Abantennarius
A genus of frogfishes found in Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.
Abantennarius is a genus of marine ray-finned fish in the frogfish family Antennariidae. These fish live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with one species found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
The genus was first proposed in 1957 by American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, who designated *Antennarius duescus* as the type species. That species had originally been described in 1904 by John Otterbein Snyder, with its type locality between Maui and Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands. Although *Abantennarius* was once considered a synonym of *Antennarius*, it is now accepted as a valid genus. Some experts place it in the subfamily Antennariinae within Antennariidae, but the 5th edition of *Fishes of the World* does not recognize subfamilies in this family, instead classifying it under the suborder Antennarioidei in the order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes).
The name *Abantennarius* combines the prefix *ab*, meaning "away from," with *antennarius*, a fish of the family Antennariidae. This refers to the gill opening being positioned away from the base of the pectoral fin, unlike the typical placement in frogfishes.
Recognized species include: *Abantennarius analis* (tailjet frogfish), *A. bermudensis* (island frogfish), *A. coccineus* (scarlet frogfish), *A. dorehensis* (New Guinean frogfish), *A. drombus* (freckled frogfish), *A. duescus* (side-jet frogfish), *A. nummifer* (spotfin frogfish), *A. rosaceus* (spine-tufted frogfish), and *A. sanguineus* (bloody frogfish).
These frogfishes have round, nearly globular bodies that are somewhat compressed. They lack spines on the illicium, and the esca is very small or absent. The second dorsal spine is not connected to the head by a membrane, while the third dorsal spine may be flexible or immobile. The mouth is large and points upward. The pectoral fins are limb-like with an "elbow" and are broadly attached to the body. The gill opening is small, round, and located below and behind the pectoral fin base. There is no caudal peduncle; the rear edges of the dorsal and anal fins connect to the caudal fin via membranes. The caudal fin rays may be branched. The body is covered in thick skin with dense, closely set spinules. A dark blotch typically covers part of the upper body and the base of the dorsal fin. The smallest species is *A.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Abantennarius
- Type Species
- Antennarius duescus
- Type Species Authority
- Snyder, 1904
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Abantennarius was first proposed as a genus in 1957 by the American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, with Antennarius duescus designated as the type species. A. duescus had originally been described in 1904 by John Otterbein Snyder, with its type locality given as between Maui and Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands. This genus has been regarded as a synonym of Antennarius, but is now regarded as a valid genus. Some authorities classify this genus in the subfamily Antennariinae within the family Antennariidae; however, the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognise subfamilies within the Antennariidae, classifying the family within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.
The etymology of Abantennarius prefixes ab, meaning 'away from', onto antennarius, a fish of the family Antennariidae. This is an allusion to the gill opening being positioned away from the base of the pectoral fin, which is typically where it is located in frogfishes. Abantennarius frogfishes have round, nearly globular bodies that are to some degree compressed. They do not have spines on the illicium and the esca is very small or absent. The second dorsal spine is not connected to the head by a membrane while the third dorsal spine may be flexible or immobile. The mouth is upward pointing and is very large. The pectoral fins have developed to resemble limbs and have an 'elbow', the fin is widely linked to the body. The gill opening is small and round, under and to the rear of the base of the pectoral fin. There is no caudal peduncle and the rear edges of the dorsal fin and anal fin are connected to the caudal fin by membranes. The rays in the caudal fin may be branched. The body is covered in thick skin which is covered in dense, closely set spinules. They typically have a dark blotch covering part of the upper body and the base of the dorsal fin.
Reader's Guide
Abantennarius is a genus of frogfishes that has been taxonomically disputed, having been regarded as a synonym of Antennarius but now accepted as valid. Its species are distributed across the Indian and Pacific Oceans from the eastern coasts of Africa to the western coasts of the Americas, with one species, A. bermudensis, found in the western Atlantic Ocean. The genus was established by Leonard Peter Schultz in 1957, based on the type species Antennarius duescus, originally described from the Hawaiian Islands. The etymology of the name highlights a distinctive anatomical feature: the gill opening is positioned away from the base of the pectoral fin, unlike most frogfishes. The nine recognized species range in size from the smallest, A. duescus, at a maximum standard length of 3 cm, to the largest, A. dorehensis, at a maximum total length of 14 cm. The genus is characterized by round, compressed bodies, a lack of spines on the illicium, a very small or absent esca, limb-like pectoral fins, and a small round gill opening. The classification of Abantennarius within the family Antennariidae is subject to differing views: some authorities place it in the subfamily Antennariinae, while the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognize subfamilies and places the family in the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes.
Did You Know?
- The type species is Antennarius duescus, originally described in 1904 by John Otterbein Snyder from between Maui and Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands.
- The smallest species in the genus is A. duescus, with a maximum published standard length of 3 cm.
- The largest species is A. dorehensis, with a maximum published total length of 14 cm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Abantennarius?
Abantennarius is a genus of small marine ray-finned fish belonging to the frogfish family Antennariidae. It groups together several species of frogfish that are taxonomically distinct from the larger Antennarius genus.
Who proposed the genus Abantennarius and when?
American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz introduced the genus in 1957. He selected Antennarius duescus, a name originally coined by John Otterbein Snyder in 1904, as the type species.
Where can you find Abantennarius species in the wild?
Most species in this genus inhabit waters across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. A single species extends its range into the western Atlantic Ocean.
What is the type species of Abantennarius and where was it collected?
The type species is Antennarius duescus, which Snyder described in 1904 based on a specimen gathered between the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Lanai. That locality anchors the genus's formal taxonomic definition.
Is Abantennarius still recognized as its own genus?
Yes, it is currently accepted as a valid genus rather than being lumped into Antennarius. Earlier taxonomic treatments had treated it as a synonym, but modern classifications keep it separate.
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