The impact of extreme run-off events from the Sakasagawa river on the Senjogahara ecosystem, Nikko National Park. IV. Changes in tree and understory vegetation distribution patterns from 1982 to 1992

In this study, a survey was made of a sample area adjacent to Senjogahara moor, Nikko National Park, in central Japan, to discover the change of vegetation over the 10 years from 1982 to 1992. The sample area, which is dominated byMalus toringo, has often suffered alluvial deposition from flooding of the river. The accumulation depth of alluvial materials deposited for 1984–1987 were measured at 266 points in the area, and for 1987–1992 at 347 points. Each tree species showed its own changing pattern of distribution area in relation to the accumulation depth of alluvial deposits. For example,M. toringo showed an increase in the number of trunks, and extended its distribution area in spite of heavy deposition, whereasBetula platyphylla var.japonica andLarix kaempferi shifted their distribution to the area that suffered only light deposition. The distribution area of shrubby and herbaceous species of understory vegetation also showed different patterns of change. In addition, the recovery of bare ground by understory vegetation was by different species in heavily and in lightly deposited areas. These facts show that there is a difference in the tolerance of different species to burial by alluvial deposits, and this difference is an important factor in successional change and mosaic formation of vegetation in a repeatedly disturbed area.     

The impact on the senjogahara ecosystem of extreme run-off events from the river Sakasagawa,Nikko National Park

During high run-off events the river Sakasagawa carries extremely large quantities of alluvial materials which are deposited in the north east corner of the Senjogahara moor. This study was initiated to examine the effects, both recent and historic, that this periodic and catastrophic inundation has had on the ecology of this area. It also questions the potential importance of alluvial deposition on the conservation of the moor as a whole. From the data presented it is clear that the present day vegetation of the north east corner of the moor represents a mosaic of vegetation reflecting differential levels of damage to the plants, deposition of alluvial material and the establishment of erosion channels in a space-time continum. The results indicate thatMalus Toringo andSalix integra can survive in the areas outside the heaviest flood damage, whereasUlmus Davidiana var.japonica, Betula platyphylla var.japonica andLarix Kaempferi are quite sensitive to flooding. SimilarlySasa nipponica var.nana is intolerant of even light alluvial deposition in contrast toLonicera caerulea var.emphyllocalyx andSpiraea salicifolia which are also still dominant beyond the zone of major alluvial deposition.     

Revegetation process on a subalpine mudflow

The process of revegetation on a subalpine mudflow was analyzed on the basis of the vegetation-soil relationship of the revegetated stands, and of the age structure and height growth process of the trees. Based on evidence derived from five independent sources, it was concluded that this mudflow was caused by a typhoon in 1959. The revegetated stands were classified into three vegetation types. AnAlnus maximowiczii stand was established where the surface soil was unstable; aBetula ermanii stand was established where the degree of disturbance by the mudflow was small; anAlnus-Betula stand was the intermediate type and occupied most of the area on the mudflow.Alnus had colonized concentrically 4–6 yr after the mudflow, andBetula and conifers had followed 1–2 yr later. As revegetation proceeded, the trees became differentiated into two populations, a canopy population and a suppressed one. The former was dominated mainly byAlnus and the latter byBetula and conifers. This differentiation was caused by the faster growth ofAlnus during the initial years of colonization. SomeBetula trees have recently grown faster thanAlnus, suggesting future replacement in dominance. Conifers have grown slowly even during recent years; the highly oligotrophic condition of the soil appears to have been responsible for this delayed growth.     

Growth analysis ofQuercus serrata seedlings withinMiscanthus sinensis grass canopies differing in light availability

The effects of different light regimes on the survival, growth and morphology ofQuercus serrata seedlings were studied in canopies ofMiscanthus sinensis. The seedlings of various ages (0–3 yr) were grown in three light regimes: under a denseM. sinensis canopy (TG plot) receiving 2.5%–8.7% of full sunlight, under a relatively sparse canopy (SG plot) receiving 3.8%–16.1% of light and in an adjacent open site (NG plot). There was a little difference in the survival ofQ. serrata seedlings among the three plots. Height and diameter of stem and total leaf area of the seedlings were significantly lower in the shadier plots. However, the first (bottom) flush of the stem was significantly longer in the TG plot than in the NG and SG plots. Total dry weights of individual 1- and 2-yr-oldQ. serrata seedlings in the TG plot were reduced to about one-twelfth of those in the NG plot. Although the relative proportion in dry weight of each organ did not differ significantly among the plots, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area and stem height per unit dry weight were significantly higher in shadier plots. The leaf area per unit stem height was increased considerably in the sunnier plots.     

A note on the present situation of the primate fauna found from south-eastern Cameroon to northern Congo

Brief results of a survey are reported for the primate fauna in south-eastern Cameroon and northern Congo. The survey was carried over the period from October 1988 to January 1989. I confirmed the occurrence ofMandrillus sphinx in the south-eastern part of Cameroon, viz. the south bank of the Dja river, the occurrence ofCercocebus albigena in almost all the survey areas, the occurrence ofCercopithecus cephus, C. nictitans, C. pogonias, andGorilla g. gorilla throughout the areas, and the occurrence ofCercopithecus neglectus andColobus badius near Bomassa, 70 km north of Ouesso, in Congo. I also confirmedColobus polykomos satanas in some parts of Cameroon, but this species is declining. Local people provided information onCercocebus galeritus agilis, Colobus guereza, andPan troglodytes in almost all the areas, in some of which I confirmed the animals directly. They also provided information aboutCercocebus torquatus on the north bank of the Dja river in Cameroon andMiopithecus talapoin in Sembe in Congo, although I could not confirm these species myself. Human activities had begun reducing the populations of the above primates, particularly those ofMandrillus sphinx, Colobus polykomos satanas, andGorilla g. gorilla, in south-eastern Cameroon and in northern Congo despite the low density of the human populations.     

Recruitment of amphidromous sleepers Eleotris acanthopoma, Eleotris melanosoma, and Eleotris fusca into the Teima River, Okinawa Island

Recruitment courses of three amphidromous sleeper species, Eleotris acanthopoma, E. melanosoma, and E. fusca, were investigated at the surf zone adjacent to the river mouth and at five stations in the Teima River on Okinawa Island, Japan. All three species occurred at the surf zone as pelagic larvae with transparent and compressed body, a conspicuous air bladder, and an emarginated caudal fin. Eleotris fusca (16.0–19.6 mm in standard length: SL) sometimes possessed a vestige of the larval chin barbel and were larger than E. acanthopoma (9.7–13.2 mm SL) and E. melanosoma (11.2–12.8 mm SL). The pelagic larvae were also collected during full tide from the lower reaches of the tidally influenced area of the river. The pelagic larvae may be carried in and out of the estuary with some tidal fluxes, and they may settle when they reach the upper tidally influenced area where the salinity becomes extremely low. Body width and pigmentation of newly settled larvae increased. E. fusca was considered to migrate upstream to the freshwater area against the flow of the river just after reaching the settled stage. After settlement, all three species became completely pigmented, the caudal fin became round in shape, and the fin ray counts became complete with growth. Also, E. acanthopoma dispersed widely to the lower part of the tidally influenced area or to the lower reaches of the freshwater area, E. melanosoma dispersed to the lower part of the tidally influenced area, and E. fusca dispersed upstream.     

Factors limiting the distribution of the annual legumeKummerowia striata in a river floodplain

The annual legumeKummerowia striata often predominates in river floodplains forming a large population, but it is rare in gravelly areas adjacent to it. In order to clarify the factors limiting the distribution ofK. striata, its distribution pattern, germination and survival of seeds sown artificially were studied in the floodplain of the Ohta River. There was a positive correlation between the cover value ofK. striata and the percentage of fine particles (<0.2 mm) in the soil. In the winter season, there was a number of seeds (up to 47 seeds 20 cm⁻²) on the ground where aK. striata population had existed in the previous year, but they were very sparse in areas apart from the population. Only a small proportion of seeds sown in the gravelly area germinated. Many of the germinated individuals died before the first leaf unfolded, but the rest survived to maturity despite repeated floodings. Plants germinated in the gravelly area and those inoculated with soil from the gravelly area bore nodules, showing the presence ofRhizobium in the gravelly area. It was concluded that the colonization ofK. striata in the gravelly area was limited by slow dispersal, and by a low percentage of germination and high mortality in the early stage of establishment.     

Population dynamics of Japanese serow in relation to social organization and habitat conditions. II. Effects of clear-cutting and planted tree growth on Japanese serow populations

Population responses of Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) to clear-cut logging and planted tree growth were studied by a direct count of the number observed in three areas, Takiyama (305 ha), Gentouziro (270 ha), and Tanokashira (324 ha), near Wakinosawa Village, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, during 1976–89. At Takiyama, a mature mixed forest ofThujopsis dolabrata var.hondai andFagus crenata decreased from 73 to 39% coverage of the area due to clear-cutting during 1978–83. The serow population maintained a relatively low stable density (3–6 individuals per km²) until 1985–87, and increased 5–10 years after the clear-cutting, reaching 9–10 km⁻² in 1988. At Gentouziro and Tanokashira, young plantations of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) covered about half of each area. The population densities between 1980 and 1983 were relatively high (14–19 km⁻²), but declined thereafter, reaching 10–14 km⁻² in 1988–89. These results indicated that the density increase resulted from an improvement of food supply due to growth of scrub following the clear-cutting, and that the density decline resulted from a habitat change due to growth of planted Japanese cedar and a decrease in the food supply. In Wakinosawa Village, serow density began to increase 5–10 years after forest cutting, and the high population density, about three- or six-fold larger than that in mature forest, is expected to be maintained for about 20 years after logging.     

Production and ecology of eelgrass (Zostera marinal L.) in the Grevelingen estuary,the Netherlands,before and after the closure

The Grevelingen estuary was cut off from the North Sea and from the influences of the river Rhine by a dam in 1971, and became a stagnant salt-water lake. Production and ecology ofZostera marina L. were studied in 1968 and in 1973–1975, both through standing stock estimations, biomass increases in permanent quadrats, and correlation of distribution patterns with ecological factors. After the closure of the estuary the intertidal eelgrass population extended downwards to 5 m below lake level, probably owing to the increased transparency of the water; the area occupied, and the density of the eelgrass beds increased strongly. Eelgrass annual overground production, based on doubled maximum standing crop values in July–August, was estimated at 50 g C/m² in 1968, 121 g C/m² in 1973 and 91 g C/m² in 1975 inZostera beds, and 4 g C/m² in 1968, 18 g C/m² in 1973 and 23 g C/m² in 1975 for the entire Grevelingen area. A minimum estimate of net production inZostera beds at a depth of 0.50–0.75 m, based on short term changes in biomass in 2 permanent quadrats in 1974 and 1975, was 40.5 g C/m²/yr for overground parts and 12.7 g C/m²/yr for underground parts. Horizontal distribution of celgrass is not primarily limited by grainsize distribution, but more by exposure to wave action and currents. On account of irradiance reduction light is a limiting factor in the vertical distribution of the eelgrass population in Lake Grevelingen. Communication no. 146 of the Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research, Yerseke, The Netherlands.     

Reproductive biology of the bigeye thresher shark,Alopias superciliosus (Lowe, 1839) (Chondrichthyes: Alopiidae), in the northwestern Pacific

Reproductive aspects ofAlopias superciliosus in the northwestern Pacific were described in detail, on the basis of 629 specimens (429 females and 200 males) collected from January 1984 to October 1984 and from October 1992 to March 1994.Alopias superciliosus embryos are oophagous. Six developmental stages (3 encapsulative and 3 posthatching) based on embryonic morphology and source of nutrition were recognized. The species bears 2 embryos per litter, their size at birth being between 135 and 140 cm TL. The sex ratio of embryos was 1∶1. Total length of females at maturity was 332–341. 1. cm; of males 270.1–287.6 cm. The gestation period could not be determined because most adult females were pregnant throughout the year. The typical reproductive strategy ofA. superciliosus is the production of a few large embryos per litter, with no fixed mating or birthing season.     

Co-occurrence of the cirolanid isopodEurydice nipponica Bruce & Jones and the ghost shrimpCallianasa japonica Ortmann on an intertidal sand flat

On a moderately protected intertidal sand flat in west Kyushu, Japan, most of the population of the cirolanid isopodEurydice nipponica Bruce & Jones (89%–100%) was found in the zones occupied by the thalassinidean ghost shrimpCallianassa japonica Ortmann in July, August and December 1980.C. japonica later extensively expanded its habitat, and in July 1984, when almost the whole sand flat had been densely populated byC. japonica, the range of the distribution ofE. nipponica was the same as that ofC. japonica with a density about 10 times greater than in July 1980. The occurrence ofE. nipponica has previously been recorded from several exposed sandy beaches as well as their adjacent subtidal areas of well oxygenated sands along the coast of Kyushu, but not on more protected shores like the present sand flat. It is suggested thatC. japonica, through its bioturbating activities, produces sediment characteristics approximating those of the exposed sandy beaches which are the preferred habitat ofE. nipponica. It is supposed thatE. nipponica is a facultative commensal ofC. japonica. In a field experiment to excludeC. japonica and to detect its positive influence onE. nipponica, the densities ofE. nipponica were found to be lower in the experimental plots than in the intact plots. Statistically, however, the difference was only weakly significant, and the possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Patterns of vegetation surrounding springs in Goshen Bay,Utah County,Utah U.S.A.

Saline meadows in Goshen Bay, Utah County, Utah, USA, occur interspersed among large areas of salt playa. Springs irrigate these meadows which show concentric vegetational zones surrounding each spring. Each vegetational zone demonstrates its own unique dominant vascular plant species. The central zone is dominated primarily by Scirpus americanus, the middle zone by Eleocharis palustris and the outer zone by Juncus balticus, Distichlis spicata and Muhlenbergia asperifolia. As distance increases from the springs, pH and soluble salt concentration increase, while percent organic matter, percent moisture and phosphorus decrease. With the increase in salt levels and decrease in water levels, halophytic plant species generally increase with distance from the springs.     

Attachment,colonization and proliferation ofAzospirillum brasilense andEnterobacter spp. on root surface of grasses

Root colonization studies, employing immunofluorescence and using locally isolated strains, showed thatEnterbacter sp. QH7 andEnterobacter agglomerans AX12 attached more readily to the roots of most plants compared withAzospirillum brasilense JM82. Heat treatment of either root or inoculum significantly decreased the adsorption of bacteria to the root surface. Kallar grass and rice root exudates sustained the growth ofA. brasilense JM82,Enterobacter sp. QH7 andE. agglomerans AX12 in Hoagland and Fahraeus medium. All the strains colonized kallar grass and rice roots in an axenic culture system. However, in studies involving mixed cultures,A. brasilense JM82 was inhibited byEnterobacter sp. QH7 in kallar grass rhizosphere and the simultaneous presence ofEnterobacter sp. QH7 andE. agglomerans AX12 suppressed the growth ofA. brasilense JM82 in rice rhizosphere. The bacterial colonization pattern changed from dispersed to aggregated within 3 days of inoculation. The colonization sites corresponded mainly to the areas where root mucigel was present. The area around the point of emergence of lateral roots usually showed maximum colonization.     

Groundwater-surface water ecotones at the upstream part of confluences in former river channels

Two slow flowing former channels of the Rhône River, which are supplied by nutrient-poor groundwater and subject to backflows of nutrient-rich water from the Rhone, were studied in order to demonstrate the occurrence of an ecotone located upstream to their confluences with the main channel. In one of the channels, the long-term stability of the boundary zone compared to the other sections was investigated by examining floristic changes over the period of a decade, demonstrating its high temporal stability compared to the adjacent systems. This stability is seen to be a result of both external and internal processes: backflows of river water rich in suspended sediment favour alluvial deposition of silt in the ecotone area, which in turn allows the growth of numerous hydrophyte species, many of which have specific environmental requirements. These macrophytes promote sediment retention and deposition (a positive feed-back mechanism), thus acting as a filter for the surface water flow. Finally, flash floods regularly scour fine sediment deposits and rejuvenate these areas on a patch by patch basis. The occurrence of boundary zones is demonstrated in the areas located upstream from the confluence in both channels under study. The seasonal chemical variability of the channels and the Rhone itself, as compared to the backflow area, was analysed using chemical variables that are influenced by water fluxes. The fluctuations of the chemical parameters of the boundaries are seen to be intermediate between those of the adjacent systems in one case and higher in the other. With reference to recent definitions in the scientific literature, the overall characteristics of these boundary areas lead us to conclude that they can be considered as ecotones between two water fluxes.     

Behavior and distribution of upstream-migrating juvenilerhinogobius sp. (The orange form)

Upstream-migration of juvenileRhinogobius sp. OR was studied along the Ado River, a tributary of Lake Biwa. Juvenile gobies, mainly 18–21 mm in standard length, migrated from the lake in a belt of about 3 m wide in lower reaches and about 10–20 cm wide in middler reaches. Their upstream-migration was restricted to places shallower than 20 cm with bottom current velocities less than 20 cm/sec. Individual migration speed varied between 4.2–8.9 m/min at places with bottom current velocity of 8.8–20.0 cm/sec, slowing down with increasing current velocity. Most active migration occurred between 14:00 and 16:00, number of upstream-migrating juveniles decreasing with distance from the river mouth. Riffles in the mid-and upper reaches, having few slow current areas, probably present barriers to upstream-migration of the juvenile gobies, although both adults and subadults of the species are distributed in more upper reaches.     

Upland interfluve (Doab) deposition: Alternative model to muddy overbank deposits

Summary Major alluvial plains contain large tracts of fine-grained muddy sediments, deposited away from the main river channels, which are mostly classed as overbank or floodplain deposits. Systematic study of the Ganga plain shows that such large tracts of deposition of muddy sediments are located several metres above the major channels, and are not flooded by overtopping of the major river channels. These surfaces are here designated as upland interfluve areas (Doab) where deposition of fine-grained sediments takes place independent of the processes operating in the main channels. The surfaces show distinct depositional domains with characteristic deposits. These include higher sloping surfaces (mottled silt), lower flat surfaces (variegated clayey silt), gulleys (sandy silt), small channels (mottled silty sand), ponds (shelly sandy clayey silt), lakes (shelly clayey silt). These deposits are prone to diagenetic changes, especially the development of calcrete horizons. Redistribution of these domains through time produces characteristic mud-dominant alluvial stratigraphy as observed in the Late Quaternary deposits of the Ganga plain. This succession shows similarity to mud-dominant deposits of the Siwalik succession. These Doab deposits are distinct from the overbank deposits formed close to the river channels affected by channel processes. It is argued that many of the thick mud-dominant fluvial deposits of the ancient fluvial record are products of deposition in upland interfluve areas.     

Predation byIridomyrmex humilis [Hym.: Formicidae] on eggs ofChrysoperla carnea [Neu.: Chrysopidae] released for inundative control ofIllinoia liriodendri [Hom.: Aphididae] infestingLiriodendron tulipifera

In an effort to suppress the tuliptree aphidIllinoia liriodendri (Monell), approximately 2,000 eggs ofChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) from a commercial insectary were released 4 times on each of 8 tuliptreesLiriodendron tulipifera L. in Berkeley, California, during the spring of 1984. On trees foraged by the Argentine antIridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), 98% of the eggs ofC. carnea were removed from the egg release tapes by the ants. A total of about 1,250 larvae per tree eclosed from the 8,000 eggs released on each tree without ants. Fifty percent of the larvae that did eclose died due to cannibalism or entrapment in the sticky egg release tapes and approximately 625 first instar larvae on each tree were free to forage for aphids. Inundative lacewing releases ofC. carnea did not suppress populations ofI. liriodendri due to ant predation, the low viability of commercial eggs (0–73% eclosion),

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Résumé Dans le but de limiter les populations du puceron du tulipierIllinoia liriodendri (Monell), 4 lachers d'environ 2.000 œufs de provenance commerciale deChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) ont été réalisés au cours du printemps 1984 sur 8 tulipiersLiriodendron tulipifera L., à Berkeley en Californie. cannibalism by emerged larvae, and inadequate release technology. Sur les arbres visités par la fourmi d'ArgentineIridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), 98% des œufs deC. carnea ont été enlevés du support artificiel par les fourmis. Sur les arbres exempts de fourmis, la mortalité de 50% des larves est due au cannibalisme ou à leur engluement sur le support de lacher. A partir de 8.000 œufs déposés sur chaque arbre sans fourmi, on aboutit à environ 625 larves de 1^er stade susceptibles de rechercher des pucerons. Les lachers inondatifs deC. carnea n'ont pas limité les populations d'I. liriodendri. Les raisons en sont: la consommation par les fourmis, une faible viabilité de la plus grande partie des œufs commercialisés (0–73% d'éclosions), une technique inadaptée pour le lacher des œufs et le cannibalisme par les larves elles-mêmes deC. carnea.

     

Growth of riparian cottonwoods: a developmental pattern and the influence of geomorphic context

Cottonwoods are poplars (Populus sp.) adapted to riparian (streamside) zones and an understanding of their growth within these zones will assist with river management for cottonwood conservation and in the recognition of superior parental genotypes for hybrid poplar breeding programs. In this study we analyzed cottonwood growth in native riparian zones and compared growth along three study reaches of the Oldman River in Alberta, Canada that differed in geomorphic context, particularly the extent that the river channel was constrained by steep banks and bedrock. We used dendrochronology to analyze trunk growth patterns, and measured annual radial increments (RI) and basal area increments (BAI) of 278 narrowleaf cottonwoods (P. angustifolia), black cottonwoods (P. trichocarpa), their intrasectional hybrids, and natural intersectional hybrids with prairie cottonwoods (P. deltoides). The trees displayed common growth patterns with four phases: (I) a 3–7-year establishment phase with RI of about 1–2 mm/year, (II) a growth acceleration phase of about 15 years with RI increasing to the (III) RI growth peak of about 3 mm/year, and then (IV) the mature growth phase with relatively constant BAI and progressively declining RI. This general pattern was consistent across study reaches but the durations and growth rates of the phases differed along with forest stand structure. Along the unconstrained alluvial reach with a broad floodplain and dynamic channel, extensive and dense forest groves occurred. This increased tree competition, as evidenced by reduced RI and BAI in the mature phase. In contrast, along a constrained reach trees were restricted to sparse, narrow bands and their increased growth rates in the mature phase probably reflected reduced competition. Cottonwoods along the intermediate reach demonstrated an intermediate combination of forest and growth characteristics. Genotypic effects were slight although P. angustifolia had reduced RI during the establishment phase. These results demonstrate that within native riparian zones cottonwoods display an inherent growth pattern that reflects the trees' life history, and that growth rates and transitions are influenced by the geomorphic context that influences forest structure.     

Vegetational changes on two eroding banks of a short-term regulated river reservoir in northern Sweden

This study deals with the vegetational changes and the course of erosion on two types of river banks bordering a river reservoir, in northern Sweden. The water-level has been short-term regulated since 1961, with an amplitude of about 3 m in the uppermost reaches of the reservoir and about 1 m furthest downstream. The pattern of regulation includes both a weekly and a daily rhythm. The banks of the river reservoir have been cut in fine-grained sediments. The two sites selected for study were (1) a formerly littoral area (2) a formerly dry-land area. Percentage cover and number of shoots were determined annually within belt transects subdivided into 10 times 10 cm quadrats, during the period 1977–1981.
The course of bank erosion was initiated and mainly continued by water movements. In the formerly littoral area, erosion proceeded only slowly, whereas in the formerly dry-land area erosion was rapid and the bank was continuously being undercut, leading to the formation of an overhanging mat of vegetation. As erosion progressed, this overhanging mat split up and slumped down into the reservoir. The vegetational changes on the overhang were considerable, while the terrace maintained a more stable vegetation cover. In the long-term, the composition of the vegetation on the former littoral river-bank remained more stable than on that cut into the former dry-land area. The break-up of the vegetation cover on the overhang also initiated secondary vegetational successions on the exposed soil. Considerable differences in the vegetation cover were also recorded from one year to the next. These differences were considered to be mainly due to differences in the rate and local course of erosion. Annual differences in the rhythm and/or amplitude of the fluctuations in water-level were considered to be less important in this respect.     

Revision of the genusgirella (girellidae) from east asia

The taxonomy of three species ofGirella from East Asian waters,G. punctata Gray, 1835,G. leonina (Richardson, 1846) andG. mezina Jordan & Starks, 1907, is reviewed and intraspecific (individual and ontogenic) variations detailed.Girella mezina is characterized by a very wide mouth and thick upper lip, the soft-rayed portion of the anal fin high and round, dorsal profile of the head abruptly slanting in front of the eyes in adults, a transverse yellow band on the body in life, and 3–4 rows of teeth along the outer jaw margins, the central cusp of each tooth being wider than the lateral cusps in adults.Girella punctata is characterized by usually 2 rows of teeth along the outer jaw margins, usually 7 transverse series of scales between the lateral line and median spinous portion of the dorsal fin (TRac), and usually 52–55 pored lateral line scales (LLp). The species is variable in body and caudal fin shape, extent of squamation on the opercular region, and number and position of dark spots on the scales. It also exhibits ontogenetic variation in the number of tooth-rows.Girella leonina is characterized by a conspicuously black opercular flap, essentially a single row of teeth along the outer jaw margins, usually 10–11 TRac and usually 59–64 LLp. Intraspecific variations were evident in the mouth position, scale condition and body color after death, and in the number of pores of cephalic lateral line canals. The holotype ofG. punctata, previously known only from a figure, is described for the first time.Girella melanichthys is synonymized underG. punctata with a lectotype designated for the former.