Synopsis of Research Activities

ABREU, TATIANA XANDO. Laboratorio de Icitiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) 602-3710; E-mail tatixando@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) PhD thesis on 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, Northeasten Brazil (w/R.M.C. Castro); (3) phylogenetic interrelationships of the genera of the subfamily Sorubiminae (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae).

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, Telefax X46-8-51954212. E-mail erik.ahlander@nrm.se.

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

AKAMA, ALBERTO. Graduate student, Seção de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BRAZIL, Caixa Postal 42694, CEP 04299-970. Fax (55-11-2743690); E-mail aakama@ib.usp.br

Current work: (1) Doctoral thesis on the systematics of the genera Parauchenipterus and Trachelyopterus (Siluriformes, Auchenip-teridae); (2) revision of Rhinodoras (Siluriformes, Doradidae); (3) freshwater fishes of Rio Ribeira de Iguape basin (w/O.T. Oyakawa).

AL-HASSAN, L.A.J. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (64) 9-5 337909; Fax 64 9 373 7417; E-mail zainab@ihug.co.nz

Current work: I am still engaged in the Ph.D. research program at the School of Biological Sciences, Univ. Auckland. The Ph.D. topic is the phylogenetic relationship of the triplefin fishes of New Zealand. Most of my previous work in the Republic of Yemen and Libya was published or it is in the different stages of publication. Three articles about the dangerous fishes of New Zealand were already published in the New Zealand Fisherman and still nine articles to appear.

ALFONSO, NOEL A. Research Assistant, Research Services Division, Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443, Station 'D', Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA. Tel (613) 364-4064; Fax (613) 364-4027; E-mail nalfonso@mus-nature.ca

Current work: (1) Revision of the tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific family Samaridae (Pleuronectiformes). This monophyletic group consists of four genera: Plagiopsetta, Psammodiscus, Samariscus and Samaris. A preliminary cladistic analysis at the generic level will be done. A full phylogeny will be constructed following the revision. Supervisor: François Chapleau, University of Ottawa; (2) taxonomic revisions and COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) reports on the Jasper sucker (Catostomus catostomus lacustris) and the pearl dace (Margariscus margarita) with Brian Coad and COSEWIC report on the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus).

ALLEN, GERALD R. Conservation International, 1 Dreyer Road, Roleystone, W.A. 6111, AUSTRALIA. (61) 8 9496 1143; Fax (61) 8 9397 6985; 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; (5) zoogeographic analysis of reef fishes, corals, and molluscs to identify "hotspots" of biodiversity/endemism for conservation priority setting; (6) preparation of popular field guide to the freshwater fishes of Australia. Field work for 1999 will include marine surveys of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

ANDERSON, M. ERIC. Senior Ichthyologist, J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, SOUTH AFRICA. E-mail: E.Anderson@ru.ac.za; Tel. +27-046-636-1002; FAX +27-046-622-2403

Current work: (1) Ceratiod bulletin for southern Africa in review now, should be out by early 2000. All families except Neoceratiidae are represented in our waters; (2) description of a new Lycenchelys (Zoarcidae) from the Kurile Islands with A. Balanov; (3) chapters in our next book "Guide to the fishes of the western Indian Ocean, edited by P. Heemstra and J. Randall are: Chirocentridae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Ogcocephalidae, Berycidae, Polymixiidae, Caproidae and Bramidae; (4) family sheet on Zoarcidae for FAO's West Central Atlantic guides; (5) description of Early Devonian shark material (especially crania) with John G. Maisey, AMNH.

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 andersonw@cofc.edu

Current work: Review of Atlantic and eastern Pacific anthiine serranids (w/P.C Heemstra). Preparation of sections on Lutjanidae, Symphysanodontidae, and anthiine Serranidae for the FAO species identification guide for the western central Atlantic.

AQUINO, ADRIANA E. Postdoctoral fellow, Department 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) Completing the revision of Hypoptopoma and related genera (Loricariidae, Hypoptopomatinae); (2) re-evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships of the Hypoptopomatini (w/S. Schaefer); (3) various projects on soft anatomy of loricariids (w/S. Schaefer or alone); (4) redescription of Bryconamericus eigenmanni (Characidae) (w/A. Miquelarena) has been published.

ARRATIA, Gloria. Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt Universität, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, GERMANY. Tel (49) 30 2093 8864, Fax (49) 30 2093 8868. E-Mail gloria.arratia@rz.hu-berlin.de

Current work: (1) Development and homology of the vertebral column and associated elements of actinopterygians (e.g., basal actinopterygians, basal neopterygians, Lepisosteidae, Amiidae, ‘pholidophoriforms’, leptolepids, Elopidae, Megalopidae, Osteoglossomorpha, Ostariophysi, Clupeomorpha, Esocoidei, and others (w/H.-P. Schultze); (2) revision of Orestias and Trichomycterus from the Chilean Altiplano (w/I. Vila); (3) writing the volume on Teleostei for the Handbook of Paleoichthyology (w/M.V.H. Wilson).

AZPELICUETA, MARÍA de las M. CONICET Researcher, Dept. of Vertebrate Zoology, Facultad de Cs. Naturales y Museo, Paseo del Bosque, 1900 La Plata, ARGENTINA. E-Mail azpeli@netverk.com.ar; azpeli@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar; Tel (54) 221-9532; Fax 54 221-4530189

Current work: (1) faunal studies in the province of Misiones; (2) studies on some species of Pimelodidae; (3) osteology of some species of Pimelodus.

BANFORD, HEIDI M. Lecturer, Department of Fisheries, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California 95521. Tel (707) 826-3520; Fax (707) 826-4060; E-mail hb2@axe.humboldt.edu

Current work: (1) Systematics and biogeography of Astyanax (Characidae) in lower Central America and northwestern South America using morphological and DNA sequence data (w/E. Bermingham); (2) taxonomy and systematics of Hyphessobrycon (Characidae)in Central America and northwestern South America (w/E. Bermingham); (3) biogeography and phylogenetic systematics of trans-Atlantic and transisthmian fishes in the genera Hyporhamphus (Hemiramphidae) and Strongylura (Belonidae) (w/E. Bermingham & B. Collette); (4) taxonomy and systematics of New World halfbeaks in the genus Hyporhamphus (Hemiramphidae), including the description of a new species from the eastern tropical Pacific (w/B. Collette); (5) status of subspecies of Tylosurus acus based on morphology and DNA sequencing (w/B. Collette); (6) inception of a tissue and voucher specimen collection within the HSU fish collection.

BARREIROS, JOÃO P. Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Azores, 9701-851 Angra do Heroísmo, PORTUGAL. Tel (095)204563; FAX (095)332605; E-Mail jpedro@angra.uac.pt

Current work: (1) Study of the intertidal and sandy subtidal ichthyofauna of Santa Catarina, Brazil; (2) ecology and biology of Epinephelus marginatus Perciformes: Serranidae): an amphiatlantic perspective; (3) fish assemblages on offshore oil platforms in s. Brazil.

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/I. Mate & M. Bueno); (2) continuation of the general study about captures and sales of the Catalonian Sea sharks (w/I. Mate); (3) compilation of data base and bibliography about shark species in our area of study (w/I. Mate); (4) revision of the records of Carcharodon carcharias in Catalonian sea; (5) compilation of records of Cetorhinus maximus in the Mediterranean Sea (w/I. Mate).

BART, HENRY L., JR. Curator of Fishes, Tulane University Museum of Natural History, Belle Chasse LA 70037, U.S.A. Tel 504-394-1711; Fax 504-394-5045; E-mail hank@museum.tulane.edu

Current Work: (1) Systematic revision of Ictiobinae: carpsuckers (genus Carpiodes) and buffalo suckers (genus Ictiobus) (w/R.D. Suttkus); (2) morphology of tail neuromasts in darters; (3) conservation status of the pearl darter (Percina aurora), coal darter (Percina brevicauda), and rush darter (Etheostoma phytophilum).

BEHEREGARAY, LUCIANO B. Oceanographer, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109 NSW, AUSTRALIA. Tel 61(02) 9850-8187; Fax 61(02) 9850-8245; E-Mail lbehereg@rna.bio.mq.edu.au

Current work: (1) Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the silverside genus Odontesthes: cytb, d-loop and ATPase sequence data (w/P. Sunnucks and A. Gosztonyi, ms in preparation); (2) phylogeography of a recent radiation: examples from the O. perugiae species group; (3) fine scale genetic structure in O. argentinensis detected by microsatellite and d-loop analysis (ms in prep.); (4) molecular phylogeny of Atheriniformes, with emphasis on the New World Atherinopsinae; (5) development of microsatellite loci for Odontesthes species is completed (see literature); (6) molecular phylogeny of the European silverside Atherina (w/M. Shepherd).

BELLWOOD, DAVID R. Associate Professor, Marine Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld. 4811, AUSTRALIA. Tel +61 (0)7 47814447; Fax +61 (0)7 47251570; E-Mail david.bellwood@jcu.edu.au

Current work: (1) Evolution of reef fishes based on the fossil record, with particular emphasis on Monte Bolca, Italy (Eocene) - the earliest record of many extant reef fish families; description of second Eocene pomacentrid species is in press; (2) functional morphology and biogeography of the Labridae (inc. Scaridae) (w/P. Wainwright & M. Westneat). Looking at morphology, kinematics of feeding and locomotion based on lab and field observations; (3) biology reef fish larvae (w/J. Fisher), examining the development of locomotor and sensory systems; (4) new Pseudojuloides, Labridae (w/J. Randall).

BELTRAN-LEON, BEATRIZ SUSANA. Coordinadora Ictioplancton. Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura INPA. Apartado Aereo 10742, Buenaventura COLOMBIA. Tel. 57-2-2418892; Fax 57-2-2418891; E-mail inpa@co12.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.

BERRA, TIM M. Professor Emeritus, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Mansfield, Ohio 44906 (419) 755-4310; FAX (419) 755-4367; E-Mail berra.1@osu.edu

Current work: (1) A paper on genetic variation in Galaxias vulgaris in New Zealand with Graham Wallis is in preparation; (2) a revision of my 1981 fish atlas entitled Freshwater Fish Distribution is in progress with publication sometime in 2001 by Academic Press; (3) resource partitioning among Etheostoma with Joan Bradley; (4) ontogeny of Diplomystes with John Lundberg.

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 available (see also announcement); (5) revision of genera Scardinius and Rutilus from southern Europe are in progress.

BOCKMANN, FLÁVIO A. Post-Doctoral Researcher, Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Quinta da Boa Vista, 20940-040, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL. Tel (021) 568-8262, ext. 249. E-mail: bockmann@openlink.com.br.

Current work: I finished my Doctoral thesis entitled "Phylogenetic analysis of the family Heptapteridae (Teleostei, Ostariophysi, Siluriformes) and redefinition of its genera" last year. Currently I am a Post-Doctoral researcher at the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, working on my project "Systematics, taxonomic revision, and biogeography of the tribe Heptapterini Gill, 1861 (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae, Heptapterinae)". My main projects, most of them related to my Post-Doc, are as follows: (1) to prepare my thesis for publication; (2) revision of all genera of the tribe Heptapterini, some of them being undertaken in collaboration with colleagues (Horiomyzon, with J. Lundberg; Nemuroglanis, with C. Ferraris Jr.; Rhamdiopsis, with R. Castro; and Taunayia, with E. Trajano); (3) a revision of the genus Gladioglanis (Pimelodidae, Heptapterinae), with description of two new species (with J. Lundberg); (4) description of two new species of the genus Rhamdella (Pimelodidae, Heptapterinae) (one with J. Pezzi da Silva and the other with A. Miquelarena); (5) a revision of the genus Brachyrhamdia (Pimelodidae, Heptapterinae), with description of a new species (w/W. Costa); (6) a taxonomic assessment of Heptapterus collettii (w/M. de Pinna); (7) a phylogenetic study of the hypophthalmid catfishes (w/M. de Pinna); and (8) a phylogenetic study of the pimelodid genus Conorhynchos (w/M. de Pinna).

BÖHLKE, EUGENIA B. Research Assoc., Dept. 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; E-mail bohlke@say.acnatsci.org

Current work: Three manuscripts in press (see under Publications). Manuscripts completed and submitted for publication include one on a new moray from the Gulf of California, and one describing eight species of Indo-Pacific morays (three new). Currently writing (1) redescriptions of southern Australian morays (following visit to AMS last March); (2) family Muraenidae of western Indian Ocean; (3) descriptions of two new species of Indo-Pacific morays; and (4) a catalog and descriptions of the types of Indo-Pacific morays (the Bleeker project expanded to include all Indo-Pacific species). Serving as Acting Collection Manager until new person is hired.

BOR, TACO J. Prinsenweer 54, 3363 JK Sliedrecht, THE NETHERLANDS; E-mail tjbor@doge.nl

Current work is still focused on the systematics and stratigraphical distribution of fossil shark and ray teeth from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichthian) and Tertiary (Eocene, Oligocene) of The Netherlands and Belgium. In addition the study of the dentition and systematics of modern sharks and rays is continued.

BRADBURY, MARGARET G. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, P.O.Box 450, Moss Landing, CA 95039-0450, U.S.A. Tel (831)626-3573; Fax (831)624-5539; E-Mail bradbury@mlml.calstate.edu.

Retired from San Francisco State Univ. Dept. Biology since 1995, I continue to try to finish up old commitments. In the past, my students and I have been very grateful to receive reprints, and I here acknowledge the generosity of colleagues who have furnished their reprints through the years. I will send reprints of my current papers to colleagues with whom I have enjoyed exchange in the past, but I no longer maintain a library and request that colleagues no longer send their reprints. My current research effort is a review of the western Atlantic ogcocephalid genus, Halieutichthys.

BRITZ, RALF. Assistant Professor, Lehrstuhl fuer Spezielle Zoologie, Universitaet Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tuebingen, GERMANY. Tel 0049 (0) 7071 2874850; Fax 0049 (0) 7071 294634; E-mail ralf.britz@uni-tuebingen.de

Current work: Continuing projects on (1) phylogeny of Anabantoidei, Channoidei, Badidae, Nandidae, Pristolepidae, Synbranchiformes; (2) osteology of Chaudhuriidae (w/M. Kottelat); (3) reproductive behavior, egg surface structure, and larval attachment organs in anabantoids (w/J. Cambray); (4) taxonomic revision of the genus Badis (w/S. Kullander); (5) osteological development of Osteoglossomorpha and Ostariophysi (focus on the Weberian apparatus); (6) osteological development and phylogenetic position of Indostomus; (7) larval attachment organs in different teleosts.

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) - we are finishing the manuscript.

BUCKUP, PAULO A. Dept. de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Quinta da Boa Vista, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRASIL. Tel 55(21) 568-1319 ramal 249; Fax 55(21)568-1319 ramal 232; E-Mail buckup@acd.ufrj.br. http://www.mnrj.ufrj.br/buckup.htm

Current work: (1) Cladistic analysis of the Characidiinae (Crenuchidae) (w/S.H. Weitzman); (2) revision of the Characidiinae from Paraguay (w/C.A. Figueiredo); (3) biogeography of the Serrra do Mar mountain chain of southeastern Brazil (w/F.A.G. Melo as graduate student working on the "Tetragonopterinae", Characidae); (4) coordination of the Brazilian Network on Fish Biodiversity (http://www.ufrj.br/museu/vertebra/sibip.htm); (5) description of several new species of Characidiinae (see Buckup & Hahn, in press, for the most recent one); (6) preparation of the Crenuchidae chapter for CLOFFSCA (Check List of Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America); and (7) participation in the multi-institutional project "Knowledge, Conservation and Rational Use of Brazilian Fish Faunal Diversity" (w/N.A. Menezes and several colleagues from MZUSP, MCP, UNICAMP, FFCL-USP, USNM, FMNH, Univ. of Arizona). Long-range studies include the preparation of a catalog of fishes from the Uruguay river drainage (w/L.R. Malabarba, R.R. Reis & C.A.Lucena), and reconstruction of the phylogeny of Characiformes.

BURGESS, WARREN E. Shadow Lake Village, 106 Lexington Court, Red Bank, NJ 07701, U.S.A. Tel (732) 747-5539; E-mail burgwl@aol.com

After almost two years into my retirement I am finally finding the time I expected to have for research. I am continuing to work on a comprehensive review of the family Cichlidae. Having completed the South American portion (1,200 pp), I am now working hard on the Middle American cichlids (w/occasional forays into the African cichlids for comparisons). I expect to go more deeply into the genera Aequidens and Xenotilapia (probably revisions). I have nearly completed tranferring my revision of the Pomacanthidae to disk from hard copy. Work on a review of the Corydoradinae (family Callichthyidae) is continuing as is a review of the Anabantoidei. Work on my revision of the Ambassidae has been revived with promises of specimens from geographic areas previously missing. I am also working on papers dealing with larval reef fishes, the first one being on larval Western Atlantic Acanthuridae (Master’s thesis), the next to be on chaetodontids and/or pomacanthids, and probably one will follow on the pomacentrids. I am currently looking for larval specimens in these groups. New species are in the works in the Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Cichlidae, Callichthyidae, and Loricariidae. Lee Finley and I are also investigating the possibility (probability) of preparing an update to our earlier catfish update since catfish systematics is moving ahead very rapidly and the need for it is clear. Reprints useful for this update would be greatly appreciated. My interest in Embiotocidae and Chaenopsidae and the genus Nothobranchius has also been revived. In addition, I am completing write-ups for the FAO Western Atlantic revision for the families Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, and Ephippidae. I like to keep busy! Please note that any communication and/or reprints kindly sent to me at my old TFH address in the last 12-18 months have not been forwarded to me. Please use the Red Bank mailing address above.

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 (family Liparidae) in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea including a description of a new genus (w/J. Orr); a redescription of Paraliparis holomelas with new records and notes on larval development; redescriptions and range extensions of Liparis marmoratus and L. schantarensis (w/N. Chernova). Traveled to ZIN in July to examine type and other specimens of liparids from the Russian Far-East; (2) submitted note on distribution of Howella sherborni (family Acropomatidae)(w/J. Orr); (4) relationship between otolith and 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).

BUSSING, WILLIAM A. Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria, 2060, COSTA RICA. Tel (506) 224-1924; E-mail wbussing@cariari.ucr.ac.cr

Current work: (1) Drawings and photos of Isla del Coco and Costa Rican reef fishes are being scanned for an identification guide of about 380 species of e. Pacific fishes (w/B. Lavenberg); (2) I am collaborating with Myrna López on an identification guide of the fishes of the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica.

BUTH, DONALD G. Professor of Biology, Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095-1606, U.S.A. Tel (310) 206-6084; Fax (310) 206-3987; E-mail dbuth@UCLA.edu [Please note department name change from last issue]

I am still seeking funds to continue allozymic and isozymic studies of catostomids (e.g. Ictiobinae w/H. Bart) and to complete and publish what I have on the Moxostomatini prior to Bob Jenkins' ASIH symposium on the Catostomidae (date not yet set). My study of population structure in the California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) has been submitted for publication; an abstract has been published. Due to lack of internal and external funding for my systematics studies of fishes, my research emphasis is shifting to helminth parasites of eastern Pacific marine fishes, especially those of sculpins.

CAPPETTA, HENRI. Laboratoire de Paléontologie ISEM – Université Montpellier II Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc 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) Studies on the Cretaceous and Tertiary elasmobranch faunas regularly collected in the phosphate deposits of Morocco and Middle-East; (2) realization of a database including all fossil post-Triassic genera and species of elasmobranchs; (3) studies on the evolution and phylogeny of Squaliformes including Recent and fossil forms (w/S. Adnet); (4) studies on the dentition of Recent Dasyatoidea, mainly dasyatids and urolophids, from Tunisia, Eastern Atlantic and Western Australia (w/ different people); (5) a revision of European Eocene Odontaspididae, mainly from Belgium (w/D. Nolf); (6) a study of the Middle Eocene elasmobranch fauna from the Tallahatta Fm., Alabama, USA (w/G.R. Case et al.).

CARPENTER, KENT E. Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 23529-0266, U.S.A. Tel (757) 683-4197; Fax (757) 683-5283; E-mail 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 together with T. Orrell at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences; (3) comparing molecular and morphological phylogenies of Caesionidae, Lutjanidae, Haemulidae, Lethrinidae, and Scombridae with ODU graduate students; (4) the revision of the FAO Field Guide to Namibia is at the printers while the Myanmar FAO Field Guide is on hold; (5) volumes 3 and 4 (Rays to Carangidae) of the FAO Western Central Pacific Identification Guide have been at the printers for some time and should be out soon; currently sending out proofs for volumes 5 and 6 (through marine mammals) and expect these volumes to be printed sometime next year; (6) all fish manuscripts for the FAO Western Central Atlantic Identification Guide were reviewed at a very successful workshop held in Belize in July and the revised manuscripts should all be in hand soon.

CARVALHO, MARCELO R. de. Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024-5192 U.S.A. Tel 212-769-5664; Fax 212-769-5842; e-mail: marcelo@amnh.org

Current research: (1) Adding final touches to PhD thesis for publication: Systematic revision of the electric ray genus Narcine Henle, 1834 (Chondrichthyes: Torpediniformes: Narcinidae); (2) various new species of Narcine, Torpedo, Narke and Benthobatis are being described (some with B. Seret, L.J.V. Compagno, J. Randall, D. Ebert, J. Mee, M. Stehmann); (3) new species of Potamotrygonidae (some with J. McEachran, N. Lovejoy); (4) Potamotrygonidae chapter for CLOFFSCA (w/N. Lovejoy); (5) new stingray taxon from Green River Formation of Wyoming (w/L. Grande & J. Maisey) nearing completion; (6) describing various Paleozoic and Mesozoic neurocrania with CT-scan technology (w/J. Maisey); (7) catalog of rays from Monte Bolca, Italy; (8) continuing revisions of various electric ray genera; (9) FAO Western Central Atlantic identification sheets for batoids finished and submitted (w/J. McEachran). Completed PhD in May, 1999. Benthobatis synopsis listed in the past newsletter is published in the Proceedings of the 5^th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (1999). Please note my change of department at the AMNH.

CASATTI, LILIAN. Laboratorio de Icitiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) 602 3710. E-mail licasatti@netsitemail.com.br

Current work: (1) PhD thesis on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the South American freshwater Sciaenidae (two manuscripts submitted for publication); (2) 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 includes: (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 & M. Azpelicueta).

CASTLE, PETER H. Honorary Research Assoc., School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6000, NEW ZEALAND. E-mail peter.castle@vuw.ac.nz. Home: 35 Barnard St., Wellington 6001, New Zealand. Tel +64 04 472-0163.

Current work: (1) Species structure and distribution of leptocephali assemblages in the central southwest Pacific (w/M. Miller); (2) leptocephali of the Agulhas Current, southeast Africa (w/L. Beckley). I retired from the university in February 1999 after more than 40 years research (and teaching) on eels (Anguilliformes). I retain research links with Victoria University and with the Museum of New Zealand as Honorary Research Associate. For the moment, please use the above e-mail address but send other mail to my home address. As I have largely relinquished my interests in ichthyology generally, please discontinue sending me copies of your reprints. Thank you to all those who have sent me reprints of their work and who have assisted me over the years.

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

Current Research: (1) Phylogenetic and revisionary studies of the family Prochilodontidae (w/R.P. Vari); (2) description and phylogenetic relationships of a new species of blind pimelodid catfish from a cave in the State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil (w/T.X. de Abreu); (3) revision and phylogenetic studies of Rhamdiopsis Haseman (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) (w/F.A. Bockmann & C.R.S.F. Bizerril); (4) ecomorphology of the fishes from the headwaters of the São Francisco River, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil (w/L. Casatti); (5) description and phylogenetic studies of a new genus and species of Glandulocaudinae fish (Characiformes, Characidae) from the upper Paraná River basin, State of Minas Gerais (w/A.C. Ribeiro, R.C. Benine & A.L.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 São Paulo (w/R.C. Benine & N.A. Menezes); (7) survey of the marine fishes from a small stretch of protected coastal line of the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil (w/F.B. Santos); (8) coordination of a four years (started in December 01, 1998) FAPESP’s Thematic Project on the fish diversity of the headwaters and streams of the upper Paraná River system in the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil (w/H.A. Britski, J.L. Figueiredo, N.A. Menezes J.C. Garavello, R.P. Vari, S.H. Weitzman and many students and technicians from FFCLRP-USP and MZUSP) (2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 completed and in the manuscript writing stage).

CASTRO-AGUIRRE, JOSÉ LUIS. Full Professor and Senior Scientist, Dept. de Pesquerías y Biología Marina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, I.P.N. Apdo. 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23001 MÉXICO. Tel (112) 2 5322/ 2 5366; Fax (112) 2 5344; E-mail jlcastroaguirre@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) Preparing a systematic catalogue of Mexican sharks with the description of two new species of angel sharks (Squatina) from the Golfo de México (w/H. Espinosa Pérez & L. Huidobro); (2) studying several Lile spp. (Clupeidae) samples from the Golfo de California (w/G. Ruíz-Campos); (3) preparing some papers dealing on new records of rare fish species in the Eastern Pacific (Regalecidae and Molidae) (w/E.F. Balart); (4) page proof final revision of the book entitled "Ictiofauna Estuarino-Lagunar y Vicaria de México" (w/H. Espinosa Pérez & J.J. Schmitter-Soto).

CHEN, WEI-JEN. Ph.D. student, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie générale et appliquée et Service de Systématique moléculaire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 43 rue Cuvier 75231 PARIS cedex 05 FRANCE. Tel. 33 1 40 79 37 51; Fax 33 1 40 79 37 71; E-mail wjchen@mnhn.fr

PhD student in molecular systematics of fishes under the supervision of Jean Claude HUREAU and Guillaume LECOINTRE. Thesis works: (1) Molecular phylogeny of Antarctic ice fishes (Channichthyidae, Notothenioidei); (2) evolution and origin of Antarctic notothenioid fishes (Teleostei), looking for the sister-group of the Notothenioidei among the Percomorpha; (3) molecular phylogeny of the Acanthomorpha using taxonomic congruence (separate analyses).

CHEN, XIAO-YONG. Ph.D., Dept. Of Systematic Zool., Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel 86-871-5190527 or 5196361; Fax 86-871-5191823; E-mail chenxy@mail.kiz.ac.cn

Current work: (1) Phylogeny and speciation of the fishes endemic to Erhai Lake; (2) phylogeny and zoogeography of Barbodes fishes in Yunnan; (3) taxonomy and phylogeny of genera Cyprinus, Schizothorax (Cyprinidae) and Paracobitis (Balitoridae). I am interested in Schizothoracinae, Barbinae and Cyprininae fishes, especially those species occurring in lower Irrawady, Salween, Mekong and Red rivers.

CHEN, YIN-RUI. Prof., Dept. of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223 Tel 86-871-5190527 or 5196361; Fax 86-871-5191823.

Current work: (1) Study on the systematics and convergent evolution of cave fishes; (2) population restoration of Anabarilius grahami endemic to Lake Fuxian (w/J.-X. Yang & Z.-Y. Li).

CHEN, ZI-MING. M.S., Dept. Of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel 86-871-5190527 or 5196361; Fax 86-871-5191823; E-mail chenxy@mail.kiz.ac.cn

Current work: (1) Study on the protection of the indigenous fishes in Dianchi Lake; (2) phylogeny and zoogeography of the specialized schizothoraxine fishes (including genera Dyptychus, Ptychobarbus and Gymnodiptychus). I am interested in Danioninae and Xenocyprinae fishes. I also like to do some work on the protection of the endemic fishes of Yunnan.

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) Editing and writing sections of a book "Arctic Marine Fishes of Canada"; (2) completing various papers on systematic problems in Canadian and Iranian freshwater fishes.

COHEN, DANIEL M. Deputy Dir. Research and Collections Emeritus, LACM and Research Associate, CAS. P.O. Box 192, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, U.S.A. Tel (707) 875-9285; E-Mail acohen@neteze.com

Current work: Completed (w/J. Nielsen, C.R. Robins & D. Markle) and in press, FAO catalog of ophidiiform fishes.

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. (202)357-2524; FAX (202)357-1896; E-mail collette.bruce@nmnh.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) phylogenetic studies of the Belonidae (w/H. Banford & N. Lovejoy); (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/M. Bostock, 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 Ammodytoides gilli (w/D. Robertson); (11) description of a new species of sand lance (Ammodytoides) from Pitcairn (w/J. Randall); (12) description of a new species of toadfish (Opsanus) from Belize; (13) description of a new species of halfbeak from the eastern tropical Pacific (w/H. Banford); (14) status of the eastern Pacific needlefish, Tylosurus pacificus (w/H. Banford); (15) fishes of Navassa Island (w/J. Williams, C. Thacker & M. Smith); and (16) continued participation in refinement of ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (URL: http://www.itis.usda.gov/itis). Long-range studies continue on the systematics of the Scombridae, Belonidae, and Hemiramphidae.

COX FERNANDES, CRISTINA. Coordenação de Pesquisas em Biologia Aquáatica, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69063, BRASIL. Tel (092)-643-3253; Fax (092)-643-3292; E-mail ccf@inpa.gov.br

Current work: (1) Community ecology and distribution of benthic fishes, particularly Gymnotiformes, of the Amazon river and its tributaries; (2) diversity, taxonomy, and sexual dimorphism in Gymnotiformes; and (3) ecology of stream fish communities in the Amazon basin. Additional work focuses on lateral migrations of Amazonian fishes, and behavioral interactions within the genus Apteronotidae.

CRAIG, MATTHEW T. Vantuna Research Group, Moore Laboratory of Zoology and Department of Biology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, 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.

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

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

DITTY, JIM. Manager, Taxonomy and Ecology Lab, Fishery Ecology Branch, NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Center, 4700 Ave. U, Galveston, Texas, 77551. Lab phone: (409) 766-3550; FAX: (409) 766-3508; E-mail: Jim.Ditty@NOAA.gov

Current work: Completing dissertation on ontogeny and metamorphosis of blenny larvae from the Gulf of Mexico; assembling sections on clupeids, synodontids, and others for the guide to identification of the early life history stages of fishes from the western central North Atlantic edited by Bill Richards. Hope to further investigate the phylogenetic placement of Hapalogenys spp with Jeff Leis. We suspect Hapalogenys may belong in Lobotidae. Hope to develop additional contacts throughout the world for collaborative work on development of fish larvae. Developing a short course in larval fish taxonomy that I hope to periodically conduct as requested.

DONALDSON, TERRY J. Senior Scientist, International Marinelife Alliance, University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GUAM 96923 U.S.A. Tel (671-735-2176 or 671-734-2949; Fax 671-734-6767; E-Mail donaldsn@imamarinelife.org

Current work: (1) Historical ecology, behavior and zoogeography of hawkfishes (Cirrhitidae); (2) historical ecology, behavior and zoogeography of sandperches (Pinguipedidae) (w/A. Nakazono); (3) research on fishes in the live fish trade, including studies of life history, behavior and ecology of groupers and allies (Serranidae) and various aquarium fish trade species; (4) revision of the Cirrhitidae, based upon morphological, molecular, and behavioral/life history characters (w/J.E. Randall & C. Burridge); (5) new records and annotated checklist of fishes from the Palau Islands (w/R.F. Myers, J.E. Randall, H. Nagano et al.). Work continues on a book on hawkfishes (Cirrhitidae). A new project, under the auspices of the International Marinelife Alliance (Philippines), is being organized to produce a comprehensive, multi-authored book on "The Fishes of the Philippines". R.F. Myers will serve as co-editor. We envision two versions: hard cover and CD-ROM. I am currently soliciting the participation of co-authors to write sections on various families. In addition, I will soon have access to tissue from fish specimens of several families collected principally in the Philippines but also elsewhere. This tissue may be made available in exchange for information that will assist IMA in its studies of species in the live fish trade. For more information on either project, kindly contact me at the above address.

DYER, BRIAN S. Centro de Ciencias y Ecología Aplicada, Escuela de Pesquerías y Cultivos, Universidad del Mar, Carmen 446, Placeres, Valparaíso, CHILE. Fax (56-31) 798731. Email bdyer@udelmar.cl.

Current work: (1) study of the phylogeny and biogeography of the cirrhitoid family Chironemidae (w/R. Meléndez & C. Burridge); (2) coastal fish fauna and biogeography of the southeastern Pacific islands of Juan Fernandez and Desventuradas off Chile (w/M. Westneat); (3) effects of El Niño events on the fish fauna in northern Chile (w/I. Kong); (4) finish off longstanding papers on silversides such as the revision of Odontesthes, the silversides of the Tramandaí system, RS, Brazil (w/L.R. Malabarba), and the new species of Basilichthys and Notocheirus.

EAKIN, RICHARD R. Professor of Biology, Department 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 eakin@mailbox.une.edu

Current work: (1) Continuing study of the Antarctic notothenioid genus Pogonophryne with A. Balushkin; (2) I will spend part of January & February 2000 at Ohio University on sabbatical studying notothenioid (especially the family Artedidraconidae) systematics with J. Eastman.

ECONOMIDIS, PANOS STAVROS, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Zoology, Box 134, GR-54006 Thessaloniki, GREECE. Tel + 30-31-99.82.65 & -99.83.34; Fax + 30-31-99.82.79; E-mail psecon@bio.auth.gr

Current work: Continuation of those referred in Newsletter of 1998: (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 of 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: For most of 1999 I worked actively at making additions to, and correcting errors in the Catalog of Fishes database (current version http://research.calacademy.org/ich/fishcatsearch.html). Expect a new internet version in early 2000 through FishBase (http://www.fishbase.org/search.cfm) and subsequently a new version at the Academy site. I plan to continue to keep this database current for the foreseeable future. Manuscripts in progress include one on the statistics of ichthyology, and another for the FAO w. central Atlantic guide. I am returning loans of specimens and reviewing manuscripts in progress on scorpionfishes.

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

Currently I am on maternal leave. I will continue my Ph.D. project on the systematic revision of the genus Danio, but at a slower pace for some time. I now also have data for a pilot study on the molecular systematics of the danionins. No field trip is planned for 2000.

FERNHOLM, BO. Head, Department of Vertebrate 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: (1) Revision and phylogenetic studies of the Cetopsidae (w/R. Vari) are continuing; (2) co-editing, with Sven Kullander and Roberto Reis, a volume entitled Checklist of freshwater fishes of South and Central America (CLOFFSCA; (3) manuscript submitted on the type specimens in the Australian Museum of species described by Francis Day (w/M. McGrouther & K. Parkinson; (4) manuscript on Hemibagrus of S. Asia in preparation (w/H.H. Ng); 5) work continuing on various groups of Myanmar freshwater fishes (especially catfishes).

FIERSTINE, HARRY L. Professor emeritus, Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, U.S.A. (805) 756-2788; Fax 756-1419; E-mail hfiersti@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu

Current work: (1) A manuscript on a new species of Aglyptorhynchus (Scombroidei: ?Blochiidae) from the late Oligocene, Oregon, and the status of the Blochiidae has been sent to the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology for review; (2) description of billfish remains (Scombroidei: Istiophoridae) from the Pliocene of Baja California Sur (w/S.A. Applegate, G. Gonzalez Barba, & L. Espinosa); description of billfish remains (Scombroidei: ?Blochiidae and Xiphiorhynchidae) from the late Oligocene of Washington and South Carolina (the latter with R. Weems); (4) redescription of Blochius longirostris (Scombroidei: Blochiidae), middle Eocene, Monte Bolca, Italy.

FIGUEIREDO, CARLOS A. Doctoral student at the Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP). Museu Nacional, Dept. Vertebrados / Setor de Peixes Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL. CEP 20940-040. Tel 55 21 568-8262 ext.-462; Fax 55 21 568-1352; email carlosaf@ib.usp.br

Current work: (1) Phylogeny of the subfamily Poecilinae Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae) with special emphasis on the tribe Poeciliini (thesis project); (2) field manual: Fishes of the Upper Rio Tocantins. (w/E.P. Caramaschi); (3) description of a new species of Poeciliinae from Central Brazil; (4) the redescription of Limia heterandria was delayed to include a field trip in Venezuela next summer (w/F. Breden).

FRICKE, RONALD. Curator of Fishes, Ichthyology, Staatliches Museum fur 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) revision of several families of fishes from New Caledonia; (6) checklist of the fishes of Réunion (w/ Y. Letourneur et al.); (7) Red Lists of European and Northeast Atlantic marine fishes (w/various collaborators); (8) freshwater fishes of Mid-Europe (w/H. Brunken); (9) New Zealand sharks of the genus Etmopterus (Squalidae); (10) description of a new species of Entomacrodus from Réunion (w/V.G. Springer); (11) description of a new species of Anisochromis from the Mascarenes (w/A.C. Gill); (12) editing the monograph series THESES ZOOLOGICAE. Major travel will include New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands, Nov. 2000.

FRIEL, JOHN P. Curator of Fishes, Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 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) Functional morphology of the spine locking and sound production mechanisms of catfish pectoral girdles (Siluriformes); functional morphology of gonopodia (Poeciliidae); (2) descriptions of new banjo catfishes (Aspredinidae); (3) identification of freshwater fishes from Gabon; (4) catalog of fish type specimens in the Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates.

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

Current work: (1) Together with the FishBase Team and many partners, continue work on FishBase, a global database on fish currently containing over 23,500 species of fish (see http://www.fishbase.org/search.cfm; (2) strive to provide collaborating experts with the ability to directly edit data in FishBase through the Internet; (3) collaborate with W.N. Eschmeyer and with collection managers to provide coherent on-line access to collection databases (currently 11 collections can be accessed through FishBase); (4) work with Sven Kullander, Roberto Reis, and Carl Ferraris on a checklist of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America (CLOFFSCA); (5) continue to work on the Species 2000 Project Management Team (the on-line version of the preliminary checklist of all species just went online, check http://www.sp2000.org).

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. (361) 749-6775; Fax (361) 749-6777; E-Mail lee@utmsi.utexas.edu; WWW www.utmsi.utexas.edu/staff/fuiman

Current work: (1) Summary of sensory systems in coral reef fishes (w/A.A. Mryberg, Jr.); (2) individual variation in antipredator performance of red drum larvae (w/J.H. Cowan) (Sciaenidae); (3) effects of temperature and salinity on interaction between red drum larvae and piscine predators (Sciaenidae); (4) sublethal effects of pesticide exposure on behavior of Atlantic croaker larvae (Sciaenidae) (w/P. Thomas, D. Sabath, & I. McCarthy); (5) causes and consequences of individual differences in growth rates of red drum larvae (w/M.E. Smith); (6) comparative studies of sensory structure and function in clupeoid and (w/D.M. Higgs) and sciaenid larvae (w/K.R. Poling); (7) foraging behavior and physiology of Weddell seals under the Antarctic fast ice (it's not exactly fish, but it's really exciting!); (8) swimming strategies of elephant seals (w/R. Davis & T. Williams). I will be at McMurdo Station, Antarctica during October, November, and December 1999.

GEERTS M. Burg. Heynenstraat 11, 6071 GK Swalmen, THE NETHERLANDS. E-Mail mgeerts@plex.nl

Current work: The early nomenclatural history of some African cichlid fishes.

GEMBALLA, SVEN. Assist. Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Spezielle Zoologie; University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tuebingen, GERMANY. Tel ++49 (7071) 2976947; ++49 (7071) 294634; e-mail sven.gemballa@uni-tuebingen.de; http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/Zoologie/gemballa.html

Current work: The research of our group is focused on the functional morphology and evolution of the locomotory system in aquatic chordates. The main question we address is: What is the likely way of transmission of muscular forces during undulatory locomotion? We approach this by means of comparative anatomy. Anatomical work includes analysis of spatial arrangement of muscle fibres and myosepta, collagen fibre architecture of myosepta, horizontal septa and integument. Methods used are enzyme clearing and staining methods, microdissection, slicing technique, 3-D computer reconstruction, polarized light microscopy and SEM. Current projects are (1) locomotory system of myxinids (Myxine, Eptatretus) and petromyzontids (Petromyzon, Lampetra, Geotria, Mordacia, Ichthyomyzon); (2) locomotory system of lancelets (Branchiostoma lanceolatum) (3) locomotory system of specialized swimmers (Scomber spec.); (4) locomotory system of aquatic urodelans (Ambystoma mexicanum); (5) zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) mutants: How do mutations of the axial system affect locomotion?

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 (11) 274 34 55 or 274 36 90 ext.242; E-mail ghazzi@usp.br

Current work: I'm still working on my PhD project on the systematics of the genus Sturisoma (Siluriformes, Loricariidae), including taxonomic revision, and phylogenetic relationships of the genus among other loricarids. My advisor is Dr. Naercio A. Menezes.

GIBRAN, FERNANDO Z. M.Sc. student. Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, BRAZIL. Tel +55-16-6023710; Fax +55-16-6023666; E-mail fergibran@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) M.Sc. 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(0)20 7942 5697; Fax 44(0)20 7942 5433; e-mail t.gill@nhm.ac.uk

Current work: Studies listed in the last 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 collaborators). Papers recently completed and now in peer review include: (1) urinary bladder anatomy and sexual development patterns in two pseudoplesiopine pseudochromids (w/K.S. Cole); (2) description of a new subgenus and species of the pseudochromid genus Congrogadus from Western Australia (w/R.D. Mooi & J.B. Hutchins); (3) grammatid account for FAO WC Atlantic guide (w/R.D. Mooi). The following papers are in the final stages of write-up and should be completed in the near future: (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) description of a new western Indian Ocean Dascyllus (Pomacentridae) with a reevaluation of D. carneus (w/J. Kemp); (8) survey of fishes from the West Pilbara Islands, Western Australia (w/J.B. Hutchins & R.D. Mooi); (9) description of two new species of the gobiid genus Eviota (w/S. Jewett); (10) description of new Pseudochromis from south-east Asia (w/G.R. Allen); (11) revision of the pseudochromid subfamily Anisochrominae (w/R. Fricke); (12) paper on widespread shorefish species (w/J. Kemp).

GIRONE, ANGELA. Ph.D. student, Dipartimento di Geologia e Geofisica, Università degli Studi di Bari, via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ITALY

Current work: Otolith based reconstruction of Mediterranean Pleistocene fish faunas. Use of otolith associations for paleobathimetric evaluation of Pleistocene sediments from Southern Italian localities. A manuscript in press includes an example of the application of otolith associations for evaluating sea level changes during a Lower-Middle Pleistocene interval in the Montalbano Jonico area (Matera, Southern Italy).

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) ecology and genetics of Mullidae and Merlucciidae; (3) introduction of exotic fish species to the freshwater system of Israel; (4) ichthyofauna of the Seychelles (w/A. Baranes, M. Goren & A. Diament); (5) sandy shores and artificial reef communities; (6) taxonomy of Holocentridae; (7) commercial fisheries in the Levant.

GON, OFER. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, SOUTH AFRICA. TEL (46) 636-1002; Fax (46) 622-2403; E-mail O.Gon@ru.ac.za

Current work: (1) The revision of the apogonid genus Archamia has been submitted (w/J.E. Randall); (2) work on the cardinalfishes of the Western Indian Ocean continues; (3) the revision of the apogonid genus Siphamia is under way, collection managers and researchers wanting their specimens identified are invited to send them to me at the above address; (4) a review of the Apogon coccineus group has been started (w/D.W. Greenfield).

GONZALEZ-ACOSTA, ADRIAN FELIPE. Colección Ictiológica CICIMAR-IPN (Ichthyological Collection CICIMAR-IPN). Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Playa El Conchalito s/n, Apartado Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, MEXICO, C.P. 23000. Tel (112) 253.44 and 253.66, Fax (112) 253.22, E-mail agacosta@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) Study of the ecology of fish communities associated with mangrove swamps at La Paz lagoon; (2) systematic and taxonomy of fish from northwest of Mexico (w/J. De la Cruz-Agüero & J.L. Castro-Aguirre); (3) ecological status of Fundulus lima in Baja California peninsula (w/G. Ruiz-Campos & J.L. Castro-Aguirre); (4) working with the checklist of fish from Celestun lagoon, Yucatan, Mexico; (6) study of seasonal variability of the abundance and diversity of fish community of El Conchalito estuary, Ensenada de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico (w/G. De la Cruz-Agüero, J. De la Cruz-Agüero & G. Ruiz-Campos); (7) in Jan. of 2000, will begin my doctorate on the systematics and biogeography of fish of genus Eugerres, with emphasis on the vicarious origin of E. mexicanus, and their phylogeny and possible relationships with other species of the genus from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico (w/the advice of J.L. Castro-Aguirre).

GOSZTONYI, ATILA ESTEBAN. Centro Nacional Patagonico. Bvd. Brown s/n. (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, ARGENTINA. Tel +54 2965 451 024; Fax +54 2965 451543; E-Mail goszto@cenpat.edu.ar

Current Work: (1) Morphometric, meristic, and biological analysis of Patagonian silversides (Atherinopsidae); (2) DNA studies of Patagonian silversides (Atherinopsidae) (w/L. Behegaray, Maquarie University, Australia); (3) ecology of the primitive Patagonian siluriform Diplomystes mesembrinus (Diplomystidae) (w/L. Kuba, P. Madryn & M.M. Azpelicueta, La Plata University); (4) DNA studies of Diplomystes mesembrinus (Diplomystidae) (w/C. Oliveira, Universidade Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil); (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 have begun working in Fiji, comparing cryptic fish communities there with those studied in the Atlantic Ocean; (2) I have just about completed my study of the erythrinus complex within the cardinalfish genus Apogon and will be describing three new species; (3) Jack Randall and I continue to work on the gobies of Hawaii; (4) the toadfishes continue to be a long-term project.

GUAZZELLI, GIZELANI MÜLLER. Doctoral student, Seção de Peixes do Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP). Av. Nazaré, 481. CEP 04263-000, São 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 Ph.D thesis under supervision of Dr. Naércio Aquino Menezes.

GUIMARÃES, RICARDO Z.P. Ph.D Student, Dept. Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, RJ, CEP 21.941-569, BRASIL. Tel 55 (0xx21) 280-2394, ext 31; Fax 55 (0xx21) 280-2394; E-mail ricardo@biologia.ufrj.br

Current Work: Revision of western South Atlantic species of Elacatinus (w/J.L. Gasparini, L.F. Mendes, L.A. Rocha & G.W. Nunan), Coryphopterus (w/B. Feitoza), Malacoctenus (w/J.L. Gasparini, L.F. Mendes & G.W. Nunan), Scartella (w/C.A. Rangel & J.L. Gasparini), which would ground a biogeographic study of the area for my Ph.D thesis. Other studies: (2) revision of Brazilian Syngnathidae (w/P. Carvalho), (3) revision of Brazilian Stellifer (w/H. Almeida), (4) description of a new species of Pseudopercis from Brazil (w/M.F. Andrade-Tubino & R. Tubino), (5) analysis of the composition and distribution of western South Atlantic reef fish fauna (w/S.R. Floeter, J.L. Gaspaini, C.A. Rangel, C.E.L. Ferreira, L.A. Rocha & G.W. Nunan).

HAROLD, ANTONY S. Assistant Professor and Curator of Grice Marine Laboratory (GMBL) fish collection, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, U.S.A. Tel (843) 406-4027; Fax (843) 406-4001; E-Mail harolda@cofc.edu

Current work: phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of (1) coral gobies (Gobiodon), including morphological- and molecular-based analyses; (2) marine hatchetfishes (Sternoptychidae) and other stomiiforms; (3) neotropical characids, (4) Bregmaceros (Gadiformes). Other ongoing work includes life history evolution in gobioids.

HARTEL, KARSTEN E. Curatorial Assoc. Mus. of Comparative Zool., Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A. Tel (617) 495-2477; Fax (617) 495-5667; E-mail khartel@oeb.harvard.edu; Home page http://www.mcz.harvard.edu/fish

Current work: (1) Book on freshwater fishes of Massachusetts (w/D. Halliwell & A. Launer) is in press but delayed, expected spring 2000; (2) co-authored Myctophidae, Gonostomatidae, Photichyidae, Stomiidae, and Sternoptychidae sections (w/J. Craddock and/or A. Harold) for the new Fishes of the Gulf of Maine, and (3) manuscripts on Myctophidae and Neoscopelidae (w/J. Craddock), Callionymidae and Draconettidae (w/T. Nakabo) for FAO W. Cent. Atlantic volume in review. G.V. Lauder, now curator/professor at MCZ, will be working with K.F. Liem and a number of students in the collection and that predicts increased activity in ichthyology at MCZ.

HENDRICKSON, DEAN A. Curator of Ichthyology, University of Texas, Texas Natural History Collections, PRC 176 / R4000, 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758-4445 U.S.A. Tel (512) 471-9774; FAX (512) 471-9775 and Section of Integrative Biology, C0930, Patterson 528, UT, Austin, TX 78712 Tel (512) 232-5502; FAX (512) 471-3878; E-MAIL: deanhend@mail.utexas.edu

Recent research includes phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of he genus Prietella (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), the Mexican blindcats, and position of the genus within the family phylogeny (submitted in 1999). Work continues in the lab on light sensitivity testing of P. phreatophila, and in the field on population ecology. In summer of 1999 we began a conservation-oriented study of the aquatic ecosystems of Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, México, with a focus on fishes and snails, but the project has also provided us the opportunity to collect additional information on the relative abundance and distribution of the various morphs of the polymorphic cichlid, Cichlasoma minckleyi. These new data will be compared with data from the many collections of the late 1960's through the early 1980's. We are also collecting tissues and morphological data from large numbers of specimens from throughout the basin for future studies. In the lab we are rearing progeny of parents of known morphology to further analyze the nature of the polymorphism. A manuscript was submitted early this year describing larval to juvenile ontogeny in the species. I have begun work with Rocio Rodiles of the Colegio de la Frontera Sur on a description of a relatively large, new surface catfish from rivers of Chiapas, México.

HOLCROFT, NANCY I. Graduate Student, Division of Ichthyology, Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2454, U.S.A. Tel (785) 864-3369; Fax (785) 864-5335; E-mail sephirth@ukans.edu

Current work: (1) A phylogenetic analysis of the order Tetraodontiformes based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data (dissertation research); (2) a phylogenetic analysis of the family Bathymasteridae (suborder Zoarcoidei) based on morphological characters.

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 ultrastructure and digestive enzyme activity of Topsmelt and two related species, Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) and California Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis), with undergraduate Chad Freeman and graduate student Andrea Jones; (4) genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in gut structure and function in four related species of pricklebacks (Stichaeidae) within a phylogenetic context, with graduate student Albert Chan and research associate Anna Gawlicka.

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) soon to complete a manuscript concerning my investigation into the origin and use of standard length for measuring fishes; and (4) revising a manuscript dealing with habitat selection of penaeid shrimp in Mobile Bay, Alabama. I am still an editorial board member of the international journal, "Fisheries Research".

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; Email hutchb@museum.wa.gov.au.

Current work: (1) Investigation of the marine life of the Dampier Archipelago (team leader); (2) continuing studies on the recruitment of tropical reef fishes at Rottnest Island; (3) review of the monacanthid genus Thamnaconus (w/K. Matsuura); (4) checklist of fishes of the west Pilbara coast, Western Australia (w/T. Gill & R. Mooi); (5) descriptions of new clingfishes from Western Australia.

ISHIHARA, H. 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. Survey of the freshwater elasmobranchs in the rivers of the south Asian countries with T. Taniuchi and S. Tanaka. Research on the endangered species of sharks and rays with IUCN Shark Specialist Group members. This year started with the two ichthyological visitors from the U.S., i.e., Jack Musick of the VIMS and Greg Cailliet of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory. They and I together joined the international workshop on the risk assessment of the endangered species held in the Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo. Then, we joined the workshop on the red data criteria held in the Asian Center, Akasaka, Tokyo. Later, we drove to the laboratory of Sho Tanaka, Tokai University. In September, I visited the northern Palawan I., Philippines, where I did snorkeling with Marnee Comer, U.S. Peace Corps and watched the condition of coral reefs and coral reef fishes there. In December, Janine Caira of the University of Connecticut came to Japan to sample the tapeworms. She rode on the research vessel Sensyu-maru of the Akita Prefecture. I went to Philippines again and visited Rainer Froese and his Fishbase at ICLARM.

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; E-mail tiwamoto@calacademy.org

Current work: (1) Guide to grenadiers of New South Wales, Australia (w/K. Graham) progressing well, with hopes of finishing off project with Graham’s visit to CAS in Jan. 2000; (2) chapter on grenadiers (w/P.J. McMillan) for book on New Zealand EEZ fishes (Clive Roberts project leader) to be pushed in year 2000; (3) description of a new "West Wind Drift" species of Caelorinchus with Yuri Shcherbachev; (4) descriptions of other new spp. of Caelorinchus from Indian Ocean to begin with Shcherbachev. Other projects listed in 1998 Newsletter completed and published (Western Australian grenadiers w/A. Williams) or manuscript submitted (New Caledonia grenadiers II, w/N. Merrett; new Galapagos grenadier w/J. McCosker; FAO identification guide for western central Atlantic w/D. Cohen.

JAMES, GAVIN D. Senior Scientist, NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research), P.O. Box 8602, Kyle St., Riccarton, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND. Tel +64-3-3488987; FAX +64-3-3485548; E-Mail g.james@niwa.cri.nz

Current work: Continuing interest in systematics of Oreosomatidae, particularly juveniles.

JAYARAM, K.C. (Retired) Joint Director, Zoological Survey of India, "Padmaja" 22, III Main Road, Officers Colony, Adambakkam, Chennai, 600 088, INDIA. Tel 245 2843.

Current work: The Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship is over. I am collating and compiling the data and have started preparing the final report on the "Eco-Status of the three Deccan Masheer fishes" for publication in the form of a book. A new assignment under the World Bank aided National Agricultural Technology Project has come and will keep me engaged in training Indian scientists in freshwater fish taxonomy especially of the eastern and western Ghats. This involves preparing on-hands training and preparing of working manuals for the clientele. My book on "The freshwater fishes of the Indian region" is released and should be available everywhere.

JENKINS, ROBERT E. Professor, Dept. of Biology, Roanoke College, Salem, VA 21453, U.S.A. Tel (540) 375-2463; FAX (540) 375-2447; E-Mail Jenkins@roanoke.edu

Current work on suckers (Catostomidae) of tribe Moxostomatini, mainly redhorses, genus Moxostoma. Current emphasis: (1) undescribed sicklefin redhorse of upper Tennessee drainage: description, life history, and population status (ms. in revision); (2) systematics of molar-toothed redhorses Moxostoma carinatum and M. robustum (w/B.J. Freeman & J.W. Evans); (3) age, growth, and maturation of latter two species (w/M.D. Clements et al.); (4) comparative behavior, habitat, and chronology of reproduction of redhorse and jumprock suckers (w/M.D. Clements & B.J. Freeman). Additionally, still gathering much new anatomical data on all redhorses and jumprock (Scartomyzon) suckers, with ultimate aim of monograph on systematics and evolutionary biology of moxostomatins. For a future ASIH meeting, I plan to convene a symposium, to be published, on systematics, biology, and conservation of catostomids.

KIM, IK-SOO. Professor, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Chonju 561-756, Republic of KOREA. Tel 652-270-3354; Fax 652-270-3362; E-mail kim9620@moak.chonbuk.ac.kr

Current work : (1) Taxonomic and ecological studies on the Korean freshwater fishes of the families Cyprinidae and Cobitidae; (2) revision of the cobitid fishes, genera Koreocobitis and Iksookimia (w/J.Y.Park & T.T. Nalbant), (3) reproductive mode of the unisexual cobitid fishes, Cobitis laosensis-longicorpus complex.

KIMURA, SEISHI Associate Professor, Fisheries Research Laboratory, 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 on the ichthyofauna of the eastern Indonesian waters (w/K. Matsuura & T. Peristiwady); (5) revision of the genus Zoarchias (family Stichaeidae); (6) study of the ichthyofauna of Kumano-nada, Pacific coast of central Japan (including the mesopelagic fishes); (7) study of larval fish fauna of Ago Bay, Pacific coast of central Japan.

KOTTELAT, MAURICE. Route de la Baroche 12, Case postale 57, CH-2952 Cornol, SWITZERLAND. E-mail mkottelat@vtx.ch, mkottelat@dplanet.ch; Tel +41-32-462 3175; Fax +41-32-462 2259;

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.

KULLANDER, SVEN O. Senior Curator, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, POB 50007, SE-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 cichlids. Papers were also completed on the species concept, a new Pillaia species (w/F. Fang & R. Britz) from Myanmar, and the first portion of a revision of the genus Badis (w/R. Britz), see next year's Newsletter for references. Aside from co-editing the Checklist of the Freshwater fishes of South and Central America (CLOFFSCA) (w/C. Ferraris & R. Reis), I will do the Cichlidae for that work. Henrik Dahlgren, Peter Nilsson and Thomas Axenrot, undergraduate students, completed studies of Paraguayan Astyanax, Erythrinidae, and Corydoras+Otocinclus, respectively. We hope to have those studies published shortly. Bo Delling and I surveyed mid-Sweden for Cobitis taenia (Cobitidae) and we now have a good series from the type locality area. Next year we expect to do more inventories on rare coastal species in Sweden. An NRM team collected in the Canadian Arctic and we expect to make some comparative studies of Scandinavian and North American sculpins based on this material.

LANDIM, MARIA ISABEL. 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. Fax (021) 560-5993; E-mail milandim@openlink.com.br.

Current work: I will be concentrating on my master thesis on the phylogeny of Geophaginae (Cichlidae), intended to finish this year. I am also spending some time to complete some unfinished papers with partners.

LARSON, HELEN K. Curator of Fishes, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, GPO Box 4646, Darwin, NT 0801, AUSTRALIA. Tel +61 08 8999 8201; Fax +61 08 8999 8289; email helen.larson@nt.gov.au

Current work: (1) Finishing up the revision of Oxyurichthys (w/F. Pezold), a two months' visit at NLU helped considerably; (2) the gobioid chapters for the "Coastal Fishes of the western Indian Ocean" book are proceeding slowly; (3) the Singapore goby guide (w/K. Lim) is nearly complete; (4) the Mugilogobius monograph is finally submitted; (5) the revision of Redigobius is about half-done, and (6) an assortment of other goby papers (mostly on gobionellines and tiny coral reef genera) are in various states of completion. The NT Museum fish collection will begin to move to a new building in December (along with the museum's entire collection of alcohol-preserved material), so it may be inaccessible for several months.

LASSO, CARLOS A. Curator of fishes. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, Apdo. 1930, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA. Tel 58-2-7938321, Fax 58-2-7937493; E-mail lassoc@usa.net

Current Work: (1) Study of the icthyofauna of Caura and Upper Caroni River Basin (Orinoco Drainage); (2) descriptions of new species of Acestrocephalus and Galeocharax (Characidae) Venezuela (w/D. Taphorn); (3) descriptions of new species of Trichomycterus (Trichomychtheridae) from upper Caroni River (w/F. Provenzano); (4) study of the ictiofauna of Golfo de Paria and Rio Tuy Basin (w/F. Provenzano); (5) study of the ichthyofauna of Orinoco Delta (w/A. Machado-Allison & V. Ponte).

LASSO-ALCALÁ, OSCAR M. Assistant of Curator of fishes. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, Apdo. 1930, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA. Tel 58-2-7938321, Fax 58-2-7937493; E-mail lassoalcala@usa.net / Lasso-alcala@mixmail.com

Current Work: (1) Study of biology and ecology of fresh water fishes in Venezuela; (2) study of the icthyofauna of Caura and Upper Caroni River Basin (Orinoco Drainage) (w/C. Vispo & C. Lasso); (3) study of the ictiofauna of Golfo de Paria and Rio Tuy Basin (w/C. Lasso & F. Provenzano); (4) study of the Marine Ichthyofauna of Venezuela (w/J.C. Capelo & F. Cervigón).

LEA, ROBERT N. California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region, 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Monterey, California 93940, U.S.A. Tel (831) 649-2835; Fax (831) 649-2894; E-mail rlea@dfg.ca.gov

Current work: (1) Evaluating distributions of eastern Pacific fishes related to El Niño oceanographic events (w/R.H. Rosenblatt); (2) fish-habitat associations of deepwater rockfishes, Sebastes, utilizing submersibles (w/M. Yoklavich & M. Love); (3) continuing studies on eastern Pacific Ophidiidae; (4) four new species of Ophidion from the western Atlantic (w/C.R. Robins); (5) AFS-ASIH Committee on Names of Fishes; (6) Research Associate, California Academy of Sciences, Dept. of Ichthyology; (7) continuing studies on systematics and ecology of California marine fishes.

LEHMANN, PABLO. Research Assoc., Mus. of Science and Tecnology (MCP), PUCRS, Porto Alegre, BRASIL. Biologo Universidad del Valle, Cali, COLOMBIA. Temporary addr.: Av. Ipiranga 6681, 90.619-900. Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL. Tel (55-51) 320-3500, ext 4413; Fax (55-51) 339-1564; E-mail plehmann@pucrs.br. Permanent address: Carrera 6 #43N66, Popayan, Cauca, COLOMBIA. Tel (5728) 235668; E-mail pablolehmann@hotmail.com

Current work: Revision systematic of the neotropical armored catfish genus Callichthys (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes: Callichthyidae), together with Roberto E. Reis (MCP, PUC-RS).

LEIS, JEFFREY M. Principal Research Scientist, Section of Fishes, 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, "Larvae of Indo-Pacific Coastal Fishes" is now in press, with publication expected around the end of 1999. The book includes information on 125 families - see announcements for ordering information. A paper on larval development in the lutjanid subfamily Lutjaninae 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 have described the larval development of the perciform fish Centrogenys vaigiensis, and this paper is in press. 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 1999 and Feb 2000 under ARC support. Check out our website: www.austmus.gov.au/fish

LI, SI-ZHONG. Research professor, Fish Museum, Research Center of Evolution & Systematics of Animals, Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian, Beijing, CHINA 10080

Current work: (1) Chinese soldier-fishes (Beryciformes); (2) Chinese dories (Zeiformes); (3) Chinese opahs, ribbon fishes, etc. (Lampridiformes); (4) Chinese sticklebacks, pipefishes, etc. (Gasterosteiformes); (5) Chinese swamp-eels (Synbranchiformes); (6) Chinese mullets, barracudas, etc. (Mugiliformes); (7) the geographical distribution of Chinese freshwater fishes; (8) the fish fauna of the Huanghe R. (Yellow R.)

LITTMANN, MICHAEL W. Collections Manager, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Museum, The University of Southern Mississippi-Institute of Marine Sciences, P.O. Box 7000, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000, U.S.A. Tel (228) 872-4255; Fax (228)872-4204; email sorubim@hotmail.com

Current work: 1) Systematics of Sorubim (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae), with descriptions of three new species and preliminary data on the species-level phylogeny, to be in press by end of 1999 w/B.M. Burr, U.A. Buitrago, R.E. Schmidt, P. Nass, and E.R. Isern; 2) taxonomic investigation of Ictalurus furcatus w/B.M. Burr; 3) general interest in the freshwater fish diversity of South America.

LOPEZ-ARBARELLO, ADRIANA. Postdoctoral fellow, Institute für Paläontologie, Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, GERMANY. Tel (49) 30 2093 8887, Fax (49) 30 2093 8868, E-Mail adriana.lopez-arbarello@rz.hu-berlin.de

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of the Argentinean percichthyids (Percichthyidae) (subject of my Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Buenos Aires, Argentina). Actually, I am working with the final manuscript to publish it as a monograph; (2) study of the basal actinopterygian fishes of the continental Middle-Upper Triassic Ischigualasto-Villa Unión and Cuyo Basins (Argentina); (3) systematic revision of the fossil fish fauna from the Jurassic Cerro Cóndor locality (Patagonia, Argentina) (w/G. Arratia).

LOUIE, KRISTINA D. Graduate student, Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, U.S.A. Tel (310) 206-7885; Fax (310) 206-3987; Email kdlouie@ucla.edu

Current work: (1) Description of a new species of halfbeak of the genus Nomorhamphus (w/A. Meisner); (2) population genetics of Syngnathus leptorhynchus (Syngnathidae) using mtDNA control region and microsatellites; (3) systematics of the Eastern Pacific pipefishes using mtDNA and nuclear introns; (4) molecular study of the subspecies of Leptocottus armatus (Cottidae). I am continuing to ask for specimens of pipefishes from the western Pacific and Atlantic for the systematic study. Thank you to those scientists who have already helped provide material (alcohol or dried specimens) for this DNA study.

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; E-mail slouri@po-box.mcgill.ca

Current work: (1) Seahorse systematics (Syngnathidae: Hippocampus) particulary Indo-Pacific species; (2) Indo-Pacific biogeography. Ph.D. student. I hope to spend much of 2000 based at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

LOVEJOY, NATHAN R. Research Associate, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, 3101 Valleay Life Sciences Building #3160, Berkeley, CA 94720-3160, U.S.A. Tel (510) 643-0986; FAX (510) 643-8238; E-mail lovejoy7@uclink4.berkeley.edu

Current work: (1) Systematics and biogeography of needlefishes (Belonidae) and their close relatives (Beloniformes); (2) systematics and biogeography of stingrays (Myliobatoidei), especially Neotropical freshwater taxa (Potamotrygonidae). Long range studies focus on the phylogeny of "marine derived" taxa in Neotropical freshwater (e.g., Engraulidae, Sciaenidae).

LUCENA, CARLOS ALBERTO SANTOS. Curator of Fishes, Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. Av. Ipiranga 6681, prédio 40. Porto Alegre, 90619-900. Rio Grande do Sul, BRAZIL. Tel 0 XX 51-320-3500 Ext. 4413; Fax 0 XX 51-320-3903; E-Mail lucena@pucrs.br

Current work: The phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the transandean species of Roeboides was concluded and submitted. I'm beginning the revision and phylogeny of cis-andean Roeboides microlepis species-group. An identification guide for the fishes of the Sistema da lagunda dos Patos, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is being prepared (w/M. Lucena, L. Malabarba & R. Reis). Definition of the genus Deuterodon with a list of its valid species is a long term project (w/M. Lucena).

LUCENA, ZILDA MARGARETE S. DE. Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. Av. Ipiranga 6681, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL. E-mail margarete@pucrs.br

Current work: (1) My research continues on systematic of the genus Phenacogaster (Ostariophysi, Characidae) (thesis under the advice of L.R. Malabarba); I need urgently specimens of Phenacogaster from French Guyana, if anyone can help please contact me by e-mail; (2) definition of Deuterodon (Ostariophysi, Characidae) is also a long-term project (w/C.A. Lucena); (3) taxonomic study of Bryconamericus stramineus (w/J. Pedrini); (4) an identification guide for fishes from Sistema da Laguna dos Patos, RS, Brasil (w/C.A. Lucena, L.R. Malabarba & R.E. Reis).

LUCINDA, PAULO H.F. Permanent address: Universidade do Tocantins, Campus de Porto Nacional, Caixa Postal 25, 77.500-000, Porto Nacional, TO, BRASIL. Tel (63) 863-1701; Fax (63) 863-1701; Email plucinda@pop-to.rnp.br; Current addr.: Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia, PUCRS (MCP). Av. Ipiranga, 6681. Caixa Postal 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL. Tel (51) 320-3500 ext. 4413; Email 99191442@pucrs.br; http://www.pucrs.br/museu/ictio; Fax (51) 339-1564

Current work: (1) Systematics and biogeography of the tribe Cnesterodontini (Poeciliinae, Poeciliidae, Cyprinodontiformes) as Ph.D. Thesis under advice of Dr. Roberto E. Reis; (2) systematic studies on genus Jenynsia from Southern Brasil (w/R. Quevedo & R.E. Reis); (3) description of three new species of Cnesterodon from upper portions of rio Paraná basin, Brasil (w/J. C. Garavello & O.A. Shibatta); (4) systematics and biogeography of the genus Phallotorynus (Poeciliinae, Poeciliidae, Cyprinodontiformes) (w/ R.S. Rosa & R.E. Reis).

LUNDBERG, JOHN G. Department of Ichthyology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, U.S.A. Tel 215-299-1000; Fax 215-299-1028; E-Mail lundberg@say.acnatsci.org; INTERNET http://www.acnatsci.org/biodiv/

Current work: (1) Faunal survey of the main channels of the Brazilian Amazon and its major tributaries (see Announcements); (2) descriptions and redescriptions of neotropical catfishes and gymnotiforms; (3) phylogenetic analyses of Pimelodidae with an emphasis on Pimelodinae; (4) Cenozoic fish paleontology and paleogeography of the Neotropics.

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

Current work: (1) Phylogenetic analysis of the family Stichaeidae, beginning with the tribe Lumpenini, using morphological and early-life history characters; (2) description of the early-life history of members of the genus Lumpenus (Stichaeidae); (3) explore use of parental care behaviors in phylogenetic analysis of the Lumpenini (Stichaeidae); (4) general curation of the University of Washington Early-Life History Fish Collection.

MALABARBA, MARIA C. Curator of Fossils, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia, Pontifícia Universidade católica do Rio Grande do Sul, 90.619-900 Porto Alegre, BRAZIL. (55) (51) 320-3500/ext.4412; mariacm@pucrs.br

Current work: (1) Systematic review and phylogenetic relationships of the freshwater genus Triportheus (Characiformes: Characidae); (2) Cretaceous fishes from northern Brazil; and (3) systematics of the paleoichthyological remains from Tertiary of Amazon (w/M.F. Dutra).

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; E-mail jmccosker@calacademy.org

Current work: (1) Review of Australian muraenid eels with Genie Böhlke; (2) monographing ophichthid eels of Australia; (3) review of Hawaiian ophichthid eels with Jack Randall; (4) descriptions of Galapagos fishes: labrid with Carole Baldwin; catshark with Leonard Compagno and Baldwin; scorpaenids with Stuart Poss and Baldwin; and Anguilla with Rodrigo Bustamente and Gerard Wellington; (5) several new species of eastern Pacific Hydrolagus with Doug Long; (6) review of Brachysomophis with Jack Randall; (7) descriptions of Taiwanese ophichthids with Yu-Yun Chen; (8) a general review of the Galápagos ichthyofauna with Dick Rosenblatt, and (9) I will be making submarine dives and collections in the central Atlantic, rift zones, and hopefully in the eastern Pacific.

McDOWALL, ROBERT M. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (3) 348-8987; Fax (3) 348-5548; Email r.mcdowall@niwz.cri.nz

Current work: The past year has been spent exploring the osteology of the galaxioid fishes, looking at the entire group comprehensively for characters that provide signals of inter-specific and higher relationships as a basis for both a better understanding of the higher classification as well as their historical biogeography. An interest in diadromy, worldwide, continues.

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: 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.

MERRETT, NIGEL R. Muttlebury's Mead, Chard Street, Thorncombe, Nr. Chard, Somerset TA20 4NB, UK. Tel 44 (0) 1460 30109; Email nigel@macrourid.freeserve.co.uk

Manuscripts on Bassozettus (w/J. Nielsen) and second paper on New Caledonia grenadiers (w/T. Iwamoto) submitted. Studies (w/Y. Sazonov) on New Caledonia alepocephalids progressing well after several weeks of work in Paris at MNHN earlier this year. Retired from the British Museum in March. Made 6-wk Discovery cruise to Cape Verde region Oct.-Nov. In early Dec. my fiancée, Colleen Adam, and I will be moving to the west country in Dorset, about 100 miles west of my current home. (Note change in address.) My plan is to work in the mornings, play in the afternoons, and sip wine in the evenings--anyone want to join my sect?

MILLER, RICHARD G. Research Associate, EEB, U. AZ and Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies, 3400 E. Speedway Blvd., 118-293 (and 3355 – 75 E 2^nd St.), Tucson, AZ 85716, U.S.A. Tel (note change) (520) 327-8924, or 327 2911; Fax 520 323-2751; E-mail forstinst@aol.com or foresta@theriver.com

Current work: I am involved increasingly with habitat environments, changes and stress in species of colder water fishes, and the evolutionary adaptation and distribution in S & N Polar ocean, lake, stream, as well as our desert pool fish species. Presently preparing distribution and history of sculpins of the estuaries, deltas, and coasts of northflowing rivers to the Arctic Ocean. Recent visit to Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia, a large mountain lake, near Siberia, involves me further in the drainages and upper waters of these rivers, namely the Selenge, Lakes Hovsgol, Baikal, Angara R. and the upper Yenisei. Contrasts with our Pyramid L., Truckee River – Lake Tahoe (re: dissertation of yore) is tempting! In Tucson residence has changed to 3375 E 2^nd St., 85716. Summer residence is in Lassen Nat. Forest at P.O. Box 36, Mineral, CA 96063, with some observing with Sacramento River Discovery Center, Red Bluff. Conditions of health, library, Foresta Inst. Book sales are as in Newsletter 1997!

MIRZA, MUHAMMAD R. 69 Umer Block, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore 54570, PAKISTAN.

Current work: Study of Ichthyofauna of Naha Degh (w/F. Sher & M.N. Javed); Fishes of Balochistan (w/A. Kakar).

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: A mitochondrial genomic approach to the molecular systematics of teleosts (w/M. Nishida, A. Kawaguchi, M. Yamaguchi, J. Inoue, & N. Ishiguro), using a long PCR technique and >100 fish-versatile primers; this project includes phylogenetic analyses of (1) lower teleosts (up to Paracanthopterygii); (2) Elopomorpha; (3) Stomiiforms; (4) Aulopiformes; (5) Myctophiformes; and (6) major acanthomorph lineages.

MIYASHITA, TAKEHIRO. Doctoral Candidate, Laboratory of Ichthyology, Tokyo Univ. of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5463-0529; Fax 81-3-5463-0527; E-mail ad96204@cc.tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp

I am finishing my research on the comparative morphology of the vertebrae in teleostean fishes as my doctoral thesis under the supervision of Prof. K. Fujita. My doctoral thesis will give a detailed description of the vertebrae of more than three hundred species of teleosts, and discuss interrelationships of the Acanthomorph fishes based on their vertebral characters.

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

Current work: (1) Morphology based phylogeny and biogeography of the eelpout genus Lycodes (Zoarcidae); (2) Zoarcids (Pachycara spp.) of the Arabian Sea; (3) fishes of Greenland (w/J.G. Nielsen & O.A. Jørgensen).

MOREIRA, CRISTIANO R. Graduate Student, Departamento de Zoologia – Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, n 101 - São Paulo - SP - BRASIL CEP 05508-900 (NEW ADDRESS). Tel +55-11-818-7511 (sala 126); Fax 55-11-818-7513; Email cmoreira@acd.ufrj.br (until 01/2000), cmoreira@ib.usp.br (after 01/2000).

Current work: Most of my time is now dedicated to my Msc thesis, which consists in the revision and phylogeny of the Iguanodectinae (Characiformes: Characidae), as well as the relationships of the Iguanodectinae with the remaining characiforms. Additionally, I will be completing and submitting some unfinished papers (see previous issues of NSI).

MUNROE, THOMAS A. Systematic Zoologist. National Marine Fisheries Service National Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560-0153, U.S.A. E-mail munroe.thomas@nmnh.si.edu; Tel (202) 357-4255

Current work: (1) Continue long-range systematic studies on Cynoglossidae (w/several co-authors); (2) continue long-range systematic studies on Soleidae (w/Drs. F. Chapleau, Univ. of Ottawa, Canada & M. Desoutter, MNHN); (3) preparation of type catalogue of Pleuronectiformes in the Paris Museum of Natural History (w/Dr. M. Desoutter, MNHN & collaborators); (4) continued work on systematics and osteology of paralichthyid flounders (Paralichthyidae) with Dr. J. Diaz de Astarloa, Universidade Mar del Plata, Argentina, and molecular studies of group with Dr. B. Bowen, Univ. of Florida; (5) finishing several manuscripts describing new species of Cynoglossidae and Soleidae (w/various co-authors); (6) revising identification sheets for Pleuronectiformes and Clupeiformes for FAO guide to fishery resources of West Central Atlantic; (7) continue identifying collections of flatfishes from New Guinea (w/P. Kailola).

MURDY, EDWARD O. Senior Program Manager, Division of International Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230, U.S.A. Tel 703-306-1711; Fax 703-306-0476; E-mail emurdy@nsf.gov

Current work: In conjunction with Koichi Shibukawa, a revision of the gobiid subfamily Amblyopinae is underway. A revision of the genus Odontamblyopus was prepared and submitted. As a result of our study on Odontamblyopus, several new genera need to be described and named; we are in the process of doing this.

MUSIKASINTHORN, PRACHYA. Doctoral Candidate, Laboratory of Ichthyology, Tokyo Univ. of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5463-0529; Fax 81-3-5463-0527; e-mail ad95208@cc.tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp.

I am in the process of completing my doctoral thesis on a "Taxonomic revision of the snakehead genus Channa". In May of this year, I became a member of the Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University as curator of natural history of the newly rebuilt and greatly expanded Kasetsart University Museum of Fisheries (Natural History) [KUMF(NH)], and concurrently as an lecturer in ichthyology, and should return to Thailand in May, 2000. My address afterwards will be: Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, THAILAND; Tel 66-2-5791202; Fax 66-2-9428364.

MYERS, ROBERT F. P.O. Box 21153, GMF, Guam 96921, U.S.A. Tel (671) 734-1092 (call first to fax from ca. 1300-2200 GMT); E-mail rmyers@netpci.com

Studies of Micronesian fishes and regional zoogeography continue. The new expanded edition of Micronesian Reef Fishes as well as a slightly abridged softcover have been published (see New Publications). Goals for 2000 are to complete an annotated checklist of the fishes of Palau (w/T.J. Donaldson & J.E. Randall), a paper detailing new and recent records of the fishes of Palau (w/T.J. Donaldson & H. Nagano), and another installment of new and recent records of fishes from the Marianas. Studies of the zoogeography of western Pacific fishes continue with emphasis on the creation of a comprehensive biogeographic table of Indo-Pacific shorefish distributions (see Announcement) in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. The purpose of the spreadsheet is to compare biodiversity across regions and aid in producing detailed species distribution maps. The description of a new Scarus (w/Randall, sr. author) has been completed and is now in press. 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.

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

Current work: (1) Systematics of the Psychrolutidae and description of new species of Neophrynichthys from New Zealand (w/K. Jackson); (2) taxonomy of Pungitius spp (Gasterosteidae) (w/Y. Keivany); (3) description of a new species of Trichonotidae (w/M.K. Das & J.E. Randall); (4) analysis of data on pelvicless Culaea inconstans (Gasterosteidae); (5) Past 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. C/o Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, SINGAPORE 119260. Tel (065) 874-2969; Fax (065) 779-2486; E-Mail silurus@singnet.com.sg; heokhee@wspc.com.sg

Current work: (1) Systematic studies on the genus Akysis (w/M.C.C. de Pinna); (2) a review of various Indochinese catfishes, particularly in the families Amblycipitidae (Amblyceps), Bagridae (Batasio) and Sisoridae (Glyptothorax, Bagarius) (w/M. Kottelat); (3) descriptions of new species of Akysis and Pseudomystus from the Barito basin (w/D. J. Siebert); (4) a revision of the genus Sisor; (5) description of a new species of Oreoglanis from southern China (w/W. J. Rainboth); (6) a review of the bagrids of Myanmar (w/C.J. Ferraris) and (7) a revision of Southeast Asian Glyptothorax (w/M. Kottelat). The systematic revision of Hemibagrus is nearing completion and almost ready for publication. The work described in last year’s newsletter that awaits publication is still ongoing. I continue to engage in other small projects (not mentioned above) on the taxonomy and systematics of Asian catfishes as well.

NIELSEN, JØRGEN 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-Pacific; (2) various problems within the aphyonids; (3) fishes from Greenland (w/P.R. Møller & O. Jørgensen).

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 revision of the Neogene otolith-based Diaphus species from Europe (Brzobohaty & Nolf) and a paper on a neritic Pleistocene association from Morrona, near Pisa (Nolf & Girone). A new field of interest concerns recently discovered Cretaceous (Aprian till Maastrichtian) otolith associations from Spain. (2) Application of otoliths to systematics of fossil and Recent fishes.

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 James.Orr@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. Lopez & P. Bentzen); (3) keys to eastern North Pacific flatfishes (Pleuronecti-formes) (w/M. Brown & D. Baker); (4) internet database and subgeneric relationships of Sebastes (w/A. Kendall, Jr.); (5) description of a new Solenostomus (w/R. Fritzsche); (6) systematic position of Indostomus (w/J. Lopez & T. Pietsch); (7) book on Fishes of the Puget Sound and adjacent waters (w/T. Pietsch); (8) projects on Japanese gasterosteiforms (w/T. Saruwatari); (9) description of a new liparid genus (w/M. Busby); and (10) a submitted note on the distribution of Howella. I also routinely participate in benthic trawl surveys of the Pacific coast from Alaska to California, and specimen requests are always welcome. Our Aleutian Islands shelf and Bering Sea shelf/slope surveys are scheduled for summer 2000. Space is still available for on-board volunteers to participate in sampling and collecting specimens.

OTT, GERHARD H.F. VDA-Fischbestimmungsstelle und Biotopdaten-bank S
qßwasser-fische (Fish determination Service and Biotop-Database for Freshwater fishes of the Association 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 ichthyologists; (3) preparing an "Atlas of Loaches" (Cobitoidea) together with Hans A. Baensch, Melle/Germany. Field Studies 1992, 1998 in Sri Lanka, 1997 in Turkey, 1999 in Indonesia, 2000 in Morocco, 2001 next planned for South India.

OZAWA, TAKAKAZU. Professor, Fac. Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimo-arata, Kahoshima 890-0056, JAPAN. Tel (099)286-4150; E-mail ozawa@zero.fish.kagoshima-u.ac.jp; Fax (099)286-4133

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

PARENTI, LYNNE R. Curator, Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-2740 or 3313; Fax (202) 357-2986; e-mail parentil@nmnh.si.edu

Current research: Ongoing projects on the systematics and biogeography of freshwater, coastal and marine fishes from the Indo-Australian archipelago, particularly northwestern Borneo, and development of the use of nerve (w/Jiakun Song) and gonad (w/H. Grier) characters in systematic ichthyology. This October 1, I have taken over as Chair of the Department of Vertebrate Zoology at the National Museum of Natural History, and Jiakun has joined the staff of the Fish Division to continue the nerve projects. This past year, I collected fish throughout Taiwan following a symposium inaugurating the Ichthyological Society of Taiwan. Fieldwork was organized by Hin-Kiu Mok, National Sun Yat-Sen University. Numerous, long-term projects were also completed, including the second edition of CLADISTIC BIOGEOGRAPHY with Chris Humphries, which was published in April 1999. I have also co-edited (with Rodolfo Claro and Ken Lindeman) a translated, revised and updated English version of Ecolog¡a de los peces marinos de Cuba to be published by SI Press.

PARISI, BEATRICE M. PhD Student. Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie Generale et Appliquee - MNHN - 43, rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, FRANCE. Tel +33 1 40 79 37 35; Fax +33 1 40 79 37 71; e-mail parisi@mnhn.fr

Current work: (1) Investigation of the Calophysus-Pimelodus group phylogeny continues; (2) study of French Guyana Pimelodinae; (3) revision of the Pimelodus blochii group; (4) revision of the Pimelodus altipinnis-altissimus-eigenmanni complex of species (w/J.G. Lundberg).

PAVANELLI, CARLA S. Curator of fishes, Nucleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquacultura, and professor, Curso de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquaticos Continentais, Universidade Estadual de Maringa, 87020-900 Maringa, Parana, BRAZIL. Tel. (NEW NUMBERS!)+55-44-261-4632 and 261-4750; Fax +55-44-263-1424; E-mail carlasp@nupelia.uem.br

Current work: (1) A systematic revision of the characoid family Parodontidae is completed; (2) description of a new Steindachnerina species from the Rio Corumbá (w/H.A. Britski) (see announcement); (3) checklist and handbook to identification of upper Rio Paraná species (w/H.A. Britski); (4) checklist and handbook to identification of Rio Iguaçu species (w/W.J. Graca & D. Ataides, in part); (5) checklist and handbook to identification of Rio Corumbá species (w/H.A. Britski, G.S. Avelino, A.P. Vidotti & D.P. Lopes, in part); (6) morphometrical characterization and electrophoresis of upper Rio Paraná Hypostomus species (w/C.H. Zawadzki & E. Renesto, in part); (7) temporal and spatial ichthyofaunistic distribution on two streams from the upper Rio Paraná basin (w/E.P. Caramaschi); (8) dental development and ontogenetic diet shifts of Roeboides paranensis Pignalberi (Osteichthyes, Characinae) in pools of the upper Rio Paraná basin (State of Paraná, Brazil) (w/N.S. Hahn & E.K. Okada) (see announcement); (9) characterization of the species of some small reservoirs of State of Paraná (w/H.A. Britski); (10) description of a new Astyanax species from the Rio Mourão, upper Rio Paraná basin (W/H.A. Britski).

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

PELICAO, GABRIELA Z. M.Sc. Student. Laboratorio de Ictiologia, FFCLRP - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BRAZIL. Tel (055)(016)6023710; E-mail gzanon@hotmail.com

Current work: (1) M.Sc. Dissertation on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Tetragonopterus (Characidae, Tetragonopterinae).

PEQUEÑO, 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@uach.cl

Current work: (1) Studies on fishes of the oceanic islands of the South Eastern Pacific; (2) fishes of the Valdivian District; (3) geographic relationships of fishes from the southern tip of South America.

PEREIRA, EDSON H. L. Graduate student, Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia - PUCRS, P. O. Box 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, Brasil. Tel. (51) 320-3500 ext. 4413; FAX (51) 320-3900 email edsonhlp@pucrs.br

Current work: (1) Interrelatioships of species and genera in the subfamily Neoplecostominae (sensu Armbruster: Neoplecostomus, Pareiorhina, Pareiorhaphis, Kronichthys, Isbrueckerichthys, Hemipsilichthys and Corymbophanes from Bahia state) for my Doctoral dissertation; (2) finishing a taxonomic revision of genus Pareiorhaphis (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) (w/R. Reis); (3) description of three new species of the genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei, Siluriformes) from southern South America (w/R. Reis) (submitted); (4) revision of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys and proposition of a new loricariid subfamily (Siluriformes) (w/R. Reis & Jon Armbruster) and (5) description of a new Hemipsilichthys species from the Paraiba do Sul drainage (w/J.C. Oliveira & O. Oyakawa) (submited).

PONDELLA, II, DANIEL J. University of California, Los Angeles, and Director of Vantuna Research Group, Occidental College, Moore Laboratory of Zoology, 1600 Campus Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90041, U.S.A. Tel (323) 259-2955; Fax (323) 259-2887; E-Mail pondella@oxy.edu

Current work: (1) Phylogenetics of Paralabrax and related genera (Serranidae: Serraninae); (2) phylogenetics of Epinephelus and related genera (Serranidae:Epinephelinae); (3) phylogenetics of Serranidae (Perciformes) and related families. Doctoral advisor: Donald Buth, Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles.

PROUDLOVE, GRAHAM S. Department of Zoology, The Manchester Museum, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. Emailg.proudlove@umist.ac.uk

Current work: Continuing to collect information on the cave (hypogean) fishes of the world. I really hope to complete my monograph of the 85 known species within the next year, publishers permitting. I intend to make the species list and searchable bibliography available on the web. A rudimentary and out of date version at http://www.ccl.umist.ac.uk/staff/grahamp/intro.htm is hoped to be improved soon. Please let me know if you have any questions about cave fishes. If I can't answer I will usually know who can.

QUEVEDO, RODRIGO. Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia, PUCRS (MCP), Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Caixa Postal 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL Tel (51) 320-3500 ext. 4413; Fax (51) 339-1564. Email qvdo75@pucrs.br; http://www.pucrs.br/ museu/ictio.

Current work: (1) Phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of a new species of the Rhinelepis-Group, of the catfish family Loricariidae as M. Sc. thesis under advice of Dr. Roberto E. Reis; (2) systematic studies on genus Jenynsia from Southern Brasil (w/P.H.F. Lucinda & R.E. Reis).

RAMOS, ROBSON T. C. Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Caixa Postal 5061, João Pessoa, PB, BRASIL 58051-970. Tel +55 83 216 7593; Fax: +55 83 216 7464; E-mail robtamar@dse.ufpb.br

Current work: Systematics of Achiridae (Pleuronectiformes): (1) finishing a review and phylogeny of Apionichthys and related genera; (2) finishing a phylogeny of the achirid genera; (3) generic revisions of Achirus, Trinectes, and Catathyridium; (4) a achirid check list to CLOFFSCA (Check-List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America).

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@hi.net

Indo-Pacific Fishes, no. 28, a revision of Pseudocheilinus by Randall, no. 29 on Coris by Randall (120 color figures), and no. 30, a revision of Indo-Pacific garden eels (Heterocongrinae) by Castle and Randall are available from Ichthyology, Bishop Museum for $108 (subscription price, $86). An order form for all three will be included in my next reprint mailing. My revision of the labrid genus Stethojulis, planned for IPF 31, is nearing completion. I have commenced the writing of a book on the reef fishes of the South Pacific (New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands). A preliminary revision of the gobiid genus Gnatholepis (w/Greenfield) has been submitted to Ichth. Bull. Helen Randall will be joining William F. Smith-Vaniz in a revision of Indo-Pacific Opistognathidae, also planned for IPF.

RANGEL, CARLOS A. BSc, Dept. Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, RJ, CEP 21.941-569 BRASIL. Tel 55(02121) 280-2394, ext 31; Fax 55(02121) 280-2394; E-mail caugusto@biohard.com.br

Current Work: Revision of western South Atlantic species of Ophioblennius (w/L. Mendes & R.Z.P. Guimarães), Entomacrodus (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães & J.L. Gasparini) and Scartella (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães & J.L. Gasparini). My MSc project deals with the phylogeny of all species of the last genus. Other studies include: (1) Taxonomy of the Pleuronectiformes from the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães), (2) analysis of the composition and distribution of western south Atlantic reef fish fauna (w/S.R. Floeter, J.L. Gasparini, C.A. Rangel, C.E.L. Ferreira, L.A. Rocha & G.W. Nunan).

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; email reis@pucrs.br

Current work: (1) Several papers on description and phylogenetic relationships of diverse new loricariid taxa (Loricariidae, Siluriformes)(w/E. Pereira, K. Langeani or alone); (2) revision of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys and proposition of a new loricariid subfamily (Siluriformes) (w/J. Armbruster & E. Pereira); (3) description of various new species of Gymnogeophagus (Cichlidae, Perciformes) and reassessment of their phylogenetic relationships (w/L. Malabarba); (4) revision of the genus Callichthys (Callichthyidae, Siluriformes) (w/P. Lehmann); (5) description of a new species of Jenynsia (Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes) (w/P. Lucinda & R. Quevedo); (6) edition of the Check List of Freshwater Fishes of South and Central Americas (w/S. Kullander & C. Ferraris); and (7) edition of the RedBook of endangered animals of Rio Grande do Sul State.

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

Current work: (1) Continuing on preparation of a guide to the early life history stages of fishes from the western central Atlantic; (2) continuing systematic research on fishes of the families Triglidae and Peristediidae. This includes revisionary work on the triglid genus Pterygotrigla with a series of papers on the subgenera; preparation of faunal accounts for FAO's western central Atlantic guide; a chapter for Randall and Heemstra's book on western Indian Ocean fishes; and completion of peristediid papers with George C. Miller. My Ph.D students are nearing completion of their dissertations - David L. Jones on labroid larvae ecology and systematics and Elizabeth Maddox Harrington on larval ecology of tropical fishes.

RIEHL, RÜDIGER. Institut f
qr Zoomorphologie, Zellbiologie & Parasitologie, Universität D
qsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 D
qsseldorf, GERMANY. Tel 0049-211-81-13582; Fax 0049-211-81-14499; 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 (cyprinids, esocids, percids); (4) pettern of neuromasts in fish larvae, e.g. Clarias gariepinus; (5) finished a symposium-volume on "Reproductive biology of Aquariumfishes, vol. 2" (w/H. Greven); (6) comparative study on the eggs and reproductive behaviour of Gobio species (w/R. Bless).

ROBERTS, CLIVE D. Curator of Fishes, Museum of New Zealand, P.O. Box 467, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND. Tel. 0064-4-385-9609; Fax 0064-4-384-6035; E-mail cliver@tepapa.govt.nz

Current work: (1) Leading the programme "Biosystematics of NZ EEZ Fishes" (to 2005); (2) editor of monthly popular articles "Museum Marine File" and "Something Fishy" in two NZ sector magazines; (3) leading field work collecting fishes from south Westland (Feb) and Bay of Plenty (April); (4) conference committee member for NZ Marine Sciences Society annual conference, and convenor of Plenary and Symposium on the NZ Fiords (Sep), proceedings to be published in 2000; (5) moving offices, laboratories and collections to new site Dec 1999-May 2000, note closed access to collections at this time (see Announcements). Current research programmes on hold or progressing rather slowly until after the big move.

ROCHA, LUIZ A. PhD Student. University of Florida, Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653 U.S.A. Tel 352-392-9617. Fax 352-846-1088. E-mail rocha1@UFL.EDU

Current work: (1) Assessment of the biogeography and population structure of Atlantic reef fishes, using mtDNA sequences (PhD project under supervision of Brian Bowen); (2) survey of the community of sponge-dwelling fishes of northeastern Brazil (w/I.L. Rosa & B.M. Feitoza); (3) systematics of the deep-reef fishes of northeastern Brazil (w/B.M. Feitoza & R.S. Rosa); (4) description of several new species from Brazilian reefs, such as Ptereleotris (w/J.L. Gasparini & S. Floeter), Chromis (w/J.L. Gasparini & B.M. Feitoza), Emblemaria (w/R.T.C. Ramos), Starksia (w/I.L. Rosa); (5) analysis of the composition and distribution of western South Atlantic reef fish fauna (w/S.R. Floeter, J.L. Gaspaini, C.A. Ferreira, R.Z.P. Guimaraes & G.W. Nunan); (6) field guide of northeastern Brazilian reef fishes (w/I.L. Rosa & colleagues).

SABAJ, MARK H. Collections Manager, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign, Illinois 61820, U.S.A. Tel (217) 244-4494; E-Mail msabaj@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu

Current work: (1) Species-level revision of the fimbriate-barbel thorny catfishes (Doradidae: Nemadoras, Trachydoras, Doras, Hassar, Opsodoras, Hemidoras, Anduzedoras, Leptodoras) (Ph.D. dissertation research; advisor L. M. Page); (2) study of geographic variation in the freshwater anchovy genus Amazonsprattus (Engraulidae) with description of a new species from the lower Amazon River (w/J.W. Armbruster); (3) description of a new species of driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae: Gelanoglanis) from Peru. Recently completed description of a new species of suckermouth armored catfish from the Potaro River, Guyana (Loricariidae: Corymbophanes) (w/J.W. Armbruster et al., in press).

SAKAMOTO, KAZUO. Research Associate, Dept. of Zoology, University Museum, Univ. of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5841-2840; Fax 81-3-5841-8451

Current research: Systematics of both Recent (w/M. Aizawa & H. Senou) and fossil (w/T. Uyeno & N. Micklich) flatfishes; investigating the origin of Japanese common names for fishes. Main work is as the director of the Tsukiji Fish Information Center and Museum (Tel 81-3-3547-8824; Fax 81-3-3545-4415).

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. E-Mail fsantini@rom.on.ca; fsantini@zoo.utoronto.ca; Tel 416-5868073; Fax 416-5865863

I am currently enrolled in the third year of a Ph.D. program in evolutionary biology at the Department of Zoology of the University of Toronto, under the supervision of Professor Richard Winterbottom. Current work: (1) Study of the phylogeny and biogeography of Triacanthodidae (Teleostei, Tetraodontiformes), with special attention paid to the reconstruction of patterns of speciation in this group of deep-sea benthic fishes (this is my Ph.D. thesis project); (2) I am involved in two projects with Dr. Winterbottom: one on the revision of the Western Indian Ocean Congrogadinae (Pseudochromidae, Teleostei), and another one on the historical biogeography of Indo-Western Pacific coral reef organisms; (3) I also am working on several projects with Dr. James Tyler (NMNH): a phylogenetic hypothesis based on osteological characters for the order Tetraodontiformes, in order to place within a cladistic framework 32 fossil taxa; an investigation of the phylogenetic relationships of basal fossil Zeiformes, and another work on the relationships within the family Triacanthidae (Tetraodontiformes) .

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

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

SCHMITTER-SOTO, JUAN J. Curator of Fishes, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Apdo. Postal 424, MX-77000 Chetumal, Quintana Roo, MEXICO. Tel (983) 216-66, ext. 254; Fax (983) 216-66, ext. 240; E-Mail jschmit@ecosur-qroo.mx.

Current work: (1) Ichthyofauna of Chetumal Bay, Mexico/Belize, including data on fish larvae and parasite helminths; (2) checklist of marine fishes of the Mexican Caribbean; (3) distribution and abundance of reef fishes in southern Quintana Roo; (4) a new Archocentrus (Cichlidae) from Yucatan (w/S. Contreras-Balderas).

SCHULTZE, Hans-Peter . Chairman, Institut für Paläontologie, Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt Universität, 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 the most primitive actinopterygian, Dialipina (from the Canadian Arctic) (w/S. Cumbaa); (2) study of the Early Devonian lungfish Melanognathus from the Canadian Arctic and its relationships to other basal dipnoans; (3) overview of extant and fossil sarcopterygians for a textbook in zoology; (4) development and homology of the vertebral column and associated elements of actinopterygians (w/G. Arratia).

SÉRET, BERNARD. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie générale et appliquée, Antenne IRD, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris cedex 05, FRANCE. Tel (33) 1.40.79.37.38; Fax (33) 1.40.79.37.71; E-mail seret@mnhn.fr

Current work: (1) The edition of the proceedings of the 5^th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (Noumea, 3-8 November 1997), published in July 1999 (cf. announcement); (2) taxonomy of the Indo-Pacific Chondrichthyans with various colleagues (P. Last & K. Nakaya in 98-99), results shoud be published in a special volume on chondrichthyes in the MUSORSTOM series; (3) management of the collections and of the studies on the deep sea bony fishes of New Caledonian region, including invitation of experts (please contact me if you are interested to study some groups of fish of these collections); (4) analysis of the elasmobranch bycatches of the French tuna fleet in the Atlantic with the IRD tuna fishery team; (5) organisation of the 3^rd meeting of the European Elasmobranch Association (EEA) in Boulogne-sur-Mer, 27-28 May 1999 (the proceedings are in preparation and will be published in a special volume of Cybium); (6) analysis of the French fisheries data on elasmobranchs (w/M.C. Ponroy); (7) associate editor of Cybium, journal of the French Ichthyological Society; (8) organisation of the first ichthyological meeting in France (RIF 2000) to be held in Paris, 29-31 March 2000 (w/J.Y. Sire & N. Bailly). Note: my institute ORSTOM became IRD (= Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) in November 1998.

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) taxonomy and ecology of lancelet (Amphioxidae) in Taiwan.

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

I have retired since Feb. 1. 1999 but am still doing researches at the same Department at the same address. In March 1999, "Taiwan Ichthyological Society" was established. I was elected as the President of the Society so 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: (1) 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).

SHIBUKAWA, KOICHI. Curator, Matsudo Municipal Museum, 671 Sendabori, Matsudo, Chiba 270-2252. JAPAN. Tel 81-47-384-8181; Fax 81-47-384-8194

Current work: (1) A revision of the gobiid subfamily Amblyopinae (w/E.O. Murdy); (2) description of a new species of Asterropteryx (Gobiidae) from Ryukyu Islands (w/T. Suzuki); (3) review of the gobiid genus Chaeturichthys with description of a new species (w/A. Iwata); (4) description of a new gobiid genus comprising two new species from the Western Pacific (w/Y. Ikeda); (5) a review of the gobiid genera Favonigobius and Papillogobius from Japan (w/T. Suzuki); (6) description of a new creediid fish from Ogasawara Islands; (7) I also anticipate completion of a paper on the "systematic revision of the gobiid genus Acanthogobius and relative genera" based on my doctoral thesis.

SIELFELD, WALTER H. Licenciado en Biología. Dept. Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Arturo Prat, Casilla 121, Iquique, CHILE. Tel (56) (57) 380222; Fax 380393; E-mail wsielfel@cec.unap.cl

Current work: (1) Asociaciones ícticas costeras, demersales y mesopelágicas del norte de Chile: estructura y alimentación; (2) ictiofauna asociada a eventos El Niño. (Also see under Vargas.)

SILVA, JOSÉ F. PEZZI DA. Laboratório de Ictiologia , Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia (MCP), PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, P.O.Box 1429, CEP 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL. Tel (+55 51) 320 3500 ext. 4413; Fax (+55 51) 339 1564; e-mail: pezzi@pucrs.br

Current work (1) Continuing to prepare the taxonomic review of the genus Bryconamericus (Characiformes: Characidae) from South-eastern Brasil for publication; (2) taxonomic review of the genus Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio Tramandai drainage (w/L.R. Malabarba & V.A. Bertaco); (3) taxonomic review of the genus Othonocheirodus (Characiformes: Characidae) from southeast Brasil (w/L.R. Malabarba); (4) description of a new species of Hypobrycon (Characiformes: Characidae) from middle rio Uruguai in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brasil (w/L.R. Malabarba).

SKELTON, PAUL H. Director, JLB Smith Institute of ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140 SOUTH AFRICA. Tel +27 46 6361002; Fax 6222403; E-mail P.Skelton@ru.ac.za

My research activities are taking a back seat to administration and management at present. I have managed to do a little on the following projects: (1) Angolan fishes - a study to try and delimit the interface between the Zambezian and Congo-Quanza ichthyofaunas; (2) phylogenetics of large African barbines (w/student D. Naran); (3) a GIS distribution atlas of southern African freshwater fishes (w/student L. Scott);(4) amphiliids of coastal Central Africa (for Teugels et al).

SMITH, DAVID G. Museum Specialist, Division of Fishes, MRC-159, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 633-9786; Fax (202) 357-2986; E-Mail smith.davidg@nmnh.si.edu

The only work that will be completed this year is a paper on microdesmid larvae, with C. Thacker of LACM. Various eel projects are in progress and will be finished as time permits (or does not permit, as the case may be).

SNYDER, DARREL E. Research Associate & Collection Curator, Larval Fish Laboratory, Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, U.S.A. Tel (970) 491-5295; E-Mail DESnyder@CNR.ColoState.edu; Fax (970) 491-5091; Web http://www.CNR.ColoState.edu/~desnyder/desnyder.htm

Current work (systematics-related): (1) Curation and backlog cataloging of larval fish laboratory collection (over 3 million specimens in over 70,000 lots); (2) finishing manuscript on comparative description of shovelnose and pallid sturgeon for publication; (3) finishing manuscript on description of the morphological development of the Rio Grande sucker for publication (includes comparison with white sucker); and (4) planning a computer-interactive key for catostomid fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin.

SPRINGER, VICTOR G. Curator, Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, MRC-159, Washington, D.C. 20560-0159, U.S.A. E-Mail springer.victor@nmnh.si.edu; Tel (202) 357-3305; FAX 202-357-2986.

Current work: (1) survey of the dorsal gill-arch musculature of fishes (w/G.D. Johnson & K. Darrow); description of new species of blenniid genera Entomacrodus (w/R. Fricke) and Ecsenius (w/G.R. Allen); report on tripterygiid genus Helcogrammoides (w/J.T. Williams); interrelationships of Elassoma (Elassomatidae) (w/G.D. Johnson).

STEHMANN, MATTHIAS F.W. Institut f
qr Seefischerei, Bundes-forschungsanstalt 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: As a late outcome from the EU Deep-water Fisheries Project, expired in late 1998, I could publish a wall poster field key to 27 common species of deep-water sharks in the North Atlantic, sponsored by FAO and for the English/French version by CMC Washington D.C. and the New England Aquarium Boston in the U.S. and for the Portuguese/Spanish version by the EU FAIR Programme. Manuscripts describing a new Benthobatis from off South Brazil (with Rincon & Vooren) and a new Pristiophorus from the Western Indian Ocean are almost ready for submission. Another one with Merrett on the first finds of egg-cases and advanced embryos of Bathyraja richardsoni and on egg-cases of B. pallida has been submitted to JMBA. Attended meetings of the ICES Study Group ‘Elasmobranch Fishes’ and two of the EU Concerted Action resulting in a new multinational EU research proposal on ‘Development of Elasmobranch Assessment’ assumed to be carried out from 2000-2002 with my participation for ISH. My first activity in this new project will be the production of two poster field keys to 13 common shelf species of NW European skates and to their landed wings. On invitation by Portugal, I taught field identification courses on chondrichthyans at the University of the Azores, DOP Horta, and at IPIMAR Lisbon in August and October. The chondrichthyan odontology series is being continued (w/ Herman & Hovestadts) and approaching its end within the coming 3-4 years with the remaining rajiform groups and the Holocephali. Further spare time research until my early retirement in 2002 will mainly focus on descriptions of new chondrichthyan taxa from the Western Indian Ocean, based on the Russian cr. 17 R/V ‘Vityaz’ samples.

STEPIEN, CAROL A. Asst. Prof. of Biology, Dept. of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7080, U.S.A. Tel (216) 368-3563; Fax 216-368-4672; E-Mail cas20@pop.cwru.edu

Current work: (1) Molecular systematics and population genetics of percids, especially Stizostedion, Gymnocephalus, and Perca (Percidae); (2) population genetics of the smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu (Centrarchidae) in the Great Lakes from nuclear and mtDNA sequences; (3) molecular systematics and population genetics of blennioid fishes and their allies (w/Dr. P. Wirtz & Dr. B. Bowen); (4) relationships of the enigmatic Pholidichthyidae (convict blennies; w/P. Wirtz). I am interested in obtaining more samples of taxa from families Blenniidae, Tripterygiidae, Labrisomidae, Clinidae, Dactyloscopidae, and Chaenopsidae, from throughout their distributions. I also need Gymnocephalus acerina and G. baloni samples. I am interested in sponsoring excellent new Ph.D. students in molecular systematics and population genetics of fishes; can provide tuition, stipend, medical, and all research expenses. I also anticipate a 2-year postdoctoral position available for fall 2000.

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. I am currently trying to untangle some taxonomic problems surrounding the type species (manuscript accepted pending revision), after which I hope to describe at least one new species. I am also busy with the International Kuril Islands Project. I have just returned from my third expedition and am busy with curation of the fishes from this year's expedition. Meanwhile, I am working with the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center on curation of their observer training collection and on training their observers. Finally, I am working on a zoogeography of the freshwater and anadromous fishes of the Kuril Islands (w/T.W. Pietsch & K. Amaoka).

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

Current work: Recent and fossil otoliths as well as otoliths from archeological sites continue to be the focus of research and study. Presently providing assistance to the National Wildlife Research Center in Mississippi State, Mississippi, on a study of otoliths from pelicans in southern Louisiana. A study of Middle Eocene otoliths in conjunction with a paleoecological analysis of the Stone City Formation in central Texas has been completed and published with S.Q. Breard of Biostratigraphix, Inc. of Houston, Texas. Two studies are in their initial stages: 1) Oligocene otoliths from the type locality of the Rosefield Clay in central Louisiana, and 2) otoliths from a new Archaic archeological site (5700 years old) in northeastern Louisiana. One graduate student (Melissa Miller) is nearing completion on her taxonomic and paleoecologic study of Oligocene otoliths from the Mint Spring Formation in central Mississippi.

SU, RUI-FENG. Ph.D. candidate, Department of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P. R. CHINA 650223. Tel 86-871-5190527 or 5196361; Fax 86-871-5191823; E-mail chenxy@mail.kiz.ac.cn

Current work: under the advice of Dr. Jun-Xing Yang, I am working on the phylogeny and zoogeography of the Crossocheilus-group fishes. This research is expected to be finished at the end of 2000. I am interested in Crossocheilus-group and Labeoninae fishes, especially those species occurring in India, South China and Southeast Asia. Any help would be really appreciated.

TAN, H.H. Doctorate student, Supervisors: Associate Prof. Peter K. L. Ng and Prof. T. J. Lam, Dept. of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE.; E-mail (campus) scip9005@nus.edu.sg or (home) betta@mbox4.singnet.com.sg; Tel (065) 874 2969; Fax (065) 779 2486

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of the genus Gastromyzon (family Balitoridae); (2) look into related genera of hillstream loaches; (3) breeding attempts on Gastromyzon species; (4) taxonomy of the genus Betta (family Osphronemidae).

TANG, KEVIN L. Graduate Student, Division of Ichthyology, Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2454, U.S.A. Tel (785) 864-3369; Fax (785) 864-5335; E-mail kltang@falcon.cc.ukans.edu

Current work: (1) A phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Amphiprioninae (family Pomacentridae) based on morphological characters; (2) a phylogenetic analysis of the relationships among the subfamilies of the family Pomacentridae based on morphological and molecular characters; (3) a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Ophidiinae (family Ophidiidae) based on morphological characters (w/C.R. Robins).

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 81-3-5463-0527; E-mail teitler@tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp

My research, mainly under Dr. K. Fujita, centers on a comparative osteological study (and some morphology) of the larval development in a few varieties of the domesticated goldfish Carassius a. auratus and their wild congeners, especially the 'ookinbuna' Carassius b. buergeri (probably the root of the Japanese 'funa') and 'nagabuna' Carassius sp. Long-term continuing projects include: (1) Goldfish genetics, especially of pigment patterns, finnage, eye types, and body shapes; (2) use of antioxidants to stabilize life colors in preserved fish specimens; (3) determination of variations in folios of Temminck and Schlegel's 'Pisces' volume in von Siebold's 'Fauna Japonica' series, especially to determine which pages and plates compose a single folio, and to date them.

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 (w/M.L.J. Stiassny); (2) revision of Brienomyrus (Mormyridae) (w/C.D. Hopkins); (3) revision of southeast Asian Clariidae; (4) karyology of Clariidae catfishes (w/M. Parrent); (5) phylogeny of Clariidae (w/J.F. Agnèse); (6) revision of ichthyofauna in Côte d’Ivoire. Student work (Ph.D.): E. Vreven - systematics of the Afromastacembelinae (Mastacembelidae); T. Koné – effect of a man-made lake on the reproduction and the diet of a landlocked population of the estuarine tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron; R. Gustiano - systematics of Pangasiidae.

TIGHE, KENNETH A. Museum Specialist, Dept. of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC 162, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560-0162, U.S.A. TEL (202)357-2012; E-mail tighe.ken@nmnh.si.edu

Current work: (1) Studies continue on a world-wide revision of the eel family Chlopsidae. Several papers (including descriptions of 4 new species) should be ready for submission this year; (2) study of the osteology of Linkenchelys multipora continues (w/D.G. Smith) with hopes to include the results in a phylogenetic systematics study of the eel sub-family Ilyophinae (Synaphobranchidae); (3) work on annotated checklist of freshwater fishes of Palau (w/A. Jenkins of Wetlands International).

TOLEDO-PIZA, MONICA. Secao de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 42694, Sao Paulo, SP 04299-970, BRASIL. Tel/Fax (011) 274-3455; 274-3690; 272-0266; E-mail mtpiza@usp.br

Current work: (1) Systematics of the Heterocharacini (Characiformes: Characidae) including Heterocharax, Lonchogenys, Hoplocharax and Gnathocharax. Taxonomic revision of Heterocharax completed and submitted for publication; (2) coordination of a joint project between MZUSP and the Natural History Museum, London, on the publication of "Drawings of Fishes of the Rio Negro" made by Alfred Russel Wallace (1850-1852); (3) taxonomic revision of Chalceus (Characiformes: Characidae) (w/A. Zanata).

TYLER, JAMES C. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (MRC-106), Washington D.C. 20560-0106, U.S.A. Tel 202 786-2662; Fax 202 633-8135; E-mail (new) tyler.jim@nmnh.si.edu

Current work: Behavioral ecology of Caribbean blennies of the genera Emblemariopsis and Acanthemblemaria; ichthyofaunal survey of the Pelican Cays, Belize, phylogenetic analysis of basal fossil zeiforms and tetraodontiforms, with new genera of early zeiforms; congruence of fossil and Recent zeiform otolith morphology with phylogeny based on osteology of Recent species; new genera of acanthuroids from the Eocene of Monte Bolca, Italy; review of the Eocene gasterosteiform family Aulorhamphidae.

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

Current work: Preparing the 2^nd edition of our "Alphabetical catalogue of cichlids" for the year 2000, with Robert Allgayer (French), and Martin Geerts (The Netherlands). For this I need copies of all new papers on cichlids, which I hope, you will send me. Thank you.

UIBLEIN, FRANZ. Institute of Zoology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, AUSTRIA. Tel & Fax +43-662-645362; Email franz.uiblein@sbg.ac.at

Current work: (1) Deep demersal and midwater fishes of the Canary Islands w/F. Bordes, R. Castillo, R. Wienerroither & J.G. Nielsen. The midwater fish collection will be made available for study at ZMUC in the near future; (2) phylogeny of Neobythites with special emphasis on the evolution of eyespots and colour patterns in this ophidiid genus w/J.G. Nielsen; (3) continuation with the project on conservation of European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (Salmonidae), in Austrian waters, w/A. Jagsch, E. Kainz, Steve Weiss & W. Honsig-Erlenburg.

UNMACK, PETER J. Biology Department, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1501, U.S.A. Tel 480-965-1578; FAX 480-965-2519; E-Mail peter.unmack@asu.edu

Current work: (1) PhD student at Arizona State University under W.L. Minckley. Finished Masters project on biogeography of Australian freshwater fishes (online at fish.la.asu.edu/biogeog). PhD is on the biogeography of Percichthyidae using genetics (w/T. Dowling), osteology (w/D. Johnson) and paleontology; (2) still working with GIS on western North American fishes with Minckley; (3) work is in progress on rainbowfishes (Melanotaenidae) using allozymes and DNA from central and eastern Australia with T. Dowling and C. Moritz; (4) I have 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 Australian species; (5) if anyone is interested in collaborating on Australian freshwater material I have a large collection of frozen material just waiting to be ground up and put on a gell! Also have formalin specimens to go with genetic material.

UYENO, TERUYA. Curator Emeritus, National Science Museum, 3-23-1 Hyakunin- cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-3364-2311; Fax 81-3-3364-7104; E-mail uyeno@kahaku.go.jp.

Current work: (1) Research on fossil fishes of Japan; (2) preparation of monographs on Miocene fossil fishes from Miyanoshita, Tottori Pref., Japan; (3) compilation of a work on jaws of Japanese fishes; (4) investigation of Upper Cretaceous fishes from Fukushima Pref., Japan; (5) development of an atlas of scales of Japanese fishes.

VARGAS, MAURICIO E. Biólogo Marino. Dept. Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Arturo Prat, Casilla 121, Iquique, CHILE. Tel (56) (57) 380222; Fax 380393; E-mail mvargas@cec.unap.cl

Current work: (1) Asociaciones ícticas costeras, demersales y mesopelágicas del norte de Chile: estructura y alimentación; (2) ictiofauna asociada a eventos El Niño. Relaciones tróficas de peces intermareales del Norte de Chile (en preparación); revisión sistemática de peje-águilas Myliobatis de Chile (en preparación); revisión sistemática de Stromateoidei costeros de Chile (en preparación); ictiofauna asociada a El Niño 1997-1998 (en preparación); estructura y relaciones tróficas de peces mesopelágicos de Chile insular (Proyecto CIMAR-ISLAS en desarrollo).

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 work: The revisionary and phylogenetic study of the characid characiform genera Creagrutus and Piabina (w/A. Harold) is finally in review which has allowed me to go on to other projects. Descriptions of a new genus and three new species of western Amazonian characids (w/H. Ortega) and revision of the auchenipterid genus Pseudepapterus (w/C.J. Ferraris) are in press. Papers describing a new Trichomycterus species without pelvic fins from Argentina (w/L. Fernandez) and an odd characid from the rio Tocantins in Brazil (w/L. Malabarba) are in review. I am engaged in a revisionary and phylogenetic study of the characiform family Prochilodontidae (w/R.M.C. Castro). We hope to complete the study of this commercially very important family within the next 18 months. Carl J. Ferraris (CAS), Mario de Pinna (MZUSP) and I are undertaking parallel studies on the Cetopsidae, one dealing with the intrafamilial phylogenetic relationships and the second on the revision of the subfamily Cetopsinae. Family accounts are being prepared for the Curimatidae, Ctenoluciidae, Chilodontidae (w/S. Raredon), Prochilodontidae (w/R.M.C. Castro), and Cetopsidae (w/C.J. Ferraris) for the Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. I hope to complete a description of a new curimatid (w/F. Chang) during the year. As time allows I also am working on various phylogenetic studies within Characiformes, in particular of the Anostomidae and Alestiidae.

VOGT, KENNETH D. Adjunct Instructor Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Alaska, Anchorage, AK. 99508, U.S.A. 907-786-4770 e-mail afkdv@uaa.alaska.edu.

The majority of my time is spent looking/applying for a more permanent position. Ichthyological interests are primarily concerned with the genus Liparis family Liparidae as well as lampreys and hagfishes. I am currently writing another nomenclature petition dealing with the family name Liparidae. My interest in invertebrates and writing an invertebrate paper from my thesis is another project that is on going. I would be interested in receiving papers/information on scorpaeniform and lamprey-hagfish systematics and parasites. A paper on another method for rehydrating dehydrate museum specimens was published the later part of 1998.

VOSKOBOINIKOVA O.S. Senior scientist, Lab. Ichthyology, Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 S.Petersburg, RUSSIA. Tel (812) 328-0612; Fax (812) 328-2941; E-mail vos@zisp.spb.su

Current work: (1) Comparative osteology, relationships and systematics of the notothenioid fishes and their relative groups; (2) early life history of the notothenioid fishes; (3) osteological development of the notothenioids and relative perciforms of the Arctic basin.

WALKER, H.J., Jr. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Univ. California, San Diego 0208, La Jolla, CA 92093-0208 U.S.A. Tel 858-534-2199; Fax 858-534-5306; E-mail hjwalker@ucsd.edu

Current work: (1) A new species of the genus Trinectes (Achiridae), with notes on the other eastern Pacific species; (2) taxonomy of eastern Pacific teleosts, particularly percoidei.

WATANABE, KATSUTOSHI. JSPS Research Fellow, Dept. of Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms, Ocean Research Institute, 1-15-1 Minamidai, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-8639, JAPAN. Tel 81-3-5351-6487; Fax 81-3-5351-6488; E-Mail watanak@ori.u-tokyo.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 using microsatellites; w/M. Nishida); (3) molecular phylogeny of the Tanganyikan scale-eating cichlids (w/M. Hori & M. Nishida).

WILLIAMS, JEFFREY T. Collection Manager, Div. of Fishes, 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 of Starksia (Labrisomidae) and Enneanectes (Tripterygiidae) from Tobago; families Blenniidae, Labrisomidae, Chaenopsidae, Tripterygiidae and Dactyloscopidae for the FAO Species Identification sheets for the Western Central Atlantic; 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) with I-S. Chen; description of a new Trichonotus (Trichonotidae) from Vanuatu, with D.G. Smith; new species of Cirrhilabrus (Labridae) from Solomon Islands, with M.W. Westneat; analysis of Steeneichthys (Plesiopidae) with R.D. Mooi; description of a new species of Acanthemblemaria (Chaenopsidae) from Navassa; descriptions of three new species of Tomicodon (Gobiesocidae) from the Caribbean Sea, with J.M. Tyler; checklist of the fishes of Navassa Island, Caribbean Sea, with B.B. Collette, C. Thacker, and M. Smith. 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. Franç. d'Aquariol. 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.

WINTERBOTTOM, RICHARD. Senior Curator, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON M6R 2X8, Canada. Tel(416) 586-5759; FAX (416) 586-5553; E-Mail rickw@rom.on.ca

Current work: (1) Review of Indian Ocean congrogadin pseudochromids (w/F. Santini; (2) review of the Indian Ocean gobiid genera Trimma, Trimmatom and, with M. Burridge, Priolepis (3) description of three new species of Trimma from the Indian Ocean; (4) description of a new Trimmatom from the Indo-west Pacific; (all these for a proposed book on Indian Ocean fishes edited by Phil Heemstra and Jack Randall); (5) descriptions of selected species of Trimma from other localities; (6) determining the status of an apparently new gobiid in Myersina from northern Vietnam; (7) continuation of studies on the gobiid Gobiodon with Tony Harold. Attendance of a conference in Tokyo on reef fish biodiversity in February, followed by a recce trip to either Vietnam or Pohnpei to set up synoptic fish collecting expedition.

WIRTZ, PETER. Universidade da Madeira, Largo do Colegio, P–9000 Funchal, Madeira, PORTUGAL. E-mail biomar@dragoeiro.uma.pt

Current work: (1) All aspects of the biology of blennioid fishes; (2) species lists for the area Azores – Madeira – Canary Islands – Cape Verde Islands – São Tomé. From March to September 2000, I will again be at the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Cais de s. Cruz, P-9900 Horta, Faial, Azores, Portugal. My e-mail there is peter@dop.uac.pt. My private fax on Madeira (Portugal 292-934784) is disconnected at night.

WOODLAND, DAVID J. Division of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, AUSTRALIA. Tel (61 2) 6772-9889 or 6773-3081; Fax (61 2) 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". 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. Also involved in consultancies for Australian government, evaluating quarantine risks associated with the importation of ornamental finfish.

WU, HAN-LING. Professor of Ichthyology, Laboratory of Fishes, Shanghai Fisheries University, 334 Jun Gong Road, Shanghai 200090, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Tel 86-21-65710211; Fax 86-21-65684287.

Current work: (1) The "Latin-Chinese dictionary of fishes names" was published, and I hope to resume unfinished work on collecting the valid fish name; (2) long-term studies with co-workers on a systematic revision of the ichthyofauna of Gobiodei from China (w/I.-S. Chen, J.-S. Zhong & D.-H. Zhuang); (3) revision of the new synopsis of the poisonous, venomous and medicine fishes in China; (4) continue field work on study "systematics and biogeography of East Asia bitterling fishes" (w/T. Ueda, R. Aria et al.)

YAMAGUCHI, MOTOOMI. Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Biology of Fisheries Resources, Ocean Research Inst., University of TOkyo, 1-15-1, Minami-dai, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-8639, Japan. Tel +81-3-5351-6502; Fax +81-3-5351-6498; E-mail motoomi@ori.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Current work: (1) molecular phylogeography of lanternfish genus Ceratoscopelus (Myctophidae) (w/M. Miya & M. Nisha); (2) mitochondrial genomic study of myctophiform fishes (Myctophiformes) (w/M. Miya & M. Nisha); (3) molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of synbranchid eel (Synbranchidae) (w/T. Ohkawa & M. Nisha).

YANG, JUN-XING. Director and professor, Dept. Of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel 86-871-5190527 or 5196361; Fax 86-871-5191823; E-mail yangjx@mail.kiz.ac.cn

Current work: (1) Co-survey to the fauna of western Yunnan with scientists of the California Academy of Sciences, focusing mainly on ichthyology, herpetology and entomology; (2) to study the fish fauna of Lancangjiang River (upper Mekong); (3) study on the phylogeny of Crossocheilus-group fishes (w/R.-F. Su); (4) Phylogeny of the cyprinid genus Cyprinus (w/X.-Y. Chen); (5) phylogeny of the Hemiculter-group fishes (w/Y.-G. Dai); (6) population restoration of Anabarilius grahami endemic to the Lake Fuxian (w/Y.R. Chen). Under the help of Dr. Tomio Iwamoto and the staff in the Ichthyology Department, I visited California Academy of Sciences from Oct. 8 to Dec. 8, 1999, examining fish specimens from lower Mekong in comparison to those of Lancangjiang (upper Mekong). A long-term co-survey to the fauna of western Yunnan is initiated by the scientists of California Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Sciences. This project will help us to have better insights of the less-known biodiversity in that region.

YEARSLEY, GORDON (GUS) K. Fish Taxonomist, CSIRO Marine Research, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, Tas 7000, AUSTRALIA. E-Mail gordon.yearsley@marine.csiro.au; Tel 61 3 6232 5222; Fax 61 3 6232 5000.

Current work: (1) Completion (with others) of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual (currently working at Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane); (2) second volume (w/P. Last and others) of the Australian Seafood Handbook, this time an identification guide to imported species; (3) various taxonomic projects on groups including Squatina, Pristiophorus, Urolophus, Trachinotus.

ZAPATA PADILLA, LUIS ALONSO. Coord. Evaluación Recursos Marinos, Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura INPA. Apartado Aereo 10742, Buenaventura COLOMBIA. Tel 57-2-2418892; Fax 57-2-2418891; E-mail inpa@col2.telecom.com.co

Current work: (1) Evaluation of small pelagic fishes with emphasis on Cetengraulis mysticetus and Opisthonema spp. (Engraulidae and Clupeidae); (2) fishery biology of demersal fishes, especially families Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Serranidae, Ophidiidae, Coryphaenidae and recentely Lutjanidae.

ZHANG, CHUN-GUANG. Director of Research Center of Animal Evolution & Systematics and Curator of Fish Division, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CHINA. Tel (010) 6256-1876; Fax 010-6256-5689; E-Mail fish@panda.ioz.ac.cn

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna of Shiwandashan Mountains of Guangxi, China; (2) study and compiling Fauna of China (Pisces: Anguilliformes and Notacanthiformes); (3) revisions of Arius of China (Ariidae) with the description of a new species. Long-range studies include ichthyogeography and conservation biology of fresh-water fish. I have been researching on these works for many years.

ZHOU, WEI. Professor, Faculty of Resources, Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, Yunnan 650224, P.R. CHINA. E-mail zhouw@public.km.yn.cn; Tel (086) 0871-5634937 (H); Fax (086) 0871-3811727

Current work: (1) Probing endangered mechanism of freshwater fish species in wetland ecosystem of Yunnan; (2) continuing study on taxonomy and molecular evolution of genus Pseudecheneis in Sisoridae (Siluriformes); (3) continuing a revision of the genus Discogobio in China (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

ZUPANCIC, PRIMOZ. AZV Agency, Dolsko 14, 1262 Slovenija, EUROPE. E MAIL primoz.zupancic@guest.arnes.si; Tel/fax 00386 61 64 76 16

Current work: (1) Study on taxonomy of the genus Phoxinellus from Croatia and Hercegovina is going on (w/N. Bogutskaya); (2) the checklist of Cyprinidae is still being compiled; additional data are included permanently; (3) a field guide of fishes of Slovenija, Croatia and Bosnia & Hercegovina –Adriatic region has been completed and I hope it will be published in the first half of 2000; (4) further collecting trips are planned next year, especially in the eastern Hercegovina.