Two New Species of Snailfishes of the Genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Bering Sea and Eastern North Pacific Ocean, with a Redescription of Careproctus ovigerus

Abstract

Two new species of snailfishes are described: Careproctus lycopersicus from the Bering Sea and Careproctus kamikawai from the eastern North Pacific Ocean off southern California. Careproctus lycopersicus was collected at depths of 304 to 1096 m and C. kamikawai at 468 to 1399 m. Both species are most similar to C. ovigerus, from which they are easily distinguished by trilobed teeth in broad bands on both upper and lower jaws, as opposed to the strong simple canine teeth in narrow rows of C. ovigerus. The new species have robust bodies, large pelvic discs, and counts of meristic characters, including dorsal-fin rays 42–45, anal-fin rays 34–38, pectoral-fin rays 33–38, and total vertebrae 45–50, which distinguish them from all other species. Careproctus lycopersicus is distinguished from C. kamikawai by its pale to dusky (vs. black) peritoneum, deeper caudal-fin base, and a longer and wider pelvic disc. In addition, the pelvic disc, anus, and anal-fin origin are all more posteriorly placed on the body in C. lycopersicus. The similar and rare species Careproctus ovigerus is redescribed based on all known material.