Scorpaenopsis

Abstract: The wide-ranging Indo-Pacific scorpionfish Scorpaenodes fowleri (Pietschmann), long placed in the genus Scorpaenopsis (largely because it lacks palatine teeth), is reclassified in the genus Sebastapistes. It is distinct from the species of Scorpaenopsis in several features: eye not extending above the dorsal profile of the head, large pores of the cephalic lateralis system, nasal pore above and adjacent to posterior nostril with a very small retrorse nasal spine (may be absent) on its upper edge, low ridgelike spines dorsally on the head, preocular spine usually embedded, sphenotic and postorbital spines absent or embedded; posterior lacrimal spine projecting slightly anteriorly, and a single spine posteriorly on the suborbital ridge with a pore-associated spine just below the ridge under the posterior third of the eye. Also significant is its very small size, the smallest of the Scorpaenidae (largest specimen, 37 mm SL; smallest mature female, 18 mm SL). The loss of palatine teeth appears to have occurred independently from the species of Scorpaenopsis. Sebastapistes fowleri is closest to S. strongia, the type species of the genus. In addition to having palatine teeth, S. strongia differs in the strongly retrorse posterior lacrimal spine and in having two spines on the suborbital ridge. The limits of Sebastapistes need reevaluation.

Abstract: Scorpaenopsis crenulata sp. nov. (Scorpaenidae), a small deepwater (600 m) species, is described on the basis of a single specimen from Wallis and Futuna Islands, southwestern Pacific Ocean. The new species is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 17;scale rows in longitudinal series 37; pored lateral-line scales 19; posterior margin of maxilla extending well beyond a vertical through posterior margin of orbit; an additional spine arising from a low median ridge of anterior lacrimal spine; posterior lacrimal spine divided into two spinous points; interorbital ridges poorly developed; upper opercular spine divided into three spinous points; postocular, tympanic, nuchal, pterotic, posttemporal, and supracleithral spines serrated; occipital pit extremely deep; a pair of pores behind a symphysial knob on lower jaw; nape and anterior body not highly arched; interorbital space narrow, width less than orbit diameter; upper one-third of pectoral-fin axil with a large black blotch. The capture depth of S. crenulata indicates that it is the deepest occurring member of the genus.

Abstract: Scorpaenid specimens of Pterois mombasae (Smith, 1957), Scorpaenopsis obtusa Randall and Eschmeyer, 2002 and Scorpaenopsis vittapinna Randall and Eschmeyer, 2002 were found at fish collection of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan, in July 2011. The three specimens are described herein as the first records of the three species from Taiwan. Remarks on the variation and distribution of each species are also provided.

Abstract: Examination of the holotype and paratype of the poorly known scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis stigma Fowler, 1938, described from the Philippines, showed it to be a species of Phenacoscorpius. Furthermore, the characters of the types of S. stigma were consistent with those of the holotype of Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler, 1938, in the synonymy of which the former is now placed. In addition, examination of a series of paratypes of P. megalops revealed that they included 3 different species, in addition to P. megalops. Correct identifications of the paratypes are given here.