[Ichthyology • 2024] Gigantactis paresca • A New Species of the Anglerfish Genus Gigantactis (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) from the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, an Ecosystem Threatened by Deep-Sea Mining

 

Gigantactis paresca

Rickle, 2024

 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023056 

Abstract  

A new species of Gigantactis is described from a single female collected from the eastern North Pacific. As with others of this genus, this species is distinguished by its unique luring apparatus, most obviously through the presence of a relatively short illicium, bearing a secondary escal-like appendage.

Gigantactis paresca sp. nov.

Samantha Z. Rickle. 2024. A New Species of the Anglerfish Genus Gigantactis (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) from the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, an Ecosystem Threatened by Deep-Sea Mining. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(2); 153-155. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023056 (17 May 2024) 

https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/soestwp/announce/news/new-deep-sea-anglerfish-top-10-2024/

[Ichthyology • 2022] Halieutopsis echinoderma, H. kawaii, etc. • Taxonomy and Distribution of the Deep-Sea Batfish Genus Halieutopsis (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), with Descriptions of Five New Species

Halieutopsis sp.

Ho. 2022 

DOI: 10.3390/jmse10010034 

Abstract

The deep-sea batfish genus Halieutopsis is reviewed based on worldwide collections. Sixteen species are recognized, including five newly described species: Halieutopsis echinoderma sp. nov. from eastern Taiwan and northeastern Australia, Halieutopsis kawaii sp. nov. from Taiwan and Indonesia, Halieutopsis okamurai sp. nov. from southeastern Japan, Halieutopsis murrayi sp. nov. from the Gulf of Aden, and Halieutopsis taiwanea sp. nov. from northeastern Taiwan. These species differ from their congeners in escal morphology, squamation, and morphometric proportions. Dibranchus nasutus Alcock, 1891, a senior synonym of Halieutopsis vermicularis Smith & Radcliffe, 1912, as well as Dibranchus nudiventer Lloyd, 1909 and Coelophrys oblonga Smith & Radcliffe, 1912, are recognized as valid species in Halieutopsis. Comments on the systematics and biogeographic distributions of the species of Halieutopsis are provided, along with a key to the species.

Keywords: pisces; biodiversity; ichthyology; Lophiiformes; anglerfish

 Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2022. Taxonomy and Distribution of the Deep-Sea Batfish Genus Halieutopsis (Teleostei: Ogcocephalidae), with Descriptions of Five New Species.  J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 10(1): 34. DOI: 10.3390/jmse10010034 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Synergistic Innovations enabled the Radiation of Anglerfishes (Lophiiformes) in the Deep Open Ocean

  

in Brownstein, Zapfe, Lott, Harrington, Ghezelayagh, Dornburg et Near, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.066 

 x.com/ChaseBrownstein

 

Highlights

• Resolution of anglerfish phylogeny

• Anglerfishes radiated into the midnight zone during an ancient climate crisis

• Complex assembly of anglerfish sexual parasitism

• Complex innovations sculpted the ecological transition of bathypelagic anglerfishes

Summary

Major ecological transitions are thought to fuel diversification, but whether they are contingent on the evolution of certain traits called key innovations is unclear. Key innovations are routinely invoked to explain how lineages rapidly exploit new ecological opportunities. However, investigations of key innovations often focus on single traits rather than considering trait combinations that collectively produce effects of interest. Here, we investigate the evolution of synergistic trait interactions in anglerfishes, which include one of the most species-rich vertebrate clades in the bathypelagic, or “midnight,” zone of the deep sea: Ceratioidea. Ceratioids are the only vertebrates that possess sexual parasitism, wherein males temporarily attach or permanently fuse to females to mate. We show that the rapid transition of ancestrally benthic anglerfishes into pelagic habitats occurred during a period of major global warming 50–35 million years ago. This transition coincided with the origins of sexual parasitism, which is thought to increase the probability of successful reproduction once a mate is found in the midnight zone, Earth’s largest habitat. Our reconstruction of the evolutionary history of anglerfishes and the loss of immune genes support that permanently fusing clades have convergently degenerated their adaptive immunity. We find that degenerate adaptive immune genes and sexual body size dimorphism, both variably present in anglerfishes outside the ceratioid radiation, likely promoted their transition into the bathypelagic zone. These results show how traits from separate physiological, morphological, and reproductive systems can interact synergistically to drive major transitions and subsequent diversification in novel environments.

  

Chase D. Brownstein , Katerina L. Zapfe, Spencer Lott, Richard Harrington, Ava Ghezelayagh, Alex Dornburg and Thomas J. Near. 2024. Synergistic Innovations enabled the Radiation of Anglerfishes in the Deep Open Ocean. Current Biology. In Press, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.066

  x.com/ChaseBrownstein/status/1793660870498931170

[Crustacea • 2024] Avatar nishidai & Kokeshioides surugaensis • Two New Genera and Species of the Parasitic Copepod Family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Deep-Sea Fishes Off Suruga Bay, Japan

 Avatar nishidai

Aneesh, Ohtsuka, Kondo & Helna, 2024

 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00820-3

Abstract

Purpose: 

The present paper describes two new genera and species of the parasitic copepod family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 based on specimens collected from two species of deep-sea fishes at a depth of 212 m off Suruga Bay, Japan. Avatar nishidai gen. et sp. nov. is described from the host fish Chaunax abei Le Danois, 1978 (Chaunacidae). Kokeshioides surugaensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the host fish Setarches longimanus (Alcock, 1894) (Setarchidae).

Methods: 

Fresh specimens of chondracanthids were collected from the buccal cavity of two species of deep-sea fishes (fish hosts were frozen), Chaunax abei Le Danois, 1978 (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) and Setarches longimanus (Alcock, 1894) (Perciformes: Setarchidae), caught at a depth of 212 m in Suruga Bay, Japan (34° 37′48.87″ N, 138° 43′2.958″ E). Both the species are described and illustrated based on ovigerous females.

Results: 

The genus Avatar gen. nov. can readily be distinguished from all other chondracanthid genera by the following combination of features: cephalothorax slightly wider than long with anterior pair of large and posterior pair of small lateral lobes, and two pairs of ventro-lateral processes; the very posteriormost part of the first pedigerous somite contributes to the neck; cylindrical trunk with two pairs of blunt proximal fusiform processes; antennule with small knob terminally; antenna bearing distal endopodal segment; labrum protruding ventrally; two pairs of biramous legs each with 2-segmented rami. Kokeshioides gen. nov. has the following combinations of features that distinguish it from other chondracanthid genera: body flattened, without lateral processes; cephalothorax much wider than long, with paired anterolateral and posterolateral lobes, folded ventrally; the very posteriormost part of the first pedigerous somite contributes to the neck; mandible elongate; legs unique, heavily sclerotized, represented by two pairs of acutely pointed processes.

Conclusion: 

With the addition of two new genera presently reported, the family Chondracanthidae currently includes 52 valid genera. Among the described genera Avatar gen. nov. seems to be very primitive, while Kokeshioides gen. nov. is highly advanced. The deduced evolutionary history of chondracanthid genera is also discussed.

Keywords: Avatar, Chondracanthids, Copepoda, Fish parasite, Kokeshioides 

Taxonomy

Order Cyclopoida Burmeister, 1834

Family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840

Genus Avatar gen. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from a world-famous epic science fiction film, James Cameron’s “Avatar”, in which the dragon-like aerial predator “Mountain Banshee” with two pairs of wings reminds us of the present new taxon with two pairs of lateral processes on the trunk. Gender feminine.

  Avatar nishidai gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific name of the new species, ‘nishidai’, is dedicated to Mr. Yusuke Nishida (Hiroshima University) who found this enigmatic chondracanthid in the Suruga Bay, Japan. It is a noun in the genitive case.

Genus Kokeshioides gen. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from a Japanese traditional wooden toy called “Kokeshi” and the Latin suffix -oides meaning “like”. Gender masculine.

  Kokeshioides surugaensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific name is derived from the type locality, Suruga Bay, Japan. It is in the nominative singular, gender masculine.

Conclusions: 

New material collected from two different species of deep-sea fishes of Suruga Bay, Japan were found to be different from all other known chondracanthid genera, and based on the clear morphological features we described two new monotypic genera. Accordingly, we described Avatar nishidai gen. et sp. nov. from Chaunax abei Le Danois, 1978 (Chaunacidae) and Kokeshioides surugaensis gen. et sp. nov. from Setarches longimanus (Alcock, 1894) (Setarchidae). By the description of two new genera in the presently reported study, the family Chondracanthidae currently includes 52 valid genera. Among the described genera Avatar gen. nov. seems to be very primitive, while Kokeshioides gen. nov. is highly advanced. The deduced evolutionary history of chondracanthid genera is also discussed in the present paper.

Panakkool Thamban Aneesh, Susumu Ohtsuka, Yusuke Kondo & Ameri Kottarathil Helna. 2024. Two New Genera and Species of the Parasitic Copepod Family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Deep-Sea Fishes Off Suruga Bay, Japan. Acta Parasitologica. DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00820-3

[Ichthyology • 2022] Evolutionary Relationships of Anglerfishes (Lophiiformes) reconstructed using Ultraconserved Elements

Evolutionary Relationships of Anglerfishes (Lophiiformes) 

in Hart, Arnold, Alda, Kenaley, ... et Chakrabarty, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107459  

Highlights

• The evolutionary history of anglerfishes is unclear.

• We constructed molecular phylogenies of Lophiiformes using UCE loci.

• We recovered novel topologies for the Ceratioidei deep-sea anglerfishes.

• Three new frogfish families were proposed and Antennariidae was re-evaluated.

• We resolved relationships among frogfishes but deep-sea anglers remain uncertain.

Abstract

The macroevolutionary consequences of evolving in the deep-sea remain poorly understood and are compounded by the fact that convergent adaptations for living in this environment makes elucidating phylogenetic relationships difficult. Lophiiform anglerfishes exhibit extreme habitat and predatory specializations, including the use of a fin-spine system as a luring device and unique reproductive strategies where parasitic males attach and fuse to females. Despite their notoriety for these odd characteristics, evolutionary relationships among these fishes remain unclear. We sought to clarify the evolutionary history of Lophiiformes using data from 1000 ultraconserved elements and phylogenomic inference methods with particular interest paid to the Ceratioidei (deep-sea anglerfishes) and Antennarioidei (frogfishes and handfishes). At the suborder level, we recovered similar topologies in separate phylogenomic analyses: The Lophioidei (monkfishes) are the sister group to the rest of the Lophiiformes, Ogcocephaloidei (batfishes) and Antennarioidei (frogfishes) form a sister group, and Chaunacioidei (coffinfishes) and Ceratioidei (deep-sea anglerfishes) form a clade. The relationships we recover within the ceratioids disagree with most previous phylogenetic investigations, which used legacy phylogenetic markers or morphology. We recovered non-monophyletic relationships in the Antennarioidei and proposed three new families based on molecular and morphological evidence: Histiophrynidae, Rhycheridae, and Tathicarpidae. Antennariidae was re-evaluated to include what was known as Antennariinae, but not Histiophryninae. Non-bifurcating signal in splits network analysis indicated reticulations among and within suborders, supporting the complicated history of the Lophiiformes previously found with morphological data. Although we resolve relationships within Antennarioidei, Ceratioidei relationships remain somewhat unclear without better taxonomic sampling.

 

Keywords: Phylogenomics, UCEs, Target capture, Next-generation sequencing, Deep sea

Pamela B. Hart, Rachel J. Arnold, Fernando Alda, Christopher P. Kenaley, Theodore W. Pietsch, Destinee Hutchinson and Prosanta Chakrabarty. 2022. Evolutionary Relationships of Anglerfishes (Lophiiformes) reconstructed using Ultraconserved Elements. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 171; 107459. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107459  

[Ichthyology • 2021] Review of the Batfish Genus Malthopsis (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from Australia , with Descriptions of Five New Species

Malthopsis oculata, M. bulla &  M. mcgroutheri; 
Malthopsis apis &  M. tetrabulla

 Ho & Last, 2021

 DOI: 10.5343/bms.2020.0037

  twitter.com/BullMarSci 

Abstract 

A taxonomic review of the batfish genus Malthopsis in the Australian waters is provided. Eleven valid species are recognized in this study: Malthopsis gigas Ho and Shao, 2010, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891, Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert and Cramer, 1897, Malthopsis provocator Whitley, 1961, and an additional five species new to science. Four of these new species, Malthopsis apis sp. nov., Malthopsis bulla sp. nov., Malthopsis oculata sp. nov., and Malthopsis tetrabulla sp. nov. belong to a species group lacking spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface, whereas Malthopsis mcgroutheri sp. nov. belongs to another species group characterized by having spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface. Four other taxa were identified during this study that may be undescribed but require further investigation. The Australian endemic species M. provocator, formerly considered to be a synonym of Malthopsis kobayashii Tanaka, 1916, is resurrected herein and two widespread species, M. asperata and M. lutea, are newly recorded from Australia. A key to all Australian species is provided.

 

 Hsuan-Ching Ho and Peter Last. 2021. Review of the Batfish Genus Malthopsis from Australia (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), with Descriptions of Five New Species.  Bulletin of Marine Science. 97(1); 165-218. DOI: 10.5343/bms.2020.0037

  twitter.com/BullMarSci/status/1358872049054277634

 

  

     

[Ichthyology • 2018] Histiophryne narungga • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners

Histiophryne narungga 

Arnold & Pietsch, 2018

DOI:   10.1643/CI-18-112 

Photo: Scott W. Michael  twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

An undescribed species of the frogfish genus Histiophryne, of the teleost order Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, is described on the basis of 60 specimens collected from shallow inshore waters of Western and South Australia. Previously confused with its morphologically similar congener H. cryptacanthus, it differs from the latter and from all other members of the genus in having the following combination of features: illicium tiny but easily discernible without aid of a microscope; esca present, a small tuft of filaments, easily distinguished from illicium; skin covered with tiny dermal spinules, especially on head, cutaneous filaments and appendages absent; dorsal-fin rays 15–16; pectoral-fin rays 9 (rarely 8); vertebrae 22–23; head, body, and fins typically off white, sometimes peppered with numerous small, close-set ocelli. Genetic divergence from its congeners in the nuclear recombination activation gene-2 (RAG2) and cytochrome oxidase-I (COI) genes is at least 8.9%. The new species is diagnosed, described, and compared with its congeners. A revised key to the species of the genus is also provided.

Fig. 2. Histiophryne narungga, new species, uncollected specimen, Edithburgh, South Australia.

Photo: Scott W. Michael

Histiophryne narungga, new species

New Nharangga name: Nharangga Warrga Guuya 

New English name: Narungga Frogfish

Etymology.— The specific epithet narungga honors a tribe of Indigenous Australians, the Narungga (otherwise known as the Narangga), whose traditional lands are located throughout Yorke Peninsula, from near Port Wakefield in the east to Port Broughton in the west, and all the way down to the southern tip of the Peninsula (Sutton, 1899; Tindale, 1936).

Rachel J. Arnold and Theodore W. Pietsch. 2018. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners. Copeia. 106(4); 622-631. DOI:   10.1643/CI-18-112    twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057667167439802369

[Ichthyology • 2018] Review of the Batfish Genus Halicmetus Alcock, 1891 (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from Australian Waters, with Descriptions of Two New Species; Halicmetus westraliensis & H. drypus

Halicmetus westraliensis 

 Ho & Last. 2018

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4508.2.2 

Abstract

A taxonomic review of species of the Indo–Pacific batfish genus Halicmetus occurring in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone is provided. Treatments of six species in the region, including diagnoses of the widespread Halicmetus niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008, H. reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912 and H. ruber Alcock 1891, a reclassification of the poorly known H. marmoratus Weber, 1913, and descriptions of two new species, Halicmetus westraliensis n. sp. (an Australian endemic) and H. drypus n. sp. (from the northern sector of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone off Norfolk Island). The Australian species can be distinguished from each other and regional congeners by a combination of morphometrics, meristics and colouration. A key is provided for all known species of the genus.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, review, Halicmetus, new species, Australia

Halicmetus Alcock 

Halicmetus Alcock, 1891:27. 

Type species: Halicmetus ruber Alcock, 1891, by monotypy.

....

Valid species. Halicmetus is represented in the Indo–Pacific by six valid nominal taxa: 

H. drypus n. sp., H. marmoratus Weber, 1913, H. niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008, H. reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912, H. ruber Alcock, 1891, and H. westraliensis n. sp., and one undescribed species, H. cf. ruber (sensu Ho et al., 2008).

Halicmetus westraliensis sp. nov.,
CSIRO CA3647, holotype, 68.4 mm SL. 

Halicmetus westraliensis sp. nov. 

Vernacular name: West Australian Shortnose Seabat.

Etymology. The name westraliensis is a reference to the type locality, Western Australia.

Halicmetus drypus sp. nov. 

Vernacular name: Pink Shortnose Seabat  

Etymology. From the Greek drypus, referring to the pink plant genus Drypis of the Tribe Drypideae, family Caryophyllaceae.

Halicmetus marmoratus Weber, 1913 

Vernacular name: Marbled Shortnose Seabat

Halicmetus ruber Alcock, 1891 

Vernacular name: Red Shortnose Seabat

Halicmetus reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
Vernacular name: Reticulated Shortnose Seabat

Halicmetus niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008 

Vernacular name: Black Shortnose Seabat

Hsuan-Ching Ho and Peter R. Last. 2018. Review of the Batfish Genus Halicmetus Alcock, 1891 from Australian Waters, with Descriptions of Two New Species (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae). Zootaxa. 4508(2);  179–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4508.2.2

[Ichthyology • 2017] The “Lembeh Frogfish” Identified: Redescription of Nudiantennarius subteres (Smith and Radcliffe, in Radcliffe, 1912) (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae)

 Nudiantennarius subteres (Smith and Radcliffe, in Radcliffe, 1912)

Pietsch & Arnold, 2017. 

@ASIHCopeia DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-651   

  

The “Lembeh Frogfish” or “Ocellated Frogfish,” a distinct antennariid, known for many years, especially among members of the dive community, and suggested by some to represent an undescribed species, is identified as Nudiantennarius subteres (Smith and Radcliffe). Unique in several ways—including reduced dermal spinules, the body appearing naked; illicium short, about half the length of the second dorsal-fin spine; second dorsal-fin spine unusually long and narrow, without a posterior membrane; pectoral lobe narrow, somewhat detached from the body; membranes between the rays of the paired fins deeply incised; and all pelvic-fin rays simple—the species is redescribed and figured below. Morphological and molecular analyses indicate a close relationship with the Sargassumfish, Histrio histrio.

 Nudiantennarius subteres, uncollected specimens:
 (A) Pantar Island, Alor Archipelago, Indonesia, 29 November 2006 (© 2006 David Hall); (B) Secret Bay, Anilao, Philippines, 18 April 2009 (photo by Stephane Bailliez); (C) Dauin, Negros Island, Philippines, 29 April 2015 (photo by Daniel Geary); (D) Ambon, Indonesia, 28 October 2015 (photo by Linda Ianniello); (E) hypothesized mated pair, male on the left, female on the right; Seraya Bay, northeast Bali, Indonesia, 1 November 2012 (photo by Vincent Chalias); (F) Secret Bay, Anilao, Philippines, ca. 2 m depth, 19 April 2009 (photo by Stephane Bailliez).

Theodore W. Pietsch and Rachel J. Arnold. 2017. The “Lembeh Frogfish” Identified: Redescription of Nudiantennarius subteres (Smith and Radcliffe, in Radcliffe, 1912) (Teleostei: Lophiiformes: Antennariidae).  Copeia. 105(4); 659-665.  DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-651

 facebook.com/SouthAmericanIchthyology/photos/1702139886473468

 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/928029458904289280

[Ichthyology • 2015] Chaunacops spinosus • A New Anglerfish from eastern Australia and New Caledonia (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae), with New Data and Submersible Observation of Chaunacops melanostomus

Chaunacops spinosus Ho & McGrouther, 2015

DOI:  10.1111/jfb.12607

A new deep-sea anglerfish of the genus Chaunacops is described based on three specimens collected from eastern Australia and New Caledonia. It differs from its congeners in having fine dermal spinules, mixed with simple and bifurcate ones, densely covering the body, four neuromasts on the pectoral series of the lateral line and a combination of other characteristics. Data for Chaunacops melanostomus based on 31 specimens newly collected from Western Australia are provided. An underwater observation of C. melanostomus made by a remotely operated vehicle is also provided.

Keywords: Chaunacops spinosus n. sp; coffinfish; Ichthyology; Pisces; taxonomy; ROV

H.-C. Ho and M. McGrouther. 2015. A New Anglerfish from eastern Australia and New Caledonia (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae: Chaunacops), with New Data and Submersible Observation of Chaunacops melanostomus.
Journal of Fish Biology. 86(3); 940–951. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12607

facebook.com/294682373885900/photos/965333093487488

[Ichthyology • 2016] Revision of Southern African Species of the Anglerfish Genus Chaunax (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species

Chaunax atimovatae  

Ho & Ma, 2016  
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4144.2.2   

Abstract

Species of the anglerfish genus Chaunax occurring off southern Africa are reviewed and nine species are recognized: C. africanus, C. apus, C. flammeus, C. penicillatus, C. russatus, C. suttkusi, and three newly described species. Chaunax atimovatae sp. nov. is distinguished by having numerous tiny melanophores on the skin and a mixture of bifurcate and simple spinules on its dorsal surface, scattered rounded green spots circled by yellow on its dorsal surface, 9 or 10 rakers on the second gill arch, and 2 neuromasts in the upper preopercular, 11–14 in the pectoral, 31–37 in the lateral-line proper. Chaunax heemstraorum sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of all dermal spinules simple, large green spots on the dorsal surface, 10–12 rakers on the second gill arch; and 3 neuromasts in the upper preopercular, 13–18 in the pectoral, 37–42 in the lateral-line proper, and usually 5 on the caudal-fin base. Chaunax hollemani sp. nov. is distinguished by cirri on top of the head, head width 16.0–18.5% SL, pre-preopercle length 26.8–28.5% SL, 9 rakers on the second gill arch, and 2 neuromasts in the upper preopercular, 11–14 in the pectoral, and 33–38 in the lateral-line proper. A key to species found in the study region is provided.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, anglerfish, Chaunacidae, Chaunax, new species

Hsing-Ching Ho and Wen-Chun Ma. 2016. Revision of Southern African Species of the Anglerfish Genus Chaunax  (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species. Zootaxa.  4144(2);   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4144.2.2

[Ichthyology • 2014] Porophryne erythrodactylus • A New Genus and Species of the Frogfish Family Antennariidae (Lophiiformes: Antennarioidei) from New South Wales, Australia, with a Diagnosis and Key to the Genera of the Histiophryninae

A Red-fingered Anglerfish, Porophryne erythrodactylus, at La Perouse, Botany Bay, New South Wales.

photo: Klaus Stiefel | FishesofAustralia.net.au

A new genus and species of the frogfish family Antennariidae, subfamily Histiophryninae, is described on the basis of three specimens collected near Kurnell and Bare Island in Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia. It differs from all other antennariid genera in having a combination of features that includes a unique morphology of the first and second dorsal-fin spines, some or all fins fringed with red, and a unique combination of fin-ray and vertebral counts. The new genus is diagnosed, described, and compared to its sister genus, Kuiterichthys, using both molecular and morphological data. Notes on habitat and sponge mimicry, locomotion and defense, and reproduction and parental care are also provided as well as a diagnosis and a revised key to the known genera of the Histiophryninae.

Arnold, R.J., Harcourt, R. & Pietsch, T.W. 2014. A New Genus and Species of the Frogfish Family Antennariidae (Teleostei: Lophiiformes: Antennarioidei) from New South Wales, Australia, with a Diagnosis and Key to the Genera of the Histiophryninae. Copeia. 2014(3): 534-539. DOI: 10.1643/CI-13-155

twitter.com/LSU_FISH/status/531876744543080448

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/17/new-to-nature-no-141-porophryne-erythrodactylus-frogfish