Albula oligolepis

{{Speciesbox

| image =

| image_caption =

| status = DD

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Adams, A. |author2=Guindon, K. |author3=Horodysky, A. |author4=MacDonald, T. |author5=McBride, R.|author6=Shenker, J. |author7=Ward, R. |date=2012 |title=Albula oligolepis |volume=2012 |page=e.T194301A2310530 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T194301A2310530.en |access-date=19 November 2021 }}

| genus = Albula

| species = oligolepis

| authority = Hidaka, Iwatsuki & Randall, 2008

}}

Albula oligolepis is a species of marine fish found in the Indo-West Pacific. It is known commonly as the smallscale bonefish. They grow up to {{convert|32|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

Taxonomy

Bonefish were once believed to be a single species with a global distribution, however 9 different species have since been identified. There are three identified species in the Atlantic and six in the Pacific.{{cite web |last1=Suescun |first1=Alex |title=All About Bonefish |url=https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/species/fish-species/all-about-bonefish/ |website=saltwatersportsman.com |date=24 December 2014 |publisher=Salt Water Sportsman |access-date=10 December 2020}}

Albula oligolepis was formerly identified as A. argentea (called A. forsteri or A. neoguinacea in some sources).Randall JE, Bauchot ML (1999) Clarification of the two Indo-Pacific species of bonefishes, Albula glossodonta and A. forsteri. Cybium 23:79–83 However, Hidaka et al. (2008) recognized the Indian and Australian populations are distinct from Albula argentea, naming them A. oligolepis.Hidaka, K., Y. Iwatsuki and J.E. Randall, 2008. A review of the Indo-Pacific bonefishes of the Albula argentea complex, with a description of a new species. Ichthyol. Res. 55:53-64.

Description

Albula oligolepis is similar to A. argentea and A. virgata in length of the upper jaw, but differs in having fewer vertebrae and pored lateral-line scales, as well as having the tip of pelvic fin not reaching beyond anterior edge of anus.

Distribution

Albula oligolepis is widespread in the Indian Ocean and the coast of Australia.

References

Category:Albuliformes

Category:Fish of the Indian Ocean

Category:Taxa named by John Ernest Randall

Category:Fish described in 2008