62 



Microphls ocellatns Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Wash. Vol. 42, 1912, p. 495. 

 Choeroichthys sculptus Duncker, Mitt. a. d. naturh. Mus. Hamburg XXXII. 19157 

 P- 59- 



D. 26 35 ; A. 34; P. 18 21 ;C. 9 IO; Rings 19 + 21 24; 

 subdorsal rings 5 7 -f- 2. 



Shields corrugated, their edges granulated or finely serrated. 

 Superior and inferior lateral intermedial shields of trunk and 

 lateral and inferior intermedial shields of tail with a longitu- 



o 



dinal keel, giving the impression that laterally each ring on 

 the trunk is provided with 5 and on the tail with 3 edges. 

 Operculum with an oblique median raised keel from which 

 radiate ventrally numerous prominent ridges and a few dor- 

 sally. Snout slightly turned upwards, equal to or somewhat 

 longer than postorbital part of head ; its keel and those on 

 the head prominent but smooth. Tail, without caudal, shorter 

 than trunk. Head more than 5 to 6 times in total length. 

 Colour variable: uniform dark brown with a whitish posterior 

 edge on caudal, or with paired light spots dorsally and later- 

 ally, or light gray with large round dark spots on the rings 

 of trunk and tail as also on opercle and lower surface of snout. 

 Length more than 60 mm. 



Habitat: Island Samau (coral reef!). East Africa, Abes- 

 sinia (according to DUNCKER), Philippine Archipelago, Japan, 

 New Hebrides, Fiji Islands, Rotuma, Society Islands. 



On coral reefs. 



2. Choeroichthys brachysoma (Blkr.). 



Syngnathus brachysoma Bleeker, Nat. Tijdschr. Ned. Indie VIIL 1855, p. 327. 

 Choeroichthys Valencienni Kaup, Cat. Lophobr. Fish, 1856, p. 55. 

 Choeroichthys brachysoma Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Indo-Neerl. VIII. 1860, Achtste 



Bijdr. Vischfauna Sumatra, p. 72. 



Choeroichthys brachysoma Dumeril, Hist. nat. Poissons II. 1870, p. 588. 

 Doryichthys valenciennii Gunther, Cat. Brit. Mus. VIII. 1870, p. 187. 

 Doryichthys brachysoma Bleeker, Enumeration d. Poiss. de Madagascar in : Recherch. 



s.l. faune de Madagascar, Leide 1875, p. 75. 

 Doryichthys Valenciennii Bleeker, Verhand. Akad. Amsterdam XVIII. (1878) 



1879, P- 16. 



Doryichthys ser tails Gunther, Report zool. coll. Voy, Alert 1884, p. 30. 

 Choeroichthys brachysoma Vaillant, Bull. Soc. philom. Paris. 1891, p. 10. 

 Choeroichthys Valenciennii Duncker, Fauna Sudwest-Australiens, Pisces VI. 



1909, p. 235. 

 Choeroichthys Valencienni Duncker, Mitt. a. d. naturh. Mus. Hamburg XXXII; 



1915, p. 60. 



