Etropus

Abstract: Etropus cyclosquamus new species, the shelf flounder and three sympatric congeners from the eastern coast of the United States-E. rimosus, E. microstomus and E. crossotus-are diagnosed and a key presented. Patterns and microstructure of the scales are sufficient to identify adults of these four species, but gill-raker counts, shapes of the body and jaws and color patterns are also useful distinguishing characters. E. cyclosquamus is distinguished from all known bothids except E. rimosus and E. microstomus by having small accessory scales on the exposed surfaces of scales on the eyed and blind sides; E. microstomus is distinguished from E. cyclosquamus and E. rimosus by having a symmetrical mandible (vs asymmetrical with upturned symphyseal knob) and less developed accessory scales; E. cyclosquamus is distinguished from E. rimosus by having cycloid scales on the blind side (ctenoid in rimosus) and relatively simple ctenoid scales on the snout that rarely extend forward beyond the nostril (vs specialized, heavily ctenoid scales extending forward beyond nostril, often to premaxillary groove). E. cyclosquamus is distributed from North Carolina to Mississippi and is most abundant at depths of 10-30 m, while E. rimosus occurs from North Carolina to northern Florida in the Gulf of Mexico with greatest abundance at depths of 30-60 m. E. microstomus is most abundant on the continental shelf from New York to North Carolina; during warmer months of the year, it interfaces sharply with E. cyclosquamus and E. rimosus near the 17 C isotherm in the Gulf Stream edge at approximately 35040'N latitude (just north of Cape Hatteras). In the winter, E. microstomus disperses southward along shore, occasionally reaching South Carolina or slightly farther; no specimens have been found from the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean. E. crosostus occurs from Virginia to northern South America and in the eastern tropical Pacific; between North Carolina and Texas, it is most common inshore and regularly enters estuaries.

Abstract: RESUMEN. Se comunican los primeros registros de los Pleuronectiformes Achirus klunzingeri (Soleidae), Etropusectenes y Bothus constellatus (Bothidae) y Symphurus elongatus (Cynoglossidae) en aguas de chilenas. Las caracteris-ticas morfologicas de los especimenes estudiados se confrontan con descripciones previas. Se discute su distribucionen el Pacifico sur oriental y aquella del orden en aguas chilenas. Palabras claves: Pleuronectiformes, nuevos registros, Etropus ectenes , Bothus constellatus , Achirus klunzingeri , Symphurus elongatus , norte de Chile. First records of Etropus ectenes Jordan, 1889, Bothus constellatus Jordan & Goss,1889, Achirus klunzingeri (Steindachner, 1880) and Symphurus elongatus (Gunther,1868) (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes) in Chile, with comments on the distribution of theChilean flounders ABSTRACT. The first records of the Pleuronectiformes Achirus klunzingeri (Soleidae), Etropus ectenes and Bothusconstellatus (Bothidae), and Symphurus elongatus (Cynoglossidae) in chilean waters are reported. The morphologicalcharacteristics of the studied specimens are compared with previous descriptions. Their distribution in the SoutheasternPacific and that of the order in Chilean waters are discussed.

Abstract: From September 2004 to February 2005, 204 specimens of Etropus peruvianus were collected onboard exploratory fishing cruises in the eastern Gulf of California, caught in trawls at 276 m in depth. This finding exceeds the limit of vertical distribution (125 m) previously known for this species. Oceanographic conditions (such as temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen), feeding and reproductive behavior determines the extension of the vertical distribution of E. peruvianus . Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

Abstract: T HE research ketch "Atlantis" of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution caught fifteen postlarval Etropus crossotus and two postlarval Ancylopsetta dilecta by oblique hauls made by a 2 meter open stramin net along the outer slope of Georges Bank, September 7-12, 1939. These postlarval Paralichthinae were found at four stations two of which are on the southern slope of the eastern tip of Georges Bank (about 41? N., 66? W.) and the other two also on the southern slope but about 180 nautical miles to the southwest. At the shallower stations the stramin net was drawn from a point near the bottom up to the surface, while at the deeper stations it was drawn through the top 160 meter layer only. The specimens were taken in hauls made during morning, afternoon and midnight. The collections represent a more northerly and easterly record than has been reported heretofore for these two species. On this side of the American coast E. crossotus occurs between Chesapeake Bay and the West Indies and A. dilecta is found off the coast of Carolina. No adult of either species has been observed over Georges Bank or in the Gulf of Maine. The postlarval individuals caught off Georges Bank were most probably spawned further south and transported to this place by the Gulf Stream. It has been established that tropical forms actually come over the slope on to Georges Bank and further into the Gulf of Maine (compare Bigelow, 1924: 51-59). Our collections may be another case of "tropical visitors." If these flounders were spawned on the continental slope or over the shelf off the coast of Florida it would be a comparatively simple matter for the Gulf Stream to carry them northward to the Georges Bank region. The specimens of E. crossotus ranged in total length3 from 6.5 to 15 mm. From their small size it may be inferred that they had not drifted very long but were spawned sometime in late summer or early fall. The specimens of A. dilecta were probably spawned at about this same time, for their total length is only 8.0 to 8.2 mm. As no newly metamorphosed or adult Etropus or Ancylopsetta has been reported inside the Gulf of Maine it is doubtful if the young of these species can survive the conditions within the Gulf.