Discovery of the Holotype of Chaenogobius annularis Gill (Perciformes: Gobiidae) and Its Taxonomic Consequences
The taxonomy of the Asian gobiid genus Chaenogobius Gill, 1859, has been unclear for over a century because of the apparent absence of a type specimen for its type species, Chaenogobius annularis Gill, 1859. A specimen discovered in the USNM collection (USNM 6336) matches Gill's original description in virtually every particular and is herein recognized as Gill's holotype. Detailed examination of the holotype indicates that C. annularis is a senior synonym of Chasmichthys dolichognathus (Hilgendorf, 1879) and refutes the suggestion that C. annularis is a synonym of Chaenogobius urotaenia (Hilgendorf, 1879). These conclusions force significant changes in the taxonomy of this group and suggest that complete revisions of both genera are necessary.Abstract
Photograph of USNM 6336 (40.6 mm SL)
Dorsal aspect of head of Chasmichthys (A) and Chaenogobius (B), showing placement of cephalic sensory canals and pores (cutaneous papillae not shown). Pore symbols follow Akihito et al. (1984), an = anterior naris, pn = posterior naris