The moray eels of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1962
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019663 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 23
- Description: The reefs of the Western Indian Ocean hold a dense population of marine eels of all kinds, and the morays are well represented. On some reefs in the more remote parts not often visited by humans we found a swarming population of morays, at low tide great numbers were moving freely all over the reef. In more inhabited areas there are fewer as the natives kill all they can, fearing them as much as snakes. Some species attain a large size, in East African coral reefs we have seen some with bodies the thickness of a man’s thigh. Native divers have told us that they fear these eels more than any other marine creature, as they have been known to seize a diver under the water, and so held he is powerless and drowns in a short time as there is no escaping from their powerful grip. While in some parts morays are eaten, they are apparently nowhere valued as food. In East Africa only certain natives eat them, but a number are dried for sending inland. In some parts the flesh of the moray produces an intoxication that may prove fatal (Ichthyosarcotoxism) and for which no antidote is known. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1962
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019663 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 23
- Description: The reefs of the Western Indian Ocean hold a dense population of marine eels of all kinds, and the morays are well represented. On some reefs in the more remote parts not often visited by humans we found a swarming population of morays, at low tide great numbers were moving freely all over the reef. In more inhabited areas there are fewer as the natives kill all they can, fearing them as much as snakes. Some species attain a large size, in East African coral reefs we have seen some with bodies the thickness of a man’s thigh. Native divers have told us that they fear these eels more than any other marine creature, as they have been known to seize a diver under the water, and so held he is powerless and drowns in a short time as there is no escaping from their powerful grip. While in some parts morays are eaten, they are apparently nowhere valued as food. In East Africa only certain natives eat them, but a number are dried for sending inland. In some parts the flesh of the moray produces an intoxication that may prove fatal (Ichthyosarcotoxism) and for which no antidote is known. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
The rare "Furred-Tongue" Uraspis uraspis (Gunther) from South Africa, and other new records from there
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1962
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:15001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019711 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 26
- Description: During the past century at odd mostly long intervals there have appeared records and descriptions of certain rather small Carangid fishes, characterised by edentate white furred tongue and inside of mouth, and sometimes by the unusual armature of the straight part of the lateral line. These have almost always been single specimens, most rather small. Until recently records have been from the western north Atlantic (5), Red Sea (1), Persian Gulf (1), Western Pacific (5), Hawaii (3), Australia (2). In 1961 Williams reported 3 small specimens from equatorial East Africa, the first from the western Indian Ocean. Recently a specimen has been found at Algoa Bay, the first from South Africa, fortunately still alive, and of particular interest as being the smallest ever described. These fishes fall in the genus Uraspis Bleeker, 1855. , ABBYY FineReader 12 , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1962
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:15001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019711 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 26
- Description: During the past century at odd mostly long intervals there have appeared records and descriptions of certain rather small Carangid fishes, characterised by edentate white furred tongue and inside of mouth, and sometimes by the unusual armature of the straight part of the lateral line. These have almost always been single specimens, most rather small. Until recently records have been from the western north Atlantic (5), Red Sea (1), Persian Gulf (1), Western Pacific (5), Hawaii (3), Australia (2). In 1961 Williams reported 3 small specimens from equatorial East Africa, the first from the western Indian Ocean. Recently a specimen has been found at Algoa Bay, the first from South Africa, fortunately still alive, and of particular interest as being the smallest ever described. These fishes fall in the genus Uraspis Bleeker, 1855. , ABBYY FineReader 12 , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the family Anthiidae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Ground beetles , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018951 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 21
- Description: These fishes are generally assigned to the family Serranidae, one of the most diverse and cumbersome groups of fishes. Containing numerous ill-assorted types this family for convenience at least merits sub-division. One of the natural sub-groups, generally given sub-family status as the Anthiinae, but here given full family rank, consists mainly of small, brilliant, free-swimming coral haunting types confined almost exclusively to tropical seas. These d iffer from the Serranidae proper in the absence of a supramaxilla, in having larger scales, in the dentition, and mostly in the concave or lunate caudal. Although by most workers assigned without question to the Serranidae (sensustricto) the monotypic genus Variola Swainson, 1839 has distinct affinities with the Anthiidae. The dentition, lunate caudal and the brilliant colouration accord better with the Anthiid than with the Serranid fishes. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Ground beetles , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018951 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 21
- Description: These fishes are generally assigned to the family Serranidae, one of the most diverse and cumbersome groups of fishes. Containing numerous ill-assorted types this family for convenience at least merits sub-division. One of the natural sub-groups, generally given sub-family status as the Anthiinae, but here given full family rank, consists mainly of small, brilliant, free-swimming coral haunting types confined almost exclusively to tropical seas. These d iffer from the Serranidae proper in the absence of a supramaxilla, in having larger scales, in the dentition, and mostly in the concave or lunate caudal. Although by most workers assigned without question to the Serranidae (sensustricto) the monotypic genus Variola Swainson, 1839 has distinct affinities with the Anthiidae. The dentition, lunate caudal and the brilliant colouration accord better with the Anthiid than with the Serranid fishes. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the family Apogonidae of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Cardinalfishes , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018952 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 22
- Description: Fishes of the family Apogonidae of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Small and relatively feeble as most of these fishes are many cover an astonishing range. Some are found over truly vast areas of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from Southern Africa to the mid-Pacific. As a result, workers on even mid-Pacific Apogonidae need to give heed to the fauna of the Red Sea and of the Western Indian Ocean, from where, as in the case of the Parrot fishes, many early types were described. Failure to do this has caused species from the Pacific described as new, later to be proved identical with those long known from the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Cardinalfishes , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018952 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 22
- Description: Fishes of the family Apogonidae of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Small and relatively feeble as most of these fishes are many cover an astonishing range. Some are found over truly vast areas of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from Southern Africa to the mid-Pacific. As a result, workers on even mid-Pacific Apogonidae need to give heed to the fauna of the Red Sea and of the Western Indian Ocean, from where, as in the case of the Parrot fishes, many early types were described. Failure to do this has caused species from the Pacific described as new, later to be proved identical with those long known from the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the family Xenopoclinidae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Clinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018781 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 20
- Description: As is w ell know n, there is a sharp line of distinction at the Cape between the warmer waters of the east and south coast of Africa, and the cool seas of the western Cape areas, with corresponding cleavage in the marine fauna. It was in this cooler area that a specimen of the first member of this group, Xenopoclinus kochi Smith, 1947, was discovered, and at that time it was given subfamily rank in the Clinidae. Until recently only the holotype was known, but now not only have further specimens been secured, but also a second species in this genus, and even more striking is the discovery of a second genus and a third species from the same locality. These forms all show clear relationship with the Blennioid fishes, but despite the numerous families in that order, I cannot find any among them that are so clearly related to the fishes described here, as to be able to assign this small group with certainty to anyone. The peculiar characters appear to merit full family rank, as is given here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Clinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018781 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 20
- Description: As is w ell know n, there is a sharp line of distinction at the Cape between the warmer waters of the east and south coast of Africa, and the cool seas of the western Cape areas, with corresponding cleavage in the marine fauna. It was in this cooler area that a specimen of the first member of this group, Xenopoclinus kochi Smith, 1947, was discovered, and at that time it was given subfamily rank in the Clinidae. Until recently only the holotype was known, but now not only have further specimens been secured, but also a second species in this genus, and even more striking is the discovery of a second genus and a third species from the same locality. These forms all show clear relationship with the Blennioid fishes, but despite the numerous families in that order, I cannot find any among them that are so clearly related to the fishes described here, as to be able to assign this small group with certainty to anyone. The peculiar characters appear to merit full family rank, as is given here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Coral fishes of the family Pomacentridae from the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Pomacentridae , Perciformes , Fishes -- Red Sea , Fishes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018780 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 19
- Description: Coral fishes of the family Pomacentridae from the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Local names in the Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea; SCHARAM. Italian Somaliland; SHIRISHIRI, BUNSHILI, L'YUNUSS RASHIDD. Zanzibar; KIPEPEU, KIYAKAZI, NDUZI. Tanga; BAZI. Pinda (Moz); NIPATE. Seychelles; BOETEUR (DU SABLE, NOIR, BLEU, etc.), MARMITE. Mauritius; COUS COUS, DEBOUETTER, BOETEUR. Comores; SOUMPI, SOUMPOUI, DAOU, GOALE. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Pomacentridae , Perciformes , Fishes -- Red Sea , Fishes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018780 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 19
- Description: Coral fishes of the family Pomacentridae from the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Local names in the Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea; SCHARAM. Italian Somaliland; SHIRISHIRI, BUNSHILI, L'YUNUSS RASHIDD. Zanzibar; KIPEPEU, KIYAKAZI, NDUZI. Tanga; BAZI. Pinda (Moz); NIPATE. Seychelles; BOETEUR (DU SABLE, NOIR, BLEU, etc.), MARMITE. Mauritius; COUS COUS, DEBOUETTER, BOETEUR. Comores; SOUMPI, SOUMPOUI, DAOU, GOALE. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the family Gobiidae in South Africa
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018779 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 18
- Description: Gobioid fishes are not popular with most ichthyologists, which is understandable, for most species are small to minute, and of neither commercial nor angling significance. Although almost all live in shallow water, many Gobies are so expert at concealment, that only the most thorough collecting brings them to light. Thirty years ago only 16 species were known in purely South African waters, where as in the present review, no less than 46 species are described from the South African zone, which is here taken as the area between Walfish Bay and Delagoa Bay. Critical revision of the South African species is long overdue, as the results of this review clearly reveal. Not only have there been malidentifications but also much confusion, e.g. it has been found that in nudicepts C & V, 1837, no less than four species have been confused. In addition, there have been constant new discoveries. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018779 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 18
- Description: Gobioid fishes are not popular with most ichthyologists, which is understandable, for most species are small to minute, and of neither commercial nor angling significance. Although almost all live in shallow water, many Gobies are so expert at concealment, that only the most thorough collecting brings them to light. Thirty years ago only 16 species were known in purely South African waters, where as in the present review, no less than 46 species are described from the South African zone, which is here taken as the area between Walfish Bay and Delagoa Bay. Critical revision of the South African species is long overdue, as the results of this review clearly reveal. Not only have there been malidentifications but also much confusion, e.g. it has been found that in nudicepts C & V, 1837, no less than four species have been confused. In addition, there have been constant new discoveries. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the families Blenniidae and Salariidae of the Western Indian Ocean
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Blenniidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018775 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 14
- Description: Blennioid fishes of the families Blenniidae and Salariidae are found in almost all seas. They are small, agile fishes of shallow water, most being intertidal. The body is normally naked, elongate; the pectoral and vertical fins well developed; the pelvics mostly reduced, the rays hidden in thick tissue, used as limbs for support of the body. Many species freely leave the water and are as agile as grasshoppers on land. I have found them virtually unaffected by underwater explosions, e.g. detonators, even close by, possibly because they have no air bladder. While some are sombre, many of these fishes are brilliantly coloured, those living in weed showing wide variation in colour on a basically similar pattern. While more abundant than in most tropical areas, none are of economic significance in the W. Indian Ocean. 67 species are described. All new species, and all others possible, including sexual dimorphs, have been figured, 24 in colour, and 53 monochrome illustrations, total 77. In the case of 4 species, neither specimens nor illustrations could be obtained. The locality from which each specimen illustrated came is given in each case. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Blenniidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018775 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 14
- Description: Blennioid fishes of the families Blenniidae and Salariidae are found in almost all seas. They are small, agile fishes of shallow water, most being intertidal. The body is normally naked, elongate; the pectoral and vertical fins well developed; the pelvics mostly reduced, the rays hidden in thick tissue, used as limbs for support of the body. Many species freely leave the water and are as agile as grasshoppers on land. I have found them virtually unaffected by underwater explosions, e.g. detonators, even close by, possibly because they have no air bladder. While some are sombre, many of these fishes are brilliantly coloured, those living in weed showing wide variation in colour on a basically similar pattern. While more abundant than in most tropical areas, none are of economic significance in the W. Indian Ocean. 67 species are described. All new species, and all others possible, including sexual dimorphs, have been figured, 24 in colour, and 53 monochrome illustrations, total 77. In the case of 4 species, neither specimens nor illustrations could be obtained. The locality from which each specimen illustrated came is given in each case. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the family Lethrinidae from the Western Indian Ocean
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Lethrinidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018778 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 17
- Description: Among the most difficult problems of the systematist are certain groups of tropical fishes, notably the Parrotfishes and the Lethrinidae, whose bright colours fade quickly after death. Both of these groups are especially abundant in the Indo-Pacific. The Parrotfishes are troublesome enough, but the species do tend to retain the same livery fairly constantly in life, and there are several features that provide well defined generic cleavage, as well as useful clues to species. The Lethrinidae are more difficult, having fewer variable features. Even dimensions, e.g. relative depth, are useful only when comparable stadia can be compared, as considerable general change in body shape may occur with growth. Under the water these are troublesome fishes to identify, as most species are camouflaged by an intricate pattern of cross bars, cloudy patches, and reticulations, which make them all look much alike. In addition, they are among the most wary of the reef fishes, and difficult to approach for close scrutiny. Fresh from the water, the concealing, darker, cross markings and reticulations usually fade within a few moments, and some species are not difficult to recognise, since just after death, colour and pattern are normally reasonably constant within one species, a few are almost constant, others show variation round a typical pattern. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Lethrinidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018778 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 17
- Description: Among the most difficult problems of the systematist are certain groups of tropical fishes, notably the Parrotfishes and the Lethrinidae, whose bright colours fade quickly after death. Both of these groups are especially abundant in the Indo-Pacific. The Parrotfishes are troublesome enough, but the species do tend to retain the same livery fairly constantly in life, and there are several features that provide well defined generic cleavage, as well as useful clues to species. The Lethrinidae are more difficult, having fewer variable features. Even dimensions, e.g. relative depth, are useful only when comparable stadia can be compared, as considerable general change in body shape may occur with growth. Under the water these are troublesome fishes to identify, as most species are camouflaged by an intricate pattern of cross bars, cloudy patches, and reticulations, which make them all look much alike. In addition, they are among the most wary of the reef fishes, and difficult to approach for close scrutiny. Fresh from the water, the concealing, darker, cross markings and reticulations usually fade within a few moments, and some species are not difficult to recognise, since just after death, colour and pattern are normally reasonably constant within one species, a few are almost constant, others show variation round a typical pattern. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Gobioid fishes of the families Gobiidae, Periophthalmidae, Trypauchenidae, Taenioididae, and Kraemeriidae of the Western Indian Ocean
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018774 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 13
- Description: Much said in the introduction to the Eleotridae (Bulletin No. 11 of this series, July 1958) applies with equal force to this large and closely related family, the overwhelming majority of whose members are small to minute fishes of shallow water, embracing some of the smallest vertebrates in existence. Most are found in coastal areas, some in freshwater, others have penetrated to fairly deep water. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018774 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 13
- Description: Much said in the introduction to the Eleotridae (Bulletin No. 11 of this series, July 1958) applies with equal force to this large and closely related family, the overwhelming majority of whose members are small to minute fishes of shallow water, embracing some of the smallest vertebrates in existence. Most are found in coastal areas, some in freshwater, others have penetrated to fairly deep water. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Serioline fishes (yellowtails: amberjacks) from the Western Indian Ocean
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Seriola , Yellowtail
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018776 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 15
- Description: Among the most esteemed by the big game angler, these fishes are of world-wide distribution, and the various species (commonly named “Yellowtail” in South Africa), are all built on much the same plan, the caudal lunate, the dorsal and anal fins long and mostly low. All are powerful swimmers, presumably able to cover vast distances, and within each genus and subgenus the different species do not differ widely from one another. As a result, there has been a general tendency for systematists to identify species, even in remote parts, with those already known. The literature reveals astonishingly few detailed original descriptions of these fishes, and there has been a regrettable tendency merely to reproduce early illustrations that are technically good, rather than to provide originals of actual specimens, which has caused widespread confusion. Two genera are treated here, viz. Seriola Cuvier, 1817 and the monotypic Seriolina Wakiya, 1924; Zonichthys Swainson, 1839 is regarded as Atlantic only, while the pelagic monotypic Naucrates Rafinesque, 1810 is so well known as scarcely to need inclusion here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Seriola , Yellowtail
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018776 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 15
- Description: Among the most esteemed by the big game angler, these fishes are of world-wide distribution, and the various species (commonly named “Yellowtail” in South Africa), are all built on much the same plan, the caudal lunate, the dorsal and anal fins long and mostly low. All are powerful swimmers, presumably able to cover vast distances, and within each genus and subgenus the different species do not differ widely from one another. As a result, there has been a general tendency for systematists to identify species, even in remote parts, with those already known. The literature reveals astonishingly few detailed original descriptions of these fishes, and there has been a regrettable tendency merely to reproduce early illustrations that are technically good, rather than to provide originals of actual specimens, which has caused widespread confusion. Two genera are treated here, viz. Seriola Cuvier, 1817 and the monotypic Seriolina Wakiya, 1924; Zonichthys Swainson, 1839 is regarded as Atlantic only, while the pelagic monotypic Naucrates Rafinesque, 1810 is so well known as scarcely to need inclusion here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
The fishes of the family Eleotridae in the Western Indian Ocean
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018772 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 11
- Description: Family Eleotridae - The Gobioid fishes are one of the major trials of ichthyologists, and when general regional collections are worked up, these fishes tend to be pushed aside, and are apparently often identified with some impatience by those not especially interested. It is not indeed uncommon for later workers to find several species in a bottle supposed to contain only one, or to find one and the same fish in the same collection labelled with different names. All this is understandable, for not only are there numerous species, but almost all are small to minute, so that accurate description and especially illustration are no light undertaking. In addition, they are generally covered with mucus, so that two exactly similar living specimens, preserved in different media, e.g. alcohol and formalin, can emerge looking so completely different, that the purely museum worker may be forgiven for considering them different species. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018772 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 11
- Description: Family Eleotridae - The Gobioid fishes are one of the major trials of ichthyologists, and when general regional collections are worked up, these fishes tend to be pushed aside, and are apparently often identified with some impatience by those not especially interested. It is not indeed uncommon for later workers to find several species in a bottle supposed to contain only one, or to find one and the same fish in the same collection labelled with different names. All this is understandable, for not only are there numerous species, but almost all are small to minute, so that accurate description and especially illustration are no light undertaking. In addition, they are generally covered with mucus, so that two exactly similar living specimens, preserved in different media, e.g. alcohol and formalin, can emerge looking so completely different, that the purely museum worker may be forgiven for considering them different species. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
The identity of Scarus gibbus Ruppell, 1828 and of other parrotfishes of the family Callyodontidae from the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018777 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 16
- Description: Parrotfishes have long been one of the major problems of the taxonomist, largely as a result of classification based on preserved material. Workers such Bleeker, who handled fresh specimens, provided useful descriptions and at least passable illustrations of Parrotfishes. There has, in consequence, been a general tendency to use such names in preference to those of earlier workers, notably Lacepede and Valenciennes, most of whose descriptions, based on long dead specimens, not only lack accurate, or indeed any, illustration, but rarely contain critical diagnostic data. In consequence, the nomenclature has been in a state of utter chaos, and any worker privileged to travel and examine early type specimens incurs a good deal of responsibility, since the majority of other workers are usually not in a position to query his opinions about their identities. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018777 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 16
- Description: Parrotfishes have long been one of the major problems of the taxonomist, largely as a result of classification based on preserved material. Workers such Bleeker, who handled fresh specimens, provided useful descriptions and at least passable illustrations of Parrotfishes. There has, in consequence, been a general tendency to use such names in preference to those of earlier workers, notably Lacepede and Valenciennes, most of whose descriptions, based on long dead specimens, not only lack accurate, or indeed any, illustration, but rarely contain critical diagnostic data. In consequence, the nomenclature has been in a state of utter chaos, and any worker privileged to travel and examine early type specimens incurs a good deal of responsibility, since the majority of other workers are usually not in a position to query his opinions about their identities. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Fishes of the families Tetrarogidae, Caracanthidae and Synanciidae from the Western Indian Ocean with further notes on Scorpaenid fishes
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes -- Indian Ocean , Stonefishes -- Indian Ocean , Scorpaeniformes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018773 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 12
- Description: Fishes of the Families Tetrarogidae, Caracanthidae and Synanciidae, from the Western Indian Ocean with furthser notes on Scorpaenid fishes - The present work follows the similar regional faunal revision of the family Scorpaenidae of the W. Indian Ocean (Smith, Ich.Bulls. 4 & 5, 1957, 49-88). The Scorpaenoid fishes of that area are provisionally divided into four families as defined there (loc. cit. p 49). , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes -- Indian Ocean , Stonefishes -- Indian Ocean , Scorpaeniformes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018773 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 12
- Description: Fishes of the Families Tetrarogidae, Caracanthidae and Synanciidae, from the Western Indian Ocean with furthser notes on Scorpaenid fishes - The present work follows the similar regional faunal revision of the family Scorpaenidae of the W. Indian Ocean (Smith, Ich.Bulls. 4 & 5, 1957, 49-88). The Scorpaenoid fishes of that area are provisionally divided into four families as defined there (loc. cit. p 49). , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Sharks of the genus Pterolamiops Springer, 1951 with notes on the Isurid sharks
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Carcharhinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018771 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 10
- Description: Family Carcharhinidae - This family is here restricted to those forms lacking spiracles, the remainder generally placed with them are regarded as falling in the Galeorhinidae. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Carcharhinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018771 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 10
- Description: Family Carcharhinidae - This family is here restricted to those forms lacking spiracles, the remainder generally placed with them are regarded as falling in the Galeorhinidae. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
The Gunnellichthid Fishes with description of two new species from East Africa and of Gunnellichthys (Clarkichthys) Bilineatus (Clark), 1936
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Microdesmidae , Wormfishes , Paragobioididae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018545 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 9
- Description: A few specimens of a tiny fish taken by poison in tide pools in northern Mozambique in 1950 set in train a series of researches of world-wide scope, which have resulted in the revelation of unsuspected relationships in fishes long a puzzle. The species concerned, because of its obvious relationship to Paragobioides grandoculis Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911 (from Marshall Islands, Pacific), was described as Paragobioides copleyi (Smith, Ann. & Mag.Nat.Hist., 1951, (12) IV, 518, figs. 1, 2) , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Microdesmidae , Wormfishes , Paragobioididae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018545 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 9
- Description: A few specimens of a tiny fish taken by poison in tide pools in northern Mozambique in 1950 set in train a series of researches of world-wide scope, which have resulted in the revelation of unsuspected relationships in fishes long a puzzle. The species concerned, because of its obvious relationship to Paragobioides grandoculis Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911 (from Marshall Islands, Pacific), was described as Paragobioides copleyi (Smith, Ann. & Mag.Nat.Hist., 1951, (12) IV, 518, figs. 1, 2) , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
List of the fishes of the Family Labridae in the Western Indian Ocean, with new records and five new species
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Wrasses -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018950 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 7
- Description: Labrid fishes are primarily shore dwelling in tropical seas, few penetrating to cooler waters. An interesting distributional picture in the case of these fishes is observed along the coast of East and South Africa, for not only does the shore line stretch across the equator, but the warm and powerful westward current of the Indian Ocean divides south of the equator, one branch flowing north, the other, the powerful Mozambique current, southwards. As a result Labrid (and other) fishes, which in most parts are confined to a fairly narrow equatorial belt, are here spread out over an abnormally extensive area, many indeed living in surprising latitudes, e.g. the young of Thalassoma purpurem Forskal, have been found at 34°S x 24°E. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Wrasses -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018950 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 7
- Description: Labrid fishes are primarily shore dwelling in tropical seas, few penetrating to cooler waters. An interesting distributional picture in the case of these fishes is observed along the coast of East and South Africa, for not only does the shore line stretch across the equator, but the warm and powerful westward current of the Indian Ocean divides south of the equator, one branch flowing north, the other, the powerful Mozambique current, southwards. As a result Labrid (and other) fishes, which in most parts are confined to a fairly narrow equatorial belt, are here spread out over an abnormally extensive area, many indeed living in surprising latitudes, e.g. the young of Thalassoma purpurem Forskal, have been found at 34°S x 24°E. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
Sharks of the Genus Isurus Rafinesque, 1810
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Mako sharks
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14969 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018543 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 6
- Description: Family Isuridae - This family embraces probably not more than 6 species of large swift wide-ranging sharks of the open sea, characterised by having a conical head, the snout sharply pointed, 5 wide gill-slits, vestigial spiracle, an anal fin, the caudal lunate, its axis steeply raised, the peduncle depressed and expanded to a lateral keel, the teeth powerful, triangular or lanceolate, the third upper tooth on each side smaller than its neighbours. No nictitating membrane or fin spines. , Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Mako sharks
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14969 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018543 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 6
- Description: Family Isuridae - This family embraces probably not more than 6 species of large swift wide-ranging sharks of the open sea, characterised by having a conical head, the snout sharply pointed, 5 wide gill-slits, vestigial spiracle, an anal fin, the caudal lunate, its axis steeply raised, the peduncle depressed and expanded to a lateral keel, the teeth powerful, triangular or lanceolate, the third upper tooth on each side smaller than its neighbours. No nictitating membrane or fin spines. , Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Full Text:
The fishes of the Family Scorpaenidae; Part 1: The sub-family Scorpaeninae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018541 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 4
- Description: Within the order Scleroparei, characterised by the well-developed suborbital stay, many systematists pack the typical family Scorpaenidae with an enormous assemblage of fishes, which while showing certain fundamental relationships are so divergent as to render such an arrangement out of keeping with the generally accepted range of a systematic family group. While this large group will eventually doubtless be divided into numerous families of a lesser range, there is adopted here the fairly well defined cleavage into two main groups, based chiefly on the nature of the dorsal fin. These with the closely related families Synanciidae and Caracanthidae form a natural sub-group in the order. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018541 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 4
- Description: Within the order Scleroparei, characterised by the well-developed suborbital stay, many systematists pack the typical family Scorpaenidae with an enormous assemblage of fishes, which while showing certain fundamental relationships are so divergent as to render such an arrangement out of keeping with the generally accepted range of a systematic family group. While this large group will eventually doubtless be divided into numerous families of a lesser range, there is adopted here the fairly well defined cleavage into two main groups, based chiefly on the nature of the dorsal fin. These with the closely related families Synanciidae and Caracanthidae form a natural sub-group in the order. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
The fishes of the Family Scorpaenidae; Part 2: The sub-families Pteroinae, Apistinae, Setarchinae and Sebastinae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae , Scorpaenids
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018542 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 5
- Description: Moderately compressed body with moderate to small cycloid or ctenoid scales, head partly scaly. 12-13 dorsal spines, usually elongate, separate, free from membrane. Anal usually with 3 spines, (rarely 2), the third longest. Pectoral elongate to very long, rays sometimes all simple, filamentous and free. In smallest stadia the pectoral is short, at first rapidly increases with growth, then shortens. The head with spines, variably single or multifid, spination usually increases with age, in some cases very markedly. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae , Scorpaenids
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018542 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 5
- Description: Moderately compressed body with moderate to small cycloid or ctenoid scales, head partly scaly. 12-13 dorsal spines, usually elongate, separate, free from membrane. Anal usually with 3 spines, (rarely 2), the third longest. Pectoral elongate to very long, rays sometimes all simple, filamentous and free. In smallest stadia the pectoral is short, at first rapidly increases with growth, then shortens. The head with spines, variably single or multifid, spination usually increases with age, in some cases very markedly. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text: