Neoclinus, Anarhichas and Gigantura compared
Is the large toothed element in the upper jaw of deep sea Gigantura
(Fig 1) a palatine? or a premaxilla?
Konstantinidis and Johnson 2016 indicated ‘palatine’ is correct, but omitted two comparable and related blennies, Neoclinus (Fig 2) and Anarhichas (Fig 3) from their text.
Like other workers, these two authors considered Gigantura an Aulopiform (related to Aulopus), which is why they overlooked/omitted the similar blennies.
Figure 1. Gigantura skull diagram. Colors added here. The toothy upper jaw element has been identified as a premaxilla here based on phylogenetic bracketing with the otherwise similar Neoclinus (Fig 2) and Anarhichas (Fig 3).
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif?w=172″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-93547″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif” alt=”Figure 1. Gigantura skull diagram. Colors added here. The toothy upper jaw element has been identified as a premaxilla here based on phylogenetic bracketing with the otherwise similar Neoclinus (Fig 2) and Anarhichas (Fig 3). ” width=”584″ height=”1017″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif?w=584&h=1017 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif?w=86&h=150 86w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif?w=172&h=300 172w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gigantura-skull588.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Gigantura skull diagram. Colors added here. The toothy upper jaw element has been identified as a premaxilla here based on phylogenetic bracketing with the otherwise similar Neoclinus (Fig 2) and Anarhichas (Fig 3). Note the rare high placement of the pectorals.
Palatine teeth
Neoclinus (Fig 2) and Anarhichas (Fig 3) both have large teeth on the palatine and premaxilla. If Gigantura (Fig 1) is scored with a premaxilla with an ascending process, these three taxa score alike. If without a premaxilla, then not so much.
Also take a look at that tan element at the posterior end of the jaws.
All three taxa have it.
Figure 2. Neoclinus blanchardi µCT scan. Colors added here. Note the similar elements in figure 1.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif?w=273″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-93549″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif” alt=”Figure 2. Neoclinus blanchardi µCT scan. Colors added here. Note the similar elements in figure 1. ” width=”584″ height=”641″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif?w=584&h=641 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif?w=137&h=150 137w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif?w=273&h=300 273w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/neoclinus-blanchardi-skull-lat588.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. Neoclinus blanchardi µCT scan. Colors added here. Note the similar elements in figure 1.
Gigantura indica
(Brauer A 1901, Konstantinidis and Johnson 2016; 20 cm standard length, not counting caudal fin) is the extant telescope fish. Here it nests between the larger Neoclinus and the much larger Anarhichas in the blenny family. The postorbital (= circumorbital ring) is reduced to vestiges. Note the horizontal teeth protruding from the anterior dentary along with regular vertical teeth. Compare those to Anarhichas (Fig 3). This small fish can swallow prey larger than itself.
Figure 1. Skull of the wolffish, Anarhichas. Compare to figures 1 and 2 noting similar elements.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-93551″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Skull of the wolffish, Anarhichas. Compare to figures 1 and 2..” width=”584″ height=”535″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg?w=584&h=535 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg?w=150&h=138 150w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg?w=300&h=275 300w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/anarhichas.skull588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 3. Skull of the wolffish, Anarhichas. Compare to figures 1 and 2 noting similar elements including large palatine teeth (blue).
This appears to be a novel hypothesis of interrelationships.
If not, please provide a citation so I can promote it here.
References
Brauer A 1901. Über einige von der Valdivia-Expedition gesammelte Tiefseefische und ihre Augen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft zur Beförderung der Gesamten Naturwissenschaften zu Marburg 8: 115–130.
Konstantinidis P and Johnson GD 2016. Osteology of the telescope fishes of the genus Gigantura (Brauer, 1901), Teleostei: Aulopiformes. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 179(2):338–353.
wiki/Sarcastic Fringehead – Neoclinus
wiki/Gigantura
wiki/Aulopiformes
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/07/08/neoclinus-anarhichas-and-gigantura-compared/
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