A Biochemical and Morphological Review of the Lizardfish Genus Saurida in Hawaii, with the Description of a New Species

Abstract

Electrophoretic and morphological analysis of lizardfishes in the genus Saurida (Pisces: Synodontidae) confirms the presence of three species in Hawaii, where a single species (S. gracilis) has previously been recognized. Saurida flamma, new species, is described, and S. nebulosa is removed from the synonomy of S. gracilis. The three species are found in different habitats, and S. nebulosa commonly enters brackish water. Fixed allelic differences were found between each pair of species at 10 or mQre of the 29 presumptive gene loci surveyed electrophoretically. Morphological characters for separating the three Hawaiian Saurida include counts of lateral-line scales and pectoral fin rays, length of upper jaw and pectoral fin ray, position of dorsal fin, dentition, and pigmentation. Patterns of allometric growth that affect certain characters' usefulness in systematics are discussed. Relevant type specimens were examined, and the assignment of names was aided by the use of discriminant function analysis of morphometric and meristic data.