Coloconger maculatus sp. nov., a species of short-tail eel from eastern Taiwan (Anguilliformes: Colocongridae)

A new species of Coloconger is described from a large female collected off eastern Taiwan. It can be distinguished from congeners by having a large black blotch on rear portion of tail; posterior end of tail white; and combination of characters: head small 15.7% TL; 4 supratemporal pores, middle 2 in pair; 7 supraorbital pores, 2 pores over posterior nostril; 12 or 14 infraorbital pores; 14 preoperculomandibular pores; 226 dorsal-fin rays and 122 anal-fin rays; preanal vertebrae 77 and total vertebrae 145; rictus through a vertical of posterior margin of pupil; snout shorter than eye diameter; distance between origins of pectoral and dorsal fins 69.4% pectoral-fin length; and body brownish gray dorsally, light gray ventrally, and dorsal fin dark gray. Data and variations of Coloconger japonicus found in Taiwan are provided and discussed.

A new species of Hetereleotris (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Socotra Archipelago (north-western Indian Ocean), a rare case of a hole-associated adaptation in gobiid fishes

A new cryptobenthic gobiid species Hetereleotris nasoramosa sp. nov. is described based on the holotype and five paratypes collected from the north-eastern part of Socotra Island, Arabian Sea, from moderately large pieces of coral rocks with holes at depths of 8–11 m. Molecular phylogenetic analysis placed the new species within the genus Hetereleotris. Hetereleotris nasoramosa sp. nov., differs from all species of Hetereleotris in having developed tentacles extending from each anterior and posterior nostril and five transverse suborbital papillae rows (instead four or six in other species). The new species superficially resembles the recently described Red Sea endemic species Cerogobius petrophilus by having forward-set, elevated eyes, a short snout, a moderately large mouth, a relatively deep and short caudal peduncle, and developed tentacles on the head, but differs from it by the same characters of developed tentacles extending from each anterior and posterior nostril and five transverse suborbital papillae rows as from other Hetereleotris species. Both species also share a specific habitat preference for tight holes in rock covered by micro-algae. A full description of the species is provided as well as a revised key to the species of Hetereleotris.

Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov.: a new species of goby (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea with a dna-based phylogenetic analysis of the Gobius-lineage

The gobies (Gobiidae) are the most diverse fish family in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, knowledge on their diversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships is still inadequate. The phylogenetic analyses reveal two genetically highly distinct clades among specimens identified as Zebrus zebrus. A new species, Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov., is described based on an integrative approach. The neotype of Zebrus zebrus is designated. Genetic data confirm a pronounced level of divergence between Z. pallaoroi and Z. zebrus, with the mean genetic distance on cytochrome b being 18.1% and 1.07% on rhodopsin. Phylogenetic relationships within the Gobius-lineage were estimated on both markers. Morphologically, Z. pallaoroi is distinguished from the only congener Z. zebrus by having a snout longer than its eye, posterior nostril about 4/5–9/10 of the anterior nostril, eye diameter 4.3−4.7 in head length, ventrolateral head ridges transversally connected on the anterior side by a short transversal ridge, anterior membrane midline depth about 2/3 of the spinous ray, head canal pore α diameter about half of the distance between pore ρ and ρ1, suborbital sensory papillae row 5i going downwards to or near the level of row d, the distance between row 5i and row d absent or much smaller than the length of row 5i, and the body with ten to eleven vertical dark brown bands. Zebrus pallaoroi was recorded from the southern Adriatic, northern Ionian, and northern and western Aegean Seas, and is a cryptobenthic fish from very shallow waters.

A new stargazer, Ichthyscopus pollicaris (Perciformes: Uranoscopidae), from East Asia

A new uranoscopid fish, Ichthyscopus pollicaris sp. nov., is described from East Asia waters around Taiwan and Japan. It can be distinguished from other congeners in having the ventral midline of the belly forming 3 prominent prolonged skin flaps, its posterior nostril oval to circular in shape, its pectoral-fin base lacking distinct blotches, and the uppermost pectoral-fin ray and adjacent interspace membrane with 1 or 2 white spots. The biogeography of I. pollicaris is discussed.

Anatomy, ultrastructure and histology of the olfactory organ of the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, Centrarchidae

The detailed anatomy, ultrastructure and histology of the olfactory organ of Micropterus salmoides were investigated by a stereo microscope, a light microscope, and a scanning electron microscope. Its external structure shows a tube-like anterior nostril to stick out and a posterior nostril flat to the skin surface. Meanwhile, its internal structure, the olfactory chamber, contains a fan-shaped rosette structure with 9 to 11 lamellae in adult fish over 35 cm in standard length (SL) and two accessory nasal sacs (ethmoidal and lacrimal sacs) were found. Interestingly, the rosette in young fish under 15 cm in SL was a longitudinal structure in parallel with each of 4–5 lamellae. Histologically, the sensory epithelium (SE) on the olfactory chamber consists of 5 types of cells: olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells and mucous cells. In contrast, the non-sensory epithelium (NSE) has stratified epithelial cells, lymphatic cells and mucous cells. The mucous cells of the SE are abundant and distributed densely in one row on the outermost superficial surface, but the one of the NSE are less than the SE. From these results, the olfactory characters of M. salmoides may be related with its ecological habit spending in the middle layer of stagnant water contaminated, more or less.

Validity of Lepadichthys misakius (Tanaka 1908) and redescription of Lepadichthys frenatus Waite 1904 (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae)

The clingfishes Lepadichthys frenatus Waite 1904 and Lepadichthys misakius (Tanaka 1908) are both redescribed as valid species, although the latter has previously been regarded as a junior synonym of the former. Lepadichthys frenatus and L. misakius are easily distinguished from their congeners by the following combination of characters: 14–19 dorsal-fin rays; 12–14 anal-fin rays; disc size moderate, its length 15.1–20.8 % of standard length (SL); and dorsal, anal and caudal fins connected by membranes. Lepadichthys misakius can be distinguished from L. frenatus by having 25–28 (modally 26 or 27) pectoral-fin rays [vs. 27–29 (29) in L. frenatus]; the upper end of the gill membrane level with the 5th to 8th (usually 6th) pectoral-fin ray base in lateral view [vs. 6th to 8th (7th)]; the lower 8th to 11th (9th) pectoral-fin ray base attached to the disc base by membrane [vs. 10th to 12th (11th)]; 7–11 (9) gill rakers on each arch [vs. 11–14 (12)]; anterior, posterior and least interorbital widths 9.0–11.8 (mean 10.7), 13.4–16.9 (15.3) and 3.2–8.8 (6.2) % SL, respectively [vs. 8.4–10.2 (9.4), 12.1–14.7 (13.5) and 2.8–5.9 (4.8) % SL, respectively]; and NC2 (nasal canal pore) usually located between the anterior and posterior margins of the posterior nostril (vs. usually located before the posterior nostril anterior margin). Morphological changes with growth of the two species are described in detail and a lectotype designated for L. frenatus.

Synodus cresseyi Prokofiev, 2008, an unnecessary replacement for S. macrocephalus Cressey, 1981, and a description of a new species from the Western Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Synodontidae)

Synodus cresseyi Prokofiev, 2008 is an unnecessary replacement name for S. macrocephalus Cressey, 1981 according to Article 23.9.5 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The material used for the description of S. cresseyi includes two species. One of them represents a new species which differs from its congeners in the following combination of characters: anterior palatine teeth not longer than posterior teeth; preopercle scaled posterior to corner of mouth; membranous posterior flap of anterior nostril slender, with a pointed tip, reaching to above posterior nostril when laid back; pectoral fins reaching a line connecting dorsal and pelvic fin origins; pelvic process broad; color in alcohol without any marking, deep brown on dorsal surface restricted to central two-third of head and body, about two scale rows above lateral line, lateral and ventral surface uniformly silver white without blotches.

Scolopsis meridiana, a new species of monocle bream (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from northern Australia

Scolopsis meridiana n. sp., described from 30 specimens collected from northern Australia, is closely related to S. taenioptera, both species having a dorsal scaled area on the head extending anteriorly to between the anterior margin of the eye and anterior nostril, the upper part of the pectoral-fin base with a reddish blotch when fresh, and lacking a small antrorse spine below the eye. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by having two bands across the snout dorsum (vs. one band in S. taenioptera), 18–20 diagonal lines on the lateral body surface below the lateral line (diagonal lines absent), the posterior nostril horizontally elongated (vertically elongated), a deep caudal-peduncle and short pre-dorsal-fin length. Scolopsis meridiana is distributed in northern Australia, whereas S. taenioptera occurs in Southeast Asia. Two geographic populations of S. taenioptera (Philippines and remaining Southeast Asian region) are recognized following morphological and genetic analyses.

Two new species of stargazers of the genus Uranoscopus (Teleostei: Uranoscopidae) from the western Pacific Ocean

Two new species of stargazers in the Uranoscopus albesca species-complex of the family Uranoscopidae are described from Papua New Guinea, which shares among other characters a concave posterodorsal margin of the pectoral fin. Uranoscopus brunneus n. sp. is described from a single specimen from off southwestern New Britain, and is characterised by lower edge of preopercle with 8 spines; labial fimbriae poorly-developed; anterior nostril with a long tubiform valve, posterior nostril a slit-like pore; supracleithrum with a sharp spine at rear end and five small spines inside; dorsoposterior margin of pectoral fin concave; 62 oblique scale-rows along the sides of the body in adult; pectoral-fin membranes dark brown. Uranoscopus kishimotoi n. sp., described from a single specimen from West Sepik Province, is characterised by the lower edge of preopercle with 3 spines; no labial fimbriae; both anterior and posterior nostrils with long tubiform valves; supracleithrum with a sharp spine at rear end and one additional small spine inside; dorso-posterior margin of pectoral fin concave; 59 oblique scale-rows along the sides of the body in adult; upper pectoral-fin membranes pale, lower membranes brown. The distribution of the species in the U. albesca species-complex is discussed.

A new genus and species of congrid eel from the Philippines (Anguillliformes: Congridae: Bathymyrinae)

Rostroconger macrouriceps sp. nov. is described from a single specimen collected off the east coast of Luzon, Philippines. It is a member of the subfamily Bathymyrinae, differing from all others in the presence of a bony rostrum extending from the anterior end of the snout. The posterior nostril opens into a slit in the upper lip and is not visible externally. The head pores are reduced in size and number; only three pores are present in the infraorbital canal, four in the supraorbital canal, and none in the preopercular or supratemporal canals.