 |
| Akarotaxis gouldae Corso, Desvigne, McDowell, Cheng, Biesack, Steinberg & Hilton, 2024 |
Abstract
Bathydraconidae (Notothenioidei) are a group of benthic fishes endemic to the Southern Ocean. Because of their recent evolutionary radiation and limited sampling efforts due to their occurrence in remote regions, their diversity is likely underestimated. Akarotaxis nudiceps, currently the only recognized member of its genus, is an especially poorly known bathydraconid. Although A. nudiceps has a circumpolar distribution on the Antarctic continental shelf, its deep habitat and rarity limit knowledge of its life history and biology. Using a combination of morphological and genetic analyses, we identified an undescribed species of this genus, herein named Akarotaxis gouldae sp. nov. (Banded Dragonfish). The separation of this species was initially identified from archived larval specimens, highlighting the importance of early life stage taxonomy and natural history collections. All currently known adult and larval A. gouldae sp. nov. specimens have been collected from a restricted ~400 km coastal section of the western Antarctic Peninsula, although this is possibly due to sampling bias. This region is targeted by the epipelagic Antarctic krill fishery, which could potentially capture larval fishes as bycatch. Due to the extremely low fecundity of A. gouldae sp. nov. and near-surface occurrence of larvae, we suggest the growing Antarctic krill fishery could negatively impact this species.
Pisces, Bathydraco ninae, cryonotothenioid, Notothenioid, Bellingshausen Sea, Southern ocean, krill fishing, Antarctica
 |
| Adult samples of Akarotaxis gouldae (left) compared to adult samples of Akarotaxis nudiceps (right) show subtle yet distinct morphological differences, including the presence of two bands on the bodies of Akarotaxis gouldae as well as a shorter snouts and jaws. |
Akarotaxis gouldae sp. nov.
Banded Dragonfish
Diagnosis. A species of Akarotaxis distinguished from A. nudiceps by the presence of two dark vertical bands of pigment on the body (Figs. 3, 4); larger body depth at the origin of the anal fins (Table 2; Fig. 4); and a shorter snout and jaw length (Figs. 4, 5; Table 2).
 |
| Akarotaxis gouldae, a newly discovered species of Antarctic dragonfish, was named in honor of the recently decomissioned Antarctic research supply vessel Laurence M. Gould. Credit: Andrew Corso |
Etymology. gouldae, in honor of the U.S. Antarctic research and Supply vessel (ARSV) Laurence M. Gould (LMG); for several decades this vessel has supported Antarctic Science and exploration, including the collection of the holotype and all known paratypes. The name is thus not connected to the Antarctic explorer Laurence M. Gould after which the ARSV LMG was named. Noun; feminine, following maritime tradition of referring to ships as female.
 |
| This map shows where larval samples of Akarotaxis gouldae (yellow arrows) were collected along the western Antarctic Peninsula. In comparison, Akarotaxis gouldae appear to have a much more limited range. |
Andrew D. Corso, Thomas Desvigne, Jan R. McDowell, Chi-Hing Christina Cheng, Ellen E. Biesack, Deborah K. Steinberg and Eric J. Hilton. 2024. Akarotaxis gouldae, A New Species of Antarctic dragonfish (Notothenioidei: Bathydraconidae) from the western Antarctic Peninsula. Zootaxa. 5501(2); 265-290. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5501.2.3
