Caulolatilus Explained

Caulolatilus is a genus of tilefishes native to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas. This genus is regarded as the least specialised and the most basal of the tilefishes.^[1]

Species

There are currently 11 recognized species in this genus:

• Caulolatilus affinis T. N. Gill, 1865 (Bighead tilefish)
• Caulolatilus bermudensis Dooley, 1981 (Bermuda tilefish)
• Caulolatilus chrysops (Valenciennes, 1833) (Atlantic goldeneye tilefish)
• Caulolatilus cyanops Poey, 1866 (Blackline tilefish)
• Caulolatilus dooleyi Berry, 1978 (Bankslope tilefish)
• Caulolatilus guppyi Beebe & Tee-Van, 1937 (Reticulated tilefish)
• Caulolatilus hubbsi Dooley, 1978 (Hubbs' tilefish)
• Caulolatilus intermedius Howell-Rivero, 1936 (Gulf bareye tilefish)
• Caulolatilus microps Goode & T. H. Bean, 1878 (Grey tilefish)
• Caulolatilus princeps (Jenyns, 1840) (Ocean whitefish)
• Caulolatilus williamsi Dooley & Berry, 1977 (Yellowbar tilefish)

Studies have shown that C. hubbsi is not readily distinguishable from C. princeps and should be treated as a junior synonym of the latter taxon.^[2]

Notes and References

1. James K. Dooley . 1978 . Systematics and biology of the tilefishes (Perciformes: Branchiostegidae and Malacanthidae), with descriptions of two species . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Technical Report NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) Circular . 411 . 1–78 .
2. Robert N. Lea . Richard F. Feeney . amp . 2016 . Status of two species of tilefish Caulolatilus princeps (Jenyns) and C. hubbsi Dooley, originally described from the Galápagos Islands . Galapagos Research . 68 . 10-12 .