Description of a New Species of Rariphotic Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from the Solomon Islands

A new species belonging to the pinguipedid genus Parapercis is described herein from a single specimen collected via remotely operated vehicle (ROV) rariphotic depths in Western Province of Solomon Islands. rota, species, readily distinguished all other congeners by unique pigmentation pattern comprising four large, rounded, orangish-olive saddles dorsally on flank, each with distinct, dorsomedial white spot completely enclosed within saddles, plus fifth saddle caudal peduncle only small dot; 10 discrete broad, dark oval vertical bars below lateral midline; row spots soft dorsal fin; fin lined and ventrally stripes yellowish-olive extending length two prominent brown black at caudal-fin base. ROV-based collecting systems are promising relatively affordable technology for studying ichthyological diversity deeper reef habitats, particularly those beyond reach technical SCUBA. The discovery description P. rota adds growing number that known occur mesophotic waters.