Kunio Amaoka

Osteology of the flounder,tephrinectes sinensis (lacepède) (teleostei: pleuronectiformes), with comments on its relationships

The entire skeleton ofTephrinectes sinensis, the single representative of a monotypic genus, is described in detail. The apomorphic characters observed suggest that the sister group ofT. sinensis is a clade composed of the Poecilopsettinae, Rhombosoleinae, Samarinae, Achiridae, Soleidae and Cynoglossidae, taxa which share an anteriorly-inclined second neural spine the distal portion of which overlies the cranium. This supports the removal ofT. sinensis from its former position in the Paralichthyidae.

New Species: Hapalogenys merguiensis (Teleostei; Perciformes) from Andaman Sea

Abstract A new species, Hapalogenys merguiensis, currently known only from Andaman Sea, is described from the holotype and five paratypes. This species is most similar to H. nitens Richardson, 1845, in overall appearance of body, as well as in having a single notched dorsal fin, poorly developed papillae on chin and dark brownish body color with two oblique dark bands curved posteriorly. However, it differs from H. nitens, from which it is also geographically separated, in a combination of several meristic and morphometric characters. Hapalogenys merguiensis n. sp. has the following diagnostic characters: dorsal fin rays XI, 14; anal fin rays III, 9 or 10; pored lateral line scales 39–42; gillrakers 5–7 + 12–14; scales above lateral line 9 or 10, below 18–20; no scales on maxilla; eye diameter more than approximately one-quarter head length; 10 pores on and behind chin; a cluster of very short dense papillae on fleshy lower lip; head and body generally dark brownish and two indistinct oblique bands on body, first descending from nape to behind pectoral fin and second from base of anterior second or third dorsal fin spines and soft dorsal fin base, curving posteriorly through lateral line to soft anal fin and caudal peduncle (one whitish or indistinct whitish brown, oblique band, curving posteriorly and becoming wider, from base of the first three dorsal fin spines to anus and spinous anal fin base); dark posterior margin absent from soft dorsal and anal fins but narrowly present on caudal fin; a procumbent spinelike process (exposed tip of first pterygiophore) at origin of dorsal fin.

Description of a juvenile specimen of a rarely-caught, deep-sea species ofSamariscus (Pleuronectiformes, Samaridae) from Sala y Gomez Submarine Ridge, eastern Pacific Ocean

T he ichthyofauna of the Nazca and Sala y Gomez Submarine Ridges is characterized by Indo-West Pacific species, although the area is geographically regarded as part of the eastern Pacific Ocean (Parin, 1991). The inclusion of a juvenile specimem listed as Samariscus sp. in the list of fishes from Sala y Gomez Submarine Ridge (Fig. 1) by Parin (1991) was an interesting record, because the Hawaiian Islands (ca. 155160~ had previously been considered the easternmost limit of this Indo-West Pacific genus (Qu6ro et al., 1989). However, no description of the specimen was given by Parin (1991). In this paper, we describe the specimen in detail and consider its taxonomic placement. Counts and measurements followed the methods of Hubbs and Lagler (1958). Osteological information was taken from a radiograph. Terminology for osteology follows Sakamoto (t 984).

Symphurus hondoensis Hubbs, 1915, a valid species of western Pacific tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

Symphurus hondoensis Hubbs, 1915, originally described only from the holotype taken in 390–542 m in Suruga Bay Japan, has long been considered a junior synonym ofS. strictus Gilbert, 1905, known from waters off Hawaii, Japan, the Philippine Islands, and South Africa. Based on new information from the holotype and a specimen recently captured from deep waters (789–815 m) off Amami-Oshima Island, southern Japan,S. hondoensis is now established as a valid species.Symphurus hondoensis is unique among congeners in having the combination of a 1–2–3 pattern of interdigitation of proximal dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines, 10 abdominal vertebrae, 14 caudalfin rays, 111–113 dorsal-fin rays, 95 anal-fin rays, 59 total vertebrae, 105–106 scales in longitudinal series, blind side nearly as darkly pigmented as the ocular surface, and a black peritoneum. Recognition ofS. hondoensis increases the number of described species ofSymphurus in waters off Japan to three (S. orientalis Bleeker,S. strictus, andS. hondoensis), with at least one more underscribed species occurring in deepwater hydrothermal vent areas off southern Japan.

Neolumpenus unocellatus, a new genus and species of stichaeid fish from Japan

Neolumpenus unocellatus gen. et sp. nov., a stichaeid fish (subfamily Lumpeninae,sensu Makushok, 1958) is described on the basis of a single specimen found in the stomach of the Pacific cod,Gadus macrocephalus Tilesius, caught off Akkeshi, Hokkaido, Japan. The new genus and species is distinguished from all other lumpenines in having the following combination of characters: 1) 51 dorsal spines, 33 anal fin rays, 57 total vertebrae; 2) broad pelvic fin with deeply-branched soft rays; 3) lower rays of pectoral fin branched and not prolonged backward; 4) prevomerine and palatine teeth present; 5) pungent spines present in pelvic and anal fins; 6) upper lip fused to snout anteriorly; 7) gill openings not extending forward beyond a vertical through posterior margin of eye; 8) minimal (fifth) hypural present; 9) first interneural spine inserted between first and second neural spines; 10) extremely large cephalic sensory pores present; 11) high, steep snout; 12) ocellus on dorsal base of caudal fin.

Two New Anthiine Fishes from the Eastern Tropical Atlantic

Two anthiine fishes from the eastern tropical Atlantic are described as newHolanthias cyprinoides andAnthias helenensis. The former is distinguished from the other Atlantic species ofHolanthias in having the forked caudal fin with rounded lobes and from the Indo-Pacific species in having no elongated dorsal spines or soft rays. The latter is closely related toAnthias asperilinguis Günther (South America, Atlantic coast), but differs from it in having more pectoral fin rays and more gill rakers. The present investigation onAnthias suggests that AtlanticAnthias is a genus distinct fromPseudanthias of the Indo-Pacific.

A new righteye flounder, Poecilopsetta pectoralis (Pleuronectiformes: Poecilopsettidae), from New Caledonia

A new righteye flounder, Poecilopsetta pectoralis, is described from 4 specimens (2 males, 2 females) collected from deep waters (510–580 m) around New Caledonia. The species is easily distinguished from 13 congeners by having 99–105 lateral line scales, a narrow interorbit [male: 37.00–40.25 in head length (HL); female: 47.33–50.71], long pectoral fin on ocular side (male: 0.89–0.91 in HL; female: 1.04–1.20), no scales from snout to anterior interorbital region, and 4 spots on caudal fin. Sexual dimorphism is evident in this species, showing males bearing the ocular-side pectoral fin longer than females, and it is the first example in Poecilopsetta.

Two new and one rare species of bothid flounders from Saya de Malha Bank, Indian Ocean (Teleostei : Pleuronectiformes)

Two new bothid species (Engyprosopon hensleyi and Arnoglossus sayaensis), and another (Parabothus malhensis) previously known only from a male holotype, are described from material recently collected from the western Indian Ocean (Saya de Malha Bank). Engyprosopon hensleyi differs from all known cogeners in having a more slender body, larger number of gill rakers, dark pectoral fins in males and a pair of dark spots on the caudal fin. Arnoglossus sayaensis is distinguished from other known species by a combination of meristic and morphometric characters as well as a unique caudal-fin color pattern that consists of a dark band and six dark spots. Parabothus malhensis is redescribed on the basis of female as well as male specimens. Generic placement is confirmed and sexual dimorphism (interorbital width) is noted for this species for the first time.

Nematops nanosquama, a new species of righteye flounder (Pleuronectiformes: Poecilopsettidae) from off the Marquesas Islands

A new poecilopsettid flounder, Nematops nanosquama, is described from 10 specimens (4 males, 6 females) collected from deep waters (96–650 m) off Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands. This species is easily separated from the three recognized species of the genus Nematops by having large numbers of dorsal fin rays, anal fin rays, lateral line scales, and vertebrae, five dark transverse broad bands on the body, and a black blotch on the distal area of the pectoral fin. N.nanosquama shows the easternmost record of this genus from the Pacific Ocean.

Engyprosopon vanuatuensis, a new species of bothid flounder (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae) from off Vanuatu, South West Pacific

A new bothid flounder, Engyprosopon vanuatuensis, is described on the basis of 15 specimens (9 males and 6 females, 41.1–55.8 mm in standard length) collected from deep waters (163–165 m) off Vanuatu Island in 1994 during the French exploratory cruise “MUSORSTOM 8.” The new species clearly differs from its congeners in having a short body, big eyes, large scales, and many gill rakers without serrations. Remarkable sexual dimorphism appears in interorbital width, anterior curve of head profile, rostral and orbital spines, length of ocular-side pectoral fin, small dots on eyes, and pigmentation of blind-side body.