A NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN CRATEROCEPHALUS (PISCES ATHERINIDAE) AND REDESCRIPTION OF FOUR OTHER SPECIES

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: A new species of hardyhead, Craterocephalus munroi, from estuarine reaches of the Bynoe, Norman and Nicholson Rivers, southern Gulf of Carpentaria, is described. Morphologically the new species appears to be most closely related to C. marjoriae and C. marianae members of the C. eyresii group. Osteologically it is also aligned with that group, but differs in having the fifth ceratobranchials fused and no tooth plates present on first lower gill arch. The marine and estuarine species of hardyheads (Craterocephalus honoriae, C. mugilo ides, C. capreoli and C. pauciradiatus) are also reviewed. The genus Allanetta is relegated to the synonymy of Craterocephalus and the relationships of these marine/estuarine hardyheads are discussed.