Two new species of shrimp-associated gobies (Gobiidae: Cryptocentrus) from the Western Pacific

Abstract

Two new species of alpheid shrimp-associated gobies are described from the western Pacific. Cryptocentrus cyanospilotus is described from the Palau Islands, Philippines and Indonesia on the basis of five specimens, 32.6–41.3 mm SL. Underwater photographs also confirm its presence at the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Sabah, and the Ryukyu Islands. Diagnostic features include 49–54 longitudinal scales (most species in genus with more than 70), and a relatively stout body, depth at pelvic-fin origin 3.8–4.3 in SL. It also possesses a unique colour pattern, which although variable is consistently marked with widely scattered small blue spots on the head and body. Those of the body are more or less aligned in vertical rows with 2–4 spots per row. Cryptocentrus multicinctus is described from New Britain, Papua New Guinea from three specimens, 58.5–63.7 mm SL. Underwater photographs also reveal its presence at Indonesia (West Papua), New Ireland, Palau, and Marshall Islands. Although it possesses vomerine teeth, diagnostic for the genus Stonogobiops, it is provisionally placed in Cryptocentrus due to general morphological similarities with this genus. It is also characterized by a unique female colour pattern that features six relatively broad, white edged dark grey bars (whitish margins forming a series of 12 narrow vertical bars) on the side of the body. Males possess less distinct bars and have numerous small blue spots. Other features include 79–83 scales in longitudinal series, 22–28 predorsal scales, body depth at pelvic-fin origin 5.4–5.6 in SL, and lanceolate caudal fin.