VALIDITY OF PUNGITIUS-HELLENICUS STEPHANIDIS, 1971 (TELEOSTEI, GASTEROSTEIDAE), A STICKLEBACK FISH FROM GREECE

The validity of Pungitius hellenicus, a stickleback fish from Greece, is confirmed in a morphological study of specimens from throughout the range of the genus. Three characters distinguish P. hellenicus from b oth P. pungitius and P. platygaster: reduced ectocoracoid, fewer dorsa l spines (2-6 vs usually 7-12), and all dorsal spines vertically arran ged (vs some being inclined). The absence of a caudal peduncle keel fu rther differentiates P. hellenicus from P. pungitius, and the absence of the large lateral scutes and a complete pelvic girdle differentiate s P. hellenicus from P. platygaster.