Lepidamiini new name Fraser, 2014

Mabuchi, Kohji, Fraser, Thomas H., Song, Hayeun, Azuma, Yoichiro & Nishida, Mutsumi, 2014, Revision of the systematics of the cardinalfishes (Percomorpha: Apogonidae) based on molecular analyses and comparative reevaluation of morphological characters, Zootaxa 3846 (2), pp. 151-203 : 183

Tribe Lepidamiini new name Fraser & Mabuchi

Type genus Lepidamia Gill 1863

Diagnosis. Members of the Apogoninae : dorsal fin VII(I)-I,9 or VIII-I,9; anal fin II,8; head and body with ctenoid scales; pored lateral-line scales 35–48; preopercle ridge smooth, edges serrate; three supraneurals; supramaxilla absent; basisphenoid present; one pair of reduced uroneurals present; three epurals; five free hypurals; parhypural separate; two autogenous haemal spines; two supernumerary dorsal spines, caudal fin forked.

Other characteristics. first fin ray in second dorsal fin branched and segmented; first anal-fin ray branched and segmented; ctenoid scales on predorsal, cheek, breast, four pelvic scales, and body; ctenoid scales on opercle and onto base of caudal fin; pored lateral-line scales with multiple pores; 15 branched, upper and lower unbranched; developed gill rakers 8–17; unbranched procurrent rays, longest segmented; 10+14 vertebrae; 8 ribs; 9 epipleurals; teeth in multiple rows on premaxilla, dentary, vomer, palatine, all villiform; six infraorbitals, bony shelf on third infraorbital; stomach and intestine pale, peritoneum pale; low crest on PU2.

Distribution. Lepidamia with four species has been collected only from continental marine waters from South Africa to China ( Gon 1995). Members of this tribe have not been collected in Australia or New Guinea. One specimen (USNM 175754, 96 mm SL) was collected in 1909 from Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines. None have been reported elsewhere in the Philippines or again from Manila Bay. Perhaps the location is erroneous.

Remarks. We did not have tissue from any species. Based on known morphological characters including color patterns of the juveniles and adults, body shape and small body scales, we recognized Lepidamia in its own tribe for the present.