438 BULLETIN 188, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 

 SYNAPTURA OKIENTALIS Bloch 



Pleuronectes orientalis Bloch, in Schneider, 1801, p. 157 (Tranquebar). 

 Synaptura orientalis Hora, 1923b, p. 182 (Nontaburi). — Fowler, 1935a, p. 132, 



figs. 79-83 (Bangkok). 

 Brachirus orientalis Fowler, 1937, p. 216 (Bangkok). 



Of wide distribution in the Orient (such as India, East Indies, 

 Singapore, Indo-China, China), this species is fairly common in parts 

 of Thailand, in brackish and fresh waters. Fresh-water specimens 

 have been collected in the inner lake of the Tale Sap (one fish 14.7 cm. 

 long July 4, 1929) , in the Tapi River above Bandon (a fish 16.8 cm. long 

 September 20, 1923), and in various parts of the Menam Chao Phya 

 from Paknam to Ayuthia, the largest examples being about 22 cm. long. 



In six specimens from fresh waters, the lateral-line scales ranged 

 from 77 to 85 (average 82.6), the dorsal rays numbered 58 to 67 (aver- 

 age 61.5), and the anal rays numbered 45 to 47 (average 46). 



Common names borne by the fish in most places are fla lin ma and 

 pla lin ktoai. In the Tale Sap the name pla pluk is in use. 



SYNAPTUEA HARMANDI Sauvage 



Synaptura (AnisocMrus) harmandi SAtrvAGB, 1878a, p. 94 (Mekong). 



There seems to be no record for this species following the original 

 description by Sauvage of a specimen collected in the Mekong by 

 Harmancl. The reduced number of dorsal and anal rays and of scales 

 in the lateral line would seem to validate the species. Sauvage placed 

 it in Giinther's subgenus AnisocMrus^ characterized by having the pec- 

 toral fin on the blind side longer than that on the other side. 



SYNAPTURA PANOIDES Bleekcr 



Synaptura panoides BLEEKm, 1851 (49), p. 440 (Bandjermassing, Borneo) ; 1865 

 (347), p. 33 (Siam) ; 1865 (356), p. 172 (Siam).— von Maktens, 1876, p. 398 

 (Bangkok). — Saltvagb, 1883b, p. 151 (Menam Chao Phya). — V^ebee and de 

 Beatjtort, 1929, vol. 5, p. 174 (Siam). 



Synaptura siamensis Sauvage, 1878a, p. 94 (Stung Strang, Laos). 



Inhabiting the sea and the lower courses of rivers in Borneo, Su- 

 matra, Malaya, and Thailand, this species is common in the last-named 

 country, and besides being known from the Gulf of Siam pushes its 

 way far inland into waters that are always fresh. Specimens have 

 been examined from Bangkok, Nontaburi, Pakret, Koh Yai, and 

 Ayuthia in the Menam Chao Phya ; and in December 1923 specimens 

 were collected at the head of the Menam Chao Phya near Paknampo, 

 several hundred kilometers from the sea. The fish has been taken also 

 from the Tapi River above Bandon in Peninsular Thailand. 



A maximum length in excess of 24 cm. has been met with in Thailand, 

 and many over 20 cm. long have been examined. 



