Chaunax nudviventer

Ho, Hsuan-Ching, Roberts, Clive D. & Stewart, Andrew L., 2013, A review of the anglerfish genus Chaunax (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) from New Zealand and adjacent waters, with descriptions of four new species, Zootaxa 3620 (1), pp. 89-111 : 99

Chaunax nudviventer Ho and Shao, 2010

( Figure 7 , Table 1 )

Chaunax nudiventer Ho & Shao, 2010: 54, figs 1A, 2A–C, 3, 4A–B. (Holotype: NSMT–P95084. Paratypes: many at MNHN and NSMT; type locality: South Fiji Ridge, 26°01.7'S, 179°02.3'W, depth 538–620 m). Chaunax pictus (non Lowe, 1846): Stephenson, 1971: 239 (mis-identification); Paulin et al., 1989: 135, fig 62.1, colour plate. Paulin & Stewart, 1985: 27 (listed, in part).

Chaunax sp. C: Roberts et al. 2009: 532 (listed, in part).

Specimens examined. 10 specimens, 54–193 mm SL. New Zealand: NMNZ P.005525, 85 mm, E of northern Three Kings Rise, 30º45'S, 173º51'E, RNZFA Tui, stn. AUZ 0 11 0 2, 501– 678 m, 6 Jul. 1962. NMNZ P. 031015, 79 mm, Mercury Islands, 36º16.27'S, 176º16.02'E, R/V Kaharoa, stn. KAH 9401/010, 527–531 m, prawn trawl, 7 Jan. 1994. NMNZ P.033935, 56 mm, SE of Alderman Islands, 36º55.975'S, 176º16.81'E, F/V Drysdale, stn. DRY 9602/ 0 0 1, 395 m, bottom trawl, 18 Oct. 1996. NMNZ P.035223, 58 mm, off Raoul Island, 29º11.5'S, 177º53.05'W, NZOI K 830, 545– 545 m, Jul 1974. NMNZ P.037207, 94 mm, S of Hastings, 40º4.4'S, 177º19.3'E, 14 Feb. 1999. New Caledonia: NMNZ P.027483, 71 mm, Seamount B, S of New Caledonia, 24º54.2'S, 168º21.7'E, Beryx 2, stn. 19, 510– 519 m, bottom trawl, 30 Oct. 1991, coll. C. Roberts. NMNZ P.029205, 193 mm, paratype, Seamount B, S of New Caledonia, 24º55.5'S, 168º21.45'E, Beryx 11, stn. CP7, 540– 670 m, beam trawl, 15 Oct. 1992, coll. C. Roberts & C. Paulin. NMNZ P.029237, 3, 54– 73 mm, Seamount B, S of New Caledonia, 24º51.4'S, 168º21.95'E, Beryx 11, stn. 4, 550– 920 m, trawl, 14 Oct. 1992, coll. C. Roberts & C. Paulin.

Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin rays III, 11–12 (modally 12); anal-fin rays 6–7 (7); pectoral-fin rays 13–14 (14). A member of the C. abei -species group that differs from its congeners in having large spots on the dorsal surface; largely naked area on abdomen; relatively short head and long tail, reflected in the relatively elongated body; 3 pairs of spinules bridging lateral-line neuromasts; dermal spines on body surface simple, slender and elongate; and lateral-line neuromasts in pectoral series extending well beyond pectoral fin base. Lateral-line neuromast counts: AB = 10–12 (modally 11); BB' = 4; BD = 3–5 (4–5); CD = 5–7 (6–7); EF = 3; FG = 3–4 (3); GH = 15–19 (16–17); BI = 39–50 (41–43).

Distribution. Known from New Caledonia, South Fiji Ridge and now off northern New Zealand ( Fig. 8 ). Bathymetric range 282–1089 m (Ho & Shao, 2010); specimens from the present study area taken at 395– 920 m. Remarks. Five specimens collected from northern New Zealand represent the first record for the area; one of these (NMNZ P.005525) was originally reported by Stephenson (1971) as C. pictus . It is notable that no specimens exceeding 100 mm SL were found in New Zealand waters, whereas adults attain 271 mm SL elsewhere (Ho & Shao, 2010).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Chaunax nudviventer Ho and Shao, 2010, NMNZ P. 05525, 85 mm SL, illustrated by M. Freeborn, Te Papa.

FIGURE 8. Distribution map of three Chaunax species in present study. Circle = Chaunax penicillatus. Triangle = C. reticulatu sp. nov. Square = C. russatus sp. nov. Open symbols are primary types. A symbol may represent more than one capture. Dashed line = limit of Exclusive Economic Zone. Prepared by C. Struthers, Te Papa. Dashed line = limit of Exclusive Economic Zone. Prepared by C. Struthers, Te Papa.