Gerres limbatus Cuvier and G-lucidus Cuvier from the Indo-Malay Archipelagos, the latter corresponding to young of the former (Perciformes : Gerreidae)

Taxonomic status of Gerres limbatus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830 and G. lucidus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830 was studied. The tw o species were reassessed as the same species, the latter corresponding to young of the former, on the basis of examination of their eight syntypes an d other comparative specimens. Gerres limbatus clearly differs from other c ongeners in having 21/2-3 (usually 21/2) scales between the 5th dorsal fin spine base and the lateral line, and four or five diffuse, dark saddle patc hes mainly along the back in life (more apparent in small specimens less th an ca. 65mm in standard length, or preserved and stressed live specimens) ( vs. usually more than 31/2 scales between fifth dorsal fin spine base and l ateral line, and and no such body color pattern of G. limbatus in other con geners). The species is currently known from the southern and western coast s of India including Sri Lanka, the Malay Peninsula, Gulf of Thailand, and Indonesia, becoming rare in occurrence eastward.