Friday, June 17, 2016

[Ichthyology • 2016] Lentipes kolobangara • A New Species of Lentipes (Gobiidae) from the Solomon Islands


Lentipes kolobangara 
Keith, Lord, Boseto & Ebner, 2016    sfi.mnhn.fr/cybium

Abstract
 A new species of Lentipes, a freshwater Sicydiinae goby, is described from streams of Solomon Islands. It differs from other species of the genus by a combination of characters including an urogenital papilla lacking lateral lobes and retractable into a sheath-like groove, the number of pectoral fin rays, the number of scales, the number of tricuspid teeth in the upper jaw, and a specific body colour in male.
Key words: Gobiidae; Lentipes kolobangara; Solomon Islands; Freshwater; New species


Diagnosis: The new species has 17-18 pectoral rays, a second dorsal fin I10, an anal fin I9-10, and few scales in zigzag (7-9), transverse forward (1-6) and transverse back series (4-8). The urogenital papilla is retractable into a sheath-like groove in male and is without lobes or other expanded tissue. The male is characterised by few tricuspid teeth in the upper jaw (8-15) and 2-5 recurved canines posterior to tricuspid teeth, ctenoid scales on anterior body region strongly ossified, and the base of the first dorsal fin not reaching the base of the second dorsal fin origin. The male has also a specific body colour with a red slim mustache on the snout reaching the eye and the base of the pectoral fins and the first third of their membrane are red.

Distribution: Currently known only from the Solomon Islands of Choiseul, Kolobangara, Ranongga and Makira.

Ecology: Lentipes kolobangara was collected in swift, clear, high-gradient streams with a rocky and boulder-strewn bottom between 50 and more than 600 m above sea level. It is presumed to be amphidromous as is the majority of the subfamily.

Etymology: The name of the species is dedicated to Kolobangara Island, where most of the specimens were caught. Kolobangara also means, in Kolobangara Island dialect, "water king" which is suited for this colourful species.


Remarks: streams of the solomon islands are particularly rich in Lentipes species, as four species are known from this area including: L. solomonensis and L. kaaea, both with enlarged lobes associated with the urogenital papillae in male, and L. multiradiatus and Lentipes kolobangara (Keith et al., 2015; this paper), both having a urogenital papilla in male that is retractable into a sheath-like groove and without enlarged lobes. Jenkins et al. (2008) provided a picture of this last species but named it L. kaaea, despite the difference inurogenital papillae.


Philippe Keith, Clara Lord, David Boseto and Brendan C. Ebner. 2016. A New Species of Lentipes (Gobiidae) from the Solomon Islands. Cybium. 40(2): 139-146, 2016

Résumé: Nouvelle espèce de Lentipes (Gobiidae) des îles Salomon.
Une espèce nouvelle de Lentipes, gobie Sicydiinae d’eau douce, est décrite des îles Salomon. Elle diffère des autres espèces du genre par plusieurs caractères dont une papille urogénitale sans lobes latéraux et rétractable dans une cavité, le nombre de rayons aux nageoires pectorales, le nombre d’écailles, le nombre de dents tricuspides à la mâchoire supérieure et une coloration caractéristique des mâles.