Leiognathus robustus Sparks & Dunlap 2004

This species is distinguished from Leiognathus equulus (the only other species of leiognathid known to possess a non-sexually dimorphic light organ system) by the having no occipital hump (vs. pronounced hump); with a mildly sloping predorsal profile (vs. strongly curved, creating the image of an arched back); with frontal and lateral ethmoid ossifications that project anterodorsally and extend well anterior of the orbit to form a distinct preorbital protuberance (vs. slight bulge above orbit); and unexposed nuchal spine in lateral view (vs. exposed and projecting, particularly distally) (Ref. 76780).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 14