233: PERCOPHIDAE (DUCKBILLS)
Genus 8embrops Steindachner, 1876
Maxilla exposed, scaly, with triangular flap of skin at the
end. Vomerine teeth in 2 separate patches. C branched rays
11. Last D and A rays split to their base, but counted as a
single ray. How many of the 20 nominal species assigned to
this genus are valid remains to be determined; 1 species
known from our area.
233.1 8embrops platyrhynchus
(Alcock, 1893)
Bathypercis platyrhynchus Alcock, 1893: 177, P1.9, Fig. 1 (Bay of Bengal). ?Bembrops adenensis Norman, 1939: 69, Fig. Ib (Gulf of Aden).
? Bembrops nematopterus Norman, 1939: 70, Fig. Ie (off Zanzibar). Bembrops caudimacula (non Steindachner, 1876): Smith, SFSA No. 383a*.
D VI+14-15; A 15-16; P 23-25; GR 5+(14-16); LL 41-48 plus 2 or 3
scales on C. Depth 6.5-8.5; head 2.6-2.8. Eye 3.7-4.2 in head; interorbital
7.0-9.4 in eye.
Scales margined in black; vague dusky spots along body,
Ion C at base of upper rays; 1st D dusky to black. Attains 25
cm. Taken by trawl in 200 - 300 m off Natal. If the synonymy
above is correct, this species also occurs in the northern
Indian Ocean.
233.1 Bembrops platyrhynchus: 20 em (off Natal).
Genus Osopsaron Jordan & Starks, 1904
Anterior tip of maxilla with spine directed forward; C
branched rays 8. Three species, 1 in our area.
233.2 Osopsaron natalensis
Nelson, 1982
Osopsaron natalensis Nelson, 1982: 4, Figs. 3 & 4 (off Kosi Bay in 100
m).
D IV-V + 19-20; A23-25; P 18-19; GRshort and broad, about 90n lower
limb of 1st arch; LL about 31-33. Bases of D spines contiguous; front
nostrils in raised tube; rear nostrils a simple pore; V reaches past A origin.
Head and body pale (in alcohol); 1st D black. Attains at
least 34 mm. Known only from 3 battered specimens taken
in a dredge off Kosi Bay.
738
...... ..•....................... . ....... .
233.2 Osopsaron natalensis: 3 em SL holotype; ventral view of head and
belly (off Natal); lateral view of spinous D erected.
Genus Pteropsaron Jordan & Snyder, 1902
Anterior tip of maxilla with spine directed forward; C
branched rays 8. Two species, 1 in our area.
233.3 Pteropsaron heemstrai
Nelson, 1982
Pteropsaron heemstrai Nelson, 1982: 2, Figs. 1 & 2 (off Park Rynie,
Natal).
D VI+21-22; A 25; P 19; GR short and broad, 10 or 11 on lower limb;
LL 32 or 33. Bases of D spines contiguous; front nostrils in raised tube;
rear nostrils a simple pore; V not reaching A origin.
233.3 Pteropsaron heemstrai: 4.5 em SL holotype; ventral view of head and
belly (off Natal).
Genus 8embrops Steindachner, 1876
Maxilla exposed, scaly, with triangular flap of skin at the
end. Vomerine teeth in 2 separate patches. C branched rays
11. Last D and A rays split to their base, but counted as a
single ray. How many of the 20 nominal species assigned to
this genus are valid remains to be determined; 1 species
known from our area.
233.1 8embrops platyrhynchus
(Alcock, 1893)
Bathypercis platyrhynchus Alcock, 1893: 177, P1.9, Fig. 1 (Bay of Bengal). ?Bembrops adenensis Norman, 1939: 69, Fig. Ib (Gulf of Aden).
? Bembrops nematopterus Norman, 1939: 70, Fig. Ie (off Zanzibar). Bembrops caudimacula (non Steindachner, 1876): Smith, SFSA No. 383a*.
D VI+14-15; A 15-16; P 23-25; GR 5+(14-16); LL 41-48 plus 2 or 3
scales on C. Depth 6.5-8.5; head 2.6-2.8. Eye 3.7-4.2 in head; interorbital
7.0-9.4 in eye.
Scales margined in black; vague dusky spots along body,
Ion C at base of upper rays; 1st D dusky to black. Attains 25
cm. Taken by trawl in 200 - 300 m off Natal. If the synonymy
above is correct, this species also occurs in the northern
Indian Ocean.
233.1 Bembrops platyrhynchus: 20 em (off Natal).
Genus Osopsaron Jordan & Starks, 1904
Anterior tip of maxilla with spine directed forward; C
branched rays 8. Three species, 1 in our area.
233.2 Osopsaron natalensis
Nelson, 1982
Osopsaron natalensis Nelson, 1982: 4, Figs. 3 & 4 (off Kosi Bay in 100
m).
D IV-V + 19-20; A23-25; P 18-19; GRshort and broad, about 90n lower
limb of 1st arch; LL about 31-33. Bases of D spines contiguous; front
nostrils in raised tube; rear nostrils a simple pore; V reaches past A origin.
Head and body pale (in alcohol); 1st D black. Attains at
least 34 mm. Known only from 3 battered specimens taken
in a dredge off Kosi Bay.
738
...... ..•....................... . ....... .
233.2 Osopsaron natalensis: 3 em SL holotype; ventral view of head and
belly (off Natal); lateral view of spinous D erected.
Genus Pteropsaron Jordan & Snyder, 1902
Anterior tip of maxilla with spine directed forward; C
branched rays 8. Two species, 1 in our area.
233.3 Pteropsaron heemstrai
Nelson, 1982
Pteropsaron heemstrai Nelson, 1982: 2, Figs. 1 & 2 (off Park Rynie,
Natal).
D VI+21-22; A 25; P 19; GR short and broad, 10 or 11 on lower limb;
LL 32 or 33. Bases of D spines contiguous; front nostrils in raised tube;
rear nostrils a simple pore; V not reaching A origin.
233.3 Pteropsaron heemstrai: 4.5 em SL holotype; ventral view of head and
belly (off Natal).