Two New and One Rare Species of Bothid Flounders from Saya de Malha Bank, Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes)

Abstract

Two new bothid species (Engyprosopon hensleyi and Arnoglossus sayaensis), and another (Parabothus malhensis) previously known only from a male holotype, are described from material recently collected from the western Indian Ocean (Saya de Malha Bank). Engyprosopon hensleyi differs from all known cogeners in having a more slender body, larger number of gill rakers, dark pectoral fins in males and a pair of dark spots on the caudal fin. Arnoglossus sayaensis is distinguished from other known species by a combination of meristic and morphometric characters as well as a unique caudal-fin color pattern that consists of a dark band and six dark spots. Parabothus malhensis is redescribed on the basis of female as well as male specimens. Generic placement is confirmed and sexual dimorphism (interorbital width) is noted for this species for the first time.