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| Gobius incognitus
Kovačić & Šanda, 2016
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Abstract
A new species of the gobiid genus Gobius (Gobiidae, Perciformes), Gobius incognitus sp. nov. is described from the Mediterranean Sea, and its most morphologically similar species Gobius bucchichi is redescribed. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by: scales in lateral series 51–59; predorsal scales 25–35; opercle scaled in adults with 10–16 scales present; pectoral fin with ray count 18–20 and free tips on upper rays well developed and on the first ray longer than two thirds of the entire ray length; pelvic disc complete and with well-developed anterior membrane without lateral lobes; anterior oculoscapular canal with pore α at rear of orbit; oculoscapular row x1 not extending forwards to pore β; suborbital row d discontinuous with large gap below suborbital rows 3 and 4; eye diameter 1·08–1·32 in snout length; by pigment rows on cheek and pigmentation on pectoral-fin base.
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| Figure 1. Gobius incognitus sp. nov. (a) preserved holotype, NMP P6V 141129, male, 67·0 + 16·4 mm standard length + caudal-fin length, France, Gulf of Lyon, Banyuls-sur-Mer and (b) live specimen, NMP P6V 141128, male, 59·3 + 14·2 mm, France, Gulf of Lyon, Banyuls-sur-Mer. |
Diagnosis: Gobius incognitus sp. nov. is unique among species of Gobius by the following combination of characteristics: (1) LL 51–59; (2) PD 25–35; (3) opercle scaled in adults with 10–16 scales present; (4) P count 18–20; (5) free tips on upper P rays well developed and the first ray longer than two thirds of the entire ray length; (6) V disc complete; (7) V disc anterior membrane without lateral lobes; (8) anterior oculoscapular canal with pore α at rear of orbit; (9) oculoscapular row x1 not extending forwards to pore β; (10) suborbital row d discontinuous with large gap below suborbital rows 3 and 4; (11) eye diameter 1·08–1·32 in snout length; (12) the pigment dots on cheek irregularly scattered or, if rows are visible, then additional dots or a third row present across the middle of the cheek between the lower row starting anteriorly at the angle of mouth and the upper row that touches ventral margin of eye; (13) the upper mark on the P base single or doubled, reaching downwards to eighth to 10th rays counting from the upper part of fin.
Etymology: The species name is from the Latin incognitus meaning unknown in reference to the long period of time that passed until this common and widespread species was recognized and described.
Ecological and geographical distribution: The species was collected in the north, middle and south Adriatic Sea, in the north-western Mediterranean in France, Banyuls-sur-Mer and in the eastern Mediterranean at Crete Island and in Israel (Fig. 3).
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M. Kovačić and R. Šanda. 2016. A New Species of Gobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the Redescription of Gobius bucchichi.
Journal of Fish Biology. 88(3); 1104–1124. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12883 