Introduction

This suborder comprises eight families, largely confined to the Southern Hemisphere, and mainly in Antarctic waters. The group is the most speciose group of vertebrates in the Southern Ocean, representing over 75% of the fish species diversity of the Antarctic Shelf (Eastman 2005). Fishes in the suborder have unique physiological traits and adaptations to their environment including anti-freeze glycoproteins in their blood and, in the Channichthyidae (Kock 2005; Dettai et al. 2012), the complete loss of haemoglobin. They lack swim bladders and are largely demersal, however some species have evolved adaptations such as reduced skeletal mineralisation and lipid deposits to attain near-neutral buoyancy and exploit various pelagic habitats (Gon & Heemstra 1990; Eastman 2005).

Balushkin (1992) assigned Pseudaphritis and Eligonops (a South American genus) to separate families, and Balushkin (2000) recognised 139 species in 48 genera. Eastman & Eakin (2000) used a different approach to the taxonomy of the group recognising 122 species in 43 genera, mainly due to differences in classification of the Channichthyidae and Nototheniidae. The phylogenetic relationships of the group have been the subject of increased study using morphological and molecular methods in the last decade (e.g. Near et al. 2004; Sanchez et al. 2007; Near & Cheng 2008; Dettai et al. 2012), and, most recently, in terms of adaptive radiation (Near et al. 2012; Colombo et al. 2015). There is general agreement on the familial composition of the suborder (that presented here), however the generic compositions of some families, particularly the Nototheniidae, remain unresolved.

The primarily non-Antarctic ancestral families Bovichthidae, Pseudaphritidae and Eleginopidae form a basal clade, with the remaining families forming an “Antarctic clade” within which the Artedidraconidae, Bathydraconidae, Harpagiferidae and Channichthyidae form a highly corroborated “High Antarctic” clade (Dettai et al. 2012). Nototheniidae consistently falls outside the high Antarctic clade, and is generally considered not to be monophyletic (Near et al. 2004; Eastman 2005; Nelson 2006, Sanchez et al. 2007; Near & Cheng 2008; Dettai et al. 2012). Dettai et al. (2012) suggested integrating the four “high Antarctic” families with Nototheniidae, creating five sub-families.

We generally follow the most recent list of Eastman & Eakin (2015) which retains their original classification (Eastman & Eakin 2000), recognising 139 species in 44 genera. Seven families are recorded from Australian territorial waters, with 34 genera.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 1992. Classification, phylogenetic relationships, and origins of the families of the suborder Notothenioidei (Perciformes). Voprosy Ikhtiologii 32(3): 3-19 [In Russian, English translation in Journal of Ichthyology 32(7): 90-110]

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109

Colombo, M., Damerau, M., Hanel, R., Salzburger, W. & Matschiner, M. 2015. Diversity and disparity through time in the adaptive radiation of Antarctic notothenioid fishes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 28: 376-394

Dettai, A., Berkani, M., Lautredou, A.-C., Couloux, A., Lecointre, G., Ozouf-Costaz, C. & Gallut, C. 2012. Tracking the elusive monophyly of nototheniid fishes (Teleostei) with multiple mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Marine Genomics 8: 49-58

Eastman, J.T. 2005. The nature of the diversity of Antarctic fishes. Polar Biology 28: 93-107

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2015. Notothenioid classification and list of species. Ohio University - Faculty of Biomedical Science. http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-eastman/Articles/Noto-valid-spp-list15Jan2015.docx [published 15 Jan 2015; accessed on 12 June 2015]

Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds) 1990. Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp.

Kock, K.-H. 2005. Antarctic icefishes (Channichthyidae): a unique family of fishes. A review, Part I. Polar Biology 28: 862-895

Near, T.J., Dornburg, A., Kühn, K.L., Eastman, J.T., Pennington, J.N., Patarnello, T., Zane, L., Fernández, D.A. & Jones, C.D. 2012. Ancient climate change, antifreeze, and the evolutionary diversification of Antarctic fishes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109(9): 3434-3439

Near, T.J., Pesavento, J.J. & Cheng, C-H.C. 2004. Phylogenetic investigations of Antarctic notothenioid fishes (Perciformes: Notothenioidei) using complete gene sequences of the mitochondrial encoded 16S rRNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32: 881-891

Near, T.J. & Cheng, C.-H.C. 2008. Phylogenetics of notothenioid fishes (Teleostei: Acanthomorpha): Inferences from mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47: 832-840

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

Sanchez, S., Dettaï, A., Bonillo, C., Ozouf-Costaz, C., Detrich H.W. III & Lecointre, G. 2007. Molecular and morphological phylogenies of the Antarctic teleostean family Nototheniidae, with emphasis on the Trematominae. Polar Biology 30: 155-166

Common Name References

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [279] (Temperate Icefishes)

History of changes

Introduction

Harpagiferids are small, benthic fishes generally restricted to the sub-Antarctic Islands, with one species found along the Antarctic Peninsula. Most are littoral although some species occur to depths of 180 m. They feed on small crustaceans and, although they are of no commercial interest, they are an important prey item of commercially exploited fish stocks (Hureau 1990).

The family comprises one genus with about 11 closely related species (Balushkin 2000; Eastman & Eakin 2000, 2015). Harpagifer species can be difficult to identify and, combined with limited sampling, make determining distributions complicated. Six species are recorded from Australian waters, and an additional two species recorded from Kerguelen Island (H. spinosus and H. nybelini) are also included here as it is likely they are present at nearby Heard and McDonald Islands (Hureau 1990; Prirodina 2000, 2002, 2004). Another species, H. crozetensis Prirodina, 2004, recently described from the more distant Crozet Islands, may also be present at Heard & McDonald Islands but is not included. It is expected that the number of species present in Australian waters will increase with further sampling and taxonomic work. Artedidraconidae was previously considered a subfamily but is currently recognised as a valid family (see Nelson 2006).

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2015. Notothenioid classification and list of species. Ohio University - Faculty of Biomedical Science. http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-eastman/Articles/Noto-valid-spp-list15Jan2015.docx [published 15 Jan 2015; accessed on 12 June 2015]

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [357-363]

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp. [402]

Prirodina, V.P. 2000. On the systematic position of the littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) from Macquarie Island, with description of two new species. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 40(4): 438-446 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology v. 40 (no. 7):488-494]

Prirodina, V.P. 2002. Redescription of littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) off islands of the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean with description of a new species. Journal of Ichthyology 42(9): 701-712 [English translation of Voprosy Ikhtiologii v. 42 (no. 6 ): 731-743]

Prirodina, V.P. 2004. Harpagifer crozetensis sp. nova (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei), a new species from the littoral of Crose [Crozet] Islands (Indian Ocean sector of the Antarctic). Voprosy Ikhtiologii 44(3): 419-423 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology 44(5): 395-399]

Common Name References

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [357] (Spiny Plunderfishes)

History of changes

• Harpagifer Richardson, J. 1844. Ichthyology. pp. 1-16 pls 1-6, 7-8 (parts), 9-10 in Richardson, J. & Gray, J.E. (eds). The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the years 1839–43. London : E.W. Janson Vol. 2. [11].

  Type species:

   Batrachus bispinis Forster, 1801 (= Harpagifer Richardson, 1844) by monotypy.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Oceans; sub-Antarctic

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

History of changes

• Harpagifer andriashevi Prirodina, V.P. 2000. On the systematic position of the littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) from Macquarie Island, with description of two new species. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 40(4): 438-446 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology v. 40 (no. 7):488-494] [439].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZISP 52018, on ridge to the south of Macquarie Island [54º53'S, 148º47'E].
  Paratype(s) ZISP 52019, on ridge to the south of Macquarie Island [54º53'S, 148º47'E]; ZISP 52020, on ridge to the south of Macquarie Island [54º56'S, 148º49'E]
  Comment: Longitude may be in error, 148º49'E is substantially west of Macquarie Island. A longitude of 158º49'E is more in agreement with the type locality given.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

South of Macquarie Island (54º35'S, 158º55'E, see note under type species); Southern Ocean

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

General References

Prirodina, V.P. 2002. Redescription of littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) off islands of the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean with description of a new species. Journal of Ichthyology 42(9): 701-712 [English translation of Voprosy Ikhtiologii v. 42 (no. 6 ): 731-743]

History of changes

• Harpagifer bispinis antarcticus Nybelin, O. 1947. Antarctic fishes. Scientific Results of the Norwegian Antarctic Expeditions 1927-1928 2(26): 1-76, pls 1-6 [40, Pl. 4 (figs. 5-8)].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) NHMG ????, South Sandwich Islands and Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica; UZMO J6340 (5 specimens), Palmer Archipelago; UZMO J6341, South Sandwich Island.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Island (54º35'S, 158º55'E); Southern Atlantic and Antarctica.

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S97]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [16]

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [358]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [260]

History of changes

• Batrachus bispinis Forster, J.R. in Bloch, M.E. & Schneider, J.G. 1801. Systema Ichthyologiae Iconibus ex Illustratum. Berlin. 584 pp. 110 pls [45].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown, Tierra del Fuego.

Generic Combinations

• Harpagifer bispinis (Forster, 1801). —
  Pequeño, G. 1989. Peces de Chile. Lista sistemática revisada y comentada [Chilean fish. Systematic list reviewed and annotated]. Revista de Biología Marina. Valparaiso 24(2): 1-132 [65] (changed combination cited)

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Island (54º35'S, 158º55'E), probably also Heard and McDonald Islands (53º05'S, 73º31'E), recorded from nearby French Territories; Southern Ocean, Chile, Argentina

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S97]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [16]

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [359]

History of changes

• Harpagifer (bispinis) georgianus Nybelin, O. 1947. Antarctic fishes. Scientific Results of the Norwegian Antarctic Expeditions 1927-1928 2(26): 1-76, pls 1-6 [39].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) NHMG ????, Cumberland Bay, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Island (54º35'S, 158º55'E) and probably Heard and McDonald Islands (53º05'S 73º31'E); Southern oceans, South Georgia and Prince Edward Islands.

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

A mainly littoral species, but occurs down to 90 m.

General References

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [16]

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [360]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [265]

Prirodina, V.P. 2000. On the systematic position of the littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) from Macquarie Island, with description of two new species. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 40(4): 438-446 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology v. 40 (no. 7):488-494] [731]

History of changes

• Harpagifer (bispinis) kerguelensis Nybelin, O. 1947. Antarctic fishes. Scientific Results of the Norwegian Antarctic Expeditions 1927-1928 2(26): 1-76, pls 1-6 [42].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown (No types known), Kerguelen Islands.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Heard Island (53º07'S, 73º32'E); Southern Indian Ocean.

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Littoral waters, and down to 80 m depths.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S97]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [16]

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [361]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [270]

Prirodina, V.P. 2002. Redescription of littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) off islands of the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean with description of a new species. Journal of Ichthyology 42(9): 701-712 [English translation of Voprosy Ikhtiologii v. 42 (no. 6 ): 731-743] [701, 709-711]

History of changes

• Harpagifer macquariensis Prirodina, V.P. 2000. On the systematic position of the littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) from Macquarie Island, with description of two new species. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 40(4): 438-446 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology v. 40 (no. 7):488-494] [441].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM I.20338-001, Macquarie Island.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Island (54°29'S, 158°57'E); Southern Ocean

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Distribution References

General References

Prirodina, V.P. 2000. On the systematic position of the littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) from Macquarie Island, with description of two new species. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 40(4): 438-446 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology v. 40 (no. 7):488-494]

History of changes

• Harpagifer nybelini Prirodina, V.P. 2002. Redescription of littoral and deep-sea species of the genus Harpagifer (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei) off islands of the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean with description of a new species. Journal of Ichthyology 42(9): 701-712 [English translation of Voprosy Ikhtiologii v. 42 (no. 6 ): 731-743] [705].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZISP 39373, Kerguelen Island [49°32'S, 70°23'E].
  Paratype(s) ZISP 39373, Kerguelen Island [49°32'S, 70°23'E]; MNHP 1985-0829, Kerguelen Island [49°03'S, 70°41'E].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Recorded from Kerguelen Island (49°32'S, 70°23'E), but probably also present off Heard and McDonald Islands; southern Indian Ocean, sub-Antarctic

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic.

Extra Ecological Information

Recorded from depths of 60-80 m

General References

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2015. Notothenioid classification and list of species. Ohio University - Faculty of Biomedical Science. http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-eastman/Articles/Noto-valid-spp-list15Jan2015.docx [published 15 Jan 2015; accessed on 12 June 2015]

Prirodina, V.P. 2004. Harpagifer crozetensis sp. nova (Harpagiferidae, Notothenioidei), a new species from the littoral of Crose [Crozet] Islands (Indian Ocean sector of the Antarctic). Voprosy Ikhtiologii 44(3): 419-423 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology 44(5): 395-399] [422]

History of changes

• Harpagifer spinosus Hureau, J.-C., Louis, J., Tomo, A. & Ozouf, C. 1980. Application de l'analyse canonique discriminante à la révision du genre Harpagifer (Téléostéens, Notothéniiformes). Vie et Milieu, Série AB: Biologie Marine et Oceanographie 28-29(2): 287-306 [301].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHN 1977-0571, Crozet Islands, Chenal des Orques, southwestern Indian Ocean [46°24'S, 51°59'E].
  Paratype(s) MNHN 1977-0572 to 0597 (26 specimens).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Probably Heard and McDonald Islands, recorded from nearby Kerguelen Islands; Southern Indian Ocean.

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Ecological Descriptors

Depth range: 80 - 180 m.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S97]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [16]

Hureau, J.-C 1990. Harpagiferidae. pp. 357-363 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [363]

Miller, C.G. 1990. The life history of Chaetocneme denitza (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrginae). Australian Entomological Magazine 17(4): 97-100 [276]

History of changes

Introduction

The Channichthyidae are mainly Antarctic (Southern Ocean) fishes with a few species occurring in southern South America. Although primarily benthic they also display an active vertical migration to feed on pelagic prey. They are unique among vertebrates in that all species lack red blood cells. Survival appears to be facilitated by living in extremely cold, well-oxygenated water and having skin respiration with a large volume of efficiently circulated blood (Iwami 1985; Iwami & Kock 1990; Kock 2005; Nelson 2006).

The family comprises 11 genera and about 16 species, 12 of which are found in the Australian Antarctic Territory or sub-Antarctic Islands. Most species recorded in Australian waters are endemic to the Southern Ocean and are circum-Antarctic. Champsocephalus gunnari is primarily sub-Antarctic but also recorded along the Antarctic Peninsula, while Channichthys rhinoceratus is known from sub-Antarctic Islands of the southern Indian Ocean (Iwami & Kock 1990).

Channichthyids are a highly derived, monophyletic group, with Bathydraconidae as the sister lineage. However differences exist between various studies in the relationships within the family (Iwami 1985, Balushkin 2000, Chen et al 1988, Kock, 2005). The most recent study of Near et al (2003) using a combined approach agrees with Iwami (1985) and Chen et al. (1998) in placing Champsocephalus as basal and sister to all other channichthyids, and produced a well resolved phylogeny for the remaining genera. There is disagreement regarding the number of species of Channichthys, a genus endemic to the Kerguelen Plateau with up to ten species having been described. A single species C. rhinoceratus is widely recognised (Eastman & Eakin 2015), although some authors recognise 2-3 and others up to 9 species (Shandikov 2011). The genus is characterised by significant phenotypic pasticity (Iwami & Kock 1990, Kock 2005) so we follow Eastman & Eakin (2015) in recognising a single species until further studies are conducted.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109

Chen, W-J., Bonillo, C. & Lecointre, G. 1998. Phylogeny of the Channichthyidae (Notothenioidei, Teleostei) based on two mitochondrial genes. pp. 287-298 in di Prisco, G., Pisano, E. and Clark, A. Fishes of Antarctica: A biological overview. Berlin : Springer pp. 363.

Iwami, T. 1985. Osteology and relationships of the family Channichthyidae. Memoirs of the National Institute of Polar Research E (36): 1-69 [55]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp.

Kock, K.-H. 2005. Antarctic icefishes (Channichthyidae): a unique family of fishes. A review, Part I. Polar Biology 28: 862-895

Near, T.J., Pesavento, J.J. & Cheng, C.-H.C. 2003. Mitochondrial DNA, morphology, and the phylogenetic relationships of Antarctic icefishes (Notothenioidei: Channichthyidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 28(2003): 87-98

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp. [403]

Shandikov, G.A. 2011. Channichthys richardsoni sp. n., a new Antarctic icefish (Perciformes: Notothenioidei: Channichthyidae) from the Kerguelen Islands area, Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. The Journal of V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series: biology 14(971): 125-134

History of changes

• Chaenodraco Regan, C.T. 1914. Fishes. British Antarctic 'Terra Nova' Expedition 1910. Zoology 1(1): 1-54 figs 1-8 pls 1-13 [13].

  Type species:

   Chaenodraco wilsoni Regan, 1914 by subsequent designation.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circum-Antarctic on Antarctic continental shelf

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes

• Chaenodraco wilsoni Regan, C.T. 1914. Fishes. British Antarctic 'Terra Nova' Expedition 1910. Zoology 1(1): 1-54 figs 1-8 pls 1-13 [14].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1913.12.4.180 (Depth 100-200 fathoms), McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Recorded throughout Australian Antarctic Territory; Southern Ocean, circum-Antarctic

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth range: 200-800 m.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S97]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [17]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [383]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [451]

History of changes

• Champsocephalus Gill, T.N. 1862. Synopsis of the chaenichthyoids. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 14: 507-510 [Date published before 31 Mar] [509].

  Type species:

   Chaenichthys esox Günther, 1861 by monotypy.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

History of changes

• Champsocephalus gunnari Lönnberg, E. 1905. The fishes of the Swedish South Polar Expedition 1901–1903. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903 5(5): 1-69 fig. 5 pls 1-5 [37].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) NRMS SYD/1902224.3158 (Depth 75-195 metres; 7 specimens), South Georgia Island, Antarctica; NRMS SYD/1902809.9297 (2 specimens).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Heard and McDonald Islands (53º05'S, 73º31'E); Southern Atlantic & Indian Oceans (including Antarctic Peninsula)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Depth range: 0 - 700 m.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S98]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [17]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [385]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [396]

History of changes

• Channichthys Richardson, J. 1844. Description of a new genus of gobioid fish. Annals and Magazine of Natural History New Series 13(86): 461-462 [Date published June] [461].

  Type species:

   Channichthys rhinoceratus Richardson, 1844 by monotypy.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Indian Ocean

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

History of changes

• Channichthys rhinoceratus Richardson, J. 1844. Description of a new genus of gobioid fish. Annals and Magazine of Natural History New Series 13(86): 461-462 [Date published June] [461].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1844.9.13.28 (Apparently lost), Kerguelen Islands.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Heard and McDonald Islands (53º05'S, 73º31'E); Southern Indian Ocean (Kerguelen-Heard plateau)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Depth range: to more than 750 m.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S98]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [17]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [386]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [420]

History of changes

• Chionobathyscus Andriashev, A. P. 1978. Trematomus tokarevi, sp. n. -- a new species of the family Nototheniidae (Pisces, Nototheniidae) from deep waters near the Antarctic Continent. Voprosy Ikhtiologii 18(4): 579-604 [In Russian. English translation in Journal of Ichthyology v. 18 (no. 4):521-526] [6].

  Type species:

   Chionobathyscus dewitti Andriashev & Neyelov, 1978 (also monotypic) by original designation.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Ocean, circum-Antarctic

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes

• Chionobathyscus dewitti Andriashev, A.P. & Neyelov, A.V. 1978. A new whiteblooded fish (Chionobathyscus dewitti, gen. et sp. n., fam. Channichthyidae) from the continental slope of the east Antarctic. pp. 5-12 in O. A. Skarlato. Morphology and systematics of fish. pp. [In Russian] [8].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZIL 43260 (Depth 850 meters), Eastern Antarctic Ocean [67°31'S, 33°05'W].
  Paratype(s) ZIL 43260A; ZIL 43262-63 (43262, 2 specimens; 43263, 1 specimen).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Recorded throughout Australian Antarctic Territory; Southern Ocean, circum-Antarctic

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, continental slope.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth range: 500 - 2000 m.

General References

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [17]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [388]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [430]

History of changes

• Chionodraco Lönnberg, E. 1906. Contributions to the fauna of South Georgia. I. Taxonomic and biological notes on vertebrates. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Academiens Nya Handlingar, Stockholm 40(5): 1-104 [Fishes on pp. 91-100] [99].

  Type species:

   Chaenichthys rhinoceratus hamatus Lönnberg, 1905 (the subspecies hamatus elevated to species level as type of genus; type not rhinoceratus which Lönnberg retained in Chaenichthys) by monotypy.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Ocean, circum-Antarctic

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes

• Chionodraco rhinoceratus hamatus Lönnberg, E. 1905. The fishes of the Swedish South Polar Expedition 1901–1903. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903 5(5): 1-69 fig. 5 pls 1-5 [47].

  Type data:

   Holotype NRMS 3160, Snow Hill Island, Graham Land, Antarctic Peninsula [64°36'S, 57°42'W].

Generic Combinations

• Cryodraco hamatus (Lönnberg, 1905). —
  Voskoboinikova, O.S. 2000. Comparative osteology of Dacodraco hunteri and its position within the family Channichthyidae (Notothenioidei). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 79(3): 321-332 [in Russian, English summary] [329]
• Chionodraco hamatus (Lönnberg, 1905). —
  Lönnberg, E. 1906. Contributions to the fauna of South Georgia. I. Taxonomic and biological notes on vertebrates. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Academiens Nya Handlingar, Stockholm 40(5): 1-104 [Fishes on pp. 91-100] [99] (new combination as type species of Chionodraco)

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Recorded throughout Australian Antarctic Territory; Southern Ocean, circum-Antarctic.

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth range: 4-600 m.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S98]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [17]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [389]

Miller, R.G. 1993. History and Atlas of the Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean. Carson City, Nevada : Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies i-xx + 792 pp. [442]

History of changes

• Cryodraco myersi DeWitt, H.H. & Tyler, J.C. 1960. Fishes of the Stanford Antarctic Biological Research Program, 1958-1959. Stanford Ichthyological Bulletin 7(4): 162-199 [185].

  Type data:

   Holotype CAS(SU) 53515 (Depth 345 fathoms), Off Terra Nova Bay, southwestern Ross Sea, Antarctica.
• Chionodraco markhami Miller, R.G. & Reseck, J., Jr 1961. Chionodraco markhami, a new Antarctic fish of the family Chaenichthyidae. Copeia (1): 50-53 [Date published 17 Mar] [50].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMNZ P.2963 (Depth 415-430 meters), About 24 miles north of Franklin Island, Antarctica [75°38'S, 168°32'E].
  Paratype(s) USNM 179895.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Records from eastern (ca. 65°E) and western (ca. 143°E) regions of Australian Antarctic Territory; Southern Ocean, circum-Antarctic

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth range: 200 - 800 m.

General References

Balushkin, A.V. 2000. Morphology, classification, and evolution of notothenioid fishes of the Southern Ocean (Notothenioidei, Perciformes). Journal of Ichthyology 40(Supplement 1): 74-109 [S98]

Eastman, J.T. & Eakin, R.R. 2000. An updated species list for notothenioid fish (Perciformes; Notothenioidei), with comments on Antarctic species. Archive of Fishery and Marine Research 48(1): 11-20 [17]

Iwami, T. & Kock, K.-H. 1990. Channichthyidae. pp. 381-399 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp. [390]

History of changes

• Cryodraco Dollo, L. 1900. Cryodraco antarcticus poisson abyssal nouveaux recueilli par cette Expédition. Communication préliminaire. Bulletin de l'Academie Royal de Belgique 2: 128-137 [Date published Feb: Also as a separate, pp. 1-12] [129].

  Type species:

   Cryodraco antarcticus Dollo, 1900 by monotypy.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Ocean (to South Georgia), circum-Antarctic

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes