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. 2024 Dec 9;1220:79–92. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1220.125860

Verification of two barracudina species Lestrolepisjaponica (Tanaka, 1908) and L.philippina (Fowler, 1934) (Aulopiformes, Paralepididae)

Hsuan-Ching Ho 1,2,✉, Toshio Kawai 3
PMCID: PMC11650194  PMID: 39698222

Abstract

Examination of the type series of Lestidiumjaponica Tanaka reveals that the generally accepted concept of this species does not accord with the type series. A historical review of the literature showed that the characterization of L.japonica changed over time, and what has been recognized as “L.japonica” for more than 70 years actually represents a distinct and different species. Among the junior synonyms of “L.japonica”, Paralepisphilippinus Fowler, 1934 is resurrected as a valid species herein in a new combination, Lestrolepisphilippina. Lestrolepisnigroventralis Ho, Tsai & Li is recognized as a junior synonym of L.japonica herein. Revised diagnostic characteristics for both L.japonica and L.philippina are provided, along with comments on related names to verify their nomenclatural status.

Key words: Biodiversity, ichthyology, ICZN, nomenclature, taxonomy

Introduction

Naked barracudinas, often classified as the Lestidiini, Lestidiinae, or sometimes Lestidiidae, are a group of small, slender fishes found worldwide from the surface to the deep sea. This group comprises seven genera with approximately 60 species, although some remain problematic (Ho et al. 2019a, 2019b; Ho pers. data). Among the genera, Lestrolepis can be distinguished from all others by having a small light organ (black dot) in front of the orbital margin and a ventral light organ divided into two branches, which are located inside the belly but visible through the translucent muscle. The genus Lestrolepis had few nominal species until recently when Ho and Golani (2019) and Ho et al. (2019a) reviewed and described several new species.

The taxonomic history of Lestrolepis is complex and somewhat confusing, even more so as the author, Robert Rees Harry (Harry 1953a, 1953b), later published under the name Robert R. Rofen (Rofen 1960, 1966). Three species have been commonly recognized in the previous literature, namely Lestrolepisjaponica (Tanaka, 1908), Lestrolepisintermedia (Poey, 1868), and Lestrolepisluetkeni (Ege, 1933). However, Ho and Golani (2019) suggested that L.luetkeni belongs to Lestidiops and resurrected Lestrolepispofi (Harry, 1953a), a name previously considered a junior synonym, as a valid name for the fish formerly referred to as L.luetkeni. Furthermore, Ho et al. (2019a) proposed that L.intermedia is restricted to the Atlantic Ocean and designated the western Pacific population as a new species, Lestrolepisnigroventralis Ho, Tsai & Li, 2019.

Recently, the second author (TK) examined specimens deposited in the fish collection of Hokkaido University and identified inconsistencies between the original description and the specimens currently recognized as L.japonica. Examination of the holotype (Fig. 1) and paratype of L.japonica showed them to be indistinguishable from L.nigroventralis, suggesting that the latter should be regarded as a synonym of L.japonica and that the species previously generally referred to as “L.japonica” requires a new name. The first author (HH) examined the type series of Paralepisphilippinus (Fig. 2), previously regarded as a junior synonym of L.japonica, and found them to be identical to what was commonly recognized as L.japonica in the western Pacific Ocean. Additionally, several other names were implicated in the synonymy or misidentifications under these names (Table 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Holotype of Lestidiunjaponicum Tanaka, 1908 A lateral view; arrows point to origins of dorsal fin (DFO), pelvic fin (VFO), and anal fin (AFO) B lateral view of head.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Types of Paralepisphilippinus (= Lestrolepisphilippina) A holotype, USNM 92323, ca 118 mm SLB paratype, USNM 93414, 126 mm SL; arrows point to origins of dorsal fin (DFO), pelvic fin (VFO), and anal fin (AFO).

Table 1.

Verification of some name records of Lestrolepis and their current status.

Publication Name used Correct names
Poey 1868 Paralepisintermedius Valid as Lestrolepisintermedia
Tanaka 1908 Lestidiumjaponicum Valid as Lestrolepisjaponica
Ege 1933 Paralepisluetkeni Valid as Lestidiopsluetkeni
Ege 1933 Paralepisbellottii Synonym of Lestidiopsluetkeni
Fowler 1934 Paralepisphilippinus Valid as L.philippina
Fowler 1944 Sudisvanderbilti Synonym of L.intermedia
Harry 1953a Lestidiumjaponicum L.philippina
Ege 1953 Lestidiumintermedium (in part) L.japonica
Kamohara 1955 Lestidiumjaponicum L.japonica
Rofen 1966 Lestrolepisjaponica L.philippina
Fujii 1984 Lestrolepisjaponica L.philippina
Fujii 1984 Lestrolepisintermedia L.japonica
Nakabo 2000, 2002 Lestrolepisjaponica L.philippina
Kim et al. 2007, 2020 Lestrolepisjaponica L.philippina
Ho et al. 2019a Lestrolepisnigroventralis Synonym of L.japonica
Ho et al. 2019a Lestrolepisjaponica L.philippina
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To clarify the identification of these species, we conducted a study on the type series of Lestrolepisjaponica and L.philippinna and provide here revised diagnoses or comments for the species related to these names. In the present study we confirm the validity of L.japonica, synonymize L.nigroventralis with L.japonica, resurrect L.philippina, and clarify the taxonomic history of these species.

Materials and methods

Methods for taking morphometrics and meristics followed Ho et al. (2019a). Most morphometric and meristic data are adopted from Ho et al. (2019a), with those of additional specimens examined.

Abbreviations

SL, standard length; HL, head length; TL, total length; VFO, DFO, AFL, the origins of pelvic fin, dorsal fin and anal fin, respectively; V–D, space between VFO and DFO; V–A, space between VFO and AFO. Other abbreviations followed Ho and Lin (2023).

Results

Genus Lestrolepis Harry, 1953

On the taxonomic issues

Lestidiumjaponicum was described based on two types collected from Sagami Bay (ZMUT 2013 and 2014). In the synonymy of this species, Harry (1953a) included Paralepisbellottii Ege, 1933 as a queried synonym and Paralepisphilippinus Fowler, 1934 as a junior synonym of L.japonicum. Subsequently, Harry (1953b) re-assigned japonicum to Lestrolepis, and this placement in Lestrolepis has been widely accepted by subsequent authors.

Post (1972) suggested that L.japonica “possibly is a synonym of Lestrolepisintermedia Poey, 1868". Examination of the holotype of L.japonica revealed that it is indeed similar to L.intermedia but that it differs in several characters. Consequently, specimens recognized as “Lestrolepisjaponica” in much of the literature belong to another species that requires a name, and the following two names listed as synonyms of “japonicum” by Harry (1953a) should be considered as candidates for this species.

The original description of Paralepisbellottii was based on a single specimen (60 mm SL, 64 mm TL). This species was synonymized with Lestidiumnudum Gilbert, 1905 and Paraelpisluetkeni Ege, 1933 by Ege (1953:52). Rofen (1960: 206) synonymized the name with “Lestidiumleutkeni” and Rofen (1966) later placed it in the genus Lestrolepis. The first author examined the holotype of bellottii and found it to be very similar to the holotype of luetkeni. Type specimens of both are also different from Lestidiumnudum, rejecting the synonymy proposed by Ege (1953). In fact, luetkeni is placed in the genus Lestidiops by Ho and Golani (2019), and the status of bellottii will be discussed in another work prepared by HH.

The original description of Paralepisphilippinus was based on eight type specimens collected from the Philippines. Examination of the type series revealed that it is different from that of L.japonica and is what has been commonly recognized as “L.japonica” in the western Pacific Ocean.

Consequently, neither philippinus nor leutkeni or bellottii, can be regarded as synonyms of japonica, but can be considered here to represent what has been called “L.japonica” in the western Pacific (Table 1). The oldest name, philippina is herein resurrected as valid in a new combination Lestrolepisphilippina (Fowler, 1934) for this species.

Ho et al. (2019a) described Lestrolepisnigroventralis to accommodate the population of what has been called “Lestrolepisintermedia” in the western Pacific Ocean, i.e. Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, etc. As the type series is the same as that of L.japonica (Table 1), this name is now recognized as a junior synonym of L.japonica. In addition, the specimens recognized as L.japonica by Ho et al. (2019a) are now re-identified as L.philippina.

Records of Lestrolepisjaponica and L.intermedia in the western Pacific

As mentioned above, Harry (1953a) mistakenly considered Lestrolepisphilippina as a junior synonym of L.japonica without examining the vertebral counts of the type series of L.japonica. This oversight led to a change in the definition of L.japonica based on the type series of L.philippina, resulting in subsequent effects. For instance, Rofen (1966: 381) differentiated L.intermedia from L.japonica based on different vertebral numbers (91–98, vs 84–89), indicating that his L.japonica was actually L.philippina. Subsequent literature records of L.japonica following Harry’s definition recognized those with fewer vertebrae as L.japonica (see synonymy below).

The earliest records of Lestrolepisintermedia in the Western Pacific Ocean are found in Ege (1953), who documented juveniles of L.intermedia collected from various locations worldwide, including Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines (also see Rofen 1966). However, subsequent publications in the western Pacific Ocean (e.g., Matsubara 1955) did not evidently document this name.

Fujii in Masuda et al. (1984:77) provided a brief description of Lestrolepisintermedia and mentioned that “L.intermedia and L.japonica are often collected by shrimp-trawl net in Suruga Bay”. Fujii also provided total vertebrae counts of 95–97 and total lateral-line scales of 74–81 for his L.intermedia, and 84–87 and 62–69, respectively, for his L.japonica. These definitions for both species evidently were followed by all subsequent publications in Japan and nearby areas (e.g., Nakabo 1993, 2000, 2002; Shen et al. 1993, Kim et al. 2007), while Ho et al. (2019a) went further and mistakenly recognized the western Pacific population of L.intermedia as a new species, L.nigroventralis.

. Lestrolepis japonica

(Tanaka, 1908)

F167DE90-1FBC-58EC-8A41-506F9CE3A065

Figs 1 , 3 , Table 2

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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Fresh condition of Lestrolepisjaponica (Tanaka, 1908), NMMB-P027930, 244 mm SLA lateral view B lateral view of head C lateral view of body showing origin of dorsal fin (DFO), pelvic fin (VFO), and anal fin (AFO) D lateral view of caudal region.

Table 2.

Selected morphological and meristic data of L.japonica and L.philippina. * Data of “L.nigroventralis” and ** of “L.japonica” taken from Ho et al. (2019a). HT = holotype; PT = paratype(s).

L.japonica L.philippina
Types Types of L.nigroventralis Types Non-types**
HT PT HT Types* HT PT
SL (mm) 159.5 ca 180 230 180–249 (n = 11) 118.2 109.6–128.0 (n = 4) 88.0–222 (n = 29)
Proportion (%) Mean (Range) Mean (Range)
HL/SL 20.9 21.1 20.0 19.6 (18.9–20.7) 20.8 21.3–22.0 20.5 (18.0–21.8)
BD/SL 5.7 5.2 5.3 5.2 (4.9–5.6) 8.5 7.1–7.9 6.9 (5.9–8.6)
PreD/SL 63.7 – 62.8 62.7 (61.7–63.3) 58.8 59.4–60.9 61.8 (60.2–63.5)
PreV/SL 52.7 – 52.1 51.6 (50.6–52.6) 51.2 51.6–53.4 53.0 (52.3–55.2)
PreA/SL 73.3 – 73.5 73.3 (71.9–74.8) 72.8 73.0–75.2 74.9 (75.8–76.6)
ED/HL 20.1 17.9 15.5 16.1 (14.8–17.3) 19.1 18.1–19.1 18.4 (15.9–22.6)
SN/HL 54.7 53.8 52.4 54.4 (52.4–57.0) 52.8 49.8–52.8 50.8 (47.7–53.4)
HD/HL 27.1 24.8 26.3 26.4 (25.4–27.4) 30.9 27.8–30.8 28.5 (28.6–28.5)
UJ/HL 51.4 49.6 49.1 49.0 (47.2–50.4) 47.6 47.7–49.5 46.8 (44.0–50.0)
V–D/V–A 53.1 51.0 50.0 51.0 (47.6–55.0) 35.3 34.0–36.1 39.1 (32.5–43.1)
Meristics
Anal-fin rays 42 ca 40 42 41–43 ca 38 37–38 36–40
Vertebrae
PHV 34 33 33 32–35 29 30–31 29–32
PVV 33 34 34 33–35 30 30–32 30–33
PDV 43 44 44 43–46 38 38–39 36–40
PAV 53 55 55 53–57 48 49–51 48–51
CV 60 61 62 60–66 55 56–59 52–58
TV 94 95 95 94–98 85 86–89 84–88
V–D 9 10 10 9–11 8 7–8 5–9
Lateral-line scales
PVLL 34 – 34 33–36 30 30–32 31–32
PDLL 44 – 44 43–46 38 39–40 38–40
PALL 54 – 54 53–57 49 49–51 49–50
TLL ca 81 – 78 75–81 71 68–70 65–72
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Status of the holotype.

Tanaka (1908) indicated that the holotype of his Lestidiumjaponicum was registered as 2013 (now ZMUT 2013) with a length of 174 mm SL, and the paratype (in the Table, without a catalog number) was 190 mm SL. Regardless, Harry (1953a) gave the holotype as ZMUT 2014, and the paratype as ZMUT 2013. Notwithstanding, Post (1972) documented the types and recognized ZMUT 2013 as the holotype and ZMUT 2014 as the paratype. We examined both types and re-measured the holotype (ZMUT 2013) as 159.5 mm SL and the paratype (ZMUT 2014) as approximately 180 mm SL, the latter being in poor condition.

Synonym name.

Lestrolepisnigroventralis was described to accommodate the Pacific population of L.intermedia. However, because of its nearly identical morphology (Table 2), it is now recognized here as a junior synonym of L.japonica. The following data are mainly derived from types and non-types of L.nigroventralis, combined with the type series examined by us.

Distinguishing features.

A species of Lestrolepis with DFO situated at about midline of V–A, V–D 46.8–55.0% of V–A; anal-fin rays 41–43 (mainly 41–42); lateral-line scales: PVLL 33–36 (34–35), PDLL 43–46 (44–46), PALL 53–57 (55–56), TLL 75–81 (77–80); vertebral counts: PHV 32–35 (mainly 32–34), PVV 33–35 (34–35), PDV 43–46 (44–45), PAV 53–57 (54–55), CV 60–66 (61–64), TV 94–98 (94–97); vertebrae between DFO and VFO 9–11. Body slender, body depth at pectoral-fin base 15–19 times in SL; band of melanophores along abdominal margin. Attains 249 mm SL.

Distribution.

Known from the northwestern Pacific Ocean off Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. Records from other localities require verification.

Remarks.

The taxonomic concept of what has long been called Lestrolepisjaponica is now revised based on the type series and additional specimens. A review of the literature with documentation of L.japonica is listed in the synonymy above, although there might be more records that are not included therein. Detailed comparisons with congeners are provided in Ho et al. (2019a, as L.nigroventralis).

There are some minor differences found in the types compared to the non-types (Table 2). The head length is slightly larger (20.9–21.1%, vs 18.9–20.7% SL); the predorsal length is slightly larger in the holotype (63.7%, vs 61.7–63.3% SL; not available for the paratype); the eye diameter is slightly larger (17.9–20.1%, vs 14.8–17.3% HL); the upper jaw of the holotype is slightly longer (51.4%, vs 47.2–50.4% HL). These proportional measurements may be attributed either to population variation or due to long-term preservation of the types. The meristic values of types fall entirely within the range of non-types (Table 2).

. Lestrolepis philippina

Fowler, 1934

C7778AD4-FCF0-57A7-81E9-F050C47F842C

Figs 2 , 4 , Table 2

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

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Fresh condition of Lestrolepisphilippina (Fowler, 1934), NMMB-P027934 (1 of 17), ca 175 mm SLA lateral view B lateral view of head C lateral view of body showing origin of dorsal fin (DFO), pelvic fin (VFO), and anal fin (AFO) D lateral view of caudal region.

Taxonomy.

Fowler (1934) originally described Lestrolepisphilippina from the Philippines. Subsequently, Harry (1953a) synonymized L.philippina with L.japonica, providing a description based on the type series of L.japonica, L.philippina, and additional specimens. Although the name L.philippina was not mentioned in subsequent literature, it is likely that many records recognized as L.japonica are, in fact, misidentifications of L.philippina. In a more recent study, Ho et al. (2019a) presented a detailed description of what was previously identified as L.japonica, now re-identified as L.philippina.

Distinguished features.

A species of Lestrolepis with DFO situated well before midline of V–A, V–D 32.5–43.1% of V–A; anal-fin rays 36–40 (mainly 37–39); lateral-line scales: PVLL 30–32 (31), PDLL 38–40 (38–39), PALL 49–51, TLL 65–72 (65–68); vertebral counts: PHV 29–32, PVV 30–33 (30–32), PDV 36–40 (37–40), PAV 48–51, CV 52–58 (54–57), TV 82–88 (84–88); vertebrae between DFO and VFO 5–9 (7–8). Body moderately slender, body depth at pectoral-fin base 13–16 times in SL; narrow band of melanophores along abdominal margin. Attains 222 mm SL.

Distribution.

Widespread in the western Pacific Ocean, with confirmed records from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, northwestern Australia, and the South China Sea.

Remarks.

Some minor differences are observed between the holotype and non-types (Table 2). The predorsal length (58.8%, vs 60.2–63.5% SL), preventral length (51.2%, vs 52.3–55.2% SL), and preanal length (72.8%, vs 75.8–76.6% SL) are slightly smaller in the holotype compared to paratypes and non-types. The head depth is slightly larger (30.9% SL) compared to that of paratypes and non-types (27.8–30.8% SL). These differences may be attributed to individual variation or long-term preservation effects. The meristic values of the type series fall well within those of the non-types (Table 2).

Discussion

Several ambiguities in earlier studies have led to subsequent problems, including the inadvertent naming of a new species. Tanaka (1908) described Lestidiumjaponicum with 42 anal-fin rays in the holotype and 49 in the paratype. Harry (1953a) counted 42 and 41, respectively, for the same individual (note that Harry switched the holotype and paratype). Jordan et al. (1913) and Okada and Matsubara (1938) included Lestidiumjaponicum in their species list as known from Sagami Sea. On the other hand, Hubbs (1916) cited Tanaka (1908) and gave 42–49 anal rays. Parr (1928) noted that Lestidiumjapponicum [sic] is only known from the coast of Japan.

Matsubara (1941) reported two specimens (178.8 mm SL and 102.2 mm SL) of this species collected from Suruga Bay, Japan, the former specimen having 43 anal-fin rays, and the latter 35. Harry (1953a: 187) suggested the first one is Lestidiumjaponicum, whereas the latter was unknown. We concur that the former is Lestrolepisjaponica, and the latter is L.philippina based on their counts of anal-fin rays (cf. 40–43 in L.japonicus and 36–40 in L.philippina; Table 2). Matsubara (1941) also mentioned that japonicum closely resembles L.philippinus. This could have been the beginning of confusion of the species (see also Matsubara 1955, 1963).

Harry (1953a) reported examining the types and additional specimens of L.japonica and identified L.philippina as a junior synonym. However, given clear differences, such as the position of DFO, the relatively slender body, snout, and jaws, as well as different vertebral and lateral-line counts, it remains uncertain why Harry considered them senior synonyms of L.philippina, perhaps being influenced by Matsubara (1941). It seems likely that Harry never examined radiographs of the types of L.japonica; otherwise, he might have noticed the distinctly high vertebral counts in these two specimens.

Ege (1953) documented juveniles of Lestrolepisintermedia (as Lestidiumintermedium) from the western Pacific, i.e. Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, etc. Assuming he identified these specimens correctly, for example, regarding the position of DFO, his specimens should be L.japonica in this work. However, he never considered the names “japonicum” or “philippinus” in his publication. Based on the museum collection (Ho pers. obs.), L.philippina is far more abundant compared to L.japonica, and it remains unknown why Ege did not recognize such a distinct form. It is notable that Ege (1953) recognized from this region Lestidiumnudum, which has similar fin position. It is likely Ege misidentified L.philippina as Lestidiumnudum, because the latter is more or less restricted to the Hawaiian Islands and the central Pacific (Ho pers. data).

Fujii in Masuda et al. (1984) appears to have followed Harry’s (1953b) definition and recognized the population with few vertebrae as L.japonica, which is now confirmed to be a misidentification of L.philippina. He also identified L.intermedia from Japan and provided a short description. His provided counts of 95–97 total vertebrae and 74–81 lateral-line scales indicate that his description was, in fact, that of L.japonica.

Regarding other paralepidid species, some taxonomic problems have been reviewed, such as the resurrection of Lestrolepispofi and the placement of L.leutkeni in Lestidiops (Ho and Golani 2019). Matching adults to these species with only juveniles known, or redescriptions of species have been undertaken (Ho and Huang 2022a, 2022b; Ho and Lin 2023; Ho and Tsai 2023). However, there are several species with unknown status that still require further investigation (Ho pers. data).

This work provides an opportunity to underscore the importance of not relying solely on previously published works but also examining type material in museum collections, even for well-known species.

Material examined

Lestrolepisjaponica: Holotype. ZMUT 2013 (159.5), Sagami Bay, Japan. Paratype. ZMUT 2014 (ca. 180), same as holotype. Non-types. HUMZ 71212 (1, 183), Fukushima, Japan, trawl net, 200–300 m, 8 Nov. 1977. HUMZ 71248 (1, 243), Hayakawa Port, Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan, 7 Nov. 1977. HUMZ 71844 (1, 193), HUMZ 71845 (1, 296), HUMZ 71846 (1, 184), HUMZ 71847 (1, 213), HUMZ 71848 (1, 186), Hayakawa Port, Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan, 5 Nov. 1977. HUMZ 134997 (1), 38°35'30.0"N 141°59'48.0"E, off Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan, bottom trawl, 331 m, 17 Oct. 1994. HUMZ 163755 (1, 120), 38°24'32.4"N, 142°04'13.2"E Miyagi, 461 m, 12 Oct. 1999. HUMZ 163832 (1, 123), HUMZ 163833 (1, 125), Miyagi, 38°23'09.6"N, 142°07'27.0"E, 552 m, 26 Oct. 1999. HUMZ 206777 (1, 162), 38°24'57"N, 142°02'50.4"E, Miyagi, Japan, 425–430 m, 30 Oct. 2009. HUMZ 206833 (1, 140), 38°22'13.2"N, 142°03'13.8"E, Miyagi, bottom trawl, 412 m, 9 Oct. 2009. HUMZ 209243 (1, 92), 39°35'24.6"N, 142°31'E, 890-897 m, 7 Oct. 2010. HUMZ 214579 (1, 134), 39°05'15.6"N, 142°09'34.8"E, off Tohoku, 398–412 m, 19 Oct. 2011. HUMZ 222513 (1, 183), Miyagi, 38°52'01.2"N, 142°04'24.6"E, 357 m, bottom trawl, 23 Oct. 2013. HUMZ 226859 (1, 155), 39°01'59.4"N, 142°12'55.8"E, off Kesennuma, Miyagi, Japan, bottom trawl, 575 m, 23 Oct. 2015. HUMZ 226876 (1, 146), HUMZ 226877 (3), 37°36'56.4"N, 141°50'31.8"E, off Souma, Fukushima, Japan, 380 m, 5 Nov. 2015. HUMZ 226942 (2), 37°43'N, 141°53'51"E, off Souma, Fukushima, Japan, bottom trawl, 411 m, 29 Oct. 2015. NSMT-P13816 (2, 147–154), Suruga Bay, Shizuoka, Japan, 17 Nov. 1968. NSMT-P48916 (1, 168), south of Sagami Bay, Japan, 4 Nov. 1995. NSMT-P48931 (1, 154), off Tohoku, northern Japan, trawl, 5 Nov. 1995. NSMT-P58786 (3, 75–130), 39°00'36"N, 143°32'06"E, off Pacific coast between Miyagi Pref. and Iwate, 550–578 m, Japan, mesopelagic trawl, 29 Jul. 1996. NSMT-P 58787 (1, 100), 39°00'36"N, 143°32'06"E, between Miyagi Pref. and Iwate, 650–677 m, mesopelagic trawl, 29 Nov. 1996. NSMT-P58788 (1, 115), NSMT-P58789 (1, 93), 39°02'24"N, 143°30'07.2"E, between Miyagi Pref. and Iwate, northern Japan, 650–677 m, mesopelagic trawl, 30 Jul. 1996. NSMT-P65464 (1, 176), 37°45'54"N, 142°09'32"E, off Fukushima, northern Japan, 647–676 m, otter trawl, 19 Oct. 2002. NSMT-P65466 (1, 136), 36°53'45.6"N, 141°33'43.2"E, off Ibaraki, Japan, 495–530 m, otter trawl, 20 Oct. 2002. NSMT-P67563 (1, 158), 31°20'39.1"N, 128°10'53"E, southern Japan, 392 m, otter Trawl, 8 Nov. 2003. NSMT-P67589 (1, 237), 28°59'47"N, 127°09'21.2"E, Ryukyus, 350 m, otter Trawl, 5 Nov. 2003. NSMT-P91547 (1, 170), 38°21'32.4"N, 141°56'24.0"E, off Miyagi, Japan, 280 m, trawl, 3 Oct. 2007. NSMT-P102802 (1, 169), 36°58'26.4"N, 141°25'43.3"E, off Fukushima, Japan, 251-252 m, otter trawl, 26 Oct. 2006. Also listed as Lestrolepisnigroventralis in Ho et al. (2019a), including the type series.

Lestrolepisphilippina: Holotype. USNM 92323 (118.2), Varadero Bay, southern Luzon, Mindoro, Philippine, 22 Jul. 1908. Paratypes. USNM 93414 (2, 109.6–125), Noble Point, Tulayan Island, Sulu, Philippine, 283 m, 15 Sep. 1909. CAS-SU 14970 (1), USNM 135257 (2, 121–128), Anchorage, Dupon Bay, Leyte, Philippine, 17 Mar. 1909. Non-types. HUMZ 146645 (1, 228), 25°37'16.8"N, 126°05'21"E, Miyoko, Okinawa, 388–394 m, 2 Aug. 1994. HUMZ 222365 (1, 153), HUMZ 222366 (1, 165), HUMZ 222367 (1, 180), HUMZ 222368 (1, 185), HUMZ 222462 (1, 144), Dong-gang, Taiwan, 7 Nov. 2013. NSMT-P59709 (2, 87–96), 35°50'38.4"N, 152°59'49.2"E, 0–20 m, trawl, 24 May 1995. NSMT-P67590 (2, 185-232), 28°59'47"N, 127°09'21.2"E, East China Sea, 350 m, otter Trawl, 5 Nov. 2003. NSMT-P94628 (8, 123–160), Sagami Bay, southern Japan, set net, Tokyo Sea Life Park, 15 Nov. 1988. NSMT-P115090 (1, 138.2), NSMT-P115091 (1, 154.5), Dong-gang fishing port, Taiwan, 17 Oct. 2013, G. Shinohara et al. NSMT-P115637 (1, 142), Dong-gang fishing port, Taiwan, 19 Oct. 2013. NSMT-P128174 (1, 268.8), off Amami-Oshima Is., Ryukyus, Japan, Yamakawa, 26 Jun. 1972. NSMT-P128175 (1, 226.1), off Amami-Oshima Is., Ryukyus, Japan, 26 Jun. 1972. Also listed as L.japonica in Ho et al. (2019a)

Supplementary Material

XML Treatment for Lestrolepis japonica
XML Treatment for Lestrolepis philippina

Acknowledgements

We thank H. Wada (The University Museum, The University of Tokyo), S.L. Ng (Department of Environmental Biology and Fisheries Science, National Taiwan Ocean University), K. Bemis, A. Reft (NOAA National Systematics Lab), and D. Pitassy (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History) for providing various assistance, S. Nihei for taking photos of ZUMT specimens, and B. Russell for giving the critical review. This study is supported by the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and JSPS KAKENHI grant number JP23K05364 to TK.

Citation

Ho H-C, Kawai T (2024) Verification of two barracudina species Lestrolepis japonica (Tanaka, 1908) and L. philippina (Fowler, 1934) (Aulopiformes, Paralepididae). In: Ho H-C, Russell B, Hibino Y, Lee M-Y (Eds) Biodiversity and taxonomy of fishes in Taiwan and adjacent waters. ZooKeys 1220: 79–92. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1220.125860

Funding Statement

National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

Only museum collection specimens were used in present study.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, to HCH, and JSPS KAKENHI Grant (no. JP23K05364) to TK.

Author contributions

H.-C. Ho and T. Kawai took data, photos, and composed and reviewed the manuscript. All authors approved the manuscript.

Author ORCIDs

Hsuan-Ching Ho https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1154-601X

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

XML Treatment for Lestrolepis japonica
zookeys.1220.125860-treatment1.xml (38.8KB, xml)
XML Treatment for Lestrolepis philippina
zookeys.1220.125860-treatment2.xml (39.5KB, xml)

Data Availability Statement

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.

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