Redescription of Polydactylus sexfilis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831), a senior synonym of P. kuru (Bleeker, 1853) with designation of a lectotype (Perciformes: Polynemidae)

Polydactylus kuru (Bleeker, 1853), originally described from Jakarta, Java, Indonesia, has been regarded as a valid species. However, examination of two syntypes of Polynemus kuru revealed their close similarity to three syntypes of Polynemus sexfilis Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831, in the synonym of which the former is herein included. Polydactylus sexfilis, which is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, is redescribed on the basis of a newly-designated lectotype and two paralectotypes, and a wide range of non-type material. The species is characterized by six pectoral filaments, 15 or 16 pectoral fin rays, 61–67 pored lateral line scales, 8–10 scales above the lateral line, 12–14 below, 11–14 and 15–18 upper and lower series gill rakers, respectively (27–31 total), teeth present on vomer and a long second dorsal fin ray (mean 26% [range 21–30%] of standard length). Received: July 7, 2000 / Revised: August 29, 2000 / Accepted: September 30, 2000     

Polydactylus konadaensis Mishra and Krishnan, 1993, a junior synonym of Filimanus xanthonema (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831) (Perciformes: Polynemidae)

Polydactylus konadaensis Mishra and Krishnan, 1993 was described on the basis of two specimens from Konada, Andhra Pradesh, east coast of India. Although the new species was placed in the genus Polydactylus, our examination of the type specimens of the species showed them to represent a species of Filimanus. Furthermore, the characters of those specimens were consistent with those of the lectotype, paralectotype, and other specimens of F. xanthonema (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831). Accordingly, Polydactylus konadaensis is herein regarded as a junior synonym of F. xanthonema. Received: July 2, 2000 / Revised: November 2, 2000 / Accepted: January 12, 2001     

Review of Polydactylus species (Perciformes: Polynemidae) characterized by a large black anterior lateral line spot, with descriptions of two new species

Nominal Polydactylus species characterized by a large black spot anteriorly on the lateral line, P. microstomus (Bleeker), P. sextarius mullani (Hora), P. sextarius sextarius (Bloch and Schneider), and P. zophomus Jordan and McGregor, are reviewed. Polydactylus zophomus, with 5 pectoral filaments, is synonymized under P. microstomus, and P. sextarius mullani, with 7 pectoral filaments, is elevated to species level (as P. mullani). Polydactylus microstomus and P. mullani together with P. sextarius (characterized by 6 pectoral filaments) are considered as valid species and redescribed accordingly. Two new species, P. malagasyensis and P. persicus, each with 6 pectoral filaments, collected from the east coast of Africa, including Madagascar and the Persian Gulf, are also described. Polydactylus sextarius and the 2 new species are characterized by 6 pectoral filaments. However, P. sextarius is distinguished from the latter by having lower gill raker counts (mode 28 vs. 31 in the latter) and an atrophied swimbladder (vs. well-developed). Polydactylus malagasyensis differs from P. persicus in having higher pectoral fin ray counts (14 vs. mode 12 in the latter), the palatines inwardly turned anteriorly (vs. straight), and a longer pectoral fin (mean 24% of standard length vs. 19%). Received: February 5, 2001 / Revised: April 29, 2001 / Accepted: May 1, 2001     

A new species, Polydactylus siamensis, from Thailand and redescription of P. plebeius (Broussonet, 1782) with designation of a neotype (Perciformes: Polynemidae)

A new species, Polydactylus siamensis, is described on the basis of eight specimens from Thailand. The species is similar to P. plebeius (Broussonet, 1782) in having five pectoral filaments and several dark stripes along the scale rows above and below the lateral line, but differs from the latter in having lower counts of pectoral fin rays (15 vs. 16–18 in P. plebeius), pored lateral line scales (54–58 vs. 60–68), scale rows above and below the lateral line (7 and 10 or 11, respectively vs. 8 or 9 and 12 or 13, respectively) and gill rakers (9 or 10 upper series, 13 or 14 lower and 22–24 total vs. 9–14, 13–18 and 24–32, respectively), and a longer upper jaw (mean 17% [range 16–17%] of standard length vs. 15% [13–16%]). Polydactylus siamensis is currently known only from Bangkok and Songkhla, Gulf of Thailand, and Phuket Island, Andaman Sea, whereas P. plebeius is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. Received: January 12, 2000 / Revised: September 15, 2000 / Accepted: January 12, 2001     

Redescription ofpolydactylus macrochir (günther, 1867), a senior synonym ofP. sheridani (macleay, 1884) (perciformes: Polynemidae)

Polydactylus macrochir (Günther, 1867), for many years identified asP. sheridani (Macleay, 1884), is redescribed as valid and a senior synonym of the latter species, following examination of the holotype of the former and comparative material.Polydactylus macrochir is characterized by 14 or 15 pectoral-fin rays (usually 14), five pectoral filaments, 70–76 pored lateral-line scales, 32–35 gill rakers, occipital profile concave in adults, posterior margin of maxilla extending considerably beyond posterior margin of adipose eyelid, depth of posterior portion of maxilla greater than dermal eye opening in adults, second spine of first dorsal fin very strong and long pectoral-fin rays (22–27% of standard length).Polydactylus macrochir is currently known only from northern Australian and southern Papua New Guinea, being endemic to those areas.     

Redescription of a rare threadfin (Perciformes: Polynemidae), Polydactylus macrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1858), with designation of a lectotype and notes on distributional implications

A rare threadfin, Polydactylus macrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1858), having long been included in the genus Polynemus, is redescribed on the basis of 9 specimens and a lectotype designated. Polydactylus macrophthalmus is characterized by the following combination of characters: 7 pectoral filaments, upper 3 filaments extending beyond posterior margin of hypural; 13 or 14 pectoral fin rays; 87–94 pored lateral line scales; 11 scales above lateral line, 15 or 16 below; 10–12 upper series gill rakers, 15 or 16 lower, 26 or 27 total; occipital profile concave in adults; second spine of first dorsal fin very strong; pectoral fin rays long (mean 24% [range 24–26%] of SL). The presently known distribution of the species, including the Kapuas River, Kalimantan, and the Musi and Batanghari Rivers, Sumatra, Indonesia, apparently reflects the ancient Central or North Sunda River during the last period of lowered sea levels, ca. 12 000 years ago. Received: November 1, 2000 / Revised: March 2, 2001 / Accepted: March 15, 2001     

Polydactylus bifurcus, a new species of threadfin from Lombok Island, Indonesia (Perciformes: Polynemidae)

Polydactylus bifurcus sp. nov. is described on the basis of a single specimen collected from Lombok Island, Indonesia. The new species is distinguished from all other Indo-Pacific Polydactylus species by the following combination of characters: 15 pectoral fin rays, 5 pectoral filaments, 69 pored lateral line scales, 30 gill rakers, second spine of first dorsal fin very strong and lateral line bifurcated on caudal fin base, extending to posterior margins of upper and lower caudal fin lobes. Received: October 19, 2000 / Revised: April 21, 2001 / Accepted: April 25, 2001     

Review of seven-spined <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus</Emphasis> species (Perciformes: Polynemidae) with designation of a neotype for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus paradiseus</Emphasis> Linnaeus, 1758

 A taxonomic review of seven-spined Polynemus species recognizes two species as valid: P. hornadayi Myers, 1936, currently known only from western Sarawak, Kalimantan, Malaysia, and P. paradiseus Linnaeus, 1758, distributed from India to Thailand and regarded as a senior synonym of P. aureus Hamilton, 1822, P. longifilis Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829, P. risua Hamilton, 1822, and P. toposui Hamilton, 1822. Polynemus hornadayi differs from P. paradiseus in having a strongly protruded occipital profile (vs. nearly straight in the latter), lower counts of anal fin soft rays (mode 11 vs. 12) and gill rakers (26 vs. 32 or 33), higher counts of pectoral fin rays (18 vs. 17), scales above and below the lateral line (11 and 18 vs. 7 and 11, respectively), and pored lateral line scales (94 vs. 70), the fifth pectoral filament longest (vs. sixth), the fourth pectoral filament longer (extending well beyond the posterior central margin of the caudal fin vs. not reaching posterior central margin), a longer pectoral fin ray (posterior tip of pectoral fin reaching to midpoint of anal fin base vs. not reaching), a deeper maxilla posterior margin (mean 5% of SL vs. 4% of SL), and a well-developed swimbladder (vs. absent).     

Revision of the Indo-West Pacific polynemid fish genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleutheronema</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Perciformes)

A taxonomic revision of the polynemid fish genus Eleutheronema, which is redefined, resulted in three species of the genus being regarded as valid: Eleutheronema rhadinum (Jordan and Evermann, 1902), having to date been treated as a junior synonym of E. tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804) and currently known only from East Asia (China and Japan) where it is endemic; E. tetradactylum, a senior synonym of both Polynemus teria Hamilton, 1822 and Polynemus coecus Macleay, 1878, being a widely distributed Indo-West Pacific species, which ranges from the Persian Gulf to Australia; and E. tridactylum (Bleeker, 1845), distributed in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia). Eleutheronema tridactylum is easily distinguished from both E. rhadinum and E. tetradactylum owing to the vomer lacking tooth plates in the former [vs. vomer with 2 deciduous tooth plates (in specimens at least over ca. 70 mm SL) in the latter] and lower counts of pectoral filaments (free lower rays, 3 vs. 4) and gill rakers [mode 8 (range 4–10) vs. 12 (10–17) and 13 (6–18) in E. rhadinum and E. tetradactylum, respectively]. Eleutheronema rhadinum clearly differs from E. tetradactylum in having higher counts of pored lateral line scales [mode 95 (range 82–95) vs. 73 (71–80) in the latter] and higher scale counts above and below the lateral line [12 (11–14) and 16 (15–17), respectively, vs. 10 (9–12) and 14 (13–15), respectively]. Furthermore, E. rhadinum is distinguished from E. tetradactylum by having a dense black pectoral fin [vs. vivid yellow in life (except in specimens over ca. 350 mm SL, pectoral fin dusky-yellow) in the latter]. Intraspecific variations and morphological changes with growth of the three species are also discussed. Received: June 13, 2001 / Revised: October 11, 2001 / Accepted: October 17, 2001     

Chelodesmid studies. XIII. A synopsis of the Brasilian tribe Strongylomorphini

The new diplopod tribe Strongylomorphini (fam. Chelodesmidae) is proposed for the two Brasilian genera Strongylomorpha and Brasilodesmus, characterized by the distal torsion of the solenomerite and form of the apical end of the prefemoral process, of the male gonopod. Strongylomorpha has been of uncertain status since 1897, but study of its type species shows the name to be a senior synonym of Erythrodesmus Silvestri, 1902, Neocamptomorpha Schubart, 1954, and Camptomorphoides Schubart 1962. Drawings of the gonopods are given for several old species, made from Iectotype specimens, and a list of the names considered referable to Strongylomorpha. The new species Brasilodesmus austrocrucis is described from Santa Catarina, Brasil.     

Revalidation of Phyllocaulis renschi (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) based on radula and mandible structures of taxonomic significance for the genus

Exospermastix robustus Verhoeff, 1951 (Mato Grosso, nr Cuiaba) is regarded as a species of Urostreptus; the gonopods of the type specimen are illustrated and their structure discussed. The species is in many ways similar to U. camerani and U. paxillatus, but is much larger than either. The status of the generic and specific names Stenostreptus hassleri Carl is reviewed after a study of the type material, and the previous estimate of hassleri as a species of Urostreptus is reaffirmed. New drawings made from the lectotype of hassleri are given. The gonopods of a species identified as U. borelli by F. Silvestri, the author of that name, are illustrated, and the suggestion made that borelli may be found to be a senior synonym of hassleri.     

Untangling the taxonomic ambiguities of the spotted seerfish Scomberomorus guttatus with the description of a new species from India

Scomberomorus guttatus has been subjected to a series of synonym assignations over the years. Its taxonomy has been mired with ambiguities due to the greater-than-average morphological variations observed in samples from different regions. An integrated taxonomic revision with molecular support indicated that the species that was thought to be a single entity, in reality, is a complex of three distinct species. They are morphologically distinct with respect to the body depth and elongation, cephalic morphometry, and meristic characteristics. Otolith morphometry and phylogenetic evidence further established the taxonomic divergence within the spotted seerfish complex. The phylogenetic characteristic as indicated by the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence unveiled that S. guttatus had a high intraspecific divergence of 11.1% from its two identical congeners and a divergence of 2.34% between the congeners, indicating scope for categorizing them as separate species. Based on the morphological and molecular evidence, S. guttatus is redescribed; the senior synonym Scomberomorus leopardus is resurrected as a valid species; and a new species Scomberomorus avirostrus n. sp. is described with keys for species distinction.     

A new genus, Leptomelanosoma, for the polynemid fish previously known as Polydactylus indicus (Shaw, 1804) and a redescription of the species

A new genus, Leptomelanosoma, is proposed for the polynemid fish, Polydactylus indicus (Shaw, 1804). The genus differs from all other genera in the family Polynemidae by the following combination of characters: anterior one-third of lower jaw with small teeth extending onto lateral surface, adjacent portion of lip poorly developed; ethmoid not covered dorsally by frontals; sphenotics visible dorsally between anterior margins of parietal and pterotic; upper and lower caudal fin lobes very long, filamentous; swimbladder with many appendages inserted into lateral walls of abdominal cavity; grayish-black body. The type species, Polydactylus indicus, is redescribed as Leptomelanosoma indicum. Received: September 19, 1999 / Revised: June 9, 2000 / Accepted: July 10, 2000     

Identities and provenance of the gelechioid moths originally described by Francis Walker from 'unknown countries'

Abstract. The taxonomic placement and possible type-localities of twelve species and one genus of Gelechioidea described by Francis Walker from 'unknown countries' are discussed. Opisina arenosella Walker is the senior synonym of Nephantis serinopa Meyrick and Opisina Walker is the senior synonym of Nephantis serinopa Meyrick and Opisina Walker the senior synonym of Nephantis Meyrick; Aroga compositella (Walker), new combination, is the senior synonym of A.coloradensis (Busck); Cryptolechia metaphaeella Walker is a junior synonym of Antaeotricha schlaegeri (Zeller); A.albulella (Walker), new combination, is the senior synonym of A.vestalis (Zeller), and A.spurcatella (Walker), new combination, is the senior synonym of A.chloromis (Meyrick). A lectotype for C.metaphaeella Walker is designated.     

A new species of freshwater threadfin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus aquilonaris</Emphasis>, from Indochina,and redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus dubius</Emphasis> Bleeker, 1853 (Perciformes: Polynemidae)

 The taxonomic status of two nominal species of Polynemus, viz. P. dubius Bleeker, 1853 and P. longipectoralis Weber and de Beaufort, 1922, is revised. Although regarded as separate taxa up to the present time, examination of the holotype of P. longipectoralis revealed its close similarity to the type series of P. dubius, in the synonymy of which the former is now included. Polynemus dubius is redescribed as a valid species and a lectotype of the species is designated. In addition, a new species, P. aquilonaris, previously identified as P. dubius or P. longipectoralis, is described from Indochina on the basis of 28 specimens. Polynemus aquilonaris differs from P. dubius in having higher counts of pored lateral-line scales [80–86 (mode 81) vs. 69–79 (78) in the latter] and scale rows below the lateral line [14–17 (mode 14, rarely 13 or 17) vs. 13 (rarely 12)], and lower counts of gill rakers [25–29 (mode 27) vs. 29–33 (30), respectively]. The former is known from Indochina (Chao Phraya and Mekong River systems including Lake Tonle Sap), whereas the latter is currently known from the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Received: March 29, 2002 / Revised: February 2, 2003 / Accepted: February 10, 2003     

Environmental variability at the phosphoglucose isomerase locus in the genus Chlamys

Two geographically and reproductively isolated populations each of Chlamys opercularis and of Chlamys varia are compared with respect to polymorphism at the phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) locus. One population of C. varia is further sub-divided into sub-littoral and inter-tidal samples. From the results it is inferred that PGI is a dimeric molecule, controlled by five alleles in C. varia and by at least four alleles in C. opercularis. acting at a single locus. The alleles recognised for C. opercularis have identical electrophoretic mobility as four of those seen in C. varia. The two populations of C. varia are remarkably similar, as were their habitats. However, the sub-littoral sample does show a lesser degree of homozygosity than the inter-tidal sample of the same population. The two populations of C. opercularis differ significantly and represent two separate and identifiable ‘races’. C. varia exhibits a much greater degree of genetic variability than the deep sub-littoral species, C. opercularis indicating that a more stable environment regulates a more monomorphic species.     

Length–weight relationships of six fish species from the Coastal Waters of Jask,Iran

The length–weight relationships (LWRs) for six species were determined, namely Carangoides chrysophrys (Cuvier, 1833), Drepane longimana (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), Euthynnus affinis (Cantor, 1849), Polydactylus plebeius (Broussonet, 1782), Pomadasys kaakan (Cuvier, 1830) and Pseudorhombus elevatus (Ogilby, 1912). Fish was sampled from the Coastal Waters of Jask, Iran (located in Hormozgan Provinces) between October 2011 and March 2012. This work revises previous literature in the Jask and provides the first reference on weight–length parameters for two fish species worldwide and for six species of the Coastal Waters of Jask, Iran.     

The Genus Spiniferites Mantell, 1850 (Dinophyceae)

Following the recent official rejection of proposals for conservation of the generic name Hystrichosphaera, the diagnosis of its senior synonym Spiniferites is expanded in order to incorporate additional information gained since 1850 and all species according with the expanded diagnosis are listed (24 species are transferred to Spiniferites). The cyst-family name “Hystrichosphaeraceae” is replaced by the new name “Spiniferitaceae”.