Variegated Lizardfish

Adults variable from grey to red (Ref. 48635). On some individuals, the hourglass- or saddle-shaped markings along its side may be obliterated by an almost solid dark red band (Ref. 1602). Large individuals are often thick-bodied, giving a hump-backed appearance (Ref. 1602).Description: Characterized by grey to whitish color; upper side with about six irregular dark bars with smaller blotches in between; lower side with whitish stripe interrupted by dark red to brown bars; fully scaled cheek behind mouth to edge of preopercle; broad interorbital space, 3.9-4.7% of SL; short and triangular flap on anterior nostril; pectoral fin not reaching line connecting origins of dorsal and pelvic fins (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 14; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10

Occurs in inshore waters (Ref. 75154). Lies mostly buried in the sand (Ref. 275).

Inhabits deep lagoon and seaward reefs to depths over 40 m (Ref. 9710); sometimes found on sandy bottoms concealing itself in the sand. Prefers to rest on hard surfaces and frequently occurs in pairs (Ref. 37816). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on small fishes by seizing these from passing schools, also shrimps (Ref. 89972). Caught with various types of artisanal gear; sold fresh or dried salted in markets. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.

fisheries: commercial

Synodus variegatus (Lacépède, 1803)

Salmo variegatus Lacépède, 1803:157 [Mauritius].

Synodus dermatogenys Fowler, 1912:566 [Hawaiian Islands].

Synodus houlti McCulloch, 1921:165 [Queensland, Australia].

MATERIAL EXAMINED (749 specimens).—Neotype: BPBM 20192, , SL 151 mm, MAURITIUS, 6 Nov 1973, between Trou d'Eeu Douce and Palmar, reef flat, 0–1 m, J. E. Randall and M. M. Smith. RED SEA (25): USNM 191730 (2), 217693 (4), 217701 (4), 217741 (2), 217744 (1), 217757 (3), 217759 (5), 217780 (1), 217795 (1); CAS 40094–5 (2). MOZAMBIOUE (15): RUSI 3929. SOUTH AFRICA (5): RUSI 74–355 (1), 76–28 (1), 76–32 (2), 10988 (1). COMORES ISLANDS (4): USNM 217702 (2); CAS 35467 (1), 39876 (1). ALDABRA-SEYCHELLES ISLANDS (92): USNM 217672 (14), 217675 (13), 217676 (2), 217680 (2), 217681 (6), 217682 (5), 217688 (4), 217690 (3), 217694 (4), 217696 (4), 217698 (1), 217713 (3), 217716 (12), 217717 (5), 217740 (10), 217742 (2); CAS 35335–6 (2). TANZANIA-KENYA (52): USNM 217718 (1), 217721 (2), 217760 (23); BMNH 1865.2.24.52 (1), 1867.3.7.5.95 (2); LACM 308593 (24). MALAGASY REPUBLIC (9): USNM 217660 (7), 217714 (1), 217758 (1). MAURITIUS (8): BMNH 2.22.2.34 (1); RUSI OR312378 (4); FMNH 75386 (1); BPBM 16367 (1), 20192 (1). CARAGADOS ISLANDS (17): USNM 217621 (8), 217678–9 (7), 217695 (1), 217704 (1). AMIRANTE ISLAND (4): USNM 217712. FARQUHAR ISLANDS (12): USNM 217668 (2), 217720 (10). CHAGOS ISLANDS (3): USNM 217674 (2), 217692 (1). MALDIVES ISLANDS (38): CAS 35338 (4); FMNH 75371 (3), 75372 (2), 75374 (13), 75375 (3), 75376 (4), 75377 (3), 75380 (1), 75382 (1), 75384 (1), 75385 (3). INDIA-SRI-LANKA (22): USNM 217670 (2), 217685 (1), 217703 (1), 217747 (3), 217750 (4); CAS 14531 (1); MCZ 46072 (3); FMNH 75370 (2), 75373 (3), 75381 (2). MENTAWAI ISLAND (22): USNM 217707 (11), 217710 (10), 217753 (1). WESTERN AUSTRALIA (3): WAM P25312–002 (1), P25374–010 (2). BAWEAN ISLAND (5): USNM 217714. MOLLUCCAS (28): USNM 211019 (11), 217722 (1), 217745 (2), 217761 (14). PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (29): USNM 135970 (4), 136231 (1), 136254 (1), 150893 (1) 150894 (1), 150895 (1); CAS 20323 (2), 40085–7 (6), 68352 (11); BMNH 1933.11.39.40 (1). VIETNAM (14): CAS 30617 (8), 40090 (5), 40091 (1). NORTH BORNEO (23): FMNH 51862 (8), 51863 (15). CHINA (3): BMNH 1851.12.27.192 (1); CAS 39967 (1), 61218 (1). OKINAWA (4): BPBM 19084. PAPUA, NEW GUINEA (1): USNM 217691. TROBRIAND ISLAND (7): USNM 217683 (2), 217697 (1), 217699 (4). TAIWAN (6): USNM 217719 (1), 217751 (1), 217754 (1); NTU 00226–7 (2), 102263 (1). Queensland, AUSTRALIA (31): USNM 217711 (2), 217743 (2); MCZ 36737 (1); ANSP 123602 (2), 123628 (16); AMS I.19224–001 (1), I.19225–001 (4), I.15636002 (1), I.18350–001 (1), I.17017–001 (1). LORD HOWE ISLANDS (1): BPBM 14775. PALAU ISLAND (43): CAS 39961 (2), 40077 (6), 40078 (9), 40083 (24), 40084 (2). MARIANA ISLANDS (26): USNM 143696 (6), 154596 (5), 193354 (2); CAS 30616 (1); ANSP 91704 (1), BPBM 7292 (9). SOLOMON ISLANDS (9): USNM 189907 (2), 189908 (3), 189910 (2), 189915 (1), 217708 (1); SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS (1): CAS 39970. NEW CALEDONIA (2): CAS 19205–6. KAPINGAMARANGI ATOLL (20): CAS 40074 (6), 40075 (2), 40076 (12). MARSHALL ISLANDS (68): USNM 140821 (11), 140824 (8), 140825 (19), 140826 (7), 140829 (8), 140830 (4), 140831 (4), 166514 (2), 217686 (2), 217689 (2), 217746 (1). GILBERT ISLANDS (2): USNM 167434. FIJI (35): USNM 82920 (2), 217667 (1), 217677 (7), 217684 (7), 217755 (16); BMNH 1849.2.14.596 (1); CAS 39971 (1). SAMOAN ISLANDS (14): USNM 52451 (1), 115406 (4), 115407 (3), 115410 (1), 115412 (1); BPBM 6144 (1), 17452 (3). CAROLINE ISLANDS (48): CAS 39952 (12), 39958 (1), 39963 (9), 40070 (2), 40071 (1), 40072 (12), 40073 (1), 40093 (1). TONGA ISLANDS (6): USNM 217796. PHOENIX ISLANDS (1): USNM 115411. COOK ISLANDS (2): CAS 40088 (1); BPBM 10707 (1). SOCIETY ISLANDS (31): BPBM 10276 (6), 11971 (3); CAS 39964 (8), 40079 (1), 40080 (7), 40081 (4), 40082 (2). TUAMOTU ARCHAPELAGO (2): USNM 217709. LINE ISLANDS (2): USNM 217797 (1); BPBM 14095 (1). HAWAIIAN ISLANDS (20): USNM 51031 (1), 82832 (1), 109347 (4), 143697 (1), 160667 (1); CAS 7669 (5), 40092 (2), 40097 (1); ANSP 28130–34 (4).

DIAGNOSIS AND COMPARISONS.—A species of Synodus with the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays (branched and unbranched) 1013 (usually 12); anal-fin rays 8–10 (usually 9); pored lateral-line scales 56–61 (usually 59); transverse scale rows 5.5/7; vertebrae 55–60 (usually 58); combined dorsal and anal procurrent rays 26–34; anterior palatine teeth longest and in a discrete group; peritoneal spots 10–12; posterior pelvic process wide.

Synodus variegatus is easily confused with S. englemani Schultz, S. ulae Schultz, S. capricornis Cressey and Randall, S. doaki Russell and Cressey, and S. binotatus Schultz, as all of these species have similar color patterns with saddle-like dorsal bands. Synodus englemani (with which it is often collected) has more lateral-line scales (60–63) and vertebrae (59–62), fewer peritoneal spots (7–10), a short-dermal flap of the anterior nares (long in variegatus), and scales on the postoral portion of the cheek (variegatus naked). Synodus ulae and S. capricornis have much higher lateral-line scale and vertebral counts. Synodus doaki and S. binotatus have fewer transverse scale rows above the lateral line (3.5).

DESCRIPTION (neotype plus range).—Dorsal-fin rays 11 (10–13); anal-fin rays 8 (8–10); pectoral-fin rays 11 (11–13); pelvic-fin rays 8; procurrent rays 27 (26–34), dorsal 15 (14–18), anal 12 (12–16); lateral line continuous, 59 (56–61) pored scales; scale rows above lateral line from dorsal origin 5.5; scale rows below lateral line to anal origin 7; predorsal scales 17 (17–18); rows of cheek scales 7 (5–7); vertebrae 55–60; peritoneal spots 10 (10–12).

Percentages of Standard Length: Mean (range): head length 29.4 (27.3–31.8); snout length 6.0 (5.1–6.7); upper jaw length 18.5 (15.8–20.7); diameter of bony orbit 4.9 (3.6–6.7); least width of bony interorbital 2.4 (1.8–3.1); snout to dorsal origin 43.2 (39.1–46.8); snout to adipose origin 84.2 (77.3–86.2); snout to anal origin 77.6 (69.580.9); snout to pelvic insertion 35.8 (31.8–37.9); snout to pectoral insertion 28.0 (25.6–29.7); first-dorsal-ray length 10.2 (7.8–11.3); longest-dorsalray length 13.8 (11.6–15.2); pectoral-fin length 11.4 (8.9–13.6); pelvic-fin length 24.7 (20.4–29.7); dorsal-fin base 15.3 (12.0–17.4); anal-fin base 8.7 (7.1–10.5); based on 20 specimens 56.6 mm to 180.4 mm SL.

Body fusiform, head somewhat depressed, caudal region a little compressed. Large cycloid scales on body, cheeks, and operculum, postoral portion of cheeks naked. Snout sharply pointed, broader than long; anterior nostril on each side bearing a dermal flap with mesial distal corner produced as a process extending well beyond anterior edge of nares when depressed anteriorly. Interorbital space concave, occipital region bony. Palatine teeth in an elongate V-shaped pad, teeth pointing backwardly, those in front largest and in a discrete group. Lingual teeth well developed, those on free end of tongue largest and about 55 in number. Teeth caniniform, larger teeth with arrow-shaped tips. Pectoral fins reaching to a line from base of pelvic fins to origin of dorsal fin. Outer pelvic ray unbranched and short, fifth branched ray (sixth ray) longest. Posterior bony process of pelvic girdle broad. Peritoneum pale.

COLOR PATTERN.—Light brown and dark brown pigmented areas on light tan background in preserved material. A series of 8 to 9 dark brown saddle-like bands, widest dorsally, constricted toward lateral line, widening at the lateral line to a diamond shape with the ventral apex elongated. Two lighter brown bands anterior to first dark band, which is at origin of the dorsal fin; bands then alternating dark brown and light brown to end of body. Dorsal tip of snout usually with 4 terminal and 2 subterminal pigment spots. All fins except anal usually crossed with narrow dark bars perpendicular to rays.

DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT, AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION.—This species occurs throughout the Indo West Pacific (see Figure 36) and is generally confined within the maximum boundaries of the 28°C isothere (Hutchins and Scharff, 1947). Of the species considered here it is the most common in museum collections. This may be due in part to its shallow-water habitat, making it a relatively easy species to collect. Collection data indicate that S. variegatus is found at depths less than 20 m, and in most cases (44 of 63 collections) less than 5 m. Synodus variegatus thus appears to be ecologically separated from all other Indo-West Pacific Synodus except S. sageneus, S. binotatus, S. englemani, and S. jaculum. The remaining known species inhabit deeper water.

An area by area analysis of average vertebral counts suggests that there may be a gradual increase in number from lower average counts (56–57) in waters of Sri-Lanka to Taiwan to highest average counts (58+) at the periphery of the range with intermediate average counts (57–58) in the central West Pacific (Table 1). Within the limited populations on which each of the averages were based, there were no cases of a range of more than four vertebrae (in most cases three). From this it may be concluded that within restricted areas the vertebral number is more stable than is suggested by the overall data for the species throughout its range.

Synodus englemani Schultz, 1953

Synodus englemani Schultz, 1953:41 [Marshall Islands].

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Holotype: USNM 140815, RONGELAP. Paratypes (7): USNM 140816 (2), 152980 (1), 152981 (3), 202547 (1), BIKINI. RED SEA (81): USNM 217626 (35), 217626 (12), 217630 (1), 217650 (4), 217786 (1), 217787 (13), 217789 (12), 217790 (3), 217792 (1); BPBM 13869 (1). COMORES (42): USNM 217654 (8), 217661 82), 217785 (5); CAS 32554 (7), 32563 (8), 35028 (12), 35206 (1), 39889 (4). ALDABRA-SEYCHELLES (1): CAS 39335. TANZANIA-KENYA (3): BMNH 1965.2.25.52 (1), BMNH 1966.11.16.1013–6 (2). SOUTH AFRICA (4): RUSI 76–11 (1), 9439 (2); BMNH 1917.10.1.3 (1). MALAGASY REPUBLIC (6): USNM 217629 (4), 217633 (1), 217657 (1). SOMALIA (2): ZIM H4909. CARAGADOS (12): USNM 217632 (2), 217636 (1), 217637 (2), 217639 (1), 217642 (4), 217645 (2). ARABIA (1): BMNH 1887.11.11.287. AMIRANTE ISLAND (3): USNM 217652 (2), 217658 (1). MALDIVES (2): FMNH 75379 (1); BPBM 18904 (1). INDIA–SRI-LANKA (5): USNM 217649 (3); CAS 39947 (1); MCZ 46972 (1). COCOS-KEELING (1): ANSP (uncataloged). WEST JAVA SEA (2): USNM 217655 (1), 217784 (1). MOLLUCCAS (28): USNM 136277 (2), 209781 (8), 209840 (1), 210498 (3), 217655 (1), 217781 (1), 217783 (9), 217793 (2); BMNH 1858.4.21.473 (1). PHILLIPINES (18): USNM 56204 (1), 131110 (10), 136267–8 (2); CAS 26575 (5). VIETNAM (2): CAS 39875. CHINA (1): BMNH (no cat. number). OKINAWA (1): USNM 143701 (originally a paratype of S. ulae). NEW GUINEA (9): USNM 217628 (7), 217653 (1); BMNH 1974.5.25.56 (1). NEW BRITAIN (11): USNM 217620 (7), USNM 217635 (2); AMS 17503–014 (2). Queensland, AUSTRALIA (6): USNM 217623 (1), AMS 19222–001 (4); MCZ 36737 (1). PALAU (3): CAS 39965 (1), 39972 (2). CAROLINE ISLANDS (4):CAS 39953 (1), 39962 (3). MARIANA ISLANDS (1): CAS 39874. SOLOMON ISLANDS (4): USNM 217631 (2); ANSP 80138 (1); BPBM 15983 (1). KAPINGAMARANGI ATOLL (4): CAS 39954–5 (2), 39957 (1), 39974 (1). MARSHALL ISLANDS (5): USNM 217512 (3), 217624 (1), 217648 (1). FIJI (5): USNM 217622. SAMOA (5):USNM 217651 (2); BPBM 17494 (2), 17433 (1). TONGA (6): USNM 217791. COOK ISLANDS (2): BPBM 13948. SOCIETY ISLANDS (8): BPBM 6062 (1), 6099 (1), 8113 (3), 11281 (3). AUSTRAL ISLAND (1): BPBM 13713. MARQUESAS (1): BPBM 11839. GAMBIER ISLAND (4): BPBM 839 (1), 14315 (1), 14274 (2). LINE ISLANDS (1): BPBM 14095. HAWAHAN ISLANDS (10): USNM 217660 (1); CAS 30074 (1), 30494 (7), 68349 (1). RAPA ISLAND (5): BPBM 12960 (2), 13029 (1), 17194 (1), 17322 (1). PITCAIRN ISLAND (3): BPBM 16768 (1), 16789 (2).

DIAGNOSIS AND COMPARISONS.—A species of Synodus with the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays (branched and unbranched) 11–13 (usually 13); anal-fin rays 8–10 (usually 9); pored lateral-line scales 60–62 (usually 61); transverse scale rows 5.5/7; vertebrae 59–62 (usually 60); combined dorsal and anal procurrent rays 29–37; anterior palatine teeth longest and in a discrete group; peritoneal spots 7–10; posterior pelvic process wide.

Synodus englemani is easily confused with S. variegatus. The characters separating these species are given with the description of S. variegatus. Synodus englemani, however, seems most closely related to S. jaculum Russell and Cressey, sharing a number of meristic characters with it. Synodus jaculum differs by the presence of a conspicuous dark lateral patch on the caudal peduncle of S. jaculum and a higher peritoneal spot count (11–13). Synodus ulae and S. capricornis have higher vertebral counts. Synodus ulae has a large spatulate dermal flap on the anterior nares. All other species of Indo-West Pacific Synodus have a transverse scale count above the lateral line of 3.5 or 4.5 (4.5 in S. sageneus vs. 5.5 in S. englemani).

DESCRIPTION.—Dorsal-fin rays 11–13; anal-fin rays 8–10; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin rays 8; procurrent rays 29–37, dorsal 15–19, anal 14–18; lateral line continuous, 60–63 pored scales; scale rows above lateral line from dorsal origin 5.5; scale rows below lateral line to anal origin 7; predorsal scales 18–19; rows of cheek scales 10–11; vertebrae 59–62; peritoneal spots 7–10.

Percentages of Standard Length: Mean (range): head length 30.7(29.0–32.4); snout length 6.7(5.7–8.1); upper jaw length 19.0(16.0–21.4); diameter of bony orbit 5.4(4.3–6.2); least width of bony interorbital 3.4(2.4–4.0); snout to dorsal origin 43.5(40.9–46.5); snout to adipose origin 85.2(81.9–88.3); snout to anal origin 77.4(73.3–81.3); snout to pelvic insertion 36.5(34.4–38.8); snout to pectoral insertion 29.0(27.6–31.2); first-dorsal-ray length 10.6(8.1–12.1); longest-dorsal-ray length 14.2(12.7–16.2); pectoral-fin length 11.7(10.5–13.0); pelvic-fin length 23.9(20.7–26.9); dorsal-fin base 16.0(14.5–18.4); anal-fin base 9.0(7.3–11.3); based on 20 specimens 71.2 mm to 150.8 mm SL.

Body fusiform, head somewhat depressed, caudal region a little compressed. Large cycloid scales on body, cheeks, and operculum, postoral portion of cheeks scaly. Snout sharply pointed, broader than long; the anterior nostril on each side bearing a short dermal flap, the posterior edge produced as a short triangular process. Interorbital space concave, occipital region bony. Palatine teeth in an elongate V-shaped pad, teeth pointing backwardly, those in front largest and in a discrete group. Lingual teeth well developed, those on free end of tongue largest and about 40 in number. Teeth caniniform, larger teeth with arrow-shaped tips. Pectoral fins reaching a line from base of pelvic fins to origin of dorsal fin. Outer pelvic ray unbranched and short, the fifth branched ray (sixth ray) longest. Posterior bony process of pelvic girdle broad. Peritoneum pale.

COLOR PATTERN.—As in S. variegatus except in some preserved specimens a dark, wide stripe is present along the lateral line at the level of the lateral triangular pigmented areas. Schultz alludes to the presence of this stripe as a means of separating this species from S. variegatus. Although I have never seen a preserved specimen of S. variegatus with this stripe, many specimens of S. englemani examined during the course of this study did not show it either. Color photos of fresh specimens taken by J. E. Randall show both conditions.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT.—This species occurs throughout the Indo-West Pacific and is generally confined within the 28°C isothere (Hutchins and Scharff, 1947). Collection data indicate that this species is occasionally found in depths less than 5 m (6 of 50 collections), commonly in depths 5 and 40 m (43 collections), and rarely in depths more than 40 m (one collection at 60 m). This species is often found in collections with S. variegatus as their depth ranges overlap, but S. englemani is more common at the deeper portion of their combined ranges, whereas S. variegatus is more common at the shallow portion.

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起紅海及非洲東部，東至夏威夷、萊恩、馬貴斯及杜夕群島，北至日本、臺灣，南至澳洲、羅得豪島及拉帕等。臺灣各地海域皆有分布。

偶為底拖網或延繩釣捕獲，可食用。

體圓而瘦長，呈長圓柱形，尾柄兩側具稜脊。頭較短。吻圓，吻長明顯大於眼徑。前鼻孔瓣細長。眼中等大；脂性眼瞼發達。口裂大，上頜骨末端遠延伸至眼後方；頜骨具銳利之小齒；腭骨前方齒較後方齒長，明顯自成一叢。體及頭部被圓鱗；頰部被鱗，但不及前鰓蓋緣；側線鱗數 60-63；側線上鱗數 5.5(少數為 6.5)。單一背鰭，具軟條11-13(通常為13)；有脂鰭；臀鰭與脂鰭相對，具軟條8-11；胸鰭短，末端不延伸至腹鰭起點與背鰭起點之連線；尾鰭叉形，上葉等長於下葉。成魚體色多變，由灰色至紅色皆有，某些個體體側具沙漏形斑或鞍狀斑，但這些斑紋通常會被較粗的暗紅色斑破壞。紅帶狗母(/Synodus englemani/)為本種之同種異名。

主要棲息於沿近海靠近礁石之砂泥底質海域。屬肉食性，以小型魚類及甲殼類為主。通常在砂地上停滯不動，身上的花紋是很好的偽裝，有時會將整個身體埋入砂中而只露出眼睛，等候獵物游經時，躍起吞食。

The variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus) is a lizardfish of the family Synodontidae found in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, at depths from 4 to 90 m. It can reach a maximum length of 40 cm.

Inhabits deep lagoon and seaward reefs from depths of 5 to at least 40 m; sometimes found on sandy bottoms concealing itself in the sand. Frequently occurs in pairs. Feeds on small fishes by seizing these from passing schools. Caught with various types of artisanal gear; sold fresh or dried salted in markets.