scholarly journals A revision of the Australian handfishes (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae), with descriptions of three new genera and nine new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2252 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER R. LAST ◽  
DANIEL C. GLEDHILL

The family Brachionichthyidae is represented by at least 14 small, Australian endemic, lophiiform fishes distributed from central eastern Australia to the Great Australian Bight. All but three of these species occur in the seas off Tasmania. The group is comprised of two recognised genera, Brachionichthys Bleeker and Sympterichthys Gill, and three new genera, Brachiopsilus gen. nov., Pezichthys gen. nov. and Thymichthys gen. nov. Nine of the 14 species are undescribed. The type genus, Brachionichthys, consists of B. hirsutus (Lacepède) and B. australis Last, Gledhill & Holmes. These species, which are covered with long, unicuspid spinules and a strong colour pattern of dark spots and streaks, typically have 7 pectoral-fin rays. The genus Sympterichthys includes one of Australia’s earliest described fishes, S. unipennis (Cuvier), and a new taxon S. moultoni sp. nov. Members of the genus lack warts and dermal appendages on the skin but are covered in small embedded scales with adpressed, unicuspid and bicuspid spinules originating from the posterior margin of their bases. Brachiopsilus contains three new species: B. dianthus sp. nov., B. dossenus sp. nov. and B. ziebelli sp. nov. These handfishes, which are amongst the largest members of the family (reaching 117 mm SL), are smooth skinned (without spinules, dermal appendages or fleshy warts), are vividly coloured in life (without extensive blackish markings), and have 9–10 pectoral-fin rays. A fourth genus, Pezichthys, is not fully resolved and may be polyphyletic. It provisionally consists of five undescribed species: P. amplispinus sp. nov., P. compressus sp. nov., P. eltanini sp. nov., P. macropinnis sp. nov. and P. nigrocilium sp. nov. These species are variably covered in erect, bicuspid spinules, and all have 7 pectoral-fin rays. Thymichthys contains two old species-level taxa, T. politus (Richardson) and T. verrucosus (McCulloch & Waite), both previously placed in Sympterichthys. Members of the genus Thymichthys have an ornate skin variably covered with wart-like protuberances, dermal appendages and a sparse coverage of scales with their spinules not or barely penetrating the skin surface. Regional morphs exist for Thymichthys verrucosus which may represent an unresolved species complex. New study material and a molecular study of these populations across their ranges are needed to determine their relationships. Other characters useful in defining the brachionichthyid genera, and distinguishing species, include illicial morphology, coloration, characteristics of the skin, including the form and degree of coverage and exposure of spiny scales, and selected morphometrics and meristics. Historical and current ecological data confirms that these fishes have specialised habitat requirements, patchy distributions and poor dispersal capabilities, making them amongst the most vulnerable of marine fishes. The fossil record suggests that the group was once much more widespread and their restricted extant distribution in Australia may be linked to regional extinction due to their life history strategy.

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4244 (2) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
ÍTHALO DA SILVA CASTRO ◽  
WOLMAR BENJAMIN WOSIACKI

A new species of Ituglanis is described from rio Iratapuru, near the rio Jari, Amapá, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the reduced number of post-Weberian apparatus vertebrae (36 or 37); the low number of paired ribs (2); the low number of interopercular odontodes (12–15); the number of branchiostegal rays (7 or 8); the presence of elongated fontanel in parieto-supraoccipital; the pectoral-fin rays (i,5); head length (18.9–25.0); and the presence of pores supraorbital s1, infraorbitals i1 and i3 of the laterosensory system. The new taxon has a reduced body size and fully ossified skeleton, but does not display a large number of paedomorphic traits compared to congeners. Comments about taxonomy and intrageneric comparisons are made, and paedomorphic in Ituglanis is discussed. Thoughts about conservation of the new species are presented. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4269 (4) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD WINTERBOTTOM

Two new species of Trimma are described from Fiji. Trimma bathum n. sp. lacks scales on the cheeks, opercle and predorsal midline, has 18–19 unbranched pectoral fin rays, an unbranched 5th pelvic fin ray that is 40–56% the length of the 4th ray, 17–18 gill rakers on the outer surface of the first gill arch, a U-shaped interorbital and a narrow slit-like postorbital trench, a low, median fleshy ridge extending half-way towards the orbit from the origin of the first dorsal fin, and, when freshly collected, a pink head and body with most body scales having an orange-brown spot or short bar at their centres. The species is currently known only from off Suva Harbour, Viti Levu, Fiji. Trimma finistrinum n. sp. has a bony interorbital equal to the pupil diameter, a fully scaled nape of 12–14 scales, a second dorsal spine that may reach posteriorly to the middle of the second dorsal fin, the papillae in the longitudinal row immediately below the eye either single or with two papillae in a vertical row, unbranched pectoral fin rays, usually a branched fifth pelvic-fin ray that is about half length of the fourth ray, and a large diffuse dark blotch on the posterior part of the caudal peduncle. A colour pattern of a brownish body with most body scales having golden- to greenish-yellow (pale in preservative) centres is unique among species of the genus. The species is currently recorded only from off the north and east coasts of Viti Levu, Fiji.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1614 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
THIAGO N.A. PEREIRA ◽  
PAULO H.F. LUCINDA

A new characid species, Jupiaba elassonaktis, is described from the rio Tocantins drainage. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: medial cusps of premaxillary teeth much larger than remaining cusps, dentary teeth decreasing abruptly in size from the fifth tooth backwards, first dorsaland anal-fin rays not prolonged by an elongate filament, presence of a vertically elongate humeral spot, 33–39 scales on lateral line, 5–7 scales series above lateral line, 9–11 pectoral-fin rays, and a incomplete series of median predorsal scales.


2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel ◽  
Ilana Fichberg

Rineloricaria daraha, new species, is described from the rio Daraá, tributary of rio Negro, northwestern Amazonas State, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed by having seven branched pectoral-fin rays, finger-like papillae on the lower lip, a large multi-angular preanal plate, and at least four quadrangular plates of variable size surrounding the preanal plate. The new species is known only from rio Daraá and its waterfalls.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4722 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-76
Author(s):  
BUNGDON SHANGNINGAM ◽  
SHIBANANDA RATH ◽  
ASHA KIRAN TUDU ◽  
LAISHRAM KOSYGIN

A new species of the genus Osteobrama is described from the Mahanadi River, Tikarpada, Angul District, Odisha state, India. Osteobrama tikarpadaensis, new species, differs from its congeners in having two pairs of minute barbels; iii–iv unbranched dorsal-fin rays with 25–33 serrae on the last unbranched ray; 15–16 branched pectoral-fin rays, and 25–27 branched anal-fin rays. The status of Osteobrama dayi is discussed and shown to be a valid species. A key to the species of the genus is provided. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 744 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALINE R. ALENCAR ◽  
WILSON J.E.M. COSTA

Two new species of Trichomycterus from isolated small river basins of southeastern Brazil are described: T. pantherinus, new species, from the Rio Santa Maria da Vit ria basin, and T. caudofasciatus, new species, from the Rio Itabapoana basin. Both new species are diagnosed by a combination of morphological features, also occurring in T. alternatus and T. longibarbatus, including number of pectoral-fin rays, odontodes and branchiostegal rays, long filamentous first pectoral-fin ray and wide opercular patch of odontodes. Trichomycterus pantherinus differs from other congeners by possessing a light orangish yellow flank with dark brown to black rounded spots. Trichomycterus caudofasciatus is distinguished from other species of the genus by having four gray bars on the caudal fin.


Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1686 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCELO KOVAČIĆ ◽  
ULRICH K SCHLIEWEN

Gorogobius stevcici sp. nov. is described from the São Tomé Islands, Gulf of Guinea. Although it exhibits the unique combination of characters of Gorogobius Miller, it differs from present generic diagnosis of that genus. Therefore, a revised generic diagnosis and description of Gorogobius is provided. The new species differs from its only congener, G. nigricintus, by (1) presence of pore β; (2) row g anteriorly ends more or less in front of row o; (3) transverse interorbital row p present; (4) snout with four median preorbital rows; (5) 37–41 vs. 29–33 longitudinal scale rows; (6) 22–24 vs. 18 predorsal scales; (7) 9 vs. 10–11 anal fin rays; (8) 17 vs. 18–20 pectoral fin rays; (9) coloration.


Zootaxa ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 1043 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
HIROYUKI MOTOMURA ◽  
PETER R. LAST ◽  
GORDON K. YEARSLEY

A new species of small-sized scorpionfish, Scorpaena bulacephala, is described on the basis of seven specimens collected from off Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, northern Tasman Sea, southwestern Pacific Ocean, at depths of 86–113 m. The new species is closely related to a Hawaiian endemic species, S. colorata. The two species are distinguished from other Indo–Pacific species of Scorpaena by the following combination of characters: exposed cycloid scales covering the anteroventral surface of the body and pectoral-fin base, the lateral surface of the lacrimal without spines, and 17 pectoral-fin rays. The new species differs from S. colorata in having 39–44 longitudinal scales rows and relatively short fin spines and rays, especially short longest pectoral-fin ray (31.5–33.5% of standard length). Morphological changes with growth and sexual dimorphism of the new species are also discussed.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4750 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTHONY C. GILL ◽  
CLIVE D. ROBERTS

Plectranthias cruentus new species is described from the holotype and two paratypes collected off Ball’s Pyramid and a paratype from Lord Howe Island. It resembles P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu 1994 in live coloration and most morphological details, including absence of predorsal scales anterior to the supratemporal commissure, but differs in having the fifth or sixth (versus third) dorsal-fin spine longest, at least some pectoral-fin rays branched (versus all unbranched), and inconspicuous (versus distinct) serrations on the interopercle. It also differs in live coloration details. 


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aléssio Datovo ◽  
Maria Isabel Landim

Ituglanis macunaima, new species, is described from the rio Araguaia basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil. It is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: posterior fontanel absent; pectoral-fin rays usually i,4; pelvic-fin rays usually i,4; branched caudal-fin rays usually 5,5; mottled color pattern formed by irregular to roundish dark brown spots on whitish background; reduced supraorbital canal with pores s1 and s2 lacking; reduced infraorbital canal with pores i1 and i3 lacking; 2-3 pleural ribs; and 35-38 vertebrae. A detailed description and illustrations of the skeleton of I. macunaima are also provided. Comparisons with other trichomycterids are presented, and several reductive traits of I. macunaima are discussed. Some comments are made about the systematics and phylogeny of the genus.


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