Taxonomic review of the genus Leptobrama Steindachner 1878 (Perciformes: Leptobramidae), with the resurrection of Leptobrama pectoralis (Ramsay and Ogilby 1887)

Abstract

The leptobramid genus Leptobrama, distributed in southern New Guinea and northern Australia, is characterized by having a short head; a large mouth, with the posterior tip of the upper jaw extending beyond the level of the posterior margin of the eye; a single dorsal fin with four closely set spines, originating posterior to the level of the anal-fin origin; anal fin long, with three spines; pectoral fin short, not reaching to the level of the anus; ctenoid scales small, firmly adherent. The species of Leptobrama are revised taxonomically, and the genus comprises the species Leptobrama muelleri Steindachner 1878 and Leptobrama pectoralis (Ramsay and Ogilby 1887), the latter of which is resurrected herein. The diagnostic characters of these species are as follows: L. muelleri—head 21.7–22.7 % of standard length (SL), snout length 19.9–24.5 % of head length (HL), upper jaw length 53.0–61.3 % HL, vomerine tooth patch rhomboid, tip of pectoral fin almost reaching level of tip of appressed pelvic fin, lateral line gradually curved anteriorly, total gill rakers 13–18, scale rows below lateral line 13–14, prominent black spot distally on anterior dorsal fin; L. pectoralis—head 22.2–25.8 % SL, snout length 16.9–22.6 % HL, upper jaw length 61.8–66.1 % HL, vomerine tooth patch rounded, tip of pectoral fin extending beyond level of tip of appressed pelvic fin, lateral line steeply curved anteriorly, total gill rakers 6–12, scale rows below lateral line 15–18, no black spot distally on anterior dorsal fin.