A second New Zealand species of the stargazer genus kathetostoma (Trachinoidei: Uranoscopidae)

Abstract

A new species of the uranoscopid genus Kathetostoma Günther, 1860, is described from New Zealand waters, where it is broadly sympatric with its sole local congener K. giganteum Haast, 1873. The new species is readily recognised by its broad, saddle-like dark bands that cross the body dorsally (versus bands absent or only faintly developed), rather robust and short body (vs slender and elongate), and fewer numbers of vertebrae (30-31 versus 33-34), dorsal fin rays (15-17 versus 17-19) and anal fin rays (15-16 versus 17-18). Although both species have extremely broad depth distributions, the new species appears to be restricted to less than about 500 m, with its greatest abundance at 100-300 m, while K. giganteum reaches over 1000 m, and has its greatest abundance at 200-400 m. A brief redescription of K giganteum is also provided. Kathetostoma fluviatilis Hutton, 1972, the oldest New Zealand name that applies to this genus, is regarded as a nomen dubium.