Fig. 27 — Hygophum proximum , holotype, male, 37.8 mm. From Becker (1965, p. 82, 



fig. 7). 



Description 



D. 13 (12-14); A. 19-20 (18-21); P. 14 (13-15); AO 5-6 (4-7) + 6-7 (5-8), total 11-12 (10-14); 

 gill rakers 4-5 +1 + 13 (11-14), total 18-19 (16-20); vertebrae 36 (35-37). 



Pectoral origin below level of center of pupil. SAO, usually nearer VO3 than to VO2, but 

 occasionally about midway between. Three or 4 AOp over anal base. Upper jaw short, barely 

 reaching past hind margin of orbit. Body rather deep, about 4 in SL. 



Supracaudal glands of males large, undivided, filling three-fourths or more of the supra- 

 caudal space (Figs. 26, 27). H. proximum has a larger supracaudal gland than any other 

 species of the genus. Females bear a small, elongate infracaudal gland, consisting of 2 or 3 

 fused elements. The glands of both sexes are evident at about 25 mm. 



Size: To about 50 mm. 



Least depth of capture: At surface at night. 



Distribution: This species is widespread in the warmer waters of the Pacific and Indian 

 Oceans (Fig. 25). It has not been reported from the Atlantic Ocean. 



Hygophum atratum 



(Carman, 1899) 



Fig. 28 — Hygophum atratum, female, 55.0 mm. 



35 



