Paraliparis sp. 2

Material Examined. NMNZ P.025542, ripe male,> 89 mm SL (at least hypural missing), 41°40.00' S, 168°32.10' E, Challenger Plateau, R/V James Cook, Stn. JCO 8702/036, 10 February 1987, 1076– 1079 m.

Description. V>59, D>50, A>50, C unknown, P ~19, radials unknown, pc 5. In % HL: sn 31.6, E 31.6, orbit 36.1, uj 51.6, UPL>107.7. Very poor condition.

Premaxillary teeth simple, stout, shouldered canines, in about 20 rows of up to 11 teeth each, forming a wide band at symphysis. Symphyseal gap absent. Vertebrae 11+>48. Dorsal fin origin unknown, anal fin origin between vertebrae 11–12. Pectoral fin rays 14–15+2+2?. Remaining shreds of skin suggest a completely black body color. Mouth dusky, peritoneum black, stomach and pyloric caeca pale with some black reticulation.

Comparisons. Paraliparis sp. 2 is similar to P. freeborni but differs in having a slightly oblique included mouth, relatively larger, stouter shouldered teeth, not uniserial posteriorly, and a more slender body.