EVALUACIÓN TAXONÓMICA DE LAS ESPECIES DEL GÉNERO Lile JORDAN Y EVERMANN, 1896 (TELEOSTEI: CLUPEIDAE) EN EL PACÍFICO MEXICANO

Abstract

ABSTRACT The taxonomic status of the genus Lile (Jordan & Gilbert, 1986) was evaluated by means of meristic, morphometric and caudal fin supports analysis. The study was based on the review of the original diagnoses, as well as, the exam of type specimens and other material from biological museums. Three valid species were recognized with distribution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific: L. stolifera (Jordan & Gilbert, 1881); L. gracilis Castro-Aguirre & Vivero, 1990 and L. nigrofasciata Castro- Aguirre, Ruiz-Campos & Balart, 2002; as well as a new morph herein described and formerly named L. aff. Stolifera. The results obtained corroborate the taxonomic status of the genus; likewise, the examination of voucher specimens in museums allowed extend the range of distribution of L. stolifera to the State of Oaxaca, México. Two morphometric characters (cephalic length and caudal peduncle depth), two meristic characters (prepelvic scutes and gill rakers of the first branchial arch), the relative position of the dorsal fin, besides of the coloration patterns of the stole present on both sides of body, were adequate to discriminate between the species. The main differences on the caudal skeleton were observed in the number of epural bones, which allowed the formation of two complexes: L. affinis stolifera – L. nigrofasciata (with three epurals), and L. stolifera – L. gracilis (with two epurals).