Lucigadus nigromarginatus (Smith and Radcliffe, 1912 )

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 : 84

Lucigadus nigromarginatus (Smith and Radcliffe, 1912)

Macrourus nigromarginatus Smith and Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1912:114, Pl. 24, fig. 2 (holotype, USNM 72930; near Simaluc I., Philippines, 5°33ʹ15ʺN, 120°15ʹ30ʺE, Albatross sta. 5569, 303 fm [554 m]) .

Lionurus (Nezumia) nigromaculatus : Gilbert and Hubbs, 1916:145, 192 (name only, mispelled).

Ventrifossa (Lucigadella) nigromarginata : Gilbert and Hubbs, 1920:552–553 (44 spec., Philippines, Borneo , Celebes, Java Sea, in 135–392 fm [247–717 m]; new subgenus erected) .

Ventrifossa nigromarginata : Shen et al., 1993:172 (descr.).— Chiou et al., 2004b:37, 47 (in key, listed from Taiwan).

Lucigadus nigromarginatus : Iwamoto and Williams, 1999:185 (mentioned).— Shao et al., 2008: table 2 (2 spec., Taiwan [ NET, SWT], 100–600 m) .

Lucigadus lucifer (non Smith and Radcliffe): Chiou et al., 2004b:46–47, fig. 15 (incorrect identification; 1 spec. from Taiwan).

MATERIAL EXAMINED (9 Taiwan spec.).— NET: ASIZP 57531 (1, 193 TL), Hsiao-liou-chiou; ASIZP 61308 (1, 110 TL), Nan-fang-ao. SWT: ASIZP (1, 158 TL), CD 142, 227– 335 m; ASIZP 66322 (1, 153 TL), Dong-gang; ASIZP 67599 (1, 133 TL, 13 HL), CP 347, 305 m. SCS: ASIZP 65547 (2, 105–155 TL), CD 134, 736– 1040 m . Other specimens: ASIZP 67968 (1, 149 TL), Aurora , 507– 540 m. The holotype ( USNM 72930 ) and 9 paratypes were previously examined (by TI) at the USNM. ASIZP 61630 (1, 135 TL), New Caledonia, 385– 401 m.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— 1D II,9–11; P i18–i21; V 10–11; inner GR-I 10–12 total, outer GR-II 9–11 total; scales below 1D 14–16, below 2D 7–9.5, lateral line scales over distance equal to pre-1D length 37–42. Snout length 24–28% HL; ventral length of snout 17–20%; orbit 33–36%; interorbital 22–26%; upper jaw 33–39%; barbel 20–26%; outer gill slit 18–21%; body depth 85–94%; height 1D 92–107%. Snout high, smoothly and bluntly rounded; nape with moderate arch; upper jaw extends posteriorly to below mid-orbit; gill openings wide, extending forward under or anterior to posterior margin of orbit; scales small, covered with small, recurved conical spinules in parallel rows, no modified thickened scales on head ridges nor tubercular scutes on snout; 1D with black blotch, anterior portion of A black, no blotches or marking on body. A small species attaining approximately 180 mm TL.

DISTRIBUTION.— Originally recorded from Philippines and Indonesia in 266–718 m; Taiwan records from 100–600 m.

REMARKS.— Taiwan appears to be the n. limit of Lucigadus nigromarginatus . The species is apparently not uncommon in the Philippines and the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago.