Bd. V: 6) 
THE FISHES OF THE SWEDISH SOUTH POLAR EXPEDITION. 
39 
Artedidraco 1 n. g. 
General appearance cottoid, head depressed as well as body entirely naked. 
Muciferous or sensory canal system well developed with large open, more or less 
tubular pores, on the head, and a series of such extending as an upper lateral line 
in the pectoral region of the body (conf. figs. 14 & 14 a PI. IV). Gill-membranes 
broadly united to the isthmus, but gill-openings rather wide. A mental barbel. A 
single tubular nostril. Radii branchiostegales five. First dorsal with three rather 
long and flexible spines. Last ray of second dorsal connected by web with basal 
and dorsal part of the caudal. Scapular fenestra pierced between scapula, coracoid 
and clavicula (conf. fig. 14 b PI. IV). Opercle transformed in a peculiar manner (conf. 
fig. 14 c PI. IV), its posterior portion being curved inwards and then forwards forming 
a strongly bent flattened hook, between which and the head the cutaneous upper 
part of the gill-cover is expanded, thus closing the fenestra formed between this 
hook and the occiput. Subopercle a narrow thin plate below the opercle, inter- 
opercle small, wedged in between the former and præopercle. The latter deeply 
channelled for the muciferous system and then bridged over so that two round 
openings are formed on the vertical and three on the horizontal limb. Teeth coni- 
cal, small, in broad bands on both jaws; palate toothless. Rather fleshy lips and a 
rather broad velum, above and below, inside the jaws. 
This generic diagnose is chiefly based on specimens of Artedidraco minis from 
South Georgia which is to be regarded as type species. 
Artedidraco appears to be most nearly allied to Harpagifer RICHARDSON 1 2 3 4 
from which it it easily distinguished through the presence of a barbel and the ab- 
sence of spines on the opercle and subopercle. It is also allied to Draconetta JOR- 
DAN and FOWLER 3 which by C. Tate Regan 4 has been referred to Nototheniidæ. 
With regard to the reduction of the opercle Artedidraco to a certain extent ap- 
proaches Draconetta , the result has, however, become different, as in the latter genus 
a strong spine is developed, but in Artedidraco only a flattened hook, which hardly 
can be a weapon, especially in consequence of its direction. Draconetta differs also 
by having a strong subopercular spine, no barbel, no lateral line. With regard to 
the development of the sensory canal system Artedidraco and Harpagifer are rather 
similar to each other. 
1 Named after Peter Artedi, “the father of Ichthyology”, born in northern Sweden exactly 200 years 
ago. Joaxcov the old greek name for Trachinus. 
3 Ichthyology of the Voy. of H. M. S. Erebus & Terror. London 1844 — 1848. 
3 Proc. U. S. Mus. Vol. 25. Washington 1903. 
4 Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. Ser. 7. Vol. XIV. Aug. 1904. London. 
