390 tr.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 02 VoL 2 



Family CARAPIDAE: Pearlfishes 

 By Leonard P. Schultz 



The recognition of more than one vaUd genus for the family Cara- 

 pidae has been questioned by Parr (Bull. Bingham Oceanogr. Coll., 

 vol. 3, art. 4, pp. 133-136, 1930) and from time to time by other 

 authors. The extensive material before me (61 jars containing one or 

 more specimens) has made it possible to give some needed attention 

 to the genera of this family. Without doubt six distinct genera 

 should be recognized. They are diagnosed in the following key: 



KEY TO THE GENERA OF CARAPIDAE 



la. Premaxillary protractile; anus behind pectoral fin base opposite a point one 

 fourth to one half the length of pectoral fin out from its base; pectoral 

 fin notably longer than postorbital length of head; a pair of fanglike 

 canines at front of both upper and lower jaws; first three gill rakers 

 next to angle on lower limb of first gill arch elongate, the remainder 

 short; maxillary freely movable posteriorly; peritonuem black; greatest 

 depth of body 1.2 to 1.3 in length of head of adults; dorsal origin in 

 front of a vertical line through anus, about 1.0 to 1.3 head lengths 

 behind tip of snout. 



2a. No pelvic rudiments Snyderidia^' Gilbert 



26. Pelvic rudiments present Pyr amodon ^ Smith and Radcliflf e 



1&, Premaxillary not protractile, at least bound to the snout with a frenum; 

 anus in front of a vertical line through middle of base of pectoral fin; 

 pectoral fin, if present, notably shorter than postorbital length of head; 

 no long fanglike canines at front of jaws; greatest depth of body about 

 l}i to 2 times in head length of adults. 

 3a. Maxillary not free and movable, bound firmly by tissue to head; no canine- 

 like teeth on jaws, minute teeth on jaws and palatines; a few short 

 conical teeth on vomer; none of the gill rakers on first arch notably 

 longer than others, all very short; posteriorly the median fins black- 

 ish; peritoneum with scattered blackish pigmented areas. 

 4a. Pectoral fins well developed, about twice in postorbital length of head. 



Jordanicus Gilbert 



46. Pectoral fins absent Encheliophis Miiller 



36. Maxillary posteriorly free and movable; with or without caninelike teeth 

 in jaws; usually somewhat enlarged conical teeth on vomer; first 

 three gill rakers next to angle of lower limb of first gill arch notably 

 elongate, the others short; pectoral fin well developed, its length once 

 or twice in postorbital length of head. 



»2 Snyderidia Oilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish. Comm., vol. 23 (1903), pt. 2, p. 654, pi. 92, 1905 (type species, 

 Snyderidia canhia Gilbert; Hawaiian Islands). 



« PyTamodon Smith and Radcliffe, in Radclifle Proe. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 44, p. 175, pi. 17, fig. 3, 1913 

 (type species, Pyramodon ventTolis Smith and Radclifle; Dutch East Indies, near Doworra Island). 



The Inclusion of Snyderidia and Pyramodon In the family Carapidae indicates the close relationship among 

 the families allied to the pearlfishes such as Brotulldae and Lycodapidae and possibly some of the Zoarcldae. 

 The numerous genera In these families are so variable and confusing In relationships that a clear separation 

 has not as yet been made. 



