Aseraggodes bahamondei Randall and Meléndez, 1987

Randall, John E., 2005, A review of soles of the genus Aseraggodes from the South Pacific, with descriptions of seven new species and a diagnosis of Synclidopus., Memoirs of Museum Victoria 62 (2), pp. 191-212 : 197-198

Aseraggodes bahamondei Randall and Meléndez, 1987

Figures 3–5 , Tables 1–3

Aseraggodes bahamondei Randall and Meléndez, 1987: 99 , figs

1–3.

Material examined. See Randall and Meléndez (1987).

Type locality. Easter Island .

Diagnosis. Dorsal rays 65–71; anal rays 50–56; dorsal and anal rays branched, except in juveniles; lateral-line scales 75–86; 1–4 pores beneath many scales peripherally on ocular side of body; vertebrae 39–40; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 7–8; body depth 2.3–2.5 in SL; HL 3.8–4.55 in SL (relatively longer in small individuals); upper lip not overlapping lower lip when mouth closed; eye diameter 5.8–6.8 in HL; upper eye varying from slightly anterior to one-half eye diameter before lower eye; interorbital space 6.5–9.55 in HL; tubular anterior nostril of ocular side not reaching edge of lower eye when laid back; prominent lappet–like cirri on ventral edge of head; caudal peduncle present, its length 11.0– 15.5 in HL; lateral line aligned with ventral half of upper eye; dorsal and anal rays short, the longest dorsal ray 1.9–2.15 in HL; small scales extending out on membranous ridge of dorsal and anal rays, but no cirri at free edge of ridges; caudal fin rounded, 4.0– 5.1 in SL; origin of ocular-side pelvic ray slightly anterior to blind-side fin; third pelvic ray longest, reaching to or a little beyond base of second anal ray, 2.8–3.2 in HL; pale brown with dark–edged white spots and 3 rows of black spots, these markings relatively smaller and more irregular, in general, with growth. Largest specimen, 156 mm SL.

Remarks. Currently known only from Easter Island and Lord Howe Island, but is likely to occur at some intermediate southern subtropical islands such as Pitcairn, Rapa, Kermadec Islands, or Norfolk Island. Collected from sand at depths of 2– 25 m. This species is unique in having the highest vertebral count and lowest number of anterior dorsal pterygiophores. It also seems to reach the largest size of species of the genus. Randall and Meléndez demonstrated the toxicity of the milky secretion exuded by this species when threatened, presumably from the small pores beneath scales near the edge of the ocular side of the body.

Figures

Figure 3. Paratype of Aseraggodes bahamondei, BPBM 30851, 46.9 mm SL, Easter Island.

Figure 4. Paratype of Aseraggodes bahamondei, BPBM 14790, 68.3 mm SL, Lord Howe Island.