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Issue: Vol. 5759 No. 1: 13 Feb. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-02-13
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5759.1.3
Page range: 41-63
Abstract views: 106
PDF downloaded: 3

A revision of the genus Boesemania (Acanthuriformes: Sciaenidae), with clarification of the taxonomic status of Bahaba polykladiskos (Bleeker, 1852), and comments on its conservation

School of Biological Sciences; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR; China
Faculty of Fisheries and Food Sciences; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; Terengganu; Malaysia
College of Ocean and Earth Sciences; Xiamen University; Xiamen; Fujian; China
Independent contributor; Kuala Lumpur; Malaysia
Department of Fishery Biology; Faculty of Fisheries; Kasetsart University; Bangkok; Thailand
Department of Fishery Biology; Faculty of Fisheries; Kasetsart University; Bangkok; Thailand
Office of Natural Science Research; National Science Museum Thailand; Pathumthani; Thailand
Seub Nakhasathien Foundation; Nonthaburi; Thailand
Sustainable Fisheries Research Unit; Faculty of Agriculture; Ubon Ratchathani University
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium; and Graduate Institute of Marine Biology; National Dong Hwa University; Pingtung; Taiwan; National Academy of Marine Research; Kaohsiung; Taiwan
Biodiversity Research Center; Academia Sinica; Taipei; Taiwan
School of Biological Sciences; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR; China
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium; and Graduate Institute of Marine Biology; National Dong Hwa University; Pingtung; Taiwan; Bio-Amazonia Conservation International; Boston; USA; formerly at Universidade Federal do Amazonas; Manaus; Brazil
Pisces Sciaenidae Boesemania microlepis Boesemania polykladiskos comb. nov. Swim bladder Otolith Southeast Asia

Abstract

The family Sciaenidae comprises around 300 species and 70 genera, with the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region exhibiting the highest species richness. The genus Boesemania Trewavas, 1977 was established as a monotypic group based on the swim bladder and otolith morphology of Johnius microlepis Bleeker. Corvina polykladiskos Bleeker was recognized as the third species of the genus Bahaba. Based on recent morphology and molecular evidence, we assign Bahaba polykladiskos to the genus Boesemania. Boesemania polykladiskos is distinguished from Boesemania microlepis by its distinctly larger scales, the number of lateral-line, upper and lower trans-lateral-line rows, and sagitta and swim-bladder morphology. Phylogenetic analysis of 24 sciaenid species representing 23 genera from the Indo-West Pacific region further confirms that Boesemania is monophyletic and that Boesemania polykladiskos is the sister species of Boesemania microlepis. The two Boesemania species are commercially important fish in their native range and play an essential role in the global luxury dried swim-bladder trade. However, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding their ecology, biology, and population status. Consequently, this paper also addresses the need for further research and conservation measures for these species.

 

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How to Cite

Lin, B.-A., Seah, Y.G., Liu, M., Hew, S., Janekitkarn, S., Sirisuay, S., Vilasri, V., Vidthayanon, C., Grudpan, C., Chang, C.-W., Lin, C.-H., Seymour, M. & Chao, N.L. (2026) A revision of the genus Boesemania (Acanthuriformes: Sciaenidae), with clarification of the taxonomic status of Bahaba polykladiskos (Bleeker, 1852), and comments on its conservation. Zootaxa, 5759 (1), 41–63. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5759.1.3