[Ichthyology • 2019] Prognathodes geminus • A New Species of Butterflyfish (Teleostei, Chaetodontidae) from Palau

Prognathodes geminus

Copus, Pyle, Greene & Randall, 2019

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.835.32562

Abstract

A new species of the butterflyfish genus Prognathodes (Chaetodontidae) is described from two specimens collected at a depth of 116 m off Ngemelis Island, Palau. Prognathodes geminus sp. n. is similar to P. basabei Pyle & Kosaki, 2016 from the Hawaiian archipelago, and P. guezei (Maugé & Bauchot, 1976) from the western Indian Ocean, but differs from these species in the number of soft dorsal-fin rays, size of head, body width, and body depth. There are also subtle differences in life color, and substantial differences in the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I sequence (d ≈ 0.08). Although genetic comparisons with P. guezei are unavailable, it is expected that the genetic divergence between P. guezei and P. geminus will be even greater than that between P. geminus and P. basabei. It is named for the strikingly similar color pattern it shares with P. basabei.

Keywords: Closed-circuit rebreather, Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem, Micronesia, systematic ichthyology

Figure 2. Paratype of Prognathodes geminus (USNM 440390), collected at a depth of 116 m at Palau. Photograph by RL Pyle.

Figure 1. Holotype of Prognathodes geminus (BPBM 40857), collected at a depth of 116 m at Palau. Photograph by RL Pyle. 

Prognathodes geminus sp. n.

Diagnosis: A species of Prognathodes (sensu Smith et al. 2003) distinguished by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin soft rays 17–19; anal-fin soft rays 15; head 2.48–2.49 in SL; body depth 1.71–1.76 in SL; pelvic-fin spine length 4.18–4.46 in SL; body color white with three broad dark brown bands, the first intersecting the eye.

Distribution: Prognathodes geminus is positively known only from Palau. However, individuals of what appear to be this species were collected by aquarium-fish collector Tim Bennett in the Coral Sea at a depth of 140 m (Fenton Walsh, pers. comm.), and video taken from a depth of about 120 m in New Caledonia (and reviewed by co-author Pyle) show what appears to be a similar fish. A similar species was recently described from the Hawaiian Islands (P. basabei), but numerous deep dives by the authors and others in regions between Palau and the Hawaiian Islands have not yielded any observations of this species, nor any other members of the genus Prognathodes.

Figure 3. Holotype of Prognathodes geminus in its natural habitat at a depth of 116 m off Ngemelis, Palau. Photograph by JL Earle.

Habitat: Type specimens and other individuals observed from submersible by Patrick L Colin (pers. comm.) in Palau were seen in association with limestone outcroppings on steep slopes at depths of 110–150 m. The type specimens were collected in an area with broken limestone rubble (Figure 3).

Etymology: We name this species geminus, Latin adjective for “twin”, in reference to its similarity in color to P. basabei from the Hawaiian Islands.

    

 Joshua M. Copus, Richard L. Pyle, Brian D. Greene and John E. Randall. 2019. Prognathodes geminus, A New Species of Butterflyfish (Teleostei, Chaetodontidae) from Palau. ZooKeys. 835: 125-137. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.835.32562

[Ichthyology • 2019] Eviota gunawanae • A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Eviota gunawanae Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann 

in Greenfield, Tornabene, Erdmann & Pada, 2019.

 Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32

 DOI:10.5281/zenodo.26167   twitter.com/FishEvoLuke

Abstract

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota gunawanae, with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT and NA pores and with the AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly, is described from the Fakfak Peninsula in the Bird’s Head Seascape of western New Guinea, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It has a dorsal/anal-fin-ray formula of 8/7, 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays, the fifth pelvic-fin ray present, very long anterior tubular nares, a distinctive double black spot at the caudal-fin base, and no narrow horizontal line of melanophores crossing the pectoral-fin base. In life, it has a maroon stripe down the midline of the body, with elongate white spots above it posteriorly and two white lines over the abdomen. E. gunawanae is most closely related to E. tetha. The new species appears to represent the eighth known microendemic fish species from this remote reef location in West Papua, highlighting the biodiversity conservation importance of the Fakfak Peninsula’s reefs.

Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, endemism, microendemism, phylogenetics, Bird’s Head Seascape, conservation, Eviota tetha

Eviota gunawanae n. sp.

underwater photograph, Fakfak, West Papua Province, Indonesia

 (photos: M.V. Erdmann). 

Eviota gunawanae, n. sp. Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann

Tiene’s Dwarfgoby

Diagnosis. A species of Eviota with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only IT and NA pores and with AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly; very long anterior tubular nares; dorsal/anal-finray formula 8/7; 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays; fifth pelvic-fin ray about 10% length of the fourth pelvic-fin ray; a black spot at caudal-fin base in two joined parts extending anteriorly past end of hypural plate; top of head with scattered melanophores, sometimes arranged in lines, but not as a single line of melanophores extending posteriorly from PITO pore back onto nape. In life, a maroon stripe down midline of body with elongate white spots above stripe posteriorly and two white lines over abdomen.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Dr. Tiene Gunawan, one of Indonesia’s foremost marine conservationists who has dedicated the past two decades to expanding the marine protected area network of West Papua and formulating policies to protect the biodiverse marine ecosystems contained therein. Dr. Gunawan also helped plan and launch the marine biodiversity survey of the Fakfak coastline that led to the discovery of this species.

Distribution and habitat. Currently known only from Karas Island in the Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It is presumably more widespread along the poorly-explored Fakfak coastline, but unlikely to be found in the very well-surveyed Raja Ampat Islands to the north. The species was found in a relatively unusual deepwater-reef environment consisting of large foliose and plating corals on a gentle slope from 35–55m depth, exposed to moderate currents but otherwise protected from wave energy.

  

David W. Greenfield, Luke Tornabene, Mark V. Erdmann and Defy N. Pada. 2019. Eviota gunawanae, A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32; 57–67. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.26167  

 twitter.com/FishEvoLuke/status/1112830189908549632

[Ichthyology • 2019] Sardinella pacifica • A New Species of Sardine (Clupeiformes, Clupeidae) from the Philippines

Sardinella pacifica

 Hata & Motomura, 2019

  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.30688

Abstract

A new sardine, Sardinella pacifica sp. n., is described on the basis of 21 specimens collected from the Philippines. The new species closely resembles Sardinella fimbriata (Valenciennes, 1847), both species having lateral scales with centrally discontinuous striae, a dark spot on the dorsal-fin origin, more than 70 lower gill rakers on the first gill arch, the pelvic fin with eight rays, and 17 or 18 prepelvic and 12 or 13 postpelvic scutes. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by lower counts of lateral scales, pseudobranchial filaments, and postpelvic scutes (38–41, 14–19 and 12–13, respectively vs. 44–46, 19–22 and 13–14), and a shorter lower jaw (10.4–11.6% of standard length vs. 11.1–12.2%). Sardinella pacifica sp. n. is known only from the Philippines, whereas S. fimbriata is restricted to the Indian Ocean, although previously considered to be an Indo-West Pacific species, distributed from India to the Philippines.

Keywords: morphology, Sardinella fimbriata, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Figure 1. Holotype of Sardinella pacifica sp. n., BMNH 1985.4.12.1, 105.1 mm SL, Manila Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines.

Sardinella pacifica sp. n.

Diagnosis: A species of Sardinella with the following combination of characters: caudal fin with black posterior margin; lateral body scales with centrally discontinuous vertical striae, and few perforations and pores posteriorly; 38–41 (modally 38) lateral scales in longitudinal series; body scales deciduous; black spot on dorsal-fin origin; pelvic fin with one unbranched and seven branched rays; gill rakers 40–53 (43) in upper series on 1st gill arch, 71–84 (72) in lower series, 112–137 (118) in total; gill rakers 40–56 (42) in upper series on 2nd gill arch, 70–94 (79) in lower series, 112–148 (115) in total; gill rakers 37–52 (42) in upper series on 3rd gill arch, 57–75 (60) in lower series, 95–127 (99) in total; gill rakers 31–43 (35) in upper series on 4th gill arch, 44–63 (48) in lower, 78–106 (80) in total; gill rakers 30–43 (34) on hind face of 3rd gill arch; 17 or 18 (18) + 12 or 13 (13) = 29–31 (30) scutes on ventral edge of body; anal fin with 18–21 (20) rays; lower jaw rather short, 10.4–11.6% of SL.

...

Distribution: Currently known only from the Philippines.

Etymology: The specific name pacifica (in reference to the Pacific Ocean) is given to distinguish the species from S. fimbriata, with which it had been confused, and which is now considered to be restricted to the Indian Ocean.

 Harutaka Hata and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2019. A New Species of Sardine, Sardinella pacifica from the Philippines (Teleostei, Clupeiformes, Clupeidae). ZooKeys. 829: 75-83.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.30688

[Ichthyology • 2019] A Revised Molecular Phylogeny Reveals Polyphyly in Schistura (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae)

(A) Schistura desmotes, 38.9 mm SL, Ping River, Chiang Mai Province; (C) S. mahnerti, 71.9 mm SL, stream, Mae Khlong basin, Kanchanaburi Province;
 (E) S. aurantiaca, 39.9 mm SL, Pracham Mai River, Kanchanaburi Province.

in Sgouros, Page, Orlofske & Jadin, 2019. 

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4559.2.8

Abstract

There is a general consensus that the genus Schistura (Nemacheilidae), currently with 241 species, is not monophyletic. However, weak morphological synapomorphies and a lack of genetic data for most species of Schistura and their presumptive relatives have prevented meaningful diagnoses of species groups within this genus. To aid in deciphering evolutionary relationships, sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and D-loop) were implemented in phylogenetic analyses for species of Schistura and other nemacheilids for which data from earlier studies and recently collected material were available. This analysis of 67 nemacheilid species, including 28 species of Schistura, provides the most comprehensive phylogeny of Nemacheilidae to date. In the phylogenetic tree for the combined data set, species of Schistura clustered in three clades. One clade contained 14 species of Schistura and Sectoria heterognathos and was sister to Homatula. A second clade of 11 species of Schistura was in a larger clade with Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi and Nemacheilus corica. The third clade contained three species, all from the Mae Khlong basin of Thailand. Taxonomic implications of these results are discussed; however, a more taxon-rich dataset and nuclear sequence data are needed before making taxonomic changes.

Keywords: Pisces, cytochrome b, D-loop, loaches, Nemacheilus

FIGURE 4. Species of Schistura included in the phylogenetic analysis; all are from Thailand.
 Clade 1: (A) S. desmotes, UF 188065, 38.9 mm SL, Ping River, Chiang Mai Province; (B) S. robertsi, UF 185741, 50.8 mm SL, Tapee River, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Clade 2: (C) S. mahnerti, UF 188061, 71.9 mm SL, stream, Mae Khlong basin, Kanchanaburi Province; (D) S. geisleri, UF 191830, 28.0 mm SL, Wae Creek, Yan River basin, Surat Thani Province.
Clade 3: (E) S. aurantiaca, UF 188063, 39.9 mm SL, Pracham Mai River, Kanchanaburi Province; (F) S. balteata, UF 191473, 52.0 mm SL, Pilok River, Kanchanaburi Province.

Photographs by Zachary Randall and Jarred Randall. 

Katherine Sgouros, Lawrence M. Page, Sarah A. Orlofske and Robert C. Jadin. 2019. A Revised Molecular Phylogeny Reveals Polyphyly in Schistura (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4559(2); 349–362. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4559.2.8

[Ichthyology • 2019] Gymnogeophagus jaryi • A New Species of the Neotropical Cichlid Genus Gymnogeophagus (Teleostei: Cichliformes) from the Middle Paraná Basin, Misiones, Argentina

Gymnogeophagus jaryi

Alonso, Terán, Aguilera, Říčan, Casciotta, Serra, Almirón, Benítez, García & Mirande, 2019

  DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0210166  

Abstract

Gymnogeophagus jaryi, new species, is described from Southern tributaries of the Middle Paraná basin in Misiones. It can be distinguished from all other members of the genus, except from G. australis and G. caaguazuensis, by the presence of a hyaline to grey anterior portion of the dorsal fin. Gymnogeophagus jaryi differs from G. caaguazuensis by a longer caudal peduncle, caudal fin not lyrate, central portion of scales on dorsal portion of trunk light iridescent blue and by white spots in soft portion of dorsal fin in adult males, and from G. australis by the light iridescent blue coloration of central portion of scales on the dorsal portion of trunk and tail, and by the lack of scales on the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Additionally, it can be diagnosed by the following unique combination of characters: 10–11 dorsal-fin branched rays, 27–30 E1 scales, absence of lips thickening, and, in males, by the possession of a hump in adults, caudal fin not lyrate, presence of large white spots forming transversal stripes distally and in anterior area of the dorsal fin’s soft portion, central area of scales on the dorsal portion of the trunk light iridescent blue, lack of scales on the base of the dorsal fin’s soft portion, absence of a conspicuous and oblique dark band from the eye to the anterior border of the head, anterior portion of dorsal fin hyaline to grey, scales of the midlateral spot each bearing a semicircular light blue blotch, head hump starting at the horizontal through the eyes, concave anterior profile in lateral view, base of unpaired fins yellow, and whitish hyaline spots on caudal fin. The new species, based on mtDNA phylogeny, is the sister species of G. caaguazuensis from the Paraguay basin and is closely related to G. australis.

Fig 1. Live specimens of Gymnogeophagus jaryi sp. nov. in left lateral view from type locality. From Cuña Pirú stream, Paraná River basin, near Aristóbulo del Valle, Misiones Province, Northeastern Argentina.
 (A) Holotype, male CI-FML 7463, 113.1 mm SL, (B) Paratype, female CI-FML 7464, 73.3 mm SL.

Fig 3. Live specimens of Gymnogeophagus jaryi sp. nov. in left lateral view, paratype and non-type adult male specimens.
(A) MLP 11293, paratype, same locality as holotype (Cuña Pirú); (B,C) MLP 11295, paratype (Cuña Pirú); (D,E,F) MLP 11365, non-type (Ñacanguazú); (G) Paraguay, not preserved (Ype Curu); (H) Paraguay, not preserved (Manduviyú). It needs to be considered that these pictures of the alive specimens have been taken at night and out of water using the camera’s flash light iluminating from the latterals of the fish, which have slightly altered the colors seen. Also, holding them in hand while taking the pictures produced a slight translucent redish aspect to the fins.

Gymnogeophagus jaryi, new species

Diagnosis: The number of E1 scales, 27–30 (vs. 23–25), and the possession of a cephalic hump in adult males, distinguishes the new species from all species of the G. rhabdotus species group (G. rhabdotus, G. meridionalis, G. setequedas, G. che, G. terrapurpura and G. taroba). It is distinguished from all species of the G. gymnogenys group, except G. caaguazuensis and G. australis, by having the anterior portion of the dorsal fin grey to hyaline, in few specimens grey slightly reddish, with no markings (vs. red to yellow with hyaline spots or elongated transversal blotches). It differs from G. caaguazuensis by a longer caudal peduncle (18.5–22.0 vs. 13.9–17.4, % SL), caudal fin not lyrate (vs. lyrate), central portion of scales on dorsal portion of trunk light iridescent blue (vs. golden to greenish) and, in adult males, white spots in the soft portion of the dorsal fin, sometimes elongated in the distal portion forming lines (vs. with spaced small silvery to bright blue dots in G. caaguazuensis). It differs from G. australis by the light iridescent blue coloration of the central portion of scales on the dorsal portion of trunk and tail (vs. with golden central portion of scales) and by the lack of scales on dorsal-fin soft portion (vs. present). It is distinguished from G. balzanii by a lower body depth and less branched dorsal-fin rays (10–11 vs. 12–15). It can be further distinguished from G. peliochelynion, G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus by the absence of thickening in the lips (vs. present); from G. gymnogenys and G. mekinos by the absence of a conspicuous and oblique dark band from the anterior margin of eye to the anterior border of head; from G. gymnogenys also by presence of elongated spots distally in the soft portion of the dorsal fin (vs. large round spots); from G. mekinos also by dorsal fin coloration (vs. spiny portion without markings, soft portion with only few dots, distally immaculate). Additionally, the new species differs from G. constellatus by a semicircular light blue spot on each scale of the midlateral spot (vs. large white spot) and by spiny posterior portion with short narrow stripes or spots (vs. long wide stripes) and soft portion with dots and lines distally (vs. long wide stripes); from G. tiraparae by lacking the over-developed head hump (hump starting only at the horizontal plane through the eyes, forming a concave profile of the snout in lateral view vs. hump starting already from the upper lip, forming a convex profile at eyes height) and by a different coloration pattern of the dorsal fin (spiny posterior portion with short narrow stripes or spots and soft portion with dots and lines distally vs. dorsal fin hyaline with two horizontal series of moderately elongated light blue dots between dorsal-fin spines, and a series of light blue stripes between soft rays, and a red ground color between the two series of dots); from G. lipokarenos by presenting a red distal margin on posterior half of dorsal fin (vs. red distal margin along the entire fin), by lower peduncle length 18.5–22.0% of SL (vs. 14.1–17.9% of SL in G. lipokarenos); from G. missioneiro by having the base of unpaired fins yellow (vs. red) and by the presence of separated dots in both the spiny and soft portions of dorsal fin (vs. long wide stripes in G. missioneiro); and from G. lacustris by having lips, branchiostegal membrane and isthmus grey (vs. orange), unpaired fin-bases yellowish (vs. light olivaceous to reddish), by hyaline or white spots on caudal fin (vs. longitudinal stripes), and by absence of a dark vertical stripe through the eyes (vs. present in G. lacustris) (Figs 1–3).

....

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Guaraní word “jarýi”, meaning grandmother. It is dedicated to the Non-Governmental Organization of “Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo”, created in 1977 whose objective is to locate and restore to their legitimate families all the children disappeared by the last Argentine dictatorship. A noun in apposition.

Fig 6. Habitats of Gymnogeophagus jaryi. at Middle Paraná River basin, Misiones, Argentina.
 (A, B, C) Type Locality at Cuñá Pirú stream;(B) rocks and driftwood in the margins; (C) rapids with marginal vegetation; D) Ñacanguazú stream. All photos show localities after rains in turbid conditions.

Distribution: Gymnogeophagus jaryi is known from several tributaries of the Southern Middle Paraná: the Cuña Pirú basin, the Garuhapé basin, and the Ñacanguazú basin in Argentina, Misiones and, based on photographs and mtDNA sequences it is also present in the Manduviyú, Pirapó and Ype Curú basins in Paraguay.

Fig 7. Phylogenetic relationships of Gymnogeophagus jaryi based on cytb marker. Analysis by parsimony under extended implied weighting. Numbers above branches denote GC values. Image of G. caaguazuensis and G. constellatus were taken and modified from their original description

Felipe Alonso, Guillermo E. Terán, Gastón Aguilera, Oldřich Říčan, Jorge Casciotta, Wilson Sebastián Serra, Adriana Almirón, Mauricio F. Benítez, Ignacio García and Juan Marcos Mirande. 2019. Description of A New Species of the Neotropical Cichlid Genus Gymnogeophagus Miranda Ribeiro, 1918 (Teleostei: Cichliformes) from the Middle Paraná Basin, Misiones, Argentina. PLoS ONE. 14(2): e0210166. DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0210166

[Ichthyology • 2018] Channa torsaensis • A New Ornamental Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from River Torsa of West Bengal, India

 Channa torsaensis

 Dey, Nur, Raychowdhury, Sarkar, Singh & Barat, 2018

   DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131

 ABSTRACT

A new Channa species described from River Torsa of Brahmaputra river basin, West Bengal, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. a new species of Channa, is distinguished from congeners by a combination of the following characters namely a dorsal, anal and caudal fins being bluish with a broad dark blue border having a tinge of orange border covering the dark blue border; dorsal fin with numerous back spots; caudal fin with 9-10 black bands; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body; lateral line pored scales 46 in number; dorsal fin rays 36-38; anal fin rays 22 - 25; total vertebrae 44- 45 (16+28).

Key words: Taxonomy, Endemic, Brahmaputra basin, new species of Channa.

Channa torsaensis sp. nov. 

New English name: Cobalt Blue Channa 

Local name (Bengali): Neel Chang

Diagnosis. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Channa except C. pomanensis and C. quinquefasciata by an unique broad dark blue border on the dorsal, anal and caudal fin and having a tinge of orange border covering; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body. ....

   DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131

Fig. 2: Different views of Channa torsaensis sp. nov. Holotype, ZSIFF7913, 211 mm SL, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India. 

Fig. 4: A view of River Torsa, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India and type locality of Channa torsaensis Holotype.

Distribution and Habitat At present, known to be distributed from tributary of River Torsa, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India (Fig.4). The running river water was transparent, cool, low depth and having various substrata like gravel, pebbles, sand, soil and medium to large boulders.

Etymology. The new species is named after the River Torsa, from where the fish was collected.

CONCLUSION:

 Based on the diagnosis, Channa species have been classified into 15 groups from North-East India in the Brahmaputra drainage, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. brings the number of Channa species to 16 from in Brahmaputra drainage, North East India. Channa torsaensis is male mouth-brooder and more aggressive in nature than other native Channa species.

Arpita Dey, Ruksa Nur, Basudhara Raychowdhury, Debapriya Sarkar, 

Laishram Kosygin Singh and Sudip Barat. 2018. A New Ornamental Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from River Torsa of West Bengal, India. International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. - IJPAB). 6(6); 497-503.  DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131

[Ichthyology • 2019] Channa lipor • A New Species of Dwarf Channa (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

Channa lipor

Praveenraj, Uma, Moulitharan & Singh, 2019

  DOI:  10.1643/CI-18-079  

  twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

 facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121  

Abstract

Channa lipor, a new species of snakehead of the C. gachua species-group, is described based on 11 specimens from Meghalaya, Northeast India. It is distinguished from its congeners by possessing an orange, bronze-brown dorsum and fins, 9–12 black spots or blotches on the dorsal-fin sub-margin appearing parallel along the length of the dorsal-fin base, six oblique brown bars on the upper half on the flank, presence of seven gray to brown zigzag bands on the caudal fin, and fewer anal-fin rays. Channa lipor, new species, morphologically resembles C. aurantipectoralis, but the partial cox1 gene sequences reveal a genetic distance of 12.6–13.1% between them, and Channa lipor, new species, also possesses deep sequence divergence from any known populations of C. gachua. It differs from the topotypic C. gachua by having fewer anal-fin rays (20 vs. 22–24), fewer dorsal-fin rays (29–32 vs. 34–36), and fewer pectoral-fin rays (12–14 vs. 15–17), and in tooth pattern, by having the fifth ceratobranchial curved with four rows of teeth, outer row with 11 thick teeth; palatine with three rows of curved teeth, inner row with 14 large inwardly curved teeth; and dentary with long canine-like teeth in the posterior end.

Channa lipor, holotype, ZSI FF 7660, 89.5 mm SL, prior to preservation.

Channa lipor, paratype, CIARI/FF-44, 71.7 mm SL, Umraling River, Umraling village, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, India.

Channa lipor, new species 

Etymology.—The specific epithet lipor indicates the local vernacular name for the species in Khasi language, a dialect spoken by the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya. It is used as a noun in apposition.

Remarks.— Channa lipor is well known in the aquarium trade as ‘‘Channa sp. lipor’’.

Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Arumugam Uma, Nallathambi Moulitharan, and Sadokpam Gojendro Singh. 2019. A New Species of Dwarf Channa (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Copeia. 107(1); 61–70.  DOI:  10.1643/CI-18-079 

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2195965133775158  

 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1092454923445456897

 

[Ichthyology • 2018] Channa royi • A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Andaman Islands, India

Channa royi  Praveenraj & Knight

in Praveenraj, Knight, Kiruba-Sankar, et al., 2018. 

Andaman Emerald Snakehead  ||  DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.72827-01 

 facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121

ABSTRACT

 A new species of snakehead fish Channa royi sp. nov., has been described based on 21 specimens collected from the South, Middle and North Andaman Islands, India. It is distinguished from all its congeners by a greenish-grey dorsum, pale brown to black pectoral fin with 2-3 inconspicuous semicircular bands, a series of 7-9 obliquely-arranged, saddle-like, dark olive to grey oblique streaks on green background on upper half of the body, 42-45 pored lateral-line scales, 12-13 branched caudal rays, 6-7 pre-dorsal scales, 43 vertebrae, two rows of teeth on the lower jaw, an outer row of numerous minute slender, pointed teeth and single inner row of large uniform sized teeth without any large canine like teeth on the anterior fourth of the lower jaw. Phylogenetically C. royi sp. nov. is closely related to C. harcourtbutleri, with a genetic distance (K2-P) of 2.4-2.8%, but morphologically differs in having greater inter-orbital width, fewer pelvic-fin rays (5 vs. 5-7, mode 6); fewer caudal-fin rays (ii- i, 10-12, i-ii vs. ii, 15, ii); more pre-dorsal scales (6-7 vs. 4) and fewer mid row lateral-line scales (9-13 vs. 15-16). Though Channa royi sp. nov. is a part of C. gachua species-group, it differs from the topotypic C. gachua from Bengal with higher pair-wise sequence distance of 19.5-20.9%.

Keywords: Andaman Islands, Channa gachua, Channa limbata, Channa royi sp. nov., Channidae, Snakeheads

Channa royi sp. nov. (a) Adult, 190.5 mm SL, showing black pectoral fin, uncatalogued,
 (b) Adult, 165.1 mm, showing pale grey pectoral fin, uncatalogued.

(both maintained in aquarium) (Photos: J. Praveenraj)

Channa royi sp. nov. (a). holotype prior to preservation (ZSI/ANRC-12467),
 (b). Juvenile specimen, uncatalogued, 44.6 mm SL.

 (Photos:  J. D. M. Knight)

Channa royi, sp. nov. Praveenraj & Knight

Common name: Andaman Emerald Snakehead 

Diagnosis: Channa royi sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus Channa belonging to the Channa gachua species-group by a combination of following characters: unique greenish-grey dorsum; upper half of body with a series of 7-9 obliquely-arranged, saddle-like, dark olive to grey oblique streaks on green background; throat with marbled pattern; 34-38 dorsal-fin rays; 22-25 anal-fin rays; 42-45 pored scales on body; 1-3 scales on caudal fin base; 3½ scales above lateral line and 6½ scales below lateral line; 6-7 pre-dorsal scales; 43 vertebrae; two rows of teeth on the lower jaw, single outer row of numerous minute slender pointed teeth and single inner row of enlarged uniform teeth without any large canine like teeth on anterior-fourth of the lower jaw; two rows of teeth on palatine; outer row with numerous minute sharp slender teeth and inner row with 4 to 6 large canine like teeth and pectoral fins pale brown to black in adults with 2-3 pale grey to black inconspicuous semicircular bands.

....

Etymology: The species is named after Dr. S. Dam Roy, in appreciation for his immense encouragement and support for the exploration of the freshwater fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species name is formed as a noun in the masculine genitive singular. The common name ‘Andaman emerald snakehead’ is given considering its unique greenish dorsum. 

Distribution: Channa royi sp. nov. is currently known only from South, Middle and North Andaman Islands, India and is abundant in ditches, ponds and hill streams of the sampled locations. The holotype was collected from clear, slow flowing water with cobble substrate without much aquatic vegetation.

J. Praveenraj, J. D. M. Knight, R. Kiruba-Sankar, Beni Halalludin, J. J. A. Raymond and V. R. Thakur. 2018. Channa royi (Teleostei: Channidae): A New Species of Snakehead from Andaman Islands, India. Indian J. Fish. 65(4); 1-14.  DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.72827-01  

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[Ichthyology • 2018] Redescription and Phylogenetic Placement of Cirrhilabrus sanguineus Cornic (Teleostei: Labridae), with First Documentation of the Female Form

Cirrhilabrus sanguineus Cornic, 1987

in Tea, Frable & Van Der Wal, 2018. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4526.3.5 

 twitter.com/LemonTYK

Abstract

The labrid fish Cirrhilabrus sanguineus Cornic is redescribed on the basis of the neotype, two male specimens, and an additional female specimen recently collected from the northern coast of Mauritius. We provide new live and nuptial colouration descriptions, as well as the first documented female specimen for the species. we also include a molecular phylogenetic analysis of related species, with brief comments on phylogenetic interpretation of putative relationships amongst members of the genus Cirrhilabrus.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, ichthyology, Mauritius, systematics, fairy wrasse

Yi-Kai Tea, Benjamin Frable and Cara Van Der Wal. 2018. Redescription and Phylogenetic Placement of Cirrhilabrus sanguineus Cornic (Teleostei: Labridae), with First Documentation of the Female Form. Zootaxa. 4526(3); 358–372. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4526.3.5

 twitter.com/LemonTYK/status/1068313613297889280

[Ichthyology • 2018] Histiophryne narungga • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners

Histiophryne narungga 

Arnold & Pietsch, 2018

DOI:   10.1643/CI-18-112 

Photo: Scott W. Michael  twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

An undescribed species of the frogfish genus Histiophryne, of the teleost order Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, is described on the basis of 60 specimens collected from shallow inshore waters of Western and South Australia. Previously confused with its morphologically similar congener H. cryptacanthus, it differs from the latter and from all other members of the genus in having the following combination of features: illicium tiny but easily discernible without aid of a microscope; esca present, a small tuft of filaments, easily distinguished from illicium; skin covered with tiny dermal spinules, especially on head, cutaneous filaments and appendages absent; dorsal-fin rays 15–16; pectoral-fin rays 9 (rarely 8); vertebrae 22–23; head, body, and fins typically off white, sometimes peppered with numerous small, close-set ocelli. Genetic divergence from its congeners in the nuclear recombination activation gene-2 (RAG2) and cytochrome oxidase-I (COI) genes is at least 8.9%. The new species is diagnosed, described, and compared with its congeners. A revised key to the species of the genus is also provided.

Fig. 2. Histiophryne narungga, new species, uncollected specimen, Edithburgh, South Australia.

Photo: Scott W. Michael

Histiophryne narungga, new species

New Nharangga name: Nharangga Warrga Guuya 

New English name: Narungga Frogfish

Etymology.— The specific epithet narungga honors a tribe of Indigenous Australians, the Narungga (otherwise known as the Narangga), whose traditional lands are located throughout Yorke Peninsula, from near Port Wakefield in the east to Port Broughton in the west, and all the way down to the southern tip of the Peninsula (Sutton, 1899; Tindale, 1936).

Rachel J. Arnold and Theodore W. Pietsch. 2018. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners. Copeia. 106(4); 622-631. DOI:   10.1643/CI-18-112    twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057667167439802369

[Ichthyology • 2018] Review of the Batfish Genus Halicmetus Alcock, 1891 (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from Australian Waters, with Descriptions of Two New Species; Halicmetus westraliensis & H. drypus

Halicmetus westraliensis 

 Ho & Last. 2018

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4508.2.2 

Abstract

A taxonomic review of species of the Indo–Pacific batfish genus Halicmetus occurring in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone is provided. Treatments of six species in the region, including diagnoses of the widespread Halicmetus niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008, H. reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912 and H. ruber Alcock 1891, a reclassification of the poorly known H. marmoratus Weber, 1913, and descriptions of two new species, Halicmetus westraliensis n. sp. (an Australian endemic) and H. drypus n. sp. (from the northern sector of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone off Norfolk Island). The Australian species can be distinguished from each other and regional congeners by a combination of morphometrics, meristics and colouration. A key is provided for all known species of the genus.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, review, Halicmetus, new species, Australia

Halicmetus Alcock 

Halicmetus Alcock, 1891:27. 

Type species: Halicmetus ruber Alcock, 1891, by monotypy.

....

Valid species. Halicmetus is represented in the Indo–Pacific by six valid nominal taxa: 

H. drypus n. sp., H. marmoratus Weber, 1913, H. niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008, H. reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912, H. ruber Alcock, 1891, and H. westraliensis n. sp., and one undescribed species, H. cf. ruber (sensu Ho et al., 2008).

Halicmetus westraliensis sp. nov.,
CSIRO CA3647, holotype, 68.4 mm SL. 

Halicmetus westraliensis sp. nov. 

Vernacular name: West Australian Shortnose Seabat.

Etymology. The name westraliensis is a reference to the type locality, Western Australia.

Halicmetus drypus sp. nov. 

Vernacular name: Pink Shortnose Seabat  

Etymology. From the Greek drypus, referring to the pink plant genus Drypis of the Tribe Drypideae, family Caryophyllaceae.

Halicmetus marmoratus Weber, 1913 

Vernacular name: Marbled Shortnose Seabat

Halicmetus ruber Alcock, 1891 

Vernacular name: Red Shortnose Seabat

Halicmetus reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
Vernacular name: Reticulated Shortnose Seabat

Halicmetus niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008 

Vernacular name: Black Shortnose Seabat

Hsuan-Ching Ho and Peter R. Last. 2018. Review of the Batfish Genus Halicmetus Alcock, 1891 from Australian Waters, with Descriptions of Two New Species (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae). Zootaxa. 4508(2);  179–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4508.2.2

[Ichthyology • 2018] Rhinogobius maculagenys • A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Hunan, China

Rhinogobius maculagenys  

Wu, Deng, Wang & Liu, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.11

Abstract 

A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov., was collected from Hunan Province in Southern China. This species can be distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following features: first dorsal fin with 6 spines; second dorsal fin with a single spine and 7–9 segmented rays; anal fin with a single spine and 6–8 segmented rays; pectoral fin with 16 segmented rays; 32–34 longitudinal scales; 9–13 transverse scales; 11+16=27 vertebrae; pore ω1 missing; head and body yellowish brown; cheek and opercle yellowish brown with over 30 small orange spots, branchiostegal membrane yellow with over 10 small orange spots in males and white and spotless in females; first dorsal fin trapezoidal in males and nearly semicircular in females, with large bright blue blotch in front of second spine; spines 4 and 5 longest, rear tip extending to base of second branched ray of second dorsal fin in males when adpressed, but just reaching or not reaching anterior margin of second dorsal fin in females; caudal fin with 5–6 vertical rows of brown spots; flank with several longitudinal rows of blackish-brown spots; and belly pale white.

Key words: Xiangjiang, fish taxonomy, valid species, color pattern

FIGURE 4 Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov. 
Lateral (a) and ventral (c) views of paratype, male, HUNNULS2017-12-0613, 39.85 mm SL;
lateral (b) and ventral (d) views of paratype, female, HUNNULS2017-12-0612, 44.50 mm SL.

Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Rhinogobius maculagenys is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following features: second dorsal-fin rays I/7–9; anal-fin rays I/6–8; pectoral-fin rays 16; longitudinal scale series 32–34; transverse scale series 9–13; predorsal scale series 0; vertebral count 11+16=27; pore ω1 missing; head and body yellowish brown; cheek and opercle yellowish brown with over 30 small orange spots, branchiostegal membrane yellow with over 10 small orange spots in males and white and spotless in females; first dorsal fin trapezoidal in males and nearly semicircular in females, with large bright blue blotch in front of second spine; spines 4 and 5 longest, rear tip extending to base of second branched ray of second dorsal fin in males when adpressed, but just reaching or not reaching anterior margin of second dorsal fin in females; caudal fin with 5–6 vertical rows of brown spots; flank with several longitudinal rows of blackish-brown spots; belly pale white.

....

Distribution and habitat. The species is only known from Zhong Water, in the upper reaches of the Xiangjiang River on Lanshan County, Hunan Province. This species may be endemic within this basin.

Etymology. The specific name, maculagenys, from the Latin macula meaning spot and genys meaning cheek, in reference to the diagnostic feature of round orange spots on cheek. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Qianqian Wu, Xuejian Deng, Yanjie Wang and Yong Liu. 2018. Rhinogobius maculagenys, A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Hunan, China. Zootaxa. 4476(1); 118–129. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.11