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A new species of the genus Acropoma, A. musorstom sp. nov. is described based on four specimens (126.3–143.0 mm in standard length: SL) collected from Vanuatu and the Molucca Islands, Indonesia. The present species is distinguished from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: luminous gland short, U-shaped around anus; luminous-gland length 10.3–13.7% SL; symphysis of lower jaw not protruded; proximal radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore with concavity on anterior surface; anus situated closer to pelvic-fin insertion than to origin of anal fin; weakly ctenoid scales on lateral side of body; vertical line on cheek absent; scales between first dorsal-fin base and lateral line 4; pectoral-fin rays 16–17; and gill rakers 20–21. Acropoma splendens (Lloyd 1909) collected from off Phuket, it represents the first record of this species from the Andaman Sea off southwestern Thailand. A key to the species of Acropoma currently known from the Indo-Pacific is provided.

Parascombrops yanceyi sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 12B10CEA-D774-4789-98B9-4A425D01D565 Fig. 26 Diagnosis OL/OH = 1.71–1.94, OsL/CaL = 0.77–1.00. Elongate otoliths with large rostrum and blunt posterior rim. Oval ostium with oblong colliculum. Elongate and narrow cauda of over ½ OL, with crest-like crista superior. Etymology This species is dedicated to Thomas Yancey for his much appreciated support during our field work in the Brazos River area. Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Alabama Ferry; “ Stone City Beds ”; Fig. 26A; IRSNB P 10157. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 11 otoliths, of which one is figured: Fig. 26B; Texas, Little Brazos River, confluence with Brazos River; Wheelock Member; IRSNB P 10158 • 66 otoliths, of which six are figured: Fig. 26C–H; Texas, Stone City Bluff; “ Stone City beds”; IRSNB P 10159–10164 • 6 otoliths; Texas, Pin Oak Creek; Landrum Member. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Alabama Ferry (Texas), “Stone City beds”. Dimensions of the holotype Length = 6.85 mm; height = 3.85 mm; thickness = 1.01 mm. Description This species is characterized by elongated otoliths with a well-marked rostrum and a more blunt posterior end. The dorsal rim bears a marked postero-dorsal angle and a subtle antero-dorsal angle which is located at a slightly raised part of the dorsal rim. The ventral rim is smoothly curved with its deepest part in the middle, or slightly to the anterior part of the otolith. The posterior rim is oblique after the posterior-dorsal angle and provides a sharp to nearly vertical posterior end to the otolith. The anterior rim looks triangular, with a pointed tip which forms an evident rostrum. The margins of the otoliths vary: they are smooth in larger specimens, and lobed in juveniles. The otoliths are thin; the inner face is convex and the outer face is slightly concave. The sulcus is well-developed and moderately incised, with a wide and oblong ostium and long and narrow cauda. The ostium opens widely on the antero-dorsal side and is completely filled with a colliculum. The cauda is straight for about two-thirds of its length, and its posterior part is bent in a ventral direction. The cristae are well-developed and near the collum, the crista superior is ridge-like. The ostial crista superior curves towards the dorsal rim. The ventral area is wide and has about the same height as the dorsal one. Remarks The shape of the otoliths of the species demonstrate some similarities to those of moronids, but the relatively flat inner face, shorter cauda and slightly upwards oriented ostium strongly suggest that this species must be an acropomatid. A critical review on the taxonomy and the otoliths of acropomatids is provided by Schwarzhans & Prokofiev (2017), in which they also stated that fossil otoliths of acropomatids may have been more widely distributed. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “Stone City beds”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas.

The fossil otoliths of the southern USA have been known for more than 130 years and are among the richest assemblages worldwide. However, previous studies are often scattered and with outdated systematic scheme. A collection of over 25000 otoliths ranging in age from the Lutetian to the Priabonian from 47 sites in five states in the eastern and southern USA is analysed here. Combined with the earlier described material, at least 101 otolith-based taxa are documented, of which 83 are identified at species level. Fourteen of these are introduced as new species: Elopothrissus bernardlemorti sp. nov., “Muraenesox” barrytownensis sp. nov., Pseudophichthys texanus sp. nov., Paraconger wechesensis sp. nov., Neoopisthopterus weltoni sp. nov., “aff. Glyptophidium” stringeri sp. nov., Symmetrosulcus dockeryi sp. nov., Mene garviei sp. nov., “Citharus” varians sp. nov., Waitakia beelzebub sp. nov., Astroscopus compactus sp. nov., Parascombrops yanceyi sp. nov., Anisotremus rambo sp. nov., and Pagellus pamunkeyensis sp. nov. The assemblages are distinct fom contemporary European faunas by the complete lack of mesopelagic fish otoliths, and by the presence of sciaenids. Dominant taxa in the American Eocene are the Ophidiidae, Sciaenidae, Lactariidae, and Congridae. They indicate shallow-water environments for all the sampled sites. The notable abundance of those taxa suggests that they could have a higher turnover rate, and provided fundamental nutrition in the local Paleogene marine ecosystem. Further analyses of the species in the stratigraphic succession revealed that a faunal turnover between the Claiborne and Jackson seas was evident in teleosts, and it might be more widespread in other marine organisms in the region.

A new species of the genus Acropoma, A. arafurensis sp. nov., is described based on two specimens (57.3–76.2 mm standard length: SL) collected from the Arafura Sea. The present species is distinguished from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: luminous gland U-shaped extending from throat to posterior tip of pectoral fin; luminous-gland length 29.5–32.0% SL; symphysis of lower jaw not sharply protruded; proximal radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore with concavity on anterior surface; anus situated closer to pelvic-fin insertion than to origin of anal fin; cycloid scales on lateral side of posterior half of body; vertical line on cheek absent; scales between first dorsal-fin base and lateral line 4; pectoral-fin rays 15; and gill rakers 20–21. Acropoma leobergi is redescribed based on 60 specimens (38.6–143.5 mm SL) from Taiwan, Philippines, and northern and west coast of Australia. Additionally, two specimens (94.9–103.1 mm SL) of A. boholensis collected from Luzon, Philippines, represent the first record of this species from the South China Sea.

Verilus costai sp. nov. (Figures 1–4, Table 1) Holotype. NPM 6028, 76.2 mm SL, Brazil, State of Bahia, off Belmonte, REVIZEE, sta. E-511, 15°42’41”S 38°37’18”W to 15°44’14”S 38°39’12”W, 233–294 m, RV Thalassa, bottom trawl, coll. Paulo A. S. Costa et al., 12 June 2000, 18:03h. Paratypes. MNRJ 51645, 10 (57.1–75.9 mm SL), NPM 6027, 20 (59.9–85.4 mm SL), ZMUC P2396755-69, 15 (50.3–79.6 mm SL), same data as for the holotype. Additional non-type material. (n = 84) MNRJ 51646, 42 (51.6–82.7 mm SL), NPM 3816, 42 (52.3–82.2 mm SL), same data as for the holotype. Diagnosis. Moderately slender fishes with flat dorsal head profile leading up to ’humpback’ structure at beginning of first dorsal fin. Maximal SL not exceeding 86 mm. Snout pointed, inferior, steeply inclined. Pectoral fin rays 15–16, pectoral length 23.6–29.7% SL. Anal fin II+9. First anal-fin pterygiophore moderately long, with broad hollow base and straight to slightly backward bent tip. Vomer V-shaped with 2–3 rows of granular teeth and 0–1 longer tooth near sides of base. Palatine narrow, with 1–2 rows of granular teeth. Eye diameter 13.1–16.9% SL; snout length 8.2–11.3% SL. Gill rakers 27–31. Pseudobranchial filaments 15–23. Many longitudinal ridges on preopercular lobe. Inner edge of preopercle with 3–6 denticles. Otolith compressed (OL:OH = 1.3–1.35). Description. Measurements and counts provided in Table 1. Counts: vertebrae 10 + 15 = 25; D1: IX; D2: I + 10; V: I + 5; P: 16; A: II + 9; developed gill rakers 27–31; pseudobranchial filaments 15–23. Measurements (in % of SL): body depth 27.3–33.3; head length 37.4–43.8; snout length 8.2–11.3; eye diameter 13.1–16.9; interorbital space 7.5–11.5; first predorsal length 31.0–46.7; second predorsal length 56.9–65.1; prepelvic length 36.4–43.7; pectoral fin length 20.9–29.7; preanal length 60.8–70.6; caudal peduncle length 15.5–21.9; caudal peduncle depth 8.6–13.9. Snout moderately long, sharply pointed, inferior, with steeply inclined mouth cleft; dorsal head profile almost flat, inclined up to beginning of first dorsal fin. Dorsal profile forming a distinct, obtuse angle resembling a ‘humpback’ feature at anterior edge of first dorsal fin (Figure 1A). Posterior edge of maxillary straight with posterodorsal and postero-ventral angles broadly rounded and postero-ventral angle slightly extended downward. Preopercular lobe with many radial longitudinal ridges; inner edge of preopercle with 3–6 denticles. Proximal-middle radial of first anal fin pterygiophore with broad hollow base and straight to slightly rearward bent tip, reaching to about half way of ribs of last abdominal vertebra (Figure 2A). First haemal spine with posterior expansion. All fin spine margins smooth. Less than 40 scales along lateral line system (visible only as scale pockets). Dentition. Premaxillary with a pair of widely-placed, strong, fang-like canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of minute granular teeth. Dentary with a pair of narrowly-placed, strong fang-like canines, and a band of small conical teeth near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a row of small conical teeth and 2–3 enlarged fang-like canine teeth on each side. Vomer V-shaped, with 2–3 rows of granular teeth, and sometimes a single longer tooth near side of base. Palatine narrow with 1 row of granular teeth, sometimes 2 rows anteriorly; ectopterygoid without teeth. Otolith morphology (n = 4; Figures 3 H–J). Otolith rather compressed, moderately thin, up to about 6 mm length. OL:OH = 1.3–1.35; OL:OT about 3.5–4.5. Dorsal rim high, nearly horizontal, with broadly rounded predorsal region and nearly orthogonal postdorsal angle at joint with posterior rim. Ventral rim deep, deepest distinctly in front of its middle, below rear end of ostium of sulcus. Rostrum well developed, sharply pointed, with convex lower margin and flat, nearly horizontal upper margin; excisura and antirostrum small. Rostrum c. 18% of OL. Posterior rim blunt, vertically cut, with angle at junction with ventral rim significantly below tip of cauda. Dorsal and posterior rims slightly undulating; ventral rim smooth. Inner face slightly convex with slightly supramedian positioned sulcus. Sulcus shallow, with very mildly flexed, long cauda reaching very close to posterior rim of otolith and wide, shallow, slightly upward inclined ostium. Ostium about twice as wide as cauda, with distinct colliculum. CaL:OsL = 1.15–1.25. Dorsal depression very wide. Ventral furrow distinct, running moderately distant and parallel to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face flat to slightly concave, smooth, with few short radial furrows near dorsal rim. Coloration (in alcohol). Preserved fishes uniformly pale. Head bones semi-translucent and thus giving impression of darker color at interorbital. Rims of uppermost 1–2 rows of scale pockets along dorsal region of trunk with dark rims. Mouth pale; branchial cavity and peritoneum dark. Size. Relatively small species reaching about 85 mm SL. Geographic and bathymetric distribution. Known only from the type locality, off Belmonte, State of Bahia, Brazil, from 233 to 294 m depth (Figure 4). Etymology. Named after Dr. Paulo Alberto Silva da Costa (UNIRIO/ Brazil), in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of deep-sea fishes from Brazil. Comparison. Verilus costai appears allopatric to V. pseudomicrolepis (Figures 1B, 2B, 3 A–G). It differs from V. pseudomicrolepis in the higher number of gill rakers (27–31 vs. 21–25), the lower number of pseudobranchial filaments (15–23 vs. 21–28), the shorter snout length (8.2–11.3 vs. 11.3–13.4% of SL), the generally shorter pectoral fin (20.9–29.7 vs. 27.3–31.6% of SL) although this characteristic has to be used carefully due to the often poorly and incompletely preserved pectoral fin and due to some overlap, the slightly bent tip of the first anal pterygiophore (vs. straight), and the more compressed otoliths (OL:OH = 1.3–1.35 vs. 1.35–1.5), indicated in x-rays by the shorter otic capsule in V. costai in comparison to V. pseudomicrolepis (Figure 2). Verilus costai is a relatively small species and does not reach the size of V. pseudomicrolepis (maximum recorded 85 mm vs. 145 mm [Mejía et al. 2001]). Specimens of similar sizes (V. pseudomicrolepis of 66.6–99.0 mm SL [Table 1] and large specimens of V. costai) were compared to eliminate potential ontogenetic effects that are known to occur in the number of gill rakers and the pseudobranchial filaments (Schwarzhans & Prokofiev 2017). In the otoliths, it was found that small specimens of V. pseudomicrolepis of 4–6 mm of OL (Figures 3 B–D) showed a distinct marginal crenulation, a typical feature found in otoliths of subadult fishes below the threshold of morphological maturity, while this was not the case in otoliths of V. costai of comparable sizes. Comparative material examined. Verilus pseudomicrolepis. CAS 61038, 1 (87 mm SL), trawled by RV Oregon II, sta. 46095, off Puerto Rico, 18°13’18”N, 67°19’30”W, 366 m, T. Iwamoto, 21 August 1987. CAS 61164, 1 (91 mm SL), trawled by RV Oregon II, sta. 46036, off U.S. Virgin Islands, 17°38’42”N, 64°56’48”W, 475–512 m, T. Iwamoto, 10 August 1987. CAS 61183, 1 (138 mm SL), trawled by RV Oregon II, sta. 45998, off Puerto Rico, 18°10’N, 67°25’W, 91 m, T. Iwamoto, 5 August 1987. USNM 229541, 13 (71–99 mm SL), trawled by RV Oregon II, cruise 22, sta. 11219, off Honduras, 16°39’N, 82°45’W, 320 m, 25 October 1970. USNM 407012, 1 (66.6 mm SL), trawled by RV Miguel Oliver, sta. MOC11-01, off Panama, 08°58’12’’N, 77°27’26’’W, 252–289 m, D. Robertson and C. Castillo, 6 January 2011. USNM 407758, 1 (115 mm SL), trawled by RV Miguel Oliver, sta. MOC11- 89, off Belize, 16°46’15.6”N 87°55’47.6”W, 393–400 m, D. Robertson and C. Castillo, 29 January 2011. USNM 436691, 1 (88 mm SL), trawled by RV Oregon II, cruise 4, sta. 10195, off Nicaragua, 14°16’48”N 81°55’12”W, 329 m, 19 November 1968.

Genus Verilus Poey, 1860 Type species: Verilus sordidus Poey, 1860, Published as part of Schwarzhans, Werner W., Mincarone, Michael M. & Villarins, B��rbara T., 2020, A new species of the genus Verilus (Teleostei, Percomorpha, Acropomatidae) from Brazil, pp. 589-596 in Zootaxa 4751 (3) on page 590, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4751.3.11, http://zenodo.org/record/3714641, {"references":["Poey, F. (1860) Memorias sobre la historia natural de la Isla de Cuba, acompanadas de sumarios Latinos y extractos en Frances, La Habana, Tomo 2, pp. 97 - 336. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 2485"]}

Bioluminescent organs have evolved many times within teleost fishes and exhibit a wide range of complexity and anatomical derivation. Although some bioluminescent organs have been studied in detail, the morphology of the bacterial light organs in glowbellies (Acropoma) is largely unknown. This study describes the anatomy of the bioluminescent organs in Haneda's Glowbelly (Acropoma hanedai) and the Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) and places the evolution of this light-producing system in the context of a new phylogeny of glowbellies and their relatives. Gross and histological examination of the bioluminescent organs indicate that they are derived from perianal ectodermal tissue, likely originating from the developmental proctodeum, contrary to at least one prior suggestion that the bioluminescent organ in Acropoma is of endodermal intestinal derivation. Additionally, anterior bioluminescent organ development in both species is associated with lateral spreading of the bacteria-containing arms of the bioluminescent organ from an initial median structure. In the context of a 16-gene molecular phylogeny, the bioluminescent organ in Acropoma is shown to have evolved within the Acropomatidae in the ancestor of Acropoma. Further, ancestral-states reconstruction demonstrates that the bioluminescent organs in Acropoma evolved independently from the light organs in related howellid and epigonid taxa which have esophageal or intestinally derived bioluminescent organs. Across the acropomatiforms, our reconstructions indicate that bioluminescent organs evolved independently four or five times. Based on the inferred phylogeny of the order where Acropoma and Doederleinia were separated from other traditional acropomatids, the familial taxonomy of the Acropomatidae was modified such that the previously described Malakichthyidae and Synagropidae were recognized. We also morphologically diagnose and describe the family Lateolabracidae.

The Bay of Bengal coast is acting as a pristine ecological niche for many indigenous and non-indigenous fish species as along with other aquatic organisms. The present study describes the first record of lanternbelly, Acropoma argentistigma (Okamoto & Ida, 2002) from the Bay of Bengal coast, Bangladesh based on 32 specimens. The species was identified on the basis of phenotypic characteristics; for instance, pinkish red body colour, presence of U-shaped luminous gland, well-organised conical teeth on the lower jaw, 17 gill rackers, and position of anus in the middle of ventral margin. The first record of Acropoma argentistigma in the area further enhances the ichthyofaunal diversity in these area as well as overall fish species of Bangladesh.

Malakichthys wakiyae Jordan & Hubbs 1925—Wakiya's seabass (Fig. 49) Status at New Ireland. New record, based on NTUM material (1 specimen, St. CP 4420-24, northeast of New Hanover). Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1.—General distribution: Taiwan to southern Japan; Papua New Guinea. Demersal on the continental slope, 200–425 m depth. Marine., Published as part of Andréfouët, Serge, Chen, Wei-Jen, Kinch, Jeff, Mana, Ralph, Russell, Barry C., Tully, Dean & White, William T., 2019, Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 810 new records, pp. 1-360 in Zootaxa 4588 (1) on page 109, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4588.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/2988163

Andréfouët, Serge, Chen, Wei-Jen, Kinch, Jeff, Mana, Ralph, Russell, Barry C., Tully, Dean, White, William T. (2019): Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 810 new records. Zootaxa 4588 (1): 1-360, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4588.1.1

Parascombrops analis (Katayama 1957) —Threespine seabass Status at New Ireland. New record, based on NTUM 11128 (1 specimen, 86.4 mm SL, St. CP 4437-17, northeast of New Hanover), and NTUM 11138 (1 specimen, 38.5 mm SL, St. CP 4438-22, northeast of New Hanover). Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1.—General distribution: Philippines north to Japan, south to New Caledonia. Demersal on the continental slope, 180–490 m depth. Marine., Published as part of Andréfouët, Serge, Chen, Wei-Jen, Kinch, Jeff, Mana, Ralph, Russell, Barry C., Tully, Dean & White, William T., 2019, Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 810 new records, pp. 1-360 in Zootaxa 4588 (1) on page 109, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4588.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/2988163

Parascombrops philippinensis (Günther 1880) —Philippine seabass Status at New Ireland. New record, based on NTUM 11069 (2 specimens, 60.7–62.4 mm SL, St. CP 4418-20-21, northeast of New Hanover), NTUM 11104 (1 specimen, 86.4 mm SL, St. CP 4428-6, northeast of New Hanover), NTUM 11256 (1 specimen, 86.4 mm SL, St. CP 4459-14, 8.5 km westnorthwest of Kavieng), and NTUM 11338 (1 specimen, 45.7 mm SL, St. CP 4495-5, northwest of New Hanover). Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2.—General distribution: India east to Philippines and Papua New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia. Demersal on the continental slope, 186–630 m depth. Marine., Published as part of Andréfouët, Serge, Chen, Wei-Jen, Kinch, Jeff, Mana, Ralph, Russell, Barry C., Tully, Dean & White, William T., 2019, Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 810 new records, pp. 1-360 in Zootaxa 4588 (1) on page 109, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4588.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/2988163

Malakichthys barbatus Yamanoue & Yoseda 2001 (Fig. 48)—Barbel seabass Status at New Ireland. New record, based on NTUM 11086 (1 specimen, 118.0 mm SL, St. CP 4420-23, northeast of New Hanover). Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1.—General distribution: southern Japan. Demersal on the continental slope, 200–600 m depth. Marine.

We studied fish otoliths from twelve sediment samples of a well-preserved late Pliocene to early Pleistocene fauna originally from the northwest Philippines that were originally deposited in relatively deepwater marine environment. The fish fauna is systematically described, its paleoenvironmental character is explored, and its diversity is analyzed. Four unknown species have been encountered: Parascombrops schwarzhansi n. sp., Maurolicus sp., Pteropsaron sp., and Priolepis sp., of which one is described as new species and three were left in open nomenclature as their local recent counterparts are not well known yet. In addition, a variant Benthosema, Benthosema aff. fibulatum, is described. Overall, fifty-three taxa of fish otoliths were found, of which eighteen were identified at the species level and an additional twenty-seven at the genus level. Most extant species nowadays occur around the Philippines in relatively deep water (about 200 m depth), which is congruent with earlier studies on mollusks and echinoderms from the same deposits. This is the first study on a fossil fish otolith assemblage from the Philippines. Its diversity is very high and analysis by rarefaction curves suggests that additional sampling would add more fish species to the presented fauna list.

Parascombrops schwarzhansi n.sp. (Figures 102–107) Holotype: Anda2, RGM 962352 Paratypes: 5 specimens: Anda1 (3) RGM 962243, RGM 962244, RGM 962353; Anda2 (1) RGM 962354; Tiep2 (1) RGM 962249. Other material: 13 specimens in total. Anda1 (4) RGM 962245; Anda2 (4) RGM 962246; Anda3 (2) RGM 962247; Tiep1 (1) RGM 962248; Tiep2 (2), RGM 962250. Diagnosis: A moderately elongated oval-shaped Parascombrops otolith with distinct crenulation along the regularly curved ventral and dorsal rims. Etymology: In honor of Dr. Werner Schwarzhans for his contributions on paleoichthology. Description: The holotype is an moderately elongated oval-shaped specimen with a OL= 3.2 mm and OL:OH= 1.91. The ventral rim is regularly bent with its strongest bending at its anterior part. The dorsal rim also bends regularly, but weaker, until a weak postdorsal angle at its very posterior part. Dorsal and ventral rims are regularly ornamented with small furrows and lobes. The very posterior part of the holotype bends downwards to the ventral rim, a feature that is more rounded in most paratypes. There is a blunt rostrum and an indistinct excisural notch. The straight sulcus displays a large oval-shaped ostium and a narrower nearly straight cauda. It spans nearly the whole length of the otolith and ends in a brief postcaudal depression, which slightly bends in posterior-ventral direction. The outer surface is decorated with many lobes and furrows that run perpendicular to the dorsal and ventral rims to a central flat area that runs in the mid-central part along the otolith. The paratypes resemble the holotype very well; the OL:OH ratio ranges between 1.73 and ~1.90, and the posterior rim is more rounded, with a shallow postdorsal angle above the end of the cauda. In small specimens the postdorsal angle is not developed, and the postdorsal field form a bluntly pointed extension behind the cauda, which gives the otolith a rounded spindle-shape impression. PLATE 9. 93. Sparidae indeterminate, RGM 962339, locality Anda2. 94. Owstonia nigromarginatus, RGM 962277, locality Roxas. 95. Owstonia nigromarginatus, RGM 962275, locality Anda2. 96. Owstonia nigromarginatus, RGM 962278, locality Roxas. 97. Owstonia nigromarginatus, RGM 962274, locality Anda2, SEM image. 98. Owstonia sp., RGM 962272, locality Anda6. 99. Owstonia sp., RGM 962271, locality Anda2. 100. Antigonia capros, RGM 962309, locality AndaClif3. 101. Parascombrops aff. serratospinosus, RGM 962253, locality AndaClif3. (a) Lateral face, (b) medial face, (c) ventral profile. 103. Parascombrops schwar z hansi, RGM 962353, locality Anda1. (a) Medial face, (b) lateral face, (c) ventral profile. 104. Parascombrops schwar z hansi, RGM 962244, locality Anda1. (a) Medial face, (b) lateral face, (c) ventral profile. 105. Parascombrops schwar z hansi, RGM 962243, locality Anda1. (a) Medial face, (b) lateral face, (c) ventral profile. 106. Parascombrops schwar z hansi, RGM 962249, locality Tiep2. (a) Lateral face, (b) medial face. 107. Parascombrops schwar z hansi, RGM 962354, locality Anda2. (a) Lateral face, (b) medial face. Discussion: The specimens are reminiscent of P. ohei Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, 2017 and juvenile specimens of P. argyreus Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, 2017 (also depicted by Rivaton & Bourret (1999) as P. adeni). However, they are more rounded and less elongated than P. ohei, and, display a very characteristic crenulation along their dorsal and ventral rims. One larger otolith (7.2 mm), RGM 962251, was encountered in Anda4, which may represent a strongly polished and therewith poorly preserved adult specimen of Parascombrops. Its size and estimated shape may suggest Parascombrops argyreus (Gilbert &Cramer, 1897), but its preservation state does not allow definitive species identification. Distribution: Plio-/Pleistocene of northwest Philippines., Published as part of Van Hinsbergh, Victor W. M. & Helwerda, Renate A., 2019, Fish Otoliths from the Cabarruyan Piacenzian-Gelasian fauna found in the Philippines, pp. 401-443 in Zootaxa 4563 (3) on pages 431-433, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4563.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/2601295, {"references":["Schwarzhans, W. & Prokofiev, A. M. (2017) Reappraisal of Synagrops Gunther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae). Zootaxa, 4260 (1), 1 - 74. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4260.1.1","Rivaton, J. & Bourret, P. (1999) Otoliths of the Indo-Pacific fishes. Documents Scientifiques et Techniques, Centre IRD de Noumea, Noumea, 378 pp."]}

Parascombrops aff. serratospinosus (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912)] (Figure 101) Material: 2 specimens in total. Anda3 (1) RGM 962252; AndaCliff3 (1) RGM 962253. One adult specimen (OL=3.73, OH= 2.45 mm) is available that resembles recent otoliths of Parascombrops serratospinsus, which is encountered in the West Pacific seas (Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, 2017). However, the shape of our specimen is less compressed. A similar variation in compactness is also observed in Parascombrops aff. mutinensis (Bassoli, 1906) otoliths known in large numbers from the Mediterranean Pliocene, but on average these latter otoliths are also more compressed and have a more rounded dorsal rim. More specimens are needed for a definitive species identification., Published as part of Van Hinsbergh, Victor W. M. & Helwerda, Renate A., 2019, Fish Otoliths from the Cabarruyan Piacenzian-Gelasian fauna found in the Philippines, pp. 401-443 in Zootaxa 4563 (3) on page 433, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4563.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/2601295, {"references":["Schwarzhans, W. & Prokofiev, A. M. (2017) Reappraisal of Synagrops Gunther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae). Zootaxa, 4260 (1), 1 - 74. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4260.1.1"]}

ACROPOMATIDAE * Acropoma neglectum Okamoto & Golani 2017 Gulf of Suez: �� Gulf of Aqaba: Egypt (Br��ss & Ben-Tuvia 1983, as Acropoma japonicum; Okamoto & Golani 2017), Israel (Baranes & Golani 1993, as Acropoma japonicus; Okamoto & Golani 2017), Jordan (Ajiad 1987a, as Acropoma japonicus). Red Sea main basin: Saudi Arabia (Br��ss & Ben-Tuvia 1983, as Acropoma japonicum). General distribution: Red Sea endemic. Synagrops philippinensis (G��nther 1880) Gulf of Suez: �� Gulf of Aqaba: Saudi Arabia (Aron & Goodyear 1969). Red Sea main basin: �� General distribution: Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa east to southern Japan and New Caledonia., Published as part of Golani, Daniel & Fricke, Ronald, 2018, Checklist of the Red Sea Fishes with delineation of the Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqaba, endemism and Lessepsian migrants, pp. 1-215 in Zootaxa 4509 (1) on page 80, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4509.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/2607566, {"references":["Okamoto, M. & Golani, D. (2017) Three new species of the genus Acropoma (Perciformes: Acropomatidae) from the Indian Ocean. Ichthyological Research, 2017, 1 - 14.","Bruss, R. & Ben-Tuvia, A. (1983) Tiefenwasser- und Tiefseefische aus dem Roten Meer. VIII. Uber das Vorkommen von Acropoma japonicum Gunther 1859 (Pisces: Teleostei: Perciformes: Acropomatidae. Senckenbergiana Biologica, 15 (1 / 3), 27 - 37.","Baranes, A. & Golani, D. (1993) An annotated list of deep-sea fishes collected in the northern Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba. Israel Journal of Zoology, 39, 299 - 336.","Ajiad, A. M. (1987 a) First record of Aulacocephalus temmincki Bleeker, 1857 from the Red Sea and four rare species from Aqaba, Jordan. Cybium, 11 (1), 104 - 105.","Aron, W. & Goodyear, R. H. (1969) Fishes collected during a midwater trawling survey of the Gulf of Elat and the Red Sea. Israel Journal of Zoology, 18, 237 - 244."]}

The current checklist provides for each species of the Red Sea its records in the Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea main basin and its general distribution.This new checklist of Red Sea fishes enumerates 1207 species, representing 164 families. Of these, 797 species were recorded from the Gulf of Aqaba and 339 from the Gulf of Suez. The number of species from the Gulf of Suez is evidently lower than the actual number not including 27 Lessepsian (Red Sea) migrants to the Mediterranean that most likely occur in the Gulf. The current list includes 73 species that were newly described for science since the last checklist of 2010. The most specious Osteichthyes families are: Gobiidae (134 species), Labridae (66), Apogonidae (59), Serranidae (including Anthiadinae) (44), Blenniidae (42), Carangidae (38), Muraenidae (36), Pomacentridae (35), Syngnathidae (34), Scorpaenidae (24) and Lutjanidae (23). Among the families of Chondrichthyes, the most specious families are the Carcharhinidae (18 species) and Dasyatidae (11). The total number of endemic species in the Red Sea is 174 species, of these, 34 species are endemic to the Gulf of Aqaba and 8 to the Gulf of Suez.

Parascombrops nakayamai Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, new species Figs. 7F, 8C, 9F, 12B, 13F, 14O ��� R, 21, 27, 37, Tables 2���7 Material examined (62 specimens). Holotype BSKU 102255, 97 mm SL, Japan, Tosa Bay, Mimase fish market near Kochi. Paratypes: AMS I.24449-014, 10 specimens, 80���93.5 mm SL, 18��53���S, 116��10���E, 450 m, RV Solea, 30. Jan. 1984; BSKU 16825, 81 mm SL, 09��34���S, 128��08���E, 295���296 m, RV Hakuho-maru, 19. Aug. 1992; CAS 34870, 81.5 mm SL, 13��44���N, 120��41���E, 214���247 m, J.E. Norton, 5. Aug. 1966; CAS 236019, 84 mm SL, 13��48���N to 13��50���N, 120��24���E, 216���261 m, crew of DA-BFAR, 0 4. Jun. 2011; CAS 238017, 4 specimens, 76���84 mm SL, 14��41���N, 123��24���E to 14��42���N, 123��21���E, 435���451 m, Iwamoto et al., 27. Sep. 1995; MNHN 1995-0570, 4 specimens, 63���88 mm SL, 11��54���S, 179��31���W, 597���600 m, Musorstom 7: stn CP627, 29. May, 1992; MNHN 1995-0574, 2 specimens, 103���108 mm SL and MNHN 1995 -0575, 3 specimens, 106���109 mm SL, 12��16���S, 177��28���W, 780���794 m, Musorstom 7: stn CC553, 18. May 1992; MNHN 1998-0993, 3 specimens, 100���103 mm SL, 16��33���S, 167��55���E, 602���620 m, Musorstom 8: stn CC1056, 0 1. Oct. 1994; MNHN 2005-0934, 2 specimens, 58���104 mm SL, 11��12���N, 124��02���E, Musorstom 3: stn cp145, 0 7. Jun. 1985; MNHN 2009-0780, 83 mm SL, 16��13���S, 167��18���E, 627���655 m, BOAI: stn CP2456, 12. Sep. 2005; NMMB-P2851, 79.5 mm SL, Dong-gang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan; NMMB-P11346, 2 specimens, 83���85.5 mm SL, Dong-gang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan; NMMB-P14362, 84 mm SL, Dong-gang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan; NMMB-P22083, 2 specimens, 86.5���92.5 mm SL, Dong-gang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan; NMMB-P23092, 8 specimens, 85���108 mm SL, Dong-gang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan; NMMB-P23094, 2 specimens, 67���73 mm SL, Donggang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan; USNM 99303, 106 mm SL, 08��60���N, 124��60���E, 413 m, Albatross Expedition, 0 4. Aug. 1909; USNM 99315, 2 specimens, 88���110 mm SL, 11��17���N, 124��28���E, 333 m, Albatross Expedition, 16. Mar. 1909; ZMUC P44338 ���47, 10 specimens, 85���97 mm SL, donated from NMMB, Dong-gang, Pingtung, southwestern Taiwan. Diagnosis. Slender species with flat dorsal head profile and pointed snout. Anal fin II + 7. Pectoral fin with 15���16 rays, pectoral length 19.5���24.3% SL. Gill rakers 11���16, decreasing with size. Pseudobranchial filaments 16���29, increasing in number with fish growth. First anal-fin pterygiophore long, slightly bent, with moderately broad, hollow tip. Vomer V-shaped with reduced dentition with only few long teeth near sides of base. Palatine with 1 row of teeth, anteriorly long, posteriorly granular; ectopterygoid widened, with 3���4 rows of granular teeth. Orbital diameter 9.5���12.6% SL, decreasing with size; snout length 87���113 % of orbital diameter. No longitudinal ridges on preopercular lobe. Otolith moderately slender (OL:OH = 1.7���1.8). Description. Counts and measurements (see also summary Tables 2���7). Counts: D1: IX; D2: I + 8���9; A: II + 7; V: I + 5; P: 16 (15���17); developed gill rakers 14 (11���14, and up to 16 in specimens smaller than 60 mm SL); pseudobranchial filaments 26 (20���29, and down to 16 in specimens smaller than 60 mm SL). Morphometrics (% of SL): orbit 10.0 (9.5���12.6); snout 9.8 (9.5���11.5, down to 8.0 in specimens smaller than 60 mm SL); head length 39.5 (37.5���42.6); pectoral length 22.5 (19.5���24.3); maximal body depth 24.5 (20.9���25.6); predorsal length 39.8 (38.2���42.6); preventral length 36.6 (32.5���38.3); preanal length 68.2 (59.4���68.8). Snout long, sharply pointed; interorbital space almost flat. Posterior edge of maxillary concave with postero-dorsal and postero-ventral angles broadly rounded and postero-ventral angle extended downward and slightly backward resulting in slightly oblique posterior rim of maxillary. This character is much less developed in small specimens, which possess a posteroventral angle only slightly extended downward, and an almost vertical posterior rim of the maxillary plate. Preopercular lobe without longitudinal ridges, but denticles of hind margin serration extending into well-developed crests on preopercular lobe; inner edge of preopercle with 2���5 denticles. Proximal-middle radial of first anal fin pterygiophore long, slightly curved distally, with moderately broad hollow tip, reaching parapophyses of last abdominal vertebra. First haemal spine with weak posterior expansion. Pelvic fin spine serrated along its outer edge; all other fin spines smooth. About 25���27 scales along lateral line system. Dentition. Premaxillary with a pair of strong canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of minute granular teeth. Dentary with a pair of strong canines, and a band of small conical teeth near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a row of small conical teeth and 2���5 enlarged canine-like teeth on each side. Vomer Vshaped, with reduced dentition. Anterior portion usually toothless, sometimes with very few minute granular teeth, and posterior portion with 2���3 widely spaced conical teeth. Palatine with 1 row of teeth, anteriorly long, posteriorly granular; ectopterygoid slightly expanded, with 2���3 rows of granular teeth. Tongue without teeth. Otolith morphology (n = 18). Otolith elongate, thin, up to about 8 mm length. OL:OH = 1.7���1.8; OL:OT about 6���7. Dorsal rim with broad, very shallow medio-dorsal angle and marked, often sharp postdorsal angle close to posterior rim, often followed by notch. Ventral rim moderately deep, deepest slightly in front of its middle, below collum of sulcus. Rostrum well developed, sharply pointed; no or only weak excisura and antirostrum. Posterior rim blunt, with angle at junction with ventral rim significantly below tip of cauda. Dorsal and posterior rims smooth or slightly crenulated; ventral rim smooth. Inner face slightly convex with slightly supramedian positioned sulcus. Sulcus shallow, with posteriorly slightly widened, long cauda and wide, shallow ostium. Ostium about twice as wide as cauda, with distinct colliculum. Cauda with rounded, slightly bent tip, terminating close to posterior tip of otolith. CaL:OsL = 1.0���1.25. Dorsal depression wide. Ventral furrow distinct, close to ventral rim of otolith anteriorly and running parallel to ventral otolith rim and at some distance in its middle and posterior section and leading to tip of cauda. Outer face flat to slightly concave, smooth, with few short radial furrows near dorsal rim. Coloration (in alcohol). Preserved fishes uniformly pale. Upper half of head including snout and anterior portion of lower jaw dark. Upper half of trunk, remainder of head and fins with numerous small dotted evenly distributed melanophores; large melanophores along lateral line pores. First dorsal fin with black tip over first three to four spines. Mouth pale, with patch of large melanophores on roof of mouth. Branchial cavity and peritoneum dark. Size. Moderately large fishes reaching sizes up to about 110 mm SL. Discussion. Parascombrops nakayamai is best recognized by the slender head and sharply pointed snout, about as long as the orbital diameter, the reduced dentition on the vomer, and the ectopterygoid being wider, slightly spatulate, and with more teeth rows (3���4) than the palatine (1���2). Smaller specimens (75���90 mm of SL) tend to have 1 or 2 rows of granular teeth on the vomer, while in larger specimens this is reduced to a few isolated granular teeth or none. The dentition pattern is only shared with P. yamanouei n. sp., which however differs in a less slender body, maximal body depth 28���34% SL; mean 31.5% SL, (vs 23���27% SL; mean 24.3% SL), the snout shorter than the orbit (vs equally long), and the compressed otoliths OL:OH = 1.5���1.6 (vs 1.7���1.8). Parascombrops nakayamai resembles closest P. argyreus and P. philippinensis. In addition, it differs from P. argyreus in the absence of longitudinal ridges on the preopercular lobe, the lower number of gill rakers in specimens of comparable size (Fig. 21) and the greater head length (37.9���42.6% SL vs 32.6���38.3% SL). It can be distinguished from P. philippinensis by the lower number of gill rakers, 11���15 (vs 15���18). Geographic and bathymetric distribution. Parascombrops nakayamai appears to be widely distributed in the Western Pacific, known from southern Japan, Taiwan, the northern Philippines, to the Timor Sea off northwestern Australia, off Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna at depths between 216 and 794 m. Etymology. Named in honor of Naohide Nakayama (Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Japan), who was the first to recognize the difference of this species based on a specimen collected from the Tosa Bay from P. philippinensis., Published as part of Schwarzhans, Werner W. & Prokofiev, Artem M., 2017, Reappraisal of Synagrops G��nther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae), pp. 1-74 in Zootaxa 4260 (1) on pages 39-41, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.571305, {"references":["Smale, M. J., Watson, G. & Hecht, T. (1995) Otolith atlas of southern African marine fishes. J. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, ichthyological monographs, 1, 1 - 253."]}

Caraibops trispinosus (Mochizuki & Sano, 1984) Figs. 2B, 4, 7N, 10G, 13N, 15 V ��� X, 34, Tables 2���7 Synagrops trispinosus Mochizuki & Sano 1984: fig. 1 (holotype: USNM 232321; type-location off Venezuela, 10��45���N, 66��37���W, 230 m). Synagrops trispinosus: Garzon & Acero 1986: 316; Mejia et al. 2001: 207; Heemstra & Yamanoue 2002: 1302; Ruiz-Carus et al. 2004: 151. Material examined (13 specimens). CAS 61035, 5 specimens, 80���119 mm SL, CAS 61040, 97.5 mm SL, CAS 61041, 4 specimens, 81���104 mm SL, off Mayag��ez, Puerto Rico, 18��13���N, 67��18���W, 356���384 m; USNM 407745, 78 mm SL, off Honduras; USNM 407771, 16 ��04���N, 87��14���W, off Honduras, 240���277 m; USNM 436690, 62.5 mm SL, western Caribbean off Panama, 247��� 256 m. Description. Counts and measurements are given in Tables 2���7. Body slender, gracile. Snout long, pointed; interorbital space almost flat. Posterior edge of maxillary almost straight with postero-dorsal and postero-ventral angles rounded. Anterior and posterior nasal openings roundish, almost of equal size; posterior opening being closer to anterior one than to anterior rim of orbit. Preopercle without denticles along inner edge, except the smallest specimen examined (62.5 mm SL) which has up to 9 minute denticles or crenulations, and which disappear in larger fishes; preopercular lobe lacking cross-ridges; denticles of hind margin serration very weak, not extending onto preopercular lobe. Cranial crests W-shaped, very weak. D1 with 8 visible spines, 9th spine reduced to a minute bump-like element, visible on radiographs only; D2 with 1 spine and 10 branched rays; anal fin with 3 spines of similar thickness and 9 branched rays. Anterior laminar bony extension of first dorsal-fin pterygiophore two-thirds very broad in proximal abruptly decreasing distally. Proximal-middle radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore straight and sharply pointed, lacking a groove at anterior edge, reaching first haemal spine. Pelvicfin spine serrated along its outer edge; all other fin spines smooth. Last pair of pleural ribs very long. First haemal spine moderately expanded. Tip of first haemal spine closely-set to the anterior margin of second haemal spine at its midlength. Three epurals, the first curved anteriorly, with a wide space between the neural processes of the 2nd and 3rd preural vertebrae. Scales highly deciduous; 46���51 scales along lateral line (Mochizuki & Sano 1984). Dentition. Premaxillary with two pairs of strong canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of tiny, conical teeth. Dentary with pair of canines and band of minute conical teeth near symphysis, followed posteriorly by row of several small conical teeth, and two to three enlarged canine-like teeth on each side. Vomer with reduced dentition: narrow V-shaped ridge with few granular teeth anteriorly and two to three rather long, canine-like teeth posteriorly on each side. Palatines with single row of sharp conical teeth. No teeth on ectopterygoid. Tongue toothless. Otolith morphology (n = 8). Otolith elongate, thin; OL:OH = 1.85���2.05; OL:OT about 4. Dorsal rim shallow, nearly straight, with rounded postdorsal angle located far backward near posterior tip of otolith. Ventral rim deeply curved, deepest anterior of the middle, distinctly upward bent anterior and posterior. Anterior tip with blunt rostrum positioned dorsal of otolith axis; no antirostrum or excisura. Posterior rim rounded, distinctly shifted dorsally. Rims smooth or slightly undulating. Inner face slightly convex with shallow, distinctly supramedian sulcus. Ostium shallow, about twice as wide as cauda, oval in shape, with distinct colliculum, tip of rostrum being in level with dorsal rim of ostium. Cauda slightly deepened, narrow, slightly bent downwards posteriorly. CaL:OsL = 1.1���1.2. Dorsal depression shallow and indistinct. Ventral furrow distinct, markedly turned upward posteriorly and terminating close to the ventral turn of the cauda. Outer face flat, rather smooth. Size. To 12 cm according Heemstra & Yamanoue (2002). Largest specimen in our materials attains 104 mm SL. Geographic and bathymetric distribution. As given for the genus., Published as part of Schwarzhans, Werner W. & Prokofiev, Artem M., 2017, Reappraisal of Synagrops G��nther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae), pp. 1-74 in Zootaxa 4260 (1) on pages 13-15, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.571305, {"references":["Mochizuki, K. & Sano, M. (1984) A new percichthyid fish Synagrops trispinosus from the Caribbean Sea and its adjacent waters. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 31 (1), 1 - 4.","Garzon, F. J. & Acero, P. A. (1986) Notes on the fish Synagrops trispinosus (Perciformes: Acropomatidae) from the Colombian Caribbean. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 33 (3), 316 - 318.","Mejia, L. S., Acero P., Roa, A. & Saavedra, L. (2001) Review of the fishes of the genus Synagrops from the tropical Western Atlantic (Perciformes: Acropomatidae). Caribbean Journal of Science, 37 (3 - 4), 202 - 209.","Heemstra, P. C. & Yamanoue, Y. (2002) Acropomatidae. Temperate ocean-basses. In: Carpenter, K. E. (Ed.), The living marine resources of the western central Atlantic. Fol. 2. Bony fishes part 1 (Acipenseridae to Grammatidae). FAO, Rome, pp. 1299 - 1302.","Ruiz-Carus, R., Matheson Jr. R. E. & Vose, F. E. (2004) The threespine bass, Synagrops trispinosus (Perciformes, Acropomatidae), an addition to the fish fauna of the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico Science, 2, 151 - 154."]}

Parascombrops parvidens Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, new species Figs. 7H, 8B, 9G, 11C, 13H, 14V – Y, 23, 37, Tables 2–7 Material examined (14 specimens). Holotype BSKU 98886, 57.5 mm SL, Indonesia, S of Sulawesi, 250–258 m, R/ V Hakuhonaru, KH 85-01, 12. – 13. Feb. 1985. Paratypes: BSKU 98883-84, 87– 90 mm SL, 7 specimens, 55.5–62 mm SL, same data as holotype; BSKU 15219-21, 3 specimens, 69–75 mm SL, 08°14’N, 119°59’E; USNM 436686, 3 specimens, 56–65 mm SL, 08°46’N, 123°32’E, Albatross Philippines Expedition, 0 9. Aug. 1909. Diagnosis. Moderately slender, gracile species with convex dorsal head profile. Anal fin II + 7. Pectoral fin with 15–16 rays, pectoral length 26.2–30.4% SL, reaching anterior tip of anal fin. Gill rakers 18–20. Pseudobranchial filaments 16–21. First anal-fin pterygiophore long, straight, with broad tip and hollow. No canine teeth laterally on dentary. Vomer narrow, V-shaped, with 2–3 rows of granular teeth. Palatine broad, with 2 rows granular teeth; ectopterygoid narrow, with 1 row granular teeth. Orbital diameter 10.2–12.1% SL. One or two longitudinal ridges on preopercular lobe. Otolith moderately slender (OL:OH = 1.8–1.85). Description. Counts and measurements (see also summary Tables 2–7). Counts: D1: IX; D2: I + 9; A: II + 7; V: I + 5; P: 16 (15–16); developed gill rakers 19 (18–20); pseudobranchial filaments 18 (17–21). Morphometrics (% of SL): orbit 11.7 (10.2–12.1); snout 9.9 (8.0–11.1); head length 40.0 (37.1–41.9); pectoral length 29.6 (26.2–30.4); maximal body depth 26.3 (24.8–27.3); predorsal length 39.0 (37.1–42.0); preventral length 37.7 (36.4–40.4); preanal length 68.2 (62.5–70.9). Snout short, rounded; interorbital space convex. Posterior edge of maxilla almost straight or very weakly concave with postero-dorsal and postero-ventral angles sharp to slightly rounded and postero-ventral angle somewhat extended downward but positioned at same level with postero-ventral angle resulting in an almost vertical posterior rim of the maxilla. Preopercular lobe with one or two longitudinal ridges, denticles of hind margin serration not extending into crests on preopercular lobe; inner edge of preopercle with 4–8 denticles. Proximal-middle radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore long, straight, with broad hollow tip, reaching last pair of pleural ribs. First haemal spine with a variably-developed posterior expansion (sometimes weak, sometimes bulge-like). Pelvic-fin spine serrated along its outer edge; all other fin spines smooth. Dentition. Premaxilla with a pair of small canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of minute granular teeth. Dentary with a pair of minute canines, and a band of small conical teeth near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a row of small conical teeth without enlarged canines. Vomer narrow, V-shaped, with 2–3 rows of granular teeth. Palatine broad, with 2 rows, rarely 1 row of granular teeth; ectopterygoid narrow, short, with 1 row granular teeth. Tongue without teeth. Otolith morphology (n = 5). Otolith moderately elongate, thin, up to about 5 mm length. OL:OH = 1.8–1.85; OL:OT about 8 to 10. Dorsal rim shallow, with broad, obtuse, mediodorsal angle and rounded, inferior postdorsal angle positioned at some distance from posterior tip. Ventral rim shallow, deepest slightly in front of its middle. Rostrum well-developed, slender, sharply pointed; distinct but weak excisura and antirostrum. Posterior rim bluntly pointed, slightly below level of caudal tip. All rims smooth. Inner face very slightly convex, nearly flat, with slightly supramedian positioned sulcus. Sulcus moderately shallow, with long, deeper cauda and moderately wide, shallow ostium. Ostium distinctly less than twice as wide as cauda, with distinct colliculum. Cauda with rounded, distinctly downward bent tip, terminating close to posterior tip of otolith. CaL:OsL = 1.05–1.15. Dorsal depression long, narrow. Ventral furrow distinct, close to ventral rim of otolith anteriorly and turning upwards posteriorly towards turning point of cauda. Outer face flat, smooth. Coloration. Preserved fishes uniform pale in color. Upper half of body from tip of snout to peduncle, opercle and fins dusted with many small sparsely distributed melanophores. Scale pockets of upper half of body often with more intensely dark colored rims. Mouth pale, roof dark and area behind tongue dusted with small melanophores. Branchial cavity dark anteriorly and with small patch of melanophores behind pseudobranchial filaments; peritoneum dark. Size. Small fishes reaching sizes up to about 75 mm SL. Discussion. Parascombrops parvidens is a small species with a rounded head profile and snout, and is readily diagnosed by the lack of canine teeth on dentary otherwise typical for Parascombrops. It differs from P. philippinensis also in the presence of longitudinal ridges on the preopercular lobe, the higher number of gill rakers, 18–20 (vs 15–18) and the long pectoral fin, 26.2–30.4% SL (vs 21.5–27.2% SL) reaching the anterior edge of the anal fin (vs not reaching the anterior edge of the anal fin). It differs from P. ohei in the higher number of gill rakers, 18–20 (vs 13–16), the broadly tipped, hollow first anal-fin pterygiophore (vs sharply pointed and not hollow), the narrow ectopterygoid with only 1 row of small denticles (vs 2–4 rows) and the long pectoral fin, 26.2–30.4% SL (vs 23.1–26.6% SL) reaching the anterior edge of the anal fin (vs not reaching the anterior edge of the anal fin). Geographic and bathymetric distribution. Parascombrops parvidens appears to be a holotropical species of the Western Pacific restricted to the southern Philippines and eastern Indonesia (off southern Sulawesi) at about 250 m depth. Etymology. From the Latin parvus = small, and dens = tooth, referring to the absence of enlarged canines on dentary.

Parascombrops ohei Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, new species Figs. 2C, 6G, 7G, 9H, 13G, 14S ��� U, 22, 37, Tables 2���7 Material examined (8 specimens). Holotype BSKU 72614, 75 mm SL, Japan, Tosa Bay, 33��14���N, 133��38���E, 172��� 215 m. Paratypes: BSKU 9951, 53.5 mm SL, no data; BSKU 63370-71, 2 specimens, 82.5���87 mm SL, Japan, Tosa Bay, Mimase fish market near Kochi; BSKU 87909, 74.5 mm SL, Japan, Tosa Bay Kuroshio Town, 200 m; BSKU 116497-98, 2 specimens, 64���77.5 mm SL, Japan, Tosa Bay, Mimase fish market near Kochi; NSMT P59841, 70.5 mm SL, Japan, Tosa Bay, Mimase fish market near Kochi. Diagnosis. Moderately slender species with convex dorsal head profile and bluntly rounded snout. Anal fin with 2 spines and 7 soft rays, first ray being segmented, but not branched (Fig. 6G). Pectoral fin with 14���15 rays, pectoral length 23.1���26.6% SL. Gill rakers 13���16. Pseudobranchial filaments 19���25. First anal-fin pterygiophore long, straight, with sharply pointed tip, not hollow. Vomer triangular, broad, with many granular teeth. Palatine and ectopterygoid broad, with 2���4 granular teeth rows. Orbital diameter 10.7���12.3% SL. One or two longitudinal ridges on preopercular lobe. Otolith very slender (OL:OH = 1.9���2.1). Description. Counts and measurements (see also summary Tables 2���7). Counts: D1: VIII���IX; D2: I + 9; A: II + 7; V: I + 5; P: 14 (14���15); developed gill rakers 14 (13���16); pseudobranchial filaments 24 (19���25). Morphometrics (% of SL): orbit 12.0 (10.7���12.3); snout 7.7 (7.0���9.8); head length 36.9 (34.1���37.7); pectoral length 24.6 (23.1���26.6); maximal body depth 27.7 (21.5���27.7); predorsal length 37.4 (35.5���40.3); preventral length 31.3 (31.3���36.4); preanal length 65.8 (65.0���66.7). Snout short, rounded; interorbital space convex. Posterior edge of maxillary concave with postero-dorsal and postero-ventral angles broadly rounded and postero-ventral angle extended downward and slightly backward, resulting in slightly oblique posterior rim of maxillary. Preopercular lobe with one or two longitudinal ridges, hind margin serrations not extending into crests on preopercular lobe; inner edge of preopercle with 3���5 denticles. First soft anal fin-ray segmented, but not branched. Proximal-middle radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore long, straight, with sharply pointed tip, not hollow, ending in space between last abdominal and first caudal vertebrae. First haemal spine with a very slight posterior expansion. Pelvic fin spine serrated along its outer edge; all other fin spines smooth. Dentition. Premaxillary with a pair of strong canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of minute granular teeth. Dentary with a pair of strong canines, and a band of small conical teeth near symphysis, followed by a row of small conical teeth and 2���4 enlarged canine-like teeth on each side. Vomer triangular, broad, with many granular teeth, few or no longer teeth at rear margin. Palatine and ectopterygoid broad, with 2���4 granular tooth rows. Tongue without teeth. Otolith morphology (n = 7). Otolith very elongate, thin, up to about 8 mm length. OL:OH = 1.9���2.1; OL:OT about 8���9. Dorsal rim shallow, nearly horizontal except for very feeble mediodorsal bulge; postdorsal angle rounded, positioned far backwards very close to posterior rim. Ventral rim shallow, deepest slightly in front of its middle, below collum of sulcus. Rostrum well developed, moderately sharply pointed; weak excisura and antirostrum. Posterior rim blunt, short, with angle at junction with ventral rim at tip of cauda. Dorsal and posterior rims smooth or slightly crenulated; ventral rim smooth. Inner face slightly convex with slightly supramedian positioned sulcus. Sulcus shallow, with long cauda and moderately wide, shallow ostium. Ostium distinctly less than twice as wide as cauda, with distinct colliculum. Cauda with rounded, distinctly downward bent tip, terminating close to posterior tip of otolith. CaL:OsL = 1.1���1.25. Dorsal depression long, narrow. Ventral furrow distinct, close to ventral rim of otolith anteriorly and slightly turning upwards posteriorly towards tip of cauda. Outer face slightly concave, smooth, with few short radial furrows near dorsal rim. Coloration. Preserved fishes a uniform pale coloration, with few small melanophores scattered over body. Snout, occiput and tip of first dorsal fin over first 4 spines dark. Patches of small melanophores on dorsal fins, caudal fin, upper part of opercle, rear part of maxillary and tip of lower jaw. Scale pockets of upper half of body with intensely dark colored rims. Mouth pale. Branchial cavity dark anteriorly and with small patch of melanophores behind pseudobranchial filaments; peritoneum dark. Size. Fishes reaching sizes up to about 90 mm SL. Discussion. Parascombrops ohei is a slender species (maximum body depth 21.5���25.7% SL) with a rounded head profile and snout. The species is best identified by the unique characters of very slender otoliths (OL:OH = 1.9���2.1), and the presence of a segmented, unbranched first soft anal-fin ray at all sizes. It is distinguished from P. nakayamai in the short, rounded snout (vs. long and pointed), the presence of longitudinal ridges on the preopercular lobe (vs. absent), the slender, sharply pointed and not hollow first anal-fin pterygiophore (vs. slightly curved distally, with moderately broad hollow tip), the broad vomer with many granular teeth (vs reduced with only few long teeth along the rear margin), and the broad palatine with 2���3 rows of granular teeth (vs 1 row). It differs from P. philippinensis in the more rounded head profile, the presence of longitudinal ridges on the preopercular lobe (vs. absent), the slender, sharply pointed and not hollow first anal-fin pterygiophore (vs. broad, with hollow tip), the slender otolith (OL:OH = 1.9���2.1 vs. 1.6���1.85), and the broad palatine and ectopterygoid. It resembles P. argyreus in the morphology of the first anal-fin pterygiophore, shape of the maxillary plate and the presence of longitudinal ridges on the preopercular lobe, but differs in the lower number of pseudobranchial filaments in specimens of similar size, 19���25 (vs 26���38), the strongly convex head profile, the slender otolith and the broader palatine tooth band. The presence of an unbranched segmented first soft anal-fin ray in P. ohei n. sp. is reminiscent of the emergent 3rd anal-fin spine of P. analis. However, there is an abundance of differentiating characters between these species (see diagnoses and key), and we therefore regard the development of the weak third anal spine as homoplastic. Geographic and bathymetric distribution. Parascombrops ohei appears to be endemic to southern Japan, and so far has only been caught in Tosa Bay at about 200 m depth. Fossil otoliths of P. ohei are known from the Late Pliocene Dainichi Sand of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, further to the North-East of the Tosa Bay. Etymology. Named in honor of Fumio Ohe, Seto (near Nagoya, Japan), the otolith specialist who first recognized the presence of a hitherto unrecorded species of Parascombrops in the Pliocene record of Japan., Published as part of Schwarzhans, Werner W. & Prokofiev, Artem M., 2017, Reappraisal of Synagrops G��nther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae), pp. 1-74 in Zootaxa 4260 (1) on pages 41-43, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.571305

Parascombrops madagascariensis Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, new species Figs. 6E, 7D, 9D, 13D, 19, 35, Tables 2���7 Material examined (4 specimens). Holotype MNHN 2008-1769, 68.5 mm SL, off Reunion, 21��20���S, 55��26���E, 73���77 m, " Marion Dufresne " Campagne MD 32: stn CP43, 18. Aug. 1982. Paratypes: MNHN 1988-1438, 59 mm SL, and MNHN 1988-1443, 62 mm SL, 15��20���S, 46��09���E, 310���350 m, Crosnier: stn CH 045, 0 7. Nov. 1972; MNHN 1989-0194, 46 mm SL, 23��18���S, 43��33���E, 300���350 m, Mauge: stn 0 1, 0 2. Mar. 1969. Diagnosis. A deep-bodied species with strongly convex dorsal head profile. Anal fin II + 7. Pectoral-fin rays 14���15, pectoral length 24.5���26.5% SL. Gill rakers 15���17. Pseudobranchial filaments 17���23. First anal-fin pterygiophore moderately long, slightly bent, with broad, hollow tip. Vomer triangular with row of long teeth along rear margin. Ectopterygoid with 1���2 rows of granular teeth. Orbital diameter 12.0���12.8% SL. No longitudinal ridges on preopercular lobe. Otolith compact (OL:OH = 1.5). Description. Counts and measurements (see also summary Tables 2���7). Counts: D1: IX; D2: I + 9; A: II + 7; V: I + 5; P: 14 (14���15); developed gill rakers 15 (15���17); pseudobranchial filaments 23 (17���23). Morphometrics (% of SL): orbit 12.3 (12.0���12.8); snout 9.5 (8.2���9.5); head length 39.1 (37.8���41.2); pectoral length 24.8 (24.7���26.2); maximal body depth 31.7 (30.2���32.0); predorsal length 40.9 (37.5���43.0); preventral length 36.3 (36.1���39.0); preanal length 68.6 (64.2���68.9). Snout rounded; interorbital space strongly convex. Posterior edge of maxillary straight to weakly concave with postero-dorsal and postero-ventral angles rounded and postero-ventral angle not extended; posterior rim of the maxillary vertical. Hind margin of lower part of subopercle and of interopercle weakly to moderately serrated, rarely almost smooth. Preopercular lobe without longitudinal ridges, but denticles of hind margin serration extending into crests onto preopercular lobe; inner edge of preopercle with 3 small denticles not extending along ventral branch. Proximal-middle radial of first anal fin pterygiophore very long, straight or slightly bent, with broad, hollow tip, reaching parapophyses of 10th abdominal vertebra. First haemal spine with narrow posterior expansion. Pelvic fin spine serrated along its outer edge; all other fin spines smooth. Dentition. Premaxillary with a pair of canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of minute granular teeth. Dentary with a pair of canines, followed by a band of minute conical to granular teeth, and a row of 3 conical to caniniform teeth on sides. Vomer with triangular patch with few granular teeth in front and a row of long conical teeth at rear. Palatines anteriorly with 1 row of longer teeth and posteriorly with 1���2 rows of granular teeth; ectopterygoids with 2 rows of granular teeth. Tongue without teeth. Otolith morphology not known. Coloration (in alcohol). Preserved fishes pale orange overall. Dorsal surface from tip of snout to caudal peduncle with numerous diffuse small dotted melanophores in a narrow band. Fins pale, except distal tip of first dorsal dark; both dorsal-fin bases with numerous minute diffuse melanophores; upper part of base of caudal fin with few melanophores. Mouth pale, roof of mouth dark. Branchial cavity dark; peritoneum black. Size. Small species, up to about 70 mm SL. Discussion. Parascombrops madagascariensis is amongst the most deep bodied and robust species in the genus, together with P. analis, P. serratospinosus and P. yamanouei n. sp. (maximal body depth 28���34% SL, vs 20���28, rarely 29% SL for the other species within the genus; mean values 30.0���31.5% SL, vs 24.8���28.1% SL). Parascombrops madagascariensis differs from P. analis in having 2 (vs. 3) spines in the anal fin, 2 rows of denticles on the ectopterygoid (vs 1) and a less broadly-tipped first anal-fin pterygiophore. For a detailed comparison with P. yamanouei n. sp. see description of the latter. Parascombrops madagascariensis differs from P. serratospinosus in the absence of serrations of the second spine of the first dorsal and the anal fins and the first spine the second dorsal fin. Geographic and bathymetric distribution. Parascombrops madagascariensis is found in the southwestern Indian Ocean apparently restricted to the shelf and upper slope around Madagascar and R��union Island, from 73 to 350 m water depth. Etymology. The name refers to the type-location off Madagascar., Published as part of Schwarzhans, Werner W. & Prokofiev, Artem M., 2017, Reappraisal of Synagrops G��nther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae), pp. 1-74 in Zootaxa 4260 (1) on pages 36-37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.571305