A revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraulopus oblongus</Emphasis> group (Aulopiformes: Paraulopidae) with description of a new species

 Paraulopus brevirostris, P. filamentosus, P. japonicus, P. legandi, P. maculatus, and P. oblongus are redescribed. All species are included in the Paraulopus oblongus group, characterized by having no supraocular ridge, 2.5–3.5 scales above the lateral line, and small adult body size (70–150 mm SL). In addition, P. atripes, from the Indian Ocean, is described as a new species of the P. oblongus group, being defined by the following combination of characters: small antrorse dentary process on chin; eye directed laterally; pelvic fin black in males; caudal fin white; 32–34 gill rakers; 45–46 pored lateral-line scales; and 3.5 scales below lateral line. Paraulopus albimaculatus is regarded as a junior synonym of P. brevirostris, based on examination of type specimens. A key to species in the P. oblongus group is included. Received: September 2, 2002 / Revised: January 31, 2003 / Accepted: February 17, 2003     

Paraulopidae and Paraulopus, a new family and genus of aulopiform fishes with revised relationships within the order

A species group hitherto concealed within Chlorophthalmus (Chlorophthalmidae) is described as a new family and genus of Aulopiformes, Paraulopidae and Paraulopus, respectively. Paraulopus clearly belongs in Aulopiformes owing to an enlarged uncinate process on the second epibranchial, the absence of a swimbladder, and fusion of the medial processes of the pelvic girdle, but characterized by having the following combination of characters: the fourth basibranchial with a long tail but no gap separating fourth basibranchial and fifth ceratobranchial, epipleural bones distributed from posterior portion of abdominal vertebra to anterior portion of caudal vertebra, and flesh specimens of most species with paired olive spots dorsally on body. The phylogenetic position of Paraulopus is defined by a cladistic analysis of 101 morphological characters, in 21 genera of Aulopiformes. In a single most parsimonious tree, Paraulopus and Chlorophthalmus are in two different major clades, there being four major clades in all, roughly corresponding to the four suborders of Aulopiformes. Paraulopidae is included in the suborder Synodontoidei. In addition, Bathysauroides is transferred to Chlorophthalmoidei from Giganturoidei, and Bathysauroides and Bathysauropsis are elevated to familial status. Received: January 13, 2001 / Revised: September 27, 2001 / Accepted: October 15, 2001