MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM, Vol. XII, Part III.
THE CAMBRIAN FAUNAS OF NORTH-
AUSTRAFIA.
PART 5. THE TRILOBITE GENUS DORYPYGE.
By F. W. Whitehouse, Ph.D., D.Sc.
(Major R.A.E.).
(Plate XI.)
EXPLANATION.
In Part 3 of this series of papers the polymerid trilobites that had been
collected to that date (1939) were described. Since then, as noted in Part 4,
very many more trilobites and other fossils have been collected from a series
of beds ranging through most of the Middle Cambrian. These beds are exposed
in the dissected hilly country east and north-east of Camooweal. Not only
did this field excursion bring to light such new and very rich faunas, but for
the first time a measured thickness of the beds was followed systematically and
a zonal collection made. Previously all fossils had been gathered from widely
separated localities, mainly from outcrops of flat beds appearing through the
alluvium. The zonal nomenclature that was adopted in the earlier papers,
therefore, was based purely on palaeontological evidence. Now, with a measured
section as a basis, a direct zonal grouping is possible.
Systematic description of the zonal trilobite faunas (Miomera and
Polymera) had begun before the outbreak of war. After my enlistment this
had to be discontinued. At that time some of the plates had been prepared and
some of the text written. But the only section that was complete, with text,
text-figures and plates ready, was this small section on the trilobite genus
Dorypyge. During a brief period of military leave this isolated fragment has
been sent to the press in advance of the main body of the work which must wait
until later.
THE HORIZON OF THE DORYPYGE BEDS.
The genus Dorypyge is a new record for the Cambrian of Australia.
When Part 3 was published the genera Amphoton and Nepea had been found
(in association) at one locality only; and a zonal stage ( Amphoton Stage) had
been suggested for them. The subsequent collecting has shown that these two
genera range through a considerable portion of the Middle Cambrian.
A lithological vertical section of the local Middle Cambrian limestones
exposed along the Camooweal-Burketown road has been published (Whitehouse,
1940, p. 45), and the ranges of some of the trilobite genera indicated. Reference
should be made to that for details. The sequence begins (in the late lower
Cambrian) with limestones without trilobites. Then Redlichia appears, followed
by Xystridura and other forms, these two genera overlapping for two feet
in the section. Just as Xystridura dies out, about the end of the first third of
the section, Nepea and Amphoton appear and range through the rest of the
observed fossiliferous section. Half way through the range of these two genera
the Papyriaspis-Asthenopsis fauna makes its appearance; and the species of
Dorypyge have been collected in the beds containing all four genera towards
the end of this faunal stage,
i
VH
118
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
Without further elaboration, which must wait upon the publication of
the other faunal evidence, the Dorypyge beds may be stated to occur near the
top of the fossiliferous beds of this region. How far they are removed from
the true top of the Middle Cambrian will not be discussed here.
Recently Resser (1939) has reviewed the Cambrian faunas of the Pacific
region and, in my opinion, has overstated the relationships between Australia
and Asia, He predicted the appearance, in the Middle Cambrian of Australia,
of the curious genera that in present collections are endemic to the Chinese
province. It may be stated that recent collecting still has not discovered these
in Australia. Rather (as with the genus Dorypyge ) the new faunas have
intensified the common nature of this Province, with its commingling of Asiatic,
Cordilleran and Atlantic types that, I suggested (1939, p. 269), was normal
for the southerly position of Australia in the Cambrian — a suggestion that
Resser seems to have overlooked.
The descriptions that follow were written early in 1941, since when I
have been away from all palaeontological literature. Any foreign species of
Dorypyge that may have been recorded since that date will therefore not be
noticed in this paper.
DESCRIPTIONS.
Order Polymera Jaekel, 1909.
Suborder Corynexochida Kobayashi, 1935.
Family DORYPYGIDAE Kobayashi, 1935.
Genus DORYPYGE Dames, 1883.
Genotype: Dorypyge richtJiofeni Dames 1 .
It is still difficult to decide the generic limits of Dorypyge. No complete
test of any species of the genus has been figured, so that the number of segments
in the thorax is unknown. For most species, too, the free cheeks and the
hypostome have not been recorded. The genotype has a granulate test, six
pairs of lateral, pygidial spines, but no spines on the axis of the pygidium.
Most of the species that have been placed in Dorypyge in recent years have
similar characters; but some forms so placed (e.g. D. danic-a Gf*onwall, 1902,
p. 134, pi. 3, figs. 7-12) have a non-granulate surface while others (e.g. D. orient
Gronwall, 1902, p. 135, pi. 3, figs. 13-15) have axial pygidial spines as well as
a smooth surface. There are more curious species with intermediate characters.
D. lakei Cobbold 2 , for instance, has axial spines, a finely granulate pygidium,
granules on the fixed cheeks but, curiously enough, not on the glabella. Some
of the smooth forms without axial spines on the pygidium, e.g. Proetus
slatkowskii Schmidt which von Toll (1896, p. 33, pi. 2, figs. 1-10) referred to
Dorypyge , are more likely members of the rather earlier genera Kootenia or
Notasaphus.
1 Dames, although not stating specifically that D, richthofeni was the genotype,
described only this one species. He did, however, refer two American species to the genus —
Dicellocephalus quadriceps Hall and D. ( ?) gothicus Hall. Clearly from his description he
intended richtJiofeni as the type. This generally has been so regarded by all later workers;
and formally it may be nominated as genotype.
2 Cobbold, 1911, p. 287, pi. xxv, figs. 1-8. See also Lake, 1938, p. 255, pi. xxxvi, figs. 2-12.
THE CAMBRIAN FAUNAS OF NORTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA.
119
At the present time it would be preferable to use the name Dorypyge
with hesitation for late Middle Cambrian species that have non-granulate tests
or axial pygidial spines. Of the remaining forms that, with more confidence,
may be left in Dorypyge the genotype, D. richthofen Dames (1883, p. 24, pi. 1,
figs. 1-6), has the most primitive characters, in that there are traces of glabellar
furrows, while the lateral ribs of the pygidium are divided by grooves that
Lake (1938, p. 251) satisfactorily interprets as rudiments of the original pleural
sutures.
Attention may be called to the pair of pits on the axial furrow of the
cephalon of most species of Dorypyge. Pits in this anterior position, near
the junction of the axial furrow and the palpebral ridges, are known in many
trilobites. In certain forms, for instance Dinesus and the members of the
family Nepeidae, anterior grooves radiate from these portions. Such pits or
grooves on the surface become elevations on the inside of the test and I would
suggest that, like the structures in the axial furrows of the thorax of many
trilobites, they mark the place of attachment of muscles. One possible
explanation is that they represent the places where the muscles controlling
the antennules were attached. One specimen of Dorypyge tenella in the present
collection is known from an excellent ventral surface of the head ; and on it
the centre of each elevation (that corresponds ventrally to the pit) bears a
central depression.
The species of Dorypyge now recorded from Australia are a species group
with similarities in such features as the more strongly accentuated fifth pair
of pygidial spines and the presence of a sixth (posterior) pair that are mere
rudiments. As a group it most closely resembles the Asiatic (Chinese and
Manchurian) forms.
It is reasonable to suggest that Dorypyge and the similar forms of the
later Middle Cambrian with axial spines on the pygidium may be the descendants
of Kootenia and N otasaphus of the early Middle Cambrian. In those two genera,
as previously noted (Whitehouse, 1939, p. 241), the stock seems to have
differentiated into at least two groups — one (N otasaphus) without axial spines
on the pygidium and another ( Kootenia ) having such spines. Dorypyge there-
fore may be the successor of N otasaphus ; and the unnamed group typified
by D. lakei may be more allied to Kootenia. Other variants (e.g. D. omens)
seem to have affinities with still other members of that rather variable earlier
group. If so, the whole Middle Cambrian assemblage (Dorypygidae) may
represent a gradually diverging stock of related forms.
DORYPYGE TENELLA sp. nov.
(PI. XI, figs. 1-5.)
Diagnosis : Cranidium and pygidium ornamented with very fine, closely
packed, hollow granules that, however, are absent from the furrows.
The cranidium is subquadrate with a slightly convex anterior margin.
The glabella, which is inflated and unfurrowed, has sides that are parallel or
only very slightly divergent and a sharply truncate anterior ; it reaches almost
to the anterior border, the anterior rim being particularly narrow; the axial
120
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
furrow is well incised and bears a pair of small pits at the anterior angles. The
occipital ring bears a prominent, narrow, hollow spine. The fixed cheeks, in
the central region, are slightly more than half as wide as the glabella; the
palpebral lobes are only slightly curved, medianly situated and are about half
the length of the cephalon ; the palpebral ridges are very faint, converging on
the anterior corners of the glabella. The anterior limbs of the facial suture
are subparallel; the posterior limbs diverge but, near the palpebral lobe, they
are subparallel to the posterior cephalic margin.
The pygidium is subtriangular to subcircular in outline. The axis has
five segments, the posterior segment being semi-circular in outline and, in the
adult forms, is not prominently marked from
the one before it. There are five pairs of lateral
ribs that are well rounded and sharply separated
by narrow furrows. Oblique furrows on the
crests of these ribs can faintly be seen on some
specimens. There are six pairs of hollow,
marginal spines, five of these are long and
slender and arise rather abruptly from the
lateral ribs while the sixth or posterior pair is
but faintly indicated and is situated axially.
The four anterior pairs of marginal spines are
subequal in size ; but the fifth pair is longer and
thicker. Each spine arises from a rather
thickened base. The doublure of the pygidium
is narrow, wire-like, and of uniform width.
No other parts of the test are known with certainty.
Remarks : Fragments of this species representing 15 heads and 20 tails
have been examined. Because of the hollowness of the granules, the ventral
surface of the test is correspondingly pitted; and on a slightly abraded test the
dorsal side may appear finely perforate.
There are a number of species, like D. tenella, in which the fifth pair of
pygidial spines only are of exceptional size. Of these the most similar forms
are the genotype D. richthofeni Dames (1883, p. 24, pi. 1, figs. 1-6), D. pergranosa
Resser and Endo (1937, p. 210, pi. 31, figs. 6-13) and D. matsushitai Resser
and Endo (1937, p. 210, pi. 43, figs. 22-23). These are the species, all of them
from China and Manchoukuo, with which comparison is most pertinent. They
have, also, in common with certain other species, the prominent pair of pits
at the anterior angles of the cephalic axial furrow. D. richthofeni is easily
distinguishable by the presence of glabellar furrows and by the coarser ornament.
D. pergranosa is the most similar species and, indeed, D. tenella is to be
separated from it only by minor though constant criteria. In general there is
a most close agreement between these two species in outline, degree of granu-
lation, type of pygidial spines, and the furrows of the pygidium. D. tenella,
however, has facial sutures rather more parallel anteriorly, the pygidial spines
arise a little more abruptly, and the furrow between the two posterior axial
TEE CAMBRIAN FAUNAS OF NORTE-EASTERN AUSTRALIA.
121
segments of the pygidium is constantly shown, even though it is faint in the
adult — this furrow seems to be eliminated in D. pergranosa. Furthermore there
seems to be no trace of the faint oblique grooves on the crests of the lateral
pygidial ribs in the latter form 3 . D. matsushitai differs slightly in the outline
of the pygidium.
Locality : From beds about four miles east of Douglas Creek on the old
Burketown road. (This locality is about three-quarters of a mile west of the
type locality for Anomocare confertum ) .
DORYPYGE CORUSCA sp. nov.
(PI. XI, figs. 8-13.)
Diagnosis : Cranidium and pygidium ornamented with very fine, closely
set granules, similar in number and grouping to those of C. tenella.
The cranidium is rhomboidal in outline with subangular front. The
glabella is subovate, reaching almost to the anterior margin of the head, the
sides converging slightly in the anterior
region; the axial furrow has a pair of pits
at the anterior angles ; the occipital ring
bears a prominent, hollow spine. The fixed
cheeks are narrow (a little less than one-half
of the width of the glabella in the- central
region) ; the palpebral lobes are long and
only slightly curved. The anterior limbs of
the facial sutures converge slightly, the
posterior limbs are oblique.
The pygidium is subtriangular in outline.
The axis has five segments and there are five
pairs of lateral ribs that have shallow,
oblique furrows on their crests. The last
transverse furrow in the axis is not well
defined. There are six pairs of marginal
spines, the posterior (sixth) pair being very
small, the others long. The fifth pair of
spines are thicker than the others.
No other parts of the test are known.
Remarks: The material examined consists of fragments of five heads
and nine tails.
The species is most similar to D. tenella the chief distinguishing features
being the more ovate glabella, the converging facial sutures, the wider axis of
the pygidium and the more prominent furrowing of the’ crests of the pygidial
ribs. In these features the species approaches D. richthofeni but it lacks the
glabellar furrows.
3 That is, judging from the figures. The specific descriptions by Resser and Endo are
very meagre.
122
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
It would seem that the hollow granules are thinner than those of D. tenella ,
for, in most specimens examined, they are worn off leaving pitted surfaces,
whereas in D. tenella such pitted surfaces were only rarely observed.
Locality and horizon : About three miles east of Douglas Creek on the
old Burketown road.
DORYPYGE DECORIS sp. nov.
(PI. XI, fig. 7.)
Diagnosis : Pygidium subsernicircular in outline, ornamented on the ribs,
axial rings and border with relatively widely spaced granules that vary in size.
The axis tapers very slowly and is divided into five rings by prominent furrows,
the first three of which are relatively wide. The posterior ring is bulb-like and
has a faint transverse furrow. There are five pairs
of lateral ribs that extend to a wide and prominently
differentiated border over which they are faintly
continuous to end in long, fine, spines, the posterior
pair of spines being rather thicker than the others.
From the contours of the one incomplete specimen a
sixth (posterior) pair of rudimentary spines is
suspected. The crests of the lateral ribs do not bear
oblique grooves.
Remarks : Only one specimen, a pygidium, has been collected. The species
differs from the two previously described ( D . tenella and D. corusca) in the less
tapering axis, the coarser and more widely spaced granules and the wider axial
furrows. In granulation and furrows it is somewhat like D. damesi Resser and
Endo (1937, p. 209, pi. 31, figs. 14-18) but has a narrow, less tapering axis.
Locality and horizon : About three miles east of Douglas Creek on the old
Burketown road.
DORYPYGE sp. ind.
(PI. XI, fig. 6.)
A fourth species is represented by a fragmentary pygidium that differs
from the other three species in having narrower lateral areas with more highly
arched ribs.
Locality and horizon : From limestones at the junction of Bull Creek and
Douglas Creek.
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM, Vol. XII, Plate XI.
Fact; page 122.
THE CAMBRIAN FAUNAS OF NORTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA.
123
REFERENCES.
Cobbold, E. S., 1911. Trilobites from the Paradoxides Beds of Comley, Shropshire {Quart. J.
Gaol. Soc. Lond., 67, pp. 282-311).
Dames, W., 1883. Cambrische Trilobiten von Liau-Tung. {In “China,” ~by Baron von
Richthofen, vol. 4, pp. 1-33.)
Gronwall, K. A., 1902. Bornholms Faradoxides lag og deres Fauna {Danmarlcs geol. Under so g .,
2, 13).
Lake, P., 1938. A monograph of the British Cambrian Trilobites, Part XI {Mon. Pal. Soc.
Lond.) .
Resser, C. E., 1939. Cambrian Deposits in Relation to the Pacific Ocean {Froc. 6th Pacific
Sc. Congr., pp. 361-368).
Resser, C. E., and Endo, R., 1937. The Sinian and Cambrian Formations and Fossils of
Southern Manchoukuo {Manchurian Sci. Mus. Bull. 1).
Toll, E. von, 1899. Beitrage zur Kenntniss des sibirischen Cambrium {Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci.
St. Fetersb., B, Cl. Math.-Pliys., 8, 10).
Whitehouse, F. W., 1939. The Cambrian Faunas of North-Eastern Australia. Part 3: The
Polymerid Trilobites {Mem. Q’land Mus., 11, 3, pp. 179-282).
1940. Studies in the Late Geological History of Queensland, 3, The Evolution of
the Barkly Tableland. {Univ. Q’land, Dept. Geol., Papers, 2 { N.S. ), pp. 41-57).
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XI.
(All figures natural size except figs, lb, 2b, 5b, 7b and 13b).
Figs. 1-5. Dorypyge tenella sp. nov.
la, b. A cranidium (lb enlarged 3.5 diams.)
2a, b. A cranidium with the cranidium of an undescribed trilobite superposed
(2b enlarged 3.5 diams.)
3. An internal view of a pygidium, showing the narrow, wire-like doublure.
4. A pygidium showing the rudimentary sixth pair of spines.
5a, b. (Holotype) A pygidium (5b enlarged 3.5 diams.)
All specimens from Middle Cambrian limestones about four miles east
of Douglas Creek, on the old Burketown road (Horizon in the beds with
Papyriaspis) .
Fig. 6. Dorypyge sp. ind.
This poorly preserved pygidium is the only specimen known of this
form.
From limestones at the junction of Bull and Douglas Creeks (Horizon
approximately the same as figs. 1-5).
Figs. 7a, b. Dorypyge decoris sp. nov.
7b is enlarged 3.5 diams. On 7a this pygidium, which is the holotype
and the only known specimen of the species, is seen superposed on a dorsal
shield of Papyriaspis lanceola Whiteh.
Locality and horizon: As for figs. 1-5.
Figs. 8-13. Dorypyge corusca sp. nov.
8, 9. Crushed cranidia. Fig. 9 shows the occipital spine.
10-13. Pygidia. 11 shows the rudimentary sixth pair of spines. 13a, b, is the
holotype (13b enlarged 3.5 diams.).
From limestones about three miles east of Douglas Creek on the old
Burketown road (Horizon close to that of figs. 1-5).
Holotypes and figured specimens in the collections of the Department of Geology,
University of Queensland.
THE PETROGRAPHY OF SOME QUEENSLAND
OIL SHALES.
By A. W. Beasley, M.Sc.,
Department of Geology, University of Queensland.
(Plate XII and Two Text-figures.)
CONTENTS.
Introduction.
Technique in Preparation of Thin Sections.
Petrographic Descriptions.
Alpha Torbanite.
Carnarvon Creek Torbanite.
The Narrows Oil Shale.
Strathpine Oil Shale.
Conclusion.
Acknowledgments.
Bibliography.
INTRODUCTION.
“An oil shale is a sapropelic shale rich in organic matter that yields
considerable artificial petroleum by distillation’ 7 (Twenhofel, 1932, p. 397).
Within this definition are included what McKee (1925, p. 27) has called the
“true oil shales,” as well as the specialised group of algal sapropelic deposits
known as the torbanites.
In Queensland such oil shales have been recorded from the Permian, the
Jurassic, and the Tertiary. In the Permian three deposits have so far been
found — viz., the Alpha, Carnarvon Creek, and Bowen River Coalfield deposits.
In the Jurassic small lenses of oil shale have been recorded from some of the
Walloon coal-mining areas on the Darling Downs and in the Rosewood-Laidley
district. Oil shales have also been recorded from several of the Tertiary basins
in the eastern part of the State and, in some of these, the deposits are known
to be quite extensive.
No detailed petrographic description of any of these oil shales has
previously been published. In fact, laboratory investigations in the past have
been confined almost entirely to chemical analyses and distillation tests. This
is unfortunate, for the petrological examination of an oil shale is equally as
important as its chemical analysis, and is an essential requirement in its
systematic study. The quality of an oil shale can, in fact, be determined from
a study of its physical properties, since these depend upon the nature,
percentages, and arrangement of the various organic and inorganic constituents.
A microscopic examination, however, is necessary to determine this data, as well
as to investigate the biological origin and the environmental conditions under
which the oil shale was formed.
THE PETROGRAPHY OF SOME QUEENSLAND OIL SHALES.
125
TECHNIQUE IN PREPARATION OF THIN SECTIONS.
For the preparation of thin sections of the oil shales described below
the normal procedure in rock sectioning was found to be unsatisfactory, and
the following technique had to be developed.
Slices which were cut parallel and at right angles to the bedding (for
horizontal and vertical sections) were ground first with 100-hole London Emery,
and then with Emery Flour in the ordinary manner. Owing to the soft nature
of the oil shales, however, it was necessary to continue grinding in order to
remove scratches with a very fine hone held in a sloping position and kept
continually wet by playing a thin
stream of water upon it. Finally, the
surface was given a high polish with
Goddard ’s plate powder, which is also
an exceedingly fine abrasive. Then, to
avoid harming the material by mount-
ing directly in Canada balsam heated
to a high temperature to drive off the
volatiles, the Canada balsam was first
cooked in the usual way, and allowed
to cool. It was then very carefully
reheated, and when just remelted the
slab was mounted, rather more
pressure than usual being applied to
squeeze out air bubbles from the
viscous balsam. In this way the oil
shale was mounted without any
damage being done to it. The same
method was then followed again in
grinding the mounted slab down to
the required thinness. As this was of
the order of 0-005 mm., considerable
care had to be taken during the final
grinding. It was also necessary to
avoid a high temperature in attaching
the cover-slip to the slide, but
satisfactory results were obtained by heating at a very low temperature for a
prolonged period. Finally, to avoid the possibility of future wrinkling of the
very thin section, a fiat weight was placed on the cover-slip for several days.
Text-figure 1. — Map showing geographical
location of the Alpha, Carnarvon, The Narrows,
and Strathpine deposits.
PETROGRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS.
The oil shales on which the following descriptions are based have all
received some official consideration during the war period as possible sources
for the production of liquid fuel.
The samples that have been chosen for petrological study are believed
to be fairly representative of the various deposits.
K
126 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
ALPHA TORBANITE.
General and Macroscopic.
Locality of sample chosen for study: Tommy Staines Gully, portion 4,
parish of Avonmore, county of Drummond, approximately 35 miles S.S.E. of
Alpha. Geological Horizon: ? Lower Bowen Series. Age: Lower Permian.
In the hand specimen this is a fine-grained, compact, homogeneous rock
of dark brownish-black colour. It has a dull silky lustre, and a sub-conchoidal
fracture. It is tough and massive, only indistinct traces of bedding being
visible. It is comparatively soft, and gives a yellowish-brown streak. The
specific gravity is 1-09. It ignites readily and burns with a bright flame,
producing a waxy, aromatic odour.
From the above physical properties the hand specimen is identified as a
medium-grade, dull melanocratic torbanite, adopting Dulhunty ’s (1943)
classification.
Microscopic.
(Plate XII, figs. 1, 2.).
Horizontal and vertical sections of this rock have shown that it exhibits
a definite microscopic structure. It is made up of translucent algal material,
consisting mainly of gelosite and retinosite bodies, separated by films of opaque
matrix. Estimations made, using the eye-piece micrometer, of the percentages
of gelosite and retinosite present have given an average of 66 per cent, gelosite
and 4 per cent, retinosite. This places the rock on the borderline between a
medium-grade and high-grade torbanite.
In the vertical section the translucent bodies are elongated in shape,
lying parallel to the bedding plane, and in most cases the collapsed central
cavity of the algal colonies can clearly be seen. The ratio of length to thickness
determined for a large number of these flattened bodies has been found to
average about six to one.
In the horizontal section the translucent bodies are roughly rounded in
shape, closely packed, and separated by opaque material. They show considerable
variation in size, ranging in diameter from about 0-1 to 0-75 mm. Many of
them have a series of bulges, which represent simple algal colonies, round
their margins, and the bodies in such cases have something of a botryoidal
appearance. Unlike spores they do not possess hard and well-defined margins,
but tend to fray out into the opaque groundmass.
Apart from the variation in the size of the translucent bodies, the
microscopic structure or fabric of the rock is uniform and it is essentially
non-banded.
Under ordinary transmitted light the gelosite, which is by far the most
abundant maceral in the rock, is pale yellow in colour and almost transparent.
It has a low relief with the refractive index very close to that of Canada balsam.
THE PETEOGBAPHY OF SOME QUEENSLAND OIL SHALES. 127
It is anisotropic, and in the vertical section there are positions of extinction
parallel and at right angles to the bedding plane, maximum illumination
occurring at intermediate positions. In the vertical section it also shows a type
of “cross hatching” or rectangular arrangement of polarisation laminae, the
laminae appearing when the bedding plane makes an angle of about 27 degrees
on either side of the vibration direction of one of the nicols. The angle between
these laminae and the bedding plane has been found to be about 70 degrees.
As each of the gelosite bodies behaves in a similar manner, they all show
their polarisation laminae at the one time in the same direction, giving the
effect of optical continuity. This seems to indicate, as Dulhunty (1939, p. 186)
has suggested, that the pressure that flattened the translucent » bodies parallel
to the bedding was responsible for some form of internal strain in the gelosite,
giving rise to its polarisation phenomena.
The retinosite is much less abundant than the gelosite. It is orange-
yellow in colour and quite distinct from the pale yellow of the gelosite. It is
also less transparent than gelosite, and has a slightly higher relief. In all of
its other optical properties, however, it is similar to gelosite, and the difference
between these two bodies thus is presumably biological rather than the result
of varying conditions of preservation.
Both the gelosite and the retinosite bodies have been found to be partly
replaced by chalcedony. The grains of chalcedonic silica usually occur in the
central part of the bodies and take the form of irregular masses, which are
elongate in vertical section and fill the spaces that represent the collapsed central
cavities of the algal colonies.
The groundmass of the rock is partly made up of small amounts of the
substance which Dulhunty (1939, p. 187) calls “humosite”. It is deep
brownish-red in colour only in the very thin marginal area of the section,
elsewhere appearing quite opaque. It shows no definite habit or internal
structure, and is distributed through the matrix in such a way that it seems to
have been moulded round the gelosite and retinosite bodies. Unlike gelosite
and retinosite it has a high relief and it is isotropic. From the general character
and appearance of its irregular particles the humosite seems to be a solidified
humic product of decomposition rather than some specific organic material.
Most of the matrix consists, however, of mineral matter to which Dulhunty
has given the general name of “ matrosite. ’ ’ It is homogeneous and opaque,
and consists of very finely-divided clay together with a few very small crystals
of pyrites. It forms only a small part of the rock, and in places the skeleton
of this matrix becomes discontinuous and fragmentary.
Under a high magnification the gelosite and retinosite bodies show the
internal biological structures recently described by Dulhunty (1944, p. 30),
from which he concluded that they were fossil forms of a colonial unicellular
alga closely related to the living Botryococcus \ braunii .
128
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
Chemical Analysis.
A proximate analysis of this sample has given the following result : —
Moisture at 105 deg. C. . . . . . . 1-1 %
Volatile Matter . . . . . . . . 75-7 %
Fixed Carbon . . . . . . . . . . 144 %
Ash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8 %
Chemically this indicates a good medium-grade to high-grade torbanite.
The high percentage of volatiles is due to the large quantity of algal material
present, while the low ash content reflects the small amount of mineral matter
in the rock. As is the case with all melanocratie torbanites the ratio of volatiles
to fixed carbon is less than 10 to 1.
CARNARVON CREEK TORBANITE.
General and Macroscopic.
Locality of sample chosen for study: Outcrop in southern gully on
portion 2, parish of Aubrey, county of Consuelo, about half-a-mile east of
Carnarvon Creek, approximately 120 miles north of Injune. Geological Horizon:
Upper portion of Upper Bowen Series. Age: Upper Permian.
In the hand specimen this is a fine-grained, homogeneous rock of black
colour. It cleaves fairly readily along the bedding, and breaks with a hackly
fracture. It has a dull lustre and gives a dull greyish-brown streak. The
specific gravity is 1-30. Apparently it is resistant to weathering, as the specimen
studied shows no evidence of atmospheric weathering more than three millimetres
from the exposed surface. It ignites fairly readily and burns with a bright
flame, giving a waxy, aromatic odour. Tiny scales of gypsum arranged in
small patches occur at intervals along the bedding planes.
From the above physical properties, adopting Dulhunty’s (1943)
classification, the hand specimen is identified as a low-grade, dull melanocratie
torbanite.
Microscopic.
In thin section the rock shows the uniform microscopic structure
characteristic of a torbanite. This consists of translucent gelosite and retinosite
bodies, separated by films of opaque, matrix. The percentages of these
translucent bodies in the rock, determined by means of the eyepiece micrometer,
have been found to average 42 % gelosite and 3 % retinosite. This places the
rock just over the borderline between a low-grade and a medium-grade torbanite.
As in the Alpha torbanite these translucent bodies are disc-shaped, and
appear elongated in the vertical section and roughly rounded in the horizontal
section. However, they are much smaller in their average size than those of
the Alpha torbanite, the diameter of most of them being only 0-15 mm., and
there is also much less variation in their size. They have fuzzy, indefinite
margins and, in the horizontal section, present a botryoidal appearance.
Under ordinary transmitted light the gelosite is pale yellow in colour,
and the retinosite orange-yellow. They both exhibit the characteristic optical
properties as described above for the Alpha torbanite. Both the gelosite and
the retinosite bodies also have been replaced to a small extent by chalcedony,
but the degree of silicification is less than that in the Alpha torbanite.
THE PETROGRAPHY OF SOME QUEENSLAND OIL SHALES.
129
The groundmass is made up of humosite and matrosite, and is continuous
throughout the rock, surrounding the gelosite and retinosite bodies, it is
considerably greater in amount than that of the Alpha torbanite.
Chemical Analysis.
A proximate analysis of this sample has given the following result : —
Moisture at 105 deg. C. . . . . . . 3-0 %
Volatile Matter . . . . . . . . . . 45-5 %
Fixed Carbon . . . . . . . . . . 20-6 %
Ash 30-9 %
Chemically this indicates a low to medium-grade torbanite. As with all
melanocratic torbanites the ratio of volatiles to fixed carbon is less than 10 to 1.
THE NARROWS OIL SHALE.
General and Macroscopic.
Locality of sample chosen for study : From 225 ft. in Munduran No. 1
Bore, The Narrows. Parish of Rundle, county of Deas Thompson, approximately
20 miles N.N.W. of Gladstone. Geological Horizon: The Narrows Tertiaries.
Age : Probably Miocene.
In the hand specimen this is a fine-grained, smooth, even-textured rock
of pale greyish-brown colour. It is distinctly laminated, the laminations being
quite finely developed. It has a dull lustre and breaks with a hackly fracture.
It is soft but moderately tough, and gives a greasy pale brown streak. The
specific gravity is 1-56. Thin flakes of the rock ignite with some difficulty when
heated with a match and burn with a smoky yellow flame.
From the above description it is apparent that the rock is a low-grade
oil shale.
Microscopic.
(Plate XII, figs. 3, 4.)
Horizontal and vertical sections of this rock have shown that it is made
up principally of very finely divided clay, together with a smaller amount of
organic material. The clay is intimately associated with some of the organic
matter and, under ordinary transmitted light, the whole clay matrix shows a
strong yellowish stain. Scattered through this matrix are small, irregularly-
shaped, organic masses of a dark reddish-brown colour. This material, which
may reasonably be classified as semi-opaque attritus derived from the decay
of vascular tissue, makes up about 20 % of the rock. These semi-opaque masses
are irregular but generally more or less elongate in shape, and range in length
from approximately 0-01 mm. to 0-35 mm., their average length being about
0-05 mm. Presumably the translucent humic attrital material has been macerated
to various degrees, some forming the jelly which impregnated and stained the
clay matrix. An intensive search has failed to reveal any spores or algal bodies
in the thin sections of this oil shale. Most of the organic matter then has
come from vascular material.
130
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
Within the clay matrix numerous small grains of quartz were recognised.
They have not been affected by the yellowish stain, and appear clear and white
under ordinary transmitted light. Pyrites is relatively abundant in the rock,
occurring both as minute crystals scattered through the matrix and also as
fairly large crystals aggregates. Its presence indicates that the original organic
ooze was a strongly reducing medium, analogous to the fetid sapropels described
from certain modern lakes.
In the vertical section the parallel orientation of the organic masses and
the inorganic constitutents in the rock is evident.
From the large amount of mineral matter and the small amount of
organic matter seen to be present it is clear that the oil shale is a low-grade one.
Chemical Analysis.
A proximate analysis of this sample has given the following result: —
Moisture at 105 deg. C.
Volatile Matter
Fixed Carbon
Ash
4-8%
29-1 %
3-3 %
62-8 %
Chemically this indicates a low-grade oil shale. The low percentage of
volatiles is determined by the small amount of organic matter present, while
the high ash content reflects the large amount of mineral matter in the oil shale.
STRATHPINE OIL SHALE.
General and Macroscopic.
Locality of sample chosen for study: From 70 ft. in Neill’s Shaft,
Strathpine. Portion 256, parish of Warner, county of Stanley, approximately
14 miles north of Brisbane. Geological Horizon : Petrie Series. Age : Probably
Miocene.
In the hand specimen this is a very fine-grained, smooth, even-textured,
laminated rock of light brownish-grey colour. It has a dull lustre and breaks
with a hackly fracture. It is soft but moderately tough, and gives a greasy
brown streak. The specific gravity is 1-53. Thin flakes of the rock ignite with
difficulty and burn for a short time with a smoky yellow flame.
From the above description it is apparent that the rock is a low-grade
oil shale.
The presence of mud infillings of the internal cavity of fossil sedges
protruding upwards across the laminations of the shale points to shallow water
conditions of sedimentation.
Microscopic.
In thin section this rock is seen to be made up principally of very finely-
divided clay, with a smaller amount of organic material. The clay is intimately
associated with some of the organic matter, and under ordinary transmitted
THE PETBOGBAPHY OF SOME QUEENSLAND OIL SHALES. 131
light the whole clay matrix shows a strong brownish-yellow stain. Scattered
through this matrix are small, irregularly-shaped, organic masses of a dark
brownish-red colour. This material, which may reasonably be classified as
semi-opaque attritus derived from the decay of vascular tissue, makes up
from 10 to 15 % of the rock. Some of these organic particles have been found
to show good cell structure, particularly in the horizontal section. They vary
considerably in size, being never more than 04 mm. in length and usually much
less. These vascular fragments in the rock are, in fact, in various stages of
maceration, and some of them are very nearly opaque. As well as this material
a few small, pale yellow, translucent bodies, similar in all respects to the gelosite
bodies of torbanite, have been recognised. They appear elongate in the vertical
section and roughly rounded in the horizontal one, but they are much more
widely spaced than in any torbanite. As gelosite bodies are known to be the
fossil form of a colonial, unicellular alga, it is apparent that this oil shale is
partly of algal origin. Most of the organic matter in the thin sections, however,
is translucent humic matter and brown-opaque attritus. No animal remains
were recognised in the thin sections.
A few small grains of quartz and flakes of mica were sVeen within the
clay matrix. They have not been affected by the yellow organic stain and appear
clear and white under ordinary transmitted light. Pyrites is quite abundant
in the rock, occurring both as very minute crystals scattered through the matrix
and also as fairly large aggregates.
In the vertical section the parallel orientation of the organic bodies and
the inorganic constituents can clearly be seen.
From the very large amount of mineral matter, and the small amount
of organic matter seen to be present, it is apparent that the rock is a low-grade
oil shale.
Chemical Analysis.
A proximate analysis of this sample has given the following result : —
Moisture
Volatile Matter
Fixed Carbon
Ash
6-3 %
20-2 %
5-2%
68-3 %
Chemically this indicates a low-grade oil shale, which agrees with the
determination obtained from the petrological examination of the rock.
CONCLUSION.
From the above descriptions it is clear that the Alpha and the Carnarvon
Creek torbanites are very distinct petrologically from The Narrows and the
Strathpine oil shales. A striking similarity between the two latter oil shales,
however, has become evident. They have been found to be almost identical
in macroscopic and microscopic appearance, and in their physical properties.
The close petrological relationship between them is also reflected in their
132
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
proximate analyses, which are graphically shown on the accompanying text
figure together with those of the Alpha, and Carnarvon Creek torbanites for
purposes of comparison. As recent palaeontological work (Beasley, 1945) has
shown that The Narrows Tertiaries and the Petrie Series are both probably
of Miocene age, it seems likely that these two Tertiary oil shales were formed
at the same time, and they may be correlated with some confidence.
Text-figure 2. — Ternary diagram graphically showing the chemical relationship between
The Narrows, Stratlipine, Carnarvon Creek and Alpha samples studied.
The two torbanites studied have shown themselves to be generally similar
to the Permian torbanites of New South Wales, recently described and classified
by Dulhunty (1939; 1943). The medium- to high- grade, dull melanocratic
torbanite of the Alpha deposit appears to have precise affinities with the Glen
Davis torbanite of New South Wales, while the low-grade, dull mielanocratic
torbanite of the Carnarvon Creek deposit is the same type as that of Mort V,
Lower Seam in the Megalong Valley, N.S.W.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
This work has been financed by the Commonwealth Government Grant
through the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to the University
of Queensland. I would like to thank Dr. W. H. Bryan for his helpful criticism,
and Professor H. C. Richards for his personal interest in enabling me to carry
out this w^ork. I am indebted to Mr. II. G. Dunstan of the Government Chemical
Laboratory for the chemical analyses.
MEMOIR* S' OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM, Vol. XII, Plate XII.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Queensland Oil Shales.
Face page 132.
THE PETROGRAPHY OF SOME QUEENSLAND OIL SHALES. 133
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Beaslev, A. W. 1945. Ostracods from some Queensland Tertiary Basins, and their Bearing on
the Correlation of the Strata. Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensl., lvi, 95-124.
Dulhunty, J. A. 1939. The Torbanites of New South Wales. Part I. The Essential
Constituents and their Relations to the Physical Properties. J. Roy. Soc. N.S.
Wales, lxxii, 179-198.
• 1943. Classification of Torbanites and Relations to Associated Carbonaceous
Sediments in New South Wales. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, lxviii, 187-206.
1944. Origin of the New South Wales Torbanites. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales,
lxix, 26-48.
McKee, R. H. 1925. Shale Oil. Chemical Catalog Co., New York.
Thiessen, R. 1921. Origin and Composition of Certain Oil Shales. J. Econ. Geol., xvi, 289-300.
Twenhofel, W. H. 1932. Treatise on Sedimentation. Bailliere, Tindall and Cox, London.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XII.
Fig. 1. Alpha torhanite. Horizontal section, 60 diams. Showing closely packed algal colonies
consisting mainly of gelosite with some retinosite bodies, set in opaque groundmass
of humosite and matrosite. The botryoidal appearance of the compound colonies
is well illustrated. Microslide No. 848, University of Queensland Collection.
Fig. 2. Alpha torhanite. Vertical section, 60 diams. Showing flattened bodies mainly of
gelosite, in opaque matrix. The collapsed central cavities of some of the algal
colonies can clearly be seen. Microslide No. 849, University of Queensland
Collection.
Fig. 3. The Narrows oil shale. Horizontal section, 80 diams. Showing irregularly shaped, semi-
opaque vascular fragments in organically stained clay matrix. Microslide No. 850,
University of Queensland Collection.
Fig 4. The Narrows oil shale. Vertical section, 80 diams. Showing laminated nature of the
fine-grained rock. Quartz grains and some of the attrital material can be seen
embedded in the clay matrix. Microslide No. 851, University of Queensland
Collection.
I
A NEW CRUSTACEAN.
By Melbourne Ward, F.R.Z.S., F.Z.S.
(Plate XIII.)
Superfamily THALASSINIDEA. Family Callianassidae.
Genus CTENOCHELES Kishinouye 1926.
Ctenocheles Kishinouye. Annot. Zool. Japan, xi, I. 63.
Idem , Markarov Faune de IFUrss. Crust., x, 3, 1938, 77, fig. 29.
Type. — C. balssi Kish.,
Type locality. — Ohsu, near Kashiwasaki, Niigata-ken, Japan.
“Probably from deep water.’ 7 de Man.
CTENOCHELES COLLINI sp. nov.
(Plate XIII.)
Type locality. — Mud Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland.
This species is related to C. balssi and has been named after Mr. V. F.
Collin, who collected and presented the specimens to the Queensland Museum.
I am indebted to the director for the opportunity of studying the material.
Altogether there are three complete specimens and two fragments.
The species is remarkable for the greatly developed cheliped which
separates it readily from the other known genera of the Callianassidae on the
Australian coast. This character can best be appreciated by an examination
of the figure ; the left cheliped is greatly reduced is size and differently shaped.
In other respects Ctenocheles collini is a typical mud-dwelling crustacean, being
lightly calcified, therefore soft to the touch, except for the characteristic chelae
and anterior portions of the carapace which are hard.
Description of the type . — Length from tip of the rostrum to telson
120 mm. (approximately because of the soft condition of the abdomen). Carapace
laterally compressed, the dorsal surface firmly calcified, rostrum developed in
a simple spike, thin and entire ; the upper margin merging into a well-developed
ridge extending almost to the cardiac region. Branchial region soft.
Eyes not pigmented, small flattened, the inner edges of the stalks touching
throughout their length, reaching slightly beyond the tip of the rostrum.
Antennules more robust than the antennae. Antennae slender, the flagella not
twice as long as the antennule. Mouth parts hairy, the third maxillipeds strongly
toothed along the opposing edges.
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM, Yol. XII, Plate XIII.
Ctenocheles collini, Melbourne Ward.
Face page 134.
A NEW CRUSTACEAN.
135
The chelipeds extremely unequal, the larger shaped like the chela of the
Thaumastocheles of European Seas. The next pair with well developed chelae
covered with long yellowish hair. The second walking legs have the propodites
flattened and clothed with coarse hair. The third pair are longer and more
slender than the first two pairs and the propodite is similarly haired. The
fourth pair of legs are the most slender and with only a small amount of hair
on the distal article.
The abdominal somites are weakly calcified ; second to fifth pair of
pleopods all alike.
I regret that at the time of writing I am unable to determine the sexes
of the material before me.
(Plate XIII.)
Ctenocheles collini.
Upper figure. — Dorsal view of type.
Middle figure. — Lateral view of type.
Lower figure. — Lateral view of ceplialothorax and major cheliped, enlarged.
POSTLARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN
FISHES.— NO. l. (4)
By Ian S. R. Munro, M.Sc.
(Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).
(Text-figures 1-8.)
It has been the good fortune of the writer to obtain, whilst netting in
the estuaries of southern Queensland and New South Wales, many interesting
larval and postlarval stages of fishes. In most instances these very young stages
differ considerably from the adults of the same species both in proportions and
coloration. They present more than the usual difficulties in their specific identi-
fication. Descriptions of juvenile stages of even the commoner Australian fishes
have never featured to any extent in ichthyological publications. It is the
object of this series of articles to outline the principal characteristics of hitherto
undescribed early developmental stages of many of our commercial and better
known species.
As most of the postlarvae featuring in the following descriptions are less
than twenty millimetres in length, special gear had to be employed for collecting.
Plankton tow nets were useful for the capture of the smaller pelagic larvae
and postlarvae. The bulk of the collecting was carried out by means of a
special small meshed hauling seine net designed by the writer for the specific
task of capturing fish fry sheltering in Zostera weed beds of shallow creeks
and mud flats, and in the sandy shallows near river mouths. This net was shot
by wading it around at low tide. Its length was 25 yards and the depth four
feet. The bunt was of 7 millimetre square meshed French netting with an
innermost section and pocket of 4 millimetre square mesh. The wing sections,
each of 10 yards, were of J inch prawn netting. This type of net was found
to be most successful for this particular purpose.
Acknowledgment is due to Mr. G. L. Kesteven, who made available a
quantity of unsorted plankton from the Noosa River collected in June 1940.
This is supplementary to the writer’s own extensive monthly plankton collections
during the years 1944 and 1945.
1. ACANTHOPAGRUS AUSTRALIS (Gunther). AUSTRALIAN BREAM.
Clirysophrys australis Gunther (1859), p. 494.
A detailed description of the eggs and early larvae of the Australian
Bream has already been published by Tosh (1903). Kesteven and Serventy
(1941) have shown that this species spawns near the mouths of southern
Queensland rivers. It may be added that the main spawning begins with the
Sea Bream runs of May and June but sometimes occurs earlier and appears to
continue throughout the winter months. The eggs are pelagic and are spawned
at night on a flooding tide when the moon is full. The larvae are planktonic
4 Contribution No. 41 from the Marine Biological Laboratory, C.S.I.R., Division of
Fisheries, Cronulla, New South Wales.
POST LARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
137
until they attain a length of approximately 12 millimetres. Such larvae have been
collected in tow nets in the Noosa River during March 1944 and June 1940
and in Bribie Passage (Caloundra) during March 1944. It has been observed
in both these estuaries that, upon reaching this size, these Bream fry leave the
plankton and congregate, along with those of the related Austrosparus sarba
and other species, amongst the Zostera weed growth of shallow flats and brackish
creeks within a mile or so of the respective river mouths. Similar nursery
grounds have been observed near the mouths of the Bellinger River, Nambucca
River and Lake Macquarie. This change of habitat coincides with the first
indication of development of sub-adult pigmentation.
Bream larvae and postlarvae smaller than 12 millimetres are wholly
transparent and are characteristically marked with distinctive series of black
chromatophores. There is probably some yellowish pigment, but this has not
been observed in the formalin preserved specimens used in the present study.
In a typical planktonic postlarva of length 10*5 millimetres as is illustrated
in text fig. 1A, the black chromatophores form three series, namely: a cluster
on the postero-dorsal aspect of the head ; a longitudinal series following the
ventral margin of the caudal somites, mainly at the bases of the anal and caudal
fins; an internal cluster lining the visceral cavity postero-dorsally. In post-
larvae of this size, the head length is approximately 4 and the greatest body
height 4J in the total body length. The eye diameter is slightly greater than
the snout length and is 3 in the head length.
The smallest Bream collected in the seine net measured 12-5 millimetres
and is illustrated in text fig. IB. Its pigmentation indicates the beginning
of the transition from planktonic to littoral habitat. The sparse black pigmen-
tation characteristic of planktonic facies is being masked by a proliferation
of chromatophores constituting the rudiments of a pattern of light and dark
banding which is destined to persist throughout the first year of life. The
nature of this change is parallel to that shown to take place in various
Mediterranean species of Sparidae by Ranzi (1933) and in the American Scup
by Kuntz and Radcliffe (1917). Bream postlarvae of 12 millimetres and over
show a progressive development of blackish brown Y-shaped vertical bands on
the dorsal half of the body, superimposed upon a general ground coloration
of greenish bronze. About six or eight of these bands appear and they are
alternately broad and narrow. Small Bream differ from small Tarwhine
( A . sarba ) in the pattern of banding, the latter species possessing five or six
approximately equal and broader bands which extend ventrally below the level
of the mid-line. The cephalic series of black chromatophores of the planktonic
postlarvae are substituted by paired clusters overlying the hind brain on the
postero-dorsal region of the head. These are characteristic in that they are
relatively less distinct than those of the Tarwhine. At 16-0 millimetres the
first rudiments of scales are noticeable, each scale being outlined on its ctenoid
margin by a semi-circle of pigment dots. These are noticeable in the caudal
region of the specimen depicted in text fig. 1C. At 18-0 millimetres a complete
coat of scales is discernible. At this stage of development the lateral line is
marked off by its relatively darker pigmentation. Increase of brownish pigment
on the scales gives the appearance of a parallel series of longitudinal brownish
138
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
stripes both above and below the lateral line, in postlarvae a trifle larger. These
extend ventrally to the level of the mid-line and are part of the adult pigmen-
tation. The intensely black margin of the spinous dorsal fin and of its membrane
in the region of the first few spines serves further to distinguish young Bream
from those of Tarwhine, which have a much lighter pigmentation on the dorsal
fin membrane.
Del. I.S.R.Munro
Text-fig. 1. — Post-larvae of Australian Bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Gunther).
A. — From a specimen 10.5 mm. long.
B. — From a specimen 12.5 mm. long.
C. — From a specimen 16.1 mm. long.
POST LARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
139
At a length of 12 to 16 millimetres the body depth has increased in
proportion and is approximately equal to the head length, which is 3^ to 3f
in the total length. In adults the head length decreases to about 4^ and the
body height increases to 2§ in the total length. The eye diameter decreases
from 3 to 3£ in the head length during growth from 12 to 1 6 millimetres.
Specific diagnosis was arrived at by following through changes in
proportions and pigmentation in a very complete series of many score of
specimens of intermediate sizes ranging from planktonic larvae to adults.
Possession of the average fin formula of D. XII, 11 ; A. Ill, 8-9 separates
these young from those of A. sarba.
2. AUSTROSPAEUS SARBA (Forskal). TAR WHINE.
o
Spams sarba Forskal (1775), p. 31.
Review of the literature dealing with the Tarwhine, Austrosparus sarba
(Forskal) reveals that little direct observation has been made in respect to its
•spawning season. Roughley (1916) indicates that it occurs during early summer.
The eggs and larvae are entirely unknown. The writer has noticed that
postlarvae, identifiable by their fin counts as being this species, occurred
simultaneously with those of the Bream (A. australis) in the Noosa River
plankton during June 1940. Also, larger postlarvae occur simultaneously with
those of A. australis in the weedy shallows and creeks near the mouths of
Noosa River, Bribie Passage and other east coast estuaries. This evidence rather
suggests that both these Sparid species spawn during the same extended season,
which in southern Queensland during 1944 was the winter months.
Several postlarvae, varying in size from 11-0 to 12*4 millimetres, have
been obtained in the Noosa River plankton in June 1940, and another specimen
11-5 millimetres long was taken in a surface plankton haul at Caloundra on
12/11/44. The smallest postlarval Tarwhine collected with the seine net also
measured 11-5 millimetres and was taken in shallow water in the creek joining
Weyba Lagoon to Noosa River on 25/6/44. All of these postlarvae have the
typical planktonic facies indicated in text fig. 2 A. At this stage of development
they closely resemble in appearance postlarval A. australis of similar size. Their
distinctive fin formula, namely D. XII, 13 ; A. Ill, 11 which is two or three
rays greater in both soft dorsal and anal fin counts than A. australis , is the
most reliable clue to their diagnosis. These postlarvae are quite transparent
and their black pigment is arranged similarly to that of A. australis at the same
stage of development. The ventral linear series that extends from the anus
to the base of the caudal fin is practically identical. The chroinatophores of
the head are smaller in size and fewer in number and do not extend as far
back behind the eye as those of Bream. There is an internal lining of dark cells
on the dorsal surface of the visceral cavity and an internal longitudinal series
situated dorsally to the vertebral column and extending from the perpendicular
at the anus backwards to the base of the tail. The head is shorter than that
of the Bream, being 4^ to 4^, and the greatest body height 4f in the total length.
The eye diameter is similarly about 3 in the head length, but the perpendicular
measurement between the upper margin of the eye and the top of the head
is much greater in A. sarba at this stage.
140
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM .
As soon as the postlarval Tar whine leave the plankton (11-5 to 12-5
millimetres) and frequent the weedy shallows and creeks near the mouths
of rivers, their pigment begins to change in pattern and coloration more adapted
to the new surroundings. As in A. australis and other Sparidae of which the
postlarvae are known, this change consists in the development of vertical light
and dark banding. Like A. australis the ground colour is a greenish bronze
and the superimposed banding is blackish. There are five or six equally broad
bars interspaced with lighter areas of approximately similar width. These bands
are broader and straighter than those of the Bream and extend downwards
across the flanks fading away near the ventral margins. Two stages illustrating
Text-fig. 2. — Post-larvae of Tarwhine, Austrospanis sarba (Forskal).
A. — From a specimen 12.4 mm. long.
B. — From a specimen 12.8 mm. long.
C. — From a specimen 17.8 mm. long.
POSTLARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
141
the progressive development of this pattern are shown in text tigs. 2B and 2C.
There is a rapid early change in the head pigment. The chromatop'hores over-
lying the brain greatly increase in size and number and form intensely dark
rounded patches, one on either side of the head behind the eyes. These are
more obvious than in A. australis. The spinous dorsal tin membrane receives
some black pigment when a size of about 18-0 millimetres is attained but is
not so intense as in the Bream. Also at this stage of development scales are
apparent. The lateral line is discernible at 20-0 millimetres. During the
subsequent ten millimetres growth the rows of scales become visible macro-
scopically, outlined as longitudinal parallel bands of a brownish colour. These
develop into the characteristic longitudinal golden bands of adults, there being
six or seven above the lateral line and considerably more below it. Postlarval
Tar whine less than 18-0 millimetres in length have been collected at Caloundra
as early as June and in the Noosa River as late as October.
Text tig. 2 indicates how the body proportions alter greatly early in
postlarval life. At a size of 18-0 millimetres the body height has exceeded the
head length, which has increased to 3| in the total length. The eye remains
conspicuously large. At a length of 30-0 millimetres the steepness of the snout
is most noticeable when the head is viewed in profile.
A comprehensive series of stages constituting a complete range of
intermediate sizes from planktonic postlarvae to adults form the basis of this
description.
3. PELATES SEXLINEATUS (Quoy & Gaimard). TRUMPETER PERCH,
Pristipoma sexlineatus Quoy & Gaimard (1824), p. 320.
Pelates quadrilineatus Cuvier & Valenciennes (1829), p. 146, pi. lv.
A third type of planktonic postlarva with facies generally resembling
those of postlarval A. australis and A. sarba has been collected in tow nets, both
in the Noosa River and Bribie Passage estuaries. Two specimens (84 mm.)
were obtained in March 1944 near the Bribie Passage (Caloundra) entrance
and a further four specimens (5*5, 10-5, 11-0 mm.) in the Noosa River during
the following month. Others (12-9 to 13-6 mm.) were obtained in the same
locality during June 1940. Another (13-5 mm.) was collected in the Noosa
River plankton as late as October in 1944 and on the previous day (13/10/44)
three other individuals (11-2 to 12-6 mm.) were caught in a dip net at Tewantin
township, several miles upstream. The latter were amongst a school of small
postlarval Ambassis jacks oniensis which were working in close to the bank.
These postlarvae have been identified as those of the common little
Trumpeter Perch, Pelates sexlineatus (Q. & G.) which is invariably present
during most months of the year amongst weed growing in the shallows of most
east coast estuaries. The October planktonic postlarvae illustrated in
text fig. 3B (13-5 mm.), by virtue of its possession of an intermediate pigment
pattern, links up between the younger planktonic postlarva (text fig. 3A) and
the tiny recognisable juveniles of this species that frequent the Zostera beds
in sheltered places. The fin formula D. Nil, 10 ; A. Ill, 10 ; P. 15, characteristic
of this species and possessed by these planktonic post-larvae gives the necessary
confirmation to the diagnosis.
.142
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
The spawning* habits and the characteristics of the eggs and early larvae
of P. sexlineatus are unknown, except what can be deduced from the above
collection data, namely that the spawning season is an extended one, presumably
beginning in late summer and lasting until well into the winter. As the
localities of collection of postlarval P. sexUneatus are the same as those of
Text-fig. 3. — Post-larvae of Trumpeter Perch, Pelates sexlineatus (Quoy & Gaimard) .
A. and B. — From specimens 13.5 mm. long.
C. — From a specimen 15.0 mm. long.
D. — From a specimen 18.5 mm. long.
POST LARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
143
other species of which the spawning habit is known, e.g. Acanthopagrus australis
and Ambassis jacks omen sis, it might be deduced that the spawning grounds are
the same as for these species, namely close to river mouths. The eggs are
probably pelagic.
Planktonic postlarvae are quite transparent and have two prominent
series of black chromatophores. One of these is a dorsal series along the bases
of the dorsal fins extending back to the caudal peduncle. The other series is
ventral and extends from the base of the first anal fin-spine to the caudal
peduncle. There are a few scattered cells on the head and an internal cluster
lining the visceral cavity. The visceral mass is also heavily pigmented with
other colours which fade when preserved in formalin. The body is rather
slimmer than that of the Sparidae described above and the head is likewise
not as deep and the snout more pointed. The head length is about 4 and the
greatest body height 6 in the total length. The eye is approximately 3 in the
head length and still possesses a slight ventral depression which is the choroid
fissure.
It appears that postlarval P. sexlineatus leave the plankton when growth
to a length of approximately 13-0 or 14-0 millimetres has been attained. They
then begin to frequent the sheltered weedy shallows along with the fry of
several other common estuarine species.
As in the Sparidae there are similar adaptive changes in body pigmenta-
tion coinciding with the adoption of a littoral habit. In P. sexlineatus this is
a longitudinal brownish banding on a greenish ground colour. Text figs. 3B
to 3D show this change of pigmentation on individuals possessing respective
lengths of 13-5, 15-0 and 18-8 millimetres. The older postlarvae shown in
text figs. 3C and 3D were both collected in June when using the seine net in
a shallow creek at the north end of Bribie Island. The longitudinal bands
which increase eventually to six in number are first developed more distinctly
on the head and anterior trunk regions. The series of black cells characteristic
of the planktonic stages persist temporarily as a secondary pigmentation but
disappear at a length of 25-0 to 30-0 millimetres. These chromatophores are
greatly enlarged and spider-like in form. There is a single chromatophore
of this type at the base of each dorsal and anal fin-spine and fin-ray and others
on the caudal peduncle and on the ventral margin of the gut region. This
series is most noticeable in the planktonic stage shown in text fig. 3B but the
chromatophores decrease in relative dimensions as the fish grows larger. A
large black irregularly shaped spot located centrally at the base of the caudal
fin is a prominent feature of all immature trumpeters. It is noticeable first
at about 15-0 millimetres. Postlarvae of this size also have some development
of dark pigment cells on the membranes of the dorsal and anal fins. The head
length in juveniles of 15-0 to 19-0 millimetres has increased to about 3f or 34
in the total length and the body height has increased similarly to approximately
the same proportion. The first indication of the presence of scales is to be
noticed in postlarvae 18-5 millimetres long, especially along the lateral banding
where the margin of each scale is outlined by a tiny semi-circle of blackish
-pigment cells. The preopercular spines are also evident in postlarval
P. sexlineatus of this size.
144
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
4. GIRELLA TRICUSPIDATA (Quoy & Gaimard). ELACKFISH.
Box tricuspidatus Quoy & Gaimard (1824), p. 296.
Blaekfish, Girella tricuspidata (Q. & G.) as small as two inches long are
to be found commonly in most estuaries of the east Australian coast, when
netting amongst weed. Interest lies in the fact that smaller postlarvae of this
species can easily be mistaken ma.croscopically for the young of our Sparidae,
particularly Bream. Two small specimens, measuring respectively 15-0 and
17-6 millimetres were obtained in the seine net in the Nambucca River on
19/10/44. The larger of these is illustrated in text fig. 4. In general shape
it superficially resembles postlarval Acanthopagrus australis of similar size
(compare text fig. 1C). It can be distinguished at once by a distinctive fin
formula which is usually D. XV, 12; A. Ill, 12 but in the specimen figured
I 1 Del. I.S.R.Munro-
Text-fig. 4. — Post-larval Blaekfish, Girella tricuspidata (Quoy & Gaimard).
From? a specimen 17.6 mm. long.
is D. XIV, 13 ; A. Ill, 12. The colour is brownish oli'vaceous and there are
about seven darker vertical bands on the back. There is a secondary series
of jet black chromatophores which apparently persist from planktonic stages.
There is one linear series of these along the bases of the dorsal fin-rays and
fin-spines, and another less distinct ventral series along the bases of the anal
fin-rays. There are a few such cells on the head and operculum and a very
prominent large cluster on the visceral region directly behind the origin of the
pectoral fin and largely hidden by it. A very prominent linear series extends
from the centre of the base of the caudal fin, along the mid-line of each side
of the body, to the posterior margin of the pectoral fin. The head length and
body height are approximately equal and both slightly less than 4 in the body
length. The eye diameter is approximately 2f in the head length.
5. SILL AGO CILIATA Cuvier & Valenciennes. SAND WHITING.
Sillago ciliata , Cuvier & Valenciennes (1829), p. 415.
Tosh (1902) has already described in detail the eggs and early larvae
of the common Sand Whiting, S. ciliata Cuv. & Val. which he refers to in his
account as 8. bassensis Cuv. & Val. ITis material includes no larval stages
greater in size than 2-5 millimetres. Tow nettings in the Noosa River during
POST LARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
145
1944 have produced planktonic stages comparable in development to those
described by Tosh. In addition, this source yielded many postlarvae inter-
mediate in size and development between these and the smallest fry that have
been seine netted in the sandy shallows of the same estuary. A selected series
of such stages is depicted in text fig. 5 and is of particular interest in exhibiting
development of the fin-rays and the transition of pigmentation from the simple
larval pattern to the dorsal blotching, characteristic of the younger age-groups
of this species.
According to Tosh (1902) the spawning season in Moreton Bay
(Southport) is September to February. Larvae and postlarvae ranging in
size from 1-5 to 8-0 millimetres and recognisable as those of S. ciliata appeared
in the Noosa River plankton first in September. Slightly larger planktonic
postlarvae (11-0 mm.) were taken in October and again in December. The
smallest Sand Whiting caught in the seine net measured 15-5 millimetres.
Postlarvae of sizes less than 20-0 millimetres have been seined at Caloundra
and Noosa River in June, September, October, November and January. Fry
measuring 30-0 millimetres have been collected similarly from April onwards.
Apparently the spawning period is an extended one, but the planktonic phase
appears to be restricted mainly to early summer and for each individual it
terminates when a size of about 15-5 millimetres has been reached.
Planktonic larvae less than 5-0 millimetres in size (text fig. 5A), although
possessing a well-developed mouth and with complete absorption of the yolk
material, have yet to differentiate their fin rays. The black pigment is arranged
in a single ventral series extending from the region of the heart posteriorly
to the tail region. There are usually about eight cells anterior to the anus and
rather less chromatophores than caudal myotomes in the post-anal region. There
are one or two isolated cells on the dorsal border of the caudal region.
In larvae of 6-5 millimetres (text fig. 5B) the rudiments of the rays of
the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are well differentiated. The black chromato-
phores of the ventral series persist from earlier stages but the dorsal series
has increased in number and extends further forward basally along the second
dorsal fin.
At 10-5 millimetres (text fig. 5C) all fins and their radial components
are well defined. The number of rays are easily counted, making it possible
to identify these larvae specifically as S. ciliata rather than S. macutata . They
possess the characteristic modal fin formula: D. XI. I, 17; A. I, 18; P. 15.
The black chromatophores are greatly enlarged and stellate. The ventral series
still persists along the gut and extends past the anus along the ventral border
of the caudal somites. There is a large chromatophore at the base of each anal
fin-ray. The dorsal series is restricted to the areas at the bases of the fins and
the chromatophores have increased in number and are arranged in groups. A
third series has made its appearance along the mid-line of each side of the body.
These post-larvae are still planktonic.
Upon reaching a size of 15*5 millimetres (text fig. 5D), namely the stage
when the habit is altered from planktonic to littoral, the tiny Sand Whiting
begins to acquire the shape and general facies of the adults of its species and
146
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
is readily recognisable as such. The ventral chromatophore series is now
restricted to the base of the anal fin. The dorsal series extends further forward
than previously and is grouped in several clusters. Small stellate cells covering
the brain are visible through the transparent dorsal surface of the head above
Text-fig. 5. — Larvae and Post-larvae of Sand Whiting, Sillago ciliata Cuv. & Val.
A. — From a specimen 5.0 mm. long.
B. — From a specimen 6.5 mm. long.
C. — From a specimen 10.8 mm. long.
D. — From a specimen 15.5 mm. long.
the eyes. Similar cells lining the visceral cavity can also be seen through the
body tissues and there are several sub-surface groups along the mid-line of each
side of the body. Additional surface cells can now be seen at the base of the
caudal fin and on the head, particularly around the lips. Rows of black ovate
cells which are the rudiments of the oblique banding across the spinous dorsal
POSTLARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
147
fin have appeared on the membrane of that fin. The elongate, bifurcid first
soft ray of the ventral paired fins is a noticeable character of postlarvae of
this size and larger.
Postlarvae, when leaving the plankton, have body proportions somewhat
similar to adults, namely with head length 4 in the total length and the greatest
body height § that of the head length. The head length to body height
proportion varies little with increase in age, but the head length increases to
about 3-J in the total length by the time maturity is reached.
At Caloundra and Noosa River this species is to be found during all
months of the year ; individuals smaller than 90 millimetres abounding in small
schools in the shallows, mainly over sand. All characteristically possess dark
markings on the dorsal half of the body. In fry of 15-0 to 20-0 millimetres
there are two rows of about eight rounded clusters of brownish black chromato-
phores forming blotches, one series along the dorsal margin and the other along
the mid-line of each side. At 30-0 millimetres these have fused and form
irregular bands on the upper half of the body, each pointing obliquely downwards
and forwards. According to Ogilby (1893) these markings are characteristic
of the young of both S. ciliata and S. maculata, but persist in the adult stages
of the latter species only. The black spot at the base of the pectoral fin is not
developed until late in the first year of life.
6. ICHTHYSCOPUS LEBECK (Bl. & Schn.). QUEENSLAND STARGAZER.
Uranoscopus le Heck Bloch and Schneider (1801), p. 47.
Uranoscopus inermis Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829), p. 310, pi. lxvi.
Adults of this extraordinary species have always been objects of special
interest because of their unusual shape and habit. The present note concerns
a single postlarval specimen of 154 millimetres length. This was captured in
the fine meshed seine net in the sandy shallows near the mouth of the Noosa
River on the 13th of October, 1944. This postlarva is sufficiently advanced
in development to be readily identified as the common Stargazer of the
Queensland coast, known to authors as Ichthyscopus lebeck (Bl. & Schn.).
Although Whitley (1936) has proposed the specific name sannio for this
Australian form, the present writer has found insufficient justification for this
separation after comparing the adult specimens in the Queensland Museum
collection with the descriptions of Indian material by Cuvier and Valenciennes
(1829) and Day (1876).
This postlarva, illustrated in text fig. 6, differs somewhat from adults
of the species both in proportions and coloration. The fin formula is D. ?, 18;
A. 17 ; P. 17 ; V. I, 5, which agrees closely with those of adult specimens in
the Queensland Museum collection. The eye diameter is relatively large as
compared with the head length and the eyes are placed dorso-ventrally instead
of dor sally as in adults. The migration of the eyes, from a lateral position
in larvae to the dorsal aspect of the head of adults, by disproportionate growth
of the skull bones has been observed also in related forms, namely the American
Astroscopus guttatus by Pearson (1941) and the Mediterranean Uranoscopus
scaber by Salfi (1933). The mouth with its characteristic labial fringes has
already become vertical. The exposed bony cheek plates are discernible as their
148
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
respective developing components but differ somewhat in shape from those of
adults. The cleithrum bones are, at this stage, bluntly rounded, massive
processes on the posterior of the skull. They lack the sharp, internal, bony,
spinous projection and its surrounding, fleshy, vent rally fringed, humeral flap
Text-fig. 6. Post-larva of tliq Stargazer, I chtliy scopus lebeclc (Bl. & Selin.).
From a specimen 15.4 mm. long.
which is a noticeable and unusual structure located above the pectoral fins of
adult I chthy scopus. The pectoral fin is relatively larger in postlarvae than in
adults.
The pigmentation is totally unlike that of adults. The postlarval body
completely lacks the canary yellow ground coloration with its superimposed
chocolate brown, reticulate pattern on the dorsal part of the back, and the
finer mottling on the head. Posterior to the line joining the origins of the
second dorsal and anal fins, the body is quite immaculate as are likewise the
soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins. During life, this portion of the body is quite
transparent and contrasts with the blackness of the head and the dark band of
pigment which surrounds the body in the region between the head and the
origins of the soft dorsal and anal fins. The pectoral fin is also darkly pigmented
on the rays and membranes, particularly on the basal half. The ventral paired
fins are only lightly pigmented. The head pigment is composed mainly of
largish stellate cells which are in greatest concentration on the preopercular
and subocular regions. The latter is particularly prominent and persists as a
large, rounded, dark blotch below the eyes of adult Stargazers. The dark parts
of this postlarva had a metallic iridescent sheen when viewed macroscopically
in the living condition.
7. SPHFROIDES HAMILTONI (Richardson). COMMON TOADFISH.
Tetrodon hamiltoni Richardson (1846), p. 63, pi. xxxix, f. 10-11.
A few larval and postlarval stages, recognisable as belonging to fishes
of the Family Tetraodontidae, have been picked up in surface tow nettings
near the mouth of the Noosa River, some in June 1940 and others during April,
August and September 1944. A few eggs, collected in the same locality in
April, had a greyish, rough, thickened outer coating and led the writer to
suspect that they were demersal rather than pelagic and had been brought to
POST LARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
149
the surface by the rip of the ebbing tide. Welsh and Breder (1922) have
shown that the related American 8. maculatus has adherent demersal eggs.
The Noosa River eggs measured 0-94 millimetres in diameter and from them
hatched larval toadfish which have been identified as our common species
8. hamiltoni. At first there is a globular yolk-mass underneath the highly
pigmented skin of that region which soon becomes the visceral region. The
yolk is soon absorbed, and upon attaining a size of 2-0 millimetres a close
resemblance to adult facies becomes apparent.
Two distinct types of toadfish larvae have been collected in tow nets
and adults of two species, namely 8. hamiltoni and 8. pleurogramma, commonly
frequent southern Queensland estuaries. These larvae possess complete opercula,
which in the adults of this family are reduced to small, rounded apertures
situated anteriorly to the pectoral fins. Adult 8. pleurogramma differs from
S. hamiltoni in the possession of a prominent spine at the base of the opercular
opening. One type of planktonic larva (text figs. 7C and 7D) possess a
prominent angular opercular border. The relationship of these larval types
to the respective adults is thus evident on the basis of this character alone.
The specific identification of these respective larvae was supported further by
following through pigmentary changes until a size was reached where adult
diagnostic characters were available. There is also correlation between the
seasons of occurrence of these respective larval types and the seasons of
appearance of small, recognisable postlarvae of both species in the weedy
shallows of Noosa River and Bribie Passage. Larvae, identified as those
of S. hamiltoni, were found in Noosa River plankton collections during April,
June, September and October whilst those of S. pleurogramma have only been
collected in August and September. The former species appears to have a more
extended spawning season than the latter.
The larvae of 8. hamiltoni are approximately 1-6 millimetres in length
upon emergence from the egg and are pigmented similarly to the advanced
egg-embryo of that species illustrated in text fig. 7 A. There is a mass of
blackish chroma tophores on the frontal region of the head, another mass
investing the yolk-sack and a third series forming a lateral patch on either
side of the caudal myotonies. The latter group is composed of chromatophores
longitudinally arranged in four or five almost parallel rows. There appears
to be some slight difference in the pigmentation of the planktonic larvae of
this species in respect to the month spawned. Those collected in June 1940
have pigment arranged as above, but when this type have grown to about
2-6 millimetres (text fig. 7E) there is an extension backwards of the head
pigment to the level of the origin of the dorsal natatory fold. The scattered,
stellate cells of the caudal flanks have become rearranged into dark patches
along the dorsal and ventral somite margins, linking across the caudal regions
in a diffuse band. The September larvae differ in lacking the caudal pigment
completely and there are two patches of dorsal cells, one on the head and the
other on the body somites near the origin of the dorsal natatory fold.
A single larger postlarva, 4-6 millimetres in length, was collected in
the Noosa River plankton at the surface on the 13th October, 1944. Its pigmen-
tation is composed solely of dispersed, large, stellate, black cells arranged as
150
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
Del. I. S. R. Munro
Text-fig. 7. — Spheroides hamiltoni (Richardson) and Spheroides pleurogramma (Regan).
A. — Egg of S. hamiltoni, diameter — 0.94 mm.
B. — Newly hatched larva of S. plenrogpamma, length =1.7 mm.
C. — Larva of S. pleurogramma, length = 2.0 mm.
B. — Advanced larva of S. pleurogramma, length = 3.2 mm.
E. — Larva of S. hamiltoni^ length = 2.6 mm.
F. — Post-larva of S. hamiltoni, length = 4.6 mm.
POSTLARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
151
shown in text fig. 7F. At this size the development of the short dermal spines
is evident and many can be seen clearly in the belly region. The dorsal, anal
and pectoral fin-rays are well defined but all of the caudal rays are not
completely differentiated. The fin formula is D. 9 ; A. 7 ; P. 15, which is modal
for S. hamiltom. The smallest postlarva taken in the seine net measured
8-5 millimetres. It was collected in the creek at the north end of Bribie Island
on October 1 6th., 1944 along with the 10-5 millimetre specimen shown in text
fig. 8B. The 8-5 millimetre specimen possessed the ability to inflate itself, as
is characteristic of adults of this family. The postlarvae appear to leave the
plankton when a length slightly greater than 4-6 millimetres is attained. The
larger postlarva shown in text fig. 8B (10-5 mm.) has the body proportions
and meristic characters of adult S. hamiltoni but its pigmentation is different.
The larger, stellate, black chromatophores, that are interspaced with smaller
ones on the dorsal surface, apparently represent the rudiments of the adult
mottling of large round spots with minute specks in the interstices. The dark
lateral stripe, composed of closely packed black chromatophores, presumably
represents the rudiment of the series of discontinuous, oval blotches which
ornament the flanks of adult toadfish.
8. SPHEROIDES PLEUROGRAMMA (Regan). GOLD-BANDED TOADFISH.
TetrocJon pleurogramma Regan (1903), p. 300, pi. xxiv, f. 2.
As indicated in the account dealing with the previous species, a few
larvae, which, by virtue of their possession of an angular opercular spine can
be identified as Spheroides pleurogramma, have been collected in the surface
plankton of the Noosa River. All these were obtained near the mouth of that
river, the first (1-8 mm.) being obtained on 7/8/44 and a further three examples
(1-7 to 2-0 mm.) were collected on 17/9/44 together with a similar number
identified as the preceding species S. hamiltoni. The spawning season appears
shorter than that of this other species and is restricted to the late winter months
of August and September. No eggs have been seen, but it is thought that they
are probably demersal.
A newly hatched larva, measuring 1-7 millimetres in length, was amongst
the September collection and is illustrated in text fig. 7B. In shape and size
it closely resembles those of 8. hamiltom but is very different in its pigmentation.
The head is naked except for a few dark cells situated behind the eyes. Instead
of several rows of stellate cells, the caudal flank pigment is in the form of an
intense, brownish black band formed from the matting together of the fine
processes of spider-like cells. The yolk-sack is completely invested with large
numbers of very small, stellate, black cells and these are considerably smaller
than those of similar disposition in S. hamiltom. Some of these cells extend on
to the ventral part of the trunk somites and are particularly intense around
the hind-gut.
In older larvae (text figs. 7C and 7D) the prominent band of caudal
pigment completely disappears. The stellate cells of the yolk-sack proliferate and
form an intensely black pigmentation on the skin adjacent to the visceral cavity.
At a length of 2-0 millimetres there appear large, stellate, black cells on the
operculum behind the eye and on the snout and back (text fig. 7C). With
continued growth to a size of 3-2 millimetres (text fig. 7D) this pigment spreads
152
MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
and forms an intensely black band which starts at the anus, covers the visceral
cavity and the operculum, and extends past the eye on to the nape of the head.
Posterior to this band there is no pigment on the body or fins. Also anterior
to it is a small, unpigmented area around the maxillary and mandibular
regions.
The smallest postlarva collected in the seine net was one of several that
were netted on a sandy bottom near the mouth of the Noosa River on
October 13th, 1944. It measures 12-5 millimetres and is illustrated in text
fig. 8A. The opercular spine is quite prominent and a thick coating of dermal
spines, each longer than those of S. hamiltoni, is present on the belly and cheek
regions. The fin formula is typical of this species, being D. 10; A. 8; P. 15.
B.
Del. I. S. R. Munro
Text-tig. 8. —
A. — Post-larval Spheroides pleuro gramma (Regan). From a specimen 12.5 mm.
long.
B. — Post-larval Spheroides hamiltoni (Richardson). From a specimen 10.5 mm.
long.
The pigmentation pattern already foreshadows that characteristic of adults.
The back is covered with large numbers of small, blackish cells arranged in
dense groups alternating with more lightly pigmented areas. This dorsal
network soon begins to assume the appearance of irregular white spots on a
ground of darker brown colour. The dark, longitudinal, side stripe of the
adult pattern is already present. The more anterior of the two dark, dorsally
transverse cross-bands is present in the form of a thick cluster of large cells
above the origins of the pectoral fins. Another concentration of large cells
behind the eye precedes the development of the five or six subvertical dark
cheek stripes.
POST LARVAL STAGES OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES.
153
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Fauna e Flora del Golfo di Napoli, Monogr. XXXVIII (2).
Regan, C. T., 1903. “On the classification of the Fishes of the Suborder Plectognathi ; with
notes and descriptions of new species from specimens in the British Museum
Collection.” Proc. Zool. Soc. 1902, II, p. 300.
Richardson, Sir J., 1846. “The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror, under
the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the years
1839 to 1843.” Vol. II, Fishes. London.
Roughley, T. C., 1916. “Fishes of Australia and their Technology. ” Sydney Tech. Mus.,
Educ. Ser. 21.
Salfi, M., 1933. “Sulla metamorfosi dell’ Uranoscopus scaber L.” Pub. Zool. Stas. Napoli,
XIII, pp. 303-310.
Tosh, J. R., 1902. “On the common whiting of Moreton Bay ( Sillago Bassensis ) .” Proc.
Q’land. Roy. Soc. XVII, p. 175.
Tosh, J. R., 1903. “Notes on the habits, development, etc., of the common food fishes of
Moreton Bay.” Q’land. Dept. Marine, Rept. 1902-03.
Welsh, W. W. and C. M. Breder Jr., 1922. “A contribution to the life history of the puffer,
Spheroides maculatus (Schneider).” N.Y., Zoologica, II (12), pp. 261-276.
Whitley, G. P., 1936. “More Ichthyological Miscellanea.” Mem. Q’land. Mus. XI (1), p. 45.
NEW SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTERA FROM THE
BARNARD COLLECTION. NO. 3.
By A. Jefferis Turner, M.D., F.R.E.S.
Family NOCTUIDAE.
Sub-Family Erastriainae.
Gen. Toana Wlk.
Cat. Brit. Mus. XXXII, p. 500. Hmps. Cat. Lep. Phal. X, p. 204.
Type T. semiochrealis Wlk. from Borneo. A small Indo-Malayan genus
with one African species.
Toana thioptera n.sp.
ddiXoiTTepos, sulphur-winged.
$ $ . 15-16 mm. Head orange-yellow. Palpi 3, second joint expanded
with loose hairs at apex; orange-yellow. Antennae pale grey; in male dentate
to four-fifths, dentations 1, slender. Thorax and abdomen pale yellow. Legs
orange-yellow ; posterior pair paler. Forewings triangular, costa nearly straight,
apex obtusely pointed, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; pale yellow ;
transverse lines and costal and terminal margins orange-yellow ; lines nearly
straight, feebly dentate, first at one-third, second at two-thirds occasionally the
terminal line contains a few blackish scales ; cilia pale yellow, apices pale grey.
Ilindwings with termen rounded ; pale yellow ; cilia as forewings.
Cape York in April and May ; eight specimens.
Toana anomosema n.sp.
avofjLoarjfjios, unusually marked.
$ . 15-17 mm. Head white. Palpi 1 and a half, second joint expanded
towards apex, terminal joint hidden ; pale brownish. Antennae grey, towards
base white; ciliations in male 1. Thorax fuscous, anteriorly white. Abdomen
whitish; tuft ochreous-tinged. Legs whitish; anterior pair grey. Forewings
triangular, costa almost straight. Apex pointed, termen slightly rounded,
oblique ; fuscous with white markings a broad subcostal streak from base to two-
thirds ; a broad line before middle, curved sharply dorsad from subcostal streak
to below middle of disc, thence turned upwards to touch the extremity of this
streak before ending on costa near apex; enclosed between these streaks is a
median fuscous dot; a submarginal line from costa near apex, at first slender,
gradually becoming broader before it ends at tornus ; some dark fuscous terminal
dots; cilia grey with dark points. Ilindwings with termen rounded grey cilia
grey.
North Queensland: Cape York and Cooktown in April; two specimens.
LEPIDOPTERA FROM TEE BARNARD COLLECTION.
155
Gen. Goniophylla nov.
yoviO(f)v\\os 3 with angled wings.
Tongue present. Palpi long, porrect, second joint thickened with
appressed scales, terminal joint minute. Thorax with small smooth rounded
posterior crest. Abdomen without crests;. Posterior tibiae smooth. Fore wings
without areole, 2 from three-fourths, 3 from before angle, 4 and 5 approximated
from angle, 6 from below upper angle, 7 from cell, 8 and 9 stalked, 10 and 11
from cell, free. Hindwings with 3 and 4 stalked, 5 from slightly below middle,
straight. 6 and 7 connate, 12 anastomosing with cell near base.
Goniophylla fragilis n.sp.
fragilis, frail.
9 . 14 mm. Head grey-whitish. Palpi 3 ; grey-whitish. Antennae grey.
Thorax grey ; patagia and tegulae grey -whitish. Abdomen pale grey ; a widely
separate pair of dark fuscous dots on dorsum of second segment. Legs whitish.
Forewings triangular, costa nearly straight, slightly sinuate, apex pointed,
termen sharply angled on vein 4, above this concave, beneath straight, wavy ;
whitish suffused with grey ; markings fuscous, obscure ; a dot or small triangle on
one-third costa representing antemedian line ; a median shade from costa just
beyond middle, containing two dots placed transversely ; a slender line from costa
shortly after this, at first outwardly oblique, soon sharply angled inwards,
becoming obsolete beneath angle; a whitish submarginal line, distinct only
towards costa ; a dark interrupted terminal line ; cilia whitish, apices grey. Hind-
wings with termen dentate ; colour, terminal line, and cilia as forewings ; a broad
dark fuscous fascia from three-fourths dorsum, not reaching middle of disc.
North Queensland : Cape York in October ; one specimen.
Gen. Asaphes nov.
acra(f>r}s, obscure.
Tongue present. Palpi ascending, reaching middle of face ; second joint
thickened with appressed scales; terminal joint minute. Antennae in male
simple. Thorax with a small median posterior crest. Abdomen without crests.
Posterior tibiae smooth. Forewings without areole, 2 from near angle, 3 and 4
approximated from angle, 6 from near upper angle, 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked,
10 and 11 from cell, free. Hindwings with 2 from four-fifths, 3 and 4 long-
stalked from angle, 5 from above angle, 6 and 7 approximated from upper angle,
12 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle.
Asapi-ies asemantica n.sp.
acrrjijLavTLKOS, undistinguished.
$ 9 . 13-15 mm. Head, palpi, and antennae grey. Thorax and abdomen
grey mixed with fuscous. Legs grey ; posterior pair whitish. Forewings elongate-
triangular, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed, termen rounded, slightly
oblique; grey with local whitish suffusions and dark fuscous lines; first line
incompletely developed, from midcosta, bent inwards above middle, thence wavy
to mid-dorsum, preceded by whitish suffusion ; second line interrupted or incom-
156
MEMOIBS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
plete, wavy, from two-thirds costa to two-thirds dorsum, followed by whitish
suffusion ; a terminal series of dark fuscous dots ; cilia whitish-grey. Hindwings
with termen rounded ; grey ; cilia pale grey.
North Queensland: Cape York in April; two specimens.
Gen. Paurosceles nov.
TravpoGKeXrjs, small-legged.
Tongue present. Palpi ascending, reaching about middle of face ; second
joint triangularly thickened towards apex; terminal joint short. Antennae
of male ciliated. Thorax smooth. Abdomen with small dorsal crests on first
and second segments. Midtibiae of male clothed with long hairs, which form
a strong terminal tuft; posterior tibiae of male much reduced in size, slightly
hairy, with two pairs of well-developed spurs. Forewings without areole, 2 from
three-fourths, 3, 4, 5 approximated from angle, 6 from below upper angle, 7, 8,
9 stalked, 10 and 11 from cell, free. Hindwings with cell one-lialf, 2 from
four-fifths, 3 and 4 stalked, 6 and 7 connate, 12 anastomosing with cell near base.
Paurosceles geminipuncta n.sp.
geminipunctus, twin-spotted.
$ . 20 mm. Head and thorax orange-yellow. Palpi 1 and a half orange-
vellow. Antennae pale yellow, towards apex grey ; ciliations in male 1. Abdomen
pale yellow. Legs orange-yellow ; posterior pair whitish. Forewings triangular,
costa nearly straight, apex rounded, termen slightly rounded, scarcely oblique ;
orange-yellow with white markings ; a sub-basal costal dot ; a fine interrupted
line from one-third costa to mid-dorsum, indented beneath costa and above
dorsum, angled outwards below middle; two transversely placed dots with
blackish centres beneath costa at three-fifths; postmedian from three-fifths
costa, curved posteriorly towards apex, before reaching this curved transversely,
indented in middle, finally curved inwardly to tornus; a terminal series of
blackish dots, each preceded by an adjacent white dot; cilia yellow. Hindwings
with termen rounded; pale yellow; cilia pale yellow.
North Queensland: Cape York in April; one specimen.
Enispa phaeopa n.sp.
<f)OLLW7TOS, dusky.
$ . 20 mm. Head dark fuscous. Palpi 1 ; dark fuscous. Antennae
fuscous; in male serrate and minutely ciliated. Thorax dark fuscous; tegulae
brown- whitish sprinkled with fuscous. Abdomen brownish. Legs fuscous ;
posterior pair ochreous-whitish. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near
apex, apex pointed, termen bowed on vein 4; brown- whitish ; markings and
some irroration dark fuscous; a broad costal streak from base to one-third,
followed by transverse oblong costal spots at middle and two-thirds; a large
irregularly suffused blotch above tornus; a grey-whitish terminal area from
apex to below middle; a terminal series of dots; cilia brown- whitish sprinkled
with fuscous. Hindwings with termen strongly rounded; colour, terminal dots,
and cilia as forewings ; a discal dot at one-third ; faint interrupted postmedium
and subterminal lines.
Queensland: Toowoomba in Oct. March; one specimen.
LEPIEOPTERA FROM TEE BARN ARE COLLECTION. 157
Enispa rhodopleura n.sp.
po8o7r\€Vpos , with rosy costa.
9 . 15 mm. Head rosy. Palpi 2; pale rosy. (Antennae broken off.)
Thorax whitish, anterior edge rosy. Abdomen pale grey. Legs ochreous-whitish ;
anterior pair rosy-tinged. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near apex,
apex pointed, termen slightly rounded, oblique; whitish faintly rosy-tinged, a
bright rosy streak from base to apex; markings dark fuscous; three minute
dots representing antemedian line ; a median subcostal discal dot ; a faint median
line from this to mid-dorsum ; a finely dentate postmedian line at two-thirds,
indented above dorsum ; a terminal series of dots ; cilia rosy. Hindwings with
termen rounded ; colour, terminal dots, and cilia as forewings ; faint subterminal
and submarginal lines.
North Queensland; Cape York in May; one specimen.
Eubeemma latericolor n.sp.
latericolor, brick-coloured .
$ 9 . 20-22 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen reddish-grey. Palpi and
antennae pale grey. Legs pale grey ; tarsi fuscous with white rings at apices
of segments. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex acute, slightly produced,
termen bowed; reddish-grey; costal edge ochreous-whitish; a minute fuscous
dot preceding antemedian line and another on this line representing orbicular ;.
reniform larger and constricted in middle; antemedian commencing as a short
oblique fuscous streak from one-third costa, thence obscure to one-third dorsum
postmedian commencing similarly before two-thirds of disc, there strongly bent
and straight to two-thirds dorsum; subterminal commencing similarly, but
continued by a series of fuscous indented above dorsum ; a submarginal series
of dots ; an ochreous-whitish terminal line ; cilia reddish-fuscous. Hindwings.
with termen rounded ; as forewings but without antemedian line and discal dots..
North Queensland: Cape York and Cooktown in November; four
specimens.
Eublemma compsoprepes n.sp.
Kop.ifj07Tp€Trr]s , dainty-seeming.
9 . 16 mm. Head, palpi, and antennae pale brown. Thorax and
abdomen grey-whitish. Legs whitish. Forewings triangular, costa straight,
apex pointed, not produced, termen rounded, slightly oblique; grey-whitish;;
three blackish or brownish costal dots at one-fourth, middle, and three-fourths ;
from the first of these a very fine fuscous irregularly dentate line to one-fourth
dorsum, from the second a strongly outwardly oblique line, angled at about
one-fourth of breadth of disc, thence straight to mid-dorsum, above angle
scarcely traceable, beneath angle thickened and brownish; three whitish costal
dots before apex ; an apical brownish spot giving off a very fine fuscous dentate
submarginal line ; cilia grey- whitish. Hindwings with termen rounded ; colour
and cilia as forewings; a straight brownish transverse line from mid-dorsum,
not reaching costa.
North Queensland: Cape York in May; two specimens.
158
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
Eublemma perinephela n.sp.
irepivecfreXos , overclouded.
$. 14-16 min. Head, thorax, and palpi white. Antennae whitish-grey.
Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs whitish. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa
nearly straight, slightly sinuate, apex pointed, termen slightly rounded, strongly
oblique ; white ; a faintly suffused pale ochreous outwardly oblique bar from
one-third dorsum to about middle of disc ; a narrow fuscous-grey terminal band,
faintly edged with pale ochreous anteriorly; cilia white, on apex fuscous-grey.
Hindwings with termen rounded; white; cilia white.
Queensland : Duaringa in January ; Injune in October and December ;
three specimens.
Catoblemma brevipalpis n.sp.
Brevipalpis, with short palpi.
S $ . 15-20 mm. Head ochreous-whitish or grey-whitish. Palpi in
male 1 and a half, in female 2, second joint with loose projecting hairs towards
apex above, terminal joint minute; grey. Antennae whitish; ciliations in male 2.
Thorax whitish-grey. Abdomen and legs ochreous-whitish. Forewings
triangular, costa slightly sinuate, apex pointed, not produced, termen rounded,
slightly oblique ; ochreous-whitish more or less suffused with grey and faintly
pinkish-tinged, usually darker between lines; antemedian and postmedian lines
slender, whitish, obscure or obsolete, the latter from two-thirds costa to tornus,
strongly curved outwards above middle and sometimes containing a pale fuscous
spot in curve; a nearly straight line of irregular dark fuscous dots from apex
to tornus, diminishing in size towards tornus; cilia grey. Hindwings with
termen rounded; whitish; cilia whitish.
This species is exceedingly similar to the following in the forewings,
though they have differently formed apices, but the palpi and antennal ciliations
are very different.
North Queensland: Cape York in October. Queensland: Duaringa in
September ; three specimens.
Catoblemma punctilinea n.sp.
punctilineus, with dotted line.
S $ . 17-22. Head whitish. Palpi 3, rather slender, terminal joint one-
fifth; ochreous-whitish. Antennae whitish-grey ; ciliations in male minute.
Thorax whitish-grey, patagia ochreous-tinged. Abdomen grey more or less mixed
with whitish. Legs ochreous-whitish. Fore wings triangular, costa straight, apex
acute, slightly produced, termen rounded, slightly oblique; whitish tinged with
ochreous (or in one example with dull reddish) except towards costa and termen;
antemedian line usually obsolete ; postmedian pale fuscous, very slender, from
two-thirds costa to before tornus, outwardly curved in upper half preceded by a
slender pale fuscous transversely oval ring representing reniform ; a subterminal
line of dark fuscous dots diminishing in size towards tornus, those near apex
sometimes confluent ; cilia whitish or greyish. Hindwings with termen rounded ;
whitish, sometimes greyish or reddish.
North Queensland : Cape York in April. Queensland : Duaringa in
September; three specimens.
LEPIDOPTERA FROM THE BARNARD COLLECTION.
159
Gen. Technemon nov.
T€xvr)fjLa)V, artistic.
Face with small conical prominence. Tongue present. Palpi long, ascend-
ing, exceeding vertex; second joint very long, triangularly thickened at apex by
a strong posterior tuft ; terminal joint concealed. Antennae in male shortly
ciliated. Thorax with rounded posterior crest. Abdomen without crests.
Posterior tibiae hairy on dorsum. Fore wings without areole, 2 from f, 7, 8, 9
stalked, 10 and 11 from cell, free. Hindwings with 2 from near end of cell,
3 and 4 stalked, 5 somewhat approximated, 6 and 7 stalked, 12 anastomosing with
cell to middle.
Technemon epichares n.sp.
€Tnxapr)s, pleasing.
$ $ . 16-18 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dark fuscous. Antennae
fuscous ; ciliations in male Legs fuscous with whitish rings ; posterior tibiae
whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa gently arched, apex
rounded, termen slightly rounded, oblique; fuscous with blackish transverse
lines ; sub-basal straight, suffused ; antemedian from \ costa to § dorsum, slender,
wavy ; postmedian from § costa, soon bent outwards, thence transverse to middle,
where it is bent inwards and sinuate to § dorsum, edged posteriorly with whitish ;
a dentate widely interrupted white subterminal line; a blackish spot above
tornus ; a white terminal suffusion beneath apex ; a blackish submarginal line ;
cilia fuscous, suffused or barred with white on apex. Hindwings with termen
rounded; ochreous-yellow ; a dark fuscous terminal band; cilia fuscous, apices
ochreous- whitish.
Queensland: Injune in September and October; four specimens.
CORGATHA IMPLEXATA.
AVlk. xxiv. p. 1090. Hmps. x. p. 300.
$ $ . 20-21 mm. Head white ; face dark red. Palpi 2 ; dark red.
Antennae white Tn basal third, thence pale ochreous-grey ; in male with a small
tuft of scales on dorsum at one-third, ciliations 1 and a half. Thorax reddish.
Abdomen reddish ; tuft pale ochreous. Legs pale ochreous ; anterior pair dark
red; in male anterior coxae and femora and all tibiae clothed in dense hairs.
Forewings triangular, costa straight almost to apex, apex pointed, termen gently
rounded, oblique; dull reddish; a white costal streak interrupted by three or
four reddish dots ; a minute fuscous discal dot ; a postmedian series of fuscous
dots, each edged white anteriorly, from three-fifths costa first outwardly and
then inwardly curved to two-thirds dorsum ; a terminal series of blackish dots ;
cilia reddish. Hindwings with termen strongly rounded; colour and markings
as forewings.
North Queensland : Cape York in November (W. B. Barnard) ; five
specimens.
160
ME MO I US OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
CORGATHA MILTOPOLIA n.Sp.
luXroTToXiog, reddish-grey.
$ . 26 mm. Head whitish-grey. Palpi 2 and a-half, obliquely ascending,
crest on dorsum of second joint slightly developed, terminal joint porrect, short,
but longer than in allied species; whitish-grey. Antennae grey; ciliations in
male 1. Thorax reddish. Abdomen white, not crested, hut with reddish median
dots on dorsum of first three segments; dorsum of tuft purple-reddish. Legs
reddish-grey. Forewings triangular, costa straight, to two-thirds, thence gently
arched, apex acute, termen concave beneath apex, acutely angled on vein 3, thence
oblique ; dull reddish with a few blackish scales, partly suffused with grey ; two
white discal spots partly outlined with dark fuscous, first at one-fifth, suboblong,
second at two-fifths, oval; costal edge grey; an obscure transverse grey line at
one-fourth ; space between discal dots and costal part of postmedian band grey ;
anterior edge of band formed by a wavy grey line from two-fifths costa to three-
fifths dorsum, posterior by a similar line midway between this and termen; a
submarginal series of blackish dots; cilia white. Hindwings with termen strongly
rounded ; white ; a submarginal series of fuscous dots ; cilia white.
North Queensland : Cape York in October and March ; two specimens.
Gen. Proschora nov.
Trpocrxcopos, adjoining.
Tongue present. Face not projecting. Palpi ascending, reaching middle
of face; second joint rather slender, rough-scaled; terminal joint short. Thorax
with a moderate posterior crest. Abdomen with a dorsal crest on basal segment.
Posterior tibiae smooth. Forewings with areole narrow, 10 connate with 8, 9
from areole. Hindwings with 3 and 4 stalked, 5 from near angle of cell, 12
anastomosing with cell near base. Near Metasada Hmps.
Proschora am aura n.sp.
apLavpos , obscure.
S . 18 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax brown. Antennae grey. Abdomen
pale grey. Legs whitish-ochreous; anterior pair fuscous with whitish-ochreous
rings. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex subrectangular, termen
slightly rounded, scarcely oblique; dull reddish-brown; .reniform pale fuscous,
obscure, rather large, transversely oval ; postmedian line from three-fifths costa
to two-thirds dorsum, very obscure, pale fuscous, curved outside reniform ; cilia
ochreous-whitish with median and terminal fuscous lines. Hindwings with
termen slightly sinuate; grey; cilia ochreous-whitish with sub-basal grey line.
Queensland: Toowoomba in November; one specimen.
Oruza leucostigma n.sp.
AevKOGTcypios , with a white dot.
$ . 20 mm. Head brown-whitish ; collar brownish-fuscous. Palpi whitish,,
second joint with base and an apical ring blackish. Antennae grey. Thorax
and abdomen brown-whitish. Legs brown-whitish ; anterior pair fuscous. Fore-
wings triangular, costa, straight, apex rounded, termen rounded, scarcely oblique ;
brown-whitish; a median white discal dot surrounded by a slight fuscous;
LEPIDOPTERA FROM THE BARNARD COLLECTION.
161
suffusion; five blackish costal dots, at one-third, middle, and three between this
and apex; a faint interrupted outwardly curved dark line from second dot to
one-fourth dorsum; a similar line from fourth dot, inwardly sinuate to mid-
dorsum ; a subapical blackish dot connected by fuscous with an apical dot ; from
this a faint pale dentate subterminal line, interrupted at one-third by a fuscous
dot ; a terminal series of blackish dots ; cilia brown- whitish sprinkled with a few
fuscous scales. Hindwings with termen slightly rounded, crenulate; colour,
terminal dots and cilia as forewings ; a median sub-basal discal blackish dot ; very
faint pale dentate postmedian and subterminal lines.
North Queensland: Cape York in June; one specimen.
Oruza aspersa n.sp.
aspersus, sprinkled.
21 mm. Head and palpi brown. Antennae grey; ciliations in male
minute. Thorax and abdomen pale brownish. Legs ochreous-whitish ; anterior
pair fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex pointed, termen
rounded, oblique ; pale brownish with blackish dots ; six costal dots, at two-fifths,
three-fifths, and four between the latter and apex; subcostal discal dots at
one-fourth, middle, and two-thirds, with two in a line between the last and
fifth costal dot; a submarginal series, those below middle minute; a terminal
series; cilia pale brownish. Hindwings with termen rounded; colour and cilia
as forewings ; a discal dot at one-third ; submarginal and terminal series of dots.
North Queensland: Cape York in April; one specimen.
Lophoruza molybdosticha n.sp.
fjLoXvpSovTLXos, with leaden lines.
$ $ . 24-26 mm. Head and palpi reddish-grey. Thorax orange, anterior
edge grey. Abdomen orange. Legs reddish-grey ; posterior pair whitish-
ochreous. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near apex, apex pointed,
termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; orange with slender grey leaden-
metallic lines ; a grey costal streak from base to apex ; three bisinuate transverse
lines; at one-fourth, from two-fifths costa to middorsum, and from two-thirds
costa to three-fourths dorsum; a grey postmedian line without metallic lustre:
a grey leaden -metallic subterminal line with obtuse grey interneural projections
not reaching termen ; a series of submarginal blackish lunules narrowly separated
from an interrupted blackish terminal line ; cilia pale reddish-grey. Hindwings
with termen rounded ; as forewings but with only three metallic lines.
North Queensland: Cape York and Cooktown in April; two specimens.
Lophoruza chalcocosma n.sp.
yaA/co/cocr/xo?, with brassy ornament.
$ . 25 mm. Head and thorax brown. Palpi slightly over 1 ; brown.
Antennae brownish-grey ; ciliations in male 1. Abdomen reddish-brown; large
rounded dorsal crests on second and fourth segments, almost touching; dark
fuscous with brassy lustre. Legs whitish-ochreous. Fore wings triangular, costa
slightly arched, apex obtusely pointed, termen rounded, slightly oblique ; whitish
162
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM.
with closely set reddish-brown transverse striae; a broad interrupted straight
transverse line from one-third costa to one-fourth dorsum ; a dark median line
containing some minute white dots faintly indicated; a similar line with more
numerous white dots from three-fifths costa to four-fifths dorsum; between
these lines is a large suffused pale ochreous spot ; a subterminal line of dark
fuscous dots, becoming silvery- white in oblique light, preceded and followed
by broadly suffused pale ochreous bands; slender interrupted submarginal and
terminal lines; cilia reddish- whitish. Hindwings with termen rounded colour,
markings, and cilia as forewings.
In general appearance this resmbles L. molijbdosticha, but differs in the
metallic abdominal crests and other details.
North Queensland: Cape York in April; one specimen.
Gen. Parasada Hmps.
Cat. Lep. Phal. x. p. 281.
Type P. carnosa limps, from Bali and Ceylon. This is the only species,
hitherto recorded. In it the male antennae are pectinate.
Parasada molybdocolpa n.sp.
/xoAi^SokoAtto?, with leaden hollows.
$ . 15 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi 2 ; ochreous. Antennae
grey; ciliations in male 1 and a one-half. Abdomen brown with five dark
fuscous transverse bars; basal segment white; two terminal segments grey.
Legs ochreous; anterior coxae white. Forewings triangular, costa straight to
near apex, apex rounded, termen slightly rounded, oblique ; white ; costal edge
ochreous; a costal streak from base to one-fourth, dark fuscous mixed with
leaden-metallic; similar transverse lines and a transverse linear diseal mark;
anterior line from a minute costal dot at two-fifths to one-fourth dorsum;
postmedian from a similar costal dot at three-fifths, strongly curved outwards
and then inwards to tornus ; a defined ochreous line precedes antemedian towards
dorsum, and another follows postmedian throughout ; a similar but more suffused
terminal line ; cilia pale ochreous. Hindwings with termen rounded ; a defined
white basal spot ; remainder of disc brown with two fuscous leaden-metallic
lines, first postmedian, outwardly curved, second terminal ; cilia pale ochreous
Queensland : Injune in May ; one specimen.
Eustrotia ochra n.sp.
d)XP°S, P ale *
$ . 18 mm. Head and thorax whitish. Palpi reaching vertex; ochreous-
whitish. Antennae pale grey ; in male very shortly ciliated. Abdomen and legs
whitish. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed, termen
rounded, scarcely oblique ; whitish irrorated and partly suffused with very
pale ochreous-grey ; two obscure transverse lines edged posteriorly with pale
ochreous-grey ; first line from one-third costa to two-thirds dorsum, slightly
outwardly curved; second from two-thirds costa, at first outwardly oblique,
soon curved to become transverse, and slightly sinuate to three-fourths dorsum ;
LEPIDOPTERA FROM THE BARNARD COLLECTION.
163
fuscous dots above middle of disc at two-fifths and three-fifths, terminal area
suffused and transversed by a slender whitish submarginal line; cilia pale
ochreous-fuscous. Hindwings with terrnen rounded; 3 and 4 stalked; grey-
whitish; cilia whitish with a grey median line.
Queensland: Toowoomba in March; one specimen.
Eustrotia acroleuca n.sp.
dKpoAevKOs , white at the apex.
$ . 14 mm. Head and palpi pale brown. Antennae grey. Thorax grey ;
patagia pale brown. Abdomen grey; apices of segments and tuft ochreous-
whitish. Legs ochreous-whitish ; anterior pair fuscous with ochreous-whitish
tarsal rings. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex pointed, terrnen slightly
sinuate, oblique ; areole very small ; grey with some whitish suffusion and blackish
markings; antemedian line at one-fourth, outwardly curved, obscure, interrupted ;
reniform obscurely outlined with fuscous, fairly large, roughly circular,
surrounded by some whitish suffusion; postmedian from two-thirds costa,,
traceable only to mid-disc ; subterminal an irregular series of somewhat elongate
blackish spots partly edged with whitish posteriorly; a terminal series of blackish
spots slenderly margined with whitish ; a short oblique whitish mark from apex
cilia fuscous with narrow whitish bars. Hindwings with terrnen rounded ; grey ;,
cilia whitish.
North Queensland: Cape York in November; one specimen.
The types of all the species here described are in the Queensland Museum.
FOSSIL VERTEBRATES FROM GORE QUARRIES.
By H. A. Longman (Director).
Many fragments of fossil vertebrates have recently been received from
cave fillings at the Gore Limestone Quarries, South-Western Line, Queensland.
Mr. L. C. Ball, Chief Geologist, Geological Survey of Queensland, heard of the
occurrence of fossil bones at Gore whilst enquiring for phosphatic cave earths.
In response to his request, Mr. D. S. Geary, manager of the Queensland Cement
and Lime Co., forwarded specimens which Mr. Ball kindly brought to me in
April last. A second consignment was received from Mr. Ball shortly afterwards.
Subsequently Flight-Sergeant E. T. O’Rourke personally collected numerous
specimens and brought two boxes of material to the Museum.
This new fossil locality appears to be even richer than the Marmor Quarry
cave-earth deposits, many specimens from which were recorded by the writer in
Yol. VIII. of these Memoirs. Only part of this material from Gore has yet been
examined in detail. There are dozens of maxillary and mandibular fragments
of Macropodidae, with scores of long-bones, pelvic and tarsal elements, some of
which are very fragmentary and some almost perfect. The following concise
identifications will show that some of the specimens are of unusual interest: —
Thylacoleo carnifex Owen. Mandibular fragment with carnassial and
incisor ; another mandibular fragment with carnassial ; incomplete specimens of
two unattached carnassials. F. 2770.
Sarcophilus laniarius Owen. Six mandibular fragments; one maxillary
fragment with two worn molars ; one isolated 2nd molar from the right maxilla.
F. 2771.
Phascolonus gig as Owen. Two mandibular fragments and two isolated
molars. F. 2772.
Phascolomys mitcheili Owen. Abraded fragment of a mandible with
remains of the molar series, the dimensions of which agree with those of
P. mitcheili. F. 2774.
Bettongia sp. (Sub-Family Potoroinae) . A slightly-disrupted mandibular
fragment with the characteristic deciduous premolar and two following molars.
F. 2775.
Isoodon obesulus. Three multicuspidate quadrangular molars were found
completely embedded in cave earth but perfectly preserved and in serial
alignment, 10 mm. in length. These agree precisely with unworn molars of this
common bandicoot. F. 2773.
No precise identifications have yet been made of the numerous maxillary
and mandibular fragments of Macropodidae.
A single isolated incisor of the Rattus type shows the presence of rodent
species.
The proximal end of an avian tarso-metatarsus is closely comparable with
that of Alectura lathami, the Brush Turkey. F. 2769.
The fragment of a lower jaw demonstrates a large Scincoid lizard
resembling Trachysaurus rugosus.
The presence of the Marsupial Lion ( Thylacoleo ), the 4 ‘Marsupial Devil”
( Sarcophilus ) and the “Giant Wombat” or “Pouched Ass” (Phascolonus)
shows that the Gore Quarries fauna is obviously related to that of the extensive
Condamine Pleistocene deposits to the north of this locality. Mr. Ball notes
that the limestones “are believed to be of Carboniferous Age.”
A. H. Tucker, Government Printer, Brisbane.
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