Parabembras multisquamata, Kai, Yoshiaki & Fricke, Ronald, 2018

Kai, Yoshiaki & Fricke, Ronald, 2018, Taxonomic review of the deep water flathead genus Parabembras with description of the new species Parabembrasmultisquamata from the western Pacific Ocean (Teleostei, Parabembridae), ZooKeys 740, pp. 59-76 : 65-66

Parabembras multisquamata sp. n. Figs 1C, 2C

Parabembras curtus (not of Temminck and Schlegel 1843): Fricke 2015, 4, fig. 8, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

Holotype.

MNHN-IC-2008-1516, 167.3 mm SL, 15°4'12"S, 166°57'0"E, Big Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, 408-444 m depth, R/V Alis, expedition name: SANTO 2006, Station: AT106, 15 Oct. 2006.

Paratypes.

Four specimens. MNHN-IC-1984-0687, 170.1 mm SL, 13°49'1.2"N, 120°51'0"E, off southwestern Luzon, Philippines, 299-320 m depth, expedition name: MUSORSTOM 2; Station: 26cp4, 23 Nov. 1980; MNHN-IC-2008-2443, 2009-0115, 158.3-186.9 mm SL, 15°4'21"S, 166°51'46.8"E, Big Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, 350-400 m depth, R/V Alis, expedition name: BOA1; Station: CP2416, 6 Sep. 2005; NTUM 10690, 146.4 mm SL, Papua New Guinea, Morobe Province, 28 km east of Lae, 06°45'03.90"S, 147°14'40.44"E - 06°45'18.24"S, 147°14'03.26"E, 360 m depth, R/V Alis, expedition name: PAPUA NIUGINI; Station: CP3999, 10 Dec. 2012.

Diagnosis.

Parabembras multisquamata is distinguished from P. robinsoni in having two lachrymal spines and no symphyseal knob on the lower jaw. It is most similar to P. curta , but is clearly distinguished from the latter in having usually 10 first dorsal- fin spines (vs. 8 or 9 spines in P. curta ), 9-11 supraocular spines (vs. 6-8 in P. curta ), and 40-44 pored lateral line scales (vs. 34-39 in P. curta ).

Description.

Measurements are shown in Table 1. Data of the holotype are given first, followed by data of the paratypes, in parentheses, if different from holotype. Body cylindrical, posteriorly weakly compressed, completely covered with ctenoid scales. Nasal spine simple, dorsoposteriorly directed. Anterior lachrymal with single robust spine, posterolaterally directed, with small additional spine anteriorly (without an additional spine in MNHN-IC-1984-0687); posterior lachrymal with sharp spine, directing posteroventrally. Single preocular spine present. Interorbital region narrow and weekly depressed, armed with 11 (9-11) supraocular spines. Single postocular spine present, somewhat larger than posteriormost supraocular spine. Suborbital ridge strongly developed (moderately developed), with three (three or four) robust spines; tip of anteriormost spine below center of eye, second below posterior margin of eye, third below pterotic spine (posteriormost on margin of preopercle). Three nuchal spines; one each on supratemporal, posttemporal, and supracleithrum, respectively. Pterotic with two sharp spines posteriorly directed. Posterior rim of orbit armed with small spines. Preopercle with single robust and several small supplementary spines, posteriorly directed; ventral margin of preopercle with three (0-5) tiny spines. Opercle with upper and lower spines, slightly dorsoposteriorly and ventoposteriorly directed, respectively. Dermal flaps on head absent, except for flap on anterior nostril. Gill rakers blunt, usually 5 (4-5) on upper limb; 14 (12-13) on lower limb, including single (longest) raker at angle. Lateral line running parallel to dorsal contour of body, extending beyond caudal-fin base; 44 (40-44) pored lateral-line scales on body and 2 (2-3) on caudal fin, each with single, robust tube.

Mouth large, slightly oblique; maxilla reaching anterior rim of pupil; posterior margin of maxilla with distinct notch. Upper half of maxilla fitting within groove below suborbital ridge. Symphyseal knob absent from lower jaw. Upper and lower jaws with villiform teeth arranged in a band; vomer V-shaped, with villiform teeth; tooth band on palatine narrow.

First dorsal fin originating above level of pectoral-fin base, usually with 10 spines (nine in MNHN-IC-2009-0115), gradually increasing in length to fifth (forth or fifth) spine. First and second dorsal fins well separated. Second dorsal fin with one spine and 8 soft rays; first soft ray somewhat longer than spine. Second dorsal and anal fins opposite each other, nearly equal in length and height; anterior insertion of latter slightly posterior to that of former. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fin rounded, upper half somewhat longer than lower half; its tip extending beyond level of anus, with 19 rays (19-21) of which lower 7 (6-7) rays unbranched.

Coloration. In fresh specimens [based on fig. 8 in Fricke (2015), NTUM 10690], head and body red, white ventrally; first dorsal fin dark red margined with black; second dorsal fin red with black marking; posterior half of caudal fin dark red; pectoral fin bright red; pelvic fin pale red. In preserved condition, head and body pale brown; first dorsal fin margined with black; second dorsal fin with dark brown marking.

Geographical distribution.

Known from the western Pacific Ocean, off southwestern Luzon, Philippines, Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea, and Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. The new species was collected at depths of 299-444 m (Fig. 3).

Etymology.

The name multisquamata is derived from Latin multus meaning many and squamatus meaning scaled, in reference to the high number of pored lateral line scales. The name is an adjective, its ending following the feminine gender of the generic name Parabembras .

Remarks.

Fricke (2015) reported P. multisquamata as P. curtus (non Temminck and Schlegel 1843) from Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea on the basis of a single specimen, NTUM 10690, which is now one of the paratypes of P. multisquamata . Judging from the collection data, the record of P. curta from off southwestern Luzon, Philippines by Fourmanoir (1985: 46, as P. curtus ) was based on MNHN-IC-1984-0687, one of the paratypes of P. multisquamata .