Acanthopsaron (Teleostei: Hemerocoetidae), a new genus and two new species of signalfishes from the Grand Passage off northern New Caledonia, southwestern Pacific Ocean

Abstract

A previously undescribed genus of signalfishes from the Grand Passage north of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, Acanthopsaron striatum n. gen. n. sp., is characterized by 7 spines in the first dorsal, anal-fin rays mostly branched, branched caudal-fin rays 10, scales small, cycloid, lateral-line scales 60, ctenoid; pelvic fin short, not reaching to anus when adpressed; snout terminal, none of the jaws projecting; maxillary tentacle absent; maxillary spine absent; maxillary notch present, weakly developed; opercle with a single, strong spine; subopercle with a weak spine; barbel on lower-jaw tip absent; anterior-nostril projections absent; iris flap absent. Pteropsaron flacissimum n. sp. is described from a single specimen that was also trawled in the Grand Passage of New Cakledonia; this species is characterised by having 6 spines in the first dorsal fin, 18 rays in the second dorsal fin, ca. 22 rays in the anal fin, gill rakers 0 + 8, 46 lateral-line scales, first dorsal fin low, without filaments; anal fin normal, without extended rays; head length 3.6 in SL, preorbital length 1.7 in eye diameter; pelvic fin extending to fifth anal-fin membrane when adpressed; body rose, dorsally with wide yellow streak extending from tip of snout to upper caudal-fin base; first dorsal fin pale, without black markings. The new species are compared with allied species. A key to the genera and species of the family Hemerocoetidae is presented.