Pezichthys

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Pezichthys
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Brachionichthyidae
Genus: Pezichthys
Last & Gledhill, 2009
Type species
Pezichthys amplispinus
Last & Gledhill, 2009

Pezichthys is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to family Brachionichthyidae, the handfishes. The fishes in this genus are endemic to southern Australia. These fishes are all extremely localised in distribution and are rare.

Contents

Taxonomy

Pexichthys was first proposed as a genus in 2009 by the Australian zoologists Peter R. Last and Daniel C. Gledhill when they described the five species within the genus. They designated P. amplispinus as the type species in the new genus. [1] [2] P. amplispilus was described from a type locality of east of Bermagui, New South Wales. [3] This genus is classified within the family Brachionichthyidae which the 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the family Brachionichthyidae within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes. [4]

Etymology

Pezichthys is a combination of pezo, which means "walking", and ichthys, meaning "fish". This refers to these fishes using their paired fins, like legs, to walk on the seabed. [5]

Species

Pezichthys with 5 currently recognised species is the most speciose genus in the family Brachionichthyidae: [6]

Characteristics

Pezichthys handfishes are characterised by having relatively deep bodies with a depth as the origin of the second dorsal fin equivalent to 32% to 48% of their standard length. The relatively large head, with a length equivalent to around half the standard length, shows varying degrees of compression. The caudal peduncle may be short to long. The illicium varies from short and robust to thin and tall, between 1.9 times and 3.5 times the length of the esca. The skin is rough to the touch and is covered in small spiny scales. These small spines have two points, point straight out,and are placed close to the centre of the scale base. The scale bases are star-shaped or roughly circular and are embedded in the skins, although the small spines fork well above skin surface. If dermal appendages are present they are typically restricted to arm-like pectoral-fin. There are no wart-like protuberances on the skin and the sensory scales are variably delineated. They tend to be uniform in colour with small markings or with a floral pattern. There are 7 rays in the pectoral fins and between 7 and 9 soft rays in the anal fin, usually 8. [6] These handfishes are small with the largest species being P. amlispinus with a maximum published standard length of 4.6 cm (1.8 in). [7]

Distribution

Pezichthys handfishes are all endemic to southern Australia and Tasmania. Each species has a very restricted known distribution. P. amplispinus is known from 5 locations off Victoria and New South Wales, [8] P. compressus is known from 2 locations off Victoria, [9] P. eltanani from one location off eastern Tasmania (with another unknown location), [10] P. macropinnis from a single location off South Australia, [11] and P. nigrocilium has been recorded from a single locality off western Tasmania. [12]

Conservation statuses

Pezichthys handfishes are classified as either Data deficient or Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. P. amplispinusand P. compressus are classified as Endangered [8] [9] while P. eltanini, P. macropinnis and P. nigrocilium are Data Deficient. [10] [11] [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Pezichthys". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  2. ↑ Last, P.R.; Gledhill, D.C. (2009). "A revision of the Australian handfishes (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae), with descriptions of three new genera and nine new species" (PDF). Zootaxa. 2252: 1–77. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2252.1.1.
  3. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Pezichthys". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  4. ↑ Nelson, J.S.; Grande, T.C.; Wilson, M.V.H. (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 508–518. doi:10.1002/9781119174844. ISBN   978-1-118-34233-6. LCCN   2015037522. OCLC   951899884. OL   25909650M.
  5. ↑ Christopher Scharpf (14 November 2022). "Order LOPHIIFORMES (part 1): Families LOPHIIDAE, ANTENNARIIDAE, TETRABRACHIIDAE, LOPHICHTHYIDAE, BRACHIONICHTHYIDAE, CHAUNACIDAE and OGCOCEPHALIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  6. 1 2 Dianne J. Bray. "Pezichthys". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2024). Species of Pezichthys in FishBase . February 2024 version.
  8. 1 2 Last, P.R.; Edgar, G. & Stuart-Smith, R. (2020). "Pezichthys amplispinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T123423165A123424344. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T123423165A123424344.en . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  9. 1 2 Last, P.R.; Edgar, G. & Stuart-Smith, R. (2020). "Pezichthys compressus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T123423190A123424349. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T123423190A123424349.en . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. 1 2 Last, P.R.; Edgar, G. & Stuart-Smith, R. (2020). "Pezichthys eltanini". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T123423200A123424354. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T123423200A123424354.en . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  11. 1 2 Last, P.R.; Edgar, G. & Stuart-Smith, R. (2020). "Pezichthys macropinnis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T123423211A123424359. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T123423211A123424359.en . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  12. 1 2 Last, P.R.; Edgar, G. & Stuart-Smith, R. (2020). "Pezichthys nigrocilium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T123423234A123424364. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T123423234A123424364.en . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
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