Paraliparis merodontus Stein, Melendez, and Kong 1991

David L. Stein, 2005, Descriptions of four new species, redescription of Paraliparis membranaceus, and additional data on species of the fish family Liparidae (Pisces, Scorpaeniformes) from the west coast of South America and the Indian Ocean., Zootaxa 1019, pp. 1-25 : 10-11

Paraliparis merodontus Stein, Melendez, and Kong 1991

Material examined. SIO 72-155, five specimens: male?, 112 mm SL, 125 mm TL; female, 137, 154; male, 137, 151; female, 141, 157; male, 144, 158; FVSL trap MV 72-I- 5, 25° 21' S, 70° 45' W, off Chile, 12-13 April 1972, 1052 m; SOSC 289, male?, 177 mm SL, TL?, “Anton Bruun” Cruise 16 Sta. 650E, 08° 26'S, 80° 36.5' W, deep longline off Trujillo, Peru, 8-9 June 1966, 1830-1930 m.

Description. This species was described from a series of individuals of lengths from 161 to 207 mm SL, significantly larger than three of the specimens above. Examination of the smaller individuals verifies the accuracy of the original descriptions even when applied to individuals not within the original size range. With four exceptions, all characters (both counts and proportions) fall within the ranges displayed by the types. The exceptions are distance from snout to anus (14.8-16.6 vs. 11.7-14.4 % SL), distance from anus to anal fin origin (16.6-19.2 vs. 19.4-24.4 % SL), horizontal diameter of orbit (4.0-5.7 vs. 3.2-4.3 % SL), and presence of premaxillary teeth. The smaller specimens have a few tiny teeth occurring irregularly near the symphysis of the premaxillae, although these are absent in the largest specimen. In addition, although the original description did not mention them, pleural ribs are present. The new specimens significantly extend the geographic and bathymetric range of the species.

Distribution. Paraliparis merodontus is known from off northern Peru to at least north-central Chile at depths between 700 and 1930 m.