New Species of the Genus Argyripnus (Sternoptychidae) from the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

A new species of maurolicid hatchetfish of the genus Argyripnus from the Bonin Ridge in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean has been described. A. scharpfi sp. nov. is most similar to A. atlanticus, but differs in smaller and more numerous maxillary teeth, the absence of a noticeable gap between the last photophore of the lateral row and the first photophore of the ventroanal row, the anus close to the anal-fin origin, and, possibly, some meristic and morphometric characters, for the verification of which additional material is necessary. The genus Argyripnus was recorded for the first time on the Bonin Ridge.