Scientific Name
Aseraggodes whitakeri
Common Name
Whitaker's sole
Biology
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 71-78;
Anal
soft rays: 48 - 53;
Vertebrae: 36 - 38. Diagnosis. Dorsal rays 71-78; anal rays 48-53; pelvic rays 5 (3 in one side on one aberrant specimen); caudal rays 18, 14 branched (17 rays, 13 branched in one specimen). Lateral-line scales 77-86, including 10-12 anterior to a vertical at upper end of gill opening). Most scales of ocular side of body with 8-10 cteni (up to 11 on largest specimens); narrowest interorbital space with 2 scales; eyes with only I or 2 scales extending onto medial edge, and only about 3 rows anteriorly. Vertebrae 36-38; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 14-15. Body depth 2.55-2.75 in SL; head length (HL) 4.1-4.35 in SL. An overhanging fleshy snout, the lower edge of upper lip usually extending ventral to lower lip and jutting anterior to profile of head below mouth (more evident in smaller specimens); eye diameter 4.7-5.55 in HL; upper eye varying from one-half to full eye diameter anterior to lowe