Research Article |
Corresponding author: Roxanne Cabebe-Barnuevo ( k4964780@kadai.jp ) Academic editor: Tihomir Stefanov
© 2024 Roxanne Cabebe-Barnuevo, Kunto Wibowo, Hiroyuki Motomura.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Cabebe-Barnuevo R, Wibowo K, Motomura H (2024) Redescription of Parascorpaena moultoni (Whitley, 1961) (Actinopterygii, Scorpaenidae), with new distribution records for the species. ZooKeys 1219: 271-285. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.134970
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Although the status of Parascorpaena moultoni (Whitley, 1961) is now well established, the morphology of the species has been re-examined, with new diagnostic features identified. Typically 15 or 16 pectoral-fin rays are present, together with two suborbital ridges, each with a single spine and the origin of the first ridge posterior to the second, well-developed interorbital ridges forming a loop, an undeveloped occipital pit, no scales on the dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray bases. The known range of the species includes Taiwan, the Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji in addition to previously reported Australia, New Caledonia, and Japan.
COI, morphology, new record, Scorpaena mcadamsi, Scorpaena moultoni, scorpionfish
Scorpaena moultoni Whitley, 1961 was originally described from a single specimen collected north of Wilson Island, Capricorn Group, Queensland, Australia, in a depth of ca 15 m.
This study addresses discrepancies between the original description of P. moultoni by
Counts and measurements followed
Phylogenetic relationships among the two closely related species, Parascorpaena mcadamsi and P. moultoni, with Caracanthus maculatus (Gray, 1831) serving as the outgroup, were elucidated using MEGA 11 software (
Species identification | BOLD/GenBank accession number | Specimen voucher code |
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Caracanthus maculatus | PP683413 |
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Parascorpaena mcadamsi | LC745944 |
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Parascorpaena mcadamsi* | PHILA1448-15 |
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Parascorpaena mcadamsi* | PHILV495-15 |
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Parascorpaena moultoni | LC745946 |
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Caracanthus maculatus:
ANSP Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
NSMT National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba
Scorpaena moultoni Whitley, 1961: 9, fig. 1 (type locality: north of Wilson Island, Capricorn Group, Queensland, Australia).
Holotype.
46 specimens, 20.4–57.1 mm SL. Japan:
A species of Parascorpaena with the following characters: pectoral-fin rays 15–17 (usually 15 or 16); pored lateral-line scales 20–22 (mode 21); scale rows in longitudinal series 40–48 (41); scale rows above lateral line 5–8 (7); scale rows below lateral line 10–12 (12); scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (6); scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (5); total gill rakers 12–14 (12); two suborbital ridges, each with one spine; origin of first suborbital ridge posterior to origin of second ridge; interorbital ridges well developed posteriorly from middle of eye, forming a broad loop on rear end, enclosed concavity relatively shallow; occipital pit not developed, almost flat; no scales along dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray bases; black botch on spinous portion of dorsal fin in males, usually found along 7th–10th spines.
Measurements of examined specimens, expressed as percentages of SL and HL, provided in Table
Counts and proportional measurements (expressed as percentages of standard and head lengths) of Parascorpaena moultoni.
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Non-type specimens (n = 23) | |
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Holotype of S. moultoni | Paratype of S. mcadamsi | ||
Standard length (SL) | 38.1 | 27.5 | 20.7–57.1 |
Head length (HL) | 17.4 | 11.4 | 9.8–25.2 |
Counts | |||
Dorsal-fin rays | XII, 9 | XII, 9 | XII, 9 |
Anal-fin rays | III, 5 | III, 5 | III, 5 |
Pectoral-fin rays (left/right sides) | 15/15 | 16/damaged | 15–17/15–17 (mode 16/16) |
Pored lateral-line scales | 21 | 20 | 20–22 (21) |
Scale rows in longitudinal series | 43 | 42 | 40–48 (43) |
Scale rows above lateral line | 7 | 6 | 5–8 (6) |
Scale rows below lateral line | 10 | 10 | 10–12 (11) |
Scale rows between 6th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line | 5 | 5 | 5–6 (6) |
Scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line | 5 | 5 | 5–6 (5) |
Pre-dorsal-fin scale rows | 3 | 4 | 3–4 (3) |
Total gill rakers | 11 | 13 | 11–14 (12) |
Gill rakers (lower + hypobranchial) | 7 | 8 | 7–10 (8) |
Gill rakers (upper) | 4 | 5 | 4–5 (4) |
Measurements (% SL) | |||
Body depth at pelvic-fin spine base | 36.2 | 36.5 | 32.4–38.2 |
Body depth at first anal-fin spine base | 30.2 | 28.3 | 26.2–33.7 |
Body width | 15.8 | 13.7 | 8.2–20.1 |
Predorsal-fin length | 39.4 | 38.0 | 36.5–49.3 |
Preanal-fin length | 73.4 | 73.8 | 66.3–76.1 |
Prepelvic-fin length | 52.2 | 41.3 | 35.2–49.3 |
Pectoral-fin ray length | 32.8 | damaged | 28.7–45.0 |
1st dorsal-fin spine length | 4.8 | 8.5 | 3.5–9.7 |
2nd dorsal-fin spine length | 8.8 | 13.0 | 9.2–13.9 |
3rd dorsal-fin spine length | 14.8 | 17.3 | 14.2–20.3 |
4th dorsal-fin spine length | 17.6 | 20.1 | 15.1–21.1 |
5th dorsal-fin spine length | 17.8 | 19.4 | 15.6–20.9 |
11th dorsal-fin spine length | 9.7 | 10.3 | 7.6–12.7 |
12th dorsal-fin spine | 14.4 | 16.3 | 12.1–17.5 |
Longest dorsal-fin soft ray length | 18.4 | damaged | 16.9–22.4 |
1st anal-fin spine length | 7.0 | 10.5 | 8.5–12.3 |
2nd anal-fin spine length | 21.2 | 23.0 | 16.9–27.1 |
3rd anal-fin spine length | 16.5 | 18.7 | 15.5–21.2 |
Longest anal-fin soft ray length | 20.2 | 21.0 | 18.7–24.9 |
Pelvic-fin spine length | 16.5 | 17.4 | 15.7–19.2 |
Longest pelvic-fin soft ray length | 25.2 | 26.1 | 22.1–30.2 |
Caudal-fin length | 23.1 | 24.1 | 24.8–32.1 |
Caudal-peduncle depth | 9.5 | 9.8 | 7.5–11.5 |
Caudal-peduncle length | 13.4 | 18.2 | 9.6–16.7 |
Head length | 45.6 | 41.4 | 42.2–51.6 |
Measurements (% HL) | |||
Head width | 49.4 | 55.8 | 31.4–50.0 |
Snout length | 35.6 | 27.2 | 23.4–33.5 |
Eye diameter | 33.2 | 34.5 | 28.7–38.8 |
Interorbital width at vertical midline of eye | 12.4 | 15.4 | 10.9–17.2 |
Interorbital width at posterior end of preocular spine base | 9.8 | 14.8 | 9.7–14.7 |
Upper-jaw length | 46.7 | 53.3 | 44.2–55.2 |
Maxillary depth | 14.0 | 15.6 | 14.8–20.5 |
Postorbital length | 42.2 | 46.7 | 45.7–53.8 |
Distance between opercular spine tips | 13.4 | 14.5 | 11.1–15.3 |
Supraocular-tentacle length | 6.9 | absent | 3.2–30.6 |
Dorsal-fin spines usually 12 (rarely 13) connected to soft rays; fourth or fifth spine longest; sixth to 11th spine gradually decreasing in size; 12th spine elongated, followed by nine (rarely 8) branched soft rays; second dorsal-fin soft ray usually longest; 7th–10th dorsal spines bearing black blotch in male specimens. Anal-fin spines three, second spine longest; five branched soft rays. Bases of both dorsal- and anal-fin soft rays without scales. Pectoral-fin rays usually 15 or 16 (rarely 17); first (uppermost) ray simple, unbranched; second to fifth or sixth ray branched; lower rays thickened, unbranched; tips of fins reaching beyond origin of anal-fin spine. All pectoral-fin rays in small specimens (e.g., <20.0 mm SL) unbranched. Pelvic-fin length variable, not or just reaching anal-fin spine base.
Nasal spines positioned bilaterally on nasal ridge, extending slightly beyond rim. Preocular spine relatively thick, with broad base, located anteriorly within orbital region. Interorbital ridge originating either from above anterior half of eye, or along preocular spine base, extending beyond posterior eye margin; rear end of ridge forming a broad, very shallow interorbital loop. Occipital pit indistinct, almost flat. Supraocular and postocular spines situated above orbital region, close to one another. Supraocular spines each occasionally bearing a single, variably sized tentacle, sometimes small but usually longer than eye diameter. Tympanic spines simple, just behind postocular spine, usually separated by distance greater than that between parietal and nuchal spines. Parietal and nuchal spines simple, close to one another; parietal spine originating posterior to origin of pterotic spine; nuchal spine originating just behind parietal spine. Sphenotic spine just behind posterior margin of eye, small, usually as unevenly sized pair (rarely single). Pterotic spine simple, attached to skin, situated just behind sphenotic spine. Upper and lower post-temporal spines well-developed, upper spine shorter than and positioned just above lower spine, lower spine situated between pterotic and supracleithral spines. Suborbital with two distinct ridges, a suborbital spine on each ridge. Lacrimal bone dorsally with two distinct ridges; anterior lacrimal ridge located before anterior eye margin, longer than posterior lacrimal ridge; posterior ridge located just behind origin of first suborbital ridge (just below ventral eye margin). Anterior and posterior lacrimal spines located along ventral region of lacrimal bone, simple with no additional spinous points; anterior lacrimal spine prominently antrorse, tip not extending beyond lower lip; posterior lacrimal spine distinctly anteriorly oriented in larger specimens (>24.5 mm SL), ventrally oriented with forward curvature in smaller specimens to ~ 20 mm SL, postero-ventrally oriented in specimens <20 mm SL. Preopercular spines five; first and second along posterior margin of maxilla, covered with thick skin, usually with small tentacles; third to fifth exposed, progressively longer, fifth longest with small anterior supplemental preopercular spine. Opercular spines just behind pre-opercular margin; upper opercular spine slightly longer than lower opercular spine. Supracleithral spine single, short, located between upper and lower post-temporal spines (closer to latter). Cleithral spine simple, base covered by operculum; spinous point not extending beyond posteriormost tip of operculum. Postorbital spine usually absent; if present, lump-like, lacking a spinous point. Median interorbital ridge, coronal spine, ridge on lateral surface of maxilla, antero-dorsal lacrimal spines, and lateral lacrimal spine all absent.
Based on color photographs of three specimens deposited at
Body and ventral surface yellowish-white. Head typically white; some specimens with poorly defined dark blotches. Spinous portion of dorsal fin translucent; distinct black blotch retained in males. Soft-rayed portion of dorsal fin usually translucent; some specimens with poorly defined dark blotches. Anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins usually entirely translucent, with poorly defined dark blotches in some specimens. Caudal fin generally translucent, dark bands apparent in some specimens.
Parascorpaena moultoni has been previously recorded from Queensland, Australia (
This study largely corroborated
Among the eight valid species of Parascorpaena (see
Parascorpaena moultoni is clearly differentiated from P. armata, P. mossambica, and P. poseidon by its two suborbital spines and indistinct occipital pit, whereas the latter three species possess three suborbital spines and a well-developed occipital pit. Although P. moultoni shares the same number of suborbital spines with P. aurita and P. picta, it differs in having a single spine on each suborbital ridge, compared to the absence of a spinous point on the first ridge and presence of two spines on the second ridge in the latter two species, and can further be differentiated by the absence of scales below the dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray bases, which are present in P. aurita and P. picta. Moreover, while P. moultoni resembles P. maculipinnis and P. mcadamsi in having an undefined occipital pit, the interorbital ridge posteriorly forming a loop, naked dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray bases, and the origin of the first ridge posterior to the second, the former has only two suborbital spines, compared to the three spines (one on the first ridge and two on the second) found in the latter two species. Consequently, this study affirms that P. moultoni can be consistently distinguished from other species of Parascorpaena based on occipital pit morphology and the number of suborbital spines.
Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from
We extend our sincere gratitude to the staff at various institutions for their invaluable contributions to this study. We thank M. McGrouther, A. Hay, K. Parkinso, and S. Reader (
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
No ethical statement was reported.
This study was financially supported in part by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers 20H03311, 21H03651, 23K20304, and 24K02087; the JSPS Core-to-core CREPSUM JPJSCCB20200009; and the ″Establishment of Glocal Research and Education Network in the Amami Islands″ project of Kagoshima University, adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.
Conceptualization: RCB, KW, HM. Data curation: RCB, KW, HM. Formal analysis: RCB. Funding acquisition: HM. Investigation: RCB, KW, HM. Resources: KW, HM. Supervision: HM. Visualization: RCB, KW. Project administration: HM. Writing – original draft: RCB. Writing – review and editing: RCB, KW, HM.
Roxanne Cabebe-Barnuevo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6518-7986
Kunto Wibowo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4465-3022
Hiroyuki Motomura https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7448-2482
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.