i 9 4i CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS j^ 



resolved into spots if expanded, and a great central greenish-gray area with large 

 dark spots becoming exposed, the undersurface of fin pale along its upper 

 margin, otherwise slate-colored. W. H. L. 



The collection contains 12 specimens, 60 to 175 mm. long. These were com- 

 pared with the type (U. S. Nat. Mus. no. 36944), with which they agree, except 

 that the type has no nasal barbels, which may have been lost. All the Tortugas 

 specimens, except the 60-mm. one, have them. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 3 specimens, no, 

 160, and 175 mm. long: Head 2.7 to 3.1; depth 4.2 to 4.3; ventral 2.8 to 3.3; pec- 

 toral 1.6 to 1.8. Eye in head 4.3 to 4.6; snout 1.9 to 2.0; mandible 2.1 to 2.25; inter- 

 orbital 7.4 to 9.7; caudal peduncle 4.2 to 5.0. D. IX or X-12 or 13; A. 11; P. 13 or 

 14 + 3; scales 90 to 98; gill rakers 9 or 10. 



Gulf of Mexico. S. F. H. 



Prionotus microlepis Longley and Hildebrand 



Prionotus microlepis Longley and Hildebrand, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. 517, 1940, 

 p. 254, fig. 16 — Tortugas, Florida. 



Bellator egretta (Goode and Bean) 



Apparently far less numerous than Bellator militaris, as only 14 specimens, 55 

 to 150 mm. long, were secured. These were taken in about 50 to 60 fathoms. 



The color of the larger specimens was reddish, with about six parallel yellow 

 lines running up and back on soft dorsal; lower part of side and upper half of 

 caudal sparsely spotted with yellow; belly white; first dorsal irregularly marked 

 with dusky yellow; anal and lower half of caudal red. Smaller individuals, be- 

 tween 50 and 60 mm. long, were flesh-colored and mottled with red; belly white; 

 an ocellus on outer part of membrane of spinous dorsal between the 4th and 5th 

 spine, apparently disappearing with age; anal and lower third of caudal rosy; 

 pectoral barred. 



The information concerning the local distribution and color was compiled 

 from Dr. Longley's field notes. 



The collection contains 10 specimens, 55 to 150 mm. long. In this species the 

 1st dorsal spine only, instead of the first 2 as in B. militaris, bears a long filament. 

 This is a good diagnostic character when present. It is lost (or undeveloped) in 

 all except 2 specimens in the collection. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 3 specimens, 96, 120, 

 and 150 mm. long: Head 2.1 to 2.25; depth 3.8 to 4.0; ventral 3.0 to 3.4; pectoral 

 2.5 to 2.8. Eye in head 4.3 to 4.75; snout 2.3 to 2.5; interorbital 10.5 to 11.6; 

 mandible 2.8 to 2.9; caudal peduncle 6.2 to 7.0. D. Xl-n; A. n; P. 9 to n +3; 

 scales about 92; pores about 58; gill rakers 9. 



West Indies to Florida, in moderately deep water. S. F. H. 



Bellator militaris (Goode and Bean) 



Fairly common at depths of 40 to 95 fathoms, as many as 26 specimens having 

 been taken in a single haul. The largest one secured was 120 mm. long. 



