Pleuronichthys

Abstract: Eggs and larval series are described for six species of flatfishes occurring off California with heavily pigmented larvae. These are the pleuronectids Pleuronichthys coenosus, P. decurrens, P. ritteri, P. verticalis,. and Hypsopsettn guttulata and the bothid, Hippglossina stomata. A brief description of postflexion larvae of the Gulf of California species, P. ocellatus, is also presented. Eggs 0fPleuronichthy.s are unusual among flatfishes in possessing a sculptured chorion composed of a network of polygonal walls, whereas the chorions of Hypsopsetta guttulata and Hippoglossina stomata eggs are smooth and unornamented. Eggs OfHypsopsetta guttulatn and P. ritferi are unusual among those of pleuronectid flatfishes in possessing an oil globule. A combination of pigmentation, morphology, and meristics can distinguish the seven species of flatfishes with heavily pigmented larvae. Larvae of two species, H. guttulata and P. decurrens, have a distinctive pterotic spine on either side of the head. Sizes at hatching, at fin formation, and at transformation are important considerations to distinguish these species. Meristic counts, particularly of precaudal and caudal groups of vertebrae, are important to relate a larval series to its juvenile and adult stages and thus substantiate identification of the series. This report deals primarily with the eggs, larvae, and early juveniles of flatfishes of the genus Pleuronichthys. Descriptions are included for complete series of larvae of four species, P. decurrens (curlfin turbot),2 P. coemsus (C-0 turbot), P. verticalis (hornyhead turbot), and P. ritteri (spotted turbot). A brief account of postflexion larvae of the Gulf of California species, P. ocellatus (Gulf turbot), is also given. Larvae of Pleuronichthys are heavily pigmented, even at hatching, as are those of the pleuronectid, Hypsopsetta guttulata (diamond turbot), and the bothid, Hippoglossina stomata (bigmouth sole). To identify heavily pigmented flatfish larvae obtained in plankton collections from the eastern North Pacific, it is necessary to know the larval developmental series of all of the above species. These species comprise minor incidental catches within California commercial and sport fisheries and are reported as a general

Abstract: A review of East Asian frog flounders, genus Pleuronichthys (family Pleuronectidae), recognized Pleuronichthys japonicus sp. nov. and P. cornutus (Temminck and Schlegel 1846). Pleuronichthys japonicus sp. nov. is characterized by small, dark, rounded spots or marbled markings on the ocular side of the body, rounded cycloid scales somewhat irregularly arranged, usually 12 abdominal vertebrae, 67–80 (modally 75) dorsal-fin rays, 48–59 (modally 55) anal-fin rays, and a short branch of the supratemporal lateral line usually present on both sides. Pleuronichthys cornutus is characterized by densely distributed small, dark, irregular spots on the ocular side of the body, elongate cycloid scales somewhat regularly arranged, usually 13 abdominal vertebrae, 72–88 (modally 77) dorsal-fin rays, 52–65 (modally 58) anal-fin rays, and a branch of the supratemporal lateral line usually absent on both sides. Whereas P. cornutus is distributed from Miyagi Prefecture (Tohoku District) southward along the Pacific coast of Japan to the Bungo Channel, from Akita Prefecture (Tohoku District) southward along the Sea of Japan coast through the Tsushima Strait to the East China Sea, Yellow and Bohai Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and northern Chinese coast of the South China Sea, P. japonicus is distributed from southern Hokkaido southward along the Sea of Japan and Pacific coasts of Japan to the southern East China Sea. Geographic variations were found in caudal vertebrae and anal-fin ray counts, and caudal-peduncle depth in P. cornutus, and in ocular side body coloration, body depth, and head length in P. japonicus. Pleuronichthys lighti Wu 1929 was regarded as a junior synonym of P. cornutus.

Abstract: F OR some time the rare flounder of Puget Souna known as Inopsetta ischyra has been suspected of b ing a hybrid, although it was reported a a distinct species by Jordan and Gilbert (1880), who described it from 4 specimens, and by Villadolid (1927), who redescribed it on the basis of the 3 additional known specimens; these 7 specimens were all taken in the region of Elliot Bay and Holmes Harbor, Puget Sound. This nominal species is well known to trawl fishermen of Saratoga Passage, by whom it is called a bastard flounder. It is said by them to be a hybrid between the starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus, and some other species. Capt. Michael Criscoula of the Trawler St. Michael, who saved for the junior author some of the specimens used in this report, is one of the fishermen who recognizes this fish at sight and regards it as a hybrid. This has also been the belief of Carl L. Hubbs and other ichthyologists for several years. The first printed statement that we have found indicating that Inopsetta ischyra may be a hybrid was that by Norman (1934: 376-377), who wrote: "It is possible that the single known 'species' of Inopsetta from Puget Sound may prove to be a hybrid between Lepidopsetta bilineata and Platichthys stellatus." Schultz and DeLacy (1936: footnote 11) were of the same opinion until the present study was made. Only recently has it been possible to satisfy the senior author's desire of several years to analyze this problem. While engaged in a study of the fishes caught by the commercial fisher en in the Puget Sound Region, the junior author has collected 12 more specimens corresponding with the descriptions of I. ischyra: 4 from Saratoga Passage, off Oak Harbor, from January 26 to February 4, 1936; 7 from Saratoga Passage, off Watsak Point near Coupeville, from January 14 to February 12, 1936, and 1 from Port Discovery Bay, March 24, 1936. These 12 new specimens agree so completely with the 2 types in the United States National Museum (No. 27266), examined by the senior author, and with the 2 descriptions of Inopsetta ischyra, as to leave no doubt that they represent the same species, or hybrid combination. Several of the small-mouthed flounders of Puget Sound do not resemble Inopsetta ischyra closely enough to be considered possible parent species. Glyptocephalus zachirus and Microstomus pacificus have very small mouths, blunt heads, the profile rounded, s ooth scales, and elongate bodies, all of which characters, among others, clearly differentiate these 2 species from I. ischyra. Pleuronichthys coenosus and P. decurrens have a rounded caudal fin, the dorsal fin beginning on the blind side opposite upper or lower lip, and smooth non-imbricated scales, and other characters that do not indicate a close relationship with ischyra. Inopsetta ischyra resembles Isopsetta isolepis in the presence of rough scales on the median fins and in the lack of an arch in the lateral line, but

Abstract: Two new species of Lepeophtheirus are described and illustrated based on a collection from the Orange County sewer outfall, California. They are: L. remiopsis sp.nov. from the branchial cavities and external body surfaces of Parophrys vetulus Girard, Hippoglossina stomata Eigenmann & Eigenmann, Pleuronichthys verticalis (Jordan & Gilbert), Chitonotus pugetensis (Steindachner), and Porichthys notatus (Girard); and L. rotundipes sp.nov. from the external body surfaces and occasionally the gill cavities of Scorpaena guttata (Girard) and Citharichthys stigmaeus Jordan & Gilbert.