biostudies-literatureUnknown10Cao X<h4>Background</h4>The grouper <i>Epinephelusrankini</i>, described from the waters off Western Australia, has long been regarded as a junior synonym of <i>Epinephelusmultinotatus</i>. However, the two species are discernible as distinct species on the basis of their morphological characteristics and genetic differences by the holotype material and non-type of specimens.<h4>New information</h4>In this study, <i>Epinephelusrankini</i> is considered as a valid species and re-described based on the examination of the holotype and additional specimens. <i>Epinephelusrankini</i> can be distinguished from the closely-related species <i>E.multinotatus</i> by the following combination of characters: body dark greyish-brown to chocolate with irregular white blotches (vs. body pale brownish-grey with irregular and small white blotches in <i>E.multinotatus</i>), absence of small dark brown spots (vs. numerous small dark brown spots in <i>E.multinotatus</i>). Furthermore, genetic differences between the two species strongly support the validity of both species based on molecular analysis (mtDNA, COI gene). In addition based on the sampling range, <i>E.rankini</i> was observed range from the Abrolhos Islands of Western Australia to south-eastern Indonesia, while <i>E.multinotatus</i> ranges from the Persian Gulf to southern Mozambique.Biodiversity data journale90472https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9836616biostudies-literature<i>Epinephelusrankini</i> Whitley, 1945, a valid species of grouper (Teleostei, Perciformes, Epinephelidae) from Western Australia and southeast Indonesia.PMC9836616Wu LCao XDing SZhang HWu Hfalse<i>Epinephelusrankini</i> Whitley, 1945, a valid species of grouper (Teleostei, Perciformes, Epinephelidae) from Western Australia and southeast Indonesia.<h4>Background</h4>The grouper <i>Epinephelusrankini</i>, described from the waters off Western Australia, has long been regarded as a junior synonym of <i>Epinephelusmultinotatus</i>. However, the two species are discernible as distinct species on the basis of their morphological characteristics and genetic differences by the holotype material and non-type of specimens.<h4>New information</h4>In this study, <i>Epinephelusrankini</i> is considered as a valid species and re-described based on the examination of the holotype and additional specimens. <i>Epinephelusrankini</i> can be distinguished from the closely-related species <i>E.multinotatus</i> by the following combination of characters: body dark greyish-brown to chocolate with irregular white blotches (vs. body pale brownish-grey with irregular and small white blotches in <i>E.multinotatus</i>), absence of small dark brown spots (vs. numerous small dark brown spots in <i>E.multinotatus</i>). Furthermore, genetic differences between the two species strongly support the validity of both species based on molecular analysis (mtDNA, COI gene). In addition based on the sampling range, <i>E.rankini</i> was observed range from the Abrolhos Islands of Western Australia to south-eastern Indonesia, while <i>E.multinotatus</i> ranges from the Persian Gulf to southern Mozambique.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222026-05-29T05:36:09.401Z2025-04-04T11:50:14.213ZS-EPMC98366163676161510.3897/BDJ.10.e90472