Family PLESIOPIDAE

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Introduction

Members of the Plesiopidae are found around coral and rocky reefs of tropical and temperate regions of the Indo-west-central Pacific. The family comprises two subfamilies, about 12 genera and 49 species, with 10 genera and 25 species recognised from Australian waters.

Plesiopids are distinguished by the presence of a single dorsal fin with numerous dorsal fin spines (9–26) and fewer segmented rays (2–11). Smith-Vaniz & Johnson (1990) and Mooi (1993) presented evidence for inclusion of the Acanthoclinidae as a subfamily of Plesiopidae. Plesiopids are small sized, reaching a length of less than 10 cm.

General References

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. [1049]

Mooi, R.D. 1993. Phylogeny of the Plesiopidae (Pisces: Perciformes) with evidence for the inclusion of the Acanthoclinidae. Bulletin of Marine Science 52(1): 284-326

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Johnson, G.D. 1990. Two new species of Acanthoclininae (Pisces: Plesiopidae) with a synopsis and phylogeny of the subfamily. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 142: 211-260

Common Name References

Mooi, R.D. 1999. Families Plesiopidae, Notograptidae. pp. 2586-2587 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. [2578] (FAO) (Longfins, Prettyfins, Roundheads)

Whitley, G.P. 1948. A list of the fishes of Western Australia. Western Australia Fish Department. Fisheries Bulletin 2: 1-35 map [19] (Blue Devil, Roundhead)

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