354,
366
X Limanda limanda, hybrid, 336
X Platicktkys fiesus, hybrid, 354, 355
— Pleuronectes {Platessa), 350
— Solea, 350
PlatessincB, 35
platessoides, Citharus, 296
— Drepanopsetta, 296, 297, 298
— Drepanopsetta {Hippoglossoides), 297
— Hippoglossoides, 295, 296, 297, 298
platessoides, 295, 296
— Platessa, 296
— Pleuronectes, 294, 296, 334
Platfchthys, 26, 286, 314, 369, 375, 376 ; intes-
tine, 47 ; reversal, 28 ; optic chiasma, 29
— bicoloralus, 376, 385
— fiesus, 355, 376, 377, 384 ; metamorphosis,
32
X Limanda limanda, hybrid, 336
X Pleuronectes platessa, hybrid, 354, 355
fiesus, 376, 377, S78, 381
italicus, 376, 380, 381, 382
luscus, 376, 382, 383
— hippoglossus, 381
Platicktkys rugosus, 376. 384
— stellatus, 28, 376. 383, 384
— • — X Lepidopsetta bilineata, hybrid, 375
— umbrosus, 329, 330
Platophrys, 9, 220
— angustifrons, 245
— aspilus, 187
— assifnilis, 239
— chlorospilus, 241
— circularis, 236, 238, 239
— coarctatus, 243
— constellatus, 232
— dimorphus, 217
— ellipticus, 228, 229
— grandisquatna, 210, 218, 219
— inermis, 241, 242
— irUermedius, 197
— javanicus, 109
— fti«i5ts, 222
— laterna, 179
— leopardinus, 230, 231
— lutiatus, 227
— maculifer, 220, 228
— maculiferus, 228
— mancus, 224, 230, 234
— microstoma, 219
— mogki, 207
— Mvrtas/^r, 235, 236, 238
— nebularis, 222
— neglectus, 116
— ocellatus, 222
— avails, 23S
— palad, 94
— pantherinus, 233, 238
— pavo, 230
— pennata, 246
— podas, 224, 225, 226
— pcEcilurus, 209
— polyophthalmus, 244, 245
— rMsse//ii, 102
— spiniceps, 210
— s/)t«os«s, 222
— tcsniopterus, 162, 163
— tapeinosoma, 185
— thompsoni, 235
platophrys, Cithartchthys, 140, 145
Platotichthys, 220
— ckartes, 220, 227, 228
Platysomatichthys, 288
— hippoglossoides, 289
— pinguis, 289
— sfomms, 286, 287
plebi'ia, Rhombosolea, 29, 429, 431
plebeius. Rhombus, 431
Pleuronectes, 262, 285, 345, 348 ; frontal bones,
10, II ; intestine, 46, 47 ; jaws, 16 ;
metamorphosis, 12 ; mouth, 16 ; olfactory
laminae, 42 ; optic chiasma, 29 ; otolith,
8 ; pectoral arch, pelvic bones, 40 ; sexual
dimorphism, 33 ; skull, 12
29§
452
FL.V TFISI lES (HETEROSOMATA)
Pliuroncclcs amerkanus, 345
— aqtio&us, zyo
— aramaca, 130, 131
— argus, 223, 226
— arnoglossus, 173, 17S, 180, iSi
— arsiiis, 10 1
— aspcr, 33O
— asp^rrimus. 315
— beam, 3SS
— bicoloratiis, 385
— bilnuaUis, 330
— bogdanovi, S/S. iS'
— borcaUs, 35"
— fioscn. 274
— calimanda, 278
— carditta, 272, 276, 278
— casurus, 178, 181
— chilarm, i6()
— chrysopUrus, no, in
— cicalricosus, 371
— citharus, 168, 169
— coKSpsrsus, 1 78
— cristatus, 26S
— cuspiiiattis, 224
— Cyclops, 263
— cyjiojlossus, 288, 2Sq, 355, 256, 362. 364
— denlatus, 72
— diasrammus, 32S, 329
— dmphaniis, 178
— <ii'.«.-i.sis, 371
— elongatus, 3^4
— cnimfi, 57
— fernigmcus, 338
— flcsouUs. 378
— ^esus, 354, 376. 377, 378, 381, 382
ballicus, 378
bndganom. 378, 381
camnensis. 378, 381
flcsus, 378
{glabra). 381
((.-Minis), 378, 379, 381
luscus, 381
sepu-ntrionalis, 378, 3S1
[trachurui], 378, 379, 381
— fraiMinii, 371, 374
— gii/l, 357
— glabcr. 374
— glacialis, 371
— grohmanni, 175, 177
— gl<»u!ii/"S, 310
— hippnglossnidcs, 289
— hlppnglossus, 291. 292, 293
— hirlus, 279, 280
— iscdyrus, 375
— itaUcus, 381
— japonicus, 342
— *>H, 280, 356
— l^vis, 268, 356
— (a(.-r«a, 178
— latui, 350
— leotardi, 178
— hmanda, 333, 334
297
ricuroncctcs limandanu
— limandoides, 2<)y
— limandula, 334
I — lingitatula, 168, l6(), 29
— liodcrma, 269
— Immiiis, 22(1
— lutmlatus, 233
— ;«sn,s, ,82
— macroh-pidolus, 169. 1711
— maculahis. 262, 270
— niacidifi-rHS, 228
— «micm/osk5, 8r, lor, 104
— mceoticus, 2f>7
— rttancus, 223, 2V'
— — var. ffKTofitu.s", 268
— mcgastoma, 272
— melanogaster. 72, 74
— microcfphahis, 355, 151
— microstomits, 15(1
— minulus, 435
— wor/oni£Hsis, 102
— nalaka, 58
— ntgricflws, 435
— nij?romffn«s, 364
— oblongus, 69, 79
— oftscunis, 36S, i<i,i
— pallasii, 348, 3*9
— papillosus, 130, 131
— passarimis, 381
— passer, 269, 378
— patarachia, 169
— pcllticidus, 178
— perarcuatus, 330
— piclus, 230
— pingms, 288, 2S'i
— pinnifasciatli'i, 171
— />;a)iiis. 342. 345
— platcssn, 14, 15. 348,
metamorphosis, 32
X Glvptoccphalm cy
365
X Limanda linmnda. hybrid, 336
X Platichthys fiesus, hybrid, 35*, 355
baltica, 350, 354
— platcssoides, 294, 296, 334
— podas, 223
— pseiidopalus, 272
— punctatus, 278, 28(1
— quadndi'ns, 356
— quadnttiberculatus.
350, 353 ; egg, 31 ;
iiog/ossus, hybrid, 354,
'I, 349. 350
?n,
ns^/ii
3 5 1'
regius, 278
— rhombeits, 230, 2',j
— rhombus, 435
— ros«.s, 378
— saxaltlis, 278
— saxicola, 363, 364
— scapha, I95
— scaphus, 173
— scutifer, 376, 3S5
— situ-nsis. 62, 63
Pleuronectes spinosus, 230, 231
— striatopinnatus , 435
— surinamensis, 226
— triocellatus, 96
— tubercuUitus, 263
— turbot, 263
— umbrosus, 330
— unimaculatus, 278
— uniocellatus , 278
— varicgatus, 312
— vctulus, 328
— victoriiB, 434,
— whiff -iagonis, 272
— yokohamcB, 342, 343
Pleuronectidffi, 56, 282, 283 ; classification, 39.
40, 41, 43 ; distribution, 49, 50
Pleuronectiformes, 36
Pleuronectin*, 35, 36, 40, 41, 283, 387
Pleuronectoidea, 36
Pleuronichthys, 14, 15, 284, 317, 318, 350
— cwnosus, 317, 318, 322, 323. 324, 325.
326
— cornutus, 317, 319
— decurrens, 317, 318
— guttulatus, 315, 316
— nephelus, 3:7, 322
— ocellatus, 318, 325
— qxiadrituberctilatus, 318
— rittcri, 318, 324, 326
— verticalis, ^ly, 321
pHnthus, Alesops, 387, 302
— Precilopsetta, 388, 392
podas, Bothus, 34, 221, 223, 224, 229 ; post-
larva, 32
— Platophrys, 224, 225, 22A
— Pleuronectes, 223
— Rhomboidichthys , 224
— Rhombus, 224
Pcccilopsctta, 387, 394p 306 ; olfactory laminae,
42
— femKii, 388
— bicolorata, 396
— colorata, 387, 388, 390, 391, 392
— hawaiiensis, 388, 391
— maculosa, 390, 391, 392
— natalensis, 388^393
— plinthus, 388, 392
— pralonga, 388, 391
Pcecilopsetinae, 36, 40, 41, 2S2, 387; distribu-
tion, 49, 50
paacilurus, Arnoglossus, 209, 210
— Bothus, 210
— Platophrys, 209
— Pseudorhombus, 209
— Rhomboidichthys, 209
— Rhombus, 209
— Sc crops, 209
/>o/rt, PUitessa, 356, 364
Pole Flounder, 364
polylepis, Arnoglossus, 240, 241
— Bothus, 241
'^^ 453
polylepis, Parabothus, 240, 241, 243
— Rhomboidichthys, 241
polyophthalmus , Bothus (Platophrys), 245
— Grammatobothus, 245, 247
— Platophrys, 244, 245
Polyphyletic origin, 2, 4, 37
polyspilus, Anticitharus, 173, 190
— -^rwog/ossMs, 174, 190
— Bothus (Anticitharus), 190
— Paralichthys, 102
— Pseudorhombus, 102, 103, 104
— Rhombus, 89, 102
Pomatopsetta, 294
— dentata, 297
pontica, Limanda, 334
ponticus, Hippoglossus, 292
— Scophthalmus, 263, 268
Post-larva3, 30-33
prcBlonga, Boopsetta, 390, 3')i
— Pcecilopsetta, 388/391
pristinum, Isomma, 10
probnscidea, Limanda, 333, 341
— Limanda punctatissima, 341
profundus, Arnoglossus, 201
— Bothus (Arnoglossus), 201
— Psettina, 199, 201
propinquus, Hippoglossoides, 295, 302
— Hippoglossoides (Cynopsetta), 302
prorigera, Chascanopsetta, 250, 25t
— Chascomopsetta, 251
Proportions, 44
Protopsetta, 304
— herzensteini , 304
PsammorftscMs, 413, 415
— ocellatus, 415, 416
Psetta, 262, 263
— mcsotica, 268
— panther ina, 233
— rhombus, 269
Psettichthys, 284, 310 ; jaws, 16
— melanostictus, 310, 327
— sordidus, 139, 140
Psettina, 171, 173. 199, 217
— brevirictis, 199
— iijima, 199, 200, 2'ir
— profundus, 199, 201
Psettims, 35
Pseftodes, 57 ; colour pattern, 21, 22 ; compared
with (iadoid, 5, 6 ; with Zeoid, 7 ; with
Percoid, 7,8; intestine, 47 ; jaws, palatine
bones, 7, 16 ; olfactory laminae, 42 ; oper-
cular apparatus, 18, 19 ; optic chiasma,
28 ; origin, 4, 9 ; osteology, 3 ; otolith, 8 ;
post-cleithra, 8 ; systematic position, 37
— belcheri, 57, 59
— bennettii, 59
— erumei, 2, 3, 14, 57, 58, 50
— goniographicus, 58
Psettodidae, 37, 56, 57 ; distribution, 48
Psettodoidea, 36
Psettus, 262
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
rsellylis, 22.)
Psi'udnrhotnbufi tic-fiU-ctus, <)i
116. 117. MS
— occlUltti, 213, 2.lf>, 23Q. 243
— Hdva-camhria-, m, i H)
— pcllucida, 210, J40
— ohlimgus, 74
Pseudocitharuhthys, 220, 233
— ocdlarifi, 72
— aureus. 2 34
— ocdlalus, 122
psfudofiesus, Platcssn, 354
— ocdlifcr, 106, IU7
Pseudompsial bar, lo. 11, 15
— otisodon, no, yS, 99, 100
108
pscudopalus, PUurnm-ctes, 272
— oUgolcpis, 118
PseudopUurimrctes. 2.S3, 342. 347. 356, 3(12. 3fii);
— olivaceus. 84
eggs, 311: inti''itiiii'. 47; Tiict.unorphosis,
— pantherinus, 2 v^
12
— pcntnphthalmus, 90, 106,
107
— anuricanus, 24, 542. 345
— pcccHurus, 2o<)
X Limanda fcrru^inea, hybrid, 347
— polysptlus, 102, l"^, 104
— digtuibilm, 345, 347
— quadracdtalus, 127
— ker:ensleini. 342, 34 +
— quinquocdlatui, 90, 100
— pinmfascialus, 373
— fitssfZ/»', 98, 00, 102, ro
, loi;
— pUmus, 345
— scaphus, 195
— yokohama, 342, 343
— spinosus, 89, 91, 92
Pseudtyrhombu^, 60, (>r, 89, 198; jaws, 16;
— swinhonis, 84
olfactory lamina-, 42 ; pectoral arch, pelvic
— /c«uims(rum, c,,,, 95
bones, 30
— (nocWin/«s, 9". 91, 96, 9
— adspcrsus, H3
— v.imi, 74, -5, 77
— affinis. loS
puitclalissima, Hippoglnsinid
s {Htppo-^losstitaj
— andersom, 102, 104
339
— a»namcnsis, loo, 107
— Limanda, 333, 339
— ammlalus. 40, .11, 97
ptmclalH^, BolhiiSt 435
rRHS
112,
:i7, 1:8
— bnops. 195, 196
— bra^iltcnais, 77
— call/or, ncus, 8r
— cartwrifihti, 94
—
dftitatus.
71,
72, 74. 7
-
diphsptlu
duplictncc
devatus, '
iat
.. 93. 94
vs .S9 9^
108, 117
—
gullulatus
','ll8
—
ItfCl'irii.
95
I9(>
-
javanuus
91
113, 114
lulw.. in
I
kiiigu, 8;
U/JI
"• "^'
—
kntigini:^
lexisquam
yl. 111,
—
malnyanu
0, 98, 99
—
micrognathus
9". 105
—
tnisaktus,
II
J
—
mogkii, 2
07
., 118
—
mudlcri,
191
_
mulUtnac
iat
(s, 102.
_
muUiradi
llUi
, II ?
_
natalcnsis
9
., 104. I.
—
nauphaltl
9
. 117
— Pleuroncctes, 278, 280
— Rhombua, 27S, 280
— Scophthalmus, 278
— Zcugnplcrus, 27S, 280, 281, 2."
puiilla, Pkilcssa, 345
putnami, Eiuhalarodus, 368, 373
— Lwpsdta, 369, 373, 374
' ' Pyloric " appendages, 46, 47
quudridcns, Pleuronectcs, 359
quadritubcrculata, Platcssa, 349
quaUritubcrcidatu-i, PUurmiecta, 3
35"
— Pleurn,nchth\s. iiS
quadrncdlans, Plutasu, 79
quadrocdlatu, Ancxlof,uila. 124, i
— Piatasa. 79
quaJrncdlalus. P^cud.,rli.,mbu^. 12
jKc.vWn, Plcuiom-cl,'.. i39
.;„.99„i, .4.v,9«, 155
— fydnpsdtn. 135
qumquncdlnlu-.. Pscudorli.nnbus, ,c
Rachis, 41
radula, lirnntpscllu. 122, 123. 12
ramosus. Rhombus. 453
Ramutaria, 124
— dcndritica, 123
raptatnr, I raihvplnophrvs. 219. 2
rasi/.-, IVivfKih/iim. Iji
— .Vys/z-.-n/vs. 119. I2M. 121
rathhuni, ( illutriclillns. 14S
R,-..-^-,us orl.italis. 22
,,iii,v. l'hr\nnrhr,mbus, 270, 278
— PUur.mectes, 278
Reinhardtius, lo, 283, 288; colours,
- — hippoglossoides , 289, 290
— matsunne, 290
— oleosus, 289
Respiratory adaptations, 17, 18
retiaria, Rhombosolea, 429, \^o
Reversal, 27-20
rhombeus, Pleuronectes , 433
Rhombina?, 35, 36
Rhombiscus , 8y
rhombitis, Rhombus, 268
rhomboide, Solea, 220, 223
Rhotnboides, 262
rhomboides, Bothus, 224
— Rhombus, 224, 275
Rhombosolea, 413, 429; olfactory lamina;,
43 ; pectoral arch, pelvic bones,
reversed examples, 29
— bassensis, 420
— flesoides, 432, 434, 435
— leporina, 429, 432, 433
— millari, 432
— monopus, 429, 431, 432,
— plebeia, 429, 431
— retiaria, 429, 430
434
429. 434;
specimen, 27
— victories, 434
Rhombosoleins, 20, 36, ^7, :
distribution, 49, 50
Rhomboidichthys, 220, 226
— angustifrons, 245, 246
— assimilis, 239
— azureus, 219
— chlorospilus, 241
— coarctatus, 243
— cornutus, 153
— cllipticus, 229
— grandisquama, 209
— ini^rm^iitMS, 197
— leopardinus^ 231
— /umi/MS, 227
— lunulatus, 227
— maculifer, 228
-V- maculiferus, 228
— mancus, 224, 230
— marchionessarum, 233
— mogkii, 207
— myriaster, 220, 235
— ocellatus, 222
— pantkerinus, 233
— Pavo, 230
— podas, 224
— /)a'ci/MrM5, 209
— polyUpis, 241
— spilurus, 209, 210
— spiniccps, 209
— s/)t«os«s, 222, 223
— valderostratus, 210
rhomboidichthys, Charybdia,
Rhombus, 262, 414
, 40, 41, 283,413;
Rhombus aculealu
— a?uosMs, 271
— aspilos, 187
— bahianus, 222
— barbatus, 269
— boscii, 274
— candidissimus, 178,
— cardina, 276, 278
— cocoiensw, 204
— cristatus, 269
— diaphanus, 224
— fitzingeri, 435
— gesneri, 224
— grandisquama, 203, 209
— heterophthalmus, 224
— hirtus, 280
— hybridus, 266
— javanicus, 109
— IcBvis, 266, 269
— /enhgirtosws, loi
— linnci, 269
— lunatus, 227
— macropterus, 230
— waiierertsis, 224
— m^soitcMS, 268
— magnus, 435
— mancus, 224
— tnaximus, 263
X /?. rhombus, hybrid, 266
— megastoma, 273
— mtfgas^omws, 274
— minimus, 9
— mogkii, 203, 207
— myrtas/er, 236
— norvegicus, 276
— nwrfws, 178
— ocellatus, 220, 222, 238
— oligodon, 99
— oligolepis, 118
— pantherinus, 233
— />anjman«s, 233, 234
— pavo, 230
— plebeius, 431
— podas, 224
— pcecilurus, 209
— polyspilus, 89, 102
— punctatus, 278, 280
— ramoSMS, 435
— rhombitis, 268
— rhomboides^ 224, 275
— r/iomfiMs, 269
X /?. majtimMS, hybrid, 266
— scapha, 195
— S(?rfa/«5, 224
— setigcr, 278
— solecBformis, 130, 131, 179
— stamatini, 9
FLATFISH RS (HETEROSOMATA)
— suMiatranus, 2^}^
lor,
368
— triocclUitus, 06
— iinimaculatus, 375, 27S
— imioa-IUilus. 278
— tulsaris, :6.,
-- uolffii, 84
rhombus, Bothus, jfif>
— «fi(roH<-c(«, ::5o, ::<>::. ::'''4, ^dS
— Psf//a, 261)
-- Rhombus, 269
X K. muAimHS. Iivbrid, 2fi6
— Scophlhalmus, 26.1, 268; egg, jii
X S. mrnimus. hybrid. 266
ri*i,.-niii(s. /),ii(/,s, 3*7
riiMOSKS, CilharichthM, 15S
— Etropus. i'i4. 158
i-i«.-ri, Pleurnnichthys, r,iS, 324, 326
rdftus/iis, Hippoglossoides, 205, 302
— Hippo^lnssoidcs {Cynopsclta], 302
— — elassttdon, 302
rosnis, Plcuronectes, 378
rostrata, lAmanda, 33S. 339
— Mv:opsclla. 33S
— Plalessa, 338
rnslratus, Ammntrclis. 410. 420. 422. 423
Kousli Dab. 207
rueppellii, Arnoslmsu-:. 174. 184
— .-(r.mj;;oM!<s (DnUfunna}. 1S4
— (hnrvhdia, 1S4
— D„Ufi(si>M. 184
— /V;,.r,«. 173, 184
niC";'", I'Uilichthvs, 576. 584
rumii/.., Brf/n.s, 22n, 223
russelln, Platessa, ini
— Platnphrys. 102
— Pst-udorhomhus, oS, 09. 102, 104. nu
Runy n.ih, 33S
sidmneiisii. Hipposlnsstiw. 125
Sagitt.i. S
Sail-fluke, 272
.•;a*Aa(i«ciisn, /.imfinrfn. ui, 337
SamariniP, 35, 36, 4", 4', 2S2, 399 ; distnbuti
40, .'i"
Samnris, vm. 402, 407
— cacaliur. 402, 405
— cnrallwus. 4'")
— cristatui, 402. 403. 404, 405, 4itO
— dilasncmii, 412, 405
— inornata. 407
— macrnUpis, 402, 406
~ mijculatus, 408
— nniafus, 402. 404
>nm«r,sn<s, 30'1. 407
- o.raltuiui. 4"-. 409. 410
- sins ■.a. 412
— /nivsm.nn. 407, 409
— iii..r>i«(iu. 407
-- to„nma,iu'i. 4"7. 411
Samanscus UMCuintus, 4n7, 408
— sunieri, 407, 410
5rtHf/r-/awrr»i/n, Engyophrys, liii, 162
Sand Dab, 206
-- riniindcr. 431
sas.r. lilyl^lni-pludus, )66
sauild,^. I'Inirnncdes. 27K
.Mliin/,,, (,lypi,ic,pli,ilus, 364
— PlaU'ssa, 3O4
— Pleurnnectes, 363, 364
SccEops, 20^
— fiUmanus, 215
— crandisquama, Jo"), :!io
— AflKfAoMii", 204
— Ao6c«5i5, 208, 217, 219
— latifrons, 213
— macroUpis, 214
— maldivensis, 216
— orbicularis, 20<}
— po'cilurus, 200
— scchellcnsis, 21O
— spilura, 200
— HI, 204
ATHaJtiirMX, 205
Scald-fish, 178
— Cape, 183
Scales, asymmetry of, 20 ; in laxonomv, 40 ;
numl)ers of, 47, 48
scapha, Arnoglossiis, 175, 195, 190
— Caiilopsetta, 195
— Platessa (Rhombus ?), 195
— Pleurnnectes, 195
— Rhomhua, 193
scaphus. Plcuronectes, 173
schmitti, Paralic/Uhys, 70
schrencki, Limanda, 343
schrenki, Litnanda, 343, 343
Scianectes, 252, 253
— lophoptera, 254
— macrophtkalmus, 204, 252, 254. 257
Scidorhombtis, 60
— palltdus, 60
I Scophthalmina.', 39, 49, 50, 6.), 262
Scophlhalmus, 26, 262,273,279; frontal bones,
10, II ; metamorphosis, 12 ; iitigration of
fve, 15 ; otolith, 8 ; pectoral arch, pelvic
bon
263, 270
ncrotu
263, 267
— nuiximus, 14. 263, :
men. 25 ; post-larv
X -S. rhombus, h
— norvesicus, 276
— ponticus, 263, 268
— piinclatus, 278, 2S(i
— rhombus. 263, 268 ;
X .S. maximus,
— ummaculatus, 278
scutifer, Kareius, 385
— Pleuroncctcs, 376, 3^
INDEX
sechellensis, Engyprosopon, 204, 216
— Saeops, 216
sentus, EngyophrySy 161
septentrionalis, Hippoglossus, 292
— Pleuronectes fiesus, 378, 381
serratus. Rhombus, 224
sessilicauda, Monolene, 164, 165, 166
setiger. Rhombus, 278
Sexual dimorphism, 33-35
sinaloa, Paralichthys, 86, %y
sinensis, Platessa, 63
— Pleuronectes, 62, 63
— Tephrinectes, 62, 63
— Tephritis, 63
— Velifracta, 63
Siphon, 18
Skull, asymmetry of, ro-13
Sleep, position in, 9
Slender Flounder, 95, 306
Sliding valves, 18
Slippery Sole, 360
Small-toothed Flounder, 113
Smear Dab, 356
smithi, Platophrys, 230
Soft Flounder, 140
Solceiformes, 36
"Sole," 310, 328, 427
— California, 307, 328
Sole, Lemon, 356, 418
— Long-finned, 367
— Slippery, 360
Solea, II, 14, 15, 16, 31, 220 ; in Middle I
9 ; metamorphosis, 12 ; otolith, 8
— arnoghssa, 178
— cithara, 169
— cynoglossa, 364
— eocenica, g
— kirchbergana, 9
— limanda, 169
— liturata, 422
— platessa, 350
— rhomboide, 220, 223
— solea, egg, 31
— uncinata, 420
soleceformis, Aramaca, 130
— Arnoglossus, 179
— Hemirhombus, 130
— Rhombus, 130, 131, 179
Soleids, 4, 9, 14, 18, 20, 35, 36, 37, 56
Solei-pleuronectins, 36
" Soles," independent origin, 4, 9, 37
sordidus, Citharichthys, 139, 140, 141, 14
— Orthopsetta, 139, 140
— Pscttichthys, 139
Southern Flounder, 74, 434
Species inquirend«, 435
Specific characters, 43-48
Sphagomorus, 57
— erumei, 58
spilopterus, Citharichthys, 140, 149, 15a
152
spilura, Saeops, 209
spilurus, Arnoglossus, 209
— Rhomboidichthys, 209, 210
Spines, of post-larvae, 30, 31
spiniceps, Platophrys, 210
— Rhomboidichthys, 209
Spinirhombus, 89
— ctenosquamis, 89, loi
— levisquamis, 11 1
— oligolepis, 118
— taiwanus, no
spinosus, Istiorhombus, 91
— Platophrys, 222
— Pleuronectes, 230, 231
— Pseudorhombus, 89, 91, 92
— Rhomboidichthys, 222, 223
Spotted Flounder, 310
squamilentus, Paralichthys, 70, 76
stamatini. Rhombus, 9
stampflii, Citharichthys, 140, 151
— Hemirhombus, 151
Starry Flounder, 28
stellata, Platessa, 383
stellatus, Platichthys, 28, 376, 383, 384
X Lepidopsetta bilineata, hybrid, 375
stelleri, Glyptocephalus, 364, 366, 367
— Microstomus, 358, 366
stellifer. Aster or hombus, 60
stellosus, Rhombus, 267, 268
stenolepis, Hippoglossus, 291, 293, 294
stigm(Bus, Citharichthys, 139, 143
stigmatias, Paralichthys, 126
stomata, Hippoglossina, 65. 66
stomias, Atheresthes, 287, 28S
— Platysomatichthys, 286, 287
striatopinnatus, Pleuronectes, 435
sumatranus. Rhombus, 233
sumichrasti, CitJiarichthys, 152
Summer Flounder, 72
sunieri, Samariscus, 407, 410
Supra-orbital bars, 12, 13
Supratemporal branch of lateral line, 46
surinamensis, Pleuronectes, 226
swinhonis, Pseudorhombus 84
Syacium, 62, 129
— cornutum, 153
— guineensis, 132
— gunteri, 130, 131
— latifrons, 133
— longleyi, 131
— micrurum, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133
— ovale, 130. 132, 133. 134
— papillosum, 129, 130
Symboulichthys, 220, 229
— maculifer, 228
Symphurus, 2, 11, 16, 30
Systematic position, i, 2
tisdifer, Bascanius, 173, 184
Taniopsctta, 61, 122; colours, 23; olfactory
lamina, 41, 42 ; sexual dimorphism, 33. 34
— ocellata, 122, 123
— radula, 122, 123, 124
■t5S
FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA)
163
liCinopterus, /"<
— Flalophrys, l6;, l6,i
laiwanHS, Spinirlwmbus, no
laimkius, 4(1, :;S6, 362, 304
— kilahara-, 362, 363
tapctnosoma, Arnoglossus, 174, 185
— Bolkus lArnoghssus), 185
— Flalophrys {Arnoglossus). 185
Ulpirina, RkombosoUa, 420, 421. 420,
ainbicolor.ite specimen, 27
Tapirisolea, 419
/nppa, Botkus, 175
larphops, 61, 118
— oligolepis, 118
IVeth. asymmetry
45 : of post-larv.T, 31
Teleocephali, i
/(-»i(iras/rMW, Puralichlhvs, <j3
— Pseudorhombus, 90, 95
/riMiis. .4rnoW<'SS«s, I74, 187, 18S
Tt-plirinrcles, 61, 6j
— siKcnsis, 62, 63
Tephrttis, 62
~ ««<-,MM, 63
I cratorhombus, 89
— (■»fisif(-/>5. So, 102, 104
Ittn.phlhalmus, Lioglossma, 6S, 69
thompsom, Apsetta, 29, 420, 43'.
— Platophrys, 235
/ftori, Arnoglossus, 17^, 176, 177
— Kyleia, 177
//ivni, 164
— pdlucidii'..
Ihysnnopsctta
42
II taxononiv, 44.
64;
64, 65
Tmplate, 431
Tongue valve, 18
Topknot, Bloch's, 280
— Common, 280
— Eckstrom's, 278
— Norwegian, 276
tnrosus, Rhombus, 26S
Torsion of cranium, 11, 12, 13
trachurus, Phuroncdcs flesus, 37S, 379, 3*>i
/ rachyplftnphrys, 249
- rapliilnr, 249, 250, 251
Iruholepts, Achiropsclta, 248, 249
Irtchnpselta, (.2, 160
— (iillgleishi, 19?
— r,-../ra/<s, 160, lOl
InoccUatus, Pariilickthys, ;m, 80, -^i, ')i'
— Flcuronectcs, i-)b
— Pseudorhombus, 90, .|i, 96, ')S
— Rhombus, 96
Iropuus. ParaUcMhys, 70
luhcrculatus, Fit
lution, Ammotrt
furbot, 7, 24, 23, 2t»,
- ,' linll hybrid, 2C1
Black Sea, 267
:urh„l, Pkuraiu-cUs, zl>'.
263
, 422. 423
Twi
spot Flounder, 93
uhleri, CilhatuMhy^. 140, 148
ui. Scaops, 2. .4
umlirarum, Boopsclta, 387, 391, 392
umbrosa, Lcpidopsetta, 326, 330
— — bilineata, 331
umbrnsus, FlaticUhys, 329, 330
— Fleuroncctcs, 330
uncinata, SoUa, 420
unicolor, Neorhombus, 8g
unicornis, Citharichthys, 153
unimaculatus, Rhombus, 275, 27.S
— Rhombus, 278
— Phrvnorhombus, 278
— PUuronccIrs, 27S
— Srnphlhalmut, 27S
— Zcugnptcrus. 278
uiiwcdlalus, PU-uroncclfS, 27.8
— Rhombus, 27.S
Uropselta, f><)
— californicn, 81
vagrans, Hippoglossitta, 08
valdcroslratus, Crossnrhomhus, 217, 21
— Rhomboidichthys, 210, 217
V.iriation, 47, 48
— discontinuous, 27
variegata, Lirops, 1^;. 260
— Platessa, 312
— IVms/)ir. 311, 312
irliifracla, Pliilrssa, 0 i
Vdilmdn, 02
vdigcr, Zororhombus, 10
vdivolans, Lepidorhombus,
274
— Zeugoptcrus, 273
vcntrahs, Arnoglossus, 160
— Citharichthys, ibo
— Truhopsdta, 160, 161
Kt-riCi/Ka, 33 3
— nc/mc, 355. 15S
Verusper, 44, 2S4, 311, ',1
4
— mostn. 311, 313
— otakn, io'i
— varicgalu^. -,11, 312
^'t'^t'CHHi/^JH, II')
— rasik, 121
Vertebra, in classification
!•'<, i'l
37, 47, 4.'<
Vertebral column, asvmmt
trv i.f.
vcrhcnlis, Plcnronichlhy^.
17. 321
vdula. Par.iplirys. 328
rdulu>, PU-uronedfi. 528
VKtorur, Phuroncdcs (?),
4 34
— Hhombosolca, 434
violnceus, Arnoglossus, 242
— Paruholhus, 240, 242
Viscera, asymmetry of, i
, 29
Vnrator ayitiquus, 10
vorax, Pseudorhombus, 74
75, 77
vulgaris, FUsus, 378
— Hippoglossus, 291, 292, 293
— Limanda, 334
— Platessa, 350
— Rhombus, 269
waitei, Artioglossus, 174, 188
wakiyai, Arnoglossus, 106, 107
whiff, Lepidorhombus, 273
whiff-iagonis, Lepidorhombus, 272, 273, 274. 275
— Pleuronectes, 272
Window Pane, 270
Winter Flounder, 345
Witch, 364
wolffii, Chcenopsetla, 84
— Rhombus, 84
woolmani, Paralichihys, 71, 84, 86
Xanthochroisin, 23
xanthosticta, Brachypleura, 400
— Laiopteryx, 400
xanthostigma, Citharichthys, 139, 142, 143
xenandrus, Engyprosopon, 204, 205
— Scaops, 205
Xystreurys, 61, 119 ; reversal, 28
— brasiliensis, 121
— liolepis, 119, 120
— notatus, 121
— rasile, 119, 120, 121
A*>'s/««r3's ribeirm, 71, 72
Xystrias, 307
— grigorjewi, 309
:iry5ir«is, Engyprosopon, 204, 211
\'eUow Belly. 432
yokohama, Limanda, 343, 344
— Limandella, 344
— Pleuronectes, 342, 343
— Pseudopleuronectes , 342, 343
zachirus, Errex, 367
— Glyptocephalus. 363, 364, 367, 368
Zebrias, intestine, 47
Zeoids, supposed relationship with Flatfishes,
2, 6, 7
Zeorhoinbi, 2, m
Zeugopterus, 262. 272, 275, 279 ; olfactory
lamina.', 42
— hirtus, 280
— megastoma, 273
— norvcgicus, 276
— papillosus, 280, 281, 282
— punctatus, 278,
/a/H
278
— velivolans, 273
ZiTKs, osteology, comparison '
zonatus, Ammotretis, 420
ZorofAomftws, veliger, 10
ith Psettodes, 6, 7
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