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Plectranthias kojii sp. nov. (Perciformes: Serranidae) is described from a single specimen [49.4 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from 150 m depth off Hamahiga-jima Island, near Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. Although the new species is most similar to Plectranthias ryukyuensis Wada, Suzuki, Senou and Motomura 2020, morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the former clearly differed from those of congeners. Plectranthias kojii is distinguished from P. ryukyuensis by the following combination of characters: 12 or 13 pectoral-fin rays; 10 scale rows below the lateral line; 2 supraneurals, small head (length 42.5% SL) with rounded upper profile; slightly convex in postorbital region; small eye (diameter 11.9% SL); the anterodorsal margin not protruding above the dorsal head profile; caudal fin slightly convex; fourth dorsal-fin spine long (length 20.0% SL); pre-pelvic-fin short (length 34.8% SL); pectoral fin short (length 37.0% SL); pelvic-fin spine long (length 19.6% SL); body with an arched orange band from bases of 7th to 9th dorsal-fin spines to middle of caudal-fin base; and yellowish-orange spots and blotches on the snout, cheek, jaws, nape, and spinous portion of the dorsal fin.

Plectranthias melanesius Randall, 1980 Plectranthias kelloggi melanesius Randall, 1980 Holotype: BPBM 22484, 74.3 mm SL. Type locality: south of Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. Illustration: Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021:fig. 37. Counts: D: X, 15 or 16. A: III, 7. P: 15. C: 17 (9 + 8). V: 26 (10+ 16). S: 3. GR: 21 to 23 (6 or 7 + 15 or 16). LL: 32 to 34. CP: 14 to 16. Distribution: Western Pacific: New Caledonia, Tasman Sea, and Queensland (Australia) in depths of 260 to 360 meters., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 571, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica 16 (1), 101 - 187."]}

Plectranthias Bleeker, 1873 Type species: Plectropoma anthioides Günther, 1872, by monotypy. Sixty-six species., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 569, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Bleeker, P. (1873) Sur les especes indo - archipelagiques d'Odontanthias et de Pseudopriacanthus. Nederlandsch Tijdschrift voor de Dierkunde, 4, 235 - 240.","Gunther, A. (1872) Report on several collections of fishes recently obtained for the British Museum. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1871 (Part 3, Art. 1), 652 - 675, pls. 53 - 70. [for 21 November 1871]"]}

Plectranthias hinano Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Rocha, & Rocha, 2020 Holotype: CAS 247195, field code HTP909, GenBank MN 922329, 49.6 mm SL. Type locality: Tahiti, French Polynesia, 17°29′27″ S, 149°28′01″ W, depth 98 meters. Illustrations: Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Rocha, & Rocha, 2020, figs. 4 & 5A. Counts: D: X, 15. A: III, 7. P: 11 or 12. C: 17 (9 + 8). V: 26 (10+ 16). S: 3. GR: 19 to 21 (7 or 8 + 12 or 13). LL: 29 or 30. CP: 12. Distribution: Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia.

Plectranthias normanby Fricke, 2021 Holotype: NTUM 17216, 25.3 mm SL. Type locality: Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay Province, east of Normanby Island, 9º49.12′ S 151º34.73′ E –9º48.78′ S 151º34.05′ E, depth 105–175 meters. Illustrations: Fricke, 2021, figs. 1–3. Counts: D. XII, 13. A. III, 7. P. 13. C: 13 (7 + 6) branched. GR: 17 or 18 (7 + 10 or 11). LL: incomplete, 17 tubed scales. CP: ca. 14. Distribution: known only from off Normanby Island in the Solomon Sea, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 571, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Fricke, R. (2021) Plectranthias normanby, a new species of perchlet from Papua New Guinea, western Pacific. Fish Taxa, 20, 25 - 38."]}

Plectranthias kelloggi (Jordan & Evermann, 1903) Anthias kelloggi Jordan & Evermann, 1903 Holotype: USNM 50642, 146 mm SL. Type locality: off Kailua, Hawaii. Illustrations: Randall, 1980:146, fig. 15; Randall, 2007b:193, top fig. Counts: D: X, 14 to 16. A: III, 7. P: 14 to 16. C: 17 (9 + 8). V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 3. GR: 20 to 24 (6 to 8 +14 to 17). LL: 32 to 38. CP: 15 to 17. Distribution: western and central Pacific., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 570, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Jordan, D. S. & Evermann, B. W. (1903) Descriptions of new genera and species of fishes from the Hawaiian Islands. Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission, 22, 161 - 208. [for 1902]","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica 16 (1), 101 - 187.","Randall, J. E. (2007 b) Reef and shore fishes of the Hawaiian Islands. Sea Grant College Program. University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, xiv + 546 pp."]}

Plectranthias mcgroutheri Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021 Holotype: AMS I.22828-010, 74.0 mm SL. Type locality: Australia, North West Shelf, 190 km northwest of Port Hedland, 19°01′ S, 117°12′ E, depth 200–202 meters. Illustrations: Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021:82, fig. 34. Counts: D: X, 16. A: III, 7. P: 14. C: 17 (9 + 8). V: 26 (10+ 16). S: 3. GR: 15 to 19 (5 or 6 + 10 to 13). LL: 27 to 30. CP: 13 to 15. Distribution: known only from specimens collected off Western Australia., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 571, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954

Plectranthias retrofasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall, 1979 Plectranthias pallidus Randall & Hoese, 1995 Holotype: BPBM 22487, 61.8 mm SL, male (?). Type locality: New Caledonia, Gazelle Pass, near northwest tip of island, depth 200 meters. Illustrations: Fourmanoir & Randall, 1979:320, fig. 2; Peristiwady, Makaitipu, Satrioajie & Wibowo, 2014:88, fig. 1. Counts: D: X, 16. A: III, 7. P: 13. C: 17. V: 26. GR: 16 (5 + 11). LL: 29. CP: 14. Distribution: western South Pacific: off New Caledonia and North Sulawesi, Indonesia., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 572, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Fourmanoir, P. & Randall, J. E. (1979) Three new species of serranid fishes of the genus Plectranthias from New Caledonia. Micronesica, 15 (1 - 2), 315 - 324.","Randall, J. E. & Hoese, D. F. (1995) Three new species of Australian fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae: Anthiinae). Records of the Australian Museum, 47 (3) 327 - 335. https: // doi. org / 10.3853 / j. 0067 - 1975.47.1995.241"]}

Plectranthias purpuralepis Tang, Lai, & Ho, 2020 Holotype: NMMST P002339, 143.8 mm SL. Type locality: ca. 25.4– 25.6° N, 121.9– 122.0° E; Three Northern Islands, northern Taiwan, northwestern Pacific Ocean; purchased at Keelung fish market. Illustrations: Tang, Lai, & Ho, 2020, figs. 1A, 2–4, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8. Counts: D: X, 16 or 17. A: III, 7. P: 13 to 15. C: 17 (9 + 8). V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 3. GR: 16 to 20 (5 or 6 + 11 to 14). LL: 32 to 36. CP: 14. Distribution: known only from off northern Taiwan., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 572, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954

Plectranthias pallidus Randall & Hoese, 1995 A junior synonym of Plectranthias retrofasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall, 1979. See account for that species from Anderson, 2018 (below).

Plectranthias cruentus Gill & Roberts, 2020 Holotype: AMS I.42725–007, 57.3 mm SL Type locality: Australia, Lord Howe Island, off Ball’s Pyramid, from 31°49.11′ S, 159°20.74′ E to 31°49.44′ S, 159°20.39′ E, depth 86–89 meters. Illustrations: Gill & Roberts, 2020, figs. 1 & 2; Hay & Gill, 2020, 3 figs. Counts: D: X, 16 or 17. A: III, 7 or 8. P: 13. C: 17 (9+8). V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 3. GR: 17 to 19 (5 + 12 to 14). LL: 29 or 30. CP: 14. Distribution: known from off Ball’s Pyramid (southeast of Lord Howe Island) and off Lord Howe Island, possibly occurs off southeast Queensland, Australia. Plectranthias ferrugineus Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021 Holotype: CSIRO H 8289-02, 37.6 mm SL. Type locality: Australia, Western Australia, north of Dampier Archipelago, from 19°26.78′ S, 116°41.51′ E to 19°26.97′ S, 116°41.37′ E, depth 103 to 106 meters. Illustration: Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021, fig. 17. Counts: D: X, 14 to 16. A: III, 7. P: 13 or 14. C: 17 (9+8). V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 3. GR: 16 to 20 (4 to 7 + 11 to 14). LL: 27 to 30. CP: 14 to 16. Distribution: known from the North West Shelf off Western Australia eastwards to the Arafura Sea, Northern Territory. Plectranthias grahami Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021 Holotype: AMS I.18855-003, 122.5 mm SL Type locality: Australia, Tasman Sea, New South Wales, east of Bulli, 34°18′ S, 151°26′ E, depth 457 to 485 meters. Illustration: Gill, Pogonoski, Moore, & Johnson, 2021, fig. 22. Counts: D: X, 15. A: III, 7. P: 18. C: 17 (9+8). V: 27 (10 + 17). S: 3. GR: 19 (6 + 13). LL: 41 or 42. CP: 18. Distribution: known only from the holotype, collected off Bulli, New South Wales, Australia, in 457 to 485 meters., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 570, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Gill, A. C. & Roberts, C. D. (2020) Plectranthias cruentus, a new species of anthiadine perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea. Zootaxa, 4750 (4), 560 - 566. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4750.4.6","Hay, A. & Gill, A. (2020) The jigsaw: putting together the Bloody Perchlet puzzle. The Australian Museum Blog. Available from: https: // australian. museum / blog / amri-news / the-jigsaw-putting-together-the-bloody-perchlet-puzzle / (accessed 5 October 2022) [ABN 85 407 224 698]"]}

Plectranthias maekawa Wada, Senou, & Motomura, 2018 Holotype: KAUM-I. 110114, 58.2 mm SL. Type locality: off Gaja-jima Island, Tokara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan; 29°53′04″ N, 129°37′11″ E, depth 170 meters. Illustrations: Wada, Senou, & Motomura, 2018, figs. 1& 2. Counts: D: X, 15 or 16. A: III, 7. P: 14. C: 15 (branched). V: 26 (9 + 17). S: 3. GR: 16 or 17 (5 or 6 +11). LL: 30. Distribution: known only from Gaja-jima and Nakano-shima islands, Tokara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 571, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954

Plectranthias azumanus (Jordan & Richardson, 1910) Pseudanthias azumanus Jordan & Richardson, 1910 Syntypes : NMW 42378-79 (1, 3). Type locality: Tokyo Bay, Japan Illustrations: Gill, Pogonoski, Moore & Johnson, 2021, figs. 10, 12. Counts: D: X, 14 or 15 (rarely X, 14). A: III, 7. P: 15, rarely 14. C: 17 (9+8). V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 3. GR: 20 to 23 (5 to 8 + 13 to 15). LL: 33 to 37. CP: 16. Distribution: Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Japan, Taiwan, and Western Australia., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 569, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Jordan, D. S. & Richardson, R. E. (1910) A review of the Serranidae or sea bass of Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 37 (1714), 421 - 474. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.37 - 1714.421","Gill, A. C., Pogonoski, J. J., Moore, G. I. & Johnson, J. W. (2021) Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinaae), with descriptions of four new species. Zootaxa, 4918 (1), 1 - 116. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4918.1.1"]}

Plectranthias polygonius Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Rocha, & Rocha, 2020 Holotype: CAS 247193, field code HTP906, GenBank MN 922331, 29.5 mm SL. Type locality: Tahiti, French Polynesia, 17°29′27″S, 149°28′01″W, depth 105 meters. Illustrations: Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Rocha, & Rocha, 2020, figs. 1 & 2A. Counts: D: X, 16. A: III, 7. P: 14. C: 17 (9 + 8). V: 26 (10+ 16). S: 3. GR: 18 or 19 (5 or 6 + 13). LL: 27 to 30. CP: 10 or 11. Distribution: Tahiti, French Polynesia, and Maloelap Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 572, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954

Plectranthias kojii Koeda, Muto, & Wada, 2021 Holotype: ZUMT 62001 (formerly KBF-I 1486), 49.4 mm SL. Type locality: off Hamahiga-jima Island, near eastern coast of Okinawa-jima Jsland, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, in depth of 150 meters. Illustrations: Koeda, Muto, and Wada, 2021, figs. 1–3. Counts: D: X, 15. A: III, 7. P: 12 or 13. V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 2. GR: 17 (5 + 12). LL: 30. Distribution: known only from a depth of 150 meters off Hamahiga-jima Island near the eastern coast of Okinawajima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, southern Japan., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on pages 570-571, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954, {"references":["Koeda, K., Muto, N. & Wada, H. (2021) Plectranthias kojii sp. nov., a new perchlet (Perciformes: Serranidae: Anthiinae) from Okinawa, Japan. Ichthyological Research, 1 - 9. [first published online, 9 pp., 27 October 2021. Erratum appeared in Ichthyological Research online first, 1 pp., on 3 December 2021] https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10228 - 021 - 00842 - 1"]}

Plectranthias ryukyuensis Wada, Suzuki, Senou, & Motomura, 2020 Holotype: KPM-NI 50196, 58.4 mm SL. Type locality: off Hamahiga-jima Island, Okinawa Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, depth 190 meters. Illustrations: Wada, Suzuki, Senou, & Motomura, 2020, figs. 1–5. Counts: D: X, 15 or 16. A: III, 7. P: 14. C: 13 or 14 (branched). V: 26 (10 + 16). S: 3. GR: 17 to 19 (5 or 6 + 12 or 13). LL: 29 or 30. Distribution: northwestern Pacific — known only from off the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, Japan., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 572, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954

Plectranthias ahiahiata Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Pérez-Matus, & Rocha, 2018 Holotype: CAS 244172, 39.95 mm SL Type locality: Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island); 27°9′12″ S, 109°26′52″ W, depth 83 meters. Illustrations: Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Pérez-Matus, & Rocha, 2018, figs. 1–3. Counts: D: X, 18. A: III, 7. P: 18. C: 14 (7 + 7, branched). V: 26 (10+ 16). S: 3. GR: 17 (6 +11). LL: 31. CP: 16. Distribution: known only from the type locality, off Easter Island.., Published as part of Anderson, William D., 2022, Additions and emendations to the annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae), pp. 567-578 in Zootaxa 5195 (6) on page 569, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.6.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7223954

A second capture of the rare species Plectranthias klausewitzi, previously known for its only finding in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, was reported. A new specimen was caught north of the type locality, directly in the Red Sea. The species is endemic to the southern part of the Red Sea. A detailed illustrated description of a new specimen was given, the limits of variability of some diagnostic characters of the species are expanded.

A new perchlet, Plectranthias ryukyuensis, is described on the basis of four specimens (41.2–61.6 mm standard length: SL) from the Okinawa Islands, Japan. Plectranthias ryukyuensis can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: X, 15 or 16 dorsal-fin rays; 14 pectoral-fin rays, all unbranched; lateral line complete, with 29 or 30 pored scales; 3 scale rows above lateral line; 5 or 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek between eye and corner of preopercle; preopercle with two antrorse spines on ventral margin, 20–29 serrae on posterior margin; margins of subopercle and interopercle with a few serrae (weak in large individuals); minute flaps at tips of first to ninth dorsal-fin spines; caudal fin shallowly emarginate, with some ray branches distinctively elongated past fin margin; fourth dorsal-fin spine longest, its length 110.6–128.6% that of third spine; body pinkish-white with two longitudinal rows of irregular orange-red blotches on upper half of lateral surface when fresh (rows close together in smaller than ca. 50 mm SL), blotches interconnecting anteriorly on upper and lower rows, and posterior half of lower row; four faint orange-red vertical bands below lateral line on posterior half of body and two distinct yellow blotches on cheek in fresh specimens; body uniformly yellowish-brown with two longitudinal rows of irregular dark blotches on upper half of lateral surface in preserved specimens (faint in small specimens). A key to the Japanese species of Plectranthias is given.

Plectranthias longimanus (Weber) Figures 3A, 5B, 31���32; Tables 1���16, 24 Common name: Longfin Perchlet Pteranthias longimanus Weber 1913: 209, fig. 54 (type locality: Paternoster Islands, Indonesia). Plectranthias longimanus.��� Allen & Russell 1986: 85 (checklist, Scott Reef).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist).��� Allen et al. 2006: 990 (checklist).��� Moore et al. 2014: 182 (checklist).��� Anderson 2018: 30 (checklist).��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 26 (checklist). ��� Moore et al. 2020: appendix 1 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. longimanus from all other congeners: dorsal rays X,12���15; fourth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 12���13, all rays unbranched; lateral line incomplete, with 10���17 tubed scales; greatest body depth 32.3���39.9 % SL. Remarks. A small Plectranthias species (largest known specimen 29 mm SL; Heemstra & Randall 2009), P. longimanus is known in Australia from the Timor Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea and southern Queensland (Figure 32). Elsewhere it ranges widely throughout the Indo-west Pacific, from the east African coast to Tonga (Heemstra & Randall 2009, Randall et al. 2003). In their table 1 for western Indian Ocean Plectranthias, Heemstra & Randall (2009) gave a count of 15 branched caudal-fin rays for this species. In their account for the species, however, they gave a range of 13���15 branched caudal rays. All specimens examined by us had 13 (7+6) branched caudal rays. We add the following new observations: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16, rarely 10+17; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 9���10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 8���10; hypurals 1 and 2 represented by undifferentiated plate, other hypurals and parhypural autogenous (Figure 5B); well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 24. Plectranthias longimanus is very similar to P. nanus in coloration and most morphometric and meristic features. They are apparently unique within the genus in having hypurals 1 and 2 present as an undifferentiated plate (Figure 5B). This potential synapomorphy has not been found in other examined Plectranthias species, where instead the two hypurals are autogenous (Figure 5A). The two species are distinguished from each other by the following characters: number of pectoral rays (12���13 in P. longimanus versus 14���15, rarely 13 in P. nanus); number of tubed scales in the lateral line (12���17 versus 15���21); number of circumpeduncular scales (12 versus 12���15, usually 14); degree of development of serrations on the interopercle and subopercle (bones with 2���6 and 2���7 conspicuous serrations, respectively, versus each bone with 0���2 weak serrations; Figure 3); and body depth (greatest body depth 32.3���39.9 % SL and body depth at anal origin 27.1���32.0 % SL versus 29.4���33.3 % SL and 24.6���27.2 % SL, respectively). The two species also differ slightly in coloration. In particular, P. nanus is distinguished in having a pale bar on the caudal-fin base, edged posteriorly with a dark bar (or series of short bars). In contrast, P. longimanus has two dark basal spots on the caudal fin, which are edged dorsally and ventrally by pale spots (cf. Figures 31 and 39; see also Kawaji et al. 2019: fig. 4). As noted by Randall (1980), the two species appear to have different habitat requirements: P. longimanus appears to be found mostly around continental areas or larger islands, whereas P. nanus is restricted to smaller oceanic islands and reefs. However, the two species overlap in distribution in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef and northern Coral Sea and have been collected from the same rotenone stations (e.g. at Osprey Reef and Boot Reef, Coral Sea). Material examined. Australia. AMS I.19445-095, 2: 22.1���22.7 mm SL, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, channel between Yonge and Carter Reefs, 14��35���S, 145��36���E, 15 m, AMS team, 8 Nov 1975; AMS I.19472-121, 3: 22.6���24.2 mm SL (radiographs only), Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, north end of Yonge Reef, 14��35���S, 145��36���E, 7���15 m, AMS team, 23 Nov 1975; AMS I.22576-013, 2: 25.7���26.4 mm SL, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Escape Reef, middle of back reef edge, 15��50���S, 145��50���E, coral bommie on sand, 34 m, AMS team, 27 Oct 1981; AMS I.22613-016, 2: 17.0��� 24.8 mm SL, AMS I.22613-052, 20.3 mm SL (subsequently cleared and stained), Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Escape Reef North, back reef floor, 15��49���S, 145��50���E, coral and sand, 27 m, AMS team, 1 Nov 1981; AMS I.33711-062, 22.3 mm SL, far northern Great Barrier Reef lagoon, 1���2 nautical miles from outer reef, 10��34.48���S, 143��35.28���E, 14���15 m, AMS team, 16 Jan 1993; AMS I.33715-110, 24.7 mm SL, Coral Sea, Ashmore Reef, southeast corner of lagoon, 10��26.66���S, 144��26.82���E, 12���17 m, AMS team et al., 17 Jan 1993; NTM S.11373- 034, 25.4 mm SL, Western Australia, Scott Reef, east of Sandy Islet, 14��04���S, 121��47���E, 22���25 m, B.C. Russell, 8 Sep 1984; NTM S.11387-010, 14.9 mm SL, Western Australia, North Reef, east side, north of passage, 13��15���S, 121��54���E, 7���22 m, B.C. Russell, 12 Sep 1984; NTM S.13410-001, 18.2 mm SL, Western Australia, Cartier Reef, 12��31.4���S, 123��33.3���E, 12���23 m, J. Short, 7 May 1992; WAM P.28534-021, 22.8 mm SL, Great Barrier Reef, Ribbon Reefs, 14��58���S, 145��44���E, 25���40 m, G. R. Allen, 13 Nov 1985. Additional specimens identified for distribution information. AMS I.20937-027, 9.7 mm SL, Queensland, Haggerstone Island, 12��02���E, 143��17���E, 2���5 m, AMS team, 20 Feb 1979; AMS I.25107-071, 5: 13.6���17.0 mm SL, Coral Sea, Osprey Reef, west edge dropoff (13��56���S 146��34���E), 10���25 m, AMS team, 6 Nov 1984; AMS I.30465- 048, 2: 15.1���22.0 mm SL, Coral Sea, Holmes Reef, lee side, 16��30.5���S, 149��30.0���E, patch reef, 3���10 m, AMS Team; AMS I.33728-083, 4: 11.9���18.1 mm SL, Coral Sea, Ashmore Reef, northeast side, 10��09.52���S, 144��35.44���E, outer slope, 4���24 m, AMS team, 25 Jan 1993; AMS I.33747-053, 2: 10.0���16.0 mm SL, Coral Sea, Boot Reef, 09��58.70���S, 144��42.52���E, coral, sand and rubble, 23���30 m, AMS team, 27 Jan 1993; AMS I.33751-053, 20.0 mm SL, Coral Sea, Portlock Reef, east side of eastern reef in southern group, 09��35.19���S, 144��48.62���E, steep slope with coral, 5���31 m, AMS team, 29 Jan 1993; QM I.36357, 25.5 mm SL, Queensland, off Bunker Group, 23��49.5���S, 152��19.5���E, epibenthic sled, 50 m, Seabed Biodiversity Team, 23 May 2004; QM I.37740, 28.8 mm SL, Queensland, Stradbroke Island, off Point Lookout, Manta Ray Bommie, 27��25���S, 153��33���E, rotenone, 7���11 m, J. Johnson & M. Ekins, 14 Dec 2005., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 77-79, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Weber, M. (1913) Die Fische der Siboga-Expedition. E. J. Brill, Leiden, pp. i-xii + 1 - 710, pls. 1 - 12.","Allen, G. R. & Russell, B. C. (1986) Faunal survey of the Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef and Seringapatam Reef, north-western Australia. Part VII. Fishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 25, 75 - 103.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Moore, G. I., Morrison, S. M., Hutchins, J. B., Allen, G. R. & Sampey, A. (2014) Kimberley marine biota. Historical data: fishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 84, 161 - 204. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 84.2014.161 - 206","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Moore, G. I., Morrison, S. M. & Johnson, J. W. (2020) The distribution of shallow marine fishes of the Kimberley, Western Australia, based on a long-term dataset and multiple methods. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 85, 105 - 115, appendix tab. 1. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 85.2020.105 - 115","Heemstra, P. C. & Randall, J. E. (2009) A review of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) of the Western Indian Ocean, with description of a new species, and a key to the species. Smithiana Bulletin, 10, 3 - 17.","Randall, J. E., Williams, J. T., Smith, D. G., Kulbicki, M., Mou Tham, G., Labrosse, P., Kronen, M., Clua, E. & Mann, B. S. (2003) Checklist of the shore and epipelagic fishes of Tonga. Atoll Reseach Bulletin, 502, i-ii + 1 - 35. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00775630.502.1","Kawaji, Y., Senou, H., Muto, N. & Motomura, H. (2019) Records of three anthiadine species, Plectranthias longimanus, P. nanus, and P. winniensis, from Japanese waters, with morphological and genetic comparisons (Perciformes: Serranidae). Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 66, 137 - 154.","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187."]}

Plectranthias robertsi Randall & Hoese Figures 9, 42; Tables 1���16, 19 Common name: Filamentous Perchlet Plectranthias robertsi Randall & Hoese 1995: 328, fig. 2, table 1 (type locality, east of Hinchinbrook Island, Queensland).��� Allen et al. 2006: 991 (checklist).��� Last et al. 2014: 217 (list).��� Anderson 2018: 32 (checklist). ��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 29 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. robertsi from congeners: segmented dorsal rays 15; fourth or fifth dorsal-fin spine longest; pectoral rays 15���16, usually 16; lateral line complete, with 30���35 tubed scales; circumpeduncular scales 15���16; outer margin of preopercle with 26���52 serrae, and no enlarged antrorse serrations ventrally; scales present on maxilla; scales present on anguloarticular, none on dentary; gill rakers 5���8+13���16, usually 6���7+13���14. The species is also distinctive in having the posterior branch of the second segmented pelvic-fin ray filamentous, and a generally pale preserved coloration with dusky spots on the anterior few lateral-line scales. Remarks. Randall & Hoese (1995) described P. robertsi on the basis of the holotype and 32 paratypes from various localities off the Queensland coast (ranging from about 17�� to 23��S). Although Randall & Hoese described freshly dead coloration for the species based on a colour slide of one of their specimens, they did not publish the photo. We located three specimens from east of Rockingham Bay, two of which were photographed when fresh. We reproduce one of the photos here (Figure 42). Additional type and non-type specimens were examined from throughout the range of the species (Figure 9). We add the following new observations: scales with basal cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; 8���9 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17; 4���6 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 9���10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 9���10; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 19. Material examined. Queensland, Australia. AMS I.20968-003, 87.1 mm SL (holotype), east of Hinchinbrook Island, 18��03���S, 147��10���E, 357 m, prawn trawl, Australian Museum and Australian Institute of Marine Science team, 27 Feb 1979; AMS I.37598-006, 73.3 mm SL, east of Swains Reef, 21��48.44���S, 152��59.94���E to 22��00.58���S, 153��06.88���E, 201 m, trap, J. Lowry & K. Dempsey, FV Capricorn 1, 14 Sep 1995; AMS I.38088-013, 62.7 mm SL, east of Swains Reef, 21��50.99���S, 153��01.40���E to 21��59.4���S, 153��06.6���E, 199 m, bottom trawl, J.K. Lowry & K. Dempsey aboard FV Seadar Bay, 11 Sep 1995; CSIRO H 682-1, 78.8 mm SL (paratype), east of Dunk Island, 17��59.9���S, 147��02.9���E to 17��57.6���S, 147��00.3���E, 250���252 m, lobster trawl, RV Soela Station SO06-85/44, J. Stevens, 29 Nov 1985; CSIRO H 691-1, 81.0 mm SL (paratype), east of Dunk Island, 17��59.1���S, 147��09.6���E to 17��55.8���S, 147��06.9���E, 400���402 m, lobster trawl, RV Soela Station SO06-85/47, J. Stevens, 29 Nov 1985; CSIRO H 3645-13, 97.8 mm SL, CSIRO H 3645-14, 76.6 mm SL, CSIRO H 3645-15, 97.2 mm SL, east of Rockingham Bay, 18��01.5���S, 147��06.2���E to 18��05.9���S, 147��08.9���E, 239���266 m, demersal trawl, G. Yearsley, FRV Southern Surveyor, 30 Nov 1993 (field station number SS0793/ T4); CSIRO H 3644-14, 112.6 mm SL, east of Rockingham Bay, 17��56.4���S, 147��02.7���E to 17��59.7���S, 147��07.5���E, 303���320 m, demersal trawl, G. Yearsley, FRV Southern Surveyor, 30 Nov 1993 (field station number SS0793/ T3); NMV A 4504, 2: 73.3���89.7 mm SL, 95 km east of Dunk Island, 18��00���S, 147��02���E to 17��57���S, 146��59���E, 220 m, Engel trawl, RV Soela, 8 Jan 1986. Additional specimens identified for distribution information. Queensland, Australia. CSIRO H 719-12, 125 mm SL, CSIRO H 719-13, 105 mm SL, CSIRO H 719-14, 127 mm SL, CSIRO H 719-15, 127 mmm SL, CSIRO H 719-16, 122 mm SL, CSIRO H 719-17, 125 mm SL (paratypes), Capricorn Channel, southeast of Swain Reefs, 22��56.12���S, 153��00.13���E to 22��53.3���S, 152��59.3���E, 325���338 m, mud bottom, lobster trawl, RV Soela Station SO06-85/12, 18 Nov 1985; CSIRO H 690-01, 3: 70���89 mm SL (paratypes), west of Saumarez Reef, 21��33.4���S, 152��58.2���E to 21��31.1���S, 152��58.4���E, 239���247 m, RV Soela Station SO06-85/19, 28 Nov 1985; QM I.20024, 78.4 mm (paratype), Capricorn Channel, 22��51.7���S, 152��45.7���E, 261 m, trawl, RV Craigmin, 3 Oct 1980; QM I.24075, 2: 29���92 mm SL, east of Tully, Coral Sea, 17��57.06���S, 147��02.5���E, trawl 287���300m, Cidaris, 16 May1986; QM I.24145, 78 mm SL, east of Tully, Coral Sea, 17��55.38���S, 147��00���E, trawl 295���309m, Cidaris, 16 May 1986; QM I.24430, 30: 47���113 mm SL, QM I.24527, 3: 74���91 mm SL, QM I.24528, 15: 53���114 mm SL, QM I.24589, 2: 84���87 mm SL, Coral Sea, east of Innisfail, 17��38���S, 146��50���E, trawl 298���301m, Cidaris, 15 May 1986., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 102-103, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. & Hoese, D. F. (1995) Three new species of Australian fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae: Anthiinae). Records of the Australian Museum, 47, 327 - 335. https: // doi. org / 10.3853 / j. 0067 - 1975.47.1995.241","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Last, P. R., Pogonoski, J. P., Gledhill, D. C., White, W. T. & Walker, C. J. (2014) The deepwater demersal ichthyofauna of the western Coral Sea. Zootaxa, 3887, 191 - 224.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170."]}

Plectranthias maculicauda (Regan) Figures 32���33; Tables 1���16, 19, 21 Common name: Spot-tail Perchlet Serranops maculicauda Regan 1914: 15 (type locality: off North Cape, Aupori Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand). Plectranthias maculicauda.��� Randall 1980: 151 (New South Wales).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist).��� Allen et al. 2006: 990 (checklist).��� Williams et al. 2006: appendix 8: 29 (colour photos).��� Anderson 2018: 30 (checklist).��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 27 (checklist). Plectranthias cf. maculicauda.��� Kuiter 2004: 113 (regarded as distinct from New Zealand populations; colour figure, New South Wales). Diagnosis. A species of Plectranthias with the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15; pectoral rays 15, rarely 14 or 16; lateral line complete with 32���35 tubed scales; no antrorse serrations on lower edge of preopercle; scales with basal cteni; melanophores on caudal peduncle form a large (larger than pupil) dark spot mid-laterally. Remarks. Regan (1914) described Serranops maculicauda from nine syntypes collected off North Cape, New Zealand. Randall (1980) examined four of the syntypes and compared them with nine specimens from off New South Wales. He noted that the New Zealand specimens had more gill rakers than the New South Wales (7���8+17 versus 6���7+15). Kuiter (2004) recognised two species, based in part on Randall���s observed gill-raker count differences, and in part on apparent differences in live coloration. We refrain from further comment pending the completion of more detailed comparisons in progress by C.D. Roberts & A.C. Gill. We add the following new observations: scales with basal cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1/1+1/1+1; 0���2 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17���18; 1���5 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���6; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 12���13; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 19. Material examined. Australia. AMS I.20605-017, 54.4 mm SL, New South Wales, North Solitary Island, 29��54���S, 153��36���E, 106���113 m, prawn trawl, FRV Kapala, 2 Aug 1978; AMS I.23476-001, 6: 47.1���75.2 mm SL, east of Hat Head, 31��05���S, 153��13���E, 155 m, demersal prawn trawl, K. Graham, FRV Kapala, 24 Aug 1977; AMS I.23477-001, 58.0 mm SL (radiograph only), off North Solitary Island, 29��54���S, 153��36���E, 56���60 m, prawn trawl, FRV Kapala, 2 Aug 1978; AMS I.23713-004, 71.0 mm SL, New South Wales, east of Wooli, 29��56���S, 153��36���E, 121���128 m, demersal fish trawl, K.J. Graham, FRV Kapala, 17 Jul 1982 (field number K 82-13-01); AMS I.24437- 008, 62.1 mm SL, New South Wales, off Smoky Cape, 30��58���S, 153��13���E, 146���155 m, demersal fish trawl, K.J. Graham, FRV Kapala, 8 Aug 1983 (field number K 83-07-09); AMS I.26716-001, 94.5 mm SL, New South Walers, off Bass Point, 34��35���S, 151��07���E, 141���144 m, demersal fish trawl, K.J. Graham, FRV Kapala, 21 Nov 1985 (field number K 85-18-08); AMS I.42723-001, 67.6 mm SL, Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Rise, large seamount north of Middleton Reef, 29��13.12���S, 159��00.45���E, 292���330 m, NIWA epibenthic sled, NORFANZ team, R. V. Tangaroa, 21 May 2003 (TAN 0308-055); CSIRO H 3763-01, 50.7 mm SL, Victoria, Bass Strait, south of Lakes Entrance, 38��55.6���S, 148��27.7���E, 150���210 m, benthic sled, G. Yearsley, FRV Southern Surveyor, 26 Aug 1994 (field number SS0594/4); CSIRO H 4258-01, 44.5 mm SL, New South Wales, south of Green Cape, 37��21.23���S, 150��06.03���E to 37��20.1���S, 150��06.52���E, 90���94 m, epibenthic sled, R. Daley, FRV Southern Surveyor, 7 May 1996 (field number SS0296/185); CSIRO H 6159-02, 39.3 mm SL, Victoria, south of Cape Everard, 37��57.01���S, 149��14.53���E, 115 m, CSIRO, FRV Southern Surveyor, 26 Apr 2004 (field number SS0404/86). New Zealand. AIM MA2495, 83.9 mm SL, Northland, off North Cape, 34��26���S, 173��14���E, 143���165 m, RV Acheron, 20 Feb 1974. Additional specimens identified for distribution information. Australia. AMS I.35890-001, 30.0 mm SL, New South Wales, Taupo Seamount, 33��16.85���S, 156��09.15���E, 244 m, 1.2 m sled, J.K. Lowry, RV Franklin, 2 May 1989., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 80-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Regan, C. T. (1914) Diagnoses of new marine fishes collected by the British Antarctic (`Terra Nova') expedition. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 8, 13, 11 - 17. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222931408693450","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Williams, A., Gowlett-Holmes, K. & Althaus, F. (2006) Biodiversity survey of seamounts and slopes of the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise. Final Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage (National Oceans Office), i-vi + 1 - 203, Append. 1 - 8.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Kuiter, R. H. (2004) Basslets Hamlets and Their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Selected Serranidae and Plesiopidae. TMC Publishing, Chorleywood, 216 pp."]}

Plectranthias ferrugineus n. sp. Figures 17–18; Tables 1–17, 23 Common name: Rusty Perchlet Holotype. CSIRO H 8289-02, 37.6 mm SL, Australia, Western Australia, north of Dampier Archipelago, 19°26.78′S, 116°41.51′E to 19°26.97′S, 116°41.37′E, 103–106 m, benthic sled, CSIRO, RV Investigator, 27 Oct 2017 (IN2017 _ V05 /358, site W26). Paratypes. AMS I.48200-001, 36.6 mm SL, CSIRO H 8289-04, 41.9 mm SL, CSIRO H 8289-05, 3: 25.0– 35.8 mm SL, QM I.40892, 37.6 mm SL, WAM P.34819-001, 39.5 mm SL, all collected with holotype; NMV A 29686 -023, 6: 26.7–44.6 mm SL, Australia, Western Australia, Imperuse L23 transect, 18°25.52′S, 120°05.92′E to 18°26.2′S, 126°06.5′E, 103–105 m, beam trawl, M.F. Gomon, RV Southern Surveyor, 19 Jun 2007 (SS0507/85); NTM S.17033-001, 3: 34.0– 38.5 mm SL, Australia, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, south of Evans Shoal, 10°22.29′S, 129°31.57′E, 102–106 m, B. Glasby, R. V. Solander, 8 Aug 2010; WAM P.34794-004, 34.5 mm SL, Australia, Western Australia, Lynher Bank, 15°50.36′S, 121°31.34′E to 15°50.37′S, 121°31.28′E, 98–99 m, epibenthic sled, J. Fromont & J. Ritchie, RV Solander, 24 Oct 2016 (SOL1 /WA102); WAM P.34795-003, 32.3 mm SL, Australia, Western Australia, Lynher Bank, 15°29.62′S, 121°38.17′E to 15°29.58′S, 121°38.21′E, 95–96 m, epibenthic sled, J. Fromont & J. Ritchie, RV Solander, 25 Oct 2016 (SOL52 /WA103). Non-types. NMV A 29690 -002, 5: 22.1–33.0 mm SL, Australia, Western Australia, Mermaid L 24 transect, 17°46.10′S, 120°43.15′E to 17°45.95′S, 120°42.93′E, 97–109 m, Sherman sled, FRV Southern Surveyor, 20 Jun 2007 (SS0507/97); NMV A 29707 -001, 32.5 mm SL, Western Australia, Broome L 25 transect, 16°45.15′S, 121°02.80′E to 16°44.60′S, 121°02.20′E, 100–108 m, FRV Southern Surveyor, 30 Jun 2007 (SS0507/116). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. ferrugineus from congeners: dorsal fin with 14–16, modally 15 segmented dorsal rays; fourth dorsal spine longest; pectoral fin with 13–14 unbranched rays; lateral line complete with 27–30 tubed scales; lower part of preopercle with two enlarged antrorse spines; predorsal scales extending anteriorly to anterior part of interorbital area. Description. Dorsal rays X,14 (X,14–16), all (all or all but first) segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 13/13 (13–14), all rays unbranched; pelvic fin I,5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6 (5–6); lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 5 (5–6); principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; branched caudal fin rays 7+7 (7+6–7); total caudal-fin rays 28 (27–29); lateral line complete with 29/? (27–30) scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 3/3 (2–3); scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 2/2 (1–2); scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 11/11 (10–12); diagonal rows of scales on cheek 5 (5–7); predorsal scales 19 (15–22); circumpeduncular scales 16 (14–16); gill rakers 6+12 (4–7+11–14=16–20), the upper 4–6 and lower 2–6 rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 8 (8–14); branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9–13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1 (1/1/1+1/1+1/1, 1/1/1+1/1/1+1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1); no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17 (18); no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4 (4–5); ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 12 (11–12); parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10 (Figure 17B). At least some dorsal-fin spines with short fleshy tabs on their distal tips (poorly preserved in all specimens, but apparent on at least some spines of several specimens); fourth dorsal spine longest, though sometimes subequal to third or fifth spine; dorsal fin incised before first segmented-fin ray (tenth spine 45–61% length of first segmented ray); soft dorsal rounded with third to eighth segmented ray longest; second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin rounded with second or third segmented ray longest; caudal fin weakly emarginate with short filamentous extension of upper lobe; lower 7 or 8 pectoral fin rays slightly thickened, with membranes between thickened rays incised; eighth or ninth (counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through posterior edge of anal-fin base; pelvic fins short, not reaching anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 23. ......continued on the next page Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching vertical through posterior edge of eye; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; supramaxilla present or absent, when present small and splint-like; upper jaw with band of villiform teeth, 6–7 rows wide anteriorly, reducing to 2–3 rows posteriorly, with pair of canine teeth at front of jaw, and sometimes with 1 or more stout caniniform teeth on inner part of band at symphysis; lower jaw with band of villiform teeth, 4–5 rows wide at symphysis, reducing to single row posteriorly, with 1–3 enlarged canine teeth on mid-side of jaw; vomer with V-shaped band of 2 rows of sharp-tipped conical teeth; palatine with a band of 1–2 rows of small, sharp-tipped conical teeth; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines (one paratype with 4 spines on one side, owing to doubling of lower spine), middle spine longest, upper spine partially concealed by scales; preopercle an open groove, with about 12–20 weak serrations or crenulations on inner margin of groove, 16–29 serrations on vertical portion of outer margin, and 2 flat, antrorse spines on horizontal portion of outer margin; interopercle with 1–8 indistinct to distinct serrations; subopercle with 3–7 indistinct to distinct serrations; posttemporal with 1–4 irregular serrations. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with small flap on posterior rim, overlapping posterior nostril when depressed; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with peripheral cteni only; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudal-fin base; predorsal scales extending anteriorly to anterior part of interorbital area at vertical through anterior edge of pupil to anterior edge of eye (one paratype with small scales extending farther to posterior nostrils on lateral part of snout); no scales on chin, branchiostegal membranes, infraorbital bones, maxilla, mandibles or snout; no auxiliary scales on head or body; dorsal fin with intermittent row of scales along base of fin; anal fin with low scaly sheath basally, with some small scales extending on to fin membranes anteriorly; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life (based on colour photographs of holotype and paratype in CSIRO H 8289-04 when freshly dead; Figure 17A): head and body pale tan; head with red-ochre blotches dorsally and yellow to red-ochre blotches ventrally; anterior part of jaws red-ochre; iris red-ochre, with four dark grey spots or short streaks, two in front of pupil and two behind pupil; nape red-ochre; five red-ochre blotches on dorsal part of body above lateral line, first beneath fifth and sixth dorsal-fin spines, second beneath seventh to ninth dorsal-fin spines, third beneath second and fourth segmented dorsal-fin rays, fourth beneath seventh to ninth segmented dorsal-fin rays, fifth beneath twelfth to fourteenth segmented dorsal-fin ray; a series of five ochre-red blotches immediately beneath lateral line, first beneath fifth to seventh dorsal-fin spines, second beneath eighth dorsal-fin spine and fourth segmented dorsal-fin rays, third beneath fifth to tenth segmented dorsal-fin rays, fourth just behind dorsal-fin termination, fifth on middle part of caudal peduncle; remainder of body with indistinct yellow- to red-ochre blotches and irregular markings; spinous dorsal pinkish to yellowish hyaline with one or two small reddish brown to dark grey spots on distal half of each fin spine, and indistinct dusky grey blotch between seventh and eighth fin spines; soft dorsal and remaining fins yellowish hyaline, sometimes dusky grey distally; caudal-fin base with red-ochre central spot and ventral bar. Colour in preservative: similar to live coloration; blotches on body remain, though less distinct. Habitat and distribution. This species is known only from beam trawls and sled captures on the North West Shelf, off Western Australia, eastwards to the Arafura Sea, Northern Territory, at a very narrow depth range of 95 to 109 m (Figure 18). Video camera footage from the type locality showed the habitat to consist of low relief silty sand/mud with dense patches of crinoids and erect, cup-shaped sponges. Comparisons. The combination of 14–16 segmented dorsal-fin rays, fourth dorsal spine longest, pectoral fin with 13–14 unbranched rays, lateral line complete with 27–30 tubed scales, and lower part of preopercle with 2 enlarged antrorse spines separates P. ferrugineus from all other described Plectranthias species except P. ryukyuensis Wada, Susuki, Senou & Motomura, 2020 and P. sagamiensis (Katayama, 1964). The former species was described from four specimens (41.2–61.6 mm SL) from the Okinawa Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Our comparisons with that species are based on data provided by Wada et al., as well as our original observations on a 70.5 mm SL specimen from Okinawa, obtained through the Singapore aquarium trade (AMS I.49477-001; Figure 19). Our comparisons with P. sagamiensis are based on Wada et al. ’s data from available type specimens from Sagami Bay, Honshu (including the holotype), and additional non-type specimens from various localities in Japan (total 22 specimens, 35.5–57.3 mm SL). Plectranthias ferrugineus differs from P. ryukyuensis in having longer third and fourth dorsalfin spines (16.4–21.3 and 19.0–24.1% SL, respectively, versus 14.4–16.5 and 17.7–18.6 % SL), and a longer first anal spine (7.4–9.4 % SL versus 5.8–7.5 % SL). It differs from P. sagamiensis in having fewer dorsal segmented rays (14–16, with a strong mode of 15, versus 15–16, usually 16) and larger eye (orbit diameter 13.1–15.4 versus 10.7–12.7 % SL). Wada et al. (2020) recorded P. sagamienis from Indonesia and the Philippines, based on previous records by Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola (1984) and Iwamoto & McCosker (2014), respectively. They did not, however, examine specimens from outside of Japan. We consider the identity of the Indonesian and Philippine specimens unresolved, that they possibly represent undescribed new species. Gill & Psomadakis (2018) reported on a specimen from off Myanmar as P. sp. 1, noting that it was very similar to both P. sagamiensis and P. ferrugineus (the latter referred to as “an undescribed species from the North-west Shelf of Australia ”). The specimen differs variously from P. ferrugineus, P. ryukuensis and P. sagamiensis in having a larger head (50.2 % SL, versus 41.8–45.7 % SL in P. ferrugineus, 44.3–45.9 % SL in P. ryukuensis and 41.8–45.2 % SL in P. sagamiensis), a deeper body (greatest body depth 44.4 % SL versus 32.4–44.5 % SL in P. ferrugineus, 36.3–39.3% SL in P. ryukuensis and 21.5–27.8 % SL in P. sagamiensis) and longer pelvic fins (33.3 % SL, versus 26.3–34.3 % SL in P. ferrugineus, 26.0–27.6 % SL in P. ryukuensis and 21.5–27.8 % SL in P. sagamiensis). Although all four species have similar colour patterns, the markings appear to be generally paler in P. ferrugineus than the other species. However, this may reflect differences in mood or stress of specimens. Plectranthias sagamiensis, for example, can rapidly change coloration, such that the posterior part of the body becomes much paler (Figure 20). Wada et al. (2020) noted similar coloration changes in P. ryukyuensis. Remarks. The specific epithet is from the Latin, meaning rust coloured, and alludes to the freshly dead coloration. A relatively small species, largest specimen examined 44.6 mm SL. A 34.0 mm SL paratype in NTM S.17033- 001 is a gravid female.

Plectranthias sp. 1 Figures 6–7; Tables 1–16, 18 Plectranthias sp. A.— Williams et al. 2006: appendix 8: 29 (colour photo). Diagnosis. Distinguished from all other known Plectranthias species in having the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15; fourth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 13, all unbranched; lateral line complete, with 29-30 scales; predorsal scales extend anteriorly only to middle of interorbital (above vertical through mid-pupil); at least some anterior scales with basal cteni; ventral edge of preopercle with two enlarged antrorse serrations. Remarks. This species has similar fresh coloration to several other species, including P. wheeleri, P. helenae Randall (1980), P. maekawa Wada, Senou & Motomura (2018) and P. purpuralepis Tang & Ho (2020). It is readily distinguished from these species in having the fourth (versus third) dorsal spine longest, and 13 unbranched pectoral rays (versus mostly branched rays, 13 in P. wheeleri, 14 in P. helenae and P. maekawa, and 14–15 in P. purpuralepis). It further differs from P. purpuralepis in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (15 versus 16–17) and fewer tubed lateral-line scales (29–30 versus 33–36). The purple-grey blotches on the head and body following preservation are unusual for the genus. Similar coloration is otherwise known only from P. purpuralepis from Taiwan and represents a possible synapomorphy. If so, the two species display an anti-equatorial distribution pattern (Randall 1982). Our account for this species is based on a specimen collected in 298–307 m from a large seamount north of Middleton Reef on the Lord Howe Rise (Figure 7). The specimen is distorted, with its head displaced upwards and mouth wide open. Although an attempt was made to correct for distortion, some morphometric data for the specimen may not be accurate (Table 18). The species also occurs on the Norfolk and Kermadec Ridges (Williams et al. 2006; C.D. Roberts, pers. comm.), and will be formally described by C.D. Roberts and A.C. Gill, based on specimens from the Kermadec Islands. Material examined. AMS I.42721-003, 80 mm SL, Australia, Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Rise, large, flat-topped seamount north of Middleton Reef, hard seabed habitat, with large boulders encrusted with sponges and corals, 29°13.09′S, 158°59.85′E, 298–307 m, Sherman sled, R. V. Tangaroa, NORFANZ Team, 20 May 2003 (field number TAN 0308/049)., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 32-33, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Williams, A., Gowlett-Holmes, K. & Althaus, F. (2006) Biodiversity survey of seamounts and slopes of the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise. Final Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage (National Oceans Office), i-vi + 1 - 203, Append. 1 - 8.","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Wada, H., Senou, H. & Motomura, H. (2018) Plectranthias maekawa, a new species of perchlet from Tokara Islands, Kagoshima, Japan, with a review of Japanese records of P. wheeleri (Serranidae: Anthiadinae). Ichthyological Research, 66, 269 - 279. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10228 - 018 - 0674 - z","Tang, C. N., Lai, N. W. & Ho, H. C. (2020) Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov., a new anthiine perchlet from northern Taiwan (Perciformes: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4780 (3), 508 - 522. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4780.3.4","Randall, J. E. (1982) Examples of antitropical and antiequatorial distribution of Indo-west-Pacific fishes. Pacific Science, 35, 197 - 209."]}

Plectranthias grahami n. sp. Figures 9, 22; Tables 1–16, 18 Common name: Graham’s Perchlet Holotype. AMS I.18855-003, 122.5 mm SL, Australia, Tasman Sea, New South Wales, east of Bulli, 34°18′S, 151°26′E, 457–485 m, demersal prawn trawl, K. Graham, FRV Kapala, 20 Aug 1975 (field number K 75-05-06). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. grahami from all congeners: dorsal rays X,15; pectoral rays 18; lateral-line scales 41–42; and gill rakers 6+13. Description. Dorsal rays X,15, all segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 18/18, upper ray unbranched; pelvic fin I,5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 8; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 7; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; branched caudal fin rays 8+7; total caudal-fin rays 32; lateral line complete with 41/42 scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 5/5; scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 3/3; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 15/16; diagonal rows of scales on cheek 9; predorsal scales 42, extending to upper lip; circumpeduncular scales 18; gill rakers 6+13, the upper 4 and lower 2 rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 19; branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10+17; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9–13 1/1/1/1+1/1+1; 0 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; 2 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 12; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near vertebra 10 (Figure 22B). Dorsal-fin spines with short fleshy tabs on their distal tips; fourth dorsal spine longest; dorsal fin incised before first segmented-fin ray, the tenth spine 53.9% length of first segmented ray; second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin rounded with second segmented ray longest; caudal fin weakly emarginate (lower part of fin damaged); lower 9 pectoral fin rays slightly thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; 11th (counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through base of third anal-fin spine; pelvic fins short, almost reaching anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 18. Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching vertical through middle of pupil; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; small splint-like supramaxilla present; mouth terminal; upper jaw with 2 fixed, short stout outer canines on either side of symphysis, flanked internally by villiform band with about 8 rows of depressible, smaller, sharp-tipped teeth, with inner rows becoming progressively longer and caniniform near symphysis, band reducing to 2 rows posteriorly, the teeth on outer row largest; lower jaw with 2 stout canines at front of jaw, a band of villiform band of about 6 rows of small depressible teeth at symphysis, teeth becoming progressively longer on inner rows near symphysis, 3 enlarged, curved canines on middle of jaw, band narrows to single row posteriorly; vomer with V-shaped band of 3–4 rows of sharp-tipped conical teeth; palatine with a band of 2–3 rows of small, sharp-tipped conical teeth; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine concealed by scales; preopercle with 20 serrations on posterior margin and 4 weak serrations or crenulations on ventral margin; interopercle with 0–2 crenulae; subopercle with 0–3 crenulae; posttemporal with 0–2 weak serrations. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with small flap on posterior rim, flap reaching anterior margin of posterior nostril when depressed; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with basal cteni; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudalfin base; scales present on lower part of maxilla, all infraorbitals except first, and upper part of snout; no scales on chin, mandibles, branchiostegal membranes, or lower part of snout; no auxiliary scales on head or body; dorsal fin with intermittent row of scales along base of spinous part of fin, and broad sheath of scales on soft part of fin; anal fin with broad scaly sheath basally; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life: Not known Colour in preservative (Figure 22A): Head, body and fins mostly pale tan; broad blackish brown wedge extending from middle of dorsal fin (from bases of tenth spine through fourth segmented ray) down to about 6 rows below lateral line; indistinct small (subequal to pupil) grey-brown spot mid-laterally on posterior end of caudal peduncle, this extending slightly on to base of caudal fin; blackish brown wedge on body extending onto basal half of adjacent part of dorsal fin Habitat and distribution. Known only from the holotype, trawled in 457–485 m off Bulli, New South Wales, Australia (Figure 9). Comparisons. Plectranthias grahami has a relatively high number of lateral-line scales, which is approached or equalled by only a handful of species: P. kelloggi from the Hawaiian Ridge and southern Emperor Seamount Chain with 34–38; P. randalli Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1980 from the Chesterfield Islands, Sulawesi and Taiwan with 37–39; P. taylori Randall, 1980 from the Phoenix Islands with 40–41; P. exsul Heemstra & Anderson, 1983 from the Juan Fernández Islands with 40–46; P. parini Anderson & Randall, 1991 from Easter Island and the Sala y Gómez Ridge with 37–40; and P. nazcae Anderson, 2008 from the Nazca Ridge with 36–42. Plectranthias grahami is distinguished from: P. kelloggi in having more pectoral rays (18 versus 14–16) and different head scalation (mandible without scales versus with scales); P. randalli in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (15 versus 16–17) and more pectoral rays (18 versus 14); P. taylori in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (15 versus 18), more pectoral rays (18 versus 14) and different ornamentation of the ventral ridge of the preopercle (four weak crenulations versus two broad antrorse spines); P. exsul in having more pectoral rays (18 versus 16–17) and fewer circumpeduncular scales (18 versus 20–22); P. parini in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (15 versus 16), more pectoral rays (18 versus 15–16) and fewer gill rakers (6+13 versus 8+18–20); P. nazcae in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (15 versus 16), more pectoral rays (18 versus 16–17) and fewer gill rakers (6+13 versus 7–10+19–22). The preserved coloration and vertebral count (10+17 versus 10+16) also distinguish P. grahami from these species. Remarks. The specific epithet is for Ken Graham, who collected the holotype, and has contributed extensively to our knowledge of New South Wales trawl fishes and invertebrates. He noted (pers. comm.) that this is the only specimen of the species he has ever collected, despite several decades of extensive exploratory trawling in similar depths off the New South Wales coast. As noted under Remarks for Plectranthias, this species resembles Hypoplectrodes, Epinephelides and Othos in having 27 vertebrae, and a justification might be made for placement of the species in one or other of those genera. However, it differs from those three genera in having weak crenulations on the ventral margin of the preopercle (versus 2 large antrorse serrations in Epinephelides, 1 small antrorse serration in Othos and either 1–3 enlarged antrorse or 4 enlarged retrorse serrations in Hypoplectrodes); scales on the maxilla (versus maxilla without scales in Epinephelides and Hypoplectrodes); the upper part of the snout fully scaled (versus anterior part of snout without scales in Epinephelides and Hypoplectrodes); 15 segmented dorsal rays (versus 20–21 in Epinephelides, 18–19 in Othos and 16–22 in Hypoplectrodes); 7 segmented anal rays (versus 7–8, usually 8 in Epinephelides, 8 in Othos, and 7–9, usually 8 in all Hypoplectrodes except H. annulatus with 7–8, usually 7) and 41–42 tubed lateral-line scales (versus around 70 in Epinephelides, 81–87 in Othos and 38–65 in Hypoplectrodes, with only four of the 11 species having 42 or fewer tubed scales). Plectranthias grahami further differs from all three genera in having 1/1/1/1+1/1+1 dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9–13 (versus usually 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1, rarely 1/1/1+1/1+1/1 for the other genera). In this latter character, P. grahami more closely resembles certain other Plectranthias species, such as P. alleni, P. azumanus, P. maculicauda, P. melanesius, P. kelloggi and P. exsul., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 63-65, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Fourmanoir, P. & Rivaton, J. (1980) Plectranthias randalli n. sp., un nouveau serranide (anthiine) du sud-ouest Pacifique. Revue francaise d'Aquariologie Herpetologie, 7, 27 - 28.","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Heemstra, P. C. & Anderson, W. D. Jr. (1983) A new species of the serranid fish genus Plectranthias (Pisces: Perciformes) from the southeastern Pacific Ocean, with comments on the genus Ellerkeldia. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 96, 632 - 637.","Anderson, W. D. Jr & Randall, J. E. (1991) A new species of the anthiine genus Plectranthias (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Sala y Gomez Ridge in the eastern South Pacific, with comments on P. exsul. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 104, 335 - 343.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2008) A new species of the perciform fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) from the Nazca Ridge in the eastern South Pacific. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 121, 429 - 437. https: // doi. org / 10.2988 / 08 - 15.1"]}

Plectranthias mcgroutheri n. sp. Figures 34���35; Tables 1���17, 26���27 Common name: McGrouther���s Perchlet Plectranthias wheeleri [non Randall 1980].��� Allen 1985: 2508 (checklist, Western Australia).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist, North West Shelf, Australia).��� Baldwin & Johnson 1993: 244 (list of comparative specimens).��� Hutchins 2001: 30 (checklist).��� Allen et al. 2006: 991 (checklist). ��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 30 (checklist; in part). Holotype. AMS I.22828-010, 74. 0 mm SL, Australia, North West Shelf, 190 km northwest of Port Hedland, 19��01���S, 117��12���E, 200���202 m, Engel trawl, M. McGrouther & J. R. Paxton aboard RV Soela, 14 Apr 1982. Paratypes. AMS. I22828 -034, 76 mm SL (cleared and stained), collected with holotype; AMS I.22828-035, 5: 49.9���68.6 mm SL, collected with holotype; CSIRO H 6378-20, 59.2 mm SL, CSIRO H 6378-21, 2: 32.6���42.0 mm SL, CSIRO H 6378-22, 2: 24.1���31.6 mm SL, Western Australia, west of Exmouth Gulf, 21��59.17���S, 113��49.20���E to 21��59.79���S, 113��49.14���E, 165���166 m, beam trawl, FRV Southern Surveyor, 11 Dec 2005 (SS1005/153); NMV A 29687 -009, 63.4 mm SL, Australia, Western Australia, Mermaid L24 transect, 17��29.23���S 120��27.63���E to 17��29.72���S 120��28.07���E, 184���187 m, beam trawl, M.F. Gomon aboard RV Southern Surveyor, 20 June 2007; WAM P.35175- 001, 55.3 mm SL, collected with CSIRO H 6378-20, CSIRO H 6378-21 and CSIRO H 6378-22. Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. mcgroutheri from congeners: segmented dorsal rays 16; third dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 14, with all but uppermost branched in adults; lateral line complete, consisting of 27���30 tubed scales; no scales on maxilla, mandibles or lower part of snout; lower part of preopercle with two enlarged antrorse serrations; head length 41.9���44.7 % SL; snout length 7.1���9.2 % SL. Description. Dorsal rays X,16, all segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 14/14, all rays unbranched; pelvic fin I,5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 7 (6���7); lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 7 (5���7); principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; branched caudal fin rays?+? (8+7); total caudal-fin rays 31 (29���31); lateral line complete with 28/30 (27���30) scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 3/3 (3���4); scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 2/2 (2���4); scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 11/11 (11���12); diagonal rows of scales on cheek 9 (7���9), including 1 (1���2) over preopercular canal; predorsal scales 24 (21���28), extending to middle to anterior nostrils; circumpeduncular scales 14 (13���15); gill rakers 5+10 (5���6+10���13=15���19), the upper 4 (4���5) and lower 3 (2���5) rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 18 (15���20); branchiostegal rays 7. ......continued on the next page Vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1 (1/1/1+1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1); no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18 (17���18); no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5 (4���5); ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 13 (12���13); parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10 (Figure 34B). Dorsal-fin spines with fleshy tabs on their distal tips, the tab on third spine longest and pennant-like; third dorsal spine longest (fourth spine slightly longer in 24.1 mm SL paratype); dorsal fin incised before first segmented-fin ray (tenth spine 52.1���64.9 % length of first segmented ray); second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin pointed, second or third segmented ray longest; caudal fin emarginate; lower 8 pectoral fin rays thickened, with membranes between thickened rays incised; eighth (seventh to ninth counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through middle of anal-fin base; pelvic fins short, not reaching anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 26. Mouth large, reaching or almost reaching vertical through posterior margin of orbit; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin, small splint-like supramaxilla present; mouth terminal; upper jaw with pair of fixed outer canines at front, a band of depressible teeth 5���6 rows at symphysis, reducing to 3���4 rows wide posteriorly, the outer row slightly enlarged, and inner teeth in band across front of jaw enlarged and caniniform; lower jaw with 5 rows of teeth at front of jaw, reducing to a single row posteriorly, the teeth in band near symphysis slightly curved, with 1-2 enlarged in outer row on middle of jaw; vomer with 2���3 rows of small conical teeth arranged in a chevron; palatine with a band of 2���3 rows of small conical teeth; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue edentate, slender with rounded tip. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest; preopercle with 10���27 serrations on posterior border, those nearest the angle largest, with an additional 2 enlarged antrorse serrations on ventral border; interopercle with 1���8 usually strong serrations; subopercle with 1���7 usually strong serrations. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with small flap on posterior rim; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim, sometimes with small flap anteriorly. Scales ctenoid with peripheral cteni; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudal-fin base; no scales on chin, branchiostegal membranes, maxilla or snout; no auxiliary scales on head or body; soft dorsal and anal fins with low scaly sheaths basally, with some small scales extending on to fin membranes; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life (based on colour photos of 63.4 mm SL paratype when freshly dead (Figure 34C) and of 59.2 mm SL paratype after five years frozen): head and body tan to pale pink; snout, nape and dorsal part of head red to orange-red; posterior part of preopercle and adjacent part of operculum mauve to dusky purple; area behind and narrowly below eye mauve to dusky purple; pectoral base and ventral contour of breast pale pink to dusky purple; lower part of abdomen pale tan or pale pink to white; small dusky purple spot over anus; red to orange-red roughly wedgeshaped blotch extending from beneath anterior half of dorsal base to mid-side; second roughly wedge-shaped, broad red to orange blotch extending from between bases of about seventh dorsal spine and seventh segmented dorsal ray to anterior third of anal-fin base; caudal peduncle and posterior part of body behind red wedge pale pink to reddish tan; a column of three to five small, equally spaced bright yellow to red spots on posterior part of caudal peduncle, just anterior to caudal base, with an additional small yellow to red spot about midway along caudal peduncle, just above ventral border, and several additional yellow to red spots over posterior few lateral-line scales; 59.2 mm SL paratype with additional bright yellow spots scattered over head and body; pectoral fins bright yellow, with orangered spot over upper half of basal part of fin; remaining fins bright yellow, reddish orange distally. Colour in preservative: Pale tan, sometimes with dusky grey markings on nape; wedge-shaped blotches beneath dorsal-fin base may be indistinctly present, dusky grey; tips of fleshy tabs on dorsal-fin spines dusky brown. Habitat and distribution. Known only from the holotype and six paratypes trawled in 200���202 m, 190 km northwest of Port Hedland, Western Australia, a paratype trawled in 184���187 m, 190 km west of Broome, Western Australia, and six paratypes trawled in 166 m, west of Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia (Figure 35). Specimens of P. lasti were also collected in the first-mentioned trawl. No other details on habitat are available. Comparisons. Plectranthias mcgroutheri is similar to P. knappi Randall, 1996 from the Visayan Sea, Philippines, and keys to that species using Randall���s (1996) key. It is also close to P. maekawa Wada, Senou & Motomura, 2018 from the Tokara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The three species are unique within the genus in having the following combination of characters: segmented dorsal rays 16 (15���16 in P. maekawa); third dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 14, most rays branched; lateral line complete, consisting of 27���30 tubed scales; no scales on maxilla, mandibles or lower part of snout; and lower part of preopercle with two enlarged antrorse serrations. Comparisons between the three species are difficult as P. knappi remains known only from the 66 mm SL holotype and P. maekawa is known only from the 58.2 mm SL holotype and two paratypes (62.3���65.7 mm SL). However, the three species appear to differ substantially in various morphometric details (Table 27). In addition to those characters, P. knappi appears to have a longer dorsal-fin base than the other two species. Randall���s (1996) value of 33.5 % SL for the dorsal-fin base of P. knappi is obviously in error. His figure 2 of the holotype indicates a value of ca 58.5 % SL, which is substantially higher than recorded for P. mcgroutheri (47.2���54.5 % SL) or P. maekawa (49.4���51.2 % SL). Comparison of mitochondrial COI barcode DNA sequences with available sequences for other Plectranthias provided a closest match with P. retrofasciatus (5% uncorrected difference). The two species have similar live colorations, particularly in having wedge-shaped red markings extending from the dorsal-fin base. They are distinguished by pectoral ray counts (14 in P. mcgroutheri versus 13 in P. retrofasciatus) and lower jaw dentition (inner row of teeth not enlarged versus enlarged). Allen (1985) and subsequent authors have identified the AMS type specimens of P. mcgroutheri as P. wheeleri. The two species are distinguished by their pectoral ray counts (14 in P. mcgroutheri versus 13 in P. wheeleri), and live coloration (see Wada et al., 2018: fig. 5). Remarks. The specific epithet is for our friend and colleague Mark McGrouther, former collections manager at AMS, who collected the holotype and six of the paratypes, in recognition of his contribution to Australian ichthyology and support given to all the authors over an extended timeframe. A moderate-sized Plectranthias species, largest specimen 76 mm SL. Allen���s (1985) identification of the AMS types of this species forms the sole basis for records of P. wheeleri from Australia. The latter species therefore should be removed from Australian faunal lists. Although the record of P. wheeleri in Allen & Swainston (1988) and subsequent editions pertains to this species, the accompanying illustration appears to be based on true P. wheeleri., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 81-87, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Allen, G. R. (1985) Fishes of Western Australia. In: Burgess, W. E. & Axelrod, H. R. (Eds.), Pacific Marine Fishes. Book 9. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, pp. 2207 - 2534.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Baldwin, C. C. & Johnson, G. D. (1993) Phylogeny of the Epinephelinae (Teleostei: Serranidae). Bulletin of Marine Science, 51, 240 - 283.","Hutchins, J. B. (2001) Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 63, 9 - 50. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 63.2001.009 - 050","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Randall, J. E. (1996) Two new anthiine fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae), with a key to the species. Micronesica, 29, 113 - 131.","Wada, H., Senou, H. & Motomura, H. (2018) Plectranthias maekawa, a new species of perchlet from Tokara Islands, Kagoshima, Japan, with a review of Japanese records of P. wheeleri (Serranidae: Anthiadinae). Ichthyological Research, 66, 269 - 279. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10228 - 018 - 0674 - z","Allen, G. R. & Swainston, R. (1988) The Marine Fishes of North-western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth, 201 pp."]}

Plectranthias inermis Randall Figures 5A, 23; Tables 1���16, 24 Common name: Checkered Perchlet Plectranthias inermis Randall 1980: 135, fig. 11, tab. 9 (type locality: Caban Island, Batangas, Luzon, Philippines; paratypes from Christmas Island).��� Allen & Steene 1988: 180 (checklist, Christmas Island).��� Allen 2000: 87 (checklist, Christmas Island).��� Hobbs et al. 2014a: 194, tab. 1 (checklist, Christmas Island).��� Anderson 2018: 28 (checklist). ��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 26 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. inermis from congeners: segmented dorsal rays 16���18; third dorsal spine longest, 15.6���18.8 % SL; lateral line complete, interrupted or incomplete, consisting of 12���28 tubed scales; predorsal scales extend anteriorly to middle or posterior interorbital (at point ranging from vertical through posterior edge of orbit to vertical through middle of pupil); preopercle with 3���11 weak serrations on posterior (vertical) edge and 0���2 weak serrations on ventral edge (none antrorse). Remarks. A relatively small species (largest specimen 44.8 mm SL, Heemstra 1980), P. inermis is known in Australia only from Christmas Island. Elsewhere it is widely distributed, ranging from Mauritius in the western Indian Ocean to Fiji in the Pacific (Randall 1980; Heemstra 1996; Heemstra & Randall 2009). Its small size and bright coloration make it desirable as an aquarium fish, and it frequently enters the aquarium trade, often under the names ���Geometric Perchlet��� or ���Geometric Hawkfish��� (a misnomer, resulting from confusion with members of the superficially similar Cirrhitidae). Two specimens were obtained by the first author through the US aquarium trade, and subsequently cleared and stained (Taylor & van Dyke 1985). The two specimens form the basis of our summary of osteological features of the species, as radiographs of other specimens lacked adequate detail. Randall (1980, 1996) reported this species as having an incomplete lateral line. However, Heemstra (1996) and Heemstra & Randall (2009) later reported that the species may have an interrupted or complete lateral line. Several specimens examined in this study also have interrupted or complete lateral lines, which consist of 12���28 tubed scales. Katayama & Masuda (1980) described P. altipinnatus from the holotype from the Izu Peninsula, Japan. They compared the species only with P. morgansi (Smith, 1961) from east Africa. However, the species is clearly more closely related to P. inermis, having similar meristic and morphometric details, an elongate third dorsal spine bearing a pennant-like filament, and weak serrations on the preopercle. The two species differ in live coloration details (cf. Figures 23A and 24): P. inermis has a red and white checkered pattern on the body, with the pattern extending on to the posterior abdomen, anal-fin base and caudal peduncle; in contrast, in P. altipinnatus, the upper body is mostly red, from which extend 4���5 short red to yellow bars, with five short red bars ventrally (one on mid-abdomen, one near the anal-fin origin, one near the anal-fin termination, and two on the caudal peduncle). However, a detailed morphological comparison of the two nominal species is required. We have not attempted such a comparison in the present study. We add the following new observations for P. inermis: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1/1+1, 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1+1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 11; parhypural and hypurals autogenous (Figure 5A); well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 24. Material examined. No data. AMS I.45300-250, 2: 28.0���30.0 mm SL (cleared and stained), no data (ex-aquarium specimens). Christmas Island, Australia . WAM P.26125-008, 25.5 mm SL (paratype), Flying Fish Cove, 10��29���S, 105��40���E, 55���65 m, G. R. Allen & R.C. Steene, 12 Apr 1978. Indonesia . AMS I.34500-045, 20.8 mm SL, Flores, west-nor-west side of Bisar, Panda Reef, 8��25.8���S, 122��19.7���E, 29���30 m, T. Trnski et al., 24 Nov 1993. Papua New Guinea. NTM S.13687-015, 7: 19.1���32.0 mm SL, Madang, reef off Wongat Island, 5��09���S, 145��48���E, 29���32 m, H.K. Larson & M. Jebb, 22 Oct 1992., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 65-66, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Allen, G. R. & Steene, R. C. (1988) Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, pp. 199.","Allen, G. R. (2000) Fishes of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 59, 83 - 95.","Hobbs, J. P., Newman, S. J., Mitsopoulos, G. E. A., Travers, M. J., Skepper, C. L., Gilligan, J. J., Allen, G. R., Choat, H. J. & Ayling, A. M. (2014 a) Checklist and new records of Christmas Island fishes: the influence of isolation, biogeography and habitat availability on species abundance and community composition. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 30, 184 - 202.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Heemstra, P. C. (1996) A review of species of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Mauritius. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 51, 139 - 146. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00359199609520604","Heemstra, P. C. & Randall, J. E. (2009) A review of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) of the Western Indian Ocean, with description of a new species, and a key to the species. Smithiana Bulletin, 10, 3 - 17.","Taylor, W. R. & Van Dyke, G. C. (1985) Revised procedures for staining and clearing small fishes and other vertebrates for bone and cartilage study. Cybium, 9, 107 - 119.","Randall, J. E. (1996) Two new anthiine fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae), with a key to the species. Micronesica, 29, 113 - 131.","Katayama, M. & Masuda, H. (1980) Two new anthiine fishes from Sagami Bay, Japan. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 27, 185 - 190.","Smith, J. L. B. (1961) Fishes of the family Anthiidae from the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Ichthyological Bulletin, Department of Ichthyology, Rhodes University, 21, 359 - 369, pls. 34 - 35."]}

Plectranthias azumanus (Jordan & Richardson) Figures 10���12; Tables 1���17, 20���21 Common name: Azuma Perchlet Anthias japonicus D��derlein in Steindachner & D��derlein 1883a: 49 (type locality, Tokyo, Japan; preoccupied by Anthias japonicus Bloch 1793 (= Scolopsis vosmeri (Bloch 1792))). Pseudanthias azumanus Jordan & Richardson 1910: 470 (replacement name for Anthias japonicus D��derlein in Steindachner & D��derlein 1883a; Sagami Bay, Japan). Plectranthias kelloggi azumanus.��� Randall 1980: 147, tab. 11 (synonymy with A. kelloggi Jordan & Evermann 1903; recognition as valid subspecies; Japan). Plectranthias kelloggi [non Anthias kelloggi Jordan & Evermann 1903].��� Anderson 2018: 29 (checklist, in part). Diagnosis. A species of Plectranthias with the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,14���15, rarely X,14; pectoral rays 15, rarely 14; lateral line complete with 33���37 tubed scales; no antrorse serrations on lower edge of preopercle; scales with basal cteni; melanophores on caudal peduncle form a saddle that extends ventrally to about 1���2 scale rows beneath lateral line scales. Description of Australian specimens (based mainly on 52.9 mm SL specimen; the 22.7 mm SL fragile, so checked only where data noted in parentheses). Dorsal rays X,15 (X,15), all segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all (all but first) segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 15/15 (15/15), upper 2 and lower 1 rays unbranched (all unbranched); pelvic fin I, 5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 8 (8); lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 7 (8); principal caudal-fin rays 9+8 (9+8); branched caudal fin rays 8+7; total caudal-fin rays 32 (33); lateral line complete with 34/34 (34/?) scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 4/4 (4/?); scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 3/3 (3/?); scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 14/15 (14/14); diagonal rows of scales on cheek 8 (?); predorsal scales 35 (?), extending anteriorly to mid-nostrils; circumpeduncular scales 16 (16); gill rakers 8+14, the upper 6 rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 12; branchiostegal rays 7. ......continued on the next page Vertebrae 10+16 (10+16); supraneurals 3 (3); predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1 (0/0+0/2/1+1); dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1/1+1/1 (1/1/1/1+1/1+1); 3 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; 5 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 13; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Dorsal-fin spines without fleshy tabs on their distal tips; fourth dorsal spine longest; dorsal fin deeply incised before first segmented-fin ray (tenth spine 59.6% length of first segmented ray); second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin rounded with third segmented ray longest; caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded, with some ray branches slightly elongated past fin margin; lower 7 pectoral fin rays somewhat thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; tenth (eighth; counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through posterior edge of anal-fin base; pelvic fins short, not reaching anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 20, along with data from four Japanese specimens. Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching vertical through posterior edge of pupil; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; small splint-like supramaxilla present; mouth terminal; upper jaw with pair of canine teeth laterally at front of jaws, and band of small conical teeth, 6 rows wide at symphysis, reducing to 2���3 rows posteriorly, the innermost row of teeth depressable; inner teeth either side of symphysis of upper jaw enlarged and caniniform; lower jaw with slightly enlarged pair of stout conical teeth at front of jaws, and band of small conical teeth, 5 rows wide at symphysis, reducing to single row posteriorly, 1���2 teeth in outer row on middle of lower jaw enlarged and developed as canines; inner teeth on either side of symphysis of lower jaw enlarged and caniniform; vomer with chevron of small conical teeth, 2���3 rows wide; palatine with narrow band of small conical teeth, 1���2 rows wide; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine concealed by scales; preopercle with 17���33 serrations, these arranged along posterior margin and rear part of ventral margin of bone; interopercle with 1-2 weak serrations; subopercle with 3���5 weak serrations; posttemporal with 1���2 serrations. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with small flap on posterior rim; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with basal cteni; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudalfin base; scales present on mandibles, no scales on chin, branchiostegal membranes, maxilla, infraorbitals or anterior part of snout; no auxiliary scales on head or body; dorsal fin with intermittent row of scales along base of fin; anal fin with low scaly sheath basally, with some small scales extending on to fin membranes; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life: 22.7 mm SL specimen (CSIRO H 6374-17, based on photo taken prior to preservation, but after 12 years frozen; Figure 10A): head and body pale tan, darker in interorbital area and on occiput; a short dusky grey stripe from mid-posterior orbit to above opercle; dusky grey wedge extending from anterior nape and base of third dorsal spine to point just above pectoral base, darkest on dorsal origin; indistinct dusky bar from bases of fifth through seventh dorsal spines to mid-side; dark grey bar extending from eighth dorsal spine through first segmented ray to just above anal-fin origin; short, indistinct bar extending from beneath final 2 segmented dorsal rays; caudal peduncle with dark grey saddle, extending to 1.5 scales below lateral line; fins hyaline except dark grey spot at dorsal-fin origin, and dark grey bar on mid-body extending to tips of eight through tenth dorsal spines and first segmented ray. 52.9 mm SL specimen (CSIRO H 6374-16, based on photo taken prior to preservation, but after 12 years frozen; Figure 10B): similar to smaller specimen, except much paler; all dusky markings indistinct, except dark spot at origin of dorsal fin, mid-body bar and dark saddle over caudal peduncle. Colour in preservative: Identical to non-preserved photos, except paler. Habitat and distribution. A new record for Australian waters, based on two specimens collected off Geraldton, Western Australia, in 252���253 m (Figure 11). Outside of Australia, the species is known from Japan and Taiwan, at depths ranging from 60���280 m. We attribute the lack of records from intervening areas, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, to the paucity of deep reef sampling with gear types to collect small fishes. Comparisons. Plectranthias azumanus resembles P. kelloggi (Jordan & Evermann, 1903) from the Hawaiian Islands and associated seamounts and islands, P. maculicauda from southeastern Australia and the Southwest Pacific, and P. melanesius from off southeast Queensland, Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia in having a more-or-less barred body coloration (coalesced into a broad wedge in P. kelloggi) with a spot, bar or saddle over the caudal peduncle and a small spot on the caudal fin near the base of the upper rays. The four species also share the following combination of characters: segmented dorsal rays usually 15 (sometimes 14 or 16); predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 usually 1/1/1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1/1+1/1+1; pectoral rays usually 15 (sometimes 14 or 16); lateral line complete; relatively high number of total gill rakers (19 or more); no antrorse serrations on the lower edge of the preopercle; and scales with basal cteni. The four species differ in number of lateral-line scales, head scalation, number of gill rakers and in live coloration details; these are summarised in Table 21. These comparisons are somewhat compromised by the small sample sizes for P. melanesius, as well as the discrepancy in the sizes of specimens for which we have live coloration information. Moreover, it is possible that P. melanesius and P. azumanus are synonyms (see Remarks for P. melanesius). Remarks. This species was first described as Anthias japonicus by D��derlein in Steindachner & D��derlein, 1883a based on an unspecified number of specimens from Tokyo, Japan. Jordan & Richardson (1910) later noted that this name was preoccupied by A. japonicus Bloch, 1793 (= Scolopsis vosmeri (Bloch, 1792)), and proposed Pseudanthias azumanus as a replacement name. They included the species in their new subgenus Zalanthias, along with the type species, Anthias kelloggi Jordan & Evermann, 1903. Katayama (1959, 1960) subsequently recognised Zalanthias as a distinct genus. In his revision of Plectranthias, Randall (1980) not only considered Zalanthias a synonym of Plectranthias, but also considered P. azumanus a synonym, though valid subspecies, of P. kelloggi and erected an additional subspecies, P. kelloggi melanesius, for five specimens from New Caledonia. The nominate subspecies of P. kelloggi (known from the Hawaiian Islands and other islands and seamounts northwest along the Hawaiian Ridge to the southern Emperor Seamount Chain; Kharin & Balanov 2013) has modally higher numbers of lateral line scales and gill rakers and differs markedly in coloration from either of the remaining nominal subspecies (Figures 10, 12���13; Table 21). We recognise P. azumanus as a full species, because recognition as a subspecies is at odds with treatment of similar variation between Plectranthias species and makes an unsupported assumption that P. kelloggi and P. azumanus form a monophyletic group to the exclusion of other species such as P. maculicauda (which more closely resembles P. kelloggi in coloration). We also acknowledge various other objections to subspecies as noted by Gill (1999) and Gill & Kemp (2002). We further recognise P. melanesius as a valid species, though with less certainty (see Remarks for P. melanesius). In their recent checklist of serranid fishes, Parenti & Randall (2020) confused the nomenclature and spelling of Randall���s (1980) P. kelloggi subspecies: ��� Randall (1980) regarded as valid subspecies the three population [sic] described from Japan (japonicus), Hawaiian Ids (azumanus), and New Caledonia (melanesicus)��� (Parenti & Randall 2020: 27). The two specimens collected off Geraldton, Western Australia, are identified as P. azumanus based in part on a 99.82% match of CO1 DNA sequence with a specimen from central Tosa Bay, off Kochi City, Kochi, Shikoku Island, Japan (BSKU 59611; Genbank sequence MF991323). The Tosa Bay specimen was also the basis for Smith & Craig���s (2007) sequence data for Zalanthias kelloggi. The Tosa Bay specimen was examined in this study, along with three specimens from Sagami Bay. The specimens are slightly to much larger than either of the two Western Australian specimens, making comparison of some characters difficult. Furthermore, we lack fresh coloration information for the Western Australian specimens; although the specimens were photographed prior to preservation, they had been frozen for 12 years prior to this. Apparent differences in coloration, in particular the absence of red coloration so that only black pigmentation is visible (cf. Figures 10, 12), are likely a consequence of freezing. In other features, they do not differ appreciably from the Japanese specimens, and we therefore conclude they are conspecific. Material examined. Western Australia. CSIRO H 6374-16, 52.9 mm SL, CSIRO H 6374-17, 22.7 mm SL, northwest of Geraldton, 27��55.72���S, 113��08.28���E to 27��56.02���S, 113��08.64���E, 252���253 m, FRV Southern Surveyor, 4 Dec 2005 (field station number SS1005/99). Japan. BSKU 0059611, 70.0 mm SL, Shikoku, off Kochi City, central Tosa Bay, ca 175 m, otter trawl, RV Kotaka-maru, 26 Aug 2002; KPM-NI 0007325, 61.0 mm SL, Honshu, western part of Sagami Bay, off Manazuru, 89 m, S. Ueshima, 24 Jun 2000; KPM-NI 0018949, 54.5 mm SL, western part of Sagami Bay, off Hatsu-shima Island, 60���80 m, Y. Miyazaki, 30 Apr 2007; KPM-NI 0037876, 94.5 mm SL, western part of Sagami Bay, off Fukuura, 90 m, Y. Ogawa, 9 Jan 2015., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 38-46, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Steindachner, F. & Doderlein, L. (1883 a) Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Fische Japans (I.). Anzeiger der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe, 20 (7), 49 - 50.","Bloch, M. E. (1793) Naturgeschichte der auslandischen Fische. Siebenter Theil. J. Morino & Comp., Berlin, pp. i-xiv + 1 - 144, pls. 325 - 360.","Bloch, M. E. (1792) Naturgeschichte der auslandischen Fische. Sechster Theil. J. Morino & Comp., Berlin, pp. i-xii + 1 - 126, pls. 289 - 323.","Jordan, D. S. & Richardson, R. E. (1910) A review of the Serranidae or sea bass of Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 37, 421 - 474. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.37 - 1714.421","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Jordan, D. S. & Evermann, B. W. (1903) Descriptions of new genera and species of fishes from the Hawaiian Islands. Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission, 22, 161 - 208.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Katayama, M. (1959) Studies on the serranid fishes of Japan (I). Bulletin of the Faculty of Education Yamaguchi University, 8, 103 - 180.","Katayama, M. (1960) Fauna Japonica. Serranidae (Pisces). Biogeographical Society of Japan, Tokyo, pp. i-viii + 1 - 189, pls. 1 - 86.","Kharin, V. E. & Balanov, A. A. (2013) On taxonomic position of Anthias rubromaculatus (Serranidae: Anthiidae) from the northwestern submarine ridge of the Pacific. Journal of Ichthyology, 53, 439 - 444. [Originally published in Russian in Voprosy ikhtiologii, 53, 499 - 504] https: // doi. org / 10.1134 / S 0032945213030065","Gill, A. C. (1999) Subspecies, geographic forms and widespread Indo-Pacific coral-reef fish species: a call for change in taxonomic practice. In: Seret, B. & Sire, J. - Y. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5 th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, Noumea, 3 - 8 November 1997. Societe Francaise d'Ichtyologie and Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, Paris, pp. 79 - 87.","Gill, A. C. & Kemp, J. M. (2002) Widespread Indo-Pacific shore-fish species: a challenge for taxonomists, biogeographers, ecologists, and fishery and conservation managers. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 65 (2), 165 - 174. https: // doi. org / 10.1023 / A: 1020044616889","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Smith, W. L. & Craig, M. T. (2007) Casting the percomorph net widely: the importance of broad taxonomic sampling in the search for the placement of serranid and percid fishes. Copeia, 2007, 35 - 55. https: // doi. org / 10.1643 / 0045 - 8511 (2007) 7 [35: CTPNWT] 2.0. CO; 2"]}

Plectranthias cruentus Gill & Roberts Figure 15���16; Tables 1���16, 22 Common name: Bloody Perchlet Plectranthias sp. C.��� Williams et al. 2006: appendix 8: 29 (colour photo of holotype).��� Clark & Roberts 2008: 51, fig. 18 (colour photo of holotype). Plectranthias cruentus Gill & Roberts 2020: 561, figs 1���2 (type locality, off Balls Pyramid, Lord Howe Rise, Australia). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. cruentus from all known congeners: dorsal rays X,16���17, fifth or sixth spine longest; pectoral rays 13, at least some middle rays branched, upper 5 or more unbranched; predorsal scales extending forward only to supratemporal commissure. Its live coloration is also distinctive: dorsal and lateral body bright orange, becoming yellow-orange ventrally, crossed by narrow, red-edged pink oblique bars, which also extend along base of anal fin; posterior part of caudal peduncle with broad orange-red bar, caudal fin yellow. Remarks. The description in Gill & Roberts (2020) is compatible with methods used herein. They described P. cruentus from the holotype and three paratypes from Lord Howe Island and vicinity, but tentatively identified a (non-type) specimen from off Moreton Bay, Queensland as conspecific. Further material is needed to verify the species��� occurrence in mainland Australian waters. Gill & Roberts provided a colour photograph of the holotype, which has been also reproduced by Williams et al. (2006) and Clark & Roberts (2008). We provide a photo of the preserved holotype (Figure 15). Morphometric data are provided in Table 22. Material examined. Australia. AMS I.12854, 43.0 mm SL (paratype), Lord Howe Island, P. R. Pedley, 1913; AMS I.35797-007, 37.4 mm SL, Queensland, off Point Lookout, Stradbroke Island, 27��27.37���S, 153��39���E, 77 m (stated depth 42 fathoms), W.F. Ponder, RANS Kimbla, 29 Mar 1969; AMS I.42725-007, 57.3 mm SL (holotype), NMNZ P.039081, 52.7 mm SL (paratype), NMNZ P.061156, 44.4 mm SL (paratype), Lord Howe Island, off Balls Pyramid, 31��49.11���S, 159��20.14���E, 86���89 m, Sherman sled, R. V. Tangaroa, 22 May 2003 (TAN 0308 /061)., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on page 51, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Williams, A., Gowlett-Holmes, K. & Althaus, F. (2006) Biodiversity survey of seamounts and slopes of the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise. Final Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage (National Oceans Office), i-vi + 1 - 203, Append. 1 - 8.","Clark, M. R. & Roberts, C. D. (2008) Fish and invertebrate biodiversity on the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea (NORFANZ voyage, 2003). New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report, 28, 1 - 131.","Gill, A. C. & Roberts, C. D. (2020) Plectranthias cruentus, a new species of anthiadine perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea. Zootaxa, 4750 (4), 560 - 566. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4750.4.6"]}

Plectranthias winniensis (Tyler) Figures 18, 43; Tables 1–16, 24 Common name: Redblotch Perchlet Pteranthias winniensis Tyler 1966: 2, fig. 1 (type locality: Saint Joseph Atoll, Amirante Group, Seychelles).— Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist).— Allen et al. 2006: 991 (checklist).— Randall 1996: 129 (Bougainville Reef, Coral Sea).— Anderson 2018: 34 (checklist). — Parenti & Randall 2020: 31 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. winniensis from all known congeners: dorsal rays X,15–17; fourth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 16–18, all unbranched; 2–3 enlarged antrorse serrations on ventral edge of preopercle; lateral line complete, interrupted or incomplete, consisting of 14–28 + 0–3 tubed scales; and greatest body depth 29.1–32.6 % SL. Remarks. A relatively small species (largest specimen 40 mm SL; Heemstra & Randall 2009), P. winniensis was originally described from the Seychelles, western Indian Ocean, but has since been recorded from widely throughout the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to the Pitcairn and Hawaiian Islands (Randall 1980, Heemstra 1996, Heemstra & Randall 2009). In Australia, it is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef and reefs in the adjacent Coral Sea (Figure 18). However, P.C. Heemstra (in Williams et al. 2013) noted that specimens from the western Indian Ocean differ in live coloration from those from French Polynesia, and it is possible that there are at least two species involved. Our use of the name for Australian specimens is therefore tentative. We add the following new observations: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9–13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1+1/1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17–18; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5–6; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 11; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 24. This species is relatively distinctive in having the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15–17; fourth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 16–18, all unbranched; and two enlarged antrorse serrations on ventral edge of preopercle. Only one other species approaches this character combination, P. ahiahiata Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Pérez-Matus & Rocha, 2018, described from the holotype from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The authors noted that, of species surveyed, mtDNA COI sequence data for P. ahiahiata was closest to P. winniensis (12.3% uncorrected differences). The two species differ in number of dorsal-fin rays (X, 18 in P. ahiahiata versus X, 15–17 in P. winniensis), tubed lateral-line scales (lateral line complete with 31 tubed scales versus complete, interrupted or incomplete with 14–28 + 0–3 tubed scales) and live coloration. Material examined. Queensland, Australia. AMS I.22584-026, 30.8 mm SL, Great Barrier Reef, Escape Reef North, outer barrier, 15 o 49′S, 145 o 50′E, 30–42 m, AMS party, 29 Oct 1981; AMS I.22620-014, 30.9 mm SL, Great Barrier Reef, Escape Reef, 15°49′S, 145°50′E, 38–40 m, G. R. Allen, W. Starck & A. Ayling, 3 Nov 1981. New Caledonia. AMS I.47353-051, 3: 22.3–28.8 mm SL, AMS I.47353.059, 2: 23.8-24.2 mm SL (subsequently cleared and stained), northwest side of Walpole Island, 22°36.08′S 168°56.73′E, 23–29 m, SWP Ichthyology team, 29 Jul 2017. Vanuatu. AMS I.37304, 32.6 mm SL, Erromango Island, south side of Dillon′s Bay, north shore of Wilson′s Point, 18°49.65′S, 169°00.38′E, 25–29 m, M. McGrouther et al., 24 May 1996. Cook Islands. AMS I.46733-033, 39.6 mm SL, Nieu Beveridge Reef, west side of atoll, 19°59′S, 167°45′W, 18–23 m, S.E. Reader, 5 Jan 2015. Additional specimens identified for distribution information. Australia. AMS I.25107-072, 28.5 mm SL, Coral Sea, Osprey Reef, west edge dropoff (13°56′S 146°34′E), 10–25 m, AMS team, 6 Nov 1984; WAM P.28541- 038, 4: 21–30 mm SL, Coral Sea, Holmes Reef, 16°31′S, 147°50′E, 12–14 m, G. R. Allen, 20 Nov 1985; WAM P.28537-008, 3: 21–27 mm SL, Coral Sea, Herald Cays, 17°00′S, 149°07′E, 15–25 m, G. R. Allen, 17 Nov 1985., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 103-105, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Tyler, J. C. (1966) A new species of serranoid fish of the family Anthiidae from the Indian Ocean. Notulae Naturae of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 389, 1 - 6.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Randall, J. E. (1996) Two new anthiine fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae), with a key to the species. Micronesica, 29, 113 - 131.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Heemstra, P. C. & Randall, J. E. (2009) A review of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) of the Western Indian Ocean, with description of a new species, and a key to the species. Smithiana Bulletin, 10, 3 - 17.","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Heemstra, P. C. (1996) A review of species of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Mauritius. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 51, 139 - 146. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00359199609520604","Shepherd, B., Phelps, T., Pinheiro, H. T., Perez-Matus, A. & Rocha, L. A. (2018) Plectranthias ahiahiata, a new species of perchlet from a mesophotic ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae). ZooKeys, 762, 105 - 116. https: // doi. org / 10.3897 / zookeys. 762.24618"]}

Plectranthias fourmanoiri Randall Figures 16, 21; Tables 1���16, 24 Common name: Fourmanoir���s Perchlet Plectranthias fourmanoiri Randall 1980: 125, fig. 7, tab. 7 (type locality: Enewetak Island, Marshall Islands; paratypes from Christmas Island).��� Allen & Steene 1988: 180, fig. 133 (checklist, photo, Christmas Island).��� Allen 2000: 87 (checklist, Christmas Island).��� Allen & Erdmann 2012: 288 (diagnosis, photo, Christmas Island).��� Hobbs et al. 2014a: 194, tab. 1 (checklist, Christmas Island).��� Anderson 2018: 27 (checklist). ��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 25 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. fourmanoiri from congeners: palatines edentate; dorsal segmented rays usually 16���18 (rarely 20); fourth or fifth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 12���13, all unbranched; predorsal scales extend anteriorly only to vertical through mid-pupil; lateral line complete or interrupted, with 15���26 + 0���4 tubed scales. It is also distinctive in having a large black spot on the middle portion of dorsal fin, one near the end of the the dorsal fin, one over the base of the last four anal rays, and one mid-ventrally on the abdomen in front of the anus. Remarks. A relatively small species (largest specimen 39.5 mm SL), P. fourmanoiri was previously known in Australia only from Christmas Island. We here record it from Holmes Reef, Coral Sea, based on a specimen collected for the aquarium trade by Cairns Marine collecter Cale Bennett. A photograph of the specimen is provided in Figure 21. The species is otherwise known from oceanic islands throughout the West Pacific, ranging as far east as the Pitcairn Islands (Randall 1980). Randall and subsequent authors (e.g., Allen & Erdmann 2012, Tashiro & Motomura 2017) record the species as having a complete lateral line consisting of 25 tubed scales. However, three specimens examined by us (two from Morane, French Polynesia, and one from Henderson Island, Pitcairn Islands) have incomplete or interrupted lateral lines bilaterally. The remaining two specimens have complete lateral lines, though one has 26 rather than 25 tubed scales on one side. One of the specimens has 20 segmented dorsal rays (previously known variation 16���18). We add the following new observations: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1+1/1+1/1+1/1+1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17���18; 3���4 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 9���10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 10; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 24. Material examined. Christmas Island, Australia. WAM P.28990-009, 2: 18.9���22.7 mm SL, Indian Ocean, Australia, Christmas Island, 10��26���S, 105��40���E, 15���20 m, G. R. Allen & R.C. Steene, 20 Jun 1986. French Polynesia. AMS I.46488-013, 21.2 mm SL, Morane, 23��10.2���S, 137��09.2���W, 33 m, A. Reid, 10 Oct 2014; AMS I.46490- 016, 29.4 mm SL (subsequently cleared and stained), Morane, 23��10���S, 137��09.2���W, 20 m, S.E. Reader, 10 Oct 2014. Pitcairn Islands. AMS I.17900-001, 39.5 mm SL, Henderson Island, 24��21���S, 128��19���W, 49 m, J.E. Randall et al., 18 Jan 1971; USNM 212176, 36.9 mm SL (paratype, radiograph only), off southwest side of Ducie Atoll, J.E. Randall et al. 15 Jan 1971., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 59-60, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Allen, G. R. & Steene, R. C. (1988) Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, pp. 199.","Allen, G. R. (2000) Fishes of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 59, 83 - 95.","Allen, G. R. & Erdmann, M. V. (2012) Reef Fishes of the East Indies. Vols. I-III. Tropical Reef Research, Perth, 1292 pp.","Hobbs, J. P., Newman, S. J., Mitsopoulos, G. E. A., Travers, M. J., Skepper, C. L., Gilligan, J. J., Allen, G. R., Choat, H. J. & Ayling, A. M. (2014 a) Checklist and new records of Christmas Island fishes: the influence of isolation, biogeography and habitat availability on species abundance and community composition. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 30, 184 - 202.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Tashiro, S. & Motomura, H. (2017) First Japanese record of the barred perchlet Plectranthias fourmanoiri (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae) from the Ryukyu Islands. Species Diversity, 22, 81 - 85. https: // doi. org / 10.12782 / sd. 22 _ 81"]}

Plectranthias retrofasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall Figures 35, 40–41; Tables 1–17, 29 Common name: Rear-banded Perchlet Plectranthias retrofasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall 1979: 318, fig. 2, tab. 1 (type locality: Gazelle Pass, New Caledonia).— Anderson 2018: 32 (checklist). — Parenti & Randall 2020: 29 (checklist). Plectranthias pallidus Randall & Hoese 1995: 330, fig. 2 (type locality: off Townsville, Queensland).— Allen et al. 2006: 991 (checklist).— Anderson 2018: 32 (checklist). — Parenti & Randall 2020: 29 (checklist). ? Plectranthias kelloggi [non Jordan & Evermann 1903].— Sih et al. 2017: table 1 (central Great Barrier Reef). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. retrofasciatus from congeners: dorsal rays X,15–17, third spine longest; pectoral rays 13, most rays branched; lateral line complete, with 27–30 scales; two enlarged antrorse serrations on lower edge of preopecle; greatest body depth 36–42 % SL. Remarks. This species was originally described by Fourmanoir & Randall (1979) from the 61.8 mm SL holotype collected in 200 m at Gazelle Pass, New Caledonia. In 1986, the first author identified a second, 16.0 mm SL specimen collected in 194 m off Lady Elliot Island, southern Great Barrier Reef (AMS I.26844-001). The Lady Elliot specimen was overlooked in subsequent faunal checklists and accounts on Australian Plectranthias. Aside from differences that can be attributed to its much smaller size, the specimen agrees well with the holotype, including the presence of a tapered bar extending from the middle of the dorsal fin to the anterior anal fin, and a second band on the caudal peduncle (Figure 40A). Randall & Hoese (1995) described P. pallidus from the holotype from off Townsville, Queensland, which they named for its pale preserved coloration and apparent lack of pigmentation. We located a second specimen that closely resembles the P. pallidus holotype and was collected on the same voyage from almost the same locality and depth (Figure 40B). Randall & Hoese compared P. pallidus only with P. wheeleri, and not with P. retrofasciatus. Randall (1996) differentiated P. retrofasciatus from subsequent species in his key (including P. pallidus) on the basis of coloration (presence versus absence of two sharply defined red bars, one on body through notched portion of dorsal fin and the other through caudal peduncle) and lower jaw dentition (inner row teeth about twice as long as those in outer rows versus about same size as outer row teeth). White et al. (2013) and Peristiwady et al. (2014) recorded P. retrofasciatus from Indonesia on the basis of market specimens from Lombok and northern Sulawesi, respectively. Y.K. Tea (pers. comm.) brought to our attention an additional Indonesian specimen (from Java) that entered the marine aquarium fish trade (Figure 41A). There are two specimens in the CSIRO collection, which formed the basis of White et al. ’s record, one of which was photographed when fresh (Figure 41B). When examined in Feb 2020, the photographed specimen was very pale, with only a weak indication of the red bars and other markings persisting as scattered fine melanophores (Figure 41C). These markings were even less obvious in the other CSIRO specimen. Peristiwady et al. also noted that their specimens were pale following preservation. Suspecting that P. pallidus may be referable to P. retrofasciatus, we re-examined the holotype and non-type specimen from off Townsville. We found that they not only had very faint indication of the mid-body and caudal peduncle bars, but the enlarged inner row teeth in the lower jaw characteristic of P. retrofasciatus. We found no other substantial differences between the specimens, and therefore place P. pallidus in the synonymy of P. retrofasciatus. Sih et al. (2017) recorded P. kelloggi from the central Great Barrier Reef (ca 18°12′S, 147°15′E and 18°15′S, 147°23′E) based on video footage from baited cameras in 155–179 m, but their observations also appear to be referable to P. retrofasciatus. Based on Randall’s (1980) treatment of P. kelloggi, Sih et al. ’s record of P. kelloggi would indicate the presence of P. melanesius (otherwise P. azumanus – see Remarks for P. melanesius). However, the fishes in their footage have two red bars on the posterior body, the anterior of which is relatively narrow, slopes posteroventrally and tapers ventrally. This agrees well with the condition found in P. retrofasciatus. In contrast, the anterior bar in P. azumanus and P. melanesius is more or less vertical, and broad throughout its length. We add the following new observations based on our examination of the Australian and Indonesian specimens: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9–13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17–18; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 12–13; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data and additional meristic data are summarised in Table 29. Material examined. Queensland, Australia. AMS I.26844-001, 16.0 mm SL, Great Barrier Reef, off Lady Elliot Island, 24°04.0′S, 152°37.8′E, 194 m, sled dredge, R. V. Kimbla, 7 Jul 1984; AMS I.25800-005, 73.0 mm SL (holotype of P. pallidus), off Townsville, 17°58.5′ S 147°00.5′ E, 220 m, bottom trawl, M. McGrouther & S.E. Reader, FRV Soela, 8 Jan 1986; AMS I.25811-006, 89.4 mm SL, north of Townsville, 18°00′S, 147°01′E, 218–219 m, AMS party, FRV Soela, 12 Jan 1986 (field number SO1/86/23). Indonesia. CSIRO H 7219-08, 77.5 mm SL, southeast coast of Lombok, Tanjung Luar fish market, 8°45′S, 116°35′E, W. White, 4 Nov 2010; CSIRO H 7721- 03, 70.5 mm SL, southeast coast of Lombok Tanjung Luar fish market, 8°45′S, 116°35′E, W. White, 6 Nov 2010.

Plectranthias bennetti Allen & Walsh Figures 7, 14; Tables 1���16, 22 Common name: Bennett���s Perchlet Plectranthias bennetti Allen & Walsh 2015: 83, figs 1���4 (type locality, Holmes Reef, Coral Sea).��� Anderson 2018: 26 (checklist). ��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 24 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. bennetti from congeners: dorsal rays X,15, fourth spine longest; pectoral rays 13, all unbranched; lateral line complete, with 29���30 scales; lower part of preopercle with three enlarged antrorse spines; scales on head extending anteriorly to point varying from mid-interorbital to anterior part of interorbital, but well short of posterior nostrils; no scales on snout, maxilla, infraorbitals, mandibles or chin. Remarks. Allen & Walsh (2015) described P. bennetti on the basis of the holotype collected by Cairns Marine aquarium fish collector T. Bennett at Holmes Reef, Coral Sea. They noted that the collector had collected one other specimen of the species, but it had been sold to the Japanese aquarium trade. However, we located an additional specimen (WAM P.33842-001), which had been collected at Holmes Reef by T. Bennett in 2012 but had been misidentified as P. winniensis. The specimen has damaged tips to median and pectoral-fin ray rays and some missing scales on the right side but is otherwise in good condition (Figure 14A). Two additional specimens were available for study, both collected by T. Bennett at Holmes Reef subsequent to the original description. The three specimens agree well with Allen & Walsh���s (2015) original description of P. bennetti in all salient features, including those in the above diagnosis. They extend known meristic variation in the following characters (counts from non-type specimens given first, followed by those from Allen & Walsh in parentheses): gill rakers 7+14���16 (5+13); pseudobranchial filaments 13���16 (15); serrations on vertical portion of preopercle 21���25 (20). Differences in counts of scales above the lateral line to the fifth dorsal-fin spine and scales below the lateral line to the anal-fin origin (2���3 and 14���15 versus 1 and 10, respectively) appear to be due to different counting methods, as Allen & Walsh���s figures of the holotype clearly shows counts of 2 and at least 13, respectively. Allen & Walsh recorded the following: ���caudal fin with 7+6 branched rays, 3 dorsal and 2 ventral unbranched rays, and 5 dorsal and 5 ventral procurrent rays���. With our methods, this indicates a count of 6 dorsal procurrent rays, 9+8 principal rays, and 5 ventral procurrent rays. However, examination of a radiograph of the holotype reveals 7 dorsal and 6 ventral procurrent rays, which is within variation exhibited by the three non-type specimens (6���7 dorsally and ventrally). Morphometric data for the non-type specimens are given in Table 22. Figures 14 B���C shows two photos of an aquarium individual from Holmes Reef displaying variation in the barring pattern on the posterior body. We add the following new observations: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16 (9+17 reported by Allen & Walsh 2015, is apparently due to different counting methods); supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; no trisegmental pterygiophore associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 10; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Shepherd et al. (2020) described P. hinano from two specimens from Tahiti, French Polynesia. They also published a photograph of a similar species from Maloelap Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. They noted that P. hinano is most similar to P. bennetti, with an uncorrected pairwise genetic distance of 5.5 % for the barcode fragment of the mt COI gene, and very similar coloration and morphology. They differentiated the two species on the basis of live coloration (P. hinano with two black spots along the dorsal fin base, and yellow dorsal- and anal-fin membranes), snout length (3.0��� 3.2 in head length for P. hinano versus 4.4 in P. bennetti), number of circumpeduncular scales (12 versus 14) and number of gill rakers (7���8+12���13 versus 5+13). None of these characters is diagnostic: P. bennetti possesses indistinct to distinct black marks on the dorsal-fin base, which are particularly prominent in preserved specimens (Figure 14A); comparison of fresh images of the two species suggests the apparent snout length differences are an arefact (upper jaw distended in the holotype of P. hinano); the photos of the holotype of P. hinano suggest there are 14 not 12 circumpeduncular scales; and the number of gill rakers for P. hinano overlaps with counts given here for P. bennetti (5���7+13���16=18���23). Shepherd et al. recorded 11���12 pectoral rays for P. hinano, which is fewer than known for P. bennetti (13). However, examination of photos of the holotype of P. hinano show 13 rays. Further comparison is needed to address diagnostic morphological characters for P. bennetti and P. hinano, as well as the identity of the Marshall Island population. Material examined. Coral Sea, Australia. AMS I.49489-001, 47.0 mm SL, Holmes Reef, outer reef slope, 125 m, T. Bennett, 3 Dec 2019; QM I.39334, 50.3 mm SL (holotype, radiograph only), Holmes Reef, 16��24.327���S, 147��49.442���E, 63 m, T. Bennett, 11 May 2015; WAM P.33842-001, 44.7 mm SL, Holmes Reef, 16��29.73���S, 147��51.83���E, 40 m, T. Bennett, Jan 2012; ZRC 61168, 55.1 mm SL, Holmes Reef, T. Bennett (no other data; obtained through Singapore aquarium trade)., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 46-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Shepherd, B., Phelps, T. A. Y., Pinheiro, H. T., Rocha, C. R. & Rocha, L. A. (2020) Two new species of Plectranthias (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems in the tropical Central Pacific. ZooKeys, 941, 145 - 161. https: // doi. org / 10.3897 / zookeys. 941.50243"]}

Plectranthias kamii Randall Figures 18, 26���27; Tables 1���16, 22 Common name: Kami���s Perchlet Plectranthias kamii Randall 1980: 141, fig. 14, tab. 10 (type locality: Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan).��� Anderson 2018: 29 (checklist).��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 26 (checklist). Plectranthias yamakawai [non Yoshino 1972].��� Hobbs et al. 2014a: 194, tab. 1 (list, Christmas Island). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. kamii from congeners: dorsal rays X,17���18; third dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 13; lateral line complete, with 32���38 tubed scales; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 16���20. Description of Australian specimens. Dorsal rays X,18, all or all but first segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 13/13, all but upper ray branched; pelvic fin I,5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 7���8; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; branched caudal fin rays 8+7; total caudal-fin rays 30���31; lateral line complete with 34���37 scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 4���5; scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 3���4; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 16���20; diagonal rows of scales on cheek 9���10, including 2 overlying preopercular canal; predorsal scales 19���20, extending to anterior interorbital area, at about vertical through anterior edge of eye; circumpeduncular scales 16; gill rakers 5���6+11���12=17, the upper 4���5 and lower 3���4 rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 19���22; branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 10���11; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Dorsal-fin spines with fleshy tabs on their distal tips, the tab on third spine longest; third dorsal spine longest; dorsal fin incised before first segmented-fin ray (tenth spine 57.3���58.1% length of first segmented ray); second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin slightly pointed with second segmented ray longest; caudal fin emarginate; lower 6 pectoral fin rays thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; eighth (counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through base of second anal-fin spine; pelvic fins short, reaching about two-thirds way to anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 22. Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching vertical through posterior edge of pupil; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; small splint-like supramaxilla present; mouth terminal; upper jaw with 2 fixed, short stout outer canines on either side of symphysis, flanked internally by villiform band with about 7���8 rows of depressible, smaller, sharp-tipped teeth, with inner rows becoming progressively longer and caniniform near symphysis, band reducing to 4 rows posteriorly, the teeth on outer row subequal to other rows, but slightly stouter and fixed; lower jaw with 2���3 short, stout fixed canines at front of jaw, a villiform band of about 5���6 rows of small depressible teeth at symphysis, teeth becoming progressively longer and more caniniform on inner rows near symphysis, two enlarged, curved canines on middle of jaw, band narrows to 2���3 rows posteriorly, the inner row teeth larger and slightly curved; vomer with chevron of 2���3 rows of sharp-tipped conical teeth; palatine with a band of 2���3 rows of small, sharp-tipped conical teeth; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine concealed by scales; preopercle with 26���30 serrations on posterior margin, and two enlarged antrorse spines ventrally; interopercle and subopercle smooth. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with short posterior flap, barely reaching posterior nostril when appressed; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with peripheral cteni; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudal-fin base; no scales on chin, branchiostegal membranes, maxilla, snout or infraorbital bones; no auxiliary scales on head or body; dorsal fin with low basal scale sheath of 2���4 scales along soft part of fin; anal fin with low basal scaly sheath posteriorly, with some small scales extending on to fin membranes; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life (based on photos of freshly dead and live fishes from the Coral Sea, Lord Howe Island and Christmas Island; Figures 26���27): Head and body reddish pink to white, paler ventrally, marked with following yellow-brown to bright yellow blotches and bars: several small blotches dorsally on head, nape and snout tip; a short stripe from anterior edge of eye to middle of jaws; a diffuse oblique bar from posteroventral part of eye to preopercle angle; a diffuse blotch covering most of operculum; a curved stripe from posterior edge of eye to posterior part of nape and dorsal origin; an oblique bar extending from bases of fourth through sixth dorsal spines to just behind posterior edge of opercle; an oblique bar extending from bases of seventh through ninth dorsal spines to upper third of body; an oblique bar extending from bases of first through third segmented dorsal rays to upper third of body; a pupil-sized spot or short bar beneath bases of eighth through tenth segmented dorsal rays; a similar spot beneath terminal three or four dorsal segmented rays; a median spot on mid-dorsal part of caudal peduncle, a bar over posterior edge of caudal peduncle; a large elongate blotch mid-laterally below bars from seven through ninth dorsal spines and first through third segmented dorsal rays; smaller elongate mid-lateral blotch beneath middle part of soft dorsal fin; and elongate blotch over middle part of caudal peduncle; adjacent yellow-brown to bright yellow markings sometimes coalescing, sometimes overlain with small blue-grey to dark grey spots and blotches; eye pale pink to white, yellow-brown to orange where adjacent to yellow-brown to yellow stripes on head, with dark blue-grey to black crescent in front of pupil; dorsal fin reddish pink to white, with yellow-brown to bright yellow markings from body extending on to fins; first dorsal spine with dark grey basal spot; anal fin pale pink or white to orange; caudal fin pink to white dorsally and ventrally, pinkish hyaline to orange centrally; distal margins of caudal, soft dorsal and soft anal fins of larger specimen dusky grey; pelvic fins white to pink or orange, paler on fin spine; pectoral fins whitish hyaline to pink. Colour in preservative (Figure 27C): Head and body pale tan; yellow-brown to bright yellow markings remain, becoming dusky brown; first dorsal spine with dusky brown basal spot; yellow-brown markings on fin remain, becoming dusky brown; fins otherwise pale tan, with distal margins of caudal, soft dorsal and soft anal fins dusky brown. Remarks. A very large Plectranthias species (largest known specimen 34 cm total length, or approximately 280 mm SL; Figure 27A), P. kamii was originally described from Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands (type locality), Palau and Guam. It has since been recorded from Samoa (Wass 1984), Moorea (Randall 1996), Taiwan (Chen & Shao 2002), New Caledonia (Fricke et al. 2011) and Sulawesi, Indonesia (Peristiwady et al. 2018). We newly record this species from Australia on the basis of a specimen collected east of the Murray Islands, Coral Sea (Figure 27C), several individuals photographed from RV Falkor ROV SuBastian dives at Madgelaine Cays, Diamond Islet and Lihou Reef, Coral Sea (Figure 26), an individual collected and photographed (but not retained) from near Lord Howe Island (Figure 27A), and a specimen collected from Christmas Island (Figure 27B). The last-mentioned was the basis for Hobbs et al. (2014a) record of P. yamakawai from Christmas Island. Although the specimen resembles P. yamakawai in having dark spots on the body, these are mostly arranged in and around yellow markings (versus evenly scattered over the upper body in P. yamakawai; Figure 28). Moreover, the third dorsal spine is longest (versus the fourth in P. yamakawai), and the specimen lacks the large pink to red spot (grey-brown in preservative) beneath the posterior part of the dorsal fin that is characteristic of P. yamakawai. The specimens and photographs agree well with published descriptions and photographs of P. kamii. Allen & Walsh (2015) recorded a depth range of 183���280 m for P. kamii. All of the Australian specimens and observations were from deeper than 280 m: 350 m for the Lord Howe individual, 398 m for the Christmas Island specimen, 480 m for the Murray Islands specimen, and 465���534 m for the ROV SuBastian observations. Material examined. Australia. QM I. 20683, 173 mm SL, Queensland, Coral Sea, east of Murray Islands, 9��53���S, 144��23���E, 480 m, trawl, C. Jones, Queensland Fisheries Service, 28 May 1983; WAM P.34014-001, 238.0 mm SL, Christmas Island, 10��29���S, 105��37���E, 398 m, S. Newman, 12 Mar 2014. Taiwan. ASIZP 60270, 162 mm SL (radiograph), Pingtung, Hengchun, J.P. Chen, 9 Apr 1999 (radiograph from Shao, 2020)., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 68-71, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Yoshino, T. (1972) Plectranthias yamakawai, a new anthiine fish from Ryukyu Islands, with a revision of the genus Plectranthias. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 19, 49 - 56.","Hobbs, J. P., Newman, S. J., Mitsopoulos, G. E. A., Travers, M. J., Skepper, C. L., Gilligan, J. J., Allen, G. R., Choat, H. J. & Ayling, A. M. (2014 a) Checklist and new records of Christmas Island fishes: the influence of isolation, biogeography and habitat availability on species abundance and community composition. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 30, 184 - 202.","Wass, R. C. (1984) An annotated checklist of the fishes of Samoa. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Technical Reports, National Marine Fisheries Service, Special Scientific Report - Fisheries, 781, 1 - 43.","Randall, J. E. (1996) Two new anthiine fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae), with a key to the species. Micronesica, 29, 113 - 131.","Chen, J. P. & Shao, K. T. (2002) Plectranthias sheni, a new species and P. kamii, a new record of anthiine fishes (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Taiwan. Zoological Studies, 41, 63 - 68.","Fricke, R., Kulbicki, M. & Wantiez, L. (2011) Checklist of the fishes of New Caledonia, and their distribution in the Southwest Pacific Ocean (Pisces). Stuttgarter Beitrage zur Naturkunde A, Neue Serie, 4, 341 - 463.","Peristiwady, T., Du, J., Hukom, F. D., Makatipu, P. C. & Loh, K. H. (2018) Plectranthias kamii Randll, 1980 (Perciformes: Serranidae) collected from Bitung, North Sulawesi: first record from the Southwest Pacific Ocean. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 37, 73 - 77. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 13131 - 018 - 1289 - y","Shao, K. T. (2020) The Fish Datebase of Taiwan. WWW Web electronic publication: http: // fishdb. sinica. edu. tw (accessed 3 March 2020)"]}

Australian species of the anthiadine genera Plectranthias and Selenanthias are reviewed. Twenty-two species of Plectranthias and two species of Selenanthias are recorded from Australian waters: Plectranthias sp. 1 from a seamount north of Middleton Reef and Norfolk Ridge, Tasman Sea; P. alleni Randall from off southwest Western Australia; P. azumanus (Jordan & Richardson) from off southwest Western Australia; P. bennetti Allen & Walsh from Holmes Reef, Coral Sea; P. cruentus Gill & Roberts from Lord Howe Island, and possibly off Stradbroke Island, Queensland; P. ferrugineus n. sp. from the North West Shelf and Arafura Sea; P. fourmanoiri Randall from Christmas Island and Holmes Reef, Coral Sea; P. grahami n. sp. from off central New South Wales, Tasman Sea; P. inermis Randall from Christmas Island; P. japonicus (Steindachner) from the Arafura Sea and North West Shelf; P. kamii Randall from the Coral Sea, Lord Howe Island and Christmas Island; P. lasti Randall & Hoese from the North West Shelf and off Marion Reef, Queensland; P. longimanus (Weber) from the Timor Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea and southern Queensland; P. maculicauda (Regan) from southeastern Australia; P. mcgroutheri n. sp. from the North West Shelf; P. megalophthalmus Fourmanoir & Randall from northeast of the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland; P. melanesius Randall from southeastern Queensland and a seamount north of Middleton Reef; P. moretonensis n. sp. from off Stradbroke Island, Queensland; P. nanus Randall from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea; P. retrofasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall from the Great Barrier Reef; P. robertsi Randall & Hoese from off Queensland, Coral Sea; P. winniensis (Tyler) from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea; Selenanthias analis Tanaka from the North West Shelf and Arafura Sea; and S. barroi (Fourmanoir) from west of Lihou Reef, Coral Sea. Five of the species represent new records for Australia: P. azumanus, P. kamii, P. megalophthalmus, P. melanesius and S. barroi. Previous records of P. megalophthalmus from the North West Shelf are based on misidentified specimens of P. lasti. Records of P. wheeleri from the North West Shelf are based on specimens here identified as P. mcgroutheri n. sp. A record of P. yamakawai Yoshino from Christmas Island is based on a misidentified specimen of P. kamii. Plectranthias retrofasciatus was previously recorded from the Great Barrier Reef as P. pallidus Randall & Hoese, here shown to be a junior synonym of P. retrofasciatus. Video-based records of P. kelloggi from the Great Barrier Reef appear to be based on P. retrofasciatus. Identification keys, diagnoses, character summaries, photographs and Australian distribution information are presented for all species. Full descriptions are provided for the new species and for those newly recorded from Australia.

Plectranthias lasti Randall & Hoese Figures 29���30; Tables 1���16, 25 Common name: Trawl Perchlet Plectranthias megalophthalmus [non Fourmanoir & Randall 1979].��� Allen 1985: 2508 (checklist, Western Australia).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist, North West Shelf, Australia).��� Hutchins 2001: 30 (checklist).��� Allen et al. 2006: 990 (checklist, North West Shelf). Plectranthias lasti Randall & Hoese 1995: 332, fig. 3 (type locality: 175 kilometers north of Port Hedland, 18��32���S, 118��17���E, North West Shelf, Western Australia).��� Allen et al. 2006: 990 (checklist).��� Last et al. 2014: 217 (list).��� Anderson 2018: 30 (checklist).��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 27 (checklist). ? Plectranthias xanthomaculatus Wu, Randall & Chen 2011: 250, fig. 2 (type locality: Hsing-Ta Harbor, Kaohsiung, SW Taiwan).��� Okamoto & Motomura 2017: 48, fig. 1 (west of Amami Islands, East China Sea). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. lasti from congeners: dorsal rays X,14; pectoral rays 15���16, usually 15, with all but upper 1���4 rays branched; preopercle edge smooth; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 9���10; and pelvic fin length 20.9���23.3 % SL. Remarks. Plectranthias megalophthalmus was described by Fourmanoir & Randall (1979) from the 61 mm SL holotype collected from south of the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. Allen (1985) and Paxton et al. (1989) later recorded the species from the North West Shelf of Australia based on three specimens in the Australian Museum. The species has since been recorded in Australian faunal lists (see synonymy above). Randall & Hoese (1995) subsequently described P. lasti on the basis of the holotype from the North West Shelf and a paratype from south of Marion Reef, off Queensland. They noted that P. lasti was close to P. megalophthalmus and P. fijiensis Raj & Seeto, 1983, sharing similar meristic values with those species, as well as unusual smooth preopercles. However, they did not mention the three North West Shelf specimens of P. megalophthalmus. We examined the three specimens, compared them with the holotype of P. lasti, and have concluded that they are conspecific. We are unaware of any additional specimens of P. megalopthalmus from the North West Shelf. However, we tentatively identify a specimen from the Marion Plateau off Queensland as this species (see account for P. megalophthalmus). An additional two specimens of P. lasti were examined from the National Museum of Victoria, the larger of which had been photographed when freshly dead (Figure 29). Both were collected southwest of Barrow Island, Western Australia. We regard the specific identity of the paratype of P. lasti from south of Marion Reef, Queensland (CSIRO H 651-2), as tentative. Although it agrees with the holotype and non-type specimens from the North West Shelf in most details, it differs in having scales on the posterior part of the mandibles overlying the anguloarticular bone. In this it agrees with P. fijiensis, from which it differs, however, in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (14 versus 15), all but the uppermost pectoral ray branched (versus first and ninth through 12 th unbranched), and a shallower body (greatest body depth 32.2 % SL versus 37.2 % SL). Determination of whether the P. lasti paratype represents a new species must await the discovery of additional specimens. Among other characters, Randall & Hoese (1995) used the number of lateral-line scales to differentiate P. lasti from P. megalophthalmus and P. fijiensis (30 in P. lasti, 31 in P. megalophthalmus and 32 P. fijiensis). However, the holotype of P. lasti has 30 tubed scales on the left side, and 32 on the right, and the non-type specimens of P. lasti extend variation in this character to 28���32. Moreover, the Queensland specimen of P. megalophthalmus has 32/33 lateral line scales. The new specimens also extend known variation in several other characters that were proposed to differentiate the three species. Not-withstanding the small sample sizes, two characters appear to differentiate P. lasti from P. megalophthalmus: number of segmented dorsal rays (14 in P. lasti versus 15 in P. megalophthalmus); and number of scales below the lateral line to the anal origin (9���10 versus 12���13). Disregarding the Queensland paratype (discussed above), P. lasti is distinguished from P. fijiensis in pectoral ray branching (only upper 1���4 rays unbranched in P. lasti versus first and ninth through 12 th unbranched in P. fijiensis), the absence of scales on the mandible (versus posterior part of mandible scaled), and having a shallower body (greatest body depth 29.0���34.2 versus 37.2 % SL). Aside from the characters noted above, the new specimens of P. lasti extend known variation in the following characters (previous data from types in parentheses): pectoral rays 15���16 (15); upper and lower procurrent caudal rays 5���6 and 4���5, respectively (6 and 5, respectively; note that we adjusted Randall & Hoese���s counts in order to account for methodological differences); scales above lateral line to dorsal-fin origin 2���3 (2); scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 9���10 (9); lower gill rakers 11���13 (12); pseudobranchial filaments 12���17 (15���17). Unfortunately, only four of the five new specimens are undistorted and suitable for morphometrics. Morphometric data for the four specimens are given in Table 25, along with our independent measurements of the holotype. Plectranthias lasti appears to be very similar to P. xanthomaculatus Wu, Randall & Chen, 2011. The latter species was originally described from the holotype from Taiwan, but a second specimen has since been recorded from Amami Islands, Ryukyu Islands, by Okamoto & Motomura (2017). The two species share a range of characters, for example: segmented dorsal rays 14; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; usually 15 pectoral rays, with all but the uppermost 1���4 rays branched; posterior margin of preopercle smooth, with no antrorse serrations ventrally; lateral line complete, with 28���32 tubed scales; scales present on the maxilla; relatively low number of scale rows below the lateral line to the anal origin, lack of greatly enlarged canines in the lower jaw, as well as broad overlap in most morphometric values. The two species appear very similar in live coloration, being more-or-less red with a pale belly, bright yellow blotches and yellow fins. The yellow blotches are indistinct in the photo of P. lasti but are in essentially the same positions to those in photos of P. xanthomaculatus (e.g., Wu et al. 2011: fig. 2; Okamoto & Motomura 2017: fig. 1). Wu et al. suggested the two species differed in body depth, relative lengths of the fourth and fifth dorsal spines, lengths of pectoral and pelvic fins, numbers of pseudobranch filaments, numbers of gill rakers, and relative sizes of the nostrils. Considering new data for P. xanthomaculatus from Okamoto & Motomura (2017) and for P. lasti from the present study, of these characters, only pelvic-fin length differs (17.0���19.3 % SL in P. xanthomaculatus versus 20.9���23.3 % SL in P. lasti). The two species possibly differ in several other morphometric values not considered by Wu et al. (2011): snout length (9.8���10.1 % SL in P. xanthomaculatus versus 6.8���8.0 % SL in P. lasti), length of the last dorsal spine (4.1���5.2 versus 5.5���7.0 % SL), and length of longest segmented anal ray (17.0���17.9 versus 19.0���21.5 % SL). However, the measurements are based on few specimens (five of P. lasti and two of P. xanthomaculatus), and it is likely the study of further specimens will show these characters to be more variable. More detailed comparison of additional specimens is needed to test whether the two nominal species are synonymous. We add the following new observations on P. lasti: at least some head and anterior body scales with basal cteni (remaining scales with peripheral cteni only); vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1/1+1, 1/1/1+1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; 7���10 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17; 3���4 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 11���13; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. ......continued on the next page Material examined. Western Australia, Australia. AMS I.22807-056, 48.4 mm SL (holotype), North West Shelf, 175 km north of Port Hedland, 18��32���S, 118��17���E, 200���204 m, Engel trawl, J. R. Paxton, RV Soela, 2 Apr 1982; AMS I.22828-020, 3: 59.6���62.6 mm SL, North West Shelf, 190 km northwest of Port Hedland, 19��01���S, 117��12���E, 200���202 m, Engel trawl, J. R. Paxton & M. McGrouther, RV Soela, 14 Apr 1982; NMV A 29655 -001, 2: 32.7���47.1 mm SL, Western Australia, Barrow L1 transect, 21��00.82���S, 114��39.15���E to 21��00.78���S, 114��38.90���E, 258���271 m, RV Southern Surveyor, 10 Jun 2007. Queensland, Australia. CSIRO H 651-02, 68.0 mm SL (paratype), south of Marion Reef, 19��43.7���S, 152��06.4���E to 19��46.3���S, 152��04.5���E, 368���370 m, trawl, P. R. Last, RV Soela, 23 Nov 1985 (field station SO06-85/32), Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 72-77, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Fourmanoir, P. & Randall, J. E. (1979) Three new species of serranid fishes of the genus Plectranthias from New Caledonia. Micronesica, 15, 315 - 324.","Allen, G. R. (1985) Fishes of Western Australia. In: Burgess, W. E. & Axelrod, H. R. (Eds.), Pacific Marine Fishes. Book 9. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, pp. 2207 - 2534.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Hutchins, J. B. (2001) Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 63, 9 - 50. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 63.2001.009 - 050","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Randall, J. E. & Hoese, D. F. (1995) Three new species of Australian fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae: Anthiinae). Records of the Australian Museum, 47, 327 - 335. https: // doi. org / 10.3853 / j. 0067 - 1975.47.1995.241","Last, P. R., Pogonoski, J. P., Gledhill, D. C., White, W. T. & Walker, C. J. (2014) The deepwater demersal ichthyofauna of the western Coral Sea. Zootaxa, 3887, 191 - 224.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Wu, K. Y., Randall, J. E. & Chen, J. P. (2011) Two new species of anthiine fishes of the genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Taiwan. Zoological Studies, 50, 247 - 253.","Okamoto, M. & Motomura, H. (2017) First Japanese record of the anthiine fish Plectranthias xanthomaculatus from west of the Amami Islands, East China Sea. Bulletin of the Biogeographical Society of Japan, 71, 47 - 52.","Raj, U. & Seeto, J. (1983) A new species of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae) from the Fiji Islands. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 30, 15 - 17."]}

Plectranthias melanesius Randall Figures 11, 37; Tables 1���16, 21, 28 Common name: Melanesian Perchlet Plectranthias kelloggi melanesius Randall 1980: 147, table 11 (type locality, south of Isle of Pines, New Caledonia). Plectranthias sp. B.��� Williams et al. 2006: appendix 8: 29 (colour photo). Plectranthias kelloggi [non Anthias kelloggi Jordan & Evermann 1903].��� Anderson 2018: 29 (checklist, in part). Plectranthias kelloggi melanesicus.��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 27 (checklist; subspecific epithet misspelled). Diagnosis. A species of Plectranthias with the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15���16; pectoral rays 15; lateral line complete with 32���34 tubed scales; no antrorse serrations on lower edge of preopercle; scales with basal cteni; melanophores on caudal peduncle form a bar that extends to ventral margin of peduncle. Description of Australian specimens. Dorsal rays X,15���16, all segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 15, uppermost and lowermost rays unbranched; pelvic fin I, 5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 7���8; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 7���8; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; branched caudal fin rays 8+7; total caudal-fin rays 31���33; lateral line complete with 32���34 scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 3���4; scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 2���3; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 12���14; diagonal rows of scales on cheek 7���9; predorsal scales 27���37, extending to area ranging from just short of posterior nostrils (38.7 mm SL specimen) to just short of upper lip (97.0 mm SL specimen); circumpeduncular scales 14���16; gill rakers 6���7+15���16=21���23, the upper 3���5 and lower 1���2 rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 12���17; branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1/1+1/1+1; 0 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; 2 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5���6; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 13; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near parapophyses on vertebra 10. Dorsal-fin spines with fleshy tabs on their distal tips; fourth or fifth dorsal spine longest; dorsal fin incised before first segmented-fin ray (tenth spine 55.7���67.0 % length of first segmented ray); second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin rounded with third segmented ray longest; caudal fin truncate to emarginate, with filamentous ray on upper lobe; lower nine pectoral fin rays somewhat thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; ninth (counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through anal origin to anterior third of anal-fin base; pelvic fins short, not reaching anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 28. Mouth large, oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching vertical through posterior edge of pupil in smaller specimens, almost to posterior edge of orbit in largest specimen; maxilla expanded posteriorly; small, splint-like supramaxilla present; mouth terminal, lower jaw projecting; upper jaw with a stout outer canine on either side at front of jaw, flanked internally by villiform band with about 5���6 rows of depressible, smaller, sharp-tipped teeth, the posterior few teeth nearest symphysis enlarged and caniniform; band of villiform teeth reducing to 2���3 rows posteriorly, those of outer row largest and curved inwards; lower jaw with 1���2 stout fixed conical teeth either side of symphysis, flanked internally by villiform band of about 4���5 rows of small depressible teeth at symphysis, the posterior few teeth nearest symphysis enlarged and caniniform; band of teeth reducing to 2���3 on middle of jaw, behind which 1���2 enlarged canines, followed by single row of inwardly curved small teeth on posterior half of jaw; vomer with 2 rows of curved teeth in V-shaped patch; palatine with a band of 2���3 rows of small, sharp-tipped conical teeth; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine concealed by scales; posterior and ventral margin of preopercle with 19 weak (smallest specimen) to 64 strong (in largest specimen) serrations, serrations continuous around angle; interopercle with 2 weak (smallest specimen) to 15 strong (largest specimen) serrations; subopercle with 3���12 serrations, strongest in largest specimen; posttemporal with 0���5 irregular serrations. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with small flap on posterior rim; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with basal cteni; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudalfin base; scales present on maxilla (not apparent in smallest specimen), upper part of snout almost to upper lip, except for naked wedge medially (only to near posterior nostrils in smallest specimen), all infraorbitals except first, mandibles (only posteriorly in smallest specimen) and chin (not apparent in two smaller specimens); no scales on branchiostegal membranes or lips; no auxiliary scales on head or body; soft dorsal fin and anal with fin with low scaly sheath basally, with some small scales extending on to fin membranes; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life (based on colour photo of 38.7 mm SL when freshly dead; Figure 37A): Head reddish brown dorsally, becoming yellow-brown on snout, lips and in broad oblique stripe from lower part of orbit to angle of preopercle, below which abruptly white; iris yellow, greenish brown dorsally and reddish brown posteriorly, with narrow brown ring around pupil and large black blotch in front of pupil; body tan, becoming white on abdomen, with small dark grey spot in front of dorsal fin origin; broad reddish brown bar from anterior nape to base of third dorsal spine, extending ventrally to mid-side; dark grey-brown bar between bases of seventh dorsal spine and second segmented ray, extending ventrally to ventral edge of body between anus and base of second segmented anal ray; two indistinct yellow-brown bars from soft part of dorsal fin to mid-side; caudal peduncle with bar about 3���4 scales wide extending from dorsal to ventral edges of peduncle, bar grey-brown dorsally, paler reddish brown ventrally below lateral line; mid-body dark bar extending broadly on to dorsal fin, remainder of dorsal and anal fins pale to hyaline with bars from body extending on to fin bases; caudal whitish to hyaline, with small orange-brown elongate spot near base of middle few rays of upper lobe; pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline. Colour in preservative: (Figures 37 B���C) Two larger (58.5 and 97.0 mm SL) specimens very faded, but have indistinct dusky melanophores of anterior bar (from bases of seventh dorsal spine to second segmented ray) to about 2 scale rows below lateral line, with very indistinct finer melanophores scattered to ventral edge of body; caudal peduncle bar similar, with bar present mostly as fine, scattered very indistinct melanophores, and distinct melanophores only in mid-lateral, horizontally elongate spot (about 2 scales wide); caudal fin with small dark grey spot near base of middle few rays of upper caudal lobe, remainder of fins pale. Smallest (38.7 mm SL) specimen generally pale tan; dark mid-body and caudal peduncle bars remain, though strong only dorsally, but with indistinct fine melanophores extending to ventral edge of body and peduncle. Habitat and distribution. Originally described from New Caledonia by Randall (1980), P. melanesius is here newly recorded from Australia based on specimens collected off Stradbroke Island, Queensland, and from a large seamount north of Middleton Reef, Tasman Sea (Figure 11). It has been collected at depths of 260���360 m. Comparisons. Plectranthias melanesius closely resembles P. azumanus, P. kelloggi and P. maculicauda. Comparisons between the four species are summarised in Table 21 (but see Remarks below). Remarks. Our use of the species name P. melanesius for Australian specimens is somewhat tentative. Randall (1980) considered Pseudanthias azumanus Jordan & Richardson, 1910 from Japan to be a valid subspecies of Plectranthias kelloggi (Jordan & Evermann, 1903), and erected an additional subspecies, P. kelloggi melanesius, for five specimens from New Caledonia. We are confident in recognising P. azumanus as a full species (see Remarks for P. azumanus) but are less certain of the status of P. kelloggi melanesius, as it is possibly a synonym of P. azumanus. According to Fourmanoir (in Randall 1980), the live coloration of the New Caledonian type specimens was very similar to P. azumanus. Our only fresh photo of the Australian specimens, a 38.7 mm SL juvenile (Figure 37A), suggests slight differences in live coloration (Table 21), though more, larger specimens are needed for proper comparison. Randall distinguished azumanus and melanesius only on the basis of counts of tubed lateral-line scales (32���34, mean 33.2 in melanesius versus 33���36, mean 34.3 in azumanus). With the exception of Lee (1990), who reported lateral line scales counts of 33���42 for Taiwanese specimens, other studies have reported the same counts of 33���36 for Japanese and Taiwanese specimens of P. azumanus (e.g., Katayama 1960, 1984). However, we recorded counts of 34���37 (mean 35.0) from four specimens of P. azumanus from Japan, and 34 for the two specimens from Western Australia. Our three specimens from eastern Australia and north of Middleton Reef conform with Randall���s values for melanesius (32���34, mean 33.0). Sih et al. (2017) recorded P. kelloggi from the Great Barrier Reef based on video footage from baited cameras in 155��� 179 m. However, their observations appear to be based on P. retrofasciatus (see Remarks for that species). Material examined. Australia. AMS I.42721-004, 38.7 mm SL, Lord Howe Rise, large seamount north of Middleton Reef, 29��13.09���S, 158��59.85���E, 298���307 m, Sherman sled, NORFANZ team, 21 May 2003 (field number 0308/049); QM I.21167, 2: 58.5���97.0 mm SL, Queensland, east of Stradbroke Island, 27��32���S, 153��54���E, 260 m, trawl, Queensland Fisheries Service, 15 Dec 1982., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 89-93, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Williams, A., Gowlett-Holmes, K. & Althaus, F. (2006) Biodiversity survey of seamounts and slopes of the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise. Final Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage (National Oceans Office), i-vi + 1 - 203, Append. 1 - 8.","Jordan, D. S. & Evermann, B. W. (1903) Descriptions of new genera and species of fishes from the Hawaiian Islands. Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission, 22, 161 - 208.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Jordan, D. S. & Richardson, R. E. (1910) A review of the Serranidae or sea bass of Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 37, 421 - 474. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.37 - 1714.421","Lee, S. C. (1990) A revision of the serranid fish (family Serranidae) of Taiwan. Journal of the Taiwan Museum, 43 (2), 1 - 72.","Katayama, M. (1960) Fauna Japonica. Serranidae (Pisces). Biogeographical Society of Japan, Tokyo, pp. i-viii + 1 - 189, pls. 1 - 86.","Katayama, M. (1984) Serranidae. In: Masuda, H., Amaoka, K., Araga, C., Uyeno, T. & Yoshino, T. (Eds.), The Fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Tokai University Press, Tokyo, pp. 126 - 138, pls. 111 - 124.","Sih, T. L., Cappo, M. & Kingsford, M. (2017). Deep-reef fish assemblages of the Great Barrier Reef shelf-break (Australia). Scientific Reports, 7, 10886. https: // doi. org / 10.1038 / s 41598 - 017 - 11452 - 1"]}

Plectranthias japonicus (Steindachner) Figures 1, 7, 25; Tables 1���16, 19 Common name: Japanese Perchlet Paracirrhites japonicus Steindachner in Steindachner & D��derlein 1883b: 25 (type locality: Japan). Plectranthias japonicus.��� Sainsbury et al. 1985: 337 (diagnosis, colour photo, off Northern Territory).��� Allen 1985: 2508 (checklist, Western Australia).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 506 (checklist).��� Hutchins 2001: 30 (checklist).��� Allen et al. 2006: 990 (checklist).��� Larson et al. 2013: 102 (checklist).��� Anderson 2018: 29 (checklist).��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 26 (checklist). Sayonara satsumae Jordan & Seale 1906: 145, fig. 3 (type locality: Yamakawa, Japan).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist, North West Shelf). Sayonara mitsukurii Smith & Pope 1906: 469, fig. 3 (type locality: Kagoshima, Japan). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. japonicus from congeners: segmented dorsal rays 14���16, usually 15; fourth or fifth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 15���17, usually 16; lateral line complete, consisting of 30���35 tubed scales; posterior preopercle with 17���40 serrations, which continue around corner of bone to posteroventral edge; no antrorse serrations on ventral edge of preopercle; margins of subopercle and interopercle serrate. Remarks. A relatively large Plectranthias species (largest specimen 129 mm SL), P. japonicus is known in Australia from the North West Shelf and Arafura Sea (Figure 7). Outside of Australia, it is known from southern Japan, Taiwan, and southern Indonesia (Randall 1980; Gloerfelt-Tarp & Kailola 1984; Lee 1990). We add the following new observations: scales with basal cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1 or 1/1/1+1+1/1/1+1; 6���13 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17���18; 4���6 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 9���11; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 19. Material examined. Australia. AMS I.21835-020, 81.3 mm SL, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, 09��21���S, 132��12���E, 156���164 m, otter trawl, FRV Soela, 15 Nov 1980 (field number SO7/80/36); CSIRO H 2548-02, 101 mm SL, CSIRO H 2548-10, 3: 56.9���129 mm SL, Western Australia, northwest of North West Cape, 21��44.7���S, 113��52.3���E to 21��44.5���S, 113��52.5���E, 290���320 m, Engel trawl, P. Last, FRV Southern Surveyor, 24 Jan 1991 (field station number SS0191/8); NTM S.13147-005, 99.3 mm SL, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, 9��47���S, 130��26���E, 255 m, D. Evans, 9 Dec 1990; NTM S.13577-005, 71.4 mm SL, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, 9��5.1���S, 133��39.7���E, 165���176 m, R.S. Williams, 20 Oct 1992. Japan. CAS-SU 9259, 123 mm SL (holotype of Sayonara satsumae Jordan & Seale, 1906; radiograph only), Kagoshima Prefecture, near Kagoshima, Yamagawa, K. Mitsukuri; USNM 55617, 70 mm SL (holotype of Sayonara mitsukurii Smith & Pope 1906; radiograph only), Kagoshima, H.M. Smith, 16 Jun 1903., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 67-68, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Steindachner, F. & Doderlein, L. (1883 b) Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Fische Japan's. (II.). Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe, 48 (1), 1 - 40, pls. 1 - 7.","Sainsbury, K. J., Kailola, P. J. & Leyland, G. G. (1985) Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Fisheries Information Service, Canberra, 375 pp.","Allen, G. R. (1985) Fishes of Western Australia. In: Burgess, W. E. & Axelrod, H. R. (Eds.), Pacific Marine Fishes. Book 9. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, pp. 2207 - 2534.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Hutchins, J. B. (2001) Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 63, 9 - 50. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 63.2001.009 - 050","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Larson, H. K., Williams, R. S. & Hammer, M. P. (2013) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the Northern Territory, Australia. Zootaxa, 3696 (1), 1 - 293. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3696.1.1","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Jordan, D. S. & Seale, A. (1906) Descriptions of six new species of fishes from Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 30, 143 - 148. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.30 - 1445.143","Smith, H. M. & Pope, T. E. B. (1906) List of fishes collected in Japan in 1903, with descriptions of new genera and species. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 31, 459 - 499. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.31 - 1489.459","Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P. J. (1984) Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. The Australian Development Assistance Bureau, Sydney, The Directorate General of Fisheries, Jakarta and The German Agency for Technical Cooperation, Eschborn, 406 pp.","Lee, S. C. (1990) A revision of the serranid fish (family Serranidae) of Taiwan. Journal of the Taiwan Museum, 43 (2), 1 - 72."]}

Plectranthias alleni Randall Figures 2, 8���9, Tables 1���17, 19 Common name: Allen���s Perchlet Plectranthias alleni Randall 1980: 113, fig.1, table 4 (type locality, off SW Western Australia).��� Allen 1985: 2508 (checklist, Western Australia).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 506 (checklist).��� Hutchins 2001: 30 (checklist).��� Allen et al. 2006: 989 (checklist).��� Anderson 2018: 25 (checklist).��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 23 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. alleni from congeners: segmented dorsal rays 14 (rarely 13); pectoral rays 16 (rarely 15 or 17), middle rays branched; lateral line complete, with 31���36 tubed scales; no antrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle; no scales on maxilla. The species is also relatively distinctive in having a short dark stripe in front of the eye, a faint dusky stripe from behind eye across upper side of body, and a faint small dusky spot at midbase of caudal fin (stripes and spot better developed in small specimens). Remarks. A moderate-sized Plectranthias (largest examined specimen, 71.0 mm SL), Randall (1980) described P. alleni on the basis of the holotype and 35 paratypes trawled in 90���192 m off southwest Western Australia (between 29 and 33�� S). In spite of the large number of specimens, live coloration was not recorded. We located two photographs in CSIRO; the first specimen (Figure 8) collected from west of Geraldton, WA, was taken in a beam trawl from 389-407 m depth, while the second specimen was collected from northwest of Perth in a sled in 205- 210 m. Both specimens agree well with the original description of P. alleni and with the diagnosis above. We also examined additional non-type material from west of Garden Island, west of Rottnest Island, west of Mandurah, southwest of Cape Naturaliste, and west of Cervantes (see below). Paratypes in WAM P.23325-001 (as they are now accessioned) were originally 10 specimens with registration numbers between P.23325 and P.23330, but were lumped together by Randall (1980) and incorrectly referred to as WAM P.23325���30 (see Moore et al. 2008). Furthermore, we determined one of these paratypes is actually a misidentified 32.5 mm SL specimen of Lepidoperca occidentalis Whitley, 1951. The L. occidentalis specimen does not appear to have contributed to Randall���s description of P. alleni. We have separated the specimen from the remaining paratypes and allocated it the number WAM P.23330-001; the remaining nine paratypes remain as WAM P.23325- 001. The original description of P. alleni lacks information on several characters that may help clarify relationships of the species. We therefore provide the following new information: scales with basal cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1/1+1/1 or 1/1/1/1+1/1+1; 0���2 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17���18; 0���3 trisegmental pterygiophores in anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4���5; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 12���14; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 19. ......continued on the next page Material examined. Western Australia, Australia. AMS I.20125-001, 48.4 mm SL (paratype), off Rottnest Island, 165���166 m, dredge, R. George, FV Bluefin, 15 Aug 1962; CSIRO H 6365-14, 45.3 mm SL, west of Rottnest Island, 31��59.54���S, 115��10.98���E to 32��00.12���S, 115��10.68���E, 478���508 m, beam trawl, CSIRO, FRV Southern Surveyor, 29 Nov 2005 (SS1005 /68); CSIRO H 6371-10, 71.0 mm SL, west of Geraldton, 28��59.40���S, 113��45.90���E to 28��59.80���S, 113��46.14���E, 389���407 m, beam trawl, FRV Southern Surveyor, 03 Dec 2005 (SS1005 /90); CSIRO H 6476-02, 67 mm SL (radiograph only), northwest of Perth, 31��37.45���S, 115��00.24���E to 31��37.71���S, 115��00.18���E, 205���210 m, Sherman sled, FRV Southern Surveyor, 19 Nov 2005 (SS1005 /11); WAM P.23309-001, 55.0 mm SL (paratype, radiograph only), west of Lancelin, HMAS Diamantinia, 23 Mar 1972; WAM P.23334-001, 61.7 mm SL (paratype, radiograph only), west of Rottnest Island, 32��00���S, 115��15���E, 146���150 m, HMAS Diamantinia, 23 Mar 1972; WAM P.23325-001, 9: 29.3���58.2 mm SL (paratypes), west of Green Head, 29��59���S, 118��25���E, 146 m, dredge, HMAS Diamantina, 22 Mar 1972; WAM P.23331-001, 47.2 mm SL, southwest of Cape Naturaliste, HMAS Diamantina, 16 Mar 1972; WAM P.25625-001, 52.0 mm SL (holotype, radiograph only), off southwest Western Australia, 29��09���S, 113��55���E, 103 m, dredge, RV Sprightly, 19 Feb 1976; WAM P.29069-001, 46.4 mm SL, west of Mandurah, 32��30���S, 115��00���E, HMAS Diamantina, Nov 1970; WAM P.29070-001, 58.2 mm SL, west of Garden Island, HMAS Diamantina, 18 Mar 1972; WAM P.29071-001, 1: 43.2 mm SL, west of Cervantes, 30��33���S, 114��32���E, HMAS Diamantina, 18 Mar 1972., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 34-38, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Allen, G. R. (1985) Fishes of Western Australia. In: Burgess, W. E. & Axelrod, H. R. (Eds.), Pacific Marine Fishes. Book 9. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, pp. 2207 - 2534.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Hutchins, J. B. (2001) Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 63, 9 - 50. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 63.2001.009 - 050","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Moore, G. I., Hutchins, J. B., Smith, K. N. & Morrison, S. M. (2008) Catalogue of type specimens of fishes in the Western Ausralian Museum (second edition). Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 74, 1 - 69. https: // doi. org / 10.18195 / issn. 0313 - 122 x. 74.2008.001 - 069","Whitley, G. P. (1951) Studies in ichthyology. No. 15. Records of the Australian Museum, 22, 389 - 408. https: // doi. org / 10.3853 / j. 0067 - 1975.22.1951.616"]}

Plectranthias nanus Randall Figures 3B, 11, 39; Tables 1���16, 24 Common name: Dwarf Perchlet Plectranthias nanus Randall 1980: 159, fig. 22, tabs 13���14 (type locality: Cocos Island, Guam, Mariana Islands; paratypes from Cocos-Keeling and Christmas Islands).��� Allen & Steene 1988: 180, fig. 134 (checklist, photo, Christmas Island).��� Paxton et al. 1989: 507 (checklist).��� Allen & Smith-Vaniz 1994: 9 (checklist, Cocos (Keeling) Islands); Allen 2000: 87 (checklist, Christmas Island); Allen et al. 2006: 991 (checklist).��� Allen & Erdmann 2012: 289 (diagnosis, photo, Christmas Island).��� Hobbs et al. 2014a: 194, tab. 1 (checklist, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island).��� Hobbs et al. 2014b: 210, tab. 1 (checklist, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island).��� Anderson 2018: 31 (checklist). ��� Parenti & Randall 2020: 28 (checklist). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. nanus from all other congeners: dorsal rays X,13���16; fourth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 13���15, rarely 13, all rays unbranched; lateral line incomplete, with 15���21 tubed scales; greatest body depth 29.4���33.3 % SL. Remarks. A relatively small species (maximum size 39.8 mm SL, Randall 1980), P. nanus is known in Australia from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea (Figure 11). Elsewhere, it ranges widely throughout the Indo-West Pacific, as far west as the Red Sea and as far east as the Pitcairn Islands and Hawaii (Randall 1980; Heemstra 1996; Heemstra & Randall 2009). It closely resembles P. longimanus in coloration, and shares with it apomorphic modification of the caudal skeleton (hypurals 1 and 2 undifferentiated, versus autogenous in other studied Plectranthias species; Figure 5). Characters distinguishing the two species are discussed under Remarks for P. longimanus. In their table 1 and key for western Indian Ocean Plectranthias, Heemstra & Randall (2009) gave a count of 15 branched caudal-fin rays for this species. In their account for the species, however, they gave a range of 13���15 branched caudal rays. The latter count range agrees with the original description: ���13 to 15, usually 13��� (Randall 1980: 162). All specimens examined by us had 13 (7+6) branched caudal rays. We add the following new observations: scales with peripheral cteni; vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1/1+1 or 1/1/1+1/1+1/1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17���18; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 5���6; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 10���12; hypurals 1 and 2 represented by undifferentiated plate, other hypurals and parhypural autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 24. Material examined. Australia. AMS I.19454-088, 2: 23���24 mm SL (radiographs only), Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, channel between Yonge and Carter Reefs, 14��35���S, 145��36���E, 1���18 m, AMS team, 11 Nov 1975; AMS I.20430-005, 3: 15.6���22.1 mm SL, Christmas Island, Flying Fish Cove, 5���10 m, G. R. Allen & R.C. Steene, 12 Jun 1978; AMS I.20442-005, 25.8 mm SL, Christmas Island, Rocky Point, 10���12 m, G. R. Allen & R. Steene, 29 May 1978; AMS I.25112-116, 3: 20.4���29.0 mm SL (subsequently cleared and stained), Coral Sea, west edge of Osprey Reef, 0.75 km north of pass, 13��54���S, 146��33���E, 1���15 m, rotenone, AMS party, 8 Nov 1984; WAM P.28541-039, 7: 16.4���25.1 mm SL, Coral Sea, Holmes Reef, 16��31���S, 147��50���E, 12���14 m, G. R. Allen, 20 Nov 1985; WAM P.29637- 027, 23.9 mm SL, Coral Sea, Lihou Reef and Cays, Georgina Cay, 17��37���S, 151��26���E, 18���29 m, G. R. Allen et al., 12 Nov 1987. French Polynesia. AMS I.21646-036, 3: 23.0��� 27.5 mm SL (radiographs only), Society Islands, Moorea, near Irioa Island, 17��S, 149��W, 15���20 m, B. Goldman, 18 Jun 1976. Additional specimens identified for distribution information. Australia. AMS I.22616-035, 26.0 mm SL, Great Barrier Reef, Escape Reef North, 15��49���S, 145��50���E, coral and sand, 5���18 m, AMS team, 2 Nov 1981; AMS I.22634-006, 31.0 mm SL, Great Barrier Reef, Escape Reef North, 15��49���S, 145��50���E, reef dropoff, 18 m, W.A. Starck, 4 Dec 1981; AMS I.25107-032, 2: 18.0��� 23.5 mm SL, Coral Sea, Osprey Reef, west edge dropoff (13��56���S, 146��34���E), 10���25 m, AMS team, 6 Nov 1984; AMS I.28993-016, 5: 17.3���27.5 mm SL, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, west side near Wreck Point, 11��19���S, 96��49���E, G. R. Allen, 23 Fed 1989; AMS I.33747-023, 22.5 mm SL, Coral Sea, Boot Reef, 09��58.70���S, 144��42.52���E, coral, sand and rubble, 23���30 m, AMS team, 27 Jan 1993., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 95-96, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Randall, J. E. (1980) Revision of the fish genus Plectranthias (Serranidae: Anthiinae) with descriptions of 13 new species. Micronesica, 16, 101 - 187.","Allen, G. R. & Steene, R. C. (1988) Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association, Christmas Island, pp. 199.","Paxton, J. R., Hoese, D. F., Allen, G. R. & Hanley, J. E. (1989) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 pp.","Allen, G. R. & Smith-Vaniz, W. F. (1994) Fishes of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin, 412, 1 - 21. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00775630.412.1","Allen, G. R. (2000) Fishes of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 59, 83 - 95.","Allen, G. R., Hoese, D. F., Cross, N. J. & Bray, D. J. (2006) Anthiinae. Basslets, seaperches. In: Beesley, P. L. & Wells, A., Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Fishes. Part 2. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp. 982 - 997.","Allen, G. R. & Erdmann, M. V. (2012) Reef Fishes of the East Indies. Vols. I-III. Tropical Reef Research, Perth, 1292 pp.","Hobbs, J. P., Newman, S. J., Mitsopoulos, G. E. A., Travers, M. J., Skepper, C. L., Gilligan, J. J., Allen, G. R., Choat, H. J. & Ayling, A. M. (2014 a) Checklist and new records of Christmas Island fishes: the influence of isolation, biogeography and habitat availability on species abundance and community composition. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 30, 184 - 202.","Hobbs, J. P., Newman, S. J, Mitsopoulos, G. E. A., Travers, M. J, Skepper, C. L., Gilligan, J. L, Allen, G. R., Choat, H. J. & Ayling, A. M. (2014 b). Fishes of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands: new records, community composition and biogeographic significance. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 30, 203 - 219.","Anderson, W. D. Jr (2018) Annotated checklist of anthiadine fishes (Percoidei: Serranidae). Zootaxa, 4475 (1), 1 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4475.1.1","Parenti, P. & Randall, J. E. (2020) An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Serranidae of the world with description of two new related families of fishes. FishTaxa, 15, 1 - 170.","Heemstra, P. C. (1996) A review of species of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Mauritius. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 51, 139 - 146. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00359199609520604","Heemstra, P. C. & Randall, J. E. (2009) A review of the anthiine fish genus Plectranthias (Perciformes: Serranidae) of the Western Indian Ocean, with description of a new species, and a key to the species. Smithiana Bulletin, 10, 3 - 17."]}

Plectranthias megalophthalmus Fourmanoir & Randall Figures 30, 36; Tables 1���16, 25 Common name: Citron Perchlet Plectranthias megalophthalmus Fourmanoir & Randall 1979: 316, fig. 1, tab. 1 (type locality: south of Isle of Pines, New Caledonia). Plectranthias sp.��� Last et al. 2014: 217 (list, Marion Plateau, western Coral Sea). Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. megalophthalmus from congeners: dorsal rays X,15; pectoral rays 15, all but the uppermost 1���2 rays branched; edge of preopercle smooth; lateral-line complete with 31���33 tubed scales; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 12���13. Description of Australian specimen. Dorsal rays X,15, all segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 15/15, all but upper 2/1 rays branched; pelvic fin I, 5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; branched caudal fin rays undetermined owing to fin damage; total caudal-fin rays 29; lateral line complete with 32/33 tubed scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 2/3; scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 2/2; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 13/13; diagonal rows of scales on cheek 6; predorsal scales 22, extending to posterior nostrils; circumpeduncular scales 12; gill rakers 6+12, the upper 4 and lower 3 rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 12; branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10+16; supraneurals 2; predorsal formula 0/0/2/1+1; dorsal pterygiophores in interneural spaces 9���13 1/1/1+1/1+1/1+1; 8 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 17; 4 trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 4; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 12; parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10. Fleshy tabs present on distal tips of at least some dorsal spines (difficult to determine owing to fin damage); fourth dorsal spine longest (though with tip broken); dorsal fin incised before first segmented-fin ray; second analfin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin shape not determined owing to damage; caudal fin shape not determined owing to damage; lower 7 pectoral fin rays somewhat thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; tenth (counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through base of second segmented anal ray; pelvic fins short, just reaching anus, second segmented ray longest. Morphometric data are summarised in Table 25. Mouth large, posterior margin of maxilla reaching vertical through posterior margin of pupil; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; small splint-like supramaxilla present; mouth terminal; upper jaw with a short caniniform tooth either side of symphysis, flanked internally by villiform band with about 6 rows of smaller conical teeth, the band narrowing posteriorly without reduction in number of tooth rows; inner teeth nearest symphysis of upper jaw enlarged, caniform and depressible; lower jaw with villiform band of about 5���6 rows of small conical teeth at symphysis, reducing to 2 rows posteriorly, the outer row teeth slightly larger and depressible; middle of lower jaw with 2 outer caniniform teeth; vomer with 2���3 rows of small conical teeth arranged in U-shaped band; palatine with narrow band of small conical teeth, 3���4 rows at widest point; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, rounded and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine concealed by scales; preopercle, interopercle and subopercle smooth. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with flap on posterior rim, flap reaching posterior nostril when depressed; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with basal cteni present on at least some head and anterior and dorsal body scales (other scales with peripheral cteni only); lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudal-fin base; scales present on maxilla and all but first infraorbitals, none on mandibles, chin, branchiostegal membranes or anterior snout; no auxiliary scales on head or body; soft dorsal and anal fin with low scaly sheath basally, with some small scales extending on to fin membranes; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on to fin membranes. Colour in life: Not known for the Australian specimen (holotype evidently yellow; Fourmanoir & Randall 1979). Colour in preservative (Figure 36): head and body pale tan; upper body with four indistinct dusky blotches, first below dorsal spines 3 through 5, second below dorsal spines 8 and 9, third beneath segmented dorsal rays 4 through 6, and fourth beneath segmented dorsal rays 11 through 13; sides of body 1���2 scale rows beneath lateral line with three indistinct dusky blotches, first two beneath first two blotches on upper body, third slightly posterior to third spot on upper body; fins pale without markings. Habitat and distribution. Known only from the holotype, trawled in 360 m off the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, and a specimen trawled in 312���318 m, in the Coral Sea northeast of the Whitsunday Islands (Figure 30). Records of the species from the North West Shelf of Australia are based on the related P. lasti. Comparisons. Plectranthias megalophthalmus resembles P. lasti and P. fijiensis in having relatively small canine teeth in the jaws and a smooth preopercle. It differs from P. lasti in having more dorsal segmented rays (15 versus 14) and more scales below the lateral line to the anal origin (12���13 versus 9���10), and from P. fijiensis in pectoral ray branching (only upper 1���2 rays unbranched in P. megalophthalmus versus first and ninth through 12 th unbranched in P. fijiensis), the absence of scales on the mandibles (versus posterior part of mandible scaled), and a shallower body (greatest body depth 27.8���29.4 versus 37.2 % SL). Remarks. Although P. megalophthalmus has been previously recorded from Australia, the three North West Shelf specimens that form the basis for those records are here identified as P. lasti. We tentatively identify a specimen collected from the Marion Plateau off Queensland as P. megalophthalmus. It agrees well with Fourmanoir & Randall���s (1979) original description and figure of the species, particularly in having a smooth preopercle, no enlarged canine teeth, X,15 dorsal rays, 15 mostly branched pectoral rays, similar numbers of lateral line scales, 12 circumpeduncular scales, similar scalation of the head, similar morphometric values, and similar preserved coloration. However, the Queensland specimen differs in a few minor details, notably numbers of lateral line scales 32���33 (versus 31) and upper gill rakers 6 (versus 5), and in having a smaller eye (12.6 versus 13.8 % SL) and a deeper caudal peduncle (13.7 versus 11.1 % SL). Until additional specimens from both localities become available for comparison, we regard our identification as tentative. Material examined. CSIRO H 643-4, 53.2 mm SL, Australia, Queensland, northeast of Whitsunday Group, 19��38.1���S, 150��32.7���E to 19��37.6���S, 150��30.3���E, 312���318 m, trawl, FRV Soela, 15 Nov 1985 (field station SO0685/2)., Published as part of Gill, Anthony C., Pogonoski, John J., Moore, Glenn I. & Johnson, Jeffrey W., 2021, Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species, pp. 1-116 in Zootaxa 4918 (1) on pages 87-89, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4918.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4471922, {"references":["Fourmanoir, P. & Randall, J. E. (1979) Three new species of serranid fishes of the genus Plectranthias from New Caledonia. Micronesica, 15, 315 - 324.","Last, P. R., Pogonoski, J. P., Gledhill, D. C., White, W. T. & Walker, C. J. (2014) The deepwater demersal ichthyofauna of the western Coral Sea. Zootaxa, 3887, 191 - 224."]}

Two new species of Plectranthias perchlets are described, collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems in French Polynesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the tropical Central Pacific. Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. was collected at a depth of 105 m in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and 120 m in Maloelap Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. It was also observed in Moorea and Rangiroa (French Polynesia), and at Majuro and Erikub Atolls, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. was collected at a depth of 90–98 m in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and observed in Moorea. The barcode fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. does not closely match any published sequence of Plectranthias, with approximately 15% uncorrected divergence from several species. Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. can be distinguished from all of its congeners by coloration and morphology. The barcode fragment of the COI gene of Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. is closest to Plectranthias bennetti, with 5.4% uncorrected divergence. Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. is also distinguished from all of its congeners by morphology, and a coloration that includes two indistinct black spots along the base of the dorsal-fin, and transparent yellow dorsal and anal fin membranes. With this publication, the genus Plectranthias now comprises 58 valid species, with representatives from tropical to temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. These two new discoveries add to the growing body of research highlighting the rich biodiversity of mesophotic ecosystems.

Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov. New English name: Purple-scaled perchlet Figures 1A, 2, 3A, 4, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8; Tables 1–3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 421111DE-6DAC-463E-A7E4-2DE436361F0C Holotype. NMMSTP002339 (143.8 mm SL), ca. 25.4– 25.6°N, 121.9– 122.0°E, Three Northern Islands, Northern Taiwan, northwestern Pacific Ocean, collected by angling boat, purchased at Keelung fish market, 25 Sep. 2019. Paratypes. Fifteen specimens, 93.6–150.9 mm SL. NMMB-P30975 (143.6 mm SL), NMMSTP002340 (144.7), NMMSTP002341 (146.6 mm SL), collected together with the holotype. NMMB-P032937 (137.4) and NMMB- P033386 (131.1), purchased at Keelung fish market, 30 Dec. 2019; NMMB-P032938–43 (6, 116.9–133.0), purchased at Keelung fish market, 18 Dec. 2019; NMMB-P032944–7 (4, 93.6–145.7), purchased at Keelung fish market, 27 Mar. 2019; all these specimens may have been collected near the type locality. Diagnosis. A species of Plectranthias with pectoral and pelvic fins mostly covered by small scales and scales on the whitish pink blotches turn purple when preserved. It can be further separated from congeners by having the combination of following characters: dorsal-fin elements X, 16–17; 3rd dorsal-fin spine longest; pectoral-fin rays usually 14, all branched except for uppermost ray simple; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; pored lateral-line scales 32–36; 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek; circumpeduncular scales 14; ca. 7 rows of large predorsal scales, 2 irregular rows of small scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils; no scales on maxilla and chin; posterior margin of preopercle serrated, ventral margin with 2 antrorse spines; and greatest body depth 32.6–35.1% SL. Description. Following data and status are given for the holotype with those of paratypes in parentheses when different, unless otherwise indicated. Dorsal-fin elements X, 16 (X, 16–17), all rays segmented and branched; anal-fin elements III, 7, all rays branched; pectoral-fin rays 14/14 (13–15), all rays segmented and branched except for the uppermost ray which is segmented and simple; pelvic-fin elements I, 5, all rays segmented and branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 7 (7); lower procurrent caudal fin rays 6 (6–7); principal caudal fin rays 9+8 (branched rays 8+7); total caudal-fin rays 30 (30–31). Lateral line complete, with 33 tubed scales on both sides (32–34, except 1 paratype with 35 and 1 with 36); 4.5 (4 or 4.5) scale rows between lateral line to origin of dorsal fin (4 and 1 small scale at base of first spine); 2.5 (2.5 or 3.5) scale rows between lateral line to base of middle dorsal spines; scale rows counted from lateral line slanting down posteriorly to origin of anal fin 14 (13–14, except 1 paratype with 17); diagonal rows of large scales on cheek between eye and corner of preopercle 6; ca.7 (7–9) large predorsal scale rows, with 2 irregular rows of small scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils; circumpeduncular scales 14. Gill rakers 17 (16–20), including 4 (rudimentary)+1 (developed) (4+1–2) on upper limb and 8 (developed)+4 (rudimentary)=12 (7–8+4–6=11–14) on lower limb; pseudobranch filaments 20 (18–26); branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10+16=26; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; ribs present on the 3rd vertebrate to the 10th; epurals 3; epineural bones 11; no trisegmental pterygiophores in either the dorsal or anal fins; numbers of pterygiophores inserting within the 9th through 13th interneural spaces 1/1/2/2/2; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent). Dorsal-fin rays X, 16 X, 16 (3), X, 17 (12) X, 18; X, 17 X, 17 X, 18 X, 17–18 X, 18 X–XI, 17–18 Anal-fin rays III, 7 III, 7 (15) III, 7 III, 7 III, 7 III, 7 III, 7 III, 7 Pectoral-fin rays 14 13 (1), 14 (13), 15 (1) 14; 15 14 13 12–13 13 13/13 Pelvic-fin rays I, 5 I, 5 (15) I, 5 I, 5 I, 5 I, 5 - I, 5 Principal caudal-fin rays 9+8 9+8 (15) - - - 9+8 - 9+8 Branched caudal-fin rays 8+7 8+7 (15) 8+7 15 - 8+7 15 8+7 Upper/lower procurrent rays 7/6 7/6 (9), 7/7 (6) - - - 7/6 - 7, 6 Total caudal-fin rays 30 30 (15) - - - 30 - 30 32 (2), 33 (3), 34 (7), 35 Lateral-line scales 33 34 33/35 32 31–34 36 33–38 (1), 36 (1) Scale rows above LL 4.5 4 (1), 4.5 (13) 4 3.5 4.5 4.5 5.5 5.5 Scale rows below LL 14 13 (5), 14 (9), 17 (1) 14 - - 13–14 18 17–18 Cheek scale rows 6 6 (15) 7 5 5 5–6 6 6–7 Predorsal scale rows 7 7 (10), 8 (4), 9 (1) - - - 6–8 - 7–8 Circumpeduncular scales 14 13 (1), 14 (13) 16 14 - 14 15 14 Gill rakers (upper limb) 4+1 4+1 (14), 4+2 (1) 6 6 - 3+2 6 3+2 or 3+3 7+4 (1), 7+5 (2), 7+6 (1), 2+10=12 Gill rakers (lower limb) 8+4 13 - 7–8+4–6=11–14 13 9+3–4=12–13 8+4 (7), 8+5 (1), 8+6 (1) (developed) Gill rakers (total) 17 16–20 18; 19 19 17 16–19 19 17–19 Pseudobranchial filaments 20 18–26 25; 33 - - 21–25 37 28–36 Branchiostegal rays 7 7 (15) 7 - - 7 - 7 Body relatively long, oblong, greatest body depth 34.0% (32.6–35.1%) SL; dorsal profile of head slightly convex, spinous dorsal-fin base nearly straight. Head moderately large, its length 40.8% (40.7–43.4%) SL; snout relatively short, 9.9% (9.9–11.5%) HL; eye moderately large, its diameter 26.4% (23.8–27.2%) HL; interorbital space flatten to slightly concave, its width 10.2% (8.5–10.7%) HL. Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla slightly before the vertical through middle of eye; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; a small rod-shaped supramaxilla above posterior portion of maxilla; mouth terminal, lower jaw extending slightly beyond tip of upper jaw. Upper jaw with 1 (1 or 2 in paratypes) large fixed canine on either side of symphysis, flanked internally by villiform band with about 12 (11–14) rows of depressible, smaller, sharp-tipped teeth, with inner rows becoming progressively longer, band reduced to 3 rows posteriorly; lower jaw with 1 or 2 (1 or 2) moderately large fixed canines on either side of symphysis, flanked internally by villiform band of about 9 (7–9) rows of small depressible teeth at symphysis, teeth becoming progressively longer on inner rows, 1 (1 or 2) enlarged, curved canine on middle of jaw on either side, band reduced to single row posteriorly; vomer with roughly V-shaped band of 4 (4; 6 in 1 paratype) rows of sharp-tipped conical teeth; palatine with a band of 3 (3–5) rows of small, sharp-tipped conical teeth; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Three flat spines on opercle, middle one longest, uppermost one covered by scales, others naked. Posterior margin of preopercle irregular, serrated, about 27/27 (17–26) small serrae; two antrorse spines on ventral margin. Interopercle and subopercle exposed margins smooth. Anterior nostril at middle of snout, tubular, a small flap on posterior rim; posterior nostril at orbit anterior border, rim slightly raised, no flap. Dorsal fin with fleshy filament only on the tip of third spine; third dorsal-fin spine longest; dorsal fin moderately incised before first ray, the last dorsal-fin spine slightly shorter than the penultimate spine; second anal-fin spine longest and thickest; anal fin pointed with third ray longest; caudal fin truncate, third principal ray on upper lobe slightly elongated, but not filamentous; lower 7 pectoral-fin rays thickened, membranes between these rays deeply incised; ninth (counting from the uppermost) ray thickest and longest, reaching a vertical through base of second dorsal-fin ray (first or second rays in paratypes); pelvic fins short, when appressed far in front of anus, second ray longest. Body covered by large ctenoid scales, simple, without ctenial bases in posterior field; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudal-fin base, each lateral-line scale with single opening directed dorsoposteriorly; no scales on maxilla, chin, and branchiostegal membranes. All fins partially scaled; dorsal fin with intermittent row of scales along basal 1/3 of soft ray portion; anal fin mostly covered by small ctenoid scales, membranes between the 3rd spine to 4th soft ray nearly entirely covered by scales; pectoral and pelvic fins covered by small ctenoid scales at basal 1/3, scales gradually narrower, smaller and becoming cycloid, extending to more than 2/3 of the fin; caudal fin covered with narrow ctenoid scales extending more than half of the fin. Coloration. When fresh (Figs. 1A, 2), head and body yellowish to reddish yellow; five to six whitish pink stripes or blotches on dorsum, along dorsal-fin base and caudal peduncle, their width restricted to one scale. First stripe longest, extending from membranes of third and fourth dorsal-fin spines and slanting down to upper portion of opercle anteriorly; second stripe from membranes between ninth and tenth dorsal-fin spines, extending downward to below lateral line; third stripe divided into 2 blotches, upper blotch at bases of fourth to seventh dorsal-fin rays and lower at lateral line; fourth stripe from bases of the tenth to twelfth dorsal-fin rays, extending right above lateral line; fifth and sixth stripes (blotches) at upper margin of caudal peduncle. Five irregular yellowish red blotches along lower portion of body; abdomen area usually whitish pink or uniformly white. Maxilla white, upper part of lips yellowish to pinkish; iris yellow, with two orange stripes on upper and lower margin, a blackish bar through the iris horizontally; cheek and opercle pinkish, yellowish margins on several scales; margin of preopercle yellowish, white bordered; chin and branchiostegal membranes white. Spinous dorsal fin mostly yellow or reddish yellow, membranes whitish between the second and fourth spines and ninth and tenth spines; soft dorsal fin with red margin, base yellow to reddish yellow with two whitish pink areas between fourth to seventh soft rays and tenth to twelfth soft rays; caudal fin reddish yellow with a broad reddish margin and two whitish pink blotches at caudal fin base; pectoral fin pale crimson; pelvic fin mostly white; anal fin pale to reddish yellow. When preserved in alcohol (Fig. 3), body pale; no blackish band along the median line of the nape; reddish yellow pigment above lateral line still present after a month in preservation; white stripes extending from dorsal-fin base become a distinct purple color. One specimen still shows the distinct purple marking after ten months (Fig. 3C); groups of melanophores present below the dorsal base; all fins transparent. Size. The largest specimen examined is 151 mm SL. Distribution and habitat. Only known from northern Taiwan, near the “Three Northern Islands,” collected by anglers at depths of 200 m or below, judging from other specimens collected together, such as Parapercis spp., Plectranthias kamii, P. sheni, and Helicolenus hilgendorfii (Döderlein, 1884). The habitat of this species is assumed to be rocky reef bottom or slope in the mesophotic zone. Etymology. The specific name purpuralepis is a combination of the Latin “purpura” and “lepis,” meaning purple scales, in reference to the distinct purple color only present after preservation. The name is treated as a noun in apposition. Comparison. Plectranthias purpuralepis can be distinguished from most members of the genus by the following combination of characters: pectoral and pelvic fin mostly covered by scales; a relatively large body size (up to 151 mm SL); two antrorse spines ventrally on ventral margin of the preopercle; bony interorbital width narrow; no scales on maxilla or chin; 14 circumpeduncular scales; body color reddish yellow, with 5 to 6 white stripes or patches slanting anteriorly from dorsal-fin base. According to the keys to species of Plectranthias provided by Randall (1980, 1996), the species is most similar to P. jothyi and P. anthioides in having almost the same meristics and body proportions. Table 3 lists selected characters for comparison of the similar species. ric data are shown as a multiple of SL or HL. Plectranthias purpuralepis differs from P. jothyi from a combination of characters: a shorter head, its length 40.7–43.4% SL (vs. 43.6–44.8% in P. jothyi); 3rd dorsal-fin spine much shorter, its length 29.1–38.5 HL (vs. 41.1– 44.7%); 2nd anal-fin spine and pelvic fin shorter, their lengths 32.6–37.2% and 43.7–53.0% HL, respectively (vs. 39.1–45.0% and 50.0–54.8%, respectively); circumpeduncular scales 14 (vs. 16); 1+7–8 developed gill rakers on first gill arch (vs. 2+10); two small irregular rows of scales on interorbital space extending to a line through the posterior nostrils (vs. scales extending to middle of interorbital space); no black bars on upper half of body (vs. six diagonal blackish bars present); no whitish patch on nape (vs. a small patch present on nape); three whitish bars, restricted to one scale wide on dorsum below dorsal-fin base, the third usually breaking into three small patches (vs. whitish bars three scales wide and the third bar not broken; see Randall, 1996: fig. 1). Our specimens have one moderately large canine at each side of front of lower jaw, which is distinctly larger than the neighboring ones, whereas the holotype of P. jothyi does not have such a tooth (Randall, 1996: 123); there are 4–6 and 3–5 tooth rows on the vomer and palatines, respectively, in P. purpuralepis, whereas there are only 2–3 and 1–2 tooth rows on the vomer and palatines, respectively, in P. jothyi (Randall, 1996: 123). However, our specimens are much larger than the holotype of P. jothyi and these differences may be attributed to size differences. Plectranthias purpuralepis can be separated from P. anthioides in having a much shorter second anal-fin spine, its length 32.6–37.2% HL (vs. 49.0%, in P. anthioides), when appressed, the tip of spine reaching posterior end of anal-fin base (vs. well behind base); and a shorter pelvic fin, its length 43.7–53.0% HL (vs. 57.8% in P. anthioides), when appressed, tip of the fin well in front of anus (vs. reaching anus); caudal fin truncated (vs. rounded in P. anthioides); no irregular and indistinct blackish spots on back and blackish line along the median line of the nape (vs. present in life color of P. anthioides in original description; Randall, 1980). In Taiwan, P. purpuralepis is also similar to P. sheni and P. kamii, but distinctly different in coloration pattern and combination of meristic and morphometric characters. Plectranthias purpuralepis can be separated from P. sheni and P. kamii by having scales covering more than 2/3 of both sides of pelvic fin (vs. scales restricted to base of pelvic fin) and dorsal profile of head relatively convex (vs. nearly straight). Moreover, P. purpuralepis differs from P. sheni and/or P. kamii by having a combination of the following characters: 16 or 17 segmented and branched dorsal-fin soft rays (vs. 18 in P. kamii); 14 total pectoral-fin rays (vs. 13 in both P. sheni and P. kamii); small predorsal scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils (vs. not reaching the line in P. kamii); number of scale rows below lateral line to origin of anal fin 13 or 14 (vs. 18 in P. kamii); a relatively shallower body, the greatest body depth 32.6–35.1% SL (vs. 34.6–39.0% in P. sheni and 34.7–37.7% in P. kamii); a shorter head, HL 40.7–43.4% SL (vs. 42.8–43.6% in P. sheni and 42.8–44.9% in P. kamii); longest dorsal-fin spine (3rd) 29.1–38.5% HL (vs. 38.7–42.7% in P. sheni and 39.4–50.7% in P. kamii); usually 33 tubed lateral-line scales (vs. 38 in P. kamii); pelvic-fin mostly scaled on both sides (vs. not scaled in P. kamii and scaled at base of the fin in P. sheni); body lacking series of brown blotches (versus 2 series of brown blotches).

Plectranthias cruentus new species Figures 1–2; Table 1 Common name: Bloody Perchlet Plectranthias sp C.— Williams et al., 2006: 29 (colour photo of holotype); Clark & Roberts, 2008: 51, fig. 18 (colour photo of holotype). Holotype. AMS I.42725-007, 57.3 mm SL, Australia, Lord Howe Island, off Ball’s Pyramid, from 31°49.11’S, 159°20.74’E to 31°49.44’S, 159°20.39’E, 86–89 m, Sherman sled, R. V. Tangaroa, 22 May 2003 (NORFANZ TAN 0308 /061). Paratypes. AMS I.12854, 43.0 mm SL, Australia, Lord Howe Island, P. R. Pedley, 1913; NMNZ P.039081, 52.7 mm SL, collected with holotype; NMNZ P. 061156, 44.4 mm SL, collected with holotype. Non-type specimen. AMS I.35797-007, Australia, Queensland, off Moreton Bay, 27°27.37’S, 153°39’E, 77 m (stated depth 42 fathoms), W.F. Ponder aboard RANS Kimbla, 29 Mar 1969. Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. cruentus from all known congeners: dorsal rays X,16–17, fifth or sixth spine longest; pectoral-fin rays 13, at least some middle rays branched, upper 5 or more unbranched; predorsal scales extending forward only to supratemporal commissure. Live coloration: dorsal and lateral body bright orange, becoming yellow-orange ventrally, crossed by narrow, red-edged pink oblique bars, which also extend along base of anal fin; posterior part of caudal peduncle with distinct, broad orange-red bar, caudal fin yellow; pectoral fins translucent orange-pink; pelvic fins bright yellow, tipped with orange. Description. Dorsal rays X,17 (16 f 2; 17 f 1), all segmented rays branched; anal-fin rays III,8 (III,7 f 3), all segmented rays branched; pectoral-fin rays 13/13, upper 5/5 (5–7) and lower 1/1 (0–3) rays unbranched; pelvic fin I,5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 6 (5 f 1; 6 f 2); principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; branched caudal-fin rays 7 + 7; total caudal-fin rays 29 (28 f 1; 29 f 2); lateral line complete with 29/29 (29 f 5; 30 f 1) tubed scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 3/3; scales above lateral line to base of fifth dorsal spine 3/3 (2 f 1; 3 f 3; 4 f 2); scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 11/11; diagonal rows of scales on cheek 5 (5 f 2; 6 f 1); predorsal scales 7, extending anteriorly to supratemporal commissure, at vertical above preopercle margin; circumpeduncular scales 14; gill rakers 5+13 (5 + 12 f 1; 5 + 13 f 1; 5 + 14 f 1), the upper 4 and lower 5 (5–6) rudiments; pseudobranchial filaments 18 (14–17); branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10 + 16; supraneurals 3; predorsal formula 0/0 + 0/2/1 + 1; no trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal and anal fins; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 15 (14–15); parhypural and all hypurals autogenous (i.e., not “fused” to each other); well-developed hypurapophysis on parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed posteroventral process; proximal tip of first anal-fin pterygiophore near distal tips of parapophyses on vertebra 10; no parapophyses on first caudal vertebra (Figure 2). Fleshy tabs present on distal tips of at least dorsal-fin spines 4 through 7 (and possibly on spine 3; tabs shrink when preserved, and are thus often difficult to see); sixth (fifth or sixth) dorsal spine longest; dorsal fin incised before first segmented fin ray; ninth (sixth to eighth) segmented dorsal ray longest; second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin rounded with second or third segmented ray longest; caudal fin emarginate with upper lobe longer than lower lobe; lower 6 pectoral fin rays thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; eighth (counting from dorsal-most) pectoral-fin ray longest, reaching vertical through base of second or third segmented anal-fin ray; second segmented pelvic-fin ray longest, relatively short, varying from just short of anus to reaching vertical through base of first segmented anal-fin ray. Morphometric values are summarised in Table 1. dard length (SL). –, no data (broken). Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching just beyond vertical through posterior edge of orbit; small splint-like supramaxilla present; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; mouth terminal; upper jaw with 1–2 fixed, stout outer canines at front of jaw; behind these a band of small conical teeth, about 3–4 rows wide at symphysis reducing to 2 rows posteriorly on sides of jaw, the outer row teeth slightly larger and curved; teeth in anterior part of band depressible, those nearest symphysis enlarged and caniniform; teeth in lower jaw similar to upper jaw, except inner row teeth in band slightly enlarged and curved, and 1–2 enlarged canine teeth in outer row, about midway along jaw; vomer with V-shaped band of 2 rows of small conical teeth; palatine with 2 rows of small conical teeth arranged in elongate oval patch; ectopterygoid and mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate. Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine relatively small; preopercle with 34/32 (19–32) serrations on posterior margin, these largest ventrally, and additional 2/3 (2) enlarged antrorse serrations on ventral margin; interopercle with 2/2 (1–3) small, inconspicuous serrations; subopercle with 0 (0–6) small, inconspicuous serrations; exposed portion of posttemporal with 6/6 (3–4) irregular serrations. Anterior nostril positioned on posterior third of snout, close to posterior nostril, in short tube with small flap on posterior rim; posterior nostril at anterior border of orbit, subtriangular with slightly raised rim but no flap. Scales ctenoid with peripheral cteni and no basal cteni; lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following body contour to caudal-fin base; no scales on chin, mandibles, branchiostegal membranes, maxilla or snout; no auxiliary scales on head or body; intermittent row of scales along base of posterior part of spinous dorsal fin, becoming low scaly sheath, 2–3 rows high over basal part of soft dorsal; anal fin with low scaly sheath basally, 1–2 rows high; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath; pectoral fins with basal scaly sheath. Colour in life: Head and body bright orange, becoming bright yellow-orange ventrally; two indistinct red-edged pink stripes beneath eye extending to first infraorbital, one from mid-ventral edge of orbit, the other from posterior edge of orbit; scales on cheek each with red-edged pink spot, these aligning to form three oblique stripes that extend, respectively, to pelvic fin origin, space between bases of pelvic and pectoral fins, and lower edge of pectoral-fin base; operculum with two large (subequal to pupil) red-edged, bright yellow spots; iris red, with short dark bar anteriorly, bright yellow spots ventrally and posteriorly and narrow yellow ring around pupil; scales of dorsal body each with a pink spot, these aligning on the lateral and ventral body to become narrow, red-edged pink oblique bars, each alternating with c.15 slightly oblique yellow bars, narrow dorsally, expanding to at least twice the width ventrally, extending to ventral profile of body and across anal fin; caudal peduncle with a distinctive broad vertical orange-red bar near caudal base, edged anteriorly with contrasting broad pale pink bar, and orange-yellow posteriorly; spinous portion of dorsal fin pale pink, spine tips and fleshy tabs bright orange-yellow to bright yellow; soft rays of dorsal fin yellow, becoming bright orange-yellow distally and narrowly pale pink basally; basal part of dorsal fin with five indistinct reddish orange blotches, first between 5 th and 6 th spines, second between 8 th and 9 th spines, third between 1 st and 5 th segmented rays, fourth between 7 th and 10 th segmented rays, fifth between 12 th and 17 th segmented rays; anal rays bright yellow, red on distal margin, with red bars on body extending on to base of fin, breaking up to become one (anteriorly) to three (posteriorly) rows of red streaks; caudal fin orange-yellow basally, becoming pale yellow posteriorly, with upper and lower margins of fin narrowly red; pelvic fin spine orange-red, the remainder of fin bright orange-yellow basally, becoming bright orange-red distally, with distal tip black; pectoral fin translucent reddish orange. Colour in preservative: Generally pale tan, with no dark markings except blackish tip on second pelvic-fin ray. Habitat and distribution. Known from the holotype and two paratypes collected at 86–89 m off Ball’s Pyramid, south-east of Lord Howe Island, and from a paratype collected by P.R. Pedley at Lord Howe Island in 1913. Possibly occurs off southeast Queensland, Australia (see Remarks). Comparisons. Plectranthias cruentus closely resembles P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu (1994) in live coloration, and most meristic and morphometric details. The latter species was initially described from Mauritius but was subsequently reported from southern Japan by Senou & Yunokawa (1995), from South Africa by Heemstra & Randall (2009), and from New Caledonia by Fricke et al. (2015). The two species are unique among Plectranthias species in having the predorsal scales extend anteriorly only to the supratemporal canal, at a vertical above the preopercle (versus to a vertical through the posterior edge of the orbit or further forward in congeners). Plectranthias cruentus is readily distinguished from P. pelicieri in having: some middle pectoral-fin rays branched (versus all unbranched in P. pelicieri), the fifth or sixth dorsal-fin spine longest (versus third longest), and interopercle with 1–3 small, inconspicuous serrations (versus “distinctly serrate anteriorly” according to Heemstra & Randall, 2009). Plectranthias cruentus also differs from P. pelicieri in the following live coloration details (cf. Figures 1 and 3): caudal fin yellow (versus clear with yellow or orange spots); operculum with two red-edged yellow pupil-sized spots (versus with a single eye-sized red and yellow ocellus); and posterior part of caudal peduncle with broad orange-red bar (versus pink with orange-red spots or rectangular markings dorsally and ventrally). Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin, meaning stained or spotted with blood, and alludes to the bright red markings in life. Remarks. A 37.4 mm SL specimen collected at 77 m off Moreton Bay in 1969 by W.F. Ponder (AMS I.35797- 007) is possibly referable to this species. The specimen agrees in all salient features with the type specimens (including characters listed in the diagnosis), but we treat the identification and distribution record of this specimen as tentative, pending the discovery of additional specimens. We therefore excluded the specimen from the type series.

Plectranthias cruentus new species is described from the holotype and two paratypes collected off Ball’s Pyramid and a paratype from Lord Howe Island. It resembles P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu 1994 in live coloration and most morphological details, including absence of predorsal scales anterior to the supratemporal commissure, but differs in having the fifth or sixth (versus third) dorsal-fin spine longest, at least some pectoral-fin rays branched (versus all unbranched), and inconspicuous (versus distinct) serrations on the interopercle. It also differs in live coloration details.

Three specimens of the serranid fish (Serranidae), Plectranthias kamii Randall, 1980 were collected from fish market, Bitung, North Sulawesi on May and June 2010. Some morphological characters P. kamii is closely related to P. sheni, P. megalophthalmus, P. retrofasciatus, P. rubrifasciatus, P. knappi, P. helenae, P. pelicieri, P. jothyi, P. retrofasciatus and P. randalli in sharing of body width, upper jaw length, pelvic spine length and orbit diameter. Meristic count characters of P. kamii differ from P. sheni, P. pilicieri, P. megalophthalmus, P. retrofasciatus and P. rubrifasciatus in having more numerous dorsal spine (18 vs. 15–17) and below lateral line (33–34 vs. 29–33) and differ from P. megalophthalmus and P. rubrifasciatus in having more numerous pored scales in lateral line (13 vs. 14–15) and shorter of anal spine. The present anthiine fish collected from Bitung, Indonesia was described as new record and bringing the total number of species of this genus known in Indonesia to seven.

A new species of perchlet, Plectranthias maekawa, is described on the basis of three specimens (58.2–65.1 mm standard length: SL) from the Tokara Islands, Kagoshima, Japan. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: X, 15 or 16 dorsal-fin rays; 14 pectoral-fin rays; lateral line complete with 30 pored scales; 3 scale rows above lateral line; 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek between eye and corner of preopercle; two antrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle; margins of subopercle and interopercle smooth; body depth 33.5–34.7% of SL; body width 17.2–17.4% of SL; third dorsal-fin spine longest, its length 46.2–47.2% of HL; caudal-peduncle depth 58.0–63.2% of caudal-peduncle length; body pinkish-white with five orange-red bands on lateral surface when fresh, first band broadest, first, fourth and fifth bands vertical to body longitudinal axis, second and third bands slightly backwardly oblique; small poorly defined yellow blotches scattered below lateral line when fresh, especially along red bands; scales above lateral line white, with distinct red margins when fresh; most cheek scales white or yellowish-white, without distinct red or yellow margins; body uniformly pale, with reduced nape pigmentation in preserved specimens. Japanese records of Plectranthias wheeleri Randall 1980, closely related to P. maekawa, is reviewed, with additional specimens of P. wheeleri from the Ryukyu Islands and Sagami Bay, Pacific coast of central Japan, the latter representing the northernmost record for the species. An unidentified specimen of Plectranthias from Okinawa, Japan, is briefly described.

A new species of the perchlet genus Plectranthias is herein described from a single specimen found at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific. Plectranthiasahiahiata sp. n. was collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui. The main difference between Plectranthiasahiahiata and other members of the genus is higher fin-ray counts (X, 18 dorsal; 18 pectoral) and its distinctive coloration. Compared to the three other known eastern South Pacific species, P.ahiahiata has more dorsal-fin rays, more pectoral-fin rays, fewer tubed lateral-line scales, fewer gill rakers, a longer head relative to SL, a very short first dorsal spine relative to SL, and a short third anal spine relative to SL. Plectranthiasahiahiata is distinguished from western Pacific species, by having more dorsal- and pectoral-fin rays. The closest relative based on genetic divergence (with 12.3% uncorrected divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene) is Plectranthiaswinniensis, a widely distributed species, suggesting important links between Rapa Nui and western Pacific islands. This new species adds to the high endemism of the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, and is further evidence of the importance of mesophotic reefs as unique communities.