Minous pictus Günther 1880

Matsunuma, Mizuki & Motomura, Hiroyuki, 2018, Three new species of the Indo-Pacific stingfish genus Minous (Synanceiidae: Minoinae) with redescriptions of M. trachycephalus (Bleeker 1855) and M. pictus Günther 1880, Zootaxa 4455 (2), pp. 201-257 : 241-248

Minous pictus Günther 1880

English name: Painted Stingfish

Figures 21D–F , 22G, H , 23D–F , 24A , 25 ; Tables 1–5, 8

Minous pictus Günther 1880: 41 , pl. 18, fig. D (Arafura Sea, south of New Guinea, 09°59′S, 139°42′E; in part; lectotype designated herein); De Beaufort & Briggs 1962: 111 (Arafura Sea; referred to “ holotype ” of the species); Eschmeyer et al. 1979: 467, figs. 1, 8a (Arafura Sea, Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Taiwan; in part; description and synonymy; referred to “ holotype ” of the species).

Minous coccineus not of Alcock 1890: Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola 1984: 110, unnumbered fig. (Western Australia; short description; specimen: CSIRO CA1679); Sainsbury et al. 1985: 94 (Western Australia; short description; specimen: CSIRO CA1679); Allen et al. 2006: 905 (Western Australia; listed, ecological and distributional notes).

Lectotype. BMNH 1879.5 .14.371, 45.5 mm SL, Arafura Sea , south of New Guinea, 09°59′S, 139°42′E, 28 fm. (ca. 51 m) depth, Challenger station 188, 10 Sep. 1874.

Other specimens examined. Nine specimens, 57.3–101.8 mm SL (all from Australia): CSIRO CA1679 , 82.0 mm SL, CSIRO CA1680 , 80.7 mm SL, east of Stewart Island , west of Cape Preston , Western Australia, 20°53′S, 115°53′E, 16 m depth, FRV Soela, 7 Dec. 1979 ; CSIRO H 1489-4, 101.8 mm SL, west of Barrow Island , Western Australia, 20°55′S, 115°08′E, 58–68 m depth, Frank and Bryce demersal trawl, FRV Soela, 27 Sep. 1988 ; NTM S.12920-002, 57.3 mm SL Arafura Sea, northwest of Cape Wessel , Northern Territory, 09°21′S, 135°15′E, 80 m depth, R. Williams, 12 Nov. 1990 ; NTM S.12973-004, 77.2 mm SL, Arafura Sea , Northern Territory, 09°41′S, 134°41′E, 87 m depth, H. Larson, 30 Oct. 1990 ; NTM S.12977-004, 70.1 mm SL, Arafura Sea , Northern Territory, 09°42′S, 134°35′E, 92–94 m depth, H. Larson, 30 Oct. 1990 .

Diagnosis. A species of Minous distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: 1st dorsal-fin spine much shorter than 2nd dorsal-fin spine, their bases close together; dorsal-fin rays X–XI, 12–13 (modally XI, 12), total rays 22 or 23 (23); anal-fin rays II, 10–11 (II, 10), total rays 12 or 13 (12); lateral-line tubes 17–21 (19); width between interorbital ridges 3.0–4.2% (mean 3.7%) of SL; pelvic-fin base length 15.2–19.3% (17.4%) of SL; body entirely pinkish, with oblique alternating dark and light stripes; pectoral fin inner surface largely yellow, with irregular dark interconnected blotches along rays, together with small dark spots.

Description. Pectoral-fin rays 12, lowermost ray free from membrane; pelvic fin rays I, 5. Vertebrae 11 + 15 = 26. Other meristics and morphometrics shown in Tables 1–5, 8. Body oblong, moderately compressed laterally, without scales ( Fig. 22D–F ). Lateral-line tubes continuous, except for posteriormost isolated tube on caudal peduncle; each tube with a pore opening to short dermal tube on posterior end, short cirri associated with pore. Single slit-like pore opening above pectoral-fin base behind gill opening, associated with relatively long tentacle (subequal to maximum pore diameter).

Head moderately large, exposed bony surface relatively smooth; interorbital space shallow, interorbital ridges developed, well separated from each other; occipital pit shallow. Anterior and posterior lacrimal spines sharp, posterior spine longer than anterior spine, anterior spine canted anteroventrally, posterior spine posteroventrally; suborbital ridge with numerous small spines; preopercle with 5 spines, uppermost spine behind end of suborbital ridge longest, lower 3 spines blunt, plate-like; 3 sensory pores on underside of each dentary; small pore on each side of symphysial knob; lateral and ventral surfaces of anterior portion of lower jaw with many cirri or tentacles; a pair of relatively long tentacles located between middle and posteriormost sensory pore, tips not reaching posterior margin of maxilla when laid flat.

Snout blunt; dorsal profile of snout relatively steep, forming angle of ca. 40° (ca. 40–50°) to horizontal axis of head and body. Mouth moderately large, slightly oblique, forming angle of ca. 30° to horizontal axis of head and body; posterior margin of maxilla almost reaching a vertical through mid-orbit. Lower jaw tip slightly projected anteriorly when mouth closed. Symphyseal gap separating premaxillary teeth bands very narrow, less than width of each band; both jaws with a band of small, conical teeth, ca. 6 (or 7) and ca. 4 teeth rows at widest portions of upper and lower jaw, respectively; 2 small elongate patches of small conical teeth on vomer; palatine teeth absent.

Eye moderately large, with numerous tentacles on dorsal portion, longest tentacle branched, tips extending beyond dorsal contour of orbit. Eye set relatively low on head, dorsal contour of orbit (about one-fifth of orbit) extending beyond a line between snout tip and dorsal-fin origin. Preocular, supraocular and postocular (surrounding orbit) relatively smooth.

Dorsal-fin origin behind occipital pit, surrounded by parietal spine clefts; 1 st spine relatively short, thin, much shorter than 2nd spine, its length 33% (20–28%) of 2nd spine length, their bases close together; 3rd spine subequal to 2nd spine, its length 96–102% of 2nd spine length; 3rd to 6th spines gradually becoming longer posteriorly, remaining posterior spines subequal in length; membranes on anterior spinous portion well incised, remaining membranes moderately incised; 2nd and 3rd spines not associated with dermal flaps. Dorsal contour of soft-rayed portion of dorsal fin rounded, longest soft ray length subequal to 2nd spine length; last soft ray attached to caudal peduncle by broad membrane. Anal-fin origin below 9th dorsal-fin spine base; spines tiny, covered with skin; longest anal-fin soft ray length subequal to longest dorsal-fin soft ray length; last soft ray attached to caudal peduncle by broad membrane. Pectoral fin rounded, moderately large, 5th (or 4th) ray longest, its tip extending far beyond (almost reaching in largest specimen) a vertical through middle of anal-fin base but not reaching end of anal-fin base; lowermost ray long, slightly thickened, free from membrane, its base well separated from base of above membrane associated rays, its tip extending slightly beyond a vertical through anal-fin origin when depressed. Pelvic-fin origin below 4th dorsal-fin spine base, spine covered with skin, last soft ray attached to abdomen by broad membrane, end of pelvic-fin base not reaching level of anus; 4th (or 3rd) soft ray longest, its tip extending beyond (not reaching in CSIRO H 1489-4, 101.8 mm SL) a vertical through anal-fin origin when depressed. Caudal fin moderately long, posterior margin slightly rounded (based on paratypes). All segmented rays in dorsal, anal, pectoral, pelvic and caudal fins unbranched.

Fresh coloration, based on color photographs of non-type specimens (CSIRO H1489-4 and CSIRO CA1679) ( Fig. 24 ). Head and body entirely pink, darker dorsally, posterior portion of maxilla, ventral portions of head and chest whitish; body with poorly defined oblique alternating dark and light stripes dorsally, extending onto dorsal fin; eye pale yellow, pupil black. Dorsal fin coloration same as that of dorsum, with black tinged margin. Anal fin pink, with large blackish distal portion. Pectoral fin outer surface of pectoral fin black with irregular, poorly defined lighter bands; inner surface with extensive yellow area dorsally, darker ventrally, with many interconnected black blotches along upper rays; lowermost free ray dark pink ( Fig. 24B, D ); axil without markings. Pelvic fin pink, blackish distally. Caudal fin pale pink without markings.

Coloration of preserved specimens, based on all specimens ( Figs. 22D–F ). Head and body entirely pale brown (or creamy-white), paler ventrally, with poorly defined oblique alternating dark and light stripes centrally and dorsally, extending onto dorsal fin. Dorsal fin pale creamy-white, tips of spines tinged with black; soft-rayed portion brownish dorsally. Anal fin creamy-white, brownish distally. Pectoral fin outer surface brown with irregular pale bands; inner surface whitish dorsally, brownish ventrally, with many irregularly shaped elongate brown (blackish) blotches along rays; lowermost free ray creamy-white ( Fig. 25D–F ). Pelvic fin dusky creamywhite, brownish distally. Caudal fin semi-translucent (or pale creamy-white), dusky distally, without distinct markings.

Distribution. Minous pictus is distributed off northern and northwestern Australia and south of New Guinea (based on examined specimens) ( Fig. 10 ). Sampling data for seven specimen lots indicated collection depths of 16– 94 m (mostly> 50 m depth). Although the species has previously been reported as M. coccineus from Australian waters ( Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola 1984; Sainsbury et al. 1985), no records of that species have so far been confirmed from Australia.

Remarks. Minous pictus was recorded by Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola (1984) and Sainsbury et al. (1985) (as M. coccineus ) from northwestern Australia. Detailed comparisons of the two species are given below. On the other hand, M. pictus recorded by Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola (1984) was identified herein as M. groeneveldi sp. nov. (see above).

Lectotype designation. In a report on fishes collected during the Challenger Expedition, Günther (1880) described M. pictus on the basis of syntypes from the Arafura Sea, south of New Guinea. Subsequently, De Beaufort & Briggs (1962) redescribed M. pictus based on a 63 mm-length (most likely total length) “holotype” [BMNH 1879.5.14.371 (caudal fin damaged but estimated total length 63.4 mm)] ( Fig. 26A ). Eschmeyer et al. (1979) also regarded BMNH 1879.5.14.371 as the holotype of M. pictus . However, Günther’s (1880) description of M. pictus was not based solely on a single specimen, noting the lengths of M. pictus specimens as “ 2 to 2.5 inches ”. Although Günther (1880) did not mention the number of specimens, two syntypes of M. pictus now exist at BMNH, their estimated total lengths [BMNH 1879.5.14.371, 45.5 mm SL, 63.4 mm TL (= ca. 2.5 inches) and BMNH 1879.5.14.372, 36.6 mm SL, 50.2 mm TL (= ca. 2.0 inches)] being highly consistent with those given by Günther (1880). Accordingly, the two BMNH specimens are regarded herein as the original syntypes of M. pictus , the larger syntype (BMNH 1879.5.14.371) ( Fig. 26A ) conforming to the species recognized herein as M. pictus , having the diagnostic color pattern on the pectoral fin inner surface ( Fig. 25F ). Moreover, Günther (1880: pl. 18, fig. D) provided an excellent drawing of M. pictus which was consistent with BMNH 1879.5.14.371. In contrast, BMNH 1879.5.14.372 ( Fig. 26B ) conformed strongly to M. trachycephalus Bleeker, 1855 in having dorsal-fin rays XI, 10; anal-fin rays II, 8; relatively short second dorsal-fin spine length 14.2% of SL ( Fig. 19C ); a pore above pectoral-fin base lacking an elongate tentacle; posterior lacrimal spine tip canted posteroventrally ( Fig. 20K ); and pectoral fin inner surface with hexagonal markings ( Fig. 9F ). The ICZN (1999: article 74.7, recommendation 74B) recommends that an illustrated specimen should be designated as a lectotype. Therefore, BMNH 1879.5.14.371 is designated here as the lectotype of M. pictus ( Fig. 26A ), the remaining syntype, BMNH 1879.5.14.372 (identical to M. trachycephalus ), becoming a paralectotype ( Fig. 26B ).

Species comparisons. M. radiatus and M. pictus vs other congeners. Although M. coccineus is most similar to M. pictus in having the pectoral fin inner surface yellow with many dark blotches, the former possesses relatively small rounded black blotches scattered over the entire fin ( Fig. 5D–F ), whereas the latter has large elongate, interconnected blotches radiating mostly along the rays ( Figs. 24B, D , 25D–F ). Although M. radiatus also possesses dark markings on a yellow background on the pectoral fin inner surface, such markings comprise narrow stripes radiating mostly along the rays ( Figs. 23B, D, F , 25A–C ). Although the holotype of M. coccineus was not available for this study, Alcock (1890) stated that it had a dark brown pectoral fin inner surface with canary yellow lines, forming a hexagonal pattern when fresh, such being consistent with the specimens identified herein as M. coccineus . Minous pictus is further distinguished from M. coccineus by having more lateral-line tubes [17–21 (modally 19) in the former vs 15–18 (17) in the latter] (Table 3).

Minous radiatus and M. pictus are readily distinguished from M. andriashevi , M. monodactylus , M. quincarinatus , M. usachevi and M. versicolor ( Fig. 3A–F ), having the first dorsal-fin spine much shorter than the second spine (first spine length 26–44% and 20–33% of second spine length in M. radiatus and M. pictus , respectively) and their bases close together, whereas both spines are of similar length with well separated bases in the latter five species. Moreover, M. radiatus and M. pictus differ from M. inermis and M. longimanus ( Fig. 3I, J ) in having a relatively short pectoral fin [36.0–47.3% (mean 40.8%) of SL in M. radiatus and 39.7–44.3% (42.1%) of SL in M. pictus ], its tip just reaching a vertical through the mid-point of the anal-fin base, whereas the posterior tip of the pectoral fin [fin length 45.2–59.3% (51.2%) of SL in M. inermis and 51.7–63.6% (57.9%) of SL in M. longimanus ] almost reaches or extends beyond the end of the anal-fin base in the latter two species.

TABLE 8. Selected meristic and morphometric values (expressed as percentages of standard length) recorded from specimens of Minous radiatus sp. nov. and M. pictus .

……continued on the next page

TABLE 8. (Continued)

Gill raker counts include upper + lower = total gill rakers. Modes and means include all specimens.

Minous dempsterae is separable from M. radiatus and M. pictus due to numerous small light colored blotches scattered on a dark pectoral fin inner surface in preserved specimens ( Fig. 5C ), compared to dark markings on a lighter background in the latter two species ( Fig. 25 ). Minous radiatus and M. pictus differ from M. pusillus , M. roseus , M. groeneveldi and M. trachycephalus in having oblique alternating dark and light stripes on the dorsum and dorsal fin (vs. absent in the latter), and differing counts of dorsal- and anal-fin rays and gill rakers (see Tables 1, 2, 5).

M. radiatus vs M. pictus . Minous radiatus and M. pictus share most diagnostic characters, including fin formula, overall body appearance and coloration. However, M. radiatus can be distinguished from M. pictus by having fewer lateral-line tubes [16–19 (modally 17) in the former vs 17–21 (19) in the latter], a narrower space between the interorbital ridges [1.4–3.7% (mean 2.9%) of SL vs 3.0–4.2% (3.7%) of SL] ( Fig. 27A ) and shorter pelvic-fin base length [12.2–16.6% (14.4%) of SL vs 15.2–19.3% (17.4%) of SL] ( Fig. 27B ). Additionally, M. radiatus has the dorsal half of the pectoral fin inner surface yellow (lighter in preserved specimens), with narrow dark stripes radiating along the rays and small dark spots, blotches or broken lines on the membranes ( Figs. 23B, D, F , 25A–C ), compared with elongate dark interconnected blotches radiating mostly along the rays in M. pictus ( Figs. 24B, D , 25D–F ). The reddish body in M. radiatus with brownish dorsum and many distinct alternating light and dark markings (creamy-white body with dark markings on the dorsum in preserved specimens) ( Figs. 22A–C , 23A, C, E ) contrasts with the entirely pinkish body with pale alternating light and dark stripes (creamy-white body with pale markings on the dorsum) of M. pictus ( Figs. 22D–F , 24A, C ).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Specimens of Minous andriashevi (A–B), M. quincarinatus (C), M. usachevi (D), M. versicolor (E), M. monodactylus (F), M. pusillus (G, H), M. longimanus (I), M. inermis (J), M. coccineus (K) and M. dempsterae (L). (A) ZIN 49334, holotype, 56.8 mm SL, western Indian Ocean; (B) CAS 64623, 25.4 mm SL, Somalia; (C) BSKU 117662, 92.4 mm SL, Japan; (D) ZIN 50132, paratype, 112.7 mm SL, Gulf of Aden; (E) WAM P.31888.002, 71.4 mm SL, Australia; (F) KAUM–I. 29961, 63 mm SL, Japan; (G) KAUM–I. 24581, 35.9 mm SL, Japan; (H) KAUM–I. 31342, 57.2 mm SL, Japan; (I) SAIAB 84308, 1 of 17 specimens, 82.5 mm SL, Saya de Malha Bank; (J) BMNH 1939.5.24.1661-1670, 1 of 11, 70.8 mm SL, Gulf of Aden; (K) KAUM–I. 33291, 103.0 mm SL, Thailand; (L) USNM 218419, 1 of 4, 78.2 mm SL, India. A, B, D, E, I, J and L specimens preserved; C, F–H and K specimens fresh. Photos: Gota Ogihara (A and D).

FIGURE 5. Inner surfaces of pectoral fins in Minous longimanus (A), M. inermis (B), M. dempsterae (C) and M. coccineus (D–F). (A) SAIAB 84308, 1 of 17 specimens, 75.1 mm SL, Saya de Malha Bank; (B) BMNH 1939.5.24.1661-1670, 1 of 11, 82.3 mm SL, Gulf of Aden; (C) USNM 218417, holotype, 83.4 mm SL, India; (D) KAUM–I. 33291, 103.0 mm SL, Thailand; (E) KAUM–I. 33293, 92.9 mm SL, Thailand; (F) KAUM–I. 33297, 81.2 mm SL, Thailand. A–C specimens fresh; D–F specimens preserved. Photo: Gota Ogihara (C).

FIGURE 9. Inner surfaces of pectoral fins in preserved specimens of Minous roseus sp. nov. (A–C) and M. trachycephalus (D–F). (A) CSIRO CA1844, holotype, 72.1 mm SL, Western Australia (right side, reversed); (B) KAUM–I. 113069, paratype, 52.8 mm SL, Western Australia; (C) NMV A29722-006, paratype, 44.2 mm SL, Western Australia; (D) RMNH.PISC. 5901, holotype, 55.9 mm SL, Indonesia; (E) KAUM–I. 33284, 70.4 mm SL, Gulf of Thailand; (F) BMNH 1879.5.14.372, paralectotype of M. pictus, 36.6 mm SL, Arafura Sea. Photos: Gota Ogihara (A, C and D).

FIGURE 10. Distributional maps of Minous trachycephalus (purple squares); M. groeneveldi sp. nov. (yellow stars); M. roseus sp. nov. (blue circles); M. andriashevi (gray downward triangles); M. pictus (yellow upward triangles); and M. radiatus sp. nov. (green diamonds). White arrowheads indicate type localities. Black arrowheads indicate photographic records (Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia).

FIGURE 19. Relationships of (A) head depth; (B) interorbital width at preocular spine base; and (C) 2nd dorsal-fin spine length (all as % of standard length) to standard length (mm) in Minous roseus sp. nov. (blue circles), M. groeneveldi sp. nov. (yellow star, holotype) and M. trachycephalus (purple squares). Open and closed arrowheads indicate paralectotype of M. pictus (= M. trachycephalus) and holotype of M. roseus, respectively.

FIGURE 20. Lateral view of head (A, C, G) and lacrimal spines (semi-schematic) in Minous groeneveldi sp. nov. (A, B), M. roseus sp. nov. (C–F) and M. trachycephalus (G–K). (A, B) NTM S.11031-002, holotype, 77.7 mm SL, Indonesia; (C, D) CSIRO CA1844, holotype, 72.1 mm SL, Western Australia; (E) CSIRO CA1589, paratype, 53.9 mm SL, Western Australia; (F) NMV A29660-012, paratype, 33.5 mm SL, Western Australia; (G) RMNH.PISC. 5901, holotype, 55.9 mm SL, Indonesia; (H) KAUM–I. 33284, 70.4 mm SL, Thailand (Gulf of Thailand); (I) KAUM–I. 49280, 55.2 mm SL, Malaysia (Borneo); (J) KAUM–I. 33288, 55.7 mm SL, Thailand (Andaman Sea); (K) BMNH 1879.5.14.372, paralectotype of M. pictus, 36.6 mm SL, Arafura Sea. Red dotted lines (in A and C) indicate horizontal line through top of snout bulge. Red and blue arrowheads indicate anterior and posterior lacrimal spines, respectively. Bars indicate 1 mm.

FIGURE 21. Pores above pectoral-fin base and associated skin flap in Minous roseus sp. nov. (A–D), M. trachycephalus (E) and M. groeneveldi sp. nov. (F). (A) NTM S.13974-005, paratype, 63.9 mm SL, Western Australia; (B) CSIRO CA1844, holotype, 72.1 mm SL, Western Australia; (C) NMV A29712-004, paratype, 40.6 mm SL, Western Australia; (D) NMV A29660-012, paratype, 33.5 mm SL, Western Australia; (E) KAUM–I. 33284, 70.4 mm SL, Gulf of Thailand; (F) NTM S.11031-002, holotype, 77.7 mm SL, Indonesia. Red arrowhead (in A) indicates pore location. Blue arrowheads indicate skin flaps (absent in M. trachycephalus). Right side, reversed in A–C. Bars indicate 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 22. Preserved specimens of Minous radiatus sp. nov. (A–C) and M. pictus (D–F) at different growth stages. (A) KAUM–I. 39286, holotype, 89.6 mm SL, Taiwan; (B) FAKU 100030, paratype, 1 of 4 specimens, 73.2 mm SL, China; (C) KAUM–I. 22367, paratype, 59.2 mm SL, Malaysia (Borneo); (D) CSIRO H1489-4, 101.8 mm SL, Australia; (E) NTM S.12977-004, 70.1 mm SL, Australia; (F) NTM S.12920-002, 57.3 mm SL, Australia.

FIGURE 23. Fresh specimens of Minous radiatus sp. nov.—lateral view (A, C, E);—pectoral fin inner surface (magnified) (B, D, F). (A, B) KAUM–I. 39286, holotype, 89.6 mm SL, Taiwan; (C, D) KAUM–I. 23222, paratype, 89.0 mm SL, Gulf of Thailand; (E, F) KAUM–I. 24084, paratype, 67.4 mm SL, Gulf of Thailand. Right side, reversed in D and F.

FIGURE 24. Fresh specimens of Minous pictus—lateral view (A, C);—pectoral fin inner surface (magnified) (B, D). (A, B) CSIRO H1489-4, 101.8 mm SL, Australia; (C, D) CSIRO CA1679, 82.0 mm SL, Australia. Right side, reversed in A. Photos: Thor Carter (A and B) and Richard Martin (C and D).

FIGURE 25. Pectoral fin inner surface in preserved specimens of Minous radiatus sp. nov. (A–C) and M. pictus (D–F). (A) NSMT-P 54646, paratype, 106.5 mm SL, China; (B) KAUM–I. 39286, holotype, 89.6 mm SL, Taiwan; (C) KAUM–I. 22370, paratype, 57.2 mm SL, Malaysia; (D) CSIRO H1489-4, 101.8 mm SL, Australia; (E) NTM S.12973-004, 77.2 mm SL, Australia (right side, reversed); (F) BMNH 1879.5.14.371, lectotype, 45.5 mm SL, Arafura Sea. Photo: Gota Ogihara (D).

FIGURE 26. Lectotype (A) and paralectotype (B) of Minous pictus, Arafura Sea, south of New Guinea. (A) BMNH 1879.5.14.371, 45.5 mm SL; (B) BMNH 1879.5.14.372, 36.6 mm SL (= M. trachycephalus).

FIGURE 27. Relationships of (A) width between interorbital ridges and (B) pelvic-fin base length (all as % of standard length) to standard length (mm) in Minous pictus (yellow triangles) and M. radiatus sp. nov. (green diamonds). Open and closed arrowheads indicate lectotype of M. pictus and holotype of M. radiatus, respectively.