JOHNSON: PERCOIDEI 



467 



Fig. 255. (A) Ambassidae— I'elamhassis jacksonensis. 5.5 mm SL; (B) Opislognathidae—Opislognarhus sp.. 6 mm SL; (C) Pseudochromidae, 

 8.1 mm SL. from Leis and Renins (1983); (D) Acanlhochnidne—Acanlhoclirwslrilmealus. 10.0 mm, from Crossland (1982); (E) Callanthiidae — 

 Grammatonotus laysanus. 13.7 mm SL, from Leis and Rennis (1983); (F) CaWanXhwdae—Callanlhiaspelontanus. 8 mm TL, from Fage (1918); 

 (G) Con%xogzA\(i?Le—Congrogadus suhducens. 1 1.8 mm SL; (H) Monodactylidae— A/ono(/acO'/i« sebae. 5.2 mm SL, from Akatsu et al. (1977); 

 (I) Pempherididae — Pfm/jAmi sp., 5.5 mm SL, from Leis and Rennis (1983); (J) Op\e%mi\\\\dae-Oplcf>nathus fasciatus. 7.5 mm SL. 



number of salient features (not mentioned above) that cast doubt 

 on its affinities with the Percoidei. The second preurai centrum 

 bears a full neural spine, and there are no autogenous haemal 

 spines. Strong parapophyses begin on the first centrum, and 

 pleural ribs may begin on the first, second or third vertebra. 

 The first neural arch is fused to its respective centrum. The 

 pelvic fin is inserted well behind the pectoral fin base and the 

 pelvic girdle docs not contact the cleithra. The first pharyngo- 

 branchial and interarcual cartilage are absent and what is ap- 

 parently the uncinate process of the first epibranchial articulates 



directly with the second pharyngobranchial. The fourth phar- 

 yngobranchial, usually cartilaginous in percoids, is absent. The 

 proximal base of the medial half of the uppermost pectoral ray 

 does not extend laterally to form a process for articulation with 

 the scapular condyle (also true of at least some cyprinodontoids 

 and gobioids). Finally, the ossified portion of the ethmoid con- 

 sists of two, closely applied, disc-like bones, a condition listed 

 as one of the defining characteristics of the Atherinomorpha by 

 Rosen (1964) and Rosen and Parenti (1981). (They did not 

 discuss the distribution of this character among other groups. 



