Synclidopus macleayanus ( Ramsay, 1881 )

Randall, John E., 2005, A review of soles of the genus Aseraggodes from the South Pacific, with descriptions of seven new species and a diagnosis of Synclidopus., Memoirs of Museum Victoria 62 (2), pp. 191-212 : 193

Synclidopus macleayanus ( Ramsay, 1881)

Figure 1

Solea Macleayana Ramsay, 1881: 462 .

Solea fluviatilis Ramsay, 1882: 111 (type locality, Hunter River , NSW).

Material examined. NSW: Port Jackson , AMS I.16278-01, 135 mm, syntype of Solea macleayana , Eight miles from North Head , Richmond River , R / V “Endeavour”, BMNH 1925.7 .22.72, 112 mm. Sydney , Hawkesbury River , Gentleman’s Halt , AMS I.19951-003, 6: 72–105 mm. Off Sydney, 33°51'S, 151°18'E, 40–45 m, BPBM 39454, 149 mm. Lord Howe Island: AMS I. 12664, 103 mm .

Type locality. Manly Beach , Port Jackson, NSW .

Remarks. Ramsay (1881) briefly described this species. He wrote, “A number were taken in the net at Manly Beach, September 11th, 1880, with Solea microcephala .” Only one type specimen of Solea macleayana has been found, labeled as a syntype at the Australian Museum. A more detailed description of the species was provided by Ogilby (1916: 127, pl. 15) who had three specimens, 154–192 mm in total length. He described the colour as “Lavender grey, with from 32–36 narrow brown cross-bars, which are usually rather wider than the interspaces, and of which 6 or 7 are on the head and 1 or 2 on the base of the caudal fin;...” He placed Solea fluviatilis Ramsay , described from one 76-mm specimen from freshwater in Hunter River, in synonymy, adding that Ramsay was “possibly misled by the different character of the element in which it was found.” Ogilby summarized the reproductive cycle. Adults spend the winter months in moderately deep water, gradually move to shallower water in spring. On reaching maturity during summer months, they collect in the vicinity of river mouths, where they spawn. “The young fishes, as soon as the yolk-sac is absorbed, make their way into the estuaries and gradually work up these even to far beyond the limit of the tide, as we know from the Hunter River example...” Under the heading Uses, Ogilby wrote, “A delicious pan-fish, fully equal in flavor to its famous European relative, Solea solea .”

Norman (1926) gave the distribution of this species as “Coasts of New South Wales and southern Queensland (from southern NSW to Caloundra).” Allen et al. (1976: 437) reported a specimen from Lord Howe Island.

Grant (1987) noted that this sole is adept at burrowing beneath the sand and “actually swims beneath the sand.” He summarized the food habits as “shellfish and worms that live on and in the substrate.”

Figures

Figure 1. Synclidopus macleayanus, BPBM 39454, 149 mm SL, off Sydney, NSW.