Bathygadus antrodes (Jordan and Gilbert, 1904)

Melanobranchus antrodes Jordan and Gilbert, 1904:606–607, pl. 4, fig. 7. (holotype: USNM 50932, 265 TL, Sagami Bay, Japan, 501–749 fm [916–1,370 m], Albatross sta. 3696; other spec. from Sagami and Suruga bays, 480–677 fm [878–1238 m]).

Bathygadus antrodes: Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916:149–150 (16 spec., 9 local. off Honshu I., Japan; 440–712 fm [805–1,302 m]).— Okamura, 1970:30–33, pl. XI, text-fig. 16 (descr.; 15 spec.; Japan); Okamura, 1984:197, 356, fig. 138 (descr. in Japanese and English; 4 spec.; s. Japan, Okinawa Trough, 792– 1,200 m).— Howes and Crimmen, 1990:191 (USNM spec.; s. Japan). Sazonov 1994:100–101, fig. 1 (5 spec., Nintoku Seamount [on Emperor Seamounts chain]; 1120–1160 m).— Chiou et al., 2004b:39. fig. 5 (2 spec., NET; one spec. we currently re-identify as B. garretti).— Shao et al., 2008: table 2 (19 spec., NET, SWT, SET, SCS).

MATERIAL EXAMINED (7 spec.).— NET: ASIZP 61225 (1, 635 TL); Da-xi . SCS: ASIZP 65515 (1, 66.8 HL, 350 TL); CD 322, 1098 m; ASIZP 65633 (2, 150–375+ TL); CD 229, 880– 1062 m . SET: ASIZ 67033 (1, 78.1 HL, 367+ TL); CP 350, 1148 m; ASIZP 66100 (1, 62 HL, 310 TL); CD 322, 1098 m; ASIZP 66110 (1, 73.1 HL, 377+ TL); CD 322, 1098 m .

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— A species of Bathygadus with no scales on gular membrane; chin barbel absent; dorsal profile behind head elevated, nape somewhat humpbacked; 1D II7–9; P i14–i18; V 8–9; GR 5–6+18–20; pyl. caeca 10–18*; interorbital width 31–36% HL; orbit diameter 18–22%; upper jaw length 53–64%; filamentous rays of 1D, P, and V when intact slightly longer than head.* Head bones and integument notably thin and fragile. Color overall dark; fins, head, abdomen, mouth, and gill cavity usually black. (* indicates data from Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916).

DISTRIBUTION.— From n. part of Japan (Tohoku region of Honshu Is.) s. to Taiwan (NET, SET, SCS) and on Emperor Seamounts Chain (at 40°05ʹN, 170°43ʹE), from about 800 to 1370 m.

REMARKS.— Chiou et al. (2004b:39, 42, fig. 5) recorded this species from Taiwan based on two specimens, but we re-identified one of them (ASIZP 61226) as B. garretti . Bathygadus antrodes is closely similar to B. bowersi (Gilbert, 1905) from Hawaii and to B. spongiceps Gilbert and Hubbs, 1920 from the Philippines and Indonesia. Characters used to distinguish the three are minimal and need to be further supported. A closer comparison with many more specimens from throughout the western and central Pacific should prove fruitful.