78 



ONTOGENY AND SYSTEMATICS OF FISHES-AHLSTROM SYMPOSIUM 



Table 16. Pigment Characters of Ophkhthidae (Mvrophinae and Ophichthinae). 



to Fig. 36. 



+ = All or most species; ( + ) = some species only. Refer 



Characters 



Myrophinae 



Ophichlhinae 



Bas- 



Aturae- Myr- Seen- Pseudo- Ophich- Sphagc- canich- Calle- 



Ahiia mchthys ophis chelys myrophis thini branchini Ihyini chelyini 



B. 



C. 



D. 

 E. 

 F. 



Lateral pigment 

 A. Absent 



A single spot mid-laterally on nearly 

 every myomere 



An oblique row (or streak) of compact spots 

 below midlateral level 



1. On all or most myosepta 



2. On only a few myosepta, often associated 

 with deep axial pigment 



Round groups of spots scattered over body 

 Extra spots on dorsal and ventral myosepta 

 A group of spots midway along body 



Axial pigment 

 G. Several deep postanal pigment clusters below 

 vertebral column (sometimes preanal also; 

 may be associated with myomere pigment) 



Gut pigment 

 H. Scattered spots along gut, usually prominent 

 groups above upward loops, below downward 

 loops 



Irregular along length, mostly between nephric 

 duct and crest of each gut loop 

 Loop pigment associated with spots on body wall 

 Conspicuous pigment patch at crest of each gut loop 



I. 



J. 

 K. 



( + ) 

 ( + ) 



(+) + 



( + ) 

 ( + ) 



(+) 



(+) 

 ( + ) 

 ( + ) 



( + ) + 



(+) 



{+) 



Head pigment 

 L. Spots along upper jaw near bases of teeth and 



often on lower jaw 

 M. On postorbital region, pectoral base or 

 oesophagus 



Other pigment 

 N. On bases of anal rays 

 O. On body wall above anal base 

 P. On bases of dorsal rays 

 Q. On body wall below dorsal base, or before it 

 R. On caudal base 



(+) 



+ 

 + 



+ 



(+) 



