Ichthyol Res (2009) 56:62–68
DOI 10.1007/s10228-008-0084-8

FULL PAPER

Sebastapistes taeniophrys (Fowler 1943): a valid scorpionfish(Scorpaenidae) from the Philippines
Hiroyuki Motomura

Received: 17 March 2008 / Revised: 13 August 2008 / Accepted: 22 August 2008
Ó The Ichthyological Society of Japan 2009

Keywords Scorpaenidae  Scorpionfish 
Sebastapistes taeniophrys  Philippines  Redescription

Examination of the holotype and paratype of Scorpaena
taeniophrys revealed that they belong to the Indo–Pacificscorpionfish genus Sebastapistes, characterized by having
12 dorsal-fin spines, teeth on the palatines, the posterior
lacrimal spine directed posteroventrally, pored lateral-line
scales continuing on to the caudal-fin base, and lacking
an occipital pit and lateral lacrimal spine (Poss 1999;
Motomura, unpublished data).
The genus Sebastapistes was briefly reviewed by Randall
and Poss (2002), who recognized seven nominal species asvalid, plus four undescribed species. In addition, ongoingtaxonomic studies of Sebastapistes by the author and colleague also indicated that Scorpaena taeniophrys is a valid
species of Sebastapistes. The species is redescribed here indetail and compared with a related species, Sebastapistes
strongia (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829).

Introduction

Materials and methods

The scorpionfish, Scorpaena taeniophrys, was described by
Fowler (1943) on the basis of two small specimens (18.3–
19.3 mm standard length) from the Philippines. The only
subsequent reference to that nominal species documented
by Eschmeyer (1998) was that of Herre (1951), whoregarded it as a valid species of Scorpaena [based only on
the description and figure given by (Fowler 1943: 66–68,
fig. 12)], but stated ‘‘These juvenile specimens may be
only a stage of some other species. Their position must be
uncertain until adult specimens are secured.’’Measurements follow Motomura (2004a, b), with headwidth following Motomura et al. (2005b, 2006a) andmaxillary depth following Motomura et al. (2006b). Counts
follow Motomura et al. (2005a, b, c) and Motomura andJohnson (2006), with predorsal scale counts following
Motomura et al. (2006b). The last two soft rays of thedorsal and anal fins are counted as single rays, each pairbeing associated with a single pterygiophore. Standard
length is expressed as SL. Terminology of head spines
follow (Randall and Eschmeyer 2002: fig. 1) and(Motomura et al. 2004b: fig. 1) with the following additions: the spine occurring at the base of the uppermost
preopercular spine is referred to as the supplemental preopercular spine (Eschmeyer 1965); the spine occurring at
the lateral surface of the lacrimal bone is referred to as the

Abstract The poorly known scorpionfish, Scorpaena
taeniophrys, originally described from two specimens fromthe Philippines, is redescribed as a valid species of
Sebastapistes. Sebastapistes taeniophrys differs from allother congeners in having a combination of 15 pectoral-finrays, 31–33 scale rows in longitudinal series, 11–14 pored
lateral-line scales, 3 predorsal scale rows, 12 gill rakers, 3
suborbital spines, absence of coronal spines, lower opercular spine with a median ridge and not covered withscales, ctenoid body scales, several dark transverse bands
on ventral surface of mandible, a distinct elongate black
blotch distally between the second or third and seventh
dorsal-fin spines, and no black blotch on the nape.

H. Motomura (&)
The Kagoshima University Museum, 1-21-30 Korimoto,Kagoshima 890-0065, Japane-mail: motomura@kaum.kagoshima-u.ac.jp

123Redescription of Sebastapistes taeniophrysFig. 1 Sebastapistes taeniophrys. a Holotype of Scorpaena taeniophrys, USNM 99522, 19.3 mm standard length; b paratype of
Scorpaena taeniophrys, USNM 99523, 18.3 mm SL

lateral lacrimal spine; the coronal and pretympanic (as an
extra spine) spines are figured in Chen (1981: fig. 1) andMotomura et al. (2004: fig. 14b) respectively. Institutional
codes follow Leviton et al. (1985), with additional institutional abbreviations as follows: the Kagoshima
University Museum, Kagoshima (KAUM); the Museum of
New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (NMNZ);
the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo(NSMT).
The type specimens of Scorpaena taeniophrys are listed
under the account of the species. Comparative data mentioned in this paper where no references are cited are basedon the following specimens. Sebastapistes strongia(48 specimens, 16.3–51.8 mm SL)—Seychelles: KAUM–I.
8064, 49.0 mm SL, Picard Islands, Aldabra Islands, B.
Kensley et al., 31 March 1987; KAUM–I. 8065, 47.3 mm
SL, same data as KAUM–I. 8064; KAUM–I. 8066,
42.5 mm SL, same data as KAUM–I. 8064; USNM
289907, 12 of 32 specimens, 34.9–50.2 mm SL, same data
as KAUM–I. 8064; USNM 360749, 31.1 mm SL, West
Island, Aldabra Atoll, 09°22.480 S, 46°14.240 E, 0.8 m,
H. Fehlmann, 17 August 1967. Tanzania: USNM 357236,
4, 42.6–51.3 mm SL, Zanzibar, 0.3–1.4 m, G. Losse, 17June 1965. Red Sea: USNM 147575, 40.3 mm SL, Sharmah, Saudi Arabia, O. Erdman, 2 July 1948; USNM
147577, 41.4 mm SL, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, O. Erdman,
16 July 1948. Mariana Islands: KAUM–I. 8062, 38.4 mm
SL, tide pool in Asan Bay, Guam, K. Kuriiwa, 22 July
2002; KAUM–I. 8063, 47.8 mm SL, same data as KAUM–
I. 8062; USNM 124229, 30.5 mm SL, Tumon Bay, Guam,
J. Gressitt, 27 May 1945; USNM 139895, 38.6 mm SL,
Guam, K. Frank and J. Craighead, November 1945.

63

Philippines: USNM 99015, 2, 41.7–43.3 mm SL, Gubat
Bay, Luzon, R/V Albatross, 23 June 1909; USNM 99797,
34.6 mm SL, market in Cebu, R/V Albatross, 20 March
1909; USNM 99798, 32.2 mm SL, Davao, Mindanao, R/V
Albatross, 16 May 1908; USNM 168227, 45.8 mm SL,
Pagapas Bay, Luzon, R/V Albatross, 20 February 1904;
USNM 372643, 35.7 mm SL, Anilao, Batangas, 13°450 N,
120°550 E, 3 m, C. Ferraris, 25 April 1980; USNM 372674,
39.2 mm SL, Paliton, Siquijor Island, 09°10.300 N,
123°27.480 E, 1.5 m, V. Springer et al., 9 May 1978.
Caroline Islands: USNM 224485, 25.5 mm SL, Manmatol,
Ponape, 05°510 N, 158°200 E, 1.8 m, V. Springer et al.,3 September 1980. Indonesia: USNM 266120, 51.8 mm
SL, Poka, Ambon Bay, Moluccas, 03°39.000 S,
128°11.300 E, 1.8 m, V. Springer and M. Gomon, 17 March
1974; USNM 266122, 21.7 mm SL, Papremkama Point,
Buton Bay, Buton Island, 05°24.300 S, 122°37.280 E, 1–8 m,
V. Springer et al., 25 March 1974. Solomon Islands:
USNM 122987, 24.9 mm SL, near Torokina, Puruata
Island, August 1944; USNM 266448, 31.1 mm SL, Munda
Pier, New Georgia, W. Chapman, 5 June 1944. New
Caledonia: NMNZ P. 29623, 30.3 mm SL, Goelands Cay,
off Noumea, 22°23.000 S, 166°23.000 E, 1–2 m, C. Roberts
and C. Paulin, 27 October 1992; USNM 324448, 33.9 mm
SL, Isle Nou, Noumea, 22°15.240 S, 166°22.540 E, 2 m,
J. Williams and G. Mou Tham, 8 November 1991. Fiji:NMNZ P. 20564, 3, 16.3–25.7 mm SL; USNM 259404,
36.2 mm SL, Viwa Island, 17°110 S, 176°540 E, V. Springer
et al., 27 May 1982. Wallis Islands: USNM 371447, 2,
32.7–45.5 mm SL, southwest of Nukuaeta Islet, Ile Uvea,
13°22.400 S, 176°13.100 W, 1 m, J. Williams et al., 8
November 2000; USNM 371449, 45.2 mm SL, same data
as USNM 371447; USNM 374710, 2, 39.7–40.7 mm SL,
off northwest end of Ile Uvea, 13°13.050 S, 176°13.100 W,
1 m, J. Williams et al., 29 October 2003. American
Samoa: USNM 361006, 34.4 mm SL, Pago Pago, Tutuila,
F. Sibley, 4 July 1964. French Polynesia: USNM 66028,
46.7 mm SL, Bora Bora, Clipperton Island, Society
Islands, R/V Albatross, 1899–1900.
Sebastapistes taeniophrys (Fowler 1943) (New English
name: Tentacle Scorpionfish) (Fig. 1)
Scorpaena taeniophrys Fowler 1943: 66, fig. 12 (typelocality: Cammahala Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines);
Herre 1951: 401 (description after Fowler; specimens not
examined).
Holotype. USNM 99522, 19.3 mm SL, Cammahala Bay,
Luzon Island, Philippines, beach seine, 11 March 1909,
Albatross Philippine Expedition 1907–1910.
Paratype. USNM 99523, 18.3 mm SL, collected withthe holotype.

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64

Diagnosis. A species of Sebastapistes with the following combination of characters: 15 pectoral-fin rays; 31–33
scale rows in longitudinal series; 11–14 pored lateral-line
scales; 3 predorsal scale rows; 4 or 5 scales above lateralline, 10 or 11 below; 4 or 5 scale rows between sixth
dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line, 4 scale rows between
last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; 3 gill rakers on
upper limb, 9 on lower limb, 12 in total; teeth on palatines;
anterior and posterior lacrimal spines simple; 3 suborbital
spines; coronal spines absent; posterior end of tympanic
spine base located level with posterior to origin of parietal
spine base in dorsal view; lower opercular spine with a
median ridge and not covered with scales; ctenoid bodyscales; several dark transverse bands on ventral surface ofmandible; a distinct elongate black blotch distally between
second or third and seventh dorsal-fin spines; no black
blotch on nape.
Description. Proportional measurements are given as
percentages of SL in Table 1. Data for the holotype arepresented first, followed by paratype data (if different) inparentheses.
Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 9 soft rays; (all soft rays
branched); length of 12th spine 1.3 (1.4) in last spine;(membrane of spinous portion of dorsal fin moderately
notched); (second soft ray longest, its length longer thanthat of longest dorsal-fin spine); (posterior branch of lastsoft ray joined by membrane to caudal peduncle for half of
its length). Anal fin with three spines and five soft rays; firstspine 2.1 (1.7) in second spine, 1.8 (1.7) in third spine; allsoft rays branched; first soft ray longest; posterior branchof last soft ray not joined by membrane to caudal peduncle.
Pectoral fins with 15 rays on each side of body, all rays
unbranched; eighth ray longest, its length less than headlength; all rays not thickened; posterior margin of fin
rounded. Pelvic fins with one spine and five soft rays, first
three soft rays branched, remaining rays unbranched; second soft ray longest, its length slightly longer than upperjaw length; last soft ray joined by membrane to abdomen
for four-fifths of its length. Caudal-peduncle depth 1.7 in
caudal-peduncle length.
Thirty three (31) scale rows in longitudinal series.
Fourteen (12) pored lateral-line scales; lateral line complete, extending onto base of caudal fin. Five (four)scales above lateral line, 10 (11) below. Four (five) scalerows between base of sixth dorsal-fin spine and lateralline. Four scale rows between base of last dorsal-fin spine
and lateral line. Three predorsal scale rows. Three gillrakers on upper limb, nine on lower limb, including two(one) rakers on hypobranchial; total gill rakers 12. Gillrakers relatively long with spinous tips, length of longest
raker on first gill arch longer than that of gill filaments
around angle of gill arch; fourth gill slit not closed bymembrane.

123

H. Motomura

Body moderately compressed anteriorly, progressively
more compressed posteriorly. Nape and anterior bodymoderately arched. Body depth relatively high, but lessthan head length. Supraocular tentacle long, its length
subequal to orbit diameter; tentacle extending beyond tip ofparietal spine when laid back. Posterior lacrimal spine
associated with a short, fleshy tentacle, length of latter lessthan that of supraocular tentacle; posterior lacrimal spine
tentacle linked posteriorly to head by skin. A short tentacleon posterior edge of low membranous tube associated withanterior nostril; the tentacle extending beyond posterior
margin of posterior nostril when laid back. Pectoral-fin axil
without skin flaps.
Well-exposed ctenoid scales covering surface of body,
including base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body.
Body scales not extending onto rays or membranes of fins,except base of caudal fin. Embedded cycloid scales oncheek. Exposed cycloid scales scattered on opercle. Lateralline sloping slightly downward above posterior tip of opercle. Underside of dentary with three well-developed
sensory pores on each side, first pore below anterior marginof orbit, second pore below posterior lacrimal spine, andthird pore located on posterior margin of dentary. A pair ofsmall pores behind symphysial knob of lower jaw in ventral view.
Mouth large, oblique, forming an angle of about 20° tohorizontal axis of head and body. Posterior margin of
maxilla just reaching a vertical through posterior marginof orbit. No distinct longitudinal ridge on lateral surface ofmaxilla. Lower jaw with a symphysial knob. Width ofsymphysial gap separating premaxillary teeth bands
slightly greater than width of each band. Villiform teeth(with an inner row of canine teeth) on upper and lower jaw;
tooth band narrowing posteriorly. Tooth band of upper jaw
slightly wider than that of lower jaw. About three rows ofsmall teeth at front of vomer, becoming about four rows
posteriorly, forming a V-shaped patch on vomer. No
palatine teeth. Underside of lower jaw without ridges.
Dorsal profile of snout steep, forming an angle of about
55° to horizontal axis of head and body. Nasal spine simple, directed dorsally, its tip not reaching top of ascending
process of premaxilla in lateral view. Ascending process ofpremaxilla slightly intruding into interorbital space, its
posterior margin extending well beyond a vertical fromposterior margin of posterior nostril in dorsal view whenmouth completely closed. Median interorbital ridge absent.
Interorbital ridges weakly developed anteriorly and posteriorly, well developed medially, separated by a relatively
shallow channel, beginning posterior to nasal spines andthen conjoined level with, and between origins of, tympanic spines, forming a indistinct low ridge at front ofocciput; diverging anteriorly and posteriorly in dorsal view,
distance between ridges narrowest at a vertical throughRedescription of Sebastapistes taeniophrys

65

Table 1 Morphometrics as percentages of standard length for the holotype and paratype of Sebastapistes taeniophrys
Holotype
USNM

Paratype
USNM

Holotype
USNM

Paratype
USNM

99522

99523

99522

99523

Standard length (mm)

19.3

18.3

5th dorsal-fin spine length––

Body depth

40.4

41.5

6th dorsal-fin spine length––

Body width

17.6

18.0

7th dorsal-fin spine length

15.5

–

Head length

44.6

44.3

8th dorsal-fin spine length

14.5

–

Head width

15.5

14.2

9th dorsal-fin spine length

11.9

11.5

Snout length

10.9

10.9

10th dorsal-fin spine length–

8.7

Orbit diameter

15.0

15.8

11th dorsal-fin spine length

9.3

8.2

a

7.3

8.2

12th dorsal-fin spine length

12.4

12.0

Interorbital widthb
Upper-jaw length

7.3
24.4

7.7
24.0

Dorsal-fin soft ray lengthc
1st anal-fin spine length

–
7.8

23.0
8.2

Interorbital width

Maxillary depth

7.3

7.1

2nd anal-fin spine length

16.1

14.2

Postorbital length

19.7

19.1

3rd anal-fin spine length

14.0

13.7

c

21.2

–

Predorsal-fin length

39.9

38.8

Anal-fin soft ray length

Preanal-fin length

64.8

66.7

Pectoral-fin length

35.2

–

Prepelvic-fin length

37.3

38.3

Pelvic-fin spine length

17.1

17.5

1st dorsal-fin spine length–

7.7

Pelvic-fin soft ray length

28.0

25.7

2nd dorsal-fin spine length––

Caudal-fin length

–

32.8

3rd dorsal-fin spine length––

Caudal-peduncle length

18.1

18.0

4th dorsal-fin spine length

–

16.9

Caudal-peduncle depth

10.9

10.9

a

Between the posterior ends of the preocular spine basesb

Between the vertical midline of the eyes
Length of longest rayc–Brokenanterior margin of pupil. Interorbital space relatively
shallow, about one-fifth of orbit extending above dorsal
profile of head. Preocular spine simple, directed dorsally;
tip of spine extending slightly above level of upper marginof pupil in lateral view; flattened anteriorly and posteriorly;
anterior surface of spine with a distinct ridge along inneredge of the spine. Supraocular spine simple, not canted
laterally; its length subequal to that of postocular spines.
Postocular spine simple, canted laterally; its base width
subequal to width of tympanic spine base. Tympanic spine
simple, canted laterally; located below and posterior to
postocular spine; posterior end of tympanic spine baseextending beyond level with origin of parietal spine base indorsal view. Interorbital, coronal, and pretympanic spines
absent. Occipital pit absent, occipital region nearly flat,
without distinct transverse ridges in rear of occiput. Occiput surrounded laterally only by bases of parietal spines.
Parietal spine simple. Nuchal spine simple; nuchal andparietal spines joined at base. Sphenotic and postorbital
without spines. Pterotic spine simple; length of spine baseless than that of parietal spine base. An indistinct ridge inarea surrounded by parietal, pterotic, and posttemporalspines. Upper posttemporal spine simple. Lower posttemporal spine simple, its base length about half of that ofpterotic spine. Supracleithral spine simple. Cleithral spine
flattened, pointed, with an indistinct low median ridge.
Lateral lacrimal spine absent. Anterior tip of anteriorly
directed lacrimal ridge exposed, forming a blunt spine.
Anterior lacrimal spine simple, directed ventroanteriorly,
its tip reaching dorsal margin of upper lip. Posterior lacrimal spine simple, directed ventroposteriorly; posterior
lacrimal spines greater than anterior lacrimal spine. Suborbital ridge with three spines; first spine below posterior
margin of pupil at end of a ridge below main suborbital
ridge; second spine behind orbit on main suborbital ridge;
third spine located at end of main suborbital ridge. Spacebetween ventral margin of eye and suborbital ridge
remarkably narrow. Suborbital pit present. Preopercle withfive spines; uppermost spine largest, with a supplemental
preopercular spine on its base. Preopercle, between
uppermost preopercular spine and upper end of preopercle,
without serrae or spines. Upper opercular spine simple withan indistinct low median ridge. Lower opercular spine
simple with a distinct median ridge. Space between upper

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and lower opercular spines without ridges. Posterior tips ofupper and lower opercular spines not reaching opercularmargin.
Origin of first dorsal-fin spine above supracleithralspine. Posterior tip of pectoral fin extending beyond a
vertical through base of third anal-fin spine. Origin ofpelvic-fin spine just below origin of first pectoral-fin ray.
Posterior tip of depressed pelvic fin just reaching anus.
Origin of first anal-fin spine just below last dorsal-fin spine.
Color of preserved specimens. Head and trunk brownish-yellow, mottled with poorly defined brownish blotches.
Pale brown spots or blotches scattered on all fins, except
for caudal fin. A distinct, elongate blackish blotch on spinous portion of dorsal fin distally between third (second)and seventh spines. Inside mouth uniformly brownish.

Discussion
Fowler’s (1943: 66–68) description of Scorpaena taeniophrys included numerous errors, including counts of thedorsal-fin soft rays (11) and gill rakers (5 ? 10) (the types
actually have 9 and 3 ? 9, respectively). Accordingly, thetypes have been redescribed (see also Tables 1, 2).
Although Herre (1951) believed that the types of
Scorpaena taeniophrys may have been juveniles of a different species (being only 18.3 and 19.3 mm SL), theirhead spines were relatively well developed, suggesting thatthe specimens did not represent a ‘‘large’’ species. However, all of the pectoral-fin rays of the specimens were
unbranched. Because juveniles of a number of scorpaenid
species do not possess branched pectoral-fin rays, thenumber of such rays increasing with (subadult/adult)
growth (Motomura et al. 2005b), it is most likely that
Fowler’s specimens represent juvenile or young stages of a
relatively small species.
Fowler (1943: 68) described and figured the colorationof the preserved specimens of Scorpaena taeniophrys indetail, but since their collection in 1909, the specimens
have slowly faded. Distinct coloration observed by Fowler(1943), but no longer apparent, includes: five dark transverse bands on the ventral surface of the mandible and two
broad dark oblique bands on the anal fin. Such coloration
may be one of features of the species.
Sebastapistes taeniophrys can be easily distinguishedfrom Sebastapistes ballieui (Sauvage 1875) (Hawaiian
endemic species) and Sebastapistes mauritiana (Cuvier in
Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829) (Indo–Pacific species) by
the lack of coronal spines (vs. present in the latter two
species), from Sebastapistes fowleri (Pietschmann 1934)(Indo–Pacific species) by the presence of palatine teeth (vs.
teeth absent), from Sebastapistes coniorata Jenkins 1903
(possibly Hawaiian endemic species) and Sebastapistes

123

H. Motomura

tinkhami (Fowler 1946) (Indo–Pacific species) by the lower
opercular spine having a median ridge and not covered
with scales (vs. lacking a median ridge and covered withscales) and the presence of two spines on the ventral surface of the lacrimal (vs. three to five spines), and from
Sebastapistes galactacma Jenkins 1903 (possibly Pacificspecies) by having 15 pectoral-fin rays (vs. 16) and ctenoid
body scales (vs. cycloid) [above data from Randall andPoss (2002) and Motomura (unpublished data)]. The
validity of the current generic allocation of some species,
especially S. ballieui and S. mauritiana, needs to be
re-assessed.
Sebastapistes taeniophrys is most similar to S. strongia(Indo–Pacific species) in overall appearance, the two
species sharing most head spine features, including two
spines at the lower margin of the lacrimal, the lower
opercular spine with a median ridge, the posterior end of
the tympanic spine base located level with the posterior tothe origin of the parietal spine base in dorsal view, usually 15 pectoral-fin rays (frequency shown in Table 2),
ctenoid body scales, the opercular spines not covered byscales, and several dark transverse bands on the ventral
surface of the mandible. Notwithstanding, S. taeniophrys
differs from S. strongia in several meristics andcoloration.
Sebastapistes taeniophrys has three suborbital spines,
the first located below the posterior margin of the pupil atthe end of a ridge below the main suborbital ridge, thesecond behind the orbit on the main suborbital ridge, andthe third at the end of the main suborbital ridge, whereas
S. strongia usually has two suborbital spines, lacking thesecond (in S. taeniophrys) in most specimens. Scale numbers on various parts of the body and the gill rakers in
S. taeniophrys tend to be lower than those in S. strongia(Table 2). The pored lateral-line scale count of S. taeniophrys is extremely low (11–14), most species of
Sebastapistes usually having more than 20, although thelateral line continues to the caudal-fin base. The gap
between the pored scales on the lateral line of S. taeniophrys tends to be wider posteriorly.
Some features of the coloration [from Fowler (1943) andstill apparent on the preserved specimens] of S. taeniophrys
also differ from that of S. strongia, although several darktransverse bands on the ventral surface of the mandible areshared with the latter alone among species of Sebastapistes.
The spinous portion of the dorsal fin in S. taeniophrys has adistinct elongate black (brownish in long-term preserved
specimens) blotch distally between the second or third andseventh spines, whereas that in S. strongia lacks such a
blotch. Furthermore, the nape (between the anterior four
dorsal-fin spine bases and upper opercular margin) of S.
strongia usually has a poorly defined, blackish blotch,
lacking entirely in S. taeniophrys.

H

Includes holotype

S. strongia

S. taeniophrys

S. strongia

S. taeniophrys

S. strongia

S. taeniophrys

39

S. strongia

10

21

11

22

12

23

20

2

13

7

6

1
27

11

1H

2

H

13

4

27

5

5

6

H

20

2

9

15

10

8

6

1H

3

34

/

Gill rakers on lower limb

6

1H

6

Gill rakers on upper limb

1

5

11

1

5

4

11

4

15

4

4

2H

4

Scale rows between
6th dorsal-fin spinebase and lateral line

1H–

Scales above/below lateral line

1

14

3

20

4

40

11

1

1H

–

Predorsal scale rows

4

1

33

Pored lateral-line scales

1

2H

S. taeniophrys

16/16

31

15/16

14/14

15/15

Scale rows in longitudinal series

Pectoral-fin rays (one side/other side)

Table 2 Frequency distribution of selected meristics of Sebastapistes taeniophrys and S. strongia

5

33

6

25

5

41

12

42

1

7

13

6

14

43

2H

4

2

H

12

14

13

13

14

26

5

12

15

Scale rows between
last dorsal-fin spinebase and lateral line

Total gill rakers

8

44

19

6

6

16

Redescription of Sebastapistes taeniophrys
67

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Sebastapistes taeniophrys is currently known only fromthe two type specimens (both examined in this study).
Fowler (1943) stated that the specimens were collected bya beach seine, indicating that the species inhabits shallow
sandy bottoms, although all other species of Sebastapistes
are known to live in rocky or coral reefs.
Acknowledgments I am especially grateful to J. Williams and thestaff of the Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center (USNM)
in Suitland, and C. Roberts, A. Stewart, and C. Struthers (NMNZ) for
their kind hospitality during my stay at their museums. I thankJ. Williams (USNM), K. Kuriiwa (NSMT), and Y. Sakurai (Okinawa
Environmental Research Co. Ltd.) for kindly donating specimens of
Sebastapistes strongia to my museum, and S. Raredon (USNM) for
taking photographs for Fig. 1. This study was supported in part by aGrant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) (19770067) from the Ministryof Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, and by
the Biosystematics of New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone Fishes
Program (New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science, andTechnology contract MNZX0203).

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