3 from Argentina (245.1-257.0 mm SL), FAKU AP 79, 80; S 623.
Description:
D ]]]Y-]]]Z, 29-30; A U, 26-27; P1 13; GR 6+1+22-23=29-30; BR 7.
HL 18.8-19.6% of SL; ED 3.1-3.5; BD 4.8-7.5; SN 8.4-8.7; IO 2.2-2.6; UJ 8.4-8.5; CP 0.9-1.3; P1L 6.0-7.2; D1H 5.1-5.4; D2H 4.2-5.3; AH 3.5-4.0.
Body elongate and compressed, body depth 14-17 times in SL. Head depressed, moderate in size, 5.1-5.4 times in SL. Snout long, 2.2-2.4 times in head. Mouth large and curved, posterior end of upper jaw reaching anterior margin of eye, lower jaw projected anterior to upper jaw. Several large fangs on anterior part of upper jaw, a pair of fangs on anterior part fo lower jew. Several sharp caniniform teeth uniserial on both jaws. No teeth on vomer, several fine teeth uniserial on palatines. Two nostrils situated close each other, nearer to anterior margin of eye than to tip of snout, anterior nostril circular with low tube around and posterior nostril crescent. Eye large, about 5 times in head. Interorbital region flat and narrow, its width about 3 times in snout length. A conspicuous notch on posterior margin of opercle. Gill-rakers minute spinescent, a raker on corner T-shaped, slightly larger than other rakers. Pseudobranchiae well developed. First dorsal fin base longer than second dorsal fin base. Anterior part of anal fin fairly high. Pectoral fin small, shorter than snout length. Pelvic fin reduced to a minute spine or completely absent. Position of anus nearer to tip of caudal fin than to tip of snout, and anterior to first anal spine by distance about equal to sonut length. Lateral line single and intact.
Distribution:
Temperate and especially cold waters of the Southern Hemisphere.
Remarks:
Paradiplospinus antarcticus from the Antarctic Sea, recently newly described by Andriashev (1960) seems to be a junior synonym of P. gracilis.
(Izumi NAKARURA)
Distribution of Paradiplospinus gracilis in Patagonia.