Clinocottus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the familyCottidae, the typical sculpins. They are nearshore benthic fishes native to the northeastern Pacific Ocean. They are mentioned as sharpnose sculpins.[2]
Taxonomy
Clinocottus was first proposed as a monospecific genus in 1861 by the American zoologistTheodore Gill with Oligocottus analis, which had been described in 1858 by Charles Frédéric Girard from Monterey, California, as its only species.[1][3] Molecular data indicate that this genus is polyphyletic or paraphyletic, it does not constitute a natural assemblage within Cottidae.[4] Workers have found that the lavender sculpin (Leiocottus hirundo) is the sister taxon to C. analis, a species which is not closely related to C. acuticeps. In turn, C. acuticeps is determined to be basal to Artedius,[5] or to the clade referred to as Oligocottinae.[6] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Clinocottus within the subfamilyCottinae of the family Cottidae,[7] however, other authors classify the genus within the subfamily Oligocottinae of the family Psychrolutidae.[1]
Etymology
Clinocottus combines Clinus a genus of blennies with Cottus, probably because Girard though the rounded head of the mosshead sculpin was reminiscent of the ehad shape of some gobies and blennies.[8]
Species
There are currently five recognized species in this genus:[9]
Clinocottus sculpins are characterised by having the anus in a forward position between the anal fin and the pelvic fins, they have a heavy and blunt penis and in both sexes the anal fin is unmodified. C. analis and C. acuticeps have pointed heads, which is regarded as a basal feature and the remaining 3 species have sizeable, rounded heads. This is suggestive of the paraphyly of the group.[6] These are small sculpins, the largest species is the mosshead sculpin with a maximum published total length of 19cm (7.5in) and the smallest is the calico sculpin with a maximum published total length of 7cm (2.8in).[9]
Distribution
Clinocottus sculpins are found in the eastern Pacific Ocean where they are found in the intertidal zone.[9][5]
12Marina L. Ramon; Matthew L. Knope (2008). "Molecular support for marine sculpin (Cottidae; Oligocottinae) diversification during the transition from the subtidal to intertidal habitat in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 46 (2): 475–483. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.11.005. PMID18248743.
12Matthew L. Knope (2013). "Phylogenetics of the marine sculpins (Teleostei: Cottidae) of the North American Pacific Coast". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 66 (1): 341–349. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2012.10.008. PMID23099148.
