Parascombrops madagascariensis Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, new species
Creators: name: Schwarzhans, Werner W.
name: Prokofiev, Artem M.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Perciformes
Acropomatidae
Parascombrops
Parascombrops madagascariensis

description: Parascombrops madagascariensis Schwarzhans & Prokofiev, new species
Figs. 6E, 7D, 9D, 13D, 19, 35, Tables 2–7
Material examined (4 specimens). Holotype MNHN 2008-1769, 68.5 mm SL, off Reunion, 21°20’S, 55°26’E, 73–77 m, " Marion Dufresne " Campagne MD 32: stn CP43, 18. Aug. 1982. Paratypes: MNHN 1988-1438, 59 mm SL, and MNHN 1988-1443, 62 mm SL, 15°20’S, 46°09’E, 310–350 m, Crosnier: stn CH 045, 0 7. Nov. 1972; MNHN 1989-0194, 46 mm SL, 23°18’S, 43°33’E, 300–350 m, Mauge: stn 0 1, 0 2. Mar. 1969.
Diagnosis. A deep-bodied species with strongly convex dorsal head profile. Anal fin II + 7. Pectoral-fin rays 14–15, pectoral length 24.5–26.5% SL. Gill rakers 15–17. Pseudobranchial filaments 17–23. First anal-fin pterygiophore moderately long, slightly bent, with broad, hollow tip. Vomer triangular with row of long teeth along rear margin. Ectopterygoid with 1–2 rows of granular teeth. Orbital diameter 12.0–12.8% SL. No longitudinal ridges on preopercular lobe. Otolith compact (OL:OH = 1.5).
Description. Counts and measurements (see also summary Tables 2–7). Counts: D1: IX; D2: I + 9; A: II + 7; V: I + 5; P: 14 (14–15); developed gill rakers 15 (15–17); pseudobranchial filaments 23 (17–23). Morphometrics (% of SL): orbit 12.3 (12.0–12.8); snout 9.5 (8.2–9.5); head length 39.1 (37.8–41.2); pectoral length 24.8 (24.7–26.2); maximal body depth 31.7 (30.2–32.0); predorsal length 40.9 (37.5–43.0); preventral length 36.3 (36.1–39.0); preanal length 68.6 (64.2–68.9). Snout rounded; interorbital space strongly convex. Posterior edge of maxillary straight to weakly concave with postero-dorsal and postero-ventral angles rounded and postero-ventral angle not extended; posterior rim of the maxillary vertical. Hind margin of lower part of subopercle and of interopercle weakly to moderately serrated, rarely almost smooth. Preopercular lobe without longitudinal ridges, but denticles of hind margin serration extending into crests onto preopercular lobe; inner edge of preopercle with 3 small denticles not extending along ventral branch. Proximal-middle radial of first anal fin pterygiophore very long, straight or slightly bent, with broad, hollow tip, reaching parapophyses of 10th abdominal vertebra. First haemal spine with narrow posterior expansion. Pelvic fin spine serrated along its outer edge; all other fin spines smooth.
Dentition. Premaxillary with a pair of canines near symphysis, followed posteriorly by a wide band of minute granular teeth. Dentary with a pair of canines, followed by a band of minute conical to granular teeth, and a row of 3 conical to caniniform teeth on sides. Vomer with triangular patch with few granular teeth in front and a row of long conical teeth at rear. Palatines anteriorly with 1 row of longer teeth and posteriorly with 1–2 rows of granular teeth; ectopterygoids with 2 rows of granular teeth. Tongue without teeth.
Otolith morphology not known.
Coloration (in alcohol). Preserved fishes pale orange overall. Dorsal surface from tip of snout to caudal peduncle with numerous diffuse small dotted melanophores in a narrow band. Fins pale, except distal tip of first dorsal dark; both dorsal-fin bases with numerous minute diffuse melanophores; upper part of base of caudal fin with few melanophores. Mouth pale, roof of mouth dark. Branchial cavity dark; peritoneum black.
Size. Small species, up to about 70 mm SL.
Discussion. Parascombrops madagascariensis is amongst the most deep bodied and robust species in the genus, together with P. analis, P. serratospinosus and P. yamanouei n. sp. (maximal body depth 28–34% SL, vs 20–28, rarely 29% SL for the other species within the genus; mean values 30.0–31.5% SL, vs 24.8–28.1% SL). Parascombrops madagascariensis differs from P. analis in having 2 (vs. 3) spines in the anal fin, 2 rows of denticles on the ectopterygoid (vs 1) and a less broadly-tipped first anal-fin pterygiophore. For a detailed comparison with P. yamanouei n. sp. see description of the latter. Parascombrops madagascariensis differs from P. serratospinosus in the absence of serrations of the second spine of the first dorsal and the anal fins and the first spine the second dorsal fin.
Geographic and bathymetric distribution. Parascombrops madagascariensis is found in the southwestern Indian Ocean apparently restricted to the shelf and upper slope around Madagascar and Réunion Island, from 73 to 350 m water depth.
Etymology. The name refers to the type-location off Madagascar.
description: Published as part of Schwarzhans, Werner W. & Prokofiev, Artem M., 2017, Reappraisal of Synagrops Günther, 1887 with rehabilitation and revision of Parascombrops Alcock, 1889 including description of seven new species and two new genera (Perciformes: Acropomatidae), pp. 1-74 in Zootaxa 4260 (1) on pages 36-37, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.571305