title: Redescription of Ammodytoides gilli, the tropical eastern Pacific sand lance (Perciformes: Ammodytidae).
abstract: Ammodytoides gilli (Bean, 1895) is the correct name for the tropical eastern Pacific sand lance. Its range is extended from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California south to Panama, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands. Ammodytes lucasanus Beebe and Tee-Van, 1938 is a junior synonym. Types of both nominal species were re-examined. The species is redescribed based on 50 specimens (42.3-115 mm SL) from 12 lots and is compared with other known species of Ammodytoides. Changes in ontogeny from the smallest known specimen (42.3 mm SL, illustrated) are detailed including reduction in the posterior dorsal fin lobe and development of branched dorsal and anal fin rays.
authors.affiliation: National Marine Fisheries Service Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560-0153, USA. collette.bruce@nmnh.si.edu
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Collette
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010473:Perciformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*