Parapercis punctata (Cuvier, 1829)

Ho, Hsuan-Ching, 2013, Redescription of Parapercis punctata (Cuvier, 1829) and status of Neosillago Castelnau, 1875 and its type species Neosillago marmorata Castelnau, 1875 (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae), Zootaxa 3736 (3), pp. 291-299 : 293-296

Parapercis punctata (Cuvier, 1829)

Figures 1 A–D; Table 1

Percis punctata Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829:264 (type locality unknown). Cantwell, 1964:245 (doubtful in Parapercis ).

Parapercis guezei Fourmanoir, 1966:218 , fig. 2 (type locality: Cap La Houssaye, Réunion, western Mascarenes, southwestern Indian Ocean, 75 m).

Parapercis punctata (Cuvier, 1929) : Randall, 1984:41 (mentioned, as senior synonym of P. guezei ). Randall & Francis, 1993:209 (mentioned, as senior synonym of P. gu e ze i). Fricke, 1999:465 (listed, senior synonym of P. guezei ).

Material examined. MNHN B-3106 (134.4 mm SL), holotype of Percis punctata , assumed collected from western Indian Ocean. MNHN 1965-675 (131.7 mm SL), holotype of P. guezei , Reunion Island, 21°07’01”S, 55°34’59”E, 75 m, no date. MNHN 1965-676 (132.1 mm SL), paratype of P. guezei , same data as MNHN 1965-675. MNHN 4097 (129.5 mm SL), non-type, Reunion Island, Apr. 1866.

Diagnosis. A species of Parapercis with a unequal color pattern of numerous black spots on dorsal surface of head and anterior portion of body, row of 8 black blotches laterally along upper body and irregular narrow bands on caudal fin, and a combination of the following characters: dorsal-fin rays V, 21; anal-fin rays I, 17; pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17; pored lateral-line scales 52 or 53; transverse scale rows 4.5/14–16; total gill rakers 14 or 15; circumpeduncular scales rows 25 or 26; 3 sensory pores above the maxilla and one large pore at front of chin; free margin of preoperculum strongly serrated; and a short prolongation on upper lobe of caudal fin.

Description. Following data are provided for holotype of P. punctata , followed by 3 other specimens in parentheses, if different. Selected morphometric data are provided in Table 1 .

Dorsal-fin rays V, 21, the fourth spine longest; anal-fin rays I, 17; all dorsal and anal soft rays branched; pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17, branched except uppermost; principal caudal-fin rays 16 or 17. Pored lateral-line scales 52 (52 or 53), not including 3 (3 or 4) gradually smaller scales on caudal-fin base. Scale rows between origin of dorsal fin posteroventrally and lateral line 4.5; scales below lateral line posteroventrally to origin of anal fin 14 (14–16); median predorsal scales 8; circumpeduncular scale rows 25 (25 or 26). Rakers on outer side of first gill arch 5 + 10 = 15 (4–5 + 10 = 14–15); pseudobranchial filaments 24 (24–27); branchiostegal rays 6.

Body elongated and stout, nearly cylindrical anteriorly and gradually compressed posteriorly; body depth 5.8 (4.9–5.4) times in SL, 1.8 (1.5–1.6) in HL; body width 5.1 (5.2–6.3) in SL, 1.6 (1.6–1.8) in HL; head relatively rounded, its length 3.3 (3.2–3.4) in SL; ventral part of head, chest and abdomen slightly convex; snout relatively short and pointed, its length 3.2 (3.1–3.4) in HL; eye relatively large, orbital diameter 3.7 (3.9–4.1) in HL; interorbital space flat, the least fleshy width 6.6 (6.8–8.5) in HL; caudal peduncle length 4.2 (3.5–4.1) in HL; caudal peduncle depth 3.2 (3.1–3.4) in HL.

Mouth large, maxilla nearly reaching a vertical at midpoint of eye, upper-jaw length 2.3 (2.3–2.4) in HL; mouth oblique, forming an angle of about 20° to horizontal axis of body; lower jaw extends slightly beyond upper jaw anteriorly. Upper jaw with outer row of 26 or 27 (21–24) conical teeth that curve medially and posteriorly, anterior 3 distinctly larger and the 2nd one especially large in all but holotype of P. punctata , followed by a small gap and then 8 (6–9) moderately large teeth, followed by 15 or 16 (12–14) slightly smaller, subequal teeth; broad band of villiform teeth medial to canines in about 8 (7 or 8) rows at front of upper jaw, gradually narrowing posteriorly to a narrow band in about 2 (1 or 2) irregular rows. Front of lower jaw with 3 pairs of recurved canine teeth, all about equal in size; band of about 5 (5 or 6) rows of villiform teeth medial to canines at front of lower jaw, medial row continuing laterally in jaw posterior to first few canines as row of 8 (7 or 8) increasingly larger and more strongly recurved teeth (last 3 or 4 of these distinctly enlarged), followed by a single row of small teeth to end of jaw. Vomer with 6 (5–7) stout conical teeth, forming a curved row; palatines without teeth. Lips smooth, their inner surface with large fleshy papillae that interdigitate with anterior teeth. Tongue broadly rounded, reaching forward to posterior vomerine teeth.

Gill membranes free from isthmus, with a broad transverse free fold. Gill rakers short and spinous, longest about 1/3 length of longest gill filaments. Nostrils small, anterior nostril tube-like, in front of center of eye (viewed from side), a little more than half way to groove at edge of upper lip, with a broadly pointed posterior flap that reaches the posterior nostril when laid back; posterior nostril dorsoposterior to anterior nostril, ovate with slight rim; internasal distance about 2 (1–2) times diameter of posterior nostril.

Pores of cephalic sensory system relatively few; row of 3 large pores above maxilla; 1 pore above and 1 below the posterior nostril; 2 pores on each side of space between posterior nostril to anterior interorbital space. Some pores connected by canals under the skin on posterior interorbital space and occiput; 1 branched series continuing to posteroventral margin of eye along the upper margin of cheek scales, 1 continuing to above the free margin of preopercle, and a third continuing to anterior end of lateral line on body. Row of 8 (8–10) pores along the free margin of preopercle, the lower pores may accompanied by 1 or 2 smaller pores, continuing forward to a series of 4 large pores on mandible. A single large pore at front of chin.

Opercle bearing a strong sharp spine, with a small blunt spine attached above, the latter entirely covered by skin, at about same level as ventral edge of pupil when viewed from the side. Free margin of subopercle variable, with a row of 10 or 11 close-set spines on upper portion and smooth or slightly serrated on the lower portion in the holotyp of P. punctata , upper portion with 5–7 blunt spines loosely arranged along the entire margin in the holotype of P. guezei , smooth, except for 3 or 4 close-set spines, in the paratype of P. guezei and the non-type. Preopercle broadly rounded, its free edge strongly serrated, with 10 (10–11) loosely-arranged blunt serrae extending from upper free end of posterior margin to slightly in front of vertical at posterior edge of orbit. Posterior free margin of interorbital slightly serrated or smooth.

Scales strongly ctenoid and imbricate in most parts of body; those on opercle large and ctenoid; on space anterior to pectoral fin base ctenoid; on pectoral fin base small and ctenoid; on nape anterior to a line from upper free end of gill opening to origin of dorsal fin cycloid; on cheek cycloid, larger posteriorly; on chest weakly ctenoid (cycloid in other specimens); on abdomen weakly ctenoid; on caudal fin progressively smaller and ctenoid, covering about 3/4 of the upper and lower lobes, 1/2 of the middle portion. No scales on dorsal, anal, or pelvic fins. Predorsal scales extending forward to, or slightly anterior to, a vertical from hind margin of preopercle. Lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin, then gradually slanting to straight midlaterally on about posterior fourth of body.

Origin of dorsal fin over third to fourth lateral-line scale, predorsal length 3.2 (3.4–3.5) in SL, about equal to head length; 1st dorsal-fin spine short, 13.3 (9.4–12.8) in HL; 2nd dorsal-fin spine 6.6 (6.1–7.8) in HL; 3rd dorsalfin spine 4.6 (4.1–4.5) in HL; 4th dorsal-fin spine longest, 4.0 (4.2–4.4) in HL; 5th dorsal-fin spine 4.2 (4.9–5.6) in HL, entirely attached to 1st soft ray by membrane; last soft dorsal-fin ray longest, 2.0 (2.2–2.4) in HL. Pectoral fins broadly rounded when spread, ninth or tenth ray longest, 5.3 (5.4–5.6) in SL, 1.5 (1.3–1.6) in HL. Origin of pelvic fins anterior to pectoral fin origin, below base of exposed part of opercular spine, prepelvic length 3.6 (3.3–3.9) in SL, 1.1 (1.0–1.2) in HL. Pelvic fin relatively short, reaching between anus to origin of anal fin, fourth pelvic-fin ray longest, 4.7 (4.6–5.1) in SL, 1.5 (1.3–1.6) in HL. Origin of anal fin below base of 4th dorsal soft ray, preanal length 2.0 (2.0–2.1) in SL; anal-fin spine 8.7 (6.1–8.5) in HL; penultimate anal soft ray longest, 2.4 (2.6–2.8) in HL. Caudal fin rounded, with a short prolongation on upper lobe (present on holotype of P. punctata and paratype of P guezei , broken on other two specimens); caudal fin length without prolongation 5.5 (5.5–5.6) in SL, 1.7 (1.6–1.8) in HL, with prolongation 4.7 (4.1 in paratype of P. guezei , broken in two other specimens), 1.4 (1.3) in HL.

Coloration. Preserved specimen yellowish brown with many mid-sized black spots (up to 25) on dorsal surface of head and anterior body (somewhat faded in holotype of P. punctata ), those on head and nape arranged in 3 or 4 regular rows. Small dots on upper pectoral-fin base (absent in paratype of P. guezei ). A horizontal row of larger black spots, slightly smaller posteriorly, on upper half of sides, first above the pectoral fin base, follow by six arranged in 3 pairs, and one on caudal peduncle. Two rows on small black spots on dorsal fin, those on the lower row at the base of the fin associated with the fin rays, on the upper row at about middle of the fin, associated with the fin membranes. Most of supraorbital membrane black. Spinous dorsal fin blackish. About six narrow vertical bars at posterior 2/3 of caudal fin, the color gradually stronger posteriorly. Fresh color unknown.

Distribution. The locality of the holotype is unknown (recorded as western Indian Ocean in the MNHN database). The types of P. guezei and the non-type specimen were collected from off Réunion, the former from a depth of 75 m.

Remarks. Some variations were observed among the four specimens examined. The black spots on the holotype of P. punctata were moderately faded. The spots on the head between the interorbital space and origin of the dorsal fin are generally arranged in 3 rows, but 4 rows in the non-type specimen. The holotype of P. guezei and the non-type have a small spot on upper pectoral-fin base, which is absent in the paratype of P. guezei . The holotype of P. guezei has one additional small spot below the 2nd lateral mark and the paratype of P. guezei has one below the interspace of 1st and 2nd lateral marks and 1 between 3rd and 4th lateral marks. The non-type has several additional smaller spots on the side of the head and above the pectoral fin. The holotype of P. guezei and the non-type have 16 rows of scales between the lateral line and origin of the anal fin, but the other two specimens have 14 rows; the holotype of P. punctata has weakly ctenoid scales on the chest, whereas the other three specimens have all scales cycloid. The 2nd tooth on the outer row of the upper jaw is more strongly enlarged in specimens other than the holotype of P. punctata .

The free margin of the subopercle of the holotype of P. punctata has a row of 10 or 11 close-set spines on the upper portion and is smooth or slightly serrated on the lower portion, however there are 5–7 strong blunt spines loosely arranged along the entire margin in the holotype of P. guezei , and it is smooth, except for 3 or 4 close-set spines, in the paratype of P. guezei and the non-type. Without examining a larger series of specimens, it is difficult to evaluate that these difference can be attributed to individual variation or other possibility, such as sexual dimorphism.

Fricke (1999) mentioned there is another specimen (USNM 276016, 80 mm SL, Figs. 2 A–B) collected from off Aldabra, Seychelles, at a depth of less than 10 m, however this specimen is identified here as Parapercis punctulata (Cuvier, 1829) , based on a series of photos taken by staff in the collection (D. Smith, S. Raredon, pers. comm., 2013). Although P. punctata shares similar fin formulae and squamation with P. punctulata , it can be easily separated by the distribution and size of spots on body.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Parapercis punctata Cuvier, 1829, preserved. A. Holotype of Percis punctata Cuvier, 1829 (= Parapercis punctata), MNHN A- 3116, 134.4 mm SL. B. Holotype of Parapercis guezei Fourmanoir, 1966, MNHN 1965 - 675, 131.7 mm SL. C-D. Non-type, MNHN 4097, 129.5 mm SL. C. Lateral view. D. Dorsal view.

FIGURE 2. Parapercis punctulata (Cuiver, 1829), female, USNM 276016, 80 mm SL, off Aldabra, Seychelles, preserved. A. Lateral view. B. Dorsal view. Photo by S. Raredon.

Tables

TABLE 1. Morphometric data for specimens of Parapercis punctata examined this study.

	Holotype of P. punctata	Holotype of P. guezei	Paratype of P. guezei	Non-type
	MNHN B-3106	MNHN 1965-675	MNHN 1965-676	MNHN 4097
SL (mm)	134.4	131.7	132.1	142.7
% SL
Head length	30.6	29.3	31.5	29.6
Body depth	17.3	19.4	20.5	18.6
Body width	19.6	15.9	19.3	17.6
Snout length	9.5	9.0	9.3	9.5
Orbital diameter	8.3	7.1	7.8	7.6
Interorbital width	4.6	4.3	3.7	4.1
Upper-jaw length	13.1	12.6	13.2	12.7
Pre-dorsal length	31.0	28.7	29.7	29.5
Pre-pelvic length	27.8	25.4	30.1	26.3
Pre-anal length	49.1	47.2	51.0	47.0
Dorsal-fin base	61.0	61.4	61.5	61.9
1st dorsal-fin spine	2.3	3.1	2.0	2.3
2nd dorsal-fin spine	4.6	4.8	4.0	Broken
3rd dorsal-fin spine	6.6	7.2	7.0	6.7
4th dorsal-fin spine	7.7	7.0	7.2	Broken
5th dorsal-fin spine	7.4	5.2	5.9	6.1
Longest dorsal-fin ray	15.3	12.3	14.5	13.7
Anal-fin base	42.1	44.7	41.0	44.1
Anal-fin spine	3.5	4.1	3.7	4.8
Longest anal-fin ray	12.8	11.1	12.3	10.6
Pectoral-fin length	19.3	18.0	18.9	18.6
Pelvic-fin length	21.1	21.9	19.7	20.0
Pelvic-fin spine	6.8	8.4	8.1	6.2
Caudal-fin length 1	18.3	18.3	17.8	18.1
Caudal-fin length 2	21.1	Broken	24.2	Broken
Caudal peduncle length	7.4	8.4	7.7	8.4
Caudal peduncle depth	9.4	9.4	9.5	9.5