Integrative systematics reveal the deep evolutionary origin and familial placements of the wirrahs (Teleostei: Acanthistiidae: Acanthistius) and the toadstool grouper (Teleostei: Trachypomatidae fam. nov.: Trachypoma).

The marine fish genera Acanthistius and Trachypoma are restricted to temperate and subtropical rocky reefs of the Southern Hemisphere, with the former comprising 11 species distributed circumglobally and the latter represented by a single species confined to the South Pacific. Both genera have been the subject of more than a century of taxonomic debate, having historically been placed in the families Anthiadidae, Epinephelidae, and Serranidae sensu stricto. Recent molecular studies have placed Acanthistius outside the aforementioned families. However, these studies relied on limited taxon sampling, leaving relationships within Acanthistius and its familial placement unresolved. Similarly, recent morphological evidence has challenged the familial placement of Trachypoma. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Acanthistius and Trachypoma to date (eight of 11 nominal species of Acanthistius), using a combination of mitochondrial genomes and nuclear markers. Our time-calibrated phylogeny supports a monophyletic Acanthistius, with an estimated origin in the mid-Eocene to early Miocene and subsequent diversification driven by transoceanic dispersal. Our results agree with previous studies in placing both Acanthistius and Trachypoma outside of the Anthiadidae, Epinephelidae, and Serranidae sensu stricto. By integrating our phylogenetic results with morphological and osteological data, we formally recognise the subfamily group name Acanthistiinae and elevate it to family rank as Acanthistiidae. We also erect a new family, Trachypomatidae fam. nov., to accommodate Trachypoma.