Systematics and distribution of cottid fishes of the genus Triglops Reinhardt (Teleostei: Scorpaeniformes)

Abstract

Abstract The cottid genus Triglops Reinhardt, including Prionistius Bean, Elanura Gilbert and Sternias Jordan & Evermann as junior synonyms, contains 19 nominal species and subspecies, of which nine are recognized here: T. xenostethus Gilbert, T. macellus (Bean), T. jordani (Schmidt), T. forficata (Gilbert), T. scepticus Gilbert, T. nybelini Jensen, T. metopias Gilbert & Burke, T. murrayi Gunther, and T. pingeli Reinhardt. All are marine, continental shelf- or slope-living forms, distributed throughout northern seas in shallow to moderately deep water (generally between 20-600 m), where they feed primarily on small benthic invertebrates. Seven species are restricted geographically to the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea: T. xenostethus, T. macellus, T. jordani, T. forficata, T. scepticus and T. metopias; T. nybelini occurs in the North Atlantic and is nearly circumpolar in the Arctic but absent from the North Pacific and Bering Sea; T. murrayi occurs solely in the North Atlantic, and Atlantic sector of the Arctic Ocean; T. pingeli is present in both the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans as well as widespread throughout coastal waters of the Arctic. Synonymies, diagnoses and descriptions are given for all taxa, geographic distributions are plotted, and a key to the species of the genus is provided.