The taxonomie status of Apogon enigmaticus Smith, 1961 (Teleostei, Apogonidae)

Abstract

The validity of the cardinal fish species Apogon enigmaticus,described by Smith (1961) from a single specimen, is reassessed in view of a recent discovery of a second specimen of this species, collected by Smith, in the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology. Both fish were re-identified as specimens of A. apogonides (Bleeker, 1856) on the basis of dentition, pigmentation, and counts of pectoral-fin rays, gill rakers and predorsal scales. A. enigmaticas is therefore regarded as a junior synonym of A. apogonides.