FITCH and BARKER: FISH FAMILY MORIDAE 



ed a key for identifying to genus the sagittae we or so other genera come to hand. A species-by- 

 have seen. Although obviously incomplete, this species discussion of these otoliths is also pre- 

 key can be expanded when otolihs of the dozen sented. 



KEY TO OTOLITHS OF 12 MORID GENERA 



1. Lower rim of cauda bowed out posteriorly creating an expanded chamber ventral to the pos- 

 terior colliculum (Mora-group) . . 2 



Lower rim of cauda straight or turned downward at tip, but never forming an expanded area 

 posteriorly 5 



2. Anterior end of sagitta greatly expanded dorsally 3 



Anterior end of sagitta not expanded dorsally; height of otolith at anterior end about the 

 same as height at center 4 



3. Ratio of otolith height into length 1: 1.6 or 1: 1.7 Mora 



Ratio of otolith height into length 1: 2.0 or 1:2.1 Halargyreics 



4. Ventral portion of otolith projecting beyond dorsal portion anteriorly; ventral canal of cauda 

 only slightly expanded posteriorly Antimora 



Dorsal portion of otolith equal in length to ventral portion anteriorly, or projecting somewhat 

 beyond; ventral canal of cauda greatly expanded posteriorly Lepidion 



5. Ostium (anterior part of sulcus) comprising approximately one-half of otolith length 



(Pseudophycis-group) 6 



Ostium comprising approximately one-third or less of otolith length 8 



6. Anterior end of otolith greatly expanded dorsally Auchenoceros 



Anterior end of otolith pointed 7 



7. Dorsal rim of cauda longer than ventral rim; otolith knobby and greatly expanded in mid- 

 dle one-third Pseudophycis 



Dorsal rim of cauda shorter than ventral rim; otolith relatively smooth middorsally, never 

 expanded in central portion Lotella 



8. Dorsal rim of cauda about equal in length to ostium; about half as long as ventral rim 



(Physiculns-group) . . 9 



Dorsal rim of cauda about twice as long as ostium; more than eight-tenths as long as ven- 

 tral rim (Actuariolum-group) . . Actuariolum 



9. Otolith with a thin shelflike blade projecting ventrally from posterior portion of inner face 

 Microlepidium 



No ventral projection on inner face of otolith 9 



10. Otolith broadly rounded anteriorly; greatest height in anterior one-third of length Laemonema 



Otolith somewhat pointed anteriorly; greatest height in middle one-third Physiculus 



Tripterophycis 



571 



