Non-type Specimens Research Articles

Revision of Neotropical species of Empididae (Diptera) described by Mario Bezzi. XI. The species described in Empis Linnaeus

Bezzi described 11 Neotropical species in Empis Linnaeus, 1758. Eight of them are re-described and illustrated from type and non-type specimens. Currently all re-described species remain in Empis: E. angustipennis Bezzi, 1909, E. chiragra Bezzi, 1909, E. induta Bezzi, 1909, E. leucostigma Bezzi, 1909, E. liodes Bezzi, 1909, E. lucidilabris Bezzi, 1905, E. penniventris Bezzi, 1909 and E. spinifera Bezzi, 1909. The primary or secondary type specimens of these species were examined, (except for E. lucidilabris), and lectotype specimens are here designated for E. angustipennis, E. chiragra and E. spinifera. The type specimens of the remaining three species of Empis described by Bezzi were destroyed.

Revision of the genus Parequula (Pisces: Gerreidae) with a new species from southwestern Australia

The genus Parequula, which has long been considered monotypic, is reviewed with a new species described fromsouthwestern Australia on the basis of 21 types and 17 non-type specimens (42–81 mm in standard length); its onlycongener, P. melbournensis (Castelnau), is also redescribed. Parequula elongata n. sp. differs from P. melbournensis inhaving a more slender body, a lower soft anal-fin ray count (14–15, mode 15 vs. 16–18, mode 17), a lower pored lateral-line scale count (34–35, mode 34 vs. 37–40, mode 38), and the dorsal fin with a reddish upper margin when fresh (vs.semi-translucent to bluish with a narrow, parallel, yellowish vertical line on each fin membrane and a yellowish fin marginin P. melbournensis). Furthermore, the head profile of P. elongata n. sp. is nearly straight to slightly convex, whereas P.melbournensis is distinctly concave in outline above the eyes. Nominal species (junior synonyms) of P. melbournensis are discussed and a key to the two species is also provided.

The spotted flounder, Azygopus flemingi Nielsen 1961 (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes: Rhombosoleidae), from deep waters off New Zealand: a second valid species of Azygopus Norman 1926, with notes on distribution, size, maturity, and ecology

Since its description, Azyygopus Norman, 1926 was considered by subsequent authors to be a monotypic genus in the Or-der Pleuronectiformes comprised only of A. pinnifasciatus Norman, 1926, known from deep waters (90–900 m, usually200–600 m) off the southern and southeastern coasts of Australia. In 1961, a subspecies, A. pinnifasciatus flemingi Niels-en, was described based on three specimens collected at 610 m in the Tasman Sea off the South Island, New Zealand. Fromits description to contemporary literature evaluating its status, recognition of A. p. flemingi as a distinct taxon has beenrejected by all but two studies reporting on Azygopus from New Zealand waters. Until the late 20th century, specimens ofAzygopus had been rarely collected off New Zealand and little was known about these fishes. Over the past 25 years, col-lecting by scientific expeditions and expanding deep-sea fisheries have captured over 195 specimens of Azygopus from avariety of deep-sea locations around New Zealand. Recently-captured specimens of Azygopus collected around New Zea-land and deposited in fish collections have been identified as either A. pinnifasciatus Norman or A. flemingi Nielsen, sug-gesting the possibility that two species of Azygopus occur in New Zealand waters. This study examined the holotype, aparatype, and 25 non-type specimens of A. pinnifasciatus collected off Australia, and the most comprehensive series ofspecimens of Azygopus collected from New Zealand waters. These specimens included the holotype and two paratypes ofA. p. flemingi and 191 other specimens collected from throughout the entire depth range (153–942 m) and representingwide coverage of geographic areas around New Zealand where Azygopus have been collected. Comparisons of these spec-imens indicate that a second species, A. flemingi Nielsen, should be recognized in the genus Azygopus, and that this speciesis the only member of this genus occurring in New Zealand waters. Azygopus flemingi is readily distinguished from A.pinnifasciatus by conspicuous differences in ocularand blind-side color patterns, in numbers of ocular-side pelvic-finrays, total vertebrae, lateral-line scales, and gillrakers on the first gill arch, morphology of blind-side scales and squama-tion patterns, length of blind-side pectoral fins, presence/absence of scales between upper jaw and ventral margin of lowereye, and pigment patterns on dorsal and anal fins of adults. Adult A. flemingi and A. pinnifasciatus are sexually dimorphic in several features. Data on maximum size and size at maturity, and depth of occurrence are summarized for A. flemingi.

Validity of Scolecenchelys aoki, with a redescription of Scolecenchelys gymnota (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)

The myrophine ophichthid fishes (worm eels) Muraenichthys aoki Jordan and Snyder 1901 and Muraenichthys gymnotus Bleeker 1857 are redescribed as valid species of Scolecenchelys based on the types and non-type specimens collected from the Indo-Pacific. Because both species are similar to each other in having acute snouts, the posterior margin of the eye before the rictus, and their dorsal-fin origins located slightly posterior to a vertical line through the anus, Scolecenchelys aoki has usually been regarded as a junior synonym of Scolecenchelys gymnota. However, S. aoki is clearly distinguishable from S. gymnota by having a median groove on the ventral side of snout (absent in S. gymnota), uniserial maxillary teeth in smaller specimens (<200 mm TL; vs. biserial), three infraorbital sensory pores at postorbital area (vs. two), and more numerous vertebrae (56–65 in predorsal vs. 51–57; 53–58 in preanal vs. 47–52). Scolecenchelys aoki is restricted to Japanese waters and regarded as a senior synonym of Muraenichthys borealis Machida and Shiogaki 1990. Scolecenchelys gymnota is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa and the Red Sea to Samoa, north to Okinawa, Japan. Sphagebranchus huysmani Weber 1913 and Muraenichthys fowleri Schultz 1943 are synonymized under S. gymnota.

Revision of Neotropical species of Empididae (Diptera) described by Mario Bezzi. VIII. The species described in Hilarempis Bezzi

Mario Bezzi described 10 Neotropical species in Hilarempis Bezzi, 1905. Six of them are re-described and illustrated fromtype and non-type specimens. Currently all re-described species remain in Hilarempis: H. argentifera Bezzi, 1909, H. bar-batula Bezzi, 1909, H. carinata Bezzi, 1909, H. elegans Bezzi, 1909, H. gymnaspis Bezzi, 1909 and H. xanthocera Bezzi,1905. The primary or secondary type specimens of these species were examined, except for H. xanthocera, and lectotypespecimens are here designated for H. barbatula, H. carinata and H. gymnaspis. The remaining four species of Hilarempis described by Bezzi were either destroyed or could not be located.

ANOPLOSYLLINAE Y EUSYLLINAE (POLYCHAETA: SYLLIDAE) DEL GRAN CARIBE, CON COMENTARIOS SOBRE MATERIALES TIPO Y NO TIPO

Anoplosyllinae possesses palps basally fused, without central surcus, three antennae, and two pairs of tentacular cirri, pharynx straight, short and unarmed. Antennae, tentaculars cirri, and first dorsal cirri smooth, the rest can be smooth or semiarticulate. Eusyllinae possesses palps fused, partially or free, nuchal organs often large, distinct, one or two pairs of tentacular cirri, dorsal cirri variable in length, usually smooth, ventral cirri present, pharynx usually straight, with teeth or unarmed. The objective of this study was to check type and non-type material of the species recorded from the Grand Caribbean. One hundred and eighty six specimens were examined; 135 collected from the Mexican Caribbean, and 51 deposited in museums; in total 9 genera and 17 species of both subfamilies were examined. Type material included Odontosyllis luminosa San Martin, 1990; Opisthodonta luquei (San Martin, 1990); Perkinsyllis spinisetosa (San Martin, 1990); Syllides caribica Licher, 1996; S. gomezi Sail Martin, 1990, and S. papillosa Hartmann-Schroder, 1960. Non-type specimens included Amblyosyllis algefnae Viguier, 1886; A. dorsigera Claparede, 1864; A. madeirensis Langerhans, 1879; Eusyllis kupfferi Langerhans, 1879; Odontosyllis detecta Augener, 1913; O. fulgurans (Audouin and Milne-Edwards, 1883); Sinmerosyllis lamelligera (Saint-Joseph, 1886); Syllides edentulus Claparede, 1868; S. fulvus (Marion y Bobretzky, 1875, and Westheidesyllis gesae (Perkins, 1981).

The fossil mite family Archaeorchestidae (Acari, Oribatida) II: redescription of Plategeocranus sulcatus and family-group relationships

The oribatid mite family Archaeorchestidae was proposed based on a single specimen of Archaeorchestes minguezae Arillo &amp; Subías, 2000, from Lower Cretaceous amber (Spain). In a previous paper we redescribed Strieremaeus illibatus Sellnick, 1918, from Eocene Baltic and Rovno amber, and considered Strieremaeus a senior synonym of Archaeorchestes. Herein, we transfer a second genus, Plategeocranus, to Archaeorchestidae. This is based on a redescription of the type species, P. sulcatus (Karsch, 1884), using non-type specimens (44 adults and 2 immatures from Baltic and Rovno ambers). Among these are eight Baltic amber specimens identified by Max Sellnick and currently housed in two museums in Kaliningrad: from the Museum of the World Ocean we designate specimen #39 as neotype and specimens 22, 30, 33, 35 and 37 as paraneotypes; from the Kaliningrad Museum of Amber we designate specimens 197-22 and 197-54 as paraneotypes. The contention of Arillo and Subías that Archaeorchestidae is a member of Zetorchestoidea (Eremaeoidea auct.), and is the extinct sister-family of Zetorchestidae, is supported with additional characters that relate to leg setation and the morphology of immatures. The possible inclusion of another Cretaceous fossil mite, Rasnitsynella punctulata Krivolutsky, in Archaeorchestidae or Zetorchestoidea was rejected, leaving it in Plateremaeidae pending the direct investigation of specimens. New diagnoses are presented for Plategeocranus, Archaeorchestidae, and Zetorchestoidea.

The fossil mite family Archaeorchestidae (Acari, Oribatida) I: redescription of Strieremaeus illibatus and synonymy of Strieremaeus with Archaeorchestes

Strieremaeus is one of several oribatid mite genera proposed by Max Sellnick based on adult specimens preserved in Eocene Baltic amber. The original specimens of its type-species—S. illibatus Sellnick, 1918—were lost and the genus has received no further empirical study. For many years Strieremaeus was included in the family Eremaeidae, but recently this placement was questioned. Herein we redescribe S. illibatus based on the study of 31 non-type adult specimens from both Baltic and Rovno ambers. Among these are four Baltic specimens identified by Sellnick and currently deposited in the Kaliningrad Museum of Amber (KMA), which we designate as neotype (KMA 197-36) and paraneotypes (KMA 197-34, 197-35, and 197-37). Six immature specimens were associated with this species, of which three—one deutonymph, two tritonymphs—could be studied in detail and their characters are included in the redescription. The type specimens of a second species of Strieremaeus proposed by Sellnick—S. cordiformatus Sellnick, 1918—are also lost and two non-type specimens in the KMA seem to have been misidentified by Sellnick; therefore, we treat S. cordiformatus as a species inquirenda. A new diagnosis of Strieremaeus is presented, and the Cretaceous fossil genus Archaeorchestes is considered a junior subjective synonym, based on examination of the holotype of the type-species, A. minguezae Arillo &amp; Subías, 2000. As a consequence, Strieremaeus is currently the sole genus in Archaeorchestidae. Strieremaeus minguezae (n. comb.) is only tentatively maintained as a distinct species, as no certain distinguishing traits could be found. Two families are reported from the fossil record for the first time: Zetomotrichidae from Baltic amber and Zetorchestidae from Rovno amber. In ancillary discussion we note how the specialized tarsal structure of S. illibatus is consistent with its likely arboreal habitat. We also discuss preservation properties and artifacts, note the dimensional discrepancy between cuticular remnants of the mite and its larger imprint in amber, and strongly recommend measuring more than the cuticular remnants themselves. Further, we provide information on different methods to observe amber inclusions, and for the first time report birefringence of fossil cuticular remnants in thin, airless preparations.

Tibiodrepanus tagliaferrii—a new Afrotropical Drepanocerina species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Oniticellini), with notes on phylogeny and distribution of the genus

We examined the genera Tibiodrepanus Krikken, 2009 (four Oriental and one Palaearctic species) and Sulcodrepanus Krikken, 2009 (one Afrotropical species), using type specimens and non-type specimens, in order to assess the systematic consistency of the two taxa. Within this framework, we also considered the genera Afrodrepanus Krikken, 2009 (two species) and Drepanocerus Kirby, 1828 (two species) employing sets of traits from external morphology, the genitalia of both sexes and the epipharynx. The genus Cyptochirus Lesne, 1900 was chosen as an outgroup. A new species—Tibiodrepanus tagliaferrii sp. nov.—was described based on four females from Cameroon and Namibia. The phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the Tibiodrepanus and Sulcodrepanus species were closely related, yet it did not support the hypothesis of a generic or subgeneric separation of the two taxa. Hence, we establish Sulcodrepanus as a junior synonym of Tibiodrepanus, new synonymy. The genus Tibiodrepanus shows a disjunct Afrotropical-Oriental (common to many other Drepanocerina genera) and Southeastern Palaearctic (Hindu Kush, Afghanistan) distribution pattern.

A further contribution to the knowledge of Pectiniunguis minutus (Demange, 1968), a little known dwarf schendylid centipede from western equatorial Africa (Chilopoda: geophilomorpha)

The geophilomorph centipede Pectiniunguis minutus (Demange, 1968), a little known dwarf schendylid from Gabon (Western equatorial Africa), is redescribed and illustrated based on the type material and an additional non-type specimen preserved in the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris. P. minutus can be easily differentiated from all the other species currently assigned to the genus Pectiniunguis, by the very low number of leg-bearing segments (35 in the males, 37 or 39 in the females) and very small body size (12-16 mm in length). P. minutus is also distinguished by having ventral pore-fields on the anterior region of the body only, this character being shared by a single species of the genus, i.e., P. ascendens Pereira, Minelli &amp; Barbieri, 1994, from the Neotropics (Brazil: State of Amazonas) with which a morphological comparison is given. Comments about other dwarf centipede species belonging to several families of the order Geophilomorpha, are also added.

Revision of &lt;i&gt;Hermodice&lt;/i&gt; Kinberg, 1857 (Polychaeta: Amphinomidae)

The genus Hermodice Kinberg, 1857 was established with the species Aphrodita carunculata Pallas, 1766, based on the shape and development of the caruncle. Several species were later described within the genus; however, it is currently regarded as monotypical, with H. carunculata as a widespread species. An evaluation of available type and non-type specimens together with observations of living specimens has allowed the diagnostic features to be refined, and two new features have been included: the number of branchial filaments and the anal lobe. Consequently, in this study we have been able to confirm the differences between Hermodice and Pherecardia Horst, 1886. The type species, H. carunculata , has been redescribed, and H. nigrolineata Baird, 1870 has been re-established. Further, H. formosa (Quatrefages, 1866) has been transferred to Pherecardia , together with H. pennata Treadwell, 1906 and H. distincta Hoagland, 1920.

Crenigomphus kavangoensissp. nov. from the Okavango River, Namibia (Odonata: Gomphidae)

Abstract A new species of Crenigomphus is described and illustrated from a type series of eight males and eight females, all collected along the Okavango River in Namibia during December 2004, three non-type adult specimens and several exuviae (holotype ♂ Namibia, N'Kwazi Lodge, 19 xii 2004, deposited at NMNW). Both sexes lack foliations at S8-9 as occur in some Crenigomphus, but the male is peculiar in having exceptionally long cerci. The latter character is normally present in the genus Paragomphus. Other characters typical of Crenigomphus include all wings having a bright yellow costal border, S10 longer than S9 in males, colouration mostly ochreous with few darker markings, and the strong blackish serration at the posterior end of the cerci. The larval characters based on exuviae, one associated with an emerged male, do not allow clear separation from Paragomphus.

Revision of the Palaearctic species and review of the Oriental species of Ooctonus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), with notes on extralimital taxa

The fairyfly genus Ooctonus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from the Palaearctic region is revised. Twelve speces are recognized, including the newly described O. lokomotiv Triapitsyn sp. n. (Far East of Russia), O. saturn Triapitsyn sp. n. (Far East of Russia, and Japan), O. spartak Triapitsyn sp. n. (Kyrgyzstan), O. tretiakovi Triapitsyn sp. n. (Far East of Russia), and O. us Triapitsyn sp. n. (Japan, and Republic of Korea). All the species are redescribed, illustrated, and diagnosed, as is the Oriental species O. himalayus Subba Rao, based mainly on non-type specimens from Nepal (its male is newly described). Taxonomic notes are provided on the other three previously described Oriental species of Ooctonus and one new Oriental species, O. lapen Triapitsyn sp. n., is described from Nepal. Extralimital records are included for the species with Holarctic distribution. Twenty-five new synonymies are proposed: O. major Foerster syn. n., O. elegantissimus Soyka syn. n., O. austriacus Soyka syn. n., O. silvestris Soyka syn. n., and O. isotomus Mathot syn. n. under O. insignis Haliday; O. acutiventris Soyka syn. n., O. askhamensis Hincks syn. n., O. collinus Soyka syn. n., O. stammeri Soyka syn. n., O. viennensis Soyka syn. n., O. niger Soyka syn. n., and O. americanus Girault syn. n. under O. vulgatus Haliday; O. amoenus (Foerster) syn. n., O. hemipterus igneus Debauche syn. n., O. foersteri Soyka syn. n., O. wagneri Soyka syn. n., and O. pechlaneri Soyka syn. n. under O. hemipterus Haliday; O. atroflavus Soyka syn. n., O. diversicornis Soyka syn. n., and O. auripes Whittaker syn. n. under O. notatus Walker; O. polonicus Soyka syn. n., O. montanus Soyka syn. n., O. remonti Mathot syn. n., and O. dovrensis Solem &amp; Sveum syn. n. under O. sublaevis Foerster; and O. flaviventris Donev syn. n. under O. novickyi Soyka. Ooctonus sevae Risbec (from Madagascar) is transferred to Gonatocerus Nees ab Esenbeck as Gonotocerus (Lymaenon) sevae (Risbec), comb. n. Lectotypes are designated for O. austriacus Soyka, O. elegantissimus Soyka, O. foersteri Soyka, O. heterotomus Foerster, O. major Foerster, and O. sub-4 · Zootaxa 2381 © 2010 Magnolia Presslaevis Foerster. Separate keys are provided to females of Ooctonus from the Palaearctic region, to both sexes of the European species, and also to females of the known Oriental species of Ooctonus. A brief diagnosis of the genus is given based on its world fauna, and information on the distribution and known host associations of Ooctonus species is provided. A historical account of the Walter Soyka collection of microhymenoptera is presented, with references to the Arnold Foerster collection of Mymaridae.

Thysanichthys evides, a Senior Synonym of Sebastella littoralis, and a Valid Species of Scorpaenodes (Actinopterygii: Scorpaenidae)

The nominal species, Thysanichthys evides Jordan and Thompson, 1914 (Scorpaenidae), originally described from Misaki, Japan, has not been reported since its original description. Examination of the type specimens of T.evides showed them to be identical with the holotype and non-type specimens of a species previously widely-regarded as Scorpaenodes littoralis (Tanaka, 1917), originally described as Sebastella littoralis, also from Misaki. Thysanichthys evides is herein regarded as a senior synonym of Sebastella littoralis, and is a valid species of Scorpaenodes.

Catalogue of the primary types of Cerylonidae, Endomychidae and Latridiidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, with additional notes and clarification of the status of several types

A checklist with critical data is provided for all primary types (n = 48) of the families Cerylonidae, Endomychidae and Latridiidae deposited in the National Museum of Natural History. Of those, 43 holotypes, 3 lectotypes, and 2 neotypes are represented. This tally includes a lectotype for Geoendomychus punctatus Arrow (1926) and neotype for Rhymbomicrus stephani Pakaluk (1987), both newly designated to promote nomenclatural stability. Fifteen species have at least one paratype, paralectotype, or authoritatively identified non-type specimen associated with the holotype. Type specimens were compared to the original species descriptions to confirm their status, verbatim label data were recorded, and barcode labels were added. In addition to cataloguing the types, notes were made where discrepancies exist between the data labels pinned with the types and the data published with the original species descriptions.

Redescription of the trichiurid fish, Trichiurus nitens Garman, 1899, being a valid of species distinct from T. lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Trichiuridae)

Trichiurus nitens Garman, 1899 was reassessed on the basis of the syntype and non-type specimens, and considered to represent a valid species. Although difficult to distinguish from T. lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 in most head and body proportions, T. nitens differs from the former in having lower number of dorsal fin rays (range 121–124 vs. range 132–135), caudal fin vertebrae (116–120 vs. 128–134), total vertebrae (153–156 vs. 168–173), larger dermal eye opening (mean 18.8% vs. 16.1% of HL), shorter upper jaw length (36.2% vs. 38.6% of HL), and shorter snout length (32.9% vs. 34.9% of HL). T. nitens is currently known only inhabit from the Northeast Pacific to Southeast Pacific (from California, Mexico, Panama to Peru).

Redescription of two eelpouts, Lycodes microporus Toyoshima 1983 and Lycodes ocellatus Toyoshima 1985 (Perciformes: Zoarcidae)

Two rare eelpouts, Lycodes microporus Toyoshima 1983 and Lycodes ocellatus Toyoshima 1985, are redescribed, based on their type specimens and non-type specimens recently collected from Japan. Several disagreements were recognized between the original descriptions and the types of these species. The additional non-type specimens expand knowledge of the intraspecific variation of these species. Previously suggested synonymy between L. microporus and L. obscurus was reconfirmed.

Redescriptions of the Indo-Pacific atherinid fishes Atherinomorus forskalii, Atherinomorus lacunosus, and Atherinomorus pinguis

The Indo-Pacific marine atherinid fishes Atherinomorus forskalii (Ruppell, 1838), Atherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, 1801), and Atherinomorus pinguis (Lacepede, 1803) are redescribed as valid species based on the types and non-type specimens collected throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are similar to each other chiefly in having a wide midlateral band (almost the same or greater than the midlateral scale width), large mouth (posterior tip of upper jaw reaching to or beyond a vertical through anterior margin of pupil), and no distinct tubercle at the posterior end of the dentary. All three species are distinguishable from congeners by those characters. The three species have long been confused with each other or synonymized erroneously as a single species. Atherinomorus forskalii, known from the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean, differs from Atherinomorus lacunosus and Atherinomorus pinguis in having conspicuous, large endopterygoid teeth, forming obvious tooth ridges. Atherinomorus lacunosus, widely distributed in almost the entire Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Tonga, north to southern Japan, and south to northern Australia, differs from Atherinomorus pinguis in having a wider midlateral band (the lower margin reaching to almost the center of the fourth scale row at level of the anal fin origin vs. the lower margin reaching to the ventral end of the third scale row in Atherinomorus pinguis) and more numerous midlateral scales (40–44 vs. 38–41 in Atherinomorus pinguis). Atherina morrisi Jordan and Starks, 1906, Hepsetia pinguis mineri Nichols and Roemhild, 1951, Pranesus capricornensis Woodland, 1961, Pranesus maculatus Taylor, 1964, and Pranesus pinguis ruppelli Smith, 1965, are regarded as junior synonyms of Atherinomorus lacunosus. Atherinomorus pinguis is also widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to northern Australia and north to southern Japan. Atherina pectoralis Valenciennes, 1835, is considered a junior synonym of Atherinomorus pinguis.

Systematic review of the neotropical shovelnose catfish genus Sorubim Cuvier (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae)

The genus Sorubim Cuvier, 1829, and two species, S. lima (Bloch &amp; Schneider 1801) and S. trigonocephalus Miranda- Ribeiro, 1920, are redescribed based on the examination of type material and about 400 non-type specimens from ichthyological collections in Europe and North and South America. The five species of the genus are, in addition to S. lima and S. trigonocephalus, S. elongatus Littmann, Burr, Schmidt and Isern 2001, found in the Essequibo, Orinoco, and Amazon basins; S. cuspicaudus Littmann, Burr and Nass 2000, occurring in the Sinu, Cauca, and Magdalena rivers of Colombia and the Lago Maracaibo basin of Colombia and Venezuela; and S. maniradii Littmann, Burr and Buitrago-Suarez 2001, known from the upper and middle Amazon basin. Sorubim lima is the widest-ranging species, occurring in most of the major drainage basins of South America. Sorubim trigonocephalus is extremely rare in natural history collections and is currently known from only two major tributaries of the Amazon basin. Three species (S. maniradii, S. elongatus, and S. lima) occur syntopically. Species of Sorubim are diagnosed on the basis of body and head shape, differences in fin ray and gill-raker numbers, mental barbel position, and degree of pigmentation of the lateral stripe. At least two of the species (S. lima and S elongatus) make up part of the ornamental fish trade and are sold for food in local fish markets in South America. A key to adults of the five species is included.

Taxonomic reviews of two Indo-Pacific sea chubs, Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskål, 1775) and Kyphosus sydneyanus (Günther, 1886)

The closely related Indo-Pacific kyphosid fishes, Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskal, 1775) and K. sydneyanus (Gunther, 1886), are taxonomically reviewed and redescribed. The two species differed from other Kyphosus in having 12 dorsal fin and 11 anal fin soft rays and 50–58 scales in a longitudinal row along the midbody. Synonymic reviews and redescriptions of K. cinerascens and K. sydneyanus were based on examination of types and many non-type specimens, including consideration of ontogenetic morphological changes. The anterior part of the soft-rayed portions of the dorsal fin and anal fin become elevated with growth in K. cinerascens, the longest dorsal fin soft ray being clearly longer than the longest dorsal fin spine, in addition to 26–31 (mode 28) gill rakers on the first gill arch and 17–19 (mode 18) pectoral fin rays. Such elevation is absent in K. sydneyanus, in which the longest dorsal fin soft ray is clearly shorter than the longest dorsal fin spine, in addition to 19–21 (mode 21) gill rakers on the first gill arch and 16–18 (mode 17) pectoral fin rays. Cantharus maculates Valenciennes, 1830, Pimelepterus indicus Cuvier, 1831, Pim. altipinnis Cuvier, 1831, Pim. dussumieri Cuvier, 1831, Pim. raynaldi Cuvier, 1831, Pim. altipinnoides Guichenot, 1863, Pachymetopon squamosum Alleyne and Macleay, 1877, and Scorpis vinosa Alleyne and Macleay, 1877 are all recognized as junior synonyms of K. cinerascens. Pimelepterus tahmel (Forsskal, 1775) sensu Ruppell (1835) is applicable to K. cinerascens but is not a valid scientific name for the species. Pimelepterus meridionalis Ogilby, 1887 and Segutium klunzingeri Whitley, 1931 are junior synonyms of K. sydneyanus. A neotype of K. cinerascens is designated here. Kyphosus cinerascens is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, except for the southern coast of Australia, whereas K. sydneyanus is distributed only in the southern half of Australia (between Shark Bay in Western Australia and Moreton Bay in Queensland), including northern Tasmania, Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, and in northern New Zealand.