Pterygotrigla (Parapterygotrigla) multiocellata Matsubara 1937

Richards, William J. & Yato, Takuji, 2014, Revision of the subgenus Parapterygotrigla (Pisces: Triglidae: Pterygotrigla), Zootaxa 3768 (1), pp. 23-42 : 34-37

Pterygotrigla (Parapterygotrigla) multiocellata Matsubara 1937

Spotted Gurnard

( Figures 5 A –F, Tables 1 & 2 )

Parapterygotrigla multiocellata Matsubara 1937:266 (original description, Japan); Kuronuma 1939:254 (synonymy, description, Kumano-Nada, SE of Kii Peninsula, Japan, 150 fm. Yatou in Okamura et al. 1982:281, 398; Shen 1984:33, pl. 33 (color photo, description); Ochiai & Yatou in Masuda et al. 1984:334, pl. 300-I (description, color photo); Yatou in Okamura et al. 1985:581, 724; Suzuki & Hosokawa 1994:3; del Cerro & Lloris 1997:114 (distribution, meristics); Richards 1999:2378; Richards in Randall & Lim 2000:607 (list).

Pterygotrigla multiocellata (Matsubara) : Kamohara 1952:72 (description, illustration); Kamohara 1958:59 (list); Kamohara 1964:78 (list); Nakabo 2000:604; Shinohara et al. 2001:317; Nakabo 2002:604; Myers & Donaldson 2003:619; Shinohara et al. 2005:426.

Material examined. Holotype (unique) FAKU 4655, 1 (241 mm SL), from Japan, Kumano Nada, SE of Kii Peninsula, Pacific coast of Wakayama Prefecture; 1937, at a depth of about 150 fathoms.

Japanese waters: FAKU 5782, 1 (167 mm SL), from Japan; Saipan waters: UF118339, 2 (240–241 mm SL), FRV Townsend Cromwell Cr. 53, St. 94, 15 o10’N, 145o40’E, near Saipan, 30 Apr. 1974, 366– 379 m.; KU 31095, 1 (326 mm SL), 15.2008o N, 145.6831o E, e side of Saipan, hook & line, T. R. Flores, 264– 265 m.

Australian waters: CSIRO H1183-06, 1 (232 mm SL), Queensland, Queensland Plateau, E of Flinders Reef, 17o32’ S, 149o34’E, 454 m; CSIRO H780-02, 1 (229 mm SL), Queensland, Marian Plateau, 19o46’S, 152o04’E, 368 m; CSIRO H1036-06, 2 (122–126 mm SL), Western Australia, north of Cape Lambert, 19o06.’S, 117o07’E, 178–183 m; AMS I.22807-029, 6 (158–193 mm SL),Western Australia, Northwest Shelf, 175 km N of Port Hedland, 18o32’S, 118o17’E, 204 m;.

Diagnosis. Antrorse spine at base of AIO spine present, AIO moderate to long (6–22% SL). P1 fin long (40– 52% SL), moderate eye (8–12% SL), pterygiophores exposed along base of D1 (large plates including one in advance of 1st D1 spine), cleithral spine long (13–20%SL), GR short (1–2% SL).

Description. D 1 VII–VIII, D2 11(10–12), A 12(11–13), P1 long (40–52% SL) 12 (11–13) + 3, C 8 + 7, v 11 + 16 = 27, 10 bucklers along base of D1, GR short (1.1–2.2 mm) with 8–9 (6–11) on ceratohyal + rudiments, llsc 60– 70, nape and breast lack scales, belly 50% covered with scales, nuchal spine long (12–15%SL), no ocular spines, opercular spine short, preopercular spine short, preopercular ridge present, cleithral spine long (13–20% SL). Pterygiophore interdigitation pattern: //1/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/.

Coloration. Based on color photos ( Fig. 5 E-F) provided by K.A. Moots of a fresh specimen from Saipan (KU 31095): body orange with red blotches on the head around the eye and snout; yellow spots on the top of the head, nape, and on the trunk above the P1 fin base, below both dorsal fins, and on and below the lateral line; pink spines in the D1 fin with membranes distally pink; D2 fin with pink rays and distally pink membranes; C fin with pink rays, white base and medial rays white; A fin white; P1 fin with pink leading and trailing rays, whitish pink medial rays, and greenish membranes with the distal rays and membranes greenish white; and margins of fin membranes light bluish. This same hue occupied about half of the length of the lower four fin membranes with the basal area pinkish; lower flank and belly white and pectoral-fin base with a bluish tinge.

Distribution. Western Pacific and southeastern Indian Ocean. Known from off Japan, Saipan, and eastern and western tropical Australia, at depths of 178– 379 m.

Discussion. The unique character of the presence of antrorse spine at the base of the anterior infraorbital spine is only found in this species of triglid. It may be difficult to discern by sight, but is easily felt by touch.

The two specimens from Saipan have shorter anterior infraorbital (AIO) spines than the Japanese specimens, and show no indication of spots on the trunk below the first dorsal fin that are visible in the illustration of the holotype. Similarly, the Australian specimens appear to lack dorsal spots also, but preservation vagaries may account for their absence. A color image by Yatou (in Okamura et al. 1985: 580) shows: AIO spines reddish; dorsum of head and trunk reddish; D1 fin with reddish spines and pale membranes; D2 fin pale with anterior and posterior rays reddish; base of C fin reddish, remainder pale; P1 with white rays and black membranes, slightly reddish at base; P2 fins reddish at base with slightly reddish membranes; A fin pale; belly, gills and lower jaw white. A color image on Plate 300-I by Ochiai & Yatou (in Masuda et al. 1984) depicts: a pinkish color (rather than reddish) for the AIO spines; pinkish D1 fin; pale D2 fin with light pink rays; red C fin; upper P1 fin red with medial rays white with black membranes, and the lower rays pink; P2 pink; and the A fin and belly white. Shen (1984: 33, pl. 33) includes a dorsal view with the P1 fins spread — rays pale with bluish gray membranes; about 3 of the P2 fin rays visible are similar in colour. The dorsum is mottled pinkish red, D1 fin with black membranes distally and pinkish rays, D2 fin pale with pinkish rays, C fin has some pink but is mostly white. There appears to be some black spotting on the dorsum, appearing as scattered spots below the D1 & D2 fins. The tips of the AIO spines are white. Springer (1982) suggested that a number of species are conspecific around the edge of the Philippine plate; hence, we provisionally consider these forms to be conspecific, but further collecting and molecular analysis may prove otherwise.

Hyperostosis was evident on the anterior first infraorbital spine (Figs. 13, 14) and in some dorsal fin spines. Smith-Vaniz et al. (1995) reviewed this condition in several families and noted that it occurs in some triglids.

Figures

FIGURE 5 A. Pterygotrigla multiocellata, CSIRO H 1036 - 06, 125.9 mm SL, Australia. B. Dorsal view of heads of Pterygotrigla multiocellata FAKU 4655, 241 mm SL (left) and FAKU 5782, 167 mm SL (right) showing change in shape of AIO and slight beginnings of hyperostosis. C. Lateral view of snout of Pterygotrigla multiocellata FAKU 4655, 241 mm SL showing hyperostosis bulge at spine base..