Matanui, a new genus of deepwater triplefin fishes (Pisces: Tripterygiidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

Matanui new genus is proposed for two New Zealand species, Forsterygion bathytaton Hardy, 1989 and F. profundum Fricke and Roberts, 1994, which are redescribed. Matanui differs uniquely from other tripterygiid genera in having lateral line scales with a notch at the upper posterior corner, two procurrent rays between the posterior epural and 5th hypural bone (HU5), one procurrent ray anterior to haemal spine of the 3rd preural vertebra (PU3), dorsal fin formula IV-IN-0-1-0-1, pterygiophores of the first three segmented anal fin rays anterior to the haemal spine of the first caudal vertebra, the urohyal triangular ventrally with a narrow posterior end, suborbital sensory canal not extending over premaxilla, supratemporal canals not meeting mid-dorsally, and large sensory pores. The genus is endemic to New Zealand, occurring in continental shelf waters from 12 to 550 m.