2006 Volume 11 Issue 4 Pages 295-306
The taxonomic characters of the marbled flathead, Platycephalus marmoratus Stead, 1908, are described and evaluated. In addition to the marbled body and dark brown to black caudal fin, the following combination of characters separates it from the other 14 species of the genus Platycephalus: 13 second dorsal and anal fin rays; 63-70 scales in the lateral line, with all pored scales lacking spines; snout and interorbit naked; no strong canine teeth on the jaws, palatines, and vomer; interopercular flap absent; and skinny sensory tubes on the suborbitals and preopercle partially covering the cheek region. It has been confirmed that the type series of the species was composed of the holotype and one paratype, although the paratype is presumably no longer extant.
