Dlodon hygtrix QLlnnaeus) . Porcuplnef isli- 



Tb-xs species was encountered twice, once at midday, once just before 

 dawn on th.e main reef in 15 m deptk. Although primarily carnivorous, 

 Beebee and Tee-Van (1928) indicate that food includes algae. Three 

 specimens examined by Randall C1967) included plant material 

 CDictyota and sea grass) , but Randall suggests that the plants may 

 nbt have been eaten intentionally. 



Ogcocephalidae. The Batfishes 



Two members of this family have been reported from the West Indies 

 by Randall (1968) , and one species was observed during the present 

 study. Although primarily carnivorous (and equipped with "lure" 

 on the head) , plant material is sometimes taken. 



Ogcocephalus nasutus (Valenciennes) . Shortnose Batfish 



A shortnose batfish was found 180 m away from the reef in 24 m depth 

 at the edge of the algal plain in an open area of calcareous sand. 

 It was easily captured by hand, and when released, was immediately 

 pursued and bitten by a large Lut j anus , probably the mutton snapper, 

 L^. analis . After the one bite, the snapper ignored the batfish and 

 swam away. The batfish, after a short, vigorous swim, settled down 

 and became partially covered and concealed by the calcareous 

 substrate. 



Randall (1967) found principally invertebrates in the stomachs of 

 9 specimens examined, but 11.1% of the total consisted of the 

 spherical green alga, Valonia utricularis . A diet consisting 

 totally of invertebrates was recorded by Reid (1954) in 20 specimens 

 from Florida. 



VI-160 



