Within the genus Solea, four sister lineages have been evolved that actuall
y correspond to the species S. vulgaris, S. senegalensis, S. kleini and S.
lascaris. The existence of S. aegyptiaca and S. impar is not supported and
these species can be synonymized under S. vulgaris and S. lascaris, respect
ively. This pattern of taxonomy agrees fully with that proposed by Ben-Tuvi
a (1990; Journal of Fish Biology 36, 947-960) based on morphological featur
es, in addition, mtDNA data contradict the widely accepted relatedness betw
een S, kleini and S. lascaris based on the shared enlarged forenostril on t
he blind side. A sample of soles clearly related to S. senegalensis was cau
ght in the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea), representing the most western find
ing of this species in the Mediterranean Sea. (C) 2000 The Fisheries Societ
y of the British Isles.