74 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 202 



Vol. 3 



Color in alcohol. — Pale yellowish, head and body with small brown 

 spots distributed as follows: 3 along dorsal outline at bases of 14th, 

 26th, and 37th dorsal rays, slightly larger spots on back a little anterior 

 and mesial to marginal spots, 2 fairly distinct spots on middle of sides; 

 belly and lower sides with scattered dusky brown flecks of pigment; 

 fins largely colorless. 



Figure 151. — Aseraggodes smithi, new species, holotype, USNM 141766, from Rongerik 

 Atoll. Drawn by A. M. Awl. 



Remarks. — Aseraggodes smithi is similar in general appearance to 

 A. melanostidus Peters but differs in number of dorsal and anal fin 

 rays and of scales in lateral line; A. smithi is related to A. duhius 

 Weber but has the eyes placed much closer together; it differs from 

 A. whitakeri in having an overhanging snout and short asymmetrical 

 pelvic fins with rather long bases, and from all other known species 

 of Aseraggodes in having a different combination of number of dorsal 

 and anal fin rays and scales in lateral line (even allowing plus or 

 minus five), or in one or more of the characters mentioned above so 

 that it can be separated from the presumed closely related species. 



Named in honor of Osgood R. Smith of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service. 



Order ECHENEIDA 



Family ECHENEIDAE: Diskfishes 



By Ernest A. Lachner 



This family is recognized by the laminated adhesive disk on the 

 top of the head that enables its members to attach themselves to 

 sharks, rays, bony fishes, turtles, ships, and various buoyant objects. 

 It is believed that the disk represents a modified spinous dorsal fin. 

 The transformation of this spinous dorsal fin was accompanied by a 



