Abstract:
This taxonomic study of threadfins was based on meristic, measure and morphometric comparisons of overall characters was analysed though multivariate discriminant analysis. Specimens were collected from both riverine and marine habitats throughout the country during the 1997-98 period and compared with the reference collections from various Thai museums and academic institutions. At least 17 species belonging to genus Eleutheronema and genus Polynemus were described. E.tridactylum and E.tetradactylum inhabits throughout coastal areas. P.indicus, P.microstoma, P.plebeius, P.kuru, P.sextarius, P.hexanemus, P.heptadactylus, P.melanochir inhabits mainly marine. P.dubius, P.longipectoralis, P.multifilis occurred in both estuarine and freshwater habitats. P.sheridani, P.borneensis, P.hornadayi are newly recorded in Thai waters. And Polynemus undescribed species is reported in this recent study as new to science.