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| Sillago nigrofasciata Xiao, Yu, Song & Gao, 2021 |
Abstract
A new Sillago species, the black-banded sillago, Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov., is described based on 302 specimens sampled from the southern coast of China. Morphological comparisons have been conducted between the new species and ten other Sillago species. The results show that the new species is characterized by a black mid-lateral band below the lateral line when fresh; other characteristics are similar to those of Sillago sihama but subtle differences exist on the swim bladder between Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. and S. sihama. A detailed description and illustrations are provided for the new species. The validity of this new species is also supported by a genetic comparison using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
Keywords: DNA barcoding, molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology, swim bladder, taxonomy
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| Figure 2. A Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov., OUC_FEL178001, holotype, 151.2 mm SL, Fuding, China, B Sillago sihama, ZJOU_FEBL021131, 131.0 mm SL, Zhangzhou, China. |
Family Sillaginidae Richardson, 1846
Sillago Cuvier, 1817
Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific name nigrofasciata is a compound adjective derived from the Latin words referring to the wide mid-lateral black longitudinal band of this species, a diagnostic character of the species.
Diagnosis: Relatively large body and usually with a wide mid-lateral black stripe from opercular to caudal peduncle; dorsal-fin rays X–XII (mostly XI), I+20–22, soft anal fin rays 20–22; scales in lateral line 67–75, scales above lateral line 4–6; gill rakers 2–4+5–8; vertebra: abdominal 14 or 15 (mostly 14), modified 3–7 (mostly 4 or 5), caudal 13–18, and total 34 or 35 (mostly 34) (Table 3). Swim bladder with two posterior extensions, the origin of the duct-like process at the terminus of swim bladder and start at the joint of roots of two posterior extensions (Fig. 4).
Habitat: Habitat is similar to S. sihama in nearshore areas and frequently entering estuaries for considerable periods, it is common along the beaches, sand bars, and mangrove creeks with sandy substrates. Depths ranging from 0 to 20 m, and frequently captured by trawling vessels.
Distribution: Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. was only found along the southern coast of China including the coastal waters of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Actually, its distribution range is similar to that of S. sihama in China (Fig. 1).
Jia-Guang Xiao, Zheng-Sen Yu, Na Song and Tian-Xiang Gao. 2021. Description of A New Species, Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. (Perciformes, Sillaginidae) from the southern Coast of China. ZooKeys. 1011: 85-100. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1011.57302
