Phenacoscorpius longirostris, a new species of deep water scorpionfish (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) from the northern Tasman Sea, southwestern Pacific Ocean

Abstract

A new species of deep water scorpionfish, Phenacoscorpius longirostris, is described on the basis of two specimens from the Norfolk Island Ridge and Lord Howe Rise, northern Tasman Sea, at depths of 300–322 m. The new species is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: all pectoral-fin rays unbranched; no palatine teeth; second preopercular spine well-developed, its length longer than third or fourth spines; and several morphometric characters, including orbit diameter, head width, caudal-peduncle length and depth, and snout, predorsal, preanal and prepelvic lengths.