Fishes of the genus Artedidraco (Pisces, Artedidraconidae) from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, with the description of a new species and a colour morph

Abstract

Notothenioid fish of the artedidraconid genus Artedidraco are a little studied, component of the bottom fauna on the Antarctic continental shelf. Trawling in the south-western Ross Sea, especially in shallow areas with sponge beds, yielded a collection of 65 specimens of Artedidraco. These included all four species occurring in the Ross Sea as well as a new species. The new species Artedidraco glareobarbatus is described and illustrated. This species is most similar to A. orianae, but is distinguished by barbel morphology, by higher counts for dorsal rays and vertebrae, by lower counts for upper lateral-line scales and by colour pattern and visceral anatomy. A distinctive spotted colour morph of A. shackletoni is also documented and compared with the typical barred morph. Depth distribution and meristic variation among species of Artedidraco are summarized, and a taxonomic key to the six species is provided.