2 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 202 Vol. 2 



The primary characters forming the basis for the natural groups in 



the family are the differentiation of the dentition and the presence or 



absence of scales on the soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. These 



differences are tentatively summarized in the key to the genera and 



in the discussion under the generic accounts. Tlie critical characters 



most useful in distinguishing the species are given in the keys to the 



species under each genus and in the discussions in the descriptive 



accounts of the species. The genera Upeneus, Mulloidichthys , and 



Parupeneus are reported for the Marianas, but only the latter two 



were taken in the Marshall Islands. The following tabulation shows 



the number of species in each genus from the three geographical areas: 



Marshall Marianas 

 Islands Islands Oceania 



Upeneus 1 4 or 5 



Mulloidichthys 3 14 



Parupeneus 5 4 15 



The range of the data given for the following characters is common 

 to all species reported herein for Oceania: Dorsal rays VIII-i,8 

 (Upeneus VII or VIII-i,8), anal rays I,i,6; pectoral rays 12 to 18; 

 pelvic rays 1,5; caudal rays, upper lobe-lower lobe, i, 7+6,1; vertical 

 scale rows 27 to 39; scale rows above lateral line 3, rarely 2; scale rows 

 below lateral line 5 to 7; scale rows around narrowest portion of 

 caudal peduncle 14 to 16 (14 only in Parupeneus); total number of 

 gill rakers on first right arch 19 to 42; scales ctenoid, with 4 to 9 radii; 

 lateral line complete. 



In order to determine the extent of infraspecific divergence the 

 wide-ranging species were studied from areas other than Oceania 

 when collections were available. The coloration, proportional, 

 and meristic characters were recorded for each species. Wherever 

 the data may be significant or of interest it is tabulated, segregated 

 by locahty, and included under the descriptive account of the species. 

 The specimens studied are listed by geographical areas. 



In general, there is very little infraspecific differentiation among 

 the wide-ranging species in the numerous, scattered populations from 

 the Red Sea to the Hawaiian Islands. Some divergence on a low 

 racial level is exhibited by several species which differ mainly in the 

 total number of gill rakers. 



KEY TO THE GENERA OF MULLIDAE 

 la. Dentition complete, teeth on vomer, palatines, and on both jaws. 



Upeneus Cuvier and Valenciennes 

 16. Dentition incomplete, the palatines and vomerine teeth, or the palatines, or 

 those of the upper jaw, absent. 



