Topic
Upeneus
About: Upeneus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 53 publications have been published within this topic receiving 617 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
TL;DR: The present taxonomic review of the margarethae group analyses a large data set of 41 morphometric, meristic and many colour characters obtained from 279 preserved goatfish specimens and 166 fresh-colour photos, resulting in clear and consistent distinction among the six species in single or in a combination of several characteristics.
Abstract: For the goatfish genus Upeneus Cuvier 1829 (Mullidae), a new taxonomic species group called the "margarethae group" is established which can be distinguished from the six species of the most similar "tragula group" by a combination of the following characteristics: absence of dark pigmentation in the area of the first dorsal-fin tip, 21-25 total gill rakers and 28-30 lateral-line scales. Initially, three recently-described species have been included in the margarethae group: Upeneus margarethae Uiblein Heemstra, 2010, known from the Indian Ocean including the Red Sea and from the Arafura Sea (W Pacific), U. mouthami Randall Kulbicki, 2006, from New Caledonia and Vanuatu (W Pacific), and U. randalli Uiblein Heemstra, 2011, from the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the inner Gulf of Oman (NW Indian Ocean). The present taxonomic review of the margarethae group analyses a large data set of 41 morphometric, 10 meristic and many colour characters obtained from 279 preserved goatfish specimens and 166 fresh-colour photos (plus a fresh-colour drawing). For the nominal species of the group, U. margarethae, a redescription of the colour patterns is provided and new records for Myanmar, Andaman Sea (NE Indian Ocean) and the Gulf of Carpentaria, N Australia (W Pacific), are reported. Three new species are described: U. caudofasciatus n. sp. from the area of the Great Barrier Reef to Torres Strait off NE Australia (Coral Sea, W Pacific), U. gubal n. sp. from the S Gulf of Suez (Northern Red Sea), and U. heterospinus n. sp. from S Indonesia to Singapore, the Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Taiwan and Japan (W Pacific). A comprehensive alpha-taxonomic approach is adopted, considering population differences as well as intraspecific size-related variation in morphology and colour patterns by splitting the data set into two size classes, adults (≥ 65 mm SL) and smaller subadults. Inter- and intraspecific comparisons include statistical analyses for species and population with sufficiently large samples sizes (n ≥ 20). Colour-pattern characterization and analysis are based on photos of recently collected and deceased fish (partly associated with voucher specimens), photos obtained from active or resting fishes in situ or in a tank, and inspection of pigmentation patterns retained in preserved specimens. Species differences are elaborated under consideration of distribution patterns and the characteristics found in the closest-most population of widely distributed species such as U. margarethae, resulting in clear and consistent distinction among the six species in single or in a combination of several characteristics. Comparisons among size classes revealed species-specific patterns in morphometric, meristic and colour changes with increasing size. One species, U. heterospinus n. sp., has seven or eight spines in the dorsal fin which occur in balanced ratio across populations. This is a unique characteristic for Upeneus species which usually have either seven or eight dorsal-fin spines, respectively. The best distinction of Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. from all other congeners is reached by combined examination of dorsal-fin spines with several other characters such as barbel colour, presence of a mid-lateral body stripe, pigmentation patterns (partly retained also in preserved fish), gill-raker and pectoral-fin ray numbers, and body-shape variables. The high degree of overall morphological differentation among the three most common species U. caudofasciatus n. sp., U. heterospinus n. sp. and U. margarethae, as revealed by the statistical comparisons, strongly contrasts with a still signficant, but much lower degree of differentiation among populations. The diagnostic characteristics of the margarethae group are updated and the importance to use the results of this taxonomic review in ongoing fisheries-related and ecological research is emphasized. Requirements for future taxonomic research featuring the stunning diversity of the goatfish genus Upeneus are also discussed.
116 citations
TL;DR: Two new goatfishes of the genus Upeneus (Mullidae) belonging to the putative japonicus species group are described and compared with congeneric species using a large set of meristic, morphometric and colour characters.
Abstract: Two new goatfishes of the genus Upeneus (Mullidae) belonging to the putative japonicus species group are described and compared with congeneric species using a large set of meristic, morphometric and colour characters. Upeneus farnis n. sp. Uiblein & Peristiwady is described based on 14 adult specimens ( > 65 mm SL) collected at the local fish market of Bitung, NE Sulawesi, Indonesia. Upeneus spottocaudalis n. sp. Uiblein & Gledhill is described based on 16 adult and seven subadult specimens (< 65 mm SL) specimens collected by trawling surveys off NE Australia and one non-type adult specimen collected off southern Indonesia. The new species differ from all other congenerics in the combination of dorsal-fin spine, pectoral-fin ray and gill raker numbers, body and head depth, length of head, snout, barbels and paired fins, height of anal and dorsal fins, eye size, and body, barbel and caudal-fin colour patterns. When compared in detail with the 12 other species of the japonicus group, Upeneus farnis n. sp. can be distinguished by smaller eyes, shallower anal and second dorsal fins, more pectoral-fin rays and gill rakers, and the lower caudal-fin lobe almost completely dark pigmented. Upeneus spottocaudalis n. sp. differs from the other japonicus -group species in larger eyes, higher second dorsal fin, pectoral fin shorter than pelvic fin, and presence of rounded, dark spots on the lower caudal-fin lobe. Subadults differ from adult U. spottocaudalis n. sp. mainly in longer pelvic fins. The high diversity of Upeneus species in relation to divergence in colour patterns and the need of further taxonomic exploration of the genus Upeneus is discussed.
93 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest the cautious use of back-calculation of larval sizes from otolith increment widths, and stress the underestimated importance of small-scale variation in larval growth dynamics.
Abstract: Age, size and body mass at settlement for the reef fish Upeneus tragula (Mullidae) were examined among 5 sampling stations across the northern Great Barrier Reef, over time periods ranging from days to 3 yr. Increments on the sagittal otoliths were validated as daily usiny tetracycline treatment. Fish were caught in their late pelagic stage, brought into the laboratory, and those that mctamorphosed and settled to the bottom of the tank overnight were used In the study. Twenty-five samples of newly settled fish (n = 6 to 27, mean = 14 , N = 345) were compared Larval durat~ons ranged from 25 to 37 d, and standard length varied similarly, ranglng from 19 to 31 mm at settlement. Wet weight ranged from 0.09 to 0.61 g. Signifrant differences In age, length and weight at settlement were found at all spatial and temporal scales. For instance, no consistent pattern in settlement characteristics was found among stations across the northern shelf, with one sample of settled fish often being significantly different in attributes from another sample from the same station a month or two later. Growth rate averaged over the whole larval period ranged from 0.55 to 1.0 mm d-' Flsh that settled larger tended to have lower growth rates than smaller fish. Patterns of increment widths throughout the larval phase were remarkably consistent among samples. However, the relationship between otolith length and fish length was found to vary significantly among samples collected within 2 mon from 4 locations. Results suggest the cautious use of back-calculation of larval sizes from otolith increment widths, and stress the underestimated importance of small-scale variation in larval growth dynamics. No evidence was found that U. tragula has the ability to delay settlement once developmental competence was attained.
82 citations
TL;DR: In a recent review of species of Upeneus of the so-called japonicus-species group (characterized by seven dorsal-fin spines), 13 specimens that had been previously identified as U. guttatus from Indonesia and Vietnam were found to be distinct, representing possibly two undescribed species as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Coastal marine fish diversity from E India and Indonesia to S Japan is still insufficiently investigated. Of the 42 species of goatfishes (Mullidae) recorded from this area, 12 were described only since 2010 and ten of those belong to the genus Upeneus. During a recent review of species of Upeneus of the so-called japonicus-species group (characterized by seven dorsal-fin spines), 13 specimens that had been previously identified as U. guttatus from Indonesia and Vietnam were found to be distinct, representing possibly two undescribed species. These specimens were studied together with 20 U. itoui from S Japan, a rather similar species, and a yet unidentified congeneric from S Japan. In total 41 morphometric, 10 meristic and several colour characters were examined and detailed comparisons with a large data set from all 14 japonicus-group species conducted. Three new species, U. dimipavlov n. sp. from Nha Trang, S-central Vietnam, U. elongatus n. sp. from Tanega-shima Island, Kagoshima, S Japan and U. willwhite n. sp. from Lombok, S Indonesia are described and an updated account for U. itoui is provided. Among these four featured species, U. elongatus is the most different, having more gill rakers, the shallowest head and body and distinct colour patterns on caudal and dorsal fins. Upeneus dimipavlov differs from the remaining two species in having a more rounded and less laterally compressed body with a wider caudal peduncle and no conspicuous mid-lateral body stripe in fresh fish. Upeneus willwhite differs from U. itoui in deeper head, larger eyes, longer upper jaw and barbels and oblique bars on the lower caudal-fin lobe which do not cross the entire lobe. Additional comparisons of each of the four featured species with all other japonicus-group species and U. heterospinus were conducted providing evidence for distinction and differential diagnosis. Unvouchered in-situ photographs of four goatfish specimens from the Central Philippines that resemble U. elongatus in caudal- and dorsal-fin colour patterns are presented. The need for further sampling and associated taxonomic investigations as prerequisites for appropriate assessment of ecological and conservation parameters such as diversity, distribution and rarity is emphasized in the discussion.
78 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The taxonomy and biological characters of 22 Lessepsian fishes living on the coasts of the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea were examined and 8 species were determined to have commercial importance and it has been pointed out that new species can be added to the recorded ones by the consequent influx of Red Sea biota into the Levant.
Abstract: The taxonomy and biological characters of 22 Lessepsian fishes living on the coasts of the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea were examined and 8 species were determined to have commercial importance. Of these, Upeneus moluccensis and Saurida undosquamis have become economic fishes of the Eastern Mediterranean trawl fisheries, having significant stocks. The species previously misidentified as Upeneus asymmetricus was determined to be Upeneus pori. It has been pointed out that new species can be added to the recorded ones by the consequent influx of Red Sea biota into the Levant.
50 citations
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Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |