Swordfish, marlins and sailfish in South and East Africa
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1956
- Subjects: Indian Ocean -- African coast , Xiphiidae Perciformes Billfishes Marlins Sailfish
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018537 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 2
- Description: Chiefly arising from their sporting potentialities in big game angling, the large “Bill-fishes”, or Marlin, and Sword-fishes have attracted considerable attention in recent times. Commercial fishermen of Japan and anglers of the United States have been most ardent in the pursuit of these peculiar creatures. While a good deal has been learnt about them, there still remains much to discover. In the case of the Marlins, for example, hardly anything is known of their reproduction, of the larval or postlarval early forms, and even those who have studied these fishes from ample material over a wide area are as yet uncertain of the absolute identity of the species, and are often unable to identify with any certainty the rare occasional reasonably small specimens that are encountered. In South Africa shore angling is so good throughout virtually the entire year that there has been little incentive to explore the possibilities further out, especially as quiet seas are a rare condition. Quite recently, however, big game angling at sea has developed almost explosively and increasingly large fishes are being captured. During our extensive travels in the tropical Western Indian Ocean it became obvious that great numbers of the larger angling fishes were present, including those treated here. Although that area is windy and storm-lashed for much of the year, remote from facilities, and barren, its potentialities are relatively unexplored, but are clearly so great that it will not be long before it becomes recognised as one of the chief big game angling areas of the world. These fishes are at present placed in the families Xiphiidae and Istiophoridae. The latter embraces the Sailfishes, the Marlins and the Spearfishes, usually granted distinction by only generic rank. In my opinion, however, they merit at least sub-family rank. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation) , The main funds for this work were provided by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, who also made a special grant in February 1956 to cover considerable traveling that numerous Marlin catches rendered necessary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1956
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1956
- Subjects: Indian Ocean -- African coast , Xiphiidae Perciformes Billfishes Marlins Sailfish
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018537 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 2
- Description: Chiefly arising from their sporting potentialities in big game angling, the large “Bill-fishes”, or Marlin, and Sword-fishes have attracted considerable attention in recent times. Commercial fishermen of Japan and anglers of the United States have been most ardent in the pursuit of these peculiar creatures. While a good deal has been learnt about them, there still remains much to discover. In the case of the Marlins, for example, hardly anything is known of their reproduction, of the larval or postlarval early forms, and even those who have studied these fishes from ample material over a wide area are as yet uncertain of the absolute identity of the species, and are often unable to identify with any certainty the rare occasional reasonably small specimens that are encountered. In South Africa shore angling is so good throughout virtually the entire year that there has been little incentive to explore the possibilities further out, especially as quiet seas are a rare condition. Quite recently, however, big game angling at sea has developed almost explosively and increasingly large fishes are being captured. During our extensive travels in the tropical Western Indian Ocean it became obvious that great numbers of the larger angling fishes were present, including those treated here. Although that area is windy and storm-lashed for much of the year, remote from facilities, and barren, its potentialities are relatively unexplored, but are clearly so great that it will not be long before it becomes recognised as one of the chief big game angling areas of the world. These fishes are at present placed in the families Xiphiidae and Istiophoridae. The latter embraces the Sailfishes, the Marlins and the Spearfishes, usually granted distinction by only generic rank. In my opinion, however, they merit at least sub-family rank. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation) , The main funds for this work were provided by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, who also made a special grant in February 1956 to cover considerable traveling that numerous Marlin catches rendered necessary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1956
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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1956
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1956
The Parrot fishes of the Family Callyodontidae 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: 1956
- Subjects: Western Indian Ocean , Parrotfishes , Callyodontidae , Parrot fishes , Scaridae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018535 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 1
- Description: Parrot fishes are so abundant in the tropical parts of the Western Indian Ocean as to be of considerable economic significance. The majority are taken in traps and nets, some by spearing, fewer on lines. The flesh of even the largest is delicate and tasty, mostly eaten fresh as it is not easily preserved. It is esteemed by almost all races and classes, excepting only the Portuguese of Mozambique who do not regard these gaudy fishes with favour. In British territories, however, they are eagerly sought by the Whites. It has been stated that in some parts Parrot fishes are toxic, but as far as could be ascertained no species are ever unwholesome in East Africa or north of Madagascar to Seychelles. It is only in certain specific cases that laymen and even the native fishermen are able to distinguish individual species of Parrot fishes. Most species are more or less lumped together as “Parrots” with prefixes such as “Green” or “Red.” To the native fishermen they are known as follows: Red Sea to Suez, “Harid”; Somaliland, “Jello” or “Ponno”; Kenya to North Mozambique, “Pono”; Seychelles and vicinity, “KAKATOI”; Mauritius, “KAKATOI” or “GATEAU,” some species characterised more closely by descriptive adjectives. These fishes are commonly subject to what appears to be a parasitic infection of the nostrils, resulting in considerable swelling of the snout. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation) , The main funds were provided by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, enabling expeditions to be made to Mozambique, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Pemba, Kenya, Seychelles and the other islands north of Madagascar, whose authorities provided valuable aid and facilities in support. It had been intended to include French territories but this was unfortunately not possible. This publication and its ample colour illustration have been made possible by a generous special grant from the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1956
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1956
- Subjects: Western Indian Ocean , Parrotfishes , Callyodontidae , Parrot fishes , Scaridae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018535 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 1
- Description: Parrot fishes are so abundant in the tropical parts of the Western Indian Ocean as to be of considerable economic significance. The majority are taken in traps and nets, some by spearing, fewer on lines. The flesh of even the largest is delicate and tasty, mostly eaten fresh as it is not easily preserved. It is esteemed by almost all races and classes, excepting only the Portuguese of Mozambique who do not regard these gaudy fishes with favour. In British territories, however, they are eagerly sought by the Whites. It has been stated that in some parts Parrot fishes are toxic, but as far as could be ascertained no species are ever unwholesome in East Africa or north of Madagascar to Seychelles. It is only in certain specific cases that laymen and even the native fishermen are able to distinguish individual species of Parrot fishes. Most species are more or less lumped together as “Parrots” with prefixes such as “Green” or “Red.” To the native fishermen they are known as follows: Red Sea to Suez, “Harid”; Somaliland, “Jello” or “Ponno”; Kenya to North Mozambique, “Pono”; Seychelles and vicinity, “KAKATOI”; Mauritius, “KAKATOI” or “GATEAU,” some species characterised more closely by descriptive adjectives. These fishes are commonly subject to what appears to be a parasitic infection of the nostrils, resulting in considerable swelling of the snout. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation) , The main funds were provided by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, enabling expeditions to be made to Mozambique, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Pemba, Kenya, Seychelles and the other islands north of Madagascar, whose authorities provided valuable aid and facilities in support. It had been intended to include French territories but this was unfortunately not possible. This publication and its ample colour illustration have been made possible by a generous special grant from the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1956
List of the fishes of the Family Labridae in the Western Indian Ocean, with new records and five new species
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Wrasses -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018950 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 7
- Description: Labrid fishes are primarily shore dwelling in tropical seas, few penetrating to cooler waters. An interesting distributional picture in the case of these fishes is observed along the coast of East and South Africa, for not only does the shore line stretch across the equator, but the warm and powerful westward current of the Indian Ocean divides south of the equator, one branch flowing north, the other, the powerful Mozambique current, southwards. As a result Labrid (and other) fishes, which in most parts are confined to a fairly narrow equatorial belt, are here spread out over an abnormally extensive area, many indeed living in surprising latitudes, e.g. the young of Thalassoma purpurem Forskal, have been found at 34°S x 24°E. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Wrasses -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018950 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 7
- Description: Labrid fishes are primarily shore dwelling in tropical seas, few penetrating to cooler waters. An interesting distributional picture in the case of these fishes is observed along the coast of East and South Africa, for not only does the shore line stretch across the equator, but the warm and powerful westward current of the Indian Ocean divides south of the equator, one branch flowing north, the other, the powerful Mozambique current, southwards. As a result Labrid (and other) fishes, which in most parts are confined to a fairly narrow equatorial belt, are here spread out over an abnormally extensive area, many indeed living in surprising latitudes, e.g. the young of Thalassoma purpurem Forskal, have been found at 34°S x 24°E. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
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
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- 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
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
The fishes of the Family Scorpaenidae; Part 1: The sub-family Scorpaeninae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018541 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 4
- Description: Within the order Scleroparei, characterised by the well-developed suborbital stay, many systematists pack the typical family Scorpaenidae with an enormous assemblage of fishes, which while showing certain fundamental relationships are so divergent as to render such an arrangement out of keeping with the generally accepted range of a systematic family group. While this large group will eventually doubtless be divided into numerous families of a lesser range, there is adopted here the fairly well defined cleavage into two main groups, based chiefly on the nature of the dorsal fin. These with the closely related families Synanciidae and Caracanthidae form a natural sub-group in the order. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14967 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018541 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 4
- Description: Within the order Scleroparei, characterised by the well-developed suborbital stay, many systematists pack the typical family Scorpaenidae with an enormous assemblage of fishes, which while showing certain fundamental relationships are so divergent as to render such an arrangement out of keeping with the generally accepted range of a systematic family group. While this large group will eventually doubtless be divided into numerous families of a lesser range, there is adopted here the fairly well defined cleavage into two main groups, based chiefly on the nature of the dorsal fin. These with the closely related families Synanciidae and Caracanthidae form a natural sub-group in the order. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
The fishes of the Family Scorpaenidae; Part 2: The sub-families Pteroinae, Apistinae, Setarchinae and Sebastinae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae , Scorpaenids
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018542 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 5
- Description: Moderately compressed body with moderate to small cycloid or ctenoid scales, head partly scaly. 12-13 dorsal spines, usually elongate, separate, free from membrane. Anal usually with 3 spines, (rarely 2), the third longest. Pectoral elongate to very long, rays sometimes all simple, filamentous and free. In smallest stadia the pectoral is short, at first rapidly increases with growth, then shortens. The head with spines, variably single or multifid, spination usually increases with age, in some cases very markedly. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Scorpionfishes , Scorpaenid fishes , Scorpaenidae , Scorpaenids
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018542 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 5
- Description: Moderately compressed body with moderate to small cycloid or ctenoid scales, head partly scaly. 12-13 dorsal spines, usually elongate, separate, free from membrane. Anal usually with 3 spines, (rarely 2), the third longest. Pectoral elongate to very long, rays sometimes all simple, filamentous and free. In smallest stadia the pectoral is short, at first rapidly increases with growth, then shortens. The head with spines, variably single or multifid, spination usually increases with age, in some cases very markedly. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
The Labrid Fishes of the Subgenus Julis Cuvier, 1814 (In CORIS Lacepede, 1802), from South and East Africa
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Coris Lacepede , Labridae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018544 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 8
- Description: Various subgenera have been proposed, among other features the absence of a canine in the angle of the mouth in the type species has been used to justify this, while the genus Julis Cuvier, 1814, generally assigned only sub-generic rank, covers a fairly well defined group with distinctly smaller scales. In this latter group the following Indo-Pacific species have been proposed: (1) gaimard Quoy & Gaimard, 1824, Hawaii. (2) greenovii Bennett, 1829, W. Pacific. (3) formosa Bennett, 1834, Ceylon. (4) pulcherrima Gunther, 1862, East Indies. (5) frerei Gunther, 1866, Zanzibar. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Coris Lacepede , Labridae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018544 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 8
- Description: Various subgenera have been proposed, among other features the absence of a canine in the angle of the mouth in the type species has been used to justify this, while the genus Julis Cuvier, 1814, generally assigned only sub-generic rank, covers a fairly well defined group with distinctly smaller scales. In this latter group the following Indo-Pacific species have been proposed: (1) gaimard Quoy & Gaimard, 1824, Hawaii. (2) greenovii Bennett, 1829, W. Pacific. (3) formosa Bennett, 1834, Ceylon. (4) pulcherrima Gunther, 1862, East Indies. (5) frerei Gunther, 1866, Zanzibar. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1957
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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
- 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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
Sharks of the genus Pterolamiops Springer, 1951 with notes on the Isurid sharks
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Carcharhinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018771 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 10
- Description: Family Carcharhinidae - This family is here restricted to those forms lacking spiracles, the remainder generally placed with them are regarded as falling in the Galeorhinidae. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Carcharhinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018771 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 10
- Description: Family Carcharhinidae - This family is here restricted to those forms lacking spiracles, the remainder generally placed with them are regarded as falling in the Galeorhinidae. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
The Gunnellichthid Fishes with description of two new species from East Africa and of Gunnellichthys (Clarkichthys) Bilineatus (Clark), 1936
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Microdesmidae , Wormfishes , Paragobioididae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018545 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 9
- Description: A few specimens of a tiny fish taken by poison in tide pools in northern Mozambique in 1950 set in train a series of researches of world-wide scope, which have resulted in the revelation of unsuspected relationships in fishes long a puzzle. The species concerned, because of its obvious relationship to Paragobioides grandoculis Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911 (from Marshall Islands, Pacific), was described as Paragobioides copleyi (Smith, Ann. & Mag.Nat.Hist., 1951, (12) IV, 518, figs. 1, 2) , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Microdesmidae , Wormfishes , Paragobioididae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018545 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 9
- Description: A few specimens of a tiny fish taken by poison in tide pools in northern Mozambique in 1950 set in train a series of researches of world-wide scope, which have resulted in the revelation of unsuspected relationships in fishes long a puzzle. The species concerned, because of its obvious relationship to Paragobioides grandoculis Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911 (from Marshall Islands, Pacific), was described as Paragobioides copleyi (Smith, Ann. & Mag.Nat.Hist., 1951, (12) IV, 518, figs. 1, 2) , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958
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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- 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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
Fishes of the family Lethrinidae 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: Lethrinidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018778 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 17
- Description: Among the most difficult problems of the systematist are certain groups of tropical fishes, notably the Parrotfishes and the Lethrinidae, whose bright colours fade quickly after death. Both of these groups are especially abundant in the Indo-Pacific. The Parrotfishes are troublesome enough, but the species do tend to retain the same livery fairly constantly in life, and there are several features that provide well defined generic cleavage, as well as useful clues to species. The Lethrinidae are more difficult, having fewer variable features. Even dimensions, e.g. relative depth, are useful only when comparable stadia can be compared, as considerable general change in body shape may occur with growth. Under the water these are troublesome fishes to identify, as most species are camouflaged by an intricate pattern of cross bars, cloudy patches, and reticulations, which make them all look much alike. In addition, they are among the most wary of the reef fishes, and difficult to approach for close scrutiny. Fresh from the water, the concealing, darker, cross markings and reticulations usually fade within a few moments, and some species are not difficult to recognise, since just after death, colour and pattern are normally reasonably constant within one species, a few are almost constant, others show variation round a typical pattern. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Lethrinidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018778 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 17
- Description: Among the most difficult problems of the systematist are certain groups of tropical fishes, notably the Parrotfishes and the Lethrinidae, whose bright colours fade quickly after death. Both of these groups are especially abundant in the Indo-Pacific. The Parrotfishes are troublesome enough, but the species do tend to retain the same livery fairly constantly in life, and there are several features that provide well defined generic cleavage, as well as useful clues to species. The Lethrinidae are more difficult, having fewer variable features. Even dimensions, e.g. relative depth, are useful only when comparable stadia can be compared, as considerable general change in body shape may occur with growth. Under the water these are troublesome fishes to identify, as most species are camouflaged by an intricate pattern of cross bars, cloudy patches, and reticulations, which make them all look much alike. In addition, they are among the most wary of the reef fishes, and difficult to approach for close scrutiny. Fresh from the water, the concealing, darker, cross markings and reticulations usually fade within a few moments, and some species are not difficult to recognise, since just after death, colour and pattern are normally reasonably constant within one species, a few are almost constant, others show variation round a typical pattern. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
Gobioid fishes of the families Gobiidae, Periophthalmidae, Trypauchenidae, Taenioididae, and Kraemeriidae 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: Gobiidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018774 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 13
- Description: Much said in the introduction to the Eleotridae (Bulletin No. 11 of this series, July 1958) applies with equal force to this large and closely related family, the overwhelming majority of whose members are small to minute fishes of shallow water, embracing some of the smallest vertebrates in existence. Most are found in coastal areas, some in freshwater, others have penetrated to fairly deep water. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018774 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 13
- Description: Much said in the introduction to the Eleotridae (Bulletin No. 11 of this series, July 1958) applies with equal force to this large and closely related family, the overwhelming majority of whose members are small to minute fishes of shallow water, embracing some of the smallest vertebrates in existence. Most are found in coastal areas, some in freshwater, others have penetrated to fairly deep water. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- 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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- 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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
- 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)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1959
Coral fishes of the family Pomacentridae from 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: 1960
- Subjects: Pomacentridae , Perciformes , Fishes -- Red Sea , Fishes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018780 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 19
- Description: Coral fishes of the family Pomacentridae from the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Local names in the Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea; SCHARAM. Italian Somaliland; SHIRISHIRI, BUNSHILI, L'YUNUSS RASHIDD. Zanzibar; KIPEPEU, KIYAKAZI, NDUZI. Tanga; BAZI. Pinda (Moz); NIPATE. Seychelles; BOETEUR (DU SABLE, NOIR, BLEU, etc.), MARMITE. Mauritius; COUS COUS, DEBOUETTER, BOETEUR. Comores; SOUMPI, SOUMPOUI, DAOU, GOALE. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1960
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Pomacentridae , Perciformes , Fishes -- Red Sea , Fishes -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018780 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 19
- Description: Coral fishes of the family Pomacentridae from the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Local names in the Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea; SCHARAM. Italian Somaliland; SHIRISHIRI, BUNSHILI, L'YUNUSS RASHIDD. Zanzibar; KIPEPEU, KIYAKAZI, NDUZI. Tanga; BAZI. Pinda (Moz); NIPATE. Seychelles; BOETEUR (DU SABLE, NOIR, BLEU, etc.), MARMITE. Mauritius; COUS COUS, DEBOUETTER, BOETEUR. Comores; SOUMPI, SOUMPOUI, DAOU, GOALE. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1960
Fishes of the family Gobiidae in South Africa
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018779 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 18
- Description: Gobioid fishes are not popular with most ichthyologists, which is understandable, for most species are small to minute, and of neither commercial nor angling significance. Although almost all live in shallow water, many Gobies are so expert at concealment, that only the most thorough collecting brings them to light. Thirty years ago only 16 species were known in purely South African waters, where as in the present review, no less than 46 species are described from the South African zone, which is here taken as the area between Walfish Bay and Delagoa Bay. Critical revision of the South African species is long overdue, as the results of this review clearly reveal. Not only have there been malidentifications but also much confusion, e.g. it has been found that in nudicepts C & V, 1837, no less than four species have been confused. In addition, there have been constant new discoveries. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1960
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Gobiidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018779 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 18
- Description: Gobioid fishes are not popular with most ichthyologists, which is understandable, for most species are small to minute, and of neither commercial nor angling significance. Although almost all live in shallow water, many Gobies are so expert at concealment, that only the most thorough collecting brings them to light. Thirty years ago only 16 species were known in purely South African waters, where as in the present review, no less than 46 species are described from the South African zone, which is here taken as the area between Walfish Bay and Delagoa Bay. Critical revision of the South African species is long overdue, as the results of this review clearly reveal. Not only have there been malidentifications but also much confusion, e.g. it has been found that in nudicepts C & V, 1837, no less than four species have been confused. In addition, there have been constant new discoveries. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1960
Fishes of the family Anthiidae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Ground beetles , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018951 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 21
- Description: These fishes are generally assigned to the family Serranidae, one of the most diverse and cumbersome groups of fishes. Containing numerous ill-assorted types this family for convenience at least merits sub-division. One of the natural sub-groups, generally given sub-family status as the Anthiinae, but here given full family rank, consists mainly of small, brilliant, free-swimming coral haunting types confined almost exclusively to tropical seas. These d iffer from the Serranidae proper in the absence of a supramaxilla, in having larger scales, in the dentition, and mostly in the concave or lunate caudal. Although by most workers assigned without question to the Serranidae (sensustricto) the monotypic genus Variola Swainson, 1839 has distinct affinities with the Anthiidae. The dentition, lunate caudal and the brilliant colouration accord better with the Anthiid than with the Serranid fishes. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Ground beetles , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018951 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 21
- Description: These fishes are generally assigned to the family Serranidae, one of the most diverse and cumbersome groups of fishes. Containing numerous ill-assorted types this family for convenience at least merits sub-division. One of the natural sub-groups, generally given sub-family status as the Anthiinae, but here given full family rank, consists mainly of small, brilliant, free-swimming coral haunting types confined almost exclusively to tropical seas. These d iffer from the Serranidae proper in the absence of a supramaxilla, in having larger scales, in the dentition, and mostly in the concave or lunate caudal. Although by most workers assigned without question to the Serranidae (sensustricto) the monotypic genus Variola Swainson, 1839 has distinct affinities with the Anthiidae. The dentition, lunate caudal and the brilliant colouration accord better with the Anthiid than with the Serranid fishes. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961