Paraliparis nassarum n. sp. (Pisces, Liparididae) from off Southern California with Description of Its Otoliths and Others from North-east Pacific Liparidids

Abstract

Paraliparis nassarum n. sp. (Pisces, Liparididae) from off southern California with description of its otoliths and others from north-east Pacific liparidids by David L. Stein and John E. Fitch. Bull. Southern California Acad. Sci., 83(2):76-83, 1984. Paraliparis nassarum, a previously unknown species of liparidid fish, is described from specimens collected in sablefish traps on the continental slope off southern California. The new species is primarily distinguished from P. rosaceus, its most similar relative, by having sparser premaxillary teeth, mandibular teeth slanted anteriorly, fewer vertebrae, more pectoral fin rays, and more caudal fin rays. <br />Sagittal otoliths of P. nassarum, P. rosaceus, Careproctus furcellus, C. attenuatus, C. melanurus, C. ovigerum, Acantholiparis opercularis, Lipariscus nanus, Nectoliparis pelagicus, Liparis liparis, and L. pulchellus are described. The ostium of the otoliths of A. opercularis, L. nanus, P. nassarum, and P. rosaceus is closed over to form a tube, an apparently unique character among fishes. The medial face of the otolith of C. ovigerum is concave, unlike the flat medial faces of the otoliths of the other 10 species. <br />These significant differences in otolith morphology suggest that our present understanding of liparidid relationships is inadequate and that liparidid genera may need revision.