taxonID	type	description	language	source
03DC87D19017FFC8FF77F9A28C6EAF13.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (adopted and altered from Nielsen et al. 1999). A genus of the subfamily Neobythitinae characterized by the following combination of characters: Body short with large head; upper jaw ending behind eye; hind margin of preopercle with 1 to 4, spines; 2 median basibranchial tooth patches, sometimes accompanied by additional small single or pair of lateral patches; very small, closely packed teeth resembling sandpaper surface on dentary, premaxilla, vomer and palatines; 4 to 6 developed gill rakers on first gill arch; 2 – 3 lower preopercular pores; no upper preopercular pore; 1 to 7 small pseudobranchial filaments; pectoral-fin rays 24 to 28; precaudal vertebrae 11 to 14 (mostly 12 to 13); 0 to 5 dorsal-fin rays in front of first vertebra; otoliths slender with long, uniform sulcus. Head and body completely covered with small cycloid scales, including bases of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19017FFC8FF77F9A28C6EAF13.taxon	description	General description: A number of characters occur in all species of Pycnocraspedum in the same manner. In order to reduce redundancy, the following description summarizes those characters that are valid in all the species here studied. Head stout, with straight, inclined dorsal profile. Opercle with sharp, slightly extruding spine. Eye moderately small. Maxilla extending far behind eye, strongly widened posteriorly upward and downward from axis and with a vertical posterior end. Narrow, poorly defined supramaxilla. Pores: 1 anterior supraorbital, no posterior supraorbital, 3 anterior infraorbital, 3 posterior infraorbital, 3 anterior mandibular, 3 posterior mandibular, 2 – 3 lower preopercular. Head completely covered with scales, including opercle, preopercle, cheeks, and maxilla. Scales on head larger than scales on body and peduncle. Dentition. Minute sandpaper-like granular teeth on broad dentary and premaxillary bands, narrow palatine bands, and a narrow, boomerang-shaped vomerine patch. Basibranchial tooth patches 2 long median and 1 small lateral patch on left or right side, rarely a symmetrical pair.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19017FFC8FF77F9A28C6EAF13.taxon	discussion	Discussion: Following the synonymization of the genera Tauredophidium Alcock, 1890 and Xyelacyba Cohen, 1961 with Acanthonus Günther, 1878 by Girard et al. (2024) and the establishment of Tenuicephalichthys Schwarzhans & Møller 2024, the subfamily Neobythitinae now comprises 37 genera. The interrelationships of many of the neobythitine genera have remained elusive. Matsubara (1943) found Itatius (syn. Pycnocraspedum) resembling Neobythites, differing from Neobythites in: “ 1) bones of head soft; 2) pseudobranchiae absent; 3) developed gill-rakers on first gill-arch fewer than 5; 4) dorsal inserted above the upper angle of the gill-opening. ” Gosline (1954) postulated the existence of a group of oviparous brotulid genera which he thought are intermediate between oviparous and viviparous genera and counted Pycnocraspedum and Volcanus (syn. Luciobrotula) to this group. Cohen (1964) added Petrotyx to this group and Cohen & Nielsen (1978) considered Pycnocraspedum belonging to a cluster with Luciobrotula, Petrotyx and Spottobrotula. Machida (1984) found Pycnocraspedum resembling Neobythites. Studies using molecular phylogenetic analysis of neobythitine taxa so far are few. Møller et al. (2016) did not include Pycnocraspedum. Girard et al. (2023) resolved Pycnocraspedum as sister taxon of Neobythites. Wong & Chen (2024) showed Pycnocraspedum in a clade with Brotulataenia and Lamprogrammus. A comparison of the diagnostic key characters of Pycnocraspedum — developed gill rakers, number of precaudal vertebrae, origin of dorsal fin, presence / absence of preopercular spines, number of pectoral-fin rays, and otolith morphology — showed the highest degree of congruence with Neobythites (except origin of dorsal fin) and Monomitopus (except origin of dorsal fin and developed gill rakers) (Table 1). Particularly the origin of the dorsal fin in front of the first vertebra is an almost unique character within Ophidiiformes, shared only with Leptobrotula. The dorsal-fin commences above the first vertebra in some species of the genera Glyptophidium, Sirembo and Spottobrotula otherwise it commences above the third vertebra or posteriorly in other ophidiiforms. A low number of developed gill rakers on the first gill arch is shared with several other genera such as Barathrites, Dannevigia, Hoplobrotula, Luciobrotula, Petrotyx and Sirembo. Long, slender otoliths are also found in Bassogigas, Epetriodus, Luciobrotula, Monomitopus and Neobythites, but only in Bassogigas, Neobythites and in some species of Monomitopus the slender otolith shape is paired with a long sulcus. This comparison would indeed support a relationship of Pycnocraspedum with Neobythites as the most likely outcome. Species: We consider all previously described 5 extant species as valid for Pycnocraspedum and describe 2 new species: P. africanum sp. nov. from the Western Indian Ocean, P. armatum Gosline, 1954, widely distributed in the Western and Central Pacific as far east as to Hawaii and south to New Caledonia, P. fulvum Machida, 1984 from Japan, P. microlepis (Matsubara, 1943) from Japan is considered nominally valid but could not be reassessed due to the apparent loss of the unique type, P. phyllosoma (Parr, 1933) from the Caribbean, P. rowleyensis sp. nov. from off northwestern Australia, and the type species P. squamipinne Alcock, 1889 from the Bay of Bengal. In addition, there is one fossil otolith-based species from the Early Pliocene of Italy: P. centonaense (Schwarzhans, 1978).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19016FFC7FF77F8838CDAAAA5.taxon	discussion	(see also Table 2 for the complete set of measurements and Table 3 for measurement and meristic ranges of selected traits; data for P. microlepis from Matsubara 1943)	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	description	Figures 3, 5, 6, 12; Tables 1, 2	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (7 specimens, 85 – 420 mm SL): Holotype: MNHN 2000 – 5691, 420 mm SL, 22 ° 21 ' 7.2 '' S, 43 ° 4 ' 4.8 '' E (off western Madagascar), beam trawl 450 m, Crosnier st. ch 095, 27 November 1973; paratypes: MNHN 2000 – 5692, 330 mm SL, 12 ° 27 ' 7.2 '' S 48 ° 12 ' 3.6 '' E (Madagascar Channel), beam trawl 600 – 605 m, Crosnier st. ch 021, 19 January 1972; 2 specimens SAIAB 98892, 100 – 110 mm SL, 12.6953 ° S 40.667 ° E (off northern Mozambique), haul 135, beam trawl 292 m, 23 November 2007; 1 specimen SAIAB 98894, 85 mm SL, 12.6953 ° S 40.667 ° E (off northern Mozambique), haul 136, beam trawl 391 m, 23 November 2007; 1 specimen SAIAB 98897, 95 mm SL, 11.1341 ° S 40.7696 ° E (off northern Mozambique), 24 November 2007; 1 specimen, ZIN 51521, 210 mm SL, Vityaz cruise 17, st. 2522, 21 ° 16 ' S 35 ° 41 ' E (off eastern South Africa), 480 – 500 m, 21 November 1988.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13, total vertebrae 51 – 54; dorsal-fin rays 88 – 92; anal-fin rays 68 – 71; pectoral-fin rays 25; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4; pseudobranchials 4 – 5; 1 – 3 dorsal-fin rays in front of first vertebra; HL 27.1 – 27.6 % of SL; body depth at vent 21 – 22.5 % of SL; predorsal length 23 – 24.5 % of SL; transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 85 – 90, and above lateral line 22 – 23; broad expansion on preopercular angle with two spines, fleshy flap on hind margin of preopercle above spine 2; otoliths> 15 mm in length: OL: OH = 2.5 – 2.7, dorsal rim with rounded obtuse middorsal angle.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	description	Description. Relatively robust fish with stout tapering tail and rounded snout. Maximal size of fishes investigated 420 mm SL (holotype). Preopercular rim with two blunt spines positioned at bend, fleshy flap above 2 nd spine and no spine further upward. Meristics (6 specimens): precaudal vertebrae 13 (12 – 13); total vertebrae 53 (51 – 54); dorsal-fin rays 91 (88 – 92); anal-fin rays 69 (68 – 71); pectoral-fin rays 25; caudal-fin rays 10; D / V = - 2 (- 1 – - 3); D / A = 28 (23 – 28); V / A = 19 (15 – 19); long gill rakers on first gill arch 4; pseudobranchial filaments 4 (4 – 5); transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 85 – 90, and above lateral line 22 – 23; pyloric coeca unable to count. Morphometrics (3 specimens) in % of SL: HL 27.1 – 27.6; body depth at vent 21 (21 – 22.5); diameter of eye 4.1 (4.1 – 4.8); upper jaw length 15 (12 – 15); interorbital width 7.1 (7.1 – 7.5); pelvic-fin base to anal-fin base 24 (24 – 26); predorsal length 24.5 (22.9 – 24.5); preanal length 52 (46.2 – 52); prepelvic length 27.5 (22.9 – 27.5); pectoral-fin length 13.5 (12 – 15.7); pelvic-fin length 12 (12 – 12.5). Otolith morphology (4 specimens). Size up to 22 mm in length (holotype); OL: OH = 2.5 – 2.7 in specimens larger than 15 mm in length, 1.6 in specimens smaller than 7 mm in length, and single intermediate form with 2.3 at about 12 mm in length; OH: OT = 2.7 – 3.0. Thin, oval, elongated, anteriorly moderately projecting, posteriorly distinctly pointed, anterior and posterior tips inferior. Dorsal rim with broad, rounded, obtuse mediodorsal angle in large specimens and shallow ventral rim. All rims smooth in large specimens (> 15 mm in length) intensely crenulated in smaller specimens (<12 mm in length). Inner face slightly bent in horizontal direction, nearly flat in vertical direction, with very long, undivided sulcus reaching close to anterior and posterior rims of otolith. Sulcus with shallow, undivided, uniform colliculum with flat to slightly concave dorsal rim and slightly convex ventral rim and rounded anterior and posterior tips. OL: CL = 1.3 – 1.35. Dorsal field with broad, indistinct depression; ventral field smooth, occasionally with faint central furrow. Outer face smooth in large specimens, with many radial furrows and central tubercles in small specimens. Coloration. Live coloration unknown. Color of preserved specimens light brown.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Pyconocraspedum africanum is the largest species of the genus so far known, with the holotype of 420 mm of SL. The species differs from the type species Pycnocraspedum squamipinne in the higher number of anal-fin rays (68 – 71 vs. 57 – 65), the higher number of pseudobranchial filaments (4 – 5 vs. 1 – 2), the more slender shape (depth at vent in % of SL 21 – 22 vs. 17 – 18) and the shorter head (27.1 – 27.6 vs. 29.6 – 31.5 % of SL). Pycnocraspedum africanum differs from P. fulvum in the higher number of dorsal-fin rays (88 – 92 vs. 78) and anal-fin rays (68 – 71 vs. 63). Pycnocraspedum africanum differs from P. armatum and P. phyllosoma in the lower number of dorsal-fin rays (88 – 92 vs. 95 – 103). Pycnocraspedum africanum resembles closest P. rowleyensis sp. nov. from off northern Western Australia in the number of dorsal-fin rays and the presence of only 2 spines on the hind margin of the preopercle, but differs in the lower number of transversal scale rows (85 – 90 vs. 70), scale rows above the lateral line (22 – 23 vs. 17), the presence of a flashy flap above the lower preopercular spines (vs. concave section) and the more elongate otoliths (OL: OH = 2.5 – 2.7 vs. 2.1). Pycnocraspedum africanum differs from all other Pycnocraspedum species in the high number of transversal scale rows above the origin of the anal fin of 85 – 90 (vs. 52 – 78). The otoliths of P. africanum are slenderer than those of P. armatum and P. phyllosoma (OL: OH = 2.5 – 2.7 vs. 2.0 – 2.3) and are less strongly bent; and they differ from those of P. squamipinne in the long sulcus (OL: CL = 1.3 – 1.35 vs. 1.5 – 1.6). The otoliths of P. africanum are similar to those of the fossil P. cetonanense (Schwarzhans, 1978) differing mainly in the narrower sulcus and the single, undivided colliculum (vs. two separate colliculi). The specimens here selected as holotype and one of the paratypes from MNHN have previously been listed by Fricke et al. (2018) as P. squamipinne. Another specimen here listed as paratype from ZIN has been tentatively attributed to P. squamipinne by Prokofiev (2005). He noticed certain differences from typical P. squamipinne specimens such as the presence of 4 pseudobranchial filaments (vs. 1 – 2) and a more compressed, shorter head. It is possible that a large specimen recorded by Teena et al. (2021) from off Chennai coast, southern India, with a suspiciously high number of transversal scale rows could potentially represent P. africanum as well.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Pycnocraspedum africanum is a relatively deep dwelling species at 450 to 605 mm depth, while all other species mostly occur between 300 and 500 m (Nielsen et al. 1999). Pycnocraspedum africanum occurs off the East African coast from 11 ° S to 22 ° S, but could be more widely spread in the Indian Ocean subject to review of previously recorded specimens.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901BFFC3FF77FF6F8C16AB03.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named after the continent of Africa from where the studied specimens have been obtained.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901DFFC0FF77FC728D63AFAF.taxon	description	Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12; Tables 1, 2	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901DFFC0FF77FC728D63AFAF.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (14 specimens, 77.5 – 334 mm SL): specimens originally identified as P. microlepis: 1 specimen BSKU 5055, 234 mm SL, Mimase Fish Market, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan, bottom trawl, 27 December 1955; 1 specimen BSKU 38643, 245 mm SL, Mimase Fish Market, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan, bottom trawl, 14 March 1983; specimens originally identified as P. armatum: 2 specimens LACM 44837 - 1, 213 – 334 mm SL, RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 52 – 64 (off Hawaii), 16 November 1989; holotype of P. armatum USNM 162717, 310 mm SL, off Kona Coast of Hawaii, about 1 / 2 mile off shore from point of entry into sea of the 1950 lava flow, 2 June 1950; 1 specimen USNM 227389, 77.5 mm SL, 21.035 ° N 156.797 ° W (off Molokai, Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 40 – 67, 41 ft shrimp trawl, 199 – 233 m, 19 November 1968; 1 specimen USNM 227390, 134 mm SL, 20.98 ° N 156.758 ° W (off Maui, Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 35 - 1, 41 ft shrimp trawl, 205 – 209 m, 27 March 1968; 1 specimen USNM 227406, 243 mm SL, 21.0633 ° N 156.518 ° W (off Maui, Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 40 – 92, 41 ft shrimp trawl, 274 – 318 m, 25 November 1968; 1 specimen USNM 227408, 191 mm SL, 20.6617 ° N 156.684 ° W (off Lanai, Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 33 – 38, 70 ft shrimp trawl, 289 – 296 m, 9 November 1967; 2 specimens USNM 227412, 225 and 265 + mm SL, 21.53 ° N 158.38 ° W (off Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, cruise 54, st. 8, 229 – 247 m, 24 September 1972; 1 specimen USNM 455317, 165 mm SL, 21.0108 ° N 156.759 ° W (off Maui, Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 40 – 49, 41 ft shrimp trawl, 218 m, 17 November 1968; 1 specimen USNM 455319, 276 mm SL, 20.99 ° N 156.751 ° W (off Maui, Hawaii), RV Townsend Cromwell, st. 35 - 2, 41 ft shrimp trawl, 201 – 216 m, 28 March 1968; specimens identified as P. squamipinne: 1 specimen MNHN 1994 - 0762, 99 mm SL, 22 ° 10 ' 58.8 '' S 167 ° 15 ' 0 '' E (off New Caledonia), Biocal, st. cp 109, 495 – 515 m, 9 September 1985.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901DFFC0FF77FC728D63AFAF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Precaudal vertebrae 11 – 14, total vertebrae 52 – 59; dorsal-fin rays 95 – 103; anal-fin rays 71 – 79; pectoral-fin rays 25 – 26; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4 – 5; pseudobranchials 4 – 7; 2 – 5 dorsal-fin rays in front of first vertebra; HL 23.8 – 26.9 % of SL; body depth at vent 19.4 – 23.3 % of SL; predorsal length 17 – 22.4 % of SL; rear margin of preopercle with 4 spines and fleshy flap between spines 2 and 3; transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 60 – 68, and above lateral line 15 – 20; otoliths> 15 mm in length: OL: OH = 1.95 – 2.2, dorsal rim crenulated or undulating.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901DFFC0FF77FC728D63AFAF.taxon	description	Description. Relatively robust fish with stout tapering tail and rounded snout. Maximal size of fishes investigated 334 mm SL. Preopercular rim with 4 spines, 2 spines positioned at bend and 2 further up, with fleshy flap in between. Meristics (14 specimens, including holotype of P. armatum): precaudal vertebrae 13 (11 – 14); total vertebrae 56 (52 – 59); dorsal-fin rays 98 (95 – 103); anal-fin rays 71 (71 – 79); pectoral-fin rays 26 (25 – 26); caudal-fin rays 10; D / V = - 3 (- 2 – - 5); D / A = 29 (23 – 31); V / A = 17 (15 – 17); long gill rakers on first gill arch 5 (4 – 5); pseudobranchial filaments 5 (4 – 7); transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 60 – 68, and above lateral line 20 (15 – 20); pyloric coeca 12 (12 – 16). Morphometrics (4 – 14 specimens) in % of SL: HL 24.6 (23.8 – 26.9); body depth at vent 22.7 (19.4 – 23.3); diameter of eye 4.4 (3.9 – 4.8); upper jaw length 13.4 (11.8 – 15); interorbital width 7.7 (6.1 – 7.7); pelvic-fin base to anal-fin base 21.2 (21.1 – 28); predorsal length 18.4 (17 – 22.4); preanal length 46.3 (40 – 48); prepelvic length 21.2 (19.3 – 23.3); pectoral-fin length 16 (16 – 18.1); pelvic-fin length 17.5. Otolith morphology (4 specimens). Size up to 18 mm in length; OL: OH = 1.95 – 2.2 in specimens larger than 15 mm in length, 1.6 in specimens smaller than 7 mm in length; OH: OT = 2.3 – 2.9. Moderately thin, oval, elongated, anteriorly moderately projecting, posteriorly distinctly pointed, anterior and posterior tips inferior. Dorsal rim regularly curved, more or less strongly crenulated, undulating in largest specimen; ventral rim shallower and smoother than dorsal rim. Ornamentation of rims decreasing with size. Inner face moderately bent in horizontal direction, and slightly bent in vertical direction, with long, undivided sulcus reaching moderately close to anterior and posterior rims of otolith. Sulcus with shallow, undivided, uniform colliculum with flat to slightly concave dorsal rim and slightly convex ventral rim and rounded anterior and posterior tips. OL: CL = 1.3 – 1.45. Dorsal field with narrow, indistinct depression; ventral field smooth. Outer face less convex than inner face, smooth in large specimens, with many radial furrows and central tubercles in small specimens. Coloration. Live coloration dark brown, sometimes light, speckled (HURL 2019). Color of preserved specimens light brown.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901DFFC0FF77FC728D63AFAF.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Specimens studied from BSKU (5055 and 38643) originally identified as P. microlepis from the Mimase fish market in Kochi, were probably trawled in Tosa Bay, which is not far from the type locality of P. microlepis given as east of Kii Peninsula. The two specimens from BSKU match Matsubara’s description (1943) of the unique holotype reasonably well in many aspects except for the number of pseudobranchial filaments (absent in the holotype according to Matsubara vs. 5 – 6 in the BSKU specimens) and pyloric coeca (20 vs. 13 in the BSKU 38643 specimen). Matsubara’s description is very detailed, and therefore we consider the two specimens in question from BSKU to represent P. armatum rather than P. microlepis. The nature of P. microlepis thus remains elusive. Gosline (1954) described P. armatum from off Hawaii based on fishes killed by the eruption of Mauna Loa in 1950. He compared P. armatum to the type species P. squamipinne but not to P. microlepis, which was originally described as Itatius microlepis. The description of the unique holotype did not contain meristics and it is difficult to assess morphometric data based on the drawing. Pseudobranchial filaments were not mentioned for P. armatum but were mentioned in the description of the genus as ‘ rudimentary’. A restudy of the holotype as well as multiple subsequently collected specimens of Pycnocraspedum from the Hawaiian Islands in the collections of LACM and USNM revealed a good match with the specimens from Japan (BSKU). Machida (1984) listed a difference of pyloric caeca of 12 for P. armatum and 20 for P. microlepis and 4 preopercular spines in P. armatum (vs. 2 in P. microlepis) based on the original descriptions. The specimens BSKU 5055 and 38643 from Japan have 5 to 6 pseudobranchial filaments and the specimen BSKU 38643 has 13 pyloric coeca (information provided by N. Nakayama). Therefore, we consider P. microlepis (Matsubara, 1943) as a nominally valid species distinct from P. armatum Gosline, 1954 and place the two specimens from BSKU with P. armatum. Pycnocraspedum armatum is distinguished from its congeners by the higher number of dorsal-fin rays (95 – 103 vs. <93) except P. phyllosoma. Anal-fin rays also tend to be higher in number in P. armatum and P. phyllosoma (70 – 79 vs. 57 – 71). The dorsal-fin origin has a more anterior position in P. armatum compared to the other species with 2 to 5 fin rays before of the first vertebra (vs. 0 to 3 in other species) and a predorsal length of 17 – 22.4, mostly <21. Otoliths> 15 mm in length of P. armatum and P. phyllosoma are more compressed than in P. africanum and P. squamipinne (OL: OH = 1.95 – 2.2 vs. 2.4 – 2.7). The distinction of P. armatum from P. phyllosoma is relatively subtle despite their wide geographic separation (see below) and confined to differences in the number of transversal scale rows (60 – 68 vs. 72 – 75), scale rows above the lateral line (15 – 20 vs. 20 – 21) and spines on the preopercle (4 vs. 3).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D1901DFFC0FF77FC728D63AFAF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Pycnocraspedum armatum appears to be widely distributed from Japan to Hawaii and southward to New Caledonia, and possibly Central West Pacific according to HURL (2019).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19001FFDDFF77F9518C0DABF3.taxon	description	Figures 1, 3, 5, 8, 12; Tables 1, 2	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19001FFDDFF77F9518C0DABF3.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype (unique specimen): BSKU 27497, 336 mm SL, 28 ° 06 ' N 126 ° 23 ' E, Okinawa Trough, 143 m, 9 March 1978.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19001FFDDFF77F9518C0DABF3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (updated from Machida, 1984). Precaudal vertebrae 13, total vertebrae 55; dorsal-fin rays 78; anal-fin rays 63; pectoral-fin rays 26; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4; pseudobranchial filaments 4; first dorsal-fin ray above first vertebra (D / V = 1); HL 26.4 % of SL; body depth at vent 20.8 % of SL; predorsal length 24.5 % of SL; rear margin of preopercle with 3 spines, 2 lower and 1 upper, with spine number 2 being exceptionally strong; concave section without fleshy flap between spines 2 and 3; transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 60, and above lateral line 19 (17 according to Machida, 1984); pyloric coeca 13; otolith: OL: OH = 2.4.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19001FFDDFF77F9518C0DABF3.taxon	description	Description (updated, only additions to diagnosis). Relatively robust fish with moderately long tapering tail and rounded snout. Size of unique holotype 336 mm SL. Meristics: caudal-fin rays 10; D / A = 22; V / A = 17. Morphometrics in % of SL: diameter of orbit 4.4; upper jaw length 14.8; interorbital width 7.3; pelvic-fin base to anal-fin base 29.2; preanal length 44.2; prepelvic length 21.8; pectoral-fin length 15.9; pelvic-fin length not measurable (damaged). Dentition. Basibranchial tooth patches 2 long median and 2 small lateral patches. Otolith morphology (holotype). Size 25 mm in length; OL: OH = 2.4; OH: OT = 2.8. Thin, oval, elongated, anteriorly moderately projecting, posteriorly distinctly pointed, anterior and posterior tips slightly inferior. Dorsal rim broad, rounded, somewhat expanded and broadly crenulated. Ventral rim smooth, shallower than dorsal rim. Inner face moderately bent in horizontal and vertical directions, with very long, narrow, undivided sulcus reaching close to anterior and posterior rims of otolith. Sulcus with shallow, undivided, uniform colliculum with slightly concave dorsal rim and slightly convex ventral rim and rounded anterior and posterior tips. OL: CL = 1.3. Dorsal field with indistinct depression positioned high above sulcus; ventral field smooth, locally with faint radial furrows. Outer face with few radial furrows, slightly concave but with weak central bulge. Coloration. Live coloration unknown. Color of preserved specimen light brown.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19001FFDDFF77F9518C0DABF3.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Pyconocraspedum fulvum is readily recognized by the unusual low number of dorsal-fin rays (78) and the insertion of the first dorsal-fin ray above the first vertebra (D / V = 1). The number of anal-fin rays is also low at 63 and shared only with P. squamipinne (57 – 65). The number of transversal scale rows is low and shared only with P. squamipinne (60) and P. armatum (60) The otolith is relatively slender and large for the size of the head.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19001FFDDFF77F9518C0DABF3.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Pycnocraspedum fulvum is only known from the unique holotype collected off Okinawa.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19003FFDCFF77FA198B2DA927.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Holotype apparently lost (Fricke et al. 2024). No specimen identified that would reasonably match Matsubara’s detailed description. Matsubara (1943) gave a detailed description of P. microlepis and diagnostic features to distinguish the genus Itatius (syn. Pycnocraspedum) from Neobythites. He compared P. microlepis with P. phyllosoma (Parr, 1933), which he considered related, and found that they shared “ 4 developed gill-rakers on the first gill-arch, dorsal fin inserted above the upper angle of gill-opening and 20 pyloric coeca (21 in P. phyllosoma). ” He found that P. microlepis differs from P. phyllosoma “ at least in having slenderer body and lower arm of the gill-arch armed with 13 tubercular gill-rakers below the 4 developed ones ” (vs. practically smooth). We can confirm the observation in respect to the gill rakers in P. phyllosoma but find this a rather variable and not very consistent character. From Matsubara’s description we find the combination of 25 scales rows above lateral line, 20 pyloric coeca and the absence of pseudobranchial filaments to represent the most characteristic features, which is not matched in any specimen studied by us (see also discussion to P. armatum). In conclusion, we consider Phyllosoma microlepis as a nominally valid species and it is hoped that new findings matching Matsubara’s description will eventually resolve its taxonomic position.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19002FFDCFF77FE968A1FAFCD.taxon	description	Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12; Tables 1, 2	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19002FFDCFF77FE968A1FAFCD.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (4 specimens, 130 – 355 mm SL): 1 specimen USNM 227413, 230 mm SL, 20.85 ° N 71.52 ° W (off Caicos Island), RV Oregon cr. 101, st. 5427, 40 ft shrimp trawl, 512 – 576 m, 27 May 1965; 1 specimen USNM 421586, 355 mm SL, 12.0832 ° N 68.8991 ° W (off Curacao), RV Curasub, Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP), May 2013; 1 specimen USNM 412587, 295 mm SL, 12.0832 ° N 68.8991 ° W (off Curacao), RV Curasub, Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP), May 2013; 1 specimen USNM 470952, 130 mm SL, 25.97 ° N 78.48 ° W, RV Gerda cr. 6720, st. 925, 10 Otter trawl, 439 – 457 m, 29 September 1967.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19002FFDCFF77FE968A1FAFCD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13, total vertebrae 52 – 54; dorsal-fin rays 96 – 101; anal-fin rays 70 – 73; pectoral-fin rays 25 – 27; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4 – 5; pseudobranchial filaments 5 – 6; 3 – 4 dorsal-fin rays in front of first vertebra; HL 22.7 – 26.5 % of SL; body depth at vent 21 – 23 % of SL; predorsal length 18.8 – 23 % of SL; rear margin of preopercle with 3 spines, 2 lower and 1 upper, with flashy flap between spines 2 and 3; transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 72 – 78, and above lateral line 20 – 21; otolith (23.3 mm in length) OL: OH = 2.15, dorsal rim smooth, ventral rim symmetrical to dorsal rim.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19002FFDCFF77FE968A1FAFCD.taxon	description	Description. Relatively robust fish with stout tapering tail and rounded snout. Maximal size of fishes investigated 355 mm SL. Preopercular rim with 3 spines, 2 spines positioned at bend and 1 further up, with fleshy flap in between spines 2 and 3. Meristics (4 specimens, not including juvenile holotype of P. phyllosoma): precaudal vertebrae (12 – 13); total vertebrae 52 – 54; dorsal-fin rays 96 – 101; anal-fin rays 70 – 73; pectoral-fin rays 25 – 27; caudal-fin rays 10; D / V = - 3 – - 4; D / A = 29 – 30; V / A = 16 – 17; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4 – 5; pseudobranchial filaments 5 – 6; transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 72 – 78, and above lateral line 20 – 21; pyloric coeca 18 – 21. Morphometrics (4 specimens) in % of SL: HL 22.7 – 26.5; body depth at vent 21 – 23; diameter of eye 4.4 – 5.0; upper jaw length 11.4 – 14.5; interorbital width 6.5 – 8.1; pelvic-fin base to anal-fin base 22.2 – 26; predorsal length 18.8 – 23; preanal length 41.7 – 51; prepelvic length 19.1 – 27; pectoral-fin length 14.5 – 17.2; pelvic-fin length 11.5 – 13. Otolith morphology (1 specimen from specimen of 295 mm SL). Size 23.3 mm in length; OL: OH = 2.15; OH: OT = 2.4. Moderately thin, oval, elongated, anteriorly moderately rounded, posteriorly distinctly pointed, anterior and posterior tips positioned along median sulcus axis. Dorsal rim regularly curved, relatively high, smooth; ventral rim about as deep as dorsal rim high, smooth. Inner face distinctly bent / convex in horizontal and vertical directions, with long, undivided sulcus reaching relatively close to anterior and posterior rims of otolith. Sulcus with shallow, undivided, uniform colliculum with slightly concave dorsal rim and slightly convex ventral rim and rounded anterior and posterior tips. OL: CL = 1.25. Dorsal field smooth, without depression; ventral field smooth. Outer face nearly flat, rather smooth. Coloration. Live coloration pale with small dark spots in small individuals (Girard et al. 2023). Color of preserved large specimens medium to dark brown, with dusty dark brown coloration on scales.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19002FFDCFF77FE968A1FAFCD.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Pycnocraspedum phyllosoma resembles P. armatum in many traits and differs only in relatively subtle features such as the number of spines on the preopercle (3 vs. 4), 72 – 78 transversal scale rows (vs. 60 – 68), 18 – 21 pyloric coeca (vs. 12 – 16), and a relatively dark body coloration. Its otoliths show a symmetrical shape of dorsal and ventral rim while in other species the ventral rim is shallower than the dorsal rim or vice versa in P. squamipinne, where the ventral rim is deeper than the dorsal rim.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19002FFDCFF77FE968A1FAFCD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Pycnocraspedum phyllosoma is the only species of the genus known from the tropical West Atlantic while all other extant species of Pycnocraspedum occur in the Indo-West Pacific. The 136 mm SL holotype was caught pelagic in the Turks Island Passage, Pawnee St. 52.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	description	Figures 3, 5, 10, 12; Tables 1, 2	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (holotype, 235 mm SL): WAM P 28058.021, 18 ° 05 ' S, 118 ° 10 ' E, West Australia, approximately 80 km southwest of Rowley Shoals, 400 m, P. Berry and N. Sinclair, 17 August 1983.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Precaudal vertebrae 12, total vertebrae 52; dorsal-fin rays 87; anal-fin rays 69; pectoral-fin rays 25; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4; pseudobranchial filaments 4 – 5; 2 dorsal-fin rays in front of first vertebra; HL 25.3 % of SL; body depth at vent 18.9 % of SL; predorsal length 23 % of SL; transverse scale rows above origin of anal fin 70, and above lateral line 17; broad expansion on preopercular angle with two spines, concave section above spine 2 without fleshy flap on hind margin of preopercle; otolith (16.5 mm in length) OL: OH = 2.1, dorsal rim crenulated.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	description	Description (only additions to diagnosis). Relatively robust fish with moderately long tapering tail and rounded snout. Size of unique holotype 235 mm SL. Meristics: caudal-fin rays 10; D / A = 25; V / A = 17. Morphometrics in % of SL: diameter of orbit 3.9; upper jaw length 14.3; interorbital width 7; pelvic-fin base to anal-fin base 28.7; preanal length 50.2; prepelvic length 24.8; pectoral-fin length 15; pelvic-fin length 13.7. Otolith morphology (holotype). Size 16.5 mm in length; OL: OH = 2.1; OH: OT = 2.35. Moderately thin, oval, elongated, anteriorly and posteriorly moderately and equally projecting. Dorsal rim rounded, intensely crenulated. Ventral rim smooth at center, anteriorly and posteriorly finely crenulated, shallower than dorsal rim. Inner face moderately bent in horizontal and vertical directions, with long, narrow, undivided sulcus reaching close to anterior and posterior rims of otolith. Sulcus with shallow, undivided, uniform colliculum with slightly concave dorsal rim and slightly convex ventral rim and rounded anterior and posterior tips. OL: CL = 1.45. Dorsal field with indistinct depression and deeply ingressing radial furrows; ventral field with faint radial furrows anteriorly and posteriorly. Outer face slightly convex with few radial furrows, and centrally with tubercles. Coloration. Live coloration unknown. Color of preserved specimens medium brown.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Pycnocraspedum rowleyensis belongs to a group of species in the genus with two preopercular spines positioned at lower corner of the margin of the preopercle. The single specimen from off northwestern Australia resembles P. africanum in many aspects but differs from the latter in the lower number of transverse scale rows (70 vs. 85 – 90) and scale rows above the lateral line (17 vs. 22 - 23), the concave stretch of the rear margin of the preopercle above the preopercular spines (vs. presence of a fleshy flap) and the more compressed otolith shape (OL: OH = 2.1 vs. 2.5 – 2.7).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Pycnocraspedum rowleyensis is only known from the holotype caught off the Rowley shoals off northwestern Australia.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19004FFD9FF77FF6F8C17A9EB.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named after the Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, from where the holotype was obtained.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19007FFD7FF77FDED899EAE7D.taxon	description	Figures 1, 3, 5, 11, 12; Tables 1, 2	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19007FFD7FF77FDED899EAE7D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (6 specimens, 122 – 243 mm SL): 1 specimen lectotype, BMNH 1890.7.31.1, 20 ° 17 ' 30 " N 88 ° 50 ' E (Bay of Bengal), RV Investigator, 353 m; 1 specimen ZMUC P 771737, 226 mm SL, off Myanmar, Bay of Bengal, 18 ° 16 ' N, 93 ° 43 ' E, R / V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, survey 2015404, st. 19, bottom trawl, 127 – 130 m, 3 May 2015; 2 specimens ZMUC P 771736 and P 771738, 120 – 195 mm SL, off Myanmar, Bay of Bengal, 18 ° 14 ' N, 93 ° 38 ' E, R / V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, survey 2015404, St. 18, bottom trawl, 466 – 469 m, 3 May 2015; 1 specimen ZMUC P 771739, 225 mm SL, off Myanmar, Bay of Bengal, 16 ° 26 ' N, 93 ° 57 ' E, R / V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, survey 2015404, st. 42, bottom trawl, 274 – 277 m, 6 May 2015; 1 specimen ZMUC P 771871, 196 mm SL, off Myanmar, Bay of Bengal, 16 ° 26 ' N, 93 ° 57 ' E, R / V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, survey 2018411, st. 26, bottom trawl, 241 – 229 m, 29 Aug. 2018.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19007FFD7FF77FDED899EAE7D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13, total vertebrae 47 – 51; dorsal-fin rays 90 – 92; anal-fin rays 57 – 65; pectoral-fin rays 25 – 30; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4; pseudobranchials 1 – 2; 1 – 3 dorsal-fin rays in front of first vertebra; HL 29.6 – 31.5 % of SL; body depth at vent 17.3 – 18 % of SL; predorsal length 25 – 29 % of SL; transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 52 – 58 (58 – 60 in paralectotypes according to Teena et al. 2021), and above lateral line 13 – 17 (11 – 15 in paralectotypes according to Teena et al. 2021); pyloric coeca 12 – 13; preopercle with 1 weak spine above first lower preopercular pore and broad concave section above; otoliths relatively small, at> 10 mm in length: OL: OH = 2.4 – 2.5, dorsal rim shallow, smooth.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19007FFD7FF77FDED899EAE7D.taxon	description	Description. Relatively robust fish with stout tapering tail and rounded snout. Maximal size of fishes investigated 243 mm SL. Head stout, with straight, inclined dorsal profile. Preopercle with 1 weak spine above first lower preopercular pore, with broad concave section above and obtuse angle below second preopercular pore. Meristics (6 specimens): precaudal vertebrae 12 (12 – 13); total vertebrae 49 (47 – 51); dorsal-fin rays 92 (90 – 92); anal-fin rays 65 (57 – 65); pectoral-fin rays 28 (25 – 30); caudal-fin rays 10; D / V = - 2 (- 1 – - 3); D / A = 24 – 31; V / A = 16 – 17; long gill rakers on first gill arch 4; pseudobranchial filaments 1 (1 – 2); transversal scale rows above origin of anal fin 52 – 58, and above lateral line 13 – 17; pyloric coeca 12 – 13. Morphometrics (5 specimens) in % of SL: HL 29.6 (29.6 – 31.5); body depth at vent 17.3 (17 – 18); diameter of eye 4.9 (4.5 – 5.1); upper jaw length 15.4 (15.0 – 15.4); interorbital width 5.2 (5.2 – 6.2); pelvic-fin base to anal-fin base 26 (26 – 32.5); predorsal length 27 (25 – 29); preanal length 46 – 52; prepelvic length 20 – 21.5; pectoral-fin length 15.2 (15.2 – 18); pelvic-fin length 11.4 – 14. Otolith morphology (3 specimens). Size up to 12 mm in length; OL: OH = 2.4 – 2.5 in specimens larger than 10 mm in length, 1.8 in specimens smaller than 6 mm in length; OH: OT = 2.6 – 2.8. Otolith relatively thin, elongated, anteriorly rounded, posteriorly rounded or slightly pointed; anterior and posterior tips along horizontal axis. Dorsal rim shallow, nearly flat or depressed at times, moderately lobed in small specimens; ventral rim shallow, regularly curved. All rims smooth. Inner face nearly flat, less bent than outer face. Sulcus moderately long, horizontal, with shallow, undivided, uniform colliculum with flat to straight dorsal rim and slightly convex ventral rim and rounded anterior and posterior tips. OL: CL = 1.5 – 1.6. Dorsal field without distinct depression; ventral field smooth. Outer face more convex than inner face, smooth. Coloration. Live coloration unknown. Color of preserved specimens light brown.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19007FFD7FF77FDED899EAE7D.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Teena et al. (2021) presented a re-description of P. squamipinne based on two of the three syntypes from the Bay of Bengal at ZSI (Kolkata) and 15 additional newly collected specimens off southern India. The values given for the syntypes (now paralectotypes) fall well into the range of the specimens studied by us, although they are larger at 270 and 277 mm SL than our specimens. The detailed figures of Teena et al. including the otolith of a 200 mm SL specimen match our descriptions reasonably well. However, the maximal range given by them for meristics and morphometrics in their table 1 exceeds all values that we recognized for P. squamipinne. Possibly, the maximum value refers to their largest specimen of 380 mm SL, which is also of an unusual size for this relatively small species. The cause for this discrepancy is unknown, but one possible explanation could be that the specimen (s) in question represent another species of the genus, for instance P. africanum. However, to resolve such speculation requires the review of the original specimens. As analyzed here, P. squamipinne shows a number of characters that distinguish it well from its congeners. These are the low number of vertebrae (47 – 51 vs. 51 – 59), the low number of anal-fin rays (57 – 65 vs. 68 – 79, except 63 in P. fulvum), the low number of pseudobranchial filaments (1 – 2 vs. 4 – 7), the low number of transversal scale rows (52 – 58) and scale rows above the lateral line (13 – 17), the large head (HL in % of SL = 29.6 – 31.5 vs. 22.7 – 27.6), slender shape (body depth in % of SL = 17 – 18 vs. 18.9 – 23.3), and the predorsal length in % of SL (25 – 29 vs. 17 – 25). The rear margin of the preopercle is relatively thin and weak with only one distinct spine (the second from below as described in the chapter “ Key characters ”; Fig. 3). Also, the otolith morphology is distinctly different from that of its congeners being characterized by a shallow, nearly flat dorsal rim, the inner face less bent than the outer face (vs. inner face strongly or more bent than outer face) and a relatively short sulcus (OL: CL = 1.5 – 1.6 vs. 1.3 – 1.45). Furthermore, P. squamipinne does not seem to grow to the sizes of its congeners (maximal verified size is SL 277 mm SL vs. 345 – 420 mm SL).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19007FFD7FF77FDED899EAE7D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Pycnocraspedum squamipinne has been mentioned across a wide distribution range in the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa to New Caledonia. However, in our study we found that all records from outside of the Bay of Bengal represent different species: P. africanum in East Africa and mostly P. armatum elsewhere outside of the Bay of Bengal. It thus appears that P. squamipinne is endemic to the Bay of Bengal. Subject to review of certain specimens mentioned by Teena et al. (2021) it is possible that a second species of Pycnocraspedum may occur off India.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19009FFD6FF77F9618A93A97B.taxon	description	Fig. 5 M	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19009FFD6FF77F9618A93A97B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (1 specimen): The unique holotype, SMF P. 5694, Cetona near Siena, Italy, Zanclean, Early Pliocene, a fossil otolith.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
03DC87D19009FFD6FF77F9618A93A97B.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Pycnocraspedum cetonaense was recovered from the Early Pliocene (about 5 mya) of Italy and represents the only known fossil record of the genus, based on a single large otolith. The otolith resembles in shape and proportions those of the extant P. africanum but differs in the relatively wide sulcus and the presence of clearly separated ostial and caudal colliculi (vs. single, fused colliculum). This record also demonstrates that the genus Pycnocraspedum was even more widely distributed in the past than today.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner W., Psomadakis, Peter N., Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2025): Revision of the bathydemersal fish genus Pycnocraspedum (Ophidiidae; Teleostei), with description of two new species. Zootaxa 5636 (3): 443-472, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5636.3.2
