Taxonomic Revision of the Family Pseudomugilidae (Order Atheriniformes)

Abstract

The genus Pseudomugil is revised and compared with its nominal sister groups. Popondichthys and Kiunga. which were previously placed within the family Melanotaeniidae . Pseudomugil, as a result of this study. is considered to belong to a distinct Old World atherinoid family. Pseudomugilidae. having two subfamilies. Pseudomugilinae and Kiunginae. with 13 species included in the first and 1 in the second . A key for and a full description of all the presently known species and their phenetic relationships are presented . P. helodes is no longer recognized as a member of the family Pseudo- mugilidae and is placed into the family of sailfin silversides, Telmatherinidae .