Family BLENNIIDAE
Blennies, Fangblennies, Rockshippers
Compiler and date details
23 January 2013 - Douglass F. Hoese & Dianne J. Bray
December 2006 - Douglass F. Hoese & Dianne J. Bray
Introduction
The Blenniidae occur worldwide in shallow marine and estuarine environments of the tropics and warm temperate areas. Currently, 56 genera and about 360 species are recognised worldwide (Nelson 2006). In Australian waters, 25 genera and 92 species are known, with an additional 4 genera and 14 species included from Norfolk Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island.
Blennies are commonly found in coastal environments, particularly coral reefs and rocky reefs. They are small sized, ranging in length as adults from 3 to 54 cm.
The family has been studied extensively, largely by V. Springer and co-workers. Springer (1968a) defined the family, subfamilies and tribes. Two subfamilies were recognised: the Blenniinae with three tribes and the Nemophidinae, with a single tribe, Nemophini. The Nemophini, commonly know as the saber-toothed blennies, are found on coral reefs worldwide. In his summary of work on the group, Nelson (1994) recognised six tribes. However, based on the work of Bath (2001), Nelson (2006) reduced the number of tribes to five. Australian species belong to four of the tribes, the large Salarini, Omobranchini, Parablennini and Nemophini. Here, species are not grouped into the various tribes because of the small number of species represented here and the complexity of the group.
A number of works have dealt with the genera of some tribes: Smith-Vaniz & Springer (1971) and Springer & Spreitzer (1978) reviewed genera of the tribe Salarini; Smith-Vaniz (1976, 1987) revised genera of the tribe Nemophini; and Springer (1972a, 1981) treated genera of the tribe Omobranchini. Other major revisions include Springer (1967, 1972b-Entomacrodus); Springer (1968b-Stanulus); Springer (1971, 1972b, 1988-Ecsenius); Springer & Gomon (1975-Omobranchus); Bath & Hutchins (1986- Parablennius); Williams (1988-Cirripectes); Springer & Williams (1994-Istiblennius, Blenniella); and Bath (1996- Parablennius). Bath & Randall (1991) provided information on synonymies within Salarias, and Bath (1992) presented a key to the species of Salarias. Bath (2004) revised Rhabdoblennius, but did not examine material from Australia. A key to genera from the western Pacific is presented in Springer (2001). Hasting & Springer (2009) discussed biogeography and elevated some subspecies to species.
Hirculops cornifer (Rüppell, 1828), listed from Australia by Whitley (1964), has been shown by Smith-Vaniz & Springer (1971) to be restricted to the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean.
Randall et al. (1990) recorded Rhabdoblennius ellipes from the Great Barrier Reef and suggested that R. rhabdotrachelus is probably a junior synonym. However, Bath (2004) revised the genus and regarded R. ellipes as a synonym of R. nitidus (Günther), a species known only from the north-west Pacific. It is not clear what species Randall et al. (1990) illustrated or whether the photograph is of an Australian specimen. In Australia, Rhabdoblennius is known only from the offshore Coral Sea islands; no specimens are known from the Great Barrier Reef.
General References
Bath, H. 1992. Zwei neue Arten der Gattung Salarias Cuvier 1817 von den Philippinen und von Westaustralien (Pisces: Blenniidae). Senckenbergiana Biologica 72(4/6): 225-236
Bath, H. 1996. Beitrag zur Osteologie der Arten der Tribus Parablenniini. Die Beziehungen der Knochen des Schädeldaches zum Seitenorgan-System und zu den Weichteilbildungen der Kopfoberseite sowie die systematische Bedeutung der Befunde nebst Bemerkungen. Senckenbergiana Biologica 76(1/2): 65-92
Bath, H. 2001. Osteology and morphology of fishes of the subfamily Salariinae and its junior synonym Parablenniinae (Pisces: Blenniidae). Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. Serie A (Biologie) 628: 1-42
Bath, H. 2004. Revision of the genus Rhabdoblennius Whitley (Pisces: Blenniidae: Salariinae), with descriptions of two new species. Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. Serie A (Biologie) 669: 1-26
Bath, H. & Hutchins, B. 1986. Die Blenniini des australischen Raums und Neuseelands mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art und einer neuen Unterart. Senckenbergiana Biologica 66(4/6): 167-213 figs 1-47
Bath, H. & Randall, J.E. 1991. Synopsis der Gattung Salarias Cuvier 1817 mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art (Pisces: Blenniidae). Senckenbergiana Biologica 71(4/6): 245-258 figs 1-9
Hastings, P. & Springer, V.G. 2009. Recognizing diversity in blennioid fish nomenclature (Teleostei: Blennioidei). Zootaxa 2120: 3-14
Hoese, D.F. & Bray, D.J. 2006. Family Blenniidae. pp. 1540-1566 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 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.
Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1976. The saber-toothed blennies, tribe Nemophini (Pisces : Blenniidae). Monographs of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 19: 1-196 figs 1-179
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1987. The saber-toothed blennies, tribe Nemophini (Pisces: Blenniidae): an update. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 139: 1-52 figs 1-29
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Springer, V.G. 1971. Synopsis of the Tribe Salariini, with description of five new genera and three new species (Pisces : Blenniidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 73: 1-72 figs 1-50
Springer, V.G. 1967. Revision of the circumtropical shore-fish genus Entomacrodus (Blenniidae : Salariinae). Proceedings of the United States National Museum 122(3582): 1-150 figs 1-11 pls 1-30
Springer, V.G. 1968a. Osteology and Classification of the Fishes of the Family Blenniidae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 284: 1-85 11 pls
Springer, V.G. 1968b. The Indo-Pacific bleniid fish genus Stanulus with description of a new species from the Great Barrier Reef (Blenniidae; Blenniinae; Salariini). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 81(15): 111-122 figs 1-2
Springer, V.G. 1971. Revision of the fish genus Ecsenius (Blenniidae, Blenniinae, Salariini). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 72: 1-74 figs 1-36
Springer, V.G. 1972a. Synopsis of the tribe Omobranchini with descriptions of three new genera and two new species (Pisces : Blenniidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 130: 1-31 figs 1-16
Springer, V.G. 1972b. Additions to revisions of the blenniid fish genera Ecsenius and Entomacrodus, with descriptions of three new species of Ecsenius. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 134: 1-13 figs 1-3
Springer, V.G. 1981. Notes on blenniid fishes of the tribe Omobranchini, with descriptions of two new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(3): 699-707 figs 1-2
Springer, V.G. 1988. The Indo-Pacific Blenniid fish genus Ecsenius. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 465: 1-134 figs 1-68 pls 1-14
Springer, V.G. 2001. Blenniidae. pp. 3538-3546 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. 6 pp. 3381-4218.
Springer, V.G. & Gomon, M.F. 1975. Revision of the blenniid fish genus Omobranchus with descriptions of three new species and notes on other species of the tribe Omobranchini. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 177: 1-135 figs 1-52
Springer, V.G. & Spreitzer, A.E. 1978. Five new species and a new genus of Indian Ocean blenniid fishes, tribe Salariini, with key to genera in the tribe. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 268: 1-20 figs 1-11
Springer, V.G. & Williams, J.T. 1994. The Indo-west Pacific blenniid fish genus Istiblennius reappraised: a revision of Istiblennius, Blenniella, and Paralticus, new genus. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 565: 1-193 figs 1-73
Waite, E.R. 1921. Illustrated catalogue of the fishes of South Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 2(1): 1-208 293 figs pl. 1 [fig. 238]
Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127
Williams, J.T. 1988. Revision and phylogenetic relationships of the blenniid fish genus Cirripectes. Indo-Pacific Fishes 17: 1-78 figs 1-21 col. pls 1-7
Common Name References
Allen, G.R. & Steene, R.C. 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 197 pp. [183] (Blennies)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Feb-2013 | 08-Feb-2013 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
Genus Alticus Lacépède, 1800
- Alticus Lacépède, B.G. 1800. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : chez Plassan Vol. 2 632 pp. 20 pls. [479] [Alticus saliens listed in a footnote with desciption from Commerson manuscript, and usually regarded as a junior synonym, but subsequently made available].
Type species:
Blennius saliens Lacépède, 1800 by monotypy.
Distribution
Extra Distribution Information
Indo-west-central Pacific
IMCRA
Christmas Island Province (23)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-Nov-2011 | ADDED |
- Blennius saliens Lacépède, B.G. 1800. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : chez Plassan Vol. 2 632 pp. 20 pls. [458, 479] [often attributed to Forster 1788, but we were unable to find the species in that reference].
Type data:
Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea (as Nouvelle-Bretagne).
Generic Combinations
- Alticus saliens (Lacépède, 1800). —
Springer, V.G. 1971. Revision of the fish genus Ecsenius (Blenniidae, Blenniinae, Salariini). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 72: 1-74 figs 1-36 [14]
Distribution
Extra Distribution Information
Tropical, Indo-west-central Pacific
IMCRA
Christmas Island Province (23)
Ecological Descriptors
Benthic, coral reef, intertidal, marine, rock reef.
Common Name References
Allen, G.R., Steene, R.C. & Orchard, M. 2007. Fishes of Christmas Island. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 2 edn, 284 pp. [204] (Leaping Blenny)
Allen, G.R. & Steene, R.C. 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 197 pp. [132] (Jumping Blenny)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-Nov-2011 | ADDED |
Genus Andamia Blyth, 1858
- Andamia Blyth, E. 1858. Report of Curator, Zoological Department, for May, 1858. Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 27(3): 267-290 [270].
Type species:
Andamia expansa Blyth, 1858 by monotypy.
Distribution
Extra Distribution Information
Tropical; east-Indo-west-central Pacific
IMCRA
Christmas Island Province (23)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-Nov-2011 | ADDED |
- Salarias reyi Sauvage, H.E. 1880. Description de quelques Blennioïdes de la collection du Muséum d'histoire naturelle. Bulletin des Sciences, par la Société Philomathique de Paris 4: 215-220 [219].
Type data:
Holotype MNHP A.2201, Luzon Island, Philippines.
Generic Combinations
- Andamia reyi (Sauvage, 1880). —
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Springer, V.G. 1971. Synopsis of the Tribe Salariini, with description of five new genera and three new species (Pisces : Blenniidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 73: 1-72 figs 1-50 [18]
Distribution
Extra Distribution Information
Tropical; east-Indo-west Pacific
IMCRA
Christmas Island Province (23)
Ecological Descriptors
Benthic, intertidal, marine, rock reef.
Common Name References
Allen, G.R., Steene, R.C. & Orchard, M. 2007. Fishes of Christmas Island. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 2 edn, 284 pp. [204] (Lipsucker Blenny)
Allen, G.R. & Steene, R.C. 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 197 pp. [132] (Suckerlip Blenny)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-Nov-2011 | ADDED |
Genus Aspidontus Cuvier, 1834
Type species:
Aspidontus taeniatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1834 by monotypy.
Distribution
States
New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information
Indo-west-central Pacific.
IMCRA
Lord Howe Province (14), Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)
Other Regions
Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands
General References
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1976. The saber-toothed blennies, tribe Nemophini (Pisces : Blenniidae). Monographs of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 19: 1-196 figs 1-179
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Feb-2013 | 01-Feb-2013 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |