Taxonomic history
MacKay, 1996 PDF: 168 (w.).Combination in Acanthostichus (Ctenopyga): Emery, 1911e PDF: 14.Combination in Ctenopyga: Brown, 1975 PDF: 42.Combination in Acanthostichus: MacKay, 1996 PDF: 168.Status as species: Wheeler, 1908h PDF: 400; Wheeler, 1910a PDF: 561; Emery, 1911e PDF: 14; Creighton, 1950a PDF: 59; Smith, 1951c PDF: 782; Smith, 1955b PDF: 49; Smith, 1955c PDF: 99; Smith, 1958c PDF: 110; Kusnezov, 1962a PDF: 133; Smith, 1967a PDF: 345; Brown, 1975 PDF: 42; Smith, 1979: 1334; Bolton, 1995b: 54; MacKay, 1996 PDF: 168 (redescription).Senior synonym of Acanthostichus townsendi: Smith, 1955b PDF: 49; Smith, 1955c PDF: 99; Smith, 1958c PDF: 110; Brown, 1975 PDF: 42; Smith, 1979: 1334; Bolton, 1995b: 54; MacKay, 1996 PDF: 168.