First Japanese Records of the Indo-Pacific Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) Scorpaenodes corallinus, with a Re-evaluation of Coronal Spines as a Diagnostic Character

Abstract

Fifteen specimens (70.9–95.5 mm standard length) of the Indo-Pacific species Scorpaenodes corallinus Smith, 1957, previously recorded from Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, the Seychelles, Indonesia, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and recently collected from Okinawa Island (Okinawa Islands) and Yoron Island (Amami Islands), represent the first Japanese records of the species. Examination of a wide range of specimens indicated that the presence of coronal spines (formerly considered diagnostic of the species) was inconsistent. The new standard Japanese name “Ichigo-isokasago” is proposed for the species.