Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert & Cramer, 1896

Ho, Hsuan-Ching, Roberts, Clive D. & Shao, Kwang-Tsao, 2013, Revision of batfishes (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) of New Zealand and adjacent waters, with description of two new species of the genus Malthopsis, Zootaxa 3626 (1), pp. 188-200 : 195-196

Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert & Cramer, 1896

Twospine batfish

Fig. 6

Malthopsis mitriger Gilbert & Cramer, 1897: 434 , Pl. 48 (figs. 1–2). Syntypes: SU 4915 (2), USNM 47700 (2); type locality: off Hawaiian Islands, channel between Molokai and Lanai, central Pacific (21°N, 157°W), depth 295–310 fathoms. Malthopsis sp. B: Roberts et al., 2009: 532 (Checklist).

Material examined. NMNZ P.023915 (1, 45.0), NZOI stn. K804, 29º7'S, 177º47.3833'W, off Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, 1142–1156 m, 22 Jul. 1984. NMNZ P.035193 (2, 39.8–40.4), stn. NZOI K804, 29º14.8'S, 177º49.6'W, Kermadec Ridge, Kermadec Islands, 590, Jul 1974. NMNZ P.047403 (ex. NMNZ P.29067, 2, 29.8–32.2), N.O. Alis, Beryx 11 stn. 8, 24°53.15'S, 168°21.55'E, 'Seamount B', northern Norfolk Ridge, south of New Caledonia; beam trawl, 540–570 m; 15 Oct 1992, coll. C. D. Roberts & C. D. Paulin.

Diagnosis. Large flat bucklers cover on ventral surface of disc and caudal peduncle; teeth on vomer forming a very wide band; subopercular buckler elongate, slightly curved, bears two forward-directed spines at tip; pectoralfin rays 14–15 (mainly 15).

Description. D. 5–6; P. 14–15 (mainly 15); A. 4. Body triangular in outline, head well elevated. Illicial trough a small and triangle concavity, which is barely concealed by rostral spine from dorsal view. Rostral spine very blunt and short, directed upward. Two spines on subopercle directed forward, upper one larger than lower one. Dorsal fin relative small, on rear of body; anal fin small, its origin well behind dorsal fin; pectoral fins short, not well extend outside; pelvic fins well in advance of pectorals. Bucklers on dorsal surface enlarged, regularly arranged at edge of body and tail, those on ventral size as dorsal, some raised around anus, two rows of small bucklers above eye. Teeth villiform, in bands on jaws, on vomer a very broad band, on palatines small patch, about half of vomer. Gills 2. Tail slender and tapering posteriorly. Maximum size around 80 mm SL. Colour Yellowish brown dorsally, pale ventrally. Skin near transparent when preserved.

Morphometrics (based on 4 specimens, 29.8–45.0 mm): head length 27.8–30.4 % SL; head width 19.1–23.1; head depth 20.4–26.7; orbital diameter 13.4–17.1; interorbit width 9.6–12.1; mouth width 14.1–16.0; disk margin length 43.2–46.8; predorsal length 65.4–67.2, preanal length 80.8–83.0; dorsal fin length 9.1–10.2; pectoral fin length 19.0–21.6; anal fin length 13.4–15.6; tail length 48.5–52.2.

Distribution. Widespread in Indo-west Pacific Ocean.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert & Cramer 1897, CSIRO 6018 - 01, 55.5 mm SL, photo by CSIRO.