4 from Argentina (301.0-349.0 mm SL), FSFL EM 205, 266, 267, 909.
Description:
D 11-12; A 16-19; P1 13-14; P2 9; LLS 60-64; BR 10; GR 1+1+18-20=20-22; ? 59-61.
HL 22.7-24.6% of SL; ED 4.2-4.7; BD 9.2-13.5; SN 6.9-7.2; IO 5.1-6.1; UJ 12.8-13.5; CP 3.8-4.7; P1L 15.4-17.9; PreD 54.9-56.0; PreA 78.0-78.9; PreP1 28.9-29.8; PreP2 48.0-48.9; Pre D adiporse 83.9-86.1.
Body elongate and compressed. Head rather small, more than 4 times in SL. Mouth large and oblique. Lower jaw extended anterior to upper jaw. Posterior margin of upper jaw extending slightly posterior to midpoint of eye. Eye large, dorsal margin forming dorsal profile of head. Sensory pores on mandibular canal not outlined by black pigment. No distinct black pigment surrounding anus. Small caniniform teeth in a series along upper jaw and in two rows on lower jaw, those in outer row larger than those on upper jaw and directed slightly outward. An irregular single row of tiny teeth on palatine. Four to five small teeth on vomer. Tongue toothless. Pectoral fin long, extended well beyond pelvic fin origin. Dorsal fin situated nearly midway between tip of snout and tip of caudal fin. Dorsal adipose fin present. Fork of caudal fin deeply notched. Attains 35 mm SL.
Distribution:
Worldwide.
Remarks:
Marshall (1966a) stated that this species may prove to be synonymous with Scopelosaurus harryi (Mead). However, Fujii (1984) showed that S. harryi has an apparently shorter pectoral fin (its posterior end not reaching the insertion of the pelvic fin) than that of S. lepidus. Six species of Scopelosaurus have been recognized so far (Marshall, 1966a).
(Izumi NAKAMURA)
Distribution of Scopelosaurus lepidus in Patagonia.
Caudal fin. Procurrent fin rays (1) and deeply notched caudal fork (2).