Taiwan picnic seabream

description

Description Counts and measurements of the holotype and 5 paratypes are given in Table 1. In the following description, data for the holotype are presented first, followed by the 5 paratype specimens in parentheses where different. Characters stated in the diagnosis are not repeated. Body compressed. Mouth somewhat oblique. Maxillary reaching to below middle of pupil and larger than eye diameter. Upper jaw protruding slightly in front of lower jaw. Teeth in jaws in 3 to 5 crowded rows, about 6 (6 or 7) curved canines anteriorly in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower jaw. Suborbital depth greater than dermal eye opening. Anterodorsal profile from above eye gently curved. Profile of occipital ridge distinct above eye. Dorsal-fin spines strong, length of first slightly more than half length of second; second slightly shorter than third; fourth or fifth spine longest. Longest soft dorsal-fin ray shorter than longest dorsal-fin spine. First anal-fin spine short, much less than orbit diameter; second spine robust, its length clearly less than length of head without snout and slightly longer than snout; third anal-fin spine shorter than second spine. First anal-fin ray somewhat shorter than

Acanthopagrus taiwanensis, a new sparid fish (Perciformes), with comparisons to Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål, 1775) and other nominal species of Acanthopagrus.

diagnosis

Diagnosis Dorsal fin with 11 or 12 spines and 10 to 12 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; 3 ½ scale rows between the fifth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; 3 or 4 cheek scale rows; body rounded; ventral infraorbital series above posterior part of upper jaw changing from almost straight to weakly concave with growth (Figs. 2 B, 3 A); second anal-fin spine robust and dull pointed (Fig. 2 C); upper and lower jaws with thin lips, especially anteriorly; broadly rounded rostral-most head squamation with around 10 somewhat smaller scales anteriorly (Fig. 4 A); prominent ridge developing just before eye with growth, dorsal head profile becoming slightly convex from snout to just above eye with growth (Figs. 1 A, 2 B and 3 A); upper and lower molar teeth strongly developed and flattened on both sides, gradually more molariform posteriorly (Fig. 5 A - B); upper molars in 3 or 4 rows anteriorly and 4 or 5 posteriorly, rows generally irregular, outer third row markedly larger; lower molars in 3 or 4 rows anteriorly and 2 or 3 rows posteriorly, rows generally irregular, the innermost row largest posteriorly (outer second row gently curved outward) (Fig. 5 C - D); hea

Acanthopagrus taiwanensis, a new sparid fish (Perciformes), with comparisons to Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål, 1775) and other nominal species of Acanthopagrus.

discussion

Discussion Acanthopagrus taiwanensis and A. berda: Acanthopagrus taiwanensis and A. berda appear to be closely related and are perhaps sister species based on shared specializations. A cladistic analysis of species within this genus is premature as confusion remains about the status of some species and the relation of this genus to Sparidentex (Orrell & Carpenter, 2004). The combination of body shape, fin coloration and typical number of scale rows above the lateral line is unique for these species within Acanthopagrus, supporting a close relationship. In addition, the shape of the ventral edge of the first 2 infraorbitals is concave in larger individuals of both species, while it is straight in all other described species of Acanthopagrus. The concavity is much more pronounced in A. berda than A. taiwanensis and represents a clear difference between the 2 species. Synonyms of Acanthopagrus berda: Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskal, 1775) was described on the basis of a dried skin of the holotype (see Table 1; Fig. 2 A) from Luhaiya, Yemen, Red Sea. Despite the condition of the holotype, the 4 most important diagnostic characters of this species are evident: a strong concavity of ventra

Acanthopagrus taiwanensis, a new sparid fish (Perciformes), with comparisons to Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål, 1775) and other nominal species of Acanthopagrus.

distribution

Distribution Acanthopagrus taiwanensis is currently known only from Tung-kang, southwestern Taiwan. According to local fishermen and buyers, the species is common around southwestern Taiwan. As the first author did not observe the species in extensive field sampling and examination of museum specimens from Korea, Japan, China (including around Hong Kong and Hainan Island), Vietnam, and elsewhere around Southeast Asia, it may be endemic to Taiwan.

Acanthopagrus taiwanensis, a new sparid fish (Perciformes), with comparisons to Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål, 1775) and other nominal species of Acanthopagrus.