Spottytail Membranehead, Hymenocephalus maculicaudus McMillan & Iwamoto 2014

Holotype of the Spottytail Membranehead, Hymenocephalus maculicephalus, from the Lord Howe Plateau, depth 780–818 m, AMS I.42737-003. Source: Robin McPhee & Kerryn Parkinson / NORFANZ Founding Parties. License: All rights reserved

Summary:

A member of the Hymenocephalus megalops groups with a dark saddle-like mark dorsally on the trunk above the mid-lateral line, head and trunk with silvery sides, a mid-lateral line of melanophores on the anterior portion of the tail, relatively large eyes, 8 pelvic-fin rays, and a short slender chin barbel. Occurs on the Lord Howe Plateau in the Tasman Sea.

Cite this page as:

Dianne J. Bray, Hymenocephalus maculicaudus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 18 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5095

Spottytail Membranehead, Hymenocephalus maculicaudus McMillan & Iwamoto 2014

More Info

Distribution	Known from the Tasman Sea including the southern Lord Howe Rise (just outside the Australian EEZ), southern Norfolk Ridge, and northern New Zealand, at latitudes of approximately 33º23′–37º31′ S.
Features	Pelvic fin rays 8 (rarely 7 or 9), gill rakers first arch (outer/inner) 10–16/16–20, chin barbel length 7–16 % HL, orbit diameter 33–48 % HL, snout length 20–28 % HL, orbit to preopercular length 34–45 % HL. Scattered melanophores ventrally on trunk and distinctive mid-lateral line of melanophores on tail that extends about a head length posterior to anal fin origin.
Colour	Upper surface with a prominent dark area extending from nape posteriorly to about vertical line through anal fin origin, sharply demarcated along ventral margin of area, and not reaching mid-lateral line. Dark operculum, but preoperculum and ventral surface of head including lower jaw overlain laterally with silver-grey pigment in less damaged specimens. Small melanophores scattered on ventral surface of trunk and mid-laterally onto tail, extending about one head length posterior to anal fin origin. Tail translucent with melanophores at base of anterior rays of anal fin, and internally around vertebrae (readily visible through translucent flesh). Mouth cavity and tongue pale, interior side of gill cover pale or dusky distally, blackish proximally.
Fisheries	Taken as bycatch in commercial trawls in NZ - of no interest to fisheries.
Etymology	The specific name is from the Latin maculis meaning 'spot' and cauda meaning 'tail', describing the distinctive line of melanophores along the mid-lateral line anteriorly on the tail.
Species Citation	Hymenocephalus maculicaudus McMillan & Iwamoto 2014, Zootaxa 3856(1): 122, Figs. 4-6. Type locality: Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Plateau, 34°11.04'S, 162°35.96'E, depth 780-818 metres.
Author	Dianne J. Bray

Spottytail Membranehead, Hymenocephalus maculicaudus McMillan & Iwamoto 2014

References

McMillan, P. & T. Iwamoto. 2014. Descriptions of four species of grenadier fishes of the genera Hymenocephalus and Hymenogadus (Teleostei, Gadiformes, Macrouridae) from the New Zealand region and Tasman Sea, including two new species of Hymenocephalus. Zootaxa 3856(1): 117-134.