Family LABRIDAE 

 By Leonard P. Schultz 



This large and variable family was represented in the Marshall and 

 Marianas Islands by numerous genera and species. Since the number 

 of pelvic rays are always 1,5, they are not recorded for the species. In 

 counting pores in the lateral line, the abrupt arch opposite the rear 

 base of dorsal fin is represented in the formula by a middle figure, for 

 example, 18+2-1-6, with 18 pores in dorsal lateral line, 2 pores in 

 arch, and 6 in peduncular lateral line. The number of pores in the 

 lateral line may not represent the number of vertical scale rows from 

 upper edge of gill opening to base of caudal fin, since in those forms 

 with an interrupted lateral line there may be some overlapping of 

 lateral lines. The pores were counted to the base of the caudal fin. 

 Scales above lateral line were counted to the base of the first soft 

 dorsal ray and below to anal fin origin. 



The following key is intended only to distinguish those genera 

 found in the Marshall and Marianas Islands. 



KEY TO THE GENERA OF LABRIDAE 



la. Preopercular edge denticulate posteriorly, the edge is free posteriorly as 

 much as ventrally; gill membranes joined across isthmus, forming a 

 broad free fold. 

 2a. Lateral line continuous not interrupted. 



3a. Lateral line gently sloping to midlengthwise axis of caudal peduncular 



region; branched caudal rays 6 + 6; pores in lateral Une 27 to 35; 



pectoral rays ii,13 to 16; 2 pairs of canines in each jaw; sides 



of head and bases of median fins scaled. 



4a. Dorsal rays XII or XIII,6 to 8; anal 111,8 to 10; pores in lateral 



line 27 to 29, with 2 scales above and 8 or 9 below it. 



Choerodon Sleeker 

 4&, Dorsal rays XII,9 to 11; anal 111,10 to 13; pores in lateral line 29 to 

 35, with 3 or 4 scales above and 10 to 13 below it. 



Bodianus 2» Bloch 



36. Lateral line with abrupt drop or curve to midlengthwise axis of caudal 



peduncle; dorsal rays IX to XI, 9 to 12; pectoral i or ii,10 to 12; 



branched caudal rays 5+5; pores in lateral line 15 or 16 + 2 + 6 or 7, 



with 2 scales above and 6 below lateral line Pteragogus Peters 



2b. Lateral line interrupted; branched caudal rays 6 + 5; anal 111,8 to 10; 

 scales above lateral line 1 or 2 and 6 or 7 below it. 

 5a. Dorsal rays IX,11; pectoral ii,12 or 13; pores in lateral line 14 or 15 + 5 

 to 7; enlarged canines at tips of upper and of lower jaws in two 

 pairs, outer pair of upper jaw somewhat hooked backward. 



Pseudocheilinops, new genus 



" Bodianus Bloch, Naturgeschichte der ausiandlschen FIsche, vol. 4, pp. 31, 33, 1790 (type species, 

 Bodianus bodianus Bloch=Labrus rujus Linnaeus) 



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