Zoological Studies

A New Lizardfish (Aulopiformes: Synodontidae) from Taiwan with Descriptions of Three New Records

Jeng-Ping Chen, Hsuan-Ching Ho, and Kwang-Tsao Shao (2007) In total, 13 species of the genus Synodus of the family Synodontidae are recorded from Taiwan. Of these species, Synodus taiwanensis sp. nov. is described as new based on 3 specimens; and, S. capricornis, S. lobeli, and S. tectus are new recorded from Taiwan. The new species, Synodus taiwanensis sp. nov., differs from other congeneric species by having a prominent black pigment spot on the upper edge of operculum. It can be further distinguished by the following characteristics: opercular black spot undivided; pectoral fin not extend beyond a line from base of pelvic fin to origin of dorsal fin; snout relatively short; slightly fewer peritoneal spots than similar species. As for the 3 new records, S. capricornis was previously recorded from the southeastern Pacific; S. lobeli was recorded from Hawaii and Japan; and S. tectus was recorded from the South China Sea to the Great Barrier Reef. The known ranges of these species are now extended to Taiwan. A key to all known species of Synodus from Taiwan is provided.