N. V. Chernova

Systematics and phylogeny of fish of the genus Liparis (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes)

Taxonomic revision of fish of the genus Liparis (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes), whose species inhabit the shelves of the seas of the northern hemisphere, is performed on the basis of a a large collection of material. It is established that the genus, which includes 71 species, represents a monophyletic group. The classification of the genus is elaborated, providing justification of its separation into five subgenera: Neoliparis Steindachner, 1876; Lyoliparis Jordan et Evermann, 1896; Liparis Scopoli, 1777; Lycocara Gill, 1884; and Careliparis Garman, 1892. Keys to species and species groups are provided.

Characteristics of under-ice swarming of polar cod Boreogadus saida (Gadidae) in the Central Arctic Ocean

Phenological observations on under-ice swarming behavior of Polar cod Boreogadus saida were performed during the winter period 2009–2010 in the Canadian sector of the Arctic Ocean on the North Pole NP-37 drifting station. These observations and ichthyologic collections were the basis of the present study. The schools were mostly formed by the immature specimens (TL = 75–169 mm; 1+ to 4+ age), the dominating group was presented by fish of 2+ age (86–94% of total abundance). The driving factors of such large under-ice swarming of Polar cod B. saida in the Arctic are discussed, particularly, the interactions of Polar cod development and the ice drift in the studied region. This species inhabits the overcooled water (−1.8°C) under the ice, so the scheme of the antifreeze agent producing in the fish blood is considered. We make assumptions about under ice migrations of Polar cod swarming.

Distribution patterns and chorological analysis of fish fauna of the Arctic Region

Chorological structure of ichthyofauna of the Arctic Region is described. Distribution patterns of 504 fish-like vertebrates and fish species are characterized. One hundred and eighty-nine range types are defined, which are combined into eight main categories: 1—Arctic; 2—Atlantic-Arctic; 3—transitional subarctic zone of Atlantic sector; 4—Pacific-Arctic; 5—transitional subarctic subarctic zone of Pacific sector, 6—Pacific-Atlantic (amphiboreal); 7—bipolar; 8—continental (fresh and brackish waters). Arctic and boreal regions are bordered by transitional (subarctic) zones, which are the areas of intermutual penetration of faunas. The distribution of most fish species that penetrate into to the Arctic Region from the southern areas is limited by these transitional zones. The benthic fish species prevail in the group of autochthonous Arctic species (which includes 64 species or 14% of marine fauna). The demersal fauna of the Arctic preudoabyssal is presented by endemic species. Ten variations of amphiboreal distribution patterns are revealed. Three areas may be defined within the Atlantic-subarctic zone in regard to the fish fauna and range types, i.e., Labrador-Greenland region, the Barents Sea region, and Icelandic (transitional) region.

Reconstruction of phylogenetic relations of Ponto-Caspian gobies (Gobiidae, Perciformes) based on mitochondrial genome variation and some problems of their taxonomy

Phylogenetic relations of Ponto-Caspian gobies in the context of different taxonomic hypotheses have been studied based on the analysis of variations in cytochrome b gene. Evidence for the paraphyly of the genus Neogobius sensu lato, represented by two independent phyletic lineages that should be treated as separate genera Neogobius s. stricto (includes a species group of N. melanostomus-N. fluviatilis-N. caspius) and Ponticola, has been provided. It has been demonstrated that the Racer goby N. gymnotrachelus refers to the latter genus. It is proved that the Grass goby Gobius ophiocephalus belongs to the genus Gobius s. stricto.

New and rare snailfishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) with the description of four new species from the Southern Hemisphere and tropical east Pacific

New and rare liparid fishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) are found and described. Careproctus armatus Andriashev, 1991 sampled off the South Sandwich Islands (at a depth 2281–2369 m); it is the second record of the species. Four species are collected in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands: Careproctus parini Andriashev et Prirodina, 1990 (off King George Island, 573–861 m), Paraliparis meganchus Andriashev, 1982 (off Elephant Island, 559 m), P. monoporus Andriashev et Neyelov, 1979 (off Elephant Island, 559 m) and Paraliparis specimens, most similar to P. tompkinsae Andriashev, 1992 (off King George Island, 766–861 m). Paraliparis charcoti Duhamel, 1992 recorded at the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (475–633 m). Paraliparis, most similar to P. tetrapteryx Andriashev et Neelov, 1979, found in the Southwestern Atlantic (1200 m). Four new species are described. Paraliparis porcus sp. nov. based on one male SL 85 mm from off the South Shetland Islands (Elephant Island, 332–374 m). Paraliparis acutidens sp. nov. described from the juvenile SL 115 mm, sampled in the western part of the Scotia Sea (3721–3723 m). Paraliparis kocki sp. nov. known from 3 adults caught in the depression of the Bransfield Strait (1914–1920 m), isolated from the Weddell Sea by shallower waters. The only specimen of the Paraliparis mexicanus sp. nov. collected in the tropical Pacific off Mexico at depth not more than 900 m.

New species of the genus Careproctus (Liparidae) from the Kara Sea and identification key for congeners of the North Atlantic and Arctic

Five new Arctic species of the genus Careproctus (Liparidae) are described from the Kara Sea. Four species are included in the species-group “C. dubius” (pupil of eye is slit-like, lower lobe of the pectoral fin longer than the upper pectoral-fin lobe, skin prickles cactus-like, large urogenital papilla present). Careproctus rosa sp.n. was collected between the archipelago Novaya Zemlya and the Yamal Peninsula (at a depth 140 m), C. uter sp.n. was found in the Novaya Zemlya Depression (206 m); C. karaensis sp.n. and C. carinatus sp.n. were collected pelagically above the eastern slope of the Novaya Zemlya Depression. The fifth species, C. mica sp.n., which is included in the subgenus Careproctula, was found at the south of the Novaya Zemlya Depression (204 m). The type specimens are stored in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (Saint-Petersburg). The specimens were obviously collected in water with negative temperatures. A key for identification of 22 Careproctus species is included, for all tadpole snailfishes of the North Atlantic and the Arctic.

New species of the genus Careproctus (Liparidae) from the Kara Sea with notes on spongiophilia, reproductive commensalism between fishes and sponges (Rossellidae)

A new species of the family Liparidae, fulvous snailfish Careproctus fulvus sp. n., is described from the Novaya Zemlya Depression of the Kara Sea at a depth between 190 and 414 m. The species belongs to the group of slit-eyed Careproctus (longitudinally oval pupil, elongated lower lobe of the pectoral fin, and large urogenital papilla). The representatives of the species are characterized by fulvous coloration with orange spots, deep body, small teeth, and three radials in the pectoral girdle. The eggs are deposited into glass sponges Schaudinnia rosea (Rossellidae). Valvatophilia (commensalism with bivalves) and carcinophilia (reproductive commensalism with crab-like decapod crustaceans of the family Lithodidae) have been registered in the family Liparidae before, but spongiophilia are described for the first time. Egg deposition into glass sponges (Rossellidae) is known also for cod icefishes (Nototheniidae) from Antarctic waters. Reproductive commensalism between the representatives of the family Liparidae in the Arctic, the species of the family Nototheniidae in the Antarctic, and glass sponges represents a new finding of bionomic bipolarity (independent appearance of similar adaptations in unrelated groups of fishes in two polar regions of the earth). Based on the ecologo-ethological classification of fish reproduction, brood hiding Careproctus species belong to ostracophils, a group of fishes deposited the eggs into live animals.

Catching of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Pleuronectidae) on the shelf edge of the Laptev and East Siberian Seas

The first capture of the Greenland (or Black) halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides in the Arctic Ocean on the border with the East Siberian Sea (79°03′–79°08′ N 139°59′–141°16′ E, 259–277 m) and the repeated findings of the species in the Laptev Sea (78°03′–78°04′ N 132°56′–133°04′ E, 307 m; 78°33′–78°35′ N 138°44′–138°48′ E, 125 m) are reported. Fish (79 specimens with the length of 15.0–44.5 cm) were caught during four bottom trawlings on the edge of the continental shelf of the two seas in the transformed waters of Atlantic origin, as evidenced by the discovery of the indicator species of these waters—the Glacier lanternfish Benthosema glaciale (Myctophidae)—in one of the stomachs of halibut. The other captures of Greenland halibut in the Arctic were also reviewed.

Revalidation of the Eggvin lumpsucker Eumicrotremus eggvinii (Cyclopteridae) and its new finding near Franz Josef Land (Barents Sea)

The species status of a rare species Eumicrotremus eggvinii from the family Cyclopteridae has been revalidated. Some authors considered its specimens as males of close species E. spinosus. In the Zoological Institute collection, males of E. spinosus that are morphologically similar with females of this species have been found. This is evidence of absence of sexual dimorphism in E. spinosus. In new samplings from waters of the Franz Josef Land archipelago (Barents Sea), a specimen of E. eggvinii was found and described. The opinion of some authors that individuals of E. eggvinii represent males of E. spinosus is refuted. A new finding widens the species area to the northeastern limits of the Barents Sea. The number and character of distribution of bone plaques remain reliable taxonomic characters.

First record of the Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus (Squaliformes: Somniosidae) in the Siberian Arctic with notes on its distribution and biology

The first record of the Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus (Somniosidae) at the northern boundary of the Laptev Sea (78°04.3 N, 133°24.4 E) is described; this site is 1500 km eastward of any earlier records for this species in the Barents Sea and adjacent regions of the Kara Sea. A young male with an total length of 260 cm was caught in September 2014 by a bottom trawl at a depth of 240 m. Maps of the capture sites for S. microcephalus individuals in the Barents Sea and adjacent waterbody are presented. It is assumed that this shark came to the continental slope of the Arctic Ocean with a relatively warm flow of Atlantic origin, running along the northern Arctic shelf edge.