Zoological Studies

Two New Soles of the Genus Aseraggodes (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae) from Taiwan and Japan

John E. Randall and Hiroshi Senou (2007) Aseraggodes cheni sp. nov. is described from 1 specimen from southern Taiwan and 4 from the Izu Is., Japan.  It has 68-75 dorsal rays, 73-76 lateral-line scales, and 36-38 vertebrae.  It is most similar to A. diringeri (Quéro) from the western Indian Ocean, which differs in color and in having 75-87 lateral-line scales.   Aseraggodes orientalis sp. nov. is described from 2 specimens from Kochi Prefecture, Japan and 1 from southern Taiwan.  It has 67-72 dorsal rays, 81-86 lateral-line scales, and 35 or 36 vertebrae.   Specimens were previously identified as A. xenicus (Matsubara and Ochiai), but this species is readily separated by 60-69 dorsal rays, 63-70 lateral-line scales, a modal count of 34 vertebrae, and a ventral preopercular branch of the lateral line on the ocular side of the head.