Belonoperca pylei, a new species of seabass (Teleostei: Serranidae: Epinephelinae: Diploprionini) from the Cook Islands with comments on relationships among diploprionins

Abstract

Belonoperca pylei is described from five specimens collected at depths of 68-122 m from Rarotonga, Cook Islands. It differs from all other known diploprionin serranids in having IX, 10 dorsal-fin rays, III, 7 anal-fin rays, and a color pattern composed primarily of yellow and orange pigments. Cladistic analysis of epinepheline morphology supports monophyly of the diploprionin genera Belonoperca and Diploprion and suggests that Belonoperca is the sister group of Diploprion plus the monotypic Aulacocephalus.