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| Live colouration of Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. from around Fiji: (a) Lautoka, mixed rocky and sand habitat (©Leon Perrie, observed 1 July 2023, inaturalist.org); (b) Near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (©Jack Crosbie, 17 August 2023, inaturalist.org); (c) Drawaqa Island, Yasawas on sand flat with some seagrass in ≃18 m of water, (©Robert Macfarlane, 7 January 2024, modified); (d) Suva foreshore, on seagrass in ≃0.2 m of water (©Tom Vierus, observed 24 March 2022, inaturalist.org); (e) Mana Island, over seagrass (©Floyd E. Hayes, observed 27 March 2018, inaturalist.org). Glaus, White, O'Neill, Thurnheer & Appleyard, 2025 |
Abstract
Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. (Dasyatidae), a new species of blue-spotted maskray from Fiji, previously confused with Neotrygon kuhlii (Müller and Henle 1841) or Neotrygon trigonoides (Castelnau 1873), is described based on nine specimens (310–397 mm disc width) from Fiji. Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. is a large maskray with a broadly angled snout, long claspers in adult males and a median row of thornlets extending from the nape to the tail base. Fresh specimens have a brownish dorsal surface with dark mask-like marking covering across and between the eyes (sometimes indistinct), two large brown to black branchial blotches posterior to the spiracles, numerous black pepper-like spots mainly concentrated in masked area and the branchial blotches, and sometimes having small, dark-edged pale blue to whitish spots. The new species is further characterized by ocellated spots in the medial belt usually absent. Molecular analysis based on 570 bp of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial gene also supports that N. romeoi n. sp. is a distinct species from other congeners. The new species, known only from the Fiji Islands, may thus warrant inclusion in Fiji's Endangered and Protected Species Act.
Keywords: Fiji, endemic, new species, Oceania, South Pacific Ocean, species complex
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| Live colouration of Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. from around Fiji: (a) Lautoka, mixed rocky and sand habitat (©Leon Perrie, observed 1 July 2023, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/171357979); (b) Near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (©Jack Crosbie, observed 17 August 2023, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/180044335); (c) Drawaqa Island, Yasawas on sand flat with some seagrass in ≃18 m of water, (©Robert Macfarlane, 7 January 2024, modified); (d) Suva foreshore, on seagrass in ≃0.2 m of water (©Tom Vierus, observed 24 March 2022, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/109579248); (e) Mana Island, over seagrass (©Floyd E. Hayes, observed 27 March 2018, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/99347812). |
Neotrygon romeoi n. sp.
Etymology: The epithet is dedicated to the late Romeo Glaus, the father of the first author, in recognition of his lasting inspiration, enduring support and deep respect for nature.
Vernacular: Fiji Maskray.
Kerstin Glaus, William T. White, Helen L. O'Neill, Sarah Thurnheer and Sharon A. Appleyard. 2025. A New Blue-spotted Maskray Species (Neotrygon, Dasyatidae) from Fiji. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094 [09 June 2025]