V. V. Zemnukhov

Genus Leptostichaeus and its position in the taxonomy of fishes (Perciformes: Zoarcoidei, Stichaeidae)

Up to the present, the genus Leptostichaeus has been considered as belonging to subfamily Lumpeninae. A series of characters was analyzed for family and subfamily diagnostics within the group Stichaeidae. It was found that, in combination of all examined characters, the genus Leptostichaeus is either similar to Azygopterus or occupies an intermediate position between the latter and other members of the family Stichaeidae. The genus Leptostichaeus is transferred into the group Azygopterinae, which is revalidated as a subfamily within the family Stichaeidae.

Species Composition and Distribution of Butterfishes (Stromateidae) in Waters of Russia

Descriptions and distribution of two species of butterfishes (genus Pampus) in the waters of Russia are given. All known findings in the national waters are documented. The generic and specific characteristics are defined more exactly. The validity of P. echinogaster is confirmed.

New records of a rare species of spariform fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Bleeker, 1854) (Osteichthyes: Sparidae) from Russian waters of the sea of Japan, with notes on the taxonomy of the genus Acanthopagrus Peters, 1855

A rare species of the spariform fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii from Russian waters is described. The synonymy of this species and the related literature data are analyzed. It is suggested that two species occur in Russian waters that differ in body coloration: A. schlegelii and A. czerskii.

Prognichthys sealei (Exocoetidae)—a Species of Flying Fish New for the Russian Fauna

According to today’s notions, the family of flying fish Exocoetidae is represented in the Russian waters by five rare species. These are Exocoetus monocirrhus Richardson, 1846 ( E. volitans of some authors); Hirundichthys brachycephalus (Gunther, 1866) ( H. rondeletii— see Fedorov and Parin, 1998); Cypselurus heterurus doederleinii ( Steindachner, 1887) ( C. agoo agoo of some authors); C. hiraii Abe, 1953; and Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus japonicus (Franz, 1910) (Parin, 1960, 1961, 1962, 2002; Fedorov and Parin, 1998; Parin and Shakhovskoy, 2000; Novikov et al., 2002).

A morphological description of the brown shanny Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae)

Findings of the brown shanny Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 in waters of Russia are reported for the first time. The morphology of S. fuscus is studied in detail based on representative material; the taxonomic characters of this species are revised. A key to the species of the genus Stichaeus is given.

The Megalopidae, a New Family of Fishes for Fauna of Russia

According to contemporary notions, the fossil monotypical family of tarpons, i.e., Megalopidae, belonging to the order Elopiformes of subclass Neopterygii and known from the Paleocene (Danil’chenko, 1964; Forey, 1973; Nelson, 1994), is represented in the recent fauna by two subtropical and tropical, epipelagic species widespread in the waters of all oceans except the Arctic Ocean (Lindberg and Legeza, 1965; Lindberg, 1971; Nelson, 1994). One of them, i.e., IndoPacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides , occurs off the Pacific coast of southern Japan and in the southern part of the Sea of Japan near Pusan and Sado Island and Ryukyu Island (Hayashi, 1972; Chyung Moon-ki, 1977; Masuda et al., 1984; Honma Aoyagi, 1990; Choi Youn et al., 2002; Nakabo, 2002).

First Findings of Juvenile Lophiidae in the Sea of Okhotsk

The family Lophiidae is represented in Russia’s waters by three species, one of which— Lophius piscatorius —is found in the Black and Barents seas, and the other two of which— L. litulon (Jordan in Jordan et Sindo, 1902) and Lophiomus setigerus —are known from the Sea of Japan (Parin, 2002) thanks to a few catches containing adult individuals in the Peter the Great Bay and off the Sea of Japan, near the coast of Sakhalin (Kharin and Cheblukov, 2005). Fry of both species have not been caught in Russia’s waters, and we consider it useful to cite recently obtained data documenting their occurrence in the southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Xenolumpenus longipterus Shinohara et Yabe, 2009 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae), a New Genus and Species for Waters of Russia

The Long-Finned Prickleback, Xenolumpenus longipterus Shinohara et Yabe, 2009, a new genus and species in Russian waters, has been found. A description of the species is given.

Neck banded blenny Leptostichaeus pumilus Miki, 1985 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae): A new genus and species for Russian waters

A new genus and species of fish for waters of Russia, Leptostichaeus pumilus Miki, 1985, was found in the Sea of Japan. A morphological description of this species is given.

First Catch in Russian Waters of a Spinulated Specimen of Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) (Percoidei: Lobotidae) with Notes on Taxonomy of this Species

The first capture in Russian waters of a spinulated specimen of Lobotes surinamensis with spinulation of opercular bones is reported. Morphology of two specimens is compared—with spines and without them. The description is composed. There are no significant differences between them. With consideration of the original and published data, we concluded that this character (spines) has no taxonomic value.