Lates (Luciolates), GREENWOOD, 1976

Otero, Olga, 2004, Anatomy, systematics and phylogeny of both Recent and fossil latid fishes (Teleostei, Perciformes, Latidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141 (1), pp. 81-133 : 86

SUBGENUS LATES (LUCIOLATES) GREENWOOD, 1976

1914 – Luciolates Boulenger (erratum).

1976 – Lates (Luciolates) Greenwood , p. 78.

Type species: Luciolates stappersi ( Boulenger, 1914) .

Emended diagnosis: The monophyly of Lates (Luciolates) is probable. They present an elongated ethmovomerian region (more than 20% of the neurocranial length); the posterior border of the lateral ethmoid slopes backward from the parasphenoid to the frontal in a sharp angle; the parasphenoid is angled behind the level of the orbit; and the pleurosphenoid pedicle is little or not at all developed.

Occurrence: Four Recent species, all of which, and only these four species of the genus, are endemic to Lake Tanganyika: L. angustifrons Boulenger, 1906 ; L. microlepis Boulenger, 1898 ; L. mariae Steindachner, 1909 ; L. stappersi Boulenger, 1914 .

Six fossil species are attributed to genus Lates . † Lates bispinosus [ Gaudant & Sen, 1979; Neogene, Altinova ( Turkey)] is known by a single specimen missing both its anteriormost and posteriormost parts. The specimen has a standard length of at least 0.5 m; formulae: VC = 11+?, D = VII - I+10, A = II+7(?); no parapophysis on the first seven abdominal vertebrae; epineurals on the first six vertebrae. † L. partshii [ Heckel, 1856; Middle Miocene from Breitenbrun (Vienna Basin, Austria)] shows enough characteristics to be recognized as a Lates with two epurals and three small spines on the posterior border of the cleithrum. By contrast, the four other species do not show enough diagnostic characteristics to be referred to either Lates , or any other latid genus: † L. macropterus ( Bassani, 1889; Oligocene of Chiavon, Italy) is very badly preserved ( Sorbini, 1975); † L. gregarius ( Bannikov, 1992; Upper Miocene of Northern Moldavia) has the latid common predorsal formula (0/0/0+II/I+I/); † L. croaticus ( Kramberger, 1902; Miocene of Croatia); † L. karungae ( Greenwood, 1951; Miocene, Palaeo-lake Victoria, Kenya) is only known by its vertebrae, similar to those of L. niloticus or L. calcarifer , except for a posterior concavity at the base of the anterior facet of the first vertebra, and the third vertebra, the centrum of which is as long as wide and the facet for the articulation of the rib as deep as long.

Remark: L. albertianus (Recent, Lake Albert) and † L. maliensis (Holocene, Mali) are synonyms of L. niloticus .