A new species of deepwater cardinalfish, Epigonus mayeri, from the eastern Central Atlantic, and redescription of Epigonus heracleus Parin and Abramov 1986 (Perciformes: Epigonidae)

Abstract

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus mayeri, is described on the basis of two specimens (109.7–113.8 mm in standard length: SL) from off Angola, and Epigonus heracleus Parin and Abramov 1986 is redescribed on the basis of 12 additional specimens with type specimens from off eastern New Zealand. These species belong to a subgroup of Epigonus, known as the “Epigonus robustus group,” which have a pungent opercular spine and VII-I, 9 dorsal-fin rays. The new species differs from other species of the group by having a sharp-pointed mustache-like process, presence of a rib on the last abdominal vertebra, vertebrae 10 + 15, tongue toothless, pyloric caeca 5, pectoral fin reaching to vertical line from anus (length 22.2–23.6% SL), orbital diameter 16.4–17.0% SL, head length 37.8–38.0% SL, and lower jaw length 16.7–17.0% SL.