A review of giant roughies of the genus Hoplostethus (Beryciformes, Trachichthyidae), with descriptions of two new Australasian species

Abstract

Ro berts, C.D. & Gomon, M.F. 2012. A review of giant roughies of the genus Hoplostethus (Beryciformes, Trachichthyidae), with descriptions of two new Australasian species. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 69: 341–354. Hoplostethus gigas McCulloch, 1914 and two previously unnamed species of the genus that reach a similarly ‘giant’ size are described. The redescription of H. gigas, which is confined in distribution to the southern coast of Australia, is based on specimens identified as comprising at least part of McCulloch’s type series (one herein designated lectotype), together with subsequently collected material. The very similar H. melanopeza sp. nov., occurring in northern New Zealand and southeastern Australian waters, as well as seamounts in the intervening Tasman Sea, is distinguished by the distinctly black outer margins of fins in large adults and count of predorsal scales. The New Caledonian H. grandperrini sp. nov., known only from the two types, differs from previously described species in having the combination of 17 or 18 pectoral–fin rays, 13 or 14 abdominal scutes, 19 or 20 total gill rakers and a buccal cavity that is mostly pale, the only black pigmentation occurring posterior to the gill arches.