Classification of the Percoid Fishes. 121 



strong subocular shelf. Occipital and parietal crests 

 developed. Vertebrae always 21 (10 + 14); first 2 to 6 

 without parapopliyses; first 1 to 4 ribs sessile. 



Principal genera: Lutianus, Genyoroge, Hoplopayrus, 

 Aspilus, Ch<etoptetus, Odonionectes, Ccesio, Aphareus, Aprion, 

 Propoma, Etelis, I 'erilus. 



Fam. 24. Nemipteridsa. 



Dorsal X 9. Anal III 7-8. Palate toothless ; maxillary 

 ramus as broad just below its palatine articulation as it is 

 distally; outer face of palatine with a strong ridge from the 

 base of the maxillary process to the pterygoid. Vertebrae 2 I 

 (10+14); all the praecaudals with parapopliyses and all 

 the ribs on parapopliyses. In other characters essentially 

 similar to the Lutianidse. 



Principal genera : Heterognathodon, Nemipterus, Scolopsis. 



Fam. 25. Lobotidae. 



Closely allied to the Lutianidae, but with the palate 

 toothless and with no subocular shelf. 



Two genera, Lobotes and Datnioides ; in both the maxillary 

 is sheathed throughout its length and the scaly axillary 

 process of the pelvic fin is developed. The occipital crest 

 does not extend forward on to the frontals, but is elevated 

 and has the anterior edge thickened ; the parietal crests are 

 ■weak. Vertebrae 24 (10 + 14 in Datnioides, 12 + 12 in 

 Lobotes) ; in Datnioides the first 6 praecaudals without para- 

 popliyses. the first 4 ribs sessile, the last 4 on parapopliyses; 

 in Lobotes the first 5 praecaudals -without parapopliyses. the 

 first 4 or 5 ribs sessile, the last 5 or 6 on parapopliyses. In 

 Datnioides the praemaxillary pedicels are long and extend to 

 above the posterior margin of the orbit; they lie in a de- 

 pression of the frontals ; in Lobotes they are of moderate 

 length and do not reach the frontals. 



Fam. 26. Liognathidae. 



Closely related to the Lutianidse. Dorsal fin depressible 

 in a sheath, with 9 or 10 spines, the first short, the second 

 the longest; soft rays subequal • 2 to 5 anal spines. Pelvies 

 with large axillary processes. Mouth very protractile, the 

 long praemaxillary pedicels lying in a groove or chamber 

 formed by the bifurcation of the occipital crest ; maxillary 

 variable in form, but always with the anterior cd^c curved 



