First Record of a Rare Sandperch, <i>Parapercis fuscolineata</i>, from Southern Japan (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Pinguipedidae)

Abstract

A rare sandperch, Parapercis fuscolineata Fourmanoir, 1985 , is reported for the first time from Japan, based on a single specimen (36.8 mm SL) collected from Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, at a depth of 200–203 m. This species was previously known only from the Philippines (type locality) and the tropical southwest Pacific region (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia); thus the Japanese specimen represents the northernmost record of the species. The unique coloration of P. fuscolineata, including a dark continuous stripe extending from the hind rim of the orbit to the caudal peduncle, a large black ocellus on the upper caudal-fin base, and about 12 diagonal yellowish bars on the lower half of the body, readily distinguishes this species from its congeners. The Japanese specimen is fully described, with color photographs of the fresh specimen. A new Japanese name, “Kuroobi-toragisu”, is proposed for P. fuscolineata.