Pseudopataecus carnatobarbatus, a new species of velvetfish (Teleostei: Scorpaeniformes: Aploactinidae) from the Kimberley coast of Western Australia

Abstract

Pseudopataecus carnatobarbatus, new species, is described from 12 specimens collected on shallow coastal reefs of northern Western Australia, between the Monte Bello Islands and Adele Island. It is distinguished from its sole congener, P. taenianotus Johnson 2004, by branched (versus simple) tips to most fin rays, last soft dorsal-fin ray joined by membrane more fully to upper caudal-fin ray, spinous dorsal fin more distinctly notched, pelvic fins more robust, anterior face of lower lip smooth (versus profusely covered with cirri), and a narrow quadrangular pit on the forehead, bounded by frontal, supraorbital, ocular and preocular ridges (versus pit and preocular ridge absent). It also has modally fewer anal-fin rays and modally greater numbers of gill rakers. Pseudopataecus carnatobarbatus is found in an extremely high tidal range area of Australia, where movement of up to 11 m occurs during spring tides. Specimens were collected in rocky tide pools with coral rubble and thick stands of brown macroalgae, especially Padina species. The new species has been found in intertidal areas up to only 13 m deep, whereas P. ta e - nianotus has been collected by trawling soft bottom habitats in depths of 20 to 63 m. Copyright © 2012.