Range distribution and contributions to taxonomy of Elops smithi (ELOPIFORMES: ELOPIDAE)

Abstract

This study presents the first record of Elops smithi for northern Brazil. The evidence suggests this species is being misidentified incorrectly as Elops saurus in estuaries of the Western Atlantic Ocean. Here, morphological, molecular, and cytogenetic evidence identified all ladyfish specimens from one estuary in the region as E. smithi. Thus, at least Elops smithi occurs in the northern coast of Brazil and it is recommended that specimens from this region identified as E. saurus be further investigated with genetic and cytogenetic tools in order to assure a correct species identification.

Southernmost record of Elops smithi in the Southwest Atlantic. A tropical species in waters of Patagonia, Argentina

“…Given the morphological similarities between E. saurus and E. smithi, the possibility of misidentifications of these species is not discarded, since in most works in which E. saurus was identified, key diagnostic characteristic were not revised. Furthermore, in all cases where myomeres and vertebrae counts were revised, specimens were identified as E. smithi (De Sousa et al, 2019;Machado et al, 2012). Consequently, we consider that at least part of the existing information of these species may be confounded and we urge future…”

“…Furthermore, in all cases where myomeres and vertebrae counts were revised, specimens were identified as E . smithi (De Sousa et al, 2019; Machado et al, 2012). Consequently, we consider that at least part of the existing information of these species may be confounded and we urge future studies on Elops genus to consider diagnostic characteristic indicated by McBride et al (2010).…”

“…However, Smith (1989) (Franco et al, 2014;Garcia-Junior et al, 2015;Marceniuk et al, 2017;Medeiros et al, 2018;Mendes et al, 2018;Pinheiro et al, 2015), and recently, Milessi et al (2012) documented the presence of E. saurus in Laguna de Rocha in Uruguay (34°33′S-54°22'W) and in the northern coast of Argentina (37°59'S-57°27′W). On the other hand, E. smithi has been recorded in marine, coastal and estuarine environments of Brazil and Uruguay (De Sousa et al, 2019;Lucena & Carvalho-Neto, 2012;Machado et al, 2012;Sánchez-Botero et al, 2016). This work aims to report the presence of E. smithi in Argentina and extend the knowledge of its distribution by 8 degrees of latitude and 1.500 km south of known distribution, up to central Patagonian waters.…”

“…On the other hand, E . smithi has been recorded in marine, coastal and estuarine environments of Brazil and Uruguay (De Sousa et al, 2019; Lucena & Carvalho‐Neto, 2012; Machado et al, 2012; Sánchez‐Botero et al, 2016). This work aims to report the presence of E .…”

Exploring the Diversity of Elopidae (Teleostei; Elopiformes) Using DNA Barcoding Analysis

“…However, these diagnostic criteria are subject to problems and inconsistencies, such as the overlap in the number of vertebrae in some species, which can lead to taxonomic errors. In addition, the values for genetic distance based on the cytb gene obtained in previous studies vary widely (Table 1) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The taxonomy of Elops species has been the subject of debate in recent years, given their wide distribution and highly conserved anatomical features [3][4][5].…”