After Cuvier separated the genus Pagrus from Sparus on the basis of a different number of rows of molars in both jaws, some authors argued that this character, because of its variability, was not sufficient to separate the two genera. On this basis, Pagrus was recently synonymised under Sparus. The osteological and meristic differences found in the species under study (Sparus aurata, Pagrus africanus, P. auriga, P. caeruleostictus, and P. pagrus) suggest that the separation of these two genera should be maintained until the relationships among the various genera of the family will be better understood.