Description of a New Hadal Notoliparis from the Kermadec Trench, New Zealand, and Redescription of Notoliparis kermadecensis (Nielsen) (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes)
The genus Notoliparis (family Liparidae) includes five species (one provisionally included) of the deepest known living fishes, distributed in four Southern Hemisphere trenches at depths from 5400 to 7554 m. A key to the species is included herein. The Kermadec Trench north of New Zealand has the deepest known species, N. kermadecensis. In 2011, seven specimens were collected in traps by the R/V Kaharoa at depths from 7000 to 7261 m. Another 41 Notoliparis were collected in 2014 at depths down to 7554 m. Examination of these individuals showed that seven represent a new species, and the others are N. kermadecensis, originally described in 1964 from five specimens taken by HMDS Galathea in 1952. At that time, the types were in such poor condition that the original description was of necessity incomplete; a redescription is included here. Examination of the new specimens showed that N. kermadecensis has several undescribed characters, including one that is apparently unique in the family.
Capture locations and distributions of specimens of Notoliparis from the Kermadec Trench, New Zealand. Because many captures of non-holotypes were too close to one another to allow charting each separately, they have been plotted as a single location. (A) Captures of N. stewarti, new species: red cross: holotype, black crosses: paratypes. (B) Captures of N. kermadecensis: red filled circle: holotype and paratypes; white filled circle: other specimens.
Notoliparis stewarti, new species, holotype, NMNZ P.056081, female, 211 mm SL, ca. 240 mm TL, 32°33.428′S, 177°14.593′W, Kermadec Trench, R/V Kaharoa, Stn HADEEP II KAH 1109/003, fish trap, 7000 m. (A) Lateral view. (B) Ventral view. (C) Right pectoral fin and girdle. C, coracoid; 1–4, radials; S, scapula.
Notoliparis kermadecensis, NMNZ P.048732, female, 240 mm SL, 265 mm TL, 32°33.428′S, 177°14.593′W, Kermadec Trench, R/V Kaharoa, Stn HADEEP II KAH 1109/003, fish trap, 7000 m. (A) Lateral view. (B) Ventral view. (C) Right pectoral fin and girdle. C, coracoid; 1–4, radials; S, scapula.
Notoliparis kermadecensis, fresh specimen, NMNZ P.048732, female, 240 mm SL, 265 mm TL, 32°33.428′S, 177°14.593′W, Kermadec Trench, R/V Kaharoa, Stn HADEEP II KAH 1109/003, fish trap, 7000 m. (A) Lateral view; (B) Head and abdomen, internal organs visible through skin; (C) Dorsal anterior view. Photographs by A. Stewart.
Radiographs of anterior anal-fin pterygiophores and rays in (A) N. kermadecensis (NMNZ P.048732, female, 240 mm SL, 265 mm TL) and (B) N. stewarti (holotype, NMNZ P.056081, female, 211 mm SL, ca. 240 mm TL). Anal-fin haemal spines (H), pterygiophores (P), and rays (R). Note two pterygiophores and rays in N. kermadecensis between H1 and H2.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: D. Buth.