Monday, August 29, 2016

[Ichthyology • 2005] Validity of the Scorpionfish Genus Hipposcorpaena and A Redescription of H. filamentosa Fowler (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)


Hipposcorpaena filamentosa  

Fowler, 1938 

The validity of the poorly known monotypic scorpionfish genus Hipposcorpaena Fowler is confirmed, and H. filamentosa Fowler is redescribed. The genus is characterized by the following characters: dorsal fin with 12 spines and 9 soft rays; anal fin with 2 spines and 6 soft rays; pectoral fin with 14 rays; lower pectoral fin rays slender, filamentous; longest ray extending well beyond vertical from posterior end of anal fin base; all dorsal and anal fin soft rays (except last ray of each fin divided into 2 at base), and all pectoral and caudal fin rays unbranched; head and body strongly compressed; body deep, depth 39.5%~41.2% of standard length; body covered with small cycloid scales; no palatine teeth; interorbital ridges present; tympanic spine present; posttemporal spine simple, lacking upper posttemporal spine; lower caudal fin with 1~4 distinct black spots, greater in width than orbit diameter; mature adult size at least 35.2 mm SL.


Key words: Scorpaenidae, Genus, Hipposcorpaena, Redescription, Hipposcorpaena filamentosa.



Hiroyuki Motomura and Hiroshi Senou. 2005. Validity of the Scorpionfish Genus Hipposcorpaena Fowler and A Redescription of H. filamentosa Fowler (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae).  Zoological Studies. 44(2): 210-218.