Subfamily Acanthoclininae

Plesiopidae: Acanthoclininae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

Paratype of Beliops_xanthokrossos

© Copyright D.F. Hoese

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Introduction

The classification of this group has changed considerably in recent years. Smith-Vaniz & Johnson (1990) and Mooi (1993) discussed relationships, and Nelson (1994) noted a similarity to creediids in the presence of a deeply incised opercle. Gill & Mooi (1993) suggested that Notograptus might belong with this group. Subsequently, Mooi & Gill (2004) provided strong evidence for inclusion of Notograptus. Previously the group was recognised as two distinct families, the Acanthoclinidae and the Notograptidae; both these families are now included in subfamily Acanthoclininae of Plesiopidae. Nelson (2006), however, recognised Notograptidae, but was probably unaware of the study by Mooi & Gill (2004).

Members of the Acanthoclininae, longfins, are cryptic on coral and rocky reef environments in tropical and temperate waters. Species of Notograptus live in shallow, rocky, coral and rubble environments where they feed on alpheid shrimps. Presumably the elongate body is adaptive for entering alpheid burrows. Species of a few other genera are found on shallow coral and rocky reefs in tropical areas, but most species are restricted to temperate regions of Australia and New Zealand. The family is distinctive in having 17–26 dorsal spines, 7–15 anal spines and, usually, multiple lateral lines. Maximum length is 25 cm.

The group, except for Notograptus, was revised by Hardy (1985) — twelve species in four genera are recognised from the Indo-Pacific region, with five of the species known only from New Zealand. Notograptus includes three species, two described. Mooi (1999) recognised four described species from Australia, but two of those are regarded here as junior synonyms of Notograptus guttatus. Species of Notograptus are highly variable in colouration, juveniles having a dark stripe, and adults generally having a variable number of dark spots; some New Guinea specimens lack spots. It is apparent from a size series that Notograptus kauffmani is a juvenile with a stripe on the body; with growth the stripe gradually disappears and spots develop on the body. Currently, the subfamily comprises three genera and four described species from Australian waters. Given their small size and cryptic habits, there are likely to be additional species.

General References

Gill, A.C. & Mooi, R.D. 1993. Monophyly of the Grammatidae and of the Notograptidae, with evidence for their phylogenetic positions among perciforms. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 327-350 figs 1-15

Hardy, G.S. 1985. Revision of the Acanthoclinidae (Pisces: Perciformes), with descriptions of a new genus and five new species. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 11(4): 357-393 figs 1-14 [1984]

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 2006. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [1049]

Mooi, R.D. 1993. Phylogeny of the Plesiopidae (Pisces: Perciformes) with evidence for the inclusion of the Acanthoclinidae. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 284-326

Mooi, R.D. 1999. Families Plesiopidae, Notograptidae. pp. 2586-2587 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 4 pp. 2069-2790.

Mooi, R.D. & Gill, A.C. 2004. Notograptidae, sister to Acanthoplesiops Regan (Teleostei: Plesiopidae: Acanthoclininae), with comments on biogeography, diet and morphological convergence with Congrogadinae (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae). Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 141: 179-205

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Johnson, G.D. 1990. Two new species of Acanthoclininae (Pisces: Plesiopidae) with a synopsis and phylogeny of the subfamily. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 142: 211-260

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [558] (Dottybacks, Longfins, Rockfishes)

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp. [341] (Spiny Basslets)

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