Cypselurus hexazona
Parin & Bogorodsky, 2011: 683–686
C. hexazona
A review of the flying fish genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 1. Revision of the subgenus Zonocypselurus Parin and Bogorodsky, 2011 with descriptions of one new subgenus, four new species and two new subspecies and reinstatement of one species as valid
Shakhovskoy, Ilia B.
Parin, Nikolay V.
Zootaxa
2019
2019-03-23
4589
1
1
71
Shakhovskoy & Parin, 2019
Shakhovskoy & Parin
2019
[151,642,1015,1042]
Actinopterygii
Exocoetidae
Cheilopogon
Animalia
Beloniformes
29
30
Chordata
species
marisrubri
sp. nov.
Amustotrogon
( Figs. 3, 11–14, 18; Tables 1–7)
Cypselurus hexazona(non Bleeker). Parin & Bogorodsky, 2011: 683–686[ 658–660 inEnglish translation], fig. 1 (in part; description, distribution ( Red Sea)). This species was previously identified as C. hexazonain the collections studied both in juvenile and adult stages.
Material examined.Sixty four specimens, 33–163 mmSL. Full morphological study. ZMMUP-24080, holotype( 139.5 mmSL), 14°05’N 42°20’E, 15.10.1960. IORAS 03413( 1, 148 mmSL), 21°21’N 38°04’E, 12.06.1977. IORAS 03414( 1, 163 mmSL), Red Sea, 7.03.1983. IORAS 03415, paratypes(2, 54.5–94.5 mmSL), Gulfof Aden, end of 1962. IORAS 03416(1, 69 mm SL), Gulfof Adenor Red Sea. IORAS 03417( 1, 133 mmSL), 20°07’N 37°44’E. IORAS 03418(8, 33– 53 mmSL), 17°43’N 39°20’E, 8.06.1977. IORAS 03419(3, 141– 157.5 mmSL), 13°27’N 42°51’E, 4- 5.06.1964. IORAS 03420( 1, 106.5 mmSL), Red Sea, ~ 25°N. IORAS 03421(2, 136– 160.5 mmSL), 15°55’N 41°32’E, 19.04.1960. IORAS 03422(2, 135– 137.5 mmSL), 17°56’N 39°49’E, 28.01.1980. IORAS 03423, paratypes(3, 127, 133 and 134 mmSL), 14°05’N 42°20’E, 15.10.1960. IORAS 03424(1, 45 mm SL), 19°39’N 38°45’E, 11.06.1977. IORAS 03425(3, 143– 159 mmSL), 16°48’N 41°01’E, 25.05.1978. IORAS 03426(8, 76– 102.5 mmSL), 14°05’N 42°20’E, 15.10.1960. USNMuncat. (3, 40.5–139 mmSL), 17°51’N 38°55’E, 19.06.1958. ZMH 8709* ( 1, 131 mmSL), 11°55’N 43°39’E, 29.11.1964. SOSC Ref. No.145 (7, 131.5– 158 mmSL), 20°35’N 38°08’E, 24- 25.12.1964. Partial morphological study. IORAS 03427(5, 61,5– 99 mmSL), 19°19’N 38°35’E, 21.10.1963. IORAS 03428( 1, 101 mmSL), 20°42’N 37°34’E, 20.10.1963. IORAS 03426(6, 58– 73 mmSL), 14°05’N 42°20’E, 15.10.1960. FRSKU 39842* ( 1, 134 mmSL), Suez, Egypt, 20.11.1966. BMNH1983.6.17.1-2 4(2, ~ 133–141 mmSL), Red Sea. Holotype( Fig. 11f). ZMMUP-24080, R/ V"Vityaz" Cruise 33, Sta. 4781, Sample 13, 14°05’N 42°20’E, captured by dip netand night light near the surface, on 15.10.1960. The immature female, 139.5 mmSL. D11, A10, PI 14, Spred29, Str7½, Sp.br24 (6 + 18), Vert40 (26 + 14). Measurements (in % SL): aA76.7, aD73.3, aV 4. These specimens have been studied basing only on photographs and x-rays provided by J. Maclaine ( BMNH). 56.8, cV31.5, pV40.3, c25.2, po11.3, o8.0, ao5.8, io9.1, Hc16.3, H17.2, h6.5, Dc26.3, lP65.3, lP 137.4, lV25.3, lD16.4, lA11.5, HD-, HA-, p15.1. Body dark above and pale below, without bands. Gill covers with specks. Pectoral fins pale gray with weakly discernable “mirror” to 4th ray and pale posterior edge. Tip of pectoral fin protrudes slightly beyond end of dorsal-fin base. Pelvic fins transparent, tip reaching 5th anal-fin ray. Dorsal fin gray; anal fin transparent. First anal-fin ray below 4th dorsal-fin ray. Caudal fin pale brown, slightly darker at base. Lower jaw longer than upper jaw; teeth relatively large (hardly visible with a naked eye), conical, arranged in two rows on both jaws near symphysis. Palatines with single tooth. Paratypes. IORAS 03423, 3 specimens127, 133 and 134 mmSL, R/ V"Vityaz" Cruise 33, Sta. 4781, Sample 13, 14°05’N 42°20’E, 15.10.1960. IORAS 03415, 2 specimens54.5 and 94.5 mmSL, the Gulfof Aden, end of 1962.
Description.Meristic and morphometric characters are given in Tables 1–7. D11–12, A9–11, PI 13–15 (usually I 14), Spred25–30 (usually 26–29), Str7–8 (usually 7½), Sp.br21–25 (5–7 + 16–19), Vert39–41 (25–26 + 13–16). Palatine teeth, if present (absent in 58% of the specimens studied), few in number: usually 1–4 teeth on anterior of palatines; occasional specimens with 5–10 teeth; absent in all juveniles under 55 mmSL. Snout oblong, upper jaw usually slightly pointed at tip. Lower jaw longer than upper jaw or, in rare cases, of equal size; teeth usually unicuspid. Occasional specimens with few teeth with 1–2 additional cusps. Teeth of adults conical, arranged in 1–2 rows (very rarely in 3), and not as numerous and large (usually not visible or barely visible with the naked eye) as in Ch. formosus. Only in a few fish some teeth are curved at the tip. Jaw teeth of juveniles relatively small, conical or needle-shaped, and fewer in number than in large fish (arranged in one and only occasionally in two rows). Few recurved teeth are found only at about 130 mmSL and above (found in 28% of fish 130–163 mmSL studied). Body elongate. Greatest body depth does not change with growth, 5.2–6.25 inSL. Body width 1.06–1.27, depth of caudal peduncle 2.01–2.92 ingreatest body depth. Greatest head depth and head length almost do not change with growth, 5.4–6.5 and 3.7–4.2 inSL, respectively. Head length 0.94–1.17 indorso-caudal distance. Eyes large, diameter greatly decreasing with growth: in juveniles 35–105 mmSL, 8.5–11.9 inSL, 2.1–3.05 in cand 0.9– 1.25 in io; in large fish 125–165 mmSL, 11.5–13.1 inSL, 3.0– 3.3 in c, 1.1–1.25 in io. Pectoral fins relatively short, length almost does not change with growth ( Fig. 12a), 1.5–1.7 inSL. Tip of pectoral fin usually nearly to end of dorsal-fin base or protruses slightly beyond it, reaching no further than middle of caudal peduncle. First pectoral-fin ray unbranched; its length increasing slightly with growth ( Fig. 12b): in juveniles 35–105 mmSL, 2.4–3.0 in SL and 1.55–1.9 in lP; in large fish 125–165 mmSL, 2.3–2.85 and 1.45–1.75, respectively. Pelvic-fin base situated closer to posterior edge of head than to origin of lower lobe of caudal fin ( cV/ pV= 0.63–0.90). Pelvic fins shift slightly posteriorly as fish grows ( Fig. 12e). Length of pelvic fins decreases quite markedly from juveniles to adults ( Fig. 12c). In juveniles ( 35–105 mmSL) pelvic fins 2.5–3.7 inSL and 1.5–2.4 in lP; in large fish ( 125–165 mmSL), 3.5–4.55 and 2.35–2.9, respectively. Tip of pelvic fin of juveniles 35–55 mmSL reaches middle of caudal peduncle or protrudes slightly behind it, never reaching origin of lower caudal-fin lobe; in juveniles 55–70 mmSL it reaches from end of anal-fin base to middle of caudal peduncle; in fish 70–110 mmSL it reaches from middle to the end of anal-fin base; in fish 125 mmSL and over, it usually does not reach middle of anal fin, and only occasionally protrudes beyond it. Anal-fin origin far behind dorsal-fin origin (1st anal-fin ray under 4th or 5th (occasionally under the 6th) dorsal-fin ray). Dorsal fin with 1–3 rays more than anal fin. Heights of dorsal and anal fins decrease markedly as fish grows ( Fig. 12d). In juveniles ( 35–105 mmSL) HD5.7–9.2 and HA 9.2–15.6 inSL; in large fish ( 125–165 mmSL) HD9.0–11.8 and HA 14.3–18.2 inSL. Longest ray in dorsal and anal fins the 2nd or, occasionally, the 3rd. Tip of the last dorsal-fin ray reaches (or almost reaches) the middle of caudal peduncle or slightly beyond it. Central and posterior dorsal-fin rays not elongate. Pigmentation.In juveniles 33–70 mmSL, 5–6 bands can be distinguished on the lower part of body ( Figs. 11a–c): near pectoral-fin base, between pectoral and pelvic fins, near pelvic-fin base, above anus (often barely visible), above middle of anal fin (often barely visible) and near caudal-fin base. Gill covers with aggregations of melanophores. No band below eye. In fish 70–125 (135) mm SL, body bands begin to disappear, starting from posteriormost, and usually there are no more than 3 or 4 weakly-discernible bands on underside of body ( Figs. 11d, e). Fish larger than 130 mmSL, usually without bands on body, although remains of bands can sometimes persist up to a length of 155 mmSL. FIGURE 11.Flying fish Cheilopogon marisrubri. (A)—33 mm SL, IORAS 03418, 17°43’N 39°20’E; (B)—39 mm SL, IORAS 03418, same place; (C)—53 mm SL, IORAS 03418, same place; (D)—94.5 mm SL, IORAS 03415, Gulf of Aden; (E)—106.5 mm SL, IORAS 03420, Red Sea, ~ 25°N; (F)—139.5 mm SL, ZMMU P-24080 (holotype), 14°05’N 42°20’E. FIGURE 12.Size variation of morphometric characters in Cheilopogon marisrubri(+) and Ch. formosus(○). (A)—length of pectoral fin ( lP); (B)—length of the first pectoral fin ray ( lP 1); (C)—length of pelvic fin ( lV); (D)—height of anal fin ( HA); (E)—distance from the head rear margin to the base of pelvic fins divided by postventral distance (index cV/pV); (F)—length of pectoral fin divided by length of pelvic fin (index lP/lV). Note: for Ch. formosusdata from Kotthaus (1969)are included. FIGURE 13.Pectoral fin pigmentation in flying fish Cheilopogon marisrubri. (A)—33 mm SL, IORAS 03418, 17°43’N 39°20’E; (B)—54.5 mm SL, IORAS 03415, Gulf of Aden; (C)—94.5 mm SL, IORAS 03415, same place; (D)—106.5 mm SL, IORAS 03420, Red Sea, ~ 25°N; (E)—133 mm SL, IORAS 03417, 20°07’N 37°44’E; (F)—133 mm SL, IORAS 03423 (paratype), 14°05’N 42°20’E; (G)—136 mm SL, IORAS 03421, 15°55’N 41°32’E; (H)—159 mm SL, IORAS 03425, 16°48’N 41°01’E. FIGURE 14.Pelvic fin pigmentation in flying fish Cheilopogon marisrubri. (A)—33 mm SL, IORAS 03418, 17°43’N 39°20’E; (B)—54.5 mm SL, IORAS 03415, Gulf of Aden; (C)—94.5 mm SL, IORAS 03415, same place. Unlike Ch. formosus, the head in Ch. marisrubrijuveniles is always pale from below, usually with only a few dots near anterior margin of lower jaw and on isthmus. Adults with few small specks on gill covers, but specks usually absent below eyes. Pectoral fins of juveniles 33–50 mmSL pale with large oval dark spot distally near lower edge, and with dark band and row of 2–4 oval dark spots near base. There is also pigment aggregation near tip of first ray ( Figs. 13a, b). In fish 50–75 mmSL, the pigment areas on proximal part merge and fin becomes dark with wide oblique transverse pale band reaching upper edge of fin. Further, in fish 75–105 mmSL, proximal and distal pigment areas begin to unite near upper edge of fin, and fin becomes brown (proximally sometimes paler than distally) with large “mirror” extending to 3rd–5th ray, and sometimes reaching upper edge of fin ( Figs. 13c, d). Occasionally, about 5 dark spots distally on fin ( Fig. 13c). In fish 125 mmSL and longer, pectoral fin from pale brown to brown (prevailing coloration north of 20°N, see Fig. 13e) or from gray to pale gray (prevailing coloration south of 18°N, see Figs. 13f–h) to 6th–9th ray, with small, barely noticeable “mirror” (sometimes absent) and pale posterior edging. Pectoral fins of the fishes from the southern part of range often become much paler in their lower and posterior parts, with pigment clearly visible only near upper rays ( Figs. 13g, h). Proximal ½–⅓ of pelvic fins of juveniles 33–45 mmSL paler with only numerous dots; distally with 5–6 dark longitudinal streaks along rays or large dark spot ( Fig. 14a). In juveniles 42–70 mmSL, dots on proximal part of the fin begin to disappear, remaining only near fin base, sometimes forming a small gray spot ( Fig. 14b). In fish 75–100 mmSL, dots near fin base completely disappear, and distal spot also begins to decrease in size ( Fig. 14c), remaining only near outer margin, between the 2nd–4th rays. In fish 100 mmSL and larger, pelvic fins completely devoid of pigment on membranes, with only dots remaining on some rays. Dorsal fin of juveniles 33–70 mmSL covered with dots of varying degrees of intensity (usually denser on central part of fin and near base of anterior rays), with dark upper margin and pale patch on posterior part. In fish 70–100 mmSL pigment begins to disappear from fin, remaining mainly on upper part. In fish larger than 100 mmSL dorsal fin gray. Anal fin of juveniles 33–70 mmSL transparent with small aggregation of dots (or, rarely, with a spot) posteriorly near ends of rays. Fin entirely transparent in fish larger than 70 mmSL. Caudal fin of juveniles 33–70 mmSL ( Figs. 11a–c) pale with brown pigment along rays of lower lobe (except for uppermost rays), usually forming two aggregations (bands). Base of fin and tip of upper lobe also pigmented. In fish 70–135 mmSL the pigment spreads throughout the fin, and it becomes light brown with paler fork (one specimen 94.5 mmSL had the pigmentation characteristic of juveniles under 70 mmSL). Lower lobe sometimes darker than upper. Fish over 135 mmSL with pale brown (or, less often, gray or yellowish) caudal fin, and usually with darker fin base ( Fig. 11f). Coloration in life.Body, head and caudal-fin base of a fish 133 mmSL (IORAS 03417) dorsally bright blue, pectoral fins blackish (based on photograph of a freshly caught specimen made by S.V. Bogorodsky). Maximum size.The maximum length of Ch. marisrubriin our material was 163 mmSL (IORAS 03414, Red Sea). Females and males do almost not differ in size: the maximum length (SL) of males was 158 mm, of females 163 mm. Intraspecific variation.Fish larger than 125 mmSL can be distinguished as two morphs that differ slightly in a number of characters, however, with much overlap. The first morph generally has more intensely pigmented pectoral fins (usually pale brown in color), fewer predorsal scales (most often 26–27) and no palatine teeth (present only in 30% of specimens). The second morph usually has gray or pale gray pectoral fins, sometimes almost transparent distally, more predorsal scales (usually 28 or more) and many (60%) with a few palatine teeth. Representatives of the first morph were captured mainly north of 20°N, and representatives of the second morph mainly south of 18°N. The nature of these morphs is difficult to understand. We were not able to sort them out reliably using the methods at our disposal. Perhaps we are dealing with cryptic species, or these forms are intraspecific groupings within a polymorphic species. We are inclined to the second option. However, this issue requires further research.
Etymology.The name " marisrubri" reflects distribution of this species mainly in the Red Sea. Common names.The name “Common Red Seaflying fish” (Russian: “oбыкнoвeнный кpacнoмopcкий длиннoкpыл”) is proposed here. Comparative remarks.This species differs from Ch. formosusin reduced dentition, including smaller and fewer teeth, which are rarely recurved, in pigmentation (in adults there are no specks below the eyes, the pectoral fins are paler; in juveniles the the head is pale ventrally, the body bands persist much longer, pectoral and pelvic fins are pigmented more densely), in smaller values of cV/pV( Fig. 12e), aV, cV, lD, lV(except for the smallest juveniles, see Fig. 12c), lP(in juveniles) and lP 1(up to about 70 mmSL) ( Fig. 12a,b), HA( Fig. 12d) and larger values of pV, lP/ lV(except for the smallest juveniles, see Fig. 12f), as well as in more pectoral-fin rays and rakers on lower limb of the first gill arch (Tables 1, 4). Juveniles of Ch. marisrubriare similar in pigmentation to juveniles of Cheilopogon( Ptenichthys)sp. 1 and, especially, to Ch.( P.) sp. 2 (see below). However, they have considerably shorter pelvic fins and fewer vertebrae.
Biology.Males mature at 148 mmSL, females at 156 mmSL; some individuals of both sexes are close to maturity from 133 mmSL. Mature and close to mature fish were captured between 13°Nand 22°Nfrom April to June (mature fish were caught only in June). The smallest juveniles ( 33–40 mmSL) were also captured in June. Two fish close to maturity were also captured in October ( 14°05’N 42°20’E). Judging by this, we can assume two spawning seasons in Ch. marisrubri: the main, spring-summer, season lasts at least from April to June and a secondary, autumn, season beginning probably in October.
Distribution. Ch. marisrubriis endemic to the Red Sea, where it is widely distributed ( Fig. 3) from the Suez(FRSKU 39842, 134 mmSL, 20.11.1966) to the Bab el Mandeb Strait, and also occurs in the Gulfof Aden (IORAS 03415, 54.5 and 94.5 mmSL, date of capture—end of 1962). Juveniles of Ch. marisrubrihave not been found north of 20°N.
2609011114
[498,1341,1327,1352]
1960-10-15
ZMMU
14.083333
1289
42.333332
29
30
1
holotype
2609011204
1977-12-06
IORAS
21.35
1264
38.066666
29
30
IORAS 03413
1
holotype
2609011104
[811,1433,1364,1389]
1983-03-07
IORAS
Red Sea
29
30
IORAS 03414
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
holotype
2609011112
[151,999,1399,1424]
IORAS
Aden
29
30
IORAS 03415
1
Gulf
paratype
2609011127
IORAS
Aden
29
30
IORAS 03416
1
Gulf
paratype
2609011115
[360,931,1436,1460]
IORAS
20.116667
1269
37.733334
29
30
IORAS 03417
1
Gulf
paratype
2609011102
1977-06-08
IORAS
17.716667
1277
39.333332
29
30
IORAS 03418
1
Gulf
paratype
2609011118
[393,1215,1471,1496]
1964-06-05
IORAS
13.45
1291
42.85
29
30
IORAS 03419
1
Gulf
paratype
2609011111
IORAS
25.0
Red Sea
29
30
IORAS 03420
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011206
[539,1339,1508,1533]
1960-04-19
IORAS
15.916667
1284
41.533333
29
30
IORAS 03421
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011101
1980-01-28
IORAS
17.933332
1277
39.816666
29
30
IORAS 03422
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011106
1960-10-15
IORAS
14.083333
1289
42.333332
29
30
IORAS 03423
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011144
[564,1261,1580,1605]
1977-11-06
IORAS
19.65
1271
38.75
29
30
IORAS 03424
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011117
1978-05-25
IORAS
16.8
1281
41.016666
29
30
IORAS 03425
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011183
1960-10-15
IORAS
14.083333
1289
42.333332
29
30
IORAS 03426
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011119
[294,1076,1652,1677]
1958-06-19
USNM
17.85
1277
38.916668
29
30
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011098
1964-11-29
ZMH
11.916667
1294
43.65
29
30
ZMH 8709
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011130
[500,1377,1687,1712]
1964-12-25
SOSC
Ref. No.
20.583334
1267
38.133335
29
30
1
Al Bahr al Ahmar
paratype
2609011194
[479,1228,1724,1749]
1963-10-21
IORAS
19.316668
1272
38.583332
29
30
IORAS 03427
1
2609011100
1963-10-20
IORAS
20.7
1266
37.566666
29
30
IORAS 03428
1
2609011108
[677,1432,1759,1784]
1960-10-15
IORAS
14.083333
1289
42.333332
29
30
IORAS 03426
1
2609011196
[151,828,1798,1824]
1966-11-20
FRSKU
Egypt
Suez
29
30
FRSKU 39842
1
As Suways
2609011123
BMNH
Egypt
Red Sea
29
30
1
As Suways
2609011126
1960-10-15
ZMMU, R, V
14.083333
1289
42.333332
29
30
1
holotype
2609011120
[199,941,406,431]
IORAS
30
31
IORAS 03423
3
paratype
2609011125
1960-10-15
R, V
14.083333
1289
42.333332
30
31
1
paratype
2609011124
IORAS
Aden
30
31
IORAS 03415
2
Gulf
paratype