Paraliparis

Stein, David L., 2012, A Review of the Snailfishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) of New Zealand, Including Descriptions of a New Genus and Sixteen New Species, Zootaxa 3588, pp. 1-54 : 31

Paraliparis sp. 1

Material Examined. NMNZ P.023896, female, 114 mm SL, 120 mm TL, 44°21.35' S, 176°57.30' E, SW Chatham Rise, F/V Cordella, Stn. COR 8802/109, 29 September 1988, 1086– 1102 m. Poor condition.

Description. Counts. V 65, D 61, C 8, P ~19, radials and pc unknown. Ratios. HL 18.0% SL, HW 10.1, sn 4.1, E 5.0, orbit 6.3, uj 7.5, go 3.4, UPL 12.3, preD 21.0. In % HL: HW 56.1, sn 22.9, E 27.8, orbit 35.1, uj 42.0, UPL 68.3, preD 117.1.

Mouth horizontal, oral cleft extending to below anterior edge of orbit, upper jaw extending to below mid orbit. Premaxillary teeth simple, stout canines with weak or no shoulders, arranged in 17–18 oblique curved rows of up to six teeth each, forming a narrow band; mandibular teeth similar but about 24 rows. Symphyseal gaps present in both jaws. Gill opening above and in front of up to two pectoral fin rays. Pectoral fin upper ray level about on horizontal with lower margin of orbit, its rays 14+2?+3?. Rudimentary rays absent. Vertebrae 9+56. Dorsal fin origin between V 2–3 or 3–4 (anteriormost pterygiophore may or may not have supported a ray). Anal fin origin unknown. Caudal rays 4/4. Body color unknown, orobranchial cavity pale, black dotted. Peritoneum dark brown, stomach pale.

Comparisons. Unfortunately, this specimen is so badly damaged that most measurements cannot be made. Although similar to P. freeborni it appears to differ from it in having a much shallower body (e.g., visibly more slender), narrower premaxillary tooth band, and lower jaw teeth much closer together than those in upper jaw. The gill opening extends further ventrally (above and in front of about two rays vs completely above fin), and its caudal fin has more rays (8 vs 6). The mouth is pale and black-dotted (vs dusky).