Two new species similar to Ophichthus megalops Asano, 1987 with dark-tipped anal fins, are described on the basis of one specimen of each species. Ophichthus semilunatus sp. nov. from northeastern Taiwan is characterized by having 176 total vertebrae, three rows of teeth on the maxilla, one + three supraorbital pores, two preopercular pores, a brownish anterior-nostril tube, and a blotch on the anterior margin of anus. Ophichthus brevidorsalis sp. nov. from New Caledonia is characterized by having two preopercular pores, one + three supraorbital pores, smaller eyes 2.7 in head, a short head 9.5% of total length, a long tail 59.8% of total length, a slightly short snout 19.4% of head, and 43 predorsal vertebrae. A redescription of O. megalops is provided based on the holotype and 18 specimens newly collected from Taiwan. Selected characters of all nine Ophichthus with a dark-tipped anal fin are provided. In addition, partial COI sequences of five species is provided.

BORDAU 2, MADEEP, MUSORSTOM 4

BERYX 11, BERYX 2, BIOCAL, CHALCAL 2, LITHIST, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 5, MUSORSTOM 6, MUSORSTOM 7, MUSORSTOM 8, NORFOLK 2, SALOMON 2

Lophiodes infrabrunneus Smith and Radcliffe, 1912 is redescribed on the basis of all known specimens. The species is redefined as: a species of Lophiodes with three dorsal spines, postcephalic spines absent; illicium relatively short, 13.3-24.2% of SL; second and third dorsal spine relatively short, 12.2-21.2% and 9.1-20.6% of SL respectively, a narrow leaf-like flap, and tendrils present on second and third dorsal spine. Lophiodes abdituspinus is a junior synonym of L. infrabrunneus based on examination of type series of both species. L. infrabrunneus is distributed from Japan, to the Timor Sea, Salomon Is. and northwestern Australia, in eastern Indian Ocean where it occurs in depths between 208-1412 m.

MUSORSTOM 1, SALOMON 2

Malthopsis jordani Gilbert, 1905 was described from the Hawaiian Islands and subsequently recorded from the western Pacific. A review of the species is provided. Examination of all known specimens of this species revealed that M. jordani is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and specimens outside the range represent a new species. Malthopsis gigas sp. nov., previously misidentified as M. jordani, is described from 111 specimens widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The new species differs from its congeners in having a relatively strong and long rostrum (x¯ϭ8.6% SL); body heavily covered with strong conical bucklers, with numerous small flat bucklers densely covering the space between principal bucklers on the dorsal surface; and the reclined anal fin that extends beyond the caudal fin base. The new species is also the largest member of the genus, reaching size up to 136.4 mm SL.

BORDAU 2, LITHIST, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 8, MUSORSTOM 9, NORFOLK 1, NORFOLK 2

Examination and taxonomic review of the batfishes collected from New Zealand and adjacent waters reveals five nominal species: Halieutopsis bathyoreos and Malthopsis mitrigera are recorded from New Zealand for the first time; the synonymy of Halieutaea maoria with H. stellata is confirmed, and two new species are described. Malthopsis asparata sp. nov. is unique in having stout principal bucklers with prominent spines. Malthopsis parva sp. nov. differs from congeners in having a naked abdomen, a short rostral spine directed upward, and all principal bucklers blunt.

BERYX 11, BERYX 2

A new species of anglerfish, Chaunax nudiventer, is described on the basis of 35 specimens from the western South Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by large spots on the dorsal surface; a largely naked area on abdomen; a relatively short head and long tail, both reflected in the elongated body; slender and simple spines on body surface; numerous broad flaps on lateral side of body; and higher number of lateral line neuromasts: mainly 41–43 in lateral line proper, 4 in the upper peropercular series, and 16–17 in the pectoral series. Comments on a similar species, C. latipunctatus from the eastern South Pacific Ocean, is provided.

BIOCAL, CHALCAL 2, LITHIST, NORFOLK 2, SMIB 4

Spicomacrurus, formerly classified as a subgenus of Hymenogadus, is elevated to full generic status after the discovery of two new species from the southwestern Pacific. The following synapomorphies characterizing the genus are not shared with either Hymenogadus or Hymenocephalus, although Spicomacrurus obviously belongs within this clade of grenadiers: net-like pattern of black epithelium covering gular region; elongate posterior dermal window of light organ; membranous flange on distal portion of outer pelvic fin ray; and protruding snout formed by three broad horizontally flattened processes of the nasal bones. Spicomacrurus dictyogadus sp. nov. is described from one collected off Vanuatu in 657–685 m. It can be distinguished by its relatively deep and compressed body and head, greatest body width about 2 times into greatest depth; suborbital depth about 3.5 into orbit diameter; and scale rows below origin of second dorsal fin 5½. Spicomacrurus mccoskeri sp. nov. is described from six specimens collected off Chesterfield Plateau in 650–710 m. It can be distinguished by its shallow, cylindrical body and head, greatest body width slightly less than greatest depth; suborbital depth 5–6 into orbit diameter; and scale rows below origin of second dorsal fin 3½. A key to all four species of Spicomacrurus is provided.

BOA1, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 5

Species of grenadier fishes (Order Gadiformes) in Taiwan are reviewed. The species list of Shao et al. (2008) is revised. A total 71 species in 21 genera and 3 families is recognized, including 5 species that are tentatively identified and 5 species, Coelorinchus hexafasciatus, C. cf. macrorhynchus, C. cf. notatus, Hymenocephalus papyraceus, and Ventrifossa sazonovi, that are first records for Taiwan. Ventrifossa fusca is recognized as a junior synonym of V. misakia. Keys to families, genera and species are provided. Species descriptions are based mainly on Taiwanese specimens but supplemented with specimens from various other sources. Figures of species firstly reported by Shao et al. (2008) are provided.

AURORA 2007, SMIB 3, TAIWAN 2001

Owstonia aurora sp. nov. is described on the base of three specimens (69.8–88.0 mm in standard length) collected off East Luzon during the “Aurora 2007” Philippine Expedition. The new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin elements III, 21; anal-fin elements I, 14; gill rakers on first arch 35–38; cheek with 80–86 scales in 7–8 rows; lateral line without branch, not forming loop in front of dorsal-fin, ending below 17th to 22th dorsal-fin soft rays; oblique body scale rows in mid-lateral series 54–58; lower margin of preopercle rounded; prominent black blotch on anterior dorsal-fin membrane, and extend downward to dorsal-fin base, remaining membrane of dorsal, anal, and caudal fins red with white margins and bases, distinct white stripes on mid dorsal and caudal fin membranes; membranes between maxillary and premaxillary with discontinuous black stripes or patches.

AURORA 2007