Argyripnus

Abstract: The sternoptychid species Argyripnus brocki Struhsaker, originally described from the Hawaiian Islands, has been reported in the literature from various Indo-Pacific localities and to the west off east Africa. We have made univariate and multivariate comparisons, using sheared principal components analysis, of specimens from this broad area and found there to be evidence of two distinct species: Argyripnus brocki, endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and vicinity, and A. pharos n. sp., occurring in all other investigated areas. These two species are distinguished from the other four in the genus by their relatively low numbers of gill rakers, vertebrae, and certain photophores. Argyripnus pharos is distinguished from A. brocki by several features but most clearly by its VAV + ACA photophore cluster, which is dorsally inflected in an arch-like form and reaches a higher elevation on the flank.

Abstract: Twenty newly recorded species and eight newly recorded genera of the mesopelagic or bathypelagic deep-sea fishes, Stomiiformes, around Taiwanese waters were collected in this report. Among them, Diplophos orientalis Matsubara, 1940 in Diplophidae; Pollichthys mauli (Poll, 1953), and Polymetme elongata (Matsubara,1938) in Phosichthyidae; Argyripnus pharos Harold & Lancaster, 2003, Argyropelecus affinis Garman, 1899, Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930, Polyipnus dana Harold, 1990, Polyipnus fraseri Fowler, 1934, Polyipnus spinifer Borodulina, 1979, Sternoptyx diaphana Hermann, 1781, Sternoptyx obscura Garman, 1899, Sternoptyx pseudobscura Baird, 1971, Maurolicus japonicus Ishikawa, 1915, and Valenciennellus tripunctulatus (Esmark, 1871) in Sternoptychidae; Bathophilus kingi Giglioli, 1882, Chauliodus macouni Bean, 1890, Echiostoma barbatum (Lowe, 1843), Malacosteus niger Ayres, 1848, Melanostomias valdiviae Brauer, 1902, and Leptostomias multifilis Imai, 1941 in Stomiidae are new record species. Pollichthys, Polymetme, Argyripnus, Sternoptyx, Maurolicus, Valenciennellus, Echiostoma, and Malacosteus are newly recorded genera. There are totally now 55 species in 33 genera of 5 families in Taiwan. Diagnostic characters, specimen records, distribution, color photographs, and sampling information are provided for newly recorded species. A key to species of Taiwan is given.

Abstract: A new species of the genus Argyripnus is described from the underwater elevations of the Northwestern Pacific. The species is most similar to A. hulleyi from the western Indian Ocean, but it differs in a larger number of rays of the dorsal and pectoral fins, a slightly larger number of photophores in the ventral row, and several other characters. The type series of the species is the most northern record of the representatives of the genus in the Pacific Ocean.

Abstract: Following the volcanic eruption of April 2007, nine specimens of Argyripnus (family Sternoptychidae, order Stomiiformes) were among the fish caught at the sea surface at Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). Seven species were described in this genus: A. ephippiatus Gilbert & Cramer, 1897 from Hawaii, A. iridescens McCulloch, 1926 from Australia. A. atlanticus Maul, 1952 from Madeira, A. brocki Struhsaker, 1973 from Hawaii, Argyripnus sp. Yamamoto in Okamura et al., 1982 from Japan, A. electronus Parin, 1992 from the South-east Pacific and A. pharos Harold & Lancaster, 2003 from the Indian Ocean and the central-west Pacific. The Argyripnus from Reunion Island is easily distinguished from the other species by the position of the anus just before the beginning of the anal fin (about half distance between the pelvic base and the beginning of the anal fin in the other species). The new Argyripnus from Reunion Island is described under the name A. hulleyi. Some indications are given on the bathymetric and geographical distributions of all the Argyripnus species. After a brief comparison of the characteristics of the seven species, an identification key is provided.