Marine biologists have described three new species of deep-sea snailfishes in the family Liparidae from the eastern abyssal Pacific (depths 3,268 to 4,119 m).
In situ imagery of Careproctus colliculi, Monterey Bay, California, the United States. Image credit: MBARI.
Snailfishes in the family Liparidae inhabit temperate to cold habitats across ocean basins.
These fishes play important roles in ecosystems from the intertidal zone to hadal trenches (over 6,000 m).
They are well adapted to a wide variety of habitats, likely due to rapid evolutionary rates.
In shallow waters, the snailfishes use a specialized ventral suction disk to cling to rocks, forming a curled, snail-like posture that gives the group their English common name.
“The Liparidae include 31 accepted genera and 450 valid species, 43 of which have been described in the last ten years,” said Dr. Mackenzie Gerringer from the State University of New York at Geneseo and colleagues.
“At the family level, the liparids are well distinguished by their scaleless bodies, ventral suction disk formed from modified pelvic fins in many genera, and elongated body forms.”
“With the ecological importance of the family, the high rate at which new snailfishes are being discovered, and the significant work needed in revising snailfish classifications, snailfish taxonomy remains an important undertaking to better understand marine biodiversity.”
The three new species are the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), the dark snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi), and the sleek snailfish (Paraliparis em).
Paraliparis em and Careproctus yanceyi were collected by suction sampler from 4,100 m water depth, using the human occupied vehicle (HOV) Alvin on the R/V Atlantis.
Careproctus colliculi was collected by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts on the R/V Western Flyer via suction sampler from 3,268 m water depth, less than 100 km offshore from Monterey Bay, California.
To describe these new species, the authors used microscopy, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, and careful measurements to collect specific information about their size, shape, and other physical characteristics such as the number of fin rays and vertebrae each fish has.
“Careproctus colliculi can be identified by its pink color in life, 22 pectoral-fin rays, round head, eight caudal rays, large eye, and well-developed pterygiophores that form a large suction disk,” they said.
“Careproctus yanceyi bears a moderate ventral suction disk, single nostrils, six branchiostegal rays, and is distinct from other eastern Pacific deepwater snailfishes in having a fully black body with a rounded head and horizontal mouth.”
“Paraliparis em is distinguished from other snailfishes by its long, black, laterally compressed body, absence of a suction disk, prominently angled jaw, single pectoral-fin radial, anteriorly positioned anus, and five branchiostegal rays.”
The researchers also sequenced the DNA of the fish to compare them to other snailfishes and position the new species within an evolutionary context.
“Taxonomy is essential for understanding the organisms with whom we share our planet and for studying and conserving the global biodiversity,” Dr. Gerringer said.
“The deep oceans are home to an incredible diversity of organisms and a truly beautiful array of adaptations.”
“These three snailfishes are a reminder of how much we have yet to learn about life on Earth and of the power of curiosity and exploration.”
The discovery is described in a new paper in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
_____
Mackenzie E. Gerringer et al. 2025. Descriptions of Three Newly Discovered Abyssal Snailfishes (Liparidae) from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Ichthyology & Herpetology 113 (3): 487-506;l doi: 10.1643/i2024069
