Munroe: Systematics of western Atlantic Symphurus 
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20a Dorsal-fin rays 69-81, usually 72-77; anal-fin rays 55-64, usually 56-64; total vertebrae 
41-44, usually 41-43; 55-67 scales in a longitudinal series S. minor 
20b Dorsal-fin rays 75-86, usually 77-84; anal-fin rays 60-70, usually 62-67; total vertebrae 
43-47, usually 44-46; 59-78 scales in longitudinal series S. parvus 
21a Posterior dorsal and anal fins spotted (usually); pupillary operculum present (Fig. 3A) 
S. diomedeanus 
21b Dorsal and anal fins without spots; pupillary operculum absent or only weakly developed 
(Fig. 3B) 22 
22a Dorsal-fin rays 107-115; anal-fin rays 91-99; scales on head posterior to lower eye 21-25; 
scales in longitudinal series 102-119; total vertebrae 57-60 S. jenynsi 
22b Dorsal-fin rays less than 95; anal-fin rays 79 or fewer; scales on head posterior to lower eye 20 
or fewer; scales in longitudinal series 86 or fewer; total vertebrae 51 or fewer 23 
23a From 4 to 8 small ctenoid scales on blind sides of posterior rays of dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 
4A); fleshy ridge usually present on ocular-side lower jaw (Fig. 3D); inner opercular linings 
and both sides of isthmus heavily pigmented; prominent black spot usually present on outer 
surface of ocular-side opercle; dorsal-fin rays 81-91; anal-fin rays 66-75; 76-86 scales in lon- 
gitudinal series; total vertebrae 44-49, usually 45-48; eye relatively small (8.3-12.6% of HL); 
ID pattern usually 1-4-3 (Fig. IE) S. plagiusa 
23b No ctenoid scales on blind sides of posterior rays of dorsal and anal fins; ocular-side lower jaw 
without fleshy ridge (Fig. 3E); inner opercular lining and isthmus on ocular side of body lightly 
pigmented, those of blind side unpigmented; no black spot on outer surface of ocular-side 
opercle; dorsal-fin rays 88-94; anal-fin rays 73-79; 67-77 scales in longitudinal series; total 
vertebrae 47-51, usually 48-49; eye relatively large (11.4-16.2% of HL); ID pattern usually 
1-3-3 (Fig. 1C) S. trewavasae 
