Allomycterus pilatus Whitley, 1931

Leis, Jeffrey M., 2006, Nomenclature and distribution of the species of the porcupinefish family Diodontidae (Pisces, Teleostei), Memoirs of Museum Victoria 63 (1), pp. 77-90 : 86

Allomycterus pilatus Whitley, 1931

Allomycterus jaculiferus (non-Cuvier) McCulloch, 1921: 141, pl. 23 (fig. 2) (New South Wales, Australia)

Allomycterus pilatus Whitley, 1931: 125 (NSW, Australia)*

Allomycterus whitleyi Phillipps, 1932: 13 , fig. 5 ( New Zealand)*

*extant type

Based on 38 lots from throughout the range, including the extant types. Confusion over the specific name of this species is dealt with under the genus. There seem to be two forms of this species, one with long, blade-like spines ( A. whitleyi form), and another with short, compressed spines. Both forms occur off the Australian mainland, but I have seen only the long-spine form from New Zealand, and the specimens with the longest spines seem to be from New Zealand. These differences are not obviously connected with sexual dimorphism. Therefore, there may be two species of Allomycterus , and a genetic study would be useful in clarifying the situation. In addition, Kuiter (1993, ref. 23929) illustrates two colour morphs among south-eastern Australian specimens of A. pilatus , referring to deep-water and shallow-water forms. The basis for the colour differences is unclear and should be investigated. References to Allomycterus jaculiferus from New Zealand are based on A. pilatus (see discussion under Allomycterus ).

Whitleyʼs (1931, ref. 4673) description and McCullochʼs (1921, ref. 2945) illustration are clear, and could apply to no other species. In addition, the holotype is extant.

Phillippsʼ (1932, ref. 16393) A. whitleyi constitutes the longspined form from New Zealand, and although both holotype and paratype are stuffed and distorted, they appear to differ from A. pilatus only in the length and shape of the spines. Phillippsʼ description contains two spellings of the specific name: two as whitleyi and one as whiteleyi. Given the correct spelling of Gilbert Whitleyʼs name (to whom the patronym refers), “ whiteley ” is clearly a typographical error even though it appears before the two uses of whitleyi within Phillipsʼ article.

Distribution. Southern Australia and New Zealand.

Rottnest I., WA, to Botany Bay, NSW, including Tas.; Tasman Sea seamounts and ridges; and New Zealand.