Preopercular Spine Research Articles

Neomerinthe ornithoptera, a new species of scorpionfish (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from the southwestern Pacific Ocean, with a reassessment of the diagnosis for N. pallidimacula (Fowler 1938)

Neomerinthe ornithoptera n. sp., described on the basis of three specimens from Fiji and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, southwestern Pacific Ocean, was previously reported as Neomerinthe pallidimacula (Fowler 1938), due to its characteristic lack of both lateral lacrimal and second preopercular spines. The new species is clearly distinguished from Indo-Pacific congeners, including N. pallidimacula, by the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 18; scale rows in longitudinal series 44 or 45; pored lateral-line scales 23; scale rows above lateral line 6 or 7, below lateral line 12, between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5, between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5; upper gill rakers 6, lower gill rakers 13, total gill rakers 19; longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla absent; many small cycloid scales on base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body between isthmus and posterior to pelvic fin; pectoral-fin ray length 37.6–40.0% of SL; first anal-fin spine length 6.9–8.5% of SL; second anal-fin spine length 23.3–25.5% of SL; third anal-fin spine length 22.7–23.1% of SL; pelvic-fin spine length 17.9–18.1% of SL; longest pelvic-fin soft ray length 26.6–29.2% of SL; and several lower pectoral-fin rays markedly elongated. In addition, the diagnosis of N. pallidimacula shows the species to be similar to Neomerinthe bucephalus (Alcock 1896), although distinguished from the latter by the following features: upper-jaw length 25.0% of SL; maxilla depth 8.2% of SL; eleventh dorsal-fin spine length 5.7% of SL; and 22 pored lateral-line scales.

Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups.

Five new West Pacific species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the lower shelf and upper slope of the Solomon Sea, off Okinawa, Japan, and off Fiji are described. The descriptions are based on nine specimens from three fish collections and unvouchered fresh colour photographs showing three specimens taken shortly after being caught. The new species all bear at least one ocellus on the dorsal fin, a conspicuous colour pattern consisting of a dark spot surrounded by a contrasting white or pale ring. Fifteen ocellus-bearing congeners are rather similar with at least one of the new species, requiring detailed comparisons based on a large set of morphometric, meristic, colour and otolith-shape data from over 300 specimens. To facilitate the comparisons among the 20 Neobythites species in total and the preparation of identification keys, three new taxonomic species groups, the australiensis, kenyaensis and longiventralis groups, are established. Also, the steatiticus species group which had been previously established, is slightly updated. A key for identification of each of these four groups is prepared. The most important characters for distinction among groups are the presence and number of preopercular spines, the number and position of ocelli, and pelvic-fin length. For each of the three new groups, species accounts including new species descriptions, within-group comparisons, and identification keys are prepared. For the steatiticus group, only the description of the new species, N. pako n. sp., and an updated account of the Atlantic N. monocellatus are provided, considering previously published accounts of the other seven species in comparisons with those two species and the identification key. The results are shortly discussed, emphasizing the finding of a unique ocellus structure in N. superocellatus n. sp. (australiensis species group) and the need for taxonomic studies of the remaining 10 ocellus-bearing species of Neobythites together with additional, non-ocellus-bearing congeners.

Taurus of the Tidepool? Inferring the Function of Cranial Weapons in Intertidal Sculpins (Pisces: Cottoidea: Oligocottinae)

From dissuading predators to gaining an edge on intraspecific rivals, animals have evolved weapons to meet various needs. Those with the most extreme weapons often use them to battle conspecifics, but some weapons defend against predation and others signal prowess to prospective mates and rivals. Many fishes have evolved armaments, but humans rarely observe these structures in action due to the inaccessibility of many weapon-bearing fish species. For example, how sculpins use the diverse horn-like spines that project from their head remains a mystery. We deduced the function of the weaponized preopercle in the 16 species of sculpins in the subfamily Oligocottinae by determining whether they exhibit three well-documented hallmarks of offensive weapons in terrestrial animals: ontogenetic change, sexual dimorphism, and fluctuating asymmetry. Geometric morphometrics of micro-computed tomography (lCT) scans show no sexual dimorphism in preopercular spine shape but reveal phylogenetically widespread ontogenetic shape change. Fluctuating asymmetry is low to moderate across species. Taken together, these results suggest that despite their varied reproductive habits, frequent territoriality, and possession of weapons that resemble bovid horns, oligocottine sculpins evolved their spines primarily to defend against predators.

Parental care and early development of the labrisomid blenny Labrisomus philippii (Labrisomidae) from northern Chile

The parental care of the nests and the embryonic and larval development of the labrisomid blenny Labrisomus philippii (Teleostei: Labrisomidae) were described for the first time. In situ underwater recordings were done on nests deposited at 2-m depth at Pisagua and Sarmenia, northern Chile. The nests were composed by a mass of adhered eggs, exclusively on red algae covers (Rhodophyta) outside the crevices used by the adult and guarded by the male. Males utilized ~90% of the time taking care of the nest, defending it from predators (other fish and crustaceans), and keeping it clean. For the observation of larvae, egg masses were extracted from the nests and incubated in the laboratory. Eggs are spheroid, 1.09–1.23 mm in size, with filaments originating from a central thallus in the basal pole, small perivitelline space and granular yolk, with numerous small oil droplets. Larvae hatched at an average size of 5.06 ± 0.10 mm body length (BL), with a functional mouth, and a round yolk-sac of 0.09 mm3. Larvae are elongated, slightly laterally compressed, with a round and moderate head and a short snout. They have preopercular spines and 35 myomeres; melanophores are located on the cleithrum symphysis, over the head, along the base of the anal fin, between pterygiophores of the dorsal ray fin, and in the ventral margin of the gut. During development, larvae grew at 0.28 mm d−1. Finally, this research helped to increase knowledge on early-life history traits of this coastal fish inhabiting rocky shores along the south Pacific Ocean.

Molecular and morphological comparison of larvae and juveniles of five species of callionymids, with ontogenetic evidence on the monophyly of Repomucenus (Callionymidae)

Dragonet fishes (Callionymidae) are benthic inhabitants of shallow waters, even in tidal pools, down to depths below 900 m in all subtropical, tropical and temperate oceans. The family comprises 200 species in 20 genera worldwide, of which 18 species in 6 genera occur in Korea. Classification within the family Callionymidae has been controversial because of the differing proposals of Fricke and Nakabo (Fishes of Japan with pictorial keys to the species, 1983). For example, Fricke suggested genus Repomucenus and Bathycallionymus, whose genera contains most callionymid species in Korean waters, as junior synonym of genus Callionymus while Nakabo (Fishes of Japan with pictorial keys to the species, 1983) suggested as valid. In such cases, when classifications of adults have taxonomic contention, examination of larval characters may prove informative. Therefore, in this study, the authors conducted comprehensive molecular and morphological analyses on larvae and juveniles of five species in the genus Repomucenus and discussed their taxonomic status within the family Callionymidae. Larval and juvenile callionymids show high morphological similarities during their ontogenetic development. Nonetheless, the following morphological differences were observed in melanophore distribution and preopercular spine development: (a) stellate or punctate melanophores in Bathycallionymus kaianus vs. branched melanophores in genus Repomucenus, (b) melanophores on the abdominal cavity gradually disappearing in B. kaianus vs. gradually becoming prominent in Repomucenus and (c) preopercular spine development giving rise to one perpendicular spine in B. kaianus vs. two or three spines in Repomucenus. Molecular analysis based on 16S ribosomal RNA showed similar results to the morphological analysis. Genera Bathycallionymus and Repomucenus showed significant genetic distance (d=0.113-0.120); moreover, genus Callionymus, which was suggested as a senior synonym of genus Bathycallionymus and Repomucenus by Fricke (Journal of Natural History, 2014, 48, 2419-2448), also showed considerable difference (d=0.226-0.246). In the present study, the monophyly of genus Repomucenus seemed well supported by the results of morphological and molecular analyses of larval stage Callionymidae.

Cocotropus aurantius, a new velvetfish (Aploactinidae) from Japan

The new velvetfish Cocotropus aurantius is described on the basis of a single specimen (17.1 mm standard length) collected off Nagannu Island, Kerama Islands, Japan, at a depth of ca. 50 m. An individual of the new species has also been photographed off Izu Peninsula, Japan. The species is characterized by XII, 8 dorsal-fin rays, II, 6 anal-fin rays, 13 pectoral-fin rays, 7 segmented lower caudal-fin rays, 26 vertebrae, an interneural space between the 7th and 8th vertebrae lacking dorsal-fin spine proximal pterygiophores, the 1st–4th dorsal-fin spines situated anterior to the 3rd neural spine, 5 preopercular spines, vomerine teeth absent, the 2nd mandibular pore on each side fused, and the head, body and fins somewhat orange when fresh (preserved condition creamy-white), and with numerous small scattered brownish blotches and streaks.

Revision of the resurrected deepwater scorpionfish genus Lythrichthys Jordan and Starks 1904 (Setarchidae), with descriptions of two new species

Lythrichthys Jordan and Starks 1904 (Setarchidae), previously regarded as a junior synonym of Setarches Johnson 1862, is recognized as valid, despite sharing some diagnostic characters with the latter, both genera differing from others in the family in having III, 4–6 (usually 5) anal-fin rays, the body depth at the pelvic-fin origin and interorbital width at the vertical midline of the eye 29.1–42.9% and 7.4–12.9% of standard length, respectively, snout, dorsal and ventral surface of the head naked, first lacrimal spine well developed and of similar length to the second and third spines, intestine and pyloric caeca black or grey, and swimbladder well developed. Lythrichthys differs from Setarches in having the second preopercular spine short or rudimentary (vs. well developed, of similar length to the first and third spines in Setarches), the thoracic and abdominal scales embedded (vs. exposed), the tip of the first lacrimal spine reaching the upper lip (vs. not reaching, except in juveniles), and 9 abdominal vertebrae (vs. 10). In addition, examination of all nominal species included in Setarchidae showed that five were best placed in Lythrichthys, viz. Lythrichthys longimanus (Alcock 1894), Lythrichthys eulabes Jordan and Starks 1904, Lythrichthys cypho (Fowler 1938), Lythrichthys dentatus sp. nov. and Lythrichthys grahami sp. nov., with Setarches including only Setarches guentheri Johnson 1862.

Description and identification of tuna larvae based on genetic and morphological analysis

Biological information of tuna larvae is essential for understanding spawning ground and time. However, morphological identification of fish larvae is difficult and questionable. Meanwhile, genetic identification is useful and helpful to confirm the morphological identification result. This study purpose is to confirm a morphological identification result with genetic identification and determine the tuna species exactly. Specimens were obtained from a survey conducted in the Banda Sea in October 2018. Samples were collected by a bongo net towed obliquely. The result of morphological identification is showed that the larvae having 37 to 42 myomeres, preopercular spine developed, moderate in-depth, moderate to large head and eyes identified as Thunnini larvae. The morphological result is supported by the genetic result, even though the larvae are not from the genus of Thunnus. The samples were identified as Katsuwonus pelamis, Euthynnus affinis, and Petenia splendida. The intraspecific pairwise genetic distance for each species of K. pelamis, E. affinis, and P. splendida is 4.4 %; 0.5 %; and 22.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the average pairwise genetic distance between the three species ranges from 16.2% to 33.3%.

Revision of the genus Hannia (Teleostei, Terapontidae), with description of a new species, Hannia wintoni, from the Kimberley, Western Australia.

The systematics of the genus Hannia Vari 1978, endemic to freshwater habitats of remote north-western Australia, is revised in light of recent collections in the region and a molecular study of the group that identified an undescribed candidate species. A new freshwater fish species (Hannia wintoni sp. nov) is described based on analysis of multiple nuclear genetic markers (53 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (601 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 66 morphometric and meristic characters). Head profile, postorbital length, maximum length, preopercular spines and pectoral-fin rays are characters that best distinguish H. wintoni sp. nov from its only congener, H. greewayi. While the existing description of H. greenwayi is robust and accurate, we present a number of additional characters that enhance to the original description, based on type and fresh material. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of the two species is summarised. The new species is a narrow-range endemic.

Redescription of the circumglobal deepwater scorpionfish Setarches guentheri (Setarchidae)

Setarches guentheri Johnson 1862 and Setarches longimanus (Alcock 1894) are similar to each other in sharing III, 4–6 (usually 5) anal-fin rays, a moderately deep body (29.8–42.9% of standard length; SL), three sharp spines on the lacrimal, scales absent on the lower jaw, and a fresh body color ranging from dusky-red to scarlet, S. guentheri having been considered distinguishable from the latter due to a well-developed second preopercular spine (absent or reduced in S. longimanus). Newly recognized diagnostic features of S. guentheri include the number of predorsal scales, exposed thoracic and abdominal scales, and number of ventral and caudal vertebrae. Morphological characters, including ontogenetic changes and intraspecific variation, of S. guentheri are described in detail, based on non-type specimens and all available type specimens of nominal species of S. guentheri. The distribution of S. guentheri, including a range extension to the Nazca Ridge, eastern Pacific, is also reviewed, based on previous records and examined specimens. The remarkable low genetic divergence and undefined geographical isolation in S. guentheri between the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans were supported by comparison of 591 bp of the COI gene sequences from 39 and 4 specimens of S. guentheri and S. longimanus, respectively.

Morphometric and Meristic traits of four flatheads (family: Platycephalidae) occurring along the East coast of India

Study on a meristic traits of Kumococius rodericensis Sorsogona tuberculata Platycephalus indicus and Rogadius serratus (family Platycephalidae), occurring along the East coast of India, was conducted to find easily differentiating traits. The study was based on the samples collected from landing centers situated along the East coast of India, during February 2015 to March 2016. A total of thirty-one morphometric and meristic characters were measured, counted and subjected to statistical analysis using software Statistica. Among eighteen morphometric measurements, five measurement (distance between upper and lower jaw, length of upper preopercular spine, snout length, maximum length of first dorsal spine, maximum length of second dorsal spine) did not show difference when subjected to factor analysis. Varimax raw factor rotation on factor loading 0.7 were selected for scatterplot of canonical score among root 1 and root 2, which revealed existence of distinct group of species. Number of gillrakers, spot on caudal fin, number of pored scale on lateral line and preopercular spine revealed significant variations among the species. The proportional measurements with their head length (HL) viz. Preorbital length: head length (POL:HL), Inter orbital width: head length (IOW:HL), and maximum eye diameter: head length (MED:HL) also revealed significant difference among the species. The study revealed certain morphological characters those can easily identify the flathead species.

Changes in diatom and chironomid assemblages of boreal taiga in East Siberia (58N, Lake Aunakit, Russia) during the last 4.2 ka

The author has studied phenetic and taxonomic relationships of the Baikal endemic sculpins of the genus Cottocomephorus Pellegrin 1900. For this purpose, the author has performed a morphometric investigation by five meristic and 29 plastic characters, as well as analysed the characteristics of colouring and the number of preopercular spines. The author has confirmed the validity of three species: C. grewingkii (Dybowski, 1874), C. inermis (Yakowlev, 1890) and C. comephoroides (Berg, 1901). The differentiation of the studied species is based on the number of gill rakers and preopercular spines, the width of the interorbital distance, height and width of the head, the length of the pectoral fins and the characteristics of the in-life colouration. Based on the revision of the diagnostic features, the author has suggested a new key to identify species.

Phenetic relationships and diagnostic features of sculpins of the genus Asprocottus (Scorpaeniformes: Cottoidea)

Aimed at the study of phenetic and taxonomic relationships of Baikal endemic sculpins of the genus Asprocottus Berg 1906, the author has carried out a morphometric investigations by 11 meristic and 29 plastic characters as well as analyzed nonmetric features: coloration peculiarities of specimens, form and location of bony spinelets on the integuments, morphology of the sensory system organs and the number of preopercular spines. The results of the study have confirmed the validity of seven species: A. herzensteini, A. abyssalis, A. intermedius, A. korjakovi, A. parmiferus, A. platycephalus, and A. pulcher. Based on the revision of the diagnostic features, the author proposes the new key to determine species.

Genetical identification and morphological description of the larvae and juveniles of Porocottus leptosomus (Pisces: Cottidae) from Korea

The larvae and juveniles of Porocottus leptosomus belonging to the family Cottidae were collected (n = 95, 3.9–16.5 mm in body length, BL) from Busan, Korea, in March 2015. The larvae and juvenile were identified using DNA barcoding as P. leptosomus, and their morphological description was presented in detail. The yolk-sac larvae (3.9–5.6 mm BL) body was slightly compressed, the head was large, the eye was round and large, and the anus was before the middle of the body. The preflexion larvae (5.2–10.0 mm BL) body length drastically increased; caudal fin rays began to occur. The flexion larvae (9.4–11.8 mm BL) notochord flexion started; dorsal, pectoral, and anal fin rays began to occur; pelvic fin buds are seen; they possessed a pair of parietal spine; and a pair of supraocular cirri was first to develop. At 12 mm BL, the notochord was completely flexed. The larva stage (3.9–12.6 mm SL) had the stellate melanophores in the head, isthmus, gut, and tail (along to the ventral midline). During the juvenile stage (11.4–16.5 mm BL), melanophores covered the head and began to form five black bands on the side of the body. The larvae of P. leptosomus spent pelagic life, but moved to the bottom during the juvenile stage. The larvae and juveniles of P. leptosomus differ from other cottid larval fishes by body shape, melanophore head pattern, and spine development. P. leptosomus can be distinguished from Porocottus allisi by morphological development and the occurrence of larval fish: preopercular spine development, melanophore pattern, and caudal fin development.

Review of the steatiticus-species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species.

This review was motivated by the recent collection of a specimen of the specious cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) off Myanmar and difficulties to identify it based on the available literature. This specimen has an ocellus consisting of a dark oval spot and a concentric white ring placed on the dorsal fin at mid-body, typical for many Neobythites species. It belongs to a group of single-ocellus bearing species which have no or only one weakly developed, flat preopercular spine which we term here the "steatiticus-species group". Before this study, the steatiticus group consisted of six Indo-Pacific species, N. longipes, N. malhaensis, N. malayanus, N. meteori, N. steatiticus, and N. stefanovi, and the Atlantic N. monocellatus. From 136 specimens representing the six Indo-Pacific steatiticus-group species counts or measurements of 12 meristic, 14 body shape, five ocellus and six otolith characters were obtained and compared, revealing two undescribed species. We describe N. gloriae n. sp. from the Arabian Gulf and inner Gulf of Oman based on nine specimens that had been previously misidentified as N. steatiticus and N. stefanovi. The latter species differ from the new species and from each other in the combination of five characters, head length, orbit length, gill-filament length, ocellus-spot distance, and ocellus-spot size. The second new species described is N. lombokensis n. sp. which consists of a single specimen from off SE Lombok, southern Indonesia. It differs from all other steatiticus-group species in having a larger ocellus spot and in several meristic and morphometric characters. The specimen from off Myanmar, eastern Bay of Bengal, was found to belong to N. steatiticus, providing new information on distribution and colour. Diagnoses, updated distribution information, and a key for the eight Indo-Pacific steatiticus-group species are here presented. We discuss our findings with special emphasis on the variation and possible function of colour patterns in Neobythites, being important for understanding the ecology and evolution of this specious genus.

A new species of the deepwater scorpionfish genus Phenacoscorpius (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from the Galápagos Islands

A new species of scorpionfish, Phenacoscorpius mccoskeri, is described based on three specimens from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, eastern Pacific. The new species is distinguished from other species of Phenacoscorpius by the following combination of characters: 19–20 pectoral-fin rays, middle rays branched; 5–19 pored lateral-line scales; palatine teeth present; small slit behind fourth gill arch; second preopercular spine absent; and nuchal and parietal spines distinct; in addition to some morphometric characters, including head length and width, interorbital width, caudal-peduncle depth and postorbital length.

Review of Indo-Pacific dwarf lionfishes (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) in the Dendrochirus brachypterus complex, with description of a new species from the western Indian Ocean

A taxonomic review of the Dendrochirus brachypterus complex resulted in the recognition of five species, including Dendrochirus barberi (Steindachner 1900), Dendrochirus bellus (Jordan and Hubbs 1925), Dendrochirus brachypterus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829), Dendrochirus hemprichi sp. nov. and Dendrochirus tuamotuensis Matsunuma and Motomura 2013. The complex is defined as having usually 9 dorsal-fin soft rays, usually 5 anal-fin soft rays, 17–20 (rarely 20) pectoral-fin rays, no ocellated spots on the soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin and usually 2 (sometimes none) barbels on the snout tip. Dendrochirus barberi, known from the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, is characterized by usually 18 pectoral-fin rays, a relatively high number of scale rows in the longitudinal series (modally 51 vs. 39–49 in other species) and mottled markings on the pectoral fin in large specimens. Dendrochirus bellus, restricted to the northwestern Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea north to southern Japan, is characterized by usually 17 pectoral-fin rays, a relatively low number of scale rows in the longitudinal series (modally 38 vs. 44–51 in other species), and the absence of skin flaps on the orbit surface and uppermost preopercular spine base. Dendrochirus tuamotuensis, recorded only from the Tuamotu Archipelago, is characterized by 19 pectoral-fin rays, the posterior margin of the pectoral fin strongly notched, and a relatively shallow and narrow head and body. Dendrochirus hemprichi sp. nov. is distributed in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea. Although previously confused with a closely related congener (D. brachypterus, known from the northern and eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific), D. hemprichi can be distinguished from the former by having fewer scale rows between the last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line, and between the sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line [4–7 (5) in D. hemprichi vs. 5–7 (6) in D. brachypterus, in both cases], a slightly greater interorbital width at the mid-orbit [5.5–10.7 (mean 7.8) % SL vs. 4.5–8.9 (6.8) % of SL] and at preocular spine base [4.4–9.1 (6.6) % SL vs. 3.5–7.8 (5.7) % of SL], and slightly shorter posteriormost (usually 13th) dorsal-fin spine length [11.8–19.9 (15.3) % SL vs. 13.3–21.3 (17.2) % of SL]. Moreover, D. hemprichi tends to have relatively more spinous points on the head spines and ridges, compared with D. brachypterus. Notwithstanding the morphological similarity between the two species, an obvious genetic difference was observed between D. hemprichi and D. brachypterus. Dendrochirus chloreus Jenkins 1903 and Dendrochirus hudsoni Jordan and Evermann 1903 were synonymized under Pterois barberi, as in some previous studies. Scorpaena koenigii Bloch 1789 was regarded as conspecific with D. brachypterus, which it predated. However, the former name should be suppressed under Reversal of Precedence.

Redescription of <i>Atopocottus tribranchius</i> (Cottidae) from Japan with comments on the generic diagnosis and distribution

A poorly known sculpin, Atopocottus tribranchius Bolin, 1936 (Cottidae), was redescribed on the basis of 56 specimens from several localities in Japan; off Yamaguchi, Kyoto and Niigata Prefectures on the Japan Sea coast, and Kochi Prefecture on the Pacific coast, and in the northern East China Sea. The specimens from Yamaguchi, Kochi and the East China Sea represent the first specimen-based records for the species from those regions. Minute organs on the trunk surface, previously regarded as lateral-line pores, are most likely epidermal pits containing free neuromasts, and lateral-line pores are restricted to a row of embedded lateral-line scales on the anterodorsal portion of the body. Diagnostic characters of the monotypic genus, Atopocottus Bolin, 1936 , are here reviewed on the basis of external and selected osteological characters, described for the first time. The genus is more similar to the Southern Hemisphere (Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand) genus Antipodocottus Bolin, 1952 than to Stlengis Jordan and Starks, 1904, known only from Japan, in having poorly developed cephalic sensory canals with few pores and the lateral-line scales in a simple canal without dorsal and ventral branches. However, Atopocottus differs from Antipodocottus in having fewer lateral-line scales (3–5 vs. 5–33 in the latter); the uppermost preopercular spine with 1–6 dorsal branches, their length and width becoming shorter and narrower, respectively, toward the spine tip, some of them with two spinous points (vs. 2–5 simple, similarly sized dorsal branches); and lacking a supraocular tentacle (vs. usually present). A more comprehensive examination of the two genera is necessary to determine their monophyly.

A new horned sculpin (Pisces: Cottidae) from the Miocene of Sakhalin Island, Russia

A new species of the Recent genus Enophrys, E. hoplites sp. nov., is described from the Miocene (Serravalian‒Tortonian) Agnevo Formation of Sakhalin Island, Russia. This Miocene species differs from two Recent congeners in the greater number of anal fin rays (14 versus 9‒13), the smaller head, less raised margins of the orbit, flatter upper contour of the head, longer anal fin base, short predorsal distance, higher first dorsal fin, and in the right angle (versus acute angle) between two upper preopercular spines. An archaic feature of the new species is the presence of two rays on the posterior pterygiophore of the anal fin, a character recorded only in the most primitive Recent members of the family. The occurrence of this new fossil species shows that extant subfamilies, tribes, and genera existed as a part of the family Cottidae as early as the Miocene time.

Diplogrammus randalli (Pisces: Callionymidae), a new Lessepsian migrant recorded from the Mediterranean Sea

A new Lessepsian migrant, Diplogrammus randalli Fricke 1983, is recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. This species is easily distinguished from other Mediterranean callionymid fishes by its ventrolateral fold skin below the lateral line and its preopercular spine shape.