Fowlerichthys senegalensis

Lore & Background

Fowlerichthys senegalensis was first formally described as Antennarius senegalensis in 1959 by French ichthyologist Jean Cadenat, with its type locality given as Cap des Biches in Senegal. Within the genus, this species is most closely related to the ocellated frogfish (F. ocellatus). The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Fowlerichthys in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.

The genus name Fowlerichthys honors American ichthyologist Henry Weed Fowler, who gave Barbour the type specimen of the type species F. floridanus, combined with ichthys meaning fish. The specific name senegalensis means 'of Senegal', referring to the type locality. The body is globular and short with a large mouth and numerous small teeth. The first dorsal spine (illicium) has a small esca and is nearly the same length as the second dorsal spine. The rough skin is densely covered with bifurcate spines, and the pectoral fin lobes are connected to the body. The overall color in life is mottled brown, with a dark, pale-margined ocellus below the base of the dorsal fin on each side.

This species is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa between Morocco and Angola, including the Cape Verde Islands and the islands in the Gulf of Guinea. It inhabits depths between 45 and 115 meters on rocky reefs and sandy and muddy areas below the low tide mark.

Reader's Guide

Fowlerichthys senegalensis is a representative of the frogfish family Antennariidae, first described in 1959 by Jean Cadenat. Its description as Antennarius senegalensis places it within a lineage of anglerfishes, and its close relation to the ocellated frogfish (F. ocellatus) highlights its evolutionary ties within the genus. The species' taxonomy, as classified in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World, situates it within the order Lophiiformes, underscoring its anglerfish heritage. The etymology of its name honors Henry Weed Fowler, a notable American ichthyologist, and references its Senegalese type locality. Morphologically, the Senegalese frogfish is characterized by a globular body, a large mouth, and a distinctive mottled brown coloration with a dark ocellus, features typical of benthic ambush predators. Its habitat range from Morocco to Angola, including offshore islands, and its occurrence on rocky reefs and sandy or muddy substrates at depths of 45 to 115 meters indicate a broad ecological tolerance. The species reaches a maximum standard length of 28.5 cm, making it a moderately sized frogfish. Its significance lies in its contribution to the understanding of West African marine biodiversity and the evolutionary history of anglerfishes, as documented by Cadenat's original description and subsequent taxonomic studies.

Did You Know?

• The species was first described in 1959 by French ichthyologist Jean Cadenat.
• Its type locality is Cap des Biches in Senegal.
• It has a maximum standard length of 28.5 cm (11.2 in).