Bellottia robusta

biology_ecology

Biology. This species appears to be very closely associated with complex habitat, provided by tubeworms or deep-sea corals (e. g., Lophelia pertusa). Rocky substrata are also likely habitats for B. robusta, even though it has not yet been collected there. This species is well concealed within crevices provided by these habitats, and specimens were not observed prior to collection. Because of its cryptic nature there are no more data on the biology or ecology of this species. A 53 mm specimen (TCWC 10957.01) contained eggs up to 0.7 mm in diameter; embryos were not observed.

Atlantic occurrence of the genus Bellottia (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with two new species from the Western North Atlantic

description

Description. The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 1. The description is based mainly on the holotype. Differences of paratypes are given in brackets and in Table 1. B. robusta B. cryptica B. apoda Gulf of Mexico West. Atl. East. Atl. + Med. HT HT + 11 paratypes Holotype n = 16 including LT Body robust, highest near base of pectoral fin, completely covered with oval, ca. 1.5 mm, cycloid scales. Anterior segment of lateral line extending close to dorsal margin of body and from above anus along midline of body. Head profile convex, cheek and gill-cover scaled, while rest of head naked. Mouth slightly oblique with posterior margin of maxillary vertically expanded ending well behind eye. Anterior nostril closer to upper lip than to posterior nostril, both with low rim. Small opercular spine strong and pointed, almost completely covered by skin, and not reaching posterior margin of opercle (a few specimens with spine reaching just beyond hind margin of opercle). Ventral margin of preopercle with four distinct spines and one spine on preopercular crest (Fig. 3) (spine often covered by skin; one specimen with two spines on crest). Origin of dorsal fin above

Atlantic occurrence of the genus Bellottia (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with two new species from the Western North Atlantic

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Bellottia robusta differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: depth at origin of anal fin 17.5 – 23.0 % SL, small teeth blunt or pointed, four spines on hind margin and one on crest of preopercle, distinct spine on cleithrum above base of pectoral fin, anterior gill arch with 5 – 6 long rakers, predorsal 44.0 – 49.5 % SL and precaudal vertebrae 12. Similarity. Bellottia robusta is most similar to B. cryptica, in e. g. presence of a spine on cleithrum and in fin ray and total vertebral counts, but differs by the heavier body (17.5 – 23.0 vs 17.0 % SL at origin of anal fin), origin of anal fin below dorsal fin ray 10 – 15 vs 8, precaudal vertebrae 12 vs 10 and spine on preopercular crest vs no spine in B. cryptica. It differs from B. apoda by the deeper (17.0 – 23.0 vs 13.0 – 16.0 % SL) and darker body, more caudal fin rays (7 vs 6), poorly developed fangs (vs distinct, retrorse fangs), more long rakers on anterior gill arch (5 – 6 vs 3 – 4) and longer predorsal (44.0 – 49.5 vs 35.5 – 40.0 % SL). From B. galatheae it differs e. g. by the higher number of rays in dorsal (85 – 83 vs 70 – 72), caudal (7 vs 6), anal (75 – 88 vs 61) and pectoral (23 –

Atlantic occurrence of the genus Bellottia (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with two new species from the Western North Atlantic

distribution

Distribution (Fig. 4). Known from nine localities in a restricted area of the northern Gulf of Mexico all caught by JSL at depths of 506 – 580 m.

Atlantic occurrence of the genus Bellottia (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with two new species from the Western North Atlantic