Redescription of Parascorpaena moultoni (Whitley, 1961) (Actinopterygii, Scorpaenidae), with new distribution records for the species

Abstract

Although the status of Parascorpaena moultoni (Whitley, 1961) is now well established, the morphology of the species has been re-examined, with new diagnostic features identified. Typically 15 or 16 pectoral-fin rays are present, together with two suborbital ridges, each with a single spine and the origin of the first ridge posterior to the second, well-developed interorbital ridges forming a loop, an undeveloped occipital pit, no scales on the dorsal- and anal-fin soft ray bases. The known range of the species includes Taiwan, the Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji in addition to previously reported Australia, New Caledonia, and Japan.