Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Monograph
Published: 2009-10-08
Page range: 1–77
Abstract views: 69
PDF downloaded: 50

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

CSIRO Wealth from Oceans National Flagship, PO Box 1538, Hobart, Tas., 7001. Australia
CSIRO Wealth from Oceans National Flagship, PO Box 1538, Hobart, Tas., 7001. Australia
Fish Lophiiformes Antennarioidei Brachionichthyidae handfishes Brachionichthys Brachiopsilus Pezichthys Sympterichthys Thymichthys new genera new species Australia

Abstract

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.

References

  1. Anon (2005) Recovery plan for the following species of handfish: Spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus), Red handfish (Brachionichthys politus), Ziebell’s handfish (Sympterichthys sp. [CSIRO #T6.01]), Waterfall Bay handfish (Sympterichthys sp. [CSIRO #T1996.01]). Natural Heritage Trust. Australian Government, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/4-handfish/pubs/4-handfish.pdf.

    Anon (2007) Threatened Species List - Vertebrate Animals. Department of Primary Industries and Water, State Government of Tasmania. Available from: http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SJON-58K8WK?open. Downloaded on 13 April 2009.

    Balushkin, A.V. (1992) The classification, relationships and origin of the families of the suborder Nototheniodei. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 32, 3–19.

    Bleeker, P. (1855) Over eenige visschen van Van Diemensland. Verhandelingen van het Koninklijke Akademie van Wetenschappen te Amsterdam, 2, 1–30.

    Bruce, B. & Last, P. (1996) Brachionichthys hirsutus. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available from: www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 13 April 2009.

    Bruce, B.D., Green, M.A. & Last, P.R. (1998) Threatened fishes of the world: Brachionichthys hirsutus (Lacepède, 1804) (Brachionichthyidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes, 52, 418.

    Bruce, B.D., Green, M.A. & Last, P.R. (1999) Aspects of the biology of the endangered spotted handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae) off southern Australia, p. 369–380. In: Séret, B. & Sire, J.-Y. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 5th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, Noumea.

    Cornell, C. (1974) The journal of Post Captain Nicolas Baudin. Libraries Board of South Australia, Adelaide, 609 pp.

    Cuvier, G. (1817) Sur le genre Chironectes Cuv. (Antennarius Commers.). Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (N. S.) (Série A) Zoologie, 3, 418–435, Pls 16–18.

    Eastman, C.R. (1904) Descriptions of some Bolea fishes. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparitive Zoology, 46, 1–36.

    Edgar, G.J., Last, P.R. & Wells, M.W. (1982) Coastal fishes of Tasmania and Bass Strait. Cat and Fiddle Press, Hobart, 176 pp.

    Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fricke, R. (Eds) (2009) Catalog of Fishes, electronic version (updated 13 Mar. 2009). http://research.calacademy.org/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatsearch.html.

    Gill, T.N. (1878) Note on the Antennariidae. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 1, 221–222.

    Gomon, M.F., Glover, J.C.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (1994) The fishes of Australia's south coast. Adelaide, State Printer, 992 pp.

    Green, M.A. & Bruce, B.D. (1998) Spotted handfish: distribution, abundance and habitat. Final report to Fishcare. CSIRO Division of Marine Research, Hobart.

    Günther, A. (1861) Catalogue of the acanthopterygian fishes in the collection of the British Museum. 3. Gobiidae, Discoboli, Pediculati, Blenniidae, Labyrinthici, Mugilidae, Notacanthi. i–xxv, 1–586, i–x pp.

    Günther, A. (1880) Report on the shore fishes procured during the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger in the years 1873–1876, pp. 1–82, Pls. 1–33. In: Report on the scientific results of the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Zoology, Vol. 1.

    Hubbs, C.L. & Lagler, K.F. (1958) Fishes of the Great lakes region. Cranbrook Institute of Science, Michigan, 135 pp.

    Hutchins, B. & Swainston, R. (1986) Sea fishes of Southern Australia. Swainston, Perth, 180 pp.

    Illiger, J.K.W. (1811) Caroli Illigeri ... Prodromus systematis mammalium et avium; additis terminis zoographicis utriusque classis, eorumque versione Germanica. Salfeld, Berlin, XVIII + 301 pp.

    Johnston, R.M. (1883) General and critical observations on the fishes of Tasmania. Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1882, 51–143.

    Johnston, R.M. (1891) Further observations upon the fishes and fishing industries of Tasmania, together with a revised list of indigenous fishes. Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1890, 22–46.

    Jordan, D.S. (1919) The genera of fishes, part II, from Agassiz to Bleeker, 1833–1858, twenty-six years, with the accepted type of each. A contribution to the stability of scientific nomenclature. Leland Stanford Jr. University Publications, University Series, University Series, 36, pp. i–ix + 163–284 + i–xiii.

    Jordan, D.S. (1923) A classification of fishes including families and genera as far as known. Stanford University Publications, University Series, Biological Sciences, 3, 77–243, i–x.

    Lacepède, B.G.E. (1804) Mémoire sur plusieurs animaux de la Nouvelle Hollande dont la description n'a pas encore été publiée. Annales du Museum, Paris, 4, 184–211.

    Last, P.R. & Bruce, B.D. (1997) Spotted handfish. Nature Australia, 25, 20–21.

    Last, P.R. & Gledhill D.C. (2007) The Maugean skate, Zearaja maugeana sp. nov. (Rajiformes: Rajidae) – a micro-endemic, Gondwanan relict from Tasmanian estuaries. Zootaxa 1494, 45–65.

    Last, P.R., Gledhill, D.C. & Holmes, B.H. (2007) A new handfish, Brachionichthys australis sp. nov. (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae), with a redescription of the critically endangered spotted handfish, B. hirsutus (Lacepède). Zootaxa, 1666, 53–68.

    Last, P.R., Scott, E.O.G. & Talbot, F.H. (1983) Fishes of Tasmania. Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority, Hobart, 563 pp.

    Latreille, P.A. (1804) Tableau méthodique des poissons. In: Nouveaux dictionnaire d'histoire naturelle, 1st Ed., Paris, pp. 71–105.

    Le Danois, Y. (1964) Étude anatomique et systématique des Antennaires, de l'ordre des Pédiculates. Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Serei A. Zoologie, 31, 1–162.

    Lord, C. (1923) A list of the fishes of Tasmania. Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1922, 60–73.

    McCulloch, A.R. (1929) A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Memoirs of the Australian Museum, 5 (3), 329–436.

    McCulloch, A.R. & Waite, E.R. (1918) Some new and little-known fishes from South Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum, 1, 39–78, Pls 2–7.

    Nelson, J.S. (2006) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, 601 pp.

    Paxton, J., Gates, J.E. & Hoese, D.F. (2006) Brachionichthyidae (209). In: Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (Eds.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Vol. 35, Part 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, pp. 647–649.

    Paxton, J., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (1989) Brachionichthyidae (209). In: Longmore, R. (Ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 7. Pisces. Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, pp. 275–276.

    Pietsch, T.W. (1972) A review of the monotypic deep-sea anglerfish family Centrophrynidae: taxonomy, distribution, and osteology. Copeia, 1972, 17–47.

    Pietsch, T.W. (1981) The osteology and relationships of the anglerfish genus Tetrabrachium with comments on lophiiform classification. Fishery Bulletin, 79, 387–419.

    Pietsch, T.W. (1984)The genera of frogfishes (family Antennariidae). Copeia 1984 (1): 27–44

    Pietsch, T.W. (1985) The manuscript materials for the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, 1828–1849: sources for understanding the fishes described by Cuvier and Valenciennes. Archives of Natural History, 12, 59–106.

    Pietsch, T.W. & Grobecker, D.B. (1987) Frogfishes of the World. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, xxii, 420 pp.

    Rafinesque, C.S. (1814) Précis des découvertes et travaux somiologiques entre 1800 et 1814; ou choix raisonné de ses principales découvertes en zoologie et en botanique, pour servir d'introduction à ses ouvrages futurs. Palerme : C.S. Rafinesque-Schmaltz pp. 56. In: Précis des découvertes et travaux somiologiques entre 1800 et 1814 ou choix raisonné de ses principales découvertes en zoologie et en botanique, pour servir d'introduction à ses ouvrages futurs. Rafinesque, C. S., Palermo, Italy, pp. 56.

    Richardson, J. (1842) Description of Australian fish. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, 3, 69–131, Pls 4–6.

    Richardson, J. (1844a) Description of Australian Fish. (Part 2). Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, 3, 133–185. Pls 7–11.

    Richardson, J. (1844b) Ichthyology of the voyage of H. M. S. Erebus & Terror, p. i–viii, 1–139. In: Gray, J.R.J.E. (Ed.), The zoology of the voyage of H. M. S. "Erebus & Terror," under the command of Captain Sir J. C. Ross during 1839–43. London.

    Rojo, A.L. (1991) Dictionary of evolutionary fish osteology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 273 pp.

    Rosen, D.E. & Patterson, C. (1969) The structure and relationships of the paracanthopterygian fishes. Bulletin American Museum of Natural History, 41, 357–474.

    Scott, E.O.G. (1953) Observations on some Tasmanian fishes: part 5. Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 87, 141–166.

    Smith, A.D.M. & Wayte, S.E. (2002) The South East Fishery 2002, Fishery Assessment Report compiled by the South East Fishery Assessment Group. Canberra., Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

    Valenciennes, A. (1837) Des Chironectes (Chironectes, Cuv., Antennarius, Comm.). In: Cuvier, G. & Valenciennes, A. (Eds.) Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Levrault, Paris & Strasburg, pp. 389–437.

    Waite, E.R. (1904) A synopsis of the fishes of New South Wales. Memoirs of the New South Wales Naturalists Club, 2, 1–59, i–iv.

    Whitley, G.P. (1949) The handfish. The Australian Museum Magazine, September 30, 398–403.

    Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Hoese, D.F. (2006) Standard names of Australian fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 009. Hobart, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, 64 pp.