List of Titles

Fishes of the families Tetrarogidae, Caracanthidae and Synanciidae from the Western Indian Ocean with further notes on Scorpaenid fishes

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1958
Subjects: Scorpionfishes -- Indian Ocean , Stonefishes -- Indian Ocean , Scorpaeniformes -- Indian Ocean
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018773 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 12
Description: Fishes of the Families Tetrarogidae, Caracanthidae and Synanciidae, from the Western Indian Ocean with furthser notes on Scorpaenid fishes - The present work follows the similar regional faunal revision of the family Scorpaenidae of the W. Indian Ocean (Smith, Ich.Bulls. 4 & 5, 1957, 49-88). The Scorpaenoid fishes of that area are provisionally divided into four families as defined there (loc. cit. p 49). , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1958

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The identity of Scarus gibbus Ruppell, 1828 and of other parrotfishes of the family Callyodontidae from the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1959
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018777 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 16
Description: Parrotfishes have long been one of the major problems of the taxonomist, largely as a result of classification based on preserved material. Workers such Bleeker, who handled fresh specimens, provided useful descriptions and at least passable illustrations of Parrotfishes. There has, in consequence, been a general tendency to use such names in preference to those of earlier workers, notably Lacepede and Valenciennes, most of whose descriptions, based on long dead specimens, not only lack accurate, or indeed any, illustration, but rarely contain critical diagnostic data. In consequence, the nomenclature has been in a state of utter chaos, and any worker privileged to travel and examine early type specimens incurs a good deal of responsibility, since the majority of other workers are usually not in a position to query his opinions about their identities. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1959

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The fishes of the Family Sphyraenidae in the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1956
Subjects: Western Indian Ocean , Sphyraenidae , Sphyraena , Barracudas , Sphyraenoidei
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14966 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018540 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 3
Description: Although the Sphyraenidae occur in all warm seas, there are probably less than twenty valid species, about twelve in the Indo-Pacific, one of which occurs in the Atlantic as well. The larger species are in most parts more of angling than commercial significance, but some of the smaller at times occur in great shoals in shallow water where they may be netted. The Sphyraenidae are of some importance as food, the flesh of all species being delicate and well flavoured. In some parts there have been reliable reports that the flesh of certain species may cause acute poisoning, but we found no evidence of this in the Western Indian Ocean. As may be deduced from the torpedo-like body and the huge mouth with formidable sabre-like teeth, the large species are fierce predators and much feared as they move with great speed and do not hesitate to attack man. They are not generally ranked very high as game fishes, for most are taken on heavy tackle put out for larger types such as Tunny and so are easily subdued. In South African seas only few species are known, and only rarely below about 32°S. They are a not uncommon catch in Natal waters, where they are known as “Sea Pike.” , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation) , The main funds which made possible the extensive traveling necessary for adequate investigation of these wide-ranging fishes came from the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. We acknowledge also extensive facilities and assistance received in the Western Indian Ocean from the authorities of Mozambique, Tanganyika, Kenya, Zanzibar, Pemba, Seychelles and all islands, excepting French territories, there. I am indebted to my wife, Margaret Mary Smith, for the illustrations. The publication of this bulletin has been made possible by a special grant from the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
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Date Issued: 1956

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Sand-dwelling eels of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1962
Subjects: Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14992 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019664 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 24
Description: The Western Indian Ocean has been found to be notably rich in marine eels. The Moray eels have been treated earlier (Bulletin No 23). In the present revision are described eels of the families OPHICHTHIDAE, ECHELIDAE, M ORING UIDAE, and NEENCHELIDAE, which are chiefly sand-dwelling forms, norm ally not free swimming by day. Some favour muddy areas where the water is turbid, and are found in estuaries, sometimes in or near fresh water. None of these eels are of any economic importance in the Western Indian Ocean though some are eaten by the natives in parts of the region. Only few attain any size, the majority are small and seldom encountered by the ordinary fisherman, in many cases they have been unknown to the local inhabitants. Our specimens were obtained chiefly by rotenone poisoning of suitable areas, mainly intertidal. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1962

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Fishes of the families Draconettidae and Callionymidae from the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1963
Subjects: Dragonets -- Classification , Dragonets -- Red Sea , Dragonets -- Indian Ocean
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:15015 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019785 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 28
Description: Division Callionymiformes: Head usually broad, depressed. Body without scales but lateral line well defined, those of 2 sides generally connected over the occiput, sometimes also over peduncle. Mostly two dorsal fins, by exception one, the first of 1-4 flexible spines, the soft fin longer, anal similar to soft dorsal. Gillopenings usually reduced or even pore-like. Mouth small, fine Villiform teeth uniserial or in bands in each jaw, none on palate. One or more of the opercular bones armed with a spine. All small fishes, some in deep water, 2 families in our area, easily distinguished. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1963

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The fishes of the family Eleotridae in the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1959
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018772 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 11
Description: Family Eleotridae - The Gobioid fishes are one of the major trials of ichthyologists, and when general regional collections are worked up, these fishes tend to be pushed aside, and are apparently often identified with some impatience by those not especially interested. It is not indeed uncommon for later workers to find several species in a bottle supposed to contain only one, or to find one and the same fish in the same collection labelled with different names. All this is understandable, for not only are there numerous species, but almost all are small to minute, so that accurate description and especially illustration are no light undertaking. In addition, they are generally covered with mucus, so that two exactly similar living specimens, preserved in different media, e.g. alcohol and formalin, can emerge looking so completely different, that the purely museum worker may be forgiven for considering them different species. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1959

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The Congrid eels of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea

- Castle, P H J (Peter Henry John)

Authors: Castle, P H J (Peter Henry John)
Date: 1968
Subjects: Conger eels -- Indian Ocean , Conger eels -- Red Sea , Conger eels
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:15005 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019723 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 33
Description: The eel family Congridae is now known to be represented in the western Indian Ocean (here regarded to be west of 60 E. from and including the Red Sea, to Cape Point) by 11 genera and 19 species as well as at least five distinct larval forms which have not yet been identified. More than half of these species inhabit the shallow and offshore waters of the tropical western Indian Ocean. The remainder are known only from cool-temperate waters off the Cape, with one deep-water Atlantic species and one Mediterranean species also present in this area. Considerable additions to this fauna can be expected as the deep waters off the east coast are more fully sampled. Congrina wallacei sp. nov., de- scribed here from 260-270 fathoms off southern Mozambique and Durban, has rather large teeth on the jaws, a long snout and about 168 vertebrae. At least one species spawns off the Cape, but the majority probably do so over the western edge of the oceanic basins north and south of Madagascar. The shallow-water species show strong affinities with the tropical and cool-temperate Indo-Pacific. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1968

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Serioline fishes (yellowtails: amberjacks) from the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1959
Subjects: Seriola , Yellowtail
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018776 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 15
Description: Among the most esteemed by the big game angler, these fishes are of world-wide distribution, and the various species (commonly named “Yellowtail” in South Africa), are all built on much the same plan, the caudal lunate, the dorsal and anal fins long and mostly low. All are powerful swimmers, presumably able to cover vast distances, and within each genus and subgenus the different species do not differ widely from one another. As a result, there has been a general tendency for systematists to identify species, even in remote parts, with those already known. The literature reveals astonishingly few detailed original descriptions of these fishes, and there has been a regrettable tendency merely to reproduce early illustrations that are technically good, rather than to provide originals of actual specimens, which has caused widespread confusion. Two genera are treated here, viz. Seriola Cuvier, 1817 and the monotypic Seriolina Wakiya, 1924; Zonichthys Swainson, 1839 is regarded as Atlantic only, while the pelagic monotypic Naucrates Rafinesque, 1810 is so well known as scarcely to need inclusion here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1959

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Fishes of the family Gaterinidae of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea with a resume of all known Indo Pacific species

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1962
Subjects: Grunts (FIshes) , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019670 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 25
Description: Family Gaterinidae - Fairly robust usually deeply ovoid body, moderately compressed, covered with moderate to small strong adherent ctenoid scales, mostly only front of muzzle naked. Vertical fins partly scaly. Lateral line complete, concurrent with dorsal profile, but in adults not very distinct, tubules oblique, fewer than series of scales. Snout not pointed, moderately to markedly blunt. Mouth moderate, little protractile, maxilla slips below preorbital for most of its length. Lips well developed, often greatly swollen with age. Feeble cardiform teeth in bands in each jaw, outer series often enlarged, no teeth on palate or tongue. Chin with distinct pores, no central groove behind symphysis. Preopercle coarsely serrate in young, finer w ith age, obsolescent in very large fishes. Gill membranes free from isthmus. Gillrakers well developed, stout, spiny behind, 20-40 on whole outer arch. Dorsal continuous, of (9)10-14 spines and 15-26 rays, total 27-35, spines well developed, moderate to powerful, fewer than soft rays, but spinous part mostly with longer base, fin of almost uniform height to deeply notched, usually less so with age. Anal short, height exceeds base, III (6)7-8(9), 2nd spine mostly longer and stouter than 3rd. Caudal rounded in juveniles, feebly emarginate or truncate with age. Pectoral distinctly shorter than head. Juveniles up to about 40mm differ from the adults in certain features. They show some Pomadasyid characters i.a. the lateral line is continuous, the tubular scales adjacent; no pores are visible on the chin and the maxilla reaches to below the eye. Also the predorsal scaling ends in mid interorbital, and the scale rows above the lateral line are fewer. With growth the scale rows increase in number, but not the tubular L .l. scales, which become separated, the predorsal scales extend to the nostrils, while the snout extends, the maxilla not reaching to eye. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1962

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Sharks of the Genus Isurus Rafinesque, 1810

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1957
Subjects: Mako sharks
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14969 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018543 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 6
Description: Family Isuridae - This family embraces probably not more than 6 species of large swift wide-ranging sharks of the open sea, characterised by having a conical head, the snout sharply pointed, 5 wide gill-slits, vestigial spiracle, an anal fin, the caudal lunate, its axis steeply raised, the peduncle depressed and expanded to a lateral keel, the teeth powerful, triangular or lanceolate, the third upper tooth on each side smaller than its neighbours. No nictitating membrane or fin spines. , Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
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Date Issued: 1957

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The clingfishes of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1964
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:15017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019796 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 30
Description: In only few cases is anything definite known about the reproduction of Clingfishes. Probably all produce eggs, in some cases (see Eckloniaichthys below) this somewhat abnormally follows internal fertilization by copulation. In those cases that have been studied the eggs are laid in a single layer and are strongly adhesive to the surface of the rock, weed or shell on which they are deposited. The number of eggs varies from about a dozen to many hundreds. The female of the large South African Chorisochismus dentex has been observed to guard the eggs and to assist aeration by fanning. In some species there is marked sexual dimorphism in body shape and in dentition, while males may have a large genital papilla. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1964

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Fishes of the family Syngnathidae from the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1963
Subjects: Syngnathidae , Fishes -- Red Sea , Fishes -- Indian Ocean
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:15002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019716 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 27
Description: Family Syngnathidae - Seahorses: Pipefishes - Body encased in tough but flexible horny rings, all except the first corresponding with the vertebrae, of which the first three are ankylosed. Body form mostly elongate, with clearly defined head, trunk and tail, the trunk stouter, in Seahorses much stouter, than the usually slender tail. The head rather slender, its chief features a tubular sometimes very elongate snout with a small terminal oblique mouth, no teeth of any kind: a tiny pore-like branchial opening, the gillmembranes fused with the skin of the shoulder; four lobate or tuft-like gills. Pelvics absent, other fins usually present, the caudal often absent, rarely the anal or the pectoral or all fins absent. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1963

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Fishes of the families Blenniidae and Salariidae of the Western Indian Ocean

- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968

Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
Date: 1959
Subjects: Blenniidae -- Indian Ocean
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:14976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018775 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 14
Description: Blennioid fishes of the families Blenniidae and Salariidae are found in almost all seas. They are small, agile fishes of shallow water, most being intertidal. The body is normally naked, elongate; the pectoral and vertical fins well developed; the pelvics mostly reduced, the rays hidden in thick tissue, used as limbs for support of the body. Many species freely leave the water and are as agile as grasshoppers on land. I have found them virtually unaffected by underwater explosions, e.g. detonators, even close by, possibly because they have no air bladder. While some are sombre, many of these fishes are brilliantly coloured, those living in weed showing wide variation in colour on a basically similar pattern. While more abundant than in most tropical areas, none are of economic significance in the W. Indian Ocean. 67 species are described. All new species, and all others possible, including sexual dimorphs, have been figured, 24 in colour, and 53 monochrome illustrations, total 77. In the case of 4 species, neither specimens nor illustrations could be obtained. The locality from which each specimen illustrated came is given in each case. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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Date Issued: 1959

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