Neozoarces pulcher Steindachner, 1880 vs Neozoarces steindachneri Jordan and Snyder, 1902 (Perciformes: Neozoarcidae): which species is valid, evidence on morphological and molecular-genetic data

Series of spawning together males and females of the genus Neozoarces was studied. According to key morphological characters of the genus—proportional measurements: head length/TL, (c/TL), length of the upper jaw/head length (lmx/c), and net-like figure on the cheeks all males belong to N. pulcher species, and females— N. steindachneri. But, mitochondrial DNA analysis have demonstrated that sequences of genes (COI I and cytochrome b) at all individuals are identical.

In addition, specimens of type series N. pulcher and N. steindachneri were studied and no significant interspecific differences between them were found. We came to the conclusion that fish of Neozoarces genus have well expressed sexual and age dimorphism, and only N. pulcher Steindachner 1880 species is valid.