Dicrolene introniger, Goode, G. B. & Bean, T. H., 1883

Goode, G. B. & Bean, T. H., 1883, Reports on the results of dredging under the supervision of Alexander Agassiz, on the east coast of the United States, during the summer of 1880, by the U. S. coast survey steamer “ Blake, ” Commander J. R. Bartlett, U. S. N., commanding., Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 10 (5), pp. 183-226 : 202-203

13. Dicrolene introniger , new species.

Several specimens of a species of Dicrolene were obtained from Stations 325 and 326.

Body moderately compressed, its dorsal and anal outlines approaching at an equal angle the horizontal axis, and tapering to a narrow point, which forms the base of the caudal fin. Scales small, about 110 rows between the branchial opening and the tail, and about '21 transverse rows counting upward and forward obliquely from the origin of the anal. The lateral line rudimentary, running near the base of the dorsal fin at a distance from it less than the diameter of the eye, and apparently becoming obsolete on the posterior third of the body. Body height one sixth of standard length.

Head somewhat comprcsscd, with llattisli upper surface, which is encroached upon by the upper margins of the orbit. At the posterior upper margin of each orbit is a strong spine pointing backward and upward ; a long sharp spine at the upper angle of the operculum, its exposed portion as long as half the diameter of the eye. Preoperculum, on its lower posterior border, with three equidistant spines much weaker than that of the operculum. Large muciferous cavities in the bones of the head : a row of large cavities extending backward from the upper angle of the orbit, and continuous with those on the lateral line. Mouth larsje : its cleft considerablv longer than half the length of the head, and the maxillary extending behind the vertical from the posterior margin of the orbit. The posterior portion of the maxillary much expanded, its width at the end equal to three fourths the diameter of the eye. L T pon its expanded tip are scales. Eye large, one fourth as long as head, and as wide as the interorbital space. Length of head one fifth standard length.

Dorsal fin inserted at a distance from the snout equal to two ninths the length of the body.

Anal inserted under the vertical from the 25th or 26th dorsal ray. The height of the dorsal and anal fins is about equal to the diameter of the eye. Their bases extend almost to the insertion of the caudal.

The caudal is composed of six or seven rays : its length equal to half the distance from the snout to the insertion of the dorsal.

The ventrals inserted almost under, but slightly posterior to, the posterior limb of the preoperculum, in length about equalling the upper jaw.

Pectorals inserted close to the branchial aperture ; the eight lower rays being free and much prolonged, the longest and most anterior being nearly one third as long as the body, and more than three times as long as the contiguous posterior ray of the normally-constructed portion of the fin, which is, however, about equal to the last of the free rays. The free portion of the pectoral being longer, and composed of fewer rays, than the normal portion, the fish has the appearance of bearing two pectoral fins of the same general shape, the lower of which is the longer. The length of the normal portion of the fin is contained about four times in the length of the body.

Radial formula : D. 100; A. about 85 ; C. 6 or 7 ; V. \ ; P. 19 -j- 7 or 8.

L. lat. 110-120.