Redescription of Chlorophthalmus corniger, a senior synonym of Chlorophthalmus bicornis (Family: Chlorophthalmidae). Issue 2 (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bineesh, K. K.; Akhilesh, K. V.; Gomon, M. F.; Abdussamad, E. M.; Pillai, N. G. K.; Gopalakrishnan, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of fish biology. Volume 84:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 513
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Fishes -- Periodicals; Fishes -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 597
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1112

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jfb12305-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p id="jfb12305-para-0001"> <italic>Chlorophthalmus corniger</italic> is redescribed on the basis of recently collected specimens. The species is redefined as a species of <italic>Chlorophthalmus</italic> with the lower jaw terminating in a distinctly projecting horizontal plate with strong, spine‐like processes directed forward from the plate's corners; body silvery grey, with numerous minute black spots and traces of broad darker crossbars; base of anterior dorsal fin spines and distal parts of dorsal fins black; adipose fin tiny with numerous black spots; caudal fin black; 3·5 scales above lateral line; three rows of cheek scales; head very large, 34·3–40·1% standard length (<italic>L</italic><sub>S</sub>); eye large, 29·8–40·8% head length (<italic>L</italic><sub>H</sub>); pectoral fin long, extending to beyond dorsal fin base, 21·7–26·2% <italic>L</italic><sub>S</sub>. <italic>Chlorophthalmus bicornis</italic> is a junior synonym of <italic>C. corniger</italic> based on the examination of the type series of both species. It is confined to the northern half of the Indian Ocean, reliably recorded from Somalia and the Gulf of Aden to southern Java, Indonesia, at depths between 200 and 500 m. A lectotype and three paralectotypes were designated for <italic>C. corniger</italic>. DNA barcodes for Indian species of <italic>Chlorophthalmus</italic> were generated.</p> </abstract>