FAMILY LABRIDAE — SCHULTZ 233 



The smallest specimens listed do not have any black spots on 

 caudal peduncle, nor on base of caudal fin or basally on soft rays 

 of anal or dorsal fins. 



Color when alive. — Based on kodachrome picture of female: Back- 

 ground coloration light olive; dark areas on scales blackish to dark 

 brownish; dorsal fin barred with brownish red; black spot in soft dorsal 

 surrounded by a white band; caudal fin yellowish, narrowly barred 

 with brownish red; anal fins with barred alternating narrow red and 

 yellow bars, the red bars surrounded with a light bluish tinge; dark 

 spots behind &j& and on opercle surrounded with brownish red; dark 

 streaks radiating from eye brownish, bordered with bluish and dark 

 brown edges, band below eye light pinkish, surrounding the light 

 brownish streak across cheek; snout pinkish. 



Ecology. — This labrid was observed in considerable abundance in 

 the intertidal area of the reefs where ample growths of corals and 

 algae occurred, as well as at depths to 45 feet. 



Remarks. — This is a small species of labrid and in our collections 

 specimens as large as 100 mm. in standard length are rare. The sexual 

 dimorphism in regard to color pattern is distinct, as illustrated in the 

 photographs. Mature or nearly mature eggs were observed in speci- 

 mens as short as 50 mm. 



The best characters for recognition of this species are (1) the light 

 and dark streaks on the head, (2) ocellate dark spot on soft dorsal 

 notably nearer distal edge of fin than its base, (3) anal fin not barred 

 with brown dots as in H. miniatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes), and 

 (4) pectoral rays usually ii,ll. 



HALICHOERES BIGCELLATUS, new species 

 FiGtJRE 104 



Holotype. — USNM 112940, Bikini Atoll, Arji Island, lagoon, 

 depth 20 to 40 feet, August 7, 1946, S-46-308, Brock and Herald, 1 

 specimen, 63 mm. 



Paratypes. — Bikini Island, July 24, 1947, Univ. Washington, 1 

 specimen, 73 mm.; Rongelap Atoll; USNM 112941, Lomuilal Island, 

 west side, lagoon reef, August 1, 1946, S-46-306, Herald, 1 specimen, 

 31.5 mm.; USNM 112942. Johnston Island, northern ocean reef, 

 August 28-29, 1947, Schultz, 1 specimen, 41 mm. 



Description. — In all the type specimens, the fin-ray counts are: 

 Dorsal IX, 12 ; anal 111,12 ; pectoral ii,l 1. Pores in lateral line 20+2+5, 

 with 2 rows above lateral line and 9 below it to anus. 



