Bighead Viviparous Brotula, Alionematichthys crassiceps Møller & Schwarzhans 2008
Preserved holotype of the Bighead Viviparous Brotula, Alionematichthys crassiceps, BPBM 9310, from Truk, Caroline Islands. Source: Fig. 4 in Møller & Schwarzhans (2008) The Beagle 24: 87-146. License: All rights reserved
Summary:
A cryptic brotula with a large head, small eyes, the upper preopercular pore present, no cirri on the snout, and scales on the cheeks and opercle. Individuals usually shelter in rocky crevices on shallow reefs.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2019, Alionematichthys crassiceps in Fishes of Australia, accessed 25 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/4810
Bighead Viviparous Brotula, Alionematichthys crassiceps Møller & Schwarzhans 2008
More Info
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Distribution |
Off Karratha to off Mermaid Island, Western Australia. Elsewhere the species occurs at oceanic islands of west-central Pacific, from Micronesia in the northern Pacific (Palau, Chuuk) to Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga in the southern Pacific. This cryptic species usually shelters in rocky crevices. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin 72-81; Anal fin 57-64; Vertebrae 41-43. Eyes small, 1.3-2.5%SL; snout blunt, cirri absent; cheeks scaled, 3-10 scales above opercular spine; upper preopercular pore present; outer pseudoclasper broad-based, simple flap-like, inner pore with free, forward-pointing anterior lobe and broad posterior lobe. |
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Biology |
Viviparous - live bearer. Møller & Schwarzhans (2008) found that a 5.6 cmSL gravid female contained 95 embryos and approximately 50 orange eggs. |
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Etymology |
The species is named crassiceps after the big head characteristic for the species; crassus (Latin = thick) and adjective ending derived from caput (Latin = head). |
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Species Citation |
Alionematichthys crassiceps Møller & Schwarzhans 2008, Beagle, Rec. Mus. Art Gall. N. T. 24: 95. Type locality: Truk, Caroline Islands, Southfield beach, 8°00'N, 147°00'E, depth 0-4 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2019 |
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Resources |
Bighead Viviparous Brotula, Alionematichthys crassiceps Møller & Schwarzhans 2008
References
Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp.
Møller, P. R. & Schwarzhans, W. 2008. Review of the Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae) of the Indo-Pacific. Part IV. Dinematichthys and two new genera with descriptions of nine new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 24: 87-146 (Australian material originally identified as Alionematichthys sp. 2)
Møller, P. R., Knudsen, S.W., Schwarzhan, W. & Nielsen, J.G. 2016. A new classification of viviparous brotulas (Bythitidae) – with family status for Dinematichthyidae – based on molecular, morphological and fossil data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 100: 391-408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2016.04.008
Schwarzhans, W. & Møller, P.R. 2011. New Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae) from the Indo-west Pacific, with the description of a new genus and five new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 27: 161-177
