Eviota hoesei and E. readerae, new species of fish from the Southwest Pacific, with comments on the identity of E. corneliae Fricke (Perciformes: Gobiidae)

Abstract

Eviota hoesei n.sp. is described from specimens from New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island (type locality), Norfolk Island, and Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following character combination: dorsal-fin rays usually VI + I,9; anal-fin rays usually I,8; at least some pectoral-fin rays branched; cephalic sensory-pore system pattern 2; base of pectoral fin with two diffuse to prominent dark spots; fifth segmented pelvic-fin ray present, usually about 1/10 length of fourth ray; and 6 subcutaneous bars/spots on lower postanal trunk. Eviota readerae n.sp. is described from specimens from Middleton (type locality) and Elizabeth Reefs. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VI + I,9; anal-fin rays I,8; at least some pectoral-fin rays branched; fifth segmented pelvic-fin ray lacking; cephalic sensory-pore system pattern 1; male genital papilla non-fimbriate; 12-13 dark bars or saddles on trunk from origin of spinous dorsal fin to mid peduncular spot, not extending below midline; and pectoral-fin base with prominent circular dark spot dorsally. Eviota corneliae Fricke is placed in synonymy with Trimmatom eviotops (Schultz).