ARIUS. 389 teeth ; maxillary barbel longer than head, reaching beyond pectoral spine, outer mandibular barbel reaching latter point, inner mandibular not extending beyond branchiostegal membrane ; occipital process as long as broad at base, tectiform, in contact with a small cordiform interneural shield ; cccipito-nuchal bones with granular rugosities. Dorsal I 6; spine longer than head. Adipose fin about as long as deep, its base considerably shorter than that of rayed dorsal. Anal 16. Pectoral spine # length of head, outer border tubercular, inner border serrated. Ventral reaching anal. Steel-blue above, silvery on the side, pinkish yellow beneath ; dorsal and caudal greyish.
Total length 210 millim.
Murundava River, W. Madagascar.—Type in Paris Museum. 5. ARIUS KIRKII.
Giinth. Cat. Fish. v. p. 163 (1864).
Depth of body about 5 times in total length, length of head 35 times. Occipital region granulated; occipital process tectiform, broader than long, in contact with a small interneural shield; eye 44 times in length of head and 2 times in interocular width ; premaxillary band of teeth short, about 4 times as long as broad; palate with two patches of granular teeth on each side, the anterior patch small and rounded, widely separated from its fellow and narrowly from the posterior, which is large, subtriangular, and longer than broad; maxillary barbel as long as head. Dorsal I 7, spine # length of head, very feebly serrated in front and behind. Adipose dorsal small, about 25 times as distant from rayed dorsal as from caudal. Anal 17 (12 rays branched). Pectoral spine similar to dorsal, but rather more strongly serrated. Closely allied to the Indian Ocean A. dussumieri, C. & V., and imperfectly known from a half-skin of a small specimen, the palate of which is injured *.
Zambesi.
1. Type, skin. Shupanga. Sir J. Kirk (P.).
6. ARIUS AFRICANUS.
Arius falcarius, var. africana, Giinth. & Playf. Fish. Zanzib. p. 114 (1866). Depth of body 4 to 5 times in total length, length of head 34 to 4 times. Head 14 to 1? times as long as broad, the posterior part of its * The figure of the teeth, as given by Giinther, is consequently not quite correct.
390 SILURIDA., upper surface rough with pearl-like granules ; occipital process tectiform, longer than broad at the base, in contact with the interneural shield, which is small and crescentic and studded with granules same as on the skull; snout short and broad, projecting very feebly beyond mouth ; eye lateral, oval, 15 to 12 times in length of snout, 43 to 54 times in length of head, 2 to 3 times in interocular width; premavxillary band of teeth about 5 times as long as broad; palate with two large triangular groups of granular teeth, narrowly separated from each other in front. Arius africanus.
Type. 4.
Gill-rakers rather long, 14 or 15 on lower part of antericr arch. Dorsal 17, spine 2 to # length of head, very feebly serrated on both sides. Adipose dorsal small, its base 3 to # that of rayed dorsal, 13 to 2 times as distant from latteras from caudal. Anal 19-21 (13-15 rays branched). Pectoral spine similar to dorsal. Ventral not reaching origin of anal. Caudal deeply forked, with long pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle twice as long as deep. Brownish above, silvery on the sides, white beneath. Total length 250 millim.
Pangani River, East Africa.
1-2. Types. Pangani Kt. Sir Lambert Playfair (P.).
5, 4. Types, skins. %? ”
(Sb) (Is) dt SYNODONTIS.
28. SYNODONTIS.
Cuv. Régne Anim. ii. p. 203 (1817) ; Cuy. & Val: Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 244 (1840) ; Giinth. Cat. Fish. v. p. 210 (1864); Vaill. N. Arch. Mus. (3) vii. 1895, p- 233, & viii. 1896, p. 87 ; Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 301 (1901), and Fish. Nile, p. 350 (1907).
Brachysynodontis, Bleek. Neder]. Tijdschr. Dierk. viii. 1863, p. 54. Pseudosynodontis, Bleek. t. ¢. p. 55.
HHemisynodontis,Bleek.1.¢.
Letosynodontis, Bleek. 1. ¢.
Body short or moderately elongate, more or less compressed. fin short, formed of a strong spine and 6 or 7 branched rays; a large or very Jarge adipose dorsal fin. Pectoral with a strong spine. Ventral fin with 7 rays, inserted behind the vertical of the dorsal. A cephalo-nuchal bony shield, united to the clavicular bones. ‘Three pairs of barbels : maxillary and two mandibulars, all or at least the latter branched. Nostrils widely separated from each other, the anterior tubular. Eyes lateral or- supero-lateral, with free border. Mouth with more or less developed lips ; a band or series of conical premaxillary teeth ; movable, slender, more or less curved teeth implanted in the lower lip, usually followed by small teeth on the lower jaw; palate toothless. Gillmembranes confluent with the skin of the isthmus, Air-bladder large, Dorsal free.
Vertebre 36-44 (13-17-+-22-27). 7 branchiostegal rays. Intestine very elongate, forming numerous convolutions. Nile and Tropical Africa.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Maxillary barbel not branched; gill-opening not extending downwards beyond base of pectoral fin.
A. Movable mandibular teeth 70 to 80; band of premaxillary teeth rather long, extending along the whole width of the mouth; head smooth above, or with feeble vermicular rugosities; snout longer than postocular part of head.
Adipose dorsal 24 to 34 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal ; caudal lobes produced into long filaments; skin not ts Villosetemiy. te, Miner 3 me . 1. S. candalis, Blgr., p. 39 Adipose dorsal 14 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal ; skin villose on sides . 2. S. polyodon, Vaill., p. 398. cod ~ > “ te - . ey fem:
“
392 SILURID.
B. Movable mandibular teeth not more than 65; band of praemaxilary teeth not extending along the whole width of the mouth ; head more or less rugose above.
1. Humeral process pointed, bearing spines; movable mandibular teeth 36 to 55 ; skin villose on the sides. Snout longer than postocular part of head ; maxillary barbel not distinctly fringed ; ventral not reaching beyond origin of anal. 3. S. acanthomias, Blgr., p. 400. Snout not longer than postocular part of head ; maxillary barbel not distinctly fringed ; ventral reaching beyond origin of anal . 4. S. omias, Gthr., p. 401. Snout not longer than postocular part of head ; maxillary barbel broadly fringed ; ventral reaching anal. ........../).. «..).'% 5. S. budgetti, Blgr., p. 403. 2. Humeral process pointed, without spines. a. Spine of dorsal fin not serrated in front *. a. Maxillary barbel # to 1? times length of head. * Snonut not or but little longer than postocular part of bead. + Maxillary barbel not or but feebly fringed. t Movable mandibular teeth 20 to 48 ; base of adipose dorsal 2} to 6 times its distance from rayed dorsal. § Interorbital width not half length of head ; 24-36 movable mandibular teeth ; humeral process longer than broad. Inner mandibular barbel with the basal branches short, with tubercular ramifications ; pectoral spine feebly serrated on outer border ; ventral usually not reaching anal; skin more or less villose on sides . . . . . 6. S. schall, Bl. Schn., p. 404. Inner mandibular barbel with the basal branches short, with tubercular ramifications ; pectoral spine moderately or strongly serrated on outer border ; ventral usually reaching anal; skinsmooth . . ... . . . 7. S. gambiensis, Gthr., p. 407. Inner mandibular barbel with long slender branches without tubercular ramifications ; pectoral spine moderately serrated on outer border; skin smooth . . . . . 8. S. ocellifer, Blgr., p. 409. §§ Interorbital width half, or nearly half, length of head in adult ; 33-48 movable mandibular teeth. Ventral reaching anal, both acutely pointed ; humeral process not much longer than deep ; Vein awe og 5 5 4 5 Oe Sh Sb yfmomonms, Wenllll:, p. 410. *SometimesveryslightlyinS.caudovittatusandS.gambianus.
SYNODONTIS. 393 Ventral reaching anal, both rounded ; humeral process not much longer than deep ; skin Smoot ae) eee |) PO meee Se coudouitatusy Digi. p- 412. Ventral not reaching anal, both rounded ; humeral process narrow, much Jonger than deep; skin granular . . . . . . . IL. & granulosus, Blgr., p. 413. +t Movable mandibular teeth 20 to 40; base of adipose dorsal 1} to 24 times its distance from rayed dorsal ; humeral process longer than broad.
Pectoral spine feebly serrated on outer border, not reaching ventral ; mandibular barbels with long slender branches ; skin smooth. 12. S. zambesensis, Peters, p. 415. Pectoral spine strongly serrated on both sides, nearly reaching ventral; mandibular barbels with long slender branches ; skin [p. 416. Smoothe. so Mo Sia . 13. 8. nigromaculatus, Blgr., Pectoral spine strongly senrated on both sides nearly reaching ventral ; mandibular barbels with long slender branches ; skin villose on sides . . . Bhs . . 14. S. melanostictus, Blgr., p. 418. Pectoral spine strongly seetated on both sides, not reaching ventral ; mandibular barbels with short, mostly bifid branches ; skin [p. 419. Smoother i ee ee een iD. Semuarltomaculatus. ler. ttt Movable mandibular teeth 14 to 21 (usually less than 20). Pectoral spine very feebly serrated or nearly smooth on outer side; adipose dorsal 2 to 3 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal ; spine of dorsal a little shorter than [p-. 420. head ; head little longer than broad . . 16. S. mult‘punctatus, Blgr., Pectoral spine feebly serrated on outer side ; adipose dorsal 12 to 2 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; spine of dorsal a little shorter than head ; head 14 times uswlonedas broadsieiyen ile Us . 17. S. victoria, Blgr., p. 421. Pectoral spine feebly serrated on outer or adipose dorsal as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; spine of dorsal much shorter than head ; anal pointed in front . . . 18. S. nebulosus, Peters, p. 423. Pectoral spine feebly serrated on outer side ; adipose dorsal as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; spine of dorsal a little shorter than head; anal rounded . . . 19. S. woosnami, Blgv., p. 424.
394 SILURID &.
Pectoral spine strongly serrated on both sides ; adipose dorsal not longer than its distance from rayed dorsal; spine of dorsal about 4 |p. 425. length of head «2... . 5... 20: S. marmoratus, Lonnbi, tittt Movable mandibular teeth 45 to 54; base of adipose dorsal 14 to 24 times its distance from rayed dorsal ; pectoral spine strongly serrated on both sides. Humeral process much longer than broad ; skin villose on sides. . . . . . . . 21. 8S. afro-jischeri, Hilg., p. 425. Humeral process not longer than broad. . . 22. S. fuelleborni, Hilg. & [ Pappenh., p. 427.
tf Maxillary barbel strongly margined at the base, the marginal membrane at least nearly as broad as the barbel. t Movable mandibular teeth 45 to 50. Anterior soft rays of dorsal much produced . 23. S. eupterus, Blgr., p. 427. tt Movable mandibular teeth 30 to 43. Pectoral spine feebly serrated on outer side ; adipose dorsal not more than twice as long as its distance from rayed dorsal. . . . 24. S. nigrita, C. & V., p. 429. Pectoral spine strongly serrated on both sides ; adipose dorsal 3 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal . . . . . 25. S. melanopterus, Bler., p. 431. ttt Movable mandibular teeth 15-28. Humeral process not much longer than broad ; adipose dorsal 1} times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; maxillary barbel $ length of head . . . . . . 26. S. macrostigma, Bler., p. 432. Humeral process longer than broad; eye at least twice in interorbital width ; adipose dorsal 14 to 24 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; maxillary barbel 1} to 1} length of head -. . . . . . 27. S. obesus, Bler., p. 433. Humeral process much longer than bids eye not twice in interorbital width ; adipose dorsal 24 to 33 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal ; maxillary [p. 435. barbel 14 to 1} leneth of head . . . . 28. S. robbianus, J. A. Smith, * Snout considerably longer than postocular part of head. t Maxillary barbel not distinctly margined. { Movable mandibular teeth 50-55; maxillary barbel not longerthanhead.
Skin yvilloseonsides . . .. =. ». . . ,..29, S. haugt, Pellegr. p. 436.
SYNODONTIS. 395 tt Movable mandibular teeth 30-35 ; maxillary barbel longer than head.
Humeral process keeled, sharply pointed ; skin villoseonsides Humeral process feebly peeled Prarie pointed ; skin smooth i Humeral process not keeled, cle pointed ; skin smooth . .: .
tt Movable mandibular teeth 15-20; maxillary barbel not or but slightly longer than head.
Humeral process much longer than broad; snout twice as long as postocular part the eadicy celeste, A's MAG atte . S. courteti, Pellegr., p. 441. . 30. S. depauwi, Blgr., p. 438. . 31. S. tholloni, Blgr., p. 439. . 82. S. angelicus, Schilth., p. 440. Humeral process little eens ita re snout not twice as long as Sgeolh part Ofphead) wns fcr . « . « 34. S.vardalis, Blgr., p. 442. tt Maxillary barbel very distinctly margined at base. Movable mandibular teeth 20-26; adipose dorsal shorter than head . . . . « . 35. S. ornatipinnis, Blgr., p. 444. Movable mandibular teeth 18-20; adipose dorsal longer than head . 86. S. soloni, Blgr., p. 445. 6. Maxillary barbel 4 to 2 length of head; snout much longer than postocular part of head.
* Movable mandibular teeth 24-30. Suout 24 times postocular part of head, acutely pointed ; adipose dorsal a little shorter than its distance from rayed dorsal ; maxillary barbel 2 length of head>. . . 37. S. guttatus, Gthr., p. 447. Snout 2 times postocular part of head, obtusely pointed ; adipose dorsal as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; maxillary barbel } length of head . . . . . . 38. S. longirostris, Blgr., p. 448. ** Movable mandibular teeth less than 10. Snout 2 times postocular part of head, terminating in a globular swelling; adipose dorsal nearly twice as long as its distance from rayed dorsal; maxillary barbel 2 length of head . . . . . 39. 8. labeo, Gthr., p. 449. Snout 14 times postocular part of sida ‘46h minating in a spatulate expansion ; adipose dorsal much shorter than its distance from rayed dorsal; maxillary barbel 4 lengthofhead .... . 9. 1. . . 40. S. vaillanti, Blor., p. £50:
396 SILURID.
Snout 24 times postocular part of head, terminating in a pointed process; adipose dorsal 14 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal ; en barbel 4 length of head . .. . A Pa may S. aiphias, Gthr., p. 451. y. Maxillary barbel 2 to 4 times length of head; snout not or but slightly longer than postocular part of head. Movable mandibular teeth 40-65; maxillary barbel not extending beyond ventral ; skin villose on sides. . . . . . . . 42. S. greshoffi, Schilth., p. 452. Movable mandiblar teeth 18-25; maxillary barbel extending far beyond ventral ; skinsmooth . ..... .. . . 43. S. alberti, Schilth., p. 454. b. Spine of dorsal serrated in front. a. Maxillary barbel without distinct margin; adipose dorsal rather small, not longer than its distance trom rayed dorsal; snout as long as postocular part of head.
Movable mandibular teeth 30-40 . . . . . 44. S. batesii, Blgr., p. 455. 6. Maxillary barbel broadly margined ; adipose dorsal large, 4 to 8 times as long as its distance from rayed dorsal ; snout longer than postocular part of head.
Movable mandibular teeth 30-48 ; skin smooth. 45. S. serratus, Riipp., p. 457. Movable mandibular teeth 18; skin villose on sides) es) nee nine aL OstS noeledensien Gthieapyd oo. 3. Humeral process rounded or broadly truncate behind ; maxillary barbel more or less broadly margined at base. a. Eyes supero-lateral, or nearly perfectly lateral, but not visible from below.
a. Movable mandibular teeth 16-20. Maxillary barbel a little shorter than head ; adipose dorsal much longer than head ; movable mandibular teeth barely +} diameter of eye . . . - . . . . 47. S. filamentosus, Blgr., p. 460. Maxillary barbel a little merce than head ; adipose dorsal a little longer than head ; movable mandibular teeth nearly 4 diameter of eye). 2 2. «8. . 48. S. smiti, Blgr., p. 461. Maxillary barbel longer than head ; arnt dorsal much shorter than head ; movable mandibular teeth barely } diameter of eye. 49. S. notatus, Vaill., p. 462. 8. Movable mandibular teeth 6-12 ; adipose dorsal nearly as long as head. Maxillary barbel not longer than head ; moyable mandibular teeth not more than 4 diameter OE nog Be be 5 6 oo oO OUR Sh eipnion, oR. jis thoes