Graham's Gelatinous Cusk, Barathronus algrahami Nielsen, Pogonoski & Appleyard 2019


Holotype of Barathronus algrahami, CSIRO H1932-01, female, from off South Australia, depth 1300–1230 m. Source: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO, Fig. 3A, in Nielsen, Pogonoski & Appleyard (2019) Zootaxa 4564(2): 554–572. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:
A semi-transparent reddish gelatinous cusk with no externally visible eyes, a dark blue peritoneum, and no pigmentation on the side of the body.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Barathronus algrahami in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5488

Graham's Gelatinous Cusk, Barathronus algrahami Nielsen, Pogonoski & Appleyard 2019

More Info


Distribution

West of Cape Martin, South Australia. Elsewhere the species occurs in the west Pacific: Philippines, Taiwan.

Features

Dorsal fin 69–78; Caudal fin 8-10; Anal fin 60–67; Pectoral fin 21–25; Vertebrae 74-81, precaudal vertebrae 34–37; Gill rakers 27–32 long rakers. 
Body long, robust and slightly compressed; predorsal length 47.0–52 % SL; head short; eyes not externally visible; mouth cleft oblique; anterior nostril placed close to upper lip. Anterior gill arch with one short and 4-5 long rakers on upper branch, one long raker in the angle and lower branch with 22-25 long and one short raker. Pseudobranchial filaments two.
Teeth: vomer with 3–5 long, retrorse fangs; each dentary with 3–5 similar fangs positioned posteriorly, and numerous, tiny, pointed and close-set teeth on anterior half of dentary; premaxillaries with small pointed teeth in irregular rows; palatines edentate.
Skin loose, transparent and scaleless. 
Origin of dorsal and anal fins behind midpoint of fish, origin of dorsal fin above vertebra 27–30; pectoral-fin tip ending well before front of dorsal fin. Pelvic fin length about two thirds length of pectoral fin. 

Size

20 cm SL

Biology

The sexes are separate and fertilisation is internal. The four known adult specimens are female, and an 85 mm SL specimen is an unripe male. The female holotype has very distended ovaries holding 100+ embryos, each 9–10 mm long with brown eyes and a brown line dorsally and ventrally from head to caudal tip.

Etymology

The species is named after Alastair Graham (CSIRO, Hobart), acknowledging his assistance with loans of specimens and data.

Species Citation

Barathronus algrahami Nielsen, Pogonoski & Appleyard 2019, Zootaxa 4564(2): Type locality: west of Cape Martin, South Australia, 37°27.30’S, 138°38.28’E, SO 01/89/41, 1300–1230 m.

Author

Bray, D.J. 2022

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Catalog of Fishes

Graham's Gelatinous Cusk, Barathronus algrahami Nielsen, Pogonoski & Appleyard 2019

References


Nielsen, J.G., Pogonoski, J.J. & Appleyard, S.A. 2019. Aphyonid-clade species of Australia (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with four species new to Australian waters and a new species of Barathronus. Zootaxa 4564(2): 554–572, http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4564.2.12

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37228130

Depth:1134-1300 m

Habitat:Benthopelagic, Continental Rise

Max Size:20 cm SL

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Species Maps

CAAB distribution map