Redescription and extended distribution of a poorly known Australian anchovy, Stolephorus advenus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

Abstract

The false Indian anchovy, Stolephorus advenus Wongratana, 1987 (Engraulidae), previously known only from the type specimen from the Northern Territory, Australia, is redescribed herewith and its validity confirmed, on the basis of the holotype and nine additional specimens from the northern coast of Australia. Although the significance of differences between S. advenus and some congeners with a similarly short maxilla has been unclear, the diagnostic reliability of some characters, including melanophores absent on the dorsal- and anal-fin bases, pectoral fin and occipital region, fewer pseudobranchial filaments, and greater number of prepelvic scutes, is confirmed. An extended distribution of the species around the northern coast of Australia is also reported.