Notes on the Osteology and Systematic Position of Hypoptychus dybowskii Steindachner and Other Elongate Perciform Fishes

Abstract

Longer ago that can gracefully be admitted, Dr. Paul Kahsbauer of the Vienna Naturhishistorische Museum was kind enough co send me a specimen of Hypoptyehus dybowskii from Steindachner's (1880) original series taken off "Northern Japan." Steindachner placed this fish alongside the Ammodytidae, and there has been a division of opinion ever since as co whether it should be included in or excluded from that family (cf, Regan, 1913; Jordan, 1923; Duncker and Mohr, 1939; Berg, 1940). In order co investigate its relationships, the Vienna specimen has been stained and dissected, and its osteology compared with that of the ammodytids Bleekeria gilli (Fig. la) and Ammodytes tobianus. The specimen of Bleekeria is Hawaiian and was retrieved from tuna spewings. Ammodytes is represented by two series, sent to me from the U.S. National Museum and the Museum of Comparative Zoology through the courtesy of Dr. L.P. Schultz and Dr. G.W. Mead, respectively.