393 



to a rudiment, which is confluent with the caudal; in some 

 individuals the dorsal may be represented by a more or less 

 conspicuous fold of the skin. Tail equal to, shorter or longer 

 than head and trunk. 

 Maxillary and man- 

 dibulary teeth in 2 

 or 3 series, an outer 

 series of numerous, 

 sessile, compressed, 

 smaller teeth, close 

 together and i or 

 2 inner series of 

 less numerous teeth, 

 which are longer 

 and depressible. 

 The outer maxillary 

 series is continued 

 on the intermaxil- 



lary plate and en- Fig. 194- Dentition of Gy 

 closes numerous, 



irregularly placed longer teeth, which are depressible. Vomer 

 with one or two series of pointed teeth. Gillopenings small 

 in the middle of the height of the body or above or below it. 

 Distribution: Tropical and subtropical parts of Indie 

 and Pacific. On coral reefs and near shore. 



mnomuraena 



Artificial key of the indo-australian species of 

 Gymnomuraena. 



I. Tail i 3 /4 to more than twice in length of head and 



trunk G. tigrina p. 393. 



II. Tail equal to, somewhat shorter or somewhat longer 

 than head and trunk. 

 A. Colour uniform brown} tail equal to or longer 



than head and trunk G. concolor p. 395. 



/?. Colour marmorated or mottled. 



a. Tail equal to or somewhat shorter than head 



and trunk; head 7 7.5 in length G. macrocephalus p. 396- 



b. Tail longer than head and trunk; head less 



than 9 to II in length G. mannorata p. 397. 



i. Gymnomuraena tigrina (Less.). 



Ichthyophis tigrinus Lesson, Mem. Soc. Hist. Nat. Paris IV. 1828, p. 399. - 

 Voyage Coquille Zool. II. 1830, p. 129. 



