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     

<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     

Pelagic larvae of Ventrifossa garmani (Gadiformes: Macrouridae) from Suruga Bay and offshore waters of Japan

Three pelagic larvae [5.1–5.9 mm in head length (80+ to 101+ mm in total length)] of a macrourid fish, Ventrifossa garmani, from Suruga Bay and offshore waters of central Japan are described. The specimens were characterized by a remarkably elongate caudal region (caudal region length >15.6 times head length), the longest known to date among macrourid larvae and juveniles. Other characteristics included a short snout, first dorsal and pelvic fin rays not elongated, external melanophores on most of the body and posteriorly on the anal fin membrane, and six or seven rectangular clusters of internal melanophores laterally on the anterior caudal region.     

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).     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporidiobolus johnsonii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporidiobolus salmonicolor</Emphasis> revisited

The relationship between Sporidiobolus johnsonii and S. salmonicolor was investigated using rDNA sequence data. Two statistically well-supported clades were obtained. One clade included the type strain of S. johnsonii and the other included the type strain of S. salmonicolor. However, some mating strains of S. salmonicolor were found in the S. johnsonii group. These strains belonged to mating type A2 and were sexually compatible with mating type A1 strains from the S. salmonicolor group. DNA–DNA reassociation values were high within each clade and moderate between the two clades. In the re-investigation of teliospore germination, we observed that the basidia of S. salmonicolor were two-celled. In S. johnsonii, basidia were not formed and teliospore germination resulted in direct formation of yeast cells. We hypothesize that the S. johnsonii clade is becoming genetically isolated from the S. salmonicolor group and that a speciation process is presently going on. We suspect that the observed sexual compatibility between strains of the S. johnsonii and S. salmonicolor groups and the possible genetic flow between the two species has little biological relevance because distinct phenotypes have been fixed in the two taxa and intermediate (hybrid) sequences for LSU and ITS rDNAs have not been detected. An erratum to this article can be found at     

New species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clitocybe </Emphasis>and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crepidotus </Emphasis>(Agaricales) from eastern Honshu,Japan

 Three new species of Agaricales from eastern Honshu, Japan, are described and illustrated. (1) Clitocybe minutella sp. nov. (section Vernae), having white, very small, clitocyboid basidiomata with white, strigose mycelial tomentum at the base of the stipe and trichodermial elements in the pileipellis, occurs on leaf litter in deciduous oak forests. (2) Crepidotus longicomatus sp.nov. (section Echinospori), forms very small (up to 3.5 mm in diameter), reniform basidiomata densely covered overall with white to pale yellow, erect, thick-walled, long hairs. It has melleous, echinulate basidiospores, and was found on fallen dead branches in lowland oak forests. (3) Crepidotus virgineus sp. nov. (section Crepidotus), forming pure white, reniform basidiomata, has smooth, ellipsoid basidiospores, subfusiform-pedicellate to irregularly cylindrical cheilocystidia, and abundant clamp connections. It occurs on fallen dead branches in lowland oak forests. Received: August 22, 2002 / Accepted: January 8, 2003 Acknowledgments I am grateful to Dr. Yousuke Degawa (KPM) for allowing the specimens cited to be kept in the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History. Correspondence to:H. Takahashi     

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     

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     

<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     

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     

Growth history and migration of the threespine stickleback <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gasterosteus aculeatus</Emphasis> in Otsuchi Bay,northeastern Japan

 Both growth and migratory history of the Pacific Ocean forms of the threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus collected in Otsuchi Bay, northeastern Japan, were examined using otolith microstructure and analysis of strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations with wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry by an electron microprobe. Age of the juveniles (21.6–25.9 mm in total length) examined ranged from 101 to 128 days (115 ± 8.5 days; mean ± SD), hatching being estimated as having occurred between March and April 2001. The Sr : Ca ratios in the otoliths changed with both ontogenic development and salinity of the habitat. The otolith Sr : Ca ratios increased gradually from 4.1 × 10⁻³ around the core to 7.5 × 10⁻³ around the edge of the otolith. The fluctuation pattern of otolith Sr : Ca ratios was different from those observed in both freshwater resident and anadromous forms in previous studies. These results suggested that the fish sampled spend their lives in the estuarine and sea environment without freshwater life after hatching. Received: June 5, 2002 / Revised: September 11, 2002 / Accepted: September 24, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank Mr. K. Morita and crews of the Otsuchi Marine Research Center, Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo for their assistance in collecting specimens. This work was supported in part by Grant-in-Aid No. 13760138 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. Correspondence to:Takaomi Arai     

<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     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hadrospora fallax</Emphasis> (Pleosporales) found in Japan

 Hadrospora fallax (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales), collected from riverside environments, is described and illustrated for the first time in Japan. Received: December 13, 2002 / Accepted: January 27, 2003     

Hyaloscyphaceae in Japan (7): <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyaloscypha albohyalina</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">monodictys </Emphasis>var. nov.

 Hyaloscypha albohyalina var. monodictys, a new variety in the family Hyaloscyphaceae, Helotiales with Monodictys anamorph is described and illustrated. Received: June 26, 2002 / Accepted: July 27, 2002 Present address: Strategic Product Portfolio Department, Sankyo Co., Ltd., 3-5-1 Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8426, Japan Tel. +81-3-5255-7040 (Ext. 2528); Fax +81-3-5255-7086 e-mail: hosoya@hq.sankyo.co.jp Correspondence to:T. Hosoya     

Spawning habitat in the spined loach, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cobitis taenia</Emphasis> (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

Spawning habitat of the endangered spined loach Cobitis taenia was studied in northwestern Germany. The distribution of eggs of the loach in the field was best correlated with the density of vegetation but had little correlation with current velocity, water depth, or bottom substrate. In the aquarium, the loach chose dense vegetation for an oviposition site, as inferred by the direct observations of spawning and the location of spawned eggs. It is concluded that such habitat specialization is an important element in the autecology of the endangered fish and a critical stage in the habitat requirements of its populations.     

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     

Pleosporales in Japan (1): the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophiostoma</Emphasis>

 Seven species of the genus Lophiostoma were the subject of this study. Among these, Lophiostoma mucosum is described and illustrated as a new species. All other species, L. macrostomum, L. semiliberum, L. arundinis, L. caulium, L. caudatum, and L. winteri, are reported for the first time in Japan. A key to the species of Lophiostoma in Japan is given. Received: August 5, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Hideki Takahashi (curator of SAPA) for the loan of fungal material. Correspondence to:Y. Harada     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropoma argentistigma</Emphasis>, a new species from the Andaman Sea,off southern Thailand (Perciformes: Acropomatidae)

 A new acropomatid fish, Acropoma argentistigma, is described on the basis of six specimens (59.0–107.5 mm in standard length) from the Andaman Sea, off southern Thailand (Phuket Island). The new species is distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following characters: a short U-shaped luminous gland, 16–18 gill rakers, anus situated about midway along depressed pelvic fin, proximal radial of first anal fin pterygiophore with a trough, a single row of well-developed conical teeth on the lower jaw, and head length 40.0–41.1% of standard length. Received: April 17, 2001 / Revised: April 15, 2002 / Accepted: May 7, 2002