A new species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and a redescription of the blacktip snailfish Careproctus zachirus

Ichthyological Research - A new snailfish, Careproctus shigemii, is described on the basis of three specimens collected in the southern Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan. The new species has...     

A new species of Elassodiscus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the North Pacific with an emended diagnosis of the genus

Ichthyological Research - A new snailfish, Elassodiscus nyctereutes, previously confused with Elassodiscus caudatus, is described on the basis of genetic evidence and morphometric and meristic...     

Paraliparis variabilidens,a new snailfish (Liparidae) from the Suruga Trough,Japan

Ichthyological Research - The new snailfish Paraliparis variabilidens is described from a single specimen collected between 1,462 and 1,562 m depth in the northern part of the Suruga...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus iacchus,</Emphasis> a new variegated snailfish (Liparidae) from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk

A new species of snailfishes, Careproctus iacchus, is described on the basis of three specimens collected from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk. Among the species of Careproctus, the new species is most similar to Careproctus comus and Careproctus faunus, both known from the Aleutian Islands, in having a variegated body coloration. However, it can be distinguished in having 44–46 dorsal- and 39–40 anal-fin rays (vs. 50–56 and 44–50 in C. comus and 47–51 and 41–45 in C. faunus, respectively), a pectoral fin without a notch (vs. both with a shallow notch), no interradial fenestra between proximal radials two and three in the pectoral girdle (vs. both having a fenestra between proximal radials two and three), a gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin (extending to just above the pectoral fin or to 1–5th ray), a body with many white spots (vs. mottled with red and white), and a large white blotch on cheek (vs. no distinct markings on cheek) when fresh.     

A new species of the scorpionfish genus Scorpaena (Scorpaenidae) from Izu Peninsula, Pacific coast of Japan

A new species of scorpionfish, Scorpaena brevispina , is described on the basis of a single specimen collected from off the east coast of Izu Peninsula, Pacific coast of Japan, at a depth of 45 m. Scorpaena brevispina is distinguished from other Indo–Pacific species of Scorpaena by the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 17; longitudinal scale rows 44; scales below lateral line 13; gill rakers 17; anterior surface of preocular spine with three vertical or slightly oblique ridges; lateral surface of maxilla without a distinct longitudinal ridge; lateral lacrimal spine present; extremely deep occipital pit; occipital pit rectangular in dorsal view, length distinctly less than width (length 53·3% of width); numerous small papillae on surface of occipital pit; pectoral fin relatively long (33·3% of standard length, L _S), posterior tip extending beyond verticals through last dorsal-fin spine base and second anal-fin spine base; relatively short third to fifth dorsal-fin spines (third spine length 14·6% of L _S, fourth spine 15·5%, and fifth spine 15·8%, respectively).     

Paraliparis ruficometes sp. nov. (Liparidae), a new snailfish from Suruga Trough,Japan

Ichthyological Research - A new liparid fish, Paraliparis ruficometes sp. nov., is described from 28 specimens collected between 1,430–2,070 m depth in Suruga Trough, Suruga Bay, Japan. It...     

A new genus and species of Tullbergiidae (Collembola) from the Pacific Mexican coast

The new genus Mexicaphorura, and its type species Mexicaphorura guerrerensissp. n. are described from marine littoral sand. The new genus is similar to Sensilatullbergia Thibaud & Ndiaye, 2006 in having very big sensilla on sensorial organ of antennal segment III, but of different shape, the kind of postantennal organ, with simple vesicles in Mexicaphorura versus composed vesicles in Sensilatullbergia and formulae of the pseudocelli.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus surugaensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Liparidae), a new snailfish from Suruga Trough,Japan

A new species of liparid fish Careproctus surugaensis is described from a single specimen collected between 1,450 and 1,570 m depth on the northern part of Suruga Trough, Suruga Bay, Japan. It can be distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: 50 total vertebrae, 47 dorsal-fin rays, 39 anal-fin rays, 32 pectoral-fin rays, 10 principal caudal-fin rays, pectoral proximal radials 4 (first to third with notches); trilobate teeth on both jaws, gill slit 7.1 % SL, extending in front of 7th pectoral fin ray base; maximum body depth 19.1 % SL, disk length 7.9 % SL, anus midway between posterior margin of pelvic disk and anal-fin origin; body and fins light orange except blackish peritoneum.     

Morphological development of laboratory-reared Crystallichthys matsushimae (Cottoidei: Liparidae)

Ichthyological Research - Ontogenetic development in the snailfish Crystallichthys matsushimae (Jordan and Snyder 1902), including body proportions, pigmentation, tooth pattern and barbels, is...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus kidoi</Emphasis>, a new Arctic species of snailfish (Teleostei: Liparidae) from Baffin Bay

Careproctus kidoi sp. nov. is described from the Baffin Bay between Greenland and Canada, in the northern most part of the western North Atlantic. During a series of bottom trawl surveys conducted in 1988–2004, 22 specimens of an undescribed species of Careproctus were caught at depths between 952 and 1,487 m. It differs from Arctic and North Atlantic congeners in the combination of the characters: pectoral fin rays 21–26, dorsal fin rays 54–60, anal fin rays 50–54, vertebrae 61–64; sucking disc oval, 4.2–6.6% SL; teeth simple; pyloric coeca 3–12; head pore formula (2-6-7-1); color light to dark brown, stomach dusky to dark brown, peritoneum black. It is generally found in deeper waters than the sympatric C. reinhardti.     

Carcinophyly of fish of the genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) in waters of southeastern Sakhalin (Sea of Okhotsk)

In waters of southeastern Sakhalin (Sea of Okhotsk), clutches of snailfishes of the genus Careproctus containing eggs at different stages of development or prolarvae were found on gills of the largest individuals (mainly in males) of three species of crabs (Lithodidae)-Paralomis verrilli (clutches were found in 1.4% of individuals), P. multispina (0.8%), and Lithodes covesi (11.6%). With an increase in the carapace width of lithodid crabs, the amount of eggs of snailfishes deposited in them and their diameter increase. More frequently, clutches are located from the left side of the carapace of crabs. Two-side clutches occur in larger individuals of crabs. No direct relationship between the presence of clutches of snailfishes on gills of lithodid crabs with necrosis or reduction of gills was revealed. The form of relations between lithodid crabs and Careproctus snailfishes was defined as “lodging” with different degree of impact on the host.     

Paraliparis hawaiiensis,a new species of snailfish (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) and the first described from the Hawaiian Archipelago

Paraliparis hawaiiensis n.sp. is described from the north‐western Hawaiian Islands from two specimens collected at 2196 and 3055 m. It differs from other North Pacific Ocean species in its chin pore arrangement, tooth pattern and body proportions. Although liparid specimens have previously been collected from Hawaii, they were undescribed and are now lost. Therefore, this is the first liparid species described from the archipelago. In situ photographs of Hawaiian snailfishes are also shown and discussed here.     

A new genus of the Piptocephalidaceae (Zoopagales) from Japan

A previously undescribed haustorial mycoparasite of Mucorales was studied at the light-microscopic level, based on dural cultures with three hosts, Mucor hiemalis, Mortierella remanniana, and Cunninghamella elegans. Sporangial and zygosporic development of the parasite are described and illustrated, and salient features of the fungus are compared with those of Piptocephalis and Syncephalis. The new fungus appears more nearly related to Piptocephalis in possessing similar hyphal and haustorial characteristics, dichotomously branched sporangiophores, and a nearly identical form of zygospore. Like a few species of Piptocephalis, the fungus lacks a head-cell, and it forms branched merosporangia one or two terminally on ultimate branches of the sporangiophore. However, merosporangial development in the fungus is unique for the Piptocephalidaceae in that it proceeds by a process of sequential acropetal budding leading to the formation of a more or less highly branched, moniliform sporangiole. Sporangiospores mature simultaneously, are multinucleate, and are liberated by merosporangial disarticulation. Because of its distinctive merosporangium, the Japanese isolate is placed in a new genus and species, huzuhaea moniliformis.     

New species of the genus Careproctus (Liparidae) from the Kara Sea with notes on spongiophilia,reproductive commensalism between fishes and sponges (Rossellidae)

A new species of the family Liparidae, fulvous snailfish Careproctus fulvus sp. n., is described from the Novaya Zemlya Depression of the Kara Sea at a depth between 190 and 414 m. The species belongs to the group of slit-eyed Careproctus (longitudinally oval pupil, elongated lower lobe of the pectoral fin, and large urogenital papilla). The representatives of the species are characterized by fulvous coloration with orange spots, deep body, small teeth, and three radials in the pectoral girdle. The eggs are deposited into glass sponges Schaudinnia rosea (Rossellidae). Valvatophilia (commensalism with bivalves) and carcinophilia (reproductive commensalism with crab-like decapod crustaceans of the family Lithodidae) have been registered in the family Liparidae before, but spongiophilia are described for the first time. Egg deposition into glass sponges (Rossellidae) is known also for cod icefishes (Nototheniidae) from Antarctic waters. Reproductive commensalism between the representatives of the family Liparidae in the Arctic, the species of the family Nototheniidae in the Antarctic, and glass sponges represents a new finding of bionomic bipolarity (independent appearance of similar adaptations in unrelated groups of fishes in two polar regions of the earth). Based on the ecologo-ethological classification of fish reproduction, brood hiding Careproctus species belong to ostracophils, a group of fishes deposited the eggs into live animals.     

A redescription of the Shantar snailfish, Liparis schantarensis (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae), with new records from the southeastern Kamchatka Peninsula

Validity of the species Liparis schantarensis (Lindberg and Dulkeit, 1929) (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) is confirmed and redescribed based on six new specimens collected in Avacha Bay on the southeastern Kamchatka Peninsula. These specimens are the first records of this species reported in more than 70 years and the first outside the Sea of Okhotsk. Distinguished from almost all other members of the genus Liparis by a comblike anteriormost part of the dorsal fin, both males and females have 5–7 elongated anterior dorsal fin rays, with the distal ends free of the membrane for about one-half to two-thirds the length of the ray.     

Morphological divergence between two color morphotypes of Crystallichthys matsushimae (Cottoidei: Liparidae)

Ichthyological Research - Differences in distributional range and morphological characters between two color morphotypes of a snailfish, Crystallichthys matsushimae, were investigated. Specimens...     

Curitiba (Myrtaceae): A new genus from the Planalto of southern Brazil

In the course of monographic work in Myrtaceae it has become evident thatEugenia prismatica cannot be accommodated within any existing genus in the family. Therefore, a new genus,Curitiba, is described to contain it and the new combinationCuritiba prismatica is made.Curitiba is diagnosed by a combination of 4-angled hypanthia and fruits, ovules radiating from a central protruding placenta, and seed coats with wavy rows of papillae. A key is provided to distinguishCuritiba from the Caribbean and Mesoamerican genusMosiera, where the species also had been placed before this transfer, and from other 4-merous genera in Brazil of subtribe Myrtinae. In the Atlantic Forest of Brazil where the family Myrtaceae is one of the most species rich and ecologically important plant families, the discovery ofCuritiba reveals a unique evolutionary lineage, highlights the endemism present in the Atlantic Forest, and underscores, the urgent need for conservation of this rapidly disappearing and highly endangered biome.