Observations on some Tasmanian Fishes, Part XIX

Abstract

It has been found that in a number of fins of the specimens examined a simple consistent relationship subsists between the lengths of the spines and/or rays and their numerical sequence along the base of the fin. Thus, the set of dorsal spines of Enoplosus armatus (White,l790) comprises an ascending subset (I-IV) and a descending subset (IV-VIII), in both of which subsets the logarithms of the lengths of the spines are a linear function of the serial munbers of the spines, counting caudad: in the dorsal of Threpterius maculosus Richardson,l850 the lengths of the spines of the ascending subset (I-V) are a linear function of their serial numbers counted caudad, while in the descending subset (V-XVIII) the lengths of the spines are a linear function of the logarithms of their inverse serial numbers (i.e., ordinal numbers counted cephalad). Other species for which length-position patterns of radial elements of fins are specified are Brama brama (Bonnaterre,l788), Dactylosargus arctidens(Richardson, 1839) , Neosebastes pandus (Richardson, 1842) , Neosebastes panticus McCulloch & Waite,l918, Neothunnus macropterus (Temminck & Schlegel,l844). The majority of patterns involve the logarithms of both the length and the serial number of the spine or ray. Two species, Muraenichthys ogilbyi Fowler, 1908 (Echelidae), Neothunnus macropterus (Temminck & Schlegel, l844) are added to the local list. Neoodax attenuatus (Ogilby, 1887), not recognized since its discovery, is reported, redescribed and figured. Some miscellaneous observations are made as follows: Hexanchidae: Notorhynchus cepedianus (Peron, 1807), notes on a juvenile male. Sphyrnidae: Undetermined species of Sphyrna, large example from the East Coast. Rajidae: Raja whitleyi Iredale, l938, size possible sexual dimorphism. llaplochitonidae, Calaxiidae: occurrence in a sample of whitebait of Lovettia sealii (Johnston, 1883), Galaxias attenuatus (Jenyns, 1842), Galaxias truttaceus (Cuvier,l816); specification of the sample by species number, sex, length; pigmentation patterns in the galaxiids; general notes. Muraenidae: Gymnothorax lee cote Scott, 1965, second specimen, differences from holotype, head figured. Bramidae: Brama brama (Bonnaterre,l788), description of a specimen, radial lengthmnnber patterns. Enoplosidae: Enoplosus armatus (White, 1790), metrical and other data on 6 specimens, venomous spines, variation with age, radial length-number patterns. Chironemidae: Threpterius maculosus Richardson,l850, second Tasmanian example, radial length-number patterns. Aplodactylidae: Aplodactylus arctidens (Richardson,l839), characters of 4 local specimens, radial length-number pat terns. Scorpaenidae: Neosebastes pandus (Richardson, 1842), variation exhibi teJ by a Tasmanian example, radial length-number patterns; Neosebastes panticus McCulloch & Waite, 1918, additional records, venomous spines, radial length-number patterns. Notes are given on two fishing contests held in 1970 and 1971.