title: Classification and relationships of Assiculus and Assiculoides (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae).
abstract: The monotypic Australian pseudochromid fish genera Assiculus and Assiculoides had been previously included in the subfamily Pseudochrominae on the basis of symplesiomorphic characters. Osteological synapomorphies are identified in support of a closer relationship to the remaining pseudochromid subfamilies. Two synapomorphies (five or fewer infraorbital bones, haemal spine of preural vertebra 2 attached to centrum) diagnose a clade consisting of Assiculoides, Pseudoplesiopinae, Anisochrominae and Congrogadinae. Two additional synapomorphies (parhypural not separate from hypurals 1+2, total caudalfin rays modally 27 or fewer) diagnose a more inclusive clade that also includes Assiculus. Two new subfamilies are erected to reflect these relationships.
authors.affiliation: Macleay Museum and School of Biological Sciences, A12-Macleay Building, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia, New South Wales 2010, Australia. c.gill@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification*; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity