Review of the Indo-Pacific scorpaenoid genus Plectrogenium Gilbert 1905 (Plectrogeniidae) with descriptions of eight new species

A taxonomic review of Plectrogenium (Teleostei: Plectrogeniidae) disclosed 10 valid species, eight being new (most previously identified as P. nanum Gilbert 1905): P. nanum (Hawaiian Islands); P. barsukovi Mandrytsa 1992 [Nazca Ridge (southeastern Pacific Ocean)]; P. capricornis sp. nov. (New Caledonia); P. kamoharai sp. nov. (Japan and Taiwan); P. kanayamai sp. nov. [Emperor Seamount Chain, Kyushu-Palau Ridge (northwest Pacific), and Taiwan]; P. longipinnis sp. nov. (Marquesas Islands); P. megalops sp. nov. (Solomon Islands); P. occidentalis sp. nov. (Madagascar); P. rubricauda sp. nov. (Japan); and P. serratum sp. nov. (Vanuatu). Each species can be distinguished from the others by a combination of morphological characters, including number of pectoral-fin rays, head spine and squamation characteristics, body proportions, and coloration. Plectrogenium nanum and P. barsukovi are briefly redescribed on the basis of their primary types. A key to the species of Plectrogenium is provided.