Species re-identification based on photographs of Ocean sunfishes (Family Molidae) from Philippine waters, including reconfirmation of Mola alexandrini

Abstract

Detailed biological information (e.g. distribution, size, sex) on ocean sunfishes/molids (Molidae) in Philippine waters is lacking. Four species of ocean sunfishes from Philippine waters are known to date: Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758), Mola alexandrini (Ranzani, 1839), Masturus lanceolatus (Liénard, 1840), and Ranzania laevis (Pennant, 1776). However, in recent years, the taxonomy of Molidae (especially the genus Mola) has progressed at the global level, and it becomes necessary to review species that occur in Philippine waters. In this study, photographs of Molidae from Philippine waters were collected and morphological research involving museum specimens was conducted. The results of species re-identification based on the photographs of 12 specimens of Molidae obtained in this study were as follows: a specimen of M. alexandrini, five specimens of M. mola, and six specimens of Ma. lanceolatus. Although a specimen identified as M. alexandrini in a previous study was here re-identified as M. mola, the occurrence of M. alexandrini in Philippine waters was nevertheless confirmed in this study on the basis of another specimen. Mola alexandrini and Ma. lanceolatus were confused with M. mola locally, suggesting the importance of preserving real specimens, photographs and genetic samples.