Plectranthias moretonensis

description

Comparisons. Plectranthias moretonensis does not key to any species using Randall (1996), as it contradicts information for both alternatives at couplet 35. There are three species listed by Randall at and after couplet 35: P. altipinnatus Katayama & Masuda, 1980 from southeastern Japan, P. vexillarius Randall, 1980 from the Gulf of Oman and P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu, 1994 from Mauritius, South Africa (Heemstra & Randall 2009), southern Japan (Senou & Yunokawa 1995) and New Caledonia (Fricke et al. 2015). Plectranthias moretonensis is readily distinguished from P. altipinnatus in having fewer segmented dorsal rays (16 versus 18) and from both P. altipinnatus and P. vexillarius in having 2 antrorse (versus no) serrations on the lower edge of the preopercle. It further differs from P. vexillarius in having fewer circumpeduncular scales (15 versus 18), fewer segmented dorsal rays (16 versus 17) and less extensive coverage of predorsal scales (extending to vertical through posterior edge of pupil versus almost to posterior nostrils). It differs from P. pelicieri in having more extensive coverage of predorsal scales (reaching only to vertical through posterior edge of preopercle in

Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species

description

Description. Dorsal rays X, 16, all segmented rays branched; anal rays III, 7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 13 / 13, all rays unbranched; pelvic rays 1,5; principal caudal rays 9 + 8; branched caudal-fin rays? + 6; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; lower procurrent caudal rays 5; total caudal-fin rays 28; lateral-line complete with 29 / 27 tubed scales; scales above lateral-line to origin of dorsal fin 3 / 3; scales above lateral-line to base of fifth dorsal spine 2 / 2; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 10 / 11; diagonal rows of scales on cheek 5; predorsal scales about 12, extending to vertical through posterior edge of pupil; circumpeduncular scales 15; gill rakers 5 + 12, the upper four and lower four rudiments; branchiostegal rays 7; pseudobranch filaments 13. 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; no apparent trisegmental pterygiophores associated with dorsal fin; terminal dorsal pterygiophore in interneural space 18; no apparent trisegmental pterygiophores associated with anal fin; terminal anal pterygiophore in interhaemal space 5;

Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Plectranthias moretonensis is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X, 16; third dorsal spine longest, bearing fleshy pennant; pectoral rays 13, all rays unbranched; lateral line complete, consisting of 27 – 29 tubed scales; predorsal scales extending anteriorly to vertical through posterior edge of pupil; preopercle finely serrated posteriorly, with two enlarged antrorse serrations ventrally.

Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species

discussion

Remarks. The specific epithet refers to the type locality, off Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Review of Australian species of Plectranthias Bleeker and Selenanthias Tanaka (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), with descriptions of four new species