Revised Diagnosis and First Japanese Records of the Waspfish Ocosia spinosa (Teleostei: Tetrarogidae)

Abstract

Ocosia spinosa Chen, 1981 (Tetrarogidae) is newly recorded from the Pacific coast of Japan, on the basis of 10 specimens (31.3–78.1 mm standard length), having been previously reported only from Taiwan. A revised diagnosis for the species, based on the Japanese specimens plus a single specimen from Taiwan, is given as follows: XV–XVIII, 7 or 8 dorsal-fin rays; III, 4–6 anal-fin rays; usually 13 (rarely 12) pectoral-fin rays; 12–18 lateral-line pores on body; 6–15 gill rakers; usually 28 (rarely 27) vertebrae; 2nd dorsal-fin spine longest, slightly longer than 3rd spine; interspinous dorsal-fin membranes of middle portion of dorsal fin incised for one-fourth to one-third of each spine length; dorsal profile of snout concave; posterior lacrimal spine directed backward, its length about 2–3 times greater than that of anterior lacrimal spine; small lateral lacrimal spine usually present (absent in larger specimens); small spine usually present at anterior end of suborbital ridge in smaller specimens (absent in larger specimens); weak stubby papillae covering upper lip and anterior half to one-third of lower lip; trunk uniformly brownish-red when fresh, without distinct markings (but with faint brownish small blotch near base of middle portion of dorsal fin in some individuals). Although the presence or absence of small spines on the lateral surface of the lacrimal and anterior end of the suborbital ridge has previously been regarded as an important diagnostic character of O. spinosa , examination of the present specimens showed that the character changes with growth. The present specimens represent the first Japanese records, as well as the northernmost and easternmost records for the species. The new English and Japanese standard names “Red Waspfish” and “Aka-hachiokoze”, respectively, are proposed for O. spinosa .