R. R. Eakin
3/6/14
KEY TO GENERA OF ARTEDIDRACONIDAE
(33 species)
1a First dorsal fin at least partly above base of pectoral fin; first dorsal-fin spines 2-7
………………………………………………………….. Artedidraco Lönnberg, 1905
(6 species)
1b First dorsal fin above or slightly behind operculum; first dorsal-fin spines 1-3 ……. 2
2a Posttemporal ridges absent (upper limb of posttemporal bone straight, not arched
upward to form a prominent curved ridge); middle lateral line without tubular
scales; anal-fin rays 13-16; pectoral-fin rays 16-18; caudal-fin rays 8-10 …………..
……………………………………………………………... Dolloidraco Roule, 1913
(This is a monotypic genus; Dolloidraco longedorsalis Roule, 1913.)
(“Dollo’s plunderfish”)
2b Posttemporal ridges often well developed (upper limb of posttemporal bone
arched upward to form a prominent curved ridge); middle lateral line often with
tubular scales posteriorly; anal-fin rays 15-19; pectoral-fin rays 17-22;
caudal-fin rays 9-10 ………………………………………………………………… 3
3a Interorbital region narrow (bony width 2.2-3.9% SL); first dorsal fin
usually with 3 spines, their length 15-32% SL ..................... Histiodraco Regan, 1914
(This is a monotypic genus; Histiodraco velifer Regan, 1914.)
(“sailfin plunderfish”)
3b Interorbital region wide (bony width 3.8-9.0% SL); first dorsal fin
usually with 2 spines, their length 4.5-14.0% SL …....... Pogonophryne Regan, 1914
(25 species)
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KEY TO THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS ARTEDIDRACO LÖNNBERG, 1905
1a Upper lateral line with 6 or more tubular scales, the row of tubular scales extending
to below 2 or more rays of second dorsal fin .......................................................... 2
1b Upper lateral line with 2-9 tubular scales, the row of tubular scales not extending
beyond first ray of second dorsal fin ....................................................................... 4
2a Second dorsal-fin rays 26-30 .................................................................................. 3
2b Second dorsal-fin rays 23-26 .................................................................................. 5
3a Mental barbel tapered to a point; tubular upper lateral-line scales extending to
below 7 or more rays of second dorsal fin; pectoral fin extending beyond origin
of anal fin ......................................................................... A. shackletoni Waite, 1911
(“Shackleton’s plunderfish”)
(includes barred and spotted morphs)
3b Mental barbel expanded distally; tubular upper lateral-line scales not extending
beyond seventh ray of second dorsal fin; pectoral fin not reaching origin of anal
fin ............................................................ A. glareobarbatus Eastman & Eakin, 1999
(“gravelbeard plunderfish”)
(includes barred and spotted morphs)
4a Depth of caudal peduncle 19-23% HL; length of pectoral fin 60-72% HL ………...
............................................................................................. A. loennbergi Roule, 1913
(“Loennberg’s plunderfish”)
4b Depth of caudal peduncle 23-30% HL; length of pectoral fin 73-88% HL ……...…
...................................................................................... A. skottsbergi Lönnberg, 1905
(“Skottsberg’s plunderfish”)
5a Upper lateral line with 18-22 tubular scales .......................... A. orianae Regan, 1914
(“Oriana’s plunderfish”)
5b Upper lateral line with 6-16 tubular scales .......................... A. mirus Lönnberg, 1905
(“South Georgia plunderfish”)
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KEY TO SPECIES GROUPS OF THE GENUS POGONOPHRYNE REGAN, 1914
1a Head and body without dark markings ……………. “P. albipinna” (unspotted) group
1b Head and body with dark markings ………………………………………………. 2
2a Top of head without conspicuous dark markings relative to sides of head;
ridges on top of head (supraorbital, parietal, supratemporal, posttemporal)
well developed; second dorsal-fin rays 23-27 (usually 24-26); vertebrae 35-37;
bony interorbital width usually greater than 7% SL; usually a dark saddle-shaped
marking extending from anterior base of second dorsal fin to upper lateral line ……
……………………………………………… “P. scotti” (dorsally-unspotted) group
(“Scott’s plunderfish”; “saddleback plunderfish”)
(The “P. scotti” group consists of a single species, P. scotti Regan, 1914.)
2b Top of head with conspicuous dark markings as on sides of head; ridges on top
of head not well developed or only posttemporal ridges well developed; second
dorsal-fin rays 25-29 (usually 26-28); vertebrae 36-39; bony interorbital width
usually less than 7% SL; no dark saddle-shaped marking between anterior base
of second dorsal fin and upper lateral line …………………….…… (spotted groups) 3
3a Eye not filling orbit anteriorly; pectoral-fin rays usually fewer than 20; second dorsalfin rays usually 26-27; caudal fin either dark (with or without stripes) with light dorsal
and ventral borders or light (and striped). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “P. marmorata” group
3b Eye filling orbit anteriorly; pectoral-fin rays usually at least 20; second dorsal-fin rays
usually 27-28; caudal fin striped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4a Spots on top of head predominantly uniformly small, round and densely distributed
(covering more than half the surface); lower jaw not projecting or projecting slightly
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beyond upper jaw; snout sloping steeply (greater than 45° from the horizontal) in
lateral view …………………………………………………… “P. barsukovi” group
4b Spots on top of head predominantly large, round or irregular, and either sparsely
distributed (covering less than half the surface) or in the form of sparsely or densely
distributed vermiculations; lower jaw projecting well beyond upper jaw; snout sloping
gradually (45° or less from the horizontal) in lateral view … “P. mentella” group
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KEY TO “P. MENTELLA” GROUP OF POGONOPHRYNE
Mental barbel 20-30% SL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “long-barbeled” species
Mental barbel 9-13% SL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “short-barbeled” species
Mental barbel 15-20% SL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “medium-barbeled” species
KEY TO “MEDIUM-BARBELED” SPECIES OF
“P. MENTELLA” GROUP
1a Terminal expansion of mental barbel with bluntly palmate
processes arranged in a densely packed, scale-like pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. squamibarbata Eakin and Balushkin, 2000
(“scalebeard plunderfish”)
1b Terminal expansion of mental barbel with flattened, jagged
processes arranged mainly in rows . . . . . . . . . . P. fusca Balushkin and Eakin, 1998
(“dusky plunderfish”)
1c Terminal expansion of mental barbel weakly developed; unspotted patch on dorsal
surface of head . . . . . P. bellingshausenensis Eakin, Eastman and Matallanas, 2008
(“spotlessnape plunderfish”)
KEY TO “SHORT-BARBELED SPECIES” OF “P. MENTELLA”
GROUP
1a Ventral surface of abdomen with spots . . P. ventrimaculata Eakin, 1987
(“short-barbeled spotbelly plunderfish”)
1b Ventral surface of abdomen without spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2a Terminal expansion of mental barbel relatively long (50-67% of barbel length)
and pointed, with densely distributed folds, serrated or scalloped
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ridges and rosettes of leaf-like processes; second dorsal fin in mature males
relatively high (about 21% SL), with straight (not sinuous distally) rays and a
prominent elevated anterior lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. brevibarbata Balushkin, Petrov and Prutko, 2010
(“shortbeard plunderfish”)
2b Terminal expansion of mental barbel short (less than 33% of barbel length) and
ovoid, with scale-like, mostly bluntly palmate processes; second
dorsal fin in mature males very high (about 25% SL), with anterior rays
sinuous distally and lacking a prominent anterior lobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. neyelovi Shandikov and Eakin, 2013
(“hopbeard plunderfish”)
2c Mental barbel somewhat tapered and lacking a conspicuous terminal
expansion (less than 33% of barbel length), its flattened tip with
slightly tapered, finger-like processes basally and scale- and leaf-like
serrated processes distally; second dorsal fin in mature males relatively
low (about 15-18% SL), with straight (not sinuous distally) rays and
lacking an anterior lobe . . . . . . . . . P. tronio Shandikov, Eakin and Usachev, 2013
(“turquoise plunderfish”)
KEY TO “LONG-BARBELED” SPECIES OF “P. MENTELLA”
GROUP
1a Ventral surface of abdomen with dark spots; terminal expansion of mental
barbel composed of folds in a honeycomb pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. favosa Balushkin and Korolkova, 2013
(“honeycombbeard plunderfish”)
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1b Ventral surface of abdomen without dark spots; terminal expansion of mental
barbel not composed of folds in a honeycomb pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2a Terminal expansion of mental barbel orange-colored in fresh (unpreserved)
condition; top of head with relatively few large, rounded and sparsely
distributed spots; vertebrae 36-38 . . . . . P. orangiensis Eakin and Balushkin, 1998
(“orangebeard plunderfish”)
2b Terminal expansion of mental barbel not orange in color; top of head
with many densely distributed spots; vertebrae 38-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3a Stalk of mental barbel relatively slender; longest spine of first dorsal fin
usually more than 60% as long as longest ray of second dorsal fin . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3b Stalk of mental barbel relatively stout; longest spine of first dorsal fin
usually less than 60% as long as longest ray of second dorsal fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4a Terminal expansion of mental barbel usually less than 33% of barbel length . . . . 6
4b Terminal expansion of mental barbel usually greater than 33% of barbel
length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. lanceobarbata Eakin, 1987
(“lancebeard plunderfish”)
5a Terminal expansion of mental barbel with irregular, tapered
processes (convolutions sometimes present), its length greater than 60%
of barbel length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.macropogon Eakin, 1981
(“greatbeard plunderfish”)
5b Terminal expansion of mental barbel with brain-like convolutions, its
length less than 60% of barbel length . P. cerebropogon Eakin and Eastman, 1998
(“brainbeard plunderfish”)
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6a Terminal expansion of mental barbel with unconnected, irregular flattened
folds oriented longitudinally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. eakini Balushkin, 1999
(“Eakin’s plunderfish”)
6b Terminal expansion of mental barbel with unconnected, bluntly
palmate (resembling a cat’s paw) processes . . . . . . . P. mentella Andriashev, 1967
(“longbeard plunderfish”)
KEY TO “P. MARMORATA” GROUP OF POGONOPHRYNE
1a Ventral surface of body without dark spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2a Terminal expansion of mental barbel paddle-shaped, smooth or with
membranous folds; posttemporal ridges not well developed; dorsal
surface of head sparsely spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. platypogon Eakin, 1988
(“flatbeard plunderfish”)
2b Terminal expansion of mental barbel club-shaped, usually with
brainlike convolutions; posttemporal ridges well developed; dorsal surface
of head densely spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. marmorata Norman, 1938
(“marbled plunderfish”)
(includes “dwarf plunderfish” P. minor Balushkin and Spodareva, 2013)
2c Terminal expansion of mental barbel weakly developed, with thin folds;
posttemporal ridges well developed; dorsal surface of head densely spotted
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. skorai Balushkin and Spodareva, 2013
(“Skora’s plunderfish”)
1b Ventral surface of body with dark spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. maculiventrata Spodareva and Baluhkin, 2014
(“spotbelly plunderfish”)
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KEY TO “P. BARSUKOVI” GROUP OF POGONOPHRYNE
1a Mental barbel usually tapered and without a prominent terminal expansion;
processes, if present, not branched . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. barsukovi Andriashev, 1967
(“Barsukov’s plunderfish”; “stubbeard plunderfish”)
(D2 of mature males with dark elevated anterior lobe)
1b Mental barbel with a terminal expansion composed of fingerlike processes,
some of which may be branched . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. permitini Andriashev, 1967
(“Permitin’s plunderfish”; “finespotted plunderfish”)
(D2 of mature males usually without dark elevated anterior lobe???)
KEY TO “P. ALBIPINNA” GROUP OF POGONOPHRYNE
This is a generally deep-water, unspotted group of four species with relatively high
numbers of second dorsal-fin rays (27-28) and vertebrae (37-38).
1a Fins light in color; terminal expansion of mental barbel about 40% of barbel
length, composed of rounded, unbranched processes ……………………………… 2
1b Fins dark basally, light distally; mental barbel lacking a well-developed terminal
expansion ………………………………………………………………………….. 3
2a Fins largely white; gill rakers on first gill arch 21; upper lateral-line pores
(tubular scales) 12; mental barbel about 17% SL, its terminal expansion about three
times as wide as stalk ……………………………………… P. albipinna Eakin, 1981
(“whitefin plunderfish”)
2b Fins not white; gill rakers on first gill arch 18; upper lateral-line pores (tubular scales)
19; mental barbel about 22 %SL, its terminal expansion about twice as wide as stalk
…………………………………………………………………. P. dewitti Eakin, 1988
(“DeWitt’s plunderfish”)
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3a Mental barbel relatively long (15-20% SL), slender and whip-like; depth of head at
posttemporals less than 20% SL; head concave in dorsal profile; middle lateral-line
pores 8-13 ………………………………P. stewarti Eakin, Eastman and Near, 2009
(“Stewart’s plunderfish”; “whipbeard plunderfish”)
3b Mental barbel short (less than 10% SL) and blunt; depth of head at posttemporals
at least 20% SL; head convex in dorsal profile; middle lateral-line pores 12-29
(usually 16-29) ………………………………………….P. immaculata Eakin, 1981
(“spotless plunderfish”)
REFERENCES
The basis for the keys was Eakin’s (1990) chapter on the Artedidraconidae in Fishes of
the Southern Ocean (Gon and Heemstra, 1990; see references therein). The continuing
discovery of new species (mostly Pogonophryne) since publication of FSO has added
much-needed information about inter- and intraspecific variation within the family.
When attempting to key artedidraconids, especially species of Pogonophryne, one should
be aware that while every species studied in detail exhibits considerable intraspecific
variation in mental barbel structure, this organ is still considered a valid diagnostic
character exhibiting consistent morphological differences among most species.
Intraspecific barbel variation is more a matter of degree than kind. For example, in P.
scotti barbels range from tapered to expanded and the processes covering them vary from
small nubs to elaborate convoluted folds. Histological examination, however, reveals a
similar basic morphology regardless of degree of development. In contrast, scale-like or
filamentous processes versus convoluted folds represent interspecific rather than
intraspecific variation. Recent molecular analyses continue to shed light on the complex
relationships among artedidraconids.
Balushkin AV. 1999. Pogonophryne eakini sp. nova (Artedidraconidae, Notothenioidei,
Perciformes): A new species of plunderfish from the Antarctic. J Ichthyol 39:799802.
Balushkin AV, Eakin RR. 1998. A new toad plunderfish Pogonophryne fusca sp. nova
(Fam. Artedidraconidae: Notothenioidei) with notes on species composition and
species groups in the genus Pogonophryne Regan. J Ichthyol 38:574-579.
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Balushkin AV, Korolkova ED. 2013. New species of plunderfish Pogonophryne favosa
Sp. n. (Artedidraconidae, Notothenioidei, Perciformes) from the Cosmonauts Sea
(Antarctica) with description in artedidraconids of unusual anatomical
structures – convexitas superaxillaris. J Ichthyo 53(8): 562-574 (Vopro
Ikhtiol 53(5): 563-576)
Balushkin AV, Petrov AF, Prutko VG. 2010. Pogonophryne brevibarbata sp. nov.
(Artedidraconidae, Notothenioidei, Perciformes) – A new species of toadlike
plunderfish from the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Proc. Zool. Inst. Acad. Sci. USSR
314(4):381-386.
Balushkin AV, Spodareva VV. 2013. Pogonophryne skorai sp. n. (Perciformes:
Artedidraconidae), a new species of toadlike plunderfish from the Bransfield
Strait and coastal waters of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Russian
J of Mar Biol 39(3): 190-196, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. (Biologiya
Morya).
Balushkin AV, Spodareva VV. 2013. Dwarf toad plunderfish Pogonophryne minor sp.
n. (Artedidraconidae; Notothenioidei; Perciformes) – a new species and one of
the smallest species of autocthonous ichthyofauna of marginal seas of the
Antarctic continent. J. Ichthyol 53(1):1-6 (Vopro Ikhtiol 53(1):16-21).
Eakin RR. 1990. Artedidraconidae. In: Gon O, Heemstra PC, editors. Fishes of the
Southern Ocean. Grahamstown, South Africa: J.L.B. Smith Institute of
Ichthyology. p 332-356.
Eakin RR, Balushkin AV. 1998. A new species of toadlike plunderfish Pogonophryne
orangiensis sp. nova (Artedidraconidae, Notothenioidei) from the Weddell Sea,
Antarctica. J Ichthyol 38:800-803.
Eakin RR, Balushkin AV. 2000. A new species of Pogonophryne (Pisces: Perciformes:
Artedidraconidae) from East Antarctica. Proc Biol Soc Wash 113:264-268.
Eakin RR, Eastman JT. 1998. New species of Pogonophryne (Pisces, Artedidraconidae)
from the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Copeia 1998(4):1005-1009.
Eakin RR, Eastman JT, Jones CD. 2001. Mental barbel variation in Pogonophryne scotti
Regan (Pisces: Perciformes: Artedidraconidae). Antarct Sci 13:363-370.
Eakin RR, Eastman JT, Matallanas J. 2008. New species of Pogonophryne (Pisces,
Artedidraconidae) from the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. Polar Biol 31:11751179.
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Eakin RR, Eastman JT, Near TJ. 2009. A new species and a molecular phylogenetic
analysis of the Antarctic fish genus Pogonophryne (Notothenioidei:
Artedidraconidae). Copeia 2009(4):705-713.
Eakin RR, Eastman JT, Vacchi M. 2006. Sexual dimorphism and mental barbel structure
in the South Georgia plunderfish Artedidraco mirus (Perciformes:
Notothenioidei: Artedidraconidae). Polar Biol 30:45-52.
Eastman JT, Eakin RR. 1999. Fishes of the genus Artedidraco (Pisces, Artedidraconidae)
from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, with the description of a new species and a colour
morph. Antarct Sci 11:13-22.
Eastman JT, Eakin RR. 2001. Mental barbel and meristic variation in the Antarctic
notothenioid fish Dolloidraco longedorsalis (Perciformes: Artedidraconidae)
from the Ross Sea. Polar Biol 24:729-734.
Fischer W, Hureau, J-C, editors. 1985. FAO species identification sheets for fishery
purposes. Southern Ocean (Fishing Areas 48, 58, and 88) (CCAMLR Convention
Area). FAO, Rome, 2: 471p.
Gon O, Heemstra PC, editors. 1990. Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown, South
Africa: J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology. 462 p.
La Mesa M, Vacchi M. 2005. On the second record of the Antarctic plunderfish
Artedidraco glareobarbatus (Artedidraconidae) from the Ross Sea. Polar Biol
29:40-43.
Shandikov GA, Eakin RR, Usachev S. 2013. Pogonophryne tronio, a new species of
Antarctic short-barbeled plunderfish (Perciformes: Notothenioidei:
Artedidraconidae) from the deep Ross Sea with new data on Pogonophryne
brevibarbata. Polar Biol 36(2):273-289.
Shandikov GA, Eakin RR. 2013 Pogonophryne neyelovi, a new species of Antarctic
short-barbeled plunderfish (Perciformes: Notothenioidei: Artedidraconidae)
from the deep Ross Sea. ZooKeys 296:59-77.
Spodareva VV, Balushkin AV. 2014. Description of a new species of plunderfish of
genus Pogonophryne (Perciformes: Artedidraconidae) from the Bransfield
Strait (Antarctica) with a key for the identification of species of the group
“marmorata.” J Ichthyol 54(1): 1-6.