Interesting fishes from South Africa
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1966
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:15043 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020225
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1966
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1966
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:15043 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020225
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1966
Fishes of the family Xenopoclinidae
- Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Clinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018781 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 20
- Description: As is w ell know n, there is a sharp line of distinction at the Cape between the warmer waters of the east and south coast of Africa, and the cool seas of the western Cape areas, with corresponding cleavage in the marine fauna. It was in this cooler area that a specimen of the first member of this group, Xenopoclinus kochi Smith, 1947, was discovered, and at that time it was given subfamily rank in the Clinidae. Until recently only the holotype was known, but now not only have further specimens been secured, but also a second species in this genus, and even more striking is the discovery of a second genus and a third species from the same locality. These forms all show clear relationship with the Blennioid fishes, but despite the numerous families in that order, I cannot find any among them that are so clearly related to the fishes described here, as to be able to assign this small group with certainty to anyone. The peculiar characters appear to merit full family rank, as is given here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Clinidae
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14982 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018781 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 20
- Description: As is w ell know n, there is a sharp line of distinction at the Cape between the warmer waters of the east and south coast of Africa, and the cool seas of the western Cape areas, with corresponding cleavage in the marine fauna. It was in this cooler area that a specimen of the first member of this group, Xenopoclinus kochi Smith, 1947, was discovered, and at that time it was given subfamily rank in the Clinidae. Until recently only the holotype was known, but now not only have further specimens been secured, but also a second species in this genus, and even more striking is the discovery of a second genus and a third species from the same locality. These forms all show clear relationship with the Blennioid fishes, but despite the numerous families in that order, I cannot find any among them that are so clearly related to the fishes described here, as to be able to assign this small group with certainty to anyone. The peculiar characters appear to merit full family rank, as is given here. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
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
Fishes of the family Apogonidae 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: 1961
- Subjects: Cardinalfishes , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018952 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 22
- Description: Fishes of the family Apogonidae of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Small and relatively feeble as most of these fishes are many cover an astonishing range. Some are found over truly vast areas of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from Southern Africa to the mid-Pacific. As a result, workers on even mid-Pacific Apogonidae need to give heed to the fauna of the Red Sea and of the Western Indian Ocean, from where, as in the case of the Parrot fishes, many early types were described. Failure to do this has caused species from the Pacific described as new, later to be proved identical with those long known from the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
- Authors: Smith, J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley), 1897-1968
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Cardinalfishes , Fishes -- Classification , Fishes -- Indian Ocean , Fishes -- Red Sea
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018952 , Ichthyological Bulletin; No. 22
- Description: Fishes of the family Apogonidae of the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Small and relatively feeble as most of these fishes are many cover an astonishing range. Some are found over truly vast areas of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from Southern Africa to the mid-Pacific. As a result, workers on even mid-Pacific Apogonidae need to give heed to the fauna of the Red Sea and of the Western Indian Ocean, from where, as in the case of the Parrot fishes, many early types were described. Failure to do this has caused species from the Pacific described as new, later to be proved identical with those long known from the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean. , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
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
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
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