New record of Randall’s Basslet Liopropoma randalli from the northwestern Indian Ocean, with an annotated checklist of the species in the family Liopropomatidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)

Despite remarkable recent increase of research in mesophotic coral ecosystems (30-150m depth), exploration at these depths is still resulting high rates of new species discovery, and new records worldwide, especially among taxa with low population size such as liopropomatid fishes. In the present study, a new record and significant range extension of a rare species, Randall’s Basslet Liopropoma randalli, into the Sea of Oman is reported, and its morphological characteristics are provided. This species is distinguished by the several characters: Dorsal-fin rays VIII, 11 (the last ray divided at its base); anal-fin rays III, 8; pectoral rays 14; pelvic rays I, 5; weak and specific ctenoid scales on the body, and a complete lateral line (highly arched over the pectoral fin) with 47 pored scales on the body plus 3 pored scales beyond the end of hypurals. This study also presents an annotated checklist of the species of the family Liopropomatidae, including 41 species in two subfamilies, the Liopropomatinae with three genera and 36 species, and the Diploprioninae, with 3 genera and 5 species.