A new armored searobin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraheminodus longirostralis</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Peristediidae) from New Caledonia

A new species of armored searobin, Paraheminodus longirostralis, is described from five specimens collected from New Caledonia at depths of 412–467 m. It is distinguishable from its three known congeners in having 34 bony plates in the upper lateral row, a forward-directed spine on each plate between the 23rd–26th and 31st–32nd plates in the upper lateral row, 6–7 + 1 + 20–21 = 27–28 gill rakers, an elongate body posterior to the anus (49.9–52.1% standard length), an elongate rostral projection (53.0–59.3% head length), short upper jaw (42.1–43.4% head length), an elongate pectoral fin (70.6–79.4% head length), and long preopercular spine (39.2–57.7% head length).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Johnius</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Johnius</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">majan</Emphasis> sp. nov., a sciaenid fish (Pisces: Sciaenidae) from Oman,Indian Ocean

Johnius (Johnius) majan sp. nov. is described on the basis of 8 specimens (117–158 mm in standard length) from Oman, Indian Ocean. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: black axillary spot on upper pectoral fin base; dorsal soft rays 29–32; anal soft rays 8; scales above lateral line 6, below 11; eye diameter 22.9–28.9% HL; interorbital width 32.0–38.0% HL; gill rakers 5–6 + 15–18 = 21–24; no mental barbel; last well developed pleural rib on 7th vertebra; swim bladder appendages 11; vertebrae 10 + 14 = 24.     

Pennahia ovata,a new sciaenid from the Bay of Bengal

A new sciaenid,Pennahia ovata, is described from the Bay of Bengal. It differs from its most similar congener,P. anea, in having weakly differentiated teeth on the lower jaw, usually 24–25 dorsal fin soft rays and 18–19 upper+lower gill rakers, a deep body and a long second anal fin spine.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dolichopteryx pseudolongipes</Emphasis>, a new species of spookfish (Argentinoidei: Opisthoproctidae) from the eastern Pacific Ocean

A new species of opisthoproctid, Dolichopteryx pseudolongipes, is described on the basis of three specimens (48.7–79.9 mm in standard length: SL) collected from the eastern Pacific Ocean. This species is characterized by small tubular eyes (diameter 2.7–3.9% SL), presence of an adipose fin, anal fin base originating under the dorsal fin base, relatively short predorsal (73.3–73.8% SL), prepelvic (64.3–67.9% SL), preanal (77.4–80.1% SL), and preanus (71.5–75.7% SL) lengths; 31–33 (=9–10 + 22–24) gill rakers and 43–45 vertebrae. Although D. pseudolongipes had previously been confused with Dolichopteryx longipes, many differences between the species are apparent [e.g., adipose fin absent, anal fin base origin just behind dorsal fin base, greater prepelvic length (70.3–72.7% SL), 25 gill rakers, and 46–47 vertebrae in D. longipes].     

Two new soldierfishes (Beryciformes: Holocentridae:Myripristis) from Japan

Two species of the holocentrid fish genusMyripristis are described as new from Japan, both with a single pair of tooth patches outside the gape at tip of lower jaw, the third anal spine longer than the fourth, and 28–29 lateral-line scales:M. kochiensis from Kashiwa-jima, Kochi Prefecture, previously misidentified asM. murdjan, is distinct in having small scales in axil of pectoral fins, 32–36 gill rakers, interorbital space 4.45–5.1 in head, and lower jaw not strongly projecting when mouth closed;M. greenfieldi, from the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands to Kochi Prefecture, previously misidentified asM. woodsi andM. randalli, is distinct in lacking scales in the pectoral axil, having 35–52 cteni on largest body scales, 43–47 gill rakers, and longest dorsal spine 2.0–2.25 in head.     

Review of the genusBembras Cuvier, 1829 (Scorpaeniformes: Bembridae) with description of three new species collected from Australia and Indonesia

The bembrid genusBembras Cuvier is reviewed. Five species,B. japonica Cuvier,B. adenensis Imamura & Knapp and three undescribed species, were assigned to the genus. Type species of the genus,Bembras japonica is redescribed on the basis of 36 specimens including the holotype, and three new species,B. macrolepis, B. longipinnis andB. megacephala, previously misidentified asB. japonicus, are also described on the basis of specimens collected from Australia and Indonesia.Bembras macrolepis differs from its congeners by having large body scales, a long pectoral fin with 17–19 rays and a dark blotch on slightly upper portion to middle of margin, 14–15 anal-fin rays, small head and orbit, and caudal fin with a broad vertical dark band near posterior margin.Bembras longipinnis is distinguished from other members of the genus by having a slightly long pectoral fin with 17–19 rays and lacking a small black blotch near tip of upper rays, caudal fin with a large dark spot most intense in lower lobe, 1–2 gill rakers on upper gill arch, 13–14 anal-fin rays, slightly elong ated head and small orbit.Bembras megacephala is characterized by the following combination of characters: caudal fin with several irregular narrow vertical dark bands, small orbit, pectoral fin with 19–20 rays and lacking a small black blotch near tip of upper rays, head elongate, 2–4 gill rakers on upper gill arch, 15 anal-fin rays and small body scales. A key separating the five species ofBembras is given.     

Sinocyclocheilus donglanensis, a new cavefish (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from Guangxi, China

Sinocyclocheilus donglanensis, a new cyprinid species from a subterranean river in Donglan County in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China, is described. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characteristics: a completely scaled body with well-developed eyes; a curved lateral line possessing 57–64 scales; pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin origin and last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin clearly serrated along its posterior edge; 8–9 predorsal vertebrae; 8–9 gill rakers; joints of dentary-angulars not close to each other at the isthmus; and a slightly inferior mouth with the upper jaw (6.2–7.4% in standard length: SL) protruding slightly beyond the lower one (5.7–6.7% SL). Sinocyclocheilus donglanensis is sympatric with the peculiarly shaped, hunchbacked S. altishoulderus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus cavaticus</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Perciformes), a new epigonid fish from Palau,western Central Pacific

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus cavaticus, is described on the basis of eight specimens (59.2–69.5 in standard length: SL) collected from a cave at depth 20 m, southern fringing reef of Ngemelis Island, Palau. The species differs from other congeners by having minute teeth on both jaws, no opercular spine, pyloric caeca 7–8, gill rakers 25–27, total pored lateral line scales 48–50, dorsal fin rays VII-I, 10–11 (mode VII-I, 10), pectoral fin rays 16, vertebrae 10 + 15, body depth 21.4–25.0% SL, pectoral fin length 22.7–24.6% SL, eye diameter 44.4–47.5% head length: HL, upper jaw length 40.2–42.5% HL. Four paratypes (63.7–66.8 mm SL) of the new species are female with mature gonads, it is the smallest in size at sexual maturity among the congeners.     

Engyprosopon marquisensis, a new species of bothid flounder (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae) from the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia)

A new bothid flounder, Engyprosopon marquisensis, is described from 11 specimens collected in deep waters (108–408 m) off the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) during the French exploratory cruise MUSORSTOM 9 in 1997. Engyprosopon marquisensis is similar to E. bellonaensis from the Chesterfield Islands and Bellona Plateau in the Coral Sea and E. vanuatuensis from off Vanuatsu Island, but is easily distinguished from E. bellonaensis by the following combination of characters: narrow interorbital space in both sexes, small mouth, short caudal fin, large number of vertebrae, and fewer gill rakers. It differs from E. vanuatuensis by many scales in the lateral line, small eyes, short ocular-side upper jaw, and short blind-side lower jaw. Engyprosopon marquisensis is the deepest occurring (408 m) species of the genus, and constitutes the second species of this genus with an eastern distribution.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropoma argentistigma</Emphasis>, a new species from the Andaman Sea,off southern Thailand (Perciformes: Acropomatidae)

 A new acropomatid fish, Acropoma argentistigma, is described on the basis of six specimens (59.0–107.5 mm in standard length) from the Andaman Sea, off southern Thailand (Phuket Island). The new species is distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following characters: a short U-shaped luminous gland, 16–18 gill rakers, anus situated about midway along depressed pelvic fin, proximal radial of first anal fin pterygiophore with a trough, a single row of well-developed conical teeth on the lower jaw, and head length 40.0–41.1% of standard length. Received: April 17, 2001 / Revised: April 15, 2002 / Accepted: May 7, 2002     

Johnius (johnieops) philippinus, a new sciaenid from the philippines, with a synopsis of species included in the subgenusjohnieops

A new sciaenid,Johnius (Johnieops) philippinus, is described from the Davao Gulf, Mindanao Island Philippines. It differs from all known species of the subgenus in the combination of 29–32 dorsal fin soft rays, 5–6 scales above and 10–13 scales below the lateral line, 10–12 lower gill rakers, a broadly rounded anterior snout margin (from dorsal aspect), large eyes (28–35% HL), a narrow interorbital space (23–28% HL) and well-developed pleural ribs on 11th vertebra. A synopsis of species included in the subgenusJohnieops is provided.     

Taxonomic review of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes inermis</Emphasis> species complex (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

A taxonomic review of three color morphotypes of the Sebastes inermis species complex established the existence of three valid species, viz. S. inermis, S. ventricosus, and S. cheni. The complex is defined by having two sharp lachrymal spines, the head weakly armed with nasal, preocular, supraocular and parietal spines, and the caudal fin not distinctly emarginated. Sebastes inermis, known from southern Hokkaido southward to Kyushu, Japan, and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized as follows: body dark red or light brown dorsally and laterally when fresh, pectoral fin extending beyond level of anus when depressed, pectoral-fin rays 15, anal-fin rays 7, pored lateral line scales 36–44 and gill rakers 31–37. Sebastes ventricosus, known from Iwate and Ishikawa Prefecture southward to Kyushu, Japan, and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized as follows: body somewhat greenish-black dorsally and dark silver ventrally when fresh, pectoral-fin rays 16, anal-fin rays 7–8, pored lateral line scales 43–49, and gill rakers 35–39. Sebastes cheni, known from Iwate and Akita Pref. southward to Kyushu, Japan, and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized as follows: body dark golden-brown dorsally and laterally when fresh, pelvic fin extending beyond anus when depressed, pectoral-fin rays 17, anal-fin rays 8, pored lateral line scales 37–46 and gill rakers 32–37. In the genetic analysis, the presence or absence of two AFLP fragments was completely fixed among the three species. Sebastes tokionis and S. guentheri are regarded as junior synonyms of S. inermis and S. ventricosus, respectively. A lectotype is designated for S. cheni, and a key to the three species of the S. inermis species complex provided.     

Dolichopteryx minuscula, a new species of spookfish (Argentinoidei: Opisthoproctidae) from the Indo-West Pacific

A new species Dolichopteryx minuscula is described on the basis of three specimens [49.4–59.6 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from the Indo-West Pacific. The new species is characterized by pouchlike eyes with a small lens (lens diameter 2.2% SL), an adipose fin, the anal fin base originating posterior to the dorsal fin base, and 16–17 (= 5–6 + 1 + 10–11) gill rakers. Total fecundity was relatively low, only 658 ova being obtained from one specimen, despite the ovary being mature. Ovarian eggs were clearly subdivided into “undeveloped” (0.1–0.7 mm diameter classes, n = 561) and “developed” (1.0–1.3 mm classes, n = 97) groups, based on their frequency distribution. Such relatively low fecundity and frequency distributions of ovarian eggs suggest that Dolichopteryx species spawn iteratively during spawning season.     

Two new and two resurrected species of the sciaenid genusJohnius (Johnius) from the West Pacific

Two new species of the sciaenid genusJohnius (Johnius) are described:J. trewavasae from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, differs from all other congeners in having 24–27 dorsal soft rays, 5–6 scales above and 7–10 scales below the lateral line, 6–8 obtuse lower gill rakers, the last pleural rib on the 11th vertebra, and a shorter lower jaw (33.8–38.4% HL);J. latifrons from Thailand and Java is characterized by 25–29 dorsal soft rays, 7–9 scales above and 11–14 scales below the lateral line, 7–9 obtuse lower gill rakers, a wide interorbital width (26.1–30.6% HL), a small eye (16.7–26.4% HL), and a short, second anal spine (25.9–37.1% HL). Two related species,J. heterolepis Bleeker from “Suriname” andJ. cantori Bleeker from Malaya, are resurrected as valid West Pacific species of Johnius (Johnius).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus carbonarius</Emphasis>, a new species of deepwater cardinalfish (Perciformes: Epigonidae) from the Marquesas Islands,with a redefinition of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus oligolepis</Emphasis> group

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus carbonarius, is described on the basis of four specimens (50.8–95.3 mm standard length) collected from off Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands. This species belongs to the Epigonus oligolepis group, redefined in this study. It is distinguished from the three recognized species of the group by the following combination of characters: a small number of total gill rakers (21–23) and pyloric caeca (6), presence of lingual teeth, and absence of teeth from posterior part of vomer. A key to the species in the E. oligolepis group is provided.     

Upeneus australiae, a new goatfish (Mullidae: Perciformes) from Australia

 Upeneus australiae sp. nov. is described on the basis of 14 specimens collected from Australian waters. Although it belongs to the seven-spined group of Upeneus, now comprising five species, U. australiae is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: 6–7 + 16–18 (modally 7 + 17) gill rakers, ectopterygoids without teeth, five and six black oblique bars on upper and lower caudal lobes, respectively, and peritoneum transparent with small black spots. Received: July 26, 2001 / Revised: November 2, 2001 / Accepted: December 4, 2001     

Molecular evidence for the taxonomic status of three species of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphyraena obtusata</Emphasis> group (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae) from East Asia

Genetic differences among the three species of Sphyraena with two gill rakers from East Asia (S. iburiensis, S. obtusata, and S. pinguis, defined recently as the S. obtusata group), were investigated using 799-bp sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Pairwise sequence differences within each of the three species were 0.0–0.4% (S. iburiensis), 0.0–0.4% (S. obtusata), and 0.0–0.6% (S. pinguis), respectively, pairwise sequence differences among the three species being 18.3–18.6% (S. iburiensis vs. S. obtusata), 14.9–15.4% (S. iburiensis vs. S. pinguis), and 17.6–18.3% (S. obtusata vs. S. pinguis), respectively. The extent of the latter were comparable to those among four other congeneric species, S. africana, S. forsteri, S. helleri, and S. japonica (16.0–24.5%). Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method indicated reciprocal monophyly of the three species, each clade being supported by a bootstrap value of 100%. These findings fully supported the taxonomic status of these species, recently elucidated by detailed morphological comparisons. In addition, the S. obtusata group formed a strongly supported clade against the four other congeneric species.     

A new flounder,monolene helenensis (pleuronectiformes: Bothidae) from the eastern tropical atlantic

Monolene helenensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of seven specimens collected from the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. This new bothid flounder differs from all known congeners by the following combination of characters: 108–116 dorsal and 89–92 anal fin rays, 101–111 lateral line scales, 7–10+10–15=18–25 gill rakers, 10–12+37–38=48–50 vertebrae, body depth 2.58–2.77 in standard length, ocular side pectoral fin length 1.34–1.59, in head length and upper half of pectoral fin blackish.     

Apogon selas,a new cardinalfish from the western Pacific

A new species of cardinalfish,Apogon selas, is described from 27 specimens from New Guinea, Ryukyu Islands, and Philippines; also known from photographs taken in the Solomon Islands and Indonesia. It is a species of the subgenusOstorhinchus Lacepède, distinctive in having a first dorsal fin of VII spines, 13 pectoral rays, 14–19 gill rakers, smooth preopercular ridge, body depth 2.9–3.6 in SL, and a color pattern of a black spot as large as the eye centered on the caudalfin base and two dusky stripes (mainly red or golden in life), one midlateral and the other from tip of lower jaw across cheek to thorax.A. selas appears to be most closely related toA. endekataenia Bleeker which differs in having 14 pectoral rays, 18–21 gillrakers, and six dark stripes on the body.