Plectranthias robertsi

description

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.

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

diagnosis

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.

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

discussion

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).

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

materials_examined

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 SO 06 - 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 SO 06 - 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

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