A new handfish, Brachionichthys australis sp. nov. (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae), with a redescription of the critically endangered spotted handfish, B. hirsutus (Lacepede). Author Peter R. Last Author Daniel C. Gledhill Author Bronwyn H. Holmes text Zootaxa 2007 1666 53 68 http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AE691923-4513-4B9E-BF2B-9A489465B910 journal article z01666p053 AE691923-4513-4B9E-BF2B-9A489465B910 Brachionichthys Bleeker, 1855 Type species. Lophius hirsutus Lacepede , 1804 , by subsequent designation of Gill, 1878: 222. Definition. Members of the genus Brachionichthys are unique among brachionichthyids in having the following combination of features: body relatively elongate, head 45-49% TL; caudal peduncle long, 7-11% TL; illicium very slender, 4-12 times length of esca; dense coverage of monospinulate scales on body; spinule tip upright, protruding well above skin surface, originating from centre of scale base; scale bases subcircular, not deeply embedded in thick skin; no enlarged fleshy warts on skin surface; black spots and/or streaks over body, and dorsal and caudal fins; pectoral-fin rays 7; anal-fin rays mainly 9-10; vertebrae 22-26. Species: Presently includes two valid nominal species, Brachionichthys australis sp. nov. and B. hirsutus ( Lacepede , 1804) .