New and rare snailfishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) with the description of four new species from the Southern Hemisphere and tropical east Pacific

Abstract

New and rare liparid fishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) are found and described. Careproctus armatus Andriashev, 1991 sampled off the South Sandwich Islands (at a depth 2281–2369 m); it is the second record of the species. Four species are collected in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands: Careproctus parini Andriashev et Prirodina, 1990 (off King George Island, 573–861 m), Paraliparis meganchus Andriashev, 1982 (off Elephant Island, 559 m), P. monoporus Andriashev et Neyelov, 1979 (off Elephant Island, 559 m) and Paraliparis specimens, most similar to P. tompkinsae Andriashev, 1992 (off King George Island, 766–861 m). Paraliparis charcoti Duhamel, 1992 recorded at the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (475–633 m). Paraliparis, most similar to P. tetrapteryx Andriashev et Neelov, 1979, found in the Southwestern Atlantic (1200 m). Four new species are described. Paraliparis porcus sp. nov. based on one male SL 85 mm from off the South Shetland Islands (Elephant Island, 332–374 m). Paraliparis acutidens sp. nov. described from the juvenile SL 115 mm, sampled in the western part of the Scotia Sea (3721–3723 m). Paraliparis kocki sp. nov. known from 3 adults caught in the depression of the Bransfield Strait (1914–1920 m), isolated from the Weddell Sea by shallower waters. The only specimen of the Paraliparis mexicanus sp. nov. collected in the tropical Pacific off Mexico at depth not more than 900 m.