Latris Richardson

Genus Latris Richardson

Latris Richardson, 1839: 98 [Type-species: Latris hecateia Richardson, 1839 (= junior synonym of L. lineata Forster, 1801 ) by monotypy].

Etymology. Gender masculine. Derived from the Greek word latris (slave).

Inclusive species. Latris lineata (Forster) ( type species), Latris pacifica Roberts

Diagnosis. Diagnosis follows that of Roberts (2003) with the following combination of characters: elongate, compressed body; eye small; terminal mouth; caudal peduncle thin, with caudle fin strongly forked; dorsal-fin elements XVII–XX, 33-44; anal-fin elements III, 2 6–37; pectoral-fin rays 16–19 with 6–9 branched rays; pectoralfin rays not reaching anal-fin origin; 98–125 lateral line scales; 37–43 vertebrae; scales small and cycloid.

Habitat and distribution. Found throughout the temperate Southern Hemisphere, with the exception of South Africa, to 300m in rocky regions ( Roberts 2003).

Comments. Latris lineata is popular in commercial fisheries, and can live to 43 years ( Roberts 2015). Less is known of L. pacifica , although it too may be harvested in large numbers but misidentified as L. lineata . Larvae are adapted to a long pelagic ‘paper fish’ stage that allow for long-distance dispersal. There is an extensive taxonomic history of this genus outlined in Roberts (2003).

Material examined. L. lineata USNM 176770 About USNM [n=1, New Zealand: Auckland] , CSIRO H 4944 View Materials [n=1, Australia: Tasmania:] , CSIRO H 4945 View Materials [n=1, Australia] .