taxonID	type	description	language	source
F651DA1CFFD1A56657BCF8D1E5E446D3.taxon	materials_examined	Type species Perca cabrilla Linnaeus, 1758	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD1A56657BCF8D1E5E446D3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin X, 12 – 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 12 – 17; pelvic-fin rays I, 5, pectoral fin above, or slightly in front of, pelvic fin; gill rakers 6 – 12 + 12 – 23 (18 – 35 total); circumpeduncular scales 26 – 38; lateral-line scales 67 – 77; scales from dorsal fin to lateral line 9 – 12; scales from anal-fin origin to lateral line 20 – 26. Caudal fin truncate to emarginate or moderately forked, 17 principal rays with 15 branched; scales ctenoid, some species with cycloid scales on head or trunk; supramaxilla absent; maxilla, snout and chin naked; teeth on dentary, premaxillary, vomer and palatines; mouth moderately protractile; opercle with usually three flat spines (two opercular spines in S. drewesi, Iwamoto & Wirtz, 2018), central spine largest and directed horizontally; preopercle serrate; lateral line complete with pored scales. Branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10 + 14 = 24.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD3A56257BCFC26E6DB4097.taxon	description	Figures 1 – 3; Tables 1 – 5	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD3A56257BCFC26E6DB4097.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin X, 14 – 15; pectoral-fin rays 15 – 16; gill rakers 6 – 8 + 12 – 15 (18 – 22 total); circumpeduncular scales 26 – 34; lateral-line scales 67 – 76; scales from dorsal fin to lateral line 9 – 12; scales from the anal-fin origin to lateral line 22 – 26. Caudal fin emarginate. Scales small, ctenoid and deciduous. Body elongate, not much compressed; body depth less than head length, about 3.3 – 4.2 in SL; head length 2.5 – 2.9 in SL. Maxilla extending to below middle of the eye; jaws subequal; lower jaw projecting; opercle with three flat spines. Eye diameter greater than interorbital length and less than snout length, eye diameter contained 9.6 – 13.1 in SL. Snout, interorbital and maxilla naked. Pectoral fin originates before dorsal fin and slightly before the pelvic fin. Distal tip of pectoral fin before anal-fin origin.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD3A56257BCFC26E6DB4097.taxon	description	Description. Proportional measurements are given in Table 3. Body elongate; dorsal fin continuous, with spinous membrane moderately incised between spines, becoming less incised posteriorly; dorsal-fin spines graduated, but with first two spines noticeably shorter, and ninth and tenth spines subequal; soft-rayed portion of fin higher than spinous part. First anal-fin spine shortest; second anal-fin spine thicker than others. Anterior lateral-line tubes with ascending branch. Peduncle longer than deep. Patch of small teeth on vomer and palate. Preopercle margin serrate with more developed spines near the angle. Snout and interorbital naked; preopercle, opercle, operculum and postorbital scaly; chest and belly scaly; snout to eye naked. Lateral line complete, arching slightly from upper end of gill cavity and following body outline to caudal peduncle where it becomes horizontal; lateral line with pores. Fresh color (Fig. 1 a). Head and body light (pale) to yellowish brown dorsally, pale pinkish to white ventrally. Head with three yellow to bronze stripes, two below and one behind eye, the lowest stripe from just behind maxilla to preopercle, the second stripe from below anterior of eye to subopercle and occasionally, the pectoral-fin base, the upper stripe from rear ventral part of eye to opercular margin near upper pectoral-fin base; posterior bony ridge of the orbit yellow. Body with two irregular usually darker brown to yellowish-brown longitudinal bands of subequal width (~ 2 / 3 eye diameter), or with lower band slightly narrower, the upper band from either side joining on premaxilla and running from snout tip through eye to upper caudal-fin base, with narrow white border (<pupil diameter) above and subequal white band below; lower brown band from pectoral-fin base; around nine faint to dark brown bars may overlay the dark body bands, and which may be reduced to poorly defined dark vertical blotches along the dorsolateral part of the body. Dorsal fin with outer triangular part of interspinous membrane white, remainder of fin hyaline yellowish to pale brownish with midlateral whitish stripe or irregular whitish streaks midlaterally, and pale blue spots on soft dorsal fin. Caudal fin hyaline whitish with pale blue spots and caudal-fin lobe tips deep yellow to orange. Tips of dorsal-fin spines whitish. Color in preservation (Fig. 1 b). Specimens often lose color almost completely in preservation. Two irregular dark, longitudinal bands from head to caudal-fin base, and dark stripes below and behind the eye visible in some specimens. Holotype uniformly dark brown, no visible pattern.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD3A56257BCFC26E6DB4097.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Serranus knysnaensis occurs in the southwestern Indian Ocean from South Africa (Knysna, Western Cape, rarely southwards) and northwards to Bazaruto, southern Mozambique. New records from north of Durban (Fig. 2 a, Umhlanga; SAIAB 193652, uThukela [formerly Tugela] Banks; Fig. 2 b, Sodwana Bay by C. van Jaarsveld sourced from Fishwise Professional: https: // www. fishwisepro. com / pictures / default? Sid = 34346 & Info = % 27 Serranus % 20 knysnaensis % 27 As well as from Mozambique and Madagascar (see Material examined, also Figs. 2 c and 2 d )), are reported in this study. Species delimitation with DNA barcoding. The pairwise genetic distances (Table 4) of the COI mtDNA sequences for all Serranus species under the K 2 P model ranged from 1.60 % to 25.30 %. The pairwise genetic distance (Table 4) between COI mtDNA sequences for S. knysnaensis from South Africa and S. cabrilla from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea was low at 1.60 %. Although, this was among the lowest genetic distances between the analysed Serranus species, it was comparable to that between two distinct species, S. novemcinctus to S. cabrilla (1.61 %), and lower than the genetic distance between S. knysnaensis and S. novemcinctus (1.99 %). These divergence estimates were also comparable to the COI sequence divergence reported between other serranid species (e. g Victor 2012; Vella & Vella 2016; Iswarya et al. 2018) and other marine fish species (e. g. Uiblein & Gouws 2014). Furthermore, K 2 P genetic distance more than 1 % for the COI gene is considered as a threshold of species delimitation for marine fishes (Avise 2000; Zhang & Hanner 2011). The maximum likelihood tree (Fig. 3) based on 92 COI mtDNA sequences of 18 species including the outgroup (Cephalopholis nigripinnis) recovered monophyletic clusters corresponding to all species including the WIO species (S. knysnaensis and S. novemcinctus). All these three clades were strongly supported as monophyletic groups with bootstrap> 75 %. The S. knysnaensis and S. cabrilla clusters (Table 5) had the highest Intra / Inter ratios (0.28 and 0.38 respectively), suggesting that the divergence within these lineages was high relative to the divergence with their closest species. The small values (<0.03) observed among the other 15 species comparisons indicate that intraspecific differences are small relative to interspecific and the nearest species, although it is important to note the low sample sizes (See Table 1). The three species form monophyletic clusters although the phylogenetic relationships among them are unresolved using this gene dataset. There was also evidence of possible genetic substructuring in S. knysnaensis.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD3A56257BCFC26E6DB4097.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Serranus knysnaensis can be distinguished from the other Serranus species in the SWIO, S. novemcinctus, by having 12 – 15 lower limb gill rakers (versus 21 – 23) and 26 – 34 circumpeduncular scales (versus 34 – 36) (Table 2). Serranus knysnaensis also differs from S. novemcinctus by two dark prominent longitudinal bands and is endemic to southern Africa while S. novemcinctus has nine dark vertical bars dorsally on the body and it is distributed in Amsterdam and St. Paul Islands, and Madagascar. Serranus knysnaensis differs from S. cabrilla by having 26 – 34 circumpeduncular scales (versus 34 – 38) and 18 – 22 total gill rakers (versus 22 – 24) (Table 2). The color pattern of S. knysnaensis is very similar to that of S. cabrilla, however, S. knysnaensis can be distinguished by two dark prominent longitudinal bands, whereas S. cabrilla has two or three longitudinal bands often partially broken into dark blotches. The two species also have different distribution range; S. knysnaensis is a southern African endemic from Knysna to Bazaruto, southern Mozambique and Madagascar, with rare waifs reported south of Knysna to False Bay. Serranus cabrilla is known from the British Isles to Angola, including Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde Islands, also through Mediterranean and Black Sea, and in the Red Sea (Heemstra & Heemstra 2004; Heemstra & Anderson 2016; Iwamoto & Wirtz 2018). Heemstra & Heemstra (2004) described S. knysnaensis as a mainly rocky bottom species occurring in depths of 1 – 200 m, it is also often found at the mouth of estuaries (Smith & Smith 1966). Whereas S. cabrilla is reported over rocky as well as soft bottom, from shore to 450 m (Heemstra & Anderson 2016; Iwamoto & Wirtz 2018). Furthermore, the S. knysnaensis clade differs from S. novemcinctus and S. cabrilla by 1.99 to 1.60 % genetic distance, respectively. Based on differences in the morphological characters, distribution and genetic data, S. knysnaensis is a valid species distinct from S. cabrilla and South African records of S. cabrilla are misidentifications of S. knysnaensis. Available genetic data, from the two WIO species (S. knysnaensis and S. novemcinctus) shows that they are closely related to each other, as well as S. cabrilla. The low genetic diversity (approx. 1.60 %) was significant, suggesting that these lineages could represent ecomorphs or lineages that have only recently diverged (speciated) in this genus.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD8A56D57BCFA86E45D42E3.taxon	description	Figures 3 – 4; Tables 1 – 5	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD8A56D57BCFA86E45D42E3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin X, 13 – 14; pectoral-fin rays 14 – 16; gill rakers 7 – 8 + 14 – 16 (22 – 24 total); circumpeduncular scales 34 – 38; lateral-line scales 70 – 77; scales from dorsal fin to lateral line 9 – 12; scales from the anal-fin origin to lateral line 22 – 25. Caudal fin emarginate to slightly forked; cheek, nape, opercle, pectoral-fin base and chest scaly.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD8A56D57BCFA86E45D42E3.taxon	description	Description. Body elongate and slightly compressed; body depth less than head length, about 3.4 – 5.2 in SL; head length 2.6 – 2.8 in SL. Maxilla extending to below middle of the eye; lower jaw projecting beyond upper jaw; opercle with three flat spines, upper two spines well developed. Snout length greater than eye diameter, snout length 8.8 – 11.4 in SL, eye diameter 10.0 – 13.9 in SL. Snout, interorbital and maxilla naked. Small scales present at bases of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins; caudal and pelvic fins with or without some small scales basally. Preopercle margin coarsely serrate with developed spines near angle. Premaxillary teeth in several irregular rows, outer teeth enlarged, with large canines anteriorly. Vomer more or less V-shaped, with small teeth. Palatines with patch of small teeth. The first two dorsal-fin spines shortest, the sixth spine usually longest. No distinct notch between dorsal spines and soft rays but soft rays slightly elevated. Pectoral-fin origin slightly behind pelvic-fin origin, distal tip of pectoral fin reaching anus, slightly behind anal-fin origin. Fresh Color (Fig. 4). Body light brown to reddish with eight or nine dark vertical bars dorsolaterally; two or three white horizontal bands from head to tail; ventral part of head and belly mostly white; head with two or three orange-brownish stripes below and behind eye; caudal and soft dorsal fins with small bluish dots; tips of caudal fin reddish or dark brown; pelvic and pectoral fins pale. Juveniles with white midlateral stripe bordered by two thick black stripes, the upper stripe running from tip of snout through middle of eye to upper margin of operculum onto trunk above midlateral line to upper half of caudal peduncle, the lower stripe from base of pectoral fin to lower half of caudal peduncle; the dark stripes often partially broken into dark blotches (Iwamoto & Wirtz 2018; no juvenile specimens available for examination). Color in preservation. Specimens lose all color in preservation. Distribution. From the British Isles to Angola, including Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde Islands, also through Mediterranean and Black Sea, and in the Red Sea (Heemstra & Anderson 2016; Iwamoto & Wirtz 2018).	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD9A56E57BCF9E8E7DF43B7.taxon	description	Figures 3, 5; Tables 1 – 5	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD9A56E57BCF9E8E7DF43B7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin X, 14; pectoral-fin rays 16 – 17; gill rakers 9 – 12 + 21 – 24 (31 – 35 total); circumpeduncular scales 34 – 36; lateral-line scales 67 – 74; scales from dorsal fin to lateral line 9 – 10; scales from the anal-fin origin to lateral line 20 – 23. Caudal fin emarginated; scales ctenoid; maxilla naked; teeth on vomer and palatines; opercle with three flat spines, central spine largest and directed horizontally; cheek, pectoral-fin base and chest scaly.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD9A56E57BCF9E8E7DF43B7.taxon	description	Description. Body elongate; body depth less than head length, about 3.2 – 4.9 in SL; head length 2.4 – 3.6 in SL. Maxilla extending to below middle of the eye; lower jaw projecting beyond upper jaw; opercle with three flat spines, the upper two spines well developed. Scales ctenoid; small scales at the bases of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins. Preopercle margin coarsely serrate, developed spines near angle. The first two dorsal-fin spines shortest. No distinct notch between dorsal spines and soft rays but soft rays slightly elevated. Color (Fig. 5). Brownish with nine dark vertical bars dorsally on body, the first four below the spinous dorsal fin; the next three under the soft dorsal rays, the eighth on the caudal peduncle and the last at the caudal-fin base; diagonal bar on the preopercle, originating behind the eye to margin of opercle at mid-pectoral fin position. Ventral body white. No spots on the fins but dorsal fin membranes may have some irregular bluish lines on basal third of fin membrane. Color in preservation. Specimens lose color in preservation but the pattern, i. e. nine vertical bars on body, and diagonal bar on the preopercle, remains visible.	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
F651DA1CFFD9A56E57BCF9E8E7DF43B7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Amsterdam and St. Paul Islands, and at Walters Shoals south of Madagascar (Heemstra & Randall 1986; Collette & Parin 1991).	en	Sithole, Yonela, Heemstra, Elaine, Mwale, Monica (2021): Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904 (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record. Zootaxa 5057 (1): 99-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6
