Naked Bandfish

description

Description. (Where 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 the posttemporal sensory canal near the anterodorsal margin of gill opening, curves upward and backward then continues posteriorly just below dorsal-fin base to at least soft ray 14 ‒ 20. Dorsal fin III, 21; anal fin I, 14; pectoral fin 22 (20 ‒ 23); gill rakers 14 + 25 = 39 (12 ‒ 14 + 24 ‒ 27 = 36 – 40). Vertebrae: precaudal 11, caudal 17, total 28; anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to 1 st haemal spine 2. Oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series about 32 (in most specimens too many of these scales are missing to accurately count them); nape scaly and cheek scale rows about 5 ‒ 6. Lower limb margin of preopercle without spines. 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 - 17 (15 - 24), 21 / 24 in largest specimen, with some anterior teeth moderately elongate with blunt tips; 0 ‒ 1 inner teeth anteriorly. Teeth in lateral row of each dentary 8 (7 ‒ 12 and 11 / 12 in largest s

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 III, 21; anal fin I, 14; LL ends below dorsal-fin soft rays 14 ‒ 20; oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series about 32; total gill rakers 36 ‒ 40; premaxillary stripe absent, with a few scattered melanophores or with an incomplete brown stripe; dorsal fin anteriorly with interradial membranes of spine 3 to soft rays 4 ‒ 5 black at least distally.

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

distribution

Distribution. (Fig. 24) Western Australia between about 19 ° - 14 ° S, where trawled in about 360 ‒ 440 m.

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

etymology

Etymology. The specific epithet, from the Greek psilos (bare, smooth, naked), is in reference to the smooth lower margin of the preopercle, and the numerous missing scales of the holotype due to trawl abrasion.

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