Introduction

Members of the Pleuronectiformes are usually referred to as flatfishes. Flatfishes of the Indo-Pacific regions have not been revised extensively and collections are not available from many areas. Relationships within the group have been assessed by Hensley & Ahlstrom (1984), Chapleau (1993), Cooper & Chapleau (1998) and Hoshino (2001). The classification here follows that of Nelson (1994). Nelson (2006) elevated some subfamilies to familial status and, although those changes are not a part of the classification used here, they are noted in the appropriate family introductions. Species are normally found over soft bottom environments of the continental shelf and slope, where individuals often cover themselves in sediment.

General References

Chapleau, F. 1993. Pleuronectiform relationships: a cladistic reassessment. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 516-540 figs 1-7

Cooper, J.A. & Chapleau, F. 1998. Monophyly and intrarelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification. Fishery Bulletin (U.S.) 69(4): 686-726

Hensley, D.A. & Ahlstrom, E.H. 1984. Pleuronectiformes: relationships. pp. 670-687 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Hoshino, K. 2001. Homologies of the caudal fin rays of Pleuronectiformes (Teleostei). Ichthyological Research 48(3): 231-246

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

History of changes

Introduction

The classification used here for Pleuronectoidei follows that of Nelson (1994): ten families are recognised, eight known from Australia. Recently, Nelson (2006) elevated three subfamilies of Pleuronectidae to familial status giving a total of 13 families for the suborder. The major change affecting the Australian fauna is the recognition of the families Poecilopsettidae and Rhombosoleidae, separate from Pleuronectidae. The understanding of relationships has also changed, with Nelson (2006) recognising three superfamilies, which results in a sequence arrangement for the families that is slightly different from that given here.

General References

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

History of changes

Introduction

The Citharidae are a small family of flatfishes currently comprising five genera and six species (Hoshino 2001; Nelson 2006). For Australia, three genera and five species have been recorded.

Citharids occur in the Indo-west Pacific and the Mediterranean. In Australian waters they live over soft bottoms on the continental shelf and slope, in depths of 20–50 m. Maximum size reached is 40 cm.

Hubbs (1945) revised the family and discussed relationships. Subsequently, Hensley & Ahlstrom (1984) and Chapleau (1993) questioned monophyly of the family. However, Hoshino (2001) established its monophyly and also described relationships among the genera. Some Australian species are treated in Hensley (2001). Material collected in recent years indicates that a revision of the family is needed and that it is likely that new species will be discovered.

General References

Chapleau, F. 1993. Pleuronectiform relationships: a cladistic reassessment. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 516-540 figs 1-7

Hensley, D.A. 2001. Psettodidae, Citharidae. pp. 3792-3798 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. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Hensley, D.A. & Ahlstrom, E.H. 1984. Pleuronectiformes: relationships. pp. 670-687 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Hoese, D.F. & Bray, D.J. 2006. Citharidae. pp. 1807-1809 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 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. [1807]

Hoshino, K. 2001. Monophyly of the Citharidae (Pleuronectoidei: Pleuronectiformes: Teleostei) with considerations of pleuronectoid phylogeny. Ichthyological Research 48: 391-404

Hubbs, C.L. 1945. Phylogenetic position of the Citharidae, a family of flatfishes. Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan 63: 1-38

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Common Name References

Hensley, D.A. 2001. Psettodidae, Citharidae. pp. 3792-3798 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. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3794] (Largescale Flounders)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [280] (Citharids)

History of changes

• Brachypleura Günther, A. 1862. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Acanthopterygii Pharyngognathi and Anacanthini in the collection of the British Museum. London : British Museum Vol. 4 534 pp. [419].

  Type species:

   Brachypleura novaezeelandiae Günther, 1862 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

East-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northwest Transition (3)

General References

Hensley, D.A. 2001. Psettodidae, Citharidae. pp. 3792-3798 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. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3796]

Hensley, D.A. & Ahlstrom, E.H. 1984. Pleuronectiformes: relationships. pp. 670-687 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760 [640]

Hoese, D.F. & Bray, D.J. 2006. Citharidae. pp. 1807-1809 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 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. [1808]

Hoshino, K. 2001. Monophyly of the Citharidae (Pleuronectoidei: Pleuronectiformes: Teleostei) with considerations of pleuronectoid phylogeny. Ichthyological Research 48: 391-404 [391]

Norman, J.R. 1934. A Systematic Monograph of the Flatfishes (Heterosomata) Psettodidae, Bothidae, Pleuronectidae. London : British Museum Vol. 1 459 pp. 317 figs. [400]

History of changes