I >4 



ELOPIFORM FISHES 



ep1-2 



un2 



npul 



pu 5 



10 mm 



Fig. 92. Lebonichthys lewisi (Davis). Caudal skeleton in left lateral view. Arrows 

 indicate upper and lower principal fin-rays. Camera lucida drawing of B.M.N.H. P. 6024. 



albulids. Ectopterygoid teeth of L. lewisi resemble those of 0. latifrons. The 

 teeth on the dermopalatine are villiform, as in L. gracilis. 



The upper jaw extends to the level of the middle of the orbit in B.M.N.H. P. 6024 

 and to the posterior margin of the orbit in P. 4868. The curvature of the oral surface 

 is not as marked as in L. gracilis. The teeth on the premaxilla and maxilla are 

 villiform in P.6024, more pointed in P. 4868, but never needle-like as in L. gracilis. 



The mandible extends from the snout to beneath the middle of the orbit in P.6024. 

 It is slightly longer in P. 4868. The dentary teeth are set in a band along the oral 

 surface and resemble those of the upper jaw ; villiform in P.6024 an d pointed in 

 P.4868. 



The operculum is slightly deeper than wide with an oblique ventral margin, thus 

 contrasting with that element in L. gracilis. In shape the preoperculum resembles 

 that of Osmeroides. The sensory canal appears to have been completely enclosed 

 by bone. 



There are at least 15 branchiostegal rays borne by the ceratohyals. When the 

 mouth was closed the anterior end of the hyoid bar must have lain between the jaw 

 rami. The gular plate is narrower than in L. gracilis. 



The pectoral girdle is not known to differ much from that of L. gracilis. The post- 

 temporal of L. lewisi has the dorsal and ventral limbs but a central limb is absent. 



