282 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS: ZOOLOGY. 



12. ATHERINOPSIS Girard. 



Atherinopsis Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila. VII, 1854, 134 {califor- 



niensis). 

 Basilichthys Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. VII, 1854, 198, and U. 

 S. Naval and Astronomical Expedition, 238, 1855 [niicrolcpidotits). 



The genus BasilicJithys is distinguished from Atheyinopsis solely on 

 the relative length of the jaws. Girard says: "The genus Basilichthys 

 will be characterized by the protrusion of the upper jaw beyond the lower." 

 It was based on AtJieriua microlepidota, by Steindachner considered a 

 synonym of the AtJierina regia of Humboldt. 



The Atherinopsis is defined as having "no palatine teeth, with both 

 jaws equal, and the snout more or less rounded." Until specimens 

 can be directly compared, the genus BasilicJithys may be united with 

 Atherinopsis. 



There is but a single species of this genus in Patagonian waters. If, 

 as Steindachner thinks, the species is confined to the Pacific coast from 

 Valparaiso northward, the reference to this species south of that point 

 may belong to Menidia laticlava. 



24. Atherinopsis regius (Humboldt). 



Atherina regia Humboldt, Rec. Observ. Zool. Anat. Comp. II, 187, 1835 

 (Callao ; Lima) ; Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, X, 474, 



1835- 

 1 AtJierinichtJiys regia Smitt, Bihang SvenskaAkad. Handl. XXVI, Afd. 



IV, No. 5, 93, pi. ix, figs. 30-31, 1898 (in part). 



Atherinopsis regins Steindachner, Dk. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXII, 39, 1902 

 (Rio Tambo, South Peru). 



} Atherinopsis regia Hatcher, these reports, Vol. I, 280, 1903 (Inlet of the 

 Gallegos river). 



Atherina microlepidota Jenyns, Voy. Beagle, Fishes, IV, 68, pi. xvi, fig. 

 I, 1842 (Valparaiso) ; Guichenot, Gay Hist. Chile, Zool. II, 253, 1848. 



BasilicJithys niicrolepidotns G'wdird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. VII, 1854, 

 198; id. U. S. Nav. and Astron. Exped., 238, plate xxx, figs. 8 and 

 9, 1855 (Valparaiso; Mapocho, a tributary of the Maypu) ; Ever- 

 mann & Kendall, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. XXXI, 1906, 97 (Lakes 

 Nahuel Huapi and Traful ; Nirihuahay, tributary of Rio Limay). 



