Identification des especes du genre Spicara par electrophorese des proteines du cristallin.

Confusion has arisen over the nomenclature of certain fish of the family Centracanthidia, because of the colour variations due to sexual dichromatism, sexual inversions, protogynous hermaphroditism, and seasonal modifications according to the stage of maturity. A historical survey of nomenclature is presented for species described under the genera Maena, Smaris and Spicara, the last being the most recent. A morphological study and an electrophoretic study of the crystalline lens of the various species involved is described. The techniques and standards used are given. As a result of the study, and bearing in mind the effects of the variations mentioned above, it was concluded from electrophoretic comparisons that only 2 species are valid, Spicara maena and Spicra smaris, and that these each present respectively.