New Species of Stargazers (Uranoscopidae) From the Arafura Sea

Abstract

Uranoscopus arafurensis sp. nov. from the Arafura Sea was described. It differs from all species of the genus by a combination of the following characters: the scale cover in the predorsal region is well developed up to the posterior edge of the cranial roofing bones; there is a notch in the upper posterior edge of the pectoral fin; two spines on the inner edge of the supracleithrum; prelingual filament is short and wide; the coloration of the dorsal surface of the body is monotonous brown, the pectoral fin is brown, its lower half is pigmented much more intensely than the upper one. A comparison of the new species with other species of the genus was given. Paraphily of Uranoscopus species with a notch of the upper posterior edge of the pectoral fin was indicated.