FAMILY CIRRHITIDAE — SCHTJLTZ 259 



Genus CIRRHITUS Lacepede 



Cirrhiius Lacepede, Histoire uaturelle des poissous, vol. 5, p. 2, 1803 (type species, 

 Cirrhitus maculatus hacephde = Labnis pinnulahis Bloch and Schneider =Lao- 

 rus mannoratus Lacepfide). 

 Schultz (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 100, pp. 547-552, pi. 13, 1950) 

 described 3 new species in this genus. Smith (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, 

 ser. 12, vol. 4, pp. 629-632, fig. 1, 1951) described another, C. mossam- 

 bicus, on two specimens, 32 and 52 mm. in length. Study of the types 

 of nigropunctatus in the National IVIuseum, and of a specimen (MCZ 

 5761) from Mauritius, in comparison with J. L. B. Smith's figure of 

 C. mossambicus, indicates that the latter is the young of nigropunctatus. 

 The position of the dark bars and dark blotches on the back and 

 ventrally, agree perfectly with the same ones on nigropunctatus and 

 the dark streaks on the head correspond with those of nigropunctatus, 

 which has been known previously only from adult specimens from 

 Mauritius. The other small black spots are suggestive of nigropunctatus 

 and not pinnulatus. 



It is probable that Smith has placed too much emphasis on the 

 scales on the gill membranes since in this genus they are partially 

 embedded, and on the young they may be absent or may not appear 

 without considerable drying of the membranes. It is unfortunate 

 that Dr. Smith lacked comparative material from the tropical Pacific. 

 Seldom does one have sufficient specimens to work out these problems. 

 Cirrhitus betaurus Gill is a synonym of C. rivulatus (Valenciennes), 

 see Tee-Van (Zoologica, New York Zool. Soc.,- vol. 25, pt. 1, pp. 

 54-58, 1940). 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF CIRRHITUS 

 la. Vertical scale rows from upper edge of gill opening to base of caudal fin 

 (counted just above lateral line) 46 to 49; dorsal rays X,ll or 12; anal 

 111,6 or 7; gill rakers 5 or 6+1 + 9 to 11; scales on gill membranes over 

 isthmus deeply embedded; young with 5 or 6 irregular vertical dark 

 brown bars that with growth break up into round or oblong spots which 

 have pale centers and are bordered by a dark brown Hne, outside of 

 which is a white line; background color pale. (American Tropical 



Pacific.) C. rivulatus (Valenciennes) 



16. Vertical scale rows fewer than 44. 



2a. Head and body with numerous tiny white specks or spots arranged in rows 

 on sides; background coloration brownish, with about 5 indistinct 

 vertical dark bars; no black spots; gill membranes without scales; 

 vertical scale rows about 38 or 39; plate 110, C. (Niuafoo Island, Tonga 



group.) C. albopunctatus Schultz 



2b. Color pattern not of tiny white spots; gill membranes over isthmus with 



tiny embedded scales on adults, these probably absent in young. 



3o. Head, and body dorsally and anteriorly, with numerous but scattered 



tiny dark brown or black specks; scales 41 or 42; plate 110,B. 



(Mauritius.) C. nigropunctatus Schultz 



