Three new species of the genus Acropoma (Perciformes: Acropomatidae) from the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Three new species of Acropoma are described from the Indian Ocean. These species have been identified as “A. japonicum Gunther 1859” by many authors, but clearly differ from A. japonicum in the shape and length of the luminous gland, counts of pectoral-fin rays and scales between first dorsal-fin base and lateral line, and other diagnostic characters. Acropoma heemstrai sp. nov. is described on the basis of 17 specimens (53.1–121.0 mm standard length: SL) collected from South Africa and Mozambique. It is distinguished from other congeners by its unique moderate Y-shaped luminous gland, extending from the throat to midway between the origins of the pelvic and anal fins, (luminous gland length 23.1–27.0% SL) and a pointed protrusion on the symphysis of lower jaw. Acropoma lacrima sp. nov. is described on the basis of 6 specimens (64.1–77.9 mm SL) collected from the Arabian Sea. Also, this species has been previously reported as “A. argentistigma Okamoto and Ida 2002” from the Bay of Bengal. It is characterized by having a vertical line on the cheek, short U-shaped luminous gland (luminous gland length 15.0–16.0% SL), and weakly ctenoid and cycloid scales on the side of the body. Acropoma neglectum sp. nov. is described on the basis of 5 specimens (105.3–168.5 mm standard length: SL) collected from the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea. It is similar to A. japonicum in having a short U-shaped luminous gland, but differs in having a shorter luminous gland (12.0–13.4% SL vs. 17.0–20.8% SL in A. japonicum), 3 scales between first dorsal-fin base and lateral line (vs. 4 scales in A. japonicum), and 16–17 pectoral-fin rays [vs. 14–16 (modally 15) in A. japonicum].