A New Species of the Batfish Genus Malthopsis (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from the Northwestern Indian Ocean

Hsuan-Ching Ho；Artém M. Prokofiev；Kwang-Tsao Shao

Taxonomy ； Fish ； New species ； Malthopsis retifera ； Indian Ocean

Zoological Studies

48卷3期（2009 / 05 / 01）

394 - 401

英文

Malthopsis retifera sp. nov. is described from 17 specimens collected in the northwestern Indian Ocean off Somalia at depths of 375-420 m. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners in having a reticular color pattern on its dorsal surface and 5 pairs of dark spots on the disk margin and tail; bucklers on the dorsal surface are relatively pointed, and areas between the principal bucklers lack small tubercles or bucklers; bucklers on the belly are rounded and flat; the reclined anal fin reaches the base of the caudal fin; there are no black ocelli or dots on the dorsal surface; there are 6 lateral line scales in the opercular series and 7 or 8 in the tail series; there are 11-13 (mainly 12) pectoral fin rays; and there are 4 or 5 (mainly 5) dorsal fin rays.