First case of a reversed Parabothus taiwanensis Amaoka & Shen, 1993 from Taiwan (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae), with first evidence of situs inversus viscerum in bothid.

Background: Reversed condition is rarely found in most flatfishes in natural environment, except for some certain species. The mechanism controlling the reversals in flatfishes has been studied in some cultivated species, whereas some have only few cases for the entire family and remain unclear. Here, we report the first record of a dextral (reversed) specimen of Parabothus taiwanensis Amaoka & Shen, 1993 collected off southwestern Taiwan recently. It represents the second reversed case ever recorded in Bothidae. We aim to provide a detailed description of this dextral specimen and compared to the sinistral (normal) specimens collected from the vicinity. Methods: Specimens were fixed in 4% formaldehyde and transferred to 70% ethanol for preservation. Meristic and morphometric characters were examined for both dextral and sinistral specimens. Dissections were made on specimens to confirm the position of internal organs. Lastly, X-radiographs were taken to elucidate the osteological features. Results: As a result, no differences of both meristic and morphometric characters were observed between the dextral and sinistral specimens. Nevertheless, situs inversus viscerum is discovered in the dextral specimen for the first time in Bothidae and the sixth record within flatfishes.

Redescription of the hispidoberycid, Hispidoberyxambagiosus Kotlyar, 1981 from Taiwan, with comments on its morphology (Beryciformes, Stephanoberycoidei, Hispidoberycidae).

A rare spiny-scale pricklefish, Hispidoberyxambagiosus Kotlyar, 1981, is redescribed based on four specimens collected from Taiwan. Their sampling locality represents the northernmost record of the family, which extends the family's distribution from the eastern Indian Ocean and the South China Sea to northeastern Taiwan in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. A detailed description of these specimens and the first description of its sagittal otoliths are provided. In addition, the specimens are compared with other known specimens. Intraspecific variation of some morphological characters are discussed.

New records of a rare gibberfish, Gibberichthyslatifrons (Stephanoberyciformes, Gibberichthyidae), from the South China Sea, with comments on morphological characters.

The gibberfish Gibberichthyslatifrons is recorded for the first time from southwestern Taiwan, northern South China Sea, based on the collection of seven adults and subadults from the Dong-gang fish market, Pingtung. These specimens represent the northernmost extent of the adult range of the species, and they fill a distributional gap in the western Pacific Ocean. Our findings suggest that a population of the species has become recently established in the region. Detailed descriptions, otolith morphology, and fresh coloration are provided with comments on the morphological characteristics of the genus.

New records of two roughy fish species of Hoplostethus and a confirmed record of H.crassispinus Kotlyar, 1980 (Trachichthyiformes, Trachichthyidae) from Taiwan.

Two rarely caught species of the roughy fish genus Hoplostethus have been identified for the first time in the fish collections of Taiwan. The first, H.grandperrini Roberts & Gomon, 2012 was previously known only from two type specimens collected in the Southern Hemisphere off the coast of New Caledonia. Its distribution is now extended to the Northern Hemisphere off the coast of Pingtung, southern Taiwan. Our specimen represents the only record of this species since its initial description. The second, H.robustispinus Moore & Dodd, 2010 was originally described from a single specimen collected in the Philippines and was only known from the type locality and a single record off the Paracel Islands, South China Sea. This specimen represents the third record of the species since its original description. A single specimen of H.crassispinus Kotlyar, 1980, whose name has long appeared in the ichthyological literature of Taiwan and adjacent areas, was also identified as the first specimen-based record for Taiwan. Detailed descriptions of these species are provided and compared with available data of respective type specimens and related species, with intraspecific variations also discussed. Also included is a dichotomous key to all known species of the subgenus Hoplostethus in Taiwan.

Hoplostethus roseus, a new roughy fish from the western Pacific based on morphology and DNA barcoding (family Trachichthyidae).

A new species of the roughy fish genus Hoplostethus is described from 11 types and a non-type specimen collected from Taiwanese waters. It can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 14-17 (modally 15-16); pyloric caeca 65-84; total gill rakers 19-20; predorsal scales 18-22; oral cavity, branchial chamber, top and underside of tongue, and peritoneum uniformly black; distal margin of membrane between dorsal-fin spines black; caudal fin without a black margin; caudal-fin base brownish. Comparisons of the new species with similar species are provided. DNA barcoding supports the monophyly of the new species, which appears to be closely related to Hoplostethus japonicus [average cytochrome c oxidase subunit I Kimura-2-parameter (COI K2P) distance of 4.1%].

Ligand dissociation/recoordination in fluorescent ionic zinc-salicylideneimine compounds: synthesis, characterization, photophysical properties, and 1H NMR studies.

A series of ionic zinc-salicylideneimine compounds, [HNEt3][Zn(L)Cl2] (L = sal(H)-4-CN, 1; sal(Cl)-4-CN, 2; sal(Br)-4-CN, 3; sal(OMe)-4-CN, 4) and [NEt4][Zn(sal(H)-4-CN)Cl2] (5), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1-5 all display an intense fluorescence band in both solution (methanol, MeOH; acetonitrile, ACN; dimethylsulfoxide, DMSO; dichloromethane, DCM) and solid phases, with a maximum in the region of 515-560 nm and 529-573 nm, respectively. Detailed (1)H NMR and optical spectroscopic studies indicate the occurrence of ligand dissociation and recoordination in 1-4 in solution, leading to an equilibrium between the zinc-salicylideneimine complex species, [Zn(L)Cl2](-), and the salicylideneimine free ligand, HL. The tendency of ligand dissociation is related to the solvent, the concentration, and the substitution of the salicylidene ring. The greatest degree of ligand dissociation is observed for 1-4 when dissolved in noncoordinating, less polar DCM solvent, followed by coordinating, high polar DMSO solvent. The least degree of ligand dissociation occurs in solutions of coordinating, moderately polar MeOH and ACN solvents for 1-3 and 4, respectively. Dilute solutions are likely characterized by the high degree of ligand dissociation, whereas the equilibrium shifts in favor of the complex [Zn(L)Cl2](-) form at higher concentration. Furthermore, the electron-donating methoxy substitution in the salicylidene ring promotes a high tendency for ligand dissociation, while electron-withdrawing chloro and bromo groups cause the reverse tendency. The (1)H NMR spectrum of 5 shows only one set of proton resonances in the aromatic region corresponding to the complex [Zn(sal(H)-4-CN)Cl2](-) species, indicating that the lack of ammonium proton would protect the complex form from ligand dissociation.