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Neomerinthe ignea, a new species of scorpionfish (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from the western Pacific Ocean, with a review of records of N. erostris (Alcock 1896)

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Abstract

Neomerinthe ignea (Scorpaenidae), a new species of scorpionfish from the western Pacific Ocean, previously confused with Neomerinthe erostris (Alcock 1896), is described. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characteristics: body size less than about 90 mm standard length (SL); lateral lacrimal and second preopercular spines present; usually a distinct longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla; usually 18 pectoral-fin rays; 37–42 longitudinal series scale rows; pored lateral-line scales 23–25; scale rows above lateral line 4–6, below lateral line 9–11, between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6, and between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5–7; usually 6 upper gill rakers, 9–16 lower gill rakers (8–10 and 0–7 rakers on ceratohyal and hypobranchial, respectively); numerous cycloid scales on ventral body surface between isthmus and posterior to pelvic fin; 1st dorsal-fin ray length 14.7–19.1% of SL, 2nd dorsal-fin ray length 14.6–18.9% of SL, 3rd dorsal-fin ray length 15.6–18.9% of SL, 4th dorsal-fin ray length 15.2–19.1% of SL, and 5th dorsal-fin ray length 14.2–19.5% of SL; body bright orange to reddish-white when fresh; body and pectoral fins pale yellowish, with indistinct blotches on lateral body surface when preserved. A molecular genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I showed that the new species formed a clade distinct from congeneric species. In addition, records of N. erostris, a species similar to N. ignea, are reviewed, and additional specimens from northern Australia noted.

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Acknowledgments

We are especially grateful to, H. Endo (BSKU), D. Catania (CAS), A. Graham, J. Pogonoski and W. White (CSIRO), H. Seno (KPM), P. Pruvost, R. Causse, Z. Gabsi, J. Pfliger, and P. Béarez (MNHN), H.-C. Ho (NMMB), C. Pollmann, A. Palandacic, B. Riedel, N. Bogutskaya, and E. Mikschi (NMV), M. Nakae, K. Fujiwara and M. Sato (NSMT), J. Williams, L. Palmer, S. Raredon K. Murphy and D. Pitassy (USNM), S. S. Mishra (ZSI), and H. Wada (ZUMT) for specimen loans; and A. Kato (Kanagawa Prefecture), K. Munakata (Ibaraki Prefecture), and K. Hoshino (Oita Marine Palace Aquarium UMITAMAGO) for specimens. Volunteers, graduates and students of KAUM collected specimens and gave curatorial assistance; and G. Hardy (Ngunguru, New Zealand) read the manuscript and provided help with English. The third author (HM) is grateful to P. Pruvost, Z. Gabsi, and C. Ferrara (MNHN) for their kind help during his visits to Paris in 2010–2015, supported by the Muséum National d′Histoire Naturelle. This study was supported in part by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers 19KK0190, 20H03311 and 21H03651; the JSPS Core-to-core CREPSUM JPJSCCB20200009; and the “Establishment of Glocal Research and Education Network in the Amami Islands” project of Kagoshima University, adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. This research is part of a dissertation by the first author. All authors agree with the article publication and dissertation submission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan

    Tatsuya Matsumoto

  2. School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan

    Nozomu Muto

  3. The Kagoshima University Museum, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan

    Hiroyuki Motomura

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  1. Tatsuya Matsumoto
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Correspondence to Tatsuya Matsumoto.

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Matsumoto, T., Muto, N. & Motomura, H. Neomerinthe ignea, a new species of scorpionfish (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from the western Pacific Ocean, with a review of records of N. erostris (Alcock 1896). Ichthyol Res 71, 317–332 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-023-00931-3

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