Synopsis of Research Activities

ABREU, TATIANA X. Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) (016) 602 3710; Ph.D. student in Departamento de Zoologia, IB - UNESP Botucatu. E-mail tatixando@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) PhD thesis on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genera Brachyplatystoma, Goslinia, Pseudoplatystoma, Platystomatichthys and Sorubim (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae); (2) description and phylogenetic interrelationships of a new species of blind pimelodid catfish from a cave in the State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil (w/R.M.C. Castro); (3) phylogenetic interrelationships of the genera of the subfamily Sorubiminae (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae).

ACERO P., A. Profesor Asociado Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Instituto de Ciencias Naturales), Apartado 1016 (INVEMAR), Santa Marta, COLOMBIA. Tel. (57-5)4211380, 4214413, 4214774, 4214775. FAX (57-5)4211377. e-mail aacero@u.arizona.edu

Current work: I am still working on my Ph.D. dissertation on the systematics and biogeography of the sea catfishes (Ariidae) of the New World, under the direction of Dr. J.G. Lundberg.

ÅHLANDER, ERIK I. Collection Manager, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Box 50007, S-104 05 Stockholm, SWEDEN. Tel X46-8-51954118; Fax X46-8-51954212; Email erik.ahlander@nrm.se

Current work: 1. Collection history of the Swedish Museum of Natural History; (2) cichlid fishes of the genus Laetacara.

AHNELT, HARALD Institut für Zoologie, Universität Wien, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Wien. AUSTRIA. Tel ++43-1-31336-1242; Fax ++43-1-31336-778; E-mail ahnelt@zoo.univie.ac.at

Current work: (1) Ecology and morphology of cave dwelling gobies (Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea (w/J. Herler, S. Scsepka, R.A. Patzner); (2) topography of the lateral-line system of gobies from the NE-Pacific; (3) continuing: morphological variations of Gasterosteus aculeatus (Gasterosteidae) in Austria (w/Ch. Bauer); (4) osteological features of Rastrineobola argentea (Cyprinidae) (w/E. Bauer).

AIBARA, MITSUTO Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail bara@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of Neolamprologus brevis (Cichlidae) in Lake Tanganyika, under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka & Associate Prof. K. Nakaya.

AL-HASSAN, L.A.J. School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND. Tel. (64) 9-533-7909; Fax (64) 9-373-7417; E-mail zainab@ihug.co.nz

Current work: I am engaged in a Ph.D. research program at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland. I shall study the phylogenetic relationship of the triplefin fishes of New Zealand based on morphological characters. I shall use meristic and morphometric characters, shapes of both scale and otolith, and finally some osteological characters. I would be much grateful to receive any suggestion or opinion from interested persons in the above mentioned fields of study. Some of my previous works in Republic of Yemen and Libya were published recently. A monthly article about the dangerous fishes of New Zealand will appear in New Zealand Fisherman.

ALLEN, GERALD R. Conservation International, 1 Dreyer Road, Roleystone, W.A. 6111, AUSTRALIA. Tel (61) 8 9427 2743; Fax (61) 8 9328 8686; email fish@multiline.com.au

Current work: (1) Taxonomic and biological studies of Indo-Pacific Apogonidae; (2) taxonomic studies of Indo-Pacific Pomacentridae; (3) freshwater fishes of New Guinea and northern Australia, particularly melanotaeniids and gobioids; (4) taxonomic studies of coral reef fishes of Australia and SE Asia; composition of outer slope and lagoon reeffish communities in the Indo- Australian Archipelago; (5) preparation of popular field guides to the fishes of Australia and SE Asia. Field work for 1998 will include marine surveys of northern Sumatra, Irian Jaya, and Papua New Guinea.

ALMEIDA, A. J. Professor, Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Secçao de Biologia Marinha. Faculdade de Ciências de Lisboa, C-2 P-1749-016 Lisboa, PORTUGAL. Tel (351) (1) 7573141; Fax (351) (1) 4869720; E-mail aalmeida@fc.ul.pt

Current work: (1) Systematic of Blenniidae; (2) Ichthyofauna of seagrass beds in Atlantic and Indian Ocean; (3) Ichthyofauna of deep-sea hydrothermal vent.

AMAOKA, KUNIO Professor, Lab. Mar. Zool., Fac. Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Minato-machi, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138-40-5538; Fax 138-40-5538; E-mail amaoka@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Systematics of flatfishes from Coral Sea (w/E. Mihara & J. Rivaton); (2) Bothidae and Paralichthyidae in: Western Central Pacific (WCP) living marine resources identification guide (w/D. Hensley); (3) FAO species catalogue, Bothidae and Paralichthyidae of the world (w/D. Hensley); (4) Taxonomy of larval and juvenile fishes in the northern North Pacific (w/K. Nakaya & M. Yabe); (5) Relationships of Rhombosoleidae (w/D. Hensley); (6) Relationships among genera of Scophthalmidae.

ANDERSON. M. ERIC Senior Ichthyologist, J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, SOUTH AFRICA. Tel 046-63-61002; Fax 046-62-22403; e-mail ihma@giraffe.ru.ac.za

Current work: (1) Still working on ceratioids of southern Africa region, now with 32 species (none new); (2) a new species of the macrourid genus Caelorinchus from the Indian Ocean, with Tomio Iwamoto; (3) review of Bothrocara (Zoarcidae) on hold until ceratioids are done; (4) chapters in P. Heemstra's (ed.) Guide to the Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean; (5) new records of Zoarcidae to the Antarctic, including many rare forms; (6) brief (8 year) foray into palaeoichthyology appears to be at a shut down phase with the recent emigration of 3 colleagues searching for better lives elsewhere.

ANDERSON, R. CHARLES Marine Biologist, Marine Research Section, H. Whitewaves, Malé, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES. Tel (+960) 327024; Fax (+960) 327024; E-Mail anderson@dhivehinet.net.mv

Current work: (1) New records and species of fishes from Maldives with several collaborators; (2) updating checklist of fishes of Chagos with Rick Winterbottom; (3) tuna, livebait and shark fisheries biology.

ANDERSON, WILLIAM D., Jr. Grice Marine Biological Laboratory, 205 Fort Johnson, Charleston, South Carolina 29412-9110, U.S.A. Tel 843 406-4028; Fax 843 406-4001; E-mail andersonwd@cofc.edu

Current work: (1) Review of Atlantic and eastern Pacific anthiine serranids (w/P.C. Heemstra); (2) description of a new species of Anthias (Serranidae) from the Galapagos (w/C.C. Baldwin); (3) examination of the evolution-creationism controversy as seen from an early 1920s perspective.

AQUINO, ADRIANA E. Post-doctoral Fellow, Dept. of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, U.S.A. Tel 212-769-5768; Fax 212-769-5642; E-mail aquino@amnh.org

Current work: (1) Revision of the genera Hypoptopoma and Oxyropsis (Loricariidae) (w/S. Schaefer); (2) eye-related anatomy (muscles, myodomes) among catfish and its phylogenetic value; (3) redescription of Bryconamericus eigenmanni within the framework of the revision of the Argentine species of the genus Bryconamericus (Characidae) (w/A. Miquelarena).

ARRATIA, GLORIA Institut für Paläontologie, Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt Universität, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, GERMANY. Tel (49) 30-2093-8579; Fax (49) 30-2093-8868; E-mail gloria.arratia@rz.hu-berlin.de

Current work: (1) Sister-group relationship of Teleostei and stem-group teleosts. Interrelationships of both fossil and extant clades; (2) evolutionary transformations of the vertebral column in certain actinopterygians (e.g., basal actinopterygians, basal neopterygians, Amiidae, Lepisosteidae, 'Pholidophoridae', 'Leptolepidae', Elopidae, Megalopidae, Osteoglossomorpha, Gonorynchidae, Cyprinidae and other ostariophysans, Engraulidae, Clupeidae, Denticipitidae, Esocidae, Umbridae, Salmonidae, and other teleosts); (3) finishing a manuscript (with the late Hugo Campos) on Chilean catfishes (Nematogenyidae, Trichomycteridae); (4) finishing a long manuscript on the development and structure of the vertebral column and associated elements of fossils and Recent dipnoans (w/J. Casciotta & H.-P. Schultze). The editing (w/H.P. Schultze) of the volume Mesozoic Fishes - Systematics and the Fossil Record is finished and the book is in press. The volume includes 36 papers dedicated mainly to fossil and Recent actinopterygians; it also presents a series of papers on new information of some important fish localities in the world.

AZPELICUETA, MARIA DE LAS M. Dept. of Vertebrate Zoology, Fac. de Cs. Naturales y Museo, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, ARGENTINA. Fax 54 21 530189; E-mail azpeli@netverk.com.ar (or azpeli@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar)

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna of rivers and streams of Misiones; (2) osteology of some species of Pimelodus; (3) generic revision of the genus Iheringichthys; (4) phylogeny of Diplomystidae.

BALART, E.F. Senior Scientist, Div. de Biología Marina, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Apdo. Postal 128, La Paz, Baja California Sur, MÉXICO 23000. Tel (112) 53633 ext. 144; Fax (112) 53625; E-mail ebalart@cibnor.mx.

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna of the continental shelf of Baja California, Mexico (w/J.L. Castro Aguirre); (2) taxonomy and ecology of Bahia de La Paz fishes (w/O. Aburto, G. Rios-Paredes & J.L. Castro-Aguirre); (3) osteology and development of Rhinobatidae (w/J. Gonzalez & C. Villavicencio).

BANARESCU, PETRU M. Institute of Biology, Lab. Animal Taxonomy, Str. Frumoasa No. 31/B, RO.78114 Bucuresti, ROMANIA.

Current work: (1) Freshwater fishes of Europe, v. 5 I published at the end of this year: in v. 5 II some modification on the chapters of various Barbus species are necessary and short chapters on three introduced species will be added; (2) with T. Nalbant: a paper on the biometry of Sabanejewia aurata aurata from Araxes River, Anatolia; (3) with C. Tesio: electrophoretical analysis on the Sabanejewia aurata subspecies and intergrading populations in Romania.

BARMAN, R.P. Assistant Zoologist and Officer-in-charge of Marine Fish Section, Zoological Survey of India, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Calcutta-7000 016, INDIA. Fax 91 33 400 6893

Current work: (1) Continuing the systematic studies on the marine and estuarine fish fauna of Tamil Nadu, South India; (2) submitted for publication the manuscript on the marine and estuarine fish fauna of Andhra Pradesh, South India. I was away from my institution to Antarctica for almost 5 months from last week of November, 1997 to first week of April, 1998 in connection with our on-going institutional research project entitled "Exploration of the faunal diversity and ecology of the moss-inhabiting terrestrial invertebrate fauna of Schirmacher Oasis, east Antarctica". The preliminary results so far received shows the presence of the groups, such as Protozoa, Nematoda, Rotifera, Mites, Collembola and Tardigrates.

BARREIROS, JOAO P. Assistant Professor, Dpt. of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Azores, 9701-851 Angra do Heroísmo, PORTUGAL. Tel (095) 204563/40; Fax (095) 332605; E-mail jpedro@angra.uac.pt

Current work: (1) PhD thesis student, under supervision of Dr. Ricardo Serrao Santos, on pelagic coastal predators (Perciformes, Carangidae, Pomatomidae, Sphyraenidae and Scombridae) of the Azores; (2) behaviour, ontogeny and phenology of Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834) (Serranidae: Epinephelinae): an anfiatlantic perspective; (3) littoral fishes of Sao Tomé e Princípe (Gulf of Guinea): an annotated checklist.

BARRULL, JOAN Lab. Vertebrats, Secció Ictiologia, Museu de Zoologia de Barcelona, Apartat de Correus 593, E-08080 Barcelona, Catalonia, SPAIN. Tel 34-3-3196912; Fax 34-3-3104999; E-mail jbarrull@pie.xtec.es

Current work: (1) Computer compilation of the catalog by the Zoological Museum Ichthyologic Collection (w/M. Bueno); (2) continuation of the general study about captures and sales of the Catalonian Sea sharks (w/I. Mate); (3) compilation of database and bibliography about shark species in our area of study (w/I. Mate).

BATH, HANS D-66953 Pirmasens, Luisenstr. 45, GERMANY.

Current work: Tribus Parablenniini and Salriini (Blenniidae). Long-range studies of osteology.

BELLWOOD, DAVID R. Senior Lecturer, Marine Biology Department, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, AUSTRALIA. Tel (+61) 07 47814447; Fax (+61) 07 47251570; E-mail David.Bellwood@jcu.edu.au

Current work: (1) Evolution of reef fishes. Studies continue with work on the Eocene fishes of Monte Bolca in Italy (the earliest record of most 'reef fish' families). A description of the second Eocene pomacentrid is in prep. In collaboration with several colleagues I plan to extended this fossil work to cover additional sites back to the Devonian; (2) functional morphology and biogeography of the Labridae inc. Scaridae (w/P.C. Wainwright & M. Westneat); looking at the morphology and kinematics of feeding and locomotion in wrasses combining lab and field observations; (3) biology of reef fish larvae. With a number of graduate students (Job, Fisher) we have established a larval rearing programme (primarily pomacentrids and apogonids) which provides larvae for analyses of developmental schedules. The emphasis is on functional morphology and performance testing in relation to swimming and sensory abilities; (4) additional projects include: bioerosion on coral reefs, revision of Amblygobius (w/Bates, Larson), herbivory on coral reefs (w/Wilson, Elliott), ecology of the Apogonidae (w/ Marnane).

BELTRAN-LEON, BEATRIZ SUSANA Coordinadora Ictioplancton. Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura INPA, Programa de Pesca VECEP, Apartado Aereo 10742, Buenaventura, COLOMBIA. Tel. 57 (2) 2418892; Fax 57 (2) 2418891; E-mail vecepbun@col2.telecom.com.co

Current work: (1) Ichthyoplankton of Clupeiformes (Engraulidae and Clupeidae); (2) ichthyoplankton of demersal fishes; (3) ichthyoplankton of Malpelo and Gorgona Island; (4) study of indicators of the "El Niño" phenomenon; (5) revision of the deep fishes of the Pacific coast of Colombia.

BENINE, RICARDO C. Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) (016) 602 3710; M.Sc. student in Departamento de Zoologia, IB - UNESP Botucatu. E-mail rbenine@netsite.com.br

Current work: (1) MSc dissertation on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Gymnocorymbus (Characidae, Tetragonopterinae); (2) description and phylogenetic studies of a new genus and species of Bramocharax - like tetragonopterin from the upper Paraíba do Sul River, Sao Paulo, Brazil (w/R.M.C. Castro & N.A. Menezes); (3) taxonomy of the genus Ctenobrycon (w/ L. Casatti); (4) description and phylogenetic studies of a new species of Glandulocauda (Characiformes, Glandulocaudinae) from the upper Paraná River basin, State of Sao Paulo (w/R.M.C. Castro, A. C. Ribeiro & A. Melo).

BIANCO, PIER GIORGIO Associate Professor, Dipartimento di Zoologia, Via Mezzocannone 8, I-80134 Napoli, ITALY. Tel +39 081 7903349; Fax +39 081 7903342; E-mail gibianco@ds.unina.it

Current work: (1) Genetic, citotaxonomy and morphological revision of cyprinids from southern Europe in collaboration with colleagues from several peri-Mediterranean countries; (2) a paper in collaboration with Frank Nordlie on salinity tolerance of Valencia letourneuxi (Valencidae) and Pseudophoxinus stymphalicus (Cyprinidae) has been submitted for publication; (3) elaboration of chapters for "The Freshwater Fishes of Europe" (edited by Aula- VERLAG, Wiesbaden); (4) the proceedings of the Ninth International Congress of European Ichthyologists, held in Trieste, August 1997, are edited and would be ready for distribution on December 1998- January 1999 (see also announcement); (5) I hope to restart and to complete my revision on Characidae of the genus Micralestes from Africa on 1999.

BOHLKE, EUGENIA B. Research Associate, Department of Ichthyology. Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1195, U.S.A. Tel. 215 299-1025; Fax 215 299-1028; email bohlke@say.acnatsci.org.

Completed manuscript on the Muraenidae of Hawaii (w/J.E. Randall) and submitted for publication. Currently (1) writing descriptions of several new Indo-Pacific morays; (2) working on the update for the Muraenidae for FAO western Atlantic species sheets; (3) writing up the morays of the Indian Ocean for the western Indian Ocean book; (4) continuing descriptions and identification of moray types as I get to see them.

BRADBURY, MARGARET G. Prof. Biology Emerita, Dept. Biology, San Francisco State Univ., San Francisco, CA 94132, U.S.A. Present address: Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, P.O. Box 450, Moss Landing, CA 95039-0450. Tel (831)626-3573; Fax (831)753-2826; E-Mail bradbury@mlml.calstate.edu

Continued work on the systematics of Ogcocephalidae, this year completing (1) a review of Dibranchus with a spin-off description of a new eastern Pacific genus; (2) a description of a new Malthopsis from the western Atlantic; (3) with J.E. McCosker and D. J. Long, a paper on the ogcocephalids of the Galapagos Islands with descriptions of two new species of Dibranchus. Currently (4) assisting W. Richards on the ogcocephalid chapter for his guide to early life history stages of fishes of the western central North Atlantic; (5) assisting W. Watson to produce a chapter on Indo-Pacific larval ogcocephalids for J.M. Leis and colleagues in a revision of his books on larvae of Indo-Pacific fishes. I plan to return to a review of Halieutichthys when possible.

BRIGGS, JOHN C. Adjunct Professor, Museum of Natural History, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, U.S.A. Tel (706) 353-1945; Fax (706) 546-8621.

Current work: Papers under review include (1) Modes of speciation: Marine Indo-West Pacific; (2) Extinction and replacement in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean and (3) Coincident biogeographic patterns: Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Am writing a science fiction book set in late Cretaceous time; it may or may not be publishable.

BRITTO, MARCELO R. Ph.D Student. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociencias, Rua do Matao, Travessa 14, n 101, CEP 05508-900, Sao Paulo, SP, BRAZIL. Tel 55 11 818-7511 (lab. 126); Fax 55 11 818-7513; E-mail mrbritto@ib.usp.br Please note new address above.

Current work: (1) Finishing manuscript with a phylogeny of the subfamily Corydoradinae (Callichthyidae) derived from my Master thesis; (2) description of a new species of Corydoras (Callichthyidae) (w/W.J.E.M. Costa); (3) redescription of Aspidoras virgulatus (Callichthyidae) (w/W.J.E.M. Costa); (4) description of a new species of Otocinclus (Loricariidae) (w/C. Moreira & W.J.E.M. Costa); (5) begining my Ph.D. thesis with relationships of superfamily Loricarioidea with other Siluriformes (Siluriformes) (advisor: M.C.C. de Pinna).

BRITZ, RALF Assistant Professor, Lehrstuhl fuer Spezielle Zoologie, Universitaet Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tuebingen, GERMANY. Tel 0049 (0) 7071 2974850; Fax 0049 (0) 7071 294634; E-mail ralf.britz@uni-tuebingen.de

Current work: (1) Studies on the phylogenetic relationships of Anabantoidei, Channoidei, Nandidae, Badidae, Pristolepidae, Synbranchidae, Mastacembelidae, Chaudhuriidae; (2) osteology of Chaudhuriidae (w/M. Kottelat); (3) larval attachment organs in teleosts; (4) egg surface structure and larval attachment organs in Anabantidae (w/J. Cambray); (5) development of Erpetoichthys; (6) taxonomic revision of Badis (w/S. Kullander); (7) osteological development of Osteoglossomorpha and Ostariophysi; (8) development and phylogenetic placement of Indostomus.

BRZOBOHATY, R. Professor, Dept. Geol. Paleontol., Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, CZECH REPUBLIC. Tel 420 05 411 29 251; Fax 425 412 112 14; E-mail rosta@sci.muni.cz

Current work: (1) Revision of Neogene Diaphus otoliths of Europe (w/D. Nolf).

BURRIDGE, CHRISTOPHER P. Postgraduate student, School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252-05, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AUSTRALIA. Tel 61 (0)3 6226 1826; Fax 61 (0)3 6226 2745; e-mail Chris.Burridge@utas.edu.au

PhD Project: Molecular systematics and population genetics of cirrhitoid fishes (Teleostei: Percoidei: Cirrhitoidea). This group comprises five families: Cirrhitidae, Chironemidae, Aplodactylidae, Cheilodactylidae, Latridae. My project can be divided as follows: (1) molecular systematics of cirrhitoid species using mitochondrial DNA sequences. Taxonomic uncertainties at all levels will be addressed, and the biogeography of these species examined. Work on the aplodactylids, cheilodactylids, and latrids is essentially complete. Molecular systematic work on cirrhitids and chironemids will complement morphological and ecological studies conducted by others (T. Donaldson, R. Meléndez, J. Randall); (2) population genetics of Nemadactylus macropterus (Cheilodactylidae) using DNA microsatellites. This study will provide information on the utility of DNA microsatellites in comparison with protein electrophoretic and mtDNA RFLP techniques when applied to marine species with potentially high dispersal capabilities. Expected completion date is August 1999. My supervisor is Dr. Robert White.

BUSBY, MORGAN S. Research Fishery Biologist , National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bin #C15700, Building 4, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 U.S.A. Tel 206 526-4113 or 4126; Fax 526-6723; E-mail mbusby@afsc.noaa.gov

Current Work: (1) Taxonomy of larval and adult snailfishes in the genera Liparis and Paraliparis (family Liparidae) in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea; (2) range extension of Howella sherborni (family Acropomatidae) to the Aleutian Islands (w/J. Orr); (3) a historical account of advancements in ichthyoplankton taxonomy in the N.E. Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea over the past 25 years (w/several others); (4) osteological development of Theragra chalcogramma (family Gadidae) (w/A. Brown); (5) identification of juvenile gadids and other young fishes from the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea; (6) spawning and development of eggs and larvae of the bigmouth sculpin Hemitripterus bolini (family Hemitripteridae) (w/D. Blood & D. Nichol).

CAILLIET, GREGOR M. Professor, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, P.O. Box 450, Moss Landing, CA 95039, U.S.A. Tel (831) 755-8670; Fax (831) 753-2826; E-Mail cailliet@mlml.calstate.edu

I am mainly a fish ecologist, studying the age, growth, reproduction, habitat utilization, and recruitment processes of marine and estuarine fishes in Monterey Bay and along the west coast of North America. Using ROVs, submersibles, and nets, we have sampled deep demersal fishes off the Farallon Islands, in Monterey Submarine Canyon, and along the Big Sur coast (Big Creek Ecological Reserve). We have completed ichthyoplankton and oceanography studies on rockfishes in Monterey Bay. We continue to work on radiometric age validation of deep-sea rockfishes and rattails, with two additional projects on Chesapeake Bay sturgeon and Florida tarpon recently completed. I also sample fishes in central California habitats: estuaries, sandy and rocky shores, near-shore soft bottoms, and deep sea. In addition, I am involved in a two-year survey of the shark and ray fishing camps in the Gulf of California. I teach courses in Marine Ecology, Ichthyology, Population Biology and Marine Fisheries.

CAMPOS-DA-PAZ, RICARDO Laboratorio de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia/CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Ilha do Fundao - Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21941-590, BRASIL. E-mail rcpaz@acd.ufrj.br

For additional informations, please see previous issues of NSI describing major works being developed on the taxonomy and systematics of the families Electrophoridae, Gymnotidae, and some genera belonging to the Apteronotidae and Hypopomidae (Gymnotiformes: Ostariophysi).

CAPPETTA, HENRI Laboratoire de Paléontologie, ISEM, Université Montpellier II, Cc 064, Place Eugène Bataillon 34095, Montpellier Cedex 5, FRANCE. Tel (33) 04 67 14 32 64; Fax (33) 04 67 14 36 10; E-Mail cappetta@isem.univ-montp2.fr

Current work: (1) short to long term studies include Cretaceous and Tertiary elasmobranch faunas collected in the phosphate deposits of Morocco, Western Africa and Middle-East; (2) a study of the Middle Eocene elasmobranch fauna from the Tallahatta Fm., Alabama (USA, in collaboration with G.R. CASE et al.); (3) different studies on Cretaceous and Tertiary faunas from Europe; (4) studies on the dentition of Recent Dasyatoidea, mainly dasyatids and urolophids, (in collaboration with different people).

CARPENTER, KENT E. Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 23529-0266, U.S.A. Office voice (757) 683-4197; Fax (757) 683-5283; email kcarpent@odu.edu

Current work: (1) Revisionary work on Lethrinidae, Sparidae, and Caesionidae continues; (2) continuing phylogenetic studies of sparid genera using osteology and DNA sequences together with T. Orrell at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences; (3) examining molecular phylogenies of Caesionidae, Lutjanidae, and Lethrinidae with ODU graduate students; (4) continuing work on two FAO living marine resources field guides, one for Myanmar, and one revision of the Namibia guide; (5) continuing to edit manuscripts for FAO identification guide for the Western Central Pacific with the first two volumes already printed and two more volumes (through the Carangidae) going to the printers at the end of 1998; (6) starting to receive manuscripts for a revision of the FAO identification guide for the Western Central Atlantic.

CARVALHO, MARCELO R. de Dept. of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, U.S.A. Tel 212-769-5664; Fax: 212-769-5642; e-mail marcelo@amnh.org

Current work: Full time devotion to completion of PhD thesis (revision of the electric ray genus Narcine). Anticipated completion date is February or March 1999. Other projects listed in previous versions will be completed after thesis is done.

CASATTI, LILIAN Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) (016) 602 3710; Ph.D. student in Departamento de Zoologia, IB - UNESP Botucatu. E-mail licasatti@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) PhD thesis on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the South American freshwater Sciaenidae; (2) ecomorphology of the headwaters rapids fishes from Southeastern Brazil (w/R.M.C. Castro); (3) taxonomy of the genus Ctenobrycon (w/R.C. Benine).

CASCIOTTA, JORGE R. Dept. Zoologia Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque, 1900 La Plata, ARGENTINA. E-mail jrcas@museo.fcynm.unlp.edu.ar

Current work: (1) study of the freshwater fishes from La Plata basin; (2) I will continue with systematic studies on Argentinean Miocene freshwater fishes (w/A. Cione and M. Azpelicueta).

CASTLE, PETER H. Associate Professor of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6000, NEW ZEALAND. Tel 64 4 472 1000 x 8135; Fax 64 4 471 5331 E-mail peter.castle@vuw.ac.nz

Current work: Waiting for proofs of (1) new garden eel from eastern Pacific; (2) precocious ovarian development of ilyophine leptocephali (w/D. Smith); (3) Bathycongrus revision (w/D. Smith); sent ms. on revue of garden eels (w/J. Randall); revising ms. on new Indo-Pacific ophichthid genus (w/J. McCosker); finishing ms. on Lipogenys record from s.w. Pacific (w/J. Paxton). Will try to finish mss. on ORSTOM central Pacific leptocephali and on Agulhas Current leptos sometime in 1999 after I retire from Victoria University in February, but keeping other options open (studied indolence is a possibility). Thanks to those who have helped me with info, accommodated me, and generally supported me and my eel work over many years. Best wishes to all.

CASTRO, RICARDO M.C. Docente, Laboratório de Ictiologia, Depto de Biologia, FFCLRP - Universidade de SÀo Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14040-901, Ribeirao Prêto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (016) 602-3817; Fax (016) 602-366; E-Mail rmcastro@ffclrp.usp.br

Current Research: (1) phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of the family Prochilodontidae; (2) description and phylogenetic relationships of a new species of blind pimelodid catfish from a cave in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brasil (w/Tatiana X. de Abreu); (3) revision and phylogenetic studies of Rhamdiopsis Haseman (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) (w/Flávio A. Bockmann & Carlos R.S.F. Bizerril); (4) ecomorphology of the fishes from the headwaters of the Sao Francisco River, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil; (5) description and phylogenetic studies of a new species of Glandulocauda (Characiformes, Glandulocaudinae) from the upper Paraná River basin, State of Sao Paulo (w/A.C. Ribeiro, R.C. Benine & A. Melo); (6) description and phylogenetic studies of a new genus and species of a Bramocharax - like tetragonopterin from the upper Paraíba do Sul River, State of Sao Paulo (w/Ricardo C. Benine & Naercio A. Menezes); (7) description of a new Brycon species from the upper Mucuri River, State of Minas Gerais (w/ Flávio C.T. Lima); (8) survey of the marine fishes from a small stretch of protected coastal line of the state of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil (w/F.B. Santos) (2, 3, 7 and 8 completed and in the manuscript writing stage).

CASTRO-AGUIRRE, JOSE LUIS Professor and Senior Scientist. Depto. de Pesquerías y Biologí Marina. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, I.P.N. Apdo. Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23001 MEXICO Tel (112) 2 5322/2 5366, ext. 2440; Fax: (112) 25344. E-mail jlcastro@vmredipn.ipn.mx

Current work: (1) Reviewing the proofs of the new book entitled "Ictiofauna estuarino-lagunar y vicaria de México" (the new and updated version of my 1978 book on the coastal lagoon and estuarine fish species of México). It will be published by Limusa Editores, S.A. perhaps by March or April, 1999; (2) studying specimens of Golfo de México angel sharks (genus Squatina) belonging to an apparently new species (w/H. Espinosa Pérez & Leticia Huidobro-Campos); (3) preparing a systematic catalogue of Mexican shark species (w/same colleagues); (4) preparing miscelaneous papers on several fish species (Baja California records of some tropical gobies and ecological and geographical status of Fundulus lima in Baja California Sur (w/Dr. G. Ruíz-Campos).

CHEN, XIAO-YONG Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Inst. of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel 86 871-5196361; Fax 86 871-5191823; E-mail chenxy@mail.kiz.ac.cn

Current work; (1) Phylogeny and speciation of the indigenous fishes of Erhai Lake, Dali, Yunnan (thesis project, advisor: Dr. Yang, J.-X.); (2) phylogeny and zoogeography of genus Barbodes Bleeker (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan, China, with the descriptions of two new species from upper Irrawaddy and upper Salween; (3) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Spinibarbus Bleeker (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan; (4) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Cyprinus Linnaeus (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan; (5) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Schizothorax (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan; (6) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Paracobitis (Cobitidae) in Yunnan. I participated in the Chinese-American Joint Expedition to Gaoligongshan in 1998. I am interested in Barbinae, Cyprininae, and Schizothorax fishes, especially those species occurring in lower Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong and Red River.

COAD, BRIAN W. Research Scientist, Canadian Museum of Nature, P. O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA K1P 6P4. Tel (613) 364-4067; Fax (613) 364-4027; E-mail bcoad@mus-nature.ca

Current work: (1) Systematics of Iranian freshwater fishes, mostly cyprinids; a bibliography on Iranian freshwater fishes is at www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/1345 courtesy of Y. Keivany; (2) systematics of Canadian fishes, particularly rare and endangered cyprinids and catostomids.

COHEN, DANIEL M. Deputy Director Research and Collections Emeritus, LACM; Research Associate, C.A.S. Present address: P.O. Box 192, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, U.S.A. Tel (707) 875-9285; E-mail danielco@bcf.usc.edu OR acohen@neteze.com

Completed work on sections of FAO guide to ophidiiforms jointly with J. Nielsen. C.R. Robins and D. Markle are also involved.

COLLETTE, BRUCE B. Senior Scientist, National Marine Fisheries Service National Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. 20560-0153, U.S.A. Tel (202)357-2524; Fax (202)357-1896; E-mail mnhvz017@sivm.si.edu

Current work: (1) Sections on Belonidae and Hemiramphidae for Fishes of the western North Atlantic; (2) revision and up-dating of Bigelow and Schroeder's "Fishes of the Gulf of Maine" (w/G. Klein- MacPhee); (3) FAO world catalogue of beloniform fishes (w/N.V. Parin); (4) phylogeny of the Belonidae (w/N. Lovejoy - we need tissue samples from sauries and needlefishes for molecular analysis!); (5) revision of halfbeaks of the genus Zenarchopterus; (6) sexual dimorphism in the southeast Asian freshwater needlefish, Xenentodon (w/M. Kottelat); (7) hybridization between Cephalopholis fulva and Paranthias furcifer in Bermuda (w/J. Graves & B. Luckhurst); (8) faunal study of the fishes of the West Wind Drift islands and sea mounts; (9) hermaphroditism in Serranus novemcinctus (w/C. Roberts); (10) redescription of the eastern Pacific sand lance Bleekeria gilli; and (11) continued participation in development of ITIS, the Intergrated Taxonomic Information System (URL: http://www.itis.usda.gov/itis). Long-range studies continue on the systematics of the Scombridae, Belonidae, and Hemiramphidae.

CRAIG, MATTHEW T. Vantuna Research Group, Moore Lab. Zoology and Department of Biology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041, U.S.A. Tel (323) 259-2956; Fax (323) 259-2887; E-mail craig@oxy.edu

Current research: (1) Phylogeny of the new world groupers, Epinephelus, Cephalopholis, Dermatolepis, and allied genera: Comparative morphology and mtDNA sequence analysis (Masters thesis under Dr. John C. Hafner, Dept. of Biology, Occidental College); (2) life history of the eastern Pacific groupers.

DE LA CRUZ-AGUERO, JOSE Curator of fishes. Ichthyological collection. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN). Apartado Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, MEXICO 23000. Tel (112) 2-53-44; Fax (112) 2-53-22; E-mail jcruz@vmredipn.ipn.mx and coleict@vmredipn.ipn.mx

Current work: (1) Taxonomy and systematics of the species of the gerreid genus Eucinostomus (2) description of a new species of Hoplunnis (Nettastomatidae) from the eastern Pacific and Chaenopsis (Chaenopsidae) from Scammon Lagoon, B.C.S. Mexico; (3) report of the ichthyofauna from Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico and El Conchalito, B.C.S. Mexico.

DeGRAVELLE, MARTIN J. Graduate student (Advisor - Kent Carpenter), Dept. of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A. Tel (757) 683-3481; E-mail mdegr001@odu.edu

Current work: (1) Revision of the genus Selene (Family Carangidae) using morphological and molecular characters, and testing placement of Carangoides otrynter (Family Carangidae); (2) revision of the Family Carangidae with Dr. Bill Smith-Vaniz in the FAO Species Identification Sheets for Fishery Purposes - Western Central Atlantic. Long range studies include further systematic work with the carangids (perhaps Carangoides) using multiple data sets.

del CERRO, LLUIS Associated Scientist, Grup d'Ictiologia Marina (GIM), Dept. de Recursos Marins Renovables, Institut de Ciêncies del Mar (CSIC), 08039 Barcelona, CATALONIA-Spain. Tel. (34) 932.21.64.16; Fax. (34) 932.21.73.40; E-Mail lluisdc@icm.csic.es

Current work: (1) Study of the Triglidae of the Vanuatu Islands (w/D. Lloris). The field work is already done and we are preparing the manuscript; (2) phylogeny of the genus Trigla.

DELLING, BO PhD student, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, POB 50007, S-104 05 Stockholm, SWEDEN. Tel +46-8-666 4240; Fax +46-8-666 4212; E-Mail bo.delling@nrm.se; Tel +46-8-5195 4114, Fax +46-8-5195 4212.

Current work: (1) Continued work on geographic variation in the cottid genus Triglopsis; (2) a systematic revision of the salmonid genus Salmo.

DERIJST, EDDY Aquariumwereld B.B.A.T. Werfstraat 6, B-9500 Geraardsbergen, BELGIUM. Tel & Fax +32 54.58.93.59 (& I.R.S.N.B. Div. Ichthyology, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000, Brussels). E-mail Eddy.Derijst@village.uunet.be

Current work: Same as past year, but in slow progress due to personal home activities. Several notes on nomenclature will be presented to the Int. Nom. Comm.

DIDIER, DOMINIQUE A. Assistant Curator of Ichthyology, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19103, U.S.A. Tel (215) 299-1152; Fax 215-299-1028; E-mail didier@say.acnatsci.org

Current work: (1) Description of 12 new species of chimaeroid fishes and taxonomic revision of the Order Chimaeriformes; (2) biogeography and phylogeny of chimaeroid fishes; and (3) embryonic development of chondrichthyan fishes. Recent travel includes a JSPS fellowship to the Laboratory of Marine Zoology, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Japan, and an invited fellowship to the MNHN in Paris. Future travel includes visits to the collections in London and Hamburg. Preliminary data is being collected for a molecular analysis of chimaeroid fishes. Please send any tissues (in 70% ethanol or frozen) if you have them, thanks.

DINGERKUS, G. Director, Natural History Consultants, Inc., 90 Woodhill Drive, #3, Goshen, New York 10924-1409, U.S.A. Tel (914) 294-8776.

Current work: Together with T.A. Georgi of Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, I have been working on a revised and updated version of "The bibliography of paddlefishes, family Polyodontidae. Including all Recent and fossil forms known." which should be out about the end of this year. With Weldon Owen Publishing of Australia, I have been working on a revised and updated version of "Sharks," which should be out about the end of this year. Otherwise, current work continues on finishing various chondrichthyan systematic projects; and work continues on conservation and aquaculture of endangered species.

DITTY, JIM Manager, Taxonomy and Ecology Lab, Fish Ecology Section, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, Texas 77551, U.S.A. Lab phone (409) 766-3550; Fax (409) 766-3508; E-mail fishlarvae@aol.com and/or jim.ditty@noaa.gov (after January 1, 1999).

Current work: (1) Completing dissertation (Aug., 1999) on the role of phylogeny and ecology on ontogeny of blenny larvae (Blenniidae) from the Gulf of Mexico; (2) completing sections on larval lobotids (Lobotidae), rachycentrids (Rachycentridae), and Hapalogenys spp for Jeff Leis's new book `The Larvae of Indo-Pacific Reef and Shore Fishes'; (3) working on clupeid (Clupeidae) and synodontid (Synodontidae) sections for Bill Richard's `Guide to the identification of the early life stages of fishes from the western central Atlantic'. Note change of address from: Coastal Fisheries Institute, CCEER, Wetland Resources Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. 70893, effective January 1, 1999.

DONALDSON, TERRY J. Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923 U.S.A. Tel (671) 735-2176 or (671) 646-7637; Fax (671) 734-6767; E-mail tdnaldsn@ite.net

Current work: historical ecology, behavior and zoogeography of hawkfishes (Cirrhitidae); revision of the Cirrhitidae (w/J.E. Randall & C. Burridge); historical ecology, behavior and zoogeography of sandperches (Pinguipedidae) (w/A. Nakazono & C. Burridge); new records of fishes of the Palau Is. (w/R.F. Myers & H. Nagano); annotated checklist of fishes of the Palau Is. (w/R.F. Myers, J.E. Randall, H. Nagano, R. Pyle, etc.); life history strategies of insular freshwater fishes, especially from the Palau Is. (w/Y. Golbuu); life history strategies, and reproductive ecology and behavior of epinepheline groupers (Serranidae) (w/A. Nakazono). Work on hawkfish book continues. Organizing a symposium on "Biodiversity of Pacific Ocean Fishes" for the XIXth Pacific Science Congress, Sydney (July 1999)- see separate announcement. I continue to maintain research affiliations with the Department of Fisheries, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan and the Tatsuo Tanaka Memorial Biological Station, Miyake-jima, Japan.

EAKIN, RICHARD R. Professor of Biology, Dept. of Life Sciences, University of New England, Westbrook College Campus, Portland, Maine 04103 U.S.A. Tel (207) 797-7261 (ext. 4284); Fax 207 797-7225; E-mail reakin@mailbox.une.edu

Current work: Continuing study of notothenioid fishes (1) genus Pogonophryne (w/A.V. Balushkin); (2) family Artedidraconidae (w/J.T. Eastman); (3) family Bathydraconidae (w/R. Williams). Joe Eastman presented a poster on our recent artedidraconid work at the VII SCAR International Biology Symposium in Christchurch, NZ, 31 Aug. - 4 Sept. 1998. I plan a sabbatical in Spring 2000 to work with Eastman at Ohio University on morphology of selected notothenioid species.

ECONOMIDIS, PANOS STAVROS, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Zoology, Box 134, GR-54006 Thessaloniki, GREECE. Tlx 412181 AUTH GR; Fax + 30-31-99.82.79; Tel + 30-31-99.82.65 & -99.82.79; E-mail PSECON @ BIO. AUTH. GR

Current work: Continuation of those referred in Newsletter of 1997: (1) Critical revision on endemic fresh water fish; (2) action plan for protection of endemic fish species of Greece; (3) some new endemic freshwater fish taxa; (4) contribution to the Handbook Freshwater Fishes Europe, Aula Verlag, and (5) new records of marine fish from Greek Seas.

ELVIRA, BENIGNO Professor, Department of Animal Biology I, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, SPAIN. Tel. +34 91 3944946; Fax +34 91 3944947; E-mail belvira@eucmax.sim.ucm.es

Current work: (1) Researches on the taxonomy and biogeography of the Iberian freshwater fishes; (2) projects on conservation of Spanish freshwater fishes.

ESCHMEYER, WILLIAM N. Department of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118 U.S.A. Tel (415) 750-7049; Fax (415) 750-7148; E-mail weschmeyer@calacademy.org

Current work: The "Catalog of Fishes" was published, and I resumed data entry to update the database, and I expect to do this for much of 1999. There were of course many errors, and I am finding many of these. We expect to prepare an updated internet version and CD in 1999. The current internet gopher version (the same as the printed volumes) (http://www.calacademy/research/ichthyology) was "down" for much of the fall of 1998, but it is now working. I am preparing a paper on the statistics of ichthyology (genera over time, species over time, by authors, success rates, where are new taxa coming from, how many species are there, etc.). Later in 1999 I hope to send back many loans and hope to resume unfinished work on scorpionfishes.

FANG, FANG Ph.D candidate, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, POB 50007, S-104 05 Stockholm, SWEDEN. Tel +46-8-5195 4123; Fax +46-8-5195 4212; E-mail fang.fang@nrm.se

Current work: Continue to work with the systematic revision on the genus Danio. In the beginning of 1998 I made a collecting trip to West Bengal and northern Assam, India. I am now working with two Gangetic species, Danio rerio and D. devario. A revision on Chinese Danio species is also undergoing. No field trip is planned for the next year. I will mainly focus on phylogenetic analysis on danionins, based mainly on morphological characters. At the same time, a pilot study on molecular systematics of danionins is also planned.

FERNHOLM, BO Head, Department of Vert. Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, POB 50007, S-104 05 Stockholm, SWEDEN. Tel +46-8-5195 4110; Fax +46-8-5195 4212; E-Mail bo.fernholm@nrm.se

Current work: Hagfish systematics.

FERRARIS, CARL J. Department of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118, U.S.A. Tel (415) 750-7050; Fax 415 750-7148; E-mail ferraris@calacademy.org

Current work: Revision and phylogenetic studies of the Cetopsidae (w/R. Vari); (2) revision of the south Asian catfish genus Sperata (= Aorichthys), with Kate Runge; (3) work continues on sorting out identification of commercially important inland fishes of Myanmar; (4) manuscript on catfish family-group names (w/M. de Pinna) has been accepted for publication. Recent collecting in the Irrawaddy drainage of western Yunnan has uncovered several interesting catfishes that await further study.

FIGUEIREDO, CARLOS A. Doctoral student, Instituto de Biociencias, Depto. Zoologia, USP, Rua do Matao, travessa 14 no. 101, Sao Paulo, SP, BRAZIL, CEP 05508-900. Tel +55 11 818-7511; fax +55 11 818-7513; E-mail carlosaf@acd.ufrj.br

Current work: (1) Phylogeny of the subfamily Poeciliinae (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliiidae) with special emphasis in the tribe Poeciliini (thesis); (2) I'm finishing the final version of a manuscript on the revision and phylogeny of Pamphorichthys (Poeciliidae) (It was my masters thesis subject); (3) redescription of Limia heterandria (Poeciliidae) (w/F. Breden); (3) revision of the Characidiinae (Crenuchidae) of Paraguai (w/Dr. P. Buckup); (4) field manual: The fishes of the Alto rio Tocantins (w/Dr. E. Caramaschi); (5) description of a new species of Retroculus (Cichlidae) (w/M.I. Landim).

FLOETER, SERGIO R. Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, BRAZIL. E-mail floeter@npd.ufes.br

Current work: (1) Extensive collecting and visual census along the Espirito Santo coast, Brazil, including Trindade Island (w/ J.L. Gasparini, and financial support by Marinha do Brasil); (2) analysis of variation of the assemblage structure of reef-associated fishes among the Brazilian coast, the Caribbean and the tropical Atlantic oceanic islands (w/J.L. Gasparini); (3) description of a new species of Brazilian goby, Ptereleotris (w/ J.L. Gasparini & L.A. Rocha).

FRICKE, RONALD Curator of Fishes, Ichthyology, Staatliches Museum fuer Naturkunde, Rosenstein 1, D-70191 Stuttgart, GERMANY. Tel +49 711 8936 256; Fax +49 711 8936 200; E-mail ronfricke@compuserve.com

Current work: (1) Callionymid fish systematics, including zoogeography and descriptions of new species; (2) draconettid fish systematics; (3) tripterygiid fish systematics and zoogeography: (4) revision of Western Indian Ocean Tripterygiidae of the genus Enneapterygius (w/W. Holleman); (5) New Zealand sharks of the genus Etmopterus (Squalidae); (6) checklist of the fishes of the Mascarenes; (7) checklist of German marine and estuarine fishes; (8) Red Lists of European marine fishes; (9) new species of fishes from Réunion; (10) fishes of New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands; (11) editing the monograph series THESES ZOOLOGICAE. Major travel includes Réunion and Mauritius (Dec. 1998/Jan 1999).

FRIEL, JOHN P. Associate Curator of Fishes, Cornell Vertebrate Collections, Section of Ecology & Systematics, Cornell University, Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701, U.S.A. Tel. 607-257-8143; Fax 607-257-1720; E-Mail jpf19@cornell.edu

Current work: (1) Systematics of pufferfishes (Diodontidae & Tetraodontidae); (2) functional morphology of the spine locking and sound production mechanisms of catfish pectoral girdles (Siluriformes); (3) descriptions of new banjo catfishes (Aspredinidae); (4) completion of type catalog for the Cornell Ichthyology Collection.

FROESE, RAINER Senior Scientist, International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), MC P.O. Box 2631, 0718 Makati City, PHILIPPINES. E-Mail r.froese@cgiar.org

Current work: (1) Together with the FishBase team and many collaborators, continue work on FishBase, a large biological database currently containing more than 20,000 species of finfish (see General Announcements for more details); (2) strive to make FishBase available for use on the Internet (see www.fishbase.org); (3) strive to provide collaborating experts with the ability to directly edit data in FishBase, through the Internet; (4) continue to use the data in FishBase in connection with other databases to gain new insights on fish and fisheries; (5) assist Bill Eschmeyer in doing the `Statistics of Ichthyology'; (6) continue to work on the Species 2000 Project Management Team, with a view of making a prototype checklist of several hundred thousand species available on CD-ROM and on the Internet in 1999.

FUIMAN, LEE A. Research Scientist and Associate Professor, Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, Texas 78373, U.S.A. Tel. (512) 7496775; Fax (512) 7496777; E-Mail lee@utmsi.utexas.edu; WWW www.utmsi.utexas.edu/staff/fuiman

Current work: (1) Individual variation in antipredator performance of red drum larvae (w/J.H. Cowan) (Sciaenidae); (2) effects of temperature and salinity on interaction between red drum larvae and piscine predators (w/D.R. Ottey) (Sciaenidae); (3) sublethal effects of pesticide exposure on behavior of Atlantic croaker larvae (Sciaenidae) (w/C.K. Faulk & P. Thomas); (4) causes and consequences of individual differences in growth rates of red drum larvae (w/M.E. Smith); (5) salinity effects on development of goby larvae (w/D.R. Sabath); (6) comparative studies of sensory structure and function in clupeoid (w/D.M. Higgs) and sciaenid larvae (w/K.R. Poling), see publications; (7) development of visual sensitivity in red drum (w/B.C. Delbos); (8) foraging behavior and physiology of Weddell seals under the antarctic fast ice (it's not exactly fish, but it's really exciting!). I will be at McMurdo Station, Antarctica during October, November, and part of December.

FUJII, RYOUJI Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel 81-138-40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail nono@fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: Taxonomy of the freshwater sculpin (Cottidae) from Far East under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka and Asoc. Prof. M. Yabe.

GARAVELLO, JULIO CESAR Depto. Ecol. Biol. Evol. Univ. Federal de Sao Carlos, Via Washington Luis, km 235. 13565-905, Sao Carlos, SP, BRAZIL. E-mail djga@power.ufscar.br.

Current work: The continuing revision of the genera Leporinus and Schizodon was joined to that of genus Leporellus (w/Dr. Ricardo Castro). New publications on the genera Rhamdia and Pimelodus of the Iguacu river are coming (w/Dr. Oscar Shibatta). Projects on the Hypoptopomatinae Hisonotus and Microlepidogaster are going with Dr. Scott Schaefer.

GASPARINI, JOAO LUIZ Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Caixa Postal 5130, 29041-970 Vitoria, Espirito Santo, BRAZIL. E-mail gaspa.vix@zaz.com.br

Current work: (1) Preparation of illustrated field guide to the Shore Fishes of Trindade Island, Off Brazil (w/finacial support by Marinha do Brasil and Prefeitura de Vitória); (2) extensive collecting and visual census along the Espírito Santo coast, Brazil, including Trindade Island (w/S.R. Floeter, and financial support by Marinha do Brasil); (3) analysis of variation of the assemblage structure of reef-associated fishes among the Brazilian coast, the Caribbean and the tropical Atlantic oceanic islands (w/ S.R. Floeter); (4) descriptions of new species of Brazilian Reef Fishes: Genera Brotula (Ophidiidae), Ptereleotris (Microdesmidae), Liopropoma (Serranidae) and Malacoctenus (Labrisomidae) (W/I. Sazima, S.R. Floeter, L.A. Rocha, C.L.S. Sampaio & P.R.D. Lopes); (5) description of new genus and species of Brazilian sleeper fish (Eleotridae) (W/J.L. Figueiredo); (6) revised taxonomic status: Labrisomus trindadensis (Labrisomidae) and Blennius paivai (Blenniidae); (7) taxonomic studies of Brazilian reef fishes, include molecular systematic (W/L.A. Rocha).

GEMBALLA, SVEN Assistant Professor, Lehrstuhl Spezielle Zoologie, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D- 72076 Tuebingen, GERMANY. Tel (0049) 7071- 2976947; Fax (0049) 7071- 294634; E-mail sven.gemballa@uni-tuebingen.de

Current work: Comparative studies on the anatomy of the locomotory apparatus of fishes including lancelets. Studies consider architecture of myosepta, horizontal septa and stratum compactum and spatial arrangement of muscle fibers. Depending on the group studied the obtained data are interpreted in a more functional or a more phylogenetic context. The objective is a better understanding of how undulations are generated by muscles and tendinous structures and to reveal the evolutionary changes in the locomotory apparatus. Main groups of interest are cyclostomes (Petromyzontiformes and Myxiniformes), chondrichthyans, especially representatives of the major groups of sharks (Euselachii), sturgeons (Acipenseriformes), osteoglossomorphs (Osteoglossiformes) and dipnoans (Dipnoi).

GETAHUN, ABEBE Doctoral Student, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, U.S.A. Tel (212) 769-5666; Fax (212) 769-5642; E-mail abeg@amnh.org

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of the African species of the genus Garra (Cyprinidae); (2) diversity and conservation status of the fish fauna of Ethiopia (w/M.L.J. Stiassny); (3) description of a new species of killifish from Ethiopia (w/K. Lazara). Ph.D. completion is anticipated for mid-1999 and thenafter I will be at the Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Any collaborative research on the Ethiopia fish fauna is welcome.

GHAZZI, MIRIAM S. Graduate student. Secao de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, P.O. Box 42694, Sao Paulo, SP, BRAZIL 04299-970. Tel/Fax (011) 274 34 55 or 274 36 90. ext. 242; e-mail ghazzi@usp.br

Current work: Doctoral thesis on the systematics of the genus Sturisoma (Loricariidae), including taxonomic revision, under the advice of Dr. Naercio A. Menezes.

GIBRAN, FERNANDO Z. M.Sc. student. Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirao Prêto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) (016) 602 3710; E-mail fergibran@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) MsC dissertation on the natural history aspects and feeding biology of the Diplectrum, Epinephelus and Mycteroperca species (Perciformes, Serranidae) in southeastern Brazil.

GILL, ANTHONY C. Researcher, Fishes, Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. Tel. 44 171 938 9433; Fax 44 171 938 9158; e-mail t.gill@nhm.ac.uk

Current work: Studies listed in the last 2-3 issues on acanthomorph relationships and anatomy (particularly on gobioids, pseudochromids and centrogeniids) and on the systematics and biogeography of various Indo-Pacific taxa (particularly pseudochromids, xenisthmids, gobiids, Notograptus, Canthidermis, Scatophagus and Lates) continue at various rates (w/various col-laborators). Papers recently completed and now in peer review include: (1) revision of the pseudochromid subfamily Pseudo-chrominae (submitted to Ichthyol. Monogr. J.L.B. Smith Inst. Ichthyol.); (2) description of a new species of Feia (Gobiidae) from W. Australia (w/R.D. Mooi; submitted to Rec. West. Aust. Mus.); and (3) genera, intrarelationships and monophyly of the pseudochromid subfamily Pseudoplesiopinae (w/A.J. Edwards; submitted to Rec. Aust. Mus.). Over the next several months, I anticipate completion of the following papers: (4) two papers revising three of the five pseudoplesiopine pseudochromid genera (w/A.J. Edwards); (5) phylogenetic position of the Notograptidae within the Plesiopidae (w/R.D. Mooi); (6) revision of the balistid genus Balistapus (w/A. Thomas); (7) pelvic-girdle anatomy and its phylogenetic significance in pseudochromids (w/M.S. Clarke); (8) urinary bladder anatomy and its phylogenetic significance in pseudochromids (w/K.S. Cole); (9) description of a new western Indian Ocean Dascyllus (Pomacentridae) with a reevaluation of D. carneus (w/J. Kemp); (10) checklist of fishes from the West Pilbarra Is., W. Australia (w/J.B. Hutchins & R.D. Mooi); and (11) description of two new species of the gobiid genus Eviota (w/S. Jewett).

GOLANI, DANIEL Curator of Fishes, Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, ISRAEL. Tel. 972-2-6585872; Fax 972-2-5666804; E-mail dgolani@shum.cc.huji.ac.il

Current work: (1) The marine ichthyofauna of the eastern Mediterranean with emphasis on the colonization of Red Sea species (Lessepsian migration); (2) the ichthyofauna of the Gulf of Suez; (3) sandy shores and artificial reef communities; (4) ecology and genetics of Mullidae and Merlucciidae; (5) taxonomy of Holocentridae; (6) commercial fisheries in the Levant.

GON, OFER. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, SOUTH AFRICA. Tel (46) 6361002 & fax (46) 6222403; E-mail ihog@giraffe.ru.ac.za

Current work: (1) The revision of the genus Archamia (w/J.E. Randall) continues; (2) work on the revision of the genus Siphamia will start with an April/May visit to USNM; (3) review of the Apogon nigripinnis species group is under way; and (4) taxonomy of western Indian Ocean apogonids. The review of the cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) of the Red Sea has been submitted.

GONZALEZ-ACOSTA, ADRIAN FELIPE MSc. Coleccion Ictiologica (Ichthyological Colecction) Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas IPN, A.P. 592, Playa El Conchalito s/n, La Paz, Baja California Sur, MEXICO. C.P. 23000. Tel (112) 253.44 and 253.66, Fax (112)253.22, New E-mail Adress agacosta@hotmail.com

Current Work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna associated to mangrove swamp at La Paz Lagoon, fish ecology and communities; (2) systematic and taxonomy of fishes from Northwest of Mexico; (3) ecological status of Fundulus lima in Baja California Peninsula; (4) fishery impact on structure of marine ecosystems.

GOSZTONYI, ATILA ESTEBAN Centro Nacional Patagonico. Bvd. Brown s/n. (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, ARGENTINA. Tel +54 965 51 024; Fax +54 965 51 543; E-Mail goszto@cenpat.edu.ar

Current Work: (1) Morphometric and meristic analysis of Patagonian silversides (Atherinopsidae); (2) DNA studies of Patagonian silversides (Atherinopsidae) (w/L. Behegaray, Macquarie Univ., Australia); (3) ecology of the primitive Patagonian siluriform Diplomystes mesembrinus (Diplomystidae) (w/M.M. Azpelicueta, La Plata Univ.); (4) cariology and DNA studies of Diplomystes mesembrinus (Diplomystidae) (w/Cl. Oliveira, Univ. Paulista, Botucatu, Brasil); (5) morphometrics of skull bones of the Patagonian ophidiid Raneya brasiliensis (Ophidiidae).

GREENFIELD, DAVID W. Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii, 2538 The Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, U.S.A. Tel (808) 956-8618; Fax (808) 956-9812; E-Mail dwg@zoology.hawaii.edu

Current work: (1) I continue to work on the systematics of the erythrinus complex within the cardinalfish genus Apogon; (2) Jack Randall and I are still working on gobies, we have a paper in press in Copeia describing two new Eviota species, are completing a manuscript on Gnatholepis, and are working on a manuscript on the gobies of Hawaii; (3) Bob Johnson and I continue to publish on cryptic fishes from the Gulf of Honduras and have a paper in press in Copeia on the gobies; (4) I am working on the FAO sheets for the western Atlantic for the families Holocentridae and Gerreidae; (5) toadfishes are on the back burner but I continue to slowly work on them, describing Halophryne hutchinsi in Copeia.

GUAZZELLI, GIZELANI MÜLLER Graduate Student, Secao de Peixes do Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZUSP). Av. Nazare', 481. CEP 04263-000. Sao Paulo, SP, BRAZIL. Tel/Fax (011) 272-0266 ext. 242; e-mail guazelli@ib.usp.br

Current work: Relationships of the genus Pimelodella Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae), including a taxonomic revision, which is my PhD thesis under supervision of Dr. Naercio Aquino Menezes.

HEISER, JOHN B. Section of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Stimson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, U.S.A. Tel & Fax (607) 272-5282; E-mail jbh7@cornell.edu

Current work: (1) Evolution, biogeography, and descriptions of new species of reef fishes of the genera Clepticus and Thalassoma and related genera of wrasses (Labridae) with G. Bernardi, R. Moura and R. Robertson; (2) morphology, ecology and behavior of hagfishes with F. Martini; (3) the Fifth edition of the text for which I write the ichthyological sections, "Vertebrate Life" became available in the latter half of 1998. All comments and suggestions welcomed.

HEEMSTRA, PHILLIP C. Curator of Marine Fishes, J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology. Private Bag 1015. Grahamstown, 6140 SOUTH AFRICA. Tel 046 636-1002; Fax 046 622-2403; E-mail ihph@giraffe.ru.ac.za

Current work: (1) Descriptions of new serranid fishes from southern Africa; (2) fishes of Vema Seamount with a discussion of the zoogeography of the West Wind Drift Islands Province; (3) book on the common marine fishes of South Africa; (4) co-editor (w/J.E. Randall) of a comprehensive book on shallow-water fishes of the western Indian Ocean (including Red Sea and Persian Gulf); (5) the East Coast Fish-Watch Project: a South African biodiversity initiative and environmental awareness effort to teach divers how to identifiy marine fishes, to survey the shallow-water fishes along our east coast region, and to create a database of fish distributions and habitats for the fishes in our region; (6) revision of the fish Family Kuhliidae; (7) descriptions of marine fish larvae.

HIERONIMUS, HARRO P.O.Box 170209, D-42624 Solingen, GERMANY. E-mail ichthyology@hieronimus.de; Tel +49-212-819878; Fax +49-212-816216.

Current work: (1) Studies in Corydoras with descriptions of new taxa; (2) ethological studies in Poeciliidae; (3) studies in Poecilia (subgenus Mollienesia).

HORN, MICHAEL H. Professor of Biology, Dept. of Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton, CA 93834, U.S.A. Tel (714) 278-3707; Fax (714) 278-3426; E-Mail mhorn@fullerton.edu

Current work: (1) Molecular and morphological variation in populations of topsmelt (Atherinops affinis, Atherinopsidae), with graduate students William Cavanagh and Kelly O'Reilly; (2) trophic position and digestive physiology of topsmelt, with graduate students Elaine Logothetis and Darryl Smith; (3) comparative gut morphology and digestive enzyme analysis of topsmelt and two related species, jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) and California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis), with undergraduates Chad Freeman and Andrea Jones; (4) comparison of digestive enzyme activity in four related species of pricklebacks (Stichaeidae) within a phylogenetic context, with graduate student Albert Chan.

HOSHINO, KOUICHI Graduate student, Laboratory of Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 0138-43-5015; Email humz@pop.fish.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Comparative osteology and myology, and phylogeny of Paralichthyidae, under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka; (2) a new species of Citharichthys (Paralichthyidae) from the sea around the Galapagos Islands (w/Prof. K. Amaoka); (3) redescription of a rarely-caught flounder, Poecilopsetta inermis (Poecilopsettinae: Pleuronectidae: Teleostei) from the sea off Suriname (w/Prof. K. Amaoka); (4) description of a juvenile of a species of Samaris (Pleuronectiformes, Samaridae) from the sea along Australia, eastern Indian Ocean (w/Prof. K. Amaoka).

HOWE, JEFFREY C. Research Associate III, Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center, 4170 Commanders Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36615-1413, U.S.A. Tel (334) 438-5690; Fax (334) 438-5670; E-Mail jhowe@acesag.auburn.edu

Current work: (1) Histological comparison of the opercular glands of several Caribbean scarids; (2) diet study of pigfish in the Gulf of Mexico; (3) I hope to begin writing a manuscript concerning my investigation into the origin and use of standard length for measuring fishes; and (4) revising two manuscripts dealing with habitat selection of penaeid shrimp in Mobile Bay, Alabama. I am still an editorial board member of the international journal, "Fisheries Research".

HUBER, JEAN H. Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie générale et appliquée muséum national d'histoire naturelle, 43 rue cuvier, 75231 Paris, cedex 05, FRANCE. Tel (33) 1 45 04 39 26 (after 9 p.m., French time); Fax (33) 1 40 79 37 71

Specialization: Cyprinodonts (Teleostei; Atherinomorpha). Current work: (1) New species and collections from Gabon and Guinea Equatorial, West Africa (2 ms); (2) new collections from Paraguay and Colombia (in prep.). I am also finalizing the 1999 edition of Killi-Data (this is the third issue after 1994 and 1996): everything that has been published on oviparous Cyprinodonts is included i.e. various lists of genera, species, populations, collecting localities (with maps), state of the art of systematics with short diagnosis of genera, with a full bibliography (by authors' name and by taxon), with many statistics on all available data. Anybody who wishes to bring further comments or suggestions is welcome. Please if you have an important pending publication on Cyprinodonts, inform us so that the data can be included. A brand new chapter will cover target areas to focus on for collecting trips of tropical Cyprinodonts. Last updating: December, 31. 1998. Information can be received up to February 15. 1999.

HUREAU, JEAN-CLAUDE Professeur au Museum national d'histoire naturelle, Curator of Fishes, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie générale et appliquée, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, FRANCE. Tel +33 1 40 79 37 56; Fas +33 1 40 79 37 71; E-mail hureau@mnhn.fr

Current work: (1) Curation and general management of the collection of Fish of the MNHN with my colleagues Guy Duhamel and Patrice Pruvost; (2) responsibility and development of the GICIM database and its close inter-connections with other databases (more specifically with FISHBASE and PISCES, with standardisation of the taxonomy); (3) maintenance and improvement of the free access of GICIM on Internet (http://www.mnhn.fr/base/ gicim.html); (4) preparation of a manuscript giving all the names, addresses and codes of the Museums of natural history in France; (4) cytogenetics and systematics of notothenioid fishes, with Catherine Ozouf-Costaz and Guillaume Lecointre and co-operation with an Italian team (Eva Pisano); (5) publication in press of the catalogue of types of Gadiformes of the MNHN and of the other French Museums of Natural History; (6) follow-up of the exhibition 'The Polar Adventure' which is being circulating in France; (7) preparation and participation to the I.C.E.FISH programme, at the Antarctic Italian scientific station Terra Nova Bay (Jan-Feb, 1999).

HUTCHINS J. BARRY Curator of Fishes, Fish Section, Dept of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum of Natural Science, Francis St, Perth, Western Australia 6000, AUSTRALIA. Tel 61 8 94272744; Fax 61 8 94272882; Mobile 0417 940983; E-mail hutchb@museum.wa.gov.au

Current work: (1) Analysis of reef fish distributions of Western Australia; (2) review of the monacanthid genus Thamnaconus (w/K. Matsuura); (3) investigation of the marine life of the Dampier Archipelago (Team Leader); (4) continuing studies on the recruitment of tropical reef fishes at Rottnest Island; (5) continuing studies on coral mortality at Rottnest Island; (6) complete list of fishes of Western Australia.

ISHIHARA, HAJIME Marine Biologist, Institute of skatology. 10-11-203 Minamifujisawa, Fujisawa, 251-0055 JAPAN. Tel & Fax +81-466-23-5550; E-mail skatolog@fsinet.or.jp

Current work: Systematic study of the superorder Batoidea. Biology of the manta rays in the Pohnpei and Ishigaki Islands with K. Homma and T. Itoh. Survey of the freshwater elasmobranchs in the rivers of the south Asian countries with T. Taniuchi and S. Tanaka. Old colleagues, Bernard Seret, Leo Compagno, Malcolm Francis, John Stevens, Jeremy Cliff, John Stevens, Andy Oliver, Gustavo Chiaramonte, Ramon Bonfil, C.T. Chen, and P. Castillio-Gomez attended the FAO shark committee held in Tokyo in April. Toru Taniuchi and I had a good dinner with them. In August Janine Caira and her students, Gaines Tyler, Claire Healy and Kirsten Jensen attended the International Parasitology Symposium held in Tokyo. After the symposium, they and I had a good field survey in the Bay of Tokyo. In November, Toru Taniuchi, Sho Tanaka and I organized the first Asian region meeting of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. Mr. Ahmad Ali, Malaysia, Mr. Wang Yamin, mainland China, Dr. C.H. Jeon, Korea, Dr. C.T. Chen, Taiwan and Marcus Phipps, TRAFFIC Hong Kong attended the meeting. We discussed about the problems in the systematics of elasmobranchs in our region.

IWAMOTO, TOMIO Curator, Dept. of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118 U.S.A. Tel (415)750-7054; fax (415)750-7148; email tiwamoto@calacademy.org

Current work: (1) Manuscript reviewing grenadiers of Western Australia (w/A. Williams, CSIRO, Hobart, TAS) finally submitted and accepted (for Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci.); (2) paper on distribution and biology of New Caledonia grenadiers (w/N. Merrett, BMNH) progressing well; MS expected to be completed in first quarter of 1999; (3) have begun study of New Zealand grenadiers with Peter McMillan (NIWA, Wellington, NZ) for chapter in book on New Zealand EEZ fishes (Clive Roberts project leader); (4) making good progress on guide to grenadiers of New South Wales, Australia, with Kenneth Graham, NSW Fisheries; (5) description of new Galapagos grenadier being prepared with John McCosker.

JAYARAM, K.C. Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellow, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India c/o Madras Science Foundantion, "Padmaja" 22 III Main Road, Officers Colony, Adambakkam, Chennai 600 088 INDIA. Tel 245 2843

Current work: I have been busy revising and updating my earlier book on the Freshwater fishes of India, Pakistan etc. This is now being published (early 1999) under the title "The Freshwater fishes of the Indian Region". See announcements. A paper on the natural occurrence and distribution of Tor mussullah (Sykes) in Maharashtra waters is under publication. A visit to the type-locality in Maharashtra wherefrom Sykes obtained his fish is being arranged to collect, if possible, topo-types. An interesting collection of fishes from Sharavathi river in Uttara Kannada has yielded new records of fishes and a new species of Batasio.

KAILOLA, PATRICIA J. 19 Walkers Avenue, Newham, Tas., 7248, AUSTRALIA. Tel (61-3) 6326 6948; Fax (61-3) 6326 6958; E-mail pkailola@compuserve.com

Current work: (1) sometime employee of Ok Tedi and Freeport Mining companies in southern New Guinea: (2) assisting Australian contribution to ICLARM's Fishbase; (3) miscellaneous and various work on fisheries in Australia, New Guinea and the western Pacific; (4) continuing interest in fork-tailed catfishes (Ariidae), with some reports forthcoming in 1999.

KIM, BYUNG-JIK Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail kimbj@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current Works: Phylogenetic relationships of the family Mullidae under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka & Associate Prof. M. Yabe.

KIMURA, SEISHI Associate Professor, Fisheries Research Lab., Mie University, P.O. Box 11, Wagu, Shima, Mie 517-0703 JAPAN. Tel 81-5998-5-4604; Fax 81-5998-5-5492; E-Mail Kimura-s@bio.mie-u.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Revision of Indo-Pacific marine atherinid fishes (family Atherinidae) (w/T. Yoshino); (2) revision of Indo-Pacific leiognathid fishes (family Leiognathidae) (w/Y. Iwatsuki & T. Yamashita); (3) revision of the genus Gerres (family Gerreidae) (w/Y. Iwatsuki); (4) studies of the ichthyofauna of Ambon and Seram Islands, Indonesia (w/K. Matsuura & T. Peristiwady); (5) revision of the genus Zoarchias (family Stichaeidae); (6) study of the ichthyofauna of Kumano-nada, Pacific coast of the central Japan (including the mesopelagic fishes); (7) study of larval fish fauna of Ago Bay, Pacific coast of central Japan.

KONG, LIBO Doctoral Canditate, Lab. of Ichthyology, Tokyo Univ. of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5463-0529; Fax 81-3-5463-0687; E-mail are9446@tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp

Current work: I am writing my doctoral thesis on the fishery biology of Konoshiro Gizzard Shad, Konosirus punctatus in Tokyo Bay. It will be finished in 1999. Being Chinese, like ichthyoplankton, I have to follow life's currents, and can only hope to continue doing research.

KOTTELAT, MAURICE Route de la Baroche 12, Case postale 57, CH-2952 Cornol, SWITZERLAND. Tel/Fax +41-32-462 2259; E-mail mkottelat@vtx.ch

Current work: (1) fish diversity in Southeast Asia, more particularly Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos, including faunal surveys, descriptions of new taxa and revisionary work in (but not restricted to): Cyprinidae, Belontiidae, Cobitidae, Balitoridae, Sisoridae; (2) Field guides of the fishes of Laos and Vietnam; (3) fish diversity in Sri Lanka and India (w/R. Pethiyagoda); (4) osteology of Chaudhuriidae (w/R. Britz); (5) production of a revised and expanded version of my 1993 Indonesian fish guide.

KRUPP, FRIEDHELM Curator of Fishes, Senckenberg Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt a.M., GERMANY. Tel. +49-69-7542.255; Fax +49-69-7542.253; e-mail fkrupp@sng.uni-frankfurt.de PRESENT ADDRESS: Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), P. O. Box 53662, Jeddah 21583, SAUDI ARABIA, Tel. and Fax: +966-2-651.4472, e-mail persga@computec.com.bh

In May 1998 I moved to Jeddah and expect to be based here until 2003. Current work: (1) Systematics and zoogeography of the fishes of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea; (2) systematics and zoogeography of the freshwater fishes of the Tigris-Euphrates Basin, based on extensive new collections which the Senckenberg Museum received in 1998. For the time being, inquiries about the fish collection of the Senckenberg should be addressed to Mr. Uwe Zajonz at the above address (e-mail uzajonz@sng.uni-frankfurt.de).

KULLANDER, SVEN O. Senior Curator of Ichthyology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, POB 50007, S-104 05 Stockholm, SWEDEN. Tel +46-8-5195 4116; Fax +46-8-5195 4212; E-Mail sven.kullander@nrm.se

Work continues on South American cichlid systematics, now finally outputting the Cichla revision. In addition, I will work up recently collected material, including various Asian (mostly cyprinids), and Paraguayan species, many of which new, and also a huge collection of Symphysodon. Most of those projects include co-authors. I will also complete the revision of the genus Badis, together with Ralf Britz. I expect to complete the on-line catalogues of the Linnaean collection (http://linnaeus.nrm.se). We also finally got to start DNA sequencing, sticking to cyprinids, cichlids and badids. I collected in Paraguay, Myanmar and Brazil during 1998. I have no travel plans for 1999, but expect to resume travel in the year 2000, not least to attend the X European Ichthyological Congress. The major part of the NRM fish collection has now been moved to a new building.

LANDEWE, THERESA M.S. Candidate, School of Fisheries, University of Washington, Box 355100, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A. Tel (206) 616-2485; Fax (206) 685-3275; Email tlandewe@fish.washington.edu

I am interested in the historical zoogeography of the Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi). I will be looking at morphological and molecular distinction between populations of the species in correlation with the effects of Pleistocene glaciation on the drainage systems of Cascadia. Other work includes curation of fishes collected in summer 1998 in the southern Kuril Islands as part of an NSF-funded biodiversity survey and inventory of the Russian Kuril Archipelago.

LANDIM, MARIA ISABEL Laboratório de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Depto. de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco A, CCS, Cidade Universitaria, RJ, CEP 21941-569, BRASIL. Fax (021) 558-6107; E-mail milandim@openlink.com.br.

Current work: (1) Phylogeny of Geophaginae (Cichlidae); (2) description of a new species of Retroculus (Cichlidae, Geophaginae) with C.A. Figueiredo; (3) description of a new species of Hyphessobrycon (Characidae) with C. Moreira and W. Costa.

LAST, PETER R. Curator of Fishes, CSIRO Division of Fisheries, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, 7001 AUSTRALIA. Tel 61-02-325222. Fax 61-02-325000; E-Mail Peter.Last@ml.csiro.au

Current work: (1) Descriptions of several new Indo-Pacific chondrichthyans for special publication on these fishes due in 2000 (w/multiple coauthors); (2) faunal review of deepwater chondrichthyans of eastern Indonesia and the Coral Sea (w/B. Seret); (3) complete final edit of batoid sections for FAO WCP guide (w/L. Compagno & M. Carvalho); (4) identification guide to about 400 Australian seafood species incorporating protein fingerprinting and descriptions of whole fish and fillets (coedited w/G. Yearsley & B. Ward) - to be published in first half 1999; (5) complete field guide to trawl bycatch of Macquarie Island toothfish fishery (w/D. Williams, et. al); (6) completion of several out-standing teleosts revisions, with highest priorities to the Brachionichthyidae, Leptoscopidae, Bovichtidae (gen. nov.) and Pterygotrigla (w/multiple coauthors).

LECOINTRE, GUILLAUME Ph.D., Maître de conférences du Muséum, first class, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie générale et appliquée, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, AND Service de Systématique moléculaire (GDR CNRS 10 05), 43 Rue Cuvier 75231, Paris cedex 05, FRANCE.

My works deal half with phylogeny of fishes, half with methodological aspects of phylogenetic reconstruction (especially from molecules). I have been working here in the Muséum since 1988. My PhD thesis was about molecular phylogeny of teleostean fishes, with methodological developments about taxonomic sampling and sequence length. Colin Patterson was in my thesis committee. I signed a paper with Gareth Nelson from the American Museum in New York (he is now retired in Australia) in the book "Interrelation-ships of fishes II" in 1996. My present works on fishes have three directions: 1. phylogeny of the antarctic fishes, the Notothenioidei, 2. molecular phylogeny of the higher teleosts, the Acanthomorpha (I have one student in thesis with me on this topic), and 3. phylogeny of european cyprinids.

LEIS, JEFFREY M. Principal Research Scientist, Fish Section, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, The Australian Museum, 6-8 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, AUSTRALIA. Tel. 61 2 9320 6242; Fax 61 2 9320 6059; E-mail jeffl@amsg.Austmus.gov.au

In collaboration with many others, I am completing a revision and expansion of 'Larvae of Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Fishes' and 'Larvae of Indo-Pacific Shorefishes'. MS completion in the first half of 1999, with 140 chapters (most at a family level), of which 23 are completely new. This is the focus for taxonomic work this year. Therefore, work on larvae of Lutjanidae with Sally Reader and others is on the back burner. Apsilinae paper was published in 98. Lutjanine paper is in preparation, as is a paper on developmental osteology of the Caesioninae. Still need larvae of Macolor, Lipocheilus and Apsilus if anyone can help. Tom Trnski and I are describing the larval development of the perciform fish Centrogenys vaigiensis. Katie Parsons and I are describing larval development of what may be a new species of Engyprosopon (Bothidae) from atoll lagoons in the Tuamotu Islands. Geoff Moser, Dianne Bray and I are describing the larvae of Indo-Pacific Citharidae. Various larval fish ecology projects with various collaborators are underway. Current emphasis here is on behaviour of larvae of coral reef fishes at Lizard Island and on larvae in atoll lagoons of the Tuamotu Islands. Fieldwork at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef is planned in Dec 98 and Feb 99 under ARC support.

LI, SI-ZHONG Research Professor, Fish Museum Dept., Research Center of Evolution and Systematics of Animals, Inst. Zool., Academia Sinica, Zhongguancun St., Haidian, Beijing, CHINA 100080.

Current work: (1) Chinese codfishes (Gadiformes); (2) Chinese cuskfishes, etc. (Ophidiiformes); (3) Chinese soldierfishes (Beryciformes); (4) Chinese mullets, barracudas, etc. (Mugiliformes); (5) the fishfauna of the Huanghe R. (Yellow R.); (6) the geographical distribution of Chinese freshwater fishes.

LITTMANN, MICHAEL W. Graduate Student, Dept. of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, U.S.A. Tel (618) 453-4113 Fax (618) 453-2806; E-mail dabulls@siu.edu

Current work under the advisement of Dr. Brooks Burr: (1) Revision and redescription of the pimelodid catfish genus Sorubim (thesis); (2) publications in preparation include; a) two new species descriptions, b) a systematic revision of Sorubim, c) an anatomical description of Sorubim lima, d) a test of DFA and other multivariate techniques for the field identification of morphologically similar shovelnose catfish. I have a general interest in alpha-level systematics and biogeography, with a special interest in the South American ichthyofauna. I hope to make a return visit to Iquitos, Peru with colleagues from SIUC and INHS in summer of JULY/AUG 1999 to collect fishes for the SIUC fluid vertebrate collection.

LOUIE, KRISTINA D. Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Organismic Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606. Tel 310 206 7885; Fax 310 206 3987; Email kdlouie@ucla.edu

Advisor: David K. Jacobs. Current work: Two descriptions of new species of freshwater tropical fishes from Sulawesi (a) Neostethus (w/L. Parenti) and (b) working on a new halfbeak from the genus Nomorhamphus (w/A. Meisner). I am currently studying fishes from the other side of the Pacific for my thesis. I am investingating the systematics and biogeography of estuarine and marine fishes of the Eastern Pacific using morphological and molecular genetic markers. Current projects include the use of mtDNA control region sequences for the following (a) biogeography and population genetics of Syngnathus leptorhynchus and systematics of Eastern Pacific Syngnathus species also using cytochrome B and microsatellites; (b) population study of Leptocottus armatus; (c) population study of Aulorhynchus flavidus also using morphometrics and meristics. Recent field excursions include travel to the eelgrass communities in estuaries from British Columbia to Southern California. I hope to travel through Alaska next summer.

LOURIE, SARA A. Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Dr Penfield, Montréal, H3A 1B1, Québec, CANADA. Tel +1 (514) 398 5112; Fax +1 (514) 398 5069; Email slouri@po-box.mcgill.ca

Current work: Biogeography of Indo-Pacific seahorses (Syngnathidae: Hippocampus). I am undertaking this research as a PhD with Dr. Amanda Vincent as my supervisor.

LUCENA, CARLOS A.S. Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, BRAZIL. E-mail lucena@music.pucrs.br

Current work: Taxonomic revision of the genus Roeboides - firstly with the species from Central America and north of South America, and a long-range term, the others cis-andean species.

LUCENA, ZILDA MARGARETE S. de Laboratório de Ictiologia Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia da PUCRS Av. Ipiranga 6681 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL. Tel + 55 51 320-3500 ext. 4413; Fax: + 55 51 339-1564; E-mail margarete@music.pucrs.br

Current work: (1) My research continues on systematics of the genus Phenacogaster (Ostariophysi: Characidae) (PhD thesis). (2) taxonomic study of Bryconamericus stramineus (w/L. Malabarba & J. Pedrini); (3) starting biological studies on Parapimelodus nigribarbis (Pimelodidae), Astyanax bimaculatus and Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae) from Lake Guaiba, RS (w/V. Bertaco & F. Becker); (4) an identification guide for fishes from Sistema da Laguna dos Patos (w/C. Lucena, L.Malabarba & R. Reis); (5) the description of a new Moenkausia species from upper rio Tocantins is concluded (w/C. Lucena) (in press); (5) spatial and seasonal abundance of Astyanax bimaculatus and Astyanax fasciatus in Lake Guaiba is concluded (w/V. Bertaco & F. Becker).

LUCINDA, PAULO H.F. Curator of Fishes, Coleçao Ictiológica do Médio e Alto Tocantins, Campus Universitário de Porto Nacional, Universidade do Tocantins, Caixa Postal 25, 77.500-000 Porto Nacional, Tocantins, BRASIL. Tel +55(063) 863 1701; Fax +55(063) 863 1701 or +55(063) 863 1283; E-Mail plucinda@pop-to.rnp.br

Current work: (1) study of the ichthyofauna of Araguaia-Tocantins System; (2) generic revision of Mylesinus (Serrasalmidae, Ostariophysi, Teleostei) with Dr. J.C. Garavello; (3) generic revision of Hypostomus (Loricariidae, Ostariophysi, Teleostei) from Rio Tocantins basin; (4) taxonomic studies on genus Jenynsia (Anablepidae, Cyprinidontiformes, Teleostei) with Dr. M. Ghedotti and Dr. J.C. Garavello.

MacDONALD, ERIN L. M.S. Candidate, School of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, U.S.A. Tel (206) 616-2485; Fax (206) 685-3275; Email emac@fish.washington.edu

Under the direction of my major advisor, Ted Pietsch, I will be researching the phylogeny of the family Stichaeidae beginning with the subfamily Alectrinae. I am interested in using morphological, early-life history, and behavioral characters, primarily parental care, in a phylogenetic analysis. Other work includes curation of fishes collected in summer 1998 in the southern Kuril Islands as part of an NSF-funded biodiversity survey and inventory of the Russian Kuril Archipelago, as well as general curator in the University of Washington Fish Collection.

MACHIDA, YOSHIHIKO Prof., Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Akebono, Kochi 780-8520, Kochi, JAPAN. Tel/Fax 81-888-44-8310; E-Mail machida@cc.kochi-u.ac.jp

Current work:(1) Description of a new deep-sea ophidiid genus from the East China Sea; (2) description of a new bythitid genus from Australian waters; (3) description of a new deep-sea worm-eel from southern Japan; (4) descrition of some new deep-sea eelpouts from northern Japan and from thermal vent fields around Japan.

MATSUURA, KEIICHI Chief Curator of Fishes, Dept. of Zoology, National Science Museum, 3-23-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, JAPAN. Tel +81-3-5332-7167; Fax +81-3-3364-7104; E-Mail matsuura@kahaku.go.jp

Current work: (1) Taxonomic revision of the tetraodontid genus Arothron; (2) tetraodontiform phylogeny based on morphological and molecular characters (w/M. Kato); (3) field guide of sea-grass bed fishes in Lombok Island, Indonesia (w/S. Kimura); (4) WCA FAO Guide (families of Triacanthodidae, Balistidae, Monacanthidae, Ostraciidae, and Molidae); (5) distribution map of freshwater fishes of Japan based on the collection of the National Science Museum (w/A. Doi & G. Shinohara); (6) WCP FAO Guide (Triacanthodidae, Triacanthidae, Balistidae, Aracanidae, Ostraciidae, Triodontidae, and Tetraodontidae) should appear in 1999.

McCOSKER, JOHN E. Chair of Aquatic Research, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, U.S.A. Tel. (415) 750-7249; Fax (415) 750-7148; email jmccosker@calacademy.org

Current work: (1) Continuing revisions of muraenid eels with Genie Böhlke, David Smith, & Jack Randall; (2) monographing ophichthid eels of Australia; (3) problems of synbranchid introductions to California; (4) revision of eastern Pacific Ophichthus with Dick Rosenblatt; (5) several new species of eastern Pacific Hydrolagus with Doug Long; (6) new Indo-Pacific myrophines with Peter Castle; (7) various deepwater fish descriptions based on recent Galápagos collections, including several congrids and ophichthids, and triglids with Bill Richards; and (8) a general review of the Galápagos ichthyofauna with Dick Rosenblatt.

McDOWALL, ROBERT M. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (3) 348-8987; Fax (3) 348-5548; Email R.McDowall@NIWA.CRI.NZ

Current work: As of April 1, I have the luxury of two years on a James Cook Research Fellowship, which provides the opportunity to pursue my own interests regardless of institutional directives and policies; am now focussing strongly on studies of galaxiid phylogeny and relationships and the integration of phylogeny with New Zealand and southern temperate geological history; also continue to explore the role of diadromy in the historical and ecological biogeography of fishes. New species of galaxiid continue to "turn up", some as a result of exploring new areas, some as a result of genetic studies, and some as a result of re-visiting earlier taxonomic work.

McMILLAN, PETER J. Fisheries biologist, NIWA, PO Box 14-901, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (04) 386 0580; Fax (04) 386 0574; E-mail p.mcmillan@niwa.cri.nz

Current work: (1) Completing a manuscript describing 2 new species of Coryphaenoides (Macrouridae) from New Zealand; (2) reviewing the New Zealand macrourid fauna (w/T. Iwamoto) for the "Biosystematics of New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone Fishes" project led by Clive Roberts at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

MENNI, ROBERTO C. Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, ARGENTINA. Tel 0054 21 25 79 64; Fax 0054 21 53 01 89; E-mail menni@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar

Current work: (1) Fish fauna and environments in northwestern Argentina; (2) distribution patterns of marine fishes off Argentina and Brazil.

MERRETT, NIGEL R. Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. Tel +171-938-9430; Fax +171-938-9158; E-mail n.merrett@nhm.ac.uk

Current work: (1) With the paper on the taxonomy of macrourid fishes from New Caledonia, based upon material collected by ORSTOM, by Tomio Iwamoto and myself now published, we are preparing a second paper primarily considering distributional and ecological aspects and also adding to the taxonomy from an enlarged area using additional collections; (2) collaboration with Jorgen Nielsen continues on a worldwide revision of the ophidiid deep demersal genus Bassozetus; (3) collaboration with Matthias Stehmann on observations on embryological development in the deep-living rajid, Bathyraja richardsoni, based on a collection of fertile eggs from slope waters; (4) my retirement comes in March, 1999 and so other projects are being delayed until I am fully set up at home when I shall mingle ichthyology with other interests in the extra time available.

MEUNIER, FRANÇOIS J. Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie, Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris cedex 05 FRANCE. Tel (33) 1 40 79 37 61; Fax (33) 1 40 79 37 71; E-mail meunier@mnhn.fr

Current work: (1) Comparative bone histology in Osteichthyes; (2) structure of scales and their evolution in Osteichthyes with special emphasis on primitive extinct and living actinopterygii (I am very interested in available fossil scales of various Palaeoniscid fishes, if well determined, for paleohistological studies); (3) phylogeny of the Ostariophysi and of the Polypteridae; (4) fishes of French Guyana; (5) growth of the skeleton and individual age estimation in fishes.

MIRZA, MUHAMMAD RAMZAN (Visiting Professor, Department of Zoology, Government College Lahore) 69 Umer Block, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore, 54570 PAKISTAN.

Current work: (1) Biodiversity of the fishes of the River Sutlej (w/M.N. Javed & Azra Perveen); (2) biodiversity of the fishes of the River Chenab (w/M.N. Javed & Amna Zafar).

MIYA, MASAKI Curator of Fishes, Dept. of Zoology, Natural History Museum & Institute, Chiba, 955-2 Aoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8682, JAPAN. Tel +81-43-265-3111; Fax +81-266-2481; E-Mail miya@chiba-muse.or.jp

Current work: (1) The mitochondrial full-genome phylogeny of lower neoteleosts, including nine species from stomiiforms, aulopiforms, and myctophiforms plus Polymixia japonicus (w/M. Nishida, A. Kawaguchi & M. Yamaguchi); (2) molecular systematics of the deep-sea fish genus Gonostoma (family Gonostomatidae) (w/M. Nishida); (3) intraspecific molecular phylogeography of various stomiiform and myctophid species (w/M. Nishida); (4) molecular phylogeny of the order Myctophiformes (w/M. Yamaguchi, M. Nishida, & M. Okiyama); (5) molecular phylogeny of the order Aulopiformes (w/A. Kawaguchi & M. Nishida).

MIYASHITA, TAKEHIRO Doctoral candidate, Laboratory of Ichthyology, Tokyo University of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5463-0529; Fax 81-3-5463-0687; E-mail ad96204@cc.tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp

Current work: I am researching the comparative morphology of vertebrae in teleostean fishes as my doctoral thesis under the supervision of Prof. K. Fujita. My thesis will include detailed descriptions of the vertebrae of more than three hundred species of teleosts, and discussion of the phylogeny of higher taxon based on the morphology of the vertebral column.

MOLLER, PETER R. Ph.D. student, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, DENMARK. Tel 35321070; Fax 35321010; E-mail pdrmoller@zmuc.ku.dk

Current work: (1) Morphology based phylogeny and biogeography of the eelpout genus Lycodes (Zoarcidae); (2) distribution and abundance of eelpouts in West Greenland waters (w/O.A. Jorgensen); (3) fishes of Greenland (w/J.G. Nielsen and O.A. Jorgensen); (4) reassignment of Lycodes microcephalus Jensen to Pachycara (with E.M. Anderson).

MOORE, JON A. National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate, National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543. U.S.A. Tel (508) 495-2202; Fax 508-495-2258; e-mail jon.moore@noaa.gov

Current work: (1) Annotated checklist of 530+ deep-sea fish species found off of New England; (2) description of a new species of Hoplostethus (Trachichthyidae) from the Philippines (w/K. Dodd); (3) description of a new genus and species of Stephanoberycidae (w/N. Merrett); (4) FAO species identification sheets for the Western Central Atlantic guide for families Anoplogastridae, Berycidae, Diretmidae, Gibberichthyidae, Melamphaidae, Polymixiidae, Stephanoberycidae, and Trachichthyidae; (5) review of Philippine Ateleopididae.

MOREIRA, CRISTIANO R. Laboratorio de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Depto. de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco A, CCS, Cidade Universitaria, RJ, CEP 21941-569, BRAZIL. Tel/ Fax +55 21-560-5993; E-mail cmoreira@acd.ufrj.br

Current work: (1) Starting this year my master's thesis project (at Universidade de Sao Paulo) which consists in the revision and the phylogenetic relationships of the Iguanodectinae (Characiformes; Characidae); (2) description of a new species of Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes; Characidae) related to the `Rosy Tetra Clade' (w/M.I. Landim & W. Costa); (3) description of a new species of Otocinclus (Siluriformes; Loricariidae) (w/M.R. Britto & W. Costa).

MUNDY, BRUCE C. Nat'l Marine Fisheries Service Honolulu Lab., 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96822, U.S.A. (NEW: Tel (808) 983-5374; Fax (808) 983-2902; E-mail bmundy@honlab.nmfs.hawaii.edu)

Current work: (1) Completion of an annotated "Checklist of the Fishes of the Hawaiian Archipelago", with a taxonomic and regional bibliography; (2) description of a new pipefish species from Midway Atoll (Syngnathidae) (w/J. Randall); (3) completion of larval fish identifications from an ichthyoplankton survey at Palmyra Atoll, Line Islands (w/G. Boehlert); (4) continued research on the feeding habits of central North Pacific swordfish (Xiphiidae) (w/M. Seki).

MURDY, EDWARD O. Director, Tokyo Regional Office, National Science Foundation, 1-10-5, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 JAPAN. Tel 011-81-33-224-5505; Fax 011-81-33-224-5769; E-mail emurdy@nsf.gov

In conjunction with Koichi Shibukawa, a revision of the gobiid subfamily Amblyopinae is well underway. The genera Odontamblyopus, Taenioides, and Pseudotrypauchen are being examined first. New and interesting characters are being discovered, and several new taxa will likely result.

MUSIKASINTHORN, PRACHYA Doctoral candidate, Laboratory of Ichthyology, Tokyo University of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5463-0529; Fax 81-3-5463-0687; E-mail ad95208@tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp

Current work: Systematic revision and phylogenetic study of the family Channidae as my doctoral study. My paper on an undescribed channid species has been published in Ichthyological Research. Several papers on channid fish taxonomy are presently in press.

MYERS, ROBERT F. P.O. Box 21153, GMF, Guam 96921 U.S.A. Tel (671) 734-1092 (Fax possible but call first); E-mail rmyers@netpci.com Current work: Studies of Micronesian fishes and regional zoogeography continue. The bulk of 1998 was spent preparing the digital color for the new expanded edition of Micronesian Reef Fishes as well as a slightly abridged softcover edition which are finally at the printer. Ordering information with expected date of publication will be announced by email and flyer by the end of the year. Goals for 1999 are to complete an annotated checklist of the fishes of Palau (w/T.J. Donaldson & J.E. Randall) and a paper detailing new and recent records of the fishes of Palau (w/T.J. Donaldson & H. Nagano). I will also be collaborating with T. J. Donaldson on studies of the zoogeography of western Pacific fishes. The description of a new Scarus (w/Randall, sr. author) still awaits collection of a juvenile. Loan requests should be sent c/o the Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923. Some excess material from the collection is still available for donation to other institutions.

NAKAYA, KAZUHIRO Lab. of Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel (138) 40-5539; Fax (138) 40-5539; E-Mail nakaya@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Revision of world Apristurus species (Scyliorhinidae, w/K. Sato and other world ichthyologists); (2) taxonomy of Apristurus from New Caledonia (Scyliorhinidae, w/B. Seret); (3) taxonomy of deepwater catsharks (Scyliorhinidae); (4) taxonomic review of Proscyllium (Proscylliidae); (5) taxonomy of Scyliorhinus (Scyliorhinidae, w/S. Shirai); (6) internal morphology of whale shark (Rhincodontidae, w/T. Goto); (7) taxonomic revision of the sharks of Korea (w/Choi Youn & Kim Ik-Soo); (8) functional morphology of jaws in the megamouth shark (Megachasmidae, w/S. Shirai); (9) taxonomy of the cichlid fishes from Lake Tanganyika (Cichlidae, w/T. Takahashi).

NELSON, JOSEPH S. Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, CANADA. Tel 403-492-4741 (with answering machine); Fax 403-492-9234 (Note: area code changes from 403 to 780 on 25 Jan 1999); E-mail joe.nelson@ualberta.ca

Current work: (1) Systematics of the Psychrolutidae and description of new species (w/K. Jackson); (2) taxonomy of Pungitius spp (Gasterosteidae) (w/Y. Keivany); (3) description of a new species of Trichonotidae (w/J.E. Randall); (4) analysis of data on pelvicless Culaea inconstans (Gasterosteidae); (5) Chair, ASIH Gibbs Award Committee, 1998/99; (6) Chair AFS/ASIH committee for revision of AFS publication on "Names of fishes". Re "Fishes of the world" - I will continue to appreciate receiving either reprints and/or references to your systematic studies relevant to future revisions.

NG, HEOK HEE Dept. of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, SINGAPORE 119260. Tel (065) 874-2969; Fax (065) 779-2486; E-Mail scip7116@leonis.nus.edu.sg OR silurus@singnet.com.sg

Current work: (1) Systematic studies on the genus Akysis (w/M.C.C. de Pinna); (2) a systematic revision of Cranoglanis with a study of its phylogenetic relationship (w/C.J. Ferraris); (3) a synopsis of the Indochinese Pterocryptis; (4) description of two new species of Clarias and a new species of Bagichthys; (5) descriptions of new species of Akysis and Pseudomystus from the Barito basin (w/D.J. Siebert); (6) a review of the genus Ceratoglanis; and (7) a revision of Southeast Asian Glyptothorax (w/M. Kottelat). The revision of Acrochordonichthys is complete and has been submitted for publication. Faunistic works include a study of the catfishes of Java (w/I. Rachmatika) and Sumatra (w/H.H. Tan), and the fishes of the Endau River basin, Malaysia (w/H.H. Tan). The work described in last year's newsletter that awaits publication is still ongoing. As before, long term work involves a systematic revision of the genus Hemibagrus; the description of a new species from Borneo (w/J.J. Dodson) has been submitted for publication and the main studies this year are on the Hemibagrus species of northern Vietnam (w/D.Y. Mai & P.K.L. Ng), central Indochina (w/W.J. Rainboth) and South Asia (w/C.J. Ferraris). I continue to engage in other small projects (not mentioned above) on the taxonomy and systematics of Asian catfishes as well.

NIELSEN, JORGEN G. Curator of fishes, Zoological Museum, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, DENMARK. Fax 35321010; E-mail jgnielsen@zmuc.ku.dk

Current work: (1) Neobythites from the Indo-West Pacific; (2) almost finished revision of Bassozetus (w/N.R. Merrett); (3) various problems within the Aphyonidae; (4) fishes from Greenland (w/P.R. Moller & O. Jorgensen).

NOLF, DIRK Curator of fossil fishes, Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, 29, rue Vautier, 1000 Bruxelles, BELGIUM

Current work: (1) Otolith based reconstructions of fossil fish faunas. Completion of an iconographical atlas of all otolith based fossil fish species is near to the end. The book also will include iconography of otoliths of all Recent fish families, to make it attractive to a larger scope of people than just paleontologists. Manuscripts in press include a paper on the early Pliocene otoliths from Papiol, near Barcelona, with a synthesis on Early Pliocene otoliths from the Mediterranean realm (Nolf, Mane & Lopez) and a paper on otoliths from lagunar Eocene deposits in northern Italy and Hungary (Nolf & Reichenbacher). Beside the works to be completed already cited in the previous Newsletter, my main new field of interest concerns recently discovered Cretaceous (Aptian till Maastrichtian) otolith associations from Spain. (2) Application of otoliths to systematics of fossil and Recent fishes.

OKADA, HIROSHI Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail hiros@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Ichthyofauna off Namibia, under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka.

ONO, FUMIHIRO Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail humz@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current Works: Fishes of the Okinawa trough under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka & Associate Prof. M. Yabe.

ORR, JAMES W. Research Zoologist, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, RACE Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, U.S.A. Tel (206) 526-6318; Fax (206) 526-6723; E-Mail orrj@afsc.noaa.gov

Current work: Along with preparing manuscripts from my dissertation on phylogenetics of the Gasterosteiformes, my current work includes 1) a submitted manuscript on the systematics of Lepidopsetta (Pleuronectidae) (w/A. Matarese); 2) systematics of Sebastes ciliatus (Scorpaenidae) (w/J. Blackburn, J.A. Lopez & P. Bentzen); 3) keys to Northeast Pacific flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) (w/M.A. Brown & D.C. Baker); 4) subgeneric relationships of Sebastes (w/A.W. Kendall Jr.); 5) description of a new Solenostomus (w/R.A. Fritzsche); 6) systematic position of Indostomus (w/J.A. Lopez & T.W. Pietsch); 7) book on Fishes of the Puget Sound and adjacent waters (w/T.W. Pietsch); and 8) projects on Japanese gasterosteiforms (w/T. Saruwatari); and 9) distributional note on Howella (w/M. Busby). I also routinely participate in benthic trawl surveys of the Pacific coast from Alaska to California, and specimen requests are always welcome. Our triennial Gulf of Alaska shelf survey is scheduled for summer 1999. Space is still available for on-board volunteers to participate in the sampling and collect specimens.

O'TOOLE, BRUCE Master's candidate, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto/CBCB, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, M5S 2C6. Tel (416) 586-8073; Fax (416) 586-5863; E-mail b.otoole@utoronto.ca

Current work: Phylogeny of the suprafamily Echeneoidei (Echeneididae, Coryphaenidae, and Rachycentridae), based on osteology, hoping to complete this by summer '99. Phylogeny of the Zeiformes, with J. Tyler and R. Winterbottom, hoping to complete this in early '99. Supervising professor: Richard Winterbottom, CBCB, Royal Ontario Museum and Dept. Zoology, University of Toronto.

OTT, GERHARD H.F. VDA-Fischbestimmungsstelle (Fishdetermination Service of the Assoc. of German Aquarium Clubs founded in 1911), Holzkrugweg 16 E, D-24941 Flensburg, GERMANY. Tel +49 (0) 461 9401445; Fax +49 (0) 461 9401446; E-Mail Gerhard.Ott-FL@t-online.de

Current Work: (1) Study of ichthyofauna (esp. Cobitoidea and Cypriniformes) of South and South-East Asia; (2) fish determination service of all freshwater aquarium fishes in friendly cooperation with leading ichthyologist; (3) preparing an "Atlas of Loaches" (Cobitoidea) together with Hans A. Baensch, Melle/Germany. Field Studies this year in Sri Lanka, next year in Indonesia, then planned for South India (Kerala) and Taiwan. (For works published this year or actually in press at this time, please see my homepage: http://home.t-online.de/home/gerhard.ott-fl/eigpubl.htm):

OZAWA, TAKAKAZU Professor, Fac. Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimo-arata, Kagoshima 890-0065, JAPAN. Tel (099)286-4150; Fax 099-286-4133; E-Mail ozawa@bio.fish. kagoshima-u.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Study on the oceanic ichthyoplankton in the western North Pacific; (2) classification of bregmacerotid fishes (family Bregmacerotidae) around Japan.

PARENTI, LYNNE R., Curator, Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-3313; Fax (202) 357-2986; E-mail parenti.lynne@nmnh.si.edu

Current, continuing, research projects include phylogenetic analyses of ricefishes, studies on biogeography of freshwater and marine fishes of the Indo-Australian archipelago, in particular Borneo and Sulawesi, and development of the use of nerve (w/Jiakun Song) and gonad (w/Harry Grier) characters in fish systematics. Kelvin Lim, National University of Singapore, spent one month at the USNM working with me on a collection of fishes from the Rajang River, Sarawak; we are planning a report for the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Jorge Crisci, Museo de La Plata, Argentina, and I organized a biogeography symposium for the Willi Hennig Society meetings held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in September, at which I presented a paper on the biogeography of fishes of Sulawesi. Chris Humphries, the Natural History Museum, London, and I read page proofs and prepared the index for the second edition of our book, Cladistic Biogeography, forthcoming from Oxford University Press.

PAVANELLI, CARLA S. Ph.D. Student at Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos and biologist at the Nupelia (Nucleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquacultura), Universidade Estadual de Maringá, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, BRAZIL. Tel +55-44-263-1616 and 261-4325; Fax +55-44-263-1424; E-mail carlasp@nupelia.uem.br

Current work: (1) Thesis work, a systematic revision of the characoid family Parodontidae (w/H.A. Britsk, J.C. Garavello & W.C. Starnes, in part); (2) checklist and handbook to identification of high Paraná river species (w/H.A. Britski); (3) checklist and handbook to identification of Iguaçu river species (w/J.C. Garavello); (4) checklist and handbook to identification of Corumbá river species (w/H.A. Britski, G.S. Avelino, A.P. Vidotti & D.P. Lopes, in part); (5) dental development and ontogenetic diet shifts of the Roeboides paranensis in pools of the upper rio Paraná basin (w/N.S. Hahn & E.K. Okada); (6) morphometrical characterization and electrophoresis of high Paraná river Hypostomus species (w/C.H. Zawadzki & E. Renesto, in part); (7) temporal and spatial ichthyofaunistic distribution on two streams from high Paraná river basin (w/E.P. Caramaschi).

PAXTON, JOHN R. Research Fellow, Australian Museum, 6 College St., Sydney, N.S.W. 2000, AUSTRALIA. Tel 61 2 9320-6139; Fax 61 2 9320-6059; email johnp@amsg.austmus.gov.au

Current work: (1) 36 family accounts of deepsea fishes for the FAO Western Central Pacific Identification Guide, many with coauthors; (2) Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Pisces, Part 2 (w/D.F. Hoese & G.R. Allen); (3) a new species of the deepsea whalefish genus Cetomimus (Cetomimidae), with a key to the described species (w/T. Trnski); (4) DNA sequences and the relationships of the whalefish family Cetomimidae (w/D.J. Colgan); (5) larvae and juveniles of the whalefishes Barbourisia and Rondeletia (Barbourisiidae; Rondeletiidae) (w/G.D. Johnson); (6) revision of the whalefish genera Gyrinomimus and Cetomimus.

PELICAO, GABRIELA Z. M.Sc. student. Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirao Prêto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) (016) 602 3710; E-mail gzanon@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) MsC dissertation on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Tetragonopterus (Characidae, Tetragonopterinae).

PEQUENO, GERMAN Titular Prof. & Dir., Instituto de Zoologia "Ernst F. Kilian", Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, CHILE. Fax 56-063-221315; e-mail gpequeno@valdivia.uca.uach.cl

Current work: (1) Geographic relationships of fishes from the southern tip of Chile; (2) ichthyogeography of Chilean oceanic islands; (3) studies on Serranidae from Chile (w/R. Rojas); (4) studies on fishes from the Juan Fernandez Is.; (5) fishes of the Valdivian District.

PEREIRA, EDSON H.L. Graduate student, Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia - PUCRS, P.O.Box 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, BRAZIL. Tel (051) 320-3500 ext. 4413; Fax (051)3203900; email edsonhlp@music.pucrs.br

Current Work: (1) Interrelationships of species and genera in the "Neoplecostomus" group (Neoplecostomus, Pareiorhina, Pareiorhaphis, Kronichthys, Isbrueckerichthys, "Corymbophanes" and "Hemipsilichthys") for my Doctoral dissertation; (2) continuing to prepare the taxonomic revision of genus Hemipsilichthys (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) for publication; (3) description of three new species of the genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei, Siluriformes) from southern South America (w/R. Reis); (4) revision of genus Delturus (w/J. Armbruster & R. Reis).

PEZOLD, FRANK Curator, Museum of Zoology, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, Louisiana 71209, U.S.A. Tel (318) 342-1750; Fax (318) 342-1755; E-Mail bipezold@alpha.nlu.edu

Current work: Work on Eleotridae and Gobiidae noted in 1997 continues, plus (1) review of Kribia and (2) revision of Dormitator with Mike Taylor of Tulane University.

POLY, WILLIAM J. Doctoral student, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6501, U.S.A. Tel (618) 453-4123; Fax (618) 453-2806; E-mail argulus5@siu.edu; http://www.science.siu.edu/zoology/gradstudents/poly/argulus.html

Current work: (1) Taxonomy and distribution of Argulus (Crustacea: Branchiura), which are primarily fish parasites, on a worldwide scale, focusing on North and Central America for dissertation (advisor: Dr. William G. Dyer); (2) residence time of epigean fishes in West Virginia caves (w/ C.E. Boucher); (3) diet of Cottus bairdi in the Mad River, Ohio; (4) fish fauna of a Pleistocene bog in Ohio. Other interests include: natural hybridization in fishes, fish taxonomy, systematics, and ecology, fish parasites, and factors affecting electrophoretic mobility of enzymes. I would very much appreciate any specimens of Argulus other scientists collect and are willing to send for study (worldwide).

PUPO, F.M.R.S. Graduate student, Laboratorio de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Dep. de Zoologia, Inst. de Biologia, UFRJ. Cidade Universitaria. Ilha do Fundao, CCS, Bloco A, Sala A0 120; Cx Postal: 68049, CEP 21994-970. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRASIL. Fax 560 5993; e-mail fpupo@acd.ufrj.br

Current work: (1) Phylogenetic relationships of some members of the subfamily Trichomycterinae (w/W.J.E.M. Costa & A. Barbosa); (2) taxonomical revision of the of genus Trichomycterus from southeastern Brazil; (3) description of new taxa of the subfamily Sarcoglanidinae (w/W.J.E.M. Costa).

QUERO, JEAN-CLAUDE IFREMER, Place du Sl. 33 5 46 50 06 63; Fax 33 5 46 50 93 79; Email Maryvonne.thomas@ifremer.fr

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of Congridae from New Caledonia; (2) ichthyofauna from North-eastern Atlantic; (3) Ichthyofauna from Réunion Island.

RANDALL, JOHN E. Senior Ichthyologist Emeritus, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817-2704, U.S.A. Tel (808) 235-1652; Fax 808 847 8252; E-mail jackr@vision1.net

"Indo-Pacific Fishes", no. 17, revision of the squirrelfish genus Sargocentron by Randall, is now available, and number 28 on garden eels (Heterocongrinae) by Castle and Randall is under review. The second edition of "Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea" and a revised printing of "Shore Fishes of Hawaii" are available from the University of Hawaii Press, 2840 Kolowalu st., Honlululu, HI 96822. An updated checklist of the fishes of the Marquesas with 36 new records (w/J.L. Earle) and a review of the gobiid genus Gnatholepis (w/D.W. Greenfield) have been completed. Descriptions of new Marquesan reef fishes are in progress. Work on revision of Coris, Pseudocheilinus, and Stethojulis will commence soon. A comprehensive book, "Fishes of the South Pacific, New Caledonia to French Polynesia", is planned.

REICHENBACHER, BETTINA Geologisches Institut der Universität Karlsruhe, Postfach 6980, D-76128 Karlsruhe, GERMANY. Tel 0049-(0)721-6082940, Fax: 0049-(0)721-6082138; e-mail bettina.reichenbacher@bio-geo.uni-karlsruhe.de

Current work: (1) Taxonomic study of fossil brackish and freshwater fish faunas (Umbridae, Cyprinodontidae, Atherinidae, Ambassidae and others) on the basis of otoliths. Study areas are: Mayence Basin and Upper Rhinegraben (Germany), Molasse Basin of Switzerland and Haute Savoie, continental Tertiary basins of Southern France, Transylvanian Basin (Romania). (2) Paleoecology, biostratigraphy and paleogeography on basis of fish otoliths in brackish and freshwater sediments of Oligocene and Miocene times.

REIS, ROBERTO E. Curator of Fishes, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia (MCP) PUCRS. Av. Ipiranga 6681, P.O.Box 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, BRAZIL. Tel (+55 51) 320-3500 ext. 4413; Fax (+55 51) 339-1564; E-mail reis@music.pucrs.br

Current work: (1) The book "Phylogeny and Classification of Neotropical Fishes" is finally completed (see announcement); (2) several papers on description and phylogenetic relationships of diverse new loricariid taxa (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) (w/S. Schaefer, E. Pereira, J. Armbruster, K. Langeani or alone); (3) description of various new species of Gymnogeophagus (Cichlidae, Perciformes) and reassessment of their phylogenetic relationships (w/L. Malabarba); (4) study of ontogenetic allometry of Gymnogeophagus using geometric morphometrics and it phylogenetic content (w/L. Malabarba); and (5) material for a phylogenetic revision of the genus Callichthys (Callichthyidae, Siluriformes) is being assembled.

RICHARDS, WILLIAM J. Senior Scientist, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149, U.S.A. Tel (305) 361-4249; Fax (305) 361-4478; E-mail bill.richards@noaa.gov

Current work: (1) Continuing with the preparation of an identification guide of the early life stages of fishes of the western central North Atlantic with hopes for completion around 2000; (2) continuing with systematic studies of the family Triglidae with emphasis on the genus Pterygotrigla. The subgenus Otohime revision with Peter Last and Takuji Yato is nearly completed and includes descriptions of a several new species. The other Pterygotrigla subgenera are currently under study. Also am developing a list of characters for all species of the family for cladistic analysis; and guides of adults for the western Pacific, western Indian Ocean, and western central Atlantic are in various stages of completion.

RIEHL, RÜDIGER Institut für Zoomorphologie, Zellbiologie & Parasitologie, Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, GERMANY. Tel 0211/81-13582; Fax 0211/81-14499; E-mail riehl@uni-duesseldorf.de

Current work: (1) Scanning electron microscope studies on surfaces and micropyles of native, Antarctic and tropic fish eggs with special reference to their systematic significance; (2) comparative studies on the ultrastructure of egg envelopes in different teleost families; (3) studies on the stickiness of egg envelopes in economically important fish species (carp, pike); (4) pattern of neuromasts in fish larvae, e.g. Clarias gariepinus; (5) finished a german textbook on the Biology of Fishes (w/other colleagues); (6) preparing a symposium-volume on Reproductive biology in Aquariumfishes, vol. 2 (w/H. Greven).

ROBERTS, CLIVE D. Curator of Fishes, Museum of New Zealand, PO Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand. Tel 0064-4-381-7311; Fax 0064-4-381-7310; E-mail cliver@tepapa.govt.nz

Current work: (1) Leading the programme "Biosystematics of NZ EEZ Fishes", which has just received confirmation of government funding for six years (to 2004); (2) editor of monthly popular articles "Museum Marine File" and "Something Fishy" in NZ sector magazines; (3) leading field work collecting fishes from south Westland (Feb) and Bay of Plenty (April); just spent a week collecting at Niue Island and Beveridge Reef; (4) organising symposium on NZ Fiord Research at NZ Marine Sciences Society annual conference (Sep). Current research: (1) checklist of fishes from Niue; (2) taxonomic revisions of Australasian Nemadactylus (Cheilodactylidae), Hoplostethus gigas (Trachichthyidae), and New Caledonian Centroberyx (Berycidae); (3) documentation and biogeography of coastal fish faunas within the NZ region.

ROBERTS, TYSON R. Capital Mansion, 1371 Phaholyotin Road, Sapakhwai, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND. Tel (662) 279 7070

Current work: I am mainly concerned with systematic studies on freshwater fishes of tropical Asia. My work involves all groups found in fresh water. Major projects include a systematic revision of the Synbranchidae or swamp eels. Smaller projects include reviews or revisions of various ostariophysan and non-ostariophysan genera, further SEM observations of unculi, and reports on Miocene freshwater fossil fishes from Thailand (the latter with colleague Janya Jumnongthai of the Thai Department of Mineral Resources). Travel and field work in the first half of 1998 included three months in Bangladesh and northern Vietnam (with Dave Catania of the California Academy of Sciences) and two months in the People's Republic of China. The trip to China included visits to the Institute of Zoology in Kunming, Institute of Hydrobiology in Wuhan, and the Institute of Zoology and the Institute of Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing. Conditions in Chinese ichthyological institutions differ from most western ones in several ways that make it difficult for ichthyologists to do their work. Loans, exchanges or gifts of fish specimens (including paratypes) between institutions (even within China) generally is not done. This is perhaps the main reason Chinese ichthyologists publish many local faunal accounts and anatomical papers but almost no systematic revisions. Availability and ease of access to ichthyological references including reprints ranges from very good to very poor. Of the three institutions with collections of living fishes I visited, none has radiographic facilities in working condition. Many preserved specimens are kept in formalin rather than in alcohol (mainly due to fire hazard). Collections are generally well curated, but funding for field work and research (including travel abroad) is scarce.

ROCHA, LUIZ A. Graduate student. Universidade Federal da Paraíba, CCEN, DSE, Lab. de Ictiologia, Joao Pessoa, PB. 58033-390, BRAZIL. Tel 55-83-2167593; Fax 55-83-2167464; E-mail rocha@openline.com.br

Current work: (1) MSc dissertation on the reef fishes of Parcel de Manuel Luiz State Marine Park, NE Brazil; (2) studies of biogeography and population structure of reef fishes on Tropical Atlantic based on mtDNA data (w/B. Bowen); (3) survey of fishes from deep reefs (50-70 m) in Paraíba, NE Brazil (w/B.M. Feitoza & R.S. Rosa); (4) ecology of the sponge dwelling fishes from Paraíba State, NE Brazil (w/I.L. Rosa & B.M. Feitoza): (5) field guide of northeastern Brazilian reef fishes (w/I.L. Rosa & colleagues): (6) inventory of the fishes of Zumbi reef complex, NE Brazil (w/B.M. Feitoza & R.S. Rosa).

ROJAS M., JOSE RODRIGO PhD. in Sciencies, with emphasis in Icthyogeography. Proambiente and Programa Regional de Maestria en Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. Apartado Postal 20-4200, Naranjo-Alajuela, COSTA RICA. E-mail proambie@sol.racsa.co.cr

Current work: Actually carrying out a study of fisheries of sharks in Central America. We are looking for any help, literature and advisers about trade, catch and ecology of sharks from this area. Also working on a world revision of the fish genus Caprodon together with Dr. T. Kon and H. Senou from Ryukyus University.

ROSA, IERECE L. Professor, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Departamento Sistemática e Ecologia, CCEN, 58059-900 Joao Pessoa PB, BRAZIL. Fax 55-83-216-7464; E-mail ierece@dse.ufpb.br

Current work: (1) Inventory of reef fishes of the NE Brazilian coast. This research is being carried out in collaboration with other Brazilian researchers, namely Professors R.S. Rosa (UFPB) and B. Ferreira (Dpto. Oceanografia, Univ. Fed. Pernambuco), graduate students L.A. Rocha (UFPB) and B.A.M. Cabral (UFPE), undergraduate students B.M. Feitosa (UFPB), C. Sampaio (Univ. Fed. Bahia) and J.L. Gasparini (Univ. Fed. Espírito Santo): (2) food habits of visually important reef fishes of two areas (Areia Vermelha and adjacent reefs) in the State of Paraíba, NE Brazil, in collaboration with two undergraduate students, T. Diaz and B.M. Feitosa (both from Univ. Fed. Paraíba); (3) fishes of the Parcel Manuel Luiz Marine State Park, in collaboration with SEMA/MA (Maranhao State Environmental Bureau) since Mar. 1997, and will result in a M.Sc. thesis by L.A. Rocha.

SANTINI, FRANCESCO Graduate student, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto and Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6, CANADA. Tel 416-5868073; Fax 416-5865863; E-Mail fsantini@rom.on.ca; fsantini@zoo.utoronto.ca.

I am doing a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Professor Richard Winterbottom. Current work: (1) Study of the phylogeny and biogeography of Triacanthodidae (Teleostei, Tetraodontiformes); (2) use of the phylogeny and the biogeography of Triacanthodidae to reconstruct speciation processes in deep-sea.

SATO, KEIICHI Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 40-5539; E-mail humz@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Phylogenetic study on the deep-water catshark (Scyliorhinidae) under the directions of Prof. K. Amaoka & Associate Prof. K. Nakaya; (2) phylogeny and taxonomic review of the genus Apristurus (Scyliorhinidae, w/K. Nakaya); (3) description of some new species of Apristurus from New Zealand (w/A. Stewart) and Australia (w/P. Last & R. Daley); (4) systematic study of Parmaturus melanobranchus and related new species from New Zealand (w/A. Stewart).

SCHAEFER, SCOTT A. Associate Curator, Dept. of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West @ 79th St., New York, NY 10024-5192, U.S.A. Tel (212) 769-5652; Fax (212) 769-5642; email schaefer@amnh.org

Current work: (1) Systematic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the Astroblepidae (w/H. Ortega); (2) systematics of African Characidae, tribe Petersini, for Fishes of Lower Guinea volume; (3) various remaining projects on hypoptopomatine loricariids. Collections resulting from a July, 1998 survey of fishes of the Noell Kempff Mercado National Park of Santa Cruz State, Bolivia (upper Mamoré, on Brazilian border) are being processed and will soon be available for study. I have assumed duties as Copeia general ichthyology editor.

SCHINDLER, INGO Warthestr. 53a, 12051 Berlin, GERMANY.

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of Nannacara and Guianacara (Cichlidae) from Guyana (w/W. Staeck); (2) systematics and zoogeography of Cichlasoma (Cichlidae); (3) redescription of Bunocephalus rugosus (w/H.J. Paepke).

SCHULTZ, ORTWIN Curator of Fossil Fishes , Geolog.-Palaeont. Abt., Naturhistorisches Museum, Burgring 7, Postfach 417, A-1014 Wien, ÖSTERREICH. Tel 0043-1-52177-254; Fax 0043-01-52177-459; E-mail ortwin.schultz@nhm-wien.ac.at

Current work: Serranidae from the Miocene of Austria.

SCHULTZE, HANS-PETER Chairman, Institut fuer Palaeontologie, Museum fuer Naturkunde, Humboldt Universitaet, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, GERMANY. Tel (49) 30-2093-8864; Fax (49) 30-2093-8868; E-Mail hans-peter.schultze@rz.hu-berlin.de

Current work: (1) Study of complete specimens of Dialipina, an Early Devonian actinopterygian from the Canadian Arctic (w/S. Cumbaa); (2) interrelationships of basal sarcopterygians (position of dipnoans) (w/Zhu Min).

SENOU, HIROSHI Curator of Fishes, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, 499 Iryuda, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0031, JAPAN. Tel +81-465-21-1515; FAX +81-465-23-8846; E-Mail senou@pat-net.ne.jp

Current work: (1) Faunal studies of Sagami Bay, the Izu-Ogasawara Islands, and the Ryukyu Islands including many new records and some new species of various fish families; (2) editorial work on I.O.P. Diving News; (3) construction of image database of fishes taken by SCUBA divers.

SÉRET, BERNARD Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie, Antenne ORSTOM, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris cedex 05, FRANCE. Tel (33) 1-40.79.37.38; Fax (330 1-40.79.37.71; E-mail seret@mnhn.fr

Current work: (1) Edition of the proceedings of the 5th Indo- Pacific Fish Conference (Noumea, 3-8 November 1997): #80 contributions for about 900 pages, should be out in January 1999; (2) taxonomy of the Indo-Pacific Chondrichthyan fishes with Peter Last, Kazu Nakaya, Dominique Dagit, Marcelo Carvhalo, George Burgess, John McEachran... results will be published in a special volume on Chondrichthyans in the MUSORSTOM series; (3) elasmobranch bycatches of the French tuna fleet in the Atlantic Ocean with ORSTOM tuna fishery team; (4) took part to the FAO consultation on shark fisheries for the elaboration of the FAO shark action plan; (5) description of a new sea-bream from New Caledonia with Masato Akazaki; (6) have set "ElasmoFrance" as a sub-group of the French Ichthyological Society and French representative of the European Elasmobranch Association, whose annual meeting will be held in Boulogne/Mer (France) in May 1999; (7) associate editor of Cybium, journal of the French Ichthyological Society.

SHAO, KWANG-TSAO Research Fellow and Director, Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Tel (886)-2-27899545; Fax (886)-2-27883463; E-mail: zoskt@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Current work: (1) Fauna, distribution and database of fishes in Taiwan and South China Sea; will emphasize on deep-sea fishes in the future 2-3 years; (2) speciation (isolating mechanisms) and molecular systematic of cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) (w/J.P. Chen); (3) identification of fish eggs by using EM or light microscopy (w/K.C. Chen); (4) description of several new species of gobies and cardinalfishes etc. (w/I.S. Chen & J.P. Chen); (5) join the PISCES project (using molecular tool to detect population interdependencies of some reef fishes in the South China Ecosystem) of ICLARM.

SHEN, SHIH-CHIEH Professor, Dept. of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Tel (886)-2-23630231 ext. 2353; Fax (886)-2-23636837.

I will retire starting Feb. 1. 1999 but will still do researches at the same Department using the same address. In March 1999. "Taiwan Ichthyological Society" will be established, I will help in promoting the activities of this Society to enhance the communication and cooperation of ichthyological researches among local and international scientists. Current work: Phylogenetic relationship and systematic status of Tetraodontiformes; (2) freshwater fish fauna formation and evolution of Taiwan: Oryziidae and Gobiobotinae; (3) phylogenetic systematics of Chimaeroid fishes (Holocephali. Chimaeroidei) in Taiwan; (4) phylogenetic systematics of the genus Hexatrygon (Hexatrygonidae).

SHIBATTA, O.A. Departamento de Biologia Animal e Vegetal, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina. CEP 86051-970, Londrina, PR, BRAZIL. E-mail shibatta@uel.br.

Current work: (1) Manual of identification of fishes from Tibagi river basin, Paraná State, Brazil; (2) description of a new genus of the family Pseudopimelodidae; (3) taxonomic revision of the genus Microglanis; (4) description of a new species of the genus Pariolius from Iguassu River with Dr. Julio Cesar Garavello and Juliana Previdelli Garavello.

SHIMAZAKI, MITSUOMI Graduate Student, Lab. Mar. Zool., Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail mitujin@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Phylogenetic study of batfishes (Ogcocephalidae), under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka.

SHINOHARA, GENTO Curator of Fishes, Dept. of Zoology, National Science Museum (Nat. Hist.). 3-23-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, JAPAN Tel 81-3-3364-7125; Fax 81-3-3364-7104; E-mail s-gento@kahaku.go.jp

Current work: (1) Phylogeny of the Liparidae (w/K. Kido); (2) phylogeny of the Caracanthidae (w/ H. Imamura); (3) taxonomy of the Zoarcidae from Russian Far East and Japan.

SILVA, JOSÉ F. PEZZI DA Graduate student, Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia, PUCRS, P.O. bOX 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, BRAZIL. Tel (051) 320-3500 ext 4413; Fax (051) 3203900; E-mail pezzi@music.pucrs.br

Current work: (1) Continuing to prepare the taxonomic review of the genus Bryconamericus from the southeastern Brazil for publication; (2) taxonomic review of the genus Astyanax from the rio Tramandai drainage (w/L/R. Malabarba and V.A. Bertaco).

SOMA, AYA Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail kajiko@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) A taxonomic revision of the superfamily Cottoidea of Kuril Islands, under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka; (2) an undescribed species of the genus Icelinus (Cottidae) from Southern Kuril Islands.

SPRINGER, VICTOR G. Curator, Div. of Fishes, U.S. Nat. Mus. Nat. Hist., MRC-159, Washington, D.C. 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-3305; Fax 202-357-2986; E-Mail springer.victor@nmnh.si.edu.

Current work: (1) Atlas of dorsal gill-arch musculature with evaluation of labroid inter- and intrarelationships (w./G.D. Johnson & K. Darrow); (2) interrelationships of Elassoma (w/G.D. Johnson); (3) new species of Entomacrodus; (4) Ecsenius updates.

STAUFFER, JAY R. Professor of Ichthyology, School of Forest Resources, Penn State Univ., University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A. Tel. (814) 863-0645; Fax (814) 865-3725; E-mail vc5@psu.edu

Current work: (1) Systematics and behavior of Lake Malawi fishes; (2) impact of facultative molluscivores on the intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes; (3) distribution and status of Pennsylvania fishes; (4) identification of Pennsylvanian fishes based on scale-shape analysis; (5) chair of the local committee for the 1999 Annual ASIH meeting (see www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/ASIH).

STEHMANN, MATTHIAS Institut fuer Seefischerei, Bundesforschungs-anstalt fuer Fischerei, Palmaille 9, D-22767 Hamburg, GERMANY. Tel +49-40-38905 217; Fax +49-40-38905 263; E-mail 106241.1657@compuserve.com

Current work: The multinational EU research project on Deep-Water Fisheries has expired end of November 1998, results and final report on the 'historical' ISH deep-water exploratory surveys in the Rockall Trough region during the 70s and 80s have been submitted. One result is the description of a new species Apristurus aphyodes with Nakaya, based on material originating from former ISH surveys. More papers on results, e.g. on biological aspects, are being prepared. Presently, an EU Concerted Action is being considered among European partners to explore possibilities for a EU research proposal 'Stock assessment of some elasmobranch fishes in European waters'. Two preparatory meetings may be held in 1999, and the project may start in late 1999 or in 2000. Have visited in May the Irish partner of the Deep-water Fisheries EU project to help identifying interesting chondrichthyan samples taken during their longlining surveys. A follow up bilateral project with C.M. Vooren at the University of Rio Grande, Brazil, was initiated dealing with Myliobatis rays during 1999 and 2000. Cooperation with the AtlantNIRO colleagues in Kaliningrad resulted in a joint paper on new Russian records of Heteroscymnoides marleyi submitted to Vop. Ikhtiol. in summer. Am continuing the study and publication of the chondrichthyan samples taken by the Russian R/V 'Vityaz' cr. 17 in the deep Western Indian Ocean, as well as work on North Atlantic and some other deep-water elasmobranchs. The odontology series with J. Herman and the Hovestadts is being continued. I will appreciate further exchange of ichthyological reprints, although my production has become low due to my only spare time effort in taxonomic matters.

STEVENSON, DUANE E. Ph.D. Candidate, School of Fisheries, Univ. of Washington, Box 355100, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A. Tel (206) 685-3438; Fax (206) 685-3275; E-mail des@fish.washington.edu

Current work: My dissertation project is a revision of the asian goby genus Chaenogobius. In addition to describing two new species (manuscript accepted pending revision), I hope to untangle a few taxonomic problems and provide a phylogeny for the genus based on morphological and molecular characters. I am also busy with the International Kuril Islands Project (see http:// artedi.fish.washington.edu/ikip). I just returned from my second expedition to the Kuril Islands and am preparing for my third in 1999. Meanwhile, I am busy with curation of the fishes from this year's expedition as well as others in the UW Fish Collection. Finally, I am working on a zoogeography of the freshwater and anadromous fishes of the Kuril Is. (w/T.W. Pietsch & K. Amaoka).

STRINGER, GARY LAYNE Department of Geosciences, Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, Louisiana 71209, U.S.A. Tel 318 342-1893; Fax 318 342-1755; e-mail gestringer@alpha.nlu.edu

Current work: All of the studies involving Recent, fossil, and archeological otoliths which were in press in the 1997 Newsletter have been published. Additional field work in the summer of 1998 in the Coon Creek Formation in Tennessee (Upper Cretaceous, Maastrich-tian) provided four more otolith-based taxa from the formation. Work continues on an excellent otolith assemblage from the Kemp Formation (Upper Cretaceous of Texas). A small otolith assemblage from the PawPaw Formation (Upper Cretacous, Albian) in northeastern Texas may prove to be the oldest Mesozoic otoliths from N. America.

SU, RUI-FENG MS candidate, Dept. Systematic Zool., Kunming Inst. of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel 86 871-5196361; Fax 86 871-5191823; E-mail chenxy@mail.kiz.ac.cn

Current work: Phylogeny and taxonomy of the fishes in Crossocheilus group. My thesis is on the phylogeny and zoogeography of the fishes of this group, expected completion date is Sept. 2000, my advisor is Dr. Yang, J.-X. Because I have only spent three months in this study, no systematic works have been published. However, I am very interested in this group of fishes.

SUZUKI, NOBUAKI Graduate student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail humz@fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: All my works are directed by Prof. K. Amaoka. (1) Molecular phylogeny and systematics of the flatfishes genus Pleuronectes and its related taxa based on the mtDNA sequences; (2) investigations of the genetic variations and population sturactures of P. schrenki and P. yokohamae analyzing allozymes; (3) investigations of morphological and genetic variations among several species in Scophthalmus.

SWINNEY, GEOFFREY N. Curator of Lower Vertebrates, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF, UK. Tel (+44) 131 247 4234; Fax (+44) 131 220 4819; E-Mail gns@nms.ac.uk

Current work: (1) Taxonomy and distributional studies on various deep-sea mid-water fishes; (2) research into the ichthyological collections made by Richard Parnell (1810-1882); (3) re-curation and re-organisation of the wet-preserved fish collections of the National Museums of Scotland.

TAKAHASHI, TETSUMI Graduate Student, Laboratory of Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel 138(area code) 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail tetsumi@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Phylogeny of cichlid fishes from Africa, under the directions of Prof. K. Amaoka & Associate Prof. K. Nakaya; (2) taxonomy of cichlid fishes of Lake Tanganyika, Africa, (3) taxonomy of a species of the genus Telmatochromis.

TAKEDA, KENTARO Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041, JAPAN. Tel 138 40-5540; Fax 138 43-5015; E-mail humz@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

Current Work: Taxonomy of the genus Etmopterus (Squalidae) under the direction of Prof. K. Amaoka & Associate Prof. K. Nakaya.

TAN, HEOK H.  Currently MSc student, Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, SINGAPORE 119260. Tel (65) 874-2969; Fax (65) 779-2486; E-Mails scip6068@leonis.nus.edu.sg betta@mbox4.singnet.com.sg

Current work: (1) finishing up MSc project on the freshwater fishes of the Batang Hari basin, central Sumatra (under Assoc. Prof. Peter Ng); (2) planning to start on PhD project on the hillstream loaches of the genus Gastromyzon (Balitoridae) sometime in mid-1999 (under Assoc. Prof. Peter Ng & Prof. Lam T.J.); (3) description of a new species of Carinotetraodon (Tetraodontidae) from Sumatra; (4) descriptions of new species of Cypriniformes from Borneo and Sumatra; (5) descriptions of new species of Betta (Osphronemidae) from Sumatra, Borneo and Malaysia.

TEITLER, NEAL M. Research Student, Laboratory of Ichthyology, Tokyo Univ. of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5463-0529; Fax 81-3-5463-0687; E-mail teitler@tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp

Since elucidation of the phylogeny of the genus Carassius is a project that now appears will take maybe 15-20 years of a multidisciplinary study, my short-term research under Drs. K. Fujita and H. Kohno has now shifted to an osteological study (and some morphology) of the larval development of some goldfish varieties and congeners. Principally this will include the three prefectural treasure types of goldfish -- Tosakin (Kochi), jikin (Aichi), and nankin (Iwate) -- as well as the comet, wakin, ryukin and ranchu. Dependent on availability of live adult specimens, development of the real wild (not feral) Chinese goldfish Carassius a. auratus, the okinbuna Carassius b. buergeri, and nagabuna Carassius sp. will also be observed. Long-term continuing projects include: (1) Genetics, esp. of pigments & patterns, of goldfish; (2) use of antioxidants to stabilize life colors in preserved fish specimens; (3) investigation of the variations, folio dates, etc. in Temminck and Schlegel's `Pisces' folios of `Fauna Japonica'.

TEUGELS, GUY G. Curator of Fishes, Laboratoire d'Ichthyologie, Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, B-3080 Tervuren, BELGIUM. Tel + 32-2-7695640; Fax +32-2-7695642; E-mail teugels@africamuseum.be

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna of Cameroon, Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville; (2) revision of Brienomyrus (Mormyridae) (w/ C.D. Hopkins); (3) revision of southeast Asian Clariidae; (4) revision of Bathyclarias/Dinotopterus (Clariidae) (w/M. Banda & L. Anseaume); (5) karyology of Clariidae catfishes (w/M. Parrent); (6) phylogeny of Clariidae (w/J.F. Agnèse); (7) revision of the Oreochromis niloticus complex (Cichlidae) (w/J.F. Agnèse). Student work (Ph.D.): E. Vreven - systematics of the Afromastacembelinae (Mastacembelidae); E.P. Kouamelan - effect of a man-made lake on the diet of Mormyridae; T. Koné - effect of a man-made lake on the reproduction and the diet of a landlocked population of the estuarine tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron.

TOLEDO-PIZA, MONICA Secao de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 42694, cep: 04299-970, Sao Paulo, SP, BRASIL. Tel (011) 274-3690 ext. 242; Fax (011) 274-3455 email mtpiza@usp.br

Current work: (1) Systematics of the Heterocharacini (Characiformes: Characidae) including Heterocharax, Lonchogenys, Hoplocharax and Gnathocharax; (2) taxonomic revision and phylogenetic relationships of Chalceus (Characiformes: Characidae) (w/A. Zanata); (3) systematics of the Cynodontinae: manuscript on the revision of Hydrolycus species sent out for publication, and completion of manuscript on the phylogeny of the Cynodontinae; (4) coordination of a joint project between MZUSP and the Natural History Museum, London, on the pulication of "Drawings of Fishes of the Rio Negro", made by A.R. Wallace (1850-1852).

TYLER, JAMES C. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (MRC-106), Washington DC 20560-106 U.S.A. Tel 202- 786-2662; Fax 202-633-8135; E-mail tyler.jim@nmnh.si.edu

Current work: New genera and species of Eocene and Oligocene acanthurids; phylogeny of Recent genera and families of zeiforms; review of fossil zeiforms; new genus of balistid from the Upper Paleocene of Denmark; behavioral ecology of Emblemariopsis and Acanthemblemaria chaenopsids off Belize.

UFERMANN, ALFRED German Cichlid Association. Ebereschenweg 41, D-46147 Oberhauwsen, GERMANY. Tel 49 208 672551

Current work: Preparing the 2nd edition of our "Alphabetical catalogue of cichlids" in the year 2000, together with Robert Allgayer (French), and Martin Geerts (The Netherlands).

UIBLEIN, FRANZ Institute of Zoology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, AUSTRIA. Tel & Fax +43-662-424751; Email franz.uiblein@sbg.ac.at

Current work: (1) Deep demersal and midwater fishes of the Canary Islands (w/Fernando Bordes and Ricardo Castillo). The manuscript with an annotated list of midwater fishes and ten new records shall be published in due course (w/N. Merrett, M. Miya, T. Sutton and M. Yamaguchi); (2) The fishes of the Great Meteor Seamount, Eastern Central Atlantic (w/A. Geldmacher, F. Köster, and M. Nellen). One paper featuring an annotated species list with 17 new records and a zoogeographic comparison shall be published soon; (3) continuation with the project on conservation of European grayling, Thymallus thymallus, in Austrian waters (w/A. Jagsch, E. Kainz & S. Weiss); (4) preparing the final version of a chapter entitled "Deep-Sea Fishes" and editorial work for a popular-science book on deep-sea and cave organisms (in German).

UNMACK, PETER J. Biology Department, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1501, U.S.A. Tel 602-965-1578; Fax 602-965-2519; E-Mail peter.unmack@asu.edu

Current work: (1) Masters/PhD student at Arizona State University under W.L. Minckley. Presently writing my Masters project on the biogeography of Australian freshwater fishes; (2) still working with GIS on western fishes with Minckley; (3) still working on rainbowfishes (Melanotaenidae) from central and eastern Australia with T. Dowling and C. Moritz; (4) I have a couple of collaborations on genetic studies on freshwater Australian fishes, one with K. Komori a PhD student at Macquarie University on Ambassidae, one with B. Shaffer at University of California, Davis on 4 eastern species; (5) if anyone is interested in collaboration on Australian material I have a reasonable collection of frozen material just waiting to be ground up and put on a gell! Also have formalin specimens to go with genetic material.

VARI, RICHARD P. Research Zoologist and Curator, Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-4027; Fax (202) 357-2986; E-mail vari.richard@nmnh.si.edu

Current research: Completion of the Creagrutus project (w/A.S. Harold) was delayed by editorial responsibilities for "Phylogeny and Classification of Neotropical Fishes" (see under New Publications) and the completion of projects on Neotropical catfishes (w/C. Ferraris) and Neotropical characids (w/H. Ortega). All of these are now, published, in press, or in review. With a little luck the Creagrutus monograph will be completed this year. I am also engaged in a study of phylogenetic relationships within the Characiformes, in particular the Anostomidae and African Characidae. During 1999 I also hope to work on the descriptions of a new Trichomycterus species (w/L. Fernandez) and odd characid from the Rio Tocantins basin (w/L. Malabarba). Together with Carl Ferraris (CAS) I am working on a revision of the South American catfish subfamily Cetopsinae.

VOSKOBOINIKOVA O.S. Senior scientist, Lab. Ichthyology, Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 S.Petersburg, RUSSIA. Tel. (812) 238-0612; Fax (812) 238-2941; E-mail vos@zisp.spb.su

Current work: (1) Comparative osteology, relationships and systematics of the notothenioid fishes of the family Channichthyidae; (2) early life history of the notothenioid fishes; (3) osteological development of fishes of the families Bovictidae and Pseudaphritidae.

WALSH, STEPHEN J. U.S. Geological Survey, Florida-Caribbean Science Center, 7920 NW 71st St., Gainesville, FL 32653 U.S.A. Tel (352) 378-8181; Fax (352) 378-4956; e-mail steve_walsh@usgs.gov.

Work continues on projects listed in 1997 Newsletter. Nearing completion of description of new species of Ageneiosus (w/J.G. Lundberg & F. Langeani). Expedition to lower Rio Siapa, Amazonas, Venezuela in Jan. 1998 (w/K.O. Winemiller & L.G. Nico) resulted in valuable material deposited at Museo de Ciencias Naturales-Guanare and currently being sorted and identified. I expect to collaborate in faunal surveys of lakes Edward, George, and the Kazinga Channel, Uganda in mid-1999 (w/L.J. Chapman & C.A. Chapman).

WATANABE, KATSUTOSHI JSPS Research Fellow, Dept. of Marine Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Obama, Fukui 917-0003, JAPAN. Tel 81-770-52-6300; Fax 81-770-52-6003; E-Mail ub-watanak@s.fpu.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Systematics and biogeography of the East Asian bagrid catfishes (based on anatomy and molecular); (2) population ecology of the bagrid catfish, Pseudobagrus ichikawai (molecular ecology; w/M. Nishida); (3) revision of the fossil bagrids from Japan (w/T. Uyeno); (4) molecular phylogeny of the Tanganyikan scale-eating cichlids (w/M. Hori & M. Nishida); (5) molecular phylogeny of the Tanganyikan cichlids, Lepidiolamprologus (w/M. Hori & M. Nishida).

WILLIAMS, JEFFREY T. Collection Manager, Division of Fishes (MRC-159), National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-3059; Fax (202) 357-2986; E-mail williams.jeff@nmnh.si.edu, http://www.nmnh.si.edu/vert/jtw.html

Current work: Review of Helcogramma ellioti species complex (Tripterygiidae); revisionary studies on the Indo-Pacific blenniid genera Alticus and Andamia (Blenniidae); descriptions of new species in the families Labrisomidae and Gobiesocidae from Tobago; family Tripterygiidae for the FAO Species Identification sheets for the Western Central Pacific; checklist of the fishes of Tonga (w/D.G. Smith & J.E. Randall); description of a new species of Mahidolia (Gobiidae) (w/I.-S. Chen); description of a new Trichonotus (Trichonotidae) from Vanuatu (w/D.G. Smith); new species of Cirrhilabrus (Labridae) from Solomon Islands (w/M.W. Westneat); analysis of Steeneichthys (Plesiopidae) (w/R.D. Mooi). D. G. Smith and I have a manuscript in press in Marine Fisheries Review on "The Great Albatross Philippine Expedition, 1907-1910." A revision of the Helcogramma fuscopinna species complex (Tripterygiidae) (w/J. Howe) is in press in the Rev. Francaise d'Aquariologie and is scheduled for publication in late 1998. An expedition in September/October, 1998, to the Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands, with M. McGrouther, R. Mooi, M. Westneat, Solomon Islands Fisheries officers, and others, was highly successful and yielded excellent collections of shorefishes.

WIRTZ, PETER Dept. Oceanografia e Pescas, Cais de S. Cruz, P - 9900 Horta, Faial, PORTUGAL, AZORES. Fax Portugal-92-292659; email biomar@dragoeiro.uma.pt

Current work: All aspects of the biology of blennioid fishes. Continuing work on the relationship of Atlantic and Mediterranean species and populations with Carol Stepien. Preparing short paper on the fishes of Sao Tome (Eastern Central Atlantic) and planning to return there 1999 or 2000. I am keeping my apartment on Madeira island but for the next two years I will be at the address given above.

WOODLAND, DAVID J. Division of Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, AUSTRALIA. Tel (02) 6772-9889 or 6773-3081; Fax (02) 6773-3814; E-mail dwoodlan@metz.une.edu.au

Current work: (1) Revision of the Indo-Pacific Gerreidae; (2) revision of the Leiognathidae; (3) molecular systematics of the Siganidae (w/M. Adams, South Australia Museum); (4) reviews of the Siganidae, Gerreidae and Leiognathidae for "Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean"; (5) literature review of introduced marine fishes and their impacts (w/P. Kailola). As an Honorary Fellow of UNE, I am available to supervise postgraduate students and have been provided with a study and a laboratory in order to continue my research projects.

WOSIACKI, WOLMAR. B. PhD. student, Dept. Zoologia, Inst de Biociencias (IB), Univ. Sao Paulo. Rua do Matao, Travessa 14, CEP 05422-970, CP 11461 BRAZIL. Tel (011) 818 7511; Fax (011) 818 7513; E-mail wolmar@ib.usp.br

Current work: (1) Description of eight new species of Trichomycterus (Trichomycteridae) from the Iguacu River; (2) description of two new species of Trichomycterus (Trichomycteridae) (w/M. de Pinna); (3) starting my PhD Thesis, phylogeny of Trichomycterinae (Pisces, Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) under orientation of Dr. Mario de Pinna.

WU, HAN-LING Professor of Ichthyology, Laboratory of Fishes, Shanghai Fisheries University, 334 Jun Gong Rd., Shanghai 200090, P.R. CHINA.

Current work: (1) Revision of the poisonous, venomous and drug fishes of China; (2) study on the ciguatera fishes of China; (3) compiled the book of Latin-Chinese names of fishes of the world (w/K.-T. Shao); (4) continue field work on study "Systematics and biogeography of East Asia bitterling fishes" (w/T. Ueda, R. Aria et al.): (5) long-term studies with co-workers on a systematic revision of the ichthyofauna of Gobiodei from China, studies on the deep-sea fishes of South China Sea.

YABE, MAMORU Associate Professor, Laboratory of Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel 138-40-5540; Fax 138 43 5015; E-mail humz@pop.fish.hokudai.ac.jp

I had the sabbatical months from March to November, 1998. During these nine months, I studied the type-specimens and non-types of cottoids at ZISP, BMNH, USNM and CAS, and could have many informations about them. Current work: (1) systematics of the cottid genus Radulinopsis with description of a new species, and with the relationships of its allied genera; (2) comparative anatomy and phylogeny of the sculpins of the Lake Baikal: Cottidae, Abyssocottidae and Comephoridae (w/V. Sideleva); (3) systematics and biogeography of coastal fishes in the Russian Far-East (w/D. Pitruck and others); (4) biodiversity of fishes in the Kuril Islands (w/T. Piestch); (5) taxonomic study of cottoid fishes in the western North Pacific with descriptions of some undescribed species (Astrocottus, Artediellus, Malacocottus, etc.). Long-term studies: The origins of scorpaeniform fishes (w/H. Imamura).

YAMAGUCHI MOTOOMI Doctral Course Student, Biology of Fisheries Resources, Ocean Research Inst., The University of Tokyo, 1-15-1 Minami-dai, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164, JAPAN. Tel +81-3-5351-6503; Fax +81-3-5351-6498; E-mail motoomi@ori.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Current work: (1) Molecular phylogeny of myctophid fishes (w/ M. Miya, M. Okiyama & M. Nishida); (2) molecular phylogeny of myctophid fish genus Hygophum (w/M. Miya, M. Okiyama & M. Nishida); (3) molecular phylogeny of myctophid fish genus Diaphus (w/M. Miya & M. Nishida); (4) molecular phylogeography of lanternfish genus Ceratoscopelus (w/M. Miya & M. Nishida); (5) determination of complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of myctophiform fishes (w/M. Miya & M. Nishida); (6) molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of synbranchid eels (w/T. Ohkawa & M. Nishida).

YANG, JUN-XING Director and professor, Dept. of Systematic Zool., Kunming Inst. of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel. 86 871-51905271; Fax 86 871-5191823; E-mail jxyang@public.km.yn.cn

Current work: (1) To evaluate the impact of introduced fishes on the indigenous fishes in Erhai Lake, Yunnan, China (w/Dr. S.-P. He); (2) to evaluate the impact of hydro-dam constructions on the fishes of Lancangjiang (upper Mekong) (w/Dr. S.-P. He); (3) phylogeny and speciation of the indigenous fishes of Erhai Lake, Dali, Yunnan (w/Dr. X.-Y. Chen); (4) study on the phylogeny and zoogeography of the fishes in Crossocheilus group (w/R.-F. Su).

YEARSLEY, GORDON K. Fish Taxonomist, CSIRO Marine Research, GPO Box 1538 Hobart, Tas 7001, AUSTRALIA. Tel (03) 6232 5352; FAX (03) 6232 5000; E-Mail gordon.yearsley@marine.csiro.au.

Current work: With P. Last and others on (1) the Australian Seafood Handbook (a guide to whole fish and fillets); (2) continuing to upgrade Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota (CAAB), a list of Australia's ichthyofauna; (3) second edition of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual (at Queensland Department of Primary Industry); (4) various descriptions of new Australian fishes, particularly elasmobranchs (e.g., Squatina, Pristiophorus, Urolophus, Trygonoptera).

ZAJONZ, UWE Ph.D. Student, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt a.M. GERMANY. Tel. +49 (0)69 7542-274; Fax +49 (0)69 7542-253; E-mail uzajonz@sng.uni-frankfurt.de

Current work: (1) Systematics and evolutionary biology of the deep water and deep sea fishes of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (Ph.D. study); (2) systematics and taxonomy of the fishes of the Arabia region, in 1999 work will concentrate on the Gulf of Aqaba, on a collection of fishes from the Kamaran archipelago, and on the Gulf of Aden, in the latter chiefly on conducting a marine biodiversity project of the UN/GEF at Socotra archipelago; (3) a review of the genus Ariosoma (Congridae) in the north-western Indian Ocean is still in preparation, jointly with Dr. W. Klausewitz (Senckenberg Museum).

ZANATA, ANGELA M. Secao de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 42694, CEP 04299-970, Sao Paulo, SP, BRASIL. Tel (011) 274-3690; Fax (011) 274-3455; E-mail zanata@usp.br

Current work: (1) Doctorate dissertation entitled Study of the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Brycon Müller & Troschel, 1844 (Characiformes; Characidae); (2) revision and phylogenetic relationships of Chalceus Cuvier, 1818 (Characiformes; Characidae) (w/M. Toledo-Piza); (3) description of new species and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Holobrycon Eigenmann, 1909 (Characiformes; Characidae).

ZAPATA, LUIS ALONSO Coordinador Evaluación Recursos Marinos, Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura -INPA-, Programa de Pesca

VECEP. Apartado Aéreo 10742. Tel. 57 (2) 2418892; Fax 57 (2) 2418891 Buenaventura COLOMBIA. E-mail vecepbun@col2.telecom.com.co Current work: (1) Evaluation of small pelagic fishes with emphasis on Cetengraulis mysticetus and Opistonema spp.; (2) fishery biology of demersal fishes specially familes Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Serranidae, Ophidiidae, Coryphaenidae and recently Lutjanidae.

ZHANG CHUN-GUANG Curator of Fishes, Center of Zoological Systyematics, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080 CHINA. Tel (010) 6256-1876; Fax 010-6256-5689; E-mail fish@panda.ac.cn

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna of Shiwan Dashan of Guangxi province of China; (2) Fauna of China (Pisces - Anguilliformes); (3) conservation biology of some endengered species of fishes in China such as Myxocyprinus asiatus (Catostomidae), Onycostoma microlepis (Cyprinidae), Trachidermus fasciatus (Cottidae), Siniperca chausti (Serranidae), etc. Long-range studies include systematics of Schizothoracinae (Cyprinidae) and Anguilliformes of China, and conservation biology of some fish in China.

ZHANG, YULING Research Professor, Fish Museum, Dept. Animal Evolution & Systematics, Inst. of Zoology, Academia Sinica, 506 Bldg 924, Zhong-Guancun Street, Haidian, Beijing, CHINA 100086

Current work: A taxonomic study on the Chinese sturgeon (Acipenseridae).

ZHOU, WEI  Professor, Institute of Wildlife Conservation, Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, Yunnan 650224, P.R. CHINA. Tel (086) 0871-5634937(H); E-mail zhouw@public.km.yn.cn

Current work: (1) Study on taxonomy and molecular evolution of genus Pseudecheneis in Sisoridae (Siluriformes); (2) continuing a revision of the genus Discogobio in China (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae); (3) study on ichthyofauna and sustainable utilization of fish resources in Lancangjiang River (Upper Mekong); (4) continuing to create the database of Yunnan fishes.

ZUPANCIC, PRIMOZ AZV Agency, Dolsko 14-1262, Slovenia, EUROPE. Tel/Fax 00386 61 647 616; E-mail primoz.zupancic@guest.arnes.si

Current work: (1) The Checklist of Cyprinidae of the Western Balkans is still being compiled; (2) taxonomy of Phoxinellus and Leuciscus (w/D. Bogutskaya) form the Western Balkans.