FRESHWATER FISHES OF THE GENUS CRATEROCEPHALUS (ARTHERINIDAE) FROM THE SOUTHERN DRAINAGES OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND IRIAN JAYA WITH REFERENCE TO C.S. STERCUSMUSCARUM FROM AUSTRALIA.

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: A new species, Craterocephalus pimatuae, from tributaries of the Purari Rivcr (Papua New Guinea), is described. It differs from all other Papua New Guinea hardyheads osteologically (shape of premaxilla) as well as morphologically (midlateral and transverse scale counts, gill raker number in first lower gill arch). C. nouhuysi, C. lacustris and C. randi the other Papua New Guinea) Irian Jaya species are redescribed and distinguished on the basis of their external morphology, osteology and electrophoresis. C. randi is compared with the redescribed Australian species, C. stercusmuscarum stercusmuscarum since these species have often been confused in the past. C. annator on the basis of osteology, external morphology and electrophoresis is placed into the synonymy of C. randi. The relationships of C. s. stercusmuscarum with hardy heads from the southern drainages is examined with reference to the geologic history of the region.