Epigonus merleni, a Junior Synonym of Epigonus macrops (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Epigonidae)

Abstract

Epigonus merleni McCosker and Long, 1997 was originally described on the basis of a single specimen collected from the Galapagos Islands. It was considered to be distinguished from E. macrops (Brauer, 1906) by having 11+14 vertebrae and 57 lateral-line scales, but our examination of the holotype of E. merleni revealed that it actually has 10+15 vertebrae and 48+5 lateral-line scales. The holotype also has a luminescent window near the pelvic-fin base that is otherwise unique to E. macrops in the genus. Based on our comparison of the holotype of E. merleni with a syntype and other specimens of E. macrops, we conclude that E. merleni is a junior synonym of E. macrops.