Owstonia weberi

description

Description. A species of Owstonia with LL pattern 4, consisting of a lateral line that does not contact posttemporal sensory canal near anterodorsal margin of gill opening (although a diagonal row of 2 – 3 scales is typically present on its anterodorsal margin), continues posteriorly just below dorsal-fin base and anteriorly makes a complete loop across nape with a secondary loop on each side of primary loop (Fig. 6 H); lateral line ends below dorsal-fin soft rays 20 - 21. Dorsal fin III, 20 – 22 (typically 21); anal fin I, 13 – 14; pectoral fin 19 – 21; gill rakers 16 – 18 + 29 – 32 = 45 – 50. Vertebrae: precaudal 11, caudal 17 (exceptionally 16), total 28 (exceptionally 27); anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to 1 st haemal spine 2. Oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series about 33 – 38; nape scaly and cheek scale rows 2 – 3. Lower limb margin of preopercle with 6 – 12 moderate to strong spines (Fig. 8 L). Papillae in slight depression behind tip of premaxillary ascending processes 4, arranged in 2 almost equally spaced pairs. Teeth in outer row of each premaxilla 15 ‒ 21, anterior ones spike-like; no inner teeth anteriorly. Teeth in lateral row of each dentary 12 ‒ 19; symph

Hidden diversity in deep-water bandfishes: review of Owstonia with descriptions of twenty-one new species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae)

diagnosis

Diagnosis. A species of Owstonia with a unique LL pattern 4; dorsal fin III, 20 – 22 (typically 21); anal fin I, 13 – 14; oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series about 33 – 38; adults with teeth in outer row of each premaxilla 15 ‒ 21; adults with depressed pelvic fin extending to anal-fin soft rays 4 ‒ 9, depending on sex of specimen.

Hidden diversity in deep-water bandfishes: review of Owstonia with descriptions of twenty-one new species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae)

distribution

Distribution. (Fig. 27) Western Indian Ocean from South Africa to Kenya and Madagascar where trawled in 274 ‒ 540 m.

Hidden diversity in deep-water bandfishes: review of Owstonia with descriptions of twenty-one new species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae)

etymology

Etymology. Named for Max Wilhelm Carl Weber (1852 ‒ 1937), who is best known for his work on Siboga Expedition fishes and mammals. He was educated in Germany, later became a Dutch citizen and one of the most influential Dutch zoologists of his time; see Adler (2012: 144 ‒ 145) for a brief biography with emphasis on Weber's herpetological contributions, and other biographical reference sources.

Hidden diversity in deep-water bandfishes: review of Owstonia with descriptions of twenty-one new species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae)