A revision of the family Moridae (Pisces: Anacanthini) within the New Zealand region

Abstract

Eleven genera and fourteen species of Moridae occur in the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone and are represented in the collections of the National Museum of New Zealand. The species can be readily identified using a dichotomous key based on external morphology. Salilota, previously recorded from the New Zealand region, is not represented in the museum collections. Melanonus and Euclichthys, considered to be morid genera by some authors, belong to other families. The Moridae was established by Svetovidov (1937 to 1967) on the basis of the otophysic connection and osseus interorbital septum, while subsequent studies have revealed further diagnostic characters in the caudal complex and otolith structure. The family is placed within the order Anacanthini as considered by Marshall and Cohen (1973). Taxonomic relationships within the order are poorly understood - although affinities can be determined between some families, a complete revision is required, based on osteological characters. The Moridae are primitive in many characters but show substantial specialization in others. The three species of Pseudophycis which occur in New Zealand and Australian coastal waters (P. bacchus, P. breviusculus and P. barbatus) can be separated on counts of scale rows and pyloric caeca. P. bacchus is found throughout New Zealand waters, whereas P. breviusculus and P. barbatus are more common in northern and southern waters respectively. Records of P. breviusculus south of Napier are misidentifications. A new species of Physiculus is recorded from New Zealand but because of the confused taxonomy within this genus, the species cannot be accurately identified until a worldwide revision is completed. The species has been taken only in the Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand, but is also found in Australian waters. The genus Austrophycis belongs in the family Moridae and is represented by a single species, circumpolar in the southern hemisphere, A. marginatus. The species is common in cool temperate waters south of Cook Strait. Austrophycis is closely related to the fossil genus Actuariolum. Two species of Lotella, L. rhacinus and L. fuliginosa occur in New Zealand and Australian coastal waters. Previous studies do not recognise the two species and a revision of both is required. Both species can be readily distinguished by counts of scale rows. Auchenoceros punctatus and Triptero-phycis gilchristi have become considerably modified for a pelagic mode of life, although similar in body morphology the two species are not closely related phylogenetically. Mora pacifica is identical with M. moro of the northern hemisphere and there is no justification for taxonomic separation of the south western Pacific population. Halargyreus johnsonii and Antimora rostrata occur in abyssal depths throughout all oceans. Lepidion microcephalus occurs throughout the New Zealand-Australian region in depths of 700-1000 m. The status of this species as distinct from other nominal species must remain unclear until a worldwide revision of the genus is undertaken. Laemonema has recently been found in the New Zealand region but has not been identified to species. The distribution of morids within the New Zealand region requires additional study as many records are doubtful because the species have been inadequately defined and many areas inadequately sampled. Otolith structure is sufficiently diverse to enable different genera to be identified and a phylogeny of the family constructed. The Moridae have diverged from a generalised ancestral stock in a number of independent evolutionary lines.