Ypsiscarus oedema (Snyder)

Ypsiscarus oedema (Snyder)

Callyodon oedema Snyder, 1909, p. 603.

Scarus oedema—Schultz, 1958, p. 48, pls. 1D, 8D.—Kamohara, 1963, p. 7, pl. 1: fig. 4.

Characterized by having 2 rows of scales on the cheek; otherwise, this species is very close to Y. ovifrons.

None of the following twelve specimens has a scale representing the third row on the cheek: USNM 112232 (1) and USNM 157033 (4) from Celebes Sea; USNM 112224 (1), 147251 (l), and 160088 (1) from the Philippines; USNM 147300 (1) and 147305 (1) from Dutch East Indies; USNM 62451 (1) from Okinawa; and USNM 202696 (1) from Tahiti. The latter, collected by Dr. Randall, is 360 mm in standard length. Large series of specimens are needed to adequately define the species in this relationship, which have 3 median predorsal scales, clearly seen in radiographs, and usually with a pair of overlapping scales in front of the third median predorsal scale.

RANGE.—Western Pacific Ocean.

Scarus Forskål, 1775, p. 25.—Linnaeus, 1789, p. 1280.

Chlorurus Swainson, 1839, p. 227.

Petronason Swainson, 1839, p. 226.

Pseudoscarus Bleeker, 1861, p. 230.

Xanothon Smith, 1956, p. 4.

Margaritodon Smith, 1956, p. 15.

Hipposcarus Smith, 1956, p. 17.

Characterized by having 4 median predorsal scales and 2 or 3 rows of scales on cheek.

RANGE.—Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and Red Sea.