A new species of the anchovy genus Stolephorus Lacepède 1803, and redescriptions of Stolephorus carpentariae (De Vis 1882) and Stolephorus holodon (Boulenger 1900) (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

Abstract

Stolephorus brevis sp. nov., a new anchovy from New Guinea, is described, and two similar species [Stolephorus carpentariae (De Vis 1882) (distributed in Gulf of Papua and north coast of Australia) and Stolephorus holodon (Boulenger 1900) (in southeastern coast of Africa)], that have been overlooked taxonomically for more than 30 years, are redescribed. All three species can be distinguished from all other congeners by an indented preopercular margin, numerous gill rakers, and lack of predorsal scutes and distinct markings on the dorsum. The former differ from each other in several characters, including gill-raker counts, pelvic-fin length, and body depth.