Review of Polydactylus species (Perciformes : Polynemidae) characterized by a large black anterior lateral line spot, with descriptions of two new species

Nominal Polydactylus species characterized by a large black spot anteriorly on the lateral line, P. microstomus (Bleeker), P. sextarius mullani (Hora) , P. sextarius sextarius (Bloch and Schneider), and P. zophomus Jordan and McGregor, are reviewed. Polydactylus zophomus, with 5 pectoral filaments, i s synonymized under P. microstomus, and P. sextarius mullani, with 7 pector al filaments, is elevated to species level (as P. mullani). Polydactylus mi crostomus and P. mullani together with P. sextarius (characterized by 6 pec toral filaments) are considered as valid species and redescribed accordingl y. Two new species, P. malagasyensis and P. persicus, each with 6 pectoral filaments, collected from the east coast of Africa, including Madagascar an d the Persian Gulf, are also described. Polydactylus sextarius and the 2 ne w species are characterized by 6 pectoral filaments. However, P. sextarius is distinguished from the latter by having lower gill raker counts (mode 28 vs. 31 in the latter) and an atrophied swimbladder (vs. well-developed). P olydactylus malagasyensis differs from P. persicus in having higher pectora l fin ray counts (14 vs. mode 12 in the latter), the palatines inwardly tur ned anteriorly (vs. straight), and a longer pectoral fin (mean 24% of stand ard length vs. 19%).