Distribution: The capture localities of L. gemellarii in the eastern Pacific indicate a 

 widespread distribution (Fig. 81), although the captures appear to be sporadic — a cir- 

 cumstance not readily explained. The few occurrences in the southeastern sector (including a 

 possible new form) are bolstered by the taking of 21 specimens (24-59 mm) identified as L. 

 gemellarii in the area of 3r-34° S, 77°-9r W (Craddock and Mead, 1970). 



Fig. 81— Capture localities for Lobianchia n. sp. ? (solid squares), L. gemellarii (open 

 squares), and L. dofleini (open circles). 



Discussion 



Three specimens, two males from the southeastern Pacific and one female from the Indian 

 Ocean, differ from L. gemellarii, as described above, in having VLO midway between lateral 

 line and pelvic base, rather than much nearer the latter, and having 4+1 + 10 gill rakers 

 instead of 5+ 1 + 12 (11-14). The two specimens (48 and 60 mm) from the southeastern Pacific 

 have the supracaudal luminous gland typical of males of L. gemellarii. The Indian Ocean 

 specimen (59 mm) has an infracaudal gland similar to the "Y" of the female from the Pacific 

 Ocean. 



At present, inadequate material of L. gemellarii, in good condition, is available to deter- 

 mine the limits of variation in numbers of gill rakers and positions of PLO and VLO, or to state 

 whether these specimens are variants or represent an undescribed form. 



Lobianchia dofleini 



(Zugmayer, 1911) 



Description 



D. 16: A. 13; P. 12-13; AO 5 (4-6), total 10 (9-11); gill rakers 5+1+13 (14), total 19 (20); 

 vertebrae 33-34. 



This species is basically very similar to L. gemellarii; Pol is nearer lateral line than to end 

 of anal base and lies over or slightly before, but occasionally behind, that base. Last Pre far 

 back on caudal rays. 



96 



