<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olyra parviocula</Emphasis>, a new species of bagrid catfish (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes), from northeastern India

A new species, Olyra parviocula, is described from the Kameng River, Brahmaputra River drainage in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. The new species differs from congeners in having small eye diameter 5–8% HL; short adipose fin, not confluent with caudal-fin, its base length 9–12% SL; dorsal-fin branched rays 6; anal-fin rays viii–xi, 8–10 and maxillary barbel almost reaching pelvic-fin base. A key to identification of all valid species of Olyra is provided.     

A new troglobitic loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triplophysa tianlinensis</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi,China

A new cave-dwelling species Triplophysa tianlinensis sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from a karst cave in Hongxing Village, Langping Town, Tianlin County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by following a combination of characters: tip of pectoral fin not reaching pelvic-fin origin; body unpigmented, smooth and scaleless; dorsal fin with 8–9 branched rays, its origin anterior to pelvic-fin origin; black pigmented, rudimentary orbital spot; lateral line complete; 0+10 gill rakers on the first gill arch. Additionally, although the new species and Triplophysa langpingensis are from the cave of Langping Town, the new species could be distinguished from T. langpingensis by the following character: lateral line completed, 3+10 infraorbital and 15 preoperculo-mandibular pores.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagocephalus cheesemanii</Emphasis> (Clarke 1897), a senior synonym of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagocephalus gloveri</Emphasis> Abe and Tabeta 1983, based on morphological and genetic comparisons (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

Lagocephalus gloveri Abe and Tabeta 1983 is shown to be a junior synonym of Tetrodon cheesemanii Clarke 1897 based on examination of morphological characters and DNA analysis of specimens collected from the western North Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Lagocephalus cheesemanii is distinguished from other species of Lagocephalus by the following combination of characters: spinules on the back in a rhomboidal patch extending from the region between the nasal organ to the posterior part of the pectoral fin; caudal fin double emarginate with middle rays posteriorly produced; dorsal-fin rays 11–15; anal-fin rays 11–14; pectoral-fin rays 15–18; vertebrae 8+11=19; dorsal half of the body dark brown to brownish black; caudal fin dark brown to black with dorsal and ventral white tips. A neotype of L. cheesemanii is designated.     

A new species of eel cods <Emphasis Type="Italic">Muraenolepis kuderskii</Emphasis> sp. nova (fam. Muraenolepididae) from South Georgia (the Scotia Sea)

A new species of the eel cod Muraenolepis kuderskii sp. nova from the Scotia Sea, South Georgia, from depths of 440–605 m is described. The species belongs to the group of “few-rayed” species having less than 150 rays in the dorsal fin and less than 114 rays in the anal fin. According to general body proportions, M. kuderskii is closely related to high-latitude Antarctic species M. trunovi; however, it differs from the latter and all other species of the group of “few-rayed” eel cods in a short chin barbel, small sizes of the eye, a short antebranchial distance, a short anteanal distance, and a long postanal distance.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus iacchus,</Emphasis> a new variegated snailfish (Liparidae) from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk

A new species of snailfishes, Careproctus iacchus, is described on the basis of three specimens collected from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk. Among the species of Careproctus, the new species is most similar to Careproctus comus and Careproctus faunus, both known from the Aleutian Islands, in having a variegated body coloration. However, it can be distinguished in having 44–46 dorsal- and 39–40 anal-fin rays (vs. 50–56 and 44–50 in C. comus and 47–51 and 41–45 in C. faunus, respectively), a pectoral fin without a notch (vs. both with a shallow notch), no interradial fenestra between proximal radials two and three in the pectoral girdle (vs. both having a fenestra between proximal radials two and three), a gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin (extending to just above the pectoral fin or to 1–5th ray), a body with many white spots (vs. mottled with red and white), and a large white blotch on cheek (vs. no distinct markings on cheek) when fresh.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Samaretta perexilis</Emphasis>, a new genus and new species of samarid flatfish (Pleuronectiformes: Samaridae) from the South Pacific

A new genus of righteye flounder, Samaretta gen. nov., is described from two specimens (one female and one juvenile) collected in deep waters (470–512 m) from submarine mountains of the southern eastern Pacific. The type species of the new genus, Samaretta perexilis, is characterized by unremarkable (i.e., not elongated) anterior dorsal fin rays, four pectoral fin rays, six parapophyses, reduced lateral line canals, a very slender body, large head and eyes, and minute scales. An updated key to the samarid genera is presented.     

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 labrid fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxycheilinus samurai</Emphasis> from the western Pacific Ocean

A new species of labrid fish Oxycheilinus samurai sp. nov. is described on the basis of five specimens from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and Panay Island, the Philippines. The new species is most similar to the Indo-West Pacific species Oxycheilinus orientalis in having a slender compressed body, 12 pectoral-fin rays, a blackish blotch around the anterior portion of the lateral-line anterior series, and a dark blotch basally on the membrane between the first and second dorsal-fin spines. However, O. samurai can be distinguished from O. orientalis by the following combination of characters: gill rakers 4 + 7–8; snout rounded with maximum circumference 49.8–63.5 % of standard length (SL); interorbital width 7.7–9.2 % of SL; caudal-peduncle depth 13.8–15.3 % of SL; posterior margin of caudal fin white; black or dark red area just before white posterior margin of caudal fin; poorly defined blackish blotches on inner surface of opercle in preserved specimens.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichodina</Emphasis> Ehrenberg, 1830 (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) infecting farmed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis> (Burchell) (Siluriformes: Clariidae) in Cuba

A new species of Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1830 collected from the skin and fins of farmed North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) fingerlings, is described. The new species can be distinguished from other trichodinids by the characteristics of the adhesive disc, especially by the great number of denticles. Trichodina merciae n. sp. is morphologically similar to T. renicola (Mueller, 1931) and T. marplatensis Martorelli, Marcotegui & Alda, 2008, in the number of denticles, but differs in the morphometric data, denticle morphology, environment and location. Trichodina merciae n. sp. has broad sickle-shaped blades and thin, straight rays, while T. marplatensis has broad club-shaped blades and wide S-shaped rays. Besides, denticle length, blade length, ray length, width of central part and denticle span of the new species are greater than T. marplatensis. However, the diameter of denticle ring and the diameter of the central area in T. marplatensis is larger than the ones in T. merciae n. sp. This is the first record of freshwater ectoparasite trichodinid with an average number of denticles greater than 50.     

Review of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chromis xanthura</Emphasis> species group (Perciformes: Pomacentridae), with description of a new species

A taxonomic review of the Chromis xanthura species group, defined here as having 13 dorsal-fin spines, three upper and three lower procurrent caudal-fin rays, two black bands at the preopercular and opercular margins, and a yellow caudal fin when juvenile, resulted in the recognition of three species, Chromis xanthura (Bleeker 1854), Chromis opercularis (Günther 1867), and Chromis anadema sp. nov. Chromis xanthura and C. opercularis, the Pacific and Indian Ocean paired sister species, respectively, are redescribed, with confirmation of two color types of C. xanthura (having a white or black caudal peduncle and fin) as a single species on the basis of morphological and molecular analyses. Chromis anadema sp. nov., described from the oceanic islands of the Pacific Ocean on the basis of 21 specimens, is characterized by having 28–33 gill rakers; longest dorsal-fin soft ray length 20.0–24.7% of standard length (SL); first anal-fin spine length 5.0–6.1% of SL; caudal-fin length 33.4–43.8% of SL; posterior tips of caudal-fin lobes not filamentous in adults; broad black bands along preopercular and opercular margins, sum width of two bands 28.9–38.7% of head length; distal half of soft-rayed portion of dorsal fin transparent in adults; triangular black blotches at upper and lower caudal-fin base in adults; caudal peduncle and fin bluish black in adults; and body grayish, and all fins (except for pectoral fin) bright yellow in juveniles.     

A review of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gerres subfasciatus</Emphasis> complex from the Indo-West Pacific,with three new species (Perciformes: Gerreidae)

Gerres japonicus Bleeker, 1854, and Gerres subfasciatus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830, are redescribed, and Gerres akazakii sp. nov. (Japanese endemic), Gerres ryukyuensis sp. nov. (Okinawa I., Japan), and Gerres shima sp. nov. (Indo-Malayan region, including the Andaman Sea, Southeast Asia, southern China and Taiwan, and Ryukyu Is., Japan) are described. Gerres ovatus Günther, 1859, and Gerres kapas Bleeker, 1854, are recognized as junior synonyms of G. subfasciatus and Gerres oyena (Forsskål, 1775), respectively. All species (except G. oyena) have a small (<170?mm in standard length: SL), moderately deep (depth 36–48% SL), body with dark vertical bars, dorsal fin rays X, 9 or IX, 10, and 31/2 or 41/2 scale rows between the 5th dorsal fin spine base and lateral line, defined as the G. subfasciatus complex. The five species can be variously differentiated from each other by dorsal head squamation, and differing meristic, morphometric, and color characters. They are generally distributed sympatrically in the Indo-West Pacific. Other nominal species of uncertain status or relationship are discussed.     

A new horned sculpin (Pisces: Cottidae) from the Miocene of Sakhalin Island,Russia

A new species of the Recent genus Enophrys, E. hoplites sp. nov., is described from the Miocene (Serravalian?Tortonian) Agnevo Formation of Sakhalin Island, Russia. This Miocene species differs from two Recent congeners in the greater number of anal fin rays (14 versus 9?13), the smaller head, less raised margins of the orbit, flatter upper contour of the head, longer anal fin base, short predorsal distance, higher first dorsal fin, and in the right angle (versus acute angle) between two upper preopercular spines. An archaic feature of the new species is the presence of two rays on the posterior pterygiophore of the anal fin, a character recorded only in the most primitive Recent members of the family. The occurrence of this new fossil species shows that extant subfamilies, tribes, and genera existed as a part of the family Cottidae as early as the Miocene time.     

Two New Species of Goby of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astrabe</Emphasis> from Japan

Two species of goby belonging to the genus Astrabe are described from Japan as new species, A. flavimaculata and A. fasciata. A. flavimaculata is distinguishable from A. lactisella, the type species and hitherto the only known species of the genus, in that it has no protrusion on the upper posterior part of the dermal fold along the upper margin of the eye, fewer scales in a longitudinal row, predorsal scales, scales on the belly, a narrower white transverse band across the base of the pectoral fins, and in life yellow markings on a dark brown ground colour except for the white transverse band across the base of the pectoral fins. A. fasciata is distinguishable from A. lactisella in that it has fewer scales in a transverse row, a narrower scaled area on the lateral side of the body, a narrower white transverse band across the base of the pectoral fins, and a white transverse band across the anterior part of the 1st dorsal fin extending to the ventral side of the body.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ostichthys spiniger,</Emphasis> a new species of soldierfish from New Ireland,Papua New Guinea,western Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Holocentridae)

A new species of soldierfish, Ostichthys spiniger, from off northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single specimen collected with a trawl at 180-181 m depth near Kavieng. The new species is characterised by the following characters: scales above lateral line to mid-base of spinous portion of dorsal fin 3¹/₂; no half-scale present anterior to first lateral-line scale; dorsal profile of head nearly uniformly convex; anterior end of each nasal bone with a sharp, forwardly directed spine; a strong spine at the corner of preopercle, which is significantly larger than other serrations; pectoral-fin rays 17; lateral-line scales 29; gill rakers 8 + 13; last dorsal-fin spine shorter than penultimate spine; body depth 2.2 in SL; HL 2.4 in SL; snout very short, 6.6 in HL; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.9 in HL. The new species is compared with other species in the genus. A revised key to the species of Ostichthys is presented. The new species is most similar to O. acanthorhinus.     

Gobies (Gobioidei) of soft bottoms from Nha Trang and Van Phong bays (South China Sea,Vietnam)

Gobioid fishes collected in Nha Trang and Van Phong bays (Vietnam) represented by 44 species, including 30 species continuously associated with soft bottoms in the open parts of the bays with normal marine conditions are reviewed. A new species, Navigobius khanhoa sp. n., is described. This species differs from other species of the genus in much higher number of rays in the second dorsal fin (26), smaller size of the mouth, teeth on the jaws arranged in a single row, and other characters. Four species from the genera Acentrogobius, Eviota, Favonigobius, and Gnatholepis have not been identified to the species, and, most likely, some of them are new for science. Nine species are recorded in the fauna of Vietnam for the first time: Aulopareia unicolor, Bathygobius hongkongensis, Egglestonichthys bombylios, Glossogobius circumspectus, Oplopomops diacanthus, Oxyurichthys auchenolepis, Tomiyamichthys ex gr. russus, Tryssogobius porosus, and Valenciennea immaculata. An occurrence of Glossogobius olivaceus in the fauna of Vietnam is confirmed. Three species, G. olivaceus, Oligolepis acutipennis, and Periophthalmus kalolo, are recorded in the Cai River delta for the first time. A new synonymy is established: Eviota gurjanovae (Prokofiev, 2007) = E. prasina (Klunzinger, 1871). The current state of knowledge of Gobiidae fauna of Vietnam is discussed, and the updating of the species composition of Gobiodontini of Nha Trang Bay is presented in addition to the species list published earlier (Prokofiev, 2007).     

Redescriptions of two western Pacific triplefins (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae), <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enneapterygius fuscoventer</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. howensis</Emphasis>

Two western Pacific triplefins, Enneapterygius fuscoventer Fricke 1997 and E. howensis Fricke 1997 (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae), are similar to each other in sharing 15–19 (usually 17) notched lateral-line scales and the mandibular pore formula 3–5 + 1 + 3–5 (usually 4 + 1 + 4), in addition to similar coloration, viz. body with four vertical bands, the first and second forked ventrally, dorsal-fin membrane semi-transparent, anal fin entirely blackish, and caudal fin blackish with a semi-transparent margin. These species have previously been known only from preserved specimens. Examination of additional specimens plus color photographs of males and females of both species when fresh, and comparisons with type specimens resulted in several features, including coloration and counts of second dorsal-fin spines, anal-fin soft rays, pored lateral-line scales and longitudinal scale rows, being regarded as new diagnostic characters. Enneapterygius fuscoventer and E. howensis have been newly recorded from southern Japan and coastal eastern Australia, respectively.     

New species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyeleotris</Emphasis> (Gobiidae) from Phan Thiet Bay (South China Sea,Vietnam)

A new species Amblyeleotris memnonia sp. n. from the South China Sea is described. By the high number of rays in the second dorsal and anal fins, the new species is close to A. gymnocephala and A. cephalotaenia, but it differs from them and all other species by the uniform dark color of the body.