Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
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Online Publication Date: 15 Sept 2006

Validity of the Poorly Known Scorpionfish, Rhinopias Eschmeyeri, with Redescriptions of R. Frondosa and R. aphanes (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

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Page Range: 500 – 515
DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2006)2006[500:VOTPKS]2.0.CO;2
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Abstract

The validity of the scorpionfish, Rhinopias eschmeyeri, known only from the holotype from Mauritius, is confirmed, and the species is redescribed in detail on the basis of ten specimens from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean (Mascarene Islands to Japan and Australia). Additionally, R. frondosa and R. aphanes are redescribed. These three species are characterized by having one or two small dense black spots in the soft dorsal fin; the opercle without scales between the tips of the upper and lower opercular spines and the opercular margin; and 16 (rarely 15 or 17) pectoral-fin rays. Rhinopias eschmeyeri differs from the latter two species in aspects of form, location, and number of tentacles on the head and body; form of dorsal-fin margins and caudal-fin ray tips; shape of penultimate dorsal-fin spine; degree of development in lacrimal and suborbital ridge; and coloration.

Copyright: 2006 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Figure 1
Figure 1

Rhinopias eschmeyeri. (A) MAN 10475, holotype, 148.1 mm SL, Mauritius (H. Motomura); (B) MTQ I. 24065, 134.8 mm SL, Queensland, Australia (C. Bento); (C) MNHN 1966-855, 126.2 mm SL, Réunion (H. Motomura); (D) an aquarium individual (pink color), ca. 18 cm total length, collected from the Philippines (M. Oshima).

Figure 2
Figure 2

Lateral view of head of Rhinopias eschmeyeri. MTQ I. 24065, 134.8 mm SL, Queensland, Australia. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Figure 3
Figure 3

Anterior view of frontal region in (A) Rhinopias eschmeyeri and (B) R. frondosa. (A) MTQ I. 24065, 134.8 mm SL, Queensland, Australia; (B) BMNH 1891.4.30.3, holotype, 146.2 mm SL, Mauritius. Scale bars = 5 mm.

Figure 4
Figure 4

Ventral view of mandible in (A–B) Rhinopias eschmeyeri and (C) R. frondosa. (A) MTQ I. 24065, 134.8 mm SL, Queensland, Australia; (B) FAKU 62339, 137.0 mm SL, Japan; (C) BMNH 1891.4.30.3, holotype, 146.2 mm SL, Mauritius. Scale bars = 10 mm.

Figure 5
Figure 5

Spinous portion of the dorsal fins in (A) Rhinopias eschmeyeri and (B) R. frondosa. (A) FAKU 62339, 137.0 mm SL, Japan (anterior part of dorsal fin was based on MTQ I. 24065, 134.8 mm SL because of broken spines in the former); (B) FRLM 26527, 133.4 mm SL, Japan. Anterior to left. Scale bars = 20 mm.

Figure 6
Figure 6

Caudal fins in (A) Rhinopias eschmeyeri and (B) R. aphanes. (A) MTQ I. 24065, 134.8 mm SL, Queensland, Australia; (B) AMS I. 22661-001, 162.5 mm SL, Papua New Guinea. Small tentacles scattered on the caudal-fin rays are not illustrated. Scale bars = 10 mm.

Figure 7
Figure 7

Rhinopias frondosa. (A) BMNH 1891.4.30.3, holotype of Scorpaena frondosa, 146.2 mm SL, Mauritius (C. Bento); (B) FRLM 26527, 133.4 mm SL, Japan (H. Motomura).

Figure 8
Figure 8

Rhinopias aphanes. (A) AMS IB. 7079, holotype, 177.7 mm SL, New Caledonia (H. Motomura); (B) AMS I. 33752-001, 167.2 mm SL, Queensland, Australia (H. Motomura).

Contributor Notes

(HM) The Kagoshima University Museum, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; and (JWJ) Ichthyology, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. E-mail: (HM) motomura@kaum.kagoshima-u.ac.jp; and (JWJ) jeff.johnson@qm.qld.gov.au. Send reprint requests to HM.

Received: 09 Dec 2004
Accepted: 06 Mar 2006
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