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Show 1903.] FISHES FROM RIO JANEIRO. 61 SERRAXID^E. Many authors have regarded Serranus flaviventris Cuv. & Val. as the female of S. auriga Cuv. & Val. Messrs. Jordan and Evermann give descriptions of three species, viz.: 3. dispilurus Giinther, S, subligarius Cope, and S. auriga Cuv. & Val., adding S. flaviventris to the synonymy of the last; but in a footnote they state that very probably these three species are identical. I have arrived at the conclusion that *S'. dispilurus and *S'. subligarius belong to the synonymy of S. flaviventris, which is very different from S. auriga, as may be seen from the short diagnoses given below. SERRAXUS AURIGA Cuv. & Val. Depth of body about equal to length of head, 2|-2| times in total length. Snout as long as eye, the diameter of which is 3g- 31 times in the length of head and twice the interorbital width. Maxillary not extending to below middle of eye, the width of its distal extremity j the diameter of eye. Praeoperculum with vertical posterior and horizontal inferior limb, the angle rounded ; lower opercular spine stronger and further back than upper. D. X 12- 13, commencing slightly in advance of axil of pectoral, third spine very elongate. A. Ill 7, second spine not, or but little, longer than third, its length about 24- times in that of head. Sc. 48-52 jvrs, not extending on to upper surface of head ; 54 rows between soft dorsal and lateral line. Two dark blotches on lower half of body, the anterior including ventrals, the posterior extending on to anal, a light area between them. Diagnosis based on four examples from Rio Janeiro, the largest 150 m m . in total length. SERRAXUS FLAVIVEXTRIS CUV. <fe Val. Bales flaviventris Cuvier & Valenciennes, iii. p. 113 (1829). Centropristis brasiliensis Brisout de Barneville, Rev. Zool. 1847, p. 131. Centropristis dispilurus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 99. Centropristis subligarius Cope, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1870, p. 120. Dales auriga Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, xcvi. I. 1888, p. 57, pi. i. fig. 2. Serranus auriga (part.) Boulenger, Cat. i. p. 287 (1895). Depth of body about equal to length of head, 24-3 times in total length. Snout as long as or a little longer than eye, the diameter of which is 4-4| times in the length of head and H-IA times the interorbital width. Maxillary extending to well beyond middle of eye, the width of its distal extremity j the diameter of eye. Praeoperculum evenly rounded in the whole extent of its posterior margin; lower opercular spine not stronger and not further back than upper. D. X 12-13, commencing somewhat behind axil of pectoral, third spine not elongate, fourth or fifth highest. A. Ill 7, second spine stronger and longer than third, its length |
