Gurnards of the Genus Pterygotrigla (Triglidae) of Nha Trang Bay and Adjacent Waters (Vietnam, South China Sea)

An overview of the species of gurnards of the genus Pterygotrigla , found in Nha Trang Bay and the adjacent water area of the South China Sea (south of Central Vietnam) has been presented. The presence of four species from three subgenera has been documented: P. ( Otohime ) hemisticta , P. ( O. ) tagala , P. ( Parapterygotrigla ) multiocellata , and P. (s. str.) ryukyuensis . P. multiocellata and P. tagala were first reported for the fauna of Vietnam. A detailed illustrated description has been given for each species. The issues of ontogenetic variability of head spines and other characters in representatives of the genus are considered. An identification key has been compiled to identify the species of Pterygotrigla of the South China Sea.