Owstonia contodon

description

Description. (When counts vary, those of the paratypes are given in parentheses.) A species of Owstonia with LL pattern type 1, consisting of a simple lateral line that originates from posttemporal sensory canal near anterodorsal margin of gill opening, curves upward and backward then continues posteriorly just below dorsal-fin base to soft rays 21 (20 − 23). Dorsal fin IV, 23; anal fin II, 16; pectoral fin 20 (20 − 21); gill rakers 17 (16 - 18) + 33 (32 − 35) = 50 (48 − 53). Vertebrae: precaudal 11, caudal 18, total 29; anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to 1 st haemal spine 3. Oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series about 47 / 51 (48 − 53); nape scaly and cheek scale rows 4 − 5. Preopercle lower limb margin with about 8 − 11 spines (Fig. 8 A). Pattern of papillae in slight depression behind tip of premaxillary ascending processes not clearly discernible, although small papillae can be seen in some specimens. Teeth in outer row of each premaxilla 27 / 30 (29 − 33), no inner teeth. Teeth in lateral row of each dentary teeth 20 / 23 (18 − 25) including a few at anterior end that continue behind symphyseal teeth; symphyseal teeth 4 − 6, relatively short and peg-like, and with 2 −

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 spines IV, 21 ‒ 23; anal-fin spines II, 16; oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series 47 ‒ 53; preopercle lower limb margin with about 8 − 11 spines; dark premaxillary stripe.

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

distribution

Distribution. (Fig. 23) Known only from the Philippines. Collected from Leyte Island, where trawled in 205 – 214 m; holotype and other paratypes reportedly caught off Negros Oriental. Photographs seen by us of other specimens (not retained) taken by Abner Bucol at Dumaguete fish market were reportedly collected from the local area.

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

etymology

Etymology. The specific epithet is a combination of the Greek kontos (short) and odon (tooth), in reference to the peg-like symphyseal dentary teeth (Fig. 10 A).

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