Description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gosztonyia antarctica</Emphasis>, a new genus and species of Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) from the Antarctic Ocean

A new genus and species of zoarcid fish, Gosztonyia antarctica, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctic Ocean, at a depth of 615 m. Gosztonyia is placed in the subfamily Lycodinae and can be distinguished from all other zoarcid genera by the following combination of characters: seven branchiostegal rays, interdigitating ceratohyal–epihyal articulation, palatal arch reduced, posterior hyomandibular ramus longer than anterior, cranium narrowed, supratemporal commisure and occipital pores absent. A new species, Gosztonyia antarctica, is described and the relationships of the new genus are discussed.     

Description of a new genus and species of zoarcid fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bellingshausenia olasoi</Emphasis>, from the Bellingshausen Sea (Southern Ocean)

A new genus and species of zoarcid fish, Bellingshausenia olasoi, is described on the basis of five specimens collected from the Bellingshausen Sea, Southern Ocean, at depths of 602–615 m. Bellingshausenia is a lycodine that can be distinguished from all other zoarcid genera by the following combination of characters: seven branchiostegal rays, scapular foramen open, cranium narrowed, smooth ceratohyal-epihyal articulation, palatal arch well developed, supratemporal commissure and occipital pores absent, intercalar reduced and displaced backward and parasphenoid wing high. The relationships of the new genus are discussed.     

Description of two new species of Santelmoa (Teleostei, Zoarcidae) from the Southern Ocean

Detailed examination of eelpouts in collected material from the Gerlache Strait and the Bellingshausen Sea, during the Spanish Antarctic Expeditions Bentart 03 and Bentart 06, and from the Bransfield Strait, during the Danish Galathea 3 Expedition, at depths between 1,056 and 1,837?m, revealed two undescribed species of Santelmoa Matallanas 2010. Herein, Santelmoa fusca sp. nov. and Santelmoa antarctica sp. nov. are described on the basis of twelve specimens. Santelmoa fusca can be separated from all other Santelmoa species by the following characters: mouth terminal; two posterior nasal pores; lateral line double; two irregular rows of palatine teeth; dorsal fin rays 109–113; anal fin rays 88–94; vertebrae 27–29?+?87–91?=?114–118; two pyloric caeca well developed; scales reduced to tail; pelvic fins and vomerine teeth present. Santelmoa antarctica can be separated from all other Santelmoa species by the following characters: mouth subterminal; two posterior nasal pores; suborbital pores seven (6?+?1); lateral line double; single row of palatine teeth; supraoccipital dividing the posterior end of frontals; central radials notched; dorsal fin rays 109–112; anal fin rays 89–93; vertebrae 27?+?89–92?=?116–119; two pyloric caeca well developed; scales, ventral fins and vomerine teeth present. Santelmoa fusca and S. antarctica can readily be separated from each other by squamation (reduced to tail vs. on the tail and on the posterior part of body); suborbital pore pattern (6?+?0 vs. 6?+?1), as well as several morphometric characters. The relationships of the two new species with congeners are discussed.     

Hastatobythites arafurensis, a new bythitid genus and species from Australia (Bythitidae, Ophidiiformes)

A new genus and species of the subfamily Bythitinae (Bythitidae),Hastatobythites arafurensis, is described on the basis of two specimens from the Arafura Sea. The genus is unique in the subfamily in having two anteriorlydirected spines, one on the frontal and one on the mesethmoid. It is also distinguishable from all other genera in the subfamily by the following combination of characters: head scales absent; squamation on body incomplete; maxillary expanded posteriorly; no thin pore-bearing skin flap over opercle; opercle thin, weak, without distinct spine; jaw teeth conical; vomerine and palatine teeth present; developed gill rakers on 1 st arch 3; pelvic fins with 1 ray in each; pectoral peduncle elongated, with 16 rays; caudal fin rays 12; branchiostegal, rays 8; precaudal vertebrae 15, with tips of 6th to 12th neural spines truncated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrolycus manusanus</Emphasis>, a new genus and species of deep-sea eelpout from a hydrothermal vent field in the Manus Basin,Papua New Guinea (Zoarcidae,Lycodinae)

A new genus and species of deep-sea zoarcid fish, Pyrolycus manusanus, is described on the basis of eight specimens collected from a hydrothermal vent field in the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea, at depths of 1623–1971 m. This genus is distinguished from other scaleless eelpout genera in the subfamily Lycodinae by the following combination of characters: six suborbital bones; six to seven suborbital pores; flesh gelatinous; gill slit large, extending ventrally beyond pectoral fin base; three postorbital pores; single occipital pore; two to three pelvic fin rays; palatopterygoid series weak; vomer and palatine teeth present; pseudobranch, scales, lateral line absent; pyloric caeca present; 16–17 pectoral fin rays; 22–23 + 56–59 = 78–81 vertebrae. Received: August 5, 1999 / Revised: July 5, 2001 / Accepted: August 26, 2001     

Ericandersonia sagamia, a new genus and species of deep-water eelpouts (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Japan

A new genus and species of deep-water zoarcid fish, Ericandersonia sagamia, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Sagami Bay, Japan, at depths of 880–930 m. This species is placed in the subfamily Gymnelinae and is distinguished from all genera of gymnelines by the following characters: pseudosubmental crest present; frontals partially fused dorsally; parietals meeting in midline; pelvic fins absent; ventral ramus of posttemporal weak; postorbital head pores 5; pectoral-fin rays 14. The phylogenetic analysis (based on 42 morphological characters) indicates that its position is outside the highly modified (= advanced) genera Seleniolycus, Melanostigma, Puzanovia, Nalbantichthys, Opaeophacus, and Andriashevia.     

A new species of sexually dimorphic and rheophilic ghost knifefish (Apteronotidae: Gymnotiformes) from the Amazon basin

A new species of ghost knifefish, Apteronotus, is described from high-energy environments in the Rios Mapuera and Trombetas (at Cachoeira Porteira waterfalls), Brazil. X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT scan) was used to access the internal anatomy of the type series. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the anteriormost position of the anus, with its posterior margin extending less than one eye diameter beyond the vertical through the caudal limit of the posterior nostril, the low number of anal-fin rays (117–125) and the reduced number of branchiostegal rays (three). A series of modifications associated with secondary sexual dimorphism on the preorbital region of mature males are depicted and discussed. In addition, comments on homologies of the branchiostegal rays in Apteronotidae are provided.     

Parabrosmolus novaeguineae,a new genus and species of the subfamily Brosmophycinae from Papua New Guinea (Bythitidae,Ophidiiformes)

Parabrosmolus novaeguineae, a new genus and species of the subfamily Brosmophycinae (family Bythitidae) is described, based on a single specimen from Papua New Guinea. The genus is unique in the tribe Brosmophycini in having six branchiostegal rays and ten precaudal vertebrae, and is also similarly distinguished from two brosmophycine genera,Melodichthys andBeaglichthys, tribal allocations of the two latter being uncertain.Parabrosmolus also differs from all other genera in the subfamily by the following combination of characters: head scaly, anal fin origin slightly before midpoint of body, eye diameter shorter than snout length, three developed rakers on first gill arch and 16 (14+2) caudal fin rays.     

The cranial and cervical osteology of the european oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus L.

The cranial and cervical osteology of the European oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus L. is completely described from both whole skeletons and spirit specimens. Contrary to previous reports, the postorbital ligament shows variability in bifurcation and attachment, with the posterior branch, where present, attaching either to the suprameatic process or the zygomatic process. In addition, the quadrate ligament, which had been described as originating from the suprameatic process, appears instead to attach to the zygomatic process in some specimens. The caudal mandibular fenestra, earlier considered absent in oystercatchers, is present in all specimens examined. The cranium is additionally distinguished by a number of features which may be unique to oystercatchers. A fourth, previously unrecorded, division of the maxillopalatine strut is present, while the palatine process of the premaxilla is reduced to a thickening along the edge of the premaxillary process of the palatine. The distinctiveness of the oystercatcher cranium is particularly evident in the area of the quadratomandibular articulation, which possesses features potentially important for stabilizing the joint. A deep retroarticular notch is present, guiding a large medial jugomandibular ligament along the posterior margin of the articulation. A lateral mandibular tuberosity, which is received dorsally by an emargination of the jugal arch and quadrate, may act as an osteological brace, preventing posterior shifting of the closed mandible. The 15 cervical vertebrae are divided on the basis of structural criteria into three sections.     

A new Early Miocene genus of the family Sciaenidae (Teleostei, Perciformes) from the eastern Paratethys

A new genus of sciaenid fish Caucasisciaena is erected to accommodate the Early Miocene eastern Paratethys species Perca ignota Smirnov, 1936, which, subsequently, was variously attributed to the modern genera, either Larimus or Otolithoides. The materials examined include 32 specimens from four Caucasian and Crimean localities of Sakaraulian age (Lower Burdigalian). The new genus is based on a unique combination of features, including: parasphenoid with a dorsal rounded bony flange; basisphenoid present; premaxilla with short ascending process forming obtuse angle with alveolar process and ascending/alveolar process ratio about 0.17; anterior premaxillary teeth enlarged; posttemporal with few robust spines along its posterior margin; presence of 25 vertebrae; presence of three tiny supraneurals; dorsal fin with 11 spines plus 22–24 soft rays; anal fin with two spines and 7–8 soft rays; second anal-fin spine long and massive; pectoral fin elongate; scales ctenoid on body and cycloid on head (except for one or two rows of ctenoid scales on the cheek). Paleoecological considerations suggest that Caucasisciaena probably was a predatory fish that inhabited the coastal waters of the eastern sector of the Paratethyan basin.     

New species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bathycongrus—B. parviporus</Emphasis> (Congridae,Anguilliformes)—from waters of Central Vietnam (Nha Trang and Van Phong Bays)

Bathycongrus parviporus sp. nova is described from specimens collected in the South China Sea, in the coastal waters of central Vietnam. By its characters (short snout, elongate-oval vomerine tooth patch with numerous small teeth of approximately the same size, slender relatively short tail, and residual leptocephalic pigmentation as a series of small melanophores just below lateral line in adults), the species belongs to the group of species of this genus represented by B. bleekeri, B. trimaculatus, and B. unimaculatus in the western part of the Pacific Ocean and B. dubius in the western Atlantic Ocean but differs in small infraorbital pores which are enlarged in all known species of the genus Bathycongrus. By the number of preanal pores, the new species is similar to B. bleekeri from Philippine waters but differs from it in a higher number of vertebrae (120–122), in more numerous rows of teeth on the premaxilloethmoid, in more number of branchiostegal rays (9–10), a shorter head, and in some other proportions of head and body. Topography of canals and pores of the cephalic seismosensory system of B. parviporus sp. nova is described. Morphometric and osteological characters for placing this species in the genus Bathycongrus are noted.     

Triplophysa ferganaensis,a new loach species from Fergana Valley in Central Asia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Triplophysa ferganaensis sp. nov. is described from the Shakhimardan stream, a small tributary of the Syr Darya, which does not reach the river in Fergana Valley. It can be distinguished from other valid Triplophysa loaches based on the following combination of characters: body smooth and scaleless, lateral line complete, posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated, inner gill rakers 10–11 on the first-gill arch, outer gill rakers absent, vertebrae 4 + 35–36, 8 + 8 branched caudal-fin rays, caudal peduncle depth 2.1–2.7 times its length, two supratemporal pores, dorsal-fin origin closer to the caudal-fin base than to the snout tip, caudal fin emarginated and pelvic-fin tip reaching the anus. The new species can also be distinguished from its congeners based on the molecular analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (coI) gene sequences. The phylogenetic position of this new species indicates that it is a sister taxon of Triplophysa tenuis.     

Two new genera and species of the subfamily Brosmophycinae (Bythitidae,Ophidiiformes) from Northern Australia

Two new bythitid genera and species of the subfamily Brosmophycinae are described from Northern Territory, Australia.Brosmolus longicaudus, described from a single male specimen, is unique in the tribe Brosmophycini in having the anal fin origin well anterior to the midpoint of the body and thin, transparent skin on the head and body.Beaglichthys macrophthalmus, described from a single female specimen, differs from all other genera in the subfamily by the following combination of characters: eight branchiostegal rays, eye diameter longer than snout length, cheek scaly, anal fin origin at midpoint of body, three developed rakers on the first gill arch, 12 caudal fin rays, and 14 precaudal vertebrae.     

The cranial osteology and hyolaryngeal apparatus of Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Anura: Rhinophrynidae) with comparisons to recent pipid frogs

The cranial osteology (including the hyolaryngeal apparatus) of Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Anura: Rhinophrynidae) is described from whole skeletons and serial cross sections. Some unique features of the extensively ossified skull include the enlarged and protracted olfactory region, for which the nasals form part of the septum nasi; the relatively short maxillaries and broad premaxillaries, and the immense quadratojugal; the extreme forward position of the quadrate; the lack of a firm articulation of the pterygoid and quadrate with the neurocranium and crista parotica; the quadrate lacking the distinct processes typical of other frogs; a single foramen for Nn. II–VII; a large, distinct operculum; and a bipartite hyale. Rhinophrynus shares other unusual cranial characteristics with the other pipoid frogs, Xenopus, Pipa, Hemipipa, and Hymenochirus. Among these features are the presence of a single frontoparietal in the adult, and the absence of parasphenoid alae, palatines, and mentomeckelian bones. Rhinophrynus differs from the pipids in the lack of a columella and a palatine process on the premaxilla, and in the possession of a quadratojugal, parahyoid bone, paired prevomers, olfactory eminence, massive quadrate that lacks distinguishable processes, a modified squamosal, and a bipartite hyale. Although the cranium of Rhinophrynus is distinctive, the evolutionary significance of its unusual features will remain obscure until comparable data are gathered from other closely related groups, the Discoglossoidea and the Pelobatoidea.     

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.     

Ursinoscorpaenopsis kitai,a new genus and species of Scorpaenidae from the East China Sea

A new genus and new species of Scorpaenidae,Ursinoscorpaenopsis kitai, is described based on single specimen, 239.7 mm standard length, collected by bull trawl at the bottom, 132 m deep, in the East China Sea. The specimen had a paranuchal spine, supplemental spine on the last suborbital spine and non-fleshy, polyfurcate pectoral fin rays (all unique to the genus), in addition to an orange-reddish body, toothless palatine, swimbladder, supraneural and five unfused hypurals.Ursinoscorpaenopsis seems to be one of the more primitive genera among the Scorpaenidae.     

Morphology of the palate and braincase of Dimetrodon milleri

The palate and partial braincase of the holotype of Dimetrodon milleri (MCZ 1365) are preserved in three dimensions, but have yet to be described in detail. Here, we describe these structures for the first time for this species, and compare them with the better-known specimens of D. limbatus. Interesting characteristics of the morphology include the patterns of articulation of the palatal elements, including the palatine and vomer, and anatomy of the pterygoid in the posterior region of the palatal vacuities. Dimetrodon milleri is found to differ from D. limbatus in the lack of teeth on the ectopterygoid, the shape of the basal process of the epipterygoid, and the anterior extent of the palatine and pterygoid. The two species are similar in the relative position of the basicranial articulation, but differ significantly from that in other sphenacodontids, including Secodontosaurus and Sphenacodon. The evolution of these cranial features will be the subject of future phylogenetic analyses of sphenacodontids.     

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.     

Review of the Australian hagfishes with description of two new species of Eptatretus (Myxinidae)

This paper revises and updates taxonomic and distributional information about hagfishes (Myxinidae) from Australia. It covers five species of the genus Eptatretus: Eptatretus cirrhatus known from eastern Australia and also distributed around New Zealand, Eptatretus longipinnis endemic to South Australia, Eptatretus strahani originally described from the Philippines and reported here as a new record from Western Australia and two new species described herein as Eptatretus alastairi and Eptatretus gomoni, both from Western Australia. Eptatretus alastairi is distinguished from all congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: six pairs of gill pouches; three‐cusp multicusps on the anterior and posterior rows of cusps; anterior unicusps 9–12; posterior unicusps 8–11; total cusps 48–56; prebranchial pores 13–16; branchial pores 5–6; trunk pores 50–55; tail pores 11–13; total pores 83–88; two bilaterally symmetrical nasal‐sinus papillae in the dorsal surface of the nasal sinus. Eptatretus gomoni is distinguished from all congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: eight pairs of gill pouches; three‐cusp multicusps on the anterior and two‐cusp multicusps on the posterior row of cusps; anterior unicusps 10–11; posterior unicusps 9–10; total cusps 50; prebranchial pores 12–13; branchial pores 7–8; trunk pores 57–58; tail pores 14–15; total pores 91–93; no nasal‐sinus papillae. An identification key for the Australian species of Eptatretus is also provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Magadania skopetsi</Emphasis>, a new genus and species of Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) from the Sea of Okhotsk

A new genus and species of zoarcid fish, Magadania skopetsi, is described on the basis of 17 specimens (83.4–115.9mm SL) from the intertidal zone of the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, near Magadan, Russia. This species differs from other known zoarcid genera and species by having the following combination of characters: suborbital bones 5, the suborbital canal with 6–8 small pores; first epibranchial fan-shaped; palatopterygoid series reduced; supraoccipital broadly contacting exoccipital; posttemporal ventral ramus weak; upper lip continuous at symphysis; palatine teeth, pelvic fins and scales present; lateral line configuration mediolateral, incomplete, absent on posterior half of body; vertebrae 18–22+78–83=97–104. The closest genus cannot be determined cladistically except that the species is a member of the subfamily Gymnelinae. During the spawning season, M. skopetsi lives under stones near the outer marginal area of the intertidal zone.