Nezumia spinosa (Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916)

Iwamoto, Tomio, Nakayama, Naohide, Shao, Kwang-Tsao & Table, Hsuan-Ching Ho, 2015, Synopsis of the Grenadier Fishes (Gadiformes; Teleostei) of Taiwan, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 62 (3), pp. 31-126 : 94-95

Nezumia spinosa (Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916)

Figures 20A–B .

Lionurus spinosus Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916:199–200 , pl. 10, fig.2 (holotype, USNM 76868 , East China Sea off Japan, 427 fm [781 m]).— Gilbert and Hubbs 1920:554 (4 spec., off Luzon, Philippines).— Okamura, 1970:94 (in part; in synonymy of Nezumia proximus ).

Nezumia spinosa : Okamura in Masuda et al., 1984:95, pl. 345–A (compiled).— Iwamoto, 1990:254, fig. 582 (in key).— Iwamoto and Anderson, 1994:18–19 (22 spec., 26.3–44.2 HL; 117–255 mm TL, s. Africa and Mozambique, 560–1000 m).— Iwamoto and Merrett, 1997:542–545, fig. 29b (8 spec., 20–54.2 HL, 133–319 TL; sw. Pacific, Japan, South China Sea, 660–900 m).— Iwamoto and Williams, 1999: 202–204, fig. 43b (8 spec., 33.3–51.1 HL, 140–260+ TL, Western Australia, 420–853 m).— Merrett and Iwamoto, 2000:772–773 (1 spec., 45 HL, 250+ TL; Norfolk Ridge [sw. Pacific], 640–740 m).— Shao et al., 2008: table 2 (3 spec., Taiwan [ SWT, SCS], 316–720 m; first record from Taiwan).

MATERIAL EXAMINED (6 spec.).— SWT: ASIZP 65545 (1, 170 TL), CD 137, 316– 477 m ; ASIZP 67586 (2, 105+-160+TL), CP 338, 569 m ; ASIZP 67591 (1, 34 HL, 159+ TL); CP 338, 569 m. SCS: ASIZP 66747 (1, 216+ TL), CD 320, 731 m ; ASIZP 66817 (1, 127+ TL), CP 315, 509 m.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— 1D II,9–10 (rarely 8 or 12); P i18–i22; V 8–9; inner GR-I 9–12 total; scale rows below midbase 1D 6.5–9, below 2D 7.5–11; lateral line scales over distance equal to predorsal length 35–42; pyl. caeca 15–16 (13–14 fide Iwamoto and Anderson 1994:18). Snout length 28–32% HL; preoral length 18–29%; interorbital 18–24%; orbit 29–31%; orbit to preopercle 34–40%; suborbital 12–14%; upper jaw 27–33%; barbel 9–18%. Body relatively slender, compressed; head about 5–6 in TL; snout conical, protruding well beyond mouth, with stout tubercles at tip and lateral angles; suborbital ridge sharp and beset with stout modified scales; underside of head almost completely naked, with large pores; body scales densely covered with long, needle-like spinules in parallel to convergent rows. Long spinous ray of 1D 96–156% HL, serrations widely spaced. Anterior dermal window of light organ prominent, situated between V-fin bases. Color overall light brown, blackish over abdomen; gill cover, gill membranes dark; mouth and gill cavities black; 1D blackish proximally, pale to whitish distally, V black, P and A dusky. Attains about 320 mm TL.

DISTRIBUTION.— A widespread Indo-Pacific species; s. Japan through Philippines, Indonesia, s. to New Caledonia region, w. coast of Australia, and s. Africa, in 316–1000 m. Our Taiwan specimens were taken in 316–731 m.

REMARKS.— Shao et al. (2008) first recorded the species from Taiwan based on the current specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 20. Nezumia spinosa (Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916). A. ASIZP 67586, 105 mm TL, fresh. B. ASIZP66817, 127+ mm TL, preserved.