A new genus of Platycephalidae from the western Indian Ocean and a classification of the genus Suggrundus (Teleostei: Scorpaeniformes)

Abstract

A new platycephalid genus unique in the characters of the head spination and in the possession of the embedded scales in the presdorsal region and on the isthmus is described and distinguished from the allied genera Suggrundus and Thysanophrys. A separation of the subgenus Repotrudis within the genus Suggrundus is proved. Diagnosis of Seychelliceps gen. nov.: preorbital spine present; nasal spines not separated from the numerous small spinules along inner side of nasal bone; sides of head bicarinate, upper suborbital ridge with a single suborbital and about ten closely spaced postorbital spines; uppermost preopercular spine with antrorse process, lacking supplementary spine at base; lateral margin of uppermost preopercular spine concave; hind portion of the premaxillary tooth band fully visible when mouth closed; palatal tooth band straight; head roofing bones bearing tubercles arranged into longitudinal and radial crests; head ridges with countable spines; sensory canals on head with mostly blind tubules; cheek completely covered with sensory tubules; interopercular flap absent; iris lappet trilobed with central lobe reduced; eye tentacles and postorbital pits absent; scales on opercular bones, in predorsal region and on isthmud deeply embedded; lateral line tubules with two distal openings; free margin of lateral-line scales with several rows of small uniform ctenii; up to 10 anteriormost lateral-line scales bearing a longitudinal crest, 3 or 4 anteriormost lateral-line scales spinose.