BOTHIN^ 221 



bone projecting downwards and backwards between the pelvic fins, sometimes blunt 

 and inconspicuous externally. Scales small, ctenoid or cycloid on ocular side, cycloid 

 on blind side ; no supplementary scales. Lateral line developed only on ocular side 

 of body, with a distinct curve above the pectoral fin ; a bifurcated supratemporal 

 branch behind upper eye. Vent on blind side, above or a little in front of anterior 

 ray of anal fin. Vertebra; 38 to 40. 



About fourteen species from the Mediterranean and from the warmer parts of the 

 Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. 



Synopsis of the Species. 

 Mediterranean and Atlantic Species. 

 I. Less than 80 scales in lateral line ; eye 3J to nearly 4 in head ; dorsal 



79-91, anal 59-68 ; depth li to if in length . . . . .1. ocellatus. 



11. More than 80 scales in lateral line. 



A. Eye 3<^ to 4! , maxillarj' 3^ to 4 in head ; interorbital width much 



greater in male ; upper pectoral rays not prolonged. 



1. Depth if to 1} in length ; eye 3^ to 4 in head ; interorbital width 



if to nearly 2^ times (mature ^), or f to a little more than once 

 (mature and half-grown $) eye . . . . . .2. podas. 



2. Depth ij to nearly if in length ; eye 4 to 4f in head ; interorbital 



width if to 2 J times (mature (J), or ij to if times (mature $) eye 



3. mellissi. 



B. Eye 4f to 6, maxillary 2f to 3 in head ; interorbital width similar in both 



sexes or a little greater in male ; upper pectoral rays prolonged in 

 mature male. 



1. Dorsal 90-99, anal 70-76. 



a. Anterior profile notched in front of eyes (except in very young), 



never convex ; eye 5 to 6 in head ; anterior edge of upper eye 

 above posterior edge of lower. 8 to 10 gill-rakers on lower 

 part of anterior arch . . . . . . -4. lunatus. 



b. Anterior profile of head distinctly convex, not notched in front 



of eyes ; eye 4 f to 5 in head ; anterior edge of upper eye above 

 middle or posterior J of lower ; 6 or 7 gill-rakers on lower part 

 of anterior arch . . . . . . -5- rnaculiferus. 



2. Dorsal 105, anal 80 ; anterior profile of head convex . 6. ellipticus. 



Indo-Pacific Species. 

 1. Dorsal 98-103, anal 76-80 ; 9 to 11 rather slender gill-rakers on lower part 

 of anterior arch ; eye 45 to 6J in head ; anterior edge of upper eye above 

 or behind posterior edge of lower . . . . . •7- mancus. 



n. Dorsal 85-99, anal 62-73 ; 6 to 8 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior 

 arch ; eye 3 to nearly 5 in head ; anterior edge of upper eye above or in 

 front of posterior edge of lower. 

 A. Scales all ctenoid on ocular side ; interorbital width usually not much 

 greater then eye (even in male) ; 75 to 92 scales in lateral line. 



1. Maxillary 3 J to nearly 4 in head ; anterior profile of head more or 



less notched in front of eyes ; male without orbital spines ; 75 to 

 80 scales in lateral line. 



a. Depth i| in length ; anterior profile of head distinctly notched ; 



eye about equal to interorbital width ; pectoral with 10 rays 



8. leopardinus. 



b. Depth 1 J to ij in length ; anterior profile slightly notched ; eye 



I J to I J in interorbital width ; pectoral with 12 rays 9. constellattis. 



2. Ma.xillary about 3 in head ; anterior profile of head more or less evenly 



convex ; male with orbital spines ; 80 to 92 scales in lateral line 



10. pantherinus. 



