Owstonia fallax

description

Description. (When counts vary, those of the holotype are given first, followed in parentheses by those of the New Caledonia specimen.) A species of Owstonia with LL pattern type 1, consisting of a simple lateral line that originates from the posttemporal sensory canal near the anterodorsal margin of gill opening, curves upward and backward then continues posteriorly just below dorsal-fin base to soft rays 20 (22). Dorsal fin IV, 22 (23); anal fin I, 16; pectoral fin 20; gill rakers 16 (15 / 16) + 29 = 45 (44 / 45). Vertebrae: precaudal 13, caudal 17, total 30; anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to 1 st haemal spine 5. Oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series about 42 (ca. 40); nape scaly and cheek scale rows 3 – 4. Lower limb margin of preopercle with small spines. Papillae in slight depression behind tip of premaxillary ascending processes 4, arranged in 2 closely spaced but distinct pairs. Teeth in outer row of each premaxilla 32 / 31 (34 / 34); no inner teeth anteriorly. Teeth in lateral row of each dentary 17 (16 / 19), including 3 at anterior end that continue in a row behind symphyseal teeth and with mid-lateral teeth longer and hooked backward (Fig. 10 B), like those of

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 LL pattern type 1; dorsal fin IV, 22 ‒ 23; anal fin I, 16; oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series 40 ‒ 42; precaudal vertebra and anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to 1 st haemal spine 13 and 5 respectively.

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

discussion

Remarks. The New Caledonia specimen has a much shorter caudal fin than the holotype and also differs in having the inner membrane covering the posterior part of the dentary very dark (pale in holotype); with only single specimens from each locality, we are not certain that both specimens are conspecific and therefore do not designate the New Caledonia specimen as a paratype.

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

distribution

Distribution. (Fig. 26) Known from Queensland, Australia and New Caledonia in depths of 170 and 250 m.

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