Revision of the Manefish Genera Caristius and Platyberyx (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Caristiidae), with Descriptions of Five New Species
The family Caristiidae, commonly known as manefishes or veilfins, includes several species of mesopelagic, oceanic fishes found throughout the major ocean basins of the world. We present herein the second part of our revision of the family, including all of the “large-mouth” species, which are distinguished from other members of the family by having a narrow suborbital space and a long upper jaw that extends to mid-orbit or beyond and which is visible externally, not covered by the thin bones of the suborbital series. This group, which is comprised of the genera Platyberyx and Caristius, is described in full, including descriptions of five new species. The genus Platyberyx, which includes six species, three of which are newly described, is distinguished from all other caristiid genera by the presence of a conspicuous lateral line with large scales. The genus Caristius, with four species, two of which are newly described, is distinguished from Platyberyx by the absence of a conspicuous lateral line and by the presence of serrated ventral caudal-fin rays. Species in both genera are distinguished from each other on the basis of meristics, morphometrics, dentition, and gill-raker morphology. Most of the species described here are relatively widespread; species of Platyberyx appear to be more common in the Atlantic basin, while Caristius is more common in the Pacific.
(A) Platyberyx andriashevi, AMS I.21367-009, 163 mm SL; (B) P. mauli, MMF 2345, 110 mm SL; (C) P. opalescens, MOM 0091-1179, holotype, 51 mm SL; (D) P. paucus, new species, UW 151229, holotype, 89 mm SL; (E) P. pietschi, new species, UF 208616, holotype, 89 mm SL; and (F) P. rhyton, new species, NSMT-P59274, holotype, 146 mm SL.
Radiograph showing hook-shaped process on third posteriormost ventral procurrent caudal-fin ray of Platyberyx andriashevi, UF 228442, 157 mm SL. Scale bar = 1 mm.
Distribution of material examined of Platyberyx andriashevi (closed circles), P. mauli (open triangles), P. opalescens (closed squares), P. paucus, new species (open circles), P. pietschi, new species (open squares), and P. rhyton, new species (closed triangles).
Lateral view of lateral series of gill rakers of (A) Platyberyx mauli (MMF 2345, 110 mm SL), (B) P. opalescens (AMS I.25858-007, 73 mm SL), (C) P. pietschi, new species (UF 208616, holotype, 89 mm SL), (D) P. rhyton, new species (NSMT-P 59274, holotype, 146 mm SL), (E) Caristius fasciatus (LACM 57210, 160 mm SL), and (F) C. meridionalis, new species (NMNZ-P 25944, 260 mm SL). Scale bars = 1 mm.
Ventral caudal-fin rays of Caristius meridionalis, new species (IORAS 02778, 82 mm SL, CS). Scale bar = 1 mm.
(A) Caristius digitus, new species, AMS I.20316-038, holotype, 90 mm SL; (B) C. fasciatus, MCZ 32120, lectotype, 36 mm SL; (C) C. macropus, UW 25832, 176 mm SL; and (D) C. meridionalis, new species, NMNZ P25944, holotype, 260 mm SL.
Upper pharyngeal teeth and gill rakers (right side) of Caristius digitus, new species, AMS I.20316-038, holotype, 90 mm SL.
Distribution of material examined of Caristius digitus, new species (open squares), C. fasciatus (closed squares), C. macropus (closed circles), and C. meridionalis, new species (open circles).
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: D. Buth.