IWAMOTO & WIRTZ: SYNOPSIS OF EASTERN ATLANTIC SERRANUS 
27 
Figure 22. Serranus sanctaehelenae from Saint Helena Island. Photograph by Alasdair Edwards. 
across nape extending to behind operculum, the second below first four or five spines, the third 
much darker and below last four or five spines; the fourth below third to fifth dorsal soft rays, the 
fifth below posterior half of soft dorsal, and the sixth on caudal peduncle forming a mid-lateral 
dark, oval, brown blotch; first four bands notably inclined. Head rather uniformly buff; operculum 
darker dorsally with a broad, diffuse, dark longitudinal stripe running from hind margin of pre- 
opercle to posterior edge of opercle; upper jaw light yellowish-brown. Fins mostly clear and 
faintly yellowish-green, but pectoral fin yellow with buff base. 
Size: To about 24 cm TL. 
Habitat and distribution.— Taken in about 100-110 m; endemic to St. Helena and Ascen¬ 
sion Islands, where it is occasionally taken in the artisanal fisheries of those islands. 
Remarks.— Meisler (1987:144) was unable to assign this species to a subgenus owing to 
inadequate material. 
Specimens examined.— USNM 267902 (2, 178-180 mm SL); St. Helena Island; caught by 
fishermen on hook and line in deepwater (about 70-80 m); 9 July 1983; coll. Alasdair Edwards, 
field no. AE3-15. 
Serranus ( Serranus ) scriba (Linnaeus, 1758) 
Figures 23- 24 
Perea Scriba Linnaeus, 1758 (no locality) 
Holocentrus argus Spinola, 1807. 
Serranus scriba : Risso 1827:374. 
Serranellus scriba : Jordan and Eigenmann 1890. 
Paracentropristis scriba: Fowler 1936:766-768. 
Diagnosis.— D X, 14-16; P 13-16; A 111,7-8; gill rakers usually 7+12-14 (15-19 total); pored 
lateral-line scales 61-69 (60-73); circumpeduncular scales 36-41; scales below origin of first 
dorsal fin 6-9, below first branched ray 7-9. Scales on chest and cheek cycloid; all fins scaly along 
basal quarter or more. Caudal fin truncate or emarginate. Anterior nostril tube-like, with rim 
posteriorly developed into a tall fringed flap; posterior nostril with low, fringed anterior rim. 
Usually two (and often more) broad dark bands on body, a large white to bluish blotch on abdomen 
