A new genus, Leptomelanosoma, for the polynemid fish previously known as Polydactylus indicus (Shaw, 1804) and a redescription of the species

A new genus, Leptomelanosoma, is proposed for the polynemid fish, Polydacty lus indicus (Shaw, 1804). The genus differs from all other genera in the fa mily Polynemidae by the following combination of characters: anterior one-t hird of lower jaw with small teeth extending onto lateral surface, adjacent portion of lip poorly developed; ethmoid not covered dorsally by frontals; sphenotics visible dorsally between anterior margins of parietal and ptero tic; upper and lower caudal fin lobes very long, filamentous; swimbladder w ith many appendages inserted into lateral walls of abdominal cavity; grayis h-black body. The type species, Polydactylus indicus, is redescribed as Lep tomelanosoma indicium.