Synopsis of Research Activities

ABREU, TATIANA XANDÓ DE. Graduate student, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, BRASIL. Researcher, Laboratório de Ictiologia de Ribeirão Preto (LIRP), Departamento de Biologia FFCLRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BRASIL. Phone (055) (016) 602-3710; Fax (055) (016) 602-3666.

Current work: (1) PhD Thesis on the taxonomic study and phylogenetic relationships of the genera: Brachyplatystoma, Goslinia, Platystomatichthys, Pseudoplatystoma and Sorubim (Siluriformes, Pimelodinae), to be finished on 2003; (2) description and phylogenetic relationships of a new species of blind pimelodid catfish from a cave in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil (w/R.M.C. Castro); (3) study about the pimelodid genera Zungariopsis and Zungaro (w/ O.A. Shibatta).

ALBERT, JAMES S. Curator of Fishes, Dept. of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800, U.S.A. Tel (321) 234-9532; Fax 321-234-0007.

Current work: (1). Phylogentic revision of Gymnotus (Ostariophysi: Gymnotiformes). (2). Species descriptions of gymnotiform fishes from central Amazonia (w/W. Crampton). (3). Faunal survey of floating meadows in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, Peru. With: Dr. William Crampton, Mamiraua Ecological Reserve, Tefé, Brazil; Dr. Cristian F. Ituarte, Museo de La Plata; Dr. Maria Cristina Dreher-Mansur, Museu de Ciencias Naturales, Porto Alegre; Dr. Roberto E. Reis, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia da PUCRS, Porto Allegre; Dr. Gilberto Rodríguez, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas; Dr. Daniel H. Shain, Rutgers University; Dr. T. Hernan Ortega Torres, Museo de Historia Natural de La Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima; Dr. Lorgio Verdi Olivares, Universidad Nacional de La Amazonia Peruana, Iquitos. (4). Workshop on Global Priorities for Coelacanth Research and Conservation in the 21st Century. 9th International Coral Reef Symposium (9ICRS), October, 2000, Denpasar, Indonesia.

ALLEN, GERALD R. Conservation International, 1 Dreyer Road, Roleystone, W.A. 6111, AUSTRALIA. Tel (61) 8 9496 1143; Fax (61) 8 9397 6985

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 coral reef fishes to identify "hotspots" of biodiversity/endemism for conservation priority setting ; (6) preparation of field guide to the freshwater fishes of the Timika region, Irian Jaya. Field work for 2001 will include a biodiversity survey of the Raja Ampat Islands, Irian Jaya.

ALMEIDA, A. J. - Professor, Departo de Zoologia e Antropologia, Secção de Biologia Marinha. Faculdade de Ciências de Lisboa, C-2 P-1749-016 LISBOA - PORTUGAL. Tel: (351) (21) 75700000; Fax. (351) (21) 4869720.

Current work: (1) Systematic of Blenniidae, (2) Ichthyofauna of seagrass beds in Atlantic and Indian Ocean, (3) Ichthyofauna of Deep-sea Hydrothermal vent.

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

Current work: (1) Continuing review of zoarcid genus Bothrocara with a visit to Californian collections, May, 2000. I now have a handle on eastern Pacific, but the project needs major work on western Pacific specimens; (2) review of western Indian Ocean Ambassidae (w/P.C. Heemstra) in preparation for Indo-Pacific Fishes Conference in Durban, May, 2001; (3) preparing for more field trips in 2001 to hunt down Devonian fishes in the Western Cape (Emsian and Eifelian ages).

ANDERSON, R. CHARLES. Marine Biologist, Marine Research Centre, H. Whitewaves, Male', REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES. Tel & Fax (+960) 327024.

Current work: (1) New records and species of fishes from the Maldives with several collaborators; (2) tuna, livebait and shark fisheries biology.

ANDERSON, WILLIAM D., JR. Grice Marine Biological Laboratory, 205 Fort Johnson, Charleston, South Carolina 29412-9110, USA. Tel. 843-406-4028; FAX 843-406-4001;

Current work: Review of Atlantic and eastern Pacific anthiine serranids (w/P.C. Heemstra).

ANTUNA-MENDIOLA, ALBERTO. Graduate student. Colección Ictiológica (Icthyological collection). Centro Interdisiplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN). Apartado postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur. MÉXICO. C.P. 23000. Tel (112) 2-53-44; Fax (112) 2-53-22.

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of the species Gerres cinereus (Gerreidae), thesis under the direction of Prof. Castro-Aguirre J.L. ; (2) morphologic characterization of the three-spine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus microcephalus (Gasterosteidae) of Baja California, México (w/Dr. Ruiz-Campos, G.); (3) new record of Caulolatilus affinis (Malacanthidae) for the western Pacific (w/ M.S. De La Cruz-Agüero, J.).

AQUINO, ADRIANA E. Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA. Tel 212-769-5768; FAX 212-769-5642.

Current work: (1) Still working on the MS of the taxonomic revision of Hypoptopoma and related genera (Loricariidae, Hypoptopomatinae); (2) re-evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships of the Hypoptopoma- tini (w/S. Schaefer); (3) various projects on comparative anatomy of loricarioids, particularly focusing on the pterotic/swimbladder capsule region (w/S. Schaefer); (4) the description of a new species of Hisonotus (Loricariidae, Hypoptopomatinae) (w/A. Miquelarena & S. Schaefer) and the redescription of Hypoptopoma inexspectata (w/A. Miquelarena) have been submitted for publication, the second now in press. Currently engaged in several Education Projects of the AMNH (Diversity of Fishes, w/M. Stiassny; URL: http://cu.classroom.com).

ARRATIA, GLORIA, Institut fuer Paläontologie, Museum fuer Naturkunde, Humboldt Universitaet, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, GERMANY. Tel. (49) 30-2093-8579; Fax (49) 30-2093-8868.

Current work: (1) Preparing the Check-List of Percichthyidae, Perciliidae and Lepidosirenidae for CLOFFSCA. (2) Writing four chapters on the morphology of catfishes for the book "Catfishes". (3) Continue working with the project Sister-group relationship of Teleostei and stem-group teleosts. Interrelationships of both fossil and extant clades; (4) evolutionary transformations of the vertebral column in certain actinopterygians (e.g., basal actinopterygians, basal neopterygians, Amiidae, Lepisosteidae, 'Pholidophoridae', 'Leptolepidae', Elopidae, Megalopidae, Osteoglossomorpha, Gonorynchidae, Cyprinidae and other ostariophysans, Engraulidae, Clupeidae, Denticipitidae, Esocidae, Umbridae, Salmonidae, and others); (4) Morphology and karyotypes of Nematogenys and Chilean trichomycterids (with the late Hugo Campos). A long manuscript on the development and structure of the vertebral column and associated elements of fossils and Recent dipnoans has been submitted to the Jour. Morphol. (w/ H.-P. Schultze & J. Casciotta).

AZEVEDO, JOSÉ M. N., Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 9500 Ponta Delgada, Açores, PORTUGAL. Tel + 351 296 653 044; Fax + 351 296 653 455.

Currently working on the reproductive biology of littoral marine fishes of the Azores (particularly Labridae and Tetraodontidae). Having recently described the only collectable endemic species of fish from the Azores, I am waiting for grants to revise the taxonomic status of other species, particularly in the Labridae and Muraenidae.

AZPELICUETA, MARÍA DE LAS MERCEDES. CONICET researcher, Dept. Zoología Vertebrados, Fac. de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Univ. Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata, ARGENTINA.; Fax 0054 221 4257527

Current work: (1) Faunal studies in the province of Misiones, Argentina; (2) systematic studies of the family Pimelodidae (Siluriformes); (3) fossil fishes from the Miocene (w/A. Cione & J. Casciotta); (4) studies of Rivulidae (w/G. García & C. Butí); studies on diet of Diplomystes mesembrinus (Diplomystidae) (w/A. Gosztonyi & L. Kuba).

BALART, EDUARDO F. Senior Scientist, Curator of Fishes, Laboratorio de Ictiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Mar Bermejo 195, Col. Playa Palo Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur, MÉXICO 23090. Tel (112) 53633 ext. 3312; Fax(112) 53625.

Current work: (1) study of the cryptic fishes associated to reefs and mangroves in the lower Gulf of California (w/L.T. Findley, J. L. Castro-Aguirre, O. Aburto, G. Paredes-Ríos & L. Campos-Dávila); (2) continuing work on the ichthyofauna of the west coast of Baja California Sur (w/L. Campos-Dávila, D. Sánchez, J. Laudino, P. Castro, E. Amador-Silva & J.L. Castro-Aguirre); (3) description of a new species of clupeid from the Pacific coast of Mexico (w/J.L. Castro-Aguirre & G. Campos); (4) anatomical and developmental studies on some shark and rays (w/J. González, L. Cadena, N. Sánchez, F. Galván & C. Villavicencio); (5) paper on the relationships between diversity and density of reef fishes and habitat characteristics (w/O. Aburto); shore-fishes around islands in the Gulf of California (w/J. Rodríguez, L.A. Abitia , F. Galván, V. Cruz & L. Campos-Dávila).

BARREIROS, JOÃO P. Assistant Professor, University of the Azores, Campus de Angra do Heroísmo, 9701-851 Angra do Heroísmo, PORTUGAL. Tel (295) 204563; FAX (295) 332605;

Current work: (1) Ecology and biology of Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae, Epinepheliane) in the NE Atlantic and in S Brazil; (2) feeding behaviour of Mycteroperca acutirostris (Serranidae, Epinephelinae) in S Brazil; (3) feeding and reproductive ecology of Synodus saurus (Iniomi, Synodontidae) in the Azores; (4) 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;

Current work: (1) Computer compilation of catalog by the Zoological Museum Ichthyological Collection with Isabel Mate & Manel Bueno; (2) continuation of the general study about captures and sales of the Catalonian Sea sharks with I.Mate; (3) compilation of Cetorhinus maximus records in the Mediterranean Sea with Isabel Mate, Tiziano Storai & Marco Zuffa; (4) study about ecology of demersal and benthic sharks (Scyliorhinus, Galeus, Etmopterus, Dalatias, Somniosus, Squalus, Hexanchus) in Catalonian Sea with I. Mate.

BELLWOOD, DAVID R. Associate Professor, Marine Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld. 4811, AUSTRALIA. Tel +61 (0)7 47814447; Fax +61 (0)7 47251570.

Current work: (1) Evolution of reef fishes based on the fossil record, with particular emphasis on the evolution of herbivory. Recently, my research has expanded from the Eocene fossils of Monte Bolca to include Mesozoic fishes. (2) Functional morphology and biogeography of the Labridae (inc. Scaridae) (w/ P. Wainwright & M. Westneat). Looking at functional morphospace and the structure of fish assemblages. (3) Biology reef fish larvae (w/Leis, Job, Fisher), examining the development of locomotor and sensory systems.

BENINE, RICARDO C. Laboratório de Ictiologia de Ribeirão Preto (LIRP), Depto. Biologia, FFCLRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055)16 602-3710; Doctoral student in Departamento de Zoologia, IB-UNESP Botucatu.

Current work: (1) Doctoral thesis on phylogenetic relationships of the genus Moenkhausia (Characidae: Tetragonopterinae) as part of a thematic project coordinated by R.M.C. Castro as part of the BIOTA/FAPESP – The Biodiversity Virtual Institute Program (www.biotasp.org); (2) systematic revision of the genus Ctenobrycon (w/L. Casatti).

BERRA, TIM M. Professor Emeritus, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Mansfield, Ohio 44906, U.S.A. Tel (419) 755-4310; Fax (419) 755-4367.

Current work: (1) A paper on genetic variation in Galaxias vulgaris in New Zealand with Graham Wallis is under review; (2) a revision of my 1981 fish atlas entitled Freshwater Fish Distribution is in press and will be published in early-mid 2001 by Academic Press; (3) resource partitioning among Etheostoma with Joan Bradley is on going; (4) ontogeny of Diplomystes with John Lundberg and John Friel is in preparation; (5) Life history of the nurseryfish, Kurtus gulliveri, in the Northern Territory of Australia, will be studied in 2001. From mid-February to mid-November 2001, I will be Research Associate at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, P.O. Box 4646, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia. Phone 08 8999 8201. Fax 08 8999 8289. I will continue to use my OSU e-mail address.

BIANCO, PIER GIORGIO Associate Professor, Dipartimento di Zoologia, Via Mezzocannone 8, I-80134 Napoli, ITALY. Tel +39 081 7903349; Fax +39 081 7903342.

Current work: (1) Genetic, citotaxonomy and morphological revision of cyprinids from southern Europe in collaboration with colleagues from several peri-Mediterranean countries; (2) elaboration of chapters for "The Freshwater Fishes of Europe" (edited by Aula-Verlag, Wiesbaden); (3) the revision of European genus Scardinius allozyme genetic basis, in collaboration with V. Ketmaier, et al., was submitted to J. Fish Biol.; (4) the revision of the genus Rutilus from southern Europe, on molecular genetics basis (w/J. Durand), is in progress; (5) I was involved in several projects on fish production of rivers for the conservation or reintroduction of the Otter (Lutra lutra) in National Parks; (6) I was involved in the project CHINAFISH managed by S. Kullander. A first meeting in China is planned on December 2000; (7) I participated in the 2^nd IUCN World Conservation Congress in Amman on October 2000. As member of Species Survival Commission (SSC), I tried to submit an Action Plan to support a project on pan-world conservation of freshwater fish (GLOMAFISH).

BÖHLKE, EUGENIA B. Research Associate, Department of Ichthyology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, U.S.A. Tel: 215 299-1025, Fax: 215 299-1028

Current work: (1) Type catalogue of Indo-Pacific Muraenidae and a current list of valid species.

BOR, TACO J. Prinsenweer 54, 3363 JK Sliedrecht, The Netherlands.

Current work: I am continuing to work on the systematics and stratigraphical distribution of fossil elasmobranch teeth from the Cretaceous (Maastrichthian) and Tertiary (Eocene, Oligocene) of The Netherlands and Belgium. In addition I am studying the dentition and systematics of modern sharks and rays.

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

Current work: Papers under review include (1) Fishes and birds; passengers aboard Gondwana life rafts? and (2) New clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from Isla Grande, Colombia. Am working on a paper that will probably be entitled, Systematic notes on the clingfish genus Rimicola. I am now involved in a project supported by the National Center for Ecological Synthesis and Analysis called the "Future of biogeography." We plan to organize an International Biogeographical Society and to write a book on the foundations of biogeography. In the previous Newsletter, I mentioned that I was writing a science fiction book set in the late Cretaceous. The book is finished but the problem is to get a literary agent to read it and hopefully recommend it to a publisher. No luck so far. If anyone has a suggestion, please let me know.

BRITTO, MARCELO R. Ph.D. Student. Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZUSP), Secao de Peixes. Cx. Postal 42694, Sao Paulo, SP, 04299-970, BRASIL. Tel/Fax 55 xx 11 274-3455.

Current work: (1) Ph.D. thesis on relationships of superfamily Loricarioidea with other Siluriformes (Ostariophysi) (advisor: M. de Pinna); (2) description of a new Corydoradinae (Callichthyidae) (w/ R.

Castro); (3) submitting a manuscript about phylogeny of Corydoradinae (Callichthyidae); (4) description of a new Otocinclus (Loricariidae) (w/C. Moreira).

BRITZ, RALF. Assistant Professor, Lehrstuhl fuer Spezielle Zoologie, Universitaet Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tuebingen, GERMANY. Tel -49-7071-2974850; Fax -49-7071-294634

Current work: Continuing projects on (1) phylogeny of Anabantoidei, Channoidei, Nandidae, Badidae, Pristolepidae, Synbranchiformes; (2) osteology of Chaudhuriidae (w/M. Kottelat); (3) taxonomic revision of the genus Badis (w/S. Kullander); (4) osteological development of Osteoglossomorpha and Ostariophysi; (5) structure of larval attachment organs in teleosts; (6) development of Polypteriformes.

BURGESS, WARREN E. Shadow Lake Village, 106 Lexington Court, Red Bank, NJ 07701, U.S.A. Tel 732 747-5539.

Current work: I am continuing work on a comprehensive review of the family Cichlidae and am nearly finished with the American cichlids. I expect to go more deeply into the genera (1a) Aequidens and (1b) Xenotilapia (tentatively revisions); (2) I have completed transferring my revision of the Pomacanthidae to disk from hard copy and am preparing figures, graphs, etc.; (3) work on reviews of the Corydoradinae (family Callichthyidae) and (4) Anabantoidei are continuing as is work on a (5) revision of the Ambassidae; (6) papers dealing with larval reef fishes, the first on (6a) larval Western Atlantic Acanthuridae (Master’s thesis), the next several on (6b) Chaetodontidae and (6c) Pomacanthidae, then on the (6d) Pomacentridae, are in preparation. Additional larval specimens in these groups would be appreciated; (7) new species are in the works in the Chaetodontidae (in press), Pomacanthidae, Cichlidae, Callichthyinae, and Loricariidae; (8) Lee Finley and I are preparing an update to our earlier catfish update; (9) I am also interested in the Embiotocidae and Chaenopsidae and the genus Nothobranchius (Aplocheilidae). I repeat that any communication and/or reprints kindly sent to me at TFH in the last 3 years have not been forwarded to me. Please use the Red Bank mailing address and/or e-mail address above.

BURRIDGE, CHRIS P. Postdoctoral Associate, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, 2258 TAMU, College Station, Texas, 77843-2258, USA. Tel (979) 845-5288; Fax (979) 845-4096.

Current work: (1) Molecular phylogeny of Dionda (Cyprinidae, w/J.R. Gold); (2) Population genetics of the endangered Notropis mekistocholas and D. diabola (Cyprinidae, w/J.R. Gold); (3) Populations genetics of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Lutjanidae, w/L.R. Richardson & J.R. Gold); (4) Molecular phylogeny of the Cirrhitidae (w/T.J. Donaldson & J.E. Randall); (5) Relationships among cirrhitoid families (w/R. Melendez & B.S. Dyer).

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.

Same synopsis as last year; interests continue in catostomids, cyprinids and gasterosteids. Please note that I will be on sabbatical leave from January through June 2001 (contact via e-mail).

CAILLIET, GREGOR M. Professor, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA95039, U.S.A. Tel (831) 632-4432; Fax (831) 633-4403

Current work: I am mainly a fish ecologist, studying the age, growth, reproduction, habitat utilization, and recruitment processes of marine and estuarine fishes in Monterey Bay and along the west coast of North America. Using ROVs, submersibles, and nets, we have sampled deep demersal fishes off the Farallon Islands, in Monterey Submarine Canyon, and along the Big Sur coast (Big Creek Ecological Reserve). We continue to work on radiometric age validation of deep-sea rockfishes and rattails. I also periodically sample fishes in central California habitats: estuaries, sandy and rocky shores, near-shore soft bottoms, and deep sea. In addition, we just completed a two-year survey of the shark and ray fishing camps in the Gulf of California. We also just completed a comprehensive life history data base on 124 species of marine fishes covered by the California Marine Life Management Act, which is available as an excel file electronically or on disk or CD. I teach courses in Marine Ecology, Ichthyology, Population Biology and Marine Fisheries.

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

Current work: (1) long-term studies on the Cretaceous and Tertiary elasmobranch faunas regularly collected in the Phosphate deposits of Morocco and Middle-East; (2) studies on the dentition of Recent Dasyatoidea, mainly dasyatids and urolophids, from Tunisia, Eastern Atlantic and Western Australia (in collaboration with different colleagues); (3) a revision of European Eocene Odontaspididae, mainly from Belgium (w/D. Nolf); (4) a study of the Cretaceous elasmobranch faunas from Texas and of a Middle Eocene elasmobranch fauna from the Tallahatta Fm., Alabama (USA, w/G.R. CASE et al.); (5) studies on the evolution and phylogeny of Squaliformes including Recent and fossil forms (w/S. Adnet); (6) the completion of a database including all fossil post-Triassic genera and species of elasmobranchs.

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

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) nearly complete with a morphological study of sparoid genera together with G. David Johnson of the National Museum of Natural History; (4) comparing molecular and morphological phylogenies of Caesionidae, Lutjanidae, Haemulidae, Lethrinidae, and Scombridae with ODU graduate students; (5) the revision of the FAO Field Guide to Namibia is completed while the Myanmar FAO Field Guide is on hold; (6) volumes 3 and 4 (Rays to Carangidae) of the FAO Western Central Pacific Identification Guide have been printed; volumes 5 and 6 (through marine mammals) to be sent to the printers the first quarter of 2001; (7) currently in the process of producing page proofs for the FAO Western Central Atlantic Identification Guide and we are planning to send this to the printers at the end of 2001.

CARVALHO, MARCELO R. de. Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79^th Street, New York, NY, 10024-5192, USA. Tel: 212-769-5664; fax: 212-769-5842

Current research: (1) Projects listed in last issue continue, with substantial progress from last year; (2) description of a Late Cretaceous platyrhinid ray from Nardó, Italy (w/J. Maisey).

CASATTI, LILIAN. Postdoctoral researcher, Laboratório de Ictiologia, FFCLRP-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, BRAZIL. Tel. 55-16-6023710; Fax 55-16-6023666.

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna of three reference-streams in a conservation area in São Paulo State (Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo) as part of the Thematic Project "Fish Diversity of the headwaters and streams of the upper Paraná River system in the State of São Paulo, Brazil", coordinated by Ricardo M. C. Castro, part of the BIOTA/FAPESP - The Biodiversity Virtual Institute Program (www.biotasp.org.br); (2) phylogeny of South American freshwater Sciaenidae based on morphological characters (reviewing manuscript); (3) systematic revision of Pachypops (reviewing manuscript); (4) systematic revision of Pachyurus and Plagioscion (in prep.); (5) preparation of Sciaenidae chapter for CLOFFSCA (Check List of Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America); (6) systematic revision of Ctenobrycon (w/R. Benine); (7) taxonomy of Hypostomus (Loricariidae) from upper Paraná River basin (w/Flávio C.T. Lima).

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

Current work: (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) eco-morphology 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, Ricardo C. Benine & Alex 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 & Naércio 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) BIOTA/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, José L. Figueiredo, Naércio A. Menezes Julio C. Garavello, Richard P. Vari, Stanley 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. (1) 122 5322/ 122 5366; Fax: (1) 122 5344.

Current work: (1) Ending the Mexican sharks catalog w/H. Espinosa Pérez and L. Huidobro-Campos. (2) Ending the revision of several samples of the fish genus Lile from the Eastern Tropical Pacific and preparing the description of a new species w/G. Ruíz-Campos and E.F. Balart. (3) Preparing miscellaneous Golfo de California fish papers on taxonomy and biogeography.

CHEN, XIAO-YONG. Ph.D., Dept. of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel: 86-871-5196361. Fax: 86-871-5191823.

Current work: (1) Phylogeny and speciation of the indigenous fishes of Erhai Lake, Dali, Yunnan; (2) phylogeny and zoogeography of genus Barbodes Bleeker (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan, China, with the descriptions of two new species from upper Irrawaddy and upper Salween; (3) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Cyprinus Linnaeus (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan; (4) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Schizothorax (Cyprinidae) in Yunnan; (5) taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Paracobitis (Cobitidae) in Yunnan. I am interested in Schizothorax, Barbinae and Cyprininae fishes, especially those species occurring in lower Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong and Red River.

CHEN, ZI-MING. Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel: 86-871-5196361. Fax: 86-871-5191823.

Current work: (1) Taxonomy, phylogeny and zoogeography of the subfamily Barbinae distributed in Yunnan, China; (2) study on the conservation and restoration of the indigenous fishes in Dianchi Lake; (3) phylogeny and zoogeography of the specialized schizothoracine fishes (including genera Diptychus, Ptychobarbus and Gymnodiptychus). I am interested in Barbinae and Schizothorax fishes, especially those species distributed in Yunnan, lower Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong and Red River. I also like to do some conservation work on 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;

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 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. Tel (202) 357-2524, Fax (202) 357-1896.

Current work: (1) Sections on Belonidae and Hemiramphidae for Fishes of the western North Atlantic; (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) description of a new species of toadfish (Opsanus) from Belize; (11) fishes of Navassa Island (w/J. Williams, C. Thacker & M. Smith); (12) morphological and molecular studies on Bermuda populations of Fundulus (w/J.M. Grady & J.M. Quattro); and (13) 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. Adjunct Research Assistant Professor , Dept. of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 01002, U.S.A. Tel (413) 545-4391; Fax (413) 545-3243; AND Researcher at Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brasil.

Current work: (1) Study of the ichthyofauna within floating mats of vegetation near Manaus, with Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel and colleagues; (2) study of large-scale ecology and distribution of benthic fishes across the Amazon basin; (3) taxonomy and sexual dimorphism of several species of Gymnotiformes of the family Apteronotidae, such as Apteronotus hasemani, Oedemognathus exodon and Sternarchorhynchus curvirostris (w/J.G. Lundberg); (4) description of three new species of the genus Apteronotus with David Santana and Ricardo Campos-da-Paz.

CRAIG, MATTHEW T. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD-0208, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093-0208, U.S.A.

Current research: (1) Phylogenetic relationships among the Epinepheline serranids based on DNA sequence data, (2) Phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic patterns in the Chaenopsid blennies from inferred DNA seqences, (3) Sequence divergence rates across the Panamanian Isthmus in sister species of Acanthemblemaria (Chaenopsidae).

DE LA CRUZ - AGÜERO, JOSE. Professor and Associate Curator. Ichthyological Collection (CI). Centro Intredisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN). Apdo. Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, MEXICO 23000 Tel (112) 25344 ext. 2425; Fax (112) 25322.

Current Work: (1) I have finished the manuscript on systematic and biogeography of the gerreid genus Eucinostomus. (2) Completion of the third phase of the computer database of the ichthyological collection (CICIMAR-CI) (w/Adrián Gonzalez - Acosta). (3) Preparing a manuscript about caudal skeleton of several genera of the family Gerreidae. (4). Preparing a bilingual (Spanish/English) CD-ROM on the Marine Fishes of Baja California Sur (CD- updated version of the book "Catálogo de los Peces Marinos de Baja California Sur" ISBN 970-18-0338-8).

DERIJST, EDDY Aquariumwereld B.B.A.T. Werfstraat 6, B-9500 Geraardsbergen, BELGIUM. Tel. & fax +32 54.58.93.59 (& I.R.S.N.B. div. ichthyology Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels)

Still working on a systematic overview of the fishes. Helping on a new database "TAXOMANIA" (very usefull for museum purposes) in the IRSNB (see "General announcements"). Several nomenclatural problems are in study.

DINGERKUS, G. Director, Natural History Consultants, Inc., 90 Woodhill Drive, #3, Goshen, New York 10924-1429, U.S.A. Tel 845 294-8776.

Current work continues on finishing various chondrichthyan projects; work continues on conservation and aquaculture of endangered species. An updated and revised version of "The bibliography of paddlefishes, family Polyodontidae. Including all Recent and fossil forms known" together with T.A. Georgi of Doane College, Crete, Nebreaska, is in preparation for end of 2000. Any reprints or pre-prints of polyodontid publications would be appreciated, sent to either compiler.

DITTY, JIM. Head, Taxonomy and Ecology Lab, Fishery Ecology Branch, NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 4700 Ave. U, Galveston, Texas, 77551, U.S.A. Lab phone (409) 766-3550; Fax (409) 766-3508.

Current work: Completing dissertation on ontogeny of blenny larvae (Family Blenniidae) from the Gulf of Mexico; assembling several family sections for a guide to identification of larval fishes from the western central North Atlantic, edited by Bill Richards. Will be in the South China Sea during October, 2000 and hope to collect specimens of Hapalogenys to investigate their phylogenetic placement. I suspect Hapalogenys may belong with the tripletails, Family Lobotidae. Hope to develop additional contacts throughout the world for collaborative work on larval development. 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 USA. Tel (671-735-2187); Fax (671-734-6767).

Current work: (1) Life history, historical ecology and behavior, molecular biology and biogeography of Serranidae, Cirrhitidae, Pinguipedidae, Labridae, and various species in the aquarium and live reef fish food trades (some collaboration with A. Nakazono, Y. Sadovy and R. Myers); (2) revision of Cirrhitidae (w/J. Randall & C. Burridge); (3) new records and annotated check list of fishes of the Palau Islands (w/R. Myers, J. Randall et al.); (4) two books on hawkfishes (Cirrhitidae) and "Fishes of the Philippines" still in progress; (5) editorial duties; (6) organizing a symposium on marine biodiversity for the Pacific Science Inter-Congress to be held in Guam in June, 2001. I have been named the new Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Coral Reef Fishes Scientific Specialist Group and am looking to expand membership. I have also been named a member of the Organizing Committee of the newly formed Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations (which met in October 2000 at the 9^th International Coral Reef Symposium in Bali, Indonesia). The International Marinelife Alliance is currently refitting a research vessel, the R/V Alliance, that is designed for nearshore/inshore explorations in the Indo-West Pacific region. Persons interested in either of these groups or the vessel should contact me via email.

DUHAMEL, GUY. Pr. Curator of Fishes, Laboratoire d’Ichtyologie générale et appliqué, Museum national d’histoire naturelle, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, FRANCE. Tel 33 1 40793755 ; Fax 33 1 40793771 ; E.mail

Current work : (1) Study of mesopelagic fish assemblages in the Southern Indian Ocean (38°- 45°S/ 70°- 80°E) from results of a cruise conducted during April 2000. (2) study of mesopelagic fish assemblages in the Polar Frontal Zone off the Kerguelen islands (Southern Ocean) from 1998 to 2000 (monitoring study). (3) Finalize (2001) a guide of fish from the Kerguelen and Crozet islands. About 120 species from the coastal/shelf zone to deep-sea and pelagic waters with many new records for the area comparatively to the last synthesis « Fish of the Southern Ocean » (Gon and Heemstra, 1990) (4) describe a new species of Nansenia (Microstomatidae) (5) continue the registration of old collections (Pacific sector, deep sea cruises…) in the MNHN fish collection.

ECONOMIDIS, PANOS STAVROS. Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Zoology, Box 134, GR-54006 Thessaloniki, GREECE. Fax: + 30-31-99.82.79, Tel + 30-31-99.82.65 & -99.83.34

Current work: Continuation of those referred in Newsletter of 1999: (1) Critical revision on endemic fresh water fish, (2) action plan for protection of endemic freshwater fish species of Greece, (3) some new endemic freshwater fish taxa, (4) contribution to the Handbook Freshwater Fishes Europe, Aula Verlag, and (5) new records of marine fish from Greek Seas, (6) diadromes fish species, as sturgeon, shads in Greek water.

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

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. Dept. of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118 U.S.A. Tel (415) 750-7049 Fax (415) 750-7148

Work on the "Catalog of Fishes" project contines. We received a two-year Sloan Foundation grant for a project on a "Census of Marine Life" in collaboration with FishBase. A new version of the "Catalog of Fishes" will appear in the 2001 FishBase CD, and we expect to post new versions on the CAS www site in 2001. I continue to return loans. Under current plans, the Academy will close in about 2 years or so, be mostly demolished, and then rebuilt on the same site over the succeeding 4 years or so. There is a strong possibility that we will not have access to most/all specimens during that 4-year (or more) period, so please arrange for loans or visits before closure. I continue to plug away on a couple of manuscripts. I replaced Tomio Iwamoto as Department Chair as of July 2000; direct pertinent correspondence to me, and direct loan correspondence directly to David Catania

FERRARIS, CARL J. 2944 NE Couch St. Portland, OR 97232, U.S.A., Tel. 503 234-2095

The year 2000 was one of major change, brought about mainly by my move from San Francisco to Portland, OR. While I maintain formal ties with CAS, I can no longer easily field questions about specimens in the CAS collection or about fish literature. Such questions need to be directed to one of the curators or the collection manager.

Current work: CLOFFSCA, a checklist of freshwater fishes of South and Central America and the Caribbean Islands, occupies most of my time. As co-editor, along with Sven Kullander and Roberto Reis, we are busy reviewing the contributions of the more than 30 authors who are involved in the project. Publication is targeted for late 2001. In addition, a revision and phylogenetic study of the whale catfishes (Cetopsidae, Cetopsinae) is continuing with Richard Vari and Mário de Pinna. Studies of various catfishes, primarily from Myanmar and south-western China are proceeding, slowly.

FIGUEIREDO, CARLOS A. Doctoral student, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo. Seção de Peixes. Av. Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga. CEP 04263-000, São Paulo,SP. BRAZIL. Tel/Fax 55 11 274-3455; 55 11 274-3690; 55 11 272-0266.

Current work: (1) Phylogeny of the subfamily Poeciliinae (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae) with special emphasis in the tribe Poeciliini (PhD thesis; 3rd year); (2) I was forced to delay the end of the revision of Pamphorichthys work because of two newly discovered species related to the genus; (3) redescription of Limia heterandria (Poeciliidae) (w/F. Breden); (4) investigation on the specific status of the Endler's guppy (Poeciliidae) (w/F. Breden & H. Brooks); (5) description of a new species provisionally assigned to genus Poecilia (Poeciliidae) from central Brazil; (6) description of a new species of Pamphorichthys (w/A. Clistenes); (7) revision of the Characidiinae (Crenuchidae) of Paraguay (w/Dr. P. Buckup); (8) field manual: The fishes of the upper rio Tocantins (w/Dr. E. Caramaschi); (9) description of a new species of Retroculus (Cichlidae) from the upper rio Tocantins (w/ M.I. Landim)

FRICKE, RONALD. Curator of Fishes, Ichthyology, Staatliches Museum fuer Naturkunde, Rosenstein 1, D-70191 Stuttgart, GERMANY. Tel. +49 711 8936 256; Fax +49 711 8936 100

Current work: (1) Callionymid fish systematics, including zoogeography and descriptions of new species; (2) draconettid fish systematics; (3) tripterygiid fish systematics; (4) revision of Western Indian Ocean Tripterygiidae (w/W. Holleman); (5) Mascarene fishes; (6) annotated checklist of the fishes of New Caledonia (w/J. Rivaton, M. Kulbicki); (7) New Caledonian Gobiesocidae, Syngnathidae and Clinidae; (8) Red Lists of European marine fishes; (9) editing the monograph series THESES ZOOLOGICAE. Major travel includes New Caledonia (November/December 2000).

FRIEL, JOHN P. Curator of Fishes, Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, E151 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701, U.S.A. Tel. 607-257-8143; FAX 607-257-1720.

Current work: (1) Functional morphology of the spine locking and sound production mechanisms of catfish pectoral girdles (Siluriformes); (2) functional morphology of feeding in serrasalmine fishes (Characidae); (3) descriptions of new banjo catfishes (Aspredinidae); (4) identification of freshwater fishes from Gabon; (5) 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.

Current work: (1) Together with the FishBase team and many partners, continue work on FishBase, a global database on fish now covering over 25,000 species (www.fishbase.org); (2) in collaboration with FishNet, make more (currently 12) fish collections accessible through one interface (www.fishbase.org/SearchFishCollections.cfm); (3) in collaboration with W.N. Eschmeyer, harmonize names and status information between FishBase and the Catalog of Fishes (both (2) & (3) are supported by a Sloan grant in the Census of Marine Life Program); (4) together with Sven Kullander, Roberto Reis and Carl Ferraris, continue work on the Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America (CLOFFSCA); (5) continue to work on the Species 2000 Project Management Team, especially the Annual Checklist, which will be available on CD-ROM and on the web by December 2000 (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; website www.utmsi.utexas.edu/staff/fuiman

Current work: (1) Review of sensory systems in coral reef fishes (w/ A.A. Myrberg, Jr.); (2) Individual variation in antipredator performance of red drum larvae (w/J.H. Cowan) (Sciaenidae); (3) sublethal effects of contaminant exposure on behavior of Atlantic croaker larvae (Sciaenidae) (w/P. Thomas, D. Sabath, I. McCarthy, M. Alvarez); (4) causes and consequences of individual differences in growth rates of red drum larvae (w/M.E. Smith); (5) editing a textbook on the contributions of early life stages to fishery science; (6) underwater behavior of antarctic fishes as viewed by their predator (Nototheniidae); (7) foraging behavior and physiology of Weddell seals under the antarctic fast ice (it's not exactly fish, but it's really cool and it provided the data for item (6). I will be at McMurdo Station, Antarctica during October, November, and December 2001.

GARAVELLO, JULIO C. Depto. De Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, BRAZIL. Tel 016 260-8321; FAX 016 260-8322.

Current work: (1) Continuing revisionary studies of the Anostomidae genus Schizodon and Leporinus (w/ H.A. Britski); (2) generic revisions of Hisonotus and Microlepidogaster of the Hypoptopomatinae subfamily (Loricariidae) (w/S.A. Schaefer & H.A. Britski); (3) revision of the genus Steindachneridion (Pimelodidae, Sorubiminae); (4) descriptions of new species of the genera Hypostomus, Rhamdia and Pimelodus from the rio Iguaçu basin (w/O.A. Shibatta) and Cnesterodon and Jenynsia (w/P.H.F. Lucinda).

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 3455 or 2743690. ext.219.

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 Aquino Menezes.

GIBRAN, FERNANDO Z. Doctoral student. Laboratório de Ictiologia de Ribeirão Preto (LIRP), Depto. de Biologia, FFCLRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BRAZIL. Tel 55 (0xx16) 602-3710.

Current work: I concluded my M. Sc. thesis entitled "Behavior and feeding habits of four species of Serranidae (Perciformes) at the São Sebastião channel, SP, Brazil", in this year (that included activity, feeding behavior, diet and comparative morphology associated with feeding of Diplectrum formosum, D. radiale, Epinephelus marginatus and Mycteroperca acutirostris), whose manuscript is in preparation to publication. Currently I am a Doctoral researcher on my project "Biology and ecomorphology of a coastal marine fish community 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. homepage: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/zoology/home/gill.htm

Current work: Studies listed in the last 3-4 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); recent fieldwork has been in Abu Dhabi (sponsored by ADCO oil company) and southeastern Queensland (w/J. Johnson and other QM staff). Papers recently completed and now in peer review include: (1) descriptions of three new species of the pseudochromid genus Pseudochromis (2 papers; w/G.R. Allen); (2) description of a new species of the pseudochromid genus Pholidochromis (w/H. Tanaka); (3) description of a new species of the pseudochromid genus Lubbockichthys (w/H. Senou); and (4) paper on widespread Indo-Pacific shore-fish species (w/J. Kemp). The following papers are in the final stages of write-up and should be completed within the next few months: (1) revision of the Western Indian Ocean pseudochromid genera Chlidichthys and Pectinochromis (w/A.J. Edwards); (2) revision of the marine fish section from F.R. Irvine's (1947) The Fish and Fisheries of the Gold Coast (w/A.J. Edwards & P. Abohweyere); (3) phylogenetic position of the Notograptidae within the Plesiopidae (w/R.D. Mooi); (4) molecular phylogeny of the Chaetodontidae (w/ S. McDonald, T. Littlewood & T. Cribb); (5) systematics of the xenisthmid genus Allomicrodesmus (w/ D.F. Hoese); (6) review 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) description of two new species of the gobiid genus Eviota (w/S. Jewett); and (9) revision of the pseudochromid subfamily Anisochrominae (w/R. Fricke). New studies include: (1) popular guide to pseudochromids (w/H. Tanaka); (2) biogeographic analysis and checklist of the fishes of the Ningaloo to Dampier area, Western Australia (w/J.B. Hutchins & R.D. Mooi); and (3) note on Queensland pseudochromids (w/J. Johnson).

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

Current work: (1) The marine ichthyofauna of the eastern Mediterranean, with emphasis on the colonization of Red Sea species (Lessepsian migration); (2) stock identification of Mullidae and Merlucciidae in the Mediterranean; (3) ichthyofauna of the Red Sea, with emphasis on shallow sandy shore fish; (4) taxonomy of Holocentridae and Mullidae; (5) effect of thermal effluent on nearshore fish communities in the Mediterranean; (6) commercial fisheries in the Levant.

GOMON, MARTIN F. Senior Curator, Ichthyology, Environment Program, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666E, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, AUSTRALIA. Tel (61 3) 8341-7435; FAX (61 3) 8341 7442.

Current work: (1) Preparation of the final manuscript for a revision of the genus Bodianus (family Labridae); (2) revision of the genera Cheilinus and Oxycheilinus (family Labridae) with Westneat and Randall; (3) revision of the genus Choerodon (Labridae); (4) review of the Australian species of Lepidotrigla (family Triglidae); (5) review of the Australasian species of Paralaemonema (family Moridae), with Last; (6) description of two new species of Kathetostoma (family Uranoscopidae) from New Zealand, with McPhee; (7) participation in the production of Fishes of Australia (see general announcement). After several years of distractions associated with the development and construction of a new museum building, I expect to be returning to an active research program.

GON, OFER. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, SOUTH AFRICA. Tel (46) 636-1002; Fax (46) 622-2403

Current work: (1) Work on the apogonids of the western Indian Ocean continues (Apogonidae); (2) the revision of the genus Siphamia (w/G.R. Allen) continues; (3) the revision of the Apogon coccineus species group (w/D. Greenfield) continues; (4) review of western Indian Ocean clupeiform fishes started (w/M.E. Anderson) (Clupeiformes).

GONZÁLEZ-ACOSTA, ADRIÁN F. Colección Ictiólogica, CICIMAR-IPN, Centro Interdiciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (http:// www.cicimar.ipn.mx), Playa El Conchalito s/n, Apartado Postal 592, La Paz Baja California Sur, MÉXICO. C.P. 23000. Tel. (112) 253.44, Fax (112) 253.22.

Current work: (1) In January, 2000, I started my doctorate program at CICIMAR with advice of Dr J.L. Castro-Aguirre, my proposal of research is the Systematic and Biogeographyc study of the genus Eugerres, based on morphometric studies (meristics and osteology), with specimens catalogued in mexican museums and other countries (If you can gift or loan specimens of Eugerres, please let me know). An interesting topic on my reserch is over the vicariant E. mexicanus, species confined to freshwater environments of SE México and N. Guatemala. (2) Study of systematic and taxonomy of fishes from northwest of México (w/ J. De la Cruz-Agüero and J.L. Castro-Aguirre). (3) Ecological studies on fishes from coastal lagoon of México. (4) Working about the ecological status of fishes from continental waters (freswater and brackish water) of Baja California Peninsula (w/ G. Ruiz-Campos).

GOSZTONYI, ATILA E. Ichthyology Laboratory, Centro Nacional Patagónico, (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, ARGENTINA. Tel +54 2965 451 024; FAX +54 2965 451 543

Current work: (1) Study of inshore fishes of Chubut Prov., Argentina (Atherinopsidae, Nototheniidae, Batrachoididae, Tripterygidae); (2) ecological studies of the Río Chubut Ichthyofauna (Diplomystidae, Atherinopsidae, Percichthyidae and Salmonidae); (3) organizing the ichthyological collection of the Centro Nacional Patagónico.

GROVE, JACK S. 166 Peace Ave. Tavernier, Florida. 33070, U.S.A. Tel 305 852-6004; Fax 305 853-0057. Home Page www.JSGrove.com

Current work: (1) continued study of the ichthyofauna of the Galapagos Islands; (2) West to east dispersal of Equatorial Pacific fishes related to El Niño (w/R. Robertson).

GUAZZELLI, GIZELANI MULLER, PhD 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: +55 -11-2720266 ext. 3219.

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. Naercio Menezes.

GUIBORD, ANNIE-CHANTAL. Ph D Candidate, Advisor Dr. François Chapleau, Dept. of Biology, University of Ottawa, Post Office Box 450, Station A, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, CANADA. Tel (613) 562-5800 ext 6360; Fax (613) 562-5486.

Current work: (1) Monophyly and phylogenetic analysis of the family Rhombosoleidae (Pleuronectiformes); (2) taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the family Poecilopsettidae (Pleuronectiformes); (3) phylogenetic position of the Achiropsettidae (Pleuronectiformes); (4) resolution of the relationships between Poecilopsettidae and Rhombosoleidae. I will attend the Indo-Pacific Conference in Durban in May 2001. One article (with F. Chapleau), on a new species of Poecilopsetta in the Pacific, currently under revision. In the next year, a revision of the genus Poecilopsetta will be sent for publication, as well as articles on the Rhombosoleidae and Achiropsettidae.

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.

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.

HEEMSTRA, PHILLIP C. Principal Ichthyologist, J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, SOUTH AFRICA. Tel (046) 636-1002; Fax (046) 622-2403

Current work: (1) East Coast Fish-Watch Project: a biodiversity initiative of divers and scientists working together to learn more about fishes. This Project involves teaching divers how to identify fishes, on-going survey of the South African fish fauna, and creation of a South African fish information database; (2) completing descriptions of five new species of serranid fishes, a new sole (Zebrias), a new moray (Gymnothorax) and zoogeographic/ecological papers on the fishes of the Vema Seamount and the deep demersal fishes of the Comores; (3) research, writing and editing of manuscripts for our multi-collaborative book on fishes of the Western Indian Ocean (J.E. Randall, co-editor).

HENDRICKSON, DEAN A. Curator of Ichthyology, Texas Natural History Collections, Texas Memorial Museum, 10100 Burnet Rd. PRC176/R4000, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78758-4445, U.S.A. Tel 512-471-9774; FAX 512-471-9775

Current work: (1) Conservation status, population structure, food webs and ecology of the fish and invertebrate faunas of Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, México; (2) Testing Cichlasoma minckleyi polymorphism hypothesis using microsatellite DNA; (3) Description of a new Siluriform family from Chiapas (w/R. Ródiles & J. Lundberg); (4) Phylogeny of Ictaluridae, with focus on relationships of Prietella; (5) Laboratory studies of light sensitivity and reproduction in Prietella; (6) Conservation status and description of an undescribed native trout of the Sierra Madre Occidental of México; (7) Description of a new species of Agosia (Cyprinidae) from NW Mexico.

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.

Current work: (1) Molecular and morphological variation in populations of the marine silverside fish Atherinops affinis (Atherinopsidae), with graduate students William Cavanagh and Kelly O’Reilly; (2) trophic position and digestive physiology of Atherinops affinis, with postgraduate Elaine Logothetis and graduate student Darryl Smith; (3) comparative gut morphology and ultrastructure and digestive enzyme activity of Atherinops affinis and two related silverside species, Atherinopsis californiensis and 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 research associate Anna Gawlicka and graduate student Donovan German; (5) digestive enzyme activity in juvenile and adult Brycon guatemalensis, an insectivorous / frugivorous fish (Characidae) from tropical rain forest streams of Costa Rica, with graduate student Karen Drewe.

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

Current work: (1) Curation and general management of the collection of Fish of the MNHN with my colleagues Guy Duhamel and Patrice Pruvost. (2) Maintenance and improvement of the free access of GICIM on Internet http://www.mnhn.fr/base/gicim.html (3) Responsibility and development of the GICIM database and its close inter-connections with other databases (more specifically with FISHBASE and PISCES, with standardisation of the taxonomy, participant of the Consortium for FishBase). (4) Cytogenetics and systematics of notothenioid fishes, together with Catherine Ozouf-Costaz and Guillaume Lecointre and co-operation with an Italian team (Eva Pisano). (5) Follow-up of the exhibition ‘The Polar Adventure’ which is being circulating in France. (7) Preparation and participation to the ICOTA programme, at the Antarctic French scientific station Dumont d’Urville (Jan.-Feb. 2001).

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

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) biodiversity of the fishes of the west Pilbara coast, Western Australia (w/T. Gill & R. Mooi); (5) descriptions of a new monacanthid from the Seychelles and Marshall Islands; (6) revision of the gobiesocid genus Alabes (w/S. Morrison); (7) biogeography of monacanthid fishes (for IPFC in Durban).

ISHIHARA, HAJIME Marine Biologist, Institute of skatology, 10-11-203 Minamifujisawa, Fujisawa, 251-0055 JAPAN. Tel & Fax: +81-466-235550.

Current work: (1) Systematic study of the superorder Batoidea; (2) systematic study of the freshwater elasmobranches in India and southeast Asia with T. Taniuchi and Sho Tanaka; (3) systematic study of the freshwater fishes of the Mekong River with H. Sugiyama; (4) systematic study of the demersal fishes of Ghana; (5) research of the endangered elasmobranches with SSG/IUCN. From February to July I stayed in Nha Trang, Vietnam. I frequently sampled skate specimens at the fish market. Also, I collected stingray specimens. In July, Bernadett Mabel Manjaji, PhD student at the University of Tasmania visited the Museum of the Tokyo Fisheries University. She and I examined the stingrays specimens from India, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. In October, I joined the survey on the demersal fishes along the coast of Ghana. We caught more than 120 species of fishes.

IWAMOTO, TOMIO Curator, Dept. of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA. Tel: 415-750-7054; fax: 415-750-7148

Current work: (1) Guide to grenadiers of New South Wales, Australia (w/K. Graham) consumed most of yr 2000 research time, but project nearing completion. (2) Chapter on grenadiers (w/P.J. McMillan) for book on New Zealand EEZ fishes (Clive Roberts project leader) to be pushed in year 2001. (3) Description of a new "West Wind Drift" species of Caelorinchus worked on during summer with student intern Bryan Marquardt (to be co-authored with Marquardt and Yuri Shcherbachev). Anticipate completion in coming year. (4) Description of new sp. of Caelorinchus from Mediterranean with Nicola Ungaro. (5) Historical review of ichthyology at the California Academy of Sciences.

IWATSUKI, YUKIO. Professor, Fac. Of Agriculture, Miyazaki, University, 1-1 Gakuen-Kibanadai-nichi, Miyazaki 889-2192, JAPAN. Tel. +81-985-58-7222; Fax +81-985-58-2884

Current work: (1) Review of Indo-Pacific Gerres; (2) revision of the genus Hapalogenys; (3) review of western Pacific Dentex; (4) marine fish fauna from southern Japan; (5) larval fish study in local area.

JAMES, GAVIN. Senior Scientist, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Box 8602, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (64-3) 348-8987, Fax (64-3) 348-5548.

Current work: Maintains an interest in the systematics of the Oreosomatidae and Pleuronectidae (Rhombosoleinae).

JAYARAM, K.C. Retd. Joint Director, Zoological Survey of India, "Padmaja", New No.2 (Old No. 22), III Main Road, Officers Colony, Adambakkam, Chennai 600 088 INDIA. Tel 245 2843

With advancing age and debilitating diabetes, I am winding up my research activities. The commitments are being attended to. The revision of Labeo, the doctorate work of one of my students, is published as Occasional paper of ZSI. The world revision of Mystus, doctorate work of another student, is being updated and will be sent for publication shortly. The investigation on the Mahseer fishes of Deccan for which I was awarded the Pitamnbar Pant National Environment Fellowship by the Ministry of Environment, is being made ready and will be published as a monograph. In the meantime I am disposing off my personal library collection of reprints and books. Cyprinid reprints have been sold off. Siluroid reprints are available. Also I have a near complete reprint collection of the late Dr.S.L.Hora. Interested persons may contact me.

KAILOLA, PATRICIA J. 19 Walkers Avenue, Newnham, 7248, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA. Tel. 61 3) 6326 6948; Fax. 61 3) 6326 6958

Current work: (1) Systematics of estuarine fishes from southern New Guinea; (2) systematics of catfishes (Ariidae); (3) recording distribution and effects of introduced and/or invasive freshwater fish species.

KIM, BYUNG-JIK. Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Biodiversity, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel (138) 40-5540; Fax 138-40-5539.

Current Works: (1) Comparative morphology and phylogenetic relationships of the family Mullidae under the direction of Prof. K. Nakaya & Associate Prof. M. Yabe; (2) Hyoid and barbel muscles in Mullidae (Perciformes) and Polymixiidae (Polymixiidae) (w/M. Yabe & K. Nakaya); (3) redescription of a poorly-known goatfish, Upeneus doriae from the Persian Gulf and comparison with U. sulphureus (Perciformes: Mullidae) (w/K. Nakaya); (4) a new species of Upeneus (Perciformes: Mullidae) from the western Pacific Ocean (w/K. Nakaya).

KIM, IK-SOO. Professor, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Chonju 561-756, REPUBLIC OF KOREA. Tel 82-63-270-3354 Fax 82-63-270-3361

Current work: (1) Revisionary work of families Cyprinidae and Cobitidae in Korea; (2) writing a guide book on the freshwater fishes of Korea; (3) I have interest in the biogeography of the Korean endemic freshwater fishes.

KIMURA, SEISHI. Associate Professor, Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie University, P.O. Box 11, Wagu, Shima, Mie 517-0703 JAPAN; Tel +81-599-85-4604; Fax +81-599-85-5492

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 Inodenesian 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 the 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. 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) fish diversity in Sri Lanka and India (w/R. Pethiyagoda); (3) osteology of Chaudhuriidae (w/R. Britz); (4) production of a revised and expanded version of my 1993 Indonesian fish guide. The Laos field guide is in press and should appear in late 2000 or early 2001. An overview of the fishes of northern Vietnam is completed and hopefully will be published in 2001.

LANDIM, MARIA ISABEL. Graduate student, Laboratório de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Depto. de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CCS, Bloco A, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. CEP: 21941-569. BRASIL. Tel/fax 55 (21) 560-5993

Current work: (1) Master thesis on the phylogeny of Geophaginae (Cichlidae), with morphological data, to be finished by the beginning of 2001; (2) description of a new Retroculus species (w/C.A. Figueiredo).

LARSON, HELEN K. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, P.O. Box 4646, Darwin, N.T. 0801, AUSTRALIA. Tel 61 08 8999 8201, Fax 61 08 8999 8289.

Current work: (1) Oxyurichthys (w/F. Pezold) is getting closer to finishing; (2) the Mugilogobius monograph should hopefully be out by the time this newsletter goes out; (3) the gobioid text for the Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean book is in more complete shape, partly thanks to an MNHN-sponsored visit to their collections in August; and I hope to spend time in Grahamstown next year finishing up the work; (3) the FAO western central Pacific gobioid keys (w/Ed. Murdy) are finished; and (4) many other goby projects are waiting for some uninterrupted time in which to finish them, which will probably be after our museum’s new Natural History Gallery opens. And after two years’ inconvenience, the NTM fish collection is now safely moved into its new building (complete with futuristic fire suppression system).

LASSO A., CARLOS A. Curator of Fishes and Research Scientist. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, Apdo. 1930, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA. Tel. (58-2-7938321), Fax: 58-2-7937493

Current Work: I am going on with the following studies: (1) Ichthyofauna of Caura River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Vispo, D. Taphorn, A. Machado-Allison & O. Lasso-Alcalá); (2) study of the ichthyofauna of Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/O. Lasso-Alcalá, R. Suárez & J. Meri); (3) Ichthyofauna of Golfo de Paria and Rio Tuy basin (w/F. Provenzano & O. Lasso-Alcalá); (4) Ichthyofauna of Orinoco Delta (w/V. Ponte & A. Machado-Allison); (5) Ichthyofauna of Cataniapo River basin, Amazonas State (Orinoco drainage) (w/F. Provenzano, J. Fernandez & A. Cervó) (6) description of new species of Acestrocephalus and Galeocharax (Characidae) from Venezuela (Orinoco Drainage) (w/D. Taphorn); (7) descriptions of new species of Trichomycterus (Trichomycteridae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco Drainage) (w/F. Provenzano); (8) descriptions of a new species of Cyphocharax (Curimatidae) from Upper Caroni River Basin (Orinoco Drainage) (w/R. Vari, O. Lasso-Alcalá, R. Suárez & J. Meri); (9) description of a new species of Apareiodon (Parodontidae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco Drainage) (w/O. Lasso-Alcalá, R. Suarez, A. Machado-Allison & other colleagues); (10) descriptions of a new species of Gobionellus (Gobiidae) from Orinoco Delta (w/O. Lasso-Alcalá); (11) study of the Marine Ichthyofauna of Venezuela: Taxonomical revision of The Collection of Fishes, "Museo Oceanológico Hermano Benigno Román, Estación de Investigaciones Marinas de Margarita" (MOBR-EDIMAR) (w/O. Lasso-Alcalá & J. C. Capelo); (12) new records of marine fishes from Venezuela (w/O. Lasso-Alcalá & J. C. Capelo); (13) currently I am Assistant Editor of the journal, "Memoria de La Sociedad de Ciencias Naturales La Salle".

LASSO-ALCALÁ, OSCAR M. Assistant of Curator of Fishes and Research Scientist. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, Apdo. 1930, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA. Tel. (58-2-7938321), Fax: 58-2-7937493

Current Work: I am going on with the following studies: (1) Studies of biology and ecology of freshwater fishes in Venezuela; (2) ichthyofauna of Caura River basin (Orinoco drainage) (W/C. Vispo, D. Taphorn, A. Machado-Allison & C. Lasso); (3) ichthyofauna of Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, R. Suárez & J. Meri); (4) ichthyofauna of Golfo de Paria and Tuy River basin (w/C. Lasso & F. Provenzano); (5) description of a new species of Cyphocharax (Curimatidae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, R. Vari, R. Suárez & J. Meri); (6) description of a new species of Apareiodon (Parodontidae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, R. Suárez, A. Machado-Allison and other colleagues); (7) description of a new species of Gobionellus (Gobiidae) from Orinoco Delta (w/C. Lasso); (8) description of a new species of Bryconamericus (Characidae) from Aroa River basin (Caribe drainage) (w/C. Román-Valencia); (9) study of the Marine Ichthyofauna of Venezuela: Taxonomical revision of the collection of fishes, "Museo Oceanológico Hermano Benigno Román, Estación de Investigaciones Marinas de Margarita" (MOBR-EDIMAR): (w/C. Lasso, & J.C. Capelo); (10) new records of marine fishes from Venezuela (w/C. Lasso & J. C. Capelo).

LAST, PETER R. Principal Research Scientist, Curator, CSIRO Fish Collection, CSIRO Marine Division, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, AUSTRALIA. 7000. Tel (61 3) 62325222; Fax (61 3) 62325000.

Current work: (1) Descriptions of new Indo-Pacific chondrichthyans, with several authors; (2) compilation of a checklist of Macquarie Island fishes, with Williams and Riddoch; (3) new genus and species of notothenioid, with Balushkin and Hutchins; (4) revision of handfishes (Brachionichthyidae), with Gledhill; (5) review of the subgenus Otohime (family Triglidae) with Richards and Yato; (6) review of the Australasian species of Paralaemonema (family Moridae), with Gomon; (7) planning of Fishes of Australia and catalogue of world batoids; and (8) contribution to guide to New Zealand fishes. I have a window in which most of the above projects can now hopefully be completed. Several other elasmobranch projects based in Asia are either in progress or in the planning phase.

LEIS, JEFFREY M. Principal Research Scientist, Section of Fishes, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, The Australian Museum, 6-8 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, AUSTRALIA. Tel. 61 2 9320 6242; Fax 61 2 9320 6059; Internet:

"Larvae of Indo-Pacific Coastal Fishes" is now published. 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. 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 Society and Tuamotu Islands. Fieldwork at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef is planned in Nov/Dec 2000 and Jan/Feb 2001 under ARC support. Hope to be able to attend the Indo-Pacific Fish Conference in Durban in 2001. Check out our website: www.austmus.gov.au/fish Please note altered e-mail and postal addresses.

LI, SI-ZHONG. Research Professor, Fish Museum, Dept. Research Center of Evolution & Systematics of Animals, Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian, Beijing, CHINA 100080.

Current work: (1) Chinese soldierfishes (Beryciformes); (2) Chinese dories (Zeiformes); (3) Chinese opahs, ribbonfishes, etc. (Lampriformes); (4) Chinese sticklebacks, pipefishes, etc. (Gasterosteiformes); (5) Chinese swampeels (Symbranchiformes); (6) Chinese mullets, barracudas, etc. (Mugiliformes); (7) the geographical distribution of Chinese freshwater fishes; (8) the fishfauna of the Huanghe River (Yellow R.).

LIMA, FLAVIO C. T. Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZUSP), Secao de Peixes. Cx. Postal 42694, Sao Paulo, SP, 04299-970, BRASIL. Tel/Fax 55 x 11 274-3455

Current work: (1) Revision of the cisandean Brycon species (Characidae) (advisor: H. Britski); (2) revision of Thayeria (Characidae) (w/C. Moreira); (3) description of new Tetragonopterinae (Hyphessobrycon and Hemigrammus) (Characidae) from rio Araguaia system (w/C. Moreira & W. Costa); (4) description of a new Tetragonopterinae (Characidae) from rio Paraguaçu basin (w/F. Di Dario & P. Gerhard); (5) Revision of Megalancistrus (Loricariidae) (w/F. Bockmann & F. Vieira).

LITTMANN, MICHAEL W. Research/Curatorial Assistant, Department of Ichthyology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, U.S.A. Tel 215.299.1123; Fax 215.299.1028.

Current work: (1) Systematics of Sorubim (Siluriformes:Pimelodidae), with descriptions of three new species and preliminary data on the species-level phylogeny; (2) CLOFFSCA chapter-Pimelodinae checklist (w/J.G. Lundberg); (3) revision of the South American catfish genus Platysilurus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) (w/J.G. Lundberg & C.J. Bestor); (4) taxonomic investigation of Ictalurus furcatus (w/B.M. Burr & K. R. Piller).

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

Current work: (1) Population genetics of Syngnathus leptorhynchus (Syngnathidae) with mtDNA control region and microsatellites; (2) systematics of Eastern Pacific pipefishes using mtDNA and nuclearintrons; (3) systematics of Syngnathus (long term goal) using molecular markers; (4) phylogeography of Leptocottus armatus (Cottidae) using mtDNA control region. I continue to seek specimens useful for these DNA studies (especially #2 and #3). Thank you to all the scientists who have provided specimens and/or information.

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

Current work: (1) Taxonomic revision and biogeography of Indo-Pacific seahorses (Syngnathidae: Hippocampus), using morphological and molecular techniques. (2) Description of new species of pygmy seahorses. Based at McGill University under the supervision of Dr Amanda Vincent.

LOVEJOY, NATHAN R. Faculty, Department of Zoology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2. Phone, FAX and email TBA.

Current work: (1) Systematics of Beloniformes (Belonidae, Scomberesocidae, Hemiramphidae, Exocoetidae, Adrianichthyidae) (w/B. Collette); (2) speciation in eastern Pacific flyingfishes (w/R. Pitman); (3) biogeography of freshwater South American needlefishes, stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) (w/M. Carvalho), anchovies, and other marine-derived endemics; (4) systematics of stingrays (Myliobatiformes) (w/A. Martin & L. Rosenberger); (5) systematics of New World anchovies (Engraulidae).

LUCINDA, PAULO HENRIQUE FRANCO. Curator of fishes. Permanent address: Universidade do Tocantins (UNITINS), Campus de Porto Nacional, Laboratório de Ictiologia, Caixa Postal 25, 77.500-000 Porto Nacional, TO, BRASIL. Current address: Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia, PUCRS (MCP).Av. Ipiranga, 6681. Caixa Postal 1429, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, RS, BRASIL. Tel. (55) 51.320.3500 ex- 4413. Fax. (55) 51.320.3900.

Current work: (1) Taxonomic revision, systematics and biogeography of the tribe Cnesterodontini (Poeciliinae, Poeciliidae, Cyprinodontiformes), as PhD thesis under advise of Dr. Roberto E. Reis; (2) Description of three new species of the genus Hemiancistrus (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) from the rio Tocantins drainage (w/A.R. Cardoso). (3) Description of a new species of the genus Jenynsia (Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes) from Rio Grande do Sul, and its phylogenetic relationships (w/ R.E. Reis & R. Quevedo); (4) Description of a new species of the genus Moenkhausia (Tetragonopterinae, Characiformes) from the rio Tocantins drainage (w/L.R. Malabarba).

LUNDBERG, JOHN G. Curator and Chair, Department of Ichthyology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, U.S.A. Tel 215 405-5069, Fax 215 299-1028,

Current work: (1) Phylogenetics and taxonomic descriptions of pimelodid catfishes (some with collaborators); (2) molecular phylogenetic (w/J.A. Gomes) and paleontological studies of siluriforms; (3) sexual dimorphism in gymnotiforms (w/C.C. Fernandes); (4) description of juvenile diplomystids (w/T. Berra & J. Friel).

MacDONALD, ERIN L. M.S. Candidate, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, U.S.A. Tel (206) 616-2485; Fax (206) 685-3275

Under the direction of my major professor Dr. Ted Pietsch, I am currently doing the following work: (1) Description of early-life history of members of the tribe Lumpenini (Teleostei: Stichaeidae), starting with the genus Lumpenus; (2) phylogenetic analysis of the family Stichaeidae, beginning with the tribe Lumpenini, using morphological and early-life history characters; (3) explore the use of parental care behaviors in a phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Lumpenini.

MATSUURA, KEIICHI. Chief Curator of Fishes, Dept. of Zoology, National Science Museum, 3-23-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, JAPAN. Tel +81-3-5332-7167; FAX +81-3-5332-7167

Current work: (1) Revision of puffer genera Arothron, Chelonodon, and Lagocephalus; (2) a new species of Torquigener from East Africa, with comments on African species of the genus; (3) review of Australian spikefishes (w/J. Paxton); (4) fish database on Japanese fishes. Field guide to Lombok Island (Indonesia) was published. Revised manuscripts for FAO WCA identification guide were submitted.

MAUTARI, KELLY CRISTINA. Graduate Student, Seçao de Peixes do Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZUSP). Av. Nazaré, 481. CEP:04263-000. Sao Paulo, SP, BRAZIL. Tel/fax (011) 272-0266 ext. 3219

Current work: Taxonomic revision of Laemolyta Cope, 1872 (Ostariophysi, Anostomidae) as part of my Master's Dissertation under supervision of Dr. Naercio Aquino Menezes.

McCOSKER, JOHN E. Chair of Aquatic Biology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. Tel. (415) 750-7249; Fax (415) 750-7148

Current work: (1) Monographing ophichthid eels of Australia; (2) review of Hawaiian ophichthid eels with Jack Randall; (3) descriptions of Galapagos fishes: catshark with Leonard Compagno and Baldwin; scorpaenids with Stuart Poss; and Anguilla with Rodrigo Bustamente and Gerard Wellington; (4) several new species of eastern Pacific Hydrolagus with Doug Long; (5) revision of Brachysomophis with Jack Randall; (7) a general review of the Galapagos ichthyofauna with Dick Rosenblatt; (8) participant and planner of all taxa inventory of life on earth; and (9) I expect to be making submarine dives and collections in Papua New Guinea, the central Atlantic, rift zones, and hopefully in the eastern Pacific.

McDOWALL, ROBERT M. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 8602, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (3) 348-8987; Fax (3) 348-5548

Current work: Have spent most of the past year continuing a group- wide analysis of osteological characters in the galaxioid fishes; have also been involved with identification of new adventive species, including a likely aquarium release, and another possibly natural arrival. I spent November 1999 collecting in the Falkland Islands, finding just the two well-known endemics, severely impacted, it seems, by introduced brown trout (yet again - we are tempted to call them aquatic rabbits in NZ, though aquatic ferrets may be more appropriate). I continue a global interest in diadromy, and its implications for ecology and history. I formally retired as of 31 March, but remain at my desk/address (primarily a device to get freedom from bureaucrap and administrivia). A new field guide to NZ freshwater fishes is due to hit the shops any day.

McMILLAN, PETER J. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 14901, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (4) 386 0580; Fax (4) 386 0574.

Current work: Reviewing the New Zealand macrourid fauna (w/T/Iwamoto) for the "Biosystematics of New Zealand Exclusive Zone Fishes" project led by Clive Roberts of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

MECKLENBURG, CATHERINE W. Associate Specialist, University of California Santa Barbara, Marine Science Institute; and Research Scientist, Point Stephens Research Associates, P.O. Box 210307, Auke Bay, Alaska 99821 USA. Tel (907) 789-7603; Fax (907) 789-7693

Current work: The Fishes of Alaska (Mecklenburg, Mecklenburg, and Thorsteinson) is in pre-press stage, with final changes being entered during typesetting in Pagemaker for publication by American Fisheries Society this winter. While Fishes of Alaska winds down I am starting to follow through on several works on rare (for North America and Alaska) and poorly understood species of special interest: (1) Eumicrotremus eggvinii (Cyclopteridae) from Labrador; (2) several lumpsucker species (Cyclopteridae) occurring off Alaska and Kamchatka (w/B.A. Sheiko); (3) Stelgistrum (Cottidae) species of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region (w/A.E. Peden); (4) Malacocottus off Alaska and status of Thecopterus (Psychrolutidae) (w/J.S. Nelson, B.A. Sheiko, K.L. Jackson); (5) Allocyttus (Oreosomatidae) in North Pacific (w/W.N. Eschmeyer and C. Karrer); (6) translation of V.V. Fedorov and B.A. Sheiko's upcoming lists of Kamchatka and Commander Islands fishes, with notes on differences in taxonomic treatment. Several visits to museum collections are planned in conjunction with completion of those projects and (7) inventory of West Coast fishes, Baja California to Arctic Alaska/Canada boundary (w/M.L. Love, T.A. Mecklenburg, L.K. Thorsteinson).

MENEZES, NAÉRCIO A. Ichthyology, Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 42694, 04299-970, São Paulo, SP, BRASIL.

Ongoing projects: (1) Knowledge, conservation and rational use of the Brazilian Fish Fauna (PRONEX Project 330 – Coordinator); (2) systematics and biogeography of South American freshwater fishes of the order Characiformes and of marine fishes from the Brazilian coast (CNPq Proc. 301472/85-8); (3) systematics and biogeography of the freshwater fishes of the subfamily Glandulocaudinae (family Characidae) from South America (w/S.H. Weitzman).

MERI R., JENNIFER A. Research Scientist. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, Apdo. 1930, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA. Tel. (58-2-7938321), Fax: 58-2-7937493.

Current Work: (1) Studies of biology and ecology of freshwater fishes in Venezuela; (2) study of the ichthyofauna of Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, O. Lasso-Alcalá & R. Suárez); (3) description of a new species of Cyphocharax (Curimatidae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, R. Vari, O. Lasso-Alcalá & R. Suárez).

MIHALCESCU, ANA-MARIA. Assistant professor, "Ovidius" University, Department of Ecology and Marine Biology; Mamaia Av., 124, Constantza, 8700, ROMANIA.

I'm working on my Ph.D., being interested in systematics and phylogeny of gobies, specially in ponto-caspian relicts.

MILLER, RIHARD GORDON. Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies and University of Arizona.3375 E 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85716, U.S.A. or

Current work: Continuing tuning on article for Hydrological Processes sketching the habitat pressures on sculpins and other fishes when meltwater deluges into the N. polar estuaries. I urge multidisciplinary studies to describe the thermohaline changes and the physiology, metabolic and behavioral effects on fishlife. Example species noted are Myoxocephalus scorpius, M. quadricornis labradoricus, Triglops pingeli, & Artediellus. Suggestions and coauthors are welcome! Other activities are as shown in 1999 plus attending species survival matters in The Nature Conservancy. Tucson, IUCN, Amman, Jordan, Desert Fishes Council, and Cold Water Workshop in AGU meetings in San Francisco (and selling History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean).

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

Current work: (1) Study of ichthyofauna of the River Indus and its tributaries; (2) participated in the Symposium of Fisheries and Modern Aquaculture held in April 2000 and chaired the session of fish taxonomy.

MIYASHITA, TAKEHIRO. Postdoctoral researcher, 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

Current work: This past March I received my doctorate based on my thesis of comparative morphology of vertebrae in teleosts in which I reviewed more than three hundred and fifty species of teleostean fishes. I am continuing this study by looking further at the development and homology of the vertebral and associated elements of acanthomorph fishes, and interrelationships of these fishes based on these characters.

MOREIRA, CRISTIANO R. Seção de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 42694, São Paulo, SP 04299-970, BRAZIL. Tel/Fax +55(11)274-3455, 274-3690 (NEW ADDRESS)

Current work: My main interest at the moment is the subject of my thesis: systematics of the Iguanodectinae (Characiformes: Characidae). Side projects: (1) Revision of the genus Thayeria (Characidae), with Flávio Lima; (2) description of some new tetragonopterine fishes (Characidae) from rio Araguaia basin, with Flávio Lima and Wilson Costa; and (3) the subfamily Iguanodectinae for the CLOFFSCA project.

MOSER, MIKE. Department of Integrative Biology, 3060 Valley Life Sciences Bldg, University of California - Berkeley, MC #3140, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A. Tel (510) 642-8123; Fax (510) 643-6264

E-mail; web site http://www-ib.berkeley.EDU/IB/INSTRUCTION/BIO1B/BIO1B.HTML;

Current work: (1) The parasites of native and introduced freshwater fishes on remote islands; (2) parasites as biological tags in fishes; (3) parasites of mammals.

MOTOMURA, HIROYUKI. Graduate student, Division of Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki, University (MUFS), 101 Gakuen-Kibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, JAPAN. Tel 81-90-3799-9624.

Current work: (1) PhD Thesis on the taxonomic study of the family Polynemidae in the world; (2) ichthyofauna of coastal waters In southern Japan.

MUNROE, THOMAS A. Systematic Zoologist, National Marine Fisheries Service National Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-4255; Fax (202) 357-1896

Current work: (1) Continued research on systematics of flatfishes, especially families Soleidae and Cynoglossidae; (2) continued work on a systematic revision of Soleichthys (Soleidae); (3) completion of manuscripts (some with co-authors) describing new species of Soleichthys, Symphurus and Cynoglossus from Indo-Pacific waters; (4) completion of chapters on diversity and biogeography of flatfishes and tropical fisheries for upcoming, multi-authored book on biology of flatfishes; (5) continued work on FAO species catalogue on pleuronectid flatfishes of the world (Pleuronectidae) co-authored with A. Cooper, University of Ottawa; (6) drafting manuscript describing new species of symphurine flatfishes (Cynoglossidae) from waters around New Caledonia; (7) description of a new western Atlantic tonguefish from deepwaters off Colombia (co-authored with Colombian researchers); (8) continued progress on systematic revision of eastern Pacific Symphurus; (9) initiating collaborative research on flatfish systematics with Kouichi Hoshino currently conducting a one-year Smithsonian Institution Postdoctoral Fellowship; (10) continued collaborative work with Juan Diaz de Astarloa on South Atlantic paralichthyid flounders.

MURDY, EDWARD O. Senior Program Manager, Division of International Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230, U.S.A. Tel 703-292-8711; Fax 703-292-9067.

Current work: In conjunction with Koichi Shibukawa, a revision of the gobiid subfamily Amblyopinae is underway. A review of the genus Trypauchenopsis will soon be 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. For the FAO Western Central Atlantic fishes project, family accounts and key to species for Gobiidae and Eleotridae were prepared and submitted.

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).

Studies of Micronesian fishes and regional zoogeography continue. The past two years have seen a surge in the number of new records for the Marianas and Palau due in large part to the efforts of dedicated underwater photographers working new dive sites and habitats overlooked in the past. Goals for 2001 are to complete projects unfinished from last year: 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 (w/T. Allen & H. Kimura). A supplement to ‘Micronesian Reef Fishes’ is nearing completion (see announcement). Studies of the zoogeography of western Pacific fishes continues with emphasis on a comprehensive biogeographic table of Indo-Pacific shorefish fish distributions (see announcement) to facilitate the comparison of biodiversity across regions and aid in the production of detailed species distribution maps. 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.

NALBANT, TEODOR T. Dept of Taxonomy and Evolution, Institute of Biology, 31, Str.Frumoasa, Corp.B, Bucuresti, RO-78114, Romania. Fax 00.401.312.40.51.

My paper: "Sixty million years of evolution. Phylogeny and classification of loaches (Pisces: Ostariophysi: Cobitoidea)" was submitted for print to the Travaux du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle "Grigore Antipa" and now is in production. This represents a new classification of loaches and the balitorids were removed from this group. My studies concerning Turkish and Far East species of the genus Cobitis were finished and published in three contributions (w/Erkakan & Ekmekci and respectively w/Kim & Park). Concerning Chaetodontidae, my revision is in progress and will be finished at the end of this year. My studies on the Greek and Turkish Nemacheilidae (w/Economidis and Erkakan & Ekmekci respectively) will be finished in the next two years.

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

Current work: (1) Systematics of the Psychrolutidae and description of new species (w/K. Jackson); (2) description of a new species of Trichonotidae (w/M.K. Das & J.E. Randall); (3) analysis of data on pelvicless Culaea inconstans (Gasterosteidae); (4) Chair AFS/ASIH committee for revision of AFS publication on " Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico", new edition expected 2001; (5) "Fishes of the world" - I will continue to appreciate receiving either reprints and/or references to your systematic studies relevant to future revisions of this book (changes for 4th edition to start this year).

NG, HEOK HEE. Fish Division, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1079, U.S.A. Tel (734) 647-2192; Fax (734) 763-4080

Current work: (1) A phylogenetic study of the African and Asian catfish family Schilbeidae (w/W. L. Fink); (2) descriptions of new species of Amblyceps, Bagrichthys, Kryptopterus, Mystus, Ompok and Rita; (3) studies on the catfishes of Aceh, northern Sumatra, with descriptions of new species of Mystus and Hemibagrus (w/S. Wirjoatmodjo & R. K. Hadiaty); (4) studies on the catfishes of central Vietnam, with descriptions of new species of Akysis, Oreoglanis, Pterocryptis, and a new genus of bagrid catfish (w/J. Freyhof); (5) review of Chinese Pterocryptis (w/B. P. L. Chan); (6) systematic studies on the genus Akysis (w/M. C. C. de Pinna); (7) revalidation of Ompok weberi (w/D. J. Siebert); (8) description of a new genus of bagrid catfish from Java (w/K. K. P. Lim); (9) a revision of the genus Sisor; (10) revision of Oreoglanis (w/W. J. Rainboth); (11) a revision of Southeast Asian Glyptothorax (w/M. Kottelat); (12) a phylogenetic study of the Ambassidae (w/W. L. Fink) and (13) description of a new species of fossil ictalurid (w/G. R. Smith). The systematic revision of Hemibagrus is complete and 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 Ø, DENMARK. Fax 35321010.

Current work: (1) Revision of Neobythites from the Indo-Pacific- 42 species; (2) fishes from Greenland (w/O. Jørgensen & P. Rask Møller); (3) various problems within aphyonids.

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, but has been postponed till 2001, because I was editing the excursion guide for a geological field trip to the Paleogene of Aquitaine last September. The excursion guide will be published in a thematic number of "Revue de Micropaléontologie" on Paleogene geology and paleontology of Southern Aquitaine. This volume will also include a paper on the Middle Oligocene teleost otolith associations of Southern Aquitaine, and one (w/R. Brzobohaty) on the otolith associations in the Paleocanyon of Saubrigues, where very diverse teleost faunas are known from five successive stratigraphic levels, ranging from Late Oligocene till Middle Miocene. Manuscripts in preparation include a study of the Late Eocene otoliths from the Yazoo Clay, Louisiana (w/G. Stringer). A new field of interest conerns recently discovered Cretaceous (Aptian till Maastrichtian) otolith associations from Spain. (2) Application of otoliths to systematics of fossil and Recent fishes: zeiform and tetraodontiform otoliths were studied (w/J. Tyler) during a visit to the Smithsonian last October.

ORR, JAMES W. Research Zoologist, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, RACE Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, USA. Tel (206) 526-6318; Fax (206) 526-6723.

Current work: Along with preparing a manuscript from my dissertation on phylogenetics of the Gasterosteiformes, my current work includes (1) completion of a new edition of a field guide to scorpaenids of the eastern North Pacific (w/M. Brown & D. Baker); (2) systematics of Sebastes ciliatus (Scorpaenidae) (w/J. Blackburn, J. Lopez, & P. Bentzen) and S. aleutianus (w/S. Hawkins & J. Heifetz); (3) keys to eastern North Pacific flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) (w/M. Brown & D. Baker); (4) internet database and subgeneric relationships of Sebastes (w/A. Kendall Jr.); (5) description of a new Solenostomus (Solenostomidae ) (w/R. Fritzsche & J. Randall); (6) systematic position of Indostomus (Indostomidae) (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) a submitted description of a new liparid genus (Liparidae) (w/M. Busby); and (10) preliminary work on a review of North Pacific rajids (w/J. McEachran). I also routinely participate in benthic trawl surveys of the Pacific coast from Alaska to California, and specimen requests are always welcome. Our Gulf of Alaska, lower West Coast, and Bering Sea shelf surveys are scheduled for summer 2001. Space is still available for on-board volunteers to participate in sampling and collecting specimens.

OTT, GERHARD H. F. Fischbestimmungs-Service, Ökologie Süßwasseraquarienfische & Ichthyologie (Fishdetermination Service, Database for Ecology of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes and Ichthyological Advice 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; cellular phone +49 (0)175 4004085;

Current Work: (1) Study of ichthyofauna (esp. Cobitoidea and Cypriniformes) of South and South-East Asia; (2) Fishdetermination Service of all freshwater aquarium fishes in friendly cooperation with leading ichthyologist; (3) engaged in studies for conservation of autochthon ichthyofauna in continent waters of Morocco together with the Laboratory of Zoology and Biology of the Science Faculty of University Mohammed V Rabat, Morocco together with Abdelhamid Azeroual, Ahmed Yahyaoui, and Mohamed Dakki; (4) field studies 1992, 1998 in Sri Lanka, in 1997 in Turkey, 1999 in Indonesia, 2000 in Morocco, 2001 next planned for South India.

OZAWA, TAKAKAZU. Professor, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Shimoarata, Kagoshima 890-0056, JAPAN. Tel (099)286-4150; Fax 099-286-4133

Current work: (1) Systematics of the family Bregmacerotidae, Gadiformes, including reexamination of type specimens; (2) study on the oceanic ichthyoplankton in the western Pacific.

PAEPKE, HANS-JOACHIM. New address: Lennéstrasse 14 b, D-14469 Potsdam, GERMANY. Tel.: +49-331-963071.

On 31 December 1999 I finished my curatorial work in the fish collection of the Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (ZMB). As pensioner and voluntary cooperator I am further on once a week in the museum. My successor in charge is Dr. Peter Bartsch (e-mail:). After the Bloch anniversary in 1999 I try to continue contributions to the knowledge about ichthyologists of Berlin and their work. Among others I have prepared (together with Ingo Schindler, Berlin) a paper about H. M. Lichtenstein and the circumstances of the description of Pterophyllum scalare (Cichlidae) with designation of a lectotype.

PARENTI, LYNNE R. Chair, Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Curator 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.

Current research: Projects continue 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/Harry Grier) characters in systematic ichthyology. Harry and I plan to summarize our results for atherinomorphs and putative close relatives in a monograph and then expand our study more broadly to other teleost clades. Work has continued this year on the text and tables of a co-edited volume (Rodolfo Claro, Ken Lindeman and L. R. Parenti, eds.) of a translated, revised and updated version of Ecology of the Marine Fishes of Cuba, to be published by SI Press.

PARISI, BEATRICE M. PhD Candidate. Laboratoire d’Ichtyologie Générale et Appliquée – MNHN – 43, rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, FRANCE. +33 1 40 79 37 35 and/or +33 6 83 32 27 79 ; Fax +33 1 40 79 37 71

Current work: (1) Investigation of the Calophysus-Pimelodus group phylogeny continues (external morphology and osteology); (2) study of the French Guyana Pimelodinae; (3) species diversity of Pimelodus (w/ J.G. Lundberg & M. Azpelicueta), publications in preparation.

PAVANELLI, CARLA S. Curator of fishes, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquacultura, and professor, Curso de Pós-Graduacao em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, BRAZIL. Tel. +55-44-261-4632 and 261-4750; Fax +55-44-263-1424.

Current work: (1) Review of the Apareiodon from the Tocantins-Araguaia system (w/ HA Britski); (2) checklist of freshwater fishes from South and Central America (CLOFFSCA) – family Parodontidae and family Characidae, in part; (3) checklist and handbook to identification of upper Rio Paraná species (w/ HA Britski); (4) checklist and handbook to identification of Rio Iguaçu species (w/ WJ Graca, in part); (5) checklist and handbook to identification of Rio Corumbá species (w/ HA Britski, GS Avelino & AP Vidotti, in part); (6) morphometrical characterization and electrophoresis of upper Rio Paraná Hypostomus species (w/ CH Zawadzki & E Renesto, in part); (7) temporal and spatial ichthyofaunistic distribution on two streams from the upper Rio Paraná basin (w/ EP Caramaschi); (8) characterization of the species of some small reservoirs of State of Paraná (w/ HA Britski); (9) description of a new Astyanax species from the Rio Mourão, upper Rio Paraná basin (W/ HA Britski); characterization of two Bryconamericus species from the Rio Iguaçu basin for a work regarding to their diet (w/ NS Hahn & MR Russo); (10) characterization of the cultivated fish species from the State of Paraná, Brazil (w/ S Verissimo); (11) systematic of the cultivated fish species from the Southern Brazil; (12) description of a new Steindachnerina species from the Rio Corumbá (w/ HÁ Britski) (see announcement); (13) dental development and ontogenetic diet shifts of Roeboides paranensis in pools of the upper Rio Paraná basin (w/ NS Hahn & EK Okada) (see announcement).

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

Current work: (1) Larvae and juveniles of the whalefishes Barbourisia and Rondeletia (Barbourisiidae; Rondeletiidae) (w/G.D. Johnson & T. Trnski); (2) zoological catalogue of Australia, Pisces, Part 2 (w/D.F. Hoese & G.R. Allen); (3) a new species of the deepsea whalefish genus Cetomimus (Cetomimidae), with a key to the described species (w/T. Trnski); (4) 5 family accounts of cetomimoid fishes for the FAO Western Central Atlantic Identification Guide (2 w/T. Trnski); (5) revision of the whalefish genera Gyrinomimus and Cetomimus (Cetomimidae); (6) threatened marine fishes of Australia (w/J. Pogonoski & D. Pollard). [Families 237, 238, 251, 252, 253]

PELIÇÃO, GABRIELA ZANON. Laboratorio de Ictiologia de Ribeirão Preto (LIRP), Departamento de Biologia FFCLRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BRASIL. Tel (055) (016) 602-3710; Fax (055) (016) 602-3666.

Current work: (1) I am finishing my M.Sc. Dissertation on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Tetragonopterus (Characidae, Tetragonopterinae); (2) description of a new species of Tetragonopterus from rio Xingu, state of Para, north Brazil; (3) I will start in 2001 begining my PhD Thesis on the philogeographic of Astyanax altiparanae (Characidae, Tetragonopterinae) populations from Alto Paraná river basin, state of São Paulo, southest Brazil.

PEQUEÑO, GERMAN. Titular Prof. & Dir., Instituto de Zoologia "Ernst F. Kilian", Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, CHILE. Fax 56-063-221315

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

Current work: (1) Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic interrelationships 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) taxonomic revision of genus Kronichthys; and (4) revision of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys with the proposition of a new loricariid subfamily (Siluriformes) (w/R.Reis & J. Armbruster).

PROUDLOVE, GRAHAM S. Department of Zoology, The Manchester Museum, Manchester University, Manchester M13 9PL, UNITED KINGDOM. Tel (+44) 161 200 3111; Fax (44) 161 200 3099.

Current work: Still compiling information on cave (hypogean) fishes. I have contributed four papers to a forthcoming Environmental Biology of Fishes special volume on hypogean fishes (see below).Maurice Kottelat and I will describe a new cave fish from India. I am also working on paper which contends that the so called "cave form" of Astyanax fasciatus is actually a separate species, Astyanax jordani. The text of a book on the cave fishes of the world is currently with a publisher for review. If it passes this it should appear next year. I would appreciate any information on cave fishes, in particular on newly described species.

QUERO, JEAN CLAUDE. IFREMER pensionner from 01.12.2000. New adress: Museum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle, 28 rue Albert 1^er 17000 La Rochelle. FRANCE. Tél 33 (0)5 46.41.18.25; Fax 33 (0)5.46.50.63.65; E mail mhnlrconservation mhnlr

Current work: (1) A guide of the fishes of the European Atlantic (36°N-66°34'N, Atlantic Europeancoast -25° W) Keys, diagnostics, drawings of 950 species, colour plates; (2) Study of the rare fishes from European Atlantic.

RANDALL, JOHN E. Senior Ichthyologist Emeritus, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817-2407, USA. Tel (808) 235-1652; FAX 808 847-8252.

Indo-Pacific Fishes no. 31, a revision of the labrid fish genus Stethojulis, has been printed. The next number will be a revision of the apogonid genus Archamia by Ofer Gon and myself. The probable next one will be a revision of the acanthurid genus Ctenochaetus (w/K. Clements). Current projects include a book on the reef fishes of the South Pacific (New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands), a revision of the scorpionfish genus Scorpaenopsis (w/W.N. Eschmeyer), and a book, Surgeonfishes of the World.

RANGEL, CARLOS A. M.Sc. student (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro). 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

Current Work: (1) Revision of western South Atlantic species of Scartella (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães & J.L. Gasparini) and (2) Entomacrodus (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães & J.L. Gasparini); (3) taxonomy and distribution of Family Blenniidae from the Eastern Coast of Brazil (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães). My MSc project deals with the taxonomy and phylogeny of all species of the genus Scartella, but all about Western Atlantic Blenniidae interest me. Other studies include: (2) Taxonomy of the Pleuronectiformes from the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (w/R.Z.P. Guimarães)

RAPP PY-DANIEL, LÚCIA. Fish Curator, INPA (Instituto nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia), CPBA, CEP 69011-970, Manaus, AM, BRAZIL. Tel. 92 643 3235, FAX 92 644 2021

Current work: (1) Survey of ichthyofauna present in floating meadows on different Amazon varzea enviroments; (2) evolution of sex dimorphism in Siluriformes, with description of new sexually dimorphic characters; (3) description of a new species of Parancistrus, Loricariidae; (4) generic revision of Rineloricaria and Pseudohemiodon, Loricariidae; (5) description of the Doradidae species found in floating meadows. I am revising my PhD work on Loricariinae phylogeny, preparing a new proposal on Loricariinae classification and an identification key on the currently valid Loricariinae genera. Our collection is currently being moved to a new building, what has been causing some delay on many requests of loans.

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) 320-3903

Current work: (1) Revision of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys and proposition of a new loricariid subfamily (Siluriformes) (w/ Jon Armbruster & Edson Pereira); (2) Revision of the hypoptopomine genus Eurycheilichthys, with the descriptions of six new species (Loricariidae, Siluriformes); (3) various papers on descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of diverse new loricariid taxa (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) (w/diverse co-authors); (4) description of various new species of Gymnogeophagus (Cichlidae, Perciformes) and reassessment of their phylogenetic relationships (w/ Luiz Malabarba); (5) revision of the genus Callichthys (Callichthyidae, Siluriformes) (w/Pablo Lehmann); (6) description of a new species of Jenynsia (Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes) (w/ Paulo Lucinda & Rodrigo Quevedo); (7) edition of CLOFFSCA - Check List of Freshwater Fishes of South and Central Americas (w/ Sven Kullander & Carl Ferraris); and (8) 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.

Current work: (1) Continuing on preparation of a guide to the early life history stages of fishes from the western central Atlantic Ocean with completed chapters available on the web at http:// 208.152.233.21/NOAA/; (2) continuing systematic research on fishes of the families Triglidae and Peristediidae. This includes reversionary work on the triglid genus Pterygotrigla with a series of papers on the subgenera, among these a manuscript on the subgenus Otohime co-authored with Peter Last & Takuji Yato has been revised for Ichthyological Bulletin series; preparation of faunal accounts for FAO’s western central Atlantic guide were completed with George Miller; a chapter for Randall and Heemstra’s book on western Indian Ocean fishes was completed; and additional peristediid papers with George C. Miller are planned. My Ph.D students are nearing completion of their dissertations - David L. Jones on labroid larvae ecology and systematics plans to defend in late 2000 and Elizabeth Maddox Harrington on larval ecology of tropical fishes plans to defend in 2001.

RIEHL, RÜDIGER. Institut für Zoomorphologie, Zellbiologie & Parasitologie, Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, GERMANY. Tel 0049-211-81-13582; FAX 0049-211-81-14499.

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, especially cyprinids; (3) comparative studies on the eggs and reproductive behaviour of Aulopyge huegeli and four german and austrian Gobio species (w/R. Bless); (4) preparing a symposium-volume on "Behaviour of Aquariumfishes, vol. 2" (w/H. Greven); (5) studies on the stickiness of egg envelopes in economically important fish species (cyprinids, esocids, percids); (6) pattern of chemo- and mechanoreceptors in the larvae of Clarias gariepinus; (7) finished a german textbook on "Biology of Fishes" (with other colleagues).

ROBERTS, CLIVE D. Curator of Fishes, Museum of New Zealand, P.O. Box 467, Resouce Centre, 169 Tory Street, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND. Tel (0064-4) 381-7311; FAX 381-7310

Current work: (1) Establishing with CM's the National Fish collection in new facilities, note closed access at this time (see Announcements); (2) leading the programme "Biosystematics of NZ EEZ Fishes; (3) editor of monthly popular articles "Museum Marine File" and "Something Fishy". Research and other curatorial programmes currently progressing very slowly or on hold; I hope that outputs will improve once the collection is operational again in 2001.

ROJAS, JOSE RODRIGO. Department of Sciences, Maestría de Vida Silvestre de la Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. Apartado postal 20-4200, Naranjo, Alajuela, COSTA RICA.

Current work: (1) Edition of book on shark fisheries in Central America. (2) Survey on reproduction and food of Mustelus lunulatus (Triakidae). (3) Survey on parasites of sharks from Thermic Dome of Costa Rica. (4) Survey on parasites of commercial fishes from Nicoya Gulf (Costa Rica). (5) Survey on ecology and biogeography of fishes from Sarapiqui watershed (Costa Rica). (6) A book on sharks from Costa Rica are in progress. (7) A book on freshwater fishes as environmental education tool also are in progress.

SABAJ, MARK H. Collection Manager, Dept. of Ichthyology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th & the Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, U.S.A.. Tel (215) 299-1026; FAX (215) 299-1028

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) check list of Doradidae (w/C.J. Ferraris) for CLOFFSCA; (3) study of geographic variation in the freshwater anchovy Amazonsprattus (Engraulidae) (w/J.W. Armbruster); (4) description of a new species of driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae: Gelanoglanis) from Peru; (5) check list of fishes of the Peruvian Amazon.

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 Tukiji Fish Information Center and Museum (Tel 81-3-3547-8824; Fax 81-3-3545-4415).

SANTANA, CARLOS DAVID. Univesidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Recife 50.000, Pernambuco, BRAZIL. Tel 55812575983

I am a graduate student, currently revising the gymnotid genus Apteronotus. I will be visiting museums in the United States from December 6 to the end of February 2001. In collaboration with other researhers, I am describing two new Apteronotus species from the Amazon basin. I have made many field trips in Marajo Island looking for Gymnotiformes fishes.

SANTINI, FRANCESCO. Graduate student, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto and Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6, CANADA. Tel 416-5868073; Fax 416-5865863

I am finishing a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Professor Richard Winterbottom. Current work : (1) Investigation of the phylogenetic relationships and the historical biogeography of Triacanthodidae (Teleostei, Tetraodontiformes); (2) phylogenetic analysis of the relationships between selected modern and fossil tetraodontiform taxa with Dr. James Tyler, NMNH; (3) still with Dr. Tyler, analysis of the phylogeny of the extant species of Triacanthidae (Tetraodontiformes); (4) future work on the phylogeny of selected extant and fossil taxa of Zeiformes and Caproiformes; (5) analysis of the historical biogeography of Indo-Western Pacific coral reef fauna with Dr. Winterbottom; (6) with Dr. Ed Stellwag, ECU, work on the comparative genomics and early development of tetraodontiform families.

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

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of Guianacara (Cichlidae) from Guyana (w/W. Staeck); (2) comparative osteology of Heros (Cichlidae); (3) taxonomy of Pterophyllum scalare (Cichlidae) (w/H.-J. Paepke).

SCHMITTER-SOTO, JUAN JACOBO. Curator of Fishes, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Apdo. Postal 424, MX-77000 Chetumal, Quintana Roo, MEXICO. Tel (9)(83)216-66 ext. 254; Fax (9)(83)216-66 ext. 240.

Current work: (1) Ichthyofauna of Chetumal Bay, Mexico/Belize, including data on fish larvae and parasite helminths (w/E. Pimentel-Cadena, R. Herrera, L. Vásquez-Yeomans and S. Monks); (2) distribution and abundance of reef fishes in southern Quintana Roo (w/A. Aguilar-Perera); (3) conservation status of Profundulus hildebrandi (Profundulidae) in Chiapas (w/E. Vélazquez) and Epinephelus itajara (Serranidae) in Chetumal Bay (w/N. García-Téllez).

SCHULTZ, ORTWIN. Curator of Fossil Fishes, Geolog.-Palaeont. Abt., Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Burgring 7, Postfach 417, A-1014 Wien, OESTERREICH. Tel. 0043 1/52177-254; Fax 0043 1/52177-459.

Current work: none.

SCHULTZE, HANS-PETER. Director, Museum fuer Naturkunde, and Chairman of Institut fuer Palaeontologie, Museum fuer Naturkunde, Humboldt Universitaet, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, GERMANY. Tel (xx49) 30-2093-8864; Fax (xx49) 30-2093-8868.

Current work: (1) Palaeonisciforms from the Carboniferous of Utah (w/M. Dorka); (2) Middle Devonian fish fauna from Ellesmere Island (w/M. Otto); (3) Cyclicity in Late Carboniferous lungfish bones (w/R. Soler-Gijón); (4) evolutionary transformations of the vertebral column in fossil and extant 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

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of the Indo-Pacific chondrichthyans with various colleagues (P. Last, K. Nakaya, M. Carvalho, etc.); (2) analysis of the elasmobranch bycatches of the French tuna fleet in the Atlantic with the IRD tuna fishery team; (3) analysis of the French fishery data on elasmobranchs (w/ M.C. Ponroy); (4) edition of the proceedings of the 3^rd European Elasmobranch Association meeting held in Boulogne-sur-mer , 27-29 May 1999; (5) representative of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group for the regional workshop on the exploitation of sharks and rays in West Africa (Saint-Louis, Senegal, 26-28 May 2000); (6) participation to the 4^th European Elasmobranch Association meeting held in Livorno (Italy) on 27-29 September 2000 and co-editor of the procedings; (7) management of the collection and studies on the deep sea bony fishes from New Caledonia; (8) associate editor of Cybium, journal of the French Ichthyological Society; (9) organisation of the 1^st ichthyological meeting in France (RIF 2000) held in Paris, 29-31 March 2000; (10) chair of "ElasmoFrance", the shark group of the French Ichthyological Society and editor of the newsletter "ElasmoScope"; (11) publication of two popular books on sharks (in French).

SHAO, KWANG-TSAO. Research Fellow and Director. Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA.Tel 886-2-27899500(O), 27899545, 27899556, 27887330 (Lab.) Fax: 886-2-27899503(O), 27883463(Lab.)

Current work:(1) Fauna, distribution and database of fishes in Taiwan and South China Sea; will emphasize on the estuary (mangrove) and deep-sea fishes in the future 2-3 years; (2) speciation (isolating mechanisms) and molecular systematics of cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) (w/J.P. Chen); (3) identification of fish eggs by using molecular EM or light microscopy, especially on lizardfish and parrotfishes (w/J.P. Chen., R.S, Wu and H.C. Shih)

SHIMAZAKI, MITSUOMI. Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Biodiversity, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel 81-138-40-5540; FAX 81-138-40-5539.

Current Work: (1) Comparative osteology and myology, and phylogeny of the family Ogcocephalidae under the direction of Prof. K. Nakaya & Associate Prof. M. Yabe.

SKELTON, PAUL H. Managing Director, JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown, 6140 SOUTH AFRICA.

Current work: (1) An Atlas of distribution of freshwater fishes of southern Africa, with Lucy Scott. The atlas, assembled from records in many museum collections, is currently being prepared for publication in hard copy, cd-rom and probably as a web-copy as well. (2) Conservation of the Maloti minnow - with J. Rall. (3) Phylogenetics of Pseudobarbus using genetic characters with student Ernst Swartz. (4) Yellowfish (Barbus sp.) phylogenetics with student Daksha Naran. (5) revision of amphiliid catfishes from Lower Guinean Province for Guy Teugels, Melanie Stiassny & Carl Hopkins project. I have several other minor works in progress.

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.

Current work includes: (1) Descriptions of fish larvae from Carrie Bow Cay, Belize (w/C.C. Baldwin); (2) species accounts of eels (Anguilliformes) for a book on the fishes of the western Indian Ocean (w/E.B. Bohlke); 3) various other eel projects.

SPRINGER, VICTOR G. Curator, Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History MRC-159, Washington, D.C. 20560-0159, U.S.A. Tel (202) 357-3305; Fax 202-357-2986

Current work: (1) Study of the dorsal gill-arch muscles of actinopterygian fishes (Actinopterygii), with K. Darrow and G.D. Johnson; (2) new species of the blenniid genus Ecsenius (Blenniidae); (3) biogeography of Indo-Pacific shallow-dwelling fishes.

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

Current work: (1) Systematics of Lake Malawi cichlids; (2) revision of the fishes of Pennsylvania; (3) local host of the 2001 ASIH meeting in State College, PA , 5-11 July, 2001. I will be in Africa from January - March 2001.

STEHMANN, MATTHIAS F. W. Institut für Seefischerei, Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei, Palmaille 9, D-22767 Hamburg, GERMANY. Phone +49-40-38905217; Fax +49-40-38905263

Current work : A new EU research project DELASS (Development of Elasmobranch Assessment) with 16 partners of 10 European countries has started 1 January 2000 to last until end of 2002, and I am involved for Germany with a project hired additional part-time scientist. A first outcome of the German DELASS contribution is the publication of two more poster field keys to 13 common north-western European shelf species of skates (Rajidae) (in English/French, Portuguese/Spanish, German) and to their landed wings only (English/French). Work on this project consumed much of the first half of 2000, until the posters were printed and available in late July. Description of a third new species of Benthobatis (Narcinidae) from off South Brazil (with Rincon & Vooren) was submitted to Arch.Fish.Mar.Res., as well as a paper (with Merrett) on first proven egg capsules and advanced embryos of Bathyraja richardsoni (Rajidae) from the deep north-eastern Atlantic to J. Fish Biol. Another description of a new Torpedo (Torpedinidae) from the Gulf of Aden (with Carvalho & Manilo) will be ready for submission to Am.Mus.Nov. late this year.The chondrichthyan odontology series edited by me is being continued with submission of the holocephalan contribution by the end of this year. Have been on a private semi-professional trip to Russia and Ukraine during September and visited mainly institutes on Crimea and in Kiev. A professional trip in Nov./Dec. to South America is for bilateral projects with the University of Rio Grande, Brazil (Myliobatis, with C.M. Vooren) and to INIDEP Mar del Plata, Argentina (field guide to by-catch fish species, with M. Ehrlich). My spare time research on elasmobranch taxonomy will slowly be continued, until I hopefully can return more or less full time to the scene after my early retirement in mid-2002.

STEPIEN, CAROL A. Director, Great Lakes Environmental Genetics Laboratory and Research Professor, Center for Environmental Science, Technology and Policy, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, U.S.A. Tel (216) 523-7311; Fax 216-687-5393.

Current work: (1) Population genetics and phylogeography of Stizostedion, Perca, and Gymnocephalus using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences; (2) systematics and biogeography of the Blennioidei and their allies using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences (w/Dr. Peter Wirtz).

STEVENSON, DUANE E. Ph.D. Candidate, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Box 355100, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Tel. (206) 685-3438; FAX (206) 685-3275

Current work: My dissertation work has evolved into a revision of the Asian goby genera Chaenogobius and Gymnogobius. I have recently published a paper detailing the discovery of the holotype of Chaenogobius annularis, and am busy working out the nomenclatural consequences. I hope to submit a full revision of these two genera, including description of one new species, within a few months. Over the past year I have enjoyed collection visits in Japan and Europe. I am still working with the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center on curation of their observer training collection and on training their observers. A paper on the zoogeography of the freshwater and anadromous fishes of the Kuril Islands (with T. Pietsch and K. Amaoka) is in review.

STRINGER, GARY LAYNE. Interim Head, Department of Geosciences, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana 71209-0550, U.S.A. Tel. (318) 342-1893; Fax (318) 342-1755.

Fossil otoliths as well as otoliths from archeological sites continue to be the central focus of research and study. Completed a preliminary study of the fishes (mainly otolith-based) from the Oligocene Rosefield Marl Beds in Catahoula, Louisiana. Graduate student Melissa Miller successfully completed and defended her thesis on otolith-based Oligocene fishes from the Mint Spring Formation in central Mississippi. Graduate student Tiffany Green is collecting samples from several sites in Louisiana and Mississippi of the Upper Eocene Moodys Branch Formation for her thesis on otolith-based fishes and paleoecology. Several studies are in various stages of completion: (1) manuscript with Henri Cappetta (Laboratoire de Paleontologie, Montpellier, France) on a new genus of mobulid ray from the Eocene of Louisiana is nearing completion, (2) a study of otoliths from the Plum Creek archeological site (6000 years old) in northeastern Louisiana continues, and (3) a study of 7,500 year old otoliths from the Conly archeological site in northwestern Louisiana has been initiated.

SU, RUI-FENG. Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P.R. CHINA 650223. Tel: 86-871-5196361. Fax: 86-871-5191823.

Current work: (1) Working on my thesis project (advisor: Prof. Jun-Xing Yang): Phylogeny and Zoogeography of the Labeoninae fishes, expected completion date: May, 2001; (2) osteology, phylogeny and taxonomy of fishes in the Subfamily Labeoninae. I am very interested in Labeoninae fishes, especially those species occurring in India, South China and Southeast Asia.

SUÁREZ, RAFAEL A. Assistant of curator of fishes and Research Scientist. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, Apdo. 1930, Caracas 1010-A. VENEZUELA. Tel. 58-2-7938321, Fax. 58-2-7937493.

Current work: (1) Studies of biology and ecology of freshwater fishes in Venezuela; (2) study of the ichthyofauna of Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, O. Lasso-Alcalá. & J. Meri); (3) description of a new species of Cyphocharax (Curimatidae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso R. Vari, O. Lasso-Alcalá & J. Meri); (4) descriptions of a new species of Apareiodon (Parodontidae) from Upper Caroni River basin (Orinoco drainage) (w/C. Lasso, O. Lasso-Alcalá, A. Machado-Allison & other collegues).

TAKAHASHI, MASAFUMI. Graduate Student, Lab. Marine Biodiversity, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611, JAPAN. Tel 81-138-40-5540; FAX 81-138-40-5539

Current Work: (1) Comparative morphology and parasitology, and taxonomy of the family Triakidae under the direction of Prof. K. Nakaya & Associate Prof. M. Yabe.

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. Tel (065) 874 2969; Fax (065) 779 2486. (campus)

Current work: (1) Taxonomy of the genus Gastromyzon (family Balitoridae); (2) look into related genera of torrent loaches; (3) breeding attempts on Gastromyzon species; (4) taxonomy of the genus Betta (family Osphronemidae); (5) attempt to photograph live specimens of Gastromyzon and related genera to capture live colour notes, which can be used as diagnostic character.

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

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

My research under Dr. K. Fujita centers on a comparative osteological study (and some morphology) of the larval development in a number of Japanese varieties (comet, ryukin, ranchu, tosakin, jikin, nankin, demekin) of the domesticated goldfish Carassius a. auratus. Also plan to study some wild Japanese congeners, especially the 'ookinbuna' Carassius b. buergeri (probably the root of the Japanese 'funa') and sympatric '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 the von Siebold '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

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); R. Gustiano - systematics of Pangasiidae; S. Devaere - revision and comparative anatomy of anguilliform Clariidae; J. Raeymaeckers - phylogeny of African catfish families; J.D. Mbega - taxonomy and ecology of Lower Ogowe (Gabon) fishes.

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.

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. Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 11461, São Paulo, SP, 05422-970 BRASIL. Tel. (55)(11) 3818-7482, Fax (55)(11)

3818-7802

Current work: I am in the phase of completing the project on the publication of Alfred Russel Wallace's "Drawings of Fishes of the Rio Negro (1850-1852) in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London. Once that is completed resume ongoing projects: (1) systematics of the Heterocharacini (Characiformes: Characidae); (2) taxonomic revision of Chalceus (Characiformes: Characidae) (w/Angela Zanata); (3) phylogenetic relationships of the species of Acestrorhynchus (Characiformes: Acestrorhynchidae). PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF ADDRESS.

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

Current work: Behavioral ecology of Caribbean blennies of the genera Emblemariopsis and Acanthemblemaria (w/R. Clarke); ichthyofaunal survey of the Pelican Cays, Belize (w/C.L. Smith et al.); phylogenetic analysis of tetraodontiform families, including relevant fossil taxa (w/F. Santini); phylogenetic analysis of basal fossil zeiforms (w/F. Santini); redescriptions and systematics of fossil zeiforms and caproids (w/S. Baciu & A. Bannikov); congruence of fossil and Recent zeiform otolith morphology with phylogeny based on osteology of Recent species (w/D. Nolf); new genera of acanthuroids from the Eocene of Monte Bolca, Italy; review of earliest fossil monacanthids, from the Miocene and Pliocene of Italy (w/C. Sorbini); monacanthids from review of the Eocene gasterosteiform family Aulorhamphidae; phylogeny of Recent genera of zeiforms (w/B. O’Toole & R. Winterbottom, about to be submitted after peer review).

UFERMANN, ALFRED. Deutsche Cichliden-Gesellschaft e. V. (German Cichlid Association), Foreign and Scientific contacts, Ebereschenweg 41, D-46147 Oberhausen, GERMANY

Current work: (1) Check-list No.1 of all valid cichlid genera, and species, No.2 all genera and species of cichlids of Middle-America, No.3 all genera and species of South-American cichlids, No.4 all cichlid genera and species of Lake Malawi, No.5 all cichlid genera and species of Lake Tanganyika, No.6 all cichlid genera and species of Lake Victoria, No.7 all cichlid genera and species of Africa not restricted to the 3 great lakes, No.8 all cichlid genera and species of Palestine, Madagascar, Iran, South-India, and Sri-Lanka. (2) appendix (new taxa by cichlids) from 1987 to the year 2000 to our "Alphabetical catalogue of cichlids (Ufermann, A.R. Allgayer & M. Geerts, 1987). (3) Preparation of the 2^nd edition of our "Alphabetical catalogue of cichlids" incl. color photos of some genera and species. (4) List of scientific and aquaristic papers about cichlids published in the year 2000.

UIBLEIN, FRANZ. Institute of Zoology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria. Tel.& Fax: +43-662-645362

Current work: (1) Deep demersal and midwater fishes of the Canary Islands (w/F. Bordes, R. Castillo, T. Moreno, R. Wienerroither & J.G. Nielsen). The mesopelagic fish collection of three cruises has now been made available for study at ZMUC (see also General Announcements). (2) illustrated catalogue of midwater fishes from the Canaries (w/F. Bordes, R. Castillo, T. Moreno & R. Wienerroither); (3) morphological comparison among Ceratoscopelus warmingii populations (Myctophidae) from four different areas (Eastern Central Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, SW Pacific, NE Indian Ocean) (w/T. Sutton & R. Wienerroither); (4) phylogeny of Neobythites with special emphasis on the evolution of eyespots and colour patterns in this ophidiid genus (w/J.G. Nielsen & W. Schwarzhans); (5) behavioural analysis of demersal deep-sea fishes based on submersible videos (w/P. Lorance & D. Latrouite); (6) continuation of the research program on conservation of European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (Salmonidae), in Austrian waters (w/A. Jagsch, E. Kainz, Steve Weiss & W. Honsig-Erlenburg).

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

Current work: (1) Researches on fossil fishes of Japan; (2) compilation of a work on jaws of Japanese fishes; (3) investigation of Upper Cretaceous fishes from Fukushima Pref., Japan; (4) development of an atlas of scales of Japanese fishes.

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.

Current work: The revisionary and phylogenetic study of the Neotropical characiform family Prochilodontidae (w/R.M.C. Castro) is progressing and we hope to have the monograph completed during 2001. Parallel phylogenetic and revisionary studies of the South American catfish family Cetopsidae are underway in collaboration with C.J. Ferraris and M.C. de Pinna. Family accounts for the families Curimatidae, Ctenoluciidae, Prochilodontidae (w/R.M.C. Castro), Chilodontidae (w/S.J. Raredon), Cetopsidae (w/C.J. Ferraris) and characid genera Creagrutus and Piabina (w/A.S. Harold) are underway for the Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. A project describing a new species and redescribing a second species of Argentinian trichomycterid has begun with L. Fernandez. Studies of the generic-level phylogenetic relationships within the Anostomidae and Alestidae are in progress.

VOGT, KENNETH D. Adjunct Instructor, Department of Biology, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK 99508-8104, U.S.A. Tel 907 786-4770; Fax 907 786-4607.

Work on the systematics of the Liparidae, principally the genus Liparis is continuing. I am in the process of publishing a paper on the meristics of type and non-type material of the genus Liparis (w/N. Chernova & A. Andriashev). I am also interested in the Myinxiformes and the Petromyzontiformes. Work continues on the rehydration of dried museum specimens. I am preparing two nomenclature manuscripts that deal with the Liparidae. Several short papers on science education were also submitted this year.

WATANABE, KATSUTOSHI Associate Professor, Dept. of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Nara Women's University, Kitauoya-nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, JAPAN. Tel & Fax +81-742-20-3424

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).

WIENERROITHER, RUPERT. Institute of Zoology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, A-5020 Salzburg, AUSTRIA.

Current work: (1) Species composition of mesopelagic fishes in the area of the Canary Islands, Eastern Central Atlantic (diploma thesis in preparation); (2) illustrated catalogue of midwater fishes from the Canaries (w/F. Bordes, R. Castillo, T. Moreno & F. Uiblein); (3) morphological comparison among Ceratoscopelus warmingii populations (Myctophidae) from four different areas (Eastern Central Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, SW Pacific, NE Indian Ocean) (w/T. Sutton & F. Uiblein).

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

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) from the Caribbean with Julie Mounts; 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) (w/I-S. Chen); description of a new Trichonotus (Trichonotidae) from Vanuatu (w/D.G. Smith); new species of Cirrhilabrus (Labridae) from Solomon Islands (w/M.W. Westneat) analysis of Steeneichthys (Plesiopidae) (w/R.D. Mooi); description of a new species of Acanthemblemaria (Chaenopsidae) from Navassa; descriptions of six new species of Tomicodon (Gobiesocidae) from the Caribbean Sea (w/J. M. Tyler); checklist of the fishes of Navassa Island, Caribbean Sea (w/B.B. Collette, C. Thacker & M. Smith). D. G. Smith and I have a manuscript in press in Marine Fisheries Review on "The Great Albatross Philippine Expedition, 1907-1910." I have a manuscript with V. G. Springer in press in Rev. Biol. Trop. on the Eastern Pacific genus Helcogrammoides (Tripterygiidae). A revision of the Helcogramma fuscopinna species complex (Tripterygiidae) (w/J. Howe) is in press in Rev. Francaise d'Aquariologie. An expedition in May/June, 2000, to Mindoro Island, Philippines, with K. Carpenter, M. McGrouther, M. Westneat, Philippine Bureau of 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, CANADA M5S 2C6. Tel (416) 586-5759; Fax (416) 586-5553.

Current work: (1) The osteology, phylogeny and a reclassification of zeiform fishes and their relationship to tetraodontiforms. (J.C. Tyler, B. O'Toole & RW). Manuscript in final revision before resubmission; (2) continuing revision and phylogeny of the gobiid Gobiodon, using both anatomical and osteological data sources (w/A.S. Harold); (3) continuation of the endless study of the alpha systematics of the gobiid Trimma, (4) a redefinition of the gobiid Myersina, with a rescription of M. crocatus (Wongratana), (5) a BPA and component analysis of the distributional relationships of Indo-west Pacific coral reef organisms (F. Santini & RW).

WIRTZ, PETER. Department Oceanografia e Pescas, Cais de S. Cruz, P – 9001 Horta, Faial, Azores, PORTUGAL.

Current work: (1) All aspects of the biology of blennioid fishes; (2) molecular genetics of amphi-atlantic and atlanto-mediterranean blennioids in co-operation with C. Stepien; (3) molecular genetics of Pholidichthyidae, in co-operation with C. Stepien; (4) species catalogues for the following areas: Madeira, Cape Verde Islands, Sao Tome Island. Trips planned for 2001: Sao Tome (January), Madeira (March), western Mediterranean (September), Cape Verde Islands (September).

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.

Current work: (1) Revision of the Gerreidae; (2) revision of the Leiognathidae; (3) molecular systematics of the Siganidae (w/M. Adams, South Australia Museum); (4) reviews of the Siganidae, Gerreidae and Leiognathidae for "Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean"; (5) descriptions of new species of Siganidae. 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 the 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 Rd., Shanghai 200090, PEOPLE’s REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Tel 86-21-65710211; Fax 86-21-65684287.

Current work: (1) Study on the ciguatoxic fishes in China (w/D.H. Chong, Y.H. Chen & Y. Mou); (2) fish species diversity of Wulin Mountains region and its zoogeographic analyses (w/W.Q. Tang & Y.Y. Chen); (3) 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); (4) a new revision of the ichthyotoxic and medicinal fishes of China; (5) continue field work on study *systematics and biogeography of East Asia bitterling fishes" (w/T. Ueda, R. Aria et al.), an expedition in August, 2000, to the Hainan Island and Guang Province with T. Ueda, A. Arai and others, was successful and yielded excellent collections of bitterlings. I will visit Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, Canada, in October.

YANG, JUN-XING. Director and professor, Dept. of Systematic Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P. R. CHINA. Post code: 650223; Tel: 86-871-5190527l; Fax: 86-871-5191823.

Current work: (1) To evaluate the impact of introduced fishes on the indigenous fishes in lakes of Northwestern Yunnan, China; (2) to evaluate the impact of hydro-dam constructions on the fishes of Lancangjiang (upper Mekong) (w/Dr. Shun-Ping He); (3) phylogeny and speciation of the indigenous fishes of Erhai Lake, Dali, Yunnan (w/Dr. Xiao-Yong Chen); (4) study on the phylogeny and zoogeography of the fishes in subfamily Labeoninae (w/Rui-Feng Su); (5) the taxonomy and phylogeny of Barbinae fishes (w/Zi-Ming Chen); (6) the phylogeny and zoogeography of cultrine fishes (w/Ying-Gui Dai); (7) co-survey to the animal resource of Gaoligongshan Mountain areas of Yunnan (w/colleagues from the California Academy of Sciences).

YEARSLEY, GORDON (GUS) K. Fish Taxonomist. CSIRO Marine Research, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, Tas 7000, AUSTRALIA. Tel 61 3 6232 5222; Fax 61 3 6232 5000.

Current work: (1) Completing (with others) the 'Australian Seafood Handbook - an identification guide to imported species', which will cover 100+ species that are imported into Australia for human consumption; (2) various taxonomic projects on groups including Squatina, Pristiophorus, Urolophus, Trachinotus; (3) iust completed (with others) the 'Australian Seafood Users Manual - making the most of the world's best' (see New Publications announcement). Have now returned to CSIRO Hobart after 15 months with the Queensland Government in Brisbane.

ZHANG, CHUN-GUANG. Curator of Fishes, Director of the Center of Animal Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Zhongguancun Road, Haidian, Beijing, CHINA 100080. Tel (010) 6256-1876 (in Chinese); Fax 010-6256-5689

Current work: (1) study of the ichthyofauna of Anguilliformes of China; (2) generic revisions of Arius (Ariidae) of China; (3) ichthyofauna of Shiwandashan, Guangxi, China with the description of bigeography. I just began my work on Anguilliformes in China. I am short of knowledge, references or even specimens on the group. I will greatly appreciate any help and welcome to have a cooperation, especially in the group of Anguillidae, Nettastomidae, Neenchelyidae, Moringuidae, Nemichthyidae, Serrivomeridae, Dysommidae, Echelidae, etc.

ZHOU, WEI. Professor, Faculty of Resources, Southwest Forestry College of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650224, P.R. CHINA. Tel. 86-871-3863669 (H), 86-871-3862458 (O)

Current work: (1) Study on taxonomy and molecular evolution of genus Pseudechensis in Sisoridae (Siluriformes); (2) study on taxonomy of glyptosternon group in Sisoridae (Siluriformes) and relationship between this group and bio-geography of north-western Yunnan.

ZUPANCIC, PRIMOZ, AZC Agency, Dolsko 14, 1262 SLOVENIJA, EUROPE. Tel./fax 00386 1 5647616.

Current work: (1) Study on taxonomy of endemic species of the genera Phoxinellus, Leuciscus, Rutilus, Scardinius, Salmothymus of the Western Balkans is going on. (2) A field guide of the fishes of Slovenija, Croatia and Bosnia & Hercegovina is nearing completion (seeking for sponsors). (3) Further collecting trips are planned for the next year.