Parapercis flavescens Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979

Ho, Hsuan-Ching, 2015, Description of a new species and redescriptions of two rare species of Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from the tropical Pacific Ocean, Zootaxa 3999 (2), pp. 255-271 : 261-265

Parapercis flavescens Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979

Figs. 3 A–C; Table 2

Parapercis flavescens Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979:412 , fig. 6 (Type locality: Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, 360 m). Randall, 2001: 3503.

Collecting data of type series. Fourmanoir & Rivaton (1979) provided the original collecting data as “sud de l’ile des Pins, chalut, 360 m [south of the Isle of Pines, trawl, 360 m]”. The database of MNHN collection (coldb.mnhn.fr) currently provides no information for these two type specimens (MNHN 1978-475, 1978-476). By searching the database of fishes collected from New Caledonia region by P. Fourmanoir, there are only four lots collected from the Isle of Pines, including holotype of Paraulopus legandi Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979 . All specimens were collected from the same locality of “ 22°34’59”S, 167°30’E, Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, Coral Sea, bottom trawl, 360–415 m ”, but without a date. From the information provided by Fourmanoir & Rivaton (1979) and the database, it seems that the type series of P. flavescens may have been collected in the same station.

Specimen examined. Holotype. MNHN 1978-475 (90.0 mm SL), south of the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, 360 m. Paratype. MNHN 1978-476 (75.0 mm SL), collected together with the holotype. Non-type. MNHN 2000- 1390 (2, 77.9–82.8 mm SL), 22°43’59”S, 167°7’59”E, New Caledonia, Coral Sea, perch trawl, 345 m, 24 Jan. 1985. MNHN 2000-1395(2, 77.2–83.1 mm SL), 22°51’S, 167°12’E, New Caledonia, Coral Sea, perch trawl, 405– 430 m, 29 Sep. 1985. MNHN 2003-1915(3, 75.3–97.2), 22°43’59”S, 167°7’59”E, New Caledonia, Coral Sea, perch trawl, 405–430 m, 24 Jan. 1985.

Diagnosis. A species of Parapercis with scattered melanophores on dorsal third of body, more dense on pored scales along the anterior half of lateral line, membranes between 1st and 4th dorsal-fin spines, and forming patches on snout and upper part of eye. The following combination of characters also separates it from the congeners: a small head (26.1–27.3% SL); a very short snout (5.6–7.1% SL); large eye (9.9–12.5% SL); narrow interorbital space (1.1–1.7% SL); 4 canines at each side of front of lower jaw; 2 or 3 rows of conical teeth on vomer and palatines; dorsal-fin rays IV, 23, the spines progressively longer posteriorly; anal-fin rays I, 19; pectoral-fin rays modally 19; pored lateral-line scales mainly 60–61; pre-dorsal scale rows 7–8; scale rows between origin of dorsal fin and lateral line 3.5 or 4.5; circumpeduncular scale rows 22 or 23; total gill rakers of 1st gill arch 16–19.

Description. The following data or character states are given for holotype (MNHN 1978-475), followed by those of other specimens in parentheses when different, except where indicated otherwise.

Dorsal-fin rays IV, 23, the spines progressively longer, the first spine relatively long, longer than half length of last spine; the last spine fully connected to the first dorsal-fin ray by membrane, all rays branched; anal-fin rays I, 19, all rays branched, the last one to the base; pectoral-fin rays 18/19 (18 or 19, modally 19), branched except the uppermost ray; principal caudal-fin rays 17, uppermost 2 and lowermost 1 rays unbranched; pored lateral-line scales 60 (58–61, mostly 60 or 61), not including 2 /3 (1–3) on the caudal-fin base; scale rows between origin of dorsal fin posteroventrally to lateral line 4 (4 or 4.5); scale rows below lateral line posteroventrally to origin of anal fin 17 (15–18); median predorsal scales 7 (7 or 8); circumpeduncular scale rows 22 (22 or 23); rakers on outer side of 1st gill arch 5+12=17 (4–7+11–12=16–19); pseudobranchial filaments 13 (12 or 13); branchiostegal rays 6. Body elongated, relatively slender, nearly cylindrical anteriorly and gradually compressed posteriorly; head short and slightly depressed, its length 26.1% (26.3–28.0%) SL; ventral part of head, chest, and abdomen slightly convex; snout very short 6.6% (5.6–7.3%) SL; eye relatively large, its diameter 9.9% (10.5–12.5%) SL; interorbital space very narrow, its width 1.3% (1.1–1.9%) SL.

Mouth large, maxilla reaching a vertical from anterior half of eye; mouth oblique, forming an angle of about 15°–20° to horizontal axis of body; lower jaw extends slightly beyond upper jaw anteriorly; upper jaw with outer row of conical teeth that curve medially and posteriorly, anterior 2 (2 or 3) distinctly larger, others smaller and subequal in size; broad band of villiform teeth medial to canines in about 5 (3–6) rows at front of upper jaw, gradually narrowing posteriorly to a narrow band in about 1 or 2 irregular rows; front of lower jaw with modally 4 pairs of recurved canine teeth (holotype has 4 teeth on right side and 3 on left side; paratype has 3 on each side; 1 tooth might have been lost), outer one largest; 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 (6–8) increasingly larger and more strongly recurved teeth (last 3 or 4 of these distinctly enlarged), followed by a single row of small teeth to middle portion of jaw; vomer with 3 (2 or 3) rows of stout conical teeth, those on first row distinctly larger than the rest; palatines with 3 (2 or 3) rows of small 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 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 in number and connected by canals beneath the skin; row of 3 large pores above maxilla; 2 pores near nostrils, 1 pore above and 1 below the posterior nostril; 2 pores on each side of anterior interorbital space; single row of large pores at anterior half of infraorbital series, becoming 2 irregular rows at posterior half, each pore on lower row connected by a subcutaneous canal from the main canal of upper row; pores on top of head forming two major series, 1 continues to upper end of infraorbital series, 1 to anterior end of lateral line with a branch, and continues to upper end of preopercular series; row of 6 large pores on free margin of preopercle; 4 large pores on mandibular; two large pores at front of chin.

Opercle bearing a strong sharp spine, at about same level as ventral edge of pupil when viewed from the side; free margin of subopercle with a strong spine (2 smaller spines in left side of holotype), slightly smaller than the opercular spine; preopercle broadly rounded, its free edge smooth; free margin of interorbital 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 large, those on anterior portion cycloid and on posterior portion weakly ctenoid; on chest cycloid anteriorly and ctenoid posteriorly; on abdomen weakly ctenoid, except for some cycloid ones near the pelvic-fin base; on caudal fin progressively smaller and ctenoid, except for some cycloid ones at posterior margin of the scale patch, covering about 3/4 of the upper and lower lobes, and 2/3 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 3rd to 4th lateral-line scale, predorsal length about equal to head length; four dorsal spines, progressively longer posteriorly, the last spine entirely attached to 1st soft ray by membrane; soft dorsal-fin rays progressively longer posteriorly, penultimate soft dorsal-fin ray longest; pectoral fins broadly rounded when spread, 9th or 10th ray longest, reaching 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray; origin of pelvic fins anterior to pectoral fin origin, below base of exposed part of opercular spine; pelvic fin relatively short, 4th pelvic-fin ray longest, reaches the anus (slightly beyond in some non-types); origin of anal fin below base of 5th dorsal soft ray; anal-fin spine slender; penultimate anal soft ray longest; caudal fin rounded, without prolongation.

Coloration. Color when fresh: yellow vertical bars on the sides of the body; dorsal and anal fins golden yellow; grey pigmentation on lateral-line (remaining in alcohol and formalin); snout and eye olive yellow (based on Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979). Coloration when preserved: body uniformly yellowish, scales on dorsal third of body covered by scattered melanophores (clearer under magnification), which continues to the caudal-fin base; melanophores more dense on posterior margins of anterior 24 (23–26) pored lateral-line scales; a cluster of melanophores on membranes between 1st and 4th dorsal-fin spines (some non-types are paler); clusters of melanophores on snout, with a larger and denser patch at space between upper jaw and orbit; an elongate cluster of melanophores on dorso-posterior corner of eye; one non-type with a cluster of melanophores at posterior margin of preopercle.

Distribution. Known from a few specimens from New Caledonia at depths of 360– 430 m.

Remarks. In the original description, Fourmanoir & Rivaton (1979) provided the following data for the types: dorsal-fin rays IV, 20, anal-fin rays 20; pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19, lateral-line scales 64 (probably including those on caudal fin), and anterior canines 3. Based on current examination, the holotype and paratype have IV, 23 dorsalfin rays, I, 19 anal-fin rays, 18/19 (19/ 19 in paratype) pectoral-fin rays, 60 pored scales on lateral line (not including 2/3 on caudal fin in holotype, 3 in paratype), and canines at front of lower jaw 3 (left side)/4 (right side) (3/ 3 in paratype). All other non-types have 4 canines at each side of front of lower jaw, so the status of this character is revised accordingly.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Parapercis flavescens Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979, A, B. MNHN 1978 - 475, holotype, 90.0 mm SL, lateral view (A) and dorsal view (B). C. MNHN 2000 - 1395, non-type, 77.2 mm SL, dorsal-lateral view of anterior half of body.

Tables

TABLE 2. Morphometric and meristic data of type series and newly recognized specimens of two Parapercis species. Meristic values are given for 76.1 mm and 62.5 mm paratypes respectively when different, question marks indicate not available.

	P. flavesceus	P. fuscolineata
	Holotype All specimens (n=9)	Paratypes (n=2) Non-types (n=3)
SL (mm)	90.0 75.0–97.2	62.5–76.1 34.9–114.0
% SL
Head length	26.1 26.9 (26.1–28.0)	27.2–27.5 25.8–30.4
Body depth	14.2 13.8 (13.1–14.9)	13.3–15.8 12.3–15.0
Body width	13.7 15.9 (13.7–17.1)	15.8–16.8 16.3–18.2
Snout length	6.6 6.6 (5.9–7.3)	5.9–6.4 6.0–7.8
Orbital diameter	9.9 10.9 (9.9–12.5)	9.7–9.9 9.5–13.2
Interorbital width	1.3 1.4 (1.1–1.9)	1.4–1.7 1.6–1.7
Upper-jaw length	9.2 9.6 (9.2–10.0)	8.8–9.9 9.6–10.3
Predorsal length	28.1 29.6 (28.1–30.7)	30.9–31.3 27.7–33.5
Prepelvic length	24.0 24.3 (23.5–26.0)	24.2–24.7 25.7–28.6
Preanal length	44.4 46.3 (44.4–48.5)	45.9–46.1 43.6–50.1
Dorsal-fin base	59.3 62.2 (59.3–64.1)	61.1–61.9 62.2–64.8
1st dorsal-fin spine	4.2 4.3 (3.2–5.5)	?–3.0 1.1–1.5
2nd dorsal-fin spine	7.0 6.6 (5.7–7.3)	?–4.6 3.0
3rd dorsal-fin spine	7.7 8.2 (7.7–8.9)	5.9–7.9 4.8–5.0
4th dorsal-fin spine	8.2 9.0 (8.2–10.0)	6.9–8.5 6.1–6.5
5th dorsal-fin spine	Absent Absent	Absent 6.4–6.9
Longest dorsal-fin ray	14.3 12.9 (11.4–14.6)	12.0–12.6 12.3–13.9
Anal-fin base	43.3 43.9 (41.2–46.8)	40.2–45.6 42.1–49.2
Anal-fin spine	2.7 3.9 (2.7–5.6)	2.4–5.3 2.6–4.9
Longest anal-fin ray	11.4 11.8 (10.0–13.2)	12.6–13.0 11.8–12.6
Pectoral-fin length	18.0 20.9 (18.0–22.4)	19.7–21.9 19.9–23.5
Pelvic-fin length	15.9 18.9 (15.8–20.7)	19.8–20.0 18.6–21.5
Pelvic-fin spine length	4.8 7.0 (4.8–9.2)	6.4–7.4 7.1–8.0
Caudal-fin length	19.0 19.0 (17.6–20.3)	20.6–21.0 17.8–23.2
Caudal-peduncle length	8.1 7.6 (6.9–8.2)	6.6–7.8 6.6–9.0
Caudal-peduncle depth	8.0 7.5 (7.2–8.0)	7.8–8.4 8.2–8.3
Meristics	Value (mode)
Dorsal-fin rays	IV, 23 IV, 23	IV.23 V, 23
Anal-fin rays	I, 19 I, 19	I.19 I, 19
Pectoral-fin rays	19;18 18 or 19 (19)	18 17-19
Principal caudal fin rays	17 17	17/19 17
Pored lateral-line scales	60 58–61 (60–61)	63 or 61/61 60 or 61
Median predorsal scales	7 7 or 8	9 8 or 9
Scale rows above LL	4 3.5 or 4 (4)	3.5/4.5 4 or 4.5
Scale rows below LL	17 15, 17–18	ca.12/? 12
Circumpeduncular scales	22 22 or 23	18/? 21 or 22
Pseudobranchial filaments	13 12 or 13	?/11 10-15
Gill rakers	5+12=17 4–7+11–12=16–19	7+13=20/5+10=15 4–5+8–10=12–14