A new subspecies, Polynemus melanochir dulcis , from Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, and redescription of P. m. melanochir Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831 with designation of a neotype

Abstract

A poorly known threadfin, Polynemus melanochir Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831, is redescribed (as P. melanochir melanochir) on the basis of a newly designated neotype and a large number of specimens. Polynemus melanopus Sauvage, 1881 and 3 species commonly regarded as valid, Galeoides microps Steindachner, 1869, P. borneensis Bleeker, 1857, and Trichidion hilleri Fowler, 1905, are all considered junior synonyms of P. m. melanochir. In addition, a new subspecies, P. melanochir dulcis, is described on the basis of 3 specimens. Polynemus m. dulcis differs from P. m. melanochir in having a greater snout length [7% of SL vs. mean 6% (range 5–6%) of SL in the latter] and shorter upper caudal-fin lobe length [35% (34–35%) of SL vs. 39% (35–44%) of SL]. The former is currently known only from Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, whereas the latter is known from the Mekong River (Cambodia and southern Vietnam) and Kalimantan (=Borneo; Malaysia and Indonesia).