Notes on the Biology and Systematics of the Flatfish Genus Syacium (Bothidae) in the Straits of Florida

Data on morphology, meristics, stomach contents, and parasites are given for Syacium papillosum, S. gunteri, and S. micrurum from the southeastern coast of Florida. Variation of taxonomically important characters is presented for each species. Syacium micrurum is rarely collected in Florida, and a brief discussion is given concerning the confusion which has existed in identifying this species and S. papillosum. Selected data are given for S. guineensis, a west African cognate of S. micrurum. Halieutichthys aculeatus, Bothus ocellatus, and Diplectrum bivittatum are commonly taken with S. papillosum. The food of S. papillosum and S. gunteri consists primarily of small crustaceans and some differences in the species ingested are noted. Limited data on the parasitic trematodes and nematodes found in S. papillosum and S. gunteri are presented.