Revision of batfishes (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) of New Zealand and adjacent waters, with description of two new species of the genus Malthopsis

Abstract

Examination and taxonomic review of the batfishes collected from New Zealand and adjacent waters reveals five nominal species: Halieutopsis bathyoreos and Malthopsis mitrigera are recorded from New Zealand for the first time; the synon-ymy of Halieutaea maoria with H. stellata is confirmed, and two new species are described. Malthopsis asparata sp. nov. is unique in having stout principal bucklers with prominent spines. Malthopsis parva sp. nov. differs from congeners in having a naked abdomen, a short rostral spine directed upward, and all principal bucklers blunt.