Orrichthys, Carnevale & Pietsch, 2010

Carnevale, Giorgio & Pietsch, Theodore W., 2010, Eocene handfishes from Monte Bolca, with description of a new genus and species, and a phylogeny of the family Brachionichthyidae (Teleostei: Lophiiformes), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 160 (4), pp. 621-647 : 630

† ORRICHTHYS GEN. NOV.

† Histionotophorus Eastman, 1904: 32 (in part; replacement name for Histiocephalus De Zigno, 1887: 31 , preoccupied by Histiocephalus Diesing, 1851 , therefore taking the same type species, Histiocephalus bassani De Zigno, 1887: 31 ). Sorbini, 1972: 120, pl. 6, fig. 1 (misidentification).

Type species: Orrichthys longimanus sp. nov., by original designation and monotypy.

Diagnosis: A brachionichthyid genus unique and derived in having the maxilla strongly developed, length nearly 20% SL; haemal spines of the caudal vertebrae enlarged anteroposteriorly; and anteriormost anal-fin pterygiophores directed anteroventrally. The genus is further distinguished from all other brachionichthyid genera in having the following combination of character states: jaw teeth relatively large and caniniform; vertebrae 21 or 22; neural spines of abdominal vertebrae simple, not spatulate; haemal spines of abdominal vertebrae posteroventrally directed; neural spine of second vertebra anteroposteriorly enlarged; first dorsal-fin pterygiophore hypertrophied; pectoral radials extremely elongate; body depth at origin of dorsal fin nearly 42% SL; body depth at origin of anal fin nearly 35% SL; dorsal-fin rays 16 or 17; anal-fin rays 11; pectoral-fin rays eight or nine; pelvic fin one spine and five rays; caudal-fin rays nine, ventral-most ray reduced to a small splint; skin naked, without dermal spinules.

Etymology: Named after James Wilder Orr, Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Washington; and Research Fisheries Biologist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, for his generous help with the present research, and for his many significant contributions to ichthyology.