Aseraggodes, Kaup. Small, 1858

Key to species of Aseraggodes View in CoL of the South Pacific

1. Caudal peduncle present, though very short ( 7.2–10.8 in HL) ..... ......... ......... ......... ....... 2

–– No caudal peduncle (rear base of anal fin below or posterior to base of lowermost caudal ray).......... 5

2. Dorsal and anal rays short, the longest dorsal ray 1.9–2.15 in HL; dorsal and anal rays unbranched (young to adults); vertebrae 39–40; dorsal pterygiophores (including erisma) anterior to fourth neural spine 7–8; maximum size 156 mm SL (Easter Island and Lord Howe Island). A. bahamondei View in CoL

–– Dorsal and anal rays not short, the longest dorsal ray 1.25–1.8 in HL; dorsal and anal rays of adults branched; vertebrae 36–38; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 13–15; largest specimen, 67.5 mm...... 3

3. Head large, its length 4.1–4.35 in SL; body slender, the depth 2.55–2.75 in SL; largest specimen, 43 mm SL ( Micronesia and New Caledonia to Society Islands)...................................... A. whitakeri View in CoL

–– Head not large, its length 4.45–4.75 in SL; body not slender, the depth 2.4–2.6 in SL; attains at least 63 mm SL ...... ......... ......... ......... ....... 4

4. Longest dorsal ray 1.25 in HL; length of caudal fin 3.4 in SL; HL 4.75 in SL; pelvic fins long, 1.6 in HL; lateral-line scales 81; edge of membranous ridge of anterior dorsal rays with a row of small tubercle-like papillae, many ending in a tiny cirrus ( one specimen, 67.5 mm SL, Swain Reefs, Great Barrier Reef).............. A. pelvicus View in CoL

–– Longest dorsal ray 1.65–1.7 in HL; length of caudal fin 3.85–3.95 in SL; HL 4.45–4.5 in SL; pelvic fins not long, 2.3–2.35 in HL; lateral-line scales 86–88; edge of membranous ridge of anterior dorsal rays without a row of papillae or cirri (Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia).................................... A. ramsaii View in CoL

5. Lateral line of ocular side with 3 branches on head; membrane from last rays of pelvic fins joined to genital papilla (NSW and southern Queensland).......... A. normani View in CoL

–– Lateral line of ocular side without branches on head; no membrane linking last ray of pelvic fins to genital papilla..................................... 6

6. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic rays unbranched; lateral-line scales 78–79 ( 2 specimens, 74–86.5 mm SL, Bougainville and Great Barrier Reef, 73–115 m).... A. melanostictus View in CoL

–– Dorsal, anal, and pelvic rays of adults branched; lateral-line scales 61–73............................. 7

7. Lateral-line scales 61–68; dorsal rays 62–70; anal rays 46–52; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 8–9................................... 8

–– Lateral-line scales 69–73; dorsal rays 67–77; anal rays 49–57; dorsal pterygiophores before fourth neural spine 10–12 ... ......... ......... ......... ....... 9

8. Surface of scales smooth, the posterior edge somewhat pointed, with only the tips of cteni visible; snout length 2.45–2.5 in HL; caudal-peduncle depth 1.25–1.45 in HL; caudal-fin length 4.6–5.05 in SL (NSW). A. lenisquamis View in CoL

–– Surface of scales with texture, the posterior edge rounded, the cteni strongly projecting; snout length 2.8–3.0 in HL; caudal-peduncle depth 1.45–1.75 in HL; caudal-fin length 3.95–4.8 in SL (NSW)............. A. nigrocirratus View in CoL

9. Eye large, 3.95–4.2 in HL; caudal fin long, 3.9–3.95 in SL; longest dorsal ray 1.4 in HL ( New Caledonia)........................................ A. magnoculus View in CoL

–– Eye not as large, 4.55–7.0 in HL; caudal fin not long, 4.4–5.3 in SL; longest dorsal ray 1.45–1.8 in HL.... 10

10. Anal rays 58–59; dorsal rays 78–83; longest dorsal ray 1.8 in HL; caudal fin short, 4.7–5.3 in SL ( 3 specimens, Marquesas Islands ).................... A. lateralis View in CoL

–– Anal rays 53–57; dorsal rays 68–77; longest dorsal ray 1.45–1.7 in HL; caudal fin not short, 4.4–4.8 in SL.. 11

11. Dorsal rays 74–77; anal rays 56–57; head large, the length 3.85–3.95 in SL; body depth 2.45–2.55 in SL; caudal fin 4.4–4.45 in SL (Society Islands)......... A. auroculus View in CoL

–– Dorsal rays 68–71; anal rays 53; head not large, the length 4.65–4.95 in SL; body depth 2.25–2.4 in SL; caudal fin 4.7–4.8 in SL (Society Islands)........... A. cyclurus View in CoL