[EN] Systematic revision and geographic distribution of the family Drepanidae (Pisces, Osteichthyes).-The literature about identification, nomenclature, synonimies and geographic distribution of the family Drepanidae is somewhat confused. After this revision three species of Deprane are stated. D. punctata (Linnaeus, 1758): the vertical bars on the sides of the body formed by conspicous black spots, upper profile of head without protuberances, with cirri on the lower jaw and isthmus; distribution: Phillippines, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Australia. D. longimana (Bloch & Schneider, 1801): the vertical bap on the sides of the body but not formed by spots, upper profile of head with three slight protuberances and cirri on the lower jaw and isthmus; distribution: eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, India, Sri Lanka, South China Sea and southern Japan. D. luna (Cope, 1869): sides of the body with bars but not formed by spots, absence of cirri on the lower jaw and isthmus, and three clear protuberances on the dorsal profile of head, situated over the snout, preorbital region and behind the head; distribution: western coast of Africa (Mauritania to southern Angola). Considerations about the systematic status of the genus Drepane within Drepanidae instead of Ephippidae are also given

Dibujos de las especies tratadas, Mapas de distribución y Tablas de morfometrías.

Peer reviewed