[Ichthyology • 2017] Pomatoschistus nanus (Teleostei, Gobiidae) • the Mediterranean's Smallest Marine Fish

Pomatoschistus nanus Engin & Seyhan, 2017

DOI:  10.1111/jfb.13455  

Abstract

The new sand goby species Pomatoschistus nanus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the northern coast of the Levantine Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea) based on both morphological and DNA barcoding data. The new species is the smallest fish in the Mediterranean Sea and may be distinguished from congeners by the following features: predorsal area, first dorsal-fin base and breast naked; δ-pore missing; anterior point of the suborbital row b not reaching level of posterior point of suborbital row d; slightly emarginated caudal fin and nape coloration pattern. DNA barcode data clearly discriminate Pomatoschistus spp. in the neighbour-joining tree with an average of 17·7% interspecific K2P distance. The most closely related taxon to P. nanus sp. nov. is Pomatoschistus bathi and the most distantly related is Pomatoschistus tortonesei with 11·9 and 21·9% K2P distances respectively. Morphometric and genetic data are also provided for Pomatoschistus bathi.

Key words: DNA barcoding; Pomatoschistus bathi; Pomatoschistus nanus; rebreather; sand goby. 

Fig. 3. (a) Preserved paratype Pomatoschistus nanus sp. nov., IKC.PIS.1059, male, 14·63 mm standard length (LS); (b) preserved holotype, IKC.PIS·1057, female, 15·88 mm LS; (c) live specimen observed in natural habitat.

  

Pomatoschistus nanus sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from ancient Greek, which means pygmaean. 

   

S. Engin and D. Seyhan. 2017. A New Species of Pomatoschistus (Teleostei, Gobiidae): the Mediterranean's Smallest Marine Fish. Journal of Fish Biology.  DOI:  10.1111/jfb.13455 

  

[Ichthyology • 1986] Danionella translucida • a new genus and species of cyprinid fish from Burma, one of the Smallest Living Vertebrates

Abstract

Danionella translucida, a new genus and species of danioin cyprinid fishes, is described from Burma. Females are mature at 10–11 mm standard length, and the largest known specimen is only 12 mm. Ripe eggs are few in number and relatively large, 0.4–0.6 mm in diameter. Adults are scaleless and largely transparent, with a complex pattern of large melanophores on the ventral surface of the abdomen. Specializations observed in skeletal preparations include the danioin notch in the medial surface of the mandibles; a large maxillo-mandibulary cartilage; a cartilage (epibranchial 5?) uniting the branchial arches 4 and 5; pharyngeal bones with a single row of 4 tricuspid teeth; and pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins with fewer rays than reported or observed in any other members of the family Cyprinidae.

Keywords:  Danioins - Transparency - Eggs - Skeletal anatomy - Alcian blue-alizarin red preparations - Danioin notch - Maxillo-mandibulary cartilage - Weberian apparatus - Cyprinid vertebral formulae

Roberts, Tyson R. 1986. "Danionella translucida, a new genus and species of cyprinid fish from Burma, one of the smallest living vertebrates". Environmental Biology of Fishes 16 (4): 231–241. doi:10.1007/BF00842977.  http://springerlink.com/content/k3h6537617ph1288

Photo: http://www.aquaportal.bg/site/news.php?id=90