al. (1989) of a species referred to as Chaunax pictus are too general to reliably identify the species. Based on our
present study, it is probable that the name Chaunax pictus has been applied incorrectly to three New Zealand
species. Okamura (1990) was the first to observe that C. pictus is an Atlantic species, and that the common
Chaunax taken in New Zealand waters was distinct and new, recording and figuring it as Chaunax sp. Based on
preliminary examination of this material, the most recent checklist of New Zealand fishes recorded three OTU
(operational taxonomic unit) species: Chaunax species A, B and C (Roberts et al., 2009: 532). As a result, the
known diversity of Chaunax in the New Zealand region increased, but the correct scientific names remained
illusive.