RESULTS

(1) Chondrichthyes

Rhincodontidae

Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 Whale shark

References: New record; TH has photos of the species taken at Ascension Island (e.g. Figure 1).

Fig. 1.

Rhincodon typus and Remora albescens. Photo Tim Hook.

Alopiidae

Alopias superciliosus (Lowe, 1940) Bigeye thresher

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Lamnidae

Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 Shortfin mako

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Carcharhinidae

Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) Blue shark

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013 as Squalus adscensionis with doubt, based on Nakano & Seki, Reference Nakano and Seki2003.

Remarks: TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Carcharhinus galapagensis Snodgrass & Heller, 1905 Galapagos shark

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 60–61; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 43.

Remarks: TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has photos of it taken there. He notes that the species can be encountered in large groups of dozens of differently sized individuals. With a weight of 140 kg, the current sport-fishing world record for this species is from Ascension Island.

Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818) Dusky shark

References: New record, TH has fished a more than 300 kg specimen of this species at Ascension Island, which is far above the maximum recorded for the similar looking species Carcharinus galapagensis.

Galeocerdo cuvier (Péron & LeSueur in LeSueur, 1822) Tiger shark

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island. Pictures of large individuals (500 kg plus) captured in the past are on display in the Saints Bar Club in Georgetown.

Remarks: TH notes ‘All the Tigers that I have seen at Ascension are big ones (1000 lb plus); they are normally only around for 2 or 3 months (starting November/December). They arrive at the same time as the first Green turtles but only stay for about half the turtle season’. Seen cruising shallow beaches at night, presumably searching for Green turtles.

Sphyrnidae

Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith, 1834) Scalloped hammerhead

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Remarks: More common at deep drop-offs on the east side of the island.

Hexanchidae

Hexanchus griseus (Bonnaterre [ex Broussonet], 1788) Bluntnose sixgill shark

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has photos of it taken there.

Remarks: Only caught at night, frequently near the pipeline deepwater mooring. With 588.76 kg, the current sport-fishing world record is from Ascension Island.

Squalidae

Euprotomicrus bispinatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Pygmy shark

References: Springer in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 18.

Myliobatidae

Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792) Giant manta

References: New record; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 38 as Mobula ?mobula.

Remarks: John Bingeman has taken the photo in Figure 2 off Comfortless Cove, which clearly shows M. birostris and not M. alfredi (Krefft, 1868).

Fig. 2.

Manta birostris. Photo John Bingeman.

Mobula sp. Devil ray

References: Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 38 as Mobula ?hypostoma.

Remarks: According to Notarbartolo-di-Sciara (Reference Notarbartolo-di-Sciara1987), South Atlantic Mobula most probably either belong to Mobula rochebrunei (Vaillant, 1879) or to Mobula hypostoma (Bancroft, 1831). However, the first author has recently photographed Mobula tarapacana (Philipi, 1893) at St Helena Island.

(2) Osteichthyes

Muraenidae

Channomuraena vittata (Richardson, 1845) Broadbanded moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 23.

Remarks: A very common species in shallow water.

Echidna catenata (Bloch, 1795) Chain moray

References: Böhlke & Chaplin, Reference Böhlke and Chaplin1968, p. 87; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 24.

Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1838) Fangtooth moray

References: Smith & Böhlke in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 139; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 25 used this name for the species Muraena pavonina.

Enchelycore carychroa Böhlke & Böhlke, 1976 Caribbean chestnut moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Remarks: A specimen from English Bay is deposited as ZSM 43054.

Enchelycore nigricans (Bonnaterre [ex Gronow], 1788) Mulatto conger

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856) Goldentail moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Lycodontis miliaris; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 65; Smith & Böhlke in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 146–147 (as Muraena miliaris).

Remarks: All individuals seen by the first author were of the yellow ‘banana’ colour type.

Gymnothorax moringa (Cuvier, 1829) Spotted moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Lycodontis moringa; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 66; Smith & Böhlke in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 142–143; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 26.

Remarks: A very common species in shallow water.

Gymnothorax unicolor (Delaroche, 1809) Brown moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Lycodontis unicolor; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 66–67.

Gymnothorax vicinus (Castelnau, 1855) Purplemouth moray

Remarks: First record; observed by TH who notes ‘I was fishing with a St Helenian who had worked as fisherman in St Helena; when I brought the moray aboard he said straight away that it was a “Deepwater Conger”; this pointed me in the direction of Gymnothorax vicinus. When I got back to my accommodation I used Alasdair Edwards’ book to ID the moray; it ticked all the boxes (I can remember being pleased to ID the white margins to fins & purplish mouth). The only thing that was different to those recorded in Alasdair's book is that this one was taken from a water depth shallower, more in the region of 100 m.'

Monopenchelys acuta (Parr, 1930) Redface moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Rabula acuta.

Muraena pavonina Richardson, 1845 Whitespot moray

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman (Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 25) called this species Enchelycore anatina.

Remarks: A very common species in shallow water.

Uropterygius macularius (Lesueur, 1825) Marbled moray

References: Böhlke et al., Reference Böhlke, McCosker, Böhlke and Böhlke1989.

Ophichthidae

Callechelys bilinearis Kanazawa, 1952 Twostripe snake eel

References: Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 69.

Herpetoichthys regius (Richardson, 1848) Ornate snake eel

References: Trunov (Reference Trunov2006) records this species from Grattan seamount, 260 km southeast of Ascension Island as Ophichthus regius.

Remarks: This species has been considered endemic to the Ascension and St Helena area but J. McCosker (personal communication to PW) has examined two specimens from the St Paul's Rocks.

Ichthyapus insularis McCosker, Reference McCosker2004 Ascension snake eel

References: McCosker, Reference McCosker2004.

Remarks: An endemic species.

Ichthyapus ophioneus (Evermann & Marsh, 1900) Surf eel

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Sphagebranchus ophioneus; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 70.

Phaenomonas longissima (Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963) Short-maned sand eel

References: Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 71.

Remarks: Previously considered endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands but now also recorded from Ghana and in the western Atlantic from Brazil (J. McCosker, personal communication to PW) and Belize (B. Victor, personal communication to PW).

Quassiremus ascensionis (Studer, 1889) Blackspotted snake eel

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Ophichthus ascensionis, Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Ophichthus ophis. A photo of the species was taken during a night dive at English Bay (Figure 3).

Fig. 3.

Quassiremus ascensionis. Photo Shallow Marine Surveys Group.

Derichthyidae

Derichthys serpentinus Gill, 1884 Narrownecked ocean eel

References: Smith in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 193.

Nemichthyidae

Nemichthys scolopaceus Richardson, 1848 Slender snipe eel

References: Nielsen & Smith, Reference Nielsen and Smith1978, pp. 38–47.

Congridae

Heteroconger camelopardalis (Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980) Brazilian garden eel

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Platytroctidae

Barbantus elongatus Krefft, 1970 Elongate searsid

References: Quéro et al. in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 265.

Stomiidae

Eustomias intermedius Clarke, Reference Clarke1998 Intermediate dragonfish

References: Clarke, Reference Clarke1998, p. 679.

Synodontidae

Saurida brasiliensis Norman, Reference Norman1935 Brazilian lizardfish

References: Sulak in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 366–367.

Synodus synodus (Linnaeus, 1758) Diamond lizardfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 73; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 32.

Trachinocephalus myops (Forster in Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Snakefish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 73; Sulak in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 369–370; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 32.

Giganturidae

Gigantura chuni Brauer, 1901 Chun's gigantura

References: Johnson & Bertelsen, Reference Johnson and Bertelsen1991.

Gigantura indica Brauer, 1901 Indian telescopefish

References: Johnson & Bertelsen, Reference Johnson and Bertelsen1991.

Lampridae

Lampris guttatus (Brünnich, 1788) Opah

References: Parin & Kukuev, Reference Parin and Kukuev1983.

Antennariidae

Antennarius multiocellatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1837) Longlure frogfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Pietsch & Grobecker, Reference Pietsch and Grobecker1987.

Carapidae

Carapus acus (Brünnich, 1768) Pearl fish

References: Markle & Olney, Reference Markle and Olney1990, p. 375, ANSP specimen.

Remarks: A specimen at the British Museum of Natural History, deposited by Robert Irving and labelled BMNH 1987.3.24.2, has the original register – ‘Carapus ?bermudensis, Ascension Is., Site no. 9, depth 20 m, within anal cavity of holothurian, 7.11.1985’.

Mugilidae

Mugil curvidens Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1836 Dwarf mullet

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Myxus curvidens; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 33.

Exocoetidae

Cheilopogon exsiliens (Linnaeus, 1771) Bandwing flyingfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Cypselurus exiliens.

Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus (Bennett, 1831) Bennett's flyingfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Cypselurus lineatus; Parin & Gibbs in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 586.

Cypselurus cyanopterus (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1847) Margined flyingfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963.

Exocoetus volitans Linnaeus, 1758 Tropical two-wing flyingfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963.

Hirundichthys rondeletii (Valenciennes, 1847) Blackwing flyingfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Cypselurus rubescens.

Remarks: Doubtful record. There is no type material for Exocoetus rubescens Rafinesque, 1818 and Eschmeyer (Reference Eschmeyer2013) writes ‘Uncertain as Hirundichthys rondeletii (Valenciennes, 1847)’.

Hirundichthys rufipinnis (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1847) Redfin flyingfish

References: Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013 (as Exocoetus lamellifer which is a junior synonym according to Parin & Belyanina, Reference Parin and Belyanina2002, p. 40), based on original description from south-west of Ascension Island by Kner & Steindachner, Reference Kner and Steindachner1867, p. 364, pl. 2, Fig. 11.

Belonidae

Platybelone trachura (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846) Ascension keeled needlefish

References: Collette & Parin, Reference Collette and Parin1970, p. 33 (valid as subspecies of P. argalus); Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 82; Collette & Parin in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 594; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 33 as Platybelone argalus trachura.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Tylosurus sp.

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Belone imperialis.

Remarks: The species Tylosurus imperialis (Rafinesque, 1810) was split into several subspecies, subsequently raised to species level (see Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013). It is currently unknown if the western Atlantic T. acus (Lacepède, 1803) or the eastern Atlantic T. rafale Collette & Parin, Reference Collette and Parin1970 is present at Ascension Island.

Scomberesocidae

Scomberescox saurus (Walbaum, 1792) Atlantic saury

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963.

Remarks: This identification needs verification. Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b re-identified the record of Scomberesox saurus of Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 for St Helena Island as actually being Nanichthys simulans Hubbs & Wisner, 1980.

Diretmidae

Diretmoides pauciradiatus (Woods in Woods & Sonoda, 1973) Longwing spinyfish

References: Post & Quéro, Reference Post and Quéro1981, p. 56.

Holocentridae

Holocentrus adscensionis (Osbeck, 1765) Squirrelfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 85; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 46.

Remarks: A genetic study by Bowen et al. (Reference Bowen, Bass, Muss, Carlin and Robertson2006) showed little genetic variation between western Atlantic, mid-Atlantic and eastern Atlantic populations, with mid-Atlantic animals (from Ascension and St Helena Islands) being slightly more similar to western Atlantic populations.

Myripristis jacobus Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829 Blackbar soldierfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 85; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 45.

Remarks: A genetic study by Bowen et al. (Reference Bowen, Bass, Muss, Carlin and Robertson2006) showed very little genetic variation between western Atlantic, mid-Atlantic and eastern Atlantic populations.

Zenionidae

Zenion longipinnis Kotthaus, 1970

References: Karrer in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 629.

Aulostomidae

Aulostomus strigosus Wheeler, 1955 Atlantic cornetfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Aulostomus maculatus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 87; Bowen et al., Reference Bowen, Bass, Rocha, Grant and Robertson2001; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 52.

Fistulariidae

Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838 Bluespotted cornetfish

References: Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013.

Remarks: Doubtful record, no source found.

Fistularia petimba Lacepède [ex Commerson], 1803 Red cornetfish

References: Trunov (Reference Trunov2006) records this species from Grattan seamount, 260 km south-east of Ascension Island.

Syngnathidae

Hippocampus sp.

References: One of us (JY) saw a seahorse on a fishing line at about 60 m depth well over 20 years ago. This is most likely to be the species Hippocampus erectus Poey, 1810, which is recorded, also from more than 40 m depth, from St Helena Island (Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 88).

Dactylopteridae

Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) Flying gurnard

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Scorpaenidae

Pontinus nigropunctatus (Günther, 1868) Saint Helena deepwater scorpionfish

References: Trunov (Reference Trunov2006) records this species from Grattan seamount, 260 km south-east of Ascension Island; TH has fished it close to Ascension Island (Figure 4).

Fig. 4.

Pontinus nigropunctatus. Photo Tim Hook.

Remarks: Edwards (Reference Edwards1993) predicted the discovery of this species at Ascension Island. Previously considered endemic for St Helena Island and the nearby Bonaparte seamount (Edwards, Reference Edwards1993), it has since also been discovered at St Peter and St Paul Archipelago (Vaske et al., Reference Vaske, de Lima, Ribeiro and Lessa2008).

Scorpaena ascensionis Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer1971 Ascension scorpionfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Remarks: An endemic species.

Scorpaena grandicornis Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829 Plumed scorpionfish

References: Eschmeyer (Reference Eschmeyer2013) with doubt.

Scorpaena grattanica Trunov, Reference Trunov2006 Grattan scorpionfish

References: Trunov (Reference Trunov2006) records this species from Grattan seamount, 260 km south-east of Ascension Island.

Remarks: An endemic species to Grattan seamount, which is included with Ascension Island sensu lato here, as stated in the Materials and methods section.

Scorpaena plumieri Bloch, 1789 Spotted scorpionfish

References: Günther, Reference Günther1881; Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 88–89; Eschmeyer & Dempster in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 674; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 41.

Scorpaenodes insularis Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer1971 Ascension scorpaenodes

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 89; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 40. One specimen deposited as ZSM 42236.

Remarks: Endemic species to Ascension and St Helena Islands and the St Paul's Rocks.

Serranidae

Epinephelus adscensionis (Osbeck, 1765) Rock hind

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Epinephelus ascensionis; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Heemstra, Reference Heemstra1991, pp. 17–20; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 39.

Epinephelus aeneus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) White grouper

References: Norman (Reference Norman1935); Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock (Reference Lubbock1980).

Remarks: As noted by Lubbock (Reference Lubbock1980), this is a doubtful record, possibly due to the accidental inclusion of West African samples in a collection from Ascension Island.

Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein, 1822) Atlantic goliath grouper

References: New record.

Remarks: There is a black and white photo of Epinephelus itajara on page 69 of an unpublished report, edited by John Taylor and Robert Irving, on a joint services expedition entitled ‘Operation Origin – Ascension Island 1985’. On 31 October and 4 November they saw the Jewfish illustrated to the east of Power House cove. They found it in a cave open at both ends and estimated it as 1.3 m long. Additionally, RAF dive instructor Malcolm Moss wrote to TH: ‘The one & only time I ever saw a Jewfish on Asi was when I was diving on an RAF exped on 8 Sep 98 diving in Eddies Gully from 1327 hrs to 1406 hrs according to my logbook. It was an awesome sight to say the least. Neither I nor my buddy (Dave Ball – ex RAF) had a camera at the time. My logbook tells me the fish was about 7 ft long. It was laying on a rocky plateau under an arch hardly moving but its huge eyes followed our every move. We were with it for approx 10 mins at a depth of approx 10 mtrs. The log goes on …‘2 other pairs of divers then turned up – glad too as no one would have believed us otherwise. We only found out what the fish was after we discussed it with some of the Sainty fishermen later that day. They told us that it was a fairly rare occurrence to see one. I did a further 4 military expeds on Asi after that but never saw another Goliath Grouper. I did however see some Jewfish whilst diving West Palm Beach Florida with Mac McDowell (CSR Asi) on 15 July 2008. Got them on video too.’ Finally, one of us (JY) has seen Jewfish at the deep tanker wreck off the pier head and near Klinka Club.

Holanthias caudalis Trunov, Reference Trunov1976 Ascension swallowtail

References: Trunov, Reference Trunov1976.

Remarks: An endemic species.

Holanthias fronticinctus (Günther, 1868) Saint Helena seaperch

References: David (Reference David2011) filmed this species at Grattan seamount, 260 km south-east of Ascension Island; also fished by TH close to Ascension Island (Figure 5).

Fig. 5.

Holanthias fronticinctus. Photo Tim Hook.

Remarks: Previously considered endemic for St Helena Island and the nearby Bonaparte Seamount (Edwards, Reference Edwards1993).

Paranthias furcifer (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828) Creole fish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Heemstra, Reference Heemstra1991, pp. 57–58; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, pp. 19–20. Three specimens deposited as ZSM 42248.

Remarks: A molecular study by Craig & Hasting (Reference Craig and Hasting2007) indicated that this species may belong to the genus Cephalopholis.

Pseudogramma gregoryi (Breder, 1927) Reef bass

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Remarks: Pseudogramma gregoryi is easily confused with P. guineensis (Norman, Reference Norman1935); see Wirtz et al. (Reference Wirtz, Ferreira, Floeter, Fricke, Gasparini, Iwamoto, Rocha, Sampaio and Schliewen2007). The identity of the Ascension Pseudogramma needs checking.

Rypticus saponaceus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Greater soapfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Maugé in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 709; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 45. Two specimens deposited as ZSM 42240.

Remarks: Both juveniles and adults of the Ascension soapfish differ in colour from West-African individuals; adult animals also differ in body shape (PW, personal observations, cf. Figure 6). In a genetic study by Carlin et al. (Reference Carlin, Robertson and Bowen2003), Rypticus saponaceus specimens from the eastern Atlantic differed greatly from mid-Atlantic and western Atlantic specimens and mid-Atlantic specimens also differed considerably from western Atlantic specimens. As the type locality of Rypticus saponaceus is from the western Atlantic, the eastern Atlantic (and possibly also the mid-Atlantic) populations will have to be described as separate species.

Fig. 6.

Rypticus saponaceus. Photo Peter Wirtz.

Serranus sanctaehelenae Boulenger, 1895 Saint Helena comber

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980, Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 90; Trunov, Reference Trunov2006.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Priacanthidae

Cookeolus japonicus (Cuvier [ex Langsdorff] in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829) Longfinned bullseye

References: New record, fished at Ascension Island by TH (Figure 7); also fished at Grattan Seamount, as documented in a photo by Ingrid Vincent-Andersen.

Fig. 7.

Cookeolus japonicus. Photo Tim Hook.

Heteropriacanthus cruentatus (Lacepède, 1801) Glasseye

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Priacanthus cruentatus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 44.

Apogonidae

Apogon axillaris Valenciennes, 1832 Axillary-spot cardinalfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 92; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 14. Two specimens deposited as ZSM 42237.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Apogon pseudomaculatus Longley, 1932 Twospot cardinalfish

References: New record; a single individual was photographed (Figure 8) and captured during a night dive in English Bay in September 2012; the specimen is in the Zoologische Staatssammlung in Munich (ZSM 42234, one specimen). After its capture at São Tomé Island (Wirtz et al., Reference Wirtz, Ferreira, Floeter, Fricke, Gasparini, Iwamoto, Rocha, Sampaio and Schliewen2007), this is the second record of the species outside the western Atlantic.

Fig. 8.

Apogon pseudomaculatus. Photo Peter Wirtz.

Phaeoptyx pigmentaria (Poey, 1860) Dusky cardinalfish

References: New record; two individuals were captured by spraying clove oil into a crack in the rock in English Bay in about 12 m depth in January 2014. The specimens are in the Zoologische Staatssammlung in Munich (ZSM 43055). This species has previously been recorded from Bermuda to Brazil in the Western Atlantic and from the Gulf of Guinea in the Eastern Atlantic (Baldwin et al., Reference Baldwin, Mounts, Smith and Weigt2009).

Malacanthidae

Malacanthus plumieri (Bloch, 1786) Sand tilefish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Dooley in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 720; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 50. One specimen deposited as ZSM 42247.

Coryphaenidae

Coryphaena equiselis Linnaeus, 1758 Pompano dolphinfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Coryphaena equisetis.

Remarks: This record needs confirmation.

Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758 Common dolphinfish

References: Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 22.

Remarks: TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has photos of it taken there. He notes that the species usually occurs in groups.

Echeneidae

Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus, 1758 Live sharksucker

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963.

Remora albescens (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) White suckerfish

References: New record; TH has photographed the species in association with a whale shark (Figure 1).

Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758) Sharksucker

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963.

Remarks: Also documented in a photo by Colin Chester that shows a Remora remora attached to Mobula sp.

Carangidae

Caranx bartholomaei Cuvier, 1833 Yellow jack

References: New record; documented by a photo taken by Colin Chester near Boatswain Bird Island (Figure 9)

Fig. 9.

Caranx bartholomaei. Photo Colin Chester.

Caranx crysos (Mitchill, 1815) Blue runner

References: Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 96; Smith-Vaniz et al. in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 732.

Caranx fischeri Smith-Vaniz & Carpenter, Reference Smith-Vaniz and Carpenter2007 Longfin crevalle jack

References: Smith-Vaniz & Carpenter, Reference Smith-Vaniz and Carpenter2007.

Caranx hippos (Linnaeus [ex Garden], 1766) Crevalle jack

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963, Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b and Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 97 list Caranx hippos for Ascension Island; however, at that time the closely related species Caranx fischeri Smith-Vaniz & Carpenter, Reference Smith-Vaniz and Carpenter2007 had not yet been described. Edward's record based on specimen ‘BMNH 1927.12.7.49 (358), J. Simpson’ later even became a paratype of C. fischeri. TH is fairly certain that he has fished Caranx hippos (but not Caranx fischeri) at Ascension Island but the record of C. hippos for Ascension Island needs verification.

Caranx latus Agassiz in Spix & Agassiz, 1831 Horse-eye jack

References: Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 31; Smith-Vaniz et al. in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 733.

Caranx lugubris Poey, 1860 Black jack

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Caranx lugubris and as Caranx ascensionis; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 97; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 31; Smith-Vaniz et al. in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 734; Trunov, Reference Trunov2006.

Carangoides ruber (Bloch, 1793) Bar jack

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island; there is no photographic record but the species is unmistakable.

Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1833) Mackerel scad

References: Smith-Vaniz et al. in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 736–737; fished by TH, who has a photo of the species taken at Ascension Island.

Decapterus punctatus (Cuvier, 1829) Round scad

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Decapterus sanctae-helenae; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 100; Smith-Vaniz et al. in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 737–738.

Decapterus tabl Berry, 1968 Roughear scad

References: New record; fished by TH, who has a photo of the species taken at Ascension Island (Figure 10).

Fig. 10.

Decapterus tabl. Photo Tim Hook.

Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Rainbow runner

References: Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 40.

Pseudocaranx dentex (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) White trevally

References: Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 102; Smith-Vaniz et al.in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 742–743.

Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793) Bigeye scad

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963.

Remarks: A common species, also documented in photos taken by TH and by the Shallow Marine Surveys Group.

Seriola rivoliana (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1833) Longfin yellowtail

References: Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 30.

Remarks: Only the photo page 30 bottom right in Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005 shows Seriola rivoliana, the photo bottom left shows Seriola dumerili.

Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810) Greater amberjack

References: New record; the photo page 30 bottom left in Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005 shows this species but calls it Seriola rivoliana; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Pompano

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Trachinotus glaucus; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 36; Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013 (as Scomber ascensionis, Scomber glaucus).

Uraspis helvola (Forster in Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Whitetongue jack

References: Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987b; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 105; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Lutjanidae

Lutjanus jocu (Bloch & Schneider [ex Parra], 1801) Dog snapper

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 44.

Sparidae

Diplodus ascensionis (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1830) Ascension seabream

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 106 (as Diplodus sargus ascensionis); Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 42.

Remarks: An endemic species.

Mullidae

Mulloidichthys martinicus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829) Yellow goatfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 107; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 29.

Kyphosidae

Kyphosus bigibbus Lacepède, 1801 Brown chub

References: Knudsen & Clements (Reference Knudsen and Clements2013)

Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus, 1758) Bermuda sea chub

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 108; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 13.

Kyphosus vaigensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) Brassy chub

References: Knudsen & Clements (Reference Knudsen and Clements2013).

Chaetodontidae

Chaetodon sanctaehelenae Günther, 1868 Saint Helena butterflyfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Chaetodon sanctae-helenae; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 109; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 13.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Island but stray individuals, almost certainly transported by man, have been recorded at the Canary Islands (Brito et al., Reference Brito, Pascual, Falcón, Sancho and González2002).

Prognathodes dichrous (Günther, 1869) Bicolour butterflyfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 108–109; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 13, as Chaetodon dichrous; Maugé in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 839; Trunov, Reference Trunov2006.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Pomacanthidae

Centropyge resplendens Lubbock & Sankey, Reference Lubbock and Sankey1975 Resplendent angelfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Lubbock & Sankey, Reference Lubbock and Sankey1975; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 8.

Remarks: An endemic species. The Brazilian Centropyge aurantonotus appears to be the most closely related species (Gaither et al., Reference Gaither, Schultz, Bellwood, Pyle, DiBattista, Rocha and Bowen2014).

Pomacanthus paru (Bloch, 1787) French angelfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 7.

Cirrhitidae

Amblycirrhitus earnshawi Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1978 Ascension hawkfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1978; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 30.

Remarks: An endemic species. The colour pattern shows some similarity with the western Atlantic A. pinos (Mowbray, 1927), also present at St Helena Island, from which it is probably derived.

Pomacentridae

Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) Sergeant-major

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Abudefduf marginatus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 41.

Chromis multilineata (Guichenot, 1853)

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Chromis chromis; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Chromis sp.; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 109–110; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 21 as Chromis sp.

Remarks: Chromis multilineata from Ascension differ from the population at St Helena Island in having a bright spot at the rear end of the base of the dorsal fin (Figure 11). Rocha et al. (Reference Rocha, Rocha, Robertson and Bowen2008) could not find genetic differences between the populations of Ascension and of St Helena Islands. The population genetically closest to these mid-Atlantic islands appears to be the one at Brazil (Rocha et al., Reference Rocha, Rocha, Robertson and Bowen2008).

Fig. 11.

Chromis multilineata. Photo Sue Scott.

Stegastes lubbocki Allen & Smith, Reference Allen and Smith1992 Lubbock's gregory

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Pomacentrus leucostictus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Stegastes sp.; Lloris & Rucabado in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 849–850 as Pomacentrus leucostictus (non Müller & Troschel, 1848); Allen & Smith, Reference Allen and Smith1992; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 21.

Remarks: An endemic species. The first author has observed juveniles of this species cleaning numerous other fish species. In the description of Stegastes lubbocki, Allen & Smith (Reference Allen and Smith1992) write that the most similar looking Stegastes species in the Atlantic is S. partitus (Poey, 1868) but the most similar one is in fact the Brazilian species S. pictus (Castelnau, 1855). See Figure 12.

Fig. 12.

Stegastes lubbocki, territorial male. Photo Peter Wirtz.

Labridae

Bodianus insularis Gomon & Lubbock, Reference Gomon and Lubbock1980 Island hogfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Cossyphus rufus; Gomon & Lubbock, Reference Gomon and Lubbock1980; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 111; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, pp. 59–60.

Remarks: Endemic to the islands of Ascension, St Helena and the St Paul's Rocks.

Thalassoma ascensionis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1834) Greenfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 56.

Remarks: An endemic species. Juveniles have been observed by PW to clean many other species of fish. The sister species of the closely related Thalassoma ascensionis and T. sanctaehelenae is the eastern Atlantic species T. newtoni (Costagliola et al., Reference Costagliola, Robertson, Guidetti, Stefanni, Wirtz, Heiser and Bernardi2004).

Thalassoma sanctaehelenae (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1839) Saint Helena wrasse

References: Bingeman & Bingeman (Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 58).

Remarks: The presence of T. sanctaehelenae at Ascension Island was already suspected by Bingeman & Bingeman (Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005). We here confirm it. Figure 13 by TH shows a terminal male T. sanctaehelenae captured in a tide pool at English Bay. Thalassoma ascensionis and T. sanctaehelenae are clearly distinct in colour and in their mitochondrial genome (Costagliola et al., Reference Costagliola, Robertson, Guidetti, Stefanni, Wirtz, Heiser and Bernardi2004). We suspect that the recent appearance of T. sanctaehelenae at Ascension is due to human transport. The species has also been recorded by TH at the east coast of the island; to have such a large area of distribution, it must have been in the area for some time already.

Fig. 13.

Thalassoma sanctaehelenae, terminal male phase. Photo Tim Hook.

Xyrichtys blanchardi (Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963) Marmalade razorfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Novaculichthys blanchardi; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 112; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 39.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Xyrichtys sanctaehelenae (Günther, 1868) Yellow razorfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Novacula sanctae-helenae; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 112.

Remarks: Considered endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands until a single individual was recorded from São Tomé Island (Wirtz et al., Reference Wirtz, Ferreira, Floeter, Fricke, Gasparini, Iwamoto, Rocha, Sampaio and Schliewen2007).

Scaridae

Cryptotomus sp.

References: First record. An initial phase specimen was collected by Ross Robertson in 1997 (personal communication to PW).

Remarks: This is most likely to be the western Atlantic Cryptotomus roseus Cope 1871.

Scarus hoefleri (Steindachner, 1881) Guinean parrotfish

References: Norman (Reference Norman1935) as Pseudoscarus guacamaia (Cuvier, 1829); Lubbock (Reference Lubbock1980).

Remarks: Lubbock (Reference Lubbock1980) notes that Norman's (Reference Norman1935) record is doubtful, possibly due to the accidental inclusion of West African samples in a collection from Ascension Island.

Sparisoma strigatum (Günther, 1862) Strigate parrotfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 113; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 35.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands. The sister species of Sparisoma strigatum is the eastern Atlantic Sparisoma cretense (Robertson et al., Reference Robertson, Karg, De Moura, Victor and Bernardi2006).

Tripterygiidae

Helcogramma ascensionis Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 Ascension triplefin

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 113; Holleman, Reference Holleman2007.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands (Holleman, Reference Holleman2007).

Blenniidae

Entomacrodus textilis (Valenciennes [ex Quoy & Gaimard] in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1836) Textile blenny

References: Günther, Reference Günther1881 as Salarias vomerinus; Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 114; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 12. Two specimens deposited as ZSM 42244 and 42245.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Ophioblennius sp.

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 and Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Ophioblennius atlanticus; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 114; Bath in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 914–915; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 11 as Ophioblennius atlanticus atlanticus. Three specimens deposited as ZSM 42235 and 42241.

Remarks: Ophioblennius observed by the first author at Ascension Island differ from eastern Atlantic and from the Caribbean and Brazilian populations seen by the first author in colour pattern: they occasionally display yellow-orange to light brown bands on the head and/or body (e.g. Figure 14). Muss et al. (Reference Muss, Robertson, Stepien, Wirtz and Bowen2001) have shown that specimens from Ascension and St Helena Islands are genetically similar to each other and quite distinct from other populations. They are likely to belong to a separate species, endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands. Their closest relatives appear to be eastern Atlantic populations (Muss et al., Reference Muss, Robertson, Stepien, Wirtz and Bowen2001).

Fig. 14.

Ophioblennius sp. Photo Shallow Marine Surveys Group.

Scartella nuchifilis (Valenciennes [ex Quoy & Gaimard] in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1836) Filamentous rockskipper

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Blennius cristatus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 114; Bath in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 913; Rangel et al., Reference Rangel, Gasparini and Guimaraes2004; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 11.

Remarks: An endemic species. Note that Scartella cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) is supposed to have been originally described from Ascension Island (see Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013); this may need clarification.

Callionymidae

Callionymus bairdi (Jordan in Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888) Lancer dragonet

References: Fricke, Reference Fricke2002. Two specimens deposited as ZSM 42245 and 42246.

Remarks: Also recorded during the Shallow Water Survey Expedition at Porpoise Rock, on gravel in about 15 m depth.

Gobiidae

Gnatholepis thompsoni Jordan, 1904 Goldspot goby

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 116; Larson & Buckle, Reference Larson and Buckle2012.

Gobius tropicus Osbeck, 1765

References: According to Miller in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 951, ‘unlikely to be a gobiid, since original description refers to a single long dorsal fin, and serrated preopercle’; Eschmeyer (Reference Eschmeyer2013) writes ‘status uncertain’.

Priolepis ascensionis (Dawson & Edwards in Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a) Ascension goby

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Quisquilius sp.; Dawson & Edwards in Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 116; Miller in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 946 (as Quisquilius sp.); Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 28. One specimen deposited as ZSM 42238.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Acanthuridae

Acanthurus bahianus Castelnau, 1855 Barber surgeon fish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 49.

Remarks: We confirm that Ascension individuals show the yellow margin of the caudal fin typical for the south-western Atlantic species A. bahianus and not the blue margin of the caudal fin typical for its north-western sister species Acanthurus tractus (Poey, 1860) (Bernal & Rocha, Reference Bernal and Rocha2011).

Acanthurus chirurgus (Bloch, 1787) Doctorfish

References: Rocha et al., Reference Rocha, Bass, Robertson and Bowen2002; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 49.

Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 Blue tang

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 48.

Paracanthurus hepatus (Linnaeus, 1766) Palette surgeonfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Acanthurus hepatus.

Remarks: Mistaken record. Paracanthurus hepatus is an Indo-Pacific species. Possibly a confusion with Acanthurus coeruleus.

Sphyraenidae

Sphyraena barracuda (Edwards in Catesby, 1771) Great barracuda

References: Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 9.

Gempylidae

Promethichthys prometheus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1832) Roudi escolar

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Thyrsites prometheus; Nakamura & Parin, Reference Nakamura and Parin1993.

Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco, 1833 Oilfish

References: New record, fished by TH, who has a photo of the species taken at Ascension Island.

Trichiuridae

Aphanopus intermedius Parin, 1983 Intermediate scabbardfish

References: Nakamura & Parin, Reference Nakamura and Parin1993.

Scombridae

Acanthocybium solandri (Cuvier, 1832) Wahoo

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island.

Auxis rochei (Risso, 1810) Bullet tuna

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island.

Auxis thazard (Lacepède [ex Commerson], 1800) Frigate tuna

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810) Little tunny

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758) Skipjack tuna

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre [ex Cetti], 1788) Albacore

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island. There is no photographic record but the species is unmistakable.

Remarks: TH notes that they are only caught rarely in the southern hemisphere winter when the sea temperatures are down.

Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre [ex Sloane], 1788) Yellowfin tuna

References: Cadenat Marchal, 1963 as Neothunnus albacora; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Thunnus obesus (Lowe, 1839) Bigeye tuna

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Thunnus thynnus (Linnaeus, 1758) Atlantic bluefin tuna

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963

Remarks: Presence at Ascension confirmed by Ezequiel Conde (to TH), who knows the species well from the Azores and recorded individuals of Thunnus thynnus of at least 300 kg weight.

Xiphiidae

Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758 Swordfish

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Istiophoridae

Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw in Shaw & Nodder, 1792) Indo-Pacific sailfish

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Kajikia albida (Poey, 1860) Atlantic white marlin

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Makaira nigricans Lacepède, 1802 Blue marlin

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island; see also Figure 15.

Fig. 15.

Makaira nigricans. Photo Tim Hook.

Tetrapturus pfluegeri Robins & Sylva, 1963 Longbill spearfish

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Centrolophidae

Hyperoglyphe perciformis (Mitchill, 1818) Barrelfish

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Schedophilus sp.

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island; the photographic record was lost. This is most likely to be Schedophilus velaini (Sauvage, 1879).

Caproidae

Antigonia capros Lowe, 1843 Deepbody boarfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 86–87.

Remarks: TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Paralichthyidae

Syacium micrurum Ranzani, 1842 Channel flounder

References: Cadenat & Marchal (Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963).

Remarks: This is probably a mistaken record. The eastern Atlantic species Syacium guineensis (Bleeker, 1862) has in the past frequently been called Syacium micrurum, which is a western Atlantic species (see remarks in Wirtz et al., Reference Wirtz, Brito, Falcón, Freitas, Fricke, Monteiro, Reiner and Tariche2013). Moreover, Fraser (Reference Fraser1971) considered the record of S. micrurum by Cadenat & Marchal as misidentification of S. papillosum.

Syacium papillosum (Linnaeus, 1758) Dusky flounder

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980.

Bothidae

Arnoglossus capensis Boulenger, 1889 Cape scaldfish

References: Nielsen, Reference Nielsen1961; Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 131.

Bothus lunatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Platefish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Platophrys lunatus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 131; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 28.

Bothus mellissi Norman, 1931 Saint Helena flounder

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Platophrys mellissi; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 131; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 28.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension and St Helena Islands.

Cynoglossidae

Symphurus lubbocki Munroe, Reference Munroe1990 Ascension tonguefish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Symphurus sp.; Munroe, Reference Munroe1990; Desoutter in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, pp. 1053–1054 as Symphurus nigrescens (Rafinesque, 1810); Munroe et al., Reference Munroe, Brito and Hernández2000.

Remarks: Endemic to Ascension Island.

Balistidae

Balistes pellucidus Hermann, 1804

References: Eschmeyer, Reference Eschmeyer2013, no status assigned.

Remarks: Doubtful species; needs redescription if valid.

Balistes vetula Linnaeus, 1758 Queen triggerfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 51.

Canthidermis maculata (Bloch, 1786) Ocean triggerfish

Remarks: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Canthidermis maculatus.

Canthidermis sufflamen (Mitchill, 1815) Atlantic ocean triggerfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 133.

Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786) Black triggerfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Mellichthys buniva; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, pp. 133–134; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 51.

Remarks: The extraordinary population density of this species at Ascension Island has been remarked upon by many authors, e.g. Lubbock (Reference Lubbock1980) and Kavanagh & Olney (Reference Kavanagh and Olney2006). Mass mortalities of this species have been recorded repeatedly (Pinheiro et al., Reference Pinheiro, Gasparini and Joyeux2010).

Xanthichthys ringens (Linnaeus, 1758) Sargassum triggerfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Balistes ringens.

Remarks: This is probably a confusion with the light colour phase of Melichthys niger, which does, on first glance, resemble Xanthichthy ringens (personal observation of the first author).

Monacanthidae

Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765) Scribbled leatherjacket filefish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Alutera scripta; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Harmelin-Vivien & Quéro in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 1063; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 27.

Cantherhines macrocerus (Hollard, 1853) American whitespotted filefish

References: New record, based on two photos by JY, identified by John Bingeman, and several photos taken by the Shallow Marine Surveys Group (Figure 16).

Fig. 16.

Cantherhines monocerus. Photo Shallow Marine Surveys Group.

Ostraciidae

Acanthostracion notacanthus (Bleeker, 1863) Island cowfish

References: Günther, Reference Günther1881 as Ostracion quadricornis (non Linnaeus, 1758); Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Ostracion notacanthus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980 as Lactophrys notacanthus; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 135; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 12.

Rhinesomus bicaudalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Spotted trunkfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Ostracion bicaudalis; Duron & Quéro in Quéro et al., Reference Quéro, Hureau, Karrer, Post and Saldanha1990, p. 1068.

Remarks: This record needs confirmation.

Tetraodontidae

Canthigaster sanctaehelenae (Günther, 1870) Saint Helena sharpnose pufferfish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 135; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 37.

Remarks: Endemic to St Helena and Ascension Islands.

Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller & Troschel in Schomburgk, 1848) Blunthead puffer

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Diodontidae

Chilomycterus reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Spotfin burrfish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 137.

Diodon eydouxii Brisout de Barneville, 1846 Pelagic porcupinefish

References: New record; TH has fished this species at Ascension Island and has a photo of it taken there.

Diodon holocanthus Linnaeus, 1758 Longspined porcupinefish

References: Cadenat & Marchal, Reference Cadenat and Marchal1963 as Diodon holacanthus; Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Edwards & Glass, Reference Edwards and Glass1987a; Edwards, Reference Edwards1990, p. 138; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 9.

Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758 Spot-fin porcupinefish

References: Lubbock, Reference Lubbock1980; Bingeman & Bingeman, Reference Bingeman and Bingeman2005, p. 37.