Genus Phycodurus

Summary:

A seadragon genus found only in southern Australia, with the single species, Phycodurus eques.

Body elongate, highly contorted, trunk deep in adults; head directed at right angle to body; snout long, compressed, with 1–2 short lateral spines; median dorsal snout ridge inconspicuous; opercle finely striate.

Superior body ridges with 13–14, single or bilaterally paired, broad spines, with 3 pairs of similar spines on inferior trunk ridges and 3 pairs of short broad‑based spines on inferior tail ridges; ventral midline of most trunk rings with long, slender, somewhat moveable spine; principal spines of head and body usually tipped with complex, leaf‑like, dermal flaps; STR and STAR discontinuous near rear of dorsal‑fin base; ITR and ITAR discontinuous; LTR confluent with LTAR and STAR.

Eggs brooded on the open undersurface of the tail just behind the anal fin; tail prehensile; dorsal fin much closer to tip of tail than snout, with moderately elongate base; anal fin very small, below front half of dorsal fin; caudal fin absent; pectoral fins present.

Author: Martin F. Gomon & Dianne J. Bray

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Cite this page as:
Martin F. Gomon & Dianne J. Bray, Phycodurus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/genus/1160

References

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Dawson, C.E. 1994. Family Syngnathidae. pp. 440-475 figs 391-426 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs.

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Kuiter, R.H. 2008. Syngnathidae. pp. 448-479 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Kuiter, R.H. 2009. Seahorses and their relatives. Seaford, Australia : Aquatic Photographics pp. 331.

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Whitley, G.P. 1939. Studies in Ichthyology No. 12. Records of the Australian Museum 20(4): 264-277 figs 1-3