Pezichthys

''Pezichthys'' is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to family Brachionichthyidae, the handfishes. The fishes in this genus are endemic to southern Australia; they are all extremely localised in distribution and are rare.

Taxonomy

''Pexichthys'' was first proposed as a genus in 2009 by Australian zoologists Peter R. Last and Daniel C. Gledhill when they described the five species within the genus. They designated ''P. amplispinus'' as the type species in the new genus. ''P. amplispilus'' was described from a type locality of east of Bermagui, New South Wales. This genus is classified within the family Brachionichthyidae which the 5th edition of ''Fishes of the World'' classifies the family Brachionichthyidae within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.

Etymology

''Pezichthys'' is from the Greek ''pezo'', meaning "walking", and ''ichthys'', "fish". This refers to these fishes using their paired fins, like legs, to walk on the seabed.

Species

''Pezichthys'' with five currently recognised species is the most speciose genus in the family Brachionichthyidae:
* ''Pezichthys amplispinus'' Last & Gledhill, 2009 (cockatoo handfish)
* ''Pezichthys compressus'' Last & Gledhill, 2009 (narrowbody handfish)
* ''Pezichthys eltanani'' Last & Gledhill, 2009 (Eltanin handfish)
* ''Pezichthys macropinnis'' Last & Gledhill, 2009 (longfin handfish)
* ''Pezichthys nigrocilium'' Last & Gledhill, 2009 (eyelash handfish)

Characteristics

''Pezichthys'' handfishes are characterised by having relatively deep bodies with a depth as the origin of the second dorsal fin equivalent to 32% to 48% of their standard length. The relatively large head, with a length equivalent to around half the standard length, shows varying degrees of compression. The caudal peduncle may be short to long. The illicium varies from short and robust to thin and tall, between 1.9 times and 3.5 times the length of the esca. The skin is rough to the touch and is covered in small, spiny scales. These small spines have two points, point straight out, and are placed close to the centre of the scale base. The scale bases are star-shaped or roughly circular and are embedded in the skins, although the small spines fork well above skin surface. If dermal appendages are present, they are typically restricted to arm-like pectoral fins. No wart-like protuberances occur on the skin and the sensory scales are variably delineated. They tend to be uniform in colour, with small markings or with a floral pattern. Seven rays are in the pectoral fins and between seven and nine soft rays are in the anal fin, usually eight. These handfishes are small, with the largest species being ''P. amlispinus'' with a maximum published standard length of .

Distribution

''Pezichthys'' handfishes are all endemic to southern Australia and Tasmania. Each species has a very restricted known distribution. ''P. amplispinus'' is known from five locations off Victoria and New South Wales, ''P. compressus'' is known from 2 locations off Victoria, ''P. eltanani'' from one location off eastern Tasmania (with another unknown location), ''P. macropinnis'' from a single location off South Australia, and ''P. nigrocilium'' has been recorded from a single locality off western Tasmania.

Conservation statuses

''Pezichthys'' handfishes are classified as either data deficient or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. ''P. amplispinus''and ''P. compressus'' are classified as endangered while ''P. eltanini'', ''P. macropinnis'' and ''P. nigrocilium'' are Data Deficient.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7179667

Brachionichthyidae
Marine fish genera
Taxa named by Peter R. Last