Malthopsis | |
---|---|
Malthopsis gnoma | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Lophiiformes |
Family: | Ogcocephalidae |
Genus: | Malthopsis Alcock, 1891 |
Type species | |
Malthopsis luteus Alcock, 1891 |
Malthopsis, the gnome batfishes or triangular batfishes, is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. The triangular batfishes are distributed throughout the warmer waters of the world, although they are absent from the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. The genus was originally proposed in 1891 by the British naturalist Alfred W. Alcock.
Malthopsis was first proposed as a monospecific genus in 1891 by the British physician, carcinologist and naturalist Alfred William Alcock when he described Malthopsis luteus. [1] Alcock gave the type locality of M. lutea as the Andaman Sea at 11°31'40"N, 92°46'06"E, Investigator station 115 from a depth between 188 and 220 fathoms (1,128 and 1,320 ft; 344 and 402 m). [2] This genus is the most basal genus of the "Indo-Pacific clade" of the family Ogcocephalidae. [3] The family Ogcocephalidae is classified in the monotypic suborder Ogcocephaloidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World . [4]
There are currently 22 recognized species in this genus: [5] [6]
Malthopsis combines opsis, meaning "resembles", with Malthe, a synonym of Ogcocephalus , although this genus has two gills on either side. [9]
Malthopsis batfishes have a flattened head, although this is higher than the body and they have a long tail. [10] The body disc is very triangular in shape with a widely based rostrum which isclearly pointed and long and which overhangs the mouth. The esca is an oval bulb with 2 small cirri on its upper edge. The scales resemble bucklers or simple spines. The buckler-like scales on the subopercle are typically weel-developed and have some enlarged spines. There are three squarish r obling patchjes of teeth on the vomer and palate and 2 closely set patches of teeth on the tongue. [11] These fishes have small dorsal and anal fin which are located towards the rear of their bodies. The base of the pectoral fins have elbow-like joints and are clearly separated from body, while the pelvic fins are not reduced in size. All of the underside of body is covered in scales while the underside of the tail has a dense covering of small spines, as well as 2 rows of large conical scales. The lateral line is typically complete but when there is an interrupted lateral line the part nearer the tail takes a downward tutn immediately in front of the anus. [10] The colour of the body is plain yellowish-brown to grey or dark brown and there are noramlly markings such as eyespots, plain spots, patches or reticulated lines. [11] These fishes are small, the largest species in the genus is the giant triangular batfish (M. gigas) with a maximum published standard length of 13.6 cm (5.4 in) while the smallest is McCrouther's triangular batfish whit a maximum published standard length of 4.5 cm (1.8 in). [6]
Malthopsis batfishes are found in the Indian, Western Pacific and Western Atlantic Oceans, they are absent from the Eastern Pacific and Eastern Atlantic Oceans. [2] They can be found from coastal regions down to depths of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). [12]
The pancake batfish, Atlantic pancake batfish, Louisiana pancake batfish or spiny batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes or seabats. This species is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Ogcocephalidae is a family of anglerfish specifically adapted for a benthic lifestyle of crawling about on the seafloor. Ogcocephalid anglerfish are sometimes referred to as batfishes, deep-sea batfishes, handfishes, and seabats. They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are mostly found at depths between 200 and 3,000 m, but have been recorded as deep as 4,000 m (13,000 ft). A few species live in much shallower coastal waters and, exceptionally, may enter river estuaries.
The starry handfish, starry seabat or minipizza batfish, is species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep-sea batfishes or seabats. This fish is found on the continental shelves of the Indo-Pacific oceans at depths of between 50 and 400 m. They are up to 30 cm long.
Halieutichthys is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep-sea batfishes or sea bats. The fishes in this genus are found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Halieutopsis is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes beloning to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. The species in this genus are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Coelophrys is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep-sea batfishes or sea bats. The fishes in this genus are found in the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Dibranchus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. The fishes in this genus are widely distributed in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Halicmetus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. The fishes in this genus are widely distributed in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
Halieutaea is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. These fishes are found in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
Lophiodes is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Lophiidae, the goosefishes, monkfishes and anglers. It is one of four extant genera in the family Lophiidae. The fish in this genus are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Halieutichthys bispinosus, the two-spine batfish or spiny batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes or seabats. This species is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Malthopsis gnoma, the Atlantic triangular batfish, gnome seabat or grotesque seabat, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep-sea batfishes. The grotesque seabat is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Ogcocephalus porrectus, the rosy-lipped batfish, is endemic to Cocos Island off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Though members of Ogcocephalidae occur in tropical, warm waters in both the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. Rosy-lipped batfish generally reside in shallow to deep water benthic zones with a bathymetric range of 35 – 150 m. The syntypic series was collected at 120 m on a rocky bottom. What makes this fish distinctive are its rosy red lips, specialized pectoral fins used for "walking", and an illicium used for attracting prey.
Halieutopsis margaretae, Margaret's deepsea batfish, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.
Halieutopsis stellifera, the starry deepsea batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific region.
Halieutopsis nasuta, the big-nosed deepsea batfish, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. This fish is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. H. nasuta is classified within the genus Dibranchus by some authorities, but is generally considered to belong in the genus Halieutopsis.
Halieutaea indica, the Indian batfish, Indian handfish or Indian seabat, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes. The Indian batfish has a wide Indo-West Pacific distribution.
The Caribbean batfish, also known as the two-spine batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep sea batfishes or seabats. This species is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Malthopsis bradburyae, Bradbury's triangular batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep-sea batfishes. This little known species is found in the western Indian Ocean off Tanzania and is named in honour of the American ichthyologist Margaret G. Bradbury.
Malthopsis lutea, the yellow triangular batfish or longnose seabat, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ogcocephalidae, the deep-sea batfishes. This species is found in the Indian Ocean. The longnose seabat is the type species of the genus Malthopsis.