. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE LUTJANIDAE 559 Aprion virescens Valenciennes Aprion virescens is a fast-moving predator common over coral areas in 3 to 15 fathoms, feeding from the surface through the mid-water region to the bottom. It is the only Lutianid species to be regularly taken by surface lures. 259 specimens were taken by handline and surface lure from 202 mm. to 800 mm. standard length (25 lb.). This species was often taken when handlining for L. bohar, usually on non-weighted lines. Over coral
. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE LUTJANIDAE 559 Aprion virescens Valenciennes Aprion virescens is a fast-moving predator common over coral areas in 3 to 15 fathoms, feeding from the surface through the mid-water region to the bottom. It is the only Lutianid species to be regularly taken by surface lures. 259 specimens were taken by handline and surface lure from 202 mm. to 800 mm. standard length (25 lb.). This species was often taken when handlining for L. bohar, usually on non-weighted lines. Over coral reefs in from 4 to 14. Fig. 3 Relative abundance of food organisms found in Aprion virescens. fathoms L. bohar is typically caught from mid-water to the bottom, and Aprion virescens from the surface to mid-water. They therefore occupy distinctly different, but overlapping habitats. A. virescens has been caught on handlines fishing down to 50 fathoms. The statement by Williams (1956 p. 37) of this species being taken on lines fishing from 75-80 fathoms is an error, and refers to a specimen taken fishing at 50 fathoms off the north end of Pemba Island on 23 October 1953. More than once this species has followed handlines being hauled in from deep water (50-60 fathoms) to the surface. It is possible that the species, which is mainly known as pelagic, may take the bait as the lines are being hauled in, and not at the bottom. There is no proof at present of the species occurring below the major thermocline in the colder sub-surface water. A. virescens is considered a prime food fish, and occurs in the local markets throughout the year in small numbers. Underwater, A. virescens is commonly seen in coral areas (Mafia, Latham, Cumulus, Zanzibar Channel), always actively moving in mid-water, never. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectl
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booky
