A NEW SPECIES OF FLATHEAD, GRAMMOPLITES-KNAPPI (SCORPAENIFORMES, PLATYCEPHALIDAE) FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

A new platycephalid, Grammoplites knappi, is described from specimens from the South China Sea (off Sarawak, Borneo Island, the Gulf of Thai land and Hainan Island, China). The species is distinguished from othe r species of Grammoplites by the following combination of characters: 5 or fewer gill rakers on the lower arch, narrow interorbit, large eye diameter, short uppermost preopercular spine, no papillae on lips, sm all body scales and pored lateral line scales with posteriorly-positio ned ctenii and a single exterior opening on the posterior margin. A ke y to the five species of Grammoplites is presented.