REVIEW OF THE PARROTFISHES 55 



This species is characterized by having 4 median predorsal scales, 

 3 rows of scales on the cheek, with 2 or 3 scales in the ventral row; 

 ii,12 pectoral fin rays; white teeth; and by its coloration of three 

 color streaks in the anal fin, edge of upper lip green, then pink, then 

 a green streak from snout past lower edge of eye; especially notable 

 is a green (possibly red) edge on operculum in front of pectoral fin 

 base, and one or two green streaks connecting eyes across inter- 

 orbital space. The dorsal part of body and the head are purplish 

 brown. All the large adult specimens observed have a characteristic 

 hump in front of and over the orbits. 



The lips do not quite cover the white teeth, the angle between 

 edges of upper and lower lips varies between 15 and 20 degrees; the 

 inner lip is rather small, joining the outer lip about halfway to the 

 symphysis; there are 1 or 2 canine teeth at the corner of mouth on 

 upper jaw; the outer rays of caudal fin are greatly elongate on 

 specimens 200 mm. and longer; there is a pair of scales in front of the 

 anterior median predorsal scale that might be interpreted as a fifth 

 median predorsal scale. 



In alcohol, the background coloration is light brownish; outer 

 edges of pelvic and caudal fins green; dorsal edge of pectoral green, 

 and ventral to the edge is a brownish streak; outer third of anal green, 

 middle third whitish, basal third greenish; outer fourth or fifth of 

 dorsal green, middle whitish, basal third dark green; margin of upper 

 lip green, then dorsally a pale band, then again dorsally a green 

 band that extends past lower edge of eye and thence behind eye; 

 two green bars across interorbital space between eyes, a green streak 

 behind middle of eye, and another from upper edge of eye; narrow 

 edge of lower lip pale, then a green bar which forms a spot on chin; 

 this green bar is separated by a pale area from another green bar 

 posteroventrally. Caudal fin with a pale crescent posteriorly, then 

 a green one just anteriorly; then again anteriorly a brownish crescent 

 that extends to the tips of the outer elongate rays. 



When alive, the center of scales are green with a pinkish bar 

 anteriorly; distal center of caudal peduncle pinkish; back darker 

 green, belly pinkish but tinged with green along each row of scales; 

 eye pink; all the streaks and bars described above are bright green 

 or blue ; pale areas of median fins yellowish or orange ; postero ventral 

 part of pectoral fin light pink. 



Fowler and Bean in their report on the Philippine parrotfishes, 

 mixed lunula with "Callyodon janthochir." USNM 147248 (T. 603) 

 and 147266 (T. 8656) from the Philippines, represent this rarely 

 recognized species. 



Smith Goc. cit.) states that there are 4 to 6 median predorsal 



