Abstract:
Ellochelon vaigiensis is a monotypic, catadromous, and widespread species throughout Indo-Pacific region. Taxonomy of the species is ancient and somewhat confused by morphological resemblance. Here, we present and compare the morphological characteristics of E. vaigiensis from 3 distinct areas, respectively from the type locality (Waigeo Island, Raja Ampat), from Cendrawasih Bay (Biak Island), and Kaimana (Venu and Aiduma Islands). All the samples belong to E. vaigiensis following the species diagnosis given by Harrison and Senou (1999). No significant differentiation is found for all meristic and morphological characters between specimens caught from the type locality and Biak Island. Nevertheless, specimens from Kaimana have a slender body width compared to specimens from Waigeo Island (type locality) and Biak Island. Specimens from Kaimana also display a longer head and a larger eye diameter than specimens from Biak Island. A canonical discriminant analysis made on all morphometric data confirms the morphological differentiation of Kaimana‘s specimens compared to the type locality and Biak Island. These results suggest the possibility of the presence of cryptic species in E. vaigiensis and emphasize the necessity to conduct molecular taxonomy to definitely solve the taxonomic status of Kaimana specimens.
