Hymenocephalus papyraceus Jordan and Gilbert, 1904

Figure 12.

Hymenocephalus papyraceus Jordan and Gilbert, 1904:614. fig. (holotype USNM 50935, 147 mm TL; Sagami Bay, Japan, 120–265 fm [219–485 m], Albatross sta. 3697).— Okamura, 1970:56–58, pl. XVII, text-fig. 24 (1 spec., 95 mm TL, Pacific coast s. Japan).— Sazonov, 1993:117–121 (fig.) (1 spec., East China Sea; 800–826 m).

Hymenocephalus (Papyrocephalus) papyraceus: Gilbert and Hubbs, 1920:539 (included as one of three species in new subgenus).

Hymenocephalus papiraceus: Okamura in Masuda et al., 1984:94, pl. 344–I (species name misspelled; compiled).

MATERIAL EXAMINED.— NET: NMMB-P 9121 (1, 25.7 HL), Da-xi.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— 1D II,10; P i14; V 11; GR-I (outer/inner) 0+16/5+17, GR-II 5+17/4+16. Orbit 23% HL, 1.4 into postorbital; interorbital 35%; internasal width 23%; suborbital 19%; postorbital 54%; orbit to preopercle angle 54%; upper jaw 47%; barbel 3.5%; 1D-2D interspace 60%; P length 70%; V length 62%; length outer V to A origin 54%; pre-anal length 144%; length outer gill slit 27%. Head relatively deep and broad; orbit not included in dorsal profile; nape high, beginning slightly behind posterior edge of orbit. Snout with high median nasal ridge, flexible, pointed tip projecting slightly beyond mouth. Posterior end of preopercle ridge narrowly chisel-shaped (or flathead shovel-shaped). Barbel small but distinct. Head color mostly black, but dorsal head bones and snout transparent. Entire trunk to over A origin deeply and heavily peppered; remainder of body covered with large melanophores. Ground color medium brown; A base black anteriorly. Gular and BR membranes black. Attains about 150 mm TL

REMARKS.— Hymenocephalus papyraceus is apparently a rare species, having been recorded only three times previously: the holotype (and only type specimen), a small specimen in poor condition reported by Okamura (1970), and the East China Sea specimen of Sazonov (1993). The Taiwan specimen is the first record from outside Japanese waters.