Taxonomic Review of the Deep Water Flathead Genus with Description of the New Species from the Western Pacific Ocean (Teleostei, Parabembridae)

Three valid species of are recognized: , , and the new species . from the southwestern Indian Ocean (South Africa to Mozambique) is easily distinguishable from the other species in having eleven spines in the first dorsal fin, a distinct symphyseal knob on the lower jaw, two preocular spines, and a single lachrymal spine. from the southwestern Pacific (Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea) and the Philippines, and , known from the northwestern Pacific (southern Japan to South China Sea), are similar in sharing the absence of a symphyseal knob on the lower jaw, the presence of two lachrymal spines, and a single preocular spine, but the former is clearly distinguished from the latter in usually having 10 spines in the first dorsal fin (vs. eight or nine spines in ), 9-11 supraocular spines (vs. 6-8 in ), 40-44 pored lateral line scales (vs. 34-39 in ), and the pectoral fin extending beyond the level of the anus (vs. not reaching to the level of the anus in ).