Tragulichthys jaculiferus (Cuvier, 1818)

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 : 85

Tragulichthys jaculiferus (Cuvier, 1818)

Diodon jaculiferus Cuvier, 1818: 130 , pl. 7 (ʻIndian Ocean via Peronʼ)*

Chilomycterus grandoculis Ogilby, 1910: 19 ( Moreton Bay , Queensland)*

*extant type

Based on examination of 50 lots, including extant types, from throughout the range. Aside from confusion regarding the designation of a type species for Allomycterus (see below), there have been few nomenclatural issues regarding this tropical Australian species. References to this species from New Zealand are of Allomycterus pilatus (see below): T. jaculiferus does not occur in New Zealand.

Cuvierʼs (1818, ref. 18059) description, figure, and the extant type leave no doubt about the identity of this distinctive species. The description of Chilomycterus grandoculis Ogilby (1910, ref. 3288) details the diagnostic spination, and the extant type makes it clear that it is conspecific with T. jaculiferus .

Distribution. Northern Australia.

From Derby, Western Australia to Darwin (including Rowley Shoals) to Torres Strait and south to Moreton Bay , Qld .