Introduction

The relationships of the boarfish family Caproidae has long been a source of debate and still remains unresolved. Although Tyler et al. (2003) and Tyler & Santini (2005) excluded the caproids from the Zeiformes, and Nelson (2006) placed the family in its own perciform suborder the Caproidei, Hoese (2006) tentatively included the group in the Zeiformes until family relationships were further resolved. Here we tentatively place the family in the perciform suborder Caproidei. Nolf & Tyler (2006), in a study based on otolith morphology, concluded that caproids were the plesiomorphic sister group of zeiforms and tetraodontiforms. Wiley & Johnson (2010) placed the family in the Order "Caproiformes" sensu Rosen, 1984, incertae sedis in Percomorphacea. Previously, Rosen (1984) suggested that caproids are the sister group to Zeiformes and Tetraodontiformes. The molecular analysis of Chen et al. (2003) suggested that caproids are closely related to Tetraodontiformes, and the genetic studies of Miya et al. (2003, 2005), Dettai & Lecointre (2005), Yamanoue et al. (2007) and Holcroft & Wiley (2008) suggest that Lophiiformes, Tetraodontiformes and Caproidae are related.

General References

Chen, W.-J., Bonillo, C. & Lecointre, G. 2003. Repeatability of clades as a criterion of reliability: a case study for molecular phylogeny of Acanthomorpha (Teleostei) with larger number of taxa. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 26: 262–288

Dettai, A., & Lecointre, G. 2005. Further support for the clades obtained by multiple molecular phylogenies in the acanthomorph bush. C.R. Biologies 328: 674-689

Hoese, D.F. 2006. Order Zeiformes. pp. 786 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.

Holcroft, N.I. & Wiley, E.O. 2008. Acanthuroid relationships revisited: a new nuclear gene-based analysis that incorporates tetraodontiform representatives. Ichthyological Research 55(3): 274-283

Miya, M., Satoh, T.P. & Nishida, M. 2005. The phylogenetic position of toadfishes (order Batrachoidiformes) in the higher ray-finned fish as inferred from partitioned Bayesian analysis of 102 whole mitochondrial genome sequences. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society of London 85(3): 289-306

Miya, M., Takeshima, H., Endo, H., Ishiguro, N.B., Inoue, J.G., Mukai, T., Satoh, T.P., Yamaguchi, M., Kawaguchi, A., Mabuchi, K., Shirai, S.M. & Nishida, M. 2003. Major patterns of higher teleostean phylogenies: a new perspective based on 100 complete mitochondrial DNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 26: 121-138

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

Nolf, D. & Tyler, J.C. 2006. Otolith evidence concerning interrelationships of caproid, zeiform and tetraodontiform fishes. Bulletin de l'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Biologie 76: 1471-1480

Rosen, D.E. 1984. Zeiforms as primitive plectognath fishes. American Museum Novitates 2782: 1-45 figs 1-38

Tyler, J.C., O'Toole, B. & Winterbottom, R.W. 2003. Phylogeny of the genera and families of zeiform fishes, with comments on their relationships with tetraodontiforms and caproids. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 618: 1-110

Tyler, J.C & Santini, F. 2005. A phylogeny of the fossil and extant zeiform-like fishes, Upper Cretaceous to Recent, with comments on the putative zeomorph clade (Acanthomorpha). Zoologica Scripta 34(2): 157-175

Wiley, E.O. & Johnson, G.D. 2010. A teleost classification based on monophyletic groups. pp. 123-182 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

Yamanoue, Y., Miya, M., Matsuura, K., Yagishita, N., Mabuchi, K., Sakai, H., Katoh, M. & Nishida, M. 2007. Phylogenetic position of tetraodontiform fishes within the higher teleosts: Bayesian inferences based on 44 whole mitochondrial genome sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 45: 89–101

History of changes

Introduction

The Caproidae comprises 18 species in two genera (Eschmeyer & Fong 2012), although Johnson & Patterson (1993), Tyler et al. (2003) and Wiley & Johnson (2010) agree that the two recognised caproid genera are not closely related. The boarfishes were briefly reviewed by Fraser-Brunner (1950) and Parin & Borodulina (1986). Berry (1959) revised the western Atlantic species and came to different conclusions regarding the validity of some Indo-Pacific species. Zehren (1987) discussed relationships of the family. Five described species in one genus occur in Australian waters. Gordon Yearsley (formerly of CSIRO) considers that there are a number of undescribed species in Australian waters.

Boarfishes live in coastal and slope waters in depths of 900 m. Adults are taken in bottom trawls and small juveniles are pelagic. Boarfishes are laterally compressed with a steep predorsal profile, a small mouth and ctenoid scales with ridge-like denticles or spines. Maximum length attained is 16 cm.

General References

Berry, F.H. 1959. Boarfishes of the genus Antigonia of the western Atlantic. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum 4(7): 205-250 figs 1-11

Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fong, J.D. 2012. Species of Fishes by family/subfamily. Catalog of Fishes. Online version updated 15 March 2012. http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/SpeciesByFamily.asp

Fraser-Brunner, A. 1950. Note on the fishes of the genus Antigonia (Caproidae). Annals and Magazine of Natural History 12 3(64): 721-724

Johnson, G.D. & Patterson, C. 1993. Percomorph phylogeny: a survey of acanthomorphs and a new proposal. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 554-626

Parin, N.V. & Borodulina, O.D. 1986. Preliminary review of the bathypelagic fish genus Antigonia Lowe (Zeiformes, Caproidae). Transactions. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology 121: 141-172 [in Russian]

Tyler, J.C., O'Toole, B. & Winterbottom, R.W. 2003. Phylogeny of the genera and families of zeiform fishes, with comments on their relationships with tetraodontiforms and caproids. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 618: 1-110

Wiley, E.O. & Johnson, G.D. 2010. A teleost classification based on monophyletic groups. pp. 123-182 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

Zehren, S.J. 1987. Osteology and evolutionary relationships of the boarfish genus Antigonia (Teleostei: Caproidae). Copeia 1987(3): 564-592

Common Name References

Heemstra, P.C. 1999. Families Parazenidae, Macrocyttidae, Zeidae, Grammicolepididae, Caproidae. pp. 2257-2261 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. [2261] (FAO) (Boarfishes)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [86] (Boarfishes)

History of changes

• Antigonia Lowe, R.T. 1843. Notices of fishes newly observed or discovered in Madeira during the years 1840, 1841 and 1842. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 11: 81-95 [85].

  Type species:

   Antigonia capros Lowe, 1843 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic-Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Central E coast, Lower E coast, SE oceanic
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland: Central E coast, NE coast, NE oceanic, SE oceanic
  • Victoria: SE oceanic
  • Western Australia: Central W coast, NW coast, NW oceanic, W oceanic

History of changes

• Antigonia capros Lowe, R.T. 1843. Notices of fishes newly observed or discovered in Madeira during the years 1840, 1841 and 1842. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 11: 81-95 [85].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown, Madeira.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Off Fraser Island (28º10´S) to off Coolangatta (25°39'S) QLD; tropical, Atlantic Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthopelagic, continental slope, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

300-406m.

General References

Berry, F.H. 1959. Boarfishes of the genus Antigonia of the western Atlantic. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum 4(7): 205-250 figs 1-11 (only recently this species has been trawled off Australia; the basis of Berry's record is unknown)

Heemstra, P.C. 1999. Families Parazenidae, Macrocyttidae, Zeidae, Grammicolepididae, Caproidae. pp. 2257-2261 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. [2261]

Krefft, G. 1973. Family Caproidae. pp. 353-354 in Hureau, J.-C. & Monod, T. (eds). Checklist of the Fishes of the North-Eastern Atlantic and of the Mediterranean (CLOFNAM). Paris : UNESCO Vol. 1 683 pp. [353]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Caproidae. pp. 801-803 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. [802]

Common Name References

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase, FAO) (Deepbody Boarfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Robust Deepsea Boarfish)

History of changes

• Antigonia malayana Weber, M. 1913. Die Fische der Siboga-Expedition. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse 57: 1-710 123 figs 12 pls [299, fig. 69].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMA 113012 5 specimens, Arafura Sea [5°28.4´S, 132°00.2´E to 5°48.2´S, 132°13´E]; ZMA 113092 6 specimens, Arafura Sea [5°28.4´S, 132°00.2´E to 5°48.2´S, 132°13´E]; FMNH 52532 (ex CM 689), Arafura Sea [5°28.4´S, 132°00.2´E to 5°48.2´S, 132°13´E]; MOM 0091-1741, Arafura Sea [5°28.4´S, 132°00.2´E to 5°48.2´S, 132°13´E]; RMNH 10083 (ex ZMA), Arafura Sea [5°28.4´S, 132°00.2´E to 5°48.2´S, 132°13´E].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Off NT (130°E); tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthopelagic, continental slope, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

204-304m.

General References

Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P.J. 1984. Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. Jakarta : Dir. Gen. Fish. (Indonesia), German Tech. Coop., Aust. Dev. Ass. Bur. 406 pp. (misidentification)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Caproidae. pp. 801-803 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. [802]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [394]

Zehren, S.J. 1987. Osteology and evolutionary relationships of the boarfish genus Antigonia (Teleostei: Caproidae). Copeia 1987(3): 564-592 [573]

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Malayan Deepsea Boarfish)

History of changes

• Antigonia rhomboidea McCulloch, A.R. 1915. Report on some fishes obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia. Part 3. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 3(3): 97-170 figs 1-3 pls 13-37 [111, pl. 18(1)].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM E.5700, between Gabo Island and Cape Everard, VIC, 200-250 fathoms.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Off Raine Island, QLD (11º35´S) to Cape Everard, VIC (37º48´S); tropical, temperate.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthopelagic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

64-402m.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [70]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [44] (misidentification)

May, J.L. & Maxwell, J.G.H. 1986. Field Guide to Trawl Fish from Temperate Waters of Australia. Hobart : CSIRO Division of Marine Research 492 pp. [239]

McCulloch, A.R. 1930. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5(1–4): 1-534 [137]

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [77] (534)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Caproidae. pp. 801-803 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. [802]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [41] (771)

Zehren, S.J. 1987. Osteology and evolutionary relationships of the boarfish genus Antigonia (Teleostei: Caproidae). Copeia 1987(3): 564-592 [573]

Common Name References

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [77] (Rhomboidal Boarfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [86] (Pink Boarfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Rhomboidal Deepsea Boarfish)

History of changes

• Hypsinotus rubescens Günther, A. 1860. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the acanthopterygian fishes in the collection of the British Museum. Squamipinnes, Cirrhitidae, Triglidae, Trachinidae, Sciaenidae, Polynemidae, Sphyraenidae, Trichiuridae, Scombridae, Carangidae, Xiphiidae. London : British Museum Vol. 2 548 pp. [63] [based on Hypsinotus in Temminck, C.J. & Schlegel, H. 1844. Pisces. pp. 73–112 pls 37–59, 60 (in part) in Siebold, P. Fr de (ed). Fauna Japonica. Leyden : Apud Arnz & Socios Vol. 4(5–6) . (84 pl. 42 (2))].

  Type data:

   Holotype (destroyed), Sea of Japan.

Generic Combinations

• Antigonia rubescens (Günther, 1860).

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Shark Bay, WA (26°S) to north of Melville Island, NT (12°S, 131°E); tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthopelagic, continental shelf, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

145-435m.

General References

Fraser-Brunner, A. 1950. Note on the fishes of the genus Antigonia (Caproidae). Annals and Magazine of Natural History 12 3(64): 721-724 [724]

Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P.J. 1984. Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. Jakarta : Dir. Gen. Fish. (Indonesia), German Tech. Coop., Aust. Dev. Ass. Bur. 406 pp.

Heemstra, P.C. 1999. Families Parazenidae, Macrocyttidae, Zeidae, Grammicolepididae, Caproidae. pp. 2257-2261 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. [2261]

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 63: 9-50 [26]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Caproidae. pp. 801-803 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. [803]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [395]

Common Name References

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase, FAO) (Indo-Pacific Boarfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Sharpsnout Deepsea Boarfish)

History of changes

• Antigonia rubicunda Ogilby, J.D. 1910. On some new fishes from the Queensland coast. Endeavour Series No. 1 23: 85-139 [originally intended for publication in Proc. R. Soc. Qld] [103].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) AM I.14055, off North Reef, QLD; AM E.2962 (figured in McCulloch, A.R. 1915. Report on some fishes obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia. Part 3. Biological Results Endeavour 3(3): 97–170 figs 1–3 pls 13–37 [19(2)]), off North Reef, QLD.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Off Townshend Island, QLD (22°S, 151°E) to off Eden, NSW (37°S, 150°E); subtropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Central Eastern Transition (15), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthopelagic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

43-329m.

General References

Heemstra, P.C. 1999. Families Parazenidae, Macrocyttidae, Zeidae, Grammicolepididae, Caproidae. pp. 2257-2261 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. [2261]

McCulloch, A.R. 1930. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5(1–4): 1-534 [137]

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [77] (535)

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Caproidae. pp. 801-803 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. [803]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [395]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [41] (772)

Zehren, S.J. 1987. Osteology and evolutionary relationships of the boarfish genus Antigonia (Teleostei: Caproidae). Copeia 1987(3): 564-592 [573]

Common Name References

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [77] (Rosy Boarfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Rosy Deepsea Boarfish)

History of changes