321 



ceratobranchial, totaUing 17-31 (x = 24.6). Body gently tapered posteriorly, caudal 

 peduncle relatively deep. Belly gently curved or slightly distended. Width of body 

 broadest at base of pectoral fins, gradually tapered from pectoral fin insertion to 

 origin of pelvic fins, markedly compressed posterior to pelvic fin base. 



Paired fins large, variably and often darkly pigmented on upper surface. 

 Pectoral fin with 13-16 rays, modally 15. Postcleithral spine absent. Dorsal fin short 

 in nonbreeding individuals, constricted at base. First pectoral and dorsal fin 

 lepidotrichia unbranched, segmented, flexible, and not forming stiff, serrated spines 

 as in other species. Breeding males with a greatly elongated, stiffened dorsal-fin 

 spine, smooth on posterior margin but heavily armed with about 30-60 (x = 37; N = 

 21) odontodes on anterior margin; distally the serrae are arranged in a biserial row 

 of sharp antrorse hooks that alternately are directed slightly to each side of the 

 spine, typically followed by a hiatus of no hooks toward the base, and with a swollen, 

 fleshy base with long, curved hooks that are laterally directed opposite to each other 

 (Fig. 23a). Adipose fin large, ovoid, and with a large central black spot. Caudal fin 

 obliquely truncate, the upper lobe longer and more pointed than the gently rounded 

 lower lobe, with 8+10 principal rays, about 22-25 upper procurrent rays, and about 

 18-19 lower procurrent rays; lowermost principal caudal ray articulating with 

 expanded flange on penultimate hemal spine (Fig. 30a). Distal tips of last 5-6 hemal 

 spines enlarged; last three with laminar ossifications cofused with each other and 

 the hyperossified lower hypural plate ( PU+1 + 2 V Secondary hypurapophysis of 

 caudal fin forming a prominent shelf that extends onto the upper portion of the 

 lower hypural plate. Anal fin of females and nonbreeding males moderate in length, 

 with 33-41 rays; margin nearly straight except near origin, where longer, unbranched 

 anterior rays form a weakly falcate profile. First 6-7 anterior rays of anal fin in 



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