Genus Latris Richardson

Latris Richardson, 1839: 98 [Type-species: Latris hecateia Richardson, 1839 (= junior synonym of L. lineata Forster, 1801) by monotypy].

Etymology. Gender masculine. Derived from the Greek word latris (slave).

Inclusive species. Latris lineata (Forster) (type species), Latris pacifica Roberts

Diagnosis. Diagnosis follows that of Roberts (2003) with the following combination of characters: elongate, compressed body; eye small; terminal mouth; caudal peduncle thin, with caudle fin strongly forked; dorsal-fin elements XVII–XX, 33-44; anal-fin elements III, 2 6–37; pectoral-fin rays 16–19 with 6–9 branched rays; pectoralfin rays not reaching anal-fin origin; 98–125 lateral line scales; 37–43 vertebrae; scales small and cycloid.

Habitat and distribution. Found throughout the temperate Southern Hemisphere, with the exception of South Africa, to 300m in rocky regions (Roberts 2003).

Comments. Latris lineata is popular in commercial fisheries, and can live to 43 years (Roberts 2015). Less is known of L. pacifica, although it too may be harvested in large numbers but misidentified as L. lineata . Larvae are adapted to a long pelagic ‘paper fish’ stage that allow for long-distance dispersal. There is an extensive taxonomic history of this genus outlined in Roberts (2003).

Material examined. L. lineata USNM 176770 [n=1, New Zealand: Auckland], CSIRO H 4944 [n=1, Australia: Tasmania:], CSIRO H 4945 [n=1, Australia] .