Scorpaena bulacephala, a new species of scorpionfish (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) from the northern Tasman Sea

Abstract

A new species of small-sized scorpionfish, Scorpaena bulacephala, is described on the basis of seven specimens collected from off Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, northern Tasman Sea, southwestern Pacific Ocean, at depths of 86–113 m. The new species is closely related to a Hawaiian endemic species, S. colorata. The two species are distinguished from other Indo–Pacific species of Scorpaena by the following combination of characters: exposed cycloid scales covering the anteroventral surface of the body and pectoral-fin base, the lateral surface of the lacrimal without spines, and 17 pectoral-fin rays. The new species differs from S. colorata in having 39–44 longitudinal scales rows and relatively short fin spines and rays, especially short longest pectoral-fin ray (31.5–33.5% of standard length). Morphological changes with growth and sexual dimorphism of the new species are also discussed.

Validity of Scorpaena jacksoniensis and a redescription of S. cardinalis, a senior synonym of S. cookii (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

“…Measurements generally follow Motomura (2004a, b), except head width (Motomura et al 2005b(Motomura et al , 2006a and maxillary depth (Motomura et al 2006b). Counts follow Motomura et al (2005a, b, c) and Motomura and Johnson (2006), with predorsal scale counts following Motomura et al (2006b).…”

“…In common with most members of the genus Scorpaena (see Motomura et al 2005b), the number of the branched pectoral-fin rays in S. cardinalis and S. jacksoniensis tend to increase with growth until they attain ca. 200 mm SL (Fig.…”

A new species of scorpionfish, Ebosia saya (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae), from the western Indian Ocean and notes on fresh coloration of Ebosia falcata

“…Measurements generally followed Motomura (2004b, c), with head width, head depth, maxillary depth, and body depth at anal-fin origin following Motomura et al (2005bMotomura et al ( , 2006a, Motomura (2004a), Motomura et al (2006b) and , respectively. Counts generally followed Motomura et al (2005a, b, c) and Motomura and Johnson (2006); predorsal scale counts followed Motomura et al (2006b).…”

Sebastapistes taeniophrys (Fowler 1943): a valid scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) from the Philippines

“…Measurements follow Motomura (2004a, b), with head width following Motomura et al (2005bMotomura et al ( , 2006a and maxillary depth following Motomura et al (2006b). Counts follow Motomura et al (2005a, b, c) and Motomura and Johnson (2006), with predorsal scale counts following Motomura et al (2006b).…”

“…However, all of the pectoral-fin rays of the specimens were unbranched. Because juveniles of a number of scorpaenid species do not possess branched pectoral-fin rays, the number of such rays increasing with (subadult/adult) growth (Motomura et al 2005b), it is most likely that Fowler's specimens represent juvenile or young stages of a relatively small species.…”