Careproctus Kroyer 1862

Careproctus Kröyer 1862

Diagnosis.— Careproctus is distinguished from all other liparids by the following characters: one pair of nostrils; pseudobranch absent; pelvic disk present, small to large; pectoral fins typically with fewer rays than anal fin, with or without developed lower lobe, notch variable; body color uniformly dark or light, often gradually darkening posteriorly when light, rarely variegated (Stein et al., 2001, emended).

Comments.— The genus Careproctus has been diagnosed in part by the lack of a variegated color pattern (Kido, 1988; Andriashev and Stein, 1998; Stein et al., 2001). However, both new species described herein possess this general coloration. While the two new species are apparently sister species forming a clade diagnosed by color and a unique character of the pectoral fin described below, liparid phylogenetics are poorly understood and additional new species are awaiting description and probable discovery (Andriashev and Stein, 1998; Stein et al., 2001; Chernova et al., 2004). Therefore, rather than erect a new genus to accommodate these differences, we have emended the diagnosis of Careproctus by broadening it to include the body coloration of these new species.