abyssal snailfish

description

Diagnosis. — Careproctus ovigerus is distinguished from all other species of Careproctus by the combination of narrow rows of stout, sharp, simple, recurved teeth on both jaws, a moderate-sized gill opening extending ventrally to pectoral rays 4 – 8, a large pelvic disk 25 – 38 % HL, and cephalic pore pattern 2 - 6 - 7 - 1. It is most similar to C. lycopersicus, new species, and C. kamikawai, new species, both distinguished from C. ovigerus by their broad bands of trilobed teeth. Description. — Body robust, tapering posteriorly, moderately compressed; depth at anal-fin origin 55.1 – 77.3 % HL. Head large, 26.7 – 31.2 %, and robust, dorsal profile gently sloping from nape to snout. Snout blunt, slightly projecting anterior to lower jaw. Mouth subterminal, large, upper jaw 50.1 – 56.2 % HL, maxilla extending to posterior rim of orbit, oral cleft extending to mid orbit. Lower jaw slightly inferior, premaxillary tooth plates matching mandibular tooth plates. Teeth of premaxilla and mandible in 53 – 55 oblique rows of 9 teeth forming narrow bands. Teeth of inner 5 rows large, sharp, simple, recurved; small teeth of outer 3 – 4 rows simple with weak lobes in smallest specimens (180 – 185

wo New Species of Snailfishes of the Genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Bering Sea and Eastern North Pacific Ocean, with a Redescription of Careproctus ovigerus

etymology

Etymology. — The specific epithet of Careproctus ovigerus likely refers to the eggs found in the mouth of the holotype (Jordan and Evermann, 1898).

wo New Species of Snailfishes of the Genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Bering Sea and Eastern North Pacific Ocean, with a Redescription of Careproctus ovigerus

materials_examined

Holotype. — USNM 48622, holotype, ca. 270 mm, 315 mm TL, male, British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is.), 52.6583 ° N, 132.6333 ° W, 2039 m depth, U. S. Fisheries Commission Steamer Albatross station 3342, 3 September 1890, poor condition. Non-type material. — 6 specimens, 180 – 420 mm: UW 118518, 180 mm, 205 mm TL, female, Oregon, ca. 45 ° N, 125 ° W, F / V Noah, cruise 2007, haul 177, D. J. Kamikawa; USNM 211572, 300 mm, male, Oregon, 44.545 ° N, 125.600 ° W, 2853 m depth, R / V Yaquina, cruise 6610 - A, station NH- 65, 14 October 1966; CAS 32345, 420 mm, 475 mm TL, female, Washington, 48.13 ° N, 127.0717 ° W, 2510 m depth, USNS De Steigue, beam trawl, DWD 3, 10 September 1971; CAS 81729, 330 mm, 379.4 mm TL, male, California, 37.6453 – 37.6400 ° N, 123.3947 – 123.3467 ° W, 2300 – 2550 m depth, R / V Wecoma, Farrallones Oceanic Research Expedition, beam trawl, 19 July 1991; RBCM 010 - 00507 - 004, 185 mm, 212 mm TL, female, British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is.), off Moresby I., 52.9948 – 53.0239 ° N, 133.0851 ° W, TC 2004 - 035, J. Boutillier; RBCM 1979 - 11101 - 01, 420 mm, 475 mm TL, British Columbia, off W coast of Vancouver I., 49.625 ° N, 126.95 ° W,

wo New Species of Snailfishes of the Genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Bering Sea and Eastern North Pacific Ocean, with a Redescription of Careproctus ovigerus