[Ichthyology • 2025] Etmopterus westraliensis • A New Species of Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from Western Australia, with Redescription of Etmopterus brachyurus

 

Etmopterus westraliensis

Ng, White, Liu & Joung, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70162 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395652184

Abstract

Etmopterus westraliensis is described as a new species based on six specimens collected from Western Australia, eastern Indian Ocean. The new species is assigned to the Etmopterus lucifer group due to its slender, elongate anterior and posterior branches of the flank markings. It shares the following combination of morphological characters with two congeners, Etmopterus brachyurus and Etmopterus samadiae: dermal denticles hook-like, a naked area present on underside of snout, denticles present on dorsal fins in mature individuals, the origin of flank-marking base anterior to a vertical line through origin of the second dorsal fin, caudal-fin base marking thin and slender and a relatively short posterior caudal-fin marking. The new species differs from E. brachyurus in having a longer caudal-fin base marking, ventral portion of caudal-fin base marking much longer than wide, and differs from E. samadiae in having a longer mouth, different shape of the naked area on underside of snout, thinner posterior branch of flank marking, caudal-fin base marking tip tapering and more monospondylous centra. The new species is also distinguished from E. brachyurus and E. samadiae by the mean genetic distance for the NADH2 gene, that is, 0.028 and 0.040, respectively. E. brachyurus is redescribed here based on the holotype together with additional specimens collected from the northwestern Pacific.

  Keywords: deep sea, Etmopterus brachyurus, Etmopterus lucifer group, taxonomy, Western Australia

Etmopterus westraliensis n. sp., fresh condition. 
 Paratype, CSIRO H 9025‐22, immature male 174 mm TL.
Photos copyright: CSIRO, Australian National Fish Collection. 

Etmopterus westraliensis 

Shing-Lai Ng, William T. White, Kwang-Ming Liu and Shoou-Jeng Joung. 2025. Etmopterus westraliensis, A New Species of Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from Western Australia, with Redescription of Etmopterus brachyurus. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70162 [18 September 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395652184_Etmopterus_westraliensis_a_new_species_of_lanternshark_from_Western_Australia

[Ichthyology • 2020] Squalus shiraii • A New Species of Dogfish Shark (Squaliformes, Squalidae) from Japan with Regional Nominal Species Revisited

Squalus shiraii 

Viana & Carvalho, 2020

 Shirai’s Spurdog  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.51962 

Abstract

A new species of deep-water dogfish shark, Squalus shiraii sp. nov., is described herein as endemic to the tropical waters off Southern Japan. This species has been largely misidentified with S. mitsukurii. However, morphological, meristic and morphometric evidence support it to be a separate and undescribed species. Squalus shiraii sp. nov. differs from this species by having body brown in colour dorsally, caudal fin with ventral and dorsal tips markedly tapered and broadly white, dermal denticles uniscuspidate and lanceolate and larger number of precaudal (91–94) and total vertebrae (120–123) (vs. body dark grey to black; caudal fin with ventral and dorsal tips rounded and not white in colour; denticles tricuspidate and rhomboid; 86–90 precaudal and 116–117 total vertebrae). Squalus shiraii sp. nov. is also clearly separated from other Japanese congeners which are herein revisited to include six species, based on the examination of over 150 specimens caught from Japanese waters that were available in ichthyological collections: S. mitsukurii, S. japonicus, S. acutirostris, S. brevirostris and S. suckleyi. Squalus mitsukurii, S. japonicus and S. brevirostris are re-described in detail and the neotype of S. japonicus is herein designated. Squalus acutirostris is treated as a valid species with occurrences in Japan, China and Taiwan and, thus, a provisional diagnosis is given, as well as an updated diagnosis of S. suckleyi. A key to Squalus species from the North-western Pacific Ocean is given and main morphological differences between S. shiraii sp. nov. and the closest related species are discussed.

Key Words: taxonomy, species diversity, elasmobranch, Squalus, North-western Pacific Ocean

Figure 1. Squalus shiraii sp. nov.: lateral (A–C) and ventral (D, E) views; first (F) and second (G) dorsal fins; pectoral (H) and caudal (I) fins.
HUMZ 149389 (holotype), adult male, 590 mm TL (A, D, F–I); HUMZ 80329 (paratype),
adult female, 770 mm TL (B); HUMZ 80330 (paratype),
juvenile male, 365 mm TL (C, E). Scale bars: 50 mm (A–E); 20 mm (F–I).

       

Squalus shiraii sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Single values correspond to the holotype and range to paratypes, respectively. A Squalus species that is separated from its regional congeners by: first dorsal fin conspicuously upright (vs. first dorsal fin prone); pectoral-fin posterior margin falcate (vs. not falcate); upper and lower caudal lobes markedly slender with dorsal and ventral caudal tips pointed and broadly white (vs. upper and lower caudal lobes wide with dorsal and ventral caudal tips rounded and greyish in colour); dermal denticles lanceolate, except for S. brevirostris (vs. tricuspidate); smaller claspers with clasper outer length 3.3%, 3.3%–3.4% TL and clasper inner length 6.3%, 5.9%–6.3% TL (vs. 4.5%–4.9% TL, 6.9%–8.4% TL for S. mitsukurii vs. 4.8%, 4.3%–5.6% TL and 7.5%, 7.2%–9.1% TL for S. japonicus; vs. 3.9%, 3.9%–5.1% TL and 7.1%, 7.0%–8.1% TL for S. brevirostris). Squalus shiraii sp. nov. further differentiates from S. mitsukurii by more elongate eyes, its length 4.9%, 4.4%–4.9% TL (vs. 3.6%, 3.1%–4.0% TL) and smaller fifth gill slit, its length 1.7%, 1.7%–2.1% TL (vs. 2.3%, 2.2%–2.6% TL). It is separated from S. japonicus and S. brevirostris by prenarial length 5.5%, 5.4%–5.6% TL (vs. 5.9%, 5.9%–6.8% TL for S. japonicus vs. 4.0%, 3.8%–4.3% TL for S. brevirostris) and width of first dorsal-fin spine 0.9%, 0.9%–0.9% TL (vs. 0.7%, 0.5%–0.8% TL for S. japonicus vs. 0.7%, 0.5%–0.7% TL for S. brevirostris). Squalus shiraii sp. nov. further differs from S. japonicus by shorter snout, its preorbital length 7.9%, 7.4%–7.9% TL (vs. 8.7%, 8.7%–9.3% TL for S. japonicus), smaller preoral length 10.4%, 9.4%–10.4% TL (vs. 10.7%, 10.7%–12.2% TL), larger first dorsal fin, its base length 7.7%, 7.7%–8.7% TL and first dorsal-fin posterior margin length 9.2%, 9.0%–9.3% TL (vs. 6.7%, 6.6%–7.5% TL and 7.8%, 6.7%–8.6% TL for S. japonicus) and wider pectoral fin, its posterior margin length 10.0%, 10.0%–11.7% TL (vs. 8.6%, 7.8%–9.2% TL). It is separated from S. brevirostris by wider internarial space, its width 4.8%, 4.1%–4.8% TL (vs. 3.6%, 3.4%–3.8% TL for S. brevirostris), smaller second dorsal fin with inner margin length 3.6%, 3.2%–4.1% TL (vs. 5.0%, 4.8%–5.7% TL), shorter pectoral-fin inner margin, its length 7.3%, 7.3%–8.3% TL (vs. 10.3%, 9.8%–11.2% TL) and narrower caudal fin, its width at caudal fork 6.4%, 5.7%–6.4% TL (vs. 6.6%, 6.6%–7.3% TL). Squalus shiraii is distinguished from S. formosus regardless of maturity by having more elongate precaudal (78.3%, 78.6%–80.5% TL), pre-second (60.5%, 61.1%–63.4% TL) and pre-first (30.5%, 29.6%–31.2% TL) dorsal length (vs. 77.6%–78.3% TL, 59.4%–59.7% TL and 28.1%–29.0% in S. formosus).

Etymology: This species is named after Dr. Shigeru M. Shirai, Japanese ichthyologist from Tokyo University of Agriculture, for his valuable contributions to Systematics of Squaliformes.

Vernacular: Shirai’s Spurdog; Hiretaka-tsunozame (Japanese).

Geographical distribution: This species is apparently a Japanese endemic, occurring in the shallow waters of the upper continental slope off Southern Japan in the North-western Pacific Ocean at 310–390 m depth (Fig. 8A).

 Sarah T. F. L. Viana and Marcelo R. de Carvalho. 2020. Squalus shiraii sp. nov. (Squaliformes, Squalidae), A New Species of Dogfish Shark from Japan with Regional Nominal Species Revisited. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 96(2): 275-311. DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.51962

[Ichthyology • 2019] Mollisquama mississippiensis • A New Western North Atlantic Ocean Kitefin Shark (Squaliformes: Dalatiidae) from the Gulf of Mexico

Mollisquama mississippiensis

Grace, Doosey, Denton, Naylor, Bart & Maisey, 2019 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4619.1.4

Abstract

A new species of kitefin shark (Squaliformes; Dalatiidae) is described from the Gulf of Mexico (Western North Atlantic Ocean) based on five diagnostic features not seen on the only other known Mollisquama specimen, the holotype of Mollisquama parini Dolganov which was captured in the Eastern South Pacific Ocean. The new species, Mollisquama mississippiensis sp. nov., is distinguished from its congener by a putative pit organ located ventrally just posterior of the lower jaw margin center, photophores irregularly distributed along many areas of the body, 16 distinct ventral-abdominal photophore aggregations, and two differences associated with the dentition. Other potential distinguishing features are 10 fewer vertebrae than Mollisquama parini and six morphometric proportional differences that exceeded +/- 20% from the holotype.

Keywords: Pisces, Mollisquama mississippiensis sp. nov., bioluminescent shark, putative pit organ, synchrotron scans

Figure 1. Mollisquama mississippiensis sp. nov., TU 203676 illustrated to scale in (A) lateral and (B) ventral view.

Mollisquama mississippiensis sp. nov.

 American Pocket Shark

Diagnosis. Differs from the only other described species of Mollisquama, M. parini (Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, ZIL-45988), in having a putative pit organ centrally placed just posterior to the lower jaw margin, photophores irregularly distributed along many areas of the body, a series of 16 ventral-abdominal photophore aggregations, upper teeth without a labial-surface ridge (M. parini has a labial-surface ridge), and lower teeth with a weak or absent basal sulcus (M. parini has a deep basal sulcus). The distinguishing external features the pit organ and photophore aggregations were clearly discernable when the new species was captured (Grace et al. 2015) and after preservation. These features were not reported as present on M. parini.

....

Etymology: The Latin specific epithet is in recognition of the vast North American Mississippi River Basin (Fig. 7); a biologically and geographically rich region that nurtures Gulf of Mexico fauna and unites diverse cultures. The proposed common name is the American Pocket Shark in recognition of the extraordinary Americas of the Western Hemisphere.

Conclusion:  

Mollisquama mississippiensis sp. nov. is distinguished from M. parini by five features that cannot be accounted for by ontogeny or sexual dimorphism. Additionally, there are 10 fewer vertebrae than M. parini and six morphometric proportional differences that vary from the holotype by +/- 20% that are not affected by ontogenetic allometry for distal features that is often characteristic of squaloid sharks; the vertebral count and morphometric differences are potential distinguishing features. Mollisquama mississippiensis sp. nov. and M. parini were collected from different habitats that are influenced by differing oceanographic conditions–M. parini from an area of the Pacific Ocean known for its isolation and high degree of endemism (Parin et al. 1997). The accession of M. mississippiensis sp. nov. has led to important dalatiid-characterization advances including a considerable range extension for the genus Mollisquama, the first report of a putative pit organ set on a neuromast from a squaliform shark, detailed imagery of the highly specialized pocket gland and confirmation of its bioluminescent properties, a new report of photophores for a dalatiid, and the broadest degree of dalatiid character transformations (eight) based on phylogenetic analysis and character optimization (Denton et al. 2018; two dental, two chondrocranial, three jaw, one muscular). 

Mark A. Grace, Michael H. Doosey, John S. S. Denton, Gavin J. P. Naylor, Henry L. Jr. Bart and John G. Maisey. 2019. A New Western North Atlantic Ocean Kitefin Shark (Squaliformes: Dalatiidae) from the Gulf of Mexico. Zootaxa. 4619(1); 109–120.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4619.1.4

[Ichthyology • 2017] Centrophorus longipinnis & C. lesliei • Revision of the Genus Centrophorus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae): Part 2—Description of Two New Species of Centrophorus and Clarification of the Status of Centrophorus lusitanicus

Centrophorus longipinnis

 White, Ebert & Naylor, 2017

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.3 

Abstract

Centrophorus specimens with a distinctive long-based first dorsal fin (long-finned species) have previously been considered to be Centrophorus lusitanicus first described from Portugal. Critical examination of the original description and illustration reveal that C. lusitanicus should be considered a junior synonym of C. granulosus. However, the specimen considered to be the syntype of C. lusitanicus in the Natural History Museum in London is clearly a long-finned species and not conspecific with C. granulosus. A more detailed investigation revealed that this specimen should not be considered a syntype and was likely not originally collected off the coast of Portugal. Investigation of long-finned specimens of Centrophorus from the Indo-West Pacific and Eastern Atlantic revealed that two undescribed species exist and are herein formally described as Centrophorus lesliei and C. longipinnis. The two species are similar morphologically and belong to the long-snout Centrophorus group (e.g. C. isodon and C. harrissoni) but are clearly separable based on their very long first dorsal fins. The two species differ in relative length of the first dorsal fin and several other characters. They also differ genetically. Nonmetric multidimensional ordination based on morphometric data reveals both species level and ontogenetic differences. A short erratum is also provided for Part 1 of this revision of the Centrophorus due to two figure related errors which may cause some confusion.

Keywords:  Pisces, Centrophorus, new species, Eastern Atlantic, Indo-West Pacific, genetics, taxonomy

FIGURE 11. Lateral view of Centrophorus longipinnis n. sp.:
 (A) adult male holotype (NMMB-P 15756, 720 mm TL); (B) female paratype (CSIRO H 8104 - 01, 855 mm TL); (C) female paratype (CSIRO H 7990 - 02, 825 mm TL); (D) late-term embryo paratype (CSIRO H 8103 - 02, 346 mm TL).

Centrophorus longipinnis n. sp.

Longfin Gulper Shark

 Etymology. Specific name a combination of the Latin longus (long) and pinna (fin) in allusion to the very distinctive long-based first dorsal fin this species possesses.

Distribution. Type material from off Taiwan (Cheng-gong and Da-xi fish landing sites—local fishing grounds), Indonesia (off southwest Java and eastern Lombok), and Papua New Guinea (Huon Gulf) (Fig. 10). Compagno et al. (2005) reported this species off Puerto Princesa City in the Philippines (JPAG 226, tissue accession GN4348); differed slightly in ND2 sequence and specimen not examined in this study. Limited depth information available as most specimens collected from fish landing sites; caught from depths of 330–460 m in Papua New Guinea (P. Neira, pers. comm.).

Centrophorus lesliei n. sp.

African Gulper Shark

Etymology. Named after Dr Robin Leslie (Fisheries Branch, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in South Africa) who has contributed greatly to our knowledge of southern African chondrichthyans and provided numerous important specimens and tissue samples for various projects.

Distribution. Type specimens were from the Mozambique Channel (Madagascar and Mozambique), and off Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Togo at depths of 340– 500 m. The BMNH and ZMB specimens were most likely collected by Anchieta from Angola or Mozambique in the 1800’s. Additional specimens examined by Munoz-Chapuli & Ramos (1989) were recorded as being collected from Morocco, the Canary Islands, and Ghana at depths of 370– 610 m.

William T. White, David A. Ebert and  Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2017. Revision of the Genus Centrophorus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae): Part 2—Description of Two New Species of Centrophorus and Clarification of the Status of Centrophorus lusitanicus Barbosa du Bocage & de Brito Capello, 1864. Zootaxa. 4344(1); 86–114. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.3

 twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/927363194321903617

White, W.T., Ebert, D.A., Naylor, G.J.P., Ho, H.-C., Clerkin, P., Verissimo, A. and Cotton, C. 2013. Revision of the genus Centrophorus (Squaliformes, Centrophoridae), Part 1—Redescription of Centrophorus granulosus (Bloch & Schneider), a senior synonym of C. acus Garman and C. niaukang Teng. Zootaxa. 3752(1); 35–72.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3752.1.5

ResearchGate.net/publication/259444515_Revision_of_the_genus_Centrophorus_Part_1

[Ichthyology • 2017] Etmopterus lailae • A New Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Etmopterus lailae

Ebert, Papastamatiou, Kajiura & Wetherbee, 2017

Laila’s Lanternshark || DOI:   10.11646/zootaxa.4237.2.10 

Abstract

A new species of lanternshark, Etmopterus lailae (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae), is described from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, in the central North Pacific Ocean. The new species resembles other members of the “Etmopterus lucifer” clade in having linear rows of dermal denticles, and most closely resembles E. lucifer from Japan. The new species occurs along insular slopes around seamounts at depths between 314–384 m. It can be distinguished from other members of the E. lucifer clade by a combination of characteristics, including a longer anterior flank marking branch, arrangement of dermal denticles on the ventral snout surface and body, flank and caudal markings, and meristic counts including number of spiral valve turns, and precaudal vertebrate. A key to species of the Etmopterus lucifer-clade is included.

Keywords: Pisces, Chondrichthyes, elasmobranch, Etmopterus lucifer clade, new species, central North Pacific Ocean

FIGURE 1. Etmopterus lailae new species, immature male holotype (BPBM 40183).

Etmopterus lailae, new species 

Laila’s Lanternshark

Distribution. The new species presently is known only from the Koko and South Kanmu seamounts, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and at a depth range of 314–384 m. 

Etymology. The new species is named after Laila Mostello-Wetherbee, shark enthusiast and daughter of coauthor Brad Wetherbee. The proposed common name is Laila’s Lanternshark. 

David A. Ebert, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Stephen M. Kajiura and Bradley M. Wetherbee. 2017. Etmopterus lailae sp. nov., A New Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Zootaxa. 4237(2); 371-382. DOI:   10.11646/zootaxa.4237.2.10

ResearchGate.net/publication/314103176_Etmopterus_lailae_sp_nov_a_new_lanternshark_Squaliformes_Etmopteridae_from_the_Northwestern_Hawaiian_Islands

http://www.science.fau.edu/sharklab/pdfs/epkw17.pdf

New shark species glows in the dark, weighs two pounds and has a huge nose
phy.so/420267222 via @physorg_com

[Ichthyology • 2016] Etmopterus alphus • A New Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the south-western Indian Ocean

Etmopterus alphus  

  Ebert, Straube, Leslie & Weigmann, 2016   

   DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2016.1198275 

Abstract

A new species of lanternshark, Etmopterus alphus (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae), is described from the south-western Indian Ocean. The new species resembles other members of the ‘Etmopterus lucifer’ clade in having linear rows of dermal denticles and most closely resembles E. molleri from the south-western Pacific. The new species is fairly common along the upper continental slopes off central Mozambique, at depths between 472 and 558 m, and is also found on the southern Madagascar Ridge in 650–792 m depth. It can be distinguished from other members of the E. lucifer clade by a combination of characteristics, including arrangement of flank and caudal markings, dimension of flank markings and shape, size and arrangement of dermal denticles along the body. Molecular analysis further supports the distinction of E. alphus from other members of the E. lucifer clade.

Keywords: Chondrichthyes, elasmobranch, Etmopterus lucifer clade, Madagascar Ridge, molecular analysis, Mozambique, new species, 

Ebert, D.A., Straube, N., Leslie, R.W. and Weigmann, S. 2016. Etmopterus alphus n. sp.: A New Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the south-western Indian Ocean.
 African Journal of Marine Science.   DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2016.1198275

[Ichthyology • 2016] Eye Lens Radiocarbon reveals Centuries of Longevity in the Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus

Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus 

photo: Nick Caloyianis DOI:  10.1126/science.aaf1703

Deep living for centuries

We tend to think of vertebrates as living about as long as we do, give or take 50 to 100 years. Marine species are likely to be very long-lived, but determining their age is particularly difficult. Nielsen et al. used the pulse of carbon-14 produced by nuclear tests in the 1950s—specifically, its incorporation into the eye during development—to determine the age of Greenland sharks. This species is large yet slow-growing. The oldest of the animals that they sampled had lived for nearly 400 years, and they conclude that the species reaches maturity at about 150 years of age.

A Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus off Baffin Island, Canada. 

photo: Nick Caloyianis 

 Abstract

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), an iconic species of the Arctic Seas, grows slowly and reaches >500 centimeters (cm) in total length, suggesting a life span well beyond those of other vertebrates. Radiocarbon dating of eye lens nuclei from 28 female Greenland sharks (81 to 502 cm in total length) revealed a life span of at least 272 years. Only the smallest sharks (220 cm or less) showed signs of the radiocarbon bomb pulse, a time marker of the early 1960s. The age ranges of prebomb sharks (reported as midpoint and extent of the 95.4% probability range) revealed the age at sexual maturity to be at least 156 ± 22 years, and the largest animal (502 cm) to be 392 ± 120 years old. Our results show that the Greenland shark is the longest-lived vertebrate known, and they raise concerns about species conservation.

Julius Nielsen, Rasmus B. Hedeholm, Jan Heinemeier, Peter G. Bushnell, Jørgen S. Christiansen, Jesper Olsen, Christopher Bronk Ramsey, Richard W. Brill, Malene Simon, Kirstine F. Steffensen and John F. Steffensen. 2016. Eye Lens Radiocarbon reveals Centuries of Longevity in the Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus). Science. 353(6300); 702-704. DOI:  10.1126/science.aaf1703

http://worldisvulnerable.com/longest-lived-vertebrates-are-greenland-sharks-and-they-can-live-up-to-500-years/

Slow Sharks Sneak Up on Sleeping Seals (and Eat Them)? http://on.natgeo.com/LOdEP3 via @NatGeo

[Ichthyology • 2016] Squatina david • A New Southern Caribbean Species of Angel Shark (Chondrichthyes, Squaliformes, Squatinidae), Including Phylogeny and Tempo of Diversification of American Species

Squatina david 

Acero, Tavera, Anguila & Hernández, 2016 
DOI:  10.1643/CI-15-292

A new species of Squatina, S. david, is described from the Colombian Caribbean. The new species differs from all the western North Atlantic angel sharks by lacking a mid-dorsal line of thorns or enlarged dermal denticles, by having an eye-spiracle distance larger than 1.5 times eye diameter, and each nasal flap with two rod-like barbels. Coloration is grayish to brownish yellow, males are dark-spotted, females have abundant whitish spots. Squatina david is nested within the American clade of angel sharks, being the sister species to the Brazilian species.

Arturo Acero P., José J. Tavera, Rafael Anguila and Luis Hernández. 2016. A New Southern Caribbean Species of Angel Shark (Chondrichthyes, Squaliformes, Squatinidae), Including Phylogeny and Tempo of Diversification of American Species.
Copeia. 104(2):577-585.  DOI:  10.1643/CI-15-292

facebook.com/294682373885900/photos/1230129260341202

Se describe a Squatina david n. sp. del Caribe colombiano. La nueva especie se distingue de las otras especies de peces ángel del Atlántico noroccidental por carecer de una línea media dorsal de espinas o dentículos dérmicos agrandados y por tener una distancia del ojo al espiráculo mayor que 1.5 el diámetro del ojo en especímenes de más de 60 cm de longitud total, cada pliegue nasal con dos barbillones romos y una coloración amarillo grisoso a marrón, macho con puntos oscuros, hembras con abundantes puntos blancos. La nueva especie se agrupa con el clado americano de peces ángel, siendo hermana del clado de especies brasileras.