Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Syn.: Semicossyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) fide Fricke, et al. 2023. Cossyphus darwini Jenyns, 1842, Dentex maculatus Pérez Canto, 1886, Labrus aper Valenciennes, 1846, Pimelometopon darwini (Jenyns, 1842), Semicossyphus maculatus (Pérez Canto, 1886), Semicosyphus darwini (Jenyns, 1842) -misspelling (Ahyong, 2023). Note: The first multilocus molecular phylogeny of Bodianus species corroborated the non-monophyly of this group without the inclusion of the creolefish (Clepticus) and the sheepshead fishes (Semicossyphus). Furthermore, we demonstrated that hogfishes and their allies began radiating during the early Miocene, ~20 Ma, despite originating in the Indo-West and Southwest Pacific, experienced multiple episodes during which they successfully invaded different geographic regions and/or ocean basins; based on this work we suggest that the taxonomic status of Bodianus, the arboreal species of Clepticus and the three species of Semicossyphus should be reclassified as Bodianus (Santini, et al. 2016). Anecdotal observations: This species was documented from 15 specimens of Galapagos ichthyofauna obtained by Darwin and returned with them to England. All of them were later described as new by his friend and fellow naturalist, Leonard Jenyns, and one of them was named Cossyphus darwini in his honor (Merlen, 1988).

Origin: Native

Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.

Distribution: Southeastern Pacific: Ecuador south to Chile, including Galapagos Islands (Fricke, et. al. 2022)

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• Humann, P. Deloach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification - Galapagos. New World Publication, Inc. Florida USA & Libri Mundi, Quito, Ecuador, 226 pp.
• McCosker, J.E. Rosenblatt, R.H. (2010) The fishes of the Galápagos Archipelago: an update. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sc., Ser. 4, vol. 61, Suppl. II, no. 11: 167-195.
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• Constant, P. (2007) Marine Life of the Galapagos. The Diver's guide to Fishes, Whales, Dolphins and marine Invertebrates, 307 pp.
• Ahyong, S. Boyko, C.B., Bailly, N., Bernot, J., Bieler, R, ... Williams, D.M., Williams, G., Wilson, R., Witkowski, J., Wyatt, N., Wylezich, C., Xavier, J., Xu, K., Zanol, J., Zeidler, W., Zhao, Z., Zullini, A. (2023) World Register of Marine Species. Available from https://www.marinespecies.org at VLIZ.
• Santini, F. Sorenson, L., & Alfaro, M. E. (2016) Phylogeny and biogeography of hogfishes and allies (Bodianus, Labridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 99, 1-6.
• Merlen, G. (1988) A field guide to the fishes of Galápagos Quito : Ediciones Libri Mundi.