D X, 32; A30; P122; P2T, 5; GR6+12=18; BR6; LLS43(upper), 8(lower).
HL29.2% of SL; ED8.9; BD20.9; SN6.8; IO4.0; UJ8.0; CP8.3; P1L24.9; P2L23.1; D1H12.6; D2H12.9; AH8.3.
Body elongate, compressed, body depth about 5 times in SL. Head large, about 3.5 times in SL. Interorbital region narrow with 5 rows of scales between eyes. Lower jaw slightly more projected forward than upper jaw. Posterior margin of upper jaw extending level of enter of eye. Snout shorter than eye diameter(as long as or slightly longer than eye in adults). Small teeth in bands, those of outer series slightly larger than inner series especially anteriorly. Gill-rakers short and slender. Pseudobranchiae present. Upper surface of head, cheeks and opercles covered with cyloid scales; scales on body weak ctenoid. Nostril single with tubular flap around, situated anterior to eye. Lateral lines two; upper lateral line running from upper insertion of opercle with a gradual curve to below last ray of dorsal fin dorsally, lower line short, running midbody on posterior part of tail. Pectoral fin round, slightly longer than pelvic fin. Pelvic fin long, situated extremely anterior to pectoral fin origin. Height of first dorsal and second dorsal fins about equal, height of anal fin slightly lower. Caudal fin subtruncate. Caudal peduncle depth slightly larger than snout length. Body brownish above and paler below, with irregular broad dark blotches on body. First dorsal fin with a black spot covering greater part of it. First dorsal and caudal fins variegated with series of small dark spots.
Distribution:
Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.
Remarks:
This species inhabits shallower water than closely related P. ramsayi. In the Falklands this species is found around jetties and in the kelp, lurking under shelter durning the day and becoming active about sunset(Norman, 1937a).
(Izumi NAKAMURA)
Distribution of Patagonotothen tessellata in Patagonia.