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Plectranthias takasei, new species of anthiadine fish from southern Japan (Teleostei: Serranidae)

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Plectranthias takasei is described from two specimens collected in Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15; no fleshy flaps on dor-sal-fin spines; pectoral rays 13, all unbranched; branched caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; lateral line scales 28 (including intermittent and terminal pitted scales); circumpeduncular scales 12; fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; and preopercle without antrorse spines or serrations ventrally, with 2–3 weak serrations or crenulations posteriorly.
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Accepted by W. Holleman: 27 Oct. 2016; published: 8 Dec. 2016
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http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4205.4.3
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Plectranthias takasei, new species of anthiadine fish from southern Japan
(Teleostei: Serranidae)
ANTHONY C. GILL
1,2
, YI-KAI TEA
3
& HIROSHI SENOU
4
1
Macleay Museum and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, A12 – Macleay Building, The University of Sydney, New South
Wales 2006, Australia. E-mail: anthony.c.gill@sydney.edu.au
2
Ichthyology, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
3
90 Carillon Avenue, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia. E-mail: teayk1@gmail.com
4
Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, 499 Iryuda, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0031, Japan.
E-mail: senou@nh.kanagawa-museum.jp
Abstract
Plectranthias takasei is described from two specimens collected in Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. It is
distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X,15; no fleshy flaps on dor-
sal-fin spines; pectoral rays 13, all unbranched; branched caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; lateral line scales 28 (including intermittent
and terminal pitted scales); circumpeduncular scales 12; fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; and preopercle without antrorse
spines or serrations ventrally, with 2–3 weak serrations or crenulations posteriorly.
Key words: ichthyology, taxonomy, morphology, Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu
Introduction
Species of the anthiadine serranid genus Plectranthias Bleeker (1873) are small (mostly less than 100 mm SL,
though several species reach sizes exceeding 200 mm SL), reef-associated fishes found through the warm
temperate to tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific, eastern Pacific and western Atlantic. The genus was revised by
Randall (1980), who recognised 30 species, but an additional 21 species have been subsequently described (see
Allen & Walsh 2015: tab. 1). Many species occur in deep reef habitats, are poorly represented in museum
collections, and have not been observed alive. Conversely, several species have been photographed by divers, but
have not yet been scientifically described. One such species has been photographed at depths of 50 m or more on
rocky reefs in Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. We herein describe the species on the basis of two
specimens.
Materials and methods
Measurements were recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm using digital calipers. All measurements to the snout tip were
made to the midanterior part of the snout. Length of specimens are given in mm standard length (SL), which was
measured from the snout tip to the middle of the caudal peduncle at the vertical through the posterior edge of the
dorsal hypural plate. Head length was measured from the snout tip to the posteriormost edge of the opercular
membrane. Snout length was measured over the shortest distance from the snout tip to the orbital rim. Orbit
diameter was measured as the horizontal width of the bony orbit. Bony interorbital width was measured where
least. Upper jaw length was measured from the snout tip to the posterior edge of the maxilla. Maxilla width was
measured where greatest. Predorsal, preanal and prepelvic lengths were measured from the snout tip to the base of
the first spine of the relevant fin. Body width was measured at the bases of the pectoral fins. Caudal peduncle
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length was measured from the base of the last anal-fin ray to the ventral edge of the caudal fin at the vertical though
the posterior edge of the ventral hypural plate. Caudal peduncle depth was measured where least. Pectoral fin
length was measured as the length of the longest middle ray. Caudal fin length was measured as the length of the
lowermost ray on the dorsal hypural plate.
The last ray in the dorsal and anal fins is divided at its base and was counted as a single ray. Traditionally
researchers have diagnosed the principal caudal-fin rays to include the branched rays plus one ray above and one
ray below (e.g., Hubbs & Lagler 1947). We believe this is problematic, because fin-ray branching in certain fishes
may vary ontogenetically (particularly in fishes with rounded caudal fins, such as some Plectranthias species).
Moreover, such definition adds no new information than is already given in branched ray counts. A more refined
definition is needed in order to make more accurate homology assessment of other structures (e.g., numbers, shapes
and relative sizes of procurrent rays, such as proposed by Johnson 1975). Therefore, we have instead adopted a
topological definition of principal caudal-fin rays (based on Gill 2004): the uppermost principal caudal-fin ray is
the ray articulating with hypural 5, and the lowermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating between the
distal tips of the parhypural and the haemal spine of preural centrum 2. Counts of principal and branched caudal-fin
rays are presented in the form upper + lower, where the upper rays are those associated with hypurals 3–5, and
lower rays are those associated with hypurals 1–2 and the parhypural. Procurrent caudal-fin rays are those dorsal
and ventral to the principal rays. Gill-raker counts were of the outer rakers on the first arch, including rudiments;
the angle raker is included in the lower-limb (second) count. Counts of pseudobranch filaments included all
rudiments.
Osteological details were determined from x-radiographs. Vertebral counts are presented as precaudal +
caudal. The anterior-most vertebra having its haemal spine associated with a pterygiophore of the anal fin was
considered as the first caudal vertebra, the urostylar complex as the last. Terminology of intermuscular bones
follows Patterson and Johnson (1995) and Johnson and Patterson (2001). The predorsal formula, for configuration
of supraneural, dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines, follows Ahlstrom et al. (1976).
Comparison with related species are based mostly on literature accounts, particularly the important summaries
by Randall (1980, 1996) and Heemstra and Randall (2009).
Plectranthias takasei new species
New standard Japanese name: Hinomaru-hanadai
English common name: Hinomaru perchlet
Figures 1–5
Holotype. KPM-NI 21068, 40.0 mm SL, Japan, Honshu, Sagami Bay, E of Izu Peninsula, Izu Oceanic Park, 52 m,
collected by W. Takase, 18 March 2008.
Paratype. KPM-NI 21286, 36.0 mm SL, Japan, Honshu, Sagami Bay, E of Izu Peninsula, Izu Oceanic Park, 55
m, donated by K. Endoh, April 2008.
Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. hinomaru from congeners: dorsal rays
X,15; no fleshy flaps on dorsal-fin spines; pectoral rays 13, all unbranched; branched caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; lateral
line scales 28 (including intermittent and terminal pitted scales); circumpeduncular scales 12; fourth dorsal-fin
spine longest; and preopercle without antrorse spines or serrations ventrally, with 2–3 weak serrations or
crenulations posteriorly.
Description. (Data given first for holotype, followed where different by data for paratype in parentheses.)
Dorsal rays X,15, all segmented rays branched; anal rays III,7, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 13/13, all
rays unbranched; pelvic fin I, 5, all segmented rays branched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 4; lower procurrent
caudal-fin rays 4; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; branched caudal fin rays ? + 7 (8 + 7); total caudal-fin rays 25;
lateral line complete with 28 tubed scales on the left side, and 20 tubed scales followed by a pitted scale and 7
tubed scales on the right side (23 tubed scales followed by a pitted scale, 3 tubed scales then a pitted scale on the
left side; scales damaged on right side); scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 2/2; scales above lateral line
to base of middle dorsal spine 3/2 (2/?); scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 9/9 (9/?); diagonal rows of
scales on cheek 5; predorsal scales 18 (17), extending to just short of posterior nostrils; circumpeduncular scales
12; gill rakers 4 + 12, the upper 3 and lower 5 rudiments (4 + 11, the upper 3 and lower 5 rudiments);
pseudobranchial filaments 11 (10); branchiostegal rays 7.
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Vertebrae 9 + 17; supraneurals 3, the third reduced in size; predorsal formula 0/0+0/2/1+1; no trisegmental
pterygiophores associated with dorsal and anal fins; ribs present on vertebrae 3 through 9; epineurals present on
vertebrae 1 through 13 (1 through 12); parhypural and hypurals autogenous; well-developed hypurapophysis on
parhypural; epurals 3; single uroneural (posterior uroneural absent); ventral tip of cleithrum with well-developed
posteroventral process (Figure 5).
Dorsal-fin spines without fleshy tabs on their distal tips; fourth dorsal spine longest; dorsal fin deeply incised
before first segmented-fin ray; second anal-fin spine longest and stoutest; anal fin rounded with third segmented
ray longest; caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded, with some ray branches slightly elongated past fin margin;
lower 7 pectoral fin rays somewhat thickened, with membranes between thickened rays deeply incised; eighth
(counting from dorsal-most) pectoral ray longest, reaching vertical through posterior edge of anal-fin base; pelvic
fins short, not reaching anus, second segmented ray longest.
Morphometric values are summarised in Table 1.
TABLE 1. Morphometric values for Plectranthias takasei, expressed as percentage SL.
KPM-NI 21068
(holotype)
KPM-NI 21286
(paratype)
SL (mm) 40.0 36.0
Greatest body depth 38.3 35.0
Body depth at anal-fin origin 35.5 32.5
Body width 21.0 22.2
Head length 42.5 42.8
Snout length 9.3 8.9
Orbit diameter 10.8 10.8
Bony interorbital width 4.0 3.9
Upper jaw length 18.0 19.2
Maxilla width 5.5 6.4
Caudal peduncle length 20.5 19.7
Caudal peduncle depth 14.8 15.0
Predorsal length 40.0 40.8
Preanal length 68.0 66.9
Prepelvic length 35.3 36.7
Dorsal fin base length 48.8 51.4
First dorsal spine 4.0 4.2
Longest dorsal spine (number) 17.0 (4
th
) 15.3 (4
th
)
First segmented dorsal ray 14.0 11.7
Longest segmented dorsal ray (number) 17.8 (7
th
) 18.3 (5
th
)
Anal fin base length 15.0 15.0
First anal spine 8.0 8.6
Second anal spine 17.3 16.9
Third anal spine 14.3 14.2
First segmented anal ray 19.5 broken
Longest segmented anal ray (number) 21.8 (3
rd
) 21.4 (3
rd
)
Caudal fin length broken 26.7
Pectoral fin length 39.0 38.6
Pelvic fin spine 14.3 15.0
Pelvic fin length 24.0 25.0
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FIGURE 1. Plectranthias takasei, holotype, KPM-NI 21068, 40.0 mm SL, Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan.
(photo by H. Senou)
FIGURE 2. Plectranthias takasei, paratype, KPM-NI 21286, 36.0 mm SL, Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan.
(photo by H. Senou)
Mouth large, slightly oblique, posterior margin of maxilla reaching almost to vertical through posterior edge of
eye; maxilla expanded posteriorly, with long, low, lateral ridge running parallel to dorsal margin; mouth terminal;
upper jaw with several fixed, short stout outer canines on either side of symphysis flanked internally by villiform
band with about 5–8 rows of depressible, smaller, sharp-tipped teeth, with inner rows becoming progressively
longer, band reducing to 3 rows posteriorly; lower jaw with villiform band of about 4–5 rows of small depressible
teeth at symphysis, teeth becoming progressively longer on inner rows, an enlarged, curved canine on middle of
jaw, band narrows to single row posteriorly ; vomer with roughly V-shaped band of 2–4 rows of sharp-tipped
conical teeth; palatine with a band of 2–3 rows of small, sharp-tipped conical teeth; ectopterygoid and
mesopterygoid edentate; tongue narrow, pointed and edentate.
Opercle with 3 flat spines, middle spine longest, upper spine concealed by scales; preopercle with 2 (3) weak
serrations or crenulations on lower part of posterior margin, ventral margin smooth; interopercle and subopercle
smooth. Anterior nostril positioned at middle of snout, tubular with small flap on posterior rim; posterior nostril at
anterior border of orbit, with slightly raised rim but no flap.
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FIGURE 3. Plectranthias takasei, underwater photo in 60 m, Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. (photo by W.
Takas e)
FIGURE 4. Plectranthias takasei, underwater photo in 55 m, Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. (photo by W.
Takas e)
Scales ctenoid with peripheral cteni (Roberts 1993); lateral line broadly arched over pectoral fin following
body contour to caudal-fin base; no scales on chin, branchiostegal membranes, maxilla or snout; no auxiliary scales
on head or body; dorsal fin with intermittent row of scales along base of fin; anal fin with low scaly sheath basally,
with some small scales extending on to fin membranes; caudal fin with scaly basal sheath, with small scales
extending on to basal third to half of fin membranes; pectoral fins with basal sheath and small scales extending on
to fin membranes.
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FIGURE 5. Plectranthias takasei, holotype, KPM-NI 21068, 40.0 mm SL, x-radiograph. (radiograph by H. Senou)
Colour in life (based on colour photos of the holotype and paratype when freshly dead, and underwater photos
of individuals at Izu Oceanic Park; Figures 1–4): Head and body pale pink to white; nape, top of head and front of
lips orange to reddish brown; maxilla and lips sometimes bright yellow; iris pale pink with two orange oblique
stripes (one above and one below pupil), bluish grey spots anteriorly and posteriorly, and sometimes small yellow
spots ventrally; large (up to twice orbit diameter) greyish red to bright red spot on upper sides below middle of
dorsal fin; pink to orange-red oblique bar extending below large red spot to small (pupil-sized) greyish red to red
spot near anal-fin origin; small (pupil- to orbit-sized) greyish red to red spot below lateral line and vertical through
middle of soft dorsal, connected to smaller reddish grey to red spot at termination of anal fin by pink to orange-red
oblique bar; pink to orange-red bar from termination of dorsal fin to small reddish grey to red spot ventrally at
middle of caudal peduncle; a dorsal and a ventral reddish grey to red spot at posterior end of caudal peduncle, these
connected by pink to orange red vertical bar; reddish grey to red and pink markings on head and body overlain with
a series of oblique to horizontal stripes composed of closely spaced, orange-edged, bright yellow to gold spots (one
per scale), stripes usually broken into segments and occurring only when passing directly over reddish grey to red
or pink markings; first stripe short and indistinct, from orbital rim at about 1 o’clock position to middle of nape;
second stripe from above tip of preopercle to lateral-line origin, tracking lateral line to just behind vertical through
dorsal-fin origin, curving ventrally along lower edge of large red spot, and ending at middle of caudal-fin base;
third stripe extending obliquely from behind and below lateral-line origin to just above anal-fin origin, then
horizontally to ventral edge of caudal-fin base; fourth stripe from about 3 o’clock position on orbital rim, above
pectoral-fin base, to lower part of abdomen (just above and in front of anus); fifth stripe from about 5 o’clock
position on orbital rim to pectoral-fin base; sixth stripe very short (2–3 scales long) and horizontal, near anterior tip
of preopercle; additional yellow or gold spots sometimes present beneath dorsal-fin base and dorsal edge of caudal
peduncle; silvery white markings sometimes present on upper snout, on nape, below dorsal-fin origin, below end of
spinous part of dorsal fin, at termination of dorsal fin, on upper part of caudal-fin base, on operculum between
fourth and fifth gold stripes, and along ventral edge of fifth gold stripe; dorsal fin pinkish or reddish to yellowish
hyaline, sometimes with silvery white markings from body encroaching on to fin base; anal fin pinkish to
yellowish hyaline, pale pink anteriorly, with reddish grey to red markings at origin and termination of fin
encroaching on to fin base; caudal fin pinkish to reddish hyaline; pectoral fins pinkish hyaline; pelvic fins pinkish
hyaline, pale blue to pale pink anteriorly.
Colour in preservative: Pale tan, dusky grey-brown on upper part of head and nape, with intermittent dusky
grey-brown markings along dorsal part of body and caudal peduncle; large greyish red to red spot on midside and
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smaller greyish red to red spots (at anal-fin origin, below middle of soft dorsal, at termination of dorsal fin, at
termination of anal fin, and dorsally and ventrally at end of caudal peduncle) become dusky grey-brown; all other
markings obsolete.
Habitat and distribution. Plectranthias takasei is known only from Izu Ocean Park, where it has been
collected and photographed on rocky reefs at depths of 48–60 metres.
Comparisons. Plectranthias takasei is distinct from most members of the genus in having in combination: a
complete lateral line; no antrorse spines ventrally on the preopercle; 15 segmented dorsal-fin rays; and pectoral fins
with 13 unbranched rays. Five congeners have a similar combination of characters: P. maugei Randall (1980), P.
morgansi (Smith 1961), P. cirrhitoides Randall (1980), P. f o re s t i Fourmanoir (1977) and P. megalepis (Günther
1880). Plectranthias maugei, known only from three type specimens from off Madagascar, differs in having a
lunate caudal fin with 14 branched rays (versus weakly rounded to truncate with 15 branched rays in P. takasei) and
short fleshy flaps (cirri) on the tips of the dorsal-fin spines. Plectranthias morgansi, from the Western Indian
Ocean, has the third (versus fourth) dorsal spine longest, bearing a long fleshy tab (versus no tab), 14 (versus 12)
circumpeduncular scales, fine serrations on the preopercle (versus 2–3 weak serrations or crenulations on the
posterior margin of the preopercle) and a distinctly serrated (versus smooth) interopercle. Plectranthias
cirrhitoides, from Rapa, differs in having 14 circumpeduncular scales, the first segmented dorsal-fin ray
unbranched (versus branched) and a shallower body (greatest body depth 31.0–32.4 versus 35.0–38.3 % SL).
Plectranthias foresti, from the West Pacific, differs in having an emarginate caudal fin with 14 branched caudal-fin
rays (versus weakly rounded to truncate with 15 branched rays), 18–29 serrae on the hind margin of the preopercle,
and the second to fourth segmented dorsal-fin rays filamentous (versus not filamentous). Plectranthias megalepis,
known only from the lectotype from the Kai Islands, Indonesia, differs in having 14 circumpeduncular scales, 18–
21 serrae on the posterior margin of the preopercle, and the top of the head scaled anteriorly only to about the mid
interorbital area (versus almost to posterior nostrils).
The live coloration of P. t a ka se i is distinctive, and will serve to distinguish the species from the above species
and all other congeners. Plectranthias takasei may be confused with several species that have yellow to red spots
on a pale body — such as P. sagamiensis (Katayama 1964), P. elongatus Wu et al. (2011), P. xanthomaculatus Wu
et al. (2011), P. inermis Randall (1980) and P. flammeus Williams et al. (2013) — but details of the colour pattern
are distinctive for P. t aka se i . In particular, the combination of a large red spot on the mid-side and oblique stripes of
closely spaced, orange-edged, bright yellow to gold spots are diagnostic.
Etymology. The species is named for Mr Wataru Takase, who collected the holotype. The Japanese standard
name and English common names refer to the prominent red spot on the side, which is reminiscent of the red disk
(rising sun) in the Japanese flag (commonly called Hinomaru, ‘the sun disk’).
Remarks. Placement of the new species in Plectranthias should be regarded as provisional. The generic
classification of the Anthiadinae is unsatisfactory, with few genera cladistically diagnosed by synapomorphies. The
two largest genera, Plectranthias and the Indo-Pacific genus Pseudanthias Bleeker (1871) are particularly
problematic. Not only is neither genus defined on the basis of synapomorphies, but both show considerable
variation in characters that have been used to diagnose other anthiadine genera. For example, Plectranthias varies
in the number of supraneural bones, degree of squamation on the head, presence or absence of antrorse spines on
the ventral edge of the preopercle, number of lateral-line scales, and number of branched caudal-fin rays. It is likely
that further studies will result in the reassignment of some species to new genera or to nominal genera placed in the
synonymy of Plectranthias by Randall (1980).
Acknowledgements
This study was supported in part by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP24370041 and JP24501278; the "Biological
Properties of Biodiversity Hotspots in Japan" project of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba,
Japan. We thank Wataru Takase for providing the holotype and excellent underwater photographs of the new
species, and Kiyoshi Endoh for providing the paratype. Sally Reader, Amanda Hay and Mark McGrouther assisted
with the loan of the specimens, and provided access to library and other facilities at the Australian Museum. G.R.
Allen reviewed the manuscript and provided helpful comments.
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... The last ray in the dorsal and anal fins is divided at its base and was counted as a single ray. Principal caudal rays were identified based on their topological relationships: the uppermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating with hypural 5, and the lowermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating between the distal tips of the parhypural and the haemal spine of preural centrum 2. See Gill et al. (2016) for justifications for this method rather than the traditional method of the uppermost and lowermost principal ray being the unbranched rays immediately above and below the branched rays, respectively. Counts of principal and branched caudal-fin rays are presented in the form upper + lower, where the upper rays are those associated with hypurals 3-5, and lower rays are those associated with hypurals 1-2 and the parhypural. ...
... The anterior-most vertebra with a haemal spine was considered the first caudal vertebra, the urostylar complex the last. Note that this differs from the definition in Gill et al. (2016) and that the vertebral counts for P. takasei Gill, Tea & Senou, 2016 should be corrected from 9+17 to 10+16. In Plectranthias and Selenanthias species, the proximal tip of the first anal pterygiophore is closely associ-ated with the tenth vertebra. ...
... The anterior-most vertebra with a haemal spine was considered the first caudal vertebra, the urostylar complex the last. Note that this differs from the definition in Gill et al. (2016) and that the vertebral counts for P. takasei Gill, Tea & Senou, 2016 should be corrected from 9+17 to 10+16. In Plectranthias and Selenanthias species, the proximal tip of the first anal pterygiophore is closely associ-ated with the tenth vertebra. ...
Article
Australian species of the anthiadine genera Plectranthias and Selenanthias are reviewed. Twenty-two species of Plectranthias and two species of Selenanthias are recorded from Australian waters: Plectranthias sp. 1 from a seamount north of Middleton Reef and Norfolk Ridge, Tasman Sea; P. alleni Randall from off southwest Western Australia; P. azumanus (Jordan & Richardson) from off southwest Western Australia; P. bennetti Allen & Walsh from Holmes Reef, Coral Sea; P. cruentus Gill & Roberts from Lord Howe Island, and possibly off Stradbroke Island, Queensland; P. ferrugineus n. sp. from the North West Shelf and Arafura Sea; P. fourmanoiri Randall from Christmas Island and Holmes Reef, Coral Sea; P. grahami n. sp. from off central New South Wales, Tasman Sea; P. inermis Randall from Christmas Island; P. japonicus (Steindachner) from the Arafura Sea and North West Shelf; P. kamii Randall from the Coral Sea, Lord Howe Island and Christmas Island; P. lasti Randall & Hoese from the North West Shelf and off Marion Reef, Queensland; P. longimanus (Weber) from the Timor Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea and southern Queensland; P. maculicauda (Regan) from southeastern Australia; P. mcgroutheri n. sp. from the North West Shelf; P. megalophthalmus Fourmanoir & Randall from northeast of the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland; P. melanesius Randall from southeastern Queensland and a seamount north of Middleton Reef; P. moretonensis n. sp. from off Stradbroke Island, Queensland; P. nanus Randall from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea; P. retrofasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall from the Great Barrier Reef; P. robertsi Randall & Hoese from off Queensland, Coral Sea; P. winniensis (Tyler) from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea; Selenanthias analis Tanaka from the North West Shelf and Arafura Sea; and S. barroi (Fourmanoir) from west of Lihou Reef, Coral Sea. Five of the species represent new records for Australia: P. azumanus, P. kamii, P. megalophthalmus, P. melanesius and S. barroi. Previous records of P. megalophthalmus from the North West Shelf are based on misidentified specimens of P. lasti. Records of P. wheeleri from the North West Shelf are based on specimens here identified as P. mcgroutheri n. sp. A record of P. yamakawai Yoshino from Christmas Island is based on a misidentified specimen of P. kamii. Plectranthias retrofasciatus was previously recorded from the Great Barrier Reef as P. pallidus Randall & Hoese, here shown to be a junior synonym of P. retrofasciatus. Video-based records of P. kelloggi from the Great Barrier Reef appear to be based on P. retrofasciatus. Identification keys, diagnoses, character summaries, photographs and Australian distribution information are presented for all species. Full descriptions are provided for the new species and for those newly recorded from Australia.
... The anthiadine genus Plectranthias Bleeker, 1873, currently comprises 56 valid species from tropical to temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans (Fricke et al. 2019). Most of these fishes are found in relatively deep habitats (depths of 90-420 m) with complex rocky formations (Allen and Walsh 2015;Gill et al. 2016). In general, they are small (20 cm max length, but most in the 5-10 cm range), benthic, feed on small mobile invertebrates, and hide in crevices and holes on the reef (Kuiter 2004). ...
... In general, they are small (20 cm max length, but most in the 5-10 cm range), benthic, feed on small mobile invertebrates, and hide in crevices and holes on the reef (Kuiter 2004). Due to their small size and cryptic habits, they are poorly represented in museum collections, and most species have been described based on a single or a small number of specimens (Randall 1980;Heemstra and Randall 2008;Bineesh et al. 2014;Allen and Walsh 2015;Gill et al. 2016;Shepherd et al. 2018;Gill and Roberts 2020;Wada et al. 2020). ...
... Measurements were taken with digital calipers to the nearest 0.01 mm and rounded to one decimal place, following the conventions described in Anderson and Heemstra (2012), Williams et al. (2013), and Gill and Roberts (2020). Principal caudal rays are those associated with hypurals, as described in Gill et al. (2016). Procurrent caudal-fin rays are those dorsal and ventral to the principal rays. ...
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Two new species of Plectranthias perchlets are described, collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems in French Polynesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the tropical Central Pacific. Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. was collected at a depth of 105 m in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and 120 m in Maloelap Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. It was also observed in Moorea and Rangiroa (French Polynesia), and at Majuro and Erikub Atolls, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. was collected at a depth of 90–98 m in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and observed in Moorea. The barcode fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. does not closely match any published sequence of Plectranthias , with approximately 15% uncorrected divergence from several species. Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. can be distinguished from all of its congeners by coloration and morphology. The barcode fragment of the COI gene of Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. is closest to Plectranthias bennetti , with 5.4% uncorrected divergence. Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. is also distinguished from all of its congeners by morphology, and a coloration that includes two indistinct black spots along the base of the dorsal-fin, and transparent yellow dorsal and anal fin membranes. With this publication, the genus Plectranthias now comprises 58 valid species, with representatives from tropical to temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. These two new discoveries add to the growing body of research highlighting the rich biodiversity of mesophotic ecosystems.
... This article was published as an Online First article on the online publication date shown on this page. The article should be cited by using the doi number. of the genus have been recorded from southern Japan, 10 having been recently described as new (Okamoto et al. 2012;Senou 2013Senou , 2014Gill et al. 2016;Fujiwara et al. 2017;Okamoto and Motomura 2017;Tashiro and Motomura 2017;Wada et al. 2018Wada et al. , 2020Kawaji et al. 2019). ...
... nov. and P. ryukyuensis can be easily distinguished from all other congeners [except for Plectranthias sagamiensis (Katayama 1964) and Plectranthias ferrugineus Gill et al. 2021, see below] by the following combination of characters: dorsal fin with 10 spines and 15 or 16 soft rays; pectoral-fin rays all unbranched; lateral line complete, with 28-30 pored scales; 2½-3 scale rows above lateral line; 5 or 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek between eye and corner of preopercle; preopercle with two antrorse spines on ventral margin; 18-29 serrae on posterior margin of preopercle; fourth dorsal-fin spine distinctly longer than third spine, its length 110.6-128.6% of third spine; minute flaps on first to ninth dorsal-fin spine tips; each flap much shorter than first dorsal-fin spine; caudal fin with some ray branches distinctly elongated past fin margin; fourth dorsal-fin spine longest, its length 17.5-20.0% of SL; irregular markings on body and head; and faint more or less orange vertical bands below lateral line on posterior half of body when fresh (Randall 1980(Randall , 1996Randall and Hoese 1995;Anderson 2008;Heemstra and Randall 2009;Wu et al. 2011;Williams et al. 2013;Bineesh et al. 2014;Allen and Walsh 2015;Gill et al. 2016Gill et al. , 2021Shepherd et al. 2018Shepherd et al. , 2020Wada et al. 2018Wada et al. , 2020; this study). ...
Article
Plectranthias kojii sp. nov. (Perciformes: Serranidae) is described from a single specimen [49.4 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from 150 m depth off Hamahiga-jima Island, near Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. Although the new species is most similar to Plectranthias ryukyuensis Wada, Suzuki, Senou and Motomura 2020, morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the former clearly differed from those of congeners. Plectranthias kojii is distinguished from P. ryukyuensis by the following combination of characters: 12 or 13 pectoral-fin rays; 10 scale rows below the lateral line; 2 supraneurals, small head (length 42.5% SL) with rounded upper profile; slightly convex in postorbital region; small eye (diameter 11.9% SL); the anterodorsal margin not protruding above the dorsal head profile; caudal fin slightly convex; fourth dorsal-fin spine long (length 20.0% SL); pre-pelvic-fin short (length 34.8% SL); pectoral fin short (length 37.0% SL); pelvic-fin spine long (length 19.6% SL); body with an arched orange band from bases of 7th to 9th dorsal-fin spines to middle of caudal-fin base; and yellowish-orange spots and blotches on the snout, cheek, jaws, nape, and spinous portion of the dorsal fin.
... Hokakehanadai-zoku -- Yoshino, 1972Yoshino, (岡本ほか,2012;瀬能,2013, 2014Gill et al., 2016Motomura, 2017;藤原ほか,2017;Wada et al., 2018Wada et al., , 2020;川路ほか, 2019Koeda et al., 2021a, b ...
... Body depth (BD), was measured as the maximum depth from the origin of the spinous dorsal fin. Counts of principal caudal-fin rays follow Gill et al. (2016), and are presented in the form upper + lower, where the upper rays are those associated with hypurals 3-5, and the lower rays are those associated with hypurals 1-2 and the parhypural. Procurrent caudal-fin rays are those dorsal and ventral to the prin- cipal rays. ...
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Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) is herein described from three specimens collected from a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in live coloration and by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays X, 17; anal-fin rays III, 8; pectoral-fin rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales above lateral-line to base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16-17 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+23; and a slender body, with greatest body depth 3.6 (3.4-3.8) in SL. The most similar DNA barcodes (mitochondrial COI gene) are from Pseudanthias ventralis Randall, 1979 and Pseudanthias hawaiiensis Randall, 1979, with 16.8% and 17.0% uncorrected divergence, respectively. This fish is one of four new species that were documented from a pair of technical dives at a single location in Rapa Nui, emphasizing the high number of undescribed species likely still unknown in mesophotic coral ecosystems, especially in geographically remote locations. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. adds to the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, which hosts the second-highest level of endemism in both shallow and deep-water fishes.
... Methods of counting, measuring, terminology and format of description generally follow Matsunuma and Motomura (2016), except otherwise indicated. The definition of caudal-fin rays follows Gill et al. (2016). Measurements were taken using a 150 mm digital calliper, recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm. ...
Article
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A new perchlet species is described on the basis of four specimens collected from southwestern Taiwan. It is similar to congeners with relatively few lateral‐line scales (35–38) and can be distinguished by having third to sixth dorsal‐fin spines notably long; eighth and ninth dorsal‐fin spines notably short; developed gill rakers 1 + 7–8; scale rows between lateral line and sixth dorsal‐fin spine 4 (the dorsalmost half‐sized); tip of upper corner of caudal fin reddish; four reddish bands midlaterally on body with groups of melanophores in these bands. DNA barcoding analysis reveals the new species is a distinct lineage and closest to Chelidoperca microdon. The average interspecific genetic distance calculated by the K2P model is 15.4%, whereas the mean distance from the new species to C. microdon is 18.3%. The inferred phylogenetic tree supports monophyly of Chelidoperca. Including the new species, six nominal species of Chelidoperca are recognized in Taiwanese waters.
... The last ray in the dorsal and anal fins is divided at its base and was counted as a single ray. Counts of principal caudalfin rays follow Gill et al. (2016): the uppermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating with hypural 5, and the lowermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating between the distal tips of the parhypural and the haemal spine of preural centrum 2 (pu2). Counts of principal and branched caudal-fin rays are presented in the form upper þ lower, where the upper rays are those associated with hypurals 3-5, and lower rays are those associated with hypurals 1-2 and the parhypural. ...
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Pseudojuloides pluto, new species, is described on the basis of the holotype and 11 paratypes from Wake Island, northeastern Micronesia, and nine paratypes from the Maug Islands, Northern Mariana Islands. The new species has previously been confused with Pseudojuloides atavai, but molecular analysis of mitochondrial COI reveals a difference of 6.8% in sequence data between both species, in addition to differences in meristic, morphometric, and coloration details. A second new species, Pseudojuloides proserpina, is described from Fatu Hiva, Marquesan Islands on the basis of the male holotype. The two new species are closely allied to Pseudojuloides atavai, and together form a species complex that differs from other members of the genus in having males that share the following combination of characters: interspinous membrane between the anterior two to three spines of the dorsal fin with a black spot; head extensively reticulate (reduced in P. pluto, new species); dorsal-fin base with a pink stripe; abdominal region behind pectoral and pelvic fins pale lilac to orangey pink (width of this region dependent on species) with a crosshatch or honeycomb pattern; and extensive black coloration over at least posterior half of body. Additionally, females of both P. atavai and P. pluto, new species, are distinctly bicolored (versus unicolored and suffused in all other congeneric species). Although the female form of P. proserpina, new species, is not known, it is likely that it shares this general coloration pattern, which may serve as an additional character uniting members of the Pseudojuloides atavai complex. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic relationships of Pseudojuloides inferred on the basis of mitochondrial DNA.
... Morphological data.-Methods for counting and measuring follow Victor and Randall (2014), with the following modifications. Counts of principal caudal-fin rays follow Gill et al. (2016): the uppermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating with hypural 5, and the lowermost principal caudal-fin ray is the ray articulating between the distal tips of the parhypural and the haemal spine of preural centrum 2. Counts of principal and branched caudal-fin rays are presented as upper þ lower, where the upper rays are those associated with hypurals 3-5, and lower rays are those associated with hypurals 1-2 and the parhypural. Procurrent caudal-fin rays are those anterior (dorsal and ventral) to the principal rays. ...
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The anti-equatorial labrid Pseudojuloides elongatus has a wide but disjunct distribution across the Western Pacific and Eastern Indian Oceans, with populations occurring in Western Australia, southern Japan, and the southwest Pacific Ocean. Principal component analysis of morphological characters and coalescent-based species-tree estimates of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers suggest that these populations are under incipient stages of divergence. The three allopatric populations differ strongly in coloration patterns of both sexes, particularly in terminal males, suggestive of reproductive isolation. We redescribe Pseudojuloides elongatus on the basis of nine paratypes and two additional specimens from eastern Australia and Norfolk Island, and describe two new species, Pseudojuloides crux, new species, from Western Australia, and P. paradiseus, new species, from southern Japan. The complex is distinguished from other members of the genus in sharing the following combination of characters: body elongate; dorsal-fin rays IX,12; pectoral-fin rays 12; no median predorsal scales; and usually 27 lateral-line scales. We briefly comment on anti- equatorial biogeographical patterns and Pseudojuloides argyreogaster from the Western Indian Ocean.
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Sixty species of jawfishes (Opistognathus) from the Indo-West Pacific are reported in an updated review, including descriptions of 18 new species: Opistognathus albomaculatus n.sp., O. asper n.sp., O. aurolineatus n.sp., O. bathyphilus n.sp., O. biporus n.sp., O. challenger n.sp., O. erdmanni n.sp., O. flavidus n.sp., O. helvolus n.sp., O. hyalinus n.sp., O. megalops n.sp., O. microspilus n.sp., O. nigripinnis n.sp., O. parvus n.sp., O. pholeter n.sp., O. triops n.sp., O. vigilax n.sp., and O. wassi n.sp.. Species accounts are provided for each species, including illustrations or color photographs, complete synonymies, specimens examined (or appropriate citation if previously published in detail), diagnosis, comparisons, etymology, and distribution maps. Geographic range extensions are reported for a number of species. An identification key is given for all species and frequency tables of important characters are also provided. The taxonomic status of Opistognathus inornatus and O. rosenbergii annulatus are discussed in detail but not completely resolved pending unavailable molecular data. Geographic variation is also described for Opistognathus adelus, O. albomaculatus n.sp., O. castelnaui, O. margaretae, O. variabilis, and O. vigilax n.sp. Many species are known only from holotypes and others from single localities, indicating how much more remains to be known about these jawfishes.
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The Normanby perchlet Plectranthias normanby n. sp. is described from off Normanby Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Sea, western Pacific Ocean, based on 2 specimens collected at depths of 175-480 metres. The new species is characterised within the Plectranthias inermis species group by the dorsal in with 12 spines and 13 soft rays; no dorsal-fin rays filamentous; fourth dorsal-fin spine the longest, the spine length 2.25-2.34 in head; anal fin with 3 spines and 7 soft rays; pectoral-fin rays 13, none branched; branched caudal fin emarginate without filamentous rays; branched caudal-fin rays 13; no scales on anterior half of interorbital space; gill rakers 7 + 10-11; posterior margin of preopercle with 11-19 serrae, lower margin with 2 antrorse spines; lateral line incomplete, with 17 tubed scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 3½; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 9; circumpeduncular scales 14; cheek with ca. 5 diagonal rows of large scales; sides of body with a large, round black blotch, caudal peduncle with two dark brown spots. A key to the species of the Plectranthias-inermis species-group is presented.
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Two new species of anthiine fishes are described from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Plectranthias flammeus was found at depths from 20–45 m and is characterized by dorsal rays X, 14 or 15, with spines 1–6 bearing fleshy white tabs at their tips, longest fleshy tab on spine 4; 14 unbranched pectoral rays; lateral line incomplete with 16–17 tubed scales; preopercle with 8–10 small spines along posterior margin and 2 antrorse spines on ventral margin; broad, fiery red-orange streak across lower cheek; head and body with irregularly spaced maroon-ringed yellow blotches on a white back-ground; pair of small dark oblong spots (red with black centers in life) on the bases of the middle rays of the caudal fin. Pseudanthias oumati was found on the outer reef slope of Fatu Hiva at a depth of 50–55 m and is characterized by 3rd dorsal spine elongate and tipped with fleshy yellow filament extending beyond tip of spine; lateral-line scales 43; gill rak-ers 10 + 28; no papillae on posterior edge of orbit; front of upper lip not thickened (male condition unknown); caudal fin lunate; color of female yellow, all fins yellow with narrow magenta margin (except pectoral fin, which lacks magenta); no stripe from snout to pectoral base; small scales located on basal quarter of soft-dorsal fin from segmented rays 1–12; dorsal profile of head slightly concave.
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We got some ‘splainin’ to do. Desi Arnaz, as Ricky Ricardo in “I Love Lucy” You can't have your cake and eat it too. Ancient Proverb This paper is a response to Gemballa and Britz (1998), who presented a new interpretation of the intermuscular bones of acanthomorphs, homologizing them with the epicentrals of lower teleosts. We argue that their identification of epineural ligaments above the intermuscular bones in many acanthomorphs is mistaken; the structures in question are fanlike arrays of collagen fibers, not true intermuscular ligaments. We show also that undisputed epineural intermusculars penetrate or enter the horizontal septum in lower acanthomorphs (Velifer, Polymixia, beryciforms), and reiterate arguments for regarding the single series of intermusculars in most acanthomorphs as epineurals, secondarily displaced into the horizontal septum.
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Two new species of anthiine fishes of the genus Plectranthias are described from single specimens taken by trawling off southwestern Taiwan at depths of 200-243 m. Plectranthias elongatus sp. nov. is characterized by having an elongate body (body depth 3.7 in standard length (SL)), dorsal fin X, 15, pectoral fin 16, lateral-line scales 31, scales present on maxilla, no scales on snout, no antrorse spine on ventral margin of preopercle, posterior margin serrate, and pinkish-white coloration with large orange-red spots on fish when fresh. Plectranthias xanthomaculatus sp. nov. is characterized by body depth 3.2 in SL, dorsal rays X, 14, pectoral rays 15, lateralline scales 30, scales present on maxilla, no scales on snout, the posterior margin of preopercle smooth, with no antrorse spine ventrally, and deep-pink when fresh, with large yellow blotches on body, yellow bands on head, and mainly yellow fins. A key is provided for the 13 species of Plectranthias known from off Taiwan.
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Nineteen species of the serranid fish genus Pseudanthias Bleeker are recognized in the western Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf ): Pseudanthias bicolor, P. bimaculatus, P. bimarginatus, P. connelli, P. conspicuus, P. cooperi, P. evansi, P. gibbosus, P. heemstrai, P. hypselosoma, P. ignitus, P. lunulatus, P. marcia, P. pulcherrimus, P. squamipinnis, P. taeniatus, P. townsendi, P. unimarginatus and Pseudanthias pillai sp. nov. is described from the south-west coast of India. Pseudanthias gibbosus (Klunzinger) is resurrected from the synonymy of P. squamipinnis and is shown to have a precocious male morph. Discovery of three colour morphs for P. gibbosus is an example of the complicated reproductive systems of these species. Diagnoses, distributions, illustrations and a key to all the species of Pseudanthias in the western Indian Ocean are given.
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The 100 nominal species in the pseudochromid subfamily Pseudochrominae are referred to 70 valid species, and an additional ten species are described as new. These species are assigned to ten genera: Assiculoides Gill & Hutchins, 1997, Assiculu Richardson, 1846, Cypho Myers, 1940, Labracinus Schlegel, 1858, Ogilbyina Fowler, 1931, Pseudochromis Rüppell, 1835, and four new genera, Manonichthys, Oxycercichthys, Pholidochromis and Pictichromis. In previous recent studies only two genera, Labracinus and Pseudochromis, had been generally recognised; species assigned to the remaining genera had been previously placed in Pseudochromis. Species included in the subfamily are: Assiculoides desmonotus Gill & Hutchins, 1997 (Western Australia); Assiculus punctatus Richardson, 1846 (northwestern Australia); Cypho purpurascens (De Vis, 1884) (southwest Pacific); C. zaps sp. nov. (Indonesia to Ryukyu Ids); Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) (Culion, Philippines); L. cyclophthalmus (Müller & Troschel, 1849) (Japan to northwestern Australia, Papua New Guinea); L. lineatus (Castelnau, 1875) (Western Australia); Manonichthys alleni sp. nov. (Sabah, Borneo); M. paranox (Lubbock & Goldman, 1976) (Solomon Ids, Papua New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef); M. polynemus (Fowler, 1931) (northeastern Indonesia, Belau); M. splendens (Fowler, 1931) (southeastern Indonesia); M. winterbottomi sp nov. (Cebu, Philippines); Ogilbyina novaehollandiae (Steindachner, 1880) (southern Great Barrier Reef and Queensland); O. queenslandiae (Saville-Kent, 1893) (Queensland, Great Barrier Reef); O. salvati (Plessis & Fourmanoir, 1966) (New Caledonia); Oxycercichthys veliferus (Lubbock, 1980) (Great Barrier Reef, western Coral Sea); Pholidochromis marginata (Lubbock, 1980) (northeastern Indonesia to Bougainville); Pictichromis aurifrons (Lubbock, 1980) (New Guinea); P. coralensis sp. nov. (Great Barrier Reef to New Caledonia); P. diadema (Lubbock & Randall, 1978) (Malaysia to Philippines and northern Borneo); P. ephippiata (Gill, Pyle & Earle, 1996) (northern Sulawesi, southeastern Papua New Guinea); P. paccagnellae (Axelrod, 1973) (Indonesia, Timor Sea to Solomon Ids); P. porphyrea (Lubbock & Goldman, 1974) (Ryukyu Ids and northeastern Indonesia to Marshall Ids and Tonga); Pseudochromis aldabraensis Bauchot Boutin, 1958 (Aldabra, northwestern Indian Ocean); P. alticaudex sp. nov. (northeastern Indonesia to Solomon Ids); P. andamanensis Lubbock, 1980 (Andaman Sea to Timor Sea, Australia); P. aureolineatus sp. nov. (Comoro Ids); P. aurulentus Gill & Randall, 1998 (Komodo Id, Indonesia); P. bitaeniatus (Fowler, 1931) (Philippines to Timor Sea, Australia, Solomon Ids); P. caudalis Boulenger, 1898 (Arabian Sea to Sri Lanka); P. coccinicauda (Tickell, 1888) (Laccadive Ids to central Indonesia); P. colei Herre, 1933 (Culion, Philippines); P. cometes Gill & Randall, 1998 (Komodo Id, Indonesia); P. cyanotaenia Bleeker, 1857 (Japan to Australia and Vanuatu); P. dilectus Lubbock, 1976 (Sri Lanka); P. dixurus Lubbock, 1975 (Red Sea); P. dutoiti Smith, 1955 (east coast of Africa); P. elongatus Lubbock, 1980 (eastern Indonesia); P. flammicauda Lubbock & Goldman, 1976 (Great Barrier Reef); P. flavivertex Rüppell, 1835 (Red Sea); P. flavopunctatus Gill & Randall, 1998 (Komodo Id, Indonesia); P. fowleri Herre, 1934 (Philippines and Sabah, Borneo); P. fridmani Klausewitz, 1968 (Red Sea); P. fuscus Müller & Troschel, 1849 (Sri Lanka to Vanuatu); P. howsoni Allen, 1995 (northwestern Australia); P. jamesi Schultz, 1943 (southwest Pacific); P. kolythrus Gill & Winterbottom, 1993 (New Caledonia); P. kristinae sp. nov. (east coast of Africa to Madagascar); P. leucorhynchus Lubbock, 1977 (Kenya to Oman); P. linda Randall & Stanaland, 1989 (Gulf of Aden to Pakistan); P. litus Gill & Randall, 1998 (southeastern Indonesia); P. luteus Aoyagi, 1943 (Ryukyu Ids to Philippines); P. madagascariensis sp. nov. (northeastern Madagascar); P. magnificus Lubbock, 1977 (Cargados Carajos Shoals); P. marshallensis Schultz, 1953 (Western Australia to Marshall Ids); P. melanurus sp. nov. (Fiji and Tonga); P. melas Lubbock, 1977 (east coast of Africa); P. mooii sp. nov. (Komodo Id, Indonesia); P. moorei Fowler, 1931 (Philippines); P. natalensis Regan, 1916 (east coast of Africa); P. nigrovittatus Boulenger, 1897 (Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Socotra to Persian Gulf); P. olivaceus Rüppell, 1835 (Red Sea); P. omanensis Gill & Mee, 1993 (Oman); P. persicus Murray, 1887 (Persian Gulf to Pakistan); P. perspicillatus Günther, 1862 (Philippines and Indonesia); P. pesi Lubbock, 1975 (Red Sea); P. pictus Gill & Randall, 1998 (Alor Id, Indonesia); P. punctatus Kotthaus, 1970 (Somalia and southern Oman); P. pylei Randall & McCosker, 1989 (southeastern Indonesia and Belau); P. quinquedentatus McCulloch, 1926 (northern Australia); P. ransonneti Steindachner, 1870 (Gulf of Thailand to Seribu Ids, Indonesia); P. reticulatus Gill & Woodland, 1992 (northwestern Australia); P. sankeyi Lubbock, 1975 (southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden); P. springeri Lubbock, 1975 (Red Sea); P. steenei Gill & Randall, 1992 (southern Indonesia); P. striatus Gill, Shao & Chen, 1995 (Philippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Ids); P. tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1853 (Andaman Sea to Solomon Ids); P. tauberae Lubbock, 1977 (east coast of Africa to Madagascar); P. viridis Gill & Allen, 1996 (Christmas Id, Indian Ocean); and P. wilsoni Whitley, 1929 (northern Australia). A key to genera and keys to species within genera are provided. Synonymy lists, suggested vernacular names, morphological descriptions, habitat notes, and distribution maps are given for each species. Photographs showing live and/or freshly dead colorations (including sexual and other intraspecific variation) are provided for all but a few species.