Redescription of Dendrochirus zebra (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) with a new species of Dendrochirus from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan

Abstract

Dendrochirus zebra (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829) (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) is redescribed on the basis of 405 specimens from the Indo-West Pacific region. The species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin soft rays usually 10 (rarely 9 or 11); anal-fin soft rays usually 6 (rarely 5 or 7); pectoral-fin rays usually 17 (rarely 15, 16 or 18); scale rows in longitudinal series 45–57; three barbels on snout tip; pectoral-fin rays with up to two branches (maximum) throughout life; and distinct horizontal T-shaped (rotated 90° counterclockwise) marking on caudal peduncle. Dendrochirus sausaulele Jordan and Seale 1906 is regarded as a junior synonym of D. zebra. A syntype of Pterois zebra from Mauritius is designated as lectotype of the species. Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov. is described on the basis of a single specimen from 143 m depth off Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The new species is characterized by 10 dorsal-fin soft rays, 7 anal-fin soft rays, 18 pectoral-fin rays, 51 scale rows in longitudinal series, 3 barbels on the snout tip, and a K-shaped marking on the caudal peduncle. Notes are included on the status of “Pterois zebra” Quoy and Gaimard 1825 and “Brachypterus” sensu Catala 1964.