Review of Indo-Pacific specimens of the subfamily Scorpaeninae(Scorpaenidae), deposited in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle,
Paris, with description of a new species of Neomerinthe
byHiroyuki Motomura* (1), Philippe Béarez (2) & Romain Causse (3)ABSTRACT. - Examination of 739 Indo-Pacific specimens in the subfamily Scorpaeninae, deposited in the Muséum
national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, disclosed 71 species (and/or morphotypes) in 13 genera: Iracundus (1 species),
Neomerinthe (9), Neoscorpaena (1), Parascorpaena (6), Phenacoscorpius (4), Pontinus (3), Pteroidichthys (2), Rhinopias(3), Scorpaena (6), Scorpaenodes (9), Scorpaenopsis (18), Sebastapistes (8) and Taenianotus (1). Neomerinthe naevosasp. nov. is described on the basis of 28 specimens from French Polynesia. The poorly known scorpionfish, Neoscorpaenanielseni, previously known only from South Africa, is redescribed on the basis of 11 specimens, with new records from
Madagascar, the Seychelles and Réunion. Pontinus nigerimum, previously known only from the east coast of Africa, isrecorded from Madagascar and Réunion. Pontinus rhodochrous (Günther, 1872) is herein regarded as a senior synonymof Pontinus hexanema (Günther, 1880), based on examination of the syntypes and holotype, respectively, of these nominal
species. Scorpaena bulacephala, previously known only from the type specimens from Norfolk Island, northern Tasman
Sea, is recorded from Vanuatu. Scorpaenodes guamensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) is herein regarded as a senior synonymof Sebastes minutus Cuvier, 1829 on the basis of examination of syntypes of the two nominal species. Scorpaenopsis
gilchristi, previously known only from two South African specimens, is recorded from New Caledonia. Scorpaenopsis
pusilla, previously known only from two type specimens, is redescribed on the basis of 46 specimens from the Marquesas
Islands. Scorpaenopsis venosa is recorded for the first time from the Red Sea, the Seychelles, Madagascar and New Caledonia. Sebastapistes strongia (Cuvier, 1829) is regarded as a senior synonym of Scorpaena laniaria Cuvier, 1829 on thebasis of the syntypes and holotype, respectively, of the nominal species. Sebastapistes taeniophrys, previously known only
from two type specimens from the Philippines, is recorded from Madagascar, being the first record of the species from theIndian Ocean. Scorpaena nesogallica Cuvier, 1829 and Scorpaena novaeguineae Cuvier, 1829 are confirmed as juniorsynonyms of Scorpaenopsis gibbosa (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) and Scorpaenopsis venosa (Cuvier, 1829), respectively.
An annotated list of the specimens examined is provided.
RÉSUMÉ. - Revue des spécimens indo-pacifiques de la sous-famille des Scorpaeninae (Scorpaenidae) des collections du
MNHN, avec description d’une nouvelle espèce de Neomerinthe.
L’examen de 739 spécimens de la sous-famille Scorpaeninae provenant de l’Indo-Pacifique et déposés dans les collections du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle de Paris, a permis de reconnaître 13 genres avec 71 espèces (et/ou morphotypes) : Iracundus (1 espèce), Neomerinthe (9), Neoscorpaena (1), Parascorpaena (6), Phenacoscorpius (4), Pontinus (3),Pteroidichthys (2), Rhinopias (3), Scorpaena (6), Scorpaenodes (9), Scorpaenopsis (18), Sebastapistes (8) et Taenianotus(1). Neomerinthe naevosa sp. nov. est décrite sur la base de 28 spécimens de Polynésie française. La rascasse Neoscorpaena nielseni, connue jusque-là seulement d’Afrique du Sud, est redécrite sur la base de 11 spécimens et est signalée
pour la première fois de Madagascar, des Seychelles et de La Réunion. Pontinus nigerimum, précédemment seulement
connue de la côte Est de l’Afrique, est signalée de Madagascar et de La Réunion. Pontinus rhodochrous (Günther, 1872)
est considérée comme un synonyme senior de Pontinus hexanema (Günther, 1880) après examen respectif des syntypes etde l’holotype de ces espèces nominales. Scorpaena bulacephala, connue seulement de l’île de Norfolk par les spécimens
types, est signalée du Vanuatu. Scorpaenodes guamensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) est considérée comme un synonyme
senior de Sebastes minutus Cuvier, 1829 après examen des syntypes des deux espèces nominales. Scorpaenopsis gilchristi,
précédemment connue par seulement deux spécimens d’Afrique du Sud, est signalée de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Scorpaenopsis pusilla, précédemment connue par seulement ses deux spécimens types, est redécrite sur la base complémentaire de 46
nouveaux spécimens des îles Marquises. Scorpaenopsis venosa est signalée pour la première fois de Mer Rouge, des Seychelles, de Madagascar et de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Sebastapistes strongia (Cuvier, 1829) est considérée comme un synonyme senior de Scorpaena laniaria Cuvier, 1829 après examen respectif des syntypes et de l’holotype des espèces nominales.
Sebastapistes taeniophrys, précédemment connue par seulement ses deux spécimens types des Philippines, est signalée deMadagascar, ce qui représente le premier signalement de cette espèce dans l’Océan Indien. Scorpaena nesogallica Cuvier,1829 et Scorpaena novaeguineae Cuvier, 1829 sont confirmées dans leur statut de synonymes juniors de Scorpaenopsis
gibbosa (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) et de Scorpaenopsis venosa (Cuvier, 1829) respectivement. Une liste annotée de l’ensemble des spécimens observés est fournie.
Key words. - Scorpaenidae - Scorpaeninae - Indo-Pacific - Taxonomy - New species - Synonymies - Redescriptions - Distribution.
(1) The Kagoshima University Museum, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, JAPAN.
(2) UMR 7209, Département “Écologie et gestion de la biodiversité”, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 55 rue Buffon,
75231 Paris cedex 05, FRANCE. [bearez@mnhn.fr](3) UMR 7208, Département “Milieux et peuplements aquatiques”, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 43 rue Cuvier,75231 Paris cedex 05, FRANCE. [causse@mnhn.fr]* Corresponding author [motomura@kaum.kagoshima-u.ac.jp]
Cybium 2011, 35(1): 55-73.

Motomura et al.

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

The Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris holds
an enormous collection of scorpionfishes from the IndoPacific region, including historical specimens describedby, for example, Cuvier (1829), Cuvier and Valenciennes(1829) and Sauvage (1873, 1882). The Musorstom Surveys
under the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos Program led by the
Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN) and l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, formerly
ORSTOM) have significantly contributed to the collections
more recently. Since 1976, surveys and collections havebeen made in the Philippines (1976, 1980, 1985), Chesterfield Islands (1984, 1988, 2005), New Caledonia (1985,
1986, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2008), Indonesia(1991), Wallis and Futuna Islands (1992), Vanuatu (1994,
2004, 2005, 2006), Marquesas Islands (1997, 2002), Fiji
(1998, 1999), Solomon Islands (2000, 2004), Tonga (2000),
Taiwan (2000, 2001), French Polynesia (2002, 2009), and
the Austral Islands (2002).
All available Indo-Pacific specimens of the subfamily
Scorpaeninae registered in MNHN were examined during
the present study. An annotated list of species and specimens
is herein provided, along with the description of a new species of Neomerinthe. The synonymies and validity of thehistorical type specimens were assessed and redescriptionsof poorly known species are given.

if listed in previous publications.
Specimens examined in this study have been depositedin the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (MNHN
and MNHN ICOS, Ichtyologie Collection Ostéologie), andcomparative material examined for this study have been
deposited in the Australian Museum, Sydney (AMS); Natural History Museum, London (BMNH); California Academyof Sciences, San Francisco (CAS); Australian National Fish
Collection at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation’s Marine and Atmospheric Researchlaboratories, Hobart (CSIRO); Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima (KAUM); National Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden (RMNH); South African Institute for Aquatic
Biodiversity, National Research Foundation, Grahamstown(SAIAB); Natur-Museum und Forschungs-Institut Senckenberg, Frankfurt-am-Main (SMF); Museum Support Center,
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Suitland (USNM); Western Australian Museum of Natural Science, Welshpool (WAM); and Zoological Survey ofIndia, Kolkata (ZSI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Holotype
MNHN 2010-0952 (ex. MNHN 2000-5237), 75.5 mm
SL, Hiva Oa Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia,
09°43’59”S, 138°51’00”W, 107-108 m depth, beam trawl,
RV Alis, 30 Aug. 1997, Campagne Musorstom 9.

Measurements follow Motomura (2004b, 2004c),with additional measurements (i.e., head width) following
Motomura et al. (2005b, 2006a), and maxillary depth following Motomura et al. (2006b). Counts follow Motomura
et al. (2005a, 2005b, 2005c) and Motomura and Johnson(2006). The last two soft rays of the dorsal and anal finsare counted as single rays, each pair being associated witha single pterygiophore. Standard length is expressed as SL.
Terminology of head spines follows Randall and Eschmeyer(2002: fig. 1) and Motomura (2004c: 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 occurringat the lateral surface of the lacrimal bone is referred to as thelateral lacrimal spine (Motomura and Senou, 2008: fig. 2);
the coronal and pretympanic (as an extra spine) spines are
as figured in Chen (1981: fig. 1) and Motomura et al. (2004:
fig. 14b) respectively.
The description of a new species is given first, followed
by a list of identified species, arranged in alphabetical order.
The latter includes original descriptions, examined specimen
data and remarks. Specimens are identified by registration
number (including number of specimens if more than one),data including standard length, general locality and citation
56

Neomerinthe naevosa sp. nov.
[New English name: Blotched Polynesian Scorpionfish][New French name: Rascasse maculée de Polynésie](Figs 1-2)

Paratypes

27 specimens, 18.4-67.8 mm SL, all from Marquesas Islands,
French Polynesia. AMS I. 45370-001, 65.3 mm SL, Eiao Island,
07°58’59”S, 140°43’59”W, 120 m, beam trawl, RV Alis, 23 Aug.
1997, Campagne Musorstom 9; CSIRO H 7121-01, 57.2 mm SL,
same data as AMS I. 45370-001; KAUM-I. 31735, 52.8 mm SL,
same data as AMS I. 45370-001; MNHN 2000-4493, 63.0 mm SL,
Eiao Island, 07°58’01”S, 140°43’01”W, 145 m, beam trawl, RV
Alis, 23 Aug. 1997, Campagne Musorstom 9; MNHN 2000-4538,
2, 57.0-67.8 mm SL, Hiva Oa Island, 09°40’59”S, 139°03’00”W,
95-305 m depth, beam trawl, RV Alis, 31 Aug. 1997, Campagne
Musorstom 9; MNHN 2000-4548, 5, 27.3-43.5 mm SL, Nuku Hiva
Island, 08°45’00”S, 140°13’59”W, 108-112 m, beam trawl, RV
Alis, 25 Aug. 1997, Campagne Musorstom 9; MNHN 2000-5187,
2, 22.6-30.1 mm SL, same data as AMS I. 45370-001; MNHN
2000-5237, 2, 39.7-51.6 mm SL, collected with holotype; MNHN
2000-5550, 6, 26.2-57.1 mm SL, Fatu Hiva Island, 10°28’01”S,138°40’59”W, 119-122 m, warén dredge, RV Alis, 1 Sept. 1997,
Campagne Musorstom 9; MNHN 2003-0948, 31.2 mm SL, Eiao
Island, 07°58’59”S, 140°43’01”W, 80 m, beam trawl, RV Alis, 23
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

Figure 1. - Neomerinthe naevosa sp. nov. A: Holotype, MNHN 2010-0952, 75.5 mm SL; B: Paratype, MNHN 2000-4538, 67.8 mm SL;
C: Paratype, MNHN 2000-4493, 63.0 mm SL; D: Paratype, KAUM-I. 31735, 52.8 mm SL; E: Paratype, MNHN 2003-0948, 31.2 mm SL.
Aug. 1997, Campagne Musorstom 9; MNHN 2010-0932, 24.0 mm
SL, Eiao Island, 07°58’59”S, 140°43’59”W, 120 m, beam trawl,
RV Alis, 23 Aug. 1997, Campagne Musorstom 9; MNHN 20100936, 54.0 mm SL, same data as MNHN 2000-4538; MNHN 2010937, 23.1 mm SL, same data as MNHN 2000-4538; MNHN 20100938, larva, 18.4 mm SL, same data as MNHN 2000-4538; USNM
398708, 45.0 mm SL, same data as AMS I. 45370-001.

Diagnosis
A species of Neomerinthe with the following characters:
Cybium 2011, 35(1)9 (rarely 10) dorsal-fin soft rays; 18 (rarely 17 or 19) pectoral-fin rays; 47-53 scale rows in longitudinal series; 24 pored
lateral-line scales; 7-9 scale rows above lateral line, 13-15
below; 6-8 scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine baseand lateral line; 7 or 8 scale rows between last dorsal-fin
spine base and lateral line; 19-21 gill rakers in adults, 15-19
in young; median ridge on lateral surface of maxilla absent;
lateral lacrimal spine absent; anterior and posterior lacrimal
spines simple, directed posteroventrally; 3 suborbital spines;
5 preopercular spines; upper posttemporal spine absent; pos57

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

Motomura et al.

Figure 2. - Larva of Neomerinthe naevosa sp. nov.
MNHN 2010-0938, 18.4 mm SL.

terior margin of maxilla extending beyond posterior marginof pupil; a slit behind fourth gill arch present; swimbladderabsent; a relatively small eye, orbit diameter 14.5-15.4% SL;a relatively narrow interorbital space, interorbital width at
middle of eye 5.4-6.3% SL, at preocular spine base 4.7-5.6%
SL; black blotch above first and second pored lateral-line
scales.
Description
Data for the holotype are presented first, followed byparatype data (if different) in parentheses. Dorsal-fin rays
XII, 9 (10 in a paratype); anal-fin rays III, 5; pectoral-fin
rays 18 on each side of body (asymmetrically 17 and 18 in aparatype, 19 on each side in a paratype); pelvic-fin rays I, 5;
scale rows in longitudinal series 52 (47-53, mode 52); pored
lateral-line scales 24; scale rows above lateral line 9 (7-9,mode 8), below 14 (13-15, mode 14); scale rows between
sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 7 (6-8, mode 7);
scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line
7 (7 or 8, mode 7); predorsal scale rows 8 (7-9, mode 8); gillrakers on upper limb 6 (6 or 7, mode 7), on lower limb 14(12-15, mode 13, in over ca. 40 mm SL; 8-12 in less thanca. 40 mm SL), total 20 (19-21 in adults, 15-19 in young);
caudal-fin segmented rays 14 (14-17, mode 16).
Measurements, expressed as percentage of SL, based on
specimens over 39 mm SL: Body depth 35.5% SL (32.237.6% SL, mean 35.4% SL); body width 20.5 (19.4-22.9,
21.1); head length 48.1 (46.7-49.8, 48.2); snout length 13.2
(11.7-13.5, 12.7); orbit diameter 14.9 (14.5-15.4, 15.1);
interorbital width at middle of eye 5.4 (5.4-6.3, 5.7); interorbital width between preocular spine bases 4.9 (4.7-5.6, 5.1);
head width 16.0 (15.1-15.9, 15.7); upper-jaw length 23.8
(22.7-23.9, 23.3); maxillary depth 7.0 (6.3-7.0, 6.9); postorbital length 22.1 (21.7-22.7, 22.3); pre-dorsal-fin length 41.7
(39.9-44.3, 42.4); pre-anal-fin length 74.9 (73.6-77.7, 75.4);
pre-pelvic-fin length 39.6 (39.0-41.3, 40.1); first dorsalfin spine length 9.4 (7.6-10.3, 9.5); second dorsal-fin spine
length 16.9 (16.1-20.4, 17.9); third dorsal-fin spine length22.3 (19.8-22.4, 21.1); fourth dorsal-fin spine length 20.2
(19.6-20.7, 20.1); fifth dorsal-fin spine length 18.9 (18.058

20.5, 19.2); eleventh dorsal-fin spine length 11.8 (9.6-11.8,
10.5); twelfth dorsal-fin spine length 14.5 (13.3-14.8, 14.1);
longest dorsal-fin soft ray 21.9 (18.1-19.7, 19.4); first analfin spine length 6.9 (6.7-9.1, 7.8); second anal-fin spine
length 23.0 (22.2-24.8, 23.3); third anal-fin spine length 18.8
(17.8-19.7, 18.7); longest anal-fin soft ray length 23.0 (20.223.0, 21.7); longest pectoral-fin ray length 31.6 (29.5-35.0,32.6); pelvic-fin spine length 17.3 (16.4-18.9, 17.9); longest
pelvic-fin soft ray length 28.7 (26.0-29.7, 28.3); caudal-fin
length 29.1 (26.7-30.1, 28.4); caudal-peduncle length 16.5
(14.0-16.7, 15.4); caudal-peduncle depth 10.1 (9.8-10.6,10.2).
Third dorsal-fin spine longest; length of twelfth spine 1.2(1.3-1.4, mean 1.3) in last spine; membrane of spinous portion of dorsal fin moderately notched; all soft rays of dorsal
fin branched; second soft ray longest (first ray in some paratypes), its length shorter than that of longest dorsal-fin spine;posterior branch of last soft ray joined by membrane to caudal peduncle for half of its length (half to two-thirds). First
anal-fin spine 3.3 (2.7-3.4, mean 3.0) in second spine, 2.7(2.1-2.7, 2.4) in third spine; all soft rays branched; first soft
ray longest (second ray in some paratypes); posterior branchof last soft ray not joined by membrane to caudal peduncle.
Upper 2 and lower 9 rays of pectoral fin unbranched, remaining 7 rays branched (1 middle ray branched in 65.3 mm paratype; 7 middle rays branched in 57.2 mm paratype; all rays
in remaining paratypes unbranched); eleventh ray longest,
its length less than head length; all rays not thickened; pectoral fin not bilobed. All pelvic-fin soft rays branched; second
soft ray longest, its length longer than upper-jaw length; lastsoft ray joined by membrane to abdomen for one-third ofits length. Caudal-peduncle depth 1.6 (1.4-1.6, mean 1.5) incaudal-peduncle length.
Body moderately compressed anteriorly, progressively
more compressed posteriorly. Nape and anterior body moderately arched. Body depth relatively shallow, less than headlength. Supraocular tentacle slightly greater than pupil diameter, its tip reaching to nuchal spine when laid back (tentacle always present, its length variable from minute to longer
than orbit diameter, longest tentacle in paratypes reaching
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

to second dorsal-fin spine base when laid back). Posterior
lacrimal spine associated with a short, fleshy tentacle; posterior lacrimal spine tentacle linked posteriorly to head byskin. A short, branched tentacle on posterior edge of low
membranous tube associated with anterior nostril; the tentacle extending beyond (or just reaching) posterior marginof posterior nostril when laid back. Pectoral-fin axil without
skin flaps.
Well-exposed ctenoid scales covering surface of body;
body scales not extending onto rays or membranes of fins,except bases of pectoral and caudal fins. Cycloid scales covering pectoral-fin base and anteroventral body. Exposed ctenoid scales on cheek, behind orbit, opercle, and occiput. Lateral line complete, extending onto base of caudal fin; lateralline sloping slightly downward above posterior tip of opercle. Underside of dentary with three well-developed sensory pores on each side, first pore below origin of anterior
lacrimal spine, second pore below posterior lacrimal spine,
third pore located on posterior margin of dentary. A pair ofsmall pores behind symphysial knob of lower jaw in ventral
view. Gill rakers relatively long with spinous tips, length of
longest raker on first gill arch longer than that of gill filaments around angle of gill arch; a slit behind fourth gill arch.
Swimbladder absent.
Mouth large, oblique, forming an angle of about 20
degrees to horizontal axis of head and body. Posterior margin of maxilla just short of a vertical through posterior margin of orbit. No distinct longitudinal median ridge on lateralsurface of maxilla. Lower jaw with an indistinct symphysial knob. Width of symphysial gap separating premaxillaryteeth bands subequal to width of each band. Villiform teeth
on upper and lower jaw; tooth band narrowing posteriorly.
Tooth band of upper jaw slightly wider than that of lower
jaw. Villiform teeth on vomer and palatines; width of vomer
equal to about half of palatine length. Underside of lower
jaw without ridges.
Dorsal profile of snout steep, forming an angle of about
50 degrees to horizontal axis of head and body. Nasal spine
simple, directed dorsally, its tip extending well beyond top ofascending process of premaxilla in lateral view. Ascending
process of premaxilla not intruding into interorbital space.
Median interorbital ridge absent. Interorbital ridges poorly
developed, separated by a relatively shallow channel, beginning posterior to nasal spines and ending near tympanic
spines; ridges not conjoined to each other. Interorbital space
relatively shallow, about one-tenth of orbit extending above
dorsal profile of head. Preocular spine simple, directed dorsally; tip of spine extending slightly above level of upper
margin of pupil in lateral view; flattened anteriorly and posteriorly; anterior surface of spine without distinct ridges.
Supraocular spine simple, not canted laterally; its length
subequal to that of postocular spines. Postocular spine simple, not canted laterally. Tympanic spine simple, not canted
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

laterally; located behind postocular spine; posterior end of
tympanic spine base anterior to origin of parietal spine basein dorsal view. Interorbital, coronal, and pretympanic spines
absent. Occipital pit absent, occipital region nearly flat,
without distinct transverse ridges in front or rear of occiput.
Occiput surrounded laterally only by bases of tympanic andparietal spines. Parietal spine simple. Nuchal spine simple;
nuchal and parietal spines joined at base. Postorbital without
spines. Sphenotic with 5 small spines (1-7 spines). An indistinct ridge between tympanic and sphenotic spines. Pterotic
spine simple; length of spine base subequal to that of parietal
spine base. Upper posttemporal spine absent. Lower posttemporal spine simple, its base length slightly less than thatof pterotic spine base. Supracleithral spine simple. Cleithralspine flattened, pointed, with an indistinct low median ridge.
Lateral lacrimal spine absent (a spine present in a paratype). Anterior tip of anteriorly directed lacrimal ridge
embedded. Anterior lacrimal spine simple, directed posteroventrally, its tip just reaching dorsal margin of upper lip.
Posterior lacrimal spine simple, directed posteroventrally;
posterior lacrimal spines greater than anterior lacrimal spine.
Suborbital ridge with three spines; first spine below posterior margin of pupil; second spine below posterior margin oforbit; third spine behind orbit at end of ridge. Space between
ventral margin of eye and suborbital ridge remarkably narrow. Suborbital pit absent. Preopercle with five spines;
uppermost spine largest, with a supplemental preopercularspine on its base; second spine moderately developed. Preopercle, between uppermost preopercular spine and upper
end of preopercle, without serrae or spines. Upper opercularspine simple without distinct median ridge. Lower opercular spine simple with a distinct median ridge. Space between
upper and lower opercular spines without ridges. Posterior
tips of upper and lower opercular spines not reaching opercular margin.
Origin of first dorsal-fin spine above supracleithral spine.
Posterior tip of pectoral fin not reaching to a vertical throughorigin of anal fin. Origin of pelvic-fin spine just below originof first pectoral-fin ray. Posterior tip of depressed pelvic fin
extending beyond anus (or just reaching anus). Origin of firstanal-fin spine below posterior to last dorsal-fin spine.
Colour of preserved specimens. Head and body strongly
mottled dorsally, whitish ventrally. Inside mouth white. An
elongate black blotch above first and second pored lateralline scales. Spinous portion of dorsal fin with poorly defined
black blotches (some specimens with distinct blotch between
seventh and eleventh spines); soft-rayed portion of dorsal
fin whitish with a greyish band basally and a poorly defined
blotch at posterior tip of fin (band and blotch absent in somespecimens). Pectoral, anal and caudal fins with scatteredmelanophores. Pectoral-fin axil without black markings. Pelvic fin whitish. In juveniles, a short, narrow saddle at front of59

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

Motomura et al.

first dorsal-fin spine and a blotch or band on anterior spinous
portion of dorsal fin (Fig. 1E).
Description of larva. Based on a larval specimen(MNHN 2010-0938, 18.4 mm SL; Fig. 2): Head large, headlength 53.8% of SL. Body deep, body depth 41.9% of SL.
Mouth small; posterior margin of maxilla not reaching toposterior margin of pupil. Most head spine structures sameas those of adults, except for remarkably developed parietal
spine, its length subequal to orbit diameter; minute nuchal
spine behind parietal spine. Black blotch above first and second pored lateral-line scales. A short, narrow band at front of
first dorsal-fin spine base. Black blotch between seventh andeleventh spines of dorsal fin.

N. bauchotae), usually 18 pectoral-fin rays (vs 16 in N. bauchotae and 20 in N. pallidimacula) and usually 9 dorsal-fin
soft rays (vs 10 in N. bauchotae). Neomerinthe naevosa issimilar to N. rufescens in head spine structures and meristics, but differs in having the posterior margin of the maxilla
extending beyond the posterior margin of the pupil (vs justreaching in the latter), a relatively small eye (orbit diameter
14.5-15.4% SL vs 16.4-16.5%), a relatively narrow interorbital space (interorbital width at middle of eye 5.4-6.3% SL
vs 5.1%; interorbital width at preocular spine base 4.7-5.6%
SL vs 4.4-4.6%), and a distinct black blotch present above
the first and second pored lateral-line scales throughout life
(vs usually absent, rarely an indistinct blotch).

Distribution
Currently known only from the Marquesas Islands,
French Polynesia.

ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIMENS OFSCORPAENINAE IN MNHN

Etymology
The specific name naevosa is derived from Latin meaning ‘‘blotch,’’ in reference to a large black blotch above thefirst and second pored lateral-line scales.

Iracundus signifer Jordan & Evermann, 1903
Iracundus signifer Jordan & Evermann, 1903: 210 (typelocality: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands).

Remarks
A comprehensive taxonomic study of Indo-Pacific
Neomerinthe has at no time been carried out, although
12 nominal species are currently recognized (Motomura,
unpub.data): Neomerinthe bucephalus (Alcock, 1896) (typelocality: India), Neomerinthe erostris (Alcock, 1896) (SriLanka), Neomerinthe rufescens (Gilbert, 1905) (Hawaii),
Neomerinthe amplisquamiceps (Fowler, 1938) (Philippines),
Neomerinthe megalepis (Fowler, 1938) (Hong Kong),
Neomerinthe gibbifrons (Fowler, 1938) (Philippines),
Neomerinthe pallidimacula (Fowler, 1938) (Philippines),
Neomerinthe kaufmani (Herre, 1952) (Philippines), Neomerinthe rotunda Chen, 1981 (Taiwan), Neomerinthe procurva Chen, 1981 (Taiwan), Neomerinthe bauchotae Poss &Duhamel, 1991 (southern Indian Ocean) and Neomerinthe
bathyperimensis Zajonz & Klausewitz, 2002 (Red Sea).
Examination of all available type specimens of these nominal species by the first author showed that seven (N. erostris,
N. rufescens, N. gibbifrons, N. pallidimacula, N. rotunda,
N. bauchotae, and N. bathyperimensis) shared the absenceof the lateral lacrimal spine with the new species, N. naevosa. Of the former seven species, N. erostris, N. gibbifrons,
N. rotunda, and N. bathyperimensis were characterized by adistinct median ridge on the lateral surface of the maxilla anda dorsally-rounded head profile (vs median ridge absent andhead profile pointed in N. naevosa). It is likely that N. erostris will prove to be a senior synonym of N. gibbifrons,
N. rotunda, and N. bathyperimensis. Neomerinthe naevosais distinguished from N. pallidimacula and N. bauchotaeby having a slit behind the fourth gill arch (vs slit absent in
60

Material examined. - MNHN 1975-1021, 2, 51.1-58.9 mm SL,
Hawaiian Islands; MNHN 1975-1022, 3, 73.9-73.9 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands; MNHN 2005-2626, 48.9 mm SL, New Caledonia.

Neomerinthe bauchotae Poss & Duhamel, 1991
Neomerinthe bauchotae Poss & Duhamel, 1991: 94, figs
1-2 (type locality: Saint Paul Island, southern Indian Ocean,
38°48’S, 77°34’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 1989-0273, holotype, 74.0 mm
SL, Saint Paul Island (Poss and Duhamel, 1991); MNHN 19890274, paratype, 48.4 mm SL, Amsterdam Island (Poss and Duhamel,1991); MNHN 1989-0275, paratype, 57.4 mm SL, Saint Paul Island(Poss and Duhamel, 1991); MNHN 1989-0276, 3 paratypes, 61.770.3 mm SL, Saint Paul Island (Poss and Duhamel, 1991); MNHN
1989-0277, 4 paratypes (1 of 4 cleared and stained), 45.3-71.0 mm
SL, Amsterdam Island (Poss and Duhamel, 1991); MNHN 19890278, paratype, 54.8 mm SL, Saint Paul Island (Poss and Duhamel,1991); MNHN 1989-0279, 3 paratypes, 27.7-53.2 mm SL, Amsterdam Island (Poss and Duhamel, 1991); MNHN 1990-1500, paratype, 76.4 mm SL, Saint Paul Island (Poss and Duhamel, 1991).

Remarks. - Poss and Duhamel (1991) mistakenly gavethe locality of the holotype of N. bauchotae as Amsterdam
Island. However, the holotype data clearly state Saint Paul
Island, which should now be recognized as the type localityof the species.
Neomerinthe kaufmani (Herre, 1952)
Scorpaena kaufmani Herre, 1952: 397 (type locality:
Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines).

Material examined. - MNHN 2002-2969, 101.9 mm SL, Philippines; MNHN 2006-0328, 3, 36.7-42.9 mm SL, Solomon Islands.
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

Remarks. - These specimens were characterized by lacking a second preopercular spine and a distinct longitudinal
median ridge on the maxilla surface, and having an elongate body, lateral lacrimal spine, the anterior lacrimal spine
directed anteroventrally or ventrally, an upper posttemporalspine, 19 pectoral-fin rays, 16 gill rakers, and the pectoral-fin
margin rounded. Because these characters agreed with the
holotype of Scorpaena kaufmani (USNM 202511, 85.2 mm
SL), the specimens were tentatively identified as that species.
Neomerinthe megalepis (Fowler, 1938)
Scorpaena megalepis Fowler, 1938: 56, fig. 22 (typelocality: vicinity of Hong Kong, 21°54’N, 114°46’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 1978-0685, 94.2 mm SL, New
Caledonia; MNHN 2000-1470, 4, 22.8-68.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2000-5204, 9, 35.2-70.7 mm SL, New Caledonia;
MNHN 2002-1334, 77.6 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 20021675, 2, 45.7-53.9 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2002-3235,
2, 29.3-59.9 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2003-1916, 2,
58.1-65.5 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2591, 58.9 mm
SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2595, 90.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2596, 64.2 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2005-2602, 2, 47.1-77.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 20052625, 59.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2654, 2, 93.8109.9 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2010-0467 (ex. MNHN
2005-2650), 77.6 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2010-0528 (ex.
MNHN 2003-1563), 2, 68.3-86.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2010-0934 (ex. MNHN 2001-2850), 27.8 mm SL, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Remarks. - These specimens were characterized by lacking a distinct median ridge on the maxilla surface, and having
a lateral lacrimal spine, the anterior lacrimal spine directed
posteroventrally, a small second preopercular spine, a small
upper posttemporal spine, 17-19 (mode 18) pectoral-fin rays,
36-38 (37) scale rows in the longitudinal series, 23-25 (24)
pored lateral-line scales, 6-8 (6) scale rows above the lateralline, 12-14 (12) scale rows below the lateral line, 5 or 6 (5)scale rows between the last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

line, 5 or 6 (6) scale rows between the sixth dorsal-fin spinebase and lateral line, 6-8 (7) predorsal scales, 18-21 (18) gillrakers, the pectoral-fin margin rounded, some pectoral-fin
rays branched in specimens over ca. 45 mm SL, the lengthof the supraocular tentacles variable but always less than theorbit diameter, a blackish blotch on the spinous portion of
the dorsal fin in specimens less than ca. 45 mm SL, and thefins and body usually whitish in preserved specimens (somespecimens with poorly defined blackish blotches on the dorsal body). Most of these characters agreed with those of theholotype of Scorpaena megalepis (USNM 98897, 74.7 mm
SL). Of the 29 specimens examined, 28 were collected off
New Caledonia in depths of 215-505 m. The remaining specimen was collected in 245-400 m off the Wallis and Futuna
Islands.
Neomerinthe naevosa Motomura, Béarez & Causse
Remarks. - This species was described above as a new
species.
Neomerinthe rotunda Chen, 1981
Neomerinthe rotunda Chen, 1981: 53, figs 22, 47 (typelocality: off Kaohsiung, Taiwan).

Material examined. - MNHN 1988-1528, 77.6 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 1991-0752, 2, 63.1-69.0 mm SL, Réunion; MNHN
1998-0058, 15, 31.1-63.0 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0078,
22, 32.6-63.6 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0079, 44.8 mm SL,
Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0206, 70.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 19980212, 54.8 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0217, 10, 36.7-60.2 mm
SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2004-0051, 33.5 mm SL, Madagascar;
MNHN 2004-0056, 2, 96.0-114.7 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN
2006-0107, 56.7 mm SL, Solomon Islands; MNHN 2008-1274,
43.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2008-1275, 38.9 mm SL, Vanuatu;
MNHN 2008-1277, 54.0 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2008-1434, 2,
20.3-21.3 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2008-1481, 40.5 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2008-1526, 2, 31.5-36.9 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN
2008-1629, 2, 28.5-51.2 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2008-1660, 2,
32.7-32.8 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2010-0948 (ex. MNHN 19950736), 3, 38.4-44.0 mm SL, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Figure 3. - Neoscorpaena nielseni.
MNHN 2010-0045, 205.2 mm SL,
Réunion (photo by P. Béarez).
Cybium 2011, 35(1)61Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

Remarks. - Neomerinthe rotunda is most likely a juniorsynonym of Neomerinthe erostris (Alcock, 1896) [2 syntypes of Scorpaena erostris (ZSIF12977, 59.6 mm SL, ZSIF
12978, 46.9 mm SL, southern Sri Lanka), and holotype (CAS42139, 88.4 mm SL, Taiwan) and 2 paratypes (CAS 42140,
61.7 mm SL; CAS 42155, 82.2 mm SL) of N. rotunda were
examined]. Additional specimens representing a wider distributional range should clarify this.
Neomerinthe cf. rotunda Chen, 1981
Neomerinthe rotunda Chen, 1981: 53, figs 22, 47 (typelocality: off Kaohsiung, Taiwan).

Material examined. - MNHN 2003-2444, 5, 24.9-39.9 mm SL,
Philippines; MNHN 2004-1627, 47.3 mm SL, Philippines; MNHN
2005-1357, 3, 34.1-45.2 mm SL, Philippines; MNHN 2005-1905,
39.4 mm SL, Philippines.

Remarks. - This species is similar to Neomerinthe rotunda in lacking the lateral lacrimal spine, and having a roundedhead profile dorsally and a distinct longitudinal median ridgeon the maxilla surface. However, it differs from N. rotunda
in having 19 pectoral-fin rays on each side of the body (18in the latter) and the body of preserved specimens uniformly
pale (vs fins and body mottled).
Neomerinthe rufescens (Gilbert, 1905)
Helicolenus rufescens Gilbert, 1905: 631, fig. 246 (typelocality: vicinity of Kauai Island, Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 1975-1007, 2, 56.6-67.1 mm SL,
Hawaiian Islands.

Neomerinthe sp. 1

Material examined. - MNHN 1998-0024, 97.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0216, 3, 110.1-123.4 mm SL, Vanuatu.

Remarks. - Neomerinthe sp. 1 is characterized by lacking
a distinct longitudinal median ridge on the maxilla surface
and second preopercular spine, and having a lateral lacrimal
spine, an upper posttemporal spine, 19 pectoral-fin rays,
47-48 scale rows in the longitudinal series, 24 pored lateral-line scales, 6-7 scale rows above the lateral line, 12 scalerows below the lateral line, 6 scale rows between the lastdorsal-fin spine base and lateral line, 6 scale rows between
the sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line, 8-9 predorsal
scales, 16-20 gill rakers, the pectoral-fin margin rounded, theposterior margins of the soft-rayed portions of the dorsal andanal fins and caudal fin black, a slender body (body depth
30.8-32.8% SL) and a long caudal fin (caudal-fin length28.6-29.8% SL). The specimens were collected in depths of
191-300 m off Vanuatu.
Neomerinthe sp. 2

Material examined. - MNHN 2001-2850, 70.2 mm SL, Wallis
and Futuna Islands.
62

Motomura et al.

Remarks. - Neomerinthe sp. 2 is characterized by lacking
a lateral lacrimal spine, second preopercular spine and a distinct median ridge on the maxilla surface, and having a welldeveloped knob at the front of the lower jaw, a well developed upper posttemporal spine, 18 pectoral-fin rays, 45 scalerows in the longitudinal series, 23 pored lateral-line scales, 6
scale rows above the lateral line, 12 scale rows below the lateral line, 5 scale rows between the last dorsal-fin spine baseand lateral line, 5 scale rows between the sixth dorsal-fin
spine base and lateral line, 7 predorsal scales, 20 gill rakers,
the pectoral-fin margin bilobed, and the fins and body pale.
The unique specimen was collected at a depth of 245-400 m.
Neoscorpaena nielseni (Smith, 1964) (Fig. 3)
Sebastapistes nielseni Smith, 1964: 298, pl. 30 (fig. C)(type locality: off Durban, South Africa, 29°56’S, 31°19’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 1982-0053, 159.5 mm SL, Seychelles; MNHN 2003-0291, 216.1 mm SL, Réunion; MNHN 20040048, 5, 65.7-107.8 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2004-0055,
135.8 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2010-0045, 205.2 mm SL,
Réunion.

Remarks. - In his checklist of the fishes of Western Australia, Hutchins (2001) listed Neoscorpaena nielseni (asNeomerinthe nielseni) on the basis of a single specimen (S.
Morrison, pers. comm.). However, that specimen (WAM P.
31801-001, 124 mm SL) has since been identified as a species of Phenacoscorpius (Motomura, unpubl. data), thereby
limiting the distribution of the species to South Africa. The
present specimens from Madagascar, the Seychelles andRéunion represent the first non-South African records ofN. nielseni.
The taxonomic characters of N. nielseni are poorly understood, the only publication giving a diagnosis of the species
since its original description being Eschmeyer (1986), who
included meristics [“D XII, 9-10; A III, 5; P 18-19; LSS
about 30-35”], coloration [“dark spot on rear of spinous D;
dusky smudges on body; probably mostly red in life”], size[“attains 14 cm (total length)”] and capture depth [“100405 m”]. Neoscorpaena nielseni is redescribed here on thebasis of 12 specimens [9 specimens listed above and 3 specimens from South Africa (SAIAB 35558, 3, 101.3-104.2 mmSL)]: Dorsal-fin rays XII, 9-11 (usually 10); anal-fin rays
III, 5; pelvic-fin rays I, 5; pectoral-fin rays 18 on each sideof body (asymmetrically 17 and 18 in one specimen); scalerows in longitudinal series 32-37; pored lateral-line scales
23-25 (usually 25); scale rows above lateral line 4-5 (usually5); scale rows below lateral line 10; scale rows between lastdorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-5 (usually 5); scalerows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 6;
predorsal scales 6-8; gill rakers on upper limb 5-7, lower
limb 12-13, total 17-20 (usually 18); vertebrae 26 (basedon MNHN 2003-291); head length 45.9-48.6% of SL; orbit
diameter 12.0-17.1% of SL (value significantly decreasing
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

with growth); interorbital width at middle of eye 4.4-5.8%
of SL; lateral lacrimal spine absent; anterior lacrimal spinerounded, not spinous shape; posterior lacrimal spine triangular; 4-8 suborbital spines; 5 preopercular spines, with anadditional spine on uppermost spine; preocular, supraocular,
postocular, and tympanic spines well developed; interorbital
ridges joined posteriorly to tympanic spine bases; parietal
spine absent; nuchal spine large, well developed, originatingfrom posterior end of tympanic spine; interorbital, coronaland pretympanic spines absent; occiput nearly flat, without
pit; 2-13 sphenotic spines; parietal, lower posttemporal andsupracleithral spines well developed; upper posttemporalspine absent, but a small spine occurring between nuchal
and lower posttemporal spines; posterior margin of maxilla
just short of or reaching a vertical through posterior marginof orbit; teeth on vormer and palatines; pectoral fin bilobed;
usually a large black blotch on dorsal fin basally between
fifth-seventh and tenth spines (lacking the blotch in somespecimens); body strongly mottled, especially dorsally.
Eschmeyer (1986) reported that the species attained 14
cm total length (about 10 cm SL). Three specimens (MNHN
1982-0053, 159.5 mm SL; MNHN 2003-0291, 216.1 mm
SL; MNHN 2010-0045, 205.2 mm SL) of the 12 examinedin this study were significantly larger, these also differing slightly from the latter (65.7-135.8 mm SL) in having ahigher count of scale rows in the longitudinal series (35-37
vs 33-35) and a longer snout (snout length 12.5-13.1% SL vs10.7-11.6% SL). We concluded that these differences were
due to individual and ontogenetic variation, respectively,
although further larger specimens are necessary to confirm
this.
Because fresh coloration of the species has not beenreported, other than Eschmeyer’s (1986) speculative “probably mostly red in life”, a colour photograph of a fresh specimen (MNHN 2010-0045) is included here (Fig. 3), showing
irregular yellowish blotches scattered dorsally on the headand body, and on the dorsal-fin membranes and upper half ofthe caudal fin (Fig. 3). The colour pattern of a reddish bodywith yellowish blotches is probably unique within the IndoPacific Scorpaeninae.
Although the species has previously been recorded from
100-405 m, the present specimens were collected in depths
from 40-507 m (MNHN 1982-0053, 40-50 m; MNHN 20030291, 507 m; MNHN 2004-0055, 350-360 m).
Parascorpaena aurita (Rüppell, 1838)
Scorpaena aurita Rüppell, 1838: 106, pl. 27, fig. 2 (typelocality: Massawa, Eritrea, Red Sea).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 1941, 113.2 mm SL, Vietnam; MNHN 6661, 94.1 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN 6700, 2, 62.972.5 mm SL, Indonesia; MNHN 9156, 103.1 mm SL, Western Australia; MNHN 1987-0128, 112.9 mm SL, Vietnam; MNHN 19920293, 63.2 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN1992-0575, 104.7 mm SL,
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN
Madagascar; MNHN 2010-0526 (ex. MNHN 1992-0666), 2, 84.2101.5 mm SL, Madagascar.

Parascorpaena mcadamsi (Fowler, 1938)
Scorpaena mcadamsi Fowler, 1938: 60, fig. 24 (typelocality: off Jolo, Philippines, 6°03’45“N, 120°57’00”E).

Material examined. - MNHN 2008-1069, 35.5 mm SL, Society
Islands; MNHN 2010-0949 (ex. MNHN 1992-0294), 44.4 mm SL,
Madagascar.

Parascorpaena moultoni (Whitley, 1961)
Scorpaena moultoni Whitley, 1961: 9, fig. 1 (type locality: north of Wilson Island, Capricorn Group, Queensland,
Australia).

Material examined. - MNHN 1978-0526, 39.4 mm SL, locality known only as Australia; MNHN 1980-0602, 43.7 mm SL,
New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2601, 43.6 mm SL, New Caledonia;
MNHN 2010-531 (ex. MNHN 2005-2628), 50.0 mm SL, New Caledonia.

Remarks. - Scorpaena moultoni Whitley, 1961 has been
regarded as a junior synonym of Scorpaena mcadamsi Fowler, 1938 (Allen et al., 2006). However, the former is confirmed as a valid species characterized by having two suborbital spines (vs three spines in mcadamsi) (H. Motomura,
unpubl. data).
Parascorpaena mossambica (Peters, 1855)
Scorpaena mossambica Peters, 1855: 434 (type locality:
Ibo, Mozambique).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 2209, 99.2 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN B. 1453, syntype of Scorpaena armata, 91.8 mm
SL, East Indies [Sauvage (1873), as Scorpaena armata]; MNHN
4762, syntype of Scorpaena armata, 92.4 mm SL, East Indies[Sauvage (1873), as Scorpaena armata]; MNHN 9885, 3, 79.485.5 mm SL, Fiji; MNHN 9886, 2, 63.5-70.7 mm SL, Fiji; MNHN
9887, 59.6 mm SL, Fiji; MNHN 1965-0450, 6, 49.4-83.4 mm SL,
Madagascar; MNHN 1988-0453, 72.0 mm SL, Réunion; MNHN
1992-0666, 2, 84.7-84.9 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 1992-1018,
2, 81.6-81.9 mm SL, Madagascar.

Remarks. - Specimens from the Pacific Ocean, currently
regarded as P. mossambica, are most likely to be P. armata(H. Motomura, unpubl. data). The name, P. mossambica,
remains valid for specimens from the Indian Ocean.
Parascorpaena picta (Cuvier, 1829)
Scorpaena picta Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829:
321 (type locality: Java, Indonesia).

Material examined. - MNHN 6707, holotype, 100.0 mm SL,
Indonesia [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829)].

Parascorpaena sp.

Material examined. - MNHN 2005-2606, 53.8 mm SL, New
Caledonia.
63

Motomura et al.

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

Remarks. - This specimen most likely represents an undescribed species of Parascorpaena in having the first and second suborbital ridges fused and forming a single ridge, twosuborbital spines, 15 pectoral-fin rays and a relatively deep
occipital pit. Additional examples of the species from thePhilippines are to be described by Motomura et al. (in prep.)in a forthcoming taxonomic revision of the genus.
Phenacoscorpius adenensis Norman, 1939
Phenacoscorpius adenensis Norman, 1939: 94, fig. 29(type locality: Gulf of Aden, northwestern Indian Ocean).

Material examined. - MNHN 1988-1522, 66.2 mm SL, Madagascar.

Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler, 1938
Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler, 1938: 70, fig. 30(type locality: 27 miles southeast of Bagatao Island Light,
Philippines, 12°54’40”N, 123°20’30”E).

Material examined. - MNHN 1985-0392, 76.2 mm SL, Philippines; MNHN 1998-0070, 57.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 19981069, 39.7 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2000-5651, 34.7 mm SL,
New Caledonia; MNHN 2002-3098, 20, 37.0-54.8 mm SL, Fiji;
MNHN 2002-3172, 66.5 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 20023200, 51.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-1263, 4, 47.390.4 mm SL, Philippines; MNHN 2005-1707, 8, 28.4-50.2 mm SL,
Philippines; MNHN 2005-3440, 75.0 mm SL, Solomon Islands;
MNHN 2008-1313, 6, 44.0-72.8 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 20100533 (ex. MNHN 2002-2969), 41.4 mm SL, Philippines; MNHN
2010-0876, 51.0 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2010-0943 (ex. MNHN
1998-0029), 72.2 mm SL, Vanuatu.

Phenacoscorpius sp. 1

Material examined. - MNHN 2000-1471, 53.0 mm SL, New
Caledonia; MNHN 2003-1524, 3, 50.7-87.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2003-1531, 2, 62.2-93.7 mm SL, New Caledonia;
MNHN 2003-1543, 11, 30.2-71.2 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2005-2593, 3, 34.7-35.1 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 20052659, 11, 56.0-97.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2660, 7,
45.0-85.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2010-0941 (ex. MNHN

2005-2655), 94.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2010-0942 (ex.
MNHN 2005-2655), 83.7 mm SL, New Caledonia.

Remarks. - This species is characterized by having palatine teeth, about 10 pored lateral-line scales, and a slendercaudal peduncle, and lacking the second preopercular spine.
It is most likely to be an undescribed species.
Phenacoscorpius sp. 2

Material examined. - MNHN 1998-0034, 52.9 mm SL, New
Caledonia; MNHN 1998-0081, 26.6 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN
2000-5678, 52.1 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2001-2855, 34.3 mm
SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2003-1512, 5, 31.5-56.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2004-0003, 8, 19.2-36.0 mm SL, New Caledonia;
MNHN 2004-1626, 35.1 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 20100827, 2, 59.3-65.0 mm SL, Vanuatu.

Remarks. - This species is similar to Phenacoscorpius
adenensis in having palatine teeth, but has a more slenderbody and smaller head than the latter. Because both the holotype of P. adenensis (BMNH 1939.5.24.1545, 79.5 mm SL,
Somalia, Gulf of Aden) and a non-type specimen examined
here (MNHN 1988-1522, 66.2 mm SL, Madagascar) werein very poor condition, examination of additional material isnecessary for a more detailed comparison.
Pontinus macrocephalus (Sauvage, 1882)
Sebastes macrocephalus Sauvage, 1882: 169 (type locality: Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 4165, holotype, 364.5 mm
SL, Hawaiian Islands [Sauvage (1882); Eschmeyer and Randall(1975)]; MNHN 1975-1036, 108.8 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands.

Pontinus nigerimum Eschmeyer, 1983 (Fig. 4)
Pontinus nigerimum Eschmeyer, 1983: 3, Fig. 1 (typelocality: off Natal, South Africa).

Material examined. - MNHN 2004-0046, 189.6 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2010-0046, 202.4 mm SL, Réunion; MNHN ICOS00493, 247 mm SL, Réunion.

Remarks. - The above specimens, collected off Androka,
Androy, Madagascar (25°00’00”S, 44°04’59”E) at a depth

Figure 4. - Pontinus nigerimum. A: MNHN ICOS-00493, 247 mm SL, Réunion; B: MNHN 2010-0046, 202.4 mm SL, Réunion (photos by
P. Béarez).
64

Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

of 1200 m and from St. Gilles, Réunion (21°01’59”S,
55°12’00”E), represent the first reliable records of P. nigerimum outside the east coast of Africa.
Two specimens (MNHN 2004-0046 and MNHN ICOS00493) had well developed supraocular tentacles, the lengthand coloration of which were consistent with the description
given by Eschmeyer (1983). However, the third specimen(MNHN 2010-0046) lacked supraocular tentacles. With thatexception, however, no differences between the three specimens were found, indicating that tentacle length and coloration are not reliably diagnostic for the species.
Pontinus rhodochrous (Günther, 1872)
Sebastes rhodochrous Günther, 1872: 659 (type locality:
Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia).

Material examined. - MNHN 1890-0094, holotype of Sebastes
hexanema, 90.4 mm SL, Indonesia [Günther (1880)]; MNHN 19950736, 53.0 mm SL, Wallis and Futuna Islands; MNHN 1998-0029,
2, 98.2-166.0 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0083, 160.5 mm SL,
Vanuatu; MNHN 1998-0210, 2, 154.6-175.5 mm SL, Vanuatu;
MNHN 1998-0222, 110.0 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2002-1324,
83.6 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2004-1625, 97.3 mm SL,
New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2629, 131.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2651, 169.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2005-2653, 120.4 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2655,
168.9 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005-2657, 2, 130.6146.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2010-0946 (ex. MNHN
1998-0069), 82.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2010-0950 (ex. MNHN
2005-1281), 109.7 mm SL, Philippines.

Remarks. - Although Eschmeyer (1983) regarded Pontinus hexanema (Günther, 1880) as a valid species, examination of the holotype of Sebastes hexanema (MNHN 18900094, 90.4 mm SL) and syntypes of Sebastes rhodochrous(BMNH 1871.7.20.52, 2, snout damaged, approximately
109-168 mm SL) during this study showed them to be identical. Accordingly, S. hexanema is herein regarded as a junior synonym of S. rhodochrous.

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN
Material examined. - MNHN 1998-0215, 24.1 mm SL, Vanuatu;
MNHN 1998-0760, 35.1 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2001-2851, 2,
38.7-41.8 mm SL, Wallis and Futuna Islands; MNHN 2010-0535(ex. MNHN 2003-2444), 2, 35.8-35.9 mm SL, Philippines.

Rhinopias aphanes Eschmeyer, 1973
Rhinopias aphanes Eschmeyer in Eschmeyer et al., 1973:
300, fig. 8 (type locality: off Nouméa, New Caledonia).

Material examined. - MNHN 1980-0380, 11.1 mm SL, New
Caledonia (Fourmanoir, 1976; Motomura and Johnson, 2006).

Rhinopias eschmeyeri Condé, 1977
Rhinopias eschmeyeri Condé, 1977: 19, figs 1-3 (typelocality: Mahébourg, Mauritius).

Material examined. - MNHN 1965-0264, 123.1 mm SL,
Vietnam [Motomura and Johnson (2006)]; MNHN 1966-0855,
126.2 mm SL, Réunion [Motomura and Johnson (2006)]; MNHN
1982-0067, 125.5 mm SL, Seychelles [Motomura and Johnson(2006)].

Rhinopias frondosa (Günther, 1892)
Scorpaena frondosa Günther, 1892: 482, pl. 39 (typelocality: Mauritius).

Material examined. - MNHN 1967-0550, 79.4 mm SL, Réunion(Eschmeyer et al., 1973; Motomura and Johnson, 2006); MNHN
1992-0492, 2, 107.7-142.8 mm SL, Madagascar (Motomura andJohnson, 2006).

Scorpaena bulacephala Motomura, Last & Yearsley,2005
Scorpaena bulacephala Motomura, Last & Yearsley,
2005a: 19, figs 1-5 (type locality: south of Norfolk Island,
Norfolk Ridge, Tasman Sea, 28°54-55’S, 167°40-41’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 2002-0041, 2, 30.5-40.8 mm SL,
Vanuatu.

Material examined. - MNHN 2000-4558, 3, 20.4-27.5 mm SL,
Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2005-2620, 3, 52.7-55.4 mm SL, New
Caledonia; MNHN 2010-0530, 3, 23.9-27.3 mm SL, Marquesas
Islands; MNHN 2010-0931 (ex. MNHN 2000-5683), 22.7 mm SL,
Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2010-0947 (ex. MNHN 1995-0736),
44.3 mm SL, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Remarks. - The present specimens had 17 pectoral-fin
rays (18 on left side of body in larger specimen), 39-40 scalerows in longitudinal series, the lateral surface of the maxilla
without a longitudinal ridge, the lateral surface of the lacrimal without spines, the anterior lacrimal spine with a small
spine on its posterior margin, and exposed cycloid scales
covering the anteroventral surface of the body and pectoral-fin base. These characters agree with the diagnosis of S.
bulacephala, previously known only from the Tasman Sea,
according to Motomura et al. (2005a). The present specimens, collected off Vanuatu (20°19’S, 169°51’E) at a depthof 128-150 m, therefore represent the first records of S. bulacephala from outside the Tasman Sea.

Pteroidichthys noronhai (Fowler, 1938)
Pteropelor noronhai Fowler, 1938: 78, fig. 34 (typelocality: vicinity of Hong Kong, China Sea, 21°33’00”N,
116°13’00”E).

Scorpaena cardinalis Solander & Richardson, 1842
Scorpaena cardinalis Solander & Richardson in Richardson, 1842: 212 (type locality: Motuaro, Queen Charlotte’s
Sound, New Zealand).

Pteroidichthys amboinensis Bleeker, 1856
Pteroidichthys amboinensis Bleeker, 1856b: 34 (typelocality: Ambon, Moluccas, Indonesia; Manado, northern
Sulawesi, Indonesia).

Cybium 2011, 35(1)65Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN
Material examined. - MNHN A. 1227, 2, 182.3-201.0 mm SL,
New South Wales; MNHN A. 1228, 2, 117.6-125.1 mm SL, NewSouth Wales; MNHN A. 1229, 2, 148.5-183.8 mm SL, New South
Wales; MNHN A. 2321, 153.0 mm SL, New South Wales.

Scorpaena colorata (Gilbert, 1905)
Sebastapistes coloratus Gilbert, 1905: 627, fig. 243 (typelocality: south of Molokai Island, Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 1975-1104, 15, 23.9-70.4 mm
SL, Hawaiian Islands.

Scorpaena miostoma Günther, 1877
Scorpaena miostoma Günther, 1877: 435 (type locality:
a market in Yokohama, Japan).

Material examined. - MNHN 1941-0167, 2, 41.0-45.2 mm SL,
China.

Scorpaena onaria Jordan & Snyder, 1900
Scorpaena onaria Jordan & Snyder, 1900: 365, pl. 16(type locality: Misaki, Japan).

Material examined. - MNHN 2000-1436, 182.4 mm SL, New
Caledonia (Motomura et al., 2005c); MNHN 2000-1459, 155.4 mm
SL, New Caledonia (Motomura et al., 2005c); MNHN 2003-1563,
114.6 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2003-1838, 174.6 mm SL,
New Caledonia (Motomura et al., 2005c); MNHN 2003-1839, 2,
159.8-193.7 mm SL, New Caledonia (Motomura et al., 2005c);
MNHN 2003-2357, 154.4 mm SL, New Caledonia (Motomura
et al., 2005c); MNHN 2003-2363, 171.5 mm SL, New Caledonia(Motomura et al., 2005c); MNHN 2003-2423, 196.2 mm SL, New
Caledonia (Motomura et al., 2005c); MNHN 2005-2650, 130.4 mm
SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2007-0114, 2, 160.5-198.9 mm SL,
New Caledonia; MNHN 2010-468 (ex. 2005-2654), 77.7 mm SL,
New Caledonia.

Scorpaena sumptuosa Castelnau, 1875
Scorpaena sumptuosa Castelnau, 1875: 17 (type locality:
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 710, 228.6 mm SL, Western
Australia (Motomura et al., 2006b); MNHN A. 4409, dried syntype, 241.2 mm SL, Western Australia (Motomura et al. ,2006b);
MNHN B. 2570, dried syntype, 229.1 mm SL, Western Australia(Motomura et al., 2006b).

Scorpaenodes albaiensis (Evermann & Seale, 1907)
Hypomacrus albaiensis Evermann & Seale, 1907: 102,
fig. 20 (type locality: Bacon, Sorsogon Province, Philippines).

Material examined. - MNHN 1977-0702, 2, 35.5-48.8 mm SL,
Djibouti; MNHN 1980-0414, 37.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 19800572, 30.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 1992-0296, 56.5 mm
SL, Madagascar.
66

Motomura et al.

Scorpaenodes guamensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Scorpaena guamensis Quoy & Gaimard, 1824: 326 (typelocality: Guam, Mariana Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 4526, 2, 42.1-44.1 mm SL, Indonesia (Bleeker’s specimen); MNHN 6666, syntype of Sebastes
minutus, 57.2 mm SL, Indonesia [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valen­
ciennes (1829), as Sebastes minutus]; MNHN 6667, 2 syntypes of
Scorpaena guamensis and Sebastes minutus, 29.5-44.0 mm SL,
Mariana Islands [Quoy and Gaimard (1824), as Scorpaena guamensis; Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829), as Sebastes
minutus]; MNHN 6668, 2 syntypes of Sebastes minutus, 53.860.8 mm SL, Society Islands [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes(1829), as Sebastes minutus]; MNHN 6669, 2 syntypes of Sebastes
minutus, 44.1-51.3 mm SL, Society Islands [Cuvier in Cuvier andValenciennes (1829), as Sebastes minutus]; MNHN 7000, syntype
of Sebastes minutus, 79.9 mm SL, Indonesia [Cuvier in Cuvier andValenciennes (1829), as Sebastes minutus]; MNHN 9888, 3, 49.168.2 mm SL, Fiji; MNHN 9889, 4, 37.7-51.2 mm SL, Fiji; MNHN
1980-0390, 50.0 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 1987-0015, 2,
44.1-78.0 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2005-2628, 4, 40.647.9 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2008-0388, 22.8 mm SL,
Society Islands.

Remarks. - Scorpaenodes guamensis was originallydescribed as Scorpaena guamensis by Quoy and Gaimard(1824) on the basis of two syntypes (MNHN 6667). Subsequently, Sebastes minutus was described by Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829) from 11 syntypical specimens,
although that species has been reported only once since its
original description, in the MNHN type catalog. Examination of the eight syntypes of Sebastes minutus depositedat MNHN (listed above) showed them to be identical with
Scorpaenodes guamensis. Significantly, these syntypes
included the two syntypes of Scorpaena guamensis. The 3
remaining syntypes of Sebastes minutus were also examined in this study, RMNH 657 (1 syntype, 51.5 mm SL) and
SMF 1473 (1 of 2 syntypes, 58.8 mm SL) being identified as
Scorpaenodes guamensis, and SMF 1473 (1 of 2 syntypes,
48.2 mm SL) as Scorpaenodes varipinnis. To avoid future
nomenclatural confusion, one of the two syntypes registeredin MNHN 6667 should be designated as the lectotype of
Sebastes minutus when the genus is reviewed, at which time
Sebastes minutus is likely to become an objective junior synonym of Scorpaena guamensis.
Scorpaenodes hirsutus (Smith, 1957)
Parascorpaenodes hirsutus Smith, 1957: 63, pl. 1(fig. E), fig. 5 (type locality: Bazaruto Island, Mozambique,21°30’S, 35°30’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 1980-0604, 2, 23.7-29.4 mm SL,
New Caledonia; MNHN 1990-0828, 17.8 mm SL, Comoro Islands;
MNHN 2005-2617, 4, 26.0-33.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2005-2627, 31.8 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2008-0286,
22.8 mm SL, Society Islands.
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

Scorpaenodes kelloggi (Jenkins, 1903)
Sebastopsis kelloggi Jenkins, 1903: 492, fig. 37 (typelocality: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 1975-1106, 33.8 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands; MNHN 1975-1107, 10, 16.1-31.4 mm SL, Hawaiian
Islands; MNHN 2008-0636, 22.8 mm SL, Society Islands.

Scorpaenodes minor (Smith, 1958)
Hypomacrus minor Smith, 1958: 178 (type locality:
Bazaruto Island, Mozambique).

Material examined. - MNHN 2008-0975, 30.6 mm SL, Society
Islands.

Scorpaenodes parvipinnis (Garrett, 1864)
Scorpaena parvipinnis Garrett, 1864: 105 (type locality:
Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 1976-0139, 37.4 mm SL, Marshall Islands; MNHN 1980-0391, 61.7 mm SL, New Caledonia;
MNHN 1980-0894, 54.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 19840283, 51.2 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2008-1053, 30.2 mm
SL, Society Islands.

Scorpaenodes scaber (Ramsay & Ogilby, 1886)
Sebastes scaber Ramsay & Ogilby, 1886: 577 (typelocality: Shark Reef, Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia).

Material examined. - MNHN 6728, 6, 30.0-47.1 mm SL, Red
Sea; MNHN 1952-0272, 38.7 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN 19760339, 5, 51.5-66.9 mm SL, Marshall Islands; MNHN 1977-0742,
38.3 mm SL, Gulf of Tadjoura (Djibouti); MNHN 1980-0150, 3,
43.9-48.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 1980-0809, 36.2 mm
SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 1984-0282, 16, 12.0-68.4 mm SL,
Society Islands; MNHN 2008-0633, 66.9 mm SL, Society Islands;
MNHN 2008-0634, 49.5 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 20080635, 38.2 mm SL, Society Islands.

Scorpaenodes steinitzi Klausewitz & Frøiland, 1970
Scorpaenodes steinitzi Klausewitz & Frøiland, 1970:
318, figs 1-2 (type locality: Eilat, Israel, Gulf of Aqaba, Red
Sea).
Material examined. - MNHN 1977-1018, 58.4 mm SL, Red
Sea; MNHN 1977-1019, 3, 46.8-55.0 mm SL, Red Sea.

Scorpaenodes varipinnis Smith, 1957
Scorpaenodes varipinnis Smith, 1957: 65, fig. 5, pl. 3(fig. D) (type locality: Tanzania).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 2507, 24.3 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 4527, 5, 21.9-28.7 mm SL, Indonesia (Bleeker’s
specimens); MNHN 1904-0335, 25.0 mm SL, Djibouti; MNHN
1965-0452, 31.7 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 1981-1196,
41.9 mm SL, India; MNHN 1990-0829, 15.1 mm SL, Comoro
Islands; MNHN 1990-0830, 47.0 mm SL, Comoro Islands; MNHN
2005-2590, 2, 43.7-44.7 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2005Cybium 2011, 35(1)Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN
2610, 22.9 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2008-0637, 14.2 mm
SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2010-0532 (ex. MNHN 2005-2628),
47.8 mm SL, New Caledonia.

Scorpaenopsis barbata (Rüppell, 1838)
Scorpaena barbata Rüppell, 1838: 105, pl. 27 (fig. 1)(Massawa, Eritrea, Red Sea).

Material examined. - MNHN 6660, 120.2 mm SL, Red Sea;
MNHN 1977-0890, 157.7 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN 1977-0891,
106.5 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN 1977-0892, 117.6 mm SL, Red
Sea.

Scorpaenopsis brevifrons Eschmeyer & Randall, 1975
Scorpaenopsis brevifrons Eschmeyer & Randall, 1975:
299, figs 14-15 (type locality: Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 1975-1105, 4, 64.6-88.3 mm SL,
Hawaiian Islands.

Scorpaenopsis cirrosa (Thunberg, 1793)
Perca cirrosa Thunberg, 1793: 199, pl. 7 [type locality:
Miyake-jima Island, Izu Islands, Japan, based on neotype
designated by Randall and Eschmeyer (2002)].

Material examined. - MNHN 2010-0466 (ex. MNHN 7312),
163.9 mm SL, China [Sauvage (1873), as Scorpaenopsis oxycephala].

Scorpaenopsis cacopsis Jenkins, 1901
Scorpaenopsis cacopsis Jenkins, 1901: 401, figs 13-14(type locality: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands).
Material examined. - MNHN A. 2702, 261.1 mm SL, Hawaiian
Islands; MNHN A. 2703, 279.1 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands.

Scorpaenopsis diabolus (Cuvier, 1829)
Scorpaena diabolus Cuvier, 1829: 166 (type locality:
Indo-West Pacific).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 8152, dry, 244.3 mm SL, Papua
New Guinea; MNHN 2943, 197.1 mm SL, Marquesas Islands;
MNHN 6684, 114.9 mm SL, Papua New Guinea [Cuvier in Cuvier
and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena diabolus]; MNHN 6718,
non-syntype, 155.5 mm SL, Papua New Guinea [Cuvier in Cuvier
and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena diabolus]; MNHN 6719,
169.5 mm SL, locality unknown [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena diabolus]; MNHN 8999, 108.3 mm
SL, Hawaiian Islands; MNHN 9748, 2, 102.3-131.3 mm SL, Fiji;
MNHN 1897-0331, 126.5 mm SL, Djibouti; MNHN 1967-552,
2, 164.0-204.7 mm SL, Réunion; MNHN 1975-1108, 56.8 mm
SL, Hawaiian Islands; MNHN 1980-0808, 121.7 mm SL, New
Caledonia; MNHN 1984-0281, 2, 153.9-220.4 mm SL, Society
Islands; MNHN 1980-0087, 166.8 mm SL, Tuamotu Archipelago;
MNHN 1992-0673, 97.5 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2008-0821,
178.9 mm SL, Society Islands.
67

Motomura et al.

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

Scorpaenopsis eschmeyeri Randall & Greenfield, 2004
Scorpaenopsis eschmeyeri Randall & Greenfield, 2004:
385, figs 1-2 (type locality: Rabi Island, Fiji, 16°26’S,
179°56’W).

Scorpaenopsis macrochir Ogilby, 1910
Scorpaenopsis macrochir Ogilby, 1910: 29 (type locality: Bulwer, Queensland, Australia).

Material examined. - MNHN 2004-0171, paratype, 93.2 mm
SL, Fiji (Randall and Greenfield, 2004); MNHN 2005-2600,
84.0 mm SL, New Caledonia.

Material examined. - MNHN 4345, 86.9 mm SL, Marquesas
Islands; MNHN 2005-2604, 66.1 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2008-0904, 112.5 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2010-0465 (ex.
MNHN 1984-0281), 130.9 mm SL, Society Islands.

Scorpaenopsis gibbosa (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Scorpaena gibbosa Bloch and Schneider, 1801: 192, pl.
44 (type locality: given as America, but erroneous).

Scorpaenopsis neglecta Heckel, 1837
Scorpaenopsis neglecta Heckel, 1837: 159 (type locality:
Sea of East Indies).

Material examined. - MNHN 774, syntype of Scorpaena nesogallica, 85.9 mm SL, Réunion [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes(1829), as Scorpaena nesogallica; Randall and Eschmeyer (2002)];
MNHN 4359, 78.4 mm SL, locality mistakenly given as Tahiti
because this species is distributed only in the western Indian Ocean;
MNHN 6398, 98.5 mm SL, Mauritius; MNHN 6671, syntype of
Scorpaena nesogallica, 76.8 mm SL, Mauritius [Cuvier in Cuvier
and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena nesogallica; Randall andEschmeyer (2002)]; MNHN 6680, 2, 80.4-106.7 mm SL, Mauritius[Sauvage (1873)]; MNHN 1992-0297, 53.6 mm SL, Madagascar;
MNHN 1982-0053, 93.4 mm SL, Seychelles.

Scorpaenopsis gilchristi (Smith, 1957)
Dendroscorpaena gilchristi Smith, 1957: 61, fig. 4 (typelocality: off Tugela River, South Africa).

Material examined. - MNHN 2005-2621, 3, 34.1-35.3 mm SL,
New Caledonia.

Remarks. - These specimens, collected from the Chesterfield Islands, New Caledonia, had 16 pectoral-fin rays oneach side of the body; 4 or 5 scale rows above the lateralline; 6 scale rows between the sixth dorsal-fin spine base andlateral line, 5 scale rows between the last spine base and lateral line; 13 or 14 gill rakers; the mandibular pores at thesymphysis opening medially into a common midventral pit;
no suborbital pit; a very narrow space between the ventral
margin of the orbit and the suborbital ridge; the lateral lacrimal spine and first suborbital spine below the main suborbital ridge; the second suborbital spine at the end of theridge; the upper opercular spine double; and the interorbital
ridges not elevated posteriorly and joined to the tympanic
spines. These characters agree well with the diagnosis of
S. gilchristi, which has been previously recorded only fromSouth Africa. However, the present specimens differed fromthe latter in having a higher count of scale rows in the longitudinal series (38-41 vs 34-35 in the latter). Because S.
gilchristi is known only from two specimens (Randall andEschmeyer, 2002) and those from New Caledonia number
only three (all in poor condition), additional specimens fromboth regions are required to assess the taxonomic status of
the New Caledonian material.
68

Material examined. - MNHN 3029, 103.7 mm SL, Vietnam [Sauvage (1873), as Scorpaenopsis gibbosa]; MNHN 5267,
123.0 mm SL, China; MNHN 1992-0006, 83.9 mm SL, Sri Lanka.

Scorpaenopsis orientalis Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002
Scorpaenopsis orientalis Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002:
41, pl. 5 (figs B-C), pl. 11 (fig. C) (type locality: Oshima,
Meitsu, Nango, Miyazaki, Japan, 31°31.9’N, 131°23.5’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 2001-0458, paratype, 191.2 mm
SL, Japan (Randall and Eschmeyer, 2002).

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala (Bleeker, 1849)
Scorpaena oxycephalus Bleeker, 1849: 7 (type locality:
Jakarta, Java, Indonesia).
ion.

Material examined. - MNHN 1965-0069, 246.5 mm SL, Réun-

Scorpaenopsis papuensis (Cuvier, 1829)
Scorpaena papuensis Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes,
1829: 321 (type locality: Papua New Guinea).

Material examined. - MNHN 6701, holotype of Scorpaena
papuensis, 113.1 mm SL, Papua New Guinea [Cuvier in Cuvier
and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena papuensis; Randall andEschmeyer (2002)]; MNHN 1980-0603, 71.6 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN 2008-1479, 98.1 mm SL, Vanuatu.

Scorpaenopsis possi Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002
Scorpaenopsis possi Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002: 54, pl.
7 (figs B-D), pl. 12 (figs A-C) (type locality: southern side
off McCoy, Pitcairn Island, 25°04’S, 130°06’E).

Material examined. - MNHN 1966-0034, 178.1 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2001-1052, paratype, 187.4 mm SL, Society Islands (Randall and Eschmeyer, 2002); MNHN 2008-0949,
118.5 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2008-1055, 134.1 mm
SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2010-0464 (ex. MNHN 1984-0281),
134.9 mm SL, Society Islands.

Scorpaenopsis pusilla Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002
Scorpaenopsis pusilla Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002: 60,
pl. 8 (fig. A) (type locality: northwest side of Sentinelle del’Est, Naku Hiva, Marquesas Islands).
Cybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.
Material examined. - MNHN 2000-4500, 16, 24.6-41.4 mm SL,
Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2000-4570, 3, 16.2-20.1 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2000-5194, 17, 16.8-30.5 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2000-5199, 19.1 mm SL, Marquesas Islands;
MNHN 2000-5495, 4, 15.9-31.0 mm SL, Marquesas Islands;
MNHN 2000-5683, 2, 21.5-21.6 mm SL, Marquesas Islands;
MNHN 2003-0958, 18.6 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN
2003-1257, 2, 18.0-27.1 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 20031273, 29.0 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2003-1277, 5, 14.119.0 mm SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 2010-0939 (ex. MNHN
2000-4549), 3, 20.2-27.0 mm SL, Marquesas Islands.

Remarks. - Scorpaenopsis pusilla has formerly been
known only from two type specimens from the Marquesas Islands. Twenty of the 56 additional specimens (14.141.4 mm SL) from the Marquesas Islands, found in the
MNHN fish collection, showed variation in counts of thepectoral-fin rays and longitudinal series scale rows (the mostimportant characters for scorpionfish taxonomy), given as
17 and 43, respectively, by Randall and Eschmeyer (2002).
These characters should be stated as: usually 17 pectoral-fin
rays on each side of the body [rarely 16 rays on both sides (2specimens), asymmetrically 16 and 17 rays (2 specimens), or
17 and 18 rays (1 specimen)] and 43-46 scale rows in longitudinal series (mode 45). In addition, gill-rakers in the specimens numbered 3-5 (upper limb), 6-10 (lower limb), and10-13 (mode 12) in total, although Randall and Eschmeyer(2002) recorded counts of 4, 8, and 12 respectively.
Scorpaenopsis ramaraoi Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002
Scorpaenopsis ramaraoi Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002:
64, pl. 8 (figs B-D), pl. 9 (fig. A), pl. 12 (fig. D) (type locality: off Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka).

Material examined. - MNHN 823, 133.2 mm SL, Philippines[Sauvage (1873), as Scorpaenopsis oxycephala]; MNHN 6662,
148.2 mm SL, India [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829), as
Scorpaenopsis cirrhosa]; MNHN 7312, 124.9 mm SL, China [Sauvage (1873), as Scorpaenopsis oxycephala]; MNHN 1889-0507,
128.8 mm SL, Papua New Guinea; MNHN 1889-0508, 124.7 mm
SL, Papua New Guinea; MNHN 1889-0509, 116.8 mm SL, Papua
New Guinea; MNHN 1889-0510, 78.3 mm SL, Papua New Guinea;
MNHN 2001-1051, paratype, 139.4 mm SL, Vietnam [Randall andEschmeyer (2002)].

Scorpaenopsis venosa (Cuvier, 1829)
Scorpaena venosa Cuvier, 1829: 166 (type locality: Pondichery, India).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 886, 168.9 mm SL, Seychelles;
MNHN 6676, holotype of Scorpaena novaeguineae, 114.3 mm SL,
New Guinea [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena novaeguineae; Randall and Eschmeyer (2002)]; MNHN
6703, holotype of Scorpaena venosa, 136.7 mm SL, India [Cuvier(1829), as Scorpaena venosa; Randall and Eschmeyer (2002)];
MNHN 1892-0227, 146.3 mm SL, Seychelles; MNHN 1966-0572,

Cybium 2011, 35(1)Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN
107.1 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN 2004-0031, 167.2 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2005-2656, 111.5 mm SL, New Caledonia; MNHN
2008-1480, 88.4 mm SL, Vanuatu; MNHN 2008-1489, 103.0 mm
SL, Vanuatu.

Remarks. - Randall and Eschmeyer (2002) recorded
specimens of S. venosa from South Africa, India and Sri
Lanka in the Indian Ocean, and from Japan to Australia in
the western Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, Motomura (2004a)
reported a single specimen of S. venosa from the Saya de
Malha Bank as the first record of the species from the central Indian Ocean. The above MNHN specimens were herein
identified as S. venosa in having 17 pectoral-fin rays, 49-53
scale rows in longitudinal series, and a deep occipital pit
with a straight anterior edge, and represent the first records
of S. venosa from the Red Sea, the Seychelles, Madagascar
and New Caledonia (the last-mentioned also representing
the easternmost record for the species).
Scorpaenopsis vittapinna Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002
Scorpaenopsis vittapinna Randall & Eschmeyer, 2002:
71, pl. 9 (fig. D), pl. 12 (figs G-H) (type locality: off Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa).

Material examined. - MNHN 1995-0734, 27.3 mm SL, Wallis and Futuna Islands; MNHN 2001-1050, paratype, 55.4 mm SL,
Comoro Islands (Randall and Eschmeyer, 2002).

Sebastapistes ballieui (Sauvage, 1875)
Scorpaena ballieui Sauvage in Vaillant & Sauvage, 1875:
278 (type locality: Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 6883, 2 syntypes, 31.9-85.7 mm
SL, Hawaiian Islands [Sauvage in Vaillant and Sauvage (1875)];
MNHN 8993, syntype, 79.2 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands [Sauvage
in Vaillant and Sauvage (1875)]; MNHN 9557, 2 syntypes, 63.174.2 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands [Sauvage in Vaillant and Sauvage(1875)]; MNHN 1975-1102, 3, 58.9-70.2 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands;
MNHN 1975-1103, 3, 54.1-81.0 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands.

Sebastapistes cyanostigma (Bleeker, 1856)
Scorpaena cyanostigma Bleeker, 1856a: 400 (type locality: Moluccas Islands, Indonesia).
Material examined. - MNHN 5657, 7, 35.0-55.7 mm SL, Tanzania; MNHN 1990-832, 4, 36.4-45.1 mm SL, Comoro Islands.

Sebastapistes fowleri (Pietschmann, 1934)
Scorpaena fowleri Pietschmann, 1934: 100 (type locality: Makaua, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 4132, 2, 26.1-27.3 mm SL,
Philippines; MNHN 1990-0831, 15.0 mm SL, Comoro Islands;
MNHN 2008-0203, 21.1 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 20080204, 19.7 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2008-0205, 18.3 mm
SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2008-0228, 16.0 mm SL, Society
Islands; MNHN 2008-0843, 15.9 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN
2008-0845, 15.6 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2008-0980,
69

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN
19.0 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 2008-0984, 19.8 mm SL,
Society Islands; MNHN 2010-0933 (ex. MNHN 1980-0105), 2,
21.6-23.3 mm SL, Gambier Islands.

Sebastapistes galactacma Jenkins, 1903
Sebastapistes galactacma Jenkins, 1903: 496, fig. 40(type locality: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands).

Material examined. - MNHN 1980-0105, 27.7 mm SL, Gambier Islands.

Sebastapistes mauritiana (Cuvier, 1829)
Scorpaena mauritiana Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes,
1829: 322 (type locality: Mauritius).

Material examined. - MNHN A. 2297, 56.6 mm SL, locality
known only as Pacific Ocean; MNHN 4069, holotype of Scorpaena megastoma, 65.9 mm SL, Réunion [Sauvage (1878), as Scorpaena megastoma]; MNHN 4485, 56.3 mm SL, Réunion; MNHN
5711, holotype, 61.8 mm SL, Mauritius; MNHN 6712, 43.0 mm
SL, Marquesas Islands; MNHN 1965-0453, 6, 35.4-60.2 mm SL,
Madagascar; MNHN 1976-0338, 20.2 mm SL, Marshall Islands;
MNHN 1980-0106, 25.8 mm SL, Gambier Islands; MNHN 19920294, 47.4 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2010-0527 (ex. 1965450), 31.0 mm SL, Madagascar.

Sebastapistes strongia (Cuvier, 1829)
Scorpaena strongia Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes,
1829: 323 (type locality: Kosrae, Caroline Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, western Pacific).

Material examined. - MNHN 597, 2, 31.3-36.8 mm SL, Indonesia; MNHN 1940, 3 syntypes, 36.5-47.7 mm SL, Caroline Islands;
MNHN 6657, holotype of Scorpaena laniaria, 37.4 mm SL, Mariana Islands [Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829), as Scorpaena laniaria]; MNHN 6732, 6, 33.6-46.5 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN
1952-0271, 6, 23.1-44.0 mm SL, Red Sea; MNHN 1964-0247, 3,
41.6-54.6 mm SL, Tanzania; MNHN 1980-0393, 31.1 mm SL, New
Caledonia; MNHN 1999-0068, 5, 16.9-33.2 mm SL, Madagascar.

Remarks. - Scorpaena laniaria was originally describedby Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1829) from Guam, theMariana Islands, on the basis of a single specimen (MNHN6657). The nominal species has at no time been reported
since its original description, the taxonomic status of thespecies therefore remaining unclear. Examination of the holotype of Scorpaena laniaria showed it to have the following
characters: D XII, 9; A III, 5; 43 scale rows in longitudinal
series; 22 pored lateral-line scales; 5 scale rows above lateralline, 15 below lateral line; 7 scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; 6 scale rows between lastdorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; 5 + 10 = 15 gill rakers;
ctenoid body scales; occipital pit absent; no lateral lacrimal
spines; 2 spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone; posterior
lacrimal spine simple, directed posteroventrally; 2 suborbital
spines (3 on left side of head); and no coronal spines. These
characters agree with the diagnosis of Sebastapistes strongia
70Motomura et al.

given in Motomura (2009) and characters of the syntypes of
Scorpaena strongia examined in this study. Scorpaena laniaria and Scorpaena strongia were described on the same datein the same publication (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes,
1829), the former appearing on page 324 and the latter on
page 323. Although “position precedence” is now restricted
to subsequent fixation of type species (article 69A.10), following ICZN (1999), Scorpaena strongia is herein selected
as the valid name (being a senior synonym of Scorpaena
laniaria) due to the wide use of the name (as Sebastapistes
strongia) in publications (e.g., Poss 1999; Randall and Poss,
2002; Motomura, 2009).
Sebastapistes taeniophrys (Fowler, 1943)
Scorpaena taeniophrys Fowler, 1943: 66, fig. 12 (typelocality: Cammahana Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines).

Material examined. - MNHN 1965-0454, 35.3 mm SL, Madagascar.

Remarks. - The present specimen, collected from off
Tulear, Toliara, Madagascar (23°19’59”S, 43°30’00”E),
had the following characters: 14 pectoral-fin rays on bothsides of body; 31 scale rows in longitudinal series; 15 pored
lateral-line scales; 4 scale rows above lateral line, 9 below
lateral line; 4 scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine baseand lateral line; 5 scale rows between last dorsal-fin spinebase and lateral line; 2 scale rows between anus and anal-fin
origin; 4 + 8 = 12 gill rakers; ctenoid body scales; no laterallacrimal spines; 2 spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone;
posterior lacrimal spine simple; 3 suborbital spines (2 on left
side of head); and no coronal spines. These characters agreewith the diagnosis of S. taeniophrys given by Motomura(2009). Although S. taeniophrys has previously been known
only from two specimens (holotype and paratype) from thePhilippines (Motomura, 2009), the Indian Ocean record of
the present specimen indicates that the species is most likely
to be widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific.
Sebastapistes tinkhami (Fowler, 1946)
Scorpaena tinkhami Fowler, 1946: 208, Fig. 72 (typelocality: Aguni-shima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan).

Material examined. - MNHN 2008-1097, 66.4 mm SL, Society
Islands.

Taenianotus triacanthus Lacepède, 1802
Taenianotus triacanthus Lacepède, 1802: 303, 306 (typelocality: unknown).

Material examined. - MNHN 4051, holotype, 59.0 mm SL,
locality unknown (Lacepède, 1802); Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829)]; MNHN 1975-1119, 35.1 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands;
MNHN 1975-1120, 79.9 mm SL, Hawaiian Islands; MNHN 19840284, 58.5 mm SL, Society Islands; MNHN 1992-0572, 4, 51.662.4 mm SL, Madagascar; MNHN 2005-2581, 63.5 mm SL, RéunCybium 2011, 35(1)Motomura et al.

Review of Indo-Pacific scorpionfishes in MNHN

ion; MNHN 2006-1741, 2, 66.0-66.8 mm SL, locality unknown(aquarium specimens).

CUVIER G., 1829. - Le Règne animal, distribué d’après son organisation, pour servir de base à l’histoire naturelle des animaux etd’introduction à l’anatomie comparée. Edition 2, vol. 2. xv +406 p. Paris: Chez Déterville.

Acknowledgements. - We thank Patrice Pruvost, Claude Ferrara,
Zora Gabsi, Anne Previato and all other staff of the Département“Milieux et peuplements aquatiques” at the Muséum nationald’Histoire naturelle for their assistance. The first author (HM) is
especially grateful to James Maclaine (BMNH), Bernard Mackenzie (SAIAB), and Sandra Raredon (USNM) for providing information on specimens, photographs, and/or sending specimens asloans, and to David Catania (CAS), Martien van Oijen and Ronald
de Ruiter (RMNH), Horst Zetzsche (SMF), Sue Morrison (WAM)
and Subhrendu Sekhar Mishra (ZSI) for their kind hospitality during his stay at their institutions. The first author’s visit to CAS,
RMNH, SMF, WAM, and ZSI were supported by a Grant-in-Aid
for Young Scientists (B) from the Ministry of Education, Science,Sports and Culture, Tokyo (19770067) and a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science, Tokyo (20405012). We greatly appreciated comments on
the manuscript by Graham S. Hardy (Ngunguru, New Zealand).
The second author (PB) is grateful to Émilien Euphrasie (SaintLeu), Françoise and Dany Renambatz (Saint Gilles les Hauts), andEmmanuel Tessier (La Saline les Bains) for their help during thecollection of the specimens from Réunion. The first author’s visit
to Paris for two months in 2010 was supported by the Muséum
national d’Histoire naturelle.

CUVIER G. & VALENCIENNES A., 1829. - Histoire naturelle desPoissons. Vol. 4. xxvi + 518 p. Paris: Levrault.

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Reçu le 10 septembre 2010.
Accepté pour publication le 13 décembre 2010.

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