[Tunicata • 2017] Shallow-water Ascidians from Matua Island (central Kuril Islands, NW Pacific), part 2

Synoicum polyzoinum

Sanamyan & Sanamyan, 2017

   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4337.1.6 

Abstract

The paper reports several ascidians, previously not known from central group of Kurile Islands, including two new species, Synoicum polyzoinum n. sp. and Aplidium matua n. sp. In order to systematize our knowledge on numerous members of these genera, reported from NW Pacific, we provide an overview of all Synoicum and Aplidium species, known from Far Eastern Seas of Russia, including comments on the species erroneously identified in the past.

Keywords: Tunicata, Ascidiacea, Aplidium, Synoicum, Kuril Islands, Matua Island, NW Pacific

Karen Sanamyan and Nadya Sanamyan. 2017. Shallow-water Ascidians from Matua Island (central Kuril Islands, NW Pacific), part 2. Zootaxa. 4337(1);  121–131.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4337.1.6

[Tunicata • 2017] Rhopalaea bilobata • A New Species of Sea Squirt (Ascidiacea: Diazonidae) from the Andaman Islands, India

 Rhopalaea bilobata 

Mondal, Raghunathan & Mondal, 2017 

  DOI: 10.11609/jott.2620.9.5.10187-10193 

Abstracts

 Rhopalaea bilobata, a new species of the class Ascidiacea, under the family Diazonidae has been described from the Andaman Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, India. The species was found in sandy bottoms, reef areas and artificial structures at a depth range of 10–40 m. This species has bilobed anal border, six lobed branchial and atrial siphons, transparent thorax with pigmented spots at the anus, between the two siphons and at the anterior end of endostyle, and ramified basal test. The species is closely related to R. idoneta, R. macrothorax and R. tenuis in several sets of anatomical and morphological features.

Keywords: Anal border, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ascidians, Rhopalaea, Tunicata.

Etymology: The species bears distinctive triangular bilobed anal border.

Distribution: India: Havelock Island, Trilby Island and Pongibalu of Andaman Islands.

  

Jhimli Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Tamal Mondal. 2017. A New Species of Sea Squirt, Rhopalaea bilobata (Ascidiacea: Diazonidae) from the Andaman Islands, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa.  9(5); 10187–10193.  DOI: 10.11609/jott.2620.9.5.10187-10193

[Ichthyology • 2016] Lubricogobius tunicatus • A New Species of Goby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from Papua New Guinea and the First Record of L. ornatus from the East Indies

Tunicate Goby | Lubricogobius tunicatus 

Allen & Erdmann, 2016

OceanScienceFoundation.org

Abstract

A new species of goby, Lubricogobius tunicatus, is described from Milne Bay Province, eastern Papua New Guinea, on the basis of 10 adult specimens, 9.1–11.5 mm SL. Diagnostic features include 9 (rarely 10) segmented dorsal-fin rays, 6–7 segmented anal-fin rays, the presence of both anterior and posterior nostrils, the greatest body depth 3.1–3.7 in SL, overall coloration typically pale yellow to whitish (rarely brown), and an exceptionally small maximum size of about 11.5 mm SL. Lubricogobius tunicatus is most similar in appearance to L. nanus Allen, 2015, another diminutive species from Papua New Guinea that differs in having 10–11 dorsal-fin rays and 8–9 anal-fin rays. The new species is apparently invariably associated with a species of tunicate (Polycarpa sp.) on silty-sand bottoms in depths of about 20–28 m. In addition, L. ornatus Fourmanoir, 1966, originally described from Vietnam and also recorded from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, northern Australia, and New Caledonia, is reported for the first time from the East Indies, based on two specimens collected at Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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Key words: ichthyology, taxonomy, systematics, coral-reef fishes, Indo-Pacific Ocean

Figure 3. Lubricogobius tunicatus, approximately 9–11 mm SL, underwater photographs taken at the type locality, Normanby Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea (G.R. Allen & M.V. Erdmann). 

Etymology. The new species is named tunicatus (Latinized adjective from tunicate) referring to its commensal host. The specific epithet is a masculine singular adjective in the genitive case.

Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann. 2016. Lubricogobius tunicatus, A New Species of Goby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from Papua New Guinea and the First Record of L. ornatus from the East Indies. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 24; 24–34. 

http://www.OceanScienceFoundation.org/josf24c.html