This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article Hasan, Mohammad Eusuf, Hasan, Ariba, Béarez, Philippe, Shen, Kang-Ning, Chang, Chih-Wei, Tran, Thanh Thi Viet, Golani, Daniel, Al-Saboonchi, Azhar, Siddiqui, Pirzada Jamal Ahmed, Durand, Jean-Dominique (2022): Planiliza lauvergnii (Eydoux & Souleyet, 1850), a senior synonym of Planiliza affinis (Günther, 1861) with a re-evaluation of keeled back mullets (Mugiliformes Mugilidae). Zootaxa 5194 (4): 497-518, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5194.4.2

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the keeled back mullets (Teleostei: Mugilidae) has been reinvestigated. Two nominal mugilid species having keeled backs from East Asia: Mugil lauvergnii Eydoux & Souleyet, 1850 and Mugil affinis Günther, 1861 have been re-evaluated through examination of the holotypes and fresh specimens. Comparison of morphomeristic characters of the holotypes shows that both species are identical. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) confirmed morphological data by highlighting presence of a single clade from East Asia. Mugil lauvergnii (= Planiliza lauvergnii) is thus the sole keeled back mullet from East Asia and a senior synonym of Mugil affinis (= Planiliza affinis). The taxonomic status of two other keeled back mullets, Planiliza carinata and P. klunzingeri, is also contentious due to their similar morphology. Meristic and morphometric variation as well as sequence divergence between the two species are limited but phylogenetic analyses delineate well-supported clades consistent with biogeography and currently accepted taxonomy. Planiliza carinata and P. klunzingeri share a recent common ancestor in a Maximum Likelihood tree, with separate distribution ranges while P. lauvergnii formed a paraphyletic lineage. Based on present findings, we suggest maintenance of the taxonomic distinction of P. klunzingeri and P. carinata and discuss its evolutionary significance.

GBIF url: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/06f3b611-225b-426b-8526-5337e21f5e1a
Homepage: https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/summary/FFC6FFBFFFD8FFFFFFC6FF89FFE01C03
Citation: Hasan M E, Hasan A, Béarez P, Shen K, Chang C, Tran T T V, Golani D, Al-Saboonchi A, Siddiqui P J A, Durand J, plazi (2022). Planiliza lauvergnii (Eydoux & Souleyet, 1850), a senior synonym of Planiliza affinis (Günther, 1861) with a re-evaluation of keeled back mullets (Mugiliformes Mugilidae). Plazi.org taxonomic treatments database. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/2f548h accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-02-12.