A new species of scabbardfish, Evoxymetopon macrophthalmus (Scombroidei: Trichiuridae), from Okinawa, Japan

Evoxymetopon macrophthalmus sp. nov. is described on the basis of a single specimen collected off Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Among the two valid species of Evoxymetopon, the new species is more similar to E. poeyi in having the first dorsal-fin spine enormously large, compressed, and sword shaped. It differs from E. poeyi in having the upper profile of head uniformly convex without a prominent sagittal crest (vs. with a prominent sagittal crest), tip of first anal pterygiophore connected to the last rib in the anterior part, while the first hemal spine is long and connected to the posterior margin of pterygiophore bone plate (vs. connected to the first hemal spine only), a larger eye, 4.5 times in head length (vs. 5.5–5.9 times), 15 externally visible anal-fin soft rays (vs. 20), 9 upper gill rakers of the first arch (vs. 4–6), and 60 caudal vertebrae (vs. 64).     

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.     

Revision of the Indo-West Pacific polynemid fish genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleutheronema</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Perciformes)

A taxonomic revision of the polynemid fish genus Eleutheronema, which is redefined, resulted in three species of the genus being regarded as valid: Eleutheronema rhadinum (Jordan and Evermann, 1902), having to date been treated as a junior synonym of E. tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804) and currently known only from East Asia (China and Japan) where it is endemic; E. tetradactylum, a senior synonym of both Polynemus teria Hamilton, 1822 and Polynemus coecus Macleay, 1878, being a widely distributed Indo-West Pacific species, which ranges from the Persian Gulf to Australia; and E. tridactylum (Bleeker, 1845), distributed in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia). Eleutheronema tridactylum is easily distinguished from both E. rhadinum and E. tetradactylum owing to the vomer lacking tooth plates in the former [vs. vomer with 2 deciduous tooth plates (in specimens at least over ca. 70 mm SL) in the latter] and lower counts of pectoral filaments (free lower rays, 3 vs. 4) and gill rakers [mode 8 (range 4–10) vs. 12 (10–17) and 13 (6–18) in E. rhadinum and E. tetradactylum, respectively]. Eleutheronema rhadinum clearly differs from E. tetradactylum in having higher counts of pored lateral line scales [mode 95 (range 82–95) vs. 73 (71–80) in the latter] and higher scale counts above and below the lateral line [12 (11–14) and 16 (15–17), respectively, vs. 10 (9–12) and 14 (13–15), respectively]. Furthermore, E. rhadinum is distinguished from E. tetradactylum by having a dense black pectoral fin [vs. vivid yellow in life (except in specimens over ca. 350 mm SL, pectoral fin dusky-yellow) in the latter]. Intraspecific variations and morphological changes with growth of the three species are also discussed. Received: June 13, 2001 / Revised: October 11, 2001 / Accepted: October 17, 2001     

First record of the filefish,Pervagor nigrolineatus,from Japan

A specimen of the filefish,Pervagor nigrolineatus, was collected from dead coral patches at a depth of 3 m in Zamami-jima, Kerama Islands (26° 14′ N, 127° 19′ E). This species is recorded for the first time from Japan. It has been known to be distributed in the tropical western Pacific from the Philippines to New Guinea (Hutchins, 1986). The present specimen is more similar in scale characters to the Philippine specimens than to the New Guinean ones.     

Redescription and designation of a neotype for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphthalmichthys kuro</Emphasis> Kuroda 1947, and its placement in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callechelys</Emphasis> (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)

Aphthalmichthys kuro, described by Kuroda (1947) based on a specimen from Suruga Bay, Japan, is referred to Callechelys (family Ophichthidae, subfamily Ophichthinae). It differs from its congeners in its vertebral number (142–146), tail length (2.0–2.1 in TL), and coloration (brownish black). The holotype is lost; we herein designate a neotype and redescribe and illustrate the species based on 5 specimens from Japan and 2 from Taiwan.     

Larval and juvenile development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lestidiops sphyraenopsis</Emphasis> Hubbs, 1916 (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) in the western North Pacific,with a reexamination of the holotype of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stemonosudis molesta</Emphasis> (Marshall, 1955)

The early life stages of Lestidiops sphyraenopsis (Paralepididae) are described on the basis of 14 specimens [7.8 mm in notochord length (NL)–88.6 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from the western North Pacific, and the holotype of Stemonosudis molesta is reexamined. Larval L. sphyraenopsis occurred in the Kuroshio waters, and juveniles were taken in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition waters. Diagnostic characters of larval and juvenile L. sphyraenopsis are 96–101 myomeres; 27–31 anal fin rays; 4–9 peritoneal pigment sections in larvae (7.8 mm NL–27.3 mm SL); dorsal and anal pigment patches present; and anus located anterior to a vertical through dorsal fin origin. Stemonosudis molesta, known only from the holotype from the South Pacific, is similar to immature specimens of L. sphyraenopsis, but can be clearly distinguished from the latter by having higher vertebral counts (105 vs. 96–101) and by morphometric and pigment differences. Consequently, S. molesta is a valid species, and the distribution of L. sphyraenopsis is restricted to the North Pacific.     

Redescription of the trichiurid fish, Trichiurus nitens Garman, 1899, being a valid of species distinct from T. lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Trichiuridae)

Trichiurus nitens Garman, 1899 was reassessed on the basis of the syntype and non-type specimens, and considered to represent a valid species. Although difficult to distinguish from T. lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 in most head and body proportions, T. nitens differs from the former in having lower number of dorsal fin rays (range 121–124 vs. range 132–135), caudal fin vertebrae (116–120 vs. 128–134), total vertebrae (153–156 vs. 168–173), larger dermal eye opening (mean 18.8% vs. 16.1% of HL), shorter upper jaw length (36.2% vs. 38.6% of HL), and shorter snout length (32.9% vs. 34.9% of HL). T. nitens is currently known only inhabit from the Northeast Pacific to Southeast Pacific (from California, Mexico, Panama to Peru). The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Validity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scolecenchelys aoki</Emphasis>, with a redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scolecenchelys gymnota</Emphasis> (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)

The myrophine ophichthid fishes (worm eels) Muraenichthys aoki Jordan and Snyder 1901 and Muraenichthys gymnotus Bleeker 1857 are redescribed as valid species of Scolecenchelys based on the types and non-type specimens collected from the Indo-Pacific. Because both species are similar to each other in having acute snouts, the posterior margin of the eye before the rictus, and their dorsal-fin origins located slightly posterior to a vertical line through the anus, Scolecenchelys aoki has usually been regarded as a junior synonym of Scolecenchelys gymnota. However, S. aoki is clearly distinguishable from S. gymnota by having a median groove on the ventral side of snout (absent in S. gymnota), uniserial maxillary teeth in smaller specimens (<200 mm TL; vs. biserial), three infraorbital sensory pores at postorbital area (vs. two), and more numerous vertebrae (56–65 in predorsal vs. 51–57; 53–58 in preanal vs. 47–52). Scolecenchelys aoki is restricted to Japanese waters and regarded as a senior synonym of Muraenichthys borealis Machida and Shiogaki 1990. Scolecenchelys gymnota is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa and the Red Sea to Samoa, north to Okinawa, Japan. Sphagebranchus huysmani Weber 1913 and Muraenichthys fowleri Schultz 1943 are synonymized under S. gymnota.     

Description of juvenile development ofArtediellus neyelovi (cottidae) from off Usujiri, southern Hokkaido, Japan

Juveniles ofArtediellus neyelovi are described on the basis of 24 specimens (8.3–23.6 mm SL) from Hokkaido, Japan. All medial and paired fins were completely developed in all specimens. The smallest specimen (8.3 mm SL) had a slender elongated suborbital stay similar to that of adults. Specimens 8.3–10.1 mm SL had 4 preopercular spines, cirri absent on the head and body, except a very small supraorbital cirrus, and sensory canals comprising open grooves restricted to the head surface. Specimens 14.1–20.0 mm SL had complete cephalic sensory canals, and the 2nd and 3rd preopercular spines reduced. Specimens 20.8–23.6 mm SL had a nearly complete lateral line canal and exhibited most specific diagnostic characters except some cephalic cirri. The anterior 3 neural arches on both sides were separate at 8.3 mm SL, but had become fused (except for the anteriormost) at 14.3 mm SL. The anteriormost arch was not fused in an adult, 71.3 mm SL. Some juveniles had very reduced bony plates under the skin anterodorsally on the body, which were not present in adults.     

Systematic review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bothrocara</Emphasis> Bean 1890 (Teleostei: Zoarcidae)

The systematics of the eelpout genus Bothrocara Bean 1890 is reviewed on the basis of 941 specimens. Eight mostly eurybathic, demersal species are recognized, distributed mainly along the continental slopes of the North and South Pacific oceans, with one species entering the South Atlantic. Distributions are: B. brunneum ranges from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Gulf of Panama at depths of 199–1,829 m; B. elongatum ranges from the Gulf of Panama to Chile at depths of 720–1,866 m; B. hollandi ranges from the Sea of Japan to the southeastern Bering Sea at depths of 150–1,980 m; B. molle ranges from the western Bering Sea to the South Atlantic at depths of 106–2,688 m; B. nyx is known only from the eastern Bering Sea at depths of 790–1,508 m; B. pusillum ranges from the northern Bering Sea to British Columbia, Canada, at depths of 55–642 m; B. tanakae is found along the northern coasts of Honshu and Hokkaido islands, Japan, at depths of 274–892 m; B. zestum ranges from the Izu Islands, Japan, and central Honshu, Japan, to the Gulf of Alaska at depths of 199–1,620 m (an unidentifiable specimen from off Taiwan may be B. zestum). The species are distinguished from one another mainly on the basis of head pore patterns, gill raker morphology, coloration and various meristic and morphometric values. A determination key to the species is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinorhynchus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">hexagrammi</Emphasis> Baeva, 1965 (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) from marine fishes off Hokkaido,Japan, with morphological observations and new host records

Echinorhynchus hexagrammi Baeva, 1965 is redescribed on the basis of specimens collected from the saffron cod Eleginus gracilis (Tilesius) in Akkeshi Bay (western North Pacific) off Hokkaido, Japan. Eighteen museum specimens deposited as E. salmonis Müller, 1784 from Japanese coastal waters were also re-examined and re-identified as E. hexagrammi. Hexagrammos stelleri Tilesius, Hemitripterus villosus (Pallas), Podothecus sachi (Jordan & Snyder), Sebastes oblongus Günther and Verasper moseri Jordan & Gilbert are recognised as new hosts for E. hexagrammi. This acanthocephalan can be distinguished from three morphologically similar species, E. gadi Zoega in Müller, 1776, E. laurentianus Ronald, 1957 and E. salmonis, by the possession of the following characters: 12–16 (usually 14) rows of hook on the proboscis, a proboscis width of 170–240 μm in males and 195–270 μm in females, a hook root length of 35–45 μm in males and 40–50 μm in females, and linearly or almost linearly arranged cement glands in males.     

Mesopristes iravi, a new terapontid fish (Perciformes: Terapontidae) from rivers of Iriomote Island, the Ryukyu Islands

 A new terapontid fish, Mesopristes iravi, is described based on 13 specimens collected on Iriomote Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. This species closely resembles M. argenteus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829) in having dark stripes on the body, but differs from that species in retaining the stripes even in adults (vs. stripes disappearing ontogenetically in the latter species), having the median stripe passing through the eye interrupted on the postorbital region (vs. continuous when the stripe present), a shorter fifth (longest) dorsal spine (14.6–19.7% SL vs. 18.0–22.2% SL), and a longer postorbital length (40.0–43.0% HL vs. 37.8–40.7% HL). Mesopristes iravi has been confused with M. argenteus in previous reports, and on the basis of the literature it may extend from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, southward to Borneo, Indonesia, and New Guinea. Received: August 6, 2001 / Revised: February 24, 2002 / Accepted: March 7, 2002     

Lepturacanthus roelandti (Bleeker, 1860), a valid species of hairtail (Perciformes: Trichiuridae)

A trichiurid, Lepturacanthus roelandti (Bleeker, 1860), previously regarded as a synonym of L. savala (Cuvier, 1829), is redescribed as a valid species on the basis of the holotype of the former and four non-type specimens. This species differs from the two valid congeners, viz., L. savala and L. pantului (Gupta, 1966), in having a gold sheen or yellowish-silver color when fresh (vs. steel-blue with metallic sheen in the latter two), posterior margin of maxilla reaching or extending beyond a vertical through hind eye margin (vs. not extending beyond a vertical through hind eye margin), pectoral fin slightly longer than snout (vs. slightly shorter than snout), tip of pectoral fin clearly extending beyond dorsal outline when vertically orientated (vs. not reaching dorsal outline), gill rakers absent or reduced to stiff ossified structures (vs. well developed, spinelike), first anal fin spine situated below the 40th–43rd dorsal fin ray (vs. below 35th–39th in L. pantului and 35th–40th in L. savala), precaudal vertebrae 42–43 (vs. 35–39 in L. pantului and 36–40 in L. savala), and attaining larger sizes [882–1200 mm in total length (TL) vs. less than 800 mm TL in the latter two].     

Serratia ficaria sp. nov., a bacterial species associated with Smyrna figs and the fig waspBlastophaga psenes

Fourteen strains isolated from figs, caprifigs, and fig wasps collected in California and Tunisia, and from a small black ant in France, constitute a new DNA hybridization group that is 25–56% related toSerratia species, and 6–17% related to other species of Enterobacteriaceae. This homogeneous group (90% relatedness within the group) constitutes a new species that is namedSerratia ficaria sp. nov. (type strain, ICPB 4050, ATCC 33105). Strains of this species have a characteristic odor, similar to that ofS: odorifera andPseudomonas perolens. No strain ofS. ficaria has yet been recovered from clinical specimens.     

Siphonogobius nue, a new genus and species of gobiid fish from japan

A new genus and species of gobiid fish,Siphonogobius nue, based on 15 specimens, is described from temperate Pacific coasts of Japan. It is unique amongst gobioids in having a simple tube-like infraorbital canal extending below the eye and the oculoscapular canal between pores A' and L' without openings, except for the terminal pores and pore D. Although well-developed infraorbital canals occur in two other gobioid genera, the rhyacichthyidRhyacichthys and the gobiidLophiogobius, such are distinct from that ofSiphonogobius in having several branches and openings. Furthermore, the new taxon is distinguished from all other gobioids by the following combination of characters: first dorsal-fin spines 7–9 (usually 8); pectoral-fin rays 24–26, the upper 7–9 rays free from the fin membrane; pelvic frenum thick, robust and slightly emarginate posteriorly; scales small and cycloid, 87–96 in longitudinal series; vertebrae 14–15+19–20=33–34 (usually 14+20=34); P-V usually 3/I II II I I I 0/11; anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to the first haemal spine 3–4 (usually 3); a row of short fleshy flaps on the ventral surface of the head, extending from the lower edge of the preopercle to the chin; anterior nostril with a minute skin flap. Axial skeletal features indicated thatSiphonogobius is closely related to a group which includesAcanthogobius and its relatives.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus</Emphasis> (Liparidae) from the Sea of Japan

A new snailfish, Careproctus notosaikaiensis, is described on the basis of 6 specimens collected from the central part of the Sea of Japan, off Saikai, western coast of the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of the characters: vertebrae 57–58, 10–12 abdominal and 46–48 caudal; dorsal-fin rays 52; anal-fin rays 46–47; principal caudal-fin rays 10; pectoral-fin rays 35–37; pectoral fin with a deep notch; proximal pectoral radials 4 (3 + 1), round; gill slit extending to pectoral-fin ray 4–7; teeth strongly trilobed; pleural ribs 2 pairs; 2 suprabranchial pores; chin pores paired in the same pit; pyloric caeca 20–29; dorsal and anal fins with dark margins and stomach black in preserved specimens.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bregmaceros mcclellandi</Emphasis> Thompson, 1840 (Gadiformes: Bregmacerotidae)

 This study redescribes Bregmaceros mcclellandi Thompson, 1840, based on one specimen (74.4 mm SL) from the Bay of Bengal and 66 specimens (30.0–84.7 mm SL) from Mumbai (Bombay), India, because the type specimens have apparently been lost. The present specimens are characterized by having black dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins and show the following morphology: caudal fin slightly forked; body chromatophores present mainly at the dorsal part; no scales on cheek; vertebrae 52–55 (13–15 + 38–41); dorsal rays 52–59; anal rays 54–60; pectoral rays 18–20; caudal rays 27–31 (principal rays 14); transverse scales 14–15. In the 66 Mumbai specimens, it was confirmed that the distinctive black fin pigmentation developed sequentially with growth, with complete pigmentation first on the anterior lobe of the dorsal fin, then simultaneously on the posterior lobe of the dorsal fin, the caudal fin, and the pectoral fin, and last, on the anal fin. This species is known only from the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Gulf of Thailand. A review of 16 nominal Bregmaceros species indicates that, besides B. mcclellandi, the distinctive dark fin pigmentation is found in B. atripinnis (Tickell), B. atlanticus Goode and Bean, B. japonicus Tanaka, and B. lanceolatus Shen. B. atripinnis is considered a junior synonym of B. mcclellandi, and the others are clearly distinct from B. mcclellandi. Comments are made on some of the characters to more fully characterize the species and for reference in future revisionary and phylogenetic studies. Received: June 17, 2002 / Revised: December 2, 2002 / Accepted: December 24, 2002     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penopus</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Ophidiidae) from the Ryukyu Trench,the West Pacific,with remarks on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penopus microphthalmus</Emphasis>

The bathyal genus Penopus (Ophidiidae) is revised based on 23 specimens. One specimen from the Ryukyu Trench represents a new species, Penopus japonicus. The remaining 22 specimens were found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and neither 28 meristic and morphometric characters nor several morphological characters show any differences between the two populations. This supports Séret (1988), who considered Penopus macdonaldi Goode and Bean 1896 a junior synonym of Penopus microphthalmus (Vaillant 1888). The new Japanese species can be separated from the Atlantic species by having fewer rays in the dorsal (117 vs. 135–158) and anal (89 vs. 106–122) fins, the squamation of the head restricted to the middle part of the preopercle versus the squamation covering the dorsum, preopercle and the opercle in part, a distinct spine behind the posterior nostril versus the spine hardly visible and 9 spines on the hind margin of the preopercle versus 4–7 spines.