Dr. Gustav Wurdemann, Smithsonian collector

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Fishes in the National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian Institution, 2: Blenniidae

Blennius multifilis Girard, 1858:169.
[Syntypes]
USNM [8168 (17)], “specimens collected at SL Joseph’s Island, Texas, by G. Wurdemann.” Remarks: Girard (1858) neither indicated the number of specimens nor a catalog number for his syntypes. Girard (1859:27-28), in reporting on the same specimens, provided a table of specimens for Blennius multifilis in which he twice listed the catalog number 649. Beside the first 649 he indicated “1 adult” and beside the second 649, “17 young.” The USNM catalog ledger, appropriately, indicates the presence of 18 specimens in USNM 649, together with the correct collection data, but there is no indication that these specimens are types (other lots, pertaining to different species, with adjacent catalog numbers are indicated as types). We were unable to locate a lot bearing USNM 649. A search of the collection, however, showed that USNM 8168, Hypleurocheilus geminatus (Wood) (a senior synonym of Blennius multifilis), comprising 17 specimens (23.4-65.9 mm SL), had the same collection data as USNM 649. This suggests strongly that the 17 specimens reported by Girard (1859:28) were assigned a new catalog number, and that the single specimen has been lost. Accordingly, we consider the specimens in USNM 8168 to be syntypes. Bath (1976:183), understandably unaware of the circumstances, reported that there was no type material for Blennius multifilis

Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Fishes in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 3: Beloniformes (Teleostei)

Belone scrutator Girard, 1858:170. Lectotype: USNM 834 (198 mm BL). Texas, St. Joseph’s Island; Gustav Wurdemann; 1853. Designated herein by Collette. D 14, A 18, Pt 12-12; vertebrae 45 + 26 =
71; predorsal scales 245; female with only right ovary. Paralectotype: USNM 309268 (212). Collected with the lectotype

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