A new species of Chaunax (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) from the western South Pacific, with comment on C. latipunctatus

Abstract

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.