On the Validity of the Western Atlantic Threadfin Fish Polydactylus Oligodon (Günther)

The polynemid fish Polydactylus oligodon (Günther), previously placed in the synonymy of P. virginicus, is here regarded as a valid species. It is distinguished from virginicus principally by having 68 to 74, instead of 53 to 62, lateral-line scales, 16 instead of 15 upper pectoral fin-rays, a longer anal fin base, and a larger maximum size (at least 16 inches [41 cm] total length). The species originally was described from Brazil and Jamaica, and is here recorded also from Trinidad and Southern Florida.