Research Training ProgramSmithsonian
Institution
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| Sean B. Menke University of Minnesota - Morris Morris, Minnesota Thomas A. Munroe, Ph.D. Supervising Scientist Department of Vertebrate Zoology "To work, learn, and communicate in an environment with such intellectual diversity was an unparalleled opportunity that I will remember for the rest of my life." |
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Evaluation of the taxonomy and nomenclature of Soleichthys (Soleidae: Pleuronectiformes) from Australian waters
ABSTRACT
Tropical and sub-tropical marine waters of Australia support a diverse fish fauna including several genera of soleid flatfishes, which can be found in a variety of habitats in coastal waters. Among Australian flatfishes is Soleichthys, which are small to medium-sized, dextral flatfishes, featuring a combination of a striped ocular side, a long tubular anterior nostril, and with dorsal and anal fins separate from the caudal fin. For almost a century, only two species of Soleichthys were recognized from Australian waters, S. heterorhinos (Bleeker) and S. microcephalus (Gunther). Among material identified as S. heterorhinos or S. microcephalus are several different morphotypes with color patterns, and meristic and morphometric characters differing from those of specimens originally described as S. heterorhinos and S. microcephalus. This suggests that more species of Soleichthys occur in Australian waters than previously recognized. Confusion surrounding identifications of these flatfishes results from an inadequate knowledge concerning intra- and interspecific variation occurring in any species of this genus. Species were identified in this study using a combination of 12 meristic features, such as counts of finrays, scales, and vertebrae, as well as 12 morphometric features. Comparisons were made to type specimens wherever possible. Results of this study indicate that specimens previously mis-identified as S. heterorhinos represent at least three undescribed species of soleid flatfishes. Additionally, four undescribed species are represented among material previously mis-identified as S. microcephalus.
I would like to thank the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergrads (Award number DBI-9531331) for funding my research, the Smithsonian Museum for providing the program and facilities for the research, and Dr. Thomas A. Munroe for his invaluable help on my project.