[Ichthyology • 2025] Aepysomanthias & Poroanthias gen. nov., Pelontrus, Zalanthias, ... • A 40-year Taxonomic Enigma: Multigene Phylogeny Resolves the Polyphyly of Plectranthias (Perciformes: Anthiadidae) and supports A Revised Taxonomy

Plectranthias, Pelontrus, Sayonara, Xenanthias, Zalanthias, 
 Aepysomanthias and Poroanthias Tang & Chen gen. nov. 

in Tang et Chen, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf148 

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Abstract

Anthiadidae, a family of shallow and deep-water reef-associated fishes, include about 250 species distributed widely from tropical to temperate regions, with the majority found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific (IWP). Despite their broad distribution, the phylogeny and taxonomy of this family remain unresolved, particularly at the generic level, due to challenges in sampling from deep-water zones. Plectranthias, the most species-rich genus, has been suspected of non-monophyly since its last revision over 40 years ago. In this study, we explore the phylogenetic relationships of anthiadids using a multigene dataset (one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes) from 103 specimens across 19 genera, with a focus on IWP Plectranthias. Our results confirm the polyphyly of Plectranthias, revealing seven distinct clades. Based on this new phylogenetic framework and morphological re-examinations, we propose a taxonomic revision, including the resurrection of the genera Pelontrus, Sayonara, Xenanthias, and Zalanthias, and the establishment of Aepysomanthias and Poroanthias Tang and Chen gen. nov. The revised taxonomy restricts Plectranthias to 20 currently recognized species.

 

systematics, taxonomic revision, anthias, Indo-West Pacific, Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos, osteology, diagnostic characters, Serranidae, new genus

 

Chi-Ngai Tang and Wei-Jen Chen. 2025. A 40-year Taxonomic Enigma: Multigene Phylogeny Resolves the Polyphyly of Plectranthias (Perciformes: Anthiadidae) and supports A Revised Taxonomy. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 205(3); zlaf148. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf148 [11 November 2025]  

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[Ichthyology • 2025] Rypticus africanus • Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New Species of the Soapfish Genus Rypticus (Perciformes: Grammistidae) from the eastern Atlantic Ocean

 

Rypticus africanus   

 Araujo, Sampaio, Rocha & Ferreira, 2025

African soapfish | Peixe sabão africano  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70132 

Abstract

A new species of the soapfish genus Rypticus is described based on 14 specimens from the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The new species was previously misidentified as the greater soapfish, R. saponaceus, due to their similar appearance. However, it differs from R. saponaceus in several key characteristics, including a comparatively shorter head, snout and upper jaw, and a deeper body. Molecular data, obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, strongly suggest the monophyly of the new species and support its description as new.

Keywords: Biogeography, cryptic species, DNA barcode, Gulf of Guinea, Isthmus of Panama, reef fish

(a–c) Rypticus africanus from São Tomé and Príncipe, illustrating the variation in colour pattern between individuals: (a) São Tomé Island, (b, c) Príncipe Island
and (d) R. saponaceus from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, shown for comparison.

Rypticus africanus Araujo, Sampaio, Rocha & Ferreira, new species

English proposed common name: African soapfish.

Portuguese (São Tome and Príncipe) proposed common name: Peixe sabão africano.

Diagnosis: A species of Rypticus distinguished from its congeners by the following unique combination of characters: dorsal-fin spines always three vs. two/typically two in Rypticus bistrispinus (Mitchill 1818), Rypticus bornoi Beebe & Tee-Van 1928, Rypticus courtenayi McCarthy 1979, Rypticus maculatus Holbrook 1855, and R. nigripinnis, and almost always four in Rypticus carpenteri Baldwin & Weigt, 2012; head length 30.0%–35.3% of SL (average 33.5%) vs. 35.0%–39% (average 36.88%) in R. bicolor; body depth 34.2%–40.5% of SL (average 36.2%) vs. 26%–34% (average 30.0%) in Rypticus randalli Courtenay, 1967; body brown to dark grey, with the head and sides displaying numerous or sparse pale, spots of variable size vs. lighter background coloration with several widely scattered small dark spots; head shorter than body depth vs. head larger than body depth in R. saponaceus.

Etymology: The specific name africanus is given for the known distribution of the new species and its probable widespread distribution off the coast of west Africa.

Gabriel Soares Araujo, Cláudio L. S. Sampaio, Luiz A. Rocha and Carlos Eduardo Ferreira Leite. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New Species of the Soapfish Genus Rypticus (Teleostei: Grammistidae) from the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70132 [21 July 2025]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hypoplectrus espinosai (Teleostei: Serranidae) • A New hamlet on Coral Reefs in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico

Phenotypic variation of Hypoplectrus espinosai 

Puebla, Aguilar-Perera, Robertson & Domínguez-Domínguez, 

 

  in Puebla, Aguilar-Perera, Helmkampf, Robertson, C.J. Estapé, A.M. Estapé et Domínguez-Domínguez, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.4.3

Photographs from Alacranes reef by Carlos and Allison Estapé (a, b, c, d), Isai Dominguez Guerrero (e), and Alfonso Aguilar-Perera (f).

Abstract

The hamlets (Hypoplectrus spp., Teleostei: Serranidae) are a group of small predatory reef-associated fishes endemic to the tropical northwestern Atlantic that are characterized by an exceptionally high diversification rate. Currently 18 species are recognized, with seven described or redescribed in the last 14 years. Here, we describe the Campeche Bank hamlet, Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. As indicated by its common name, this species is distributed throughout the Campeche Bank in the southwest Gulf of Mexico. Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. differs from two similar hamlets, the butter hamlet H. unicolor (Walbaum) and the Veracruz hamlet H. castroaguirrei Del Moral Flores, Tello-Musi & Martínez-Pérez in terms of geographic distribution and color pattern. Furthermore, phylogenetic and population genetic analyses based on whole-genome data from 68 individuals indicate that H. espinosai sp. nov. is genetically distinct from H. unicolor and H. castroaguirrei.

Pisces, Gulf of Mexico, Campeche Bank, Serranidae, reef fishes, hamlets, Hypoplectrus

Phenotypic variation of Hypoplectrus espinosai sp.  nov. A black saddle blotch covers the caudal  peduncle  and extends over the posterior part of the body, sometimes over the posterior border of the dorsal fin. Note the consistency of the thin vertical lines.

Photographs from Alacranes reef by Carlos and Allison Estapé (a, b, c, d), Isai Dominguez Guerrero (e), and Alfonso Aguilar-Perera (f).

Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. Puebla, Aguilar-Perera, Robertson & Domínguez-Domínguez 2025 

English common name: Campeche Bank hamlet 

Spanish common names: mero del Banco de Campeche (AFS), vaca del Banco de Campeche (FAO), hamlet del Banco de Campeche (vernacular) 

Diagnosis. Hypoplectrus  espinosai sp.  nov. is distinguished  from  all named congeners  by  coloration. Body white with thin vertical lines but no bars (or very faint). Black spot on snout surrounded by electric blue lines. Caudal peduncle entirely covered by black saddle blotch, which extends over posterior part of body, and sometimes over posterior part of dorsal fin. Black saddle blotch is more extensive than in H. unicolor. Black eye-mask characteristic of H. castroaguirrei absent.

Etymology. We assign the species name espinosai sp. nov. in honor of Héctor Salvador Espinosa Pérez (1954–2022), a dedicated Mexican ichthyologist, founder of the Mexican Ichthyological Society and curator of the Mexican National Fish Collection. The common name refers  to  the  geographic distribution of the species, the  Campeche Bank off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, Mexico.

Oscar PUEBLA, Alfonso AGUILAR-PERERA, Martin HELMKAMPF, D. Ross ROBERTSON, Carlos J. ESTAPÉ, Allison Morgan ESTAPÉ and Omar DOMÍNGUEZ-DOMÍNGUEZ. 2025. Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. (Teleostei: Serranidae), A New hamlet on Coral Reefs in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. Zootaxa. 5618(4); 509-524. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.4.3 [2025-04-04]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Plectranthias raki • A New Species of Perchlet (Perciformes: Serranidae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives

Plectranthias raki 

Shepherd, Pinheiro, Najeeb, C. R. Rocha & L. A. Rocha, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.135292

Abstract

Herein, we describe a new species of Plectranthias perchlet found at depths of 100–125 meters in mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Plectranthias raki sp. nov. is unique in both morphology and coloration. The following combination of characters distinguishes it from all known congeners: dorsal fin X, 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 13 | 13 (13 | 12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30–32 tubed scales; gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; and absence of antrorse or retrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle. Coloration in life consists of a white to light pink body with two indistinct rows of irregularly shaped red-orange to yellow-orange patches along the dorsal two-thirds of the body, a golden-yellow opercle and maxilla, an indistinct yellow stripe on the dorsal fin, two yellow spots near the base of the anal fin, and two irregularly shaped yellow-orange spots located on either side of centermost caudal-fin rays. With this publication, the genus Plectranthias now comprises 67 valid species. This discovery adds to a strong body of research highlighting the novel biodiversity of mesophotic ecosystems, especially in locations like the Indian Ocean, where few prior ichthyological surveys have been conducted.

Key words: COI gene, deep reefs, ichthyology, Indian Ocean, rebreather diving, taxonomy

 

Holotype (left) and paratype (right) of  Plectranthias raki sp. nov.
 Holotype CAS-ICH 248439 66.2 mm SL, shortly after collection (A), preserved specimen (B) and x-radiograph (C).
Paratype LACM 61827, 70.4 mm SL, shortly after collection (D), preserved specimen (E) and x-radiograph (F).

Photos: A, D by Luiz Rocha. B, C, E, F by Jon Fong.

 Plectranthias raki sp. nov.

  Dhivehi common name: Raki bureki 

English common name: Maldivian Perchlet

Diagnosis: Plectranthias raki sp. nov. is unique in both morphology and coloration. The following combination of characters distinguishes it from all known congeners: dorsal fin X, 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 13 | 13 (13 | 12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30–32 tubed scales; 3 supraneural bones, predorsal formula 0/0 + 0/2/1 + 1/1/1/; gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; oblique rows of scales on cheek 8 (7); longest dorsal spine the ...

Living specimen (not retained) of Plectranthias raki sp. nov. photographed at 110 m depth at Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.

Photo by Luiz Rocha.

Etymology: The species name, raki, means “feeling shy to confront people” in the Dhivehi language. This was chosen because Plectranthias are shy by nature and typically hide from us when we are conducting surveys. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

 Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Ahmed Najeeb, Claudia R. Rocha and Luiz A. Rocha. 2025. Plectranthias raki (Teleostei, Serranidae), A New Species of Perchlet from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives. ZooKeys. 1223: 333-344. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.135292

[Ichthyology • 2021] Pseudanthias hangapiko • A New Anthiadine Serranid (Perciformes, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Pseudanthias hangapiko

 Shepherd, Pinheiro, Phelps, Pérez-Matus & Rocha, 2021

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1054.64508

Abstract

Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) is herein described from three specimens collected from a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in live coloration and by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays X, 17; anal-fin rays III, 8; pectoral-fin rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales above lateral-line to base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16–17 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+23; and a slender body, with greatest body depth 3.6 (3.4–3.8) in SL. The most similar DNA barcodes (mitochondrial COI gene) are from Pseudanthias ventralis Randall, 1979 and Pseudanthias hawaiiensis Randall, 1979, with 16.8% and 17.0% uncorrected divergence, respectively. This fish is one of four new species that were documented from a pair of technical dives at a single location in Rapa Nui, emphasizing the high number of undescribed species likely still unknown in mesophotic coral ecosystems, especially in geographically remote locations. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. adds to the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, which hosts the second-highest level of endemism in both shallow and deep-water fishes.

Keywords: Biodiversity, coral-reef twilight zone, ichthyology, island, mesophotic coral ecosystem, reef fish, taxonomy

Figure 1.Pseudanthias hangapiko
Holotype CAS 247252, male specimen (upper), 45.2 mm SL.
Paratype CAS 247254, female specimen (lower), 33.2 mm SL.

Photos by LA Rocha.

Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The following combination of characters distinguishes Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. from congeners: dorsal rays X, 17; anal rays III, 8; pectoral rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales between lateral line and base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16 (17) circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+22–23; body very slender and compressed, the greatest body depth 3.4–3.8 in SL; caudal peduncle short, its length 2.6–3.3 in HL; sexually dichromatic, with male coloration red dorsally, yellow laterally, silvery-pink on throat and belly; females pink, silvery-pink on operculum, throat and belly; both sexes dark red on top of head, along anterior two-thirds of dorsal fin base; both sexes with rows of irregularly-spaced metallic magenta spots laterally, and red dorsal and caudal fins with yellow highlights.

Etymology: The species is named for the location where it was collected, Hanga Piko, meaning “hidden bay” in the Rapa Nui language. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Common name: Rapa Nui Fairy Basslet.

 

Figure 3. An aggregation of Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. on a rocky mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) at 80 m depth.

 Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Tyler A. Y. Phelps, Alejandro Pérez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2021. Pseudanthias hangapiko, A New Anthiadine Serranid (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). ZooKeys. 1054: 1-13. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1054.64508

[Ichthyology • 2020] Pseudanthias timanoa • A New Fairy Basslet (Serranidae: Anthiadinae) from New Caledonia, South Pacific

Pseudanthias timanoa  

Victor, Teitelbaum & Randall, 2020

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4050419 

 oceansciencefoundation.org 

Abstract

A new fairy basslet, Pseudanthias timanoa n. sp., is described from 21 specimens, 50.0-79.1 mm SL, collected recently from New Caledonia, in the southwestern corner of the tropical Pacific Ocean. The new species is typically found on deep coral-reef slopes, at depths of 50-100 m. One of many slender, brightly colored fairy basslets found throughout the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, P. timanoa is part of the Pseudanthias lori species complex. It is distinguished from its congeners by the live color pattern, which is bright reddish pink with a series of 7 red-orange bars along the upper body followed by a deeper-red rectangular saddle on the caudal peduncle. Mature males develop a greatly elongated third dorsal-fin spine, up to about 1.5 times head length and long, trailing caudal-fin filaments. The sequence of the mtDNA barcode marker COI for the new species is 10.3% divergent (p-distance) from the nearest relative in the Barcode of Life Database, P. lori, from the Coral Sea and Philippines. The new species appears in the aquarium trade as the Sunrise Anthias. With this discovery, there are now 16 species of Pseudanthias documented from New Caledonia.

Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, DNA barcoding, goldies, Sunrise Anthias.

Pseudanthias timanoa, fresh paratype, male, 55.1 mm SL, SIO 20-17, from aquarium trade with caudal filaments eroded, collected from Dukati Reef, New Caledonia.

photo: Benjamin C. Victor

Pseudanthias timanoa, Victor, Teitelbaum & Randall 

Sunrise Anthias 

Pseudanthias timanoa with incorrect authorship “Randall, 2014”, a nomen nudum until the present description, Laboute & Grandperrin 2016: 217, fig. a single photograph (without any description in the text, and based on no description, publication, or collected specimen). 

 Diagnosis. A species of Pseudanthias with dorsal-fin elements X,15 or 16 (most 16), third spine greatly elongated in mature males, up to about 1.5 times head length, 2.2 in SL, up to three times length of next spines; anal-fin elements III,7; pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19 (most 19); caudal fin deeply lunate with filamentous tips in mature males (eroded away in aquarium specimens), maximum caudal concavity 3.1 in SL in intact paratype; body elongate, body depth 3.4 (3.2–4.0) in SL; head and body reddish pink with 7 red-orange bars along upper body followed by a deeper-red, saddle-like rectangle on caudal peduncle.

Pseudanthias timanoa (top) New Caledonia (Richard Bajol); 
Pseudanthias lori (middle) Cenderawasih Bay, W. Papua Province, Indonesia; 
Pseudanthias flavoguttatus (bottom) Tanimbar Islands, E. Banda Sea, Indonesia (both Gerald Allen).

Figure 6. Pseudanthias timanoa, school underwater at 74 m, New Caledonia (Pierre Laboute).

 Figure 7. Pseudanthias timanoa, two males and a female (at upper right), with a P. lori at lower left foreground and a P. flavicauda at lower right, about 90 m, New Caledonia (Patrick Plantard).

Etymology. The new species is named timanoa, a euphonious amalgamation of the second author’s three children’s names: Timothée, Maëlle, and Noa. The specific epithet is treated as a noun in apposition.

 

Benjamin C. Victor, Antoine Teitelbaum and John E. Randall. 2020. Pseudanthias timanoa, A New Fairy Basslet from New Caledonia, South Pacific (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 36, 6-15. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4050419

oceansciencefoundation.org/josf36b.html

[Ichthyology • 2020] Plectranthias purpuralepis • A New Anthiadine Perchlet (Perciformes: Serranidae) from northern Taiwan

Plectranthias purpuralepis 

 Tang, Lai & Ho, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4780.3.4

Abstract

A new species of Plectranthias Bleeker is described on the basis of 16 specimens collected from northern Taiwan. The new species, Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in having pectoral and pelvic fins mostly covered with small scales, some white scales on dorsum turn purple when preserved, and the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin elements X, 16–17; 3rd dorsal-fin spine longest; pectoral-fin rays 14, all branched except for uppermost simple ray; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; pored lateral-line scales 33–36; 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek; circumpeduncular scales 14; ca. 7 rows of large predorsal scales, 2 irregular rows of small scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils; no scales on maxilla and chin; posterior margin of preopercle serrated, ventral margin with 2 antrorse spines; and the greatest body depth 2.9–3.0 in SL.

Keywords: Pisces, Teleostei, Actinopterygii, taxonomy, ichthyology

FIGURE 1. Fresh coloration. A. Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov., NMMSTP002339, 143.8 mm SL, holotype. B. P. sheni, NMMSTP002342, 120.5 mm SL. C. P. kamii, NMMSTP002338, 152.9 mm SL.

FIGURE 2. Paratypes of Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov. A. NMMB-P32943, 143.6 mm SL; B. NMMB-P33386, 144.7 mm SL; C. NMMB-P32937, 146.6 mm SL.

Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov. 

New English name: Purple-scaled perchlet

Diagnosis. A species of Plectranthias with pectoral and pelvic fins mostly covered by small scales and scales on the whitish pink blotches turn purple when preserved. It can be further separated from congeners by having the combination of following characters: dorsal-fin elements X, 16–17; 3rd dorsal-fin spine longest; pectoral-fin rays usually 14, all branched except for uppermost ray simple; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; pored lateral-line scales 32–36; 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek; circumpeduncular scales 14; ca. 7 rows of large predorsal scales, 2 irregular rows of small scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils; no scales on maxilla and chin; posterior margin of preopercle serrated, ventral margin with 2 antrorse spines; and greatest body depth 32.6–35.1% SL.

Distribution and habitat. Only known from northern Taiwan, near the “Three Northern Islands,” collected by anglers at depths of 200 m or below, judging from other specimens collected together, such as Parapercis spp., Plectranthias kamii, P. sheni, and Helicolenus hilgendorfii (Döderlein, 1884). The habitat of this species is assumed to be rocky reef bottom or slope in the mesophotic zone.

Etymology. The specific name purpuralepis is a combination of the Latin “purpura” and “lepis,” meaning purple scales, in reference to the distinct purple color only present after preservation. The name is treated as a noun in apposition.

Chi-Ngai Tang, Nok-Wai Lai and Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2020. Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov., A New Anthiadine Perchlet from northern Taiwan (Perciformes: Serranidae). Zootaxa. 4780(3); 508–522. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4780.3.4

[Invertebrate • 2020] Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) from the Cloudy Grouper Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the lower Gulf of Thailand

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis 

Saengpheng & Purivirojkul, 2020

  DOI:  10.1007/s11230-019-09899-z 

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Abstract

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp. is described from the gills of the cloudy grouper Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) caught in the lower Gulf of Thailand. The new species is distinguished from other species assigned to the genus by the structure of its sclerotised vagina which has a wide and prominent sclerotised trumpet, long, thin, coiled or curved primary canal, short secondary canal, and primary and secondary chambers that are blind extremities of the primary and secondary canals, respectively. This is the first species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958 described from E. erythrurus and the first record of a species of Pseudorhabdosynochus in Thailand.

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp.
A, Composite drawing (mainly from the holotype), ventral view; B, Male quadriloculate organ, ventral view; C, Sclerotised vagina, ventral view; D, Dorsal hamulus; E, Ventral hamulus; F, Dorsal bar; G, Ventral bar; H, Squamodisc.

 Scale-bars: A, 200 µm; B–H, 50 µm

Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp.

Type-host: Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Serranidae).

Type-locality: The lower Gulf of Thailand (...), October 2018.

Site in host: Gills.

Prevalence and intensity: 100% (30/30); mean intensity: 38 individuals/fish (1,140/30).

Etymology: The species name honors Kasetsart University and the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute, the institute that has funded our aquatic parasitology studies for many years.

Chompunooch Saengpheng and Watchariya Purivirojkul. 2020. Pseudorhabdosynochus kasetsartensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) from the Cloudy Grouper Epinephelus erythrurus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the lower Gulf of Thailand. Systematic Parasitology. 97(1); 99–106.  DOI:  10.1007/s11230-019-09899-z

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https://ag2.kku.ac.th/kaj/PDF.cfm?filename=O028%20Fis41.pdf&id=2637&keeptrack=4

[Ichthyology • 2020] Epinephelus sicanus (Doderlein, 1882) • A Valid Species of Grouper (Perciformes: Serranidae: Epinephelinae) from the Mediterranean Sea

Epinephelus sicanus (Doderlein, 1882)

in Massa, Cerasa, Bellia, et al., 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.10 

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Researchgate.net/publication/340210857

During the editing of the paper “In memory of Pietro Doderlein” (Massa et al. 2018), consulting Doderlein’s bibliography, and highlighting some interesting documents and the material preserved in the Museum of Zoology of the University of Palermo (MZPA) (today named after Doderlein), a taxonomic anomaly was noticed about a grouper collected more than one hundred years ago. The aim of the present statement is to prove that the name Cerna sicana Doderlein, 1882 (presently as Epinephelus sicanus [Doderlein, 1882]) should be considered a valid species unless it is demonstrated that it is a synonym of another valid species. In 1882 Doderlein described Cerna sicana from a single specimen (Fig. 1). The holotype is a female, composed of three parts: MZPA-P/46 comprising the stuffed specimen bearing the external anatomical features (Fig. 1), MZPA-AN/440 comprising the dry gill arches and the heart (Fig. 2), and MZPA-AN/1233 comprising the vertebral column (Fig. 3). The eyes and the digestive and reproductive organs, originally stored in liquid, are lost. The specimen was collected in the central Mediterranean Sea along the coast of northern Sicily (Palermo), southern Italy, in December 1882 and deposited at the Museum of Zoology “P. Doderlein” of the University of Palermo. Later Doderlein (1889) moved the species to the genus Epinephelus Bloch, 1793. About his new species, Doderlein (1882) wrote (translated from Italian): “Serranus Cernioides, Brito Capello, and Serranus Caninus, Val., are those most related to this … It should be established if its characters could allow it to be described as a new species or if they could be anomalies of one of the previously cited species. In order to highlight the peculiar characters, I tentatively decide to name it Serranus or Cerna Sicana, after the locality where it was caught”. Doderlein (1889) wrote about the new species to D.S. Jordan[1] then at the Indiana University of Bloomington (USA), who replied that he considered E. sicanus as a valid species, and that Jordan noted two other adults and a third young specimen collected in Brazil, in 1865, in the Louis Agassiz collection, preserved in the Museum of Cambridge (presently Museum of Comparative Zoology—MCZ, Harvard University, USA) that he considered as possibly conspecific with E. sicanus. According to A. Williston (MCZ curator, pers. comm.) two likely candidates for these Jordan-Doderlein specimens are still present in the museum (voucher codes MCZ 9787 and MCZ 9788), identified as “Epinephelus (allied to nigritus, perhaps new)”. Soon after, Jordan & Eigenmann (1890) synonymized Cerna sicana with Epinephelus merus (Poey, 1868). Subsequently, Boulenger (1895) synonymized Epinephelus merus and E. sicanus with Epinephelus nigritus (Holbrook, 1855), apparently without observing the holotype of C. sicana as argued by Tortonese (1956).

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[1]       Jordan (1891) described Symphodus doderleini with the following etymology: “We have given to it the new name of Symphodus doderleini, in honor of our excellent friend Prof. Pietro Doderlein of the University of Palermo”; this is a proof of the esteem that he had for him.

  

FIGURE 1. Holotype of Cerna sicana Doderlein, 1882 [presently Epinephelus sicanus (Doderlein, 1882)] (MZPA-P/46) preserved at the Museum of Zoology "P. Doderlein" of the University of Palermo.

Measures of the specimen after Doderlein (1882) (In brackets after Tortonese 1956): total length 86 cm (89 cm); standard length (72 cm); body height 26 cm (26 cm); head length 29 cm (26.5 cm);

Researchgate.net/publication/340210857

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Bruno Massa, Giuliano Cerasa, Enrico Bellia, Sabrina Lo Brutto and Bruno Massa. 2020. Epinephelus sicanus (Doderlein, 1882) (Perciformes: Serranidae: Epinephelinae), A Valid Species of Grouper from the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa. 4758(1); 191–195. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.10  

Researchgate.net/publication/340210857_Epinephelus_sicanus_a_valid_species

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Plectranthias cruentus • A New Species of Anthiadine Perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea

Plectranthias cruentus Gill & Roberts. 2020

Plectranthias pelicieri Randall & Shimizu, 1994

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4750.4.6 

AustralianMuseum.net.au

Abstract

Plectranthias cruentus new species is described from the holotype and two paratypes collected off Ball’s Pyramid and a paratype from Lord Howe Island. It resembles P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu 1994 in live coloration and most morphological details, including absence of predorsal scales anterior to the supratemporal commissure, but differs in having the fifth or sixth (versus third) dorsal-fin spine longest, at least some pectoral-fin rays branched (versus all unbranched), and inconspicuous (versus distinct) serrations on the interopercle. It also differs in live coloration details.

Keywords: Pisces, ichthyology, taxonomy, osteology, distributions

Plectranthias cruentus new species, AMS I.42725-007, 57.3 mm SL, freshly dead holotype, off Ball’s Pyramid, Lord Howe Island, Australia.

Photo by Robin McPhee/Kerryn Parkinson, NORFANZ voyage 2003

Plectranthias cruentus new species 

Common name: Bloody Perchlet

Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin, meaning stained or spotted with blood, and alludes to the bright red markings in life. 

 Plectranthias pelicieri, aquarium individual from New Caledonia.

Photo by Y.K. Tea.

 Anthony C. Gill and Clive D. Roberts. 2020. Plectranthias cruentus, A New Species of Anthiadine Perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea. Zootaxa. 4750(4); 560–566. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4750.4.6 

The jigsaw: putting together the Bloody Perchlet puzzle

australianmuseum.net.au/blog/amri-news/the-jigsaw-putting-together-the-bloody-perchlet-puzzle/

reefbuilders.com/2020/03/13/plectranthias-cruentus-a-new-perchlet-species-from-lord-howe-island

[Ichthyology • 2019] Luzonichthys kiomeamea • A New Species (Serranidae: Anthiadinae) from A Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Luzonichthys kiomeamea 

 Shepherd, Pinheiro, Phelps, Perez-Matus & Rocha, 2019

OceanScienceFoundation.org 

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Abstract

A new species in the anthiadine genus Luzonichthys Herre, 1936 is described from a specimen collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Luzonichthys kiomeamea n. sp. can be distinguished from the 7 other valid Luzonichthys species by anal-fin and pectoral-fin counts, the number of lateral-line scales, the number and arrangement of gill rakers, and coloration pattern. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing shows that the new species is more than 11% divergent in the COI sequence (and about equally distant) from Luzonichthys waitei, L. seaver, L. earlei (Hawai’i), and L. aff. earlei (Coral Sea). Given the isolation of the island, and the uniqueness of its fish fauna, we suspect that the new species is endemic to the mesophotic reefs of Rapa Nui.

 Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, endemism, South Pacific, Splitfin Anthias, Chile

Figure 1. Luzonichthys kiomeamea, sp. n., holotype, CAS 244640, 45.7 mm SL, shortly after death (L.A. Rocha).

Luzonichthys kiomeamea, n. sp. 

Rapa Nui Splitfin

Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements X,16; anal-fin elements III,7; pectoral-fin rays 22; lateral-line scales 64; gill rakers 12+26; body moderately elongate, depth 4.8 in SL; head length 3.6 in SL; snout 4.1 in HL; caudal fin forked and without filaments, length 4.3 in SL; caudal-fin concavity 6.3 in SL; pectoral-fin length 4.0 in SL; pelvic-fin length 5.0 in SL; color in life: body orange-red dorsally, silver-magenta ventrally, with alternating magenta, red, and orange lines along sides of body; dorsal fin yellow-orange with red-orange spots (Fig. 1).

Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Rapa Nui name; the phrase kio-meamea means “red fish that takes refuge in a cave”. Treated as a noun in apposition.

 Distribution and habitat. The new species is currently known only from Rapa Nui. The holotype was collected at a depth of 83 m in a rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area (Fig. 4). It was caught by hand using hand nets and transported alive to the surface in a perforated-plastic collecting jar.

Figure 4. Luzonichthys kiomeamea in its natural habitat, 83 m, Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile (L.A. Rocha).

Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Tyler Phelps, Alejandro Perez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2019. Luzonichthys kiomeamea (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), A New Species from A Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 33; 17-27. OceanScienceFoundation.org/josf33c.html 

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[Ichthyology • 2018] Epinephelus craigi • A New Species of Grouper (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the South China Sea

Epinephelus craigi  

 Frable, Tucker & Walker, 2018

  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9

Illustration by Emilie Stump.  twitter.com/Frable

Abstract

A new species of grouper, Epinephelus craigi sp. nov., from the South China Sea is described from 17 specimens (104–250 mm SL). The new species is distinguished from Epinephelus stictus (Randall and Allen 1987) with which it has historically been conflated, based on coloration, meristics, morphology, and genetics. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. has a unique color pattern of irregular squarish, dark brown blotches interrupting lighter brown bars along the lateral midline of the body, and small dots on the dorsal surface of the body. Additionally, E. craigi sp. nov. has a longer upper jaw, shorter snout length, narrower interorbital width, and shorter caudal peduncle than E. stictus. Both E. stictus and the new species are relatively deep-water species, with the new species occurring to at least 93 m. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. is known from the South China Sea and E. stictus is known from Western Australia and southern Indonesia, suggesting allopatric and anti-equatorial distributions. DNA sequence divergence data of the mitochondrial COI gene further supports the distinction of E. craigi sp. nov. from E. stictus.

Keywords: Epinephelus stictus, Five-bar grouper, Species description, Cytochrome oxidase I 

Composite illustration of Epinephelus craigi, based on multiple specimens and market photographs, approximately 175 mm SL.

Illustration by Emilie Stump. 

Epinephelus craigi sp. nov.

(New English name: Brokenbar Grouper; 

Chinese name in Hong Kong: Cheung-pei-paan) 

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Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Matthew T. Craig for his significant contributions to the conservation and scientific understanding of groupers and their relatives.

Benjamin W. Frable, Sarah J. Tucker and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2018. A New Species of Grouper, Epinephelus craigi (Perciformes: Epinephelidae), from the South China Sea. Ichthyological Research.  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9  

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