Animal Species:Mud Flathead, Ambiserrula jugosa (McCulloch 1914)
The Mud Flathead is pale with dark mottling and its eyes have long, branched iris lappets.
In the past, this species has been called Suggrundus jugosus and Insidiator jugosus. A review of the family (Platycephalidae) by Imamura placed this species in the genus Ambiserrula.
A Mud Flathead at Shiprock
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Identification
The Mud Flathead has a pale body with variable brown, black or dusky mottling on the body and fins. The sides of the head and lower jaw are often banded.
The eyes have long, branched iris lappets. Many other species of flatheads such as the Crocodile Fish, Tasselsnout Flathead, and Fringe-eye Flathead also have iris lappets.
Size range
The species grows to 25 cm in length.
Distribution
This species is endemic to Australia. It is known from the central coast of Queensland to central New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Mud Flathead specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Mud Flathead inhabits muddy estuaries. It is usually buried in the substrate during the day and feeds at night.
Classification
- Species:
- jugosa
- Genus:
- Ambiserrula
- Family:
- Platycephalidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Imamura, H. 1996. Phylogeny of the Family Platycephalidae and Related Taxa (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) Species Diversity 1(2):123-233.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 408.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 469.
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