- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- PLEURONECTIFORMES
- SOLEIDAE
- Leptachirus
Genus Leptachirus
Members of the genus Leptachirus are found in freshwater or estuarine habitats in southern New Guinea and northern Australia. They differ from species in the closely-related marine genus Aseraggodes in having a more slender body, (depth 2.7-3.55 in SL), the corner of its jaws exposed on the cheek, usually 3 or 4 pelvic rays, shorter pelvic fins, each usually with 3 or 4 rays, and different pattern of its cephalic lateralis sensory system (Randall 2007).
Type species: Leptachirus alleni Randall 2007.
Leptachirus is from the Greek leptos meaning thin, and Achirus Lacepède, a genus of soles, in reference to the thin and slender body of members of this genus.
References
Randall, J.E., 2007. Leptachirus, a new soleid fish genus from New Guinea and northern Australia, with descriptions of eight new species. Records of the Western Australian Museum 24: 81-108. PDF available - open access