I00 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



Mycteroperca interstitialis (Poey) 



Serranus interstitialis Poey, Memorias, vol. 2, i860, p. 127 — Cuba. 



Serranus dimidiatus Poey, ibid., p. 129. 



Serranus jalcatus Poey, ibid., p. 138. 



Mycteroperca calliura Poey, Repertorio, vol. 1, 1865, p. 181 — Cuba. 



Trisotropis chlorostomus Poey, ibid., vol. 2, 1867, p. 231 — Cuba. 



Mycteroperca falcata phenax Jordan and Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 7, 1884, p. 363 



— Key West, Florida. 

 Mycteroperca interstitialis Longley, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Year Book No. 34, 1935, p. 283. 



A single individual about a foot long was observed and captured on rocky 

 bottom at East Key. 



It is notable for its changeable coloration. It appeared in a striped pattern, with 

 a median light line on back, originating on tip of projecting lower jaw, lying 

 wholly between and touching nostrils, a little narrower than interorbital, becom- 

 ing narrower toward origin of dorsal, and continuing to base of caudal; upper 

 part of side dark above level of lower margin of eye and horizontally to base of 

 caudal, forming a dark lateral band, separated at tip of snout by the end of the 

 pale median stripe; spinous dorsal largely yellow, particularly toward margin; 

 pectorals yellow toward anterior margins; all other fins dusky, except upper and 

 lower dark margins of caudal. 



After this fish was captured, and somewhat hurt in the process, and as it was 

 taken to the laboratory in a tub, it changed its appearance almost completely. 

 Although the stripes did not disappear entirely, the fish acquired dark bands, 

 consisting of a pair on interorbital, two on nape, two under spinous dorsal, one 

 under soft dorsal, and one narrower than the others on caudal peduncle. 



The foregoing, exclusive of the synonymy, was compiled from Dr. Longley's 

 field notes. The synonymy is based on a published record by Dr. Longley (see 

 citation above), who prepared a statement explaining how he reached the con- 

 clusions pertaining to the synonymy. The original is lost, however, and I have 

 only a carbon copy, which is so indistinct that it can be read only in part. All that 

 can be learned from it is that Dr. Longley reached his conclusions after examin- 

 ing specimens in various museums. 



West Indies and Florida, sometimes straying northward. S. F. H. 



Mycteroperca microlepis (Goode and Bean). Gag 



This species apparently is mentioned only four times in Dr. Longley's notes. 

 These entries were all made in 1921, an indication that the species does not occur 

 regularly in shallow water about Tortugas. Twice he observed it near the Labora- 

 tory dock, once south of Loggerhead Key, and once on Bird Key reef flats. Both 

 young and adults, up to about 20 inches in length, were seen among gorgonians. 

 One fish was seen swallowing Bathystoma rimator about a third its own length. 



The following is based on a small specimen: D. XL17; A. IIL11; gill rakers 

 about 14; nostrils subequal; angle of preopercle salient; teeth partly depressible. 



Dr. Longley noted concerning color: "Saw a small gag with many spots in 

 vertical bands. Posterior margin of caudal dark." This is the fish on which the 



