Description of Careproctus patagonicus sp nov and C-magellanicus sp, nov (Pisces : Scorpaeniformes) from the lower slope of Drake Passage

Two new species of Liparidae are described from Drake Passage (55 degrees 3 2.8' S, 65 degrees 54.3' W). Careproctus patagonicus differs from all other congeneric species in the following combination of characters: C 9 (1+4/4) , epural and parhypural unfused to single hypural; gill slit above P base; lower pectoral lobe well developed; pectoral girdle with one ventral radial (0+0+0+1) with a central foramen; da 2.4, aAf 10.2% L-S; disk 41.5% HL; so me crater-like pits on posterior half of body; head and anterior part of bo dy white. Careproctus magellanicus has the following diagnostic characters: A 46; P 24, well-developed lower pectoral lobe: scattered crater-like spot s and some thumb-tack prickles on body; one suprabranchial pore; basal plat e of the pectoral girdle with two fenestrae; four radials (3+1), the first with a ventral notch; HL 17.1, preD 18.5% L-S. The structure of the endocho ndral pectoral girdle of both species is commented. (C) 2000 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.