Scales In Lateral Series Research Articles

Callogobius williamsi, a new species of goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Marquesas Islands, with notes on the status of all nominal Callogobius species.

Callogobius williamsi new species is described from the 32.9 mm SL holotype and 29 paratypes (6.932.5 mm SL) from the Marquesas Islands, South Pacific Ocean. Callogobius williamsi is distinguished from all other known Callogobius species by the following combination of characters: scales mostly cycloid, ctenoid scales, if present, restricted to the mid-lateral caudal peduncle, 2326 (mode 25) scales in lateral series, preopercular papillae row (Row 20) absent, and the interorbital canal with pores B, D, and F present. Callogobius williamsi belongs to a group of 23 nominal species (the hasseltii group) that are hypothesized to be monophyletic based on the shared presence of narrow and closely spaced dorsal processes of the cleithrum and an elongate caudal fin (greater than head length in specimens over 20 mm SL). Following the species description is a discussion of the status of all nominal species of Callogobius including a table that provides provisional status for all species correctly assigned to the genus.

Pethia chakpiensis (Cyprinidae), a New Species of Cyprinid Fish from the Chindwin-Irrawaddy Drainage of Manipur, India

Pethia chakpiensis sp. nov. is described from the Chakpi River of the Chindwin-Irrawaddy drainage in Manipur, India. This new species is characterized in having an incomplete lateral line with 4–7 pored scales, 21–24 scales in lateral series; 15 preanal scales; intercalated scale row originates above and after the 5th scale of lateral line scale row; absence of humeral spot; caudal peduncle spot on the 17th and 18th lateral series scales and a longitudinal stripe along the flank.

First record of spottedsail barb (Pethia phutunio) from Maharashtra, India

Fishes of the cyprinid genus Pethia are diagnosed from other cyprinid genera by a suite of characters that includes small adult size (usually less than 50 mm standard length (SL), exceptionally up to 80 mm SL), absence of rostral barbels, absence or rudimentary maxillary barbels, last unbranched dorsal-fin ray stiff and serrated, 3 to 4 unbranched and 8 branched dorsal-fin rays, 3 unbranched and 5 branched anal-fin rays, lateral line complete, interrupted or incomplete with 19–24 scales in lateral series, and a unique color pattern consisting of a humeral spot, a black blotch on the caudal peduncle, and in some species, black blotches, spots or bars on the body. Pethia are distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia, from Sri Lanka and peninsular India in the west, to Myanmar in the east.

A new alien fish in the Mediterranean Sea; Oxyurichtys keiensis (Smith, 1938) (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)

An Indian Ocean goby, Oxyurichtys keiensis (Smith, 1938), is recorded from the northern Levantine coast of Turkey. The identification of Oxyurichtys keiensis was carried out using morphological characters and DNA barcoding data. This species is distinguished from only lessepsian congeneric, in the Mediterranean Sea, Oxyurichtys petersii, by sensory papilla pattern, scales in lateral series and tongue shape. In this study, the presence of the 13rd alien gobiid species of the Mediterranean Sea, which tends to create established populations far from its native distribution is presented.

Short Communication: Presence of the vulnerable freshwater goby Sicyopus auxilimentus (Gobiidae, Sicydiinae) on Sangihe Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Hasan V, Valen FS, Islamy RA, Widodo MS, Saptadjaja AM, Islam I. 2021. Short Communication: Presence of the vulnerable freshwater goby Sicyopus auxilimentus (Gobiidae, Sicydiinae) on Sangihe Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 571-579. A single specimen of freshwater goby Sicyopus auxilimentus was photographed and collected using fish traps between 8 and 15 September 2019 in the Laine waterfall, Sangihe island district, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. S. auxilimentus is amphidromous that live in both freshwater and marine environments. This species is currently listed as Vulnerable (VU) within the IUCN Red List Status. The specimen was identified as male S. auxilimentus based on the coloration of the preserved specimen: background yellowish; scale edges brown; posterior flanks and caudal peduncle orange; first dorsal fin black, second dorsal fin dusky black; pectoral fin slightly brown; ventral fin slightly dusky; anal fin blackish; caudal fin dusky brown. Specific morphological features were as follows: the base of the first dorsal fin was not connected to the second dorsal fin base; distance between the base of first and second dorsal fin was generally less than half of eye diameter; ventral fin rays were fused to belly only between fifth rays; posterior margin of caudal fins rays was rounded; scales were all ctenoid; scales appeared on the caudal peduncle, and between anal and second dorsal fins; anterior to which, scales became widely spaced and did not imbricate. Meristic characters were as follows: first dorsal fin rays VI; second dorsal fin rays I+9; ventral fin rays I+5; pectoral-fin rays 14; anal-fin rays I+9; caudal-fin rays 13; scales in lateral series 13; scales in zigzag series 7; scales in transverse series backward 7; scales in transerves series forward 4. This finding is considered the first record in Sulawesi and the fifth from Indonesian waters after findings in Halmahera, Java, Bali and Lombok. This record enhances the understanding of the distribution of S. auxilimentus in Indonesian waters. Monitoring is needed to assess the possibility of Sangihe Island being a growth ground, spawning ground, and/or on the migration route of S. auxilimentus. In the Laine waterfall, Sangihe island, freshwater conditions were as follows: salinity 3.5 psu, temperature 23-25°C, and dissolved oxygen 7.7-9.2 mg/l, which were ideal habitat for S. auxilimentus. S. auxilimentus from Sangihe Island, had 0.000 genetic distance than from S. auxilimentus from Bali, while the next closest genetic distance was S. zosterophorus at genetic distance of 0.090. In addition to onsite conservation, domestication programs are needed to increase commercial availability without depending on natural catches.

A new species of Corcyrogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Île de Ngor, Senegal.

Corcyrogobius pulcher sp. nov. is described from off Île de Ngor, Dakar, Senegal. Corcyrogobius pulcher is distinguished from its two congeners by having the rear edge of the jaws ending posteriorly below mideye, second dorsal fin I/9, pectoral fin rays 17, pelvic fins oval or truncated posteriorly, scales in lateral series 26-27, anterior oculoscapular head canal with pore β, suborbital row b of sensory papillae anteriorly beginning below vertical of posterior edge of eye, dark vertical caudal bar, branchiostegal membrane without intense dark spot, cheek with two oblique whitish stripes, the first going from the eye downwards and forward to the posterior jaws, the second on the preopercular, alternating with brown oblique stripe going from behind the eye downwards and forward across the cheek. Furthermore, mitochondrial COI-barcoding data unambiguously support the species-level distinctiveness of the three Corcyrogobius species. A key to the species of Corcyrogobius is provided.

Phenotypic diversity in an endangered freshwater fish Squalius microlepis (Actinopterygii, Leuciscidae).

Squalius microlepis was examined from recent and historical collections within the known range of the species with special emphasis on intraspecific variability and variations, and compared to its closest relative species S. tenellus (in total, 193 specimens; 33 absolute and 52 proportional measurements and ratios, and 12 counts including vertebrae). Squalius tenellus was perfectly differentiated in all statistical analyses and can be diagnosed by 76–95 (vs. 64–80) scales in lateral series, 68–83 (vs. 58–77) lateral-line scales, (17)18–20 (vs. 13–16(17)) scales above lateral line, and (7)8–10 (vs. 4–7) scales below lateral line. Squalius microlepis was morphologically heterogeneous, with two phenotypes readily distinguishable (phenotype 1 corresponding to S. microlepis s. str. as defined by its lectotype) by a combination of many characters; those contributing most to the discrimination were number of gill rakers, length of lower jaw (% interorbital width), and head length (% SL). Only phenotype 1 was found in the Ričina-Prološko Blato-Vrljika karst system; most of the specimens from the lower Matica and the Tihaljina-Trebižat karst system were identified as phenotype 2; the sample from karstic poljes near Vrgorac contained both phenotype 1 and 2, and individuals of intermediate morphology. As very limited molecular data exist on the two phenotypes of S. microlepis, we refrain from any taxonomic conclusions until new molecular approaches (and new markers) are used. We also report on a dramatic reduction of the area of distribution and abundance of S. microlepis in recent years.

Aenigmachanna mahabali, a new species of troglophilic snakehead (Pisces: Channidae) from Kerala, India.

Aenigmachanna mahabali, a new species of troglophilic snakehead is described on the basis of a single specimen recovered from a well in Kerala, India, over 200km south of the type locality for the only known species in the genus. The new species can be distinguished from its congener in possessing fewer dorsal fin rays (53 vs 56-57), fewer total vertebrae (61 vs 64), fewer scales in lateral series (76 vs 83-85) and in the pectoral-fin rays being extended beyond the margin of the membrane into filaments.

Hazeus ingressus sp. nov. a new goby species (Perciformes: Gobiidae) and a new invasion in the Mediterranean Sea

A new species of gobiid, Hazeus ingressus sp. nov. (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the Levantine coast of Turkey. The species probably originates from the Red Sea and represents the 11th alien gobiid species in the Mediterranean Sea. The new species is distinguished from its Indo-Pacific congeners by a combination of the following characters: no dark blotch on the first dorsal fin; caudal fin coloration; scales in lateral series 25-28 (modally 27); second dorsal fin rays I,8; anal fin rays I,8-9; predorsal scales ctenoid 7; short, stout gill rakers 2+8. This finding suggests that the Lessepsian invasion intensely continues with the inclusion of the known species as well as undescribed species.

A new species of Buenia (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the western Mediterranean slope bottoms, the redescription of Buenia jeffreysi and the first Balearic record of Buenia affinis.

A new gobiid species, Buenia lombartei sp. nov. (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the continental slope off the Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean. The Atlantic species Buenia jeffreysii (Günther, 1867) is redescribed and the first record of Buenia affinis Iljin, 1930 is reported for the islands. A key for the species of genus Buenia is provided. The new species can be distinguished from congeneric species by morphological characters: anterior oculoscapular canal semi-closed with pores σ, λ, κ, α, ρ and additional pores and open furrows; suborbital row c of 6 papillae; anal fin I/7-I/8; scales in lateral series 25-27; scales in transverse series 6; pectoral fin rays 18; the second spine of the first dorsal fin longest, backwards reachingto middle second dorsal fin in males when folded down; pelvic fin anterior membrane reduced to less than one sixth of spinous ray in midline depth; tongue well developed and bilobed and several morphometric characters. The new species is also characterized by its reduced colouration and unique depth range and occurrence on upper slope muddy bottoms. Contrary to this, only a small number of gobiid species in the Mediterranean reach beyond the circalittoral to the deep shelf, and just a few have records below the shelf break. Phylogenetic analysis of their mitochondrial COI sequence grouped the two specimens within the same clade as B. jeffreysii, but one apomorphic transversion diagnoses the B. lombartei subclade. A hypothesis about rapid speciation of B. lombartei as well as alternative hypotheses are discussed. During the Last Glacial Maximum, boreal fish species such as cold-water adapted gadids, now restricted to northwestern Europe, entered the Mediterranean. This may have also been the case of the boreal population of B. jeffreysii. At the end of the glacial period, increasingly warming Mediterranean waters might restricted B. jeffreysii to deeper coldwater mud habitats of the upper slope, where it finally adapted to bathyal conditions.

Pethia poiensis, a new species of cyprinid fish from the Chindwin Basin of Manipur, India.

Pethia poiensis, a new cyprinid species, is described from the Challou River, Chindwin Basin, Manipur, India. The new species is characterised by an incomplete lateral line with 7-9 pored scales, the absence of barbels, 19-20 scales in lateral series, 9-10 pre-dorsal scales, 18 pre-anal scales, 3½ scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, three scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin and a unique colour pattern consisting of a humeral spot encompassing the third and fourth lateral-line scales, a caudal spot on the 16th and 17th lateral series scales and a black stripe along the flank. A revised key to the species of Pethia found in the Chindwin-Irrawaddy drainage is presented.

Pseudochromis stellatus, a new species of dottyback from Indonesia (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae).

The Pseudochromis reticulatus complex is diagnosed to include species of Pseudochromis with the combination of a pointed caudal fin (rounded with middle rays produced), a reticulated colour pattern on the upper part of the body, dorsal-fin rays modally III,26, anal-fin rays modally III,15, and pectoral-fin rays modally 18. Members of the complex include P. reticulatus Gill & Woodland, P. pictus Gill & Randall, P. tonozukai Gill & Allen, P. jace Allen, Gill & Erdmann and P. stellatus new species. The last-named is herein described from six specimens from Batanta and Batu Hitam in the Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua, Indonesia. It is distinguished from other members of the complex in live coloration, and in having higher mean numbers of scales in lateral series and of anterior lateral-line scales (36-38 and 29-32, respectively), and a deeper body as measured from the dorsal-fin origin to pelvic-fin origin (31.8-33.5 % SL).

Eleotris bosetoi (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Eleotridae), a New Species of Freshwater Fish from the Solomon Islands

Abstract: A new species of Eleotris, a freshwater eleotrid, is described from streams of the Solomon Islands using both genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial COI gene and morpho-meristic study. The new species is separated from E. acanthopoma, E. melanosoma, and E. fusca with a mean pairwise divergence of 14%, 11%, and 9.9%, respectively. It shares with E. fusca, its sister species, the same combination of cephalic free neuromast patterns (i.e., second, fourth, and sixth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extending ventrally past horizontal row d (2.4.6 pattern) and row os connecting with row oi at ventroposterior margin of opercle, but it differs by a combination of characters including scales in lateral series 42–46 versus 53–67, transverse back series 11–13 versus 13–21, and zigzag series 9–11 versus 12–17.

A new species of Gobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the redescription of Gobius bucchichi.

A new species of the gobiid genus Gobius (Gobiidae, Perciformes), Gobius incognitus sp. nov. is described from the Mediterranean Sea, and its most morphologically similar species Gobius bucchichi is redescribed. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by: scales in lateral series 51-59; predorsal scales 25-35; opercle scaled in adults with 10-16 scales present; pectoral fin with ray count 18-20 and free tips on upper rays well developed and on the first ray longer than two thirds of the entire ray length; pelvic disc complete and with well-developed anterior membrane without lateral lobes; anterior oculoscapular canal with pore α at rear of orbit; oculoscapular row x(1) not extending forwards to pore β; suborbital row d discontinuous with large gap below suborbital rows 3 and 4; eye diameter 1·08-1·32 in snout length; by pigment rows on cheek and pigmentation on pectoral-fin base.

A new species of Speleogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Western Mediterraenean Sea.

A new goby species, Speleogobius llorisi sp. nov. (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the circalittoral sea bed at 46-69 m depth off the Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean. Six specimens, four females and two males, of the new species were collected from beam trawl samples carried out on the red algae beds off the south west coast of Mallorca Island. Among others, the main traits that differentiate the new species from the only congeneric species, S. trigloides, are the presence of preopercular head canal with pores γ, δ, ε vs. preopercular head canal absent; a longer snout, equal or longer than eye vs. shorter than eye; lower lip ending anteriorly slightly in front of upper lip vs. upper lip slightly protruding lower lip; scales in lateral series 28 or 29 vs. 26; scales in transverse series 6 vs.7-8. It also differs from S. trigloides in some non-overlapping morphometrics and in coloration. All individuals of the new species were collected from Peyssonnelia beds, beds of red algae dominated by species of the family Peyssonneliaceae. The generic diagnosis of Speleogobius is revised.

Parambassis serrata, a new species of glassperch (Teleostei: Ambassidae) from the Kaladan drainage, India

Parambassis serrata, a new species of glassperch from the Kolo River, Kaladan drainage, Mizoram, India is described. It is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of characters that includes: presence of a faint, vertically-elongated brown humeral blotch; posterior margin of most spines of first dorsal fin proximally blackish; 14-16 dorsal and anal-fin branched rays; a black longitudinal stripe on ventral surface of caudal peduncle; absence of predorsal scales; a serrated preopercular ridge; 51-56 scales in lateral series; and 11 pectoral-fin rays.

A new species of fish belonging to of subgenus Spinibarbichthys (Spinibarbus: Cyprinidae: Cypriniformes) in Vietnam

Nine species of the genus Spinibarbus Oshima, 1919 (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) are found in Vietnam, of which one is new species of subgenus Spinibarbichthys; distributed in China, Laos and North of Vietnam. The description of the new species and a key to identify the known species of subgenus Spinibarbichthys of Spinibarbus genus are given in the paper. New species name: Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) maensis H. D. Nguyen, Q. N. Duong & D. H. Tran sp. nov. Holotyp: one scantling (female) is found in Ma river (Camthuy district, Thanhhoa province) of Vietnam. Paratyp: one scantling is found in Nganpho river (Huongson district, Hatinh province) of Vietnam. Etymology: the name maensis refers to the locality of this species. Description: body high and thin. Head high and short. Mouth subanterior. Two pair of barbels. Gill rakers on first arch 10. Last dorsal simple ray osseous, with 19 pair serrae. Origin of dorsal fin behind of ventral fin and its origin near of origin of caudal fin than top of the nostril. Lateral line complete, pored scales in lateral series 27 - 28; Circumpeduncular scales 14, predorsal scales 8 + 5. Pharyngeal tooth three rows, 2.3.5-5.3.2. Coloration: body light roseate. Pectoral, ventral and anus fin are dark roseate. Distribution: lower and midle section of Ma and Nhatle rivers, Vietnam. Remarks: Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) maensis sp. nov. is near with Spinibarbus (Spinibabichthys) denticulatus and Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) namauensis by origin of dorsal fin behind of ventral fin. But there are some different characteristics: the number of lateral line scales are less, body is higher and thinner, head is higher in comparison with species Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) denticulatus and Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) namauensis. Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) maensis differed with Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) sinensis and Spinibarbus (Spinibarbichthys) ovalius by: origin of dorsal fin, number of gill ranker of first branchial, number of scales in front of dorsal fin, head is shorter and higher.

Pethia aurea (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), a new species of barb from West Bengal, India, with redescription of P. gelius and P. canius.

Fishes currently assigned to Pethia gelius Hamilton from West Bengal are shown to belong to a closely-related group of three species: P gelius, its erstwhile synonym P canius Hamilton and a new species, P aurea. The three species are distinguished from all other species of Pethia by having the lateral line incomplete, with 3-4 pored scales; 20-26 scales in lateral series on body; ½4-5/l/2-3½ scales in transverse line on body; 8-9 predorsal scales; barbels absent and by a unique colour pattern consisting of two or three black blotches on the body (which, however, fade on preservation), the first behind the opercle, the second beneath the origin of the dorsal fin, extending to the mid-lateral region, and the third above the origin of the anal fin. A black spot is also present at the base of the dorsal and anal fins. Additionally, P gelius is distinguished by having the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray thick, straight, serrated, with 20-25 serrae on its posterior margin; a snout length of 6.1-8.4% standard length (SL); a body depth of 32.6-37.7% SL; and a dorsal-fin height of 19.4-22.8% SL. Pethia canius is additionally distinguished by having a snout length of 8.9-11.8% SL; a body depth of 28.1-32.2% SL; and dorsal-fin height of 26.9-32.8% SL. Pethia aurea, new species, is additionally distinguished from all its congeners by having ½5/1/3-3½ scales in transverse line on body; 9 pre-dorsal scales; and last unbranched dorsal-fin ray slender, serrated, with 19-22 serrae on posterior margin.

Callogobius winterbottomi, a new species of goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Western Indian Ocean.

Callogobius winterbottomi new species is described from the 33.8 mm SL holotype and two paratypes (32.2 mm SL and 22.9 mm SL) from the Comoros, Western Indian Ocean. It is distinguished from all other known Callogobius species by the following combination of characters: sensory pores absent, 23-26 scales in lateral series, and sensory papillae preopercular row not continuous with transverse opercular row. One additional specimen of Callogobius winterbottomi was located from South Africa. A new standardized naming system for Callogobius sensory papillae rows is presented for identification and clarification of character states among Callogobius species. The new species is tentatively placed among what we term the "sclateri group", a clade including C. sclateri (Steindachner) and three other species that exhibit a modified female urogenital papilla with lateral distal flaps and elongate ctenii on the caudal peduncle scales. Callogobius tutuilae (Jordan & Seale) is removed from synonymy with C. sclateri because it has partially united pelvic fins (vs separate) and the preopercular sensory papillae row is continuous with the transverse opercular row (vs separate).

Parambassis bistigmata, a new species of glassperch from north-eastern India (Teleostei: Ambassidae)

Parambassis bistigmata, a new species of glassperch from northeast India, is distinguished from its congeners by the com-bination of the following characters: two distinct black spots on either side of the anal-fin origin connected by a narrowblack curved line; 13–14 gill rakers on the first gill arch; 65–67 scales in lateral series; a well developed pre-orbital edgewith prominent, acute spines, almost covering the upper lip; dorsal and ventral sides of caudal peduncle with a longitudinal black stripe; and the presence of a faint, vertically elongated humeral spot.