Family LATIDAE

Latidae

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Introduction

The Latidae comprise approximately 12 species belonging to three genera. Most species are restricted to the fresh waters of tropical Africa, but a number of species are also found in the Indo-West Pacific region. Three species in three genera are known from Australia.

Latids are predators of small fishes and invertebrates and inhabit coastal reefs (Psammoperca), sea grass beds (Hypopterus), brackish mangrove estuaries and freshwater streams (Lates). The barramundi, Lates calcarifer, is esteemed for its excellent eating qualities; it grows to a length of 1.5 m and weights of more than 55 kg. Spawning occurs in coastal estuaries, but large specimens and juveniles are frequently captured in rivers many kilometres inland. Species of Psammoperca and Hypopterus are smaller fishes reaching a standard length of approximately 15 and 40 cm, respectively.

Previous authors have included the glassfishes, family Ambassidae, in this group, but we follow the review of Greenwood (1975) in separating them. Until recently, authors placed the Australian barramundi in the family Centropomidae, which includes the New World genus Centropomus. Mooi & Gill (1995) separated the Indo-Pacific forms from the Centropomidae. Using nuclear DNA markers Li et al. (2011) found no evidence for a close relationship with the Ambassidae. They did find, however, evidence for a reltionship between Lates and Centropomus and recommended recognising two subfamilies Latinae and Centropominae of the family Centropomidae. Tentatively we retain the family Latidae here.

General References

Greenwood, P.H. 1976. A review of the family Centropomidae (Pisces, Perciformes). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology 29(1): 1-81 figs 1-37

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 2006. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [966]

Li, C., Ricardo, B.-R., Smith, W.L. & Ortí, G. 2011. Monophyly and interrelationships of Snook and Barramundi (Centropomidae sensu Greenwood) and five new markers for fish phylogenetics. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 60(3): 463-471

Mooi, R.D. & Gill, A.C. 1995. Association of epaxial musculature with dorsal-fin pterygiophores in acanthomorph fishes, and its phylogenetic significance. Bulletin of the Natural History Museum, London (Zoology) 61(2): 121-137

Common Name References

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [190] (Giant Perches)

Larson, H.K. 1999. Family Centropomidae. pp. 2429-2432 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 4 pp. 2069-2790. [2429] (FAO (as Centropomidae)) (Sea Perches)

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