Description of a new goatfish species, &lt;i&gt;Upeneus randalli&lt;/i&gt; n. sp. (Mullidae), from the Persian Gulf, with remarks and identification keys for the genus &lt;i&gt;Upeneus&lt;/i&gt;

Franz Uiblein,Phillip C Heemstra

doi:10.3989/scimar.2011.75n3585

Abstract

The number of species of the goatfish genus Upeneus from the western Indian Ocean has increased considerably due to recent taxonomic efforts. Here we describe a new species, Upeneus randalli n. sp., based on body and fin coloration and 50 morphometric and meristic characters of eight specimens from the Persian Gulf, and supported by comparative data from a taxonomic review of western Indian Ocean Upeneus species and additional material from collections. Upeneus randalli is distinguished from congeners by the combination of 8 dorsal-fin spines, 14 pectoral-fin rays, 23 to 25 gill rakers, 28 to 30 lateral-line scales, pectoral-fin width 22 to 26 times in SL, and red bars on both caudal-fin lobes. We provide two identification keys: one key is for distinguishing among four species groups and the morphologically unique U. filifer , accounting for all 28 species of the genus, and the other key is for the six closely related species of the “ U. tragula group” from the western Indian Ocean, including U. randalli n. sp. Since the colour patterns fade away soon after collection and can be completely lost during preservation, morphometric and meristic characters are important for correctly identifying U. randalli n. sp. and the closely related U. margarethae . The latter species shows considerable variation in body form in different areas of the western Indian Ocean. We discuss the significance of detailed comparative studies of caudal-fin colour patterns and body-form characters for obtaining a deeper understanding of inter- and intraspecific diversity among Upeneus .

Highlights

The number of known goatfish species (Mullidae) has dramatically increased due to recent taxonomic efforts that have targeted the coastal fish diversity of the western Indian Ocean (Randall and Heemstra, 2009; Randall and King, 2009; Uiblein and Heemstra, 2010; Uiblein and Heemstra 2011)
SUMMARY: The number of species of the goatfish genus Upeneus from the western Indian Ocean has increased considerably due to recent taxonomic efforts
Upeneus randalli is distinguished from congeners by the combination of 8 dorsal-fin spines, 14 pectoral-fin rays, 23 to 25 gill rakers, 28 to 30 lateral-line scales, pectoral-fin width 22 to 26 times in SL, and red bars on both caudal-fin lobes

Summary

Introduction

The number of known goatfish species (Mullidae) has dramatically increased due to recent taxonomic efforts that have targeted the coastal fish diversity of the western Indian Ocean (Randall and Heemstra, 2009; Randall and King, 2009; Uiblein and Heemstra, 2010; Uiblein and Heemstra 2011). The widest ranging species among the four new Upeneus species described in the review (Uiblein and Heemstra, 2010), U. margarethae, has been reported to occur along the East African coast and Madagascar, in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, off Sri Lanka, off NW Australia, and in the Arafura Sea (W-Pacific). After publication of the review, additional specimens of Upeneus from the Persian Gulf were found at the Bishop Museum, Hawaii. Among this material were seven specimens of a small Upeneus species with eight dorsal spines, which appeared to be closely related to the single specimen of U. margarethae from the Persian Gulf that had been included in the review. Examination of colour photographs of two specimens from the Bishop Museum collection suggested that they were significantly different to U. margarethae, and detailed taxonomic studies would be necessary

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