Vol. 47 No. 6, 2008

Scorpaenopsis stigma Fowler, 1938, a Junior Synonym of Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler, 1938, with Comments on the Type Series of P. megalops (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae)

Hiroyuki Motomura

Kagoshima University Museum, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan

Hiroyuki Motomura (2008) Examination of the holotype and paratype of the poorly known scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis stigma Fowler, 1938, described from the Philippines, showed it to be a species of Phenacoscorpius.  Furthermore, the characters of the types of S. stigma were consistent with those of the holotype of Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler, 1938, in the synonymy of which the former is now placed.  In addition, examination of a series of paratypes of P. megalops revealed that they included 3 different species, in addition to P. megalops.  Correct identifications of the paratypes are given here.

Key words: Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis stigma, Phenacoscorpius megalops, Synonymy.

*Correspondence: E-mail:motomura@kaum.kagoshima-u.ac.jp