. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. The Fishes of the Family Mugilidae in South Africa. 627 Scales large, predorsal very finely denticulate, ventral scales more distinctly so. Predorsal scales as wide as long (PL XX, E and F), 29-32 (Giinther 28), 11, 10-11 predorsal to above hind margin of head. Five cheek scales. Colour (Preserved).—Uniform light brown; silvery in life. Hind edge of scales dark. Localities.—Port Elizabeth, Durban, St. Lucia Bay, Kosi Bay. Length.—Up to 600 mm. Five specimens, all adults (one stuffed, Port
. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. The Fishes of the Family Mugilidae in South Africa. 627 Scales large, predorsal very finely denticulate, ventral scales more distinctly so. Predorsal scales as wide as long (PL XX, E and F), 29-32 (Giinther 28), 11, 10-11 predorsal to above hind margin of head. Five cheek scales. Colour (Preserved).—Uniform light brown; silvery in life. Hind edge of scales dark. Localities.—Port Elizabeth, Durban, St. Lucia Bay, Kosi Bay. Length.—Up to 600 mm. Five specimens, all adults (one stuffed, Port Elizabeth Museum), examined. It has earlier been indicated that the majority of Giinther's descrip- tions of Mugil species (loc. cit., pp. 417-460) are scarcely full enough. Fig. 13.—Mugil compressus Gnthr. (see note, fig. 3). to be of much diagnostic value. But that of the Australian species, compressus Gnthr., is an exception. I have very little hesitation in pronouncing diadema G. and T. synonymous. Nevertheless, as I have seen no Australian specimens, this diagnosis is provisional only. It must be confessed that I was led to search for some Indo-Pacific form, with which diadema might prove identical, by the outlines of this species, which indicate a swift, pelagic fish, possessing great leap- ing powers; likely to be widely distributed, but difficult to capture. In certain minor details only does the diagnosis of compressus differ from that of diadema. Giinther states that the former has 28 series of scales: diadema has 29-32; this is well within normal limits of variation. The exposed surface on the chin of compressus is stated to be very short and narrow, in diadema it is long and narrow. I have found that the extent of this exposed area varies in one species, and increases with age. Long preservation in spirits. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booky
