Melanostigma kharini sp. nov. (Zoarcidae), a New Species of Pelagic Eelpout from the Ridge of Hercules (Pacific-Antarctic Rise)

Abstract

A new species Melanostigma kharini sp. n. is described from the underwater Ridge of Hercules (Pacific-Antarctic Rise). The specimens of the new species were collected in the marine expeditions of the Pacific Scientific Research Institute of Fishery and Oceanography (TINRO) (1977−1978) on the Southern Bank at depths between 240 and 780 m. The new species differs from the other species of the genus in an original combination of the characters, in particular, in the structure of the lateral line canals on the head, axial skeleton, and coloration. Vertebral asymmetry and the features of rational (purposive) development of the seismosensory system on the head of Melanostigma are described in detail.