Lycodes

Lycodes is a genus of zoarcid fish in the subfamily Lycodinae.^[1][3] It is the most species-rich genus in its taxonomic family as well as in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent waters. They occupy both shallow waters and deeper waters down to 3000 meters. A few species can occur in brackish waters.^[4]

Taxonomy

Lycodes was first proposed as a monospecific genus in 1831 by the Danish zoologist Johan Reinhard when he described Lycodes vahlii,^[2] which he described from off Greenland.^[1] The genus is classified in the subfamily Lycodinae, one of four subfamilies in the family Zoarcidae, the eelpouts.^[5] Four species, L. albonotata, L. teraoi, L. toyamensis and L. toyamesnsis are classified within the genus Petroschmidtia by some authorities.^[6]

Etymology

Lycodes means "having the form of a wolf", being a combination of lykos meaning "wolf" and oides meaning "similar to". Reinhardt though the teeth were similar to those of Anarhichas lupus and thought that the two taxa were closely related.^[7]

Species

Saddled eelpout

Currently, 64 species are placed in this genus, divided into two subgenera:^[3][7]

Description

The genus is characterized by one autapomorphy: submental crests, the more or less pronounced cartilage extensions on the lower jaws. Within the genus, one clade has been identified, the "short-tailed" Lycodes that are associated with shallower depths (0–1200 m) than the long-tailed species (3–3000 m). Short tail might represent an adaptation to shallow, Arctic waters; the clade includes many Arctic endemics. In contrast, the long-tailed species do not form a monophyletic group. Coloration of all short-tailed Lycodes includes some sorts of stripes, marks, or reticulations, while the long-tailed species are uniformly brownish, striped, or spotted.^[4]

Ecology

Lycodes are bottom-dwelling fish with a relatively stationary life style. The eggs are benthic, few in number (<2000) and large in size (as large as 10 mm (0.4 in)).^[4]

References