PEISTIPOMA. 



125 



Fam. 6. PPJSTIPOMATID.E. 



Perciform fishes with the suborbitals not produced into a subocular 

 lamina, without teeth on the palate, separate lower pharyngeal bones, 

 pill- membranes free from isthmus, 5 to 7 branchiostegal rays, and two 

 nostrils on each side. Spinous dorsal well developed, usually as long as 

 or longer than the soft, which is often much longer than the anal ; 

 latter usually with 3 spines. Praecaudal vertebrae with transverse 

 processes from the third, these processes bearing the ribs. 



Seas of the temperate and tropical regions, a few species in fresh 

 waters. 



Representatives of three genera enter rivers in Africa. 



I. Maxillary nearly entirely concealed when the mouth is closed. 

 A central groove behind the symphysis of the lower 



jaw; ventrals below base of pectorals ... 1. Pristipoma, Cuv., p. 12;"). 

 Lower jaw with pits, but without central groove ; 



ventrals a little behind vertical of base of 



pectorals 2. Diagramma, Cuv., p. 127. 



II. Maxillary exposed. 

 Ventrals below base of pectorals 3. Otoperca, Blgr., p. 130. 



1. PSISTIPOMA. 

 Cuv. Regne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 170 (1829); Cuv. & Val. Hist. Poiss. v. p. 2-13 

 (1830) ; Giinth. Cat. Fiah. i. p. 286 (1859) ; Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, 

 p. 386 (1901). 



Body oblong, compressed ; scales moderate or rather large, ctenoid ; 

 lateral line complete. Mouth moderately large, protractile ; maxillary 

 folding under the preeorbital ; bands of villiform teeth in the jaws ; 

 a central groove behind the symphysis of the lower jaw; praeoperculum 

 denticulate ; no opercular spines. 7 branchiostegal rays ; pseudo- 

 branchiee large. Dorsal with 11 to 14 spines, anal with 3, both fins 

 with a scaly sheath at the base. Ventrals below base of pectorals, with 

 a scaly basal process. Vertebne 26-27 (10-11 + 16). 



Tropical and subtropical seas, Mediterranean. 



One species has been reported from West African rivers in perfectly 

 fresh water. 



