Nematops nanosquama, a new species of righteye flounder (Pleuronectiformes: Poecilopsettidae) from off the Marquesas Islands

A new poecilopsettid flounder, Nematops nanosquama, is described from 10 specimens (4 males, 6 females) collected from deep waters (96–650 m) off Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands. This species is easily separated from the three recognized species of the genus Nematops by having large numbers of dorsal fin rays, anal fin rays, lateral line scales, and vertebrae, five dark transverse broad bands on the body, and a black blotch on the distal area of the pectoral fin. N.nanosquama shows the easternmost record of this genus from the Pacific Ocean.     

Description of two new species of the genus Priolepis from the Indo-Pacific with redescription of Priolepis profunda and Priolepis psygmophilia

Priolepis akihitoi is described as new from Australia, New Caledonia and Japan. The species is distinctive in having a transverse papilla pattern, second dorsal rays usually I, 11, predorsal fully scaled and dark bars dorsally on the caudal fin. Priolepis cyanocephala is described as new from eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. It differs from other species in having a reduced transverse papilla pattern, second dorsal rays I, 10, predorsal largely naked and head with vertical bands, but no bands on the body. Priolepis profunda is redescribed based on material from northwestern Australia and Thailand, and photos of specimens from Indonesia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Priolepis psygmophilia is redescribed based on recently obtained material from the Kermadec Islands and other material from Lord Howe Island, Easter Island and Rapa Island.     

Apogon selas,a new cardinalfish from the western Pacific

A new species of cardinalfish,Apogon selas, is described from 27 specimens from New Guinea, Ryukyu Islands, and Philippines; also known from photographs taken in the Solomon Islands and Indonesia. It is a species of the subgenusOstorhinchus Lacepède, distinctive in having a first dorsal fin of VII spines, 13 pectoral rays, 14–19 gill rakers, smooth preopercular ridge, body depth 2.9–3.6 in SL, and a color pattern of a black spot as large as the eye centered on the caudalfin base and two dusky stripes (mainly red or golden in life), one midlateral and the other from tip of lower jaw across cheek to thorax.A. selas appears to be most closely related toA. endekataenia Bleeker which differs in having 14 pectoral rays, 18–21 gillrakers, and six dark stripes on the body.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vanderhorstia papilio</Emphasis>, a new shrimp-associated goby from the Ryukyu Islands,Japan (Perciformes: Gobiidae: Gobiinae), with comments on the limits of the genus

A new gobiid fish, Vanderhorstia papilio, is described based on a single specimen (40.9mm SL) captured from a sandy-mud bottom at a depth of 45m in a protected bay of Iriomote-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: 11 segmented dorsal-fin rays; 11 segmented anal-fin rays; 27 longitudinal scales; 11 predorsal scales; third spine of first dorsal fin elongate, filamentous, and longer than preceding spine; fifth and ninth branched caudal-fin rays elongate, filamentous, and forming bifurcated caudal fin; fifth and ninth branched caudal-fin rays with a single branch in each; cephalic sensory-papillae row a comprises three widely-spaced papillae; when live or fresh, numerous small yellow spots scattered on head, body, and dorsal fins; dusky yellowish-brown vertical bar below eye; four dark gray-brown saddles on body, in addition to a similarly colored large blotch at midlateral caudal-fin base. The limits and diagnosis of the genus Vanderhorstia are discussed.     

A new genus and species of prickleback (Perciformes: Stichaeidae) from Japan

A stichaeid fish, Xenolumpenus longipterus gen. et sp. nov., is described on the basis of 2 specimens (107.1–114.9 mm in standard length) collected from 167 to 300 m in the northern Sea of Japan off southern Hokkaido, Japan. Xenolumpenus is unique among all known genera of the subfamily Lumpeninae in having all pectoral, pelvic, and anal fin rays elongate and unbranched with fin membranes well-incised. Xenolumpenus longipterus can be further distinguished from all species of the subfamily in having the following combination of characters: dorsal fin XLVI–XLVIII; anal fin II, 28–29; pectoral fin 11; large black blotches on pectoral fin; and black ocellus on caudal fin.     

A new species,gerres infasciatus, from the gulf of thailand (perciformes: Gerreidae)

Gerres infasciatus sp. nov. is described from the holotype and two paratypes, 125–140 mm in standard length (SL), collected off Samut Prakan, northern Gulf of Thailand. The species is similar toG. filamentosus Cuvier andG. macracanthus Bleeker in general appearance, having an elongated second dorsal fin spine, but differs from them in having 39 or 40 pored lateral line scales, the first and second soft dorsal fin ray tips yellow in fresh specimens, a narrow, faint dusky-yellowish margin on the upper membrane of the spinous dorsal fin (between 4th–9th spines), the distal part of the pelvic fin (between 1st–5th soft rays) white for 1/3–1/2 of each ray length (lost after preservation), bands absent on the body in both fresh and preserved specimens, a smaller orbit diameter (11.4–12.4% of SL), a longer second dorsal fin spine (48.0–68.9% of SL), and shorter second and third anal fin spines (10.7–11.2% and 10.4–11.3% of SL), respectively.     

A larva of Coryphaenoides pectoralis (Gadiformes: Macrouridae) collected by deep-sea submersible from off Hokkaido, Japan

A late-stage larva of Coryphaenoides pectoralis was first observed in situ and subsequently collected by the deep-sea submersible “Shinkai 2000” from mesopelagic waters at a depth of 530 m off Hokkaido, Japan. The larva (14.5 mm in head length, 149+ mm in total length) has fan-like pectoral fins, elongate first dorsal fin, pelvic fin and tail, 10 first dorsal rays (including 2 pseudospines), and 7 pelvic fin rays, 6 branchiostegal rays, no light organ, anus just anterior to anal fin origin, 2 retia and gas glands, 14 abdominal vertebrae, and previously reported larval pigmentation. Counts of second dorsal and anal fin rays, and caudal vertebrae, are reported for the first time.     

Pennahia ovata,a new sciaenid from the Bay of Bengal

A new sciaenid,Pennahia ovata, is described from the Bay of Bengal. It differs from its most similar congener,P. anea, in having weakly differentiated teeth on the lower jaw, usually 24–25 dorsal fin soft rays and 18–19 upper+lower gill rakers, a deep body and a long second anal fin spine.     

Atrosalarias hosokawai, a new species of blenny (perciformes: Blenniidae) from the western pacific

A new species of blenny,Atrosalarias hosokawai is described on the basis of 15 specimens from the western Pacific. It is distinguished from the only known congeneric species,A. fuscus (=A. fuscus fuscus+A. fuscus holomelas), by the following: supraorbital cirrus broad and flat (vs. slender and thread-like inA. fuscus); dorsal fin broadly contacting caudal fin (vs. narrow contact); anal fin narrowly contacting caudal fin (vs. usually free or (rarely) very narrow contact); posteriormost dorsal and anal fin rays long (vs. short); first or posteriormost soft dorsal fin ray shortest (vs. posteriormost ray shortest); first soft anal fin ray shortest (vs. posteriormost ray shortest); caudal fin rays branched in specimens over 36.0 mm SL (vs. unbranched); a large dark spot on base of pectoral fin absent (vs. present or absent); a red margin on anterior dorsal fin absent (vs. present). Futhermore,A. hosokawai differs fromA. f. fuscus in having a lower number of dorsal fin spines (ten vs. eleven) and geographical distribution (western Pacific Ocean vs. Indian Ocean and Red Sea). AlthoughA. hosokawai occurs sympatrically withA. f. holomelas, it can be further distinguished from the latter in lacking a large dark spot on base of pectoral fin.     

Descriptive morphology of pelagic juvenile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidion inosimae</Emphasis> (Gadiformes: Moridae) collected from off northeastern Japan

A pelagic juvenile (74.0 mm in standard length) of Lepidion inosimae was collected by midwater trawl (0–20 m depth) from the transition waters between the Kuroshio and Oyashio fronts off northeastern Japan. The specimen is characterized by an elongate body, a chin barbel, a minute first ray and non-elongated second ray of first dorsal fin, combination of 55 second dorsal fin rays and 52 anal fin rays, and no ventral luminous organ. This is the first report of early life stages in the genus Lepidion.     

A new, dwarf species of Grammonus (Teleostei: Bythitidae) found off Vietnam

A new species of the viviparous fish genus Grammonus (Ophidiiformes: Bythitidae) is described, based on two ripe males, 32–55 mm SL. They were caught over a muddy bottom in a shrimp trawl at 70–119 m off Central Vietnam. A comparison with the nine hitherto described Grammonus species shows them to be clearly distinct from other species. Except for G. ater, G. minutus differs from all other species by having either more or fewer dorsal (75–76) and anal (54–55) fin rays. It differs from G. ater i.a. by having more pectoral fin rays (22–23 vs. 18–19).     

Periophthalmus spilotus, a new species of mudskipper from Sumatra (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae)

A new species of mudskipper,Periophthalmus spilotus, is described on the basis of 16 specimens from Sumatra, Indonesia. It differs from other species ofPeriophthalmus by the following combination of characters: pelvic fins totally united into rounded disk; first dorsal fin high, greyish, no spots on fin nor elongate spines; second dorsal fin typically with 14 total elements; anal fin typically with either 14 or 15 total elements; length of anal-fin base 21.8–29.0% SL; and length of second dorsal-fin base 22.5–26.7% SL. This species is most similar to, and probably most closely related to,P. chrysospilos.     

Redescription of a rare threadfin (Perciformes: Polynemidae), Polydactylus macrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1858), with designation of a lectotype and notes on distributional implications

A rare threadfin, Polydactylus macrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1858), having long been included in the genus Polynemus, is redescribed on the basis of 9 specimens and a lectotype designated. Polydactylus macrophthalmus is characterized by the following combination of characters: 7 pectoral filaments, upper 3 filaments extending beyond posterior margin of hypural; 13 or 14 pectoral fin rays; 87–94 pored lateral line scales; 11 scales above lateral line, 15 or 16 below; 10–12 upper series gill rakers, 15 or 16 lower, 26 or 27 total; occipital profile concave in adults; second spine of first dorsal fin very strong; pectoral fin rays long (mean 24% [range 24–26%] of SL). The presently known distribution of the species, including the Kapuas River, Kalimantan, and the Musi and Batanghari Rivers, Sumatra, Indonesia, apparently reflects the ancient Central or North Sunda River during the last period of lowered sea levels, ca. 12 000 years ago. Received: November 1, 2000 / Revised: March 2, 2001 / Accepted: March 15, 2001     

Rhodeus pseudosericeus sp. nov., a new bitterling from South Korea (Cyprinidae, Acheilognathinae)

A new bitterling, Rhodeus pseudosericeus sp. nov., is described on the basis of 31 specimens from five localities included in the Namhan River system, South Korea. The new species is distinguished from other Rhodeus species by the following combination of characters: branched dorsal fin rays 9–10 (mode 9); branched anal fin rays 9–11 (mode 10); longest simple ray of dorsal fin strong and stiff, distally segmented; pelvic fin rays i, 6–7; iris of males blackish; dorsal and anal fins of males grayish in breeding season; karyotype with 2n = 48 (8m + 20sm + 20st). Rhodeus pseudosericeus sp. nov. is similar to Rhodeus sericeus sericeus in the number of pelvic fin and branched dorsal fin rays and the melanophores present on the dorsal fin membrane, but differs from the latter in having a greater body depth, more branched anal fin rays, fewer vertebrae, a lower number of scales in the lateral series, and differing male nuptial coloration. Received: June 30, 2000 / Revised: February 21, 2001 / Accepted: March 6, 2001     

Description ofGerres chrysops sp. nov. From Thailand and redescription ofGerres setifer (Hamilton, 1822) andG. Decacanthus (Bleeker, 1865) (perciformes: Gerreidae)

Gerres chrysops, a new gerreid species from the Gulf of Thailand, is described on the basis of 29 specimens, 58–83 mm in standard length (SL). A small-sized species (less than 100 mm SL), it is characterized by a silvery-gold sheen on the head and trunk, vivid yellow or yellowish-hyaline fins in life, two supraneural bones (formula 0/0/2/) and dorsal fin rays usually IX, 10. The new species is similar toG. decacanthus (Bleeker, 1865) andG. setifer (Hamilton, 1822), which are redescribed. being similarly small valid gerreid species characterized by two supraneural bones. Together, the three species comprise “theGerres setifer complex.”Gerres chrysops differs from bothG. decacanthus andG. setifer in life and fresh colors, the body being silvery-gold with vivid yellow or yellowish dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic fins, and yellowish-hyaline pectoral fins (vs. silver body with hyaline fins in the latter two species).Gerres setifer differs fromG. chrysops andG. decacanthus in having the last dorsal fin spine longer than the penultimate spine (vs. almost same length or shorter), usually ten dorsal fin spines and nine soft dorsal rays (vs. usually IX, 10), and 8 or 9 lower series gill rakers (vs. usually 7).Gerres decacanthus differs fromG. chrysops andG. setifer in having a shorter head, lesser body depth at the first anal fin spine base, lesser body width at the pectoral fin base, and shorter second dorsal and third anal fin spines. The new species is currently known only from Angsilla, near Bangsaen, and around Si Chang Island, northeastern Gulf of Thailand.Gerres decacanthus inhabits southern Chinese waters andG. setifer is currently known from the Bay of Bengal to the Andaman Sea.     

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     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus nickolensis</Emphasis>, a new hairtail from Australia belonging to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus russelli</Emphasis> complex (Perciformes: Trichiuridae)

A new hairtail, Trichiurus nickolensis, is described on the basis of ten specimens collected off northwestern Australia, off the Northern Territory, and in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. The new species strongly resembles T. brevis Wang and You in Wang et al., 1992, off Hainan Island, South China Sea, and T. russelli Dutt and Thankam, 1966, off the Waltair Coast, Andhra Pradesh, India, in having the highest point of the supraoccipital crest situated directly above the posterior margin of the eye and a relatively short caudal peduncle. Trichiurus nickolensis differs from those two species in being strongly pigmented on the anterior section of the dorsal fin membrane (vs. slightly pigmented), and having a dorsal head margin that appears concave in lateral view, rises gently from snout tip to above middle of orbit, and then extends more steeply to dorsal fin origin (vs. rising gently from tip of snout to dorsal fin origin). The new species also has a greater number of dorsal fin rays (III, 138–143 vs. III, 127–132 and III, 127–131 in T. brevis and T. russelli, respectively) and total vertebrae (160–166 vs. 147–155 and 149–153), and shorter preanal length (mean 30% TL vs. 33% TL and 35% TL), head length (11% TL vs. 12% TL and 13% TL) and upper jaw length (4% TL vs. 5% TL and 5% TL).     

A new species of scabbardfish, Evoxymetopon macrophthalmus (Scombroidei: Trichiuridae), from Okinawa, Japan

Evoxymetopon macrophthalmus sp. nov. is described on the basis of a single specimen collected off Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Among the two valid species of Evoxymetopon, the new species is more similar to E. poeyi in having the first dorsal-fin spine enormously large, compressed, and sword shaped. It differs from E. poeyi in having the upper profile of head uniformly convex without a prominent sagittal crest (vs. with a prominent sagittal crest), tip of first anal pterygiophore connected to the last rib in the anterior part, while the first hemal spine is long and connected to the posterior margin of pterygiophore bone plate (vs. connected to the first hemal spine only), a larger eye, 4.5 times in head length (vs. 5.5–5.9 times), 15 externally visible anal-fin soft rays (vs. 20), 9 upper gill rakers of the first arch (vs. 4–6), and 60 caudal vertebrae (vs. 64).     

New deepwater species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gobiopsis</Emphasis> (Gobiidae) from the Tropical Western Pacific

A new species, Gobiopsis uranophilus sp. n., is described off the Anambas Islands, South China Sea, from a depth of 73 m. The species is similar to the deepwater Japanese species G. namnas, but it differs in the dorsal orientation of the eyes, total absence of pores of the seismosensory system on the head, number of fin rays, and other characters. The similar patterns of the two species (presence of scales on the sides of the head, absence of the barbel-shaped appendages on the head, and large scales on the body), most likely, are connected with their adaptation to deepwater habitats.     

Two new species of the genusAmblyeleotris (Pisces: Gobiidae) from the Ryukyu Islands,Japan

Two new shrimp-associated gobies,Amblyeleotris yanoi sp. nov. andA. masuii sp. nov. are described on the basis of specimens from Iriomote-jima Island and Okinawa-jima Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.A. yanoi is distinguished from other members of the genus by the combination of the following characters: 14 anal fin soft rays, 19 pectoral fin rays, 97–103 longitudinal scales, a candle flame-shaped marking on the caudal fin, a very low membrane connecting the pelvic fins and absence of a ventral frenum.A. masuii differs from all other congeners by having 92–97 longitudinal scales, the length of the interpelvic connecting membrane relative to the longest pelvic fin ray (0.43–0.66), black blotches on the sides of the chin, and blue spots on the opercle and preopercle.