-^ J ) 



> - ■ ■• / 240 



deeply forked, with 8+10 principal rays, and about 16-23 upper and 14-18 lower 

 procurrent rays. Anal fin with 35-42 rays and 32-38 pterygiophores. Pectoral fin not 

 reaching to pelvic origin, with 11-14 soft rays. Pectoral spine thin, with about 13-25 

 relatively short, recurved serrae along distal half to two-thirds of posterior margin. 



Total number of vertebrae 49-51, modally 50. Total preanal vertebrae 18-20, 

 modally 18. Pleural ribs 9-10. Swimbladder of adults large, globule-shaped, with an 

 opaque, turgid, external tunica and no posterior caecae (Fig. 20f). 



Color in Alcohol 



Most specimens are characterized by a heavily mottled pigmentation pattern, 

 concentrated primarily on top of the head and upper half of the body (Fig. 43), but 

 extending over much of the sides of the body in some specimens. Considerable 

 variation is evident in preserved material, and, judging from observations in other 

 species, individuals of A. pardalis are probably capable of dramatic coloration 

 changes, depending on ecological and other factors. 



, , » Background color generally yellowish or cream-colored. Pigmented areas 

 consisting of dense, irregular brown or black spots and blotches. Top of head with 

 scattered brown spots and dark streaks along the top of each frontal. Upper half of 

 operculum with similar spots. Top of back from dorsal-fin origin to caudal peduncle 

 with a prominent series of irregular, dark brown or black blotches, which tend to be 

 broken into smaller, more discrete spots with increasing SL. Midline of back 

 typically with a thin, unpigmented stripe extending from rear of rayed dorsal fin to 

 upper caudal lobe. Spots or blotches on back diminishing laterally, but extending to 

 or beneath lateral line in some specimens. Sides of body with a midlateral broken 

 stripe, extending to or beyond vertical through pelvic origin, and a sublateral stripe, 

 beginning at the top of the opercular chamber and angled obliquely downward 



