Abstract
Abstract The deep-sea anglerfishes of the suborder Ceratioidei (Lophiiformes) are represented by about 170 valid species with some of the most extraordinary morphological and reproductive adaptations among vertebrates, including extreme sexual dimorphism and male parasitism. Here we report on the diversity and distribution of rare ceratioids collected during the ABRACOS (Acoustics along the BRAzilian COaSt) expeditions off northeastern Brazil and the Fernando de Noronha Ridge (Rocas Atoll, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, and associated seamounts). Chaenophryne ramifera, Oneirodes anisacanthus, O. carlsbergi, Gigantactis watermani, and unidentified specimens of Caulophryne, Dolopichthys, and Rhynchactis are recorded for the first time in the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone. Ceratias uranoscopus, Melanocetus johnsonii, and Chaenophryne draco have their distributions extended in Brazilian waters. Caulophryne, O. anisacanthus, and G. watermani are also recorded for the first time in the western South Atlantic. The specimen of G. watermani reported here represents the third known specimen of the species, and variations of its escal anatomy in relation to the holotype are described. Based on specimens examined and a review of records in the literature, 20 species of the Ceratioidei, in addition to unidentified species of Caulophryne, Dolopichthys, and Rhynchactis, are confirmed in the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone.
Highlights
The Ceratioidei (Lophiiformes) includes 11 families, 35 genera and about 170 valid species of fishes commonly known as deep-sea anglerfishes (Pietsch, Orr, 2007; Pietsch, 2009; Ho, Shao, 2019; Fricke et al, 2021)
Nine of the 11 families of the Ceratioidei are confirmed in Brazilian waters, with four species (Chaenophryne ramifera, Gigantactis watermani, Oneirodes anisacanthus, and O. carlsbergi) and three genera (Caulophryne, Dolopichthys, and Rhynchactis) reported here for the first time
Three other species (Ceratias uranoscopus, Chaenophryne draco, and Melanocetus johnsonii) have their distributions extended in the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone
Summary
The Ceratioidei (Lophiiformes) includes 11 families, 35 genera and about 170 valid species of fishes commonly known as deep-sea anglerfishes (Pietsch, Orr, 2007; Pietsch, 2009; Ho, Shao, 2019; Fricke et al, 2021). With about 7,500 km of coastline in addition to some biogeographically relevant oceanic island complexes (Reis et al, 2016), the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) stands out in the western South Atlantic as one of such poorly known regions in terms of its deep-sea biota. This area includes several Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas that encompass hotspots of biodiversity and endemism (CBD, 2014)
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