Systematics and Distribution of Bathypelagic Anglerfishes of the Family Ceratiidae (Order: Lophiiformes)

The ceratioid anglerfish family Ceratiidae is reviewed on the basis of all known material. Evidence is presented to support the recognition of four species in two genera. The genus Ceratias contains three species: C. tentaculatus (Norman), characterized by having two escal appendages and restricted in distribution to the Southern Ocean; C. holboelli Kroyer, with a single escal appendage, inhabiting the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans; and C. uranoscopus Murray, characterized by the lack of an escal appendage and also known from all three major oceans of the world. The genus Cryptopsaras, containing only C. couesi Gill, is found throughout all oceans of the world. Synonymies, diagnoses and descriptions are given for all taxa. The tentative geographic distribution of each species is plotted, evolutionary relationships are discussed and a key to the genera and species of the family is provided. THE ceratioid family Ceratiidae contains relatively elongate, large-sized anglerfishes, easily separated from members of allied families by having the cleft of the mouth vertical