Records of the Rare Searobin Lepidotrigla pectoralis (Triglidae) from Japan and the South China Sea

Abstract

Two specimens of Lepidotrigla sp., collected in 1990 from Tosa Bay and the South China Sea, were identified as Lepidotrigla pectoralis Fowler, 1938, described from a single (holotype) specimen. A full description of the former specimens is given, including the first account of fresh coloration in the species. Lepidotrigla pectoralis is uniquely characterized among congeners in the following combination of characters; rostral projection round, comprising many minute spines; snout long, slightly convex in lateral profile; posterior half of first dorsal fin with a large black oval blotch dorsally; inner surface of pectoral fin black on upper half, whitish on lower half. The specimen collected from Tosa Bay is the first confirmed record of L. pectoralis in Japanese waters.