The Systematics and Distribution of the Lophiid Anglerfishes: II. Revisions of the Genera Lophiomus and Lophius

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Abstract
The lophiid anglerfish genera Lophiomus and Lophius are revised based on the examination of 243 specimens. The genus Lophiomus is considered monotypic; the single Indo-west Pacific species, L. setigerus, includes the following nominal species as synonyms: L. indicus, L. laticephalus, L. laticeps, L. malabaricus and L. viviparus. Of the 11 nominal species of Lophius, 8 are considered valid: L. americanus, L. budegassa, L. gastrophysus, L. litulon, L. piscatorius, L. upsicephalus, L. vaillanti and L. vomerinus. Although the 2 genera are morphologically similar, they may be easily distinguished on the basis of several dorsicranial features, and by the number of median fin rays and vertebrae: Lophiomus have 8 dorsal fin rays, 6 anal fin rays and 19 vertebrae; Lophius have 9-12 dorsal fin rays, 8-10 anal fin rays and 26-31 vertebrae. The genera are defined using osteological as well as other morphological characters and a key to the Lophius spp. is provided. Characters that demonstrate intraspecific stability and interspecific variability are described and used to differentiate and define the species. Geographic and bathymetric distributions are described.

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