RESEARCH ARTICLE

Review of the fishes of the genus Pempheris (Perciformes: Pempheridae) of India, with description of a new species and a neotype for P. mangula Cuvier

John E. Randall and K.K. Bineesh

Abstract

The pempherid fishes, or sweepers, of the genus Pempheris are represented in the seas of India by the following five species: P. flavicycla Randall, Bogorodsky & Alpermann 2013; P. malabarica Cuvier in C. & V. 1831; P. mangula Cuvier 1829, for which a neotype is described; P. sarayu, new species; and P. schwenkii Bleeker 1855, a first record for India. Preliminary research has shown that P. schwenkii consists of a complex of species and/or subspecies. Pempheris molucca Cuvier in C. & V. 1831 is treated as a nomen dubium. A key is provided for the five species of the genus for India, and all are illustrated in color.