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Latidae

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CAAB: 37310000

Family LATIDAE

Barramundi, Basses, Giant Perches, Sea Perches


Compiler and date details

18 December 2011 - Gerald R. Allen, C. Allen & Douglass F. Hoese

December 2006 - Gerald R. Allen, C. Allen & Douglass F. Hoese

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.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
13-Nov-2012 13-Nov-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)