Showing posts with label Maldives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maldives. Show all posts

Friday, January 17, 2025

[Ichthyology • 2025] Plectranthias raki • A New Species of Perchlet (Perciformes: Serranidae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives


Plectranthias raki 
Shepherd, Pinheiro, Najeeb, C. R. Rocha & L. A. Rocha, 2025 
 

Abstract
Herein, we describe a new species of Plectranthias perchlet found at depths of 100–125 meters in mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Plectranthias raki sp. nov. is unique in both morphology and coloration. The following combination of characters distinguishes it from all known congeners: dorsal fin X, 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 13 | 13 (13 | 12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30–32 tubed scales; gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; and absence of antrorse or retrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle. Coloration in life consists of a white to light pink body with two indistinct rows of irregularly shaped red-orange to yellow-orange patches along the dorsal two-thirds of the body, a golden-yellow opercle and maxilla, an indistinct yellow stripe on the dorsal fin, two yellow spots near the base of the anal fin, and two irregularly shaped yellow-orange spots located on either side of centermost caudal-fin rays. With this publication, the genus Plectranthias now comprises 67 valid species. This discovery adds to a strong body of research highlighting the novel biodiversity of mesophotic ecosystems, especially in locations like the Indian Ocean, where few prior ichthyological surveys have been conducted.

Key words: COI gene, deep reefs, ichthyology, Indian Ocean, rebreather diving, taxonomy
 
Holotype (left) and paratype (right) of  Plectranthias raki sp. nov.
 Holotype CAS-ICH 248439 66.2 mm SL, shortly after collection (A), preserved specimen (B) and x-radiograph (C).
Paratype LACM 61827, 70.4 mm SL, shortly after collection (D), preserved specimen (E) and x-radiograph (F).
Photos: A, D by Luiz Rocha. B, C, E, F by Jon Fong.

 Plectranthias raki sp. nov.
  Dhivehi common name: Raki bureki 
English common name: Maldivian Perchlet

Diagnosis: Plectranthias raki sp. nov. is unique in both morphology and coloration. The following combination of characters distinguishes it from all known congeners: dorsal fin X, 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 13 | 13 (13 | 12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30–32 tubed scales; 3 supraneural bones, predorsal formula 0/0 + 0/2/1 + 1/1/1/; gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; oblique rows of scales on cheek 8 (7); longest dorsal spine the ...

Living specimen (not retained) of Plectranthias raki sp. nov. photographed at 110 m depth at Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.
Photo by Luiz Rocha.

Etymology: The species name, raki, means “feeling shy to confront people” in the Dhivehi language. This was chosen because Plectranthias are shy by nature and typically hide from us when we are conducting surveys. To be treated as a noun in apposition.


 Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Ahmed Najeeb, Claudia R. Rocha and Luiz A. Rocha. 2025. Plectranthias raki (Teleostei, Serranidae), A New Species of Perchlet from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives. ZooKeys. 1223: 333-344. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.135292

Monday, December 2, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Chromis abadhah • A New Species of Damselfish (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives

 

Chromis abadhah
L.A. Rocha, Pinheiro, Najeeb, C.R. Rocha & Shepherd, 2024  
  
 
Abstract
A new species of Chromis (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) is described from four specimens collected between 95 and 110 m depth in mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Maldives, Indian Ocean. Chromis abadhah sp. nov. can be distinguished from all of its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XIII, 12–13; anal-fin rays II,11–12; pectoral-fin rays 17–18; tubed lateral-line scales 17; gill rakers 7+17–18 = 24–25; pearly white body with a large black marking covering the anterior two-thirds of the anal fin. The closest DNA barcode sequence (5.1% average uncorrected genetic distance on the mitochondrial COI gene), among those available, is Chromis woodsi, a similar mesophotic species known from the coastal western Indian Ocean (Somalia to South Africa). The new species is easily distinguished from C. woodsi by having 13 dorsal spines (versus 14 in C. woodsi), the absence of a black band on the base of the tail (present in C. woodsi), and by the genetic difference.

Key words: COI, deep reefs, ichthyology, Indian Ocean, rebreather diving, taxonomy

Holotype of Chromis abadhah, CAS 248401, 68.7 mm SL, shortly after collection.
Photo by Luiz Rocha.

Chromis abadhah in its natural habitat in Faadhippolhu Atoll, Maldives, at approximately 110 m depth.
Photo by Luiz Rocha.

 Chromis abadhah sp. nov.
 Suggested Maldivian name: Abadhah Chromis 
Suggested English name: Perpetual Chromis

Diagnosis: The following combination of characters distinguishes Chromis abadhah sp. nov. from all of its congeners: dorsal-fin rays XIII, 12–13; anal-fin rays II,11–12; pectoral-fin rays 17–18; tubed lateral-line scales 17; gill rakers 7+17–18 = 24–25; body pearly white; large black marking covering anterior two-thirds of anal fin; small black spot on upper edge of pectoral-fin base; no markings on caudal peduncle.

Etymology: The work that led to the discovery of this species was funded by the Rolex Perpetual Planet initiative through a Rolex Award for Enterprises to LAR. To honor this initiative, we name this species “abadhah” (pronounced aa-BAH-duh), which means “perpetual” in Dhivehi, the local language of the Maldives. We also hope that this species and its habitat remain perpetual. To be treated as a noun in apposition.


Luiz A. Rocha, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Ahmed Najeeb, Claudia R. Rocha and Bart Shepherd. 2024. Chromis abadhah (Teleostei, Pomacentridae), A New Species of Damselfish from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives. ZooKeys. 1219: 165-174. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.126777

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

[Crustacea • 2023] Palaemonella sandyi • A New Species of Palaemonella (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) associated with scleractinian Corals of the Genus Euphyllia


Palaemonella sandyi 
Fransen, Van der Veer & Ďuriš, 2023

Photographs by C.H.J.M. Fransen.
  
Abstract
A new species of Palaemonella, P. sandyi sp. nov., is described on the basis of specimens collected in association with euphylliid scleractinian corals, Euphyllia glabrescens and E. cristata. Material was collected from the Maldives, Cebu in the Philippines, Semporna in Malaysia, and from Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Ternate and Raja Ampat in Indonesia. The new species is similar to P. colemani and P. euphyllius, which are associated with euphylliid corals of the genus Fimbriaphyllia. The new species can be distinguished from P. colemani and P. euphyllius, as well as from the species P. philippinensis and P. smiti, which are both symbionts with plerogyrid scleractinians, on the basis of morphological characters in the rostrum and ambulatory pereiopods, colouration, and molecular data.

Keywords: Crustacea; Decapoda; Caridea; Palaemonidae; Palaemonella; new species; coral symbiont; 
Crustacea; Decapoda; Caridea; Palaemonidae; Palaemonella; nouvelle espèce; symbionte de coraux



Palaemonella sandyi sp. nov.
A, Ovigerous female, pocl. 4.3 mm, RMNH.CRUS.D.53060; B, male, pocl. 2.4 mm, RMNH.CRUS.D.53097.
 Photographs by C.H.J.M. Fransen.

 Palaemonella sandyi 

Palaemonella sandyi sp. nov., on Euphyllia glabrescens (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821).
A, Stn. RAJ.29; B, stn. TER.06, RMNH.CRUS.D.53516;
 C, stn. SEM.28, RMNH.CRUS.D.53830; D, stn. MAL.03, RMNH.CRUS.D.58052;
E, stn. LEM.36, RMNH.CRUS.D.58050; F, LEM.01.
Photographs by C.H.J.M. Fransen.


Charles H. J. M. Fransen, Eva Van der Veer and Zdeněk Ďuriš. 2023. A New Species of Palaemonella (Decapoda, Caridea, Palaemonidae) associated with scleractinian Corals of the Genus Euphyllia Dana. Crustaceana. 345–381. DOI: 10.1163/15685403-bja10289

   

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

[Crustacea • 2023] Alpheus octocellatus • A New Species of the Alpheus edwardsii Group (Decapoda: Alpheidae) with A distinctive colour pattern from the Indo-West Pacific


Alpheus octocellatus
 Anker & Benzoni, 2023


Abstract
A new snapping shrimp species of the Alpheus edwardsii (Audouin, 1826) group is described based on two specimens, one male and one female, collected on shallow-water reef flats of the Southern Ari Atoll in the Maldives, with a photographic record from Cebu in the Philippines. Alpheus octocellatus sp. nov. appears to be morphologically closest to A. edwardsii, A. pareuchirus Coutière, 1905, and A. leptochirus Coutière, 1905, but can be distinguished from all of them by a combination of morphological characters, mainly involving the chelipeds, third maxilliped and pleonal sternites. The new species also has a highly diagnostic colour pattern, with four pairs of conspicuous eyespots distributed in a unique and peculiar pattern on the pleon.

Keywords: Crustacea, Caridea, Alpheus, snapping shrimp, Indian ocean, Maldives, Pacific ocean, Philippines, coral reef, marine biodiversity
 

Arthur Anker and Francesca Benzoni. 2023. Description of A New Species of the Alpheus edwardsii Group (Decapoda: Alpheidae) with A distinctive colour pattern from the Indo-West Pacific. Zootaxa5271(3);549-559. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5271.3.7


Sunday, May 21, 2023

[Crustacea • 2023] Alpheus dingabadi • A conspicuously coloured New Species of the Alpheus macrocheles Group (Decapoda: Alpheidae) from the central Indian Ocean


Alpheus dingabadi
 Anker, 2023


Abstract
A new snapping shrimp species of the Alpheus macrocheles (Hailstone, 1835) group is described based on a single adult male specimen collected on an exposed forereef near Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives. Alpheus dingabadi sp. nov. is one of several species of the A. macrocheles group characterised by the presence of a stout distoventral tooth on the merus of the third pereiopod, but can be separated from all of them by several morphological features, including the unusually long appendix masculina on the second pleopod, as well as by its conspicuous and highly diagnostic colour pattern.
 
Keywords: Crustacea, Alpheus, Caridea, coral reef, Indian Ocean, Maldives, marine biodiversity, snapping shrimp



Alpheus dingabadi sp. nov.



Arthur Anker. 2023. A conspicuously coloured New Species of the Alpheus macrocheles Group from the central Indian Ocean (Decapoda: Alpheidae). Zootaxa5271(1); 155-162. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5271.1.6 

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

[Ichthyology • 2022] Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa • A New Species of Fairy Wrasse (Teleostei: Labridae) from the Maldives, with Comments on the Taxonomic Identity of C. rubrisquamis and C. wakanda


Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa
Tea, Najeeb,  Rowlett & Rocha, 2022


Abstract
Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis is redescribed on the basis of the juvenile holotype and compared to known species of Cirrhilabrus. Examination of material from the Maldives identified as C. rubrisquamis reveal differences from the holotype collected from the Chagos Archipelago. Consequently, the Maldivian specimens are herein described as Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa sp. nov., on the basis of the holotype and twelve paratypes. The new species differs from all congeners in having: males with anterior third to half of body bright magenta, peach to orange-pink posteriorly; lateral line with 22–26 pored scales (16–18 in the dorso-anterior series, 6–8 in the posterior peduncular series); tenth to eleventh dorsal-fin spine longest (14.0–15.5% SL); scales on the opercle, chest, isthmus, and anterior third of the body with a dark purple-red central region (purple in alcohol), the markings joining appearing crosshatched; dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic-fin rays purple in alcohol. Meristic details and coloration patterns of C. rubrisquamis are very similar to C. wakanda from Tanzania, Africa, although synonymy of both species cannot be determined without additional material from Chagos. This potential synonymy is briefly discussed; however, until such material becomes available, the taxonomic statuses of C. wakanda and C. rubrisquamis are here provisionally regarded as valid.

Keywords: Coral reefs, deep reefs, Indian Ocean, mesophotic, reef fish


Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa sp. nov., underwater photograph from Rasdhoo Atoll, Maldives.
 Photograph by Luiz A. Rocha.



Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, sp. nov., not to scale
 A male holotype, BPBM 33094, 69.2 mm SL, Vilingili Island, North Malé Atoll, Maldives B1, B2 male paratype, AMS I.50058-001, 69.1 mm SL, Hulhumalé Island, North Malé Atoll, Maldives, in life and in preservation respectively
C young male paratype, BPBM 41385 (formerly BPBM 33094), 57.6 mm SL, same data as holotype D1, D2 young male paratype, AMS I.50058-001, 59.7 mm SL, Hulhumalé Island, North Malé Atoll, Maldives, in life and in preservation respectively
E juvenile paratype, BPBM 41385 (formerly BPBM 33094), 35.8 mm SL, same data as holotype F1, F2 female paratype, AMS I.50058-001, 54.0 mm SL, Hulhumalé Island, North Malé Atoll, Maldives, in life and in preservation respectively
G male paratype in life, ZRC 62259, 76.7 mm SL, aquarium specimen from Maldives H male in nuptial colors, aquarium specimen from Maldives, specimen not retained.
 Photographs by the late J.E. Randall (A, C, E), AN (B1–B2, D1–D2, F1–F2), and  Yi-Kai Tea (G, H).

 Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A species of Cirrhilabrus distinguished from congeners based on the following combination of characters: males with anterior third to half of body bright magenta, peach to orange-pink posteriorly; lateral line with 22–26 pored scales (16–18 in the dorso-anterior series, 6–8 in the posterior peduncular series); tenth to eleventh dorsal-fin spine longest (14.0–15.5% SL); scales on the opercle, chest, isthmus, and anterior third of the body with a dark purple-red central region, the markings joining to form a crosshatched appearance (purple in alcohol); dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic-fin rays purple in alcohol.

Etymology: The epithet is from the Dhivehi "finifenmaa", meaning rose, alluding to the live coloration of this species. The pink rose fiyatoshi finifenmaa (Rosa spp.) is also the national flower of the Maldives. To be treated as a noun in apposition. The common name is given after the facial patterns of the species.

Habitat and distribution: Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa is presently known from Maldives and Sri Lanka, at depths ranging from 40–70 m (Fig. 4). The species belongs to the C. jordani species complex, a group of deep-water fairy wrasses found mostly in mesophotic coral ecosystems. It is likely that this species occurs in greater depths. Like other species of Cirrhilabrus, C. finifenmaa frequents rubble bottoms scattered with loose coral cover.


Underwater photographs of Cirrhilabrus from the Western Indian Ocean
 A harem of putative Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis. Male depicted in circular inset, females by white arrowheads B putative female C. rubrisquamis C putative terminal male C. rubrisquamis; Photographs taken from video footage provided by K Howell, N Foster, and C Diaz from the University of Plymouth Research Expedition to Egmont Atoll and Sandes Seamount in the Chagos Archipelago, 60–70 m
 D female C. wakanda, underwater photograph from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa, 75 m E male C. wakanda, underwater photograph from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa, 75 m F terminal male C. wakanda, underwater photograph from Moyette, off the coast of Mozambique, 100 m. Note fuchsia dorsal fin in all individuals and pale yellowish saddle in males.
 Photographs by Luiz A. Rocha (D, E) and P Plantard (F).


 Yi-Kai Tea, Ahmed Najeeb, Joseph Rowlett and Luiz A. Rocha. 2022. Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa (Teleostei, Labridae), A New Species of Fairy Wrasse from the Maldives, with Comments on the Taxonomic Identity of C. rubrisquamis and C. wakanda. ZooKeys 1088: 65-80. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1088.78139

Stunning new-to-science fairy wrasse is first-ever fish described by a Maldivian scientist
Named after the country’s national flower, the species is added to the tree of life as part of Academy’s global Hope for Reefs initiative

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

[Ichthyology • 2021] Notes on the Poorly Known Velvetfish Cocotropus roseus (Scorpaeniformes: Aploactinidae) from the Eastern Indian Ocean


Cocotropus roseus Day, 1875 from Chennai coast. 

in Kodeeswaran, Praveenraj, ... et Jayakumar, 2021. 

Abstract
The present study provides notes on Cocotropus roseus Day, 1875, a poorly known endemic fish from the Bay of Bengal, Eastern Indian Ocean. The morphometric data and color images are provided herein based on fresh specimens collected from Chennai, south India, its type locality, Bay of Bengal, Eastern Indian Ocean.

Keywords: Velvetfishes, Bycatch, Taxonomy, Chennai

Cocotropus roseus Day, 1875 from Chennai coast. 
Lateral view (a) Fresh specimen (NBFGR/APLCROS.6, 45.1 mm SL);
 (b) Dark colour variation (NBFGR/APLCROS.1, 40.7 mm TL).


Family Aploactinidae Jordan & Starks, 1904

Cocotropus Kaup, 1858.

 Cocotropus roseus Day, 1875


Paramasivam Kodeeswaran, Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Ronald Fricke, Arumugam Uma and Natarajan Jayakumar. 2021. Notes on the Poorly Known Velvetfish Cocotropus roseus (Scorpaeniformes: Aploactinidae) from the Eastern Indian Ocean. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences.  DOI: 10.1007/s41208-021-00306-3

Sunday, May 17, 2020

[Ichthyology • 2020] Sphyraena stellata • A New Barracuda (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with Redescriptions of S. helleri & S. novaehollandiae


Sphyraena stellata
 Morishita & Motomura, 2020

 Yellow-striped Barracuda | Hoso-kamasu カマス || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.3.6  


Abstract

A new barracuda, Sphyraena stellata, is described on the basis of 41 specimens [98.0–587.0 mm standard length (SL)] collected from the Indo-Pacific. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners in having the following combination of characters: one gill raker on first gill arch; pelvic-fin insertion located slightly before vertical through first dorsal-fin origin; pored lateral-line scales 134–141 (modally 137), total lateral-line scales 139–148 (146); scales above and below lateral line 15–17 (15) and 14–16 (15), respectively; snout comparatively short, its length 13.6–15.8 (mean 14.4) % SL; upper jaw short, its posterior tip not reaching to below anterior nostril, its length 10.0–12.2 (10.8) % SL; eye small, orbit diameter and depth 4.3–7.0 (4.9) and 3.9–5.6 (4.5) % SL, respectively; anal-fin base shortish, its length 6.9–8.1 (7.5) % SL; last dorsal- and anal-fin ray lengths 4.0–5.6 (4.7) and 3.6–5.6 (4.6) % SL, respectively; anus not close to anal-fin origin, anterior and posterior margins of former to anal-fin origin 7.5–11.9 (9.9) and 5.2–8.3 (6.8) % of head length, respectively; head sensory canal pores on suborbital area simple or slightly branched, their lowermost parts not close to margin of lacrimal bone, large smooth area lacking canal pores on mid-margin of lacrimal bone; two yellow stripes on lateral surface of body (remaining as black stripes in preserved specimens); and caudal fin gray. In addition, S. helleri Jenkins, 1901 and S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860, both being closely related to the new species, are redescribed on the basis of 4 (243.3–545.8 mm SL) and 15 (270.8–598.0 mm SL) specimens, including holotypes, respectively, with new diagnostic characters proposed for both species.

Keywords: Perciformes, morphology, taxonomy, description, distribution



Sphyraena stellata n. sp.
 [New English name: Yellow-striped Barracuda; 
Japanese name: Hoso-kamasu カマス]

Etymology. The specific name stellata is derived from Latin meaning starry, referring to the two yellow lateral stripes on the body.


Satoshi Morishita and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2020. Sphyraena stellata, A New Barracuda from the Indo-Pacific, with Redescriptions of S. helleri Jenkins, 1901 and S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860 (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae). Zootaxa. 4772(3); 545–566. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.3.6

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

[Ichthyology • 2014] Siganus insomnis • A New Species of Rabbitfish (Perciformes: Siganidae) from southern India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives


Siganus insomnis 
Woodland & Anderson, 2014


Abstract

Siganus insomnis sp. nov. is described from the Maldives, Sri Lanka and southern India. It most closely resembles S. lineatus (Valenciennes) from the Western Pacific but differs in coloration, principally in that most if not all of the bronze bands on its mid and upper sides continue horizontally and unbroken through to the nape and opercular slit. By contrast, in S. lineatus, typically the anterior area below the spinous dorsal fin down to the mid-sides is irregularly marked with golden bronze spots, commas, or a maze of contorted lines. S. guttatus (Bloch) is the third member of this group of sibling species; its sides are covered with orange to bronze-gold spots. It is distributed throughout S.E. Asia, i.e., it occupies a geographic position between the areas inhabited by S. lineatus and S. insomnis. Thus the gene pools of S. lineatus and S. insomnis are quarantined from one another by distance and the intervening presence of S. guttatus in S.E. Asia. The geographical separation of the populations of S. lineatus and S. insomnis from one another is reinforced by the absence of suitable, coralline habitats for these species in the western half of the Bay of Bengal.

Keywords: Siganidae, rabbitfish, Siganus insomnis sp. nov., Siganus lineatus, Siganus guttatus, systematics, biology


FIGURE 5. Siganus insomnis, subadults, ca. 15–20 cm SL, Horubadhoo I. (= Royal I.), Baa Atoll, Maldives.

  Photo: Dieter Grage.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3811.1.8

Siganus insomnis Woodland & Anderson, 2014
Bronze-lined Rabbitfish. 

Local names: ori, (thammas at Addu Atoll), Maldives; oora (Tamil), leella (Sinhalese), Sri Lanka. These local names may also be used to refer to other species of Siganus.

Diagnosis. A deep-bodied species of Siganus which differs from all other siganids in that the whole of the sides of the body with the possible exception of the belly and a narrow strip adjacent to the base of the spinous dorsal fin (where a row of bronze spots may occur) are decorated with horizontal, parallel bronze bands extending the full length of the sides from nape and opercular slit back to and below the large yellow spot below the base of the soft dorsal fin. The majority of these lines on the sides are complete (i.e., uninterrupted) along their length.

FIGURE 6. Siganus insomnis, large adults, ca. 35 cm SL, Komandoo I., Lhavyani Atoll, Maldives. 
  Photo: Dieter Grage.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3811.1.8 

Etymology. We chose the specific epithet insomnis (Latin, sleep-less) to allude to the nocturnal activity of this fish. It is an adjective agreeing in gender with Siganus (masculine).


Woodland, David J. and R. C. Anderson. 2014. Description of A New Species of Rabbitfish (Perciformes: Siganidae) from southern India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Zootaxa. 3811(1); 129–136.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3811.1.8