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| Careproctus colliculi Gerringer, in Gerringer, Suplicz, Palmeri, Fregosi, Woodworth, McMahon, Shepard, Peoples et Drazen, 2025. |
Abstract
Three species of snailfishes (family Liparidae) are described from single collections based on morphological and genetic evidence, from the eastern abyssal Pacific, depths 3,268–4,119 m. Careproctus colliculi, new species, the Bumpy Snailfish, can be identified by its pink color in life, 22 pectoral-fin rays (uppermost rays long), round head, eight caudal rays, large eye, and well-developed pterygiophores that form a large suction disk. Careproctus yanceyi, new species, the Dark Snailfish, bears a moderate ventral suction disk (<3% standard length), single nostrils, six branchiostegal rays, and is distinct from other eastern Pacific deepwater snailfishes in having a fully black body with a rounded head and horizontal mouth. Additional defining characters include a small gill opening located entirely above the pectoral fin, two pectoral radials, and 22 pectoral-fin rays. Paraliparis em, new species, the Sleek Snailfish, is distinguished from other snailfishes by its long, black, laterally compressed body, absence of a suction disk, prominently angled jaw, single pectoral-fin radial, anteriorly positioned anus, and five branchiostegal rays. Each of these three taxa has a distinct mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence compared to all other sequenced snailfishes. Genetically, Paraliparis em, new species, is most similar to P. wolffi from the Crozet Basin in the Indian Ocean, as well as bearing similarity to the northeastern Pacific snailfishes P. megalopus and P. ulochir, together known as Paraliparis Clade I. Careproctus yanceyi, new species, shows little similarity in COI sequences to other taxa and perhaps represents a distinct clade in the family. The COI sequence of Careproctus colliculi, new species, fits in the Osteocareprocta clade, most similar to Careproctus continentalis, C. discoveryae, C. longipectoralis, and Osteodiscus cascadiae. Paraliparis em, new species, and Careproctus yanceyi, new species, show significant morphological and genetic divergence from one another, despite both being black snailfishes collected on the same submersible dive. These findings reveal cryptic diversity in deep-sea snailfishes and highlight the necessity of combined imaging, morphological, and genetic approaches to studying fish biodiversity. These three newly discovered species begin to fill an important sampling gap for the family Liparidae and demonstrate the importance of snailfishes in communities of the abyssal seafloor.
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| In situ imagery of Careproctus colliculi, collected by the ROV Doc Ricketts, 3,263 m, Monterey Bay, California, USA. Copyright: MBARI (used with permission). |
Careproctus colliculi Gerringer, new species
Bumpy Snailfish
Diagnosis.—Careproctus colliculi is distinguished from other eastern Pacific deep-water congeners by its well-developed suction disk, anteriorly positioned anus, simple canine teeth, 22 pectoral-fin rays, the upper ∼4 of which extend well beyond the other rays, round head, eight caudal-fin rays, large eye, and pink coloration with bumpy flesh, particularly anteriorly, in life.
Etymology.—Careproctus colliculi is named for the distinctive small bumps (from the Greek) that cover the skin, particularly the head and anterior portion of the fish in life (Fig. 5).
Careproctus yanceyi Gerringer, new species
Dark Snailfish
Diagnosis.—Careproctus yanceyi is distinguished from other deep-water congeners in the eastern Pacific by the combination of the following characters: black body with rounded head and horizontal mouth, simple canine teeth, along with a moderate, but developed ventral suction disk (<3% SL), and small gill opening located entirely above the pectoral fin, which has 22 fin rays and two pectoral radials.
Etymology.—It is a privilege to name this species in recognition of Dr. Paul Yancey, Whitman College, USA, to honor his significant contributions to the field of deep-sea biology and fish physiology and in sincere gratitude for his generous mentorship and support.
Paraliparis em Gerringer, new species
Sleek Snailfish
Etymology.—Paraliparis em is named after its collection site, Station M, where it has been regularly observed. The name honors the invaluable contribution of time series data, such as those from Station M, and the many people who make long-term monitoring of biological communities possible.
Mackenzie E. Gerringer, Sarah Suplicz, Jessica L. Palmeri, Lydia Fregosi, Brett H. Woodworth, Emily McMahon, Samantha Shepard, Logan M. Peoples and Jeffrey C. Drazen. 2025. Descriptions of Three Newly Discovered Abyssal Snailfishes (Liparidae) from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3); 487-506. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024069 (27 August 2025)
