Red handfish
| Red handfish | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lophiiformes |
| Family: | Brachionichthyidae |
| Genus: | Thymichthys |
| Species: | T. politus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thymichthys politus (Richardson, 1844)
| |
Thymichthys politus, the red handfish, is a species of handfish (Brachionichthyidae) in the family Thymichthys found in Frederick Henry Bay, Tasmania.[2]
Description
The red handfish is distinguished by its small, flattened wart-like protuberances that cover its body and red coloration. Two color morphs exist, a bright red morph with red color on both body and fins, with a black line separating the white fin edges and a mottled morph with pink body covered in many red patches, with translucent pink fins expressing some bright red patches. They measure an average standard length of 61.4 mm (2.4 in) and an average total length of 80.1 mm (3.2 in).[2]. Like other handfishes, they have large developed pectoral fins, which they use to walk along the sea floor.[3]
Distribution
Historically, the species was found in multiple subpopulations in Tasmania, including Port Arthur, Fortescue Bay, the Actaeon Islands, D'Entrecasteaux Channel, and the Forestier Peninsula. Currently, the species has been found only on 2 small reefs in Frederick Henry Bay. These reefs measure a circular area of no more than 75 meters and 50 meters in diameter.[1] It is found at depth ranges from 1 m up to 20 m.[2]
References
- ^ a b Stuart-Smith, R.; Edgar, G.; Last, P.R. (2020). "Thymichthys politus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020. IUCN: e.T123423510A123424379. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T123423510A123424379.en.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|last-author-amp=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help) Listed as Critically Endangered (CR B1ab+2ab;C2a) - ^ a b c Last, P.R.; Gledhill, D.C (2009). "A revision of the Australian handfishes (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae), with descriptions of three new genera and nine new species.". Zootaxa. 2252. Magnolia Press: 1-77. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2252.1.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|last-author-amp=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help) - ^ "Issues paper: Population status of and threats to four handfish species" (PDF). Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage. 2004. Retrieved April 20, 2020.