Dominant species included Sebastes semicinctus (Gilbert, 1897), Sebastes saxicola (Gilbert, 1890), Sebastes elongatus (Ayres, 1859), Ophiodon elongatus (Girard, 1859), unidentified flatfishes (Pleuronectidae),
Agonidae, and Zaniolepis spp.
stoutii]), flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes), halfbanded rockfish, blackeye goby, and poachers (
Agonidae) were relatively abundant in soft habitat on both HOV and ROV surveys.
For seine and trawl catches, unidentified small flatfish (Pleuronectidae), gadids (Gadidae), pricklebacks (Stichaeidae), and sculpins (Cottidae) were counted in the total catch, but were not considered separate species for species richness calculations because at least one identifiable species from these taxa was captured; unidentified small snailfish and unidentified small poacher were considered separate species because no identifiable species from the families Liparidae and
Agonidae were captured.
The families Cottidae (possibly not monophyletic; Smith & Wheeler 2004), Cyclopteridae, Liparidae, Psychrolutidae and
Agonidae (also possibly not monophyletic), among others, are included within the suborder Cottoidei.
Observations of a rarely seen poacher (family
Agonidae) have revealed a unique feeding method in which the mechanism for uncovering prey is independent from the mouth, enabling the fish to effectively manipulate objects while leaving the mouth free for prey capture.
Our study identified 34 fish prey to species, one sculpin to genus, Hemilephidotus, and two that could only be identified to family; Gasterosteidae (sticklebacks), and
Agonidae (poachers).
heluomaculatus) (249) ** unidentified ronquil (Bathymasteridae) (16) ** unidentified mottled sculpin (Cottidae) unidentified sculpin (Cottidae) unidentified mottled poacher (
Agonidae) kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) Significantly more abundant during night sharpchin rockfish (S.
Vertebrate fauna encountered were typical of fauna found on similar substrate in the GOA, and included arrowtooth flounder, Atheresthes stomias, and other unidentified flatfishes; spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias; schools of adult Pacific ocean perch, Sebastes alutus; and rougheye rockfish, Sebastes aleutianus, (the two species could not be distinguished underwater); pricklebacks (Stichaeidae); eelpouts (Zoarcidae); and poachers (
Agonidae).
bolini from other hemitripterids and sympatric larvae of the family
Agonidae that are similar in appearance but generally smaller and more slender-bodied at all developmental stages.
(skates) 6.9 2.8 Unidentified roundfish 3.1 2.1 Anoplopoma fimbria (sablefish) 1.4 1.5 Hippoglossus stenolepis (Pacific halibut) 0.0 nm Microstomus pacificus (Dover sole) 6.1 6.0 Hydrolagus colliei (spotted ratfish) 7.2 3.0 Sebastes elongatus (greenstriped rockfish) 1.3 0.8 Cottidae (sculpins) 0.0 nm
Agonidae (poachers) 23.0 4.1 Unidentified fish 0.0 nm Taxon 1B Mean SE Invertebrates Halipteris spp.