Latridopsis Gill

Genus Latridopsis Gill View in CoL View at ENA

( Fig. 7 View FIGURE 7 )

Latridopsis Gill, 1862: 115 View in CoL [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 View in CoL 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 View in CoL ) 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 About USNM [n=1].