Pseudolabrus celidotus — Choat 
455 
The main conclusions appear to be: 
(a) A close relationship exists between the 
sex of each specimen and the colour pattern 
displayed. 
(b) The B colour pattern is assumed by 
males on reaching a size of 140 to 180 mm 
T.L. A certain amount of variation can be ex- 
pected as to the actual size at which the pattern 
becomes apparent. One male measuring 115 
mm T.L. displayed a well developed B pattern. 
(c) The males are capable of developing 
functional testes before the B pattern appears. 
(d) Mature females in excess of 240 mm 
T.L. may assume the B colour pattern. 
Paucity of Males 
One of the most notable disclosures of this 
study was the paucity of males smaller than 
104 mm T.L. Large numbers of specimens be- 
tween 70 and 130 mm T.L. were examined, 
but of 201 individuals only four were males. 
Collections, using a variety of methods, were 
made over the full range of habitats known 
to be occupied by this species, and it is diffi- 
cult to assume that the lack of small males 
reflects a highly selective factor in the sampling 
techniques. 
The most tenable explanation for the com- 
paratively sudden appearance of males in the 
population is that this is a progynous species,, 
with all individuals commencing life as females. 
Such a possibility was indicated by Stoll (1955: 
130), who studied the influence of hormones on 
the colour phases of the labrid Thalassoma bi- 
fas datum. This situation may well obtain in 
Gomphosus varius, as Hiatt and Strasburg 
(1957:133) discovered no males smaller than 
104 mm S.L. 
Because this study was only an appendage to 
a systematic revision of the genus, there was 
insufficient time to initiate a conclusive study 
into the reproductive micro-anatomy and the 
effects of hormonal extracts. 
In Figure 3 a general sequence of colour 
transition is presented. Inasmuch as no males 
smaller than 104 mm were discovered, and as 
those male specimens displaying an A colour 
pattern appeared to have functional testes, it 
was concluded that sexual transition generally 
occurs at approximately 130-140 mm, before 
the development of the B colour pattern. 
[I] FEMALE SPECIMENS 
■ MALE SPECIMENS 
TOTAL LENGTH IN MMS. 
Fig. 5. Relationship of sex to total length. 
