Sphenanthias whiteheadi Talwar, 1973

Bineesh, K. K., Sajeela, K. A., Akhilesh, K. V., Pillai, N. G. K. & Abdussamad, E. M., 2011, Redescription of Sphenanthias whiteheadi Talwar (Perciformes: Cepolidae) with DNA barcodes from the southern coasts of India, Zootaxa 3098 (1), pp. 64-68 : 66-67

Sphenanthias whiteheadi Talwar, 1973

( Figs. 2–3 )

Diagnosis. Dorsal fin rays IV, 22–23; Anal fin rays 1, 16; Pectoral fin rays 19–20; Pelvic fin rays I, 5; Lateral Line scales 39–41. Gill rakers 18–21+ 35–39. Vertebrae 28. Pelvic fins long in males reaching on to anal, black pigmentation between membrane of maxilla and premaxilla ( Talwar, 1973).

Description. Measurements are given in Table.1. Values of type specimens in Talwar, 1973 follows in parenthesis.

Body compressed, elongated with tapering tails. Males larger than females. Head large, head length 26.1–31.8 % SL (25.7–30 % SL) 3.1–3.8 in SL (3.3–3.9 in SL), body depth at dorsal origin 22.8–28.5% SL (25.1–30.9% SL), eyes large, eye length (bony orbit) 6.1–11.6 % SL (8–9.4% SL), interorbital 5.5–6.8% SL (6–6.9 % SL), mouth large, lower jaw projecting, maxilla broad. Lower margin of preopercle serrated with 6–9 spines. Opercle with small scales. Lateral line runs close to dorsal fin base and ends at dorsal fin last rays mostly at 22 nd and 23 rd rays. LL scales (pored) 36–38. Teeth in upper jaw uniserial, teeth absent in symphysis of both jaws. Pelvic fins in males elongate ( Fig.2 ) 43–48% SL (43.3–55.6% SL) females ( Fig.3 ) 24.7–30 % SL (28.8–35.7 % SL). Pelvic fin proximal ray attached to body. Dorsal fin base 64–68.5% SL. The first two dorsal fin spines placed closer than other spines. Caudal fin elongate and lanceolate. Sphenanthias whiteheadi cannot be mistaken with Sphenanthias simoterus Smith 1968 . S. simoterus having peculiar characters; D III, 21; A I, 14; GR 13+ 24, LL 46–48 ( Smith, 1968).

DNA analysis. A 652 bp of mitochondrial COI region was amplified bidirectionaly for one specimen.

Utilization. The species is primarily used for consumption.

Common name. Indian bandfish

Remarks. The specimens of Sphenanthias whiteheadi were collected off the coast of Tuticorin in the Gulf of Mannar at a depth of 220–350m by deep-sea shrimp trawler. The holotype and three paratypes were collected at Quilon, north of Tuticorin, along the southeast coast of India. This species may prove to be more widespread along the Indian coast.

(n=8)

Figures

FIGURE 2. Male, Sphenanthias whiteheadi.

FIGURE 3. Female, Sphenanthias whiteheadi.