Vol. 41 No. 1, 2002

Plectranthias sheni, a New Species and P. kamii, a New Record of Anthiine Fishes (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Taiwan

Jeng-Ping Chen and Kwang-Tsao Shao*

Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115

Jeng-Ping Chen and Kwang-Tsao Shao (2002) Plectranthias sheni is described as a new species of anthiine from 4 specimens obtained from fish markets in Taiwan. They were taken by long-line at 2 localities, southwestern and northeastern Taiwan. This species is characterized by having 32-33 lateral line scales, 41 /2 scale rows above the lateral line, 5 oblique rows of scales on the cheek, the 3rd dorsal-fin spine the longest, and 2 longitudinal rows of blackish blotches on the body. This species has often been misidentified as P. kamii or P. anthioides in Taiwan. It can be separated from P. kamii by having fewer lateral line scales (32-33 vs. 36-38), fewer oblique scale rows on the cheek (5 vs. 6), fewer scale rows below the lateral line to the origin of the anal fin (12 vs. 15-18), and also by color pattern. It differs from P. anthioides in the shape of the caudal fin (emarginate vs. round), pelvic fin length (not reaching vs. reaching anus), and number of branched rays (13 vs. 15) and unbranched rays of the pectoral fin (1 vs. 3). A specimen of P. kamii was collected recently by the authors; it represents a new record for Taiwan. In the present paper, we describe this new species and document the new record. Color photos are provided for the new species and P. kamii, and a key to all 11 species of Plectranthias in Taiwan is presented.

Key words: New species, Anthiine fishes, Plectranthias sheni.

*Correspondence: Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115