Sexual Dimorphism in the Stone Cockscomb <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alectrias alectrolophus</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1814) (Pisces: Stichaeidae)

Sexual dimorphism in the stone cockscomb Alectrias alectrolophus was studied for the first time. No pronounced differences were found in plastic characters between the females and males of this species; however, there were differences in the structure of the urogenital papilla that allow reliable sex determination.     

Synodontidae (Pisces: Aulopiformes), a new family for Fauna of Russia

The finding of the shortfin lizardfish Saurida microlepis Wu et Wang, 1931 in Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan makes a contribution to the ichthyofauna of the Russian waters with a new family Synodontidae.     

A morphological description of the brown shanny Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae)

Findings of the brown shanny Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 in waters of Russia are reported for the first time. The morphology of S. fuscus is studied in detail based on representative material; the taxonomic characters of this species are revised. A key to the species of the genus Stichaeus is given.     

Genus Leptostichaeus and its position in the taxonomy of fishes (Perciformes: Zoarcoidei, Stichaeidae)

Up to the present, the genus Leptostichaeus has been considered as belonging to subfamily Lumpeninae. A series of characters was analyzed for family and subfamily diagnostics within the group Stichaeidae. It was found that, in combination of all examined characters, the genus Leptostichaeus is either similar to Azygopterus or occupies an intermediate position between the latter and other members of the family Stichaeidae. The genus Leptostichaeus is transferred into the group Azygopterinae, which is revalidated as a subfamily within the family Stichaeidae.     

New records of a rare species of spariform fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Bleeker, 1854) (Osteichthyes: Sparidae) from Russian waters of the sea of Japan, with notes on the taxonomy of the genus Acanthopagrus Peters, 1855

A rare species of the spariform fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii from Russian waters is described. The synonymy of this species and the related literature data are analyzed. It is suggested that two species occur in Russian waters that differ in body coloration: A. schlegelii and A. czerskii.