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. 2024 Dec 9:1220:123-163.
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1220.126762. eCollection 2024.

A review of the genus Pempheris (Teleostei, Pempheridae) found in Japan and Taiwan

Keita Koeda  1 , Manabu Bessho-Uehara  2
Affiliations

A review of the genus Pempheris (Teleostei, Pempheridae) found in Japan and Taiwan

Keita Koeda et al. Zookeys. .

Abstract

Species of the genus Pempheris Cuvier, 1829 (Pempheridae) from Japan and Taiwan are taxonomically reviewed based on morphology supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis. Ten species are recognized from these countries: Pempherisadusta Bleeker, 1855, Pempherisfamilia Koeda & Motomura, 2017, Pempherisjaponica Döderlein, 1883, Pempherisnyctereutes Jordan & Evermann, 1902, Pempherisoualensis Cuvier, 1831, Pempherissasakii Jordan & Hubbs, 1925, Pempherisschwenkii Bleeker, 1877, Pempherisufuagari Koeda, Yoshino & Tachihara, 2013, Pempherisvanicolensis Cuvier, 1831, Pempherisxanthoptera Tominaga, 1963. Nine of them are distributed in Japan, and five of them in Taiwan. Pempherissasakii and P.xanthoptera, nominal species that have been regarded as invalid are revalidated, redescribed with diagnoses based on examinations of the holotypes and the specimens collected from Japan. Pempherissasakii is morphologically similar to P.nyctereutes and has been thought to be a senior synonym of the latter, but the comparison of the holotypes and non-types of both species revealed that the former species is distinguishable from the latter species in having fewer counts of body scales, also genetically supported with a 3.1% mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence. Pempherisxanthoptera is similar to P.schwenkii, but the coloration of their caudal fins is different, and the genetic analysis supported the difference. The distributions of all species of the genus Pempheris in Japanese waters are also described, based on the specimen localities from literature and new material herein.

Keywords: Distribution; Pempherissasakii; Pempherisxanthoptera; morphology; sweepers; taxonomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PempherisadustaA fresh specimen (ZUMT 62301, Nishidomari, Otsuki, Kochi, Japan) and B underwater photograph (Maeda, Onna, Okinawa-jima Island, Japan).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Distribution of Pempherisadusta based on the collection localities of specimens.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The Maximum-Likelihood (ML) tree of Pempheris species recovered from mitochondria 16S and COI. Values of the Shimodaira–Hasegawa-like approximate likelihood ratio test (SH-aLRT) for the ML tree, bootstrap values (BS) of the NJ tree, and the posterior probability (PP) for the BI tree are indicated at the nodes unless the branch lengths are < 0.01. The museum voucher number of specimens are listed next to the taxon name.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
PempherisfamiliaA fresh specimen (KAUM–I. 74713, 153.1 mm SL, holotype, Ototo-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan, photo taken by K. Kuriiwa) and B underwater photograph (Ani-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Distribution of Pempherisfamilia (diamond) and Pempherisjaponica (triangles and star for type locality) based on the collection locality of the specimens.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Fresh specimen of Pempherisjaponica, KAUM–I. 89834, 125.0 mm SL, Nakakoshiki-jima Island, Koshiki Islands, Japan.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Fresh specimen of Pempherisnyctereutes, NMMB-P 27469, 149.4 mm SL, Penghu, Taiwan.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Distribution of Pempherisnyctereutes (solid triangles and solid star for holotype locality) and Pempherissasakii (solid diamonds and open star for holotype locality) based on the collection localities of the specimens.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
PempherisoualensisA fresh specimen (NMMB-P 27821, 175.4 mm SL, Hengchung, Pingtung, Taiwan) and B underwater photograph (Dobuiso, Ogasawara Islands, Japan).
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Distribution of Pempherisoualensis based on the collection locality of the specimens.
Figure 11.
Figure 11.
PempherissasakiiA fresh specimen (KAUM–I. 94368, 126.7 mm SL, Uchinoura Bay, Kimotsuki, Kagoshima) and B underwater photograph (lower: Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Japan).
Figure 12.
Figure 12.
Fresh specimen of Pempherisschwenkii, NMMB-P 27013, 100.3 mm SL, Hengchung, Pingtung, Taiwan.
Figure 13.
Figure 13.
Distribution of Pempherisschwenkii (diamonds) and P.xanthoptera (solid triangles and star for type locality) based on the collection locality of the specimens. Open triangles for literature records of P.xanthoptera.
Figure 14.
Figure 14.
PempherisufuagariA fresh specimen (KAUM–I. 74550, Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, 170.3 mm SL, photo taken by K. Kuriiwa) and B underwater photograph (Dobuiso, Ogasawara Islands, Japan).
Figure 15.
Figure 15.
Distribution of Pempherisufuagari (triangles) and P.vanicolensis (diamonds) based on the collection localities of the specimens.
Figure 16.
Figure 16.
PempherisvanicolensisA fresh specimen (KAUM–I. 65386, 132.7 mm SL, Hengchung, Pingtung, Taiwan) and underwater photograph (Palau).
Figure 17.
Figure 17.
Fresh specimen of Pempherisxanthoptera, KBF-I 00268, 123.0 mm SL, Amaji, Otsuki, Kochi.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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