An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Haemulidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)

The present study gives an updated checklist of the species belonging to the family Haemulidae. Information on the status of 402 nominal species, including 131 valid species, 235 synonyms, 20 incertae sedis, 10 nomina nuda, and six non-haemulid species, are given. Original spelling of the names, authorship and date of publication have been checked against the Eschmeyer Catalog of Fishes on line (ECoF) (Fricke et al. 2019). The valid genera and species are listed alphabetically in the two currently recognized subfamilies, together with their synonyms, type information, and distributions. Examination of the original descriptions of previously unplaced species led to identification of senior synonyms and junior synonyms. The senior synonyms are: Dentex diplodon Bowdich, 1825, Lutjanus brasiliensis Bloch & Schneider, 1801, Anthias formosus Bloch, 1792 and Pristipomus brasiliensis Lichtenstein, 1823. They represent available names which are never been used (nomina oblita) and predate the following well established fish names which are here regarded as nomina protecta: Pomadasys perotaei (Cuvier, 1830), Rhonciscus crocro (Cuvier, 1830), Haemulon sciurus (Shaw, 1803) and Brachygenys chrysargyreum (Günther, 1859). Mylacrodon Regan, 1903 is a synonym of Boridia Cuvier, 1830.