Zoological Studies

On the Status of Species Classified in the Genus Perca by Johann Julius Walbaum (1792)

Paolo Parenti (2003) The status of 20 nominal species described by Walbaum (1792) in the genus Perca is determined. Thirteen nominal species (P. bifasciata, P. callyodon, P. grammistes, P. jagonis, P. koelreuteri, P. koschar, P. nadjil, P. norwegica, P. reticulata, P. septemfasciata, P. tessellata, P. tigrina, P. trifasciata) are shown to be junior synonyms of well known percoid fishes, one (P. blennoides) is regarded as a nomen dubium, and 6 nominal species have been found to predate long-accepted taxa. Perca balah is a senior synonym of Cephalopholis argus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), P. dorso of Lutjanus sebae (Cuvier, 1816), P. lentiginosa of Paracirrhites forsteri (Schneider, 1801), P. maculosa of Cephalopholis taeniops (Valenciennes, 1828), P. manca of Epinephelus quoyanus (Cuvier, 1830), and P. tysonis of Amphiprion percula (Lacepède, 1801). Conditions exist, however, that allow reversal of precedence and maintenance of prevailing usage in accordance with the Principle of Priority as provided by Article 23.9.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Thus, the 6 junior synonyms of other authors are here regarded as valid and qualified as nomina protecta, whereas the corresponding senior names of Walbaum are here recognized as invalid and qualified as nomina oblita.