Saurida

Russell, Barry C., Golani, Daniel & Tikochinski, Yaron, 2015, Saurida lessepsianus a new species of lizardfish (Pisces: Synodontidae) from the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, with a key to Saurida species in the Red Sea, Zootaxa 3956 (4), pp. 559-568 : 565

Key to the species of Saurida of the Red Sea

1a Longest ray of dorsal fin 2–3 times as long as last ray; scale in axil of pectoral fins short and broad; all fins with series of dark bars or spots................................................................... S. gracilis (Indo-W. Pacific)

1b Longest ray of dorsal fin>3 times as long as last ray; scale in in axil of pectoral fin long and pointed; fins (except first dorsal and caudal rays in some species) without dark bars or spots................................................... 2

2a Pectoral fin very long, extending well beyond base of pelvic fin to or beyond insertion of first dorsal-fin ray, its length 18–24% of SL..................................................................... S. longimanus (W. Indian Ocean)

2b Pectoral fin short or moderately long, not extending to or reaching a little beyond base of pelvic fin, its length <18% of SL.. 3

3a Outer palatines with 2 rows of teeth anteriorly................ S. lessepsianus n. sp. (Red Sea-eastern Mediterranean Sea)

3b Outer palatines with 3 rows of teeth anteriorly............................................................... 4

4a Pectoral fins not or only just extending to base of pelvic fins; caudal peduncle, depressed, slightly wider than deep; middle rays of pelvic fins dusky; stomach and intestine pale whitish................................. S. tumbil (W. Indian Ocean)

4b Pectoral fins extending beyond base of pelvic fins; caudal peduncle compressed, deeper than wide; pelvic fins unpigmented; stomach dark pigmented anteriorly, intestine black........................................... S. golanii (Red Sea)