1941 CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS 257 



Labrisomus gobio (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 



Clinus gobio Cuvier and Valenciennes (part), Hist. nat. poiss., vol. n, 1836, p. 395 — 



Lesser Antilles. 

 Gobioclinus gobio Gill (part), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, vol. 12, i860, p. 103. 



Not known to occur at Tortugas. 



The "types" of Clinus gobio consist of a lot of 5 small fish, which prove to 

 belong to two species. To the largest one of the 5 precedence is given in the 

 original description. Though not now in good condition, it is still readily enough 

 recognizable. The smaller fish belong to the species Evermann and Marsh (see 

 p. 246) later named Gillias jordani. 



The length of the single "Clinus" included in the lot, which must be con- 

 sidered the type, is about 50 mm.; length to base of caudal 42 mm.; head 14 mm.; 

 eye 5.0 mm. D. XVIII,u; A. 11,19; P. 13; V. 1,3; no scales before dorsal origin, 

 and there appear to have been 48 or 49 in lateral line; 3 or 4 palatine teeth on 

 either side, which are abruptly larger than the 10 or so in a single series along 

 anterior border of vomer; ocular cirrus transverse and pectinate; nuchal cirri 

 also pectinate, and separated by a distance equal to base of either; color pattern 

 completely lost. 



Rare in collections. The smaller Bahaman specimen to which Nichols referred 

 in his description of Labrisomus heilneri belongs here, as do 3 from Cuba which 

 are now with L. bucciferus in the U. S. National Museum (no. 82529). 



In the 4 fish just mentioned I find D. XIX,n or 12; A. 11,19; P- l 3> ventrals 

 short, not reaching vent; scales about 5-48 or 49-13. Dorsal with a depression 

 before the last spine which is deeper than in L. bucciferus. The five brownish 

 bars crossing the body are continuous rather than subcontinuous, are more 

 regular in outline than in bucciferus, and do not continue sharply and narrowly 

 on the anal fin. 



This seems to be a small species, as the largest known example is only about 

 50 mm. long. The short snout, thick head, and deep notch in the dorsal fin tend 

 to identify it. 



Lesser Antilles to the Bahamas. W. H. L. 



Starksia Jordan and Evermann 



Star\sia Jordan and Evermann, in Jordan, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, vol. 6, 1896, p. 231 

 (Labrosomus cremnobates Gilbert). 



Brannerella Gilbert, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., vol. 2, 1900, p. 180 (5. brasihensis Gil- 

 bert = Clinus ocellatus Steindachner). 



This genus was segregated from Labrisomus on the ground that it has larger 

 scales, palatine teeth, a short soft dorsal fin, and no comb of nuchal filaments. 

 Species of Labrisomus do have palatine teeth, however, and it is a comb of nuchal 

 filaments that is lacking, and not filaments themselves, as each fish has an in- 

 conspicuous pair. 



The distinctions between Brannerella and Starhjia, after examination of the 

 type material, do not seem sufficient to retain the two as separate genera. 



W. H. L. 



