Genera of Paralepididae — Harry 
223 
Fig, 1. Front of snout of a paralepidid (illustrated 
from the holotype of Lestidium prolixum, n. sp.). The 
teeth in the emargination of the uppet jaw are tohse of 
the palatines. The premaxillary lacks teeth in this emar- 
gination. 
nounced mid-ventral carina. Anus moves pos- 
teriorly during early ontogeny; finally situ- 
ated in region of pelvic fins. Eyes moderately 
large, with adipose lids. Mouth with exten- 
sive buccal valves. Rictus well before eye; 
tip of maxillary not reaching past a vertical 
from anterior border of eye except in early 
postlarvae. Symphysis of lower jaw more or 
less elevated. Corresponding arched, tooth- 
less emargination of upper jaw below end of 
snout (see Fig. 1). Lower jaw included when 
mouth is closed. Mandibles with 1 to 3 rows 
of teeth (sometimes atrophied in adults of 
scaled genera) ; if present, inner series is com- 
posed of depressible canines which recline 
backward, the outermost series of short fixed 
teeth of similar shape. Premaxillary closely 
bound to maxillary and not protractile. Pre- 
maxillaries anteriorly with a single row of 
depressible canines, situated on the inner face 
of this bone, followed by single series of short 
fixed teeth on edge of bone. Dorsal process 
of premaxillary with wide circular foramen in 
all genera except Sudis. Supramaxillary slender, 
approximately 0.5 length of maxillary. Vomer 
toothless, or with 1 or 2 tiny teeth. Palatine 
long and slender, anteriorly attached to sides 
of mesethmoid and vomer. Teeth on palatines 
in 1 or 2 rows. Teeth on tongue absent or 
minute. 
Fig. 2. Lateral-line segments of a paralepidid (illus- 
trated from the holotype of Lestidium thunnorum, n. 
sp.). a. Top of an ossified segment: 3, posterior view 
of an ossified segment with adjoining pores stippled; 
c, bottom of an ossified segment; d, a series of ossified 
segments in normal position along the lateral-line. The 
lateral-line scales of the genera Megalosudis, Paralepsis, 
and Notolepis overlie these ossified segments. 
Scales when present cycloid, generally ca- 
ducous. Lateral-line tube large, imbedded in 
the skin, enclosed in characteristic partly os- 
sified segments (see Fig. 2), which perhaps 
are highly modified scales. In the naked gene- 
ra, the outer shield-like section of each partly 
ossified segment forms an imbedded scale- 
like structure. In scaled genera, these struc- 
tures overlain by lateral-line scales. Tube va- 
riously pierced by pores medially, above, and 
below. 
Dorsal fin small, with 9-15 rays, situated 
near middle of body length. Adipose dorsal 
fin present over posterior end of anal fin. 
Anal fin far posterior, with long base and 
numerous rays (21-50). Caudal fin small, very 
short and forked, free from adipose and anal 
