POLYIPNUS LATIRASTRUS N-SP, A NEW AND UNUSUAL HATCHETFISH (STOMIIFORMES, STERNOPTYCHIDAE) FROM THE WESTERN PACIFIC

A new species of hatchetfsh, Polyipnus latirastrus, is described based on four specimens from the Coral Sea, off northeastern Australia. Thi s species is unusual in the genus in having the third OVA and L photop hores located ventrally on the flank and in lacking an adipose fin. Th e posttemporal has only a single spine, unlike other members of the sp inosus species group. Other features of the spinosus group are present , notably, scales with spinelike denticles covering the ventral photop hores and serrate lateral ridges on the ventral limb of the composite posttemporal-supracleithrum.