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 Pelvic fins abdominal, horizontally oriented. Pelvic basipterygia relatively 

 flat or weakly concave ventrally, with a broad cartilaginous plate medially, 

 cartilaginous spurs anterolaterally, and flat, pointed processes posterioriy. Pelvic fin 

 with one anterior, unbranched ray and six multifurcated rays; last ray joined by 

 interradial membrane to belly integument basally for about one-third of its length. 

 Shape of pelvic fin broadly triangular. 



Pectoral fin base horizontal, originating at posteroventral curve of opercular ' - 

 flap. First pectoral lepidotrichium normally thickened and unsegmented, forming 

 weak to moderate spine with relatively weak serrae on posterior margin and no 

 serrae on anterior margin; in some species, however, the first element is not formed 

 into a stiffened spine, although it remains unbranched. Rest of fin with 5-15 : 



branched rays, progressively shorter medially. Mesocoracoid absent. Third pectoral 

 radial expanded distally and supporting several rays. Cleithra broadly sutured at 

 midUne. Superior cleithral process forked dorsally, deeply articulating with 

 posttemporal. Posterior cleithral (= humeral) process absent, or, if present, forming 

 very short, weakly rugose spine. 



Pigmentation on head and body variable, but frequently consisting of 

 irregular mottling or spotting. Pigmentation on fins also variable, ranging from 

 virtually immaculate to weakly or strongly mottled or striped; pigment on tail often 

 in the form of crescent-shaped or oblong spots or stripes. 



