Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2013, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (3): 22-32.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2013.03.004cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2013.03.004

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Taxonomic revision of parrotfishes (Perciformes: Scaridae) in China seas

WANG Zhong-ming1, 2, KONG Xiao-yu1, HUANG Liang-min1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-resources Sustainable Utilization, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2012-02-06 Revised:2012-05-10 Online:2013-08-27 Published:2013-08-28
  • Contact: 孔晓瑜(1962—)。E-mail: xykong@scsio.ac.cn

Abstract:

Parrotfishes (Scaridae) are an important component of the biodiversity of coral reefs. Ninety-nine known parrotfish species belonging to ten genera in two subfamilies have been recorded in the world. We comprehensively summarized the history and current state of the study on Scaridae, and supraspecific groups in the main taxonomic systems. Based on the information from several museums in China, 387 parrotfish specimens registered under 30 species of seven genera were revised to 22 species in six genera. The morphological and effective identifying characters of parrotfish taxa were determined based on the morphology of the specimens. Parrotfishes recorded in mainland China were revised to 29 species in seven genera, after excluding the synonyms in 15 species and four genera. When the species from the seas around Taiwan were added, we clarified the species composition and fauna distribution, and provided an identification key of all the 36 parrotfish species of seven genera recognized in China.

Key words: morphological characters, systematic history, key to genera and species, China seas

CLC Number: 

  • P717.04