[Ichthyology • 2025] Acentrogobius nigromaculatus • A New Species of Acentrogobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, with a revised diagnosis for Acentrogobius suluensis (Herre 1927)

Acentrogobius nigromaculatus

 Koreeda & Motomura, 2025

 

「イッテンホホグロスジハゼ」DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01044-9

facebook.com: Reo Koreeda

Abstract

The new gobiid species Acentrogobius nigromaculatus sp. nov., distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indo-West Pacific region from Rodrigues Island (Mascarene Islands) to Japan, and previously misidentified as Acentrogobius suluensis (Herre 1927), is described, together with a revised diagnosis of A. suluensis. The new species is distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characteristics: dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9 (rarely 10); anal-fin rays I, 9 (rarely 10); pectoral-fin rays 15–17; longitudinal scale series 26–32 (modally 29); transverse scales 9–12 (modally 10); pre-dorsal scales absent; first to fourth spines of first dorsal fin each with a filamentous tip (usually fourth spine longest; second and third spines of similar length; first spine shortest); head and nape naked; body mostly covered with ctenoid scales; cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales on thorax and just above pectoral-fin base; two brown stripes from just behind pectoral-fin base to caudal-fin base; five dark brown lateral blotches (rarely 6) on body, between lateral stripes; blue spots (sometimes indistinct) between and just above lateral stripes when fresh, but indistinct or absent on lateral blotches; black blotch on opercle; paired black spots on chin; single black spot on spine tip of second dorsal fin; longitudinal yellow (sometimes reddish-yellow) stripe on upper margin of caudal fin, just above longitudinal bluish stripe. The new species is similar to A. suluensis and Acentrogobius violarisi Allen 2015 in having a ladder-like lateral pattern on the body and a black blotch on the opercle but differs in having a naked pre-dorsal area, paired black blotches on the chin, a distinct black spot in the spine tip of the second dorsal fin, and yellow and blue stripes on the upper margin of the caudal fin, and lacking transverse red stripes and vertical black blotches laterally on the body.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Morphology, Yongeichthys, COI mt DNA

Acentrogobius nigromaculatus sp. nov. 

(New English name: Spotted Ladder Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Itten-hohoguro-suji-haze)

Etymology. The specific name “nigromaculatus” and part of the Japanese name “Itten” refer to the single black spot on the spine tip of the second dorsal fin.

Reo Koreeda and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2025. A New Species of Acentrogobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, with a revised diagnosis for Acentrogobius suluensis (Herre 1927).   Ichthyological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01044-9 [21 November 2025]

 facebook.com/100008955613897/posts/3758840624424421

【博物館・連合農学研究科】点があります。イッテンホホグロスジハゼ

https://www.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/topics/2025/12/post-2391.html

[Ichthyology • 2025] Vanderhorstia supersaiyan • A New Species of Vanderhorstia (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the twilight zone off Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan

Vanderhorstia supersaiyan 

Koeda, Hirasaka & Sato, 2025 

Supersaiyan Goby  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01047-6 

www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Abstract

Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov. (Perciformes: Gobiidae) is described from a single specimen (77.0 mm in standard length) collected from 210 m depth off Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan. The new species has two distinct yellow longitudinal stripes on the second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, which are unique features within the genus. The new species can also be clearly distinguished from congeners by other coloration features, including faint yellow spots on the head and dorsal body margin, distinct yellow blotches and yellow upper margin on the first dorsal fin, and four faint yellowish-brown diamond-shaped blotches laterally on the body. A combination of meristic and morphometric characters also set the new species apart from congeners, all of which inhabit significantly shallower depths. The study documents a new discovery in the twilight zone highlighting the value of advancing research in this little studied habitat.

Keywords: Vanderhorstia vandersteene, Vanderhorstia attenuate, Gobioidei, Twilight zone, Taxonomy, Ryukyu Archipelago

Images of the holotype of Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov., NSMT-P 151096, 77.0 mm SL, collected from off Ishigaki-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan; just after captured and fresh.

www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov.

(New English name: Supersaiyan Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Ereki-haze)

Etymology. The specific name of the new species, supersaiyan, refers to "Super Saiyan", a fictional transformation from the “Dragon Ball” manga series, famous for its golden yellow hair and glowing aura. In the present context, it refers to the unique bright yellow stripes and blotches of the new species. It is treated as a noun in apposition.

 Keita Koeda, Hiroshi Hirasaka and Mao Sato. 2025. Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov. (Perciformes: Gobiidae) collected from the twilight zone off Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan. Ichthyological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01047-6 [27 November 2025]

新種の魚を発見！その名もスーパーサイヤン！ ～石垣島沖から採集された新種のハゼに小枝助教らが命名～

https://www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/news/72516

 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Gobiodon spadix • A New Coral Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from southern Japan

 

Gobiodon spadix

Sato & Motomura, 2024

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00950-8 

Abstract

Gobiodon spadix sp. nov. is described on the basis of 37 specimens from Kyushu, and the Osumi and Tokara Islands, southern Japan. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9–11 (modally 9); anal-fin rays I, 8 or 9 (8); pectoral-fin rays 19–21 (20); body depth at pelvic-fin origin 32.4–38.3% (mean 36.0%) of standard length; distance between first dorsal-fin origin to dorsal-most point of pectoral-fin base 50.4–64.8% (55.2%) of head length (HL); pectoral fin relatively long, its length 90.6–112.5% (100.8%) of HL; groove between isthmus and interopercle absent; body uniformly reddish-brown; coloration of all fins darker than that of body; and five narrow vertical bluish stripes on lateral surface of head. The new species is currently known from southern Japan, Papua New Guinea, and northeastern Australia.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Coral reefs, Gobiodon quinquestrigatus, Gobiodon bilineatus, Acropora 

Holotype of Gobiodon spadix sp. nov. (KAUM–I. 185291, 31.3 mm SL, Satsuma Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan).
a–c Fresh specimen; d living specimen with host coral (Acropora solitaryensis); e preserved specimen.

a, d, e Lateral, b dorsal, and c ventral views

Gobiodon spadix sp. nov.

(New English name: Akane Coral Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Akane-kobanhaze)

Etymology. The specific name “spadix” is derived from Latin meaning “reddish-brown”, in reference to the ground coloration of the head and body.

Masayuki C. Sato and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2024. Gobiodon spadix, A New Coral Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from southern Japan.  Ichthyological Research. 71; 422–431. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00950-8 

[Ichthyology • 2023] Ophiocara gigas & O. macrostoma • The Genus Ophiocara (Gobiiformes: Butidae) in Japan, with Descriptions of Two New Species

Ophiocara ophicephalus (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1837)

  Ophiocara gigas 
Ophiocara macrostoma

 Kobayashi & Sato, 2023

 DOI: 10.1007/s10228-023-00919-z 

 twitter.com/agoblind

Abstract

A taxonomic review of the genus Ophiocara Gill 1863 in Japan resulted in a revised diagnosis for Ophiocara ophicephalus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1837) and descriptions of two new species, Ophiocara gigas and Ophiocara macrostoma, from the Ryukyu Archipelago. The three species are genetically isolated based on the mitochondrial COI region, being distinguished from each other and other congeners by differing combinations of opercular scale morphology, upper jaw length, caudal fin length, and coloration: Ophiocara ophicephalus is characterized by having ctenoid scales on the operculum and distinct silver or white spots on the head, body, and dorsal and caudal fins, and in juveniles the absence of bright markings on the lower part of the caudal fin base; O. gigas by two broad beige bands on the body, black spots scattered on the trunk, and in juveniles the presence of three bright markings on the caudal fin base; and O. macrostoma by a uniformly dark caudal fin, elongated upper jaw in adults (16.0–17.5% of standard length), and in juveniles the presence of two narrow bright bands on the body and three bright markings on the caudal fin base. One of two distinct color patterns, previously thought to represent intraspecific dimorphism of O. ophicephalus, is now considered characteristic of the new species O. gigas. The three species also exhibited distinct habitats, salinity preference, and maximum body length.

Keywords: Ophiocara gigas, Ophiocara macrostoma, Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Mangrove

Ophiocara ophicephalus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1837)

(English name: Spangled Gudgeon; 

standard Japanese name: Hoshi-madara-haze)

Distribution. Ophiocara ophicephalus is distributed within the Indo-Pacific region, reliable records including Japan (Ryukyu Archipelago: Yakushima, Tanegashima, Okinawa, Kume, Miyako, Irabu, Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni islands), Taiwan, the Philippines (Guimaras, Nabunot, Cebu, and Basilan islands), Palau, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia (Borneo and Tioman islands), Indonesia (Java, Bali, Ceram, and Sulawesi islands), Australia (northern Australia and Lizard Island), the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia.

Ophiocara gigas sp. nov.

(New English name: Giant Mud-gudgeon; 

new standard Japanese name: Kumo-madara-haze)

Etymology. The specific name “gigas” refers to the adult maximum size in this species, being greater than those of congeners.

Distribution. Ophiocara gigas is distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, reliable records being known from Japan (Ryukyu Archipelago: Amami-oshima, Okinawa, Zamami, Kume, Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni islands), the Philippines (Luzon Island), Palau, Micronesia, Indonesia (Peling Island off eastern Sulawesi, and Western Papua), the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. This species might be recorded from Papua New Guinea (New Ireland) (see discussion).

Ophiocara macrostoma sp. nov.

(New English name: Dark-fin Gudgeon; 

new standard Japanese name: Yami-madara-haze)

Etymology. The specific name “macrostoma” refers to the large mouth and relatively long jaw in this species.

Distribution. Ophiocara macrostoma is currently known only from Yakushima, Tanegashima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni islands in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

Hirozumi Kobayashi and Mao Sato. 2023. The Genus Ophiocara (Teleostei: Butidae) in Japan, with Descriptions of Two New Species. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-023-00919-z 

 twitter.com/agoblind/status/1690217286463037440 

[Ichthyology • 2023] Oryzias loxolepis • A New lacustrine Ricefish (Beloniformes: Adrianichthyidae) from central Sulawesi, with A Redescription of Oryzias marmoratus

Oryzias loxolepis Kobayashi, Mokodongan & Yamahira, 

in Kobayashi, Mokodongan, Horoiwa, Fujimoto, Tanaka, Masengi et Yamahira, 2023.

DOI: 10.1007/s10228-023-00908-2 

 twitter.com/agoblind

Abstract

Oryzias loxolepis, new species, is described from Lake Towuti in the Malili Lake system, central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Historically this new species has been confused with Oryzias marmoratus (Aurich 1935), which we redescribe. While both species share dark brown blotches on a grayish-brown trunk, O. loxolepis differs from O. marmoratus in having 11 abdominal vertebrae, 12 or 13 transverse scales, a shorter caudal peduncle, terminal mouth, reduced nuchal concavity, slanted trunk scales, and a rounded male dorsal fin. Oryzias loxolepis can be also distinguished from Oryzias profundicola Kottelat 1990, another sympatric congener in Lake Towuti, in having a longer snout in both sexes, in males in having a larger head and eyes, and a black margined dorsal fin, and in females in having a shallower body depth at the anal- and dorsal-fin origins. A phylogenetic analysis based on genome-wide single nucleotide variants reveals O. loxolepis to be a sister taxon to O. profundicola rather than O. marmoratus. The identities of specimens historically referred to “O. marmoratus” in previous genetic studies are re-evaluated.

Keywords: Oryzias loxolepis, Ancient lake, Freshwater fish, Indonesia, Ricefish, Taxonomy

Oryzias loxolepis Kobayashi, Mokodongan and Yamahira, new species

 Etymology. The specific name “loxolepis” is derived from Ancient Greek “loxos”, meaning “oblique” and “lepis” meaning “scales”, referring to the diagonally aligned scales of this species.

Hirozumi Kobayashi, Daniel F. Mokodongan, Mizuki Horoiwa, Shingo Fujimoto, Rieko Tanaka, Kawilarang W. A. Masengi and Kazunori Yamahira. 2023. A New lacustrine Ricefish from central Sulawesi, with A Redescription of Oryzias marmoratus (Teleostei: Adrianichthyidae). Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-023-00908-2

  twitter.com/agoblind/status/1643697607376764928

[Ichthyology • 2022] Ariosoma albimaculata • A New Congrid Eel (Anguilliformes: Congridae) from the southwest Coast of India, Arabian Sea

Ariosoma albimaculata 

Kodeeswaran, Dhas, Kumar & Lal, 2022

DOI: 10.1007/s10228-022-00882-1

Abstract

Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov. is described herein based on ten specimens [240–487 mm total length (TL)] collected from the deep-sea trawl landings at Colachel fishing harbour, off Kanyakumari, Arabian Sea, west coast of India. The new species is easily distinguished from all other congeners reported earlier, except its sympatric species, Ariosoma maurostigma Kodeeswaran, Mohapatra, Dhinakaran, Kumar and Lal 2022, having dark mark or streak present in the posterior-dorsal margin of eye orbit, but it readily differs from A. maurostigma with the presence of more total vertebrae (161–164 vs. 136–142 in A. maurostigma); more preanal vertebrae (66–68 vs. 47–51); occurrence of white spot or dot on just before the dorsal-fin origin (vs. absent in A. maurostigma); larger preanal length (49.7–55.7% TL vs. 44.0–48.8% TL); larger trunk length (30.4–33.3% TL vs. 23.5–30.2% TL); shorter tail length (44.6–48.2% TL vs. 47.8–54.6% TL). Further, A. albimaculata differs from its sister taxon A. maurostigma with a divergence of 8.1% and other congeners with the genetic distance of 15.0–28.8% in partial mitochondrial COI gene.

Keywords: Bathymyrinae, Arabian Sea, Systematics, New eel

Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov., NBFGR/CONAALB, holotype, 487 mm TL,
mature female, fresh colouration

Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov.

(New English name: White spotted stout conger)

Distribution. Indian Ocean: Off Kanyakumari, Arabian Sea.

Etymology. The species epithet “albimaculata” is derived from two Latin words albus = white and maculatus = spotted, denotes a white spot present on the dorsal-fin origin.

Paramasivam Kodeeswaran, Deepa Dhas, Thipramalai Thangappan Pillai Ajith Kumar and Kuldeep Kumar Lal. 2022. Description of A New Congrid Eel, Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov. (Anguilliformes: Congridae), from the southwest coast of India, Arabian Sea. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-022-00882-1 [06 July 2022]

[Ichthyology • 2022] Pteragogus turdus • A New Species of Wrasse (Perciformes: Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean

Pteragogus turdus 

Iino & Motomura, 2022

DOI: 10.1007/s10228-022-00875-0 

 www.Kagoshima-U.ac.jp

Abstract

Pteragogus turdus sp. nov. (Labridae) is described on the basis of 65 specimens (18.5–81.4 mm in standard length: SL) from the eastern Indian Ocean (Western Australia) and western Pacific Ocean. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: 10 dorsal-fin spines; 10–15 (modally 12, rarely 14 or 15) total gill rakers; dorsal profile of head straight; 10th dorsal-fin spine relatively short, its length 14.3–20.6% (mean 17.0%) of SL; longest pelvic-fin soft ray length 16.5–24.3% (20.4%) of SL; anterior two or three dorsal-fin spines with filamentous membrane tips in terminal phase males; anal-fin spines with relatively short filamentous membrane tips; anterior nostril with dark brown margin; three slightly curved bluish-gray vertical lines usually on cheek below eye when fresh; white stripe usually on head extending from snout tip to upper end of opercle through upper part of iris (distinct in life); large circular or elliptical dark brown blotch (subequal to eye size) margined with faint yellow or orange on upper opercle; a few small dark brown spots on mid-lateral surface of body; no black spots on abdomen; dark brown blotch on membrane between 1st and 2nd dorsal-fin spines (sometimes indistinct in life); dark brown spot usually below base of last dorsal-fin soft ray; pelvic fin generally pale reddish-white with a broad reddish-brown band medially.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Morphology, Distribution, Pteragogus cryptus

 fresh preserved specimen of Pteragogus turdus sp. nov.  
BPBM 16195, holotype, 68.5 mm SL, Alite Reef, Solomon Islands

(photo by J. Randall)

Pteragogus turdus sp. nov. (specimen not collected).
 adult individual, Ishigaki-jima Island, the Ryukyu Islands

 (photo by K. Nishiyama)

Pteragogus turdus sp. nov.

(New English name: Thrush Sneaky Wrasse; 

new standard Japanese name: Tanuki-ohagurobera)

Distribution. Widely known from the eastern Indian Ocean (Western Australia) and western Pacific Ocean (Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Palau, Micronesia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, eastern Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa) (Fig. 4).

Etymology. The specific name “turdus” is derived from Latin meaning “thrush”, in reference to the white stripe extending from the snout tip to the upper end of the opercle and an indistinct reticulated pattern on the body, which are reminiscent of the dusky thrush (Turdus eunomus).

 

Tomoka Iino and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2022. Pteragogus turdus, A New Species of Wrasse (Perciformes: Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-022-00875-0

【博物館】インド・西太平洋に広く分布するベラ科魚類の新種を発見、国内では屋久島以南に分布

 www.Kagoshima-U.ac.jp/topics/2022/06/post-1927.html

ปลานกขุนทองขี้อาย (Cryptic wrasse) Pteragogus cryptus

[Ichthyology • 2021] Chimaera compacta • A New Species (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae) from southern Indian Ocean, and An Estimate of Phylogenetic Relationships within the Genus Chimaera

 Chimaera compacta  

Iglésias, Kemper & Naylor, 2021

DOI: 10.1007/s10228-021-00810-9

 twitter.com/ISYEBsp

Abstract

Chimaera compacta sp. nov., a new species of shortnose chimaera (Holocephali: Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae), is described from a single specimen collected at 595–655 m depth, off Amsterdam Island, in the southern Indian Ocean. The species is easily distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: massive head with short snout; stocky and relatively long trunk 44% BDL, short tail with second dorsal fin base 72% BDL; long pelvic fin anterior margin 26% BDL. Caudal fin dorsal origin slightly posterior to caudal fin ventral origin. Firm, non-deciduous skin; brown color with yellow blotches. Chimaera compacta sp. nov. is morphologically close to Chimaera lignaria Didier 2002 from New Zealand and Chimaera willwatchi Clerkin, Ebert and Kemper 2017 from south western Indian Ocean. The new species can be distinguished from other Chimaera species based on DNA sequences divergence of the COI and NADH2 genes. This species has a nucleotide sequence divergence (uncorrected p distances) for the studied genes of 4.2 and 4.1%, respectively, with its closest relatives. Phylogenetically, Chimaera compacta sp. nov. is nested within a well-supported group including Chimaera carophila Kemper, Ebert, Naylor and Didier 2014, Chimaera didierae Clerkin, Ebert and Kemper 2017, C. lignaria, Chimaera macrospina Didier, Last and White 2008, Chimaera notafricana Kemper, Ebert, Compagno and Didier 2010, Chimaera opalescens Luchetti, Iglésias and Sellos 2011, and C. willwatchi. It is the first Chimaeridae described for the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Keywords: New species, Holocephali, DNA barcoding, Phylogeny, Saint-Paul and Amsterdam Islands

Lateral view of  Chimaera compacta sp. nov. (thawed), holotype, MNHN-IC 2005-1749,
adult female, 843+ mm TL, 705 mm PCL, 561 mm BDL.

 Scale bar 100 mm

Chimaera compacta sp. nov.

 (New English name: Stubby Chimaera; 

new French name: Chimère trapue)

Etymology: The epithet compacta is from the Latin compactus (stocky, stubby) and refers to the stubby body, short tail and massive head characteristic of the species.

Samuel P. Iglésias, Jenny M. Kemper and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2021. Chimaera compacta, A New Species from southern Indian Ocean, and An Estimate of Phylogenetic Relationships within the Genus Chimaera (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae). Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-021-00810-9

 twitter.com/ISYEBsp/status/1377665843866255363

[Ichthyology • 2020] Rhynchobatus mononoke • A New Species of Wedgefish (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinidae) from Japan, with Comments on Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch and Schneider 1801)

Rhynchobatus mononoke  

Koeda, Itou, Yamada & Motomura, 2020

モノノケトンガリサカタザメ ||  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00777-z   

Abstract

Rhynchobatus mononoke sp. nov. (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinidae) is described from mature male and female specimens from southern Japan. A juvenile specimen, newly born from a captive individual collected from Kagoshima, is also referenced (non-type). The new species can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of its obtusely wedge-shaped snout, bluntly rounded dorsal fins, first dorsal fin originating about level with the pelvic-fin origin, and the outer fold on the spiracle posterior margin more pronounced than the inner fold. Distinctive coloration of the new species included a black blotch, followed by a single white spot (rarely absent) posterodorsally on the middle of the pectoral disc, and a large black blotch covering the anterior half of the undersurface of snout. Distinct white spots distally on the pectoral disc to the middorsal area were absent. Most previous records of species of Rhynchobatus in Japanese waters were reidentified as Rhynchobatus australiae, except for the records from the northern East China Sea. Rhynchobatus mononoke appears to be endemic to southern Japan.

Keywords: Rhynchobatus australiae, Rhynchobatus djiddensis, Rhynchobatus laevis, Taxonomy, Endemic species, East China Sea, Rays

Fig. 1: Fresh holotype of Rhynchobatus mononoke sp. nov., off Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, Japan. KAUM–I. 80332, 1167 mm TL, male

Photographs of Rhynchobatus mononoke sp. nov. (specimens not retained). Kagoshima:
 ca. 2000 mm TL, captive bred individual.

Rhynchobatus mononoke sp. nov.

(New English name: Japanese Wedgefish; 

new standard Japanese name: Mononoke-tongarisakatazame
モノノケトンガリサカタザメ)

 Rhynchobatus djiddensis (not Forsskål 1775): Yamada et al. 2007: 94, pl. 5–5, (northern East China Sea); Kagoshima City Aquarium Foundation 2008: 32, fig. (Kagoshima, Japan, photograph of freshly captured individual); Kagoshima City Aquarium Foundation 2018: 37, fig. (Kagoshima, Japan, photograph of freshly captured individual).

Fresh paratype of Rhynchobatus mononoke sp. nov., off Nagasaki, Japan. KBF-I 1085, 1295 mm TL, male

Etymology. The specific name of the new species, mononoke - もののけ, means “specter” in Japanese, due to the ventral surface of specimens appearing like a traditional Japanese specter, wearing a triangular white hat (crown) on its forehead. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

 

Keita Koeda, Masahide Itou, Morihiko Yamada and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2020. Rhynchobatus mononoke, A New Species of Wedgefish (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinidae) from Japan, with Comments on Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch and Schneider 1801). Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00777-z  

「もののけ」が世に出ました

kuroshio.or.jp/「もののけ」が世に出ました/

Ray at Kagoshima aquarium revealed as new species

 japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/27/national/ray-kagoshima-new-species

[Ichthyology • 2020] Roa haraguchiae • A New Species of Butterflyfish (Perciformes: Chaetodontidae) from Japan and the Philippines

Roa haraguchiae 

Uejo, Senou & Motomura, 2020

 DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00735-9 

photo by A. Mishiku.

Abstract

A new butterflyfish, Roa haraguchiae, is described on the basis of eight specimens (63.2–92.8 mm standard length: SL) collected from Japan and the Philippines. The new species is most similar to Roa rumsfeldi Rocha, Pinheiro, Wandell, Rocha and Shepherd 2017, known only from the holotype from the Philippines. Both species are distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: long snout (12.6–14.1% of SL), lesser head depth (46.2–54.9%), short postorbital area (12.1–14.1%) and pectoral fin (27.9–32.4%), and second and third bands on the body without blackish edges. The new species is however easily distinguished from R. rumsfeldi (based on the original description and an additional Philippine specimen) in having 5–8 non-pored lateral-line scales (vs. 13 scales in the latter), 11 or 12 scale rows above the lateral line (vs. 8), 22–28 scale rows below the lateral line (vs. 19), 10–12 scale rows under the longer axis of a black blotch on the dorsal-fin soft-rayed portion (vs. 8), the anterior margin of the second body band not reaching anteroventrally to the pelvic-fin spine base, and the pelvic-fin spine and first soft ray white (vs. black).

Keywords: Taxonomy, Roa rumsfeldi, East China Sea, Morphology, Description

Underwater photographs of Roa haraguchiae sp. nov. from Japan.
KPM-NR 79633B, ca. 2.5 cm SL, 67 m depth (right side, reversed), Suruga Bay, Shizuoka

(photo by A. Mishiku - Specimen not collected).

Underwater photographs of Roa haraguchiae sp. nov. from Japan.
KAUM–II. 76, ca. 8.0 cm TL, 70 m depth, off Sakurajima, Kagoshima Bay, Kagoshima

(photo by S. Dewa - Specimen not collected). 

Roa haraguchiae sp. nov.

(New English name: White-spine Butterflyfish; 

new standard Japanese name: Panda-genrokudai)

Chaetodon modestus (not of Temminck and Schlegel 1844): Ida 2009: 389, unnumbered uppermost middle fig. (Izu Peninsula, Japan)

Roa sp.: Uejo and Motomura 2017: 169, unnumbered fig. (off Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines)

Distribution: Currently known from off Iloilo, Panay Island, the Philippines, and the East China Sea, Japan (146–162 m depth).

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Mrs. Yuriko Haraguchi, who has kindly supported our ichthyological research and fish collection management at the Kagoshima University Museum as a volunteer over 15 years.

Takuya Uejo, Hiroshi Senou and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2020. Roa haraguchiae, A New Species of Butterflyfish (Teleostei: Perciformes: Chaetodontidae) from Japan and the Philippines. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00735-9

 twitter.com/SpringerJP_LS/status/1233315489465565184

[Ichthyology • 2020] Careproctus shigemii • A New Species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and A Redescription of the Blacktip Snailfish Careproctus zachirus

Careproctus shigemii

Matsuzaki, Mori, Kamiunten, Yanagimoto & Kai, 2020

 DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00734-w

Abstract

A new snailfish, Careproctus shigemii, is described on the basis of three specimens collected in the southern Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan. The new species has previously been confused with Careproctus zachirus Kido 1985, known from the Aleutian Islands, eastern Bering Sea, the Pacific Ocean off southeastern Kamchatka and the northern Kuril Islands, and the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido, Japan, because of their similar appearance, including a noticeably elongate pectoral fin extending beyond the anal-fin origin, the gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin, no opercular flap projection, one suprabranchial pore, and trilobed teeth. However, C. shigemii is clearly differentiated from C. zachirus in having dorsal and anal fins margined with black (vs. white margined dorsal and anal fins with a black submarginal band), and a black caudal fin (vs. pale pink caudal fin), when fresh. Careproctus shigemii differs additionally from C. zachirus in having the cephalic pore pattern 2-6-6-1 (vs. 2-6-7-1), 30–35 pyloric caeca (vs. 20–31), and a shorter pectoral fin lower lobe, 8.2–9.9% SL (vs. longer lobe, 15.9–25.6% SL). A large sequence divergence between C. shigemii and C. zachirus (0.028 in uncorrected p-distance) in the DNA barcoding region (COI) also supports the validity of each species. A redescription of C. zachirus is also provided on the basis of the holotype, paratypes and non-type specimens.

Keywords: Careproctus shigemii, COI, Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Western North Pacific

Careproctus shigemii sp. nov. 
AMF-2-11-04-00-0031, paratype, 231.4 mm SL.

Careproctus shigemii sp. nov.

(New Japanese name: Otohime-Kon’nyaku-uo)

Distribution. Known only from the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan. Collection depths ranged from 200 to 300 m. By comparison, C. zachirus in the same area occupies depths of ca. 500–800 m.

Etymology. Named after the late Shigemi Fujimoto, a fisherman of Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan, who assisted our team in collecting various marine organisms, including the present new species, and contributed significantly to our efforts to understand the marine biodiversity of Rausu and Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Heritage Area.

Koji Matsuzaki, Toshiaki Mori, Moeko Kamiunten, Takashi Yanagimoto and Yoshiaki Kai. 2020. A New Species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and A Redescription of the Blacktip Snailfish Careproctus zachirus. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00734-w

Aquamarine Fukushima Discovered in Shiretoko, Hokkaido!公 表 Announcement of the release of a new species of  deep-sea fish “Otohime Konjac” re-how.net/exhibition/418862

prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000030.000043556.html

[Ichthyology • 2019] Netuma patriciae • A New Sea Catfish (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from the Philippines

Netuma patriciae  

Takahashi, Kimura & Motomrua, 2019

 DOI: 10.1007/s10228-019-00719-4 

 twitter.com/halooie1

Abstract

A new sea catfish (Ariidae), Netuma patriciae, is described based on the holotype and nine paratypes, 127.3–303.4 mm in standard length, collected from Panay and Luzon islands, Philippines. The new species most resembles N. thalassina (Rüppell 1837), in sharing counts of anal-fin rays (17–19 in N. patriciae, 15–17 in N. thalassina) and a distinct dorsomedian head groove (longitudinal length of the groove, 33.7–40.1% of head length, 22.3–31.0%). However, the new species can be easily distinguished from the latter in having fused vomerine tooth patches, and more numerous free vertebrae (43–44 vs. 41–42 in N. thalassina). Although N. bilineata (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1840a) has also fused vomerine tooth patches, the new species is distinguished by having fewer free vertebrae (43–44 vs. 47–51 in N. bilineata) and longer dorsomedian head groove (33.7–40.1% of head length vs. 0–9.7%). The new species can also be easily distinguished from both N. thalassina and N. bilineata by having a filamentous dorsal-fin ray (longest dorsal-fin ray 26.9–35.9% of standard length vs 20.3–23.3% in N. thalassina, 20.9–25.3% in N. bilineata, standard length > 127 mm) and a U-shaped junction of dorsomedian head ridge (vs. V-shaped in both species).

Keywords: Teleostei, Fork-tailed catfish, Netuma thalassina, Netuma bilineata, Taxonomy 

Netuma patriciae sp. nov. KAUM–I. 98403, holotype, 200.1 mm SL, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines, fresh condition;

Netuma patriciae sp. nov.

(New English name: Whipfin Sea Catfish)

Etymology. The specific name patriciae is in honor of Patricia J. Kailola, the University of the South Pacific and Pacific Dialogue Ltd, in recognition of her research on the catfish family Ariidae.

Distribution. Known only from Panay Island and Manila Bay, Philippines. Type locality Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines.

Yumeka Takahashi, Seishi Kimura and Hiroyuki Motomrua. 2019. A New Sea Catfish, Netuma patriciae (Siluriformes: Ariidae), from the Philippines. Ichthyological Research.  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-019-00719-4 

 twitter.com/halooie1/status/1194601799170310145

[Ichthyology • 2018] Epinephelus craigi • A New Species of Grouper (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the South China Sea

Epinephelus craigi  

 Frable, Tucker & Walker, 2018

  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9

Illustration by Emilie Stump.  twitter.com/Frable

Abstract

A new species of grouper, Epinephelus craigi sp. nov., from the South China Sea is described from 17 specimens (104–250 mm SL). The new species is distinguished from Epinephelus stictus (Randall and Allen 1987) with which it has historically been conflated, based on coloration, meristics, morphology, and genetics. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. has a unique color pattern of irregular squarish, dark brown blotches interrupting lighter brown bars along the lateral midline of the body, and small dots on the dorsal surface of the body. Additionally, E. craigi sp. nov. has a longer upper jaw, shorter snout length, narrower interorbital width, and shorter caudal peduncle than E. stictus. Both E. stictus and the new species are relatively deep-water species, with the new species occurring to at least 93 m. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. is known from the South China Sea and E. stictus is known from Western Australia and southern Indonesia, suggesting allopatric and anti-equatorial distributions. DNA sequence divergence data of the mitochondrial COI gene further supports the distinction of E. craigi sp. nov. from E. stictus.

Keywords: Epinephelus stictus, Five-bar grouper, Species description, Cytochrome oxidase I 

Composite illustration of Epinephelus craigi, based on multiple specimens and market photographs, approximately 175 mm SL.

Illustration by Emilie Stump. 

Epinephelus craigi sp. nov.

(New English name: Brokenbar Grouper; 

Chinese name in Hong Kong: Cheung-pei-paan) 

....

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Matthew T. Craig for his significant contributions to the conservation and scientific understanding of groupers and their relatives.

Benjamin W. Frable, Sarah J. Tucker and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2018. A New Species of Grouper, Epinephelus craigi (Perciformes: Epinephelidae), from the South China Sea. Ichthyological Research.  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9  

twitter.com/Frable/status/1061002418102489088