Neophrynichthys heterospilos,a new species of fathead sculpin (Scorpaeniformes: Psych rol utidae) from New Zealand |
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| Authors: | Keith L Jackson Joseph S Nelson |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada;2. Department of Biological Sciences , University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada E-mail: joe.nelson@ualberta.ca |
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| Abstract: | A second species of Neophrynichthys is described from 20 specimens collected from the Campbell Plateau, south of South Island, New Zealand. It differs from its sole congener, N. latus, in having 25–26 pectoral rays (versus 22–24), cirri on head more than twice as large, half as few (c. 50 versus >100), and generally absent from the mid‐region behind the eyes (versus being relatively dense), and in spotted colour pattern covering much less than 50% of the dorsal surface of the head (versus >50%). This new species is the sixth psychrolutid known from New Zealand. The genus Neophrynichthys is formally diagnosed by two synapomorphic characters unique among psychrolutids: having light spots on a dark ground colour and having an open fourth and fifth infraorbital, fifth and sixth cranial arch, medial extrascapular, and posterior tabular of the pterotic. |
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| Keywords: | Neophrynichthys heterospilos Psychrolutidae Scorpaeniformes New Zealand |
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