More Info


Family Taxonomy

Currently around 29 genera and 89 species are recognised in the family worldwide (Nelson 1994), with twelve genera and 35 species from Australia. Temperate species are treated in Gomon (1994). Some tropical species are treated in Munroe (2001). Pardachirus has been revised by Clark & George (1979). The list of species presented here is tentative and likely to change as revisionary work is done on the group.

The family is in need of revision. There is no accepted generic classification of the group. An additional omplication is the fact that Euryglossa is preoccupied in Insecta and not available (Eschmeyer 1997). It is, however, one of the most commonly used genera for species in the family. Some authors have combined the genus with Synaptura. Desoutter et al. (2001) established the validity of Brachirus Swainson, 1839 as the senior available synonym for most soleid taxa previously recognised in Euryglossa. This finding also rendered Synaptura as a junior objective synonym of Brachirus, but because this generic name has long-standing consistent usage for four species of soleid flatfishes forming a monophyletic group within the family (none recorded from Australia), Desoutter et al. (2001) recommended retention of Synaptura and its restriction as a generic name for these four species. The classification used here reflects current literature as far as possible.

Currently around 29 genera and 89 species are recognised (Nelson 1994), with twelve genera and 35 species from Australia. Temperate species are treated in Gomon (1994). Some tropical species are treated in Munroe (2001). Pardachirus has been revised by Clark & George (1979). The list of species presented here is tentative and likely to change as revisionary work is done on the group.

Family Distribution

The Soleidae, or soles, occur in tropical and temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific and Europe. They are replaced by the related Achiridae in the New World. Soles occur on soft bottoms in a variety of habitats from freshwater out to the continental slope to depths of 400 m in Australia.

Family Description

Soleids are distinctive in having eyes on the right side of the head and the preopercular edge covered by skin.

Family Size

The maximum size is 25 cm in length.

References


Clark, E. & George, A. (1979). Toxic soles, Pardachirus marmoratus from the Red Sea and P. pavoninus from Japan, with notes on other species. Env. Biol. Fish. 4(2): 103–123 figs 1–13

Desoutter, M., Munroe, T.A., Chapleau, F. (2001). Nomenclatural status of Brachirus Swainson, Synaptura Cantor and Euryglossa Kaup (Soleidae, Pleuronectiformes). Ichthyol. Res. 48: 325–327

Eschmeyer, W.N. (1997). Catalog of Fishes.  San Francisco : California Academy of Sciences Vol. 1–3 2905 pp.

Gomon, M.F. (1994). Family Soleidae.  pp. 860–865, figs 761–763 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, J.C.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) The Fishes of Australia's South Coast.  Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs

Nelson, J.S. (1994). Fishes of the World.  New York : John Wiley & Sons 3rd Edn  600 pp.