Coryphopterus Gill, 1863

Genus Coryphopterus Gill, 1863 View in CoL

Coryphopterus View in CoL contains two rather distinct otolith morphotypes, one where the otolith proportions (OL:OH) are equal or larger than 1.0 which contains most of the species, and one containing C. lipernes View in CoL and C. personatus View in CoL which are characterized by high-bodied otoliths with a ratio OL:OH <1.0 and broadly concave anterior and posterior rims. In a phylogenetic assessment of the Atlantic species of the genus Coryphopterus View in CoL by Baldwin et al. (2009) C. lipernes View in CoL and C. personatus View in CoL are shown in a discrete clade together with C. hyalinus View in CoL of which otoliths are not known. Baldwin et al. (2009) also showed C. dicrus View in CoL , C. glaucofraenum View in CoL , C. tortugae View in CoL and C. venezuelae View in CoL in one clade and C. thrix View in CoL and C. eidolon View in CoL somewhat separated from both. Coryphopterus alloides View in CoL and C. kuna View in CoL were regarded as the most basal taxa in the phylogeny of Coryphopterus View in CoL . Unfortunately, otoliths of these two species are unknown. Coryphopterus species occur mostly in shallow water over sand and reef rubble, and some species are reef associated.