Redescription ofpolydactylus macrochir (günther, 1867), a senior synonym ofP. sheridani (macleay, 1884) (perciformes: Polynemidae)

Polydactylus macrochir (Günther, 1867), for many years identified asP. sheridani (Macleay, 1884), is redescribed as valid and a senior synonym of the latter species, following examination of the holotype of the former and comparative material.Polydactylus macrochir is characterized by 14 or 15 pectoral-fin rays (usually 14), five pectoral filaments, 70–76 pored lateral-line scales, 32–35 gill rakers, occipital profile concave in adults, posterior margin of maxilla extending considerably beyond posterior margin of adipose eyelid, depth of posterior portion of maxilla greater than dermal eye opening in adults, second spine of first dorsal fin very strong and long pectoral-fin rays (22–27% of standard length).Polydactylus macrochir is currently known only from northern Australian and southern Papua New Guinea, being endemic to those areas.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastiscus vibrantus</Emphasis>, a new species of rockfish (Sebastidae) from Indonesia and Taiwan

A new species of rockfish, Sebastiscus vibrantus, is described on the basis of 24 specimens collected from Bali, Indonesia and Taiwan. Although closely resembling Sebastiscus tertius (Barsukov and Chen 1978) in overall body appearance, and having usually 19 pectoral-fin rays and black margined white blotches scattered on the lateral body surface, the new species has thicker unbranched pectoral-fin rays, a greater pectoral-fin base length, the third dorsal-fin soft ray usually longest, the anterior margin of the scaled suborbital area not reaching level the anterior margin of the orbit, and weakly developed nuchal spines.     

A new species of deepwater flathead,Bembras adenensis (Scorpaeniformes: Bembridae) from the western Indian Ocean

A new bembrid,Bembras adenensis, is described on the basis of specimens collected from the Gulf of Aden, western Indian Ocean. This species is easily distinguished fromB. japonica, the only known congener of the genus, by the following combination of characters: larger orbital diameter, longer head length, pectoral-fin with a small black blotch near tip of upper rays, 3 gill rakers on upper gill arch, 19 pectoral-fin rays, and 15 anal-fin rays (vs. smaller orbital diameter, shorter head length, pectoral-fin with several small spots forming irregular bands, 2 gill rakers on upper gill arch, usually 17 pectoral-fin rays, and 14 anal-fin rays inB. japonica).     

Synanceia quinque,a new species of stonefish (Synanceiidae) from Borneo and Flores

A new species of stonefish, Synanceia quinque (Synanceiidae) is described on the basis of two specimens (61.5–84.4 mm standard length) collected off Sabah (Borneo), Malaysia and Flores, Indonesia. The new species is characterized by 12 pectoral-fin rays, and is most similar to Synanceia alula Eschmeyer and Rama-Rao 1973 (11 pectoral-fin rays in the latter vs. 14 or more in other congeners). Other characters distinguishing S. quinque from S. alula include numbers of pelvic-fin rays [I, 5 in the former vs. I, 3 or 4 (usually I, 4) in the latter], gill rakers (0 + 4 or 5 vs. 0 or 1 + 7), and five preopercular spines/skin flaps (upper three spines relatively well developed, lower two rudimentary) (vs. four preopercle spines, fifth spine or skin flap absent). An updated key to species of Synanceia is provided.

     

Psilorhynchus ngathanu,a new torrent minnow species (Teleostei: Psilorhynchidae) from the Chindwin Basin,Manipur, India

Psilorhynchus ngathanu, a new psilorhynchid species, is described from the Dutah River, Chindwin Basin in Manipur, India. The new species is distinct from its congeners in the absence of scales from the midventral region between the pectoral fins, the presence of two rows of spots on the dorsal-fin rays and two black bars on the caudal fin, v–vi unbranched pectoral-fin rays, and 10 + 9 principal caudal-fin rays.     

Stiphodon niraikanaiensis,a new species of sicydiine goby from Okinawa Island (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae)

A new goby species, Stiphodon niraikanaiensis, is described on the basis of three specimens (two females and one male) collected from a freshwater stream in Okinawa Island, Japan. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by nine soft rays in the second dorsal fin, 16 rays in the pectoral fin, a pointed first dorsal fin in male, the premaxilla with 46–50 tricuspid teeth in 27–36 mm SL; no white patch behind the pectoral-fin base in male, the nape and posterior half of the occipital region covered by cycloid scales, broad black band along the distal margin of the second dorsal fin in male, 11 or 12 dusky transverse bars laterally on the trunk and tail of female intersecting with the mid-lateral longitudinal band, several conspicuous black spots on each spine and soft ray on the first and second dorsal fins of female, the anal fin of female lacking remarkable marking, and the pectoral-fin rays with 2–5 and 1–4 black spots, respectively, for male and female. The new species is known only from the type locality.     

Two new species of deepwater flathead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bembras</Emphasis> Cuvier, 1829 from the Andaman Sea,eastern Indian Ocean

Two new species of Bembras Cuvier 1829, Bembras leslieknappi sp. nov. and Bembras andamanensis sp. nov., are described from single specimens collected from the Andaman Sea off Myanmar, eastern Indian Ocean, in 2015. The two new species are distinguished from each other and five known congeners by the numbers of anal-fin rays and pectoral-fin rays (15 and 20 in B. leslieknappi vs. 14 and 20–21 in B. andamanensis), forward-slanting body scale rows above the lateral line (80 vs. 74) and upper limb gill rakers (3 vs. 4), as well as by head (41.5 vs. 42.1% SL), snout (14.3 vs. 13.8% SL) and orbit (10.4 vs. 10.9% SL) proportions, and color of the second dorsal (dusky, with blackish spots only on first spine and bases of many soft rays vs. pale, with many scattered blackish spots), pectoral (with a blotch vs. without it) and caudal (both with a broad band) fins.     

中国广西盲鳅一新种——环江高原鳅(英文)

2007年4月,在广西壮族自治区环江县川山镇乐衣村附近一洞穴采集到一批盲鳅类标本。经鉴定,为高原鳅属(Triplophysa)鱼类一新种,被命名为环江高原鳅(Triplophysa huangjiangensis)。该新种以以下组合特征与高原鳅属的其他已知种类相区别:无眼;通体无鳞;尾鳍分叉;尾柄上、下叶具发达的软鳍褶;背鳍后缘平截;背鳍起点距尾鳍基的距离短于距吻端的距离;背鳍分枝鳍条数为8~9;胸鳍分枝鳍条数为10~11;腹鳍分枝鳍条数为6~7;臀鳍分枝鳍条数为6;尾鳍分枝数为13~14;胸鳍长为胸鳍起点至腹鳍起点间距的52.3%~70.7%;腹鳍起点位于背鳍起点之前下方;外侧吻须最长,为侧面头长的47.0%~73.8%;前鼻孔位于一短管中,末端延长呈须状;鳔后室发达,末端可伸达腹鳍起点。     

Two new species of deepwater cardinalfish from the Indo-Pacific, with a definition of the Epigonus pandionis group (Perciformes: Epigonidae)

Two new Indo-Pacific species of deepwater cardinalfish, Epigonus lifouensis and E. tuberculatus are described based on the specimens collected from the Loyalty Islands and Cocos-Keeling Islands, respectively. These species belong to the Epigonus pandionis group defined as lacking an opercular spine, having more than 43 pored lateral-line scales to the end of the hypural and dorsal-fin rays VII-I, 9–11. Epigonus lifouensis is distinguished from other members of the group by a combination of the following characters: ribs present on the last abdominal vertebra; tongue toothless; tubercle absent on inner symphysis of lower jaw; eye elliptical; total gill rakers 24–25; pectoral-fin rays 18–19; pyloric caeca 10–13; body depth 17.0–17.1 % SL; and posterior half of oral cavity and tongue black. Epigonus tuberculatus is distinguished from other members of the group by a combination of the following characters: ribs on the last abdominal vertebra reduced or absent; tongue toothless; tubercle present on inner symphysis of lower jaw; total gill rakers 21–22; pectoral-fin rays 19–20; pyloric caeca 8–10; orbital diameter 14.5–15.4 % SL; and lower-jaw length 16.0–17.6 % SL. A key to the species and some comments on the group are provided based on examination of all members (nine species, including two new species) of the group.     

A new marine gobiid species of the genus Clariger Jordan & Snyder (Gobiidae, Teleostei) from Taiwan

A new species of Clariger Jordan & Snyder, 1901 was collected from northern Taiwan. The genus was previously known only from Japanese waters. This discovery is the first formal and southernmost record of these marine gobies from the waters of subtropical Taiwan. The new species, Clariger taiwanensissp. n., is distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of features: (1) fin rays: dorsal-fin rays III, I/8; anal-fin rays modally I/8; and pectoral-fin rays modally 19 (2+16+1); (2) longitudinal dermal ridge on head with 6 barbels; and (3) specific coloration pattern: head and trunk dark brown with scattered pale spots and blotches; cheek, ventral portion of head sometimes pale with deep brown spots; pectoral-fin base with a dark brown band; and caudal fin mostly dark brown proximally and with alternating and irregular dark brown and pale bands distally. A diagnostic key to all nominal species from Japan and Taiwan is provided.     

Evoxymetopon moricheni,a new cutlassfish from the northern Red Sea (Teleostei: Trichiuridae)

Evoxymetopon moricheni n. sp. is described from the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, on the basis of a single specimen. It is characterised within the genus by a convex upper head profile; the posterior confluence of the frontal ridges slightly elevated at the nape, resulting in the presence of a slight sagittal crest; eye 5.2 times in head length; the lower hind margin of opercle slightly pointed in its lower half; the pelvic fins reduced to a scale-like structure with two soft rays on the posterior process of the basipterygium, its origin below the eighth dorsal-fin element; the first anal spine single, oval, scale like, and originating a short distance behind the vent (opposite the 34th dorsal-fin soft ray), anterior anal-fin soft rays minute and embedded, barely penetrating the skin and not visible externally, while the posterior fin supporting the rays enlarged and visible externally; approximately 17 anal-fin rays externally visible; approximately 83 dorsal-fin elements, with first spine not elongate, shorter than second; 12 pectoral-fin rays (ii + 6 + iv), with shorter anterior (fourth ray shortest) and longer posterior rays extending above the lateral line; 10 upper and 13 lower gill rakers of the first gill arch; head and body silver white, with a blackish margin anteriorly on snout and head, continuing along the anterior half of the dorsal-fin base. The new finding represents a new record of the genus from the Red Sea.     

Review of Indo-Pacific dwarf lionfishes (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrochirus brachypterus</Emphasis> complex,with description of a new species from the western Indian Ocean

A taxonomic review of the Dendrochirus brachypterus complex resulted in the recognition of five species, including Dendrochirus barberi (Steindachner 1900), Dendrochirus bellus (Jordan and Hubbs 1925), Dendrochirus brachypterus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829), Dendrochirus hemprichi sp. nov. and Dendrochirus tuamotuensis Matsunuma and Motomura 2013. The complex is defined as having usually 9 dorsal-fin soft rays, usually 5 anal-fin soft rays, 17–20 (rarely 20) pectoral-fin rays, no ocellated spots on the soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin and usually 2 (sometimes none) barbels on the snout tip. Dendrochirus barberi, known from the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, is characterized by usually 18 pectoral-fin rays, a relatively high number of scale rows in the longitudinal series (modally 51 vs. 39–49 in other species) and mottled markings on the pectoral fin in large specimens. Dendrochirus bellus, restricted to the northwestern Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea north to southern Japan, is characterized by usually 17 pectoral-fin rays, a relatively low number of scale rows in the longitudinal series (modally 38 vs. 44–51 in other species), and the absence of skin flaps on the orbit surface and uppermost preopercular spine base. Dendrochirus tuamotuensis, recorded only from the Tuamotu Archipelago, is characterized by 19 pectoral-fin rays, the posterior margin of the pectoral fin strongly notched, and a relatively shallow and narrow head and body. Dendrochirus hemprichi sp. nov. is distributed in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea. Although previously confused with a closely related congener (D. brachypterus, known from the northern and eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific), D. hemprichi can be distinguished from the former by having fewer scale rows between the last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line, and between the sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line [4–7 (5) in D. hemprichi vs. 5–7 (6) in D. brachypterus, in both cases], a slightly greater interorbital width at the mid-orbit [5.5–10.7 (mean 7.8) % SL vs. 4.5–8.9 (6.8) % of SL] and at preocular spine base [4.4–9.1 (6.6) % SL vs. 3.5–7.8 (5.7) % of SL], and slightly shorter posteriormost (usually 13th) dorsal-fin spine length [11.8–19.9 (15.3) % SL vs. 13.3–21.3 (17.2) % of SL]. Moreover, D. hemprichi tends to have relatively more spinous points on the head spines and ridges, compared with D. brachypterus. Notwithstanding the morphological similarity between the two species, an obvious genetic difference was observed between D. hemprichi and D. brachypterus. Dendrochirus chloreus Jenkins 1903 and Dendrochirus hudsoni Jordan and Evermann 1903 were synonymized under Pterois barberi, as in some previous studies. Scorpaena koenigii Bloch 1789 was regarded as conspecific with D. brachypterus, which it predated. However, the former name should be suppressed under Reversal of Precedence.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soleichthys</Emphasis> (Soleidae: Pleuronectiformes) from tropical seas off northern Australia

Soleichthys maculosus, described from six specimens collected in shallow waters (37–63m) off northern Australia, is readily distinguished from congeners by its unique ocular-side pigmentation featuring numerous, conspicuous white spots and blotches nearly as large as the eye diameter on a uniformly dark brown background without any crossbands, and in having two elongated, ocular-side pectoral-fin rays, with the second dorsalmost ray longer than the first, and without scales on the pectoral-fin rays. Soleichthys maculosus is most similar to S. siammakuti, a poorly-known species collected in the Gulf of Thailand, but differs from S. siammakuti in having the second dorsalmost ocular-side pectoral-fin ray longer than the first (vs. first ocular-side pectoral-fin ray longer in S. siammakuti), and in having different ocular-side pigmentation than that of S. siammakuti, which features yellow spots on dorsal and anal fins, two conspicuous white spots arranged in longitudinal series on the lateral line, and also a series of nine, light brown crossbands on a dark brown body.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus surugaensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Liparidae), a new snailfish from Suruga Trough,Japan

A new species of liparid fish Careproctus surugaensis is described from a single specimen collected between 1,450 and 1,570 m depth on the northern part of Suruga Trough, Suruga Bay, Japan. It can be distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: 50 total vertebrae, 47 dorsal-fin rays, 39 anal-fin rays, 32 pectoral-fin rays, 10 principal caudal-fin rays, pectoral proximal radials 4 (first to third with notches); trilobate teeth on both jaws, gill slit 7.1 % SL, extending in front of 7th pectoral fin ray base; maximum body depth 19.1 % SL, disk length 7.9 % SL, anus midway between posterior margin of pelvic disk and anal-fin origin; body and fins light orange except blackish peritoneum.     

A new species of Cambeva (Siluriformes,Trichomycteridae) from the Rio Ivaí basin,Upper Rio Paraná basin,Paraná State,Brazil

A new species of Cambeva endemic to the Rio Ivaí basin, Upper Paraná basin, is described combining morphological and molecular data. This new species is distinguished from all congeners by characters related to the number of pectoral-fin rays, to the colour pattern of the dorsal and lateral surface of the body, to the presence of diffuse blotches in the ventral surface of body, to the presence of a pelvic-fin and pelvic girdle, to the number of odontodes in the inter-opercular and opercular patches, to the number of dorsal and ventral procurrent rays. In addition, the analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences identified a satisfactory genetic distance between this new species and its congeners. The new species from the Rio Ivaí reinforces its characteristics as an area of endemism for fishes in the Upper Rio Paraná basin.     

A new species of Heptapterus Bleeker 1858 (Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) from the Río Salí basin, north-western Argentina

A revision of fish specimens previously identified as Heptapterus mustelinus from the endorheic Río Salí Basin, Tucumán, Argentina, reveals that they present several morphological differences from that species. This paper describes Heptapterus qenqo sp. nov. from the Río Salí Basin. The new species is diagnosed by a combination of the following characters: presence of small serrae on the anterior proximal margin of the first pectoral-fin ray; anal-fin rays iv-v, 11-13 (15-17 total anal-fin rays); adipose-fin base 40·9-47·4% standard length; small eyes (7·4-14·2% head length); adipose-fin confluent to caudal fin and maxillary barbel not reaching pectoral-fin base in adults, and reaching or scarcely surpassing the first pectoral-fin ray in small juveniles.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus</Emphasis> (Liparidae) from the Sea of Japan

A new snailfish, Careproctus notosaikaiensis, is described on the basis of 6 specimens collected from the central part of the Sea of Japan, off Saikai, western coast of the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of the characters: vertebrae 57–58, 10–12 abdominal and 46–48 caudal; dorsal-fin rays 52; anal-fin rays 46–47; principal caudal-fin rays 10; pectoral-fin rays 35–37; pectoral fin with a deep notch; proximal pectoral radials 4 (3 + 1), round; gill slit extending to pectoral-fin ray 4–7; teeth strongly trilobed; pleural ribs 2 pairs; 2 suprabranchial pores; chin pores paired in the same pit; pyloric caeca 20–29; dorsal and anal fins with dark margins and stomach black in preserved specimens.     

A new species of Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes,Characidae) from the upper Rio Jequitinhonha basin,Minas Gerais,Brazil, with comments on morphological similarities with Stethaprioninae species from headwater environments

A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described from a marshland area in the headwaters of Rio Jequitinhonha basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species differs from congeners by presenting a single well-delimited conspicuous humeral blotch, rounded to vertically oval, restricted to the area dorsal to the lateral-line row of scales, without a narrower downward extension, greatest body depth anterior to dorsal-fin origin, bony processes in anal and pectoral-fin rays of males and four teeth in the inner row of the premaxillary bone. The new species presents a set of morphological features shared by some species currently assigned to Hasemania, Myxiops and to the Astyanax scabripinnis complex. Some of these features are discussed.     

广西岭鳅属鱼类一新种——罗城岭鳅(鲤形目:爬鳅科)

2008年9月,在广西壮族自治区罗城县天河镇附近一洞穴采集到一批条鳅亚科鱼类标本。经鉴定,为岭鳅属(Oreonectes)一新种。新种与岭鳅属的其他已知种类在以下组合特征上有区别:背鳍条3,7;臀鳍条2,5;胸鳍条1,11～12;腹鳍条1,7;尾鳍分枝鳍条为14～16。头平扁;眼正常;下唇表面具浅皱。腹鳍起点位于背鳍起点垂线下方之前,尾柄上、下缘无明显鳍褶;尾鳍后缘平截。体侧具不明显的细小鳞片,或鳞片隐于皮下。头部无侧线感觉系统管孔。成体粉红色,无色素,各鳍透明;浸泡标本体呈乳黄色,不透明,通体无色斑。     

A new species of viviparous brotula genus Pseudogilbia (Ophidiiformes: Dinematichthyidae) from Brazilian reefs,with an updated diagnosis of the genus

In this study, a new species of Pseudogilbia Møller, Schwarzhans & Nielsen 2004 is described based on two male specimens (40–44 mm L_S) from shallow reefs of Bahia, Brazil. Pseudogilbia australis sp. nov. is distinguished from its only congener, Pseudogilbia sanblasensis Møller, Schwarzhans & Nielsen 2004 from Caribbean Panama, by having: two lower preopercular pores (vs. one); dorsal-fin rays 65–67 (vs. 69); anal-fin rays 51–53 (vs. 56); pectoral-fin rays 18 (vs. 20); caudal vertebrae 27–28 (vs. 30); pectoral-fin length 15.0%–15.9% L_S (vs. 14.3); pelvic-fin length 13.5% L_S (vs. 16.4) and a different morphology of the male copulatory organ. Pseudogilbia australis sp. nov. is the only dinematichthyid so far recorded in the South Atlantic. An updated diagnosis for the genus is also provided.