Abstract
The fishes of the family Hoplichthyidae were in a general state of confusion until Jordan and Thompson revised them in 1913. During the course of our study of the Japanese deep-sea fishes, however, some additional facts have been found that require us to present our different analysis.
In order to clarify the status and relationship more satisfactorily comparative studies have been undertaken from a viewpoint of the biometry and anatomy. In the biometric study we applied four methods as shown in chapter 2. In the anatomical study all the skeletons and alimentary canal have been examined. The results are shown in chapter 3 and 4.
Based upon our biometric and anatomical studies we considered the relationships of all the hitherto known species referable to the family Hoplichthyidae. The results are shown in chapter 5.
In the present study we examined four species, Hoplichthys langsdorfii Cuvier and Valenciennes, H. gilberti Jordan and Richardson, H. filamentosus, n. sp.and H. fasciatus Matsubara from the Japane and its adjacent waters, which are called herein L. G, Fi and Fa respectively. Unfortunately no specimens of H. regani Jordan and Richardson have come under our examination.
