1941 CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS jj_ 



one. Furthermore, the scales are much smaller in the smaller species, which has 



about 123 to 134 in a lateral series, whereas the larger one has only about 79 to 85. 



West Indies to Brazil and Florida. S. F. H. 



Family SCOMBRIDAE. Mackerels; Tunas 



Scomberomorus regalis (Bloch) 



A single specimen was seen in shallow water, where it is apparently rare in 

 summer. Numbers were caught while trolling outside the lagoon. W. H. L. 



This fish is not numerous at Key West during the summer, but it is abundant 

 enough there during the winter to be a food fish of importance. A similar 

 seasonal range in abundance may prevail at Tortugas, where the investigations 

 were not carried through the winter. 



It is rather close to Scomberomorus maculatus. Presumably it grows somewhat 

 larger, as a maximum weight of 35 pounds is reported. Adults may be distin- 

 guished by the small scales on the pectoral fins, by the dark longitudinal line or 

 lines on the side, and by the black on the anterior part of the spinous dorsal, 

 which does not involve the base of the fin. 



Massachusetts to Brazil. S. F. H. 



Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill). Spanish mackerel 



Taken occasionally in summer trolling. Several young, 33 to 35 mm. long, 

 dipped up under a light at boat's side at night are believed to be this species. 

 Three had fin rays as follows: D. XIX-24 to 26; A. 11,25; for what are eventually 

 to be free finlets (9 in the dorsal and 8 in the anal) are at this stage of develop- 

 ment merely rays stronger than the others, and still united by membrane. 



Body slightly pigmented above; the rest silvery. A black spot covering the 

 first three dorsal webs. W. H. L. 



This species is abundant in the vicinity of Key West only from about Novem- 

 ber to April, when large quantities are marketed. This seasonal change in 

 abundance probably extends to Tortugas. 



This is the smallest of the three local species of the genus, rarely exceeding 

 20 pounds. Adults have roundish yellow spots on the upper part of the sides, and 

 the spinous dorsal anteriorly (involving about 3 to 6 spines) is black to the base. 

 There are no scales on the pectoral fins as in Scomberomorus regalis. 



Middle Atlantic states to Brazil, also on the Pacific coast of tropical America. 



S. F. H. 

 Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier). Kingfish 



Not common in summer. Only 2 seen off the Laboratory wharf. W. H. L. 



Gudger (Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. 391, 1929, p. 164) reported a single speci- 

 men from Tortugas, 652 mm. long, caught by trolling. Jordan and Thompson 

 (Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish., vol. 24, 1904 (1905), p. 237) stated, "Often taken by 



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