REVISION OF THE FISH FAMILY LIPARIDAE 



119 



Distribution. — New England coast to Newfoundland; depth possibly 

 1 1-365 fathoms. Fifteen specimens examined. 



Relationships. — 'C. ranula belongs with the spectrum group of species 

 in which the head is blunt and heavy, the interorbital region broad, 

 the peritoneum silvery and the teeth rather strong but simple or the 

 lobes faintly indicated. 



The three species of the North Atlantic, C. ranula (Goode and 

 Bean), C. reinhardi (Kroyer), and C. micropus (Giinther) closely 

 resemble each other. The validity of 

 all of these species has been questioned. 

 By a number of writers, C. reinhardi 

 has been regarded as identical with 

 C. gelatinosus (Pallas). Garman 

 (1892) refers C. ranula to the synon- 

 omy of C. reinhardi. Lutken (1898) 

 indicates his uncertainty concerning 

 the individuality of C. reinhardi and 6. 

 micropus. I have examined but one of these species, C. ranula, and 

 can add but little toward the solution of the puzzle. I believe, how- 

 ever, that the three species should be recognized until we can eliminate 

 them with certainity. From an examination of the descriptions and 

 figures C. ranula appears to differ from C. reinhardi in the larger eye 

 and shallower pectoral notch. C. micropus appears to differ from 

 C. reinhardi in the shallower pectoral notch and possibly in the smaller 

 number of fin rays. C. ranula and C. micropus agree in having a 



Figure 37.— Careproctus rhodomelas. 

 Ventral view showing great re- 

 duction OF VENTRAL DISK 



Figure 38.— Careproctus rhodomelas. Teeth from type 



shallow pectoral notch but appear to differ in the size of the eye and 

 the number of fin rays. 



Description.- — -The type is in such a poor state of preservation that 

 it will not admit of description. The following note is extracted 

 from the original description. 



D.48; A. about 48; P. 15 + 12 (13). Length without caudal 52 mm. 

 Depth 0.25; head 0.25; orbit 0.7; disk 10. Teeth villiform. Gill slit 

 extends upon the upper part of the root of the pectoral. Pectoral 

 with 15 long rays and 12 or 13 short ones. Color uniform white. 



