Scolopsis japonica ( Bloch, 1793 )

Russell, Barry C., Bogorodsky, Sergey V., Mal, Ahmad O., Bineesh, K. K. & Alpermann, Tilman J., 2022, The taxonomic identity of the monocle bream Scolopsis vosmeri species complex (Perciformes: Nemipteridae), with comments on molecular phylogenetic relationships within the genus Scolopsis, Zootaxa 5105 (4), pp. 501-538 : 511-517

Scolopsis japonica ( Bloch, 1793)

Figures 4–7 ; Table 1 .

New English name: Javanese monocle bream

Anthias japonicus Bloch, 1793: 5 , pl. 325 (fig. 2) (‘Japan’, probably Java, Indonesia; holotype: ZMB 5090 , lost; type locality based on newly designated neotype: Jakarta, Java, Indonesia).

Lutjanus japonicus — Lacepède 1802: 213 (list).

Sparus japonicus — Shaw 1803: 442 ( Japan).

Scolopsides kate Cuvier, 1829: 178 (nomen novum for Anthias japonicus Bloch, 1793 ).

Scolopsides torquatus Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1830: 335 (Jakarta, Java, Indonesia)— Bleeker 1849: 28.

Scolopsides inermis (non Temminck & Schlegel)— Richardson 1846: 236 (based on illustration in Reeves Collection of Chinese fish drawings No. 262).

Scolopsides pomotis Richardson, 1846: 237 (Canton, China —based on illustration in Reeves Collection of Chinese fish drawings No. β15—see Whitehead 1970: 215, pl. 7b).

Scolopsis japonicus — Günther 1859: 354.

Scolopsis torquatus — Günther 1859: 356; Bleeker 1873: 368; Bleeker 1876-77: 8; Wongratana 1978: 31, fig. 7 (in part—Gulf of Thailand, Thailand).

Scolopsides collaris Günther 1859: 356 (nomen nudum —name on specimen from Moluccas mentioned under Scolopsis torquatus ).

Scolopsides japonicus — Bleeker 1872: 139.

Scolopsis vosmeri (non Bloch)— Jordan & Richardson 1909: 188 (Taiwan); Kyushin et al. 1982: 95 (South China Sea); Akazaki in Masuda et al. 1984: 175 ( Japan); Russell 1990: 122 (in part); Shen 1997: 350 (Taiwan); Sadovy & Cornish 2000: 144 ( Hong Kong); Nakabo 2002: 853 ( Japan); Allen & Erdmann 2012: 490 ( Indonesia, West Papua, Raja Ampat Isl.); White et al. 2013: 232, fig. 75.34 ( Indonesia); Fujiwara in Motomura et al. 2017: 152 ( Philippines, Panay I.); Motomura & Harazaki 2017: 53, pl. 4J (Kagoshima); Kimura et al. 2018: 180 ( Vietnam).

Scolopsis pomotis — Chu 1931: 128.

Scolopsis sp. A — Russell et al. 2019: 596 (South China Sea).

Material examined (n=64). Taiwan: NMMBA P 1625, 118.7 mm SL, Kenting, Pintung; NMMBA P 2704, 129.3 mm SL, Chong-chou; NMMBA P6801 , 69.9 mm SL, Chigu , Tainan ; NMMBA P 8745, 108.5 mm SL, Nan-won, Pintung; NMMBA P 9780, 133.8 mm SL, Hou-bi-who, Pintung; NMMBA P11400, 96.3 mm SL, Tongkang fish market; NMMBA P13903, 89.1 mm SL, South Bay Kenting Pintung; NMMBA P 14060, 131.2 mm SL, Hsin-du Port Kaohsiung ; NTUM 06119 , 82.0 mm SL, Magong, Penghu ; NTUM 06314 , 154.8 mm SL, Nan Fang Ao, Su'ao; NTUM 06699 , 160.9 mm SL, Nan Fang Ao, Su'ao; NTUM 06709 , 156.1 mm SL, Nan Fang Ao, Su'ao; NTUM 10906 , 3 : 89.8 - 103.3 mm SL, Penghu ; NTUM 10920, 103.4 mm SL Kaohsiung ; USNM 192955, 149.8 mm SL, Penghu . Hong Kong: BMNH 1939.3.23.43-44, 2: 98.7-115.0 mm SL . China: NTUM 10849 , 2 : 111.6 - 118.7 mm SL, Hainan ; NTUM 10894 , 61.1 mm SL, Hainan ; NTUM 10924, 126.7 mm SL, Xiamen; SMF 25297 -248, 104.5 mm SL, Hainan ; SMF 25297-247 , 118.0 mm SL, Hainan ; SMF 25297-246 , 122.0 mm SL, Hainan . Vietnam: NMMBA (2010-090), 105.0 mm SL, Nha Trang; NMMBA (2010-106), 96.8 mm SL, Nha Trang . Thailand: ANSP 89435, 106.1 mm SL, Bangkok ; NTM S.10675-005, 117.4 mm SL, Bangkok fish market. South China Sea: ZRC 1397, 120.3 mm SL; ZRC 1973, 136.6 mm SL . Singapore: ZRC 4501, 115.8 mm SL , Singapore fish market; ZRC 4503 , 100.0 mm SL , Singapore fish market. ZRC 53690, 112.8 mm SL, Raffles Marina . Malaysia: NTM S.10677- 012, 88.1 mm SL, Kota Kinabalu , Sabah . Brunei: WAM P.33129-001, 1 of 6: 105.4 mm SL, south Chearnley Shoal . Philippines: ANSP 77407 , 75.0 mm SL, Luzon; ANSP 122422 , 2 : 90.0– 92.3 mm SL, Manilla Bay; USNM 183086 , 2 : 129.6–149.3 mm SL, Tawi-Tawi ; USNM 183087, 137.2 mm SL, Cebu ; USNM 183087, 137.2 mm SL, Cebu . Indonesia: MNHN 0000- 6460, 102.4 mm SL (neotype of Scolopsis japonica ), Java , Batavia (= Jakarta); MNHN 0000-7835, 116.0 mm SL (holotype of Scolopsides torquatus ), Batavia (= Jakarta), Java ; WAM P.3132-002, 2: 71.5–116.8 mm SL, Bintan I.; USNM 227887 , 141.0 mm SL, Halmahera . Australia: NTM S.11087-003, 119.9 mm SL, Western Australia , Northwest Shelf; NTM S.11612-016, 127.2 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.11660-018, 128.8 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.11690-027, 114.4 mm SL, Western Australia , Northwest Shelf; NTM S.12913-002, 111.6 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.12955-006, 122.3 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.13236-005, 2: 132.0- 143.9 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.13383-004, 122.6 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.13456-005, 145.2 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.13558-006, 112.0 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.13566-001, 138.4 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.13573-003, 123.3 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arafura Sea; NTM S.18346-001, 117.3 mm SL (tissue No. A07208 ), Northern Territory , Timor Sea; NTM S.18347-001, 134.9 mm SL (tissue No. A07209), Northern Territory , Timor Sea; USNM 174113, 156.6 mm SL, Northern Territory , Arnhem Land.

Diagnosis. A species of Scolopsis with the following combination of characters: head scaly except for subopercle which is naked with numerous small pores; scales on top of head reaching forward to between anterior nostrils and snout tip; lower margin of eye tangent to a line from snout tip to upper pectoral-fin base; suborbital with a large retrorse spine (a small antrorse spine also sometimes present on third infraorbital, immediately above suborbital spine); posterior margin of preopercle serrate or denticulate, lower edge smooth; second anal-fin spine longer and more robust than first or third anal-fin spines; most body scales, except for breast and caudal peduncle, with greenish yellow spot (spots darker in live fishes); caudal peduncle yellowish; a broad white bar from nape onto operculum; suborbital with obscure, rectangular, white patch; white band beneath lateral line never present; upper limb of opercular margin blackish, lower limb reddish orange; upper base of pectoral fin with a small wedge-shaped dark spot; fins yellow.

Description. Counts and proportional measurements are provided in Table 1 .

Dorsal-fin rays X,9; anal-fin rays III,7; pectoral-fin rays 17–20 (usually 18-19); pelvic-fin rays I,5. Body moderately deep, laterally compressed, depth 2.0– 2.6 in SL. Dorsal profile of head more convex than ventral contour, head length 2.8–3.3 in SL. Snout short, 2.8–4.4 in HL. Eye moderately large, 2.1–3.0 HL; lower margin of eye tangent to a line from snout tip to upper pectoral-fin base. Snout length about equal to or less than eye, 1.0–2.0 in eye diameter. Interorbital width 1.0– 2.1 in eye diameter. Suborbital depth 1.3–4.5 in eye diameter; posterior margin of suborbital with a moderately large backwardly-directed spine at upper edge and series of well-developed serrations below this, lower edge smooth; small antrorse spine also sometimes present on third infraorbital, immediately above suborbital spine (absent or poorly developed in smaller individuals). Posterior margin of preopercle serrate or denticulate, lower edge smooth. Opercle with smooth, low bony ridge anteriorly, running parallel to edge of preopercle; posterior margin of opercle with short flat spine just above level of upper base of pectoral fin. Exposed portions of posttemporal and supracleithrum with serrations. Teeth in jaws small, conical, curved, in 5-6 bands anteriorly, in a single series laterally. Premaxilla and dentary smooth, a little fleshy. Gill rakers short and stubby, 8-12 on first arch.

Dorsal-fin membranes slightly incised, fourth and/or fifth spines longest. Second anal-fin spine larger and more robust than other two spines, its length 1.4–2.4 times that of first and 1.1–1.4 times that of third. Pectoral fins reaching to about level of anus, 3.3–4.7 in SL. Pelvic fins moderately long, reaching to between anus and origin of anal fin, 3.3–4.4 in SL. Caudal fin forked, lobes somewhat pointed, lower lobe a little shorter than upper.

Body covered with ctenoid scales; temporal region of head scaly, scales extending forward to about level of anterior nostrils; suborbital naked, with numerous small pores; scales on preopercle extending to margin, 2–6 (usually 4) rows behind eye, 5–10 (usually 8) transverse scale rows on preopercle; lower limb of preopercle with 1–2 rows of embedded scales; opercle with 4–10 (usually 7) transverse scale rows.

Lateral line with 39–44 (usually 42) pored scales; 3½-4 (usually 3½) transverse scale rows above lateral line, 13½–16½ (usually 15½) rows below. Vertebrae 22.

Largest specimen examined 160 mm SL.

Color of live fish (based on underwater photographs, Fig. 4 A–C ). Adults reddish brown, shading to yellowish on caudal peduncle; a dark greenish yellow spot basally on each scale, except for breast and caudal peduncle; a curving white bar extending from nape onto operculum, broader ventrally; posterior edge of opercle above opercular spine black or dark brown, opercular membrane below opercular spine dull red or reddish orange; posterior edge of preopercle yellowish or yellow-orange; suborbital broadly whitish; lips whitish, upper lip suffused with pink or reddish; area behind angle of mouth varying from reddish brown to whitish; eye more or less brownish, reddish around lens; fins distinctly yellowish or yellow; leading edge of pelvic fins pale blue; a distinct wedge-shaped black spot at base of pectoral fins. Juveniles have same coloration pattern as adults, but the body is paler.

Color of fresh specimens (based on photograph, Fig. 5 ). Similar to live colors but basal spot on body scales greenish yellow (indistinct in some specimens) and pale blue color of leading edge of pelvic fins is lost.

Molecular analysis. Scolopsis japonica specimens from Western Pacific locations ranging from Australia (Northern Territory) to China (Fujan) and Taiwan form a highly supported and well divergent monophyletic clade in the phylogenetic analysis of the partial mitochondrial COI gene ( Fig. 12 ). This clade had been termed ‘ Scolopsis sp. A’ in the Neighbour-Joining tree in Russell et al. (2019). The closest relative of S. japonica is the Indian Ocean species S. curite , with which S. japonica forms a close sister clade relationship. There is very little intra-specific genetic variation in S. japonica for the sequence of the COI barcoding region.

Habitat and distribution. Scolopsis japonica is generally found on sand or mud bottoms near reefs in depths to about 30 m. It occurs widely in the Western Pacific from southern Japan ( Masuda et al. 1984, as S. vosmeri ), Taiwan, Hong Kong, southern China and Vietnam, southwards to northern and north-western Australia. Recorded also from Singapore, the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea, East Malaysia, western Indonesia, and the Philippines. Except for its occurrence in north-western Australia, Scolopsis japonica has not been recorded from the Indian Ocean, and it does not appear to extend westwards of the Indo-Malay Peninsula (the Sunda Shelf Barrier), but further work is needed to determine the exact western boundary for this species.

Remarks. Bloch’s (1793) description of Anthias japonicus is brief and he distinguished it mainly by its coloration: dark yellow on the back becoming lighter on the sides, the abdomen reddish; fins reddish, the anterior part of the dorsal fin with violet tints. His plate ( Fig. 6A ) also shows darker markings on the scales on the upper part of the body, characteristic of this species. As in the case of Anthias vosmeri, Bloch omitted any detail of the suborbital and its distinctive spine in both his description and figure of A. japonicus , a point later remarked upon by Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1830: 331) in his description of Scolopsides japonicus the type of which was examined by Valenciennes during visits to Berlin in 1826 and 1829 ( Karrer 1978; Bauchot et al. 1997): “L'anthias japonicus de Bloch … nous nous en sommes assurés par l'inspection de son sujet original, et rien ne prouve mieux avec quelle légèreté cet auteur faisait faire ses figures; car il n'a pas même laissé apercevoir dans celle-ci de trace du sous-orbitaire épineux, et il y a couvert cette partie, ainsi que le bout du museau et la mâchoire inférieure, d'écaillés qui n'existent point” [We are assured by inspection of his original type, and nothing proves how careless this author was with his figures, because he did not even depict therein any trace of the suborbital spine, and covered this part and the tip of the snout and lower jaw with scales that do not exist].

Bloch (1793) reported this species named after its supposed place of origin ( Japan) and Bloch & Schneider (1801) reported “Habitat in Japonia”. However, Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1830: 331) suggested this species most likely came from Java: “Bloch dit ce poisson du Japon; mais cest ce qu'il a très-souvent fait pour des poissons de Java, soit que les marchands hollandais de qui il les achetait le trompassent, soit (ce que d'autres endroits de son livre nous rendent plus vraisemblable) que, dans son ignorance, entre les mots javanese et japanese, il n'y regardât pas de si près”. [Bloch said the fish was from Japan, but this is what he has very often done for fish from Java. Either the Dutch merchants from whom he bought deceived him, or (what elsewhere in his book make it more likely) that in his ignorance, he did not look closely enough at the [different] words javanese and japanese].

The type of Anthias japonicus , a dried specimen (ZMB 5090), is lost ( Paepke 1999). Bloch’s original description and figure, together with Cuvier’s description (based on examination of the type in Berlin by Valenciennes (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1830) is sufficient to distinguish it from S. vosmeri . However, to clarify the taxonomic status of Scolopsis japonica and its most probable type locality (Java) a specimen from Batavia (= Jakarta), Java, Indonesia (MNHN 0000-6460, registered as ‘ Scolopsis torquatus, Cuv. Val’) ( Fig. 6B ) is hereby designated as the neotype of Scolopsis japonica ( Bloch, 1793) ; the collection locality Jakarta becoming the type locality of S. japonica under Article 76.3 ( ICZN 1999).

The name Scolopsides kate Cuvier (1829: 178) , first proposed in a footnote as a new name for Anthias japonicus Bloch : “ Scol kate, Nob , nommé par Bloch Anthias japonicus , 325, f. 2”, is an unnecessary replacement name, and thus an objective synonym ( ICZN 1999: Article 72.7) and take the same name bearing type as Anthias japonicus Bloch. Specimens subsequently described by Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1830) as S. kate and regarded as syntypes by Bauchot et al. (1983: 10) therefore have no validity as types. The specimens (MNHN A.8093, A.8094) collected by Leschenault from Pondicherry (= Puducherry), India, are identifiable as S. vosmeri (see Remarks under that species above).

Scolopsides torquatus Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1830: 335) was based on a specimen collected by Quoy and Gaimard from Batavia (= Jakarta), Indonesia. Although the description is brief, the holotype (MNHN 7835) clearly shows the dark spot at the upper pectoral-fin base that is characteristic of Scolopsis japonica . Bleeker (1873: 364) recognized Scolopsis torquatus as distinct from S. vosmeri , remarking: “Fort voisine du Scolopsis Vosmaeri , l'espèce actuelle s'en distingue constamment par un profil plus convexe, par une tête plus large, par des yeux plus grands et par une anale moins haute. La différence spécifique est encore traduite dans les couleurs par l'absence de bande latérale nacrée et par la présence au contraire d'une tache triangulaire pourpre ou brune à la base de la pectorale. Je ne connais pas d'après nature l'Anthias japonicus Bl. ou le Scolopsis kurite Rüpp. , espèce extrêmement voisine du Vosmaeri et du torquatus, mais sans aucunes bandes nacrées. Outre l'absence de ces bandes cette espèce, devenue le Scolopsis japonicus du Catalogue de M. Günther, ne paraît se distinguer essentiellement que par un nombre supérieur (21) de rangées longitudinales d'écailles dont cinq se trouveraient au-dessus de la ligne latérale.” [Very close to Scolopsis vosmaeri the current species is always distinguished by a more convex profile, by a wider head, by larger eyes and a less high anal. The specific difference is also reflected in colors by the absence of pearly lateral band and the presence instead of a purple or brown triangular spot on the base of the pectoral. I do not know from nature Anthias japonicus Bl. or Scolopsis kurite Rüpp. , species extremely close to vosmaeri and torquatus , but without any pearly bands. Apart from the absence of these bands, this species, which is called Scolopsis japonicus in Günther’s Catalog, appears to be distinguished essentially only by a greater number (21) of longitudinal rows of scales, five of which are above the lateral line]. Scolopsides torquatus was considered by Bauchot et al. (1983) to be a synonym of Scolopsis vosmeri but we reassign it here to the synonymy of S. japonica .

Richardson’s (1846: 237) description of Scolopsides pomotis was based solely on a watercolor painting (Reeves Collection of Chinese fish drawings No. β. 15 in the Natural History Museum, London) reproduced here as Fig. 7A ) commissioned by John Reeves (1774–1856), Inspector of Tea for the East India Company and an amateur naturalist who lived in Canton (Guangzhou) from 1812–1831 (see Whitehead 1970). Richardson refers to the “black speck on the base of the upper pectoral ray” and this and the general coloration of this species are clearly the same as Scolopsis japonica . Another Reeves Collection painting by (No. 262, reproduced here as Fig. 7B ), mistakenly identified by Richardson (1846: 236) as Scolopsides inermis Temminck & Schlegel , also is clearly recognizable as Scolopsis japonica . A third Reeves Collection painting (No. 47, reproduced here as Fig. 7C ) mistakenly identified by Richardson (1846: 236) as ‘ Scolopsides rupelii Cuvier’, although lacking the spot on the upper pectoral-fin base, is also identified here as S. japonica .

The English common name Javanese monocle bream is proposed for this species.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Scolopsis japonica, live individuals, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Photos by G.R. Allen.

FIGURE 5. Scolopsis japonica, KAUM–I.52620, 111.8 mm SL, Panay I., Philippines. Photo by K. Fujiwara.

FIGURE 6. Scolopsis japonica. A: Anthias japonicus, Plate 325 from Bloch (1792); B: Neotype of Scolopsis japonica (Bloch), MNHN 0000-6460, 102.4 mm SL, Batavia (= Jakarta), Java, Indonesia, photo by J. Pfliger, MNHN.

FIGURE 7. A: Scolopsides pomotis Richardson, 1846, based on watercolor painting (Reeves Collection of Chinese fish drawings No. β.15); B: Scolopsis japonica (Bloch) mistakenly identified by Richardson (1846) as Scolopsides inermis Temminck & Schlegel (Reeves Collection of Chinese fish drawings No. 262); C: Scolopsis japonica (Bloch) mistakenly identified by Richardson (1846) as Scolopsides rupelii Cuvier (Reeves Collection of Chinese fish drawings No. 47). Photographs courtesy of Natural History Museum, London.

FIGURE 12. Maximum likelihood tree for species of Scolopsis based on publicly available partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene plus COI sequences generated in this study. Branch labels are bootstrap support values in percent obtained from 1.000 replicated analyses. Bar indicates the average number of nucleotide substitutions.