Mechanosensory system of the lateral line in the subantarctic Patagonian blenny Eleginops maclovinus.

This study describes the cephalic and trunk lateral line systems in Patagonian blenny Eleginops maclovinus juveniles, providing morphological details for pores, canals and neuromasts. Eleginops maclovinus juveniles possess a complete laterodorsal lateral line that extends from the upper apex of the gill opening along the trunk as far as the caudal fin. The lateral line was ramified through pores and canals. The following pores were recorded: four supraorbital pores, with two along the eye border and two on the snout; seven infraorbital pores, with three on the lacrimal bone and four being infraorbital; five postorbital pores, with three along the preopercular border (upper preoperculum branch) and two on the bone curvature (inferior preoperculum branch); and four mandibular pores aligned along the jaw. Furthermore, five narrow-simple and interconnected canals were found (i.e. preopercular, mandibular, supraorbital and infraorbital canals). Histologically, the dorsal lateral line presented thin neuromasts (350 µm) with short hair cells. By contrast, the cranial region presented long, thick neuromasts. Infraorbital and mandibular neuromasts had a major axis length of 260 µm and respective average diameters of 200 and 185 µm. Sensory system variations would be due to a greater concentration of neuromasts in the cranial region, allowing for a greater perception of changes in water pressure. Scarce morphological information is available for the lateral sensory system in Eleginopsidae, particularly compared to Channichthyidae, Bovichthydae, Artedidraconidae and Bathydraconidae. Therefore, the presented results form a fundamental foundation of knowledge for the lateral-line system in juvenile E. maclovinus and provide a basis for future related research in this taxon as well as within the Notothenioidei suborder.

[Illustrated key for the Chilean fishes of the family Serranidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)]. / Clave ilustrada de los peces chilenos de la familia Serranidae (Teleostei: Perciformes).

A taxonomic key for identification of fish species of the family Serranidae of Chile, grouped in the subfamilies Epinephelinae, Serraninae and Anthiinae is presented. Basic data about the taxonomic of the group to facilitate the identification is given. In each specific case, the geographical distribution is showed. Reduced illustrations for the currently 13 serranid species considered in the Chilean ichthyofauna are included.

Clave ilustrada de los peces chilenos de la familia Serranidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)

Illustrated key for the Chilean fishes of the family Serranidae (Teleostei: Perciformes). A taxonomic key for identification of fish species of the family Serranidae of Chile, grouped in the subfamilies Epinephelinae, Serraninae and Anthiinae is presented. Basic data about the taxonomic of the group to facilitate the identification is given. In each specific case, the geographical distribution is showed. Reduced illustrations for the currently 13 serranid species considered in the Chilean ichthyofauna are included. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 247-253. Epub 2011 March 01.

Se presenta una clave para reconocer especies de la familia Serranidae de Chile, que se agrupan en las subfamilias Epinephelinae, Serraninae y Anthiinae. Se proporcionan antecedentes básicos referidos a la taxonomía del grupo, para mayor facilidad del reconocimiento. En cada caso específico, se indica la distribución geográfica e ilustraciones reducidas de las 13 especies de la familia Serranidae que en la actualidad son consideradas en la ictiofauna de Chile.

El estatus taxonómico de Doydixodon laevifrons (Tschudi, 1846) (Osteichthyes: Kyphosidae) / Taxonomic status of Doydixodon laevifrons (Tschudi, 1846) (Osteichthyes: Kyphosidae)

Doydixodon laevifrons es un pez comúnmente conocido como baúnco, y en los últimos tiempos también ha sido citado como Girella laevifrons en recientes publicaciones sin explicaciones que avalen tal cambio genérico. El objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar las características morfológicas diagnósticas de los géneros Doydixodon Valenciennes, 1846 y Girella Gray, 1835, y su presencia o ausencia en ejemplares de Doydixodon laevifrons procedentes de Chile central. Concluimos que Doydixodon laevifrons es un sinónimo menor (=junior) de Girella laevifrons y se distribuye por la franja litoral, desde la costa sur de Perú, hasta aproximadamente El Tabo (33º27’S, 71º41’W) en Chile. Es la especie de distribución más austral en su género. Se sugiere revisar la taxonomía del género Girella Gray, 1835, en el Pacífico sur oriental.

Doydixodon laevifrons is commonly known as baúnco, but in latest papers it has also been cited as Girella laevifrons without any explanation for this change generic. The purpose of this paper is to review the morphological features of diagnostic for the genera Doydixodon Valenciennes, 1846 and Girella Gray, 1835, and their presence or absence in specimens of Doydixodon laevifrons from central Chile. We conclude that Doydixodon laevifrons is synonymous minor (=junior) of Girella laevifrons and it is distributed by the littoral, from the south coast of Peru, until approximately El Tabo (33°27’S, 71°41’W) in Chile. Thus, is the species with southernmost distribution in the genus. A taxonomic revision of the genus Girella Gray, 1835 in the southeastern Pacific, is suggested.