Family PSYCHROLUTIDAE

Psychrolutidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

Psychrolutes macrididus holotype

© Copyright A.R. McCulloch 1926

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Introduction

The Psychrolutidae comprise 35 species in eight genera (Nelson 2006). In Australian waters, four described species in two genera have been recorded. In addition two species and an additional genus are known from Macquarie Island. Also included here is Psychrolutes microporos Nelson, 1995 taken from the Norfolk Ridge, just south of the Norfolk Island Province and it is likely to occur within the Province.

Blobfishes are found in shelf and slope temperate waters of all three major oceans. These benthic fishes are characterised by having a large head and pectoral fins and a soft, flabby body. Maximum size is 50 cm.

The Psychrolutidae were discussed by Nelson (1982), who presented a key to 20 recognised species, including those in the previously distinct Cottunculidae. Nelson (1977) redescribed one of the Australian species and subsequently (Nelson 1999) presented a key to genera and species of Psychrolutes from the Western Central Pacific region.

General References

Nelson, J.S. 1977. Fishes of the southern hemisphere genus Neophrynichthys (Scorpaeniformes : Cottoidei), with descriptions of two new species from New Zealand and Macquarie Island. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 7(4): 485-511 figs 1-11

Nelson, J.S. 1982. Two new South Pacific fishes of the genus Ebinania and contributions to the systematics of Psychrolutidae (Scorpaeniformes). Canadian Journal of Zoology 60(6): 1470-1504 figs 1-21

Nelson, J.S. 1999. Family Psychrolutidae. pp. 2427-2428 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.

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

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Psychrolutidae. pp. 953-954 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. [953]

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. [526] (Blobfishes, Toadfishes)

Nelson, J.S. 1999. Family Psychrolutidae. pp. 2427-2428 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. [2427] (FAO) (Flathead Sculpins)

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