Latridopsis Gill

Ludt, William B., Burridge, Christopher P. & Chakrabarty, Prosanta, 2019, A taxonomic revision of Cheilodactylidae and Latridae (Centrarchiformes: Cirrhitoidei) using morphological and genomic characters, Zootaxa 4585 (1), pp. 121-141 : 131-132

Genus Latridopsis Gill

( Fig. 7 )

Latridopsis Gill, 1862: 115 [Type-species: Anthias ciliaris Forster, 1801 by original designation].

Micropus Kner, 1868: 29 [Type-species: Micropteryx polycentrus Kner, 1868 by monotypy (objectively invalid; preoccupied four times and replaced by Orqueta Jordan, 1919 )].

Evistias Gill, 1893:114 [Type-species: Platystethus huttonii Günther, 1876 (= junior synonym of L. forsteri Castelnau, 1872 or L. ciliaris Forster, 1801 ) by monotypy].

Orqueta Jordan, 1919:344 [Type-species: Micropteryx polycentrus Kner, 1868 as a replacement name for Micropus Kner, 1868 , four times preoccupied].

Melbanella Whitley 1937: 132 [Type-species: Micropus muelleri Steindachner, 1879 (= junior synonym of L. forsteri Castelnau, 1872 ) by original designation].

Etymology. Gender feminine. Derived from the Greek latris (slave) and opsis (appearance).

Inclusive species. Latridopsis ciliaris (Forster) (type species), Latridopsis forsteri (Castelnau)

Diagnosis. Latridopsis can be diagnosed with the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin elements XVI–XVII, 37–43; anal-fin elements III, 31–37; pectoral-fin rays 16–19; pectoral-fin rays not greatly elongated, upper rays longer than lower rays, distal edges of fins rounded. Body moderately ovoid to elongate and highly compressed laterally; caudal peduncle thin; snout pointed with a terminal mouth; lips not as enlarged as other species in Latridae ; strong notch between spinous and soft dorsal-fins; dorsal-fin spines not enlarged and none that are significantly longer than others; anal-fin long and reaching caudal peduncle. Body gray in appearance; scales cycloid.

Habitat and distribution. Tasmania, southeastern Australia and New Zealand. Demersal species, generally found near rocky reefs to 160m ( Roberts 2015).

Comments. These species feed on a variety of benthic invertebrates. They are generally solitary, or in small groups, but migrate in large schools ( Kuiter 1993). Commercially harvested in parts of their range ( Roberts 2015). Material examined. L. ciliaris CAS 58777 [n=1, New Zealand: Cape Wanbrow]; L. forsteri , AMS I17556- 0 10 [n=1, Australia: Tasmania: Granville Harbour ], USNM 226548 [n=1].

Figures

FIGURE 7. Latridopsis forsteri, SIO 84-299, 165mm SL. Photograph by Ben Frable.