REVISION OF THE FISH FAMILY LIPARIDAE / 



Gyrinichlhys minytremus Gyrinichthys minytremus. 



Paraliparis holomelas Careproctus gilberii (Stations 4292, 4293). 



Paraliparis deani (Stations 4194, 4203, 4251 



4253, 4255, 4292, 4293). 

 Nedoliparis pelagicus (Stations 4252, 4257 

 4258). 



Paraliparis cephalus Paraliparis cephalus. 



Paraliparis ulochir Paraliparis ulochir. 



Rhinoliparis barbulifer Rhinoliparis barb ulifer. 



DEFINITIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURE 



The structure of the Liparidae has been greatly modified as the 

 species became adapted to the deep sea. The extent of these changes 

 in structure throughout the family are briefly outlined in the succeed- 

 ing pages. The definitions of the terms used and method of taking 

 measurements are best illustrated by the following diagram of the 

 external anatomy of a Liparid. For a discussion of the taxonomic 

 importance of the specific character see under each genus. 



Sexual dimorphism. — Few of the species are known to show sexual 

 difterences. In Liparis atlanticus and Liparis rutteri the males, and 

 possibly the females to a less degree, at the breeding season have the 

 anterior dorsal fin elevated and the male of the former species has the 

 body covered with "thumb-tack" prickles. Of the other species 

 with prickles some have them in both sexes but more commonly they 

 appear to be confined to the male. The various color phases should 

 be investigated in relation to sex. 



Body. — ^The shape of the body varies widely. The species which 

 live in the tide pools or very shallow water usually have a short, 

 depressed, and comparatively firm body. The species of the greater 

 depths typically are compressed, more elongate, and less firm. It 

 may be said in a very general way that in the species of the very 

 shallow waters the body is stout and depressed and the vertebrae 

 are stout and few in number; that in species from somewhat greater 

 depths the body is moderately stout, less firm, deepened and com- 

 pressed and the vertebrae weakened and increased in number; and 

 that in the greater depths the skeleton becomes greatly weakened, 

 the flesh very soft and reduced, the body elongate and the verte- 

 brae slender and in stUl greater numbers. The number of vertebrae 

 varies from about 35 to 70. The genera, which in a general way 

 illustrate these phases of modification, are Liparis, Careproctus, 

 and Paraliparis with Rhinoliparis. 



Careproctus best illustrates the production of pseudotissue which 

 envelops the body and fins just beneath the skin. In these forms the 

 skin is loosely attached to the body. In preserved specimens it 

 frequently becomes detached and appears as a transparent sack 

 about the body and bases of the fins. 



