Parascorpaena moultoni ( Whitley, 1961 )

Cabebe-Barnuevo, Roxanne, Wibowo, Kunto & Motomura, Hiroyuki, 2024, Redescription of Parascorpaena moultoni (Whitley, 1961) (Actinopterygii, Scorpaenidae), with new distribution records for the species, ZooKeys 1219, pp. 271-285 : 271-285

Parascorpaena moultoni ( Whitley, 1961)

Figs 1 , 2 , 3 ; Tables 1 , 2

Scorpaena moultoni Whitley, 1961: 9, fig. 1 (type locality: north of Wilson Island, Capricorn Group, Queensland, Australia).

Material examined.

Holotype. AMS IB.5062 (Fig. 1 A ), female, 38.1 mm SL, north of Wilson Island , Capricorn Group, Queensland, Australia, 23°18′S, 151°54′E, 15 m, J. Moulton, 19 Oct. 1960 . Paratype. USNM 99013 , female, 27.5 mm SL, Davao Gulf, Mindanao , Philippines, 17°05′42″N, 125°39′42″E, 38 m, RV Albatross, 18 Mar. 1908 .

Non-type specimens.

46 specimens, 20.4–57.1 mm SL. Japan: KAUM –I.72114 , male, 60.9 mm SL, north of Sanekumisaki , Setouchi, Amami-oshima Island, Amami Islands, Ryukyu Islands, 28°11′43″N, 129°11′32″E, 10–24 m ; KAUM –I.82275 , female, 16.7 mm SL, San , Tokunoshima, Tokuno-shima Island, Amami Islands, 27°51′22″N, 128°58′02″E, 1–18 m, H. Motomura et al., 25 Nov. 2015 ; KAUM –I.124499 , male, 37.0 mm SL, off Segaura , Kushi, Bounotsu, Minami-satsuma, Kagoshima, 31°15′12″N, 130°13′35″E, 6 m, S. Morishita, 17 Dec. 2018 ; URM -P 4243 , female, 21.1 mm SL, southwest reef off Sesoko Island , Okinawa Islands, Ryukyu Islands, 25 Oct. 1974 . Taiwan: BPBM 23054 , 43.5 mm SL, Yeh-liu , 17 m, J. E. Randall, 26 June 1978 ; BPBM 23385 , 44.4 mm SL, southern end of Mao Pi Tou , 15 m, J. E. Randall et al., 18 July 1978 . Philippines: BPBM 22133 , male, 39.2 mm SL, Sumilon Island , Cebu, 24–26 m, J. E. Randall, 26 Aug. 1977 ; BPBM 22456 , male, 27.8 mm SL, southwest side of Caban , Luzon, 30 m, J. E. Randall et al., 28 July 1978 ; BPBM 26511 , female, 57.1 mm SL, Negros, south of Dumaguete , 22 m, J. E. Randall and G. W. Tribble, 9 Aug. 1978 ; USNM 372639 , male, 26.9 mm SL, Sombrero Island , Batangas, 13°42′N, 120°49′12″E, 6 m, C. J. Ferraris, 24 Apr. 1980 ; USNM 372667 , 37.7 mm SL, Apo Island , Negros Oriental, 09°04′38″N, 123°16′44″E, 0–40 m, V. Springer et al., 7 June 1978 ; USNM 372668 , 2, 30.6–44.6 mm SL, Bararin Island , Palawan, 10°52′42″N, 120°56′46″E, 0–17 m, V. Springer et al., 24 May 1978 ; USNM 372704 , 24.2 mm SL, Siquijor Island, Visayas , 09°08′30″N, 123°29′20″E, 0–6 m, V. Springer et al., 9 May 1978 ; USNM 431877 , male, 20.4 mm SL, Maricaban Island , Batangas, 13°40′12″N, 120°51′04″E, 3–6 m, K. Carpenter et al., 29 Apr. 2014 ; USNM 436361 , 38.2 mm SL, Verde Island , Batangas, 13°34′02″N, 121°02′31″E, 15–20 m, J. T. Williams et al., 23 Apr. 2015 . Micronesia: BPBM 24669 , 5, 20.7–31.8 mm SL, Condor Reef , Caroline Islands, 20–25 fa (36.6–45.6 m), R / V Townsend Cromwell, cruise 57, 23 Mar. 1972 ; CAS 66742 , 31.8 mm SL, Ulithi Atoll, Fassarao Island , 09°55′05″N, 139°40′E, 7–25 ft (2.1–7.6 m), B. Daniel, 23 Sept. 1956 . Indonesia: MZB 26975 , male, 35.5 mm SL, Liran Island , Wetar Islands, Maluku, 08°03′03″S, 125°44′52″E, 12 m, K. Wibowo, 1 Mar. 2022 ; USNM 218670 , 3, 23.9–26.9 mm SL, Kasa Island , Maluku, 03°18′S, 128°07′48″E, 0–1 m, V. Springer et al., 4 Mar. 1974 ; USNM 218671 , 2, 25.4–32.1 mm SL, same data as USNM 218670 ; USNM 372620 , 32.0 mm SL, Halmahera , North Maluku, 01°04′12″N, 127°58′48″E, H. Singou, Apr. – May 1978 . Timor-Leste: AMS I.46120 -045, female, 34.2 mm SL, east of Dili, halfway between Hera and Metinaro , 08°31′01″S, 125°42′05″E, M. McGrouther, 23 Sept. 2012 ; AMS I.46119 -039, 2, female, 27.1–30.7 mm SL, off Metinaro , 08°30′25″S, 125°45′59″E, M. McGrouther, 22 Sept. 2012 . Papua New Guinea: CAS 207711 , 25.6 mm SL, Madang Harbor , Madang Province, 05°10′51″S, 145°49′41″E, 30–35 ft (9.1–10.7 m), B. Collette, 26 May 1970 ; USNM 380287 , 40.1 mm SL, Massas Island , 05°10′18″S, 145°51′25″E, 0–18 m, V. Springer et al., 6 Nov. 1978 . Solomon Islands: ROM 42275 , male, 37.1 mm SL, Guadalcanal Island, 09°20′S, 159°45′E, P. Nichols and D. Evans, 24 Apr. 1983 ; USNM 266477 , 32.1 mm SL, New Georgia , W. M. Chapman, 4 June 1944 . Vanuatu: AMS I.17472 -048, female, 29.9 mm SL, Efate Island, Malapoa Peninsula , 17°44′S, 168°17′E, G. R. Allen, 22 June 1973 . Fiji: BPBM 11354 , female, 47.2 mm SL, Viti Levu Island , 18°08′28″S, 178°22′52″E, 8–20 ft (2.4–6.1 m), J. E. Randall et al., 7 Aug. 1971 ; BPBM 39774 , male, 48.0 mm SL, Viti Levu Island , 18°09′35″S, 178°23′58″E, 35–47 ft (10.7–14.3 m), R. L. Pyle et al., 29 Jan. 2002 ; BPBM 39891 , female, 27.7 mm SL, Viti Levu Island , 18°09′51″S, 178°24′01″E, 60 ft (18.3 m), J. L. Earle and D. F. Pence, 31 Jan. 2002 ; CAS 206979 , female, 41.1 mm SL, Viwa Island , 17°12′S, 176°54′E, 70–100 ft (21.3–30.5 m), V. Springer et al., 27 May 1982 ; CAS 214143 , male, 52.5 mm SL, female, 42.8 mm SL, Viti Levu Island , 18°08′38″S, 178°22′49″E, 63 ft (19.2 m), D. W. Greenfield and K. Cole, 2 June 1999 ; CAS 218624 , male, 39.3 mm SL, female, 24.5 mm SL, Viti Levu Island , 18°09′02″S, 178°21′37″E, 10–26 ft (3.0– 7.9 m), D. W. Greenfield et al., 12 Feb. 2002 ; ROM 51930 , female, 35.5 mm SL, Great Astrolabe Reef , 18°46′S, 178°28′05″E, R. Winterbottom et al., 5 Apr. 1983 .

Diagnosis.

A species of Parascorpaena with the following characters: pectoral-fin rays 15–17 (usually 15 or 16); pored lateral-line scales 20–22 (mode 21); scale rows in longitudinal series 40–48 (41); scale rows above lateral line 5–8 (7); scale rows below lateral line 10–12 (12); scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (6); scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (5); total gill rakers 12–14 (12); two suborbital ridges, each with one spine; origin of first suborbital ridge posterior to origin of second ridge; interorbital ridges well developed posteriorly from middle of eye, forming a broad loop on rear end, enclosed concavity relatively shallow; occipital pit not developed, almost flat; no scales along dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray bases; black botch on spinous portion of dorsal fin in males, usually found along 7 th – 10 th spines.

Description.

Measurements of examined specimens, expressed as percentages of SL and HL, provided in Table 2 . Body size small, compressed, with numerous widely scattered papillae; body depth greatest at pelvic-fin spine base. Lateral line complete, pored lateral-line scales continuing onto caudal-fin base (except in small specimens). Head size moderate, length less than half SL, with scattered papillae. Snout moderately blunt; dorsal profile steep. Eyes large, diameter slightly greater than snout length. Mouth large, maxilla extending just below posterior margin of eye. Four prominent pairs of mandibular pores on dentary, first pore positioned just behind tip of lower jaw, second along anterior lacrimal spine, third along posterior lacrimal spine, and fourth behind posterior lacrimal spine (before posterior end of maxilla). Teeth on upper jaw villiform; teeth on lower jaw varying among specimens, from entirely villiform to villiform with enlarged or canine-like teeth on frontal area; teeth on palatines small, villiform, in bands; teeth on vomerine villiform, in V-shaped patch. Body entirely covered with cycloid scales (rarely with weak ctenii); body scales not extending to dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray membranes; head mostly naked, a few, small scales behind posterior margin of eye, along posterior end of operculum, and just behind opercular spines; dentary smooth, naked.

Dorsal-fin spines usually 12 (rarely 13) connected to soft rays; fourth or fifth spine longest; sixth to 11 th spine gradually decreasing in size; 12 th spine elongated, followed by nine (rarely 8) branched soft rays; second dorsal-fin soft ray usually longest; 7 th – 10 th dorsal spines bearing black blotch in male specimens. Anal-fin spines three, second spine longest; five branched soft rays. Bases of both dorsal- and anal-fin soft rays without scales. Pectoral-fin rays usually 15 or 16 (rarely 17); first (uppermost) ray simple, unbranched; second to fifth or sixth ray branched; lower rays thickened, unbranched; tips of fins reaching beyond origin of anal-fin spine. All pectoral-fin rays in small specimens (e. g., <20.0 mm SL) unbranched. Pelvic-fin length variable, not or just reaching anal-fin spine base.

Nasal spines positioned bilaterally on nasal ridge, extending slightly beyond rim. Preocular spine relatively thick, with broad base, located anteriorly within orbital region. Interorbital ridge originating either from above anterior half of eye, or along preocular spine base, extending beyond posterior eye margin; rear end of ridge forming a broad, very shallow interorbital loop. Occipital pit indistinct, almost flat. Supraocular and postocular spines situated above orbital region, close to one another. Supraocular spines each occasionally bearing a single, variably sized tentacle, sometimes small but usually longer than eye diameter. Tympanic spines simple, just behind postocular spine, usually separated by distance greater than that between parietal and nuchal spines. Parietal and nuchal spines simple, close to one another; parietal spine originating posterior to origin of pterotic spine; nuchal spine originating just behind parietal spine. Sphenotic spine just behind posterior margin of eye, small, usually as unevenly sized pair (rarely single). Pterotic spine simple, attached to skin, situated just behind sphenotic spine. Upper and lower post-temporal spines well-developed, upper spine shorter than and positioned just above lower spine, lower spine situated between pterotic and supracleithral spines. Suborbital with two distinct ridges, a suborbital spine on each ridge. Lacrimal bone dorsally with two distinct ridges; anterior lacrimal ridge located before anterior eye margin, longer than posterior lacrimal ridge; posterior ridge located just behind origin of first suborbital ridge (just below ventral eye margin). Anterior and posterior lacrimal spines located along ventral region of lacrimal bone, simple with no additional spinous points; anterior lacrimal spine prominently antrorse, tip not extending beyond lower lip; posterior lacrimal spine distinctly anteriorly oriented in larger specimens (> 24.5 mm SL), ventrally oriented with forward curvature in smaller specimens to ~ 20 mm SL, postero-ventrally oriented in specimens <20 mm SL. Preopercular spines five; first and second along posterior margin of maxilla, covered with thick skin, usually with small tentacles; third to fifth exposed, progressively longer, fifth longest with small anterior supplemental preopercular spine. Opercular spines just behind pre-opercular margin; upper opercular spine slightly longer than lower opercular spine. Supracleithral spine single, short, located between upper and lower post-temporal spines (closer to latter). Cleithral spine simple, base covered by operculum; spinous point not extending beyond posteriormost tip of operculum. Postorbital spine usually absent; if present, lump-like, lacking a spinous point. Median interorbital ridge, coronal spine, ridge on lateral surface of maxilla, antero-dorsal lacrimal spines, and lateral lacrimal spine all absent.

Color of fresh specimens.

Based on color photographs of three specimens deposited at KAUM and MZB (Fig. 1 B – D ). Body variegated, predominantly orange-red with interspersed darker red and white blotches. White areas particularly apparent near dorsal region and caudal peduncle. Head predominantly reddish, with numerous orange and white blotches; underside white with reddish mottling along jawline. Spinous portion of dorsal fin variegated orange, reddish, and white; a distinct black blotch on 7 th – 10 th spines in males. Soft-rayed portion of dorsal fin translucent white, with poorly defined orange-red and white blotches. Pectoral fin translucent with poorly defined reddish and white blotches. Pelvic fin orange-red at base, transitioning to white distally. Anal fin primarily orange-red, with poorly defined white blotches. Caudal fin translucent with three orange-red bands; first band on base, second in middle, and third on distal margin.

Color of preserved specimens.

Body and ventral surface yellowish-white. Head typically white; some specimens with poorly defined dark blotches. Spinous portion of dorsal fin translucent; distinct black blotch retained in males. Soft-rayed portion of dorsal fin usually translucent; some specimens with poorly defined dark blotches. Anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins usually entirely translucent, with poorly defined dark blotches in some specimens. Caudal fin generally translucent, dark bands apparent in some specimens.

Distribution.

Parascorpaena moultoni has been previously recorded from Queensland, Australia ( Whitley 1961; Allen and Cross 1989), New Caledonia ( Motomura et al. 2011; Fricke et al. 2011, 2015), and Japan ( Motomura 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023; Motomura and Harazaki 2017; Kimura et al. 2017; Nakae et al. 2018; Mochida and Motomura 2018; Tanaka et al. 2020; Jeong and Motomura 2021; Tsuno et al. 2022; Mochizuki et al. 2023). The voucher specimens examined here extended the confirmed distribution of the species to include Taiwan, the Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji (Fig. 2 ).

Figures

Figure 1. Parascorpaena moultoni A AMS IB. 5062 (holotype of Scorpaena moultoni), female, 38.1 mm SL, Australia B KAUM – I. 82275, female, 16.7 mm SL, Japan C MZB 26975, male, 35.5 mm SL, Indonesia D KAUM – I. 124499, male, 37.0 mm SL, Japan.

Figure 2. Geographic distribution of Parascorpaena moultoni in the Pacific Ocean. Type locality (star); previous reports (circles); new records (squares; this study).

Figure 3. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree of COI sequences using the Kimura 2 - parameter model, with Caracanthus maculatus as outgroup. Node values indicate bootstrap support based on 1,000 replicates.