Japanese Gempylidae — MatsubaRA and IwAI 
205 
Fig. 8. Rexea solandri, showing variation, with size, in ventral fins and in number of fangs on upper jaw near 
tip of snout. A, No. 2124, measuring 242 mm. in standard length; B, No. 1935, 101 mm. long; C, No. 1936, 
much mutilated, smaller than preceding one. B 2 and C 2 showing ventral spines. Drawn by authors. 
thin scales on posterior part of body only. 
Soft dorsal and anal opposite, each pre- 
ceded by a single spine and with last ray more 
or less remote from preceding one, but con- 
nected with it by a thin membrane. Pectorals 
extending to below base of sixth or seventh 
dorsal spine. Caudal deeply emarginated, 
with upper lobe the longer. Ventral fin ab- 
sent or represented by a single spine; in speci- 
mens smaller than 242 mm. in standard 
length, spine always lying under middle of 
base of pectoral, as stated in original descrip- 
tions of Gempylus solandri and Thyrsites pro- 
metheoides. Spine with rather rough serrations 
along posterior margin and several much 
smaller ones along anterior edge near base 
(Fig. 8); variable in length and sometimes 
entirely hidden under skin, even in young 
specimens, but generally longer in younger 
ones, becoming shorter with growth of fish, 
finally becoming hidden under skin; entirely 
absent in specimens longer than 242 mm., 
as indicated in original description of Jor- 
danidia raptoria. 
Gill raker at angle of arch T-shaped, very 
long, and about two thirds exposed. Other 
rakers rather hidden under skin, each having 
large basal plate and several small cusps. In 
2 smaller specimens, 100.5 and 101 mm. long, 
basal plate of each raker unarmed. Rarely, a 
minute accessory raker present between large 
ones (Fig. 9A). In larger specimens basal 
plates armed with many small spines and 
usually 2 or more armed accessory rakers 
interpolated (Fig. 9B-C). 
Body in life bluish gray, paler below, with 
strong silvery luster. A large black blotch al- 
ways present at anterior part of spinous dorsal. 
REMARKS: In 1931 , Schmidt demonstrated 
that Jordanidia raptoria Snyder is a synonym of 
Thyrsites prometheoides Bleeker, and more re- 
cently Kamohara (1938^: 50; 1938^: 20; 
1940: 103) has confirmed Schmidt’s opinion. 
We further conclude that the two species just 
mentioned are referable to Gempylus solandri 
Cuvier, described from New Zealand. As has 
already been mentioned, the body is slender 
and the ventral is represented by a single 
spine in the younger specimens, but the rela- 
tive depth of the body gradually increases and 
