Family BYTHITIDAE

Bythitidae

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Introduction

Nielsen et al. (1999) recognised 32 genera and 105 species in Bythitidae. Subsequent works (such as Møller et al. 2004; Schwarzhans et al. 2005; Møller & Schwarzhans 2006, 2008; Schwarzhans & Møller 2007) have brought the total number of genera to around 50 and the total number of species to over 200; ongoing study by these workers will undoubtedly increase significantly the number of known bythitids.

Following a phylogenetic analysis of the viviparous families of the Ophidiiformes (Aphyonidae and Bythitidae), Møller et al. 2017 found support for the current separation of the order into two major lineages, the viviparous Bythitoidei and the oviparous Ophidioidei. However, at the familial level they proposed a new arrangement based on their results which placed the Aphyonidae as a member of the Bythitidae, and elevated the tribe Dinematichthyini to family level to resolve what they considered to be a polyphyletic subfamily Brosmophycinae. We have adopted this arrangement here.

Currently 51 described species in 28 genera are known from the tropical and temperate regions of Australia, Norfolk Island and Christmas Island. Most species are from coral or rocky reefs habitats, but some are confined to the outer continental shelf and slope. Many of the deep water species are known from only a few localities.

Bythitids are found worldwide, typically in marine areas from coastal reefs to abyssal depths. All known species are live bearers. They range in size from about 5 to 20 cm.

Cohen & Nielsen (1978) introduced a new classification for the family and its relatives and provided keys to families and genera. Nielsen (1999) and Nielsen et al. (1999) treated genera and some species. Cohen (1966) treated Dermatopsis. Schwarzhans et al. (2005) revised Diancistrus, and described two new genera and 26 new species. Subsequent papers by Møller & Schwarzhans have resolved many of the species of this complex group of species in Australia.

General References

Cohen, D.M. 1966. A new tribe and a new species of ophidioid fish. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 79(28): 183-204 figs 1-5

Cohen, D.M. & Nielsen, J.G. 1978. Guide to the identification of genera of the fish order Ophidiiformes with a tentative classification of the order. National Marine Fisheries Service (U.S.). Technical Report 417: 1-72 figs 1-103

Hoese, D.F. & Gates, J.E. 2006. Bythitidae. pp. 567-574 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. [567]

Møller, P.R., Schwarzhans, W. & Nielsen, J.G. 2004. Review of the American Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae). Part I. Dinematichthys, Gunterichthys, Typhliasina and two new genera. Aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 8(4): 141-192

Møller, P.R. & Schwarzhans, W. 2006. Review of the Dinematichthyini (Teleostei, Bythitidae) of the Indo-west Pacific. Part II. Dermatopsis, Dermatopsoides and Dipulus with description of six new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 22: 39-76

Møller, P. R. & Schwarzhans, W. 2008. Review of the Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae) of the Indo-Pacific. Part IV. Dinematichthys and two new genera with descriptions of nine new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 24: 87-146

Nielsen, J.G., Cohen, D.M., Markle, D.F. & Robins, C.R. 1999. Ophidiiform Fishes of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform species known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 18. 178 pp.

Nielsen. J.G. 1999. Families Carapidae, Ophidiidae, Bythitidae, Aphionidae. pp. 1978-1985 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Schwarzhans, W., Møller, P.R. & Nielsen, J.G. 2005. Review of the Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae) of the Indo-West Pacific. Part I. Diancistrus and two new genera with 26 new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 73-163

Schwarzhans, W. & Møller, P.R. 2007. Review of the Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae) of the Indo-west Pacific. Part III. Beaglichthys, Brosmolus, Monothrix and eight new genera with description of 20 new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 23: 29-110

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. [369] (Live-bearing Brotulas)

Nielsen. J.G. 1999. Families Carapidae, Ophidiidae, Bythitidae, Aphionidae. pp. 1978-1985 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1983] (FAO) (Brotulas)

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