62 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 9 



13. Syngnathus spicifer Riippell 



Syngnathus spicifer Riippell, Neue Wirbelthiere, Fische des Rothen 



Meeres, 1840, p. 143. 

 Syngnathus spicifer Regan, Biol. Centr. Amer., Pisces, pt. 2, 1907, p. 54. 

 An Indo-Pacific species, but recorded by Regan from Tehuantepec; 

 record doubtful. 



14. Syngnathus tweedliei Meek and Hildebrand 



Syngnathus tweedliei Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., 

 Zool., vol. 15, 1923, p. 259, pi. 18, fig. 1. 

 Known only from Chame Point, Panama ; 4 specimens examined. 



In the species list the number of specimens examined refers only to 

 those individuals available from the Pacific coasts. An asterisk before a 

 synonymized name indicates that the name has hitherto been unrecog- 

 nized in the relationship as presented in this paper. 



For the purposes of the key, the ring bearing the pectoral fins is 

 counted as the first body ring and the ring bearing the anus as the last 

 trunk ring. Since the anus is usually located on the posterior part of this 

 last trunk ring, the anal fin, which immediately follows, generally marks 

 the first tail ring. Occasionally it will be found that the anus is extremely 

 posterior on the anal ring, or on the dividing line between the anal ring 

 and the first tail ring or just over the line and very anterior on the follow- 

 ing segment. In these three cases the anal ring is counted as the last ring 

 over which the digestive tract completely extends. All rays of the dorsal 

 fin are counted including the last one or two, which in small specimens 

 are missed by most ichthyologists. The measurement of the head is taken 

 from the most anterior point on the specimen, with the mouth firmly 

 closed, to the most posterior edge on the opercle. 



When more specimens are available, S. tweedliei may prove to be 

 synonymous with S. auliscus and S. bairdianus with S. acus; S. acicularis 

 may subsequently prove to be a valid species, but on the basis of the pres- 

 ent material it cannot be separated from acus. 



