Fish Bulletin No. 79. A Key to Some Southern California Fishes Based on Vertebral Characters

摘要: The identification of larval forms marine fishes, fish fragments found in stomach contents and fossil is often difficult. As an aid to such work a study being made the vertebral characteristics adult fishes off coasts Mexico, California, Oregon Washington key based on these constructed. possibility was suggested by Ford (1937), who described at considerable length with some excellent photographs differences columns several teleostean approaching subject from functional angle without any attempt form key. Work begun present 1938 has been continued as material time were available. Because large number species involved it necessary divide into geographical units. first unit, covered this paper, comprises 163 fish, omitting Elasmobranchii, between Point Conception San Diego. will be areas north south region published completed. for consisted mainly fresh specimens which lightly boiled loosen flesh bones. To secure less common became use had preserved alcohol or formaldehyde. Since no amount boiling bones specimens, clearing staining technique Hollister (1934) adopted modifications (see appendix). This also used smaller individuals avoid loss vertebrae process. In naming various parts skeleton, Starks (1901) followed, one exception. calls last fanlike tail segment articulated true centrum, hypural. term hypural many authors designate spines are loosely attached plate word urostyle itself, latter terminology adopted. basis separating abdominal caudal that Hubbs Lagler (1947). fin ray counts, two rays counted separately, unless they originated same base, case ray. Following usual procedure spine counts given Roman numerals soft Arabic. A comma separates fin. dorsal fins, hyphen individual separate fins. Finlets following, separated from, hyphen. It recognized probably not much contents, so every effort resort counts. cases when impossible do have included They descriptive text corroborative data. Other sources consulted obtain additional numbers here include greatest known range each species. shape may undergo changes young create confusion where adults only. Such variation already Clevelandia ios related (Clothier, 1946). Furthermore, examination indicate other skeletal features change growth and, consequently, certain characters later prove doubtful diagnostic value.