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Ichthyological Bulletin
J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology
ISSN: 0073-4381
Num. 66, 1997
J.L.B. SMITH INSTITUTE OF ICHTHYOLOGY GRAHAMSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
ICHTHYOLOGICAL BULLETIN Number 66, March 1997

A revised checklist of the epipelagic and shore fishes of the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean

Richard Winterbottom^1 and R. Charles Anderson^2.

^1 Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6, Canada, and Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S IAI, Canada.
^2 Marine Research Section, Ministry of Fisheries and


Code Number: FB97001
Size of Files:
    Text: 258.3K
    Graphics: Photographs (jpg) - 486.2K (19 files)

ABSTRACT

A recent (Feb.-Mar., 1996) trip to the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean, by one of us (RCA) resulted in 51 new records of fishes for the islands. In addition, another 29 new records were discovered either in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution, or were gleaned from the literature. In total, 80 new records for Chagos are reported here. The checklist by Winterbottom et al. (1989) recorded 703 species from Chagos, that total is raised to 773 species. Eighty-nine changes in nomenclature from that used in the 1989 list are documented. Three geographic localities (Indo-Pacific, Indo-west Pacific and marginally on the Pacific plate, and Indo-west Pacific) account for just over 80% of the fish fauna. The five most speciose families (numbers of species in parentheses) are the Gobiidae (98), Labridae (63), Serranidae (50), Muraenidae (41) and Pomacentridae (38), and these together account for 38% of the total fish fauna.

INTRODUCTION

The Chagos Archipelago is an isolated group of atolls and reefs in the central Indian Ocean. The group forms the southern end of the Laccadive - Maldives - Chagos atoll chain, and is centred at about 6 degrees S, 72 degrees E. There are five atolls, ten reefs and submerged shoals, and about 50 islands.

The senior author took part in a scientific expedition to the Chagos Archipelago in 1979, during which a major collection of fishes was amassed for the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). That collection was worked up, together with other material from Chagos and with previously published records. Two major publications resulted: a review of the gobioid fishes (Winterbottom and Emery, 1986), and an annotated checklist (referred to hereafter as "1989 checklist") of the fishes then known from Chagos (Winterbottom, Emery and Holm, 1989). The 1989 checklist contained records of a total of 703 fish species.

The junior author participated in a scientific expedition to Chagos in early 1996. Numerous new records were documented for the archipelago during that expedition (primarily by R.C. Anderson, but also by other expedition members, notably M. Spalding). Since the 1989 checklist was submitted for publication in 1985 (and in addition to an "Errata and Addenda" sheet) there have been several other new records published in the literature, and many changes in taxonomy and known distribution. It was therefore felt that a revised list was desirable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The following symbols are used: * = new record for the Chagos Archipelago; L = literature record (citation given where it is a new record for Chagos); P = underwater colour slide(s); S = sight record(s); all others except where stated otherwise = voucher specimen(s) available at ROM. Where photographic records exist but are not published here it means that the slides are good enough for identification, but not for publication. If no other information is given, details are as in the 1989 checklist. Family names and sequence follow the 1989 checklist, except for the Anthiidae (here included in the Serranidae), the separation of the Caesioninae and Lutjaninae in the Lutjanidae, and the breakdown of the Balistidae into the Balistinae and the Monacanthinae.

The junior author spent one month in Chagos during February/March, 1996 aboard an 18 m motor sailing vessel. In view of the substantial collections made by Winterbottom and Emery, it was decided not to spend much time collecting specimens. Only one rotenone collection was made, between Ile Montpatre and Ile Gabrielle, Peros Banhos Atoll. The junior author concentrated on searching for species of fishes not previously recorded from Chagos while snorkelling and diving (to a maximum depth of 34 m). A few specimens were collected by hand, and whenever possible new records were photographed. All specimens collected have been deposited at the ROM. The only habitat not sampled by Winterbottom and Emery was the seagrass beds (only well developed at Diego Garcia). Unfortunately, it proved impossible for the junior author to visit these beds. However, they were visited by M. Spalding, who generously shared his observations with us. In addition, many of the Chagos specimens at the USNM are from Diego Garcia, and seagrass species appear to be relatively well represented.

Geographic ranges are included for all species for which information was available, and have been updated as appropriate. Geographic categories are as used in the 1989 list: Indo-Pacific (western/central Indian Ocean to the central portion of the Pacific plate - may include the eastern Pacific and/or Red Sea); Indo-west Pacific and marginally on the Pacific plate (plate record included; may include the Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, Kiribati [Gilbert Islands], and Samoa, as well as Belau [Palau], Yap, and the Marianas on the Philippine plate); Indo-west Pacific (western/central Indian Ocean to the Andesite line); western Indian Ocean (south of the tip of India westwards); Indian Ocean (including the west side of the Malay Peninsula, the Andaman Islands, Cocos [Keeling] Islands, Christmas Island and western Australia); central Indian Ocean (Chagos Archipelago, Maldive/Laccadive Islands, Sri Lanka); Indian Ocean and western edge of the tropical Pacific (eastward to the Gulf of Thailand); central and eastern Indian Ocean; cosmopolitan (tropical and temperate seas worldwide); circumtropical (tropical seas worldwide); Indo-Pacific and western Atlantic (including the Caribbean); endemic to the Chagos Archipelago; and unassigned. Citations for original descriptions for those species listed in the 1989 checklist are given in that publication.

ORECTOLOBIDAE

Nebrius ferrugineus (Lesson, 1830: 95; New Ireland; Waigeo). Indo-Pacific.

RHINCODONTIDAE

*Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828: 2; Cape Town. L. Compagno's (1984a) record was overlooked in 1989 checklist. Cosmopolitan.

LAMNIDAE

*Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810: 12; Mediterranean. L. Compagno's (1984a) record was overlooked in 1989 checklist. Cosmopolitan.

ODONTASPIDAE

?Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810: 38; Nice, France). Based on sight record of an odontaspid shark "(possibly Eugomphodus taurus)" in 1989 checklist. This shark was probably Odontaspis ferox, which is not uncommon in the Maldives, where Catcharias taurus has yet to be recorded (Anderson and Ahmed, 1993).

ALOPIIDAE

Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788: 9; Mediterranean). L. Cosmopolitan.

CARCHARHINIDAE

Carcharhinus albimarginatus (Ruppell, 1837: 64; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific. Compagno (1984b) mentions the possibility that this species occurs in the Caribbean, but we concur with Randall (in litt.) that this is highly unlikely.

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (Bleeker, 1856: 467; Java Sea). Listed as C wheeleri in 1989 checklist; but this species is now (Randall, 1995) considered a synonym of C amblyrhynchos. Indo-Pacific.

*Carcharhinus longimanus (Poey, 1861: 338; Cuba). L. Compagno's (1984b) record was overlooked in 1989 checklist. Cosmopolitan.

Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 194; Waigeo). Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean (recent migration via Suez Canal). Indo-Pacific.

*Negaprion acutidens (Ruppell, 1837: 65; Jiddah, Red Sea). Record based on sighting and sketch of a 2.2-2.5 m individual on outer reef at Diego Garcia by M. Spalding. Indo-Pacific.

Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758: 235; "Oceano Europaeo"). L. (Gubanov and Grigoryev, 1975). Cosmopolitan.

Triaenodon obesus (Ruppell, 1837: 64; Jiddah, Red Sea). An individual about 1 m TL (Fig. 1) photographed under a coral bommie in 9 m on outside of Ile du Passe, Salomon Atoll; Wheeler's (1953) record was overlooked in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 1. Triaenodon obesus, photographed off Ile du Passe, Salomon Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

SPHYRNIDAE

Sphyrna sp. S. (unconfirmed, members of 1979 Chagos Expedition). Estimated to be about 5 m, hence probably S. mokarran if size estimate is accurate. Range unassigned.

MYLIOBATIDAE

*Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790: 217; West Indies). P, S. Photographed by M. Spalding off Diego Garcia; sighted at Peros Banhos Atoll and on Great Chagos Bank by M. Spalding and R. Ormond. Cosmopolitan.

MOBULIDAE

Manta birostris (Donndorf, 1798: 876; no type locality). P. Specimen photographed outside Salomon by R.C. Anderson (1996). Circumtropical.

*Mobula sp. P. A species of devilray photographed off Salomon Atoll by M. Spalding (Feb 1996) has long cephalic lobes that suggest it may be M. eregoodootenke (Cuvier, 1829). Range unassigned.

DASYATIDAE

Dasyatis purpureus (Muller and Henle, 1841: 160; probably South Africa). Western Indian Ocean.

*Himantura granulata (Macleay, 1883: 598; New Guinea). P. Photographed in lagoon at Egmont Atoll by Mrs L. Agace (Sept., 1994). Widespread in Indo-west Pacific (Ishihara et al., 1993; Last and Stevens, 1994).

Pastinachus sephen (Forsskal, 1775: 17; Red Sea). Listed as Hypolophus sephen in the 1989 checklist; change follows Last and Stevens (1994). Indo-west Pacific.

*Taeniura meyeni Muller and Henle, 1841: 172; Mauritius. S. Seen in about 6 m on outer reef, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson (1996). Indo-Pacific.

Urogymnus africanus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 367; Guinea). Listed as U. asperrimus in 1989 checklist; name change follows B. Seret as quoted in Randall and Anderson (1993). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines), and eastern Atlantic.

ALBULIDAE

Albula glossodonta (Forsskal, 1775: 68; Red Sea). Recorded from Chagos by Shaklee (1984). Specimens at USNM (# 246685). Indo-Pacific.

MORINGUIDAE

Moringua ferruginea Bliss, 1883: 57; Mauritius. Indo-Pacific.

Moringua javanica (Kaup, 1865: 105; Java). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kiribati).

Moringua microchir Bleeker, 1853: 124; Ambon. Indo-west Pacific.

CHLOPSIDAE

Boehlkenchelys longidentata Tighe, 1992: 20; Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji. Listed as Kaupichthys nuchalis in 1989 checklist; described by Tighe (1992) based in part on Chagos material. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Belau).

Kaupichthys atronasus Schultz, 1953: 65; Marshalls. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Kaupichthys diodontus Schultz, 1943: 50; Samoa. Listed as K. hyoproroides in 1989 checklist; reidentified by K. Tighe. Indo-Pacific.

Kaupichthys sp. These specimens remain unidentified. Range unassigned.

Powellichthys sp. This specimen remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

MURAENIDAE

Anarchias allardicei Jordan and Starks in Jordan and Seale, 1906: 204; Samoa. Indo-Pacific.

Anarchias seychellensis Smith, 1962: 429; Assumption Island. Indo-Pacific.

Echidna leucotaenia Schultz, 1943: 22; Phoenix Islands. Indo-Pacific.

Echidna nebulosa (Ahl, 1789: 7; East Indies). Indo-Pacific.

Echidna polyzona (Richardson, 1845:112; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

Echidna unicolor Schultz, 1953: 106; MarshalIs. Indo-Pacific.

Enchelycore bayeri (Schultz, 1953: 124; Marshalls). Indo-Pacific.

Enchelycore pardalis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1842: 268; Japan). Indo-Pacific.

Enchelycore schismatorhynchus (Bleeker, 1853: 301; Sumatera). Indo-Pacific.

Enchelynassa canina (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 247; Waigeo and Rawak). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnomuraena zebra (Shaw and Nodder, 1797: pl. 322; Pacific). Indo-Pacific.

*Gymnothorax breedeni McCosker and Randall, 1977: 162; Comoro Islands. S, P. Photographed (Fig. 2) on several occasions at Salomon and Peros Banhos Atolls, on outer reef slopes in about 8-12 m in areas of broken coral offering shelter for fairy basslets (Pseudanthias spp) and fusilier damselfish (Lepidozygus tapeinosoma). Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 2. Gymnothorax breedeni, photographed off Ile Manoel, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Gymnothorax buroensis (Bleeker, 1857: 79; Kayeli, Indonesia). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax chilospilus (Bleeker, 1865: 52; Benkulen, Sumatera). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax enigmaticus McCosker and Randall, 1982: 18; Belau. Indo-Pacific.

Gymnathorax fimbriatus (Bennett, 183 1: 168; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax flavimarginatus (Ruppell, 1830: 119; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax fuscomaculatus (Schultz, 1953: 147; Marshalls). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker, 1859: 347; Java). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax margaritophorus (Bleeker, 1865: 53; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax melatremus Schultz, 1953: 120; Marshalls. Indo-Pacific.

*Gymnothorax meleagris (Shaw and Nodder, 1795: PI. 220; Pacific). Specimens at USNM (#'s 312543, 313857). Also photographed (Fig. 3) at Salomon and Peros Banhos Atolls in 7-10 m. Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 3. Gymnothorax meleagris, photographed off Ile Fouquet, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson

Gymnothorax pindae Smith, 1962: 430; Pinda, Mozambique. Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax rueppelliae (McClelland, 1845: 213; Bengal, India). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax undulatus (Lacepede, 1803: 629; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax zonipectis Seale, 1906: 7; Tahiti. Indo-Pacific.

Gymnothorax sp 1. This and the following three species remain unidentified, but are under study by E. Bohlke, ANSP. Range unassigned.

Gymnothorax sp 2. Range unassigned.

Gymnothorax sp 3. Range unassigned.

Gymnothorax sp 4. Range unassigned.

*Scuticaria tigrinus (Lesson, 1829: 399; East Indies). One specimen from Diego Garcia at USNM (# 3 12867). Indo-Pacific.

Siderea grisea (Lacepede, 1803: 629; Madagascar). This and the next species were placed in Gymnothorax in the 1989 checklist. The name change reflects current usage (e.g. Randall, 1995). Western Indian Ocean.

Siderea picta (Ahl, 1789: 8; East Indies). Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius concolor Ruppell, 1838: 83; Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius fuscoguttatus Schultz, 1953: 156; Marshalls. Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius inornatus Gosline, 1958: 225; Hawaii. Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius kamar McCosker and Randall, 1977: 164; Comoro Islands. Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius polyspilus (Regan, 1909: 438; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius supraforatus (Regan, 1909: 439; western Samoa). Indo-Pacific.

Uropterugius xanthopterus Bleeker, 1859: 350; Ambon, Indonesia). Indo-Pacific.

Uropterygius sp 1. The single specimen (ROM 38925) remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

CONGRIDAE

Conger cinereus Ruppell, 1830:115; Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Gorgasia maculata Klausewitz and Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959: 147; Nicobar Islands. Indian Ocean east to Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Heteroconger hassi (Klausewitz and Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959: 148; Maldives). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on the Pacific plate (Marianas).

OPHICHTHIDAE

Brachysomophis crocodilinus (Bennett, 1833: 32; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

*Callechelys catostomus (Forster in Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 536; Tahiti). Three specimens collected (ROM 70248) from a shallow, sandy embayment on northwest side of Ile Monpatre, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson, 26 Feb 1996. Indo-Pacific.

Callechelys marmoratus (Bleeker, 1853: 37; Sumatera). Indo-Pacific.

Lamnostoma orientalis (McClelland, 1844: 213; Coromandel Coast. L. Indo-Pacific.

Leiuranus semicinctus (Lay and Bennett, 1839: 66; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Muraenichthys laticaudata (Ogilby, 1897: 247; Fiji). Indo-Pacific.

Muraenichthys schultzei Bleeker, 1857: 366; south Java. Indo-Pacific.

Myrichthys colubrinus (Boddaert, 1781:56; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Myrichthys maculosus (Cuvier, 1816: 232; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758: 244; Atlantic). Eastern Atlantic to Indo-west Pacific.

Schismorhynchus labialis (Seale, 1917: 79, Marshalls). Indo-Pacific. Schultzidia johnstonensis (Schultz and Woods, 1949: 172; Johnston Island). Indo-Pacific.

CLUPEIDAE

Spratelloides delicatulus (Bennett, 1831: 168; Mauritius). Indo-west Pacific.

*Spratelloides gracilis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1846: 238; Japan). Two specimens (ROM 70243 and 70244) from stomachs of little tanas (Euthynnus affinis) caught by trolling, one inside Salomon Atoll, the other outside Peros Banhos Atoll; R.C. Anderson, Feb 1996. Also schools seen inside Salomon Atoll. Indo-Pacific.

ENGRAULIDAE

Thryssa setirostris (Broussonet, 1782: unpaginated; Vanuatu). Indo-west Pacific.

SYNODONTIDAE

Saurida gracilis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 224; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific

Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1844-48: 138; Australia). L. Indo-west Pacific.

Synodus binotatus Schultz, 1953: 35; Marshalls. Indo-Pacific.

Synodus dermatogenys Fowler, 1912: 566; Hawaii. Listed as S. variegatus in 1989 list; name change follows Waples and Randall (1988). Indo-Pacific.

Synodus jaculum Russell and Cressey, 1979: 566; Great Barrier Reef. Indo-Pacific.

Synodus variegatus (Lacepede, 1803: 157, 224; Mauritius). Listed as S. englemani in 1989 list; name change follows Waples and Randall (1988). Indo-Pacific.

CHANIDAE

Chanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775: 74; Jiddah, Red Sea). Specimens at USNM (# 327075). Indo-Pacific.

GOBIESOCIDAE

Aspasmodes sp. This small specimen (7 mm SL) remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

Lepadichthys bolini Briggs, 1962: 424; Vanuatu. Indo-west Pacific.

ANTENNARIIDAE

Antennarius coccineus (Cuvier in Lesson, 1830: 143; Mau- ritius). Indo-Pacific.

Antennatus tuberosus (Cuvier, 1817: 432, Mauritius). Record from Diego Garcia by Pietsch and Grobecker (1987) based on USNM 232183 overlooked in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

*Histrio histrio (Linnaeus, 1758: 237; type locality probably China). One small specimen (ROM 70242) collected from floating sargassum weed inside Peros Banhos Atoll, R.C. Anderson, Feb 1996. Range uncertain, probably Atlantic and Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marianas).

OPHIDIIDAE

Brotula multibarbata Temminck and Schlegel, 1846: 251; Japan. Indo-Pacific.

BYTHITIDAE

Brosmophyciops pautzkei Schultz, 1960: 386; Marshalls. Indo-Pacific.

Dinematichthys indicus Machida, 1994:451; Chagos Archipelago. Listed as D. iluocoeteoides in 1989 checklist; described as a new species based, in part, on the Chagos material. Western Indian Ocean.

CARAPIDAE

Carapus mourlani (Petit, 1934: 393; Madagascar). Listed as C. hornei in 1989 checklist; reidentified by K. Machida (in litt.). Indo-Pacific.

Encheliophis gracilis (Bleeker, 1856: 105; Banda). Indo-Pacific.

EXOCOETIDAE

Cheilopogon cyanopterus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1847: 97; Bahia). L. Circumtropical.

Cheilopogon furcatus (Mitchill, 1815: 449; New York). L. Circumtropical

Cheilopogon nigricans (Bennett, 1840: 287; Adantic and Pacific Oceans). L. Circumtropical.

Cypselurus naresii (Gunther, 1889: 36; between Fiji and Vannatu). L. Indo-Pacific.

Cypselurus poecilopterus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1846:112; New Britain). L. Indo-Pacific.

Exocoetus monocirrhus Richardson, 1846: 265; Indo-Pacific. L. Indo-Pacific.

Exocoetus volitans Linnaeus, 1758:316; Adantic Ocean. L. Specimen from Chagos at Yale's Peabody Museum - #8947. Circumtropical.

Hirundichthys speculiger (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1846: 94; Indian Ocean. L. Indian Ocean.

Parexocoetus brachypterus (Richardson, 1846: 265; Tahiti). L. Indo-Pacific.

Prognichthys sealei Abe, 1955: 185; Miyako Island. L. Indo-Pacific.

HEMIRAMPHIDAE

Hyporhamphus affinis (Gunther, 1866: 267; South Seas). Indo-Pacific.

BELONIDAE

Ablennes hians (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1846: 432; Bahia, Brazil). L. Cosmopolitan.

Platybelone argalus platyura (Bennett, 1831: 168; Mauritius). L. Indo-Pacific.

Tylosurus acus melanotus (Bleeker, 1850: 94; Java). L. Indo-Pacific.

Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus (Peron and Lesueur in Lesueur, 1821: 129; Mauritius). Cosmopolitan.

ATHERINIDAE

Atherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, 1801:112; New Caledonia). Indo-Pacific.

Hypoatherina barnesi Schultz, 1953: 304; MarshalIs. Indo-Pacific.

BERYCIDAE

Beryx decadactylus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 222; no type locality. L. Cosmopolitan.

Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834: 142; Madeira. L. Cosmopolitan

HOLOCENTRIDAE

Myripristis adusta Bleeker, 1853: 108; Ambon. Indo-Pacific.

Myripristis berndti Jordan and Evermann, 1903: 170; Hawaii. Indo-Pacific.

Myripristis kuntee Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 487; Mauritius. Indo-Pacific.

Myripristis murdjan (Forsskal, 1775: 48; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Myripristis pralinia Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 170; New Ireland. Indo-Pacific.

Myripristis violacea Bleeker, 1851: 234; Banda. Indo-Pacific.

Myripristis vittata Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 492; Mauritius. Indo-Pacific.

Neoniphon argenteus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 502; New Guinea). Indo-Pacific.

Neoniphon opercularis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 501; New Ireland). Indo-Pacific.

Neoniphon sammara (Forssldd, 1775: 48; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Plectrypops lima (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1831: 493; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron caudimaculatum (Ruppell, 1838: 97; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron diadema (Lacepede, 1802: 335; South Seas). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron inaequalis Randall and Heemstra, 1985:8 (Chagos Archipelago). Western Indian Ocean.

Sargocentron macrosquamis Golani, 1984: 40; Amirante Islands. Western Indian Ocean.

Sargocentron microstoma (Gunther, 1859: 34; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron punctatissimum (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 215; Caroline Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron seychellense (Smith and Smith, 1963: 9; Seychelles). Western Indian Ocean.

Sargocentron spiniferum (Forsskal, 1775: 49; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron tiere (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 202; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron tiereoides (Bleeker, 1853: 334; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Sargocentron violaceum (Bleeker, 1853: 335; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

AULOSTOMIDAE

Aulostomus chinensis (Linnaeus, 1766: 515; India). Indo-- Pacific.

FISTULARIIDAE

Fistularia commersonii Ruppell, 1838: 142; Red Sea. Indo- Pacific.

Fistularia petimba Lacepede, 1803:349 (New Britain, Reunion). L, and specimens at USNM (# 203734). Indo-Pacific.

SOLENOSTOMIDAE

The record of Solenostomus paradoxus based on the distribution map given in Orr and Fritzsche ( 1993 - which clearly shows the symbol for this species over the Chagos Archipelago) is incorrect (Orr, pers. comm.). The intended record is for the Maldives at 5 degrees N rather than Chagos at 5 degrees S.

SYNGNATHIDAE

*Corythoichthys amplexus Dawson and Randall, 1975:27 1; Fiji. A specimen collected by hand (ROM 70245) from a large Porites coral head in about 6 m at Peros Banhos Atoll, by R.C. Anderson on 25 Feb 1996. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Choeroichthys brachysoma (Bleeker, 1855: 327; Batu). Indo- Pacific.

Choeroichthys sculptus (Gunther, 1870: 185; Fiji). Indo-Pacific.

Corythoichthys flavofasciatus (Ruppell, 1838: 144; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Corythoichthys schultzi Herald, 1953: 271; MarshalIs. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Tonga).

Cosmocampus banneri (Herald and Randall, 1972:135 Ryukyus). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Doryrhamphus excisus Kaup, 1856: 54; no type locality. Indo-Pacific.

Doryrhamphus multiannulatus (Regan, 1903: 413; Mauritius). Western Indian Ocean.

Halicampus mataafae (Jordan and Seale, 1906: 213; Samoa). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on the Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

SCORPAENIDAE

*Dendrochirus zebra (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 367; Mauritius and Moluccas). Listed in "Errata and Addenda" of 1989 checklist, based on three specimens from Diego Garcia Atoll fROM 52465). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Parascorpaena aurita (Ruppell, 183 8:106; Red Sea). Indo-west Pacific.

Pontinus sp. An unidentified species based on a literature record. Range unassigned.

Pterois antennata (Bloch, 1787:21; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828: 30; Sri Lanka). Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

Scorpaenodes albaiensis (Evermann and Seale, 1907: 102; Philippines). Indo-west Pacific.

Scorpaenodes guamensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 326; Guam). Indo-Pacific.

Scorpaenodes hirsutus (Smith, 1957: 63; Bazaruto Island). Indo-Pacific.

Scorpaenodes kelloggi (Jenkins, 1903: 492; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Scorpaenodes parvipinnis (Garrett, 1863: 105; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Scorpaenodes scaber (Ramsey and Ogilby, 1885: 577; Shark Reef, Australia). Range unassigned due to confusion with S. guamensis.

Scorpaenopsis diabolus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 312; New Guinea). Indo-Pacific.

Scorpaenopsis fowleri (Pietschmann, 1934: 99; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Scorpaenopsis gibbosa (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 192; America). Western Indian Ocean.

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala Bleeker, 1849: 7; Java. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate.

Scorpaenopsis sp 1. An undescribed species to be described by Eschmeyer and Rama Rao. Range unassigned.

Scorpaenopsis sp 2. An undescribed species to be described by Eschmeyer and Rama Rao. Range unassigned.

Sebastapistes cyanostigma (Bleeker, 1856: 385; Indonesia). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Sebastapistes mauritiana (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 322; Mauritius). Listed as S. strongia in 1989 checklist; subsequendy reidentified by RW. Indo-Pacific.

Synanceia verrucosa Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 195; India. Indo-Pacific.

Taenianotus triacanthus Lacepede, 1802: 303; no type locality. Indo-Pacific.

CARACANTHIDAE

Caracanthus madagascariensis (Guichenot, 1869: 195; Madagascar). Western Indian Ocean.

Caracanthus unipinnus (Gray, 1831: 20; Pacific Seas). Indo-Pacific.

PLATYCEPHALIDAE

Rogadius serratus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 259; Sri Lanka). Indo-west Pacific.

Thysanophrys arenicola Schultz, 1966: 60; Marshalls. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Thysanophrys otaitensis (Parkinson, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829: 242; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

DACTYLOPTERIDAE

Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valencien- nes, 1829: 134; Mauritius). L. Indo-Pacific.

SERRANIDAE

This family includes the Anthiidae of the 1989 checklist following current concepts. It has been broken down by subfamilies and tribes (sensu Baldwin and Johnson, 1993) for convenience. Cephalopholis sonnerati (Valenviennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828: 299, Pondicherry, India) was recorded from Chagos in an anonymous publication (Anonymous, 1995), and is not included in the checklist despite its probable occurrence there.

Anthiinae

Luzonichthys addisi (Smith, 1955: 348; Aidabra). Record by Heemstra and Randall (1986: 513) was overlooked in 1989 checklist. Western Indian Ocean.

Nemanthias carberryi Smith, 1954: 4; Malindi, Kenya. Indian Ocean.

Plectranthias longimanus (Weber, 1913: 209; Paternoster Island, Indonesia). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

*Pseudanthias cooperi (Regan, 1902: 273; Maldives). P. Based on a photograph by R.C. Anderson in 30 m off Ile du Passe, Salomon Atoll. Indo-Pacific.

Pseudanthias evansi (Smith, 1954: 1; Shimoni, Kenya). Listed as Mirolabrichthys evansi in 1989 checklist. The generic change for this and the next two species follows current usage (e.g. Randall and Anderson, 1993). Indian Ocean.

Pseudanthias pulcherrimus Heemstra and Randall, 1986: 512; Mauntius. Listed as Anthias sp. in 1989 checklist. Western Indian Ocean.

Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters, 1855: 429; Mozambique). Listed as Anthias squamipinnis in 1989 checklist. Indo-west Pacific.

Epinephelinae

Diploprionini

Belonoperca chabanaudi Fowler and Bean, 1930: 182; Sulawesi. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Epinephelini

Aethaloperca rogaa (Forsskal, 1775: 38; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kifibati).

Anyperodon leucogrammicus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828: 347; Moluccas and Seychelles). Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis argus Bloch and Schneider, 1801:311; East Indies. Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis leopardus (Lacepede, 1802: 450; Indo-Pacific). Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskal, 1775: 41; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis polleni (Bleeker, 1868: 336;, Reunion). Listed as Gracila polleni in 1989 checklist; generic change by Smith-Vaniz et al. (1988). Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis sexmaculata (Ruppell, 1830: 107; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis spiloparaea (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828: 338; no type locality). Listed as Cephalopholis analis in 1989 checklist; change follows Heemstra and Randall (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Cephalopholis urodeta (Forster in Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 333; Marquesas). Listed as Cephalopholis nigripinnis in 1989 checklist; change follows Heemstra and Randall (1993). Included is the fish identified as "Cephalopholis sp" in 1989 checklist (Pl. IV C), reidentified for us by J.E. Randall. Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus (Bloch, 1790: 94; no type locality). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kiribati).

Epinephelus chlorostigma (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Va- lenciennes, 1828: 352; Seychelles). L. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskal, 1775: 40; Ras Muhammad, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus flavocaeruleus (Lacepede, 1802:331; Mauritius). L. Indian Ocean.

*Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskl, 1775: 41; Red Sea). L. The range map of Heemstra and Randall, 1993: 156, shows a record from the Chagos Archipelago, although this locality is not specifically mentioned in the text. Specimens were seen at Peros Banhos and Diego Garcia by M. Spalding. Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790: 92; East Indies). Listed as Protnicrops lanceolatus in 1989 checklist; change reflects Heemstra and Randall's (1993) treatment. Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus longispinis (Kner, 1864: 27; Madras). L. Indo-west Pacific.

Epinephelus macrospilos (Bleeker, 1855: 499; Batjaan; Moluccas). Listed as Epinephelus faveatus in 1989 checklist; change is after Heemstra and Randall (1993). Indo-Pacific.

*Epinephelus melanostigma Schultz, 1953: 331; Swains Island, Samoa). Two specimens (ROM 44698, 60996) identified as E. tauvina in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus merra Bloch, 1793: 17; Japan. Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus miliaris (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 520; New Guinea). A specimen (ROM 42623) collected by Ryther in 1980 was not mentioned in 1989 checklist. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

Epinephelus morrhua (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1833: 434; Mauritius). L. Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus multinotatus (Peters, 1876: 435; Mauritius/Seychelles). L. Indian Ocean.

Epinephelus octofasciatus Griffin, 1926: 540; Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. L. Listed as Epinephelus septemfasciatus in 1989 checklist; change based on Heemstra and Randall (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus poecilonotus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1842: 6; Japan). L. Indo-westPacific.

Epinephelus polyphekadion (Bleeker, 1849: 39; Java). Referred to as E. microdon in 1989 checklist; change based on Heemstra and Randall (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus radiatus (Day, 1867: 699; India). L. Indo-west Pacific.

Epinephelus retouti Bleeker, 1868: 339; Reunion. L. Indo-Pacific.

*Epinephelus rivulatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 515; Reunion). L. Recorded on distribution map by Heemstra and Randall (1993), but Chagos is not mentioned in the distribution section. Indo-west Pacific.

Epinephelus spilotoceps Schultz, 1953: 332; Marshalls. Listed as E. hexagonatus in 1989 checklist; change based on Heemstra and Randall (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Epinephelus tauvina (Forsskal, 1775: 39; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Gracila albomarginata (Fowler and Bean, 1930: 235; Borneo). Indo-Pacific.

Plectropomus areolatus Ruppell, 1830: index footnote; Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Plectropomus laevis (Lacepede, 1802:43 1; Indian Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Plectropomus pessuliferus Fowler, 1904: 520; Padang. L, P. Photographed at Peros Banhos by R.C. Anderson. Indo-west Pacific.

Plectropomus punctatus Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 318; Mauritius. L. Western Indian Ocean.

Variola albimarginata Balssac, 1953: 214; Mauritius. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marianas, Samoa).

Variola louti (Forsskal, 1775: 40; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Grammistini

Aporops bilinearis Schultz, 1943: 112; Phoenix Islands. Listed as A. allfreei in 1989 checklist; change made on the advice of Dr J.E. Randall (in litt.). Indo-Pacific.

Grammistes sexlineatus (Thunberg, 1792: 142; Japan). Indo- Pacific.

Pseudogramma polyacanthum (Bleeker, 1856: 375; Ternate). Indo-Pacific.

Liopropomini

Liopropoma africanum (Smith, 1954: 866; Tekomaji Island, Mozambique). Range unassigned in 1989 checklist; range reported as western Indian Ocean (Randall and Taylor, 1988), but the ROM has specimens from Phuket, Thailand, collected in 1993. Indian Ocean.

Liopropoma susumi (Jordan and Seale, 1906: 256; Samoa). Range unassigned in 1989 checklist; Indo-Pacific (Randall and Taylor, 1988).

PSEUDOCHROMIDAE

Chlidichthys inornatus Lubbock, 1976: 169; Sri Lanka. Central Indian Ocean.

PLESIOPIDAE

Calloplesiops altivelis (Steindachner, 1903: 17; Samatera). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Mananas).

KUHLIIDAE

Kuhlia mugil (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 541; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

PRIACANTHIDAE

Heteropriacanthus cruentatus (Lacepede, 1802: 452; America). Listed as Priacanthus cruentatus in 1989 checklist; change follows Fitch and Crooke (1984). Circumtropical.

*Priacanthus hamrur (Forsskal, 1775: 45; Red Sea). Three adults seen on outer reef slope of lie Poule, Peros Banhos Atoll (Fig. 4). Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 4. Priacanthus hamrur, photographed off Ile Poule, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

APOGONIDAE

The names used for pinkish to red species of Apogon (A. coccineus, A. doryssa, A. erythrinus and A. talboti are very tentative identifications awaiting resolution of the taxonomic problems by D.W. Greenfield.

Apogon abrogramma Fraser and Lachner, 1985: 5; Seycheiles. Indo-west Pacific.

Apogon angustatus (Smith and Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 19 11: 253; Malanipa, Philippines). Indo-Pacific.

Apogon apogonides (Bleeker, 1856: 37; Manado, Sulawesi). Indo-Pacific.

Apogon coccineus Ruppell, 1838: 88; Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Apogon crassiceps Gatman, 1903: 230; Fiji. Indo-west Pacific.

*Apogon doryssa (Jordan and Seale, 1906: 245; Samoa). Material of this species was included with, and figured as (Fig. 158) A. coccineus in the 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Apogon erythrinus Snyder, 1904: 526; Hawaii. Greenfield (pers. comm.) suspects that this species might be a Hawaiian endemic. Indo-west Pacific (?).

Apogon evermanni Jordan and Snyder, 1904: 123; Hawaii. Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.

Apogon fraenatus Valenciennes, 1832: 57; New Guinea and Guam. Indo-Pacific.

Apogon franssedai Allen, Kuiter and Randall, 1994: 33; Flores. Listed as Apogon sp. 1 in the 1989 checklist. This designation was placed in the synonymy of A. fukuii by Hayashi (1990). However, Hayashi clearly had some doubts as to the conspecificity of the two taxa, for his identification label reads "Apogon cf fukuii". In fact we find that the single specimen differs from A. fukuii in all the ways listed by Allen et al. (1994) in the

description of their new species except that we can discern no weak setrations at the angle of the preopercular ridge. Central Indian Ocean to western Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Belau).

Apogon kallopterus Bleeker, 1856: 33; Manado, Sulawesi. Indo-Pacific.

Apogon leptacanthus Bleeker, 1856: 204; Ternare, Indonesia. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

*Apogon nigrofasciatus Lachner, 1953: 466; Bikini Atoll. Photographed between Ile Poule and Ile Boddam, inside Salomon Atoll by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

Apogon savayensis Gunther, 1871: 656; Samoa and Sulawesi. Indo-Pacific.

Apogon semiornatus Peters, 1876: 436; Mauritius. Indo-west Pacific.

Apogon taeniophorus Regan, 1908: 226; Maldives. Indian Ocean.

Apogon talboti Smith, 1961: 386; Zanzibar. Indo-west Pacific.

Apogonichthys perdix Bleeker, 1854: 321; Flores. Indo-Pacific.

Archamia fucata (Cantor, 1849: 986; "Sea of Pinang"). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Cheilodipterus artus Smith, 1961: 409; Mahe. Listed as C. lachneri in 1989 checklist. Range was assigned as Indian Ocean, but C. artus has an Indo-Pacific distribution (excluding the Red Sea) east to the Tuamotu Archipelago (Gon, 1993).

Cheilodipterus macrodon (Lacepede, 1802: 252; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Cuvier in Cuvier and Va- lenciennes, 1828: 167; Society Islands. Indo-Pacific.

Foa brachygramma (Jenkins, 1902: 447; Hawaii). Specimen from Diego Garcia at USNM (# 279789). The faded British Museum specimens reported as "Foa sp" in 1989 checklist are this species. Indo-Pacific.

Fowleria abocellata Goren and Karplus, 1980: 232; Gulf of Elat. Indo-west Pacific.

Fowleria aurita (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 443; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Fowleria variegata (Valenciennes, 1832: 55; Mauritius). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

Gymnapogon sp. The four Chagos specimens remain unidentified. Range unassigned.

Neamia octospina Smith and Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1912: 441; Philippines. Indo-west Pacific.

Pseudamia gelatinosa Smith, 1955: 690; Aidabra Islands. Indo-Pacific.

Pseudamiops gracilicauda (Lachner, 1953: 497; Marshalls). Indo-west Pacific.

Pseudamiops sp 1. This small species, with only a single anal spine, remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

Pseudamiops sp 2. These specimens could be P. gracilicauda or P. pellucidus, or the latter may be a junior synonym of the former. Included under P. gracilicauda in 1989 checklist. Range unassigned.

Rhabdamia cypselurus Weber, 1909: 167; Seram. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

MALACANTHIDAE

Malacanthus brevirostris Guichenot, 1848: 14; Madagascar, Reunion. Indo-Pacific.

Malacanthus latovittatus (Lacepede, 1801:455; "Great Equatorial Ocean"). S. Indo-Pacific.

LACTARIIDAE

Lactarius lactarius (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 31; Tranquebar). L. Doubtful record, range unassigned.

RACHYCENTRIDAE

Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766: 491; Carolina). L. Cosmopolitan.

ECHENEIDAE

Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus, 1758: 261; Indian Ocean. Cosmopolitan.

CARANGIDAE

*Carangoides fulvoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775: 56; Red Sea). P. Several photographed at Three Brothers on Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson; also reported by Anonymous (1995). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Belau).

Carangoides orthogrammus (Jordan and Gilbert, 1882: 226; Clarion Island). Indo-Pacific.

Carangoides plagiotaenia Bleeker, 1857: 59; Ambon. L. Indo-Pacific.

Caranx ignobilis (Forsskal, 1775: 55; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Caranx lugubris Poey, 1860: 222; Cuba. L, P. Photographed off Peros Banhos by M. Spalding. Circumtropical.

Caranx melampygus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1833:116; Waigiou. Indo-Pacific.

Caranx sexfasciatus Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 358; Waigiou. Indo-Pacific.

Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy and Galmard, 1825: 363; Walgiou). Cosmopolitan.

Gnathanodon speciosus (Forsskal, 1775: 54; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Naucrates ductor (Linnaeus, 1758: 295; "in Pelago"). L. Circumtropical.

Scomberoides lysan (Forsskal, 1775: 54; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793: 77; Guinea). Circumtropical.

Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1833: 207; Greek Islands. Cosmopolitan.

Trachinotus baillonii (Lacepede, 1801: 92; Madagascar). Indo-Pacific.

*Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede, 1801: 92; Madagascar). P. Seen on three occasions, and photographed, off Diego Garcia by M. Spalding. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

MENIDAE

Mene maculata (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 95; Tranquebar). L. Indo-Pacific.

BRAMIDAE

Brama dussumieri Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 294; Indian Ocean. L. Circumtropical.

CORYPHAENIDAE

Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus, 1758:261;"in alto Pelago". Cosmopolitan.

Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758: 261; "in Pelago". Specimens were caught but not retained by R.C. Anderson and M. Spalding dunng the 1996 expedition. Cosmopolitan.

LUTJANIDAE

We follow Johnson (1993) in regarding the fusiliers (Caesioninae) as the sister group of the Lutjaninae, and have accordingly broken down the Lutjanidae to reflect this. The following species, recorded from Chagos on the range maps given in Allen (1984), are not represented by specimens from that locality (Allen, pers. comm.): Lutjanus erythropterus, L. fulviflamma, L. lutjanus, L. malabaricus and L. rivulatus. They are therefore omitted from our list. Also, the new record for L. ehrenbergi (Allen, 1985) is not represented by specimens (Alien, pers. comm.), and the record of Pristipomoides sieboldii (Bleeker, 1857), based on Anonymous (1995), is not included in our list.

Caesioninae

Caesio caerulaurea Lacepede, 1801: 85; Moluccas. Indo-Pacific.

Caesio lunaris Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 441; New Ireland. Indo-west Pacific.

Caesio teres Seale, 1906: 44; Solomon Islands. Indo-Pacific.

Caesio xanthonota Bleeker, 1853: 466; Jakarta. Indo-west Pacific.

Pterocaesio chrysozonus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valencieenes, 1830: 440; East Indies). Indo-west Pacific.

Pterocaesio lativittata Carpenter, 1987: 40; Cocos-Keeling Islands. The specimens listed as Pterocaesio sp. in 1989 checklist were designated as paretypes. Indo-west Pacific.

Pterocaesio marri Schultz, 1953: 545; Marshall Islands. Indo-Pacific.

*Pterocaesio pisang (Bleeker, 1853:113; Ambon). Several schools seen and photographed inside Peros Banhos Atoll and at Three Brothers on Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific Plate (Ponape).

Pterocaesio tile (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 428; Caroline Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjaninae

Aphareus furca (Lacepede, 1802: 429; Indo-Pacific). Listed as A. furcatus in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Aphareus rutilans Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 490; Red Sea. L. Ocurrence based on Kyushin et al. (1977), record overlooked in 1989 checklist. Also reported by Anonymous (1995). Indo-Pacific.

Aprion virescens Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 544; Seychelles. Indo-Pacific.

Etelis carbunculus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828: 127; Seychelles. L. Indo-Pacific.

*Etelis coruscans, Valenciennes, 1862:1166; Mauritius. L. Occurrence based on range map in Allen (1985); over looked in 1989 checklist. Also reported by Anonymous (1995). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus bohar (Forsskal, 1775: 46; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus fulvus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 318; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus gibbus (Forsskal, 1775: 46; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus kasmira (Forsskal, l775: 46; RedSea). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus monostigma (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828: 446; Seychelles). Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus rivulatus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828: 414; Coromandal coast). L. Occurrence based on Kyushin et al. (1977); overlooked in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Lutjanus sebae (Cuvier, 1816: 275; Java). L. Indo-west Pacific.

*Macolor macularis Fowler, 1931: 181; Philippines. P. A juvenile about 15 cm TL (Fig. 5) was photographed in 10 m on the outer reef edge of Salomon Atoll near Ile du Passe. Indo-west Pacific.

    Figure 5. Macolor macularis (juvenile), photographed off Ile du Passe, Salomon Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Macolor niger (Forsskal, 1775:47; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Paracaesio sordida Abe and Shinohara, 1962: 163; Okinawa. L. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Paracaesio xanthura (Bleeker, 1869: 78; Madagascar). L. Record based on probability, not specimens (Allen pers. corem.). Indo-Pacific.

Pristipomoides auricilla (Jordan, Evermann and Tanaka, 1927: 668; Hawaii. L. Indo-Pacific.

Prisitipomoides lamentosus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 508; Reunion). L. Indo-Pacific.

Pristipomoides multidens (Day, 1870: 680; Andaman Islands). L. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Pristipomoides zeniths (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes; 1830: 509; Mauntius). L. Listed as Tropidinius zeniths in 1989 checklist; change follows Allen (1985). This record based on probability, not specimens (Allen pers. corem.). Indo-west Pacific.

NEMIPTERIDAE

*Scolopsis bilineatus (Bloch, 1793: 3; Japan). L. Occurrence based on range map in Russell (1990), although Chagos is not mentioned in the text. Central Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

Scolopsis frenatus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 343, Seychelles, Mauritius). P. Photographed at Salomon and Peros Banhos Atolls by R.C. Anderson; specimens at USNM (#'s 228680, 228804, 228909). Western Indian Ocean.

GERREIDAE

Gerres acinaces Bleeker, 1854: 194; Java. Indo-west Pacific.

Gerres oblongus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 479; Sri Lanka. Indo-west Pacific.

Gerres oyena (Forsskal, 1775: 35; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

HAEMULIDAE

Plectorhinchus vittatus (Linnaeus, 1758: 291; no type locality). Listed as P. orientalis in 1989 checklist; change follows Randall and Anderson (1993). Indo-Pacific.

LETHRINIDAE

Gnathadentex aureolineatus (Lacepede, 1802: 42; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnocranius grandoculis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 341; Seychelles. L, P. Photographed in Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson. Listed as G. robinsoni in 1989 checklist; change follows Carpenter and Allen (1989). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnocranius griseus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1843: 72; Japan). L. Indo-west Pacific.

Lethrinus concyliatus (Smith, 1959: 292; Pinda). L. Indian Ocean.

Lethrinus erythracanthus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 314; Luganor. L. Listed as L. kallopterus in 1989 checklist; change follows Carpenter and Allen (1989). Indo-Pacific.

Lethrinus erythropterus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 313; Ulea. Listed as L. hypselopterus in 1989 checklist; change follows Carpenter and Allen (1989). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

*Lethrinus harak (Forsslffd, 1775: 52; Arabia). S, P. Several photographed on seagrass beds in lagoon of Diego Garcia by M. Spalding. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

*Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepede, 1802:281; Java). L. Based on distribution map in Carpenter and Allen (1989), although Chagos is not mentioned as a locality in the text. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Tonga).

Lethrinus mahsena (Forsskal, 1775: 52; Red Sea). Western Indian Ocean.

Lethrinus microdon Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 295; Buru. L. Indo-Pacific.

Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsslffll, 1775: 52; Red Sea). L. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

*Lethrinus obsoletus (Forsskal, 1775: 52; Arabia). L. Based on distribution map in Carpenter and Allen (1989) and specimens at USNM (#'s 304282, 304301, 304307, 329687). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Lethrinus olivaceus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 295; Java. S. Recorded as L. elongatus in 1989 checklist; change follows Carpenter and Allen (1989). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Lethrinus reticulatus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 298; New Guinea. L. Indo-west Pacific.

Lethrinus rubrioperculatus Sato, 1978: 58; Okinawa. L. Indo-Pacific.

Lethrinus variegatus Ehrenberg in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 287; Massawa. L. Indo-west Pacific.

Lethrinus xanthochilus Klunzinger, 1870: 753; Red Sea. L; specimens at USNM (~'s 304312, 304316). Indo-Pacific.

Monataxis grandoculis (Forsskal, 1775: 53; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

SCIAENIDAE

Otolithes ruber (Bloch and Schneider, 1801:75; Tranquebar, India). L. Indo-west Pacific.

MULLIDAE

Mulloidichthys flavolineatus (Lacepede, 1801:384; no type locality). Listed as Mulloides flavolineatus in 1989 checklist; change follows Randall and Anderson (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 521; Vanicolo). P. Listed as Mulloides vanicolensis in 1989 checklist. Several seen and photographed in both Peros Banhos Atoll and at Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

Parupeneus barberinus (Lacepede, 1801:406; near Moluccas). Indo-Pacific.

Parupeneus bifasciatus (Lacepede, 1801: 383; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

Parupeneus cyclostomus (Lacepede, 1801: 383; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

Parupeneus heptacanthus (Lacepede, 1802: 308; no type locality). L. Listed as P. cinnabarinus in 1989 checklist; change follows Bauchot et al. (1985). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on the Pacific plate (Marshalls).

*Parupeneus indicus (Shaw, 1803: 614; Indian Seas). S. Small groups seen at Salomon and Peros Banhos Atolls, and on Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Parupeneus macronema (Lacepede, 1801: 383; no type locality). Indo-west Pacific.

Parupeneus pleurostigma (Bennett, 1831: 59; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Upeneus taeniopterus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 454; Sri Lanka. Indo-Pacific.

Upeneus tragula Richardson, 1846: 220; Canton, China. L. Indo-west Pacific.

PEMPHERIDAE

Parapriacanthus ransonneti Steindachner, 1870: 623; Japan. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Pempheris schwenkii Bleeker, 1855: 314; Batu. Indo-Pacific.

Pempheris vanicolensis Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 305; Vanicolo. Indo-Pacific.

KYPHOSIDAE

Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskal, 1775: 53; Arabia). Indo-- Pacific.

*Kyphosus vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 386; Waigeo). P. A mixed school of this and the preceding species photographed on the inside of lie Monpatre, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson. A second mixed school was seen by M. Spalding in a shallow embayment on the west side of Ile Diamant, Peros Banhos Atoll. Indo-Pacific.

DREPANIDAE

Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758: 273; Asia). L. Indo-west Pacific.

EPHIPPIDAE

Platax orbicularis (Forsskal, 1775: 59; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

CHAETODONTIDAE

Chaetodon auriga Forsskal, 1775: 60; Jiddah, Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

*Chaetodon bennetti Cuvier, 1831: 84; Sumatera. Several photographed on seagrass beds in lagoon at Diego Garcia by M. Spalding. Indo-Pacific.

*Chaetodon citrinellus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 27; Guam and Tahiti. A pair photographed (Fig. 6) in about 4 m on outer reef slope of he Poule, Peros Banhos Atoll. Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 6. Chaetodon citrinellus photographed at Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Chaetodon falcula Bloch, 1793: 102, no type locality. Western Indian Ocean.

Chaetodon guttatissimus Bennett, 1832: 183; Sri Lanka. Indo-west Pacific.

Chaetodon kleinii Bloch, 1790: 7;East Indies. Indo-Pacific.

Chaetodon lineolatus Quoy & Gaimard in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 40; Mauritius. P. Photographed off Salomon Atoll by R.C. Anderson, and specimen in USNM (SOSC HA 67-36). Indo-Pacific.

Chaetodon lunula (Lacepede, 1802: 507; Indian Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Chaetodon madagaskariensis Ahl, 1923: 163; Madagascar. Western Indian Ocean.

Chaetodon melannotus Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 224; Bay of Bengal. P. Indo-Pacific.

Chaetodon meyeri Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 223; Moluccas. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Chaetodon mitratus Gunther, 1860: 16; probably Mauritius. Indian Ocean.

*Chaetodon oxycephalus Bleeker, 1853: 603; Ternam. P. A pair (about 25 cm TL) photographed in 10-15 m on a rich coral slope on inside of Petite Ile de la Passe, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson. Central Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

*Chaetodon triangulum Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 44; Jakarta. S. An individual sighted on inner reef of lie Manoel, Peros Banhos Atoll, by R. Onnond. Indo-west Pacific.

Chaetodon trifascialis Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 379; Guam. Indo-Pacific.

Chaetodon trifasciatus Park, 1797: 34; Sumatera. Indian Ocean.

Chaetodon unimaculatus Bloch, 1787: 75; East Indies. Indo-West Pacific.

Chaetodon vagabundus Linnaeus, 1758: 276; "Indiis". Indo-Pacific.

Chaetodon xanthocephalus Bennett, 1832: 182; Sri Lanka. Western Indian Ocean.

Chaetodon zanzibarensis Playfair, 1867: 33; Zanzibar. Western Indian Ocean.

Forcipiger flavissimus Jordan & McGregor, 1898: 1671; Clarion Id. Indo-Pacific.

Hemitaurichthys zoster (Bennett, 1831: 61; Mauritius). Western Indian Ocean.

*Heniochus acuminatus (Linnaeus, 1758: 272; "Indus"). Specimens at USNM (#'s 280033 and 280052); several seen on outer reef on northwest side of Diego Garcia by M. Spalding. Indo-Pacific.

Heniochus monoceros Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831:100; Mauritius. Indo-Pacific.

*Heniochus singularis Smith and Radcliffe, 1911: 321; Luzon. One seen on reef slope at Eagle Island, Great Chagos Bank, by M. Spalding. Central Indian Ocean, western Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Caroli- nes).

POMACANTHIDAE

Apolemichthys trimaculatus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valen- ciennes, 1831: 196; Moluccas). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Centropyge acanthops (Norman, 1922: 318; Natal). P. Photographed outside of Ile du Passe, Salomon Atoll, by R.C. Anderson. Western Indian Ocean.

Centropyge bispinosus (Gunther, 1860: 48; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Centropyge multispinis (Playfair, 1867: 37; Zanzibar). Indo-west Pacific.

Pomacanthus imperator (Bloch, 1787: 51; Japan). Indo-Pacific.

Pygoplites diacanthus (Boddaert, 1772: pl. 9; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

POMACENTRIDAE

Abudefduf septemfasciatus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 463; Mauntius). Indo-Pacific.

Abudefduf sexfasciatus (Lacepede, 1802: 430; Indo-Pacific). Listed as A. coelestinus in 1989 checklist; change follows Bauchot et al. (1978). Indo-Pacific.

Abudefdufsordidus (Forsskal, 1775: 62; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Abudefduf vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 391; Waigiou). Indo-west Pacific.

Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster (Bleeker, 1847: 26; Java). Listed and illustrated as Amblyglyphidodon sp in 1989 checklist. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Amphiprion bicinctus Ruppell, 1828: 193; Massawa, Red Sea. Listed and illustrated as Amphiprion sp. in 1989 checklist. Reported from Chagos by Allen (1991). The listing of *Amphiprion clarkii (Bennett, 1830: 29; Sri Lanka) by Fautin and Allen (1992) is now believed to be a misidentification of A. bicinctus (Allen, pers. comm.). Western Indian Ocean.

Amphiprion chagosensis Allen, 1972: 161; Chagos Archipelago. Exclusively associated with the sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica. Endemic to Chagos Archipelago.

Chromis atripectoralis Welander and Schultz, 1951: 107; west Pacific. Indo-Pacific.

Chromis dimidiata (Klunzinger, 1871: 529; Red Sea). Western Indian Ocean.

Chromis lepidolepis Bleeker, 1877: 389; Timor. Indo-Pacific.

Chromis nigrura Smith, 1960: 325; Inhaea. Indian Ocean.

Chromis opercularis (Glinther, 1867: 84; Zanzibar). Western Indian Ocean.

Chromis pembae Smith, 1960: 323; Pemba, Mozambique. Western Indian Ocean.

Chromis ternatensis (Bleeker, 1856: 377; Ternate). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Kiribati).

Chromis viridis (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 420; Massawa, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Chromis weberi Fowler and Bean, 1928: 41; Java. Senior synonym of C. simulans Smith, 1960, listed separately in 1989 checklist. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Chromis xutha Randall, 1988: 54; Maldives. Listed as C. atripes in 1989 checklist. Some of the Chagos material forms part of the type series of C. xutha. Western Indian Ocean.

Chrysiptera biocellata (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 389; Guam). Listed as Chrysiptera sp. 2 in 1989 checklist. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Chrysiptera glauca (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: 475; Guam). Indo-Pacific.

Chrysiptera brownriggii (Bennett, 1828: 8; Sri Lanka). Listed as Chrysiptera leucopoma (Lesson, 1830) in 1989 checklist; Bennett's name was recognized as valid by Pethiyagoda and Russell (1994). Included in this species are specimens identified as C. xanthozona in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Chrysiptera unimaculata (Cuvier, 1830: 478; Timor). Listed as Chrysiptera sp. 1 in 1989 checklist. Indowest Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Chrysiptera sp 3. This juvenile remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

Dascyllus aruanus (Linnaeus, 1758: 275; "Indies"). Indo-Pacific.

Dascyllus cameus Fischer, 1885: 71; Mozambique. Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

Dascyllus trimaculatus (Ruppell, 1829: 39; Massawa, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Lepidozygus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1856: 376; Ternate). Indo-Pacific.

Plectroglyphidodon dickii (Lienard, 1839: 35; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Plectroglyphidodon imparipennis (Vaillant and Sauvage, 1875: 279; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus Fowler and Ball, 1924: 271; Johnston Island. Indo-Pacific.

Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 388; Guam). Indo-Pacific.

Plectroglyphidodon leucozonus (Bleeker, 1859: 339; Java). Indo-Pacific.

Plectroglyphidodon phoenixensis (Schultz, 1943: 190; Phoenix Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Pomacentrus caeruleus Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 397; Mauritius. Listed as P. coelestis in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Pomacentrus indicus Allen, 1991: 229; Maldives. Listed as Pomacentrus sp. 1 in 1989 checklist. Central Indian Ocean.

Pomacentrus sp. 2. This species remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

*Stegastes albifasciatus (Schlegel and Muller, 1839-44:21; Sulawesi). These specimens were confused with S. nigricans in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Stegastes fasciolatus (Ogilby, 1889: 64; Lord Howe Island). Indo-Pacific.

Stegastes nigricans (Lacepede, 1802: 332; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

CIRRHITIDAE

Amblycirrhites bimacula (Jenkins, 1903: 489; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus (Bleeker, 1855: 408; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 264; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

Oxycirrhites typus Bleeker, 1857: 40; Ambon. Indo-Pacific.

Paracirrhites arcatus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 74; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Paracirrhites forsteri (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 191; Marquesas Islands). Indo-Pacific.

MUGILIDAE

Crenimugil crenilabis (Forsskal, 1775: 73; Red Sea). Indo-- Pacific.

Liza macrolepis (Smith, 1846: none; South Africa). Indo-Pacific.

Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758:316; "European Ocean". L. Cosmopolitan.

Oedalechilus labiosus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836: 125; Red Sea). Listed as ?Myxus elongatus in 1989 checklist; generic change advised by H. Senou (in litt.). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

?Moolgarda seheli (Forsskal, 1775: 73; Red Sea). L. This record remains unconfirmed, listed as Valamugil seheli in 1989 checklist; generic change advised by H. Senou (in litt.) Range unassigned.

SPHYRAENIDAE

Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792: 94; West Indies). Cosmopolitan.

Sphyraena forsteri Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829: 353; Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

Sphyraena nigripinnis Temminck and Schlegel, 1842: 34; Japan. P. Indo-Pacific.

POLYNEMIDAE

*Polydactylus kuru (Bleeker, 1853: 600; East Indies). Four specimens in USNM (# 203674) from lagoon at Diego Garcia. Indo-west Pacific.

Polydactylus sexfilis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831:515; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

LABRIDAE

Anampses caeruleopunctatus Ruppell, 1829: 42; Tor, Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Anampses meleagrides Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839: 12; Mauritius. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

Anampses twistii Bleeker, 1856: 56; Ambon. Indo-Pacific.

Bodianus anthioides (Bennett, 1832: 167; Mauntius). Indo-Pacific.

Bodianus axillaris (Bennett, 1831: 166; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Bodianus bilunulatus (Lacepede, 1802: 454; Mauritius). Indo-west Pacific.

Bodianus diana (Lacepede, 1801:450; Indo-Pacific Ocean). Indo-west Pacific.

Cheilinus chlorourus (Bloch. 1791: 24; Japan). L; specimen in USNM (#276848). Indo-Pacific.

Cheilinus fasciatus (Bloch, 1791: 18; Japan). Indo-west Pacific.

Cheilinus oxycephalus Bleeker, 1853: 349; Ambon. Indo-Pacific.

Cheilinus trilobatus (Lacep~de, 1801: 526; R6union). Indo-Pacific.

Cheilinus undulatus Ruppell, 1835: 20; Jiddah, Red Sea. P. Indo-Pacific.

Cheilio inermis (Forsskal, 1775: 34; Al Mulch, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Cirrhilabrus exquisitus Smith, 1957: 109; Pinda). Indo-Pacific.

Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis Randall and Emery, 1983: 21; Chagos Archipelago. Central Indian Ocean.

Coris africana Smith, 1957:119; Seychelles. Listed as C. gaimard africana in 1989 checklist; recognition at the specific level follows recent usage (e.g. Randall and Anderson, 1993). Indian Ocean.

Coris aygula Lacepede 1801: 96; Mauritius). L. Indo-Pacific.

Coris batuensis (Bleeker, 1856: 240; "Batoe" Island). Listed as C. variegata in the 1989 checklist; change follows recent usage (e.g. Randall and Anderson, 1993). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Coris frerei (Playfair and Gunther, 1867: 101; Zanzibar). Listed as C formosa in 1989 checklist; change follows recent usage (e.g. Randall and Anderson, 1993). Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

Cymolutes praetextatus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1834: 712; Mauritius). Listed as C. lecluse in 1989 checklist; change follows recent usage (e.g. Randall and Anderson, 1993). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Epibulus insidiator (Pallas, 1770: 41; Java). Indo-Pacific.

Gomphosus caeruleus Lacepede 1802: 100; Mauritius. Indian Ocean.

Halichoeres cosmetus Randall and Smith, 1982: 15; Maldives. Western Indian Ocean.

Halichoeres hortulanus (Lacepede, 1801: 449; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Halichoeres iridis Randall and Smith, 1982: 17; Mauritius. Western Indian Ocean.

Halichoeres marginatus Ruppell, 1835: 16; Mohila and Massawa, Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Halichoeres nebulosus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839: 461;Bombay). Indo-west Pacific.

Halichoeres scapularis (Bennett, 183 1:167; Mauritius). Indo-west Pacific.

*Halichoeres trispilus Randall and Smith, 1982: 18; Maldives, P. A 15 cm TL specimen (Fig. 7) photographed in a cave at 22 m on southern reef slope of Nelson's Island. Western Indian Ocean.

    Figure 7. Halichoeres trispilus, photographed off Nelson's Island, Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson.

Hemigymnus fasciatus (Bloch, 1792: 6; Japan). Indo-Pacific.

Hemigymnus melapterus (Bloch, 1791: 137; Japan). L; specimens in USNM (# 277553). Indo-Pacific.

Hologymnosus annulatus (Lacepede, 1801: 455; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

*Hologymnosus doliatus (Lacepede, 1801: 429; Indian Ocean). P. Several juveniles (Fig. 8) and an initial phase fish seen on outer reef at Peros Banhos Atoll and at Three Brothers, Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 8. Hologymnosus doliatus, photographed off lie Manoel, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Labrichthys unilineatus (Guichenot, 1847: 284; Guam). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Labroides bicolor Fowler and Bean, 1928: 224; Philippines. Indo-Pacific.

Labroides dimidiatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839: 139; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Labropsis xanthonota Randall, 1981: 138; Samoa. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Macropharyngodon bipartitus Smith, 1957: 104; Pinda. Western Indian Ocean.

*Novaculichthys macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791: 135; no type locality). Based on 11 specimens (USNM # 277536) from Diego Garcia. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marianas).

Novaculichthys taeniourus (Lacepede, 1801: 448; Madagascar). Indo-Pacific.

Oxycheilinus arenatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valen- ciennes, 1839: 101; Reunion). This and the following species were listed under Cheilinus in 1989 checklist; changes follow Westneat (1993). Indo-west Pacific.

Oxycheilinus digrammus (Lacepede, 1801: 448; Pacific Ocean). Indo-west Pacific.

Paracheilinus mccoskeri Randall and Harmelin-Vivien, 1977: 332; Comoro Islands. Indian Ocean.

Pseudocheilinus evanidus Jenkins, 1901: 64; Hawaii. Indo-Pacific.

Pseudocheilinus hexataenia (Bleeker, 1857: 84; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Pseudocheilinus octotaenia Jenkins, 1901: 64; Hawaii. Indo-Pacific.

Pseudocoris heteroptera (Bleeker, 1857: 78; Ambon). Western Indian Ocean.

Pseudocoris yamashiroi (Schmidt, 1930: 85; Japan). Indo- west Pacific.

Pseudodax moluccanus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840: 305; Moluccas). Indo-Pacific.

Stethojulis albovittata (Bonnaterre, 1788: 108; no type locality). Indian Ocean.

Stethojulis strigiventer (Bennett, 1832: 184; Mauritius). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Thalassoma amblycephalum (Bleeker, 1856: 83, Malang, south-east Java). Indo-Pacific.

Thalassoma hardwicke (Bennett, 1829: 12; Sri Lanka). Listed as T. hardwicki in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Thalassoma hebraicum (Lacepede, 1801: 454; Pacific Ocean). Western Indian Ocean.

Thalassoma lunare (Linnaeus, 1758: 283; "Indies"). Indo-Pacific.

Thalassoma purpureum (Forsskal, 1775: 27; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Thalassoma quinquevittatum (Lay and Bennett, 1839: 66; Loo-Choo Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Thalassoma trilobatum (Lacepede, 1801: 454; Indo-Pacific Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Wetmorella nigropinnata (Seale, 1901: 86; Guam). Indo-Pacific.

Xyrichtys aneitensis (Gunther, 1862:183; southwest Pacific). Listed as Xyrichthys (sic) sp. in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

Xyrichtys pavo Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840: 61; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Xyrichtys pentadactylus (Linnaeus, 1758: 261; India). L. Indo-west Pacific.

*Xyrichtys sp. P. An unidentified species (Fig. 9) was photographed at two localities in the lagoon at Peros Banhos Atoll. It is pale, with slight counter-shading and a slightly darker snout. There is a single, black, three-quarter eye diameter spot edged with light blue ventrally, about one scale removed from the rear part of the spinous section of the dorsal fin. An elongate, black oval with diffuse edges and about 30% SL covering a maximum of two scales vertically is situated almost exactly halfway between the black spot and the end of the peduncle, its ventral border lying along the midlateral line. Iris mottled reddish. No other markings on fins or body. In the opinion of Dr J.E. Randall (in litt.), this species appears to be undescribed. Range unassigned.

    Figure 9. Xyrichtys sp, photographed off Ile Diamant, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson

SCARIDAE

Calotomus spinidens (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 289; Waigeo). L. Recorded from Chagos by Bruce and Randall (1985). Indo-Pacific.

Calotomus viridescens (Ruppell, 1835: 23; Jeddah, Red Sea). Listed as C carolinus in 1989 checklist; Randall and Anderson (1993), synonymized the latter with the former. Indo-Pacific.

Cetoscarus bicolor (Ruppell, 1829: 82; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Chlorurus capistratoides (Bleeker, 1849; Jakarta). L; P. Listed in 1989 checklist as Scarus atrilunula. Several initial phase (Fig. 10) and terminal phase fish were photographed at Three Brothers and at Nelson' s Island, Great Chagos Bank. Recognition of this genus follows Bellwood (1994); this and the next two species were placed in Scarus in the 1989 checklist. Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

    Figure 10. Chlorurus capistratoides (initial phase), photographed off North Brother Island, Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson.

Chlorurus enneacanthus (Lacepede, 1802: 2; Mauritius). Western Indian Ocean.

Chlorurus strongylocephalus (Bleeker, 1854: 439; Batavia). We follow Randall and Anderson (1993) in recognizing this species as distinct from C. gibbus, the name under which it was listed in 1989 checklist. Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

Hipposcarus harid (Forsskal, 1775: 30; Red Sea). Western Indian Ocean.

Leptoscarus vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 288; Waigeo). L. Indo-Pacific.

Scarus falcipinnis (Playraft, 1867: 865; Seychelles). Western Indian Ocean.

*Scarus festivus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840: 282; no type locality. P. Observed in small groups of both phases; photographed twice at Middle Brother, Great Chagos Bank, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

Scarus frenatus Lacepede, 1802: 3; Mauritius. Indo-Pacific.

Scarus ghobban Forsskal, 1775: 28; Jiddah, Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Scarus niger Forsskal, 1775: 28; Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

*Scarus prasiognathus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840: 272; New Ireland. P. Observed several times, usually on outer reefs at Salomon and Peros Banhos Atolls. Photographs of terminal males were taken by R.C. Anderson. This appears to be the first documentation of the co-occurrence of this species and S. falcipinnis. Central Indian Ocean to western Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Belau).

Scarus psittacus Forsskal, 1775: 29; Jiddah, Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Scarus rubroviolaceus Bleeker, 1847: 162; Java. Indo-Pacific.

*Scarus russelii Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840: 234; Coromandel coast of India. Five specimens from lagoon at Diego Garcia in USNM (# 202901). Common at Peros Banhos Atoll and Great Chagos Bank, typically in areas exposed to moderate current at depths of 15 m or more. Western Indian Ocean.

Scarus scaber Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840: 239; Mauritius. Western Indian Ocean.

Scarus sordidus Forsskal, 1775: 30; Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Scarus tricolor Bleeker, 1847: 164; Java. Indo-Pacific.

*Scarus viridifucatus Smith, 1956: 12; Shimoni, Kenya. P. A terminal phase individual, about 30 cm TL, was photographed in 9 m on the outer reef edge at Middle Brother, Great Chagos Bank, by R.C. Anderson. Western Indian Ocean.

Scarus sp. This 206 mm SL specimen remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

PINGUIPEDIDAE

Parapercis hexophthalma (Ehrenberg in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829:27 l;Massawa, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Parapercis millepunctala (Gunther, 1860: 261; Sri Lanka). Listed as P. cephalopunctata in 1989 checklist; change follows current usage (e.g. Randall and Anderson, 1993). Indo-Pacific.

Parapercis sp. Based on a colour photograph in Kyushin et al. (1977), but the provenance of the specimen is questionable. Range unassigned.

TRICHONOTIDAE

*Trichonotus sp. Many individuals of a species of Trichonotus were seen and photographed on a sand slope on the inside of Petit Ile Mapou, Peros Banhos Atoll. We have been unable to identify the species. One photographed specimen has a row of half-pupil diameter light brown spots along the dorsum; another fish has a row of pupil-sized turquoise spots along the dorsum. Both appear to have a black patch on the first few rays and interradial membranes of the dorsal fin. Range unassigned.

CREEDIIDAE

Chalixodytes chameleontoculis Smith, 1956: 890; Seychelles. Indian Ocean.

Limnichthys nitidus Smith, 1958: 247; Pinda. Indian Ocean.

BLENNIIDAE

*Aspidontus dussumieri (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Va- lenciennes, 1836: 282; R6union). One specimen (ROM 70246) collected from floating sargassum weed in lagoon at Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

Aspidontus taeniatus tractus Fowler, 1903: 170; Zanzibar. Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

Blenniella gibbifrons (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: 253; Hawaii). This and the next species were listed in Istiblennius in 1989 checklist; changes follow Springer and Williams (1994). Indo-Pacific.

Blenniella periophthalmus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836:311; Santa Cruz). Indo-west Pacific.

Cirripectes castaneus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836: 324; Mauritius). Indo-west Pacific.

Cirripectes gilberti Williams, 1988: 41; Sumatera. The Chagos specimens listed as Cirripectes sp in 1989 checklist were designated paratypes. Indian Ocean.

Cirripectes perustus Smith, 1959: 238; Malindi. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kifibati).

Cirripectes polyzona (Bleeker, 1868: 278; Jakarta). Indo-Pacific.

Cirripectes quagga (Fowler and Bali, 1924: 273; Wake Island). Indo-Pacific.

Ecsenius midas (Starck, 1969: 1; Amirante Islands). Indo-west Pacific.

Ecsenius nalolo Smith, 1959: 245; Pinda. Western Indian Ocean.

Enchelyurus kraussi (Klunzinger, 1871: 497; Kosier, Red Sea). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marianas).

Entomacrodus striatus (Quoy and Gaimard, in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836: 309; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

*Entomacrodus thalassinus (Jordan and Seale, 1906: 425; Samoa. Specimens at USNM (# 277954) from Diego Garcia. Indo-Pacific.

Exallias brevis (Kner, 1868: 334; Samoa). Indo-Pacific.

Glyptoparus delicatulus Smith, 1959: 249; Malindi. Indo-Pacific.

Istiblennius edentulus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 172; Society Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Meiacanthus smithi Klausewitz, 1962: 17; Maldives. Indian Ocean and western edge of tropical Pacific.

Omobranchus elongatus (Peters, 1855: 249; Mozambique). Indo-west Pacific.

Parenchelyurus hepburni (Snyder, 1908: 110; Japan). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Petroscirtes mitratus Ruppell, 1830:111; Red Sea. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kiribati).

Petroscirtes xestus Jordan and Seale, 1906: 433; Samoa. Indo-Pacific.

*Plagiotremus phenax Smith-Vaniz, 1976:131; Sri Lanka. P. Several individuals observed in lagoons of Salomon and Peros Banhos by R.C. Anderson (Fig. 11). The presence of this species is not unexpected, since the blenny it mimics, Meiacanthus smithi, was recorded in 1989 checklist. Central and eastern Indian Ocean.

    Figure 11. Plagiotremus phenax, photographed between Ile Jacobin and Ile du Sel, Salomon Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos (Bleeker, 1852: 273; Wahai, Seram). Indo-Pacific.

Plagiotremus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857: 64; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

TRIPTERYGIIDAE

Enneaptervgius abeli (Klausewitz, 1960: 11; Red Sea). Western Indian Ocean.

Enneapterygius sp. This new species is presently undescribed. Range unassigned.

Helcogramma fuscopinna Holleman, 1982:115; Kwazulu-Natal. Indo-west Pacific.

AMMODYTIDAE

Ammodytoides renniei (Smith, 1957: 219; Eastern South Africa). Listed as ?Bleekeria renniei in 1989 checklist. The change reflects generic reassignment of Ida et al. 1994 and reidentification of this specimen by B.B. Collette. Range unassigned.

CALLIONYMIDAE

Callionymus delicatulus Smith, 1963: 557; Seychelles. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Belau).

Synchiropus minutulus Fricke, 1981:119; Maldives. Central Indian Ocean.

ELEOTRIDAE

Calumia godeffroyi (Gunther, 1877: 188; Society Islands). Indo-Pacific.

GOBIIDAE

Amblyeleotris steinitzi (Klausewitz, 1974: 70; Gulf of Aqaba). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

*Amblyeleotris wheeleri (Polunin and Lubbock, 1977: 88; Aldabra). P. Several individuals photographed at Salomon and Peros Banhos Atolls (Fig. 12). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshall Is- lands).

Amblygobius hectori (Smith, 1956: 726; Seychelles). Indowest Pacific.

    Figure 12. Amblyeleotris wheeleri, photographed off Ile Poule, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Amblygobius semicinctus (Bennett, 1833: 32; Mauritius). Indian Ocean.

Amblygobius tekomaji (Smith, 1959: 204; Tekomaji Island, Mozambique). A 51.4 mm SL specimen photographed in the Comores in 1988 has the cheek bar that was one of two possible characters used by Winterbottom and Emery (1986) to separate this species from A. nocturnus (Herre, 1945). The validity of A. tekomaji clearly needs further attention. Indo-Pacific (?).

Asterropteryx DFH sp 7. This species remains undescribed. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines, Samoa).

Asterropteryx ensiferus (Bleeker, 1874: 375; Buru, East Indies). Indo-Pacific.

Asterropteryx semipunctatus Ruppell, 1830:138; Massawa, Red Sea. Indo-Pacific.

Barbuligobius boehlkei Lachner and McKinney, 1974:871; Taiwan. Indo-west Pacific.

Bathygobius coalitus (Bennett, 1832: 166; Mauritius). Listed as B. albopunctatus in Winterbottom and Emery (1986); change follows Randall and Goren (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Bathygobius cocosensis (Bleeker, 1854: 47; Cocos-Keeling). Indo-Pacific.

*Bathygobius cyclopterus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1837: 59; New Ireland). A specimen (USNM 279687) from lagoonal reef flat of Diego Garcia. Indo-Pacific.

Bryaninops erythrops (Jordan and Seale, 1906: 404; Samoa. Listed as Tenacigobius erythrops by Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Changes for species in this genus follow Larson (1985). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Bryaninops loki Larson, 1985: 81; Great Bamer Reef. Listed as Tenacigobius n. sp. A in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Bryaninops natans Larson, 1985: 77; Great Barrier Reef. Listed as Tenacigobius n. sp. B and as T. HKL sp 2 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-Pacific.

Bryaninops ridens Smith, 1959: 216; Pinda. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Bryaninops tigris Larson, 1985: 70; Great Barrier Reef. Listed as Tenacigobius n. sp. C in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-Pacific.

Cabillus lacertops Smith, 1959: 207; Pinda. Indo-west Pacific.

Cabillus tongarevae (Fowler, 1927: 27; Tongareva Island). Indo-Pacific.

Callogobius centrolepis Weber, 1909: 157; Bawean. Indo-west Pacific.

Callogobiusflavobrunneus (Smith, 1958: 145; Pinda). Indian Ocean.

Callogobius maculipinnis (Fowler, 1918: 69; Philippines). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Callogobius sclateri (Steindachner, 1880: 157; Society Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Callogobius sp 1. This and the next two species remain unidentified. The extra Callogobius species relative to the number reported by Winterbottom and Emery (1986) is the result of the subsequent splitting of lots by Lachner and McKinney, who were identifying members of this genus for us. Range unassigned.

Callogobius sp 2. Range unassigned.

Callogobius sp 3. Range unassigned.

Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1837: 111; Massawa, Red Sea). Western Indian Ocean.

Ctenogobiops crocineus Smith, 1959: 191; Seychelles. Indo-west Pacific.

Discordipinna griessingeri Hoese and Fourmanoir, 1978: 21; Gulf of Aqaba. Indo-Pacific.

Eviota albolineata Jewerr and Lachner, 1983: 783; Tahiti. Indo-Pacific.

Eviota distigma Jordan and Seale, 1906: 389; Samoa. IndoPacific.

*Eviota guttata Lachner and Karnella, 1978: 9; Massawa, Red Sea. P. Photographed by R.C. Anderson outside Ile Anglaise, Salomon Atoll. Western Indian Ocean.

Eviota infulata (Smith, 1956: 826; Seychelles). Indo-Pacific.

Eviota nebulosa Smith, 1958: 141; Pinda. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Eviota nigripinna Lachner and Karnella, 1980: 37; Agalega Island. Western Indian Ocean.

Eviota prasina (Klunzinger, 1871: 481; Koseir, Red Sea). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Belau).

Eviota sebreei Jordan and Seale, 1906: 390; Samoa. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls, Samoa).

Eviota sigillata Jewett and Lachner, 1983: 799; St Brandon's Shoals. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

Eviota zebrina Lachner and Karoella, 1978: 15; Seychelles. Indo-west Pacific.

Eviota sp A. This species remains undescribed. Range unassigned.

Eviota sp B. This species remains undescribed. Range unassigned.

Eviota sp C. This species remains undescribed. Range unassigned.

Exyrias belissimus (Smith, 1959: 202; Pinda). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Feia nympha Smith, 1959: 206; Pinda. Indo-Pacific.

Fusigobius DFH sp 8. This species remains undescribed. Range unassigned. We do not follow Randall (1995), who synonymized this genus with Coryphopterus, because he was not able to demonstrate monophyly for either genus, nor for the two combined. One of us (RW) believes that nomenclatural stability is best served by retaining the status quo unless monophyletic groups can be established.

Fusigobius duospilus Hoese and Reader, 1985: 2; Great Barrier Reef. Listed as Fusigobius sp A in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-Pacific.

*Fusigobius inframaculatus (Randall, 1994: 331; Jana Island, Arabian Gulf). P. One individual (Fig. 13) photographed in a cave at about 22 m on outer reef slope of Middle Brother, Great Chagos Bank. Indo-west Pacific.

    Figure 13. Fusigobius inframaculatus, photographed off Middle Brother Island, Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson.

Fusigobius neophytus (Gunther, 1877: 174; Ponape, Apia and Society Islands). Indo-Pacific.

Gnatholepis anjerensis (Bleeker, 1850:25 1; Anjer). Listed as G. cauerensis in Winterbottom and Emery (1986); identification changed to conform with information provided by Randall and Goren (1993). Indo-Pacific.

Gobiodon DFH sp 3. This species remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

Gobiodon fulvus Herre, 1927: 292; Mindoro. Identification remains tentative. Range unassigned.

Gobiodon micropus Gunther, 1861: 89; "China Sea". The stated type locality is apparently in error (Harold and Winterbottom, unpubl.data) - a not uncommon situation with specimens collected by Belcher. Western Indian Ocean

Gobiodon rivulatus (Ruppell, 1830: 136; Red Sea). Harold and Winterbottom (unpubl.) have examined Ruppell's types, and they are dearly conspecific with the Chagos material, thus allaying concerns raised by Randall and Goren (1993) concerning the colour pattern description given by Ruppell. Indo-west Pacific.

Gobiodon unicolor (Castelnau, 1873: 95; Queensland). Indo-west Pacific.

Gobiodon cf unicolor. These four specimens (ROM 37247, 37248) remain of uncertain identification. They are recognized as a species separate from G. unicolor because the presence/absence of an interopercle/isthmus groove seems to be a reliable character (see Discussion in Winterbottom and Emery, 1986 under the latter species account). Range unassigned.

Hetereleotris aporus (Hoese and Winterbottom, 1979: 2; KwaZulu-Natal). Western Indian Ocean.

Istigobius decoratus (Herre, 1927:181;Leyte, Philippines). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Kelloggella quindecimfasciala (Fowler, 1946: 207; Ryukyu Islands). Indo-west Pacific.

Luposicya lupus Smith, 1959: 217; Pinda. Indo-west Pacific.

*Oplopomus oplopomus (Valenciennes, in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1837: 66; Red Sea). P. Photographed in lagoon off Ile du Coin, Peros Banhos Atoll (Fig. 14). Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 14. Oplopomus oplopomus, photographed off Ile du Coin, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Paragobiodon echinocephalus (Ruppell, 1830: 136; Red Sea). Chagos specimens are at BM(NH). Indo-Pacific.

Paragobiodon lacunicolus (Kendall and Goldsborough; 19 11:318; Tuamotus). Indo-Pacific.

Paragobiodon modestus (Regan, 1908: 242; Chagos Archipelago). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Paragobiodon xanthosomus (Bleeker, 1852: 703; Ceram). Chagos specimens at BM(NH). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Pleurosicya coerulea Larson, 1990: 20; Marshall Islands. Listed as P. HKL sp 5 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Changes to the species in this genus follow Larson (1990). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Pleurosicya fringilla Larson, 1990: 25; Lau Group, Fiji. Listed as P. HKL sp 1 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kiribati).

Pleurosicya reicheli Fourmanoir, 1971: 499; Loyalty Islands. Listed as P. HKL sp 157 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-Pacific.

Pleurosicya mossambica Smith, 1959: 218; Pinda. Listed as P. HKL sp 2 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific.

Pleurosicya muscarum (Jordan and Seale, 1906: 401; Samoa). Listed as P. HKL sp 8 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines, Samoa).

Pleurosicya occidentalis Larson, 1990: 40; St Brandon's Shoals. Listed as P. HKL sp 3 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Westem Indian Ocean.

Pleurosicya plicata Larson, 1990: 41; Chagos Archipelago. Listed as P. HKL sp 12 in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

Priolepis cinctus (Regan, 1908: 240; Chagos Archipelago) Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kiribati).

Priolepis compita Winterbottom, 1975: 748; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-Pacific.

Priolepis inhaca (Smith, 1949: 103; Inhaca). Indo-Pacific.

Priolepis sp A. This specimen remains unidentified. Range unassigned.

Silhouettea insinuans Smith, 1959: 214; Seychelles. Western Indian Ocean.

Sueviota aprica Winterbottom and Hoese, 1988: 4; Chagos Archipelago. Listed as "New Genus, New Species A" in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific.

Sueviota lachneri Winterbottom and Hoese, 1988: 9; Chagos Archipelago. Listed as "New Genus, New Species B" in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-west Pacific.

Trimma dalerocheila Winterbottom, 1984: 697; Chagos Archipelago. The dark spot on the upper base of the pectoral fin illustrated by Winterbottom (1984) is white in living specimens. Western Indian Ocean.

Trimma emeryi Winterbottom, 1985: 752; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines, Samoa).

Trimma flammeum (Smith, 1959: 209; Pinda). Listed as T. macrophthalma in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Western Indian Ocean.

Trimma fraena Winterbottom, 1984: 699; Chagos Archipelago. Western Indian Ocean.

Trimma griffithsi Winterbottom, 1984: 701; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-west Pacific.

Trimma haima Winterbottom, 1984: 702; Chagos Archipelago. Western Indian Ocean.

Trimma hoesei Winterbottom, 1984: 704; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-west Pacific.

Trimma naudei Smith, 1956: 828; Seychelles. Indo-west Pacific.

Trimma sheppardi Winterbottom, 1984: 709; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-west Pacific.

Trimma taylori Lobel, 1979: 2; Hawaii. Indo-Pacific.

Trimma unisquamis (Gosline, 1959: 70; Hawaii). Listed as T. sp. A in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-Pacific.

Trimma winchi Winterbottom, 1984:712; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-west Pacific.

Trimmatom nanus Winterbottom and Emery, 1981: 143; Chagos Archipelago. Indo-Pacific.

Trimmatom offucius Winterbottom and Emery, 1981: 146; Chagos Archipelago. Endemic to the Chagos Archipelago

Trimmatom RW sp 6. An undescribed species listed as T. eviotops in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indowest Pacific.

Valenciennea puellaris (Tomiyama in Tomiyama and Abe, 1956:1136; Japan). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines, Samoa).

Valenciennea sexguttata (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Va- lenciennes, 1837: 254; Sri Lanka). Indo-Pacific.

Valenciennea strigata (Broussonet, 1782: 1;Tahiti). Indo-Pacific.

*Vanderhorstia ambanoro (Fourmanoir, 1957: 245; Mozambique Channel). P. Photographed in Iagoon off Ile Diamant, Peros Banhos, by R.C. Anderson. Indowest Pacific.

Vanderhorstia ornatissima Smith, 1959: 192; Pinda. Indo-Pacific.

KRAEMERIIDAE

Kraemeria samoensis Steindachner, 1906: 41; Samoa. Indo-Pacific.

MICRODESMIDAE

*Gunnellichthys monostigma Smith, 1958: 126; Pinda. P. Many seen (Fig. 15) in 5-10 m on sandy slopes in lagoon at Grande Ile Mapou and Petite Ile Mapou, Peros Banhos Atoll. Indo-Pacific.

    Fig. 15 Gunnellichthys monostigma, photographed off Grande Ile Mapou, Peros Banhos Atoll By R.C. Anderson.

Nemateleotris magnifica Fowler, 1938: 131; Sulawesi. Indo-Pacific.

Paragunellichthys fehlmanni Dawson, 1969: 373; Chagos Archipelago. Endemic to Chagos.

Ptereleotris evides (Jordan and Hubbs, 1925: 303; Japan). Indo-Pacific.

Ptereleotris heteroptera (Bleeker, 1855: 422; Bandjarmasin, Borneo). Indo-Pacific.

*Ptereleotris microlepis (Bleeker, 1856: 102; Borneo). One (of two) lots in USNM from the lagoon at Diego Garcia reported by Randall and Hoese, 1985. Not listed in Winterbottom and Emery (1986). Indo-Pacific.

Ptereleotris monoptera Randall and Hoese, 1985: 24; Taiwan. The specimens listed as Ptereleotris n. sp. in Winterbottom and Emery (1986) were designated as paretypes. Indo-Pacific.

*Ptereleotris zebra (Fowler, 1938: 134; Luzon). P. Many seen (some photographed) on outside of Ile Takamaka, Salomon Atoll, and outside Ile Diamant, Peros Banhos, in about 3-8 m, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

XENISTHMIDAE

Xenisthmus africanus Smith, 1958: 153; Pinda. Indian Ocean (7).

Xenisthmus polyzonatus (Klunzinger, 187 1: 482; Al Ghardaqah, Red Sea). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

ACANTHURIDAE

Acanthurus blochii Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valencien- nes, 1835: 209; Mauritius and Seychelles. Listed as A. mata in 1989 checklist; change follows Randall (1987). Indo-Pacific.

*Acanthurus dussumieri Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valen- ciennes, 1835: 201; Mauntius. P. One adult photographed near Middle Brother, Great Chagos Bank, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

Acanthurus guttatus Bloch and Schneider, 1801:2 15; Tahiti. Indo-Pacific.

*Acanthurus leucocheilus Herre, 1927: 419; Philippines. Several individuals about 25-30 cm TL (Fig. 16) were seen in about 13 m at north end of North Brother, Great Chagos Bank. Indo-Pacific.

    Fig 16. Acanthurus leucocheilus, photographed off North Brother Island, Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson.

Acanthurus leucosternon Bennett, 1832: 183; Sri Lanka. Indian Ocean.

Acanthurus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758: 274; "Indies "). Indo-Pacific.

Acanthurus mata (Cuvier, 1829: 224; Coramandal coast of India). Listed as A. bleekeri in 1989 checklist; change follows Randall (1987). Indo-Pacific.

Acanthurus nigricauda Duncker and Mohr, 1929: 75; South Seas. Indo-Pacific.

Acanthurus nigrofuscus (Forsskal, 1775: 64; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Acanthurus tennenli Gunther, 1861: 337; Sri Lanka. Western Indian Ocean.

Acanthurus thompsoni (Fowler, 1923: 386; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758: 274; "indies"). Indo- Pacific.

Acanthurus tristis Day, 1888: 788; Arrakan. Listed as A. pyroferus in 1989 checklist; change follows Randall (1993). Indian Ocean.

Acanthurus xanthopterus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835: 215; Seychelles. Indo-Pacific.

*Ctenochaetus binotatus Randall, 1955: 164; Luzon. P. A small juvenile photographed in lagoon at Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

Ctenochaetus striatus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825: 373; Guam). Indo-Pacific.

Ctenochaetus strigosus (Bennett, 1828: 41; Hawaii). Indo-Pacific.

Naso brachycentron (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835: 275; Waigeo). Indo-Pacific.

Naso brevirostris (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835: 277; Mauritius, Moluccas, New Guinea). Indo-Pacific.

*Naso fageni Morrow, 1954: 799; Philippines. P. A specimen photographed at Nelson's Island, Great Chagos Bank, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-west Pacific.

Naso hexacanthus (Bleeker, 1855: 421; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Naso lituratus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 216; no type locality). Indo-Pacific.

*Naso thynnoides (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835: 299; New Guinea). P. A pair photographed outside Middle Brother, Great Chagos Bank, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines).

*Naso tuberosus Lacepede, 1802: 105; Mauritius. P. A few were seen, and two individuals about 40 cm TL were photographed at Three Brothers, Great Chagos Bank and Victory Bank, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Kiribati).

Naso unicornis (Forsslffd, 1775: 63; Jiddah, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

Naso vlamingii (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835: 293; Moluccas). Indo-Pacific.

Paracanthurus hepatus (Linnaeus, 1766: 507; "Indies"). S (A. R. Emery, 1979 expedition). Also seen by R.C. Anderson and M. Spalding on the 1996 expedition. Indo-Pacific.

Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett, 1835: 207; Mauritius). Listed as Z. veliferum desjardinii in 1989 checklist; change follows Randall and Anderson (1993). Indian Ocean.

Zebrasoma scopas (Cuvier, 1829: 224; Banda, Indonesia). Indo-Pacific.

ZANCLIDAE

Zanclus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758: 273; "Indies"). Indo-- Pacific.

SIGANIDAE

Siganus argenteus (Quoy and Gaffnard, 1825: 368; Guam and Manana Islands). Specimen from Diego Garcia reported by Woodland (1990), also photographed at Peros Banhos Atoll and Three Brothers by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

*Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797: 33; Sumatera). Specimen from lagoon at Diego Garcia in USNM (# 235308). Indo-west Pacific.

GEMPYLIDAE

*Gempylus serpens Cuvier, 1829: 200; Tropic of Cancer. Based on the range map given in Nakamura and Parin (1993). Cosmopolitan.

*Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1843: pl. 20; Cape of Good Hope). Based on the range map given in Nakamura and Parm (1993). Cosmopolitan.

*Nealotus tripes Johnson, 1865: 434; Madeira. Based on the range map given in Nakamura and Parin (1993). Cosmopolitan.

TRICHIURIDAE

*Tentoriceps cristatus (Klunzinger, 1884: 120; Red Sea). Based on the range map given in Nakamura and Parin (1993). Indo-west Pacific.

SCOMBRIDAE

Although there is an obscure literature report (Yabe et al., 1958) of juvenile Auxis thazard (Lacepede, 1800) from Chagos, the locality has not been confumed in the most recent revision of the genus (Collette and Aarland, 1996), and the species is not included in our checklist.

*Acanthocybium solandri (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831:192, no type locality). P. Several caught by trolling, one (99 cm TL) from Great Chagos Bank, photographed by R.C. Anderson. Cosmopolitan.

Euthynnus affinis (Cantor, 1849: 1088; "Sea of Penang"). Indo-Pacific.

Gymnosarda unicolor (Ruppell, 1836: 40; Red Sea). S (R. Winterbottom and A.R. Emery, 1979 Chagos Expedition, and R.C. Anderson and M. Spalding, 1996 Expedition). Indo-Pacific.

Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758: 297; "in Pelago intertropicos"). L. This species has become the target of a major seasonal purse seine fishery in Chagos waters. Cosmopolitan.

Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepede, 1800 598; no locality). L. Indo-west Pacific.

Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre, 1788: 139; Mediterranean). L. Cosmopolitan.

Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788: 140; Jamaica). S This species has become the target of a major seasonal purse seine fishery in Chagos waters. Cosmopolitan.

Thunnus abesus (Lowe, 1839: 78; Maderia). L. Cosmopolitan.

XIPHIIDAE

Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758: 248; "in Oceano Europae". L. A specimen at USNM (# 216217) from off Diego Garcia. Cosmopolitan.

ISTIOPHORIDAE

Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw and Nodder, 1791: PI. 88; Indian and Pacific Oceans). L. Indo-Pacific.

Makaira indica (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831: 286; Sumatera). L. Indo-Pacific.

Tetrapterus angustirostris Tanaka, 1914: 324; Japan. L. Indo-Pacific.

Tetrapterus audax (Philippi, 1887: 567; Chile). L. Indo-Pacific.

NOMEIDAE

Psenes squamiceps (Lloyd, 1909: 158; Arabian Seas). L. Indo-west Pacific.

BOTHIDAE

Arnoglossus intermedius (Bleeker, 1866: 47; Sulawesi. L. Indo-west Pacific.

Bothus mancus (Broussonet, 1782: none; Pacific Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Bothus pantherinus (Ruppell, 1830: 121; Mahila, Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

SOLEIDAE

Parachirus xenicus Matsubara and Ochiai, 1963: 94; Japan. Listed as Aseraggodes cyaneus in 1989 checklist; change due to reidentification. Indo-west Pacific.

SAMARIDAE

Samariscus triocellatus Woods, 1966: 66; MarshalIs. Misidentified as ?Monochirus, Family Soleidae, in 1989 checklist. Indo-Pacific.

BALISTIDAE

This family has now been broken down into its two constituent subfamilies, the Balistinae and the Monacanthinae.

Ballstinae

Abalistes stellaris (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 476; Indian Ocean). L. Indo-west Pacific. Balistapus undulatus (Park, 1797: 37; Sumatera). Indo-Pacific.

Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 474; Indian Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Balistoides viridescens (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 477; Mauntius). S. Seen by R.C. Anderson and M. Spalding, 1996 Expedition). Indo-Pacific.

Melichthys indicus Randall and Klausewitz, 1973: (34; Thailand. The colour morph of this species mentioned and figured in Winterbottom et al. (1989:68 and Fig. 431) is a problem. It could be the Indian ocean form of M. vidua or a new species close to vidua (J. E. Randall, pers. comm.). It could also be a hybrid between M. indicus and M. vidua. It lacks the shallow diagonal cheek groove of M. indicus, and has a dark- margined pale dorsal and anal fm (both consistent with M. vidua). However, as in M. indicus, the caudal fm is entirely black, not white fading to pink as in M. vidua. If this specimen is a hybrid, it implies the presence of M. vidua at Chagos where it has not yet been found, unless recruitment is from some non-Chagos locality. Indian Ocean.

Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786: 27; China Sea). Circumtropical.

Odonus niger (Ruppell, 1836: 53; Red Sea). Indo-Pacific.

*Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus (Ruppell, 1829: 33; Red Sea). V, P. A 23 nun SL specimen (ROM 70247) was collected by hand from floating sargassum weed and another about 50 cm TL was photographed in 12 m on the inner side of Grand Ile Mapou, Peros Banhos Atoll, by R.C. Anderson. Indo-Pacific.

*Pseudobalistes fuscus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801:471; no type locality). P. Adults (Fig. 17) were seen on the outer reef at Salomon Atoll, and at Peros Banhos Atoll (inside of Grand Ile Mapou, and outside of Ile Manoel). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

    Figure 17. Pseudobalistes fuscus, photographed off Ile Manoel, Peros Banhos Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758: 328; India). Indo-Pacific.

Rhinecanthus rectangulus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 465; Indian Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Sufflamen bursa (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 476; Indian Ocean). Indo-Pacific.

Sufflamen chrysopterus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 466; East Indies and India). Indo-Pacific.

Sufflamen fraenatus (Latreille, 1804: 74; Madagascar and Polynesia). Indo-Pacific.

Xanthichthys auromarginatus (Bennett, 183 1: 168; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

*Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus Randall, Matsuura and Zama, 1978: 701; Tuamotu Archipelago. P. Adult (Fig. 18) photographed in about 17 m on outer reef slope of Middle Brother Island. Indo-Pacific.

    Figure 18. Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus, about 25 cm TL, photographed at Great Chagos Bank by R.C. Anderson.

Monacanthinae

Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765: 145; China Sea). S (R. Winterbottom, 1979 Chagos Expedition). Circumtropical.

Cantherhines dumerilii (Hollard, 1854: 361; Mauritius). Indo-Pacific.

Cantherhines pardalis (Riippell, 1837: 57; Red Sea). The specimen identified as C fronticinctus in 1989 check-list has been reidentified as this species. Indo-Pacific.

Oxytnonacanthus longirostris (Bloch and Schneider; 1801: 464; East Indies). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Paraluteres prionurus (Bleeker, 1851: 260; Moluccas). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marshalls).

Pervagor janthinosoma (Bleeker, 1854: 504; Ambon). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Marianas, Samoa).

Thamnaconus modestoides (Barnard, 1927: 78; Algoa Bay). Indo-west Pacific.

OSTRACIIDAE

Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758: 332; India. Indo-Pacific.

Ostracion meleagris Shaw and Nodder, 1796: PI. 253; "southern Ocean". Indo-Pacific.

TRIODONTIDAE

Triodon macropterus Lesson, 1829: PI. 4; Mauritius. L. Indo-west Pacific.

TETRAODONTIDAE

Arothron meleagris (Lacepede, 1798: 476; "seas of Asia"). Indo-Pacific.

Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801:507; Tranquebar, India). Indo-west Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Samoa).

Arothron stellatus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 503; Mauritius). Listed as A. aerostaticus in 1989 checklist; change due to reidentification. Indo-Pacific.

Canthigaster bennetti (Bleeker, 1854: 504; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Canthigasterjanthinoptera (Bleeker, 1855: 429; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

Canthigaster natalensis (Gunther, 1870: 303; Natal). Western Indian Ocean.

*Canthigaster smithae Allen and Randall, 1977: 498; Mauritius. P. Several individuals and pairs seen (Fig. 19) between 11-25 m on outer reef slopes of Salomon Atoll and on the Great Chagos Bank (Three Brothers and

Nelson Islands). Western Indian Ocean.

    Figure 19. Canthigaster smithae, photographed between lie Poule and Ile Boddam, Salomon Atoll by R.C. Anderson.

Canthigaster tyleri Allen and Randall, 1977: 497; Mauritius. Indo-Pacific.

Canthigaster valentini (Bleeker, 185 3:130; Ambon). Indo-Pacific.

DIODONTIDAE

Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758: 335; India. Cosmopolitan.

DISCUSSION

The 1989 checklist recorded 703 species from the Chagos Archipelago. This number dropped somewhat due to synonymization or misidentification of some species. We have added 80 new records to the fauna, 51 from observations and photographs by R.C. Anderson in 1996, supplemented by examination of Chagos specimens that are part of the computerized collection records at the USNM (there are numerous lots from Chagos at the USNM that are not on the computer data base), and from recent literature. The total known epipelagic and shore fish fauna now stands at 773 species. It is likely that there are many more species yet to be found at Chagos. For example, Randall and Anderson (1993) recorded 899 species from the Maldives, but the total recorded from that archipelago is now over 1,000 species (Anderson, pers. obs.). In addition to the new records, further research since the submission of the 1989 checklist in 1985 has resulted in 89 changes of nomenclature to that used in that checklist.

The geographic distributions (omitting those species for which a range was not assigned) are given in Table 1.

Thirty nine species (of the total number of species) had no range assigned to them. The Chagos fish fauna is overwhelmingly Indo-Pacific (sensu lato) in its biogeographic affinities (over 80% of the species), with only 12% of the fauna confined to the Indian Ocean. There are only three endemic species: the anemone fish Amphiprion chagosensis, the goby Trimmatom offucius and the microdesmid Paragunnellichthys fehlmanni. Although it is possible that one or other of the latter two may be found elsewhere, it is also probable that at least the razorfish, Xyrichtys sp, (and perhaps others) will be found to be endemic to the archipelago. The coral reef fish fauna is very similar in general composition to that of the Maldives, (Randall & Anderson, 1993) especially to that of the southern Maldives (RCA, pers. obs.), a region which does show some differences in its fish fauna from that of the north and centre of the Maldives (Anderson, 1992). The main difference between Chagos and the southern Maldives compared to the central/northern Maldives is in the higher proportion of western Indian Ocean species in the former regions. Since Chagos and, to a lesser extent, the southern Maldives (but not areas to the north) are under the influence of the eastward flowing Equatorial Counter Current for much of the year, this is not unexpected.

Table 1. Distribution of the Chagos fish fauna, expressed as number of species from each zoogeographic category, the percentage that the number represents of the total fauna (minus those categorized as "unassigned"); and the same values taken from the 1989 checklist.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Geographic distribution category     Species      %      % (1989 list) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indo-Pacific (IP)                      416       56.6       50.4 
Indo-west Pacific (IWP)                 88       11.9       12.1 
IWP + marginal Pacific plate (MPP)      86       11.7        8.4 
Western Indian Ocean (WIO)              54        7.3        6 
Cosmopolitan                            29        3.9        2.6 
Indian Ocean (IO)                       26        3.5        2.3 
Circumtropical                          11        1.5        2.3 
IO + western edge of tropical Pacific    7        1.0        0.8 
Central IO (CIO)                         4        0.5        0.3 
Endemic                                  3        0.4        0.4 
CIO + western Pacific + MPP              3        0.4        0.4 
CIO + western Pacific                    2        0.3        0.3 
CIO + eastern IO                         2        0.3        n/a 
IP + Caribbean                           1        0.1        n/a 
IWP + eastern Atlantic                   1        0.1        n/a 
IWP + MPP + eastern Atlantic             1        0.1        n/a 
IWP + MPP + western Atlantic/Caribbean   1        0.1        n/a 
Unassigned                              38        4.9       13.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The relative contribution to the fauna of the vanous families remains similar to that delineated in the 1989 checklist. The ten most speciose families (given as n, n% of the total fauna, followed by the same calculations for the 1989 checklist: Gobiidae (98; 12.6; 91, 13.0); Labridae (63, 8.1; 59, 8.4); Serranidae (50, 6.5; 46, 6.5); Muraenidae (41, 5.3; 38, 5.4); Pomacentridae (38, 4.9; 42, 5.8); Apogonidae (33, 4.3; 30, 4.3); Acanthundae (29, 3.7; 24, 3.4); Lutjanidae (29, 3.7; 29, 4.1); Blenniidae (25, 3.2; 22, 3.1) and Chaetodontidae (25, 3.2; 19, 2.7). Changes in rank from the 1989 checklist involve reversal of the positions for the Serranidae + Muraenidae and the Pomacentridae, and the Lutjanidae and Acanthuridae. Three families were tied for ninth in the 1989 list. The Blenniidae remain in this position, with the Chaetodontidae taking over tenth position, with the Balistidae falling to eleventh, and the Holocentridae tied for twelfth with the Scaridae (previously fourteenth). The Gobiidae is the most speciose family in the Maldives, the total number of species represent 9.3% of the total fish fauna (Randall and Goren, 1993; Randall and Anderson, 1993).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank J.T. Williams (Smithsonian Institution, USNM) for sending RW the computer printout of their Chagos holdings and for arranging the loan of the requested material, and Ms M. Rouse (ROM) for processing the loan. G.R. Allen, E.B. Bohlke, J.W. Orr, and J.E. Randall generously commented on specific questions we had regarding Chagos fishes. Thanks to the organizers and the leader (C. R.C. Sheppard) of the Friends of the Chagos 1996 Chagos Expedition for enabling RCA to visit the islands, and to Mike and Gitta Pilling and the crew of the MY Inga-Viola for their wholehearted support. We gratefully acknowledge the members of the 1996 expedition, in particular M. Spalding, for supplying information on sightings, specimens and photographs of fishes. Financial support for this paper came in part from NSERC OGP0001769 to RW. This is contribution # 62 of the ROM's Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology.

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Copyright 1997 J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology


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