Sciaena

Sciaena was first proposed as a genus in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus when he described Sciaena umbra in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae.^[1] The genus has, at one time or another, included many of the larger Sciaenid species but it is now considered to comprise two valid species, one in the eastern Pacific and one in the eastern Atlantic.^[2] However, other authors have argued that the Pacific and Atlantic species are not closely related and that Sciaena sensu stricto is monospecific. They further argue that Sciaena callaensis is probably a synonym of Sciaena deliciosa and that this species should be classified in the genus Callaus.^[3]

Sciaena is the type genus of subfamily Sciaeninae recognised by some workers,^[4] but the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognise subfamilies within the Sciaenidae which it places in the order Acanthuriformes.^[5]

Sciaena is thought to have been derived from the Greek skiaina, a name used for marine fishes which resembled perch and in modern usage means Sciaenids.^[6]

There are currently two recognised species in this genus:^[2]

• Sciaena callaensis Hildebrand, 1946 (Callao drum)
• Sciaena umbra Linnaeus, 1758 (Brown meagre)