HALOPHRYNE-HUTCHINSI - A NEW TOADFISH (BATRACHOIDIDAE) FROM THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND PULAU-WAIGEO, INDONESIA

Halophyrne hutchinsi is described based on 17 specimens. This species had been confused with H. diemensis, a species only known from Pulau W aigeo, Indonesia, south through New Guinea to Australia. Halophyrne hu tchinsi differs from the other three species of Halophryne by the foll owing characters: from H. ocellatus, N. queenslandiae, and N, diemensi s, in having 19-21 (vs 271 or more) pectoral-fin rats; 14-15 anal-fin rats (vs 16 or more); and 17-19 dorsal-fin raps (vs 19 or more, usuall y 20 or more). It further differs from H. diemensis in having 25-27 ve rtebrae (vs 27-28); 22-25 lower lateral-line pores (vs 33-37); no para llel skin ridges on the head; and not having a large area of exposed b one on the dorsocranium.