[Ichthyology • 2026] Solenostomus snuffleupagus • A hairy Ghost Pipefish (Syngnathiformes: Solenostomidae) from the Southwest Pacific, with an integrative comparison to S. paegnius

Solenostomus snuffleupagus

Short & Harasti, 2026   

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70497

 

Abstract

A new species of ghost pipefish, Solenostomus snuffleupagus sp. nov., is described from the Coral Sea based on specimens (18–34 mm SL) collected from coral reef habitats in Queensland, Australia. The species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: abundant elongate integumentary filaments imparting a conspicuously shaggy appearance; 36 total vertebrae (vs. 32–34 in all congeners); compact body form with a short, deep pretrunk (11%–14% SL); sexually dimorphic supraoccipital crests (moderately elevated in females, strongly developed in males); and two modified anchor-like ossicles spanning the pterygiophores in both soft dorsal and anal fins. Micro-CT imaging reveals distinctive pretrunk ossicle configuration characterized by deep angular interspaces and absence of a ventral ossicle series. Mitochondrial COI sequences indicate an uncorrected p-distance of 22.0% from the superficially similar S. paegnius, a species with which it has long been confused in museum collections and citizen science databases. Field observations document consistent association with dense filamentous red macroalgae, with body coloration closely matching host substrate. The species is currently known from the southwest Pacific, including northeastern Australia (Coral Sea), Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga, representing a southwestern Pacific distribution.

Solenostomus snuffleupagus, in situ, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2022: (a) adult individual; (b) female specimen used for genetic analysis; (c) male specimen used for genetic analysis (photographs by David Harasti).

Micro-CT reconstructions (lateral view) of Solenostomus snuffleupagus:
(a) holotype, female, AMS I.33751-047; (b) paratype, male, NTM S.13600–047. DF, dorsal-fin; PF, pectoral-fin; sAF, soft anal-fin; sDF, soft dorsal-fin. Numbers 1 and 2 indicate the respective pterygiophores supporting the soft dorsal- and anal-fins.

 Taxonomy

Family Solenostomidae 

Genus Solenostomus Lacépède 1803 

 Solenostomus snuffleupagus, Short and Harasti, new species

Diagnosis: A species of Solenostomus distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body compact and vertically deep anteriorly; pretrunk deep (24.4%–29.2% SL); abundant, elongate integumentary filaments conferring a conspicuously shaggy appearance, particularly dense on snout, jaws, head and fin extremities; pretrunk ossicles are narrow and elongated, separated by deep angular interspaces, forming a distinctive compact lattice; There are total 36 vertebrae. The supraoccipital crest is elevated and rounded in females, but strongly pronounced in males. There are two modified anchor-like ossicles spanning the pterygiophores in both the soft dorsal fin (19–20 rays) and anal fin (18–19 rays). The soft dorsal fin has 19–20 rays, the anal fin has 18–19 rays, the pectoral fin has 27 rays, the caudal fin has 15 rays.

Etymology: The specific epithet snuffleupagus refers to the shaggy character Mr. Snuffleupagus, also known as ‘Snuffy’, from the children's television series Sesame Street™, in allusion to the species' distinctly shaggy, filamentous appearance and snout reminiscent of the character's covering and trunk. The name is treated as a noun in apposition (ICZN Article 31.1.2).

Solenostomus paegnius, in situ: (a) Indonesia (photograph by Richard Smith); (b) Philippines, male–female pair with the female positioned above the male in the water column (photograph by Lynn Funkhouser); (c) Philippines, male–female pair with the female positioned above the male in the water column (photograph by Alex Tyrrell @dive4photos).

 

Graham Short and David Harasti. 2026. Solenostomus snuffleupagus sp. nov., A hairy Ghost Pipefish (Teleostei: Solenostomidae) from the Southwest Pacific, with an integrative comparison to S. paegnius. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70497 [10 May 2026]

 

[Ichthyology • 2026] Tympanopleura personata • A New Species of inseminating Catfish of the Genus Tympanopleura (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Ituxi River, Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil, revealed by integrative taxonomy

Tympanopleura personata

 Ribeiro, Silva-Oliveira, Magalhães, Gama & Py-Daniel, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70445 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Tympanopleura is described from the Iquiri River, a tributary of the Ituxi River, a right-bank tributary to the Purus River, Amazon River, northern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by a combination of features, such as the presence of an intensely pigmented square-shaped blotch on the supraoccipital, a semicircular dark blotch above each eye and an inconspicuous vertical bar on the caudal-fin base (except Tympanopleura piperata), and by a combination of meristic and morphometric character states. Preliminary molecular analyses demonstrate genetic distance values of 2.4% of cytochrome oxidase, subunit I, divergence between the new species and T. piperata and 8.0%–13.0% between the new species and the other congeners. The new species shows several reproductive adaptations to copulation and internal insemination. Considering the period during which prenuptial and nuptial specimens were available, we can presume that its reproductive period occurs when the water level increases. In addition, an identification key for the species of Tympanopleura is provided.

Tympanopleura personata in life, in dorsal (a) lateral, (b) ventral views and (c) dorsal views, UFOPA-I 1374, 84.0, mm LS, paratype, Iquiri River, Lábrea, Amazonas, Brazil.

  Tympanopleura personata, new species

Diagnosis: Tympanopleura personata is distinguished from all congeners by having a unique colouration of the head, consisting of the combination of an intensely pigmented square-shaped blotch on the supraoccipital and a semicircular dark blotch above each eye (Figure 2; Walsh et al., 2015: Figure 1e). It also differs from all congeners, except T. piperata, by the caudal-fin pigmentation, consisting of a patch of scattered melanophores forming an inconspicuous vertical bar on the caudal-fin base, most visible in live or freshly preserved specimens (Figure 2). Tympanopleura personata differs from T. piperata by having a longer caudal peduncle (11.1%–13.8% LS vs. 7.6%–10.5% LS) and a smaller distance between the insertion of the last dorsal-fin ray and adipose-fin origin (41.9%–45.6% LS vs. 45.9%–55.4% LS). Additionally, T. personata can be distinguished from T. atronasus, T. cryptica, T. brevis, T. piperata and T. rondoni by having more anal-fin rays (36–40, mode 39 vs. 23–30, mode 27 in T. atronasus; 23–30, mode 29 in T. cryptica; 31–36, mode 33 in T. brevis; 31–38, mode 35 in T. piperata; and 28–37, mode 31 in T. rondoni) and few total gill rakers (17–20, mode 19 vs. 20–24, mode 23 in T. brevis; 21–26, mode 22 in T. cryptica; 19–25, mode 23 in T. longipinna; and 24–33, mode 29–30 in T. rondoni).

Etymology: The specific epithet personata is derived from the Latin personatus, meaning masked, in reference to the dorsal pigmentation of the head. It is treated as a noun in apposition. Gender is feminine.

Frank Raynner V. Ribeiro, Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Valdenor Magalhães, Lucas Gama and Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel. 2026. A New Species of inseminating Catfish of the Genus Tympanopleura (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Ituxi River, Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil, revealed by integrative taxonomy. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70445 [13 April 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Redefinition of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933) (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) and Description of Stemonosudis dianea, A New Species from the western Atlantic Ocean

[A-B] Stemonosudis dianea  Ho & Bemis, 2026 
Stemonosudis intermedia  (Ege, 1933)

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342

 

Abstract

We examined specimens of slender barracudina in the genus Stemonosudis collected from the western Atlantic Ocean. Investigation revealed that seven specimens represent the first adult records of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933), previously known only from juveniles. We redescribed S. intermedia based on the holotype and newly recognized adult and juvenile specimens, and using this ontogenetic series, we document changes in coloration from light-brown juveniles to black adults. We also determined that some specimens from the western Atlantic Ocean previously identified as S. intermedia represent a new species, which we describe herein based on three adults and five juvenile specimens. The new species differs from congeners by having 43–44 anal-fin rays, 117–121 total vertebrae and a pale mouth, gill chamber and gill arches, among a combination of other characters. We also provide information on the lectotype of S. similis (Ege, 1957), which remains known only from the type series.

Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, Ichthyology, nomenclature, taxonomy

Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov., fresh coloration.
(a) Holotype USNM 407498, 332 mm SL, photograph by Cristina Castillo.
(b) Paratype USNM 407509, 348 mm SL, photograph by Sandra Raredon.

 Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov.

English name: Diane's Slender Barracudina

Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933), fresh coloration of adults. Right side photographed, reflected to face left. USNM 407096, 277 mm SL. (a) Lateral view of body. (b) Close up of head.

Photographs by Ross Robertson.

Hsuan-Ching Ho and Katherine E. Bemis. 2026. Redefinition of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933) and Description of A New Species from the western Atlantic Ocean (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342 [30 March 2026]

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/ferocious-predator-and-important-prey-new-barracudina-species-named-smithsonian

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hyphessobrycon pastanai • A New Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae: Hyphessobryconinae) of the Hyphessobrycon agulha lineage from the lower Aripuanã Basin, Brazil, with comments about the lineage

Hyphessobrycon pastanai

 Faria, Ohara, Monteiro & Oliveira, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70379 

  Researchgate.net/publication/401289168

 

Abstract

A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described from a tributary of Rio Jatuarana, lower Rio Aripuanã basin, Rio Madeira basin, Apuí, Amazonas. The new species is part of the Hyphessobrycon agulha lineage, with the typical midlateral narrow black stripe immediately followed dorsally by an iridescent stripe. Its phylogenetic position is corroborated by the DNA barcoding methodology, which also indicates the new species as closely related to Hyphessobrycon ericae and Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi, with both possessing very distinct colour patterns. The new species can be distinguished from all species of Hyphessobrycon by the association of a well-defined and horizontally elongated humeral blotch with a ventral diffuse expansion, a conspicuous caudal peduncle blotch restricted to the ventral half of the caudal peduncle and proximal half of mid rays of caudal fin, the presence of a red midlateral stripe dorsal to the iridescent stripe and lateral-line scale counts.

Keywords: biodiversity, Hyphessobrycon ericae, Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi, Ichthyology, Rio Amazonas

Hyphessobrycon pastanai n. sp. Living specimens.
Brazil, Amazonas, Apuí, stream tributary of Rio Jatuarana, Rio Aripuanã basin, Rio Madeira basin.
(a) MZUSP 117609, unsexed; (b) LBP 32949, female. 

Hyphessobrycon pastanai n. sp. 

Etymology: The specific epithet is a homage to Dr. Murilo Nogueira de Lima Pastana, dear friend, ichthyologist and curator in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, as a recognition of its important contributions to the knowledge of fishes from the Apuí region. A genitive noun.

Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus and Hyphessobrycon agulha species groups representatives.
(a) Hy. heterorhabdus, ZUEC 17135, female, Brazil, Belém region, picture of Douglas A. Bastos.
(b) Hy. agulha, LBP 33136, female, Brazil, Rio Mamuru basin.

Tiago C. Faria, Willian M. Ohara, Iann Leonardo Pinheiro Monteiro and Claudio Oliveira. 2026. A New Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) of the Hyphessobrycon agulha lineage of Hyphessobryconinae from the lower Aripuanã Basin, Brazil, with comments about the lineage. Journal of Fish Biology.  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70379 (26 February 2026)  

  Researchgate.net/publication/401289168_A_new_Hyphessobrycon_from_the_lower_Aripuana_basin_Brazil

[Ichthyology • 2026] ‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis • A New endemic pearl cichlid of the ‘Geophagus’ brasiliensis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) species group from the Piranga River, upper Doce River Basin, southeastern Brazil

 

‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis  Assis, Dergam & Henschel, 

in Assis, Dergam, Cunha, Machado, Hrbek, Vicente, Queiroz et Henschel, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70324

Abstract

A new species of pearl cichlid of the ‘Geophagus’ brasiliensis species group, endemic to the Piranga River, a major tributary of the upper Doce River basin in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, is herein described. The new species is delimited using an integrative approach, with molecular-based species delimitation methods coupled with morphological diagnosis. For this, we developed a matrix containing 27 sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of species of the ‘G.’ brasiliensis species group obtained from GenBank and three new sequences generated in this work. The species delimitation method applied to the morphological characters was Population Aggregation Analysis (PAA), and the species delimitation methods applied to the nucleotide sequences were the branch coalescence methods: Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) single-threshold and GMYC multi-threshold. The three molecular-based species delimitation methods corroborate that the haplotypes of ‘Geophagus’ from the Piranga River represent a new species distinguished from all other in the ‘G.’ brasiliensis species group by exclusive presence of clear, rounded spots in the posteriormost dorsal-fin rays in fixed adult specimens, and the combination of the following morphological characters: long snout (46.22%–52.74% of head length), tall head (94.08%–101.15% of head length), terminal mouth, 25 or 26 longitudinal scales on the E0 series, 14 or 15 spines on the dorsal fin, absence of bluish dots on the most anterior soft rays of the anal fin in live specimens and absence of bluish and longitudinal lines in the basal region of the caudal fin of live specimens. This work is the first description of a new species of the ‘G.’ brasiliensis species group from the Doce River basin.

Keywords: Atlantic forest, fish taxonomy, freshwater fish, Geophagini, integrative taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA

‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis, new species from Piranga River, upper Doce basin, Ponte Nova municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil:
top, MZUFV13723, live subadult specimen, 63.61 mm SL, collected by E. Henschel and photographed by C.E. de Assis;
bottom, MZUFV14666, live adult specimen, 96.21 mm SL, collected by C.E. de Assis and photographed by E. Henschel.

Scale bar: 10 mm.

‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis sp. n. Assis, Dergam & Henschel

 Diagnosis: ‘G.’ pirangaensis possess a unique diagnostic feature within the ‘G.’ brasiliensis group characterized by the presence of clear, rounded spots in the posteriormost dorsal-fin rays of fixed adult specimens (vs. absence, or, when present, spots are elliptical). It also differs from ‘G.’ brasiliensis by having a considerably longer snout (46.22%–52.74% HL vs. 38.36% HL) and terminal mouth (vs. subdorsal); from ‘G.’ diamantinensis by having a taller head (94.08%–101.15% HL vs. 77–86% HL) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal); from ‘G.’ iporangensis by having a caudal fin with a rounded distal margin (vs. straight distal caudal-fin margin) and 25 or 26 longitudinal scales in the E0 series (vs. 27 or 28); from ‘G.’ itapicuruensis by having a dark and rounded mid-lateral spot of live specimens (vs. dark and vertically elliptical mid-lateral spot) and 14 or 15 spines on the dorsal fin (vs. 13); from ‘G.’ multiocellus by the absence of small bright spots in the central region of the bluish spots on the caudal fin of living specimens (vs. presence) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal); from ‘G.’ obscurus by having small bluish spots in the opercular region of living specimens (vs. large bluish spots in the opercular region); from ‘G.’ rufomarginatus by the absence of bluish dots on the most anterior soft rays of the anal fin of living specimens (vs. presence), presence of denticles on gill rakers of the first branchial arch (vs. absence) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal); and from ‘G.’ santosi by the absence of bluish and longitudinal lines in the basal region of the caudal fin of living specimens (vs. presence) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal).

Cidimar E. de Assis, Jorge A. Dergam, Amanda F. Cunha, Valéria N. Machado, Tomas Hrbek, Natállia M. de F. Vicente, Victor de Queiroz and Elisabeth Henschel. 2026. A New endemic pearl cichlid of the ‘Geophagus’ brasiliensis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) species group from the Piranga River, upper Doce River Basin, southeastern Brazil. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70324 [05 January 2026]  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Liopropoma terecaudum • A New liopropomine basslet (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from northern Taiwan

Liopropoma terecaudum 

 Tang, Lai & Ho, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70086 

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Abstract

Liopropoma terecaudum sp. nov. is described based on 12 specimens collected off northern Taiwan. The new species most closely resembles two sympatric species, L. japonicum and L. dorsoluteum, but differs from both species and all other congeneric species of Liopropoma based on the following combination of morphological and colouration characters: caudal fin round; dorsal-fin elements VIII, 13 and lacking a distinct notch; lateral side of body with a broad red stripe; base of caudal fin with a large red blotch. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences places L. terecaudum in a clade with L. dorsolutum and L. japonicum. The average genetic divergences between L. terecaudum and L. dorsoluteum, and between L. terecaudum and L. japonicum, are measured to be 11.8% and 11.9%, respectively. The description of L. terecaudum brings the total number of Liopropoma in Taiwanese waters to 11.

Keywords: deep reefs, Ichthyology, integrative taxonomy, species diversity

Fresh colouration of Liopropoma terecaudum sp. nov.:
 (a) holotype, NMMB‐P34155, 146.6 mm SL; (b) NMMB‐P34205, paratype, 142.5 mm SL; (c) NMMB‐P34204, paratype, 140.8 mm SL.

Liopropoma terecaudum sp. nov. 

Chi-Ngai Tang, Nok-Wai Lai, Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2025. Description of A New liopropomine basslet, Liopropoma terecaudum, from northern Taiwan (Perciformes: Epinephelidae). Journal of Fish Biology. 107(3); 902-917. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70086 [29 May 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/392210819_Description_of_Liopropoma_terecaudum_from_northern_Taiwan

facebook.com/TVictorCN/posts/24548248174841819

[Ichthyology • 2025] Lentipes ptasan • A New Species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from the Western Pacific, with A Redescription of L. mindanaoensis

 

 Lentipes ptasan

Jhuang, Nañola, Li & Liao, 2025 

 

紋面韌鰕虎 | Tattooed-face Goby  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70277  

  facebook.com/WeiChengJhuang 

Abstract

Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from Taiwan and Mindanao Island. It is a large-sized Lentipes species distinguished by several male-specific characteristics, including an upper lip protruding beyond snout obviously, fewer premaxillary tricuspid teeth, two black lines running from the front of the eye through the nostrils to the tip of the snout, a wide brown longitudinal band at the base of the anal fin, and the distinctive nuptial coloration featuring a brown vertical band extending from back to belly on the middle of the body. The complex distribution of Lentipes species and their genetic differentiation may be influenced by sexual selection, historical biogeographic events and contemporary ecological processes. However, due to the recent divergence of Lentipes species, 11 out of 14 species could not be distinguished by the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Furthermore, Lentipes mindanaoensis is redescribed, with L. adelphizonus treated as its junior synonym.

Keywords: amphidromous goby, Sicydiinae, taxonomy, the Philippines, western Pacific Ocean

 

Live photos of Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. from Taiwan and Mindanao islands:
 (a, b) holotype, ASIZP0082286, male, 31.1 mm SL, Taiwan ((a) non-courting individual, photograph by M. T. Zhou; (b) nuptial colour, photograph by M. Hhuang);
 (c) paratype, ASIZP0082288, male, 35.6 mm SL, Taiwan (non-courting individual, photograph by H. P. Liang); (d) paratype, PNM15807, male, 41.9 mm SL, Mindanao (non-courting individual, photograph by H. P. Liang);
(e) paratype, PNM15811, female, 52.5 mm SL, Mindanao (photograph by F. Li); (f) aquarium photograph showing courtship behaviour of a male L. ptasan toward a female, specimens unpreserved, Mindanao (photograph by Z. H. Deng). Yellow arrowheads indicate the orange pattern on the female.

Close-up of the longitudinal band of the anal fin on two Lentipes species:
(a-1) Lentipes ptasan, holotype, ASIZP0082286, Taiwan (photograph by M.-T. Zhou); (a-2) L. ptasan, paratype, ASIZP0082288, Taiwan (photograph by W. C. Jhuang); (a-3) L. ptasan, paratype, PNM15807, Mindanao (photograph by W. C. Jhuang);
 (b-1) L. armatus, specimen not preserved, Taiwan (photograph by M. T. Zhou); (b-2) L. armatus, DOS09187-1, Cagayan (photograph by W. C. Jhuang); (b-3) L. armatus, DOS09891-4, Aurora (photograph by C. C. Yu).

  Lentipes ptasan sp. nov.

Chinese common name: 紋面韌鰕虎.

English common name: Tattooed-face Goby.

  

  Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by combination of characters and colour patterns: in males, a black spot on second dorsal fin, upper lip protruding obviously, fewer premaxillary tricuspid teeth, two black lines running from front of eye through anterior and posterior nostrils to tip of snout, anal-fin base with a brown wide longitudinal band, and nuptial coloration with a brown vertical bar extending from dorsum to belly at midbody; in females, an orange pattern around anus.

Etymology: The specific name ‘ptasan’ is derived from the Truku language (an indigenous tribe in Taiwan), meaning ‘facial tattoo’. It refers to the dark facial lines of the new species (Figure 7a,b), which resemble the facial tattoo traditions of indigenous peoples in Taiwan and the Philippines. A noun in apposition.

Facial portraits of males in 14 Lentipes species.
(a, b) Two types of Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. ((a) paratype, DOS10026, from Taiwan, photograph by K. H. Chen; (b) paratype, ASIZP0082288, from Taiwan, photograph by H. P. Liang);  (c) L. armatus from Taiwan, photograph by C. C. Yu;
(d) L. bunagaya from Taiwan, photograph by W. C. Jhuang; (e) L. dimetrodon from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (f) L. ikeae from West Java, photograph by H. P. Liang;
 (g) L. kijimuna (DOS09892-3) from Luzon, photograph by C. C. Yu; (h) L. kaaea from Taiwan, photograph by M. T. Zhou; (i) L. mekonggaensis from Sulawesi, photograph by H. P. Liang;
(j) L. mindanaoensis from Halmahera, photograph by H. P. Liang; (k) L. multiradiatus from Seram, photograph by H. P. Liang; (l) L. palawanirufus from Palawan, photograph by H. P. Liang;
(m) L. kolobangara from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (n) L. venustus from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (o) L. whittenorum from Sulawesi, photograph by H. P. Liang. (c–f) and (h–o) Unpreserved specimens.

Wei-Cheng Jhuang, Cleto L. Nañola Jr., Xiao Fei Li and Te-Yu Liao. 2025. Lentipes ptasan, A New Species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from the Western Pacific, with A Redescription of L. mindanaoensis. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70277 [21 November 2025]

 facebook.com/WeiChengJhuang/posts/4290413877844107

[Ichthyology • 2025] Rhodeus tugbae • Integrated molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new Rhodeus species (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathidae) from the Turkish Aegean Basin, with a redescription of Rhodeus meridionalis

Rhodeus tugbae

Kalaycı, Kurtul, Bayçelebi, Kaya & Turan, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70236  

 Researchgate.net/publication/396424187

 

Abstract

Rhodeus tugbae new sp. is described from some streams and rivers on the Turkish Aegean Sea coast. The new species is distinguished by a slightly sub-inferior mouth, a sharped predorsal keel, a body strongly compressed laterally and 3–4 scale rows between the anal-fin origin and the lateral series. This study contributes to understanding biodiversity and endemism in the freshwater ecosystems of the Aegean region. Rhodeus tugbae was compared to R. amarus and R. meridionalis, distributed in adjacent basin, using principal component analysis (PCA), and the results confirmed that R. tugbae differs from R. amarus and R. meridionalis. R. tugbae sp. nov. differed from its most closely related congener, R. meridionalis, by 14 diagnostic nucleotide substitution sites based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cyt b sequences. A revised description of R. meridionalis is also included due to the limited diagnostic features in the original description.

Keywords: Aegean region, Anatolian fresh water, fish morphology, phylogenetic, species description, taxonomy

 

Rhodeus tugbae:
(a) about 66 mm standard length (SL), inlet water of Tahtalı Dam Lake;
(b) about 55 mm SL, Stream Koca;
(c) about 62 mm SL; Stream Gördes, Gediz.

Gökhan Kalaycı, Irmak Kurtul, Esra Bayçelebi, Cüneyt Kaya and Davut Turan. 2025. Integrated molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new Rhodeus species (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathidae) from the Turkish Aegean basin, with a redescription of Rhodeus meridionalis. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70236 [11 October 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/396424187_a_new_Rhodeus_species_from_the_Turkish_Aegean_basin

[Ichthyology • 2025] Peckoltia amjikin • A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia Basin, Brazil

    

Peckoltia amjikin 

de Araújo, Ferreira, Silva & Wosiacki, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70235

Abstract

Here, we describe a new species of Peckoltia (Loricariidae; Hypostominae) from the rapids of the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, previously identified as Peckoltia vittata, using an integrative taxonomy approach. The new species is distinguished from congeners by ventral region presenting diffuse stripes on surface, not presenting spots or blotches on head and body, elongated odontodes on cheeks reaching the pectoral-fin spine when adpressed to body, space between the eyes not entirely covered by a blotch, parieto-supraoccipital moderately elevated, not forming an apparent crest, 14–26 teeth on premaxilla, 15–24 teeth on dentary, diminute plates with short odontodes on base of pectoral fins, and anterior part of urogenital opening, a less developed suspensorium, a prominent lateral wall of metapterygoid channel with sturdy base, including conspicuous ornated edges, adductor palatine crest forming a diminute roughly perceptible salient, diminute hyomandibula concave triangular shape. The phylogeny based on Cytb molecular marker recovered the new species placed with congener species, congruent with the morphological classification findings.

Keywords: Ancistrini, Hypostominae, rheophilic species, suckermouth armoured catfish

Live specimen of Peckoltia amjikin, collected in the rapids of the Rio Tocantins in São João do Araguaia city, PA, Brazil. Tan ground colouration is more evident than alcohol-preserved specimens; the bars on snout, body and fin bars are more definite

(Photo: Felipe Araújo).

Holotype of Peckoltia amjikin (MPEG 40735), 64.8 mm SL, Brazil, Tocantins, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Rio Tocantins basin.

  Peckoltia amjikin, new species

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘amjikin’ is treated as a noun in opposition. ‘Amji kin’ refers to a state of happiness for the Krahô people, speakers of the Timbira language (Macro-Jê trunk, Jês languages), and can be related to many cultural expressions within the Krahô's community, including singing, dancing, games, food bartering and ceremonial rituals. The Krahôs are located east of the Tocantins State in Brazil.

Felipe Arian Andrade de Araújo, Marlon Felipe Chumber Ferreira, Aline Nascimento Silva and Wolmar Benjamin Wosiacki. 2025. A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the rapids of the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, Brazil. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70235 [04 October 2025]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Ituglanis jussariensis • New insights into Ituglanis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Diversity in Bahia State, eastern Brazil: Description of A New Species and conservation status reappraisal

Ituglanis jussariensis

Vilardo, Katz & Costa, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70246 

 

Abstract

The northeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil harbours a remarkable diversity of species of Trichomycteridae, many of which remain poorly understood. This study describes a new species of Ituglanis, endemic to the Ribeirão São Roque, a stream tributary of Rio Piabanha, an affluent of Rio Colônia basin, Bahia State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: four pairs of ribs; 35 post-Weberian vertebrae, seven pectoral-fin rays; and a colour pattern consisting of irregular dark brown spots along the flanks and dorsal region. The specimens were encountered during field studies conducted in southern Bahia State aimed at collecting Ituglanis cahyensis and Ituglanis agreste. However, despite extensive efforts, neither of these species was found during surveys, suggesting potential population declines. Additionally, we reassess the conservation status of the species of Ituglanis from Bahia State, proposing status updates for three of the four previously described species based on recent field data and habitat assessments. The discovery of this new species underscores the urgent need for further exploration and collection in poorly sampled areas of the Atlantic Forest. Human activities, including deforestation and habitat degradation, continue to threaten these unique ecosystems. As demonstrated here, the description of new species contributes not only to a better understanding of biodiversity and evolutionary relationships within Ituglanis but also to conservation efforts in one of the most endangered biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, biodiversity, catfish, conservation status, Neotropics, systematics

Ituglanis jussariensis holotype. UFRJ 14477, 42.0 mm SL, stream tributary to Rio São Roque drainage, Rio Piabanha basin. Left lateral, dorsal and ventral views.

Ituglanis jussariensis sp. n. Vilardo, Katz and Costa.

Etymology: The specific name jussariensis refers to Jussari Municipality where the new species was discovered and collected.

Ituglanis jussariensis live holotype and paratype.
(a) UFRJ 14477, holotype, 42.0 mm SL. (b) UFRJ 13135, paratype, 44.0 mm SL.

(a,b) Rio São Roque drainage, Rio Piabanha basin, Jussari Municipality, Bahia State, Brazil, the type locality of Ituglanis jussariensis.

Paulo J. Vilardo, Axel M. Katz and Wilson J. E. M. Costa. 2025. New insights into Ituglanis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Diversity in Bahia State, eastern Brazil: Description of A New Species and conservation status reappraisal. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70246 [05 October 2025]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Etmopterus westraliensis • A New Species of Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from Western Australia, with Redescription of Etmopterus brachyurus

 

Etmopterus westraliensis

Ng, White, Liu & Joung, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70162 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395652184

Abstract

Etmopterus westraliensis is described as a new species based on six specimens collected from Western Australia, eastern Indian Ocean. The new species is assigned to the Etmopterus lucifer group due to its slender, elongate anterior and posterior branches of the flank markings. It shares the following combination of morphological characters with two congeners, Etmopterus brachyurus and Etmopterus samadiae: dermal denticles hook-like, a naked area present on underside of snout, denticles present on dorsal fins in mature individuals, the origin of flank-marking base anterior to a vertical line through origin of the second dorsal fin, caudal-fin base marking thin and slender and a relatively short posterior caudal-fin marking. The new species differs from E. brachyurus in having a longer caudal-fin base marking, ventral portion of caudal-fin base marking much longer than wide, and differs from E. samadiae in having a longer mouth, different shape of the naked area on underside of snout, thinner posterior branch of flank marking, caudal-fin base marking tip tapering and more monospondylous centra. The new species is also distinguished from E. brachyurus and E. samadiae by the mean genetic distance for the NADH2 gene, that is, 0.028 and 0.040, respectively. E. brachyurus is redescribed here based on the holotype together with additional specimens collected from the northwestern Pacific.

  Keywords: deep sea, Etmopterus brachyurus, Etmopterus lucifer group, taxonomy, Western Australia

Etmopterus westraliensis n. sp., fresh condition. 
 Paratype, CSIRO H 9025‐22, immature male 174 mm TL.
Photos copyright: CSIRO, Australian National Fish Collection. 

Etmopterus westraliensis 

Shing-Lai Ng, William T. White, Kwang-Ming Liu and Shoou-Jeng Joung. 2025. Etmopterus westraliensis, A New Species of Lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from Western Australia, with Redescription of Etmopterus brachyurus. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70162 [18 September 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395652184_Etmopterus_westraliensis_a_new_species_of_lanternshark_from_Western_Australia

[Ichthyology • 2025] Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus, H. angusticaudata, H. tangwenai, ... • Review of the southern African Slender Stonebashers, Genus Heteromormyrus Steindachner 1866 (Teleostei: Mormyridae), with Description of Six New Species

Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus, H. angusticaudata,
H. xanekweorum, H. chilembwei, 
H. tangwenai and H. ndauorum 

Mutizwa, Kadye, Bragança & Chakona, 2025

  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70191 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395577925

Abstract

Recent molecular studies have advanced our knowledge of the taxonomic diversity and generic placement of the slender stonebashers, previously placed in the genus Hippopotamyrus, in southern Africa. These fishes were recently transferred to the genus Heteromormyrus whose range encompasses the Kwanza, Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi, Pungwe and Buzi River systems in southern Africa, as well as the southern tributaries of the Congo River system. The present study builds on previous research that identified at least eight candidate species within the Heteromormyrus ansorgii species complex by providing formal descriptions for six new species and redescriptions of Heteromormyrus pauciradiatus and H. ansorgii s.s. The Kwanza River system is peculiar because it currently has five known species in this genus, some of which are co-distributed, whereas the other river systems have only one or two species in this genus. Two of the new species, Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus sp. nov. and Heteromormyrus angusticaudata sp. nov., are endemic to the Kwanza River system. Heteromormyrus xanekweorum sp. nov. is confined to the Okavango River system, Heteromormyrus chilembwei sp. nov. occurs in the Ruo River (lower Zambezi River system), Heteromormyrus tangwenai sp. nov. is endemic to the Pungwe River system and Heteromormyrus ndauorum sp. nov. is endemic to the Buzi River system. Species in this genus exhibit high morphological similarity, but they can be separated by a combination of characters, including scale counts, dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts, vertebral counts, caudal peduncle depth, position of nostrils, head shape and variation in colour pattern. Taxonomic diversity within this genus is likely to be higher than currently known, and future studies, particularly in the Kwanza and upper Zambezi rivers, are anticipated to uncover additional new species.

Keywords: diversity, freshwater, mormyrids, southern Africa, taxonomy

Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus sp. nov. 

Heteromormyrus angusticaudata sp. nov.

Heteromormyrus xanekweorum sp. nov. 

Heteromormyrus chilembwei sp. nov. 

 Heteromormyrus tangwenai sp. nov. 

 Heteromormyrus ndauorum sp. nov.

The range of colour patterns observed in Heteromormyrus lineages and species from southern Africa. 
 (b) Heteromormyrus sp. ‘K5’ (SAIAB 203161) had a clearly visible dark blotch present near the flexion point of the caudal fin.
(c) Heteromormyrus sp. ‘K3’ (SAIAB 84790) had a clearly visible dark blotch present near the flexion point of the caudal fin and a dark vertical bar just anterior to this blotch.
 (d) Heteromormyrus sp. ‘K1’ (SAIAB 85039) had a series of clearly visible thin curved vertical bars that were more conspicuous in the anterior portion of the flank.

 Scale bar = 1 cm.

 

Tadiwa I. Mutizwa, Wilbert T. Kadye, Pedro H. N. Bragança and Albert Chakona. 2025. Review of the southern African Slender Stonebashers, Genus Heteromormyrus Steindachner 1866 (Teleostei: Mormyridae), with Description of six new species. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70191 [17 September 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395577925_Review_of_Heteromormyrus_with_description_of_six_new_species