A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycenchelys</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from the Pacific coast of northern Japan

 Lycenchelys tohokuensis sp. nov. is described from five specimens, 199–270 mm SL. Unknown before 1997, specimens were collected along the Pacific side of the Tohoku coast, from off Aomori to Fukushima prefectures at depths of 543–709 m. The species differs from all congeners in the northwestern Pacific chiefly in the lack of pelvic fins, having a double lateral line configuration, relatively low vertebral counts, two rows of palatine teeth, and its head pore pattern. The new species does not appear to be closely related to any other northwestern Pacific Lycenchelys including the only other one without pelvic fins, Lycenchelys fedorovi Anderson and Balanov, 2000. Received: March 26, 2002 / Revised: July 8, 2002 / Accepted: July 9, 2002 Acknowledgments We are indebted to Dr. Daiji Kitagawa, Tohoku National Fisheries Research Institution, and participants in his research cruises, including Drs. T. Hattori, Y. Shimizu, K. Uchikawa, and T. Nobetsu, for collecting and supplying the five specimens described here. We also thank the crews of the R/V Wakataka-Maru and T/V Tanshu-Maru for their help aboard ship. Elaine Heemstra, J.L.B. Smith Institute, South Africa, rendered the figures. Correspondence to:M. Eric Anderson     

A new species of gobiid fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cristatogobius rubripectoralis</Emphasis>, from Australia

 A species of the gobiid genus Cristatogobius from northeastern Australia is described as new. This species is distinguishable from other species of the genus in having a higher number of scales in a longitudinal row and in a transverse row and a rounded caudal fin. In addition, there are differences in coloration such as brown reticulation on the upper anterior part of body and a red pectoral fin. A species of Cristatogobius reported from S. Java, Indonesia, is also identified as this species. Received: May 21, 2002 /Revised: November 15, 2002 / Accepted: December 16, 2002     

A new species of the genus Acropoma (Perciformes: Acropomatidae) from the Philippines

Acropoma boholensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens collected from Dumaguete city market, Negros Island, Philippines. It is distinguished from other species of Acropoma by the following combination of characters: anus situated closer to the origin of pelvic fin than to that of anal fin; luminous gland extending from isthmus to anal fin base; scales cycloid except weakly ctenoid scales around anterior part of lateral line and on ventral side of body; proximal radial of first anal fin pterygiophore lacking trough or hollow; body depth 31%–33% SL; head length 40%–42% SL; length of orbit 13%–14% SL. Received: November 14, 2000 / Revised: September 12, 2001 / Accepted: October 10, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parakysis notialis</Emphasis>, a new species of akysid catfish from Borneo (Siluriformes: Akysidae)

 Parakysis notialis sp. nov. is described from the Barito River drainage in southern Borneo. It can be distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: head length 26.5–27.0% SL, conical head, presence of median concavity on margin of lower lip, presence of laterosensory canal pore between inner and outer mandibular barbels, branched outer mandibular barbels, branches of inner mandibular barbels separated, deeply forked caudal fin with pointed lobes, 5 pectoral fin rays, 10 branched principal caudal fin rays, sparsely pigmented caudal fin, and absence of light brown saddle from base of posteriormost dorsal fin ray to caudal peduncle. Received: February 11, 2002 / Revised: September 4, 2002 / Accepted: October 11, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank Takashige Idei for the gift of the specimens of the new species, and Darrell Siebert (BMNH), David Catania (CAS), Karsten Hartel (MCZ), Douglas Nelson (UMMZ), and Kelvin Lim (ZRC) for permission to examine material under their care. Funding from a Block Grant from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan and the Rackham School of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan provided financial support for this project. Correspondence to:Heok Hee Ng     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus parvidiscus</Emphasis>, a new species of liparid fish (Teleostei: Scorpaeniformes) collected from the southern Okhotsk Sea,Japan

 A new liparid, Careproctus parvidiscus, is described on the basis of a single specimen (177 mm in standard length) collected from the southern Okhotsk Sea, off Shiretoko Point, Hokkaido, Japan, at 400–700 m depth. It is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of the characters: 50 dorsal fin rays, 44 anal fin rays, 10 + 47 = 57 vertebrae, 2 pleural ribs, 14 pyloric caeca being slender and pointed, 2 suprabranchial pores, narrower gill opening, longer lower lobe of pectoral fin, base of uppermost pectoral fin ray almost on a level with center of eye, rudimentary disk, dusky peritoneum, and black stomach. Received: June 13, 2001 / Revised: December 7, 2001 / Accepted: December 22, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zacco sieboldii</Emphasis>, a species distinct from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zacco temminckii</Emphasis> (Cyprinidae)

 Two biological types of Japanese dark chub, so-called types A and B of Zacco temminckii, were taxonomically inspected. A comparison of types A and B with the lectotypes of Leuciscus sieboldii and L. temminckii in Siebold's collection revealed that type A is identical to L. sieboldii, whereas type B matches L. temminckii. Hence, Zacco sieboldii and Z. temminckii were redescribed on the basis of the lectotype and additional specimens from Japan. Zacco sieboldii is distinguishable from Z. temminckii by having a narrower band on the anterior portion of both body sides, nine branched rays of anal fin (10 in Z. temminckii), lateral line scales not less than 53 (not more than 52 in Z. temminckii), and scales above lateral line not less than 13 (not more than 11 in Z. temmincki). A key to the species of Japanese Zacco is also provided. Received: August 15, 1999 / Revised: July 25, 2002 / Accepted: August 19, 2002 Acknowledgments We express our cordial thanks to all the following investigators: Dr. M.J.P. Van Oijen (RMNH) for the specimen loan of von Siebold's collection; Professor San-Rin Jeon, Sang-Myung University (formerly, Seoul) for providing several papers on Korean Zacco congeners; Dr. Harumi Sakai, National Fisheries University; Dr. Tetsuo Furukawa-Tanaka, Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo; Dr. Seishi Kimura, Mie University; Dr. Akihisa Iwata, Kyoto University; Dr. Osamu Katano, National Research Institute of Fisheries Sciences; Mr. Kazuo Hoshino, Oita Marine Palace; and Dr. Kouichi Kawamura, National Research Institute of Aquaculture, for the valuable comments and information on the ecological aspects of both species of the Japanese dark chub. Correspondence to:Kazumi Hosoya     

Review of seven-spined <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus</Emphasis> species (Perciformes: Polynemidae) with designation of a neotype for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus paradiseus</Emphasis> Linnaeus, 1758

 A taxonomic review of seven-spined Polynemus species recognizes two species as valid: P. hornadayi Myers, 1936, currently known only from western Sarawak, Kalimantan, Malaysia, and P. paradiseus Linnaeus, 1758, distributed from India to Thailand and regarded as a senior synonym of P. aureus Hamilton, 1822, P. longifilis Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829, P. risua Hamilton, 1822, and P. toposui Hamilton, 1822. Polynemus hornadayi differs from P. paradiseus in having a strongly protruded occipital profile (vs. nearly straight in the latter), lower counts of anal fin soft rays (mode 11 vs. 12) and gill rakers (26 vs. 32 or 33), higher counts of pectoral fin rays (18 vs. 17), scales above and below the lateral line (11 and 18 vs. 7 and 11, respectively), and pored lateral line scales (94 vs. 70), the fifth pectoral filament longest (vs. sixth), the fourth pectoral filament longer (extending well beyond the posterior central margin of the caudal fin vs. not reaching posterior central margin), a longer pectoral fin ray (posterior tip of pectoral fin reaching to midpoint of anal fin base vs. not reaching), a deeper maxilla posterior margin (mean 5% of SL vs. 4% of SL), and a well-developed swimbladder (vs. absent).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Magadania skopetsi</Emphasis>, a new genus and species of Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) from the Sea of Okhotsk

A new genus and species of zoarcid fish, Magadania skopetsi, is described on the basis of 17 specimens (83.4–115.9mm SL) from the intertidal zone of the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, near Magadan, Russia. This species differs from other known zoarcid genera and species by having the following combination of characters: suborbital bones 5, the suborbital canal with 6–8 small pores; first epibranchial fan-shaped; palatopterygoid series reduced; supraoccipital broadly contacting exoccipital; posttemporal ventral ramus weak; upper lip continuous at symphysis; palatine teeth, pelvic fins and scales present; lateral line configuration mediolateral, incomplete, absent on posterior half of body; vertebrae 18–22+78–83=97–104. The closest genus cannot be determined cladistically except that the species is a member of the subfamily Gymnelinae. During the spawning season, M. skopetsi lives under stones near the outer marginal area of the intertidal zone.     

A new species of freshwater threadfin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus aquilonaris</Emphasis>, from Indochina,and redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polynemus dubius</Emphasis> Bleeker, 1853 (Perciformes: Polynemidae)

 The taxonomic status of two nominal species of Polynemus, viz. P. dubius Bleeker, 1853 and P. longipectoralis Weber and de Beaufort, 1922, is revised. Although regarded as separate taxa up to the present time, examination of the holotype of P. longipectoralis revealed its close similarity to the type series of P. dubius, in the synonymy of which the former is now included. Polynemus dubius is redescribed as a valid species and a lectotype of the species is designated. In addition, a new species, P. aquilonaris, previously identified as P. dubius or P. longipectoralis, is described from Indochina on the basis of 28 specimens. Polynemus aquilonaris differs from P. dubius in having higher counts of pored lateral-line scales [80–86 (mode 81) vs. 69–79 (78) in the latter] and scale rows below the lateral line [14–17 (mode 14, rarely 13 or 17) vs. 13 (rarely 12)], and lower counts of gill rakers [25–29 (mode 27) vs. 29–33 (30), respectively]. The former is known from Indochina (Chao Phraya and Mekong River systems including Lake Tonle Sap), whereas the latter is currently known from the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Received: March 29, 2002 / Revised: February 2, 2003 / Accepted: February 10, 2003     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoscombrops cynodon</Emphasis> (Regan, 1921), a senior synonym of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoscombrops annectens</Emphasis> Gilchrist, 1922 (Perciformes: Acropomatidae)

Neoscombrops annectens Gilchrist, 1922, described from off Natal, South Africa, has long been regarded as a valid species. Although Acropoma cynodon Regan, 1921, also described from off Natal, was found to be Neoscombrops, they were regarded as distinct species, distinguishable by body depth and body color. Examination of many specimens, including the holotype of A. cynodon and neotype of N. annectens, revealed that the differences are within the range of intraspecific variation. N. cynodon is redescribed as a senior synonym of N. annectens.     

A new species of the genus Malakichthys (Perciformes: Acropomatidae) from Japan

A new acropomatid, Malakichthys barbatus, is described on the basis of 27 specimens (76.3–180.1 mm SL) collected from Suruga Bay to Tosa Bay, along the southern Pacific coast of Japan. The new species is unique in having numerous pairs of spines on the chin (a pair of spines in other congeners). Although the new species resembles M. elegans in having a slender body (the depth less than 35% SL), the former is further distinguishable from the latter in having a slender first proximal radial of the anal fin with no hollow (broad with a cone-shaped hollow in M. elegans), 43–48 lateral line scales (48–51), modally 21 gill rakers on the lower arm (modally 23), and a dark blotch on the opercle (no remarkable blotch). Received: July 2, 2000 / Revised: September 27, 2000 / Accepted: January 30, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe patagoniaca</Emphasis>: a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe </Emphasis>sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncinula </Emphasis>from Patagonia,Argentina

 A new species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula is described and illustrated from Patagonia, Argentina. Erysiphe patagoniaca sp. nov., found on leaves of Nothofagus × antarctica, is similar to E. nothofagi and E. kenjiana, but differs in its appendages being twisted throughout their length and the number of appendages, asci, and ascospores. The two endemic species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula, E. magellanica and E. nothofagi, coexisted on the same leaves together with Erysiphe patagoniaca. Received: September 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to Ms. Seiko Niinomi for providing the micrographs of ascomata of Erysiphe spp. on Nothofagus. Correspondence to:S. Takamatsu     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiodothella</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casearia</Emphasis> from Venezuela

 Ophiodothella caseariae sp. nov. from leaves of Casearia tremula in Venezuela is described and illustrated. Received: February 19, 2002 / Accepted: April 30, 2002     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bregmaceros mcclellandi</Emphasis> Thompson, 1840 (Gadiformes: Bregmacerotidae)

 This study redescribes Bregmaceros mcclellandi Thompson, 1840, based on one specimen (74.4 mm SL) from the Bay of Bengal and 66 specimens (30.0–84.7 mm SL) from Mumbai (Bombay), India, because the type specimens have apparently been lost. The present specimens are characterized by having black dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins and show the following morphology: caudal fin slightly forked; body chromatophores present mainly at the dorsal part; no scales on cheek; vertebrae 52–55 (13–15 + 38–41); dorsal rays 52–59; anal rays 54–60; pectoral rays 18–20; caudal rays 27–31 (principal rays 14); transverse scales 14–15. In the 66 Mumbai specimens, it was confirmed that the distinctive black fin pigmentation developed sequentially with growth, with complete pigmentation first on the anterior lobe of the dorsal fin, then simultaneously on the posterior lobe of the dorsal fin, the caudal fin, and the pectoral fin, and last, on the anal fin. This species is known only from the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Gulf of Thailand. A review of 16 nominal Bregmaceros species indicates that, besides B. mcclellandi, the distinctive dark fin pigmentation is found in B. atripinnis (Tickell), B. atlanticus Goode and Bean, B. japonicus Tanaka, and B. lanceolatus Shen. B. atripinnis is considered a junior synonym of B. mcclellandi, and the others are clearly distinct from B. mcclellandi. Comments are made on some of the characters to more fully characterize the species and for reference in future revisionary and phylogenetic studies. Received: June 17, 2002 / Revised: December 2, 2002 / Accepted: December 24, 2002     

A new species of the cardinalfish genus Gymnapogon (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from the Red Sea

 A new cardinalfish species, Gymnapogon melanogaster, is described from two specimens collected at night in the Gulf of Aqaba, Eilat, Israel. This species is characterized by having 9 dorsal and 8 anal fin soft rays; 14–15 pectoral fin rays; 2 + 11 gill rakers; a flat, bifurcated preopercular spine; a naked body without a papillae network; black pelvic fins; and a black stomach. It is similar to Gymnapogon vanderbilti (Fowler, 1938) that is known only from the Line Islands of the Central Pacific Ocean. Received: December 26, 2001 / Revised: June 10, 2002 / Accepted: June 24, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank D. Didier and M. Sabaj of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, for loans of and for taking data from type specimens; T.H. Fraser of the Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, kindly provided data on type specimens. We are grateful to E. Heemstra of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa, for the artwork presented in this article and to A. Lerner of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, for his assistance in collecting the specimens. Correspondence to:Ofer Gon     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lirula</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> from Japan

Two new species of Lirula (L. japonica and L. exigua) on Abies mariesii collected in subalpine areas of northern Japan are described as members of Rhytismatales, Discomycetes. Lirula japonica causes needle cast in fir, but L. exigua seems to occur on the needles of physically damaged twigs. Morphological characteristics of both species are discussed.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gymnopilus</Emphasis> Sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microspori</Emphasis> from Japan

Gymnopilus ombrophilus sp. nov., growing on rotten wood of conifers and hardwoods from Niigata, Japan is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its medium-sized, brownish-orange basidiocarps with a finely squamulose pileus, stipe lacking an annulus, and mild taste, and microscopically by dextrinoid, small, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. The new species belongs to the section Microspori. The differences between the taxon and similar species are briefly discussed.