Owstonia sarmiento (Liao, Reyes and Shao)

(Figure 70)

Sphenanthias sarmiento Liao, Reyes and Shao, 2009:255, figs. 1A, 1B (original description; Aurora, " East " Luzon, Philippines, 15.96°N, 121.78°E; depth 292–307 m).

Material examined. 24 specimens, 44‒84 mm SL: Philippines: ASIZP 67820 (1, 63), eastern Luzon, Aurora, 16.03°N, 121.88°E, 262‒278 m, 20 May 2007 ; ASIZP 68216 (1, 64), eastern Luzon, Aurora, 16.02°N, 121.85°E, 302‒309 m, 2 Jun. 2007 ; ASIZP 68380 (1, 63), eastern Luzon, Aurora, 16.03°N, 121.88°E, 262‒278 m, 20 May 2007 ; PNM 17006 (61, x-ray only), holotype, Philippines, eastern Luzon, Aurora, 15.93°N, 121.78°E, 307 ‒ 292 m, 21 May 2007; USNM 93458 (1, 52), Cebu, Chocolate Island, 11°15'30"N, 124°11'E, 271 m, Albatross sta. 5194, 3 Apr., 1908; USNM 93457 (1, 71), Capitancillo Lt., between Cebu and Leyte, 10°40'15"N, 124°15'E, 291 m, Albatross sta. D5408, 18 Mar. 1909 . Indonesia: MNHN 1988–2014 (1, 44), Sulawesi, 1°57.8'S, 119°15'E, 215 m, " Corindon " II, sta. 271 . New Caledonia: MNHN 2002–3175 (1, 58), 22°7'12"S, 167°10'58.8"E, 415–435 m, MUSORSTOM 4 sta. cc245, 415 – 435 m, 3 Oct. 1985. Australia: NTM S.11772‒001 (3, 66‒78), Queensland, E. of Dunk Island, 17°15'S, 147°4'E, 300 m, Jan. 1986; AMS I.25826‒007 (4, 76‒80), Queensland, N. of Townsville, 17°59'S, 147°06'E, 300 m, R/ V Soela, sta. SO1/86/53, 17 Jan. 1986; ANSP 165126 (2, 82 C&S‒69) same data as preceding ; NTM S.11782‒001 (5, 80‒84), E. of Dunk Island, 18°1'S, 147°7'E, 300 m, Jan. 1986; NTM S.12722‒005 (2, 45‒76), E. of Dunk Island, 18°0'S, 147°8'E, 300 m, Jan. 1986 .

Diagnosis. A species of Owstonia with a LL pattern type 2 that typically forms a loop across nape; oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series 27‒30; in fresh specimens dorsal, anal and caudal-fins with a wide, white, distal margin and submarginal red stripe.

Description. A species of Owstonia with LL pattern type 2, consisting of a lateral line that originates from posttemporal sensory canal near anterodorsal margin of gill opening, extends upward and forms a "T" connection with horizontal section of lateral line (Fig. 5 B) that extends posteriorly just below dorsal-fin base to soft rays 16−17, with the anterior section extending beyond dorsal-fin origin and forming a loop across nape (Fig. 6 E). Dorsal fin III, 22–24 (typically 22); anal fin II, 14; pectoral fin 17–20; gill rakers 12–15 + 24–27 = 36–41. Vertebrae: precaudal 11–12, caudal 17‒18, total 28–29 (exceptionally 28); anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to 1st haemal spine 3 (Fig. 7 B). Oblique body scale rows about 27–30; nape scaly and cheek scale rows 2–3. Lower limb margin of preopercle with skin-covered spines so reduced as to be easily over-looked (Fig. 8 G). Papillae in slight depression behind tip of premaxillary ascending processes 4, each pair of papillae about equally spaced (Fig. 14 E). Teeth in outer row of each premaxilla 18–28, with some of anterior ones spike-like; no inner teeth. Teeth in lateral row of each dentary 10–12; symphyseal teeth 3–5, moderately short and spike-like, and with 0−1 inner teeth anteriorly. Pelvic fin probably sexually dimorphic, depressed fin ranging from extending only to anus to reaching anal-fin origin. Caudal fin lanceolate. In 10 specimens, 52‒84 mm SL, caudal fin 1.5‒2.0 times in SL; head 3.5‒4.3 times in SL; body depth at anal-fin origin 4.5‒6.4 times in SL.

Color pattern in alcohol: Dorsal fin uniformly pale; membrane connecting maxilla and premaxilla with a prominent black stripe variable in length, extending only about 2/3 distance or to end of premaxilla, and inner membrane covering posterior part of dentary also black. In the fresh holotype, head and body were rosy pink, becoming mostly white ventrally; dorsal and anal fins rosy with a relatively wide, white distal margin and submarginal red stripe; outer margin of caudal fin also has a wide white border followed by a slightly wider, dark red submarginal stripe, remainder of fin rose colored.

Proportions of 10 specimens 44‒84 mm SL mm SL, as percentages of SL: predorsal length 21.8‒27.4; preanal length 47.2‒56.2; dorsal-fin base 62.2‒68.2; anal-fin base 33.5‒39.6; pelvic-fin length 17.9‒28.0; caudal-fin length 47.7‒71.1; body depth at anal-fin origin 15.5‒21.0; head length 22.3‒30.2; upper jaw length 11.1‒17.2; upper jaw depth 5.2‒7.2; orbit diameter 10.6‒13.7. As percentages of head length: upper jaw length 49.5‒58.2; orbit diameter 42.3‒49.3.

Comparisons. Owstonia tosaensis, the only other species with LL pattern type 2, differs (characters of O. sarmiento in parentheses) in having more oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series 44–54 (vs. 27–30) and cheek scale rows 4–5 (vs. 2–3), different number of anal fin rays I, 15–16 (vs. II, 14) and a very different color pattern. Owstonia sarmiento also is the only species in which the anal fin has 2 supernumerary spines.

Etymology. Named for Malcolm Sarmiento, then director of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Distribution. (Fig. 25) Known from off Luzon Island, Philippines, Sulawesi, New Caledonia, and Queensland, Australia, where trawled in about 215– 415 m.