Genus Dotalabrus


Summary:

The genus Dotalabrus contains two species, both endemic to southern Australia. Dotalabrus differs from related genera in having the anterior pair of canines recurved strongly forward, reduced lateral jaw dentition with only 6-7 lateral jaw teeth; laterosensory canal tube bifurcate (simple, unbranched in juveniles); branchiostegal rays 5 (versus 6); pectoral-fin rays ii, l0 (versus ii, 11-12 in other pseudolabrine genera).

Body moderately deep, compressed; head moderate, dorsal profile convex; eye moderately large, upper jaw not reaching front of eye; jaws with a single row of small canine teeth, anterior pair enlarged and curved strongly forward. Body scales moderately large; scales absent from head except for 1-2 rows on cheeks and 8-10 large scales on opercle; lateral line bent abruptly downwards below rear of soft dorsal fin; dorsal fin of uniform height; caudal fin truncate.

Dotalabrus Whitley, 1930: 251. Type species Cheilinus aurantiacus Castelnau, 1872.

Key to the species of Dotalabrus

Pelvic fins clear; first dorsal-fin spine moderately short, 5.1–7.9 in HL       Dotalabrus alleni

Pelvic fins dusky; first dorsal-fin spine moderately long, 3.7–7.9 in HL       Dotalabrus aurantiacus

Author: Bray, D.J. 2022

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Dotalabrus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/genus/459

References


Allen, G.R., N.J. Cross, C.J. Allen & M.F. Gomon 2006. Labridae: Labrinae. pp. 1368-1418 in Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3 2178 pp.

Gomon, M.F. &. Russell, B.C. 1994. Family Labridae. pp. 675-699 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.

Mabuchi, K., T. Nakabo & M. Nishida. 2004. Molecular phylogeny of the antitropical genus Pseudolabrus (Perciformes: Labridae): evidence for a southern hemisphere origin. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32: 375-382.

Russell, B.C. 1988. Revision of the labrid fish genus Pseudolabrus and allied genera. Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 9: 1-72.

Russell, B.C. & Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Labridae. pp. 638-659 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Whitley, G.P. 1930. Five new generic names for Australian fishes. Australian Zoologist 6(3): 250-251.