334 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



best be postponed until we know more of the functional morphology and ecology of these fishes. 

 Perhaps study of the Notosudidae and the new fishes mentioned on p. 333 will throw some light on 

 these interesting but somewhat intractable problems. 



SUMMARY 



This report deals with certain aspects of the classification and functional morphology of the alepi- 

 sauroid fishes. These are voracious, bathypelagic forms, which, together with the sub-order Mycto- 

 phoidea form the order Iniomi. 



Part I contains a revision of the Scopelarchidae, which are shown to fall into two well-marked 

 genera, Scopelarchus Alcock and Neoscopelarchoides Chapman. Two new species, Scopelarchus cavei 

 and Neoscopelarchoides dubius are described and N. elongatus (Norman) is redescribed. The remarkably 

 large larval form, Benthalbella infans Zugmayer is shown to be a young stage of a species of Neoscopel- 

 archoides. 



The remainder of the first part is taken up with a description of Macroparalepis molestus sp.n. and a 

 review of the family Anotopteridae. While there is no good evidence for regarding Anotopterus as 

 consisting of more than one species, A. pharao Zugmayer, there is some indication that this species may 

 be differentiated into northern and southern forms. 



Some discussion of the classification of the Iniomi, leading to certain considerations of functional 

 morphology, forms the second part of the report. Alepisauroids are compared and contrasted with 

 myctophoids and possible correlations between the presence and absence of a swim-bladder, the 

 degree of ossification of the skeleton and the setting of the pectoral fins are traced. Adaptations for 

 dealing with large prey and the development of intermuscular bones are also reviewed. 



In the concluding section, relationships within the Alepisauroidea are considered ; and finally there 

 is some discussion on the status of the order Iniomi. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



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Alcock, A., 1896. Natural history notes from H.M. Indian Marine Survey Steamer ' Investigator', Series II, No. 23. A supple- 

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Breder, C. M. 1926. The locomotion of fishes. Zoologica, N.Y. IV (5), pp. 159-297. 



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Brauer, A., 1902. Diagnosen von neuen Tiefseefischen, welche von der Valdivia-Expedition gesammelt sind. Zool. Ariz, xxv (668), 

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