Lophius in the world:: a synthesis on the common features and life strategies

Seven species of Lophius are known worldwide, six in the Atlantic Ocean and just one in the Northwest Pacific. The genus supports valuable fisheries (except for Lophius vaillanti), most for a long time, though the exploitation of Lophius gastrophysus along the coast of Brazil is relatively recent. The manuscript reviews the current knowledge of phylogeographic and biological traits of Lophius species, pointing out common aspects in the life histories. Within the Lophiidae, the genus Lophius is phylogenetically the most derived, vicariance and dispersal having played a significant role in driving speciation. Life histories seem to have followed similar adaptive processes from a common ancestor along with similar environmental characteristics. The genetic structure of populations is poorly known, and usually, genetic differentiation is limited. Life-history aspects (age, growth, reproductive cycle, early stages, and feeding ecology) are addressed, and fisheries are reviewed. However, knowledge of many aspects of the biology and ecology (e.g. validation of the growth pattern, maturation processes, spawning areas and periodicity, recruitment processes, mortality, stock identification, and habitat needs) remains limited.