240 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. VII, April, 1953 
Fig, 16. Representative of the genus Lestidium (L. 
pacificum (Parr), holotype, from the Pacific off Mexico, 
164 mm. in standard length). A, Anterior part of snout; 
B, enlarged section of teeth on middle of premaxillary; 
C, anterior lateral-line segments; D, gillrakers on first 
arch; E, dorsal surface of tongue. (See explanation of 
morphological figures in text.) 
Vertebrae 77-94, so far as known. 
As previously stated, the genus Lestidium 
can be split into three distinct evolutionary 
lines that may be designated as subgenera. 
Subgenus Lestidiops Hubbs 
DIAGNOSIS: Head massive. Snout deep and 
blunt. Tip of lower jaw with 3 vertical non- 
ossified ridges on symphysis, but lacking any 
prolongations. Eye large, 4. 2-5. 7 into head. 
No distinct markings before eye. Dorsal fin 
behind pelvic fins; distance between dorsal 
and pelvic fins more than 0.5 length of head. 
Anal rays 27-28. Each lateral-line segment 
with 1 to 5 pores (generally 1 or 2) above and 
below. 
This subgenus contains L. sphyraenopsis 
(Hubbs), L. thunnorum n. sp., and L. apfine 
Ege. All three species have been examined. 
Subgeneric type, Lestidiops sphyraenopsis 
Hubbs. 
Subgenus Lestidium Gilbert 
DIAGNOSIS; Head slender. Snout moderately 
pointed, not deep. Tip of lower jaw with or 
without nonossified ridges or prolongations. 
Eye large. No distinct markings before eye. 
Dorsal fin near or over pelvic fins; distance 
between dorsal and pelvic fins less than 0,33 
length of head. Anal rays 28-33. Each lateral- 
line segment with 3-5 pores above and below. 
Among the species that belong in this sub- 
genus I have examined L. nudum Gilbert, 
L. pseudosphyraenoides (Ege), L. neks n, sp., 
L. pofi n. sp., L. prolixum n. sp., L. pacificum 
(Parr). Other species that apparently belong 
here: L. proximum (Ege), L. sphyraenoides 
(Risso), L. simile (Ege), L. luetkeni (Ege), L. 
mirabile (Ege), L. atlanticum Borodin, L. 
iayakari (Boulenger) . 
Subgeneric type, Lestidium nudum Gilbert, 
Lestrolepis new subgenus 
DIAGNOSIS: Head slender. Snout pointed, 
not deep. Tip of lower jaw with prominent 
nonossified prolongation. Eye relatively small, 
6. 3-7. 5 into head. Prominent round black 
spot immediately before eye. Each lateral-line 
segment with 3-5 pores above and below. 
Dorsal fin behind pelvic fins; distance be- 
tween dorsal and pelvic fins less than 2.5 
times into head. Anal rays 35-49. 
Subgeneric type, Paralepis philippinus Fow- 
ler. This subgenus probably also contains L. 
japonicum Tanaka, L. intermedium (Poey), and 
L. hellottii (Ege), but only the subgeneric 
types, L. vanderhilti (Fowler), and L. atrox n. 
sp. have been examined. 
The name is formed from lestro, Gr.— pirate 
d- lepis, Gr.— scale. 
Genus Macroparalepis Ege 
Figs. 7, 17, 18 
Macroparalepis Ege, 1933: 229 (generic type 
not given or subsequently designated; here 
designated as Macroparalepis affine Ege); 
Maul, 1945: 26; Harry, 1951: 29; Maul, 
1952: 51. 
This genus is here restricted to group I 
