Long-spine Flathead

description

Description. A full description was given by Imamura (2013 b).

Taxonomic revision of the flathead fish genus Platycephalus Bloch, 1785 (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) from Australia, with description of a new species

diagnosis

Diagnosis. A species of Platycephalus with the following combination of characters: 14 second dorsal- and anal-fin rays; 73 – 82 pored lateral-line scales; gill rakers 4 – 7 + 14 – 19 = 19 – 26; interorbit becoming broader with growth, shorter than orbital diameter; a distinct interopercular flap absent (sometimes a small flap or weak convexity present); supraoccipital with a ridge, usually ending in a spine; lower preopercular spine much longer than upper, usually closely approaching posterior margin of opercle, ratio of lower / upper spines 1.9 – 3.3, tending to become smaller with growth; upper jaw without large caniniform teeth; head and body without small dark dots; posteroventral portion of caudal fin with a blackish or dark brownish marking.

Taxonomic revision of the flathead fish genus Platycephalus Bloch, 1785 (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) from Australia, with description of a new species

discussion

Remarks. The name Platycephalus grandispinis had been largely forgotten until Imamura (2013 b) showed it to have priority over a well-known species, P. longispinis, following detailed examinations of holotypes of the two nominal species (Figs. 7) and non-type specimens. See Imamura (2013 b) for a discussion of P. grandispinis. A comparison of P. grandispinis with P. bassensis is provided herein under the latter.

Taxonomic revision of the flathead fish genus Platycephalus Bloch, 1785 (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) from Australia, with description of a new species

distribution

Distribution. Known from southeastern to southwestern Australia, from Fraser Island, Qld (ca. 25 ° S), across NSW, Vic and SA to Shark Bay, WA (ca. 25 ° S) in depths from ca. 17 to 91 m (e. g., Hutchins and Thompson, 1983; Kuiter, 1993; Hoese et al., 2006; Imamura, 2013 b; this study). Size. Maximum length 38 cm (May & Maxwell, 1986; Kuiter, 1993). The largest specimen examined during the present study was 286 mm SL (332 mm TL).

Taxonomic revision of the flathead fish genus Platycephalus Bloch, 1785 (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) from Australia, with description of a new species