title: Revision of southern African species of the anglerfish genus Chaunax <br />(Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae), with descriptions of three new species.
abstract: Species of the anglerfish genus Chaunax occurring off southern Africa are reviewed and nine species are recognized: C. africanus, C. apus, C. flammeus, C. penicillatus, C. russatus, C. suttkusi, and three newly described species. Chaunax atimovatae sp. nov. is distinguished by having numerous tiny melanophores on the skin and a mixture of bifurcate and simple spinules on its dorsal surface, scattered rounded green spots circled by yellow on its dorsal surface, 9 or 10 rakers on the second gill arch, and 2 neuromasts in the upper preopercular, 11-14 in the pectoral, 31-37 in the lateral-line proper. Chaunax heemstraorum sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of all dermal spinules simple, large green spots on the dorsal surface, 10-12 rakers on the second gill arch; and 3 neuromasts in the upper preopercular, 13-18 in the pectoral, 37-42 in the lateral-line proper, and usually 5 on the caudal-fin base. Chaunax hollemani sp. nov. is distinguished by cirri on top of the head, head width 16.0-18.5% SL, pre-preopercle length 26.8-28.5% SL, 9 rakers on the second gill arch, and 2 neuromasts in the upper preopercular, 11-14 in the pectoral, and 33-38 in the lateral-line proper. A key to species found in the study region is provided.
authors.affiliation: National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, no. 2, Houwan Rd., Checheng, Pingtung 944, Taiwan Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, no. 2, Houwan Rd., Checheng, Pingtung 944, Taiwan; Email: ogcoho@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hsuan-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, no. 2, Houwan Rd., Checheng, Pingtung 944, Taiwan; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Wen-Chun
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D019156:Indian Ocean; D013045:Species Specificity