A new species of Petroleuciscus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Büyük Menderes River,southwestern Anatolia,Turkey

Petroleuciscus ninae sp. nov. is described from the Büyük Menderes River drainage. The new species is distinguished by having a black lateral stripe from head to base of caudal fin, stripe distinct anteriorly and posteriorly, wider than eye diameter; numerous black pigments on anal‐fin rays; body depth at dorsal‐fin origin 27–30% standard length (L_S); head width at posterior margin of eye 16–19% L_S; and eye diameter smaller than snout length. Petroleuciscus ninae is also distinguished from other species in adjacent waters by having six fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial DNA coI barcode region.     

Balitora eddsi,a new species of hillstream loach (Ostariophysi: Balitoridae) from Nepal

A new species of hillstream loach Balitora eddsi is described from the Karnali River drainage in south‐western Nepal. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by possessing the following combination of characters: six to seven unbranched pectoral‐fin rays, pelvic‐fin length 12–14% standard length (L_S), dorsal surface without circular or irregular shaped dark blotches, snout pointed, median lobe between anterior rostral barbels pointed posteriorly, dorsal‐fin origin posterior to pelvic‐fin origin, lateral line scales 66–67, caudal peduncle length 22–23·2% L_S, caudal peduncle depth 4·1–4·2 times its length.     

A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from Costa Rica and Panama,with a key to the lower Central American species of the genus

Astyanax anai, a new species of characid fish, is described from the Sixaola River basin, eastern Costa Rica–western Panama, Central America. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: premaxillary teeth 4–5 at the inner series and 4–6 at the outer series; maxillary teeth tricuspid, 2–4; predorsal scale series irregular and incomplete, with an unscaled space behind tip of supraoccipital process and 12–14 scales; lateral line scales 34–39; humeral region with a conspicuous black and rounded to horizontally ovate spot and two diffuse brown and vertically elongate bars (the first through the rounded to horizontally ovate spot, the second 2–4 scales behind the first); body depth 36·6–42·3% of standard length (L_S); midlateral stripe formed by a series of 10–14 anteriorly‐directed dermal herringbone, or chevron‐shaped, marks, most apparent in juveniles and in preserved specimens, extending above the lateral line from the black humeral spot or just behind it (from the second vertical bar) to the caudal peduncle; scale rows from lateral line to base of first dorsal‐fin ray 8–9; scale rows from lateral line to base of pelvic fin 7–8; pre‐anal distance 53·9–61·9% of L_S; total anal‐fin elements 29–33; caudal spot elongated, rhomboid or rectangular, with its anterior margin surpassing the middle of the caudal peduncle, usually reaching the anal‐fin insertion, posteriorly covering 4–7 principal caudal‐fin rays and not extending onto the ventral and dorsal margins of the caudal peduncle, covering 3–5 horizontal scale rows. In order to test the phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon in relation to the other North and Central American species of the genus, a new phylogenetic hypothesis based on a reanalysis of the morphological matrix by Schmitter‐Soto (2016) is proposed. A key to the lower Central American (southern Nicaragua to eastern Panama) species of Astyanax is also provided.     

Description of Triplophysa luochengensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from a karst cave in Guangxi,China

A new cave‐dwelling fish Triplophysa luochengensis is described based on specimens collected from a karst cave in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, that is interconnected to the Hongshui River drainage. The species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: eyes degenerated, anal fin with six branched rays, caudal fin with 16–17 branched rays, pectoral‐fin length 72·4–95·8% of the distance between pectoral‐fin origin and pelvic‐fin origin, lateral head length 26·2–28·2% of standard length (L_S), eye diameter 7·5–8·6 of L_S, body covered by sparse scales, lateral line complete and 7–8 pre‐operculo‐mandibular pores. Dark pigments irregularly present on dorsum of head, dorsum and flank.     

Schindleria elongata,a new species of paedomorphic gobioid from the Red Sea (Teleostei: Schindleriidae)

A new species of paedomorphic gobioid, Schindleria elongata, from the Red Sea, is described on the basis of five specimens. The new species is characterized by its lack of body pigmentation; the body depth at pectoral‐fin origin 4–5% of standard length (L_S) and at anal‐fin origin 5–7% L_S; the predorsal length 66–70% L_S; pre‐anal length 66–71% L_S; dorsal‐fin rays 13 or 14; anal‐fin rays 10 or 11; first dorsal‐fin ray at myomere 20 or 21; first anal‐fin ray below second to fourth dorsal‐fin rays; myomeres 19 or 20 + 13 or 14 = 33 or 34 total; premaxillae and dentaries with small teeth; gas bladder located posteriorly at 56–60% L_S; males with a rod‐like, flexible urogenital papilla lacking lobes, projections or accessory papillae, with distal half tapering to a broad, angular point and usually posteriorly directed. A key to the species of Schindleriidae is presented.     

Skeletal ontogeny of the vertebral column and of the fins in shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Teleostei: Perciformes: Sciaenidae), a new candidate species for aquaculture

The osteological development of the vertebral column and fins in shi drum Umbrina cirrosa was studied in order to improve knowledge for its introduction in Mediterranean aquaculture. The osteological development was studied in 171 individuals, of total length (L_T) from 2·7 to 30·2 mm that were reared under the mesocosm technique. Vertebral ontogeny starts at 3·4 and 4·0 mm L_T, with the formation of the first cartilaginous neural and haemal arches, and spines, respectively, and is completed with the full attainment of epicentrals (12·5 mm L_T). The formation of vertebral centra occurs between 4·1 and 7·4 mm L_T. Pectoral supports are the first fin elements to develop (3·0 mm L_T), followed by those of the caudal fin (3·8 mm L_T), pelvic fin (3·9 mm L_T) and finally by those of the dorsal and anal fins (4·5 mm L_T). The caudal fin is the first to develop fin rays and attain the full count of principal fin rays (4·5–6·8 mm L_T), but the last to be fully completed with the formation of procurrent fin rays (6·9–17·5 mm L_T). The next fins starting to present rays are the dorsal (5·3 mm L_T) and the pectoral fins (5·6 mm L_T), while the anal and pelvic fins are the last (5·7 mm L_T). Following the caudal principal fin rays (6·8 mm L_T), the dorsal, anal (6·9 mm L_T), pelvic (7·4 mm L_T) and pectoral fins (9·8 mm L_T) are the next with fully completed ray counts. Aggregation of qualitative changes, such as the appearance of cartilages, the beginning and the complement of the ossification process and the full complement of elements in U. cirrosa were measured as cumulative frequency counts. These measurements reveal three ontogenetic intervals: one very developmentally active period during early life stages (from 3 to 5·9 mm L_T), a second slower developmental period (from 6·0 to 8·9 mm L_T) and finally a period of ontogeny more focused on structure refinement up to metamorphosis and settlement (>9·0 mm L_T).     

Callionymus omanensis,a new species of dragonet from Oman,north‐western Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Callionymidae)

A new species of deep‐living dragonet Callionymus omanensis from Oman is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in a trawl from 500 m depth off the coast of Oman. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Bathycallionymus by having a small branchial opening; head short (3·9 in proportion to standard length); eye large (2·4 in proportion to head length); preopercular spine with a long, upcurved main tip, with a small antrorse barb and a larger antrorse spine, and with a strong antrorse spine laterally at the preopercular‐spine base, ventral margin smooth; first dorsal fin slightly higher than second dorsal fin (male); second dorsal fin distally straight; 17 pectoral fin rays; distal end of caudal fin slightly pointed, with two median unbranched rays bearing short filaments; first dorsal fin with basal black spot reaching from first to fourth membranes, third membrane with an ocellated distal black blotch; second dorsal fin with vertical dark grey bars; distal three‐fourths of anal fin black; upper half of caudal fin with oblique dark grey bars; pelvic fin dark grey, second ray basally with a black blotch. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid species of the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, as well as species of the subgenus Bathycallionymus, are presented.     

A new species of spiny driftwood catfish Spinipterus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Amazon basin

An expedition to the middle Rio Purus basin uncovered a remarkable new species of the genus Spinipterus. The new species has a very distinct and conspicuous colour pattern resembling a jaguar and it is almost four times larger than Spinipterus acsi, a small specimen (32 mm L_S) from Caño Santa Rita, a right bank tributary of Río Nanay in Peru and a second specimen was reported from Rio Juruá, Amazonas State, Brazil. Although the new species is more similar in size and colour pattern to Liosomadoras, it shares the synapomorphies for Spinipterus. The new species differs from the congener by the following characters: (a) colour pattern with large black rosette-like spots over a light yellow to brown background (v. brown background with small dark blotches over the body); (b) adult body size reaching 104.5 mm L_S (v. maximum known size 37.1 mm L_S); (c) posterior process of cleithrum short, never reaching vertical through the dorsal-fin origin (v. posterior process long, surpassing vertical through the dorsal-fin origin); (d) seven soft pectoral-fin rays (v. six); (e) caudal fin truncated (v. caudal fin rounded).     

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.     

A new species of the genus Mekongina Fowler, 1937 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from South China

A new species of cyprinid fish, Mekongina lancangensis, is described from the upper Mekong River drainage in Southern Yunnan, China. The new species is distinguished from the other species of Mekongina occurring in the lower Mekong River drainage by possessing the following combination of characters: one pair of rostral barbels; two rows of tubercles irregularly scattered on the snout and cheeks, with two enlarged tubercles present at each side of anterior of the snout; 19–27 rostral marginal lappets; lateral line with 38–41 scales; 5·5 or 6·5 scales in transverse series from dorsal‐fin origin to lateral line; 18–20 circumpeduncular scales; snout length 31·9–36·9% head length; tip of depressed anal‐fin rays extending to the caudal‐fin base.     

Larval and juvenile development of dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus reared in mesocosms

The larval development of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus up to the benthic juvenile stage is described in detail to establish a reference for their larval identification. Development is described in terms of ontogenetic changes in morphology, growth, pigmentation, fin structure and skeletal structure. Larvae were reared in mesocosms at a mean temperature of 24·3° C, salinity of 36·5, dissolved oxygen of 6·4 mg l^?1 and pH of 8·2. Newly hatched larvae had an estimated total length (L_T) of 2·3 mm. On the second day post hatching the yolk was almost fully absorbed with traces of the oil globule still present, the eyes were already pigmented and mouth and gut functional. At this stage the cranial skeletal elements for feeding and breathing (mouth and gills) and the pectoral‐fin support were already present. About 50% of the observed larvae had food in their guts. Pigmentation was very characteristic, consisting of two large chromatophores visible on the edge of the primordial fin, close to the midpoint of the post‐anal region of the body and over the midgut and hindgut and post‐anal portion of the body. At 2·9 mm L_T the emergence of the second dorsal‐fin spine, characteristic of the Epinephilinae, was clearly visible. The pre‐flexion stage started in larva of 3·2 mm L_T. At 5·5 mm L_T the larvae possessed posterior preopercular angle spines, and the dorsal and pelvic spines presented serrated edges and were pigmented. The water surface‐tension‐related death of the yolk sac and pre‐flexion larvae described in the rearing of several other grouper species did not occur during E. marginatus culture. Notochord flexion, with initial ossification of the caudal‐fin supporting elements, started at 6·6 mm L_T. At this stage the major melanophores, preopercular, dorsal and pelvic spines and mandibular teeth were already present. Transformation of larvae into juveniles occurred when larvae averaged 13·8 mm L_T. Juveniles with a mean L_T of 20·1 mm started to settle and most of them were benthic with a mean L_T of 26·8 mm.     

Two new species of green eyes of the genus Chlorophthalmus (Chlorophthalmidae, Aulopiformes) from the continental slope and submarine rises of the western tropical part of the Indian ocean

Two new species of mesobenthic green eyes of the genus Chlorophthalmus—Ch. mascarensis sp. n. and Ch. vityazi sp. n.—are described for the first time. The specimens were collected at submarine rises of the Maskaren Ridge and continental slope of Madagascar, respectively. The differences between the new species and other species of the genus Chlorophthalmus are analyzed.     

Review of the Acanthopagrus latus complex (Perciformes: Sparidae) with descriptions of three new species from the Indo‐West Pacific Ocean

Acanthopagrus latus, long considered a single valid Indo‐West Pacific Ocean species, characterized by having yellow pelvic, anal and caudal fins, is reviewed and separated into A. latus (east Asian shelf) and Acanthopagrus longispinnis (Bengal Bay), and three new species: Acanthopagrus morrisoni sp. nov. (north‐western Australia), Acanthopagrus arabicus sp. nov. [Middle East (except for the Red Sea) to coasts of Iran and Pakistan, and western Indian coast] and Acanthopagrus sheim sp. nov. (The Gulf). Although A. latus as redefined considerably varies in morphology and colouration, it can be recognized as a discrete east Asian endemic, with the following nominal species being junior synonyms: Chrysophrys auripes, Chrysophrys xanthopoda, Chrysophrys rubroptera and Sparus chrysopterus. Chrysophrys novaecaledoniae, known only from the holotype (type locality: Nouméa, New Caledonia), is a questionable junior synonym of A. latus, the lack of subsequent collections suggesting that the type locality is erroneous. Acanthopagrus longispinnis is differentiated from the other species in the complex by consistently having 12 dorsal‐fin spines and a much larger second anal‐fin spine, 21–26% (mean 23%) of standard length (L_S) (v. 14–24%, mean 18–21% in the other four species). Acanthopagrus morrisoni sp. nov. has the entire caudal fin yellow with a wide black posterior margin (persisting in preserved specimens) and consistently 3 ½ scale rows between the fifth dorsal‐fin spine base and the lateral line. Acanthopagrus sheim sp. nov. has the pelvic, anal and lower caudal fins vivid yellow, with two (rarely three) small black blotches on the lower inter‐radial membranes between the spinous and soft dorsal‐fin rays. Acanthopagrus arabicus sp. nov. consistently has 4 ½ scale rows between the fifth dorsal‐fin spine base and the lateral line, whereas A. latus always has black streaks proximally on the inter‐radial membranes between the yellow anal‐fin rays. A neotype and lectotye, respectively, are designated for A. latus and A. longispinnis. The p‐distance (net nucleotide substitutions per site) of partial mitochondrial 16s ribosomal RNA genes (538 bp) among the above species (except A. longispinnis) and three other congeners (Acanthopagrus berda, Acanthopagrus pacificus and Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) strongly indicates that each is a distinct species. A key is provided for the 20 species of Acanthopagrus currently known from the Indo‐West Pacific Ocean.     

Developmental structure of the vertebral column,fins, scutes and scales in bester sturgeon,a hybrid of beluga Huso huso and sterlet Acipenser ruthenus

In the larval bester, a hybrid sturgeon of beluga Huso huso and sterlet Acipenser ruthenus, development of cartilage around the notochord began 7 days post hatch (dph) (14·0 mm, total length, L_T). The vertebral cartilage develops in the following sequence: basidorsals and basiventrals, neural canals, neural spines and ribs. The development of ribs remained incomplete in the largest specimen (181 dph, 179 mm L_T) that was examined. Endoskeletal development of the fins began 4 dph for the dorsal and anal fins, 6 dph for the pectoral fin and 10 dph for the caudal and pelvic fins. Complete elements of all fins were observed by 91 dph and complete ossification of fin rays was observed by 122 dph in the double‐stained specimens. Observation of the histological sections, however, suggested that ossification occurred soon after the formation of the organic matrix in the fin rays. Dorsal scutes were first visible by 25 dph, followed by the lateral and ventral scutes, which were visible by 37 and 44 dph, respectively. The number of scutes was fixed at 44, 59 and 91 dph and ossification was complete by 59 (dorsal) and 91 dph (lateral and ventral scutes) in the double‐stained specimens. Ossification occurred soon after the formation of the scute organic matrix in the histological sections. Four types of scales were observed in the H. huso×A. ruthenus hybrid. Median predorsal, preanal and small scales on the anterior section of the head were visible by 59 dph. Scales on the caudal fin were visible by 91 dph and a variable assemblage of scales anterior to the anal fin was visible by 122 dph. Both the scutes and scales developed in a process that is similar to that of intramembranous ossification.     

A new species of trout from the northern drainages of Euphrates River,Turkey (Salmoniformes: Salmonidae)

Salmo fahrettini, a new species, is distributed in the northern tributaries of the Euphrates River. It differs from other Salmo species in adjacent waters by a combination of the following characters: a greyish body; one black spot behind the eye and on the cheek; three to six black spots on the opercle; numerous black spots on the back (missing on the predorsal area), flank and middle part of body, surrounded by a roundish white ring; red spots in the median part of the body, surrounded by a roundish white ring; short and narrow maxilla; increase in the number of black and red spots with an increase in size; adipose fin medium size, no or rarely one red spot at its posterior edge; 109–116 lateral line scales; 27–30 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line; 20–23 scale rows between the lateral line and anal-fin origin; maxilla length 8.8–10.0% standard length in males, 8.8–9.6 in females.     

Lycodes nishimurai, a new deep-sea eelpout (Teleostei: Zoarcidae) from the Sea of Japan

A new zoarcid fish, Lycodes nishimuari, is described on the basis of four specimens from the Yamato Bank, the Sea of Japan, at depths of 642–669 m. Although this species resembles Lycodes diapterus, L. hubbsi, L. pectoralis, L. macrochir, and L. nakamurae in having a deep notch in the pectoral fin and a single lateral line on the body, it is distinguished from them by the following combination of characters: no scales on pectoral fin base; scales on dorsum before dorsal fin origin; suborbital, preopercular, and last postorbital pores with risen rim; whitish lips; no whitish transverse bars on body; pectoral fin membrane and anterior part of dorsal fin membrane without black spots; basal color of vertical fins black. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at .     

Pethia sanjaymoluri,a new species of barb (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the northern Western Ghats,India

Pethia sanjaymoluri, a new cyprinid, is described from the Pavana and Nira tributaries of Bhima River, Krishna drainage, Maharashtra, India. It can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of characteristics that includes an incomplete lateral line, absence of barbels, upper lip thick and fleshy, 23–25 lateral series scales, 7–12 lateral‐line pored scales, 10 predorsal scales, 11–14 prepelvic scales, 17–20 pre‐anal scales, 4½ scales between dorsal‐fin origin and lateral line, four scales between lateral line and pelvic‐fin origin, 8–15 pairs of serrae on distal half of dorsal‐fin spine, 12–14 branched pectoral‐fin rays, 4 + 26 total vertebrae, 4 + 5 predorsal vertebrae, 4 + 13 abdominal vertebrae, 13 caudal vertebrae and a unique colour pattern comprising a humeral spot positioned below the lateral line and encompassing the third and fourth lateral‐line scales and one scale below, one caudal spot on 17th–21st lateral‐line scales with a yellow hue on its anterior side and apical half of dorsal fin studded with melanophores making the fin tip appear black. Genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence suggests that the species is distinct from other known species of Pethia for which data are available.     

Asterropteryx atripes, a new gobiid fish from the Western Pacific Ocean (Perciformes: Gobioidei)

 A new gobiid fish, Asterropteryx atripes, is described on the basis of eight specimens from Iriomote-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, and El Nido, Philippines. It differs from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: 3rd spine of first dorsal fin long, filamentous, distal tip usually over end of 2nd dorsal fin base when appressed in both sexes; pelvic fins almost separated, innermost (=5th) segmented rays connected by rudimentary low membrane between bases, and no frenum; 4–7 short spines on posterior margin of preopercle (the uppermost spine usually just behind the cephalic sensory canal pore N); eye large, 32.3–35.8% of head length; enlarged haemal arches on 1st two caudal vertebrae; a distinct black band from posterior margin of eye to caudal fin base (indistinct in dark-phase individuals); black pelvic fin (vivid in dark-phase individuals); numerous minute bright blue spots on head and body in life; no distinct dark spots on head and body; iris entirely reddish-brown or dusky (bright white ventrally in pale-phase individuals) when alive or fresh, and entirely black in preservation, without white transverse bar on middorsal surface; hovering habit. The new species appears to be most closely related with the other only known hovering species, A. striata; the latter is readily distinguished from the former in having no long, filamentous dorsal spine; semitranslucent pelvic fin; and a series of small black spots along dorsal fin base and dorsal edge of caudal peduncle. Asterropteryx contains two distinct groups, and the monophyly of the genus is open to question. Received: March 19, 2000 / Revised: February 25, 2002 / Accepted: April 25, 2002     

A new species of the blenniid fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laiphognathus longispinis</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Blenniidae), from southern Japan and Taiwan

A new blenniid fish, Laiphognathus longispinis, described on the basis of 39 specimens from southern Japan and Taiwan, is distinguished from the only known congeneric species, L. multimaculatus, by the following characters: 3 to 5 of the 6th–10th dorsal spines elongate in mature males (vs. no elongate dorsal spines in L. multimaculatus); no spots on cheek (vs. small spots present); anterior body spots usually large, forming diagonal bands (vs. small scattered spots); conspicuous black spot both centrally and dorsally on the pectoral-fin base (vs. inconspicuous spots over the entire fin base); elongate black spot on belly from pelvic-fin base to anus in mature males and females (wider in males) (vs. circular spot just before anus in males only); abdomen becoming reddish in males, but lips not reddish (vs. lips only becoming reddish). L. longispinis is distributed only in East Asia including Japan, whereas L. multimaculatus is widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific except Japanese waters.