Redescriptions of the Indo-West Pacific atherinid fishes, Atherinomorus endrachtensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825) and A-duodecimalis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835)

The Indo-Pacific marine atherinid fishes. Atherinomorus endrachtensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825) and Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1835), having long been confused with each other, are red escribed as valid species based on the types and nontype specimens collecte d from the eastern Indian Ocean and West Pacific. Atherinomorus endrachtens is, known from the Philippines. Palau. North Sulawesi and Maluku Is. (Indon esia), and New Guinea, differs from other congeners in lacking a tubercle o n the dentary and having the posterior tip of the upper jaw not extending b eyond a vertical through the anterior margin of the pupil, usually 10-11 an al fin soft rays, 33-35 midlateral scales, a narrow midlateral band (ca. ha lf midlateral scale width at anal fin origin), and 3 distinct longitudinal broken black lines laterally and ventrolaterally on the body. A lectotype i s designated for Atherina lineata Gunther. 1872, regarded as a junior synon ym of Atherinomorus endrachtensis. Atherinomorus duodecimalis. known from S ri Lanka. Thailand, Yaeyama Is. (Japan), the Philippines. Indonesia. New Gu inea, Queensland (Australia), and New Caledonia, differs from other congene rs in having a tubercle on the posterior end of the dentary, the posterior tip of the upper jaw not extending beyond a vertical through the anterior m argin of the pupil, usually 12-13 anal fin soft ralis, 35-38 midlateral sca les. and a narrow midlateral band (ca. 1/2 or 3/4 midlateral scale width at anal fin origin). Atherina balabacensis Seale, 1910 is regarded as a junio r synonym of Atherinomorus duodecimalis.