258 



PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



Starksia ocellata (Steindachner) 



Clinns ocellatus Steindachner, Ichthyol. Beitr., No. 5, 1876, p. 182, pi. 12, fig. 5 — Bahamas. 

 Malacoctenus culebrae Evermann and Marsh, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., pt. 25, 1899 (1900), 



p. 357 — Culebra Island, Puerto Rico; Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., vol. 20, pt. 1, 1900 (1902), 



p. 308, fig. 96. 

 Brannerella brasiliensis Gilbert, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., vol. 2, 1900, p. 180, pi. 9, 



fig. 1 — Maceio, Brazil. 



Common at Tortugas, where it may be obtained by picking up and breaking 

 isolated clusters of the branching Pontes porites from the inner margin of Bird 

 Key reef, or at depths of 10 feet, where it occurs under the sea urchin Cen- 

 trechinus setosum, and in eroded corals, particularly near the northern end of 

 Loggerhead bank. It was taken several times in 10 fathoms within the Tortugas 

 atoll, and the British Museum has a specimen obtained in 34 fathoms, at n° 50' 

 S, 38 47' W. 



It does not "sit" with its body elevated on its ventral fins as do species of 

 Malacoctenus with which it was associated. When its covering urchin is removed 

 it slips quickly into crevices in the coral. 



In specimens 40 to 47 mm. in total length, the snout is less than the eye, 5.0 in 

 head; the head equals the depth, 5.0 in length; scales in lateral line 39; D. XXI,8 

 or 9, the first 3 spines shorter and weaker, the fin deeply emarginate at the 19th 

 spine; A. II,i8 or 19 in females; I-L18 or 19 in males. The urogenital papilla 

 extends along anterior face of 1st anal spine and projects beyond its tip, spine and 

 duct together forming an intromittent organ, as the corresponding structures in 

 the female clearly indicate. Ventrals short, 1,3, last ray rudimentary, extending 

 little more than halfway to vent; P. 14, rays all simple, reaching 2d anal spine; a 

 simple tentacle on anterior nostril, one over eye, and one on either side of nape; 

 teeth close-set, recurved canines, a single row in either jaw, an additional patch 

 of villiform teeth in the angle; shorter and blunter teeth on vomer and palatines. 



Body with dark saddle-like blotches or half-bands, the first on occiput, the 

 second on nape, center of third under 1st spine, the fourth under 2d and 3d 

 spines; seven others following; two series of smaller and more numerous blotches 

 below; orange spots below and before eye; dark spots with orange centers on 

 cheek and opercle, pectoral base, and base of pectoral rays, all smaller than pupil; 

 some specimens with spots of the same sort, with less conspicuous orange centers, 

 on trunk throughout its length, perhaps more common in males, but not strictly 

 a secondary sexual character; brown spots in oblique rows running down and 

 back on dorsal fin supports; caudal crossbanded with yellow; anal irregularly 

 mottled anteriorly, orange-spotted posteriorly; lower jaw dark at tip; no mark- 

 ings under throat. 



The shade is highly changeable, generally in adaptation to the shade of the 

 surroundings. W. H. L. 



The collection contains 16 specimens, 12 to 41 mm. long. The following pro- 

 portions and enumerations are based on 2 specimens, 25 and 32 mm. in standard 

 length, and a paratype of Malacoctenus culebrae, which has been synonymized 



