Ahmad O. Mal

Lepadichthys bilineatus, a new species of clingfish from Oman (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae), with a redescription of Lepadichthys erythraeus Briggs and Link from the Red Sea.

Lepadichthys bilineatus is described as a new species of gobiesocid fish from a single specimen, 23.5 mm in standard length, collected from 1.5 m in a tidepool on the southeastern coast of Oman. It is distinct from other Lepadichthys species in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 16; anal-fin rays 13; pectoral-fin rays 23; principal caudal-fin rays 10; gill rakers 10 on second and third arch; head large, its length 3.1 in SL; body depth 8.0 in SL; disc single; disc length 6.6 in SL; disc width 6.5 in SL; color in alcohol uniform tan; color when fresh: body grayish blue, grading to brownish red posteriorly; head dark brown dorsally, abruptly pale yellowish below eye, with two whitish lines extending posteriorly and slightly ventrally from eye. Lepadichthys erythraeus, a species thus far known only from the Red Sea , is redescribed based on additional diagnostic characteristics and color photos.

Review of the genus Diplogrammus (Teleostei: Callionymidae) of the Red Sea, with description of a new species from Saudi Arabia

Species of the callionymid fish genus Diplogrammus of the Red Sea are reviewed. Four species are recognized: D. gruveli Smith, 1963 from the northern Gulf of Suez and Suez Canal; D. infulatus Smith, 1963 from the western shores of the Red Sea and the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba; D. paucispinis n. sp. from the eastern shore of the Red Sea; D. randalli Fricke, 1983 from the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba. Diplogrammus paucispinis n. sp. is characterized by having three or four curved spinules on the dorsal margin of the preopercular spine, first dorsal fin with a filament in males but not in females, first spine significantly longer than first ray of the second dorsal fin in males, anal fin translucent in males with outer one-third black, no bluish lines on head and body in males. A key to the species of Diplogrammus is presented; endemism of Red Sea fish species is discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:848161AE-0E4C-456E-8743-E5E3F62AB507

Redescription of Cheilinus quinquecinctus Rüppell, 1835 (Pisces: Perciformes, Labridae), a valid endemic Red Sea wrasse

The labrid fish Cheilinus quinquecinctus Rüppell, originally described from the Red Sea, has long been regarded as a junior synonym of C. fasciatus (Bloch). Herein, both nominal species are redescribed, based on examination of the types and additional material from the Red Sea (for C. quinquecinctus) and the Indo-West Pacific (for C. fasciatus). Rüppells description of Cheilinus quinquecinctus was originally based on three syntypes, and the most representative adult specimen is designated as the lectotype. We show that Cheilinus quinquecinctus is restricted to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and it differs from the similar C. fasciatus in having modally fewer gill rakers on the first gill arch, a total of 13-16 (mean 13.9, usually 13 or 14 ) (vs. 13-16, mean 14.7, usually 14 or 15), in developing a ragged posterior margin of the caudal fin with age (versus only upper and lower caudal-fin lobes developing with age), and in its color pattern. The phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcoding region accords with the species status of C. quinquecinctus with the placement of the two sister species in two divergent and reciprocally monophyletic evolutionary lineages. A full description of C. quinquecinctus and diagnosis of C. fasciatus is provided here for comparison. In addition, the data include a table of the results of the meristic and morphological examination of type and additional specimens of both species from throughout their distribution ranges as well as a table of gill-raker counts of all examined specimens. Underwater color photographs are provided for comparison of juveniles, females and males of both species.

A new species of Coryogalops (Perciformes: Gobiidae) and the first adult record of Feia nympha from the Red Sea

A new species of the gobiid genus Coryogalops, C. nanus sp. nov. is described from the Red Sea. Coryogalops nanus sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners in having dorsal-fin rays VI + I,10; anal-fin rays I,9; pectoral-fin rays 12-14 (lowest count known for the genus), two upper rays with free tips; pelvic fins I,5, joined to form an emarginate disc, no pelvic frenum; predorsal area and narrow area at base of first dorsal fin naked; longitudinal scale series 26-29; transverse scale rows counted forward 6-7; transverse scale rows counted backward 7-8; circumpeduncular scale rows 11-12; seven transverse suborbital rows of sensory papillae; no tentacle above upper eye margin; anterior nostril tubular, without flap at its tip, posterior nostril pore-like; body semitranslucent, covered with small scattered orange-yellow spots and speckles, those in predorsal area contain black dots; an internal row of white spots along ventral part of body above anal-fin base and on caudal peduncle; head with small scattered orange to yellowish brown spots; first dorsal fin with two broad white bands at base of fin and distally, and with hyaline area densely dotted with melanophores in the middle of fin; preserved specimens opaque white to yellowish with sparse melanophores. An adult specimen of Feia nympha is recorded for the first time in the Red Sea and the lateral line system of this species is described.

Description of a new species of Priolepis (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea, a new record of Priolepis compita , and a distributional range extension of Trimma fishelsoni

A new species of Reefgoby, Priolepis melanops, is described from Al Lith, central Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea, on the basis of a single adult specimen. It is a distinctive species, and can distinguish from its congeners by the following characters: dorsal-fin rays VI + I,9, no elongate spines in first dorsal fin; anal-fin rays I,8; pectoral-fin rays 14-15, all unbranched; longitudinal scale series 25; no scales on the head or predorsal midline, sides of the nape scaled; a developed transverse pattern of the sensory papillae below the eye; fifth pelvic-fin ray unbranched, its length 47% length of fourth ray; body and most of head brownish orange, densely covered with melanophores; snout, lips, chin and chest black; iris black; fins translucent with narrow black stripe along base of each dorsal fin. Placement of the new species in Priolepis is based on the presence of characteristics currently associated with Priolepis rather than with Trimma. An individual of Priolepis compita Winterbottom was photographed in very shallow water on a reef flat at Sharm el Sheikh, at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba, and represents a new record for the Red Sea. The endemic Red Sea species Trimma filamentosus Winterbottom and T. fishelsoni Goren, previously know as far south as Jeddah, were collected at Al Lith, central Saudi Arabia, and represents the southernmost record for both species. Variation of P. compita and T. fishelsoni is noted and the cephalic sensory system of the latter is described for the first time. In addition, we report that records of Trimma tevegae Cohen & Davis from the Red Sea are based on misidentification. A key to distinguish the species of Priolepis and Trimma known from the Red Sea is provided.

Redescription of the genus Koumansetta (Teleostei: Gobiidae), with description of a new species from the Red Sea

The gobiid genus Koumansetta Whitley, placed in synonymy by some authors with the similar genus Amblygobius Bleeker, is redescribed and its validity based on an integrated morphological and molecular assessment is confirmed. The following characters have been found that distinguish Koumansetta from any of 15 recognized valid species of Amblygobius: oculoscapular transverse rows trp and tra long, extending dorsally well above level of rows x1 and x2; snout pointed, prominent, longer than eye diameter, with gently sloping dorsal profile, overhanging mouth; mouth subterminal; the upper limb of first gill arch with 1-2 slender, weak and soft gill rakers anteriorly, followed by 1-5 short, also soft, broad structures; first two dorsal-fin spines elongate, remaining spines progressively shorter; pelvic frenum absent; body brown to brown-green in upper and lateral sides with narrow yellow or orange longitudinal stripes on body and head, black ocellated spot on the second dorsal fin, and another black spot dorsoposteriorly on caudal peduncle. The following three species are assigned to Koumansetta: K. rainfordi Whitley, the type species of the genus, known from the western Pacific Ocean; K. hectori (Smith), the most widespread species, known from islands of the western Indian Ocean to Micronesia and Fiji; and a new species, restricted to the Red Sea and the inner Gulf of Aden. Koumansetta hoesei sp. nov. has formerly been confused with similar K. hectori, but differs in various details of coloration, and in some morphological characters. Moreover, K. hoesei sp. nov. is evolutionary well divergent from K. rainfordi and K. hectori, its closest relative, as shown by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial COI barcoding region. In addition to the description of the new species, brief species accounts are provided for K. hectori and K. rainfordi, and a key to the three species.

Redescription of the blacktip sea catfish Plicofollis dussumieri (Valenciennes) (Siluriformes: Ariidae), with a new record from the Red Sea and notes on the diversity and distribution of Plicofollis spp.

The ariid catfish Plicofollis dussumieri (Valenciennes) is redescribed in detail based on examination of the holotype and additional material from the Indian Ocean. Part of the material examined herein was collected by bottom trawl from sandy bottoms off Jizan, Saudi Arabia, and represents the first record of the species for the Red Sea. Plicofollis dussumieri is characterised in having 14–18 anal-fin rays; two pairs of palatal tooth plates bearing granular teeth; parietosupraoccipital process rhomboidal or oblong with straight lateral sides and usually emarginate apex; lateral ethmoid globular, prominent; anal-fin height 8.2–12.4% SL; and adipose fin dark distally. Examination of specimens exhibited sexual dimorphism in the species with greater predorsal distance, longer pelvic fins and pelvic-fin base in females. Ontogenetic changes were found in several characters: length of maxillary and mental barbels, anal-fin base, and adipose-fin base are becoming shorter and eye diameter smaller with growth. In addition to the detailed study of a representative number of specimens of P. dussumieri, the present study provides an identification key to the species of the genus, and a phylogenetic analysis of available mitochondrial gene sequences (cyt b and ATPase 8/6), including species not considered in previous molecular studies.

Review of Carangoides (Perciformes: Carangidae) from the Red Sea, with a new record of Imposter Trevally Carangoides talamparoides Bleeker, 1852

Ten species of Carangoides from the Red Sea are reviewed. Imposter Trevally, Carangoides talamparoides Bleeker, is reported from the Red Sea for the first time on the basis of four small specimens and three adults trawled off Jizan, southern Saudi Arabia. Previously known from the Gulf of Oman east to Guam, its distribution range is extended to the Red Sea. Carangoides talamparoides superficially resembles C. malabaricus and may be easily confused, but it differs generally in lower gill raker counts, 25–31 (vs. 32–38), longer snout, the length 10.0–13.6% fork length in adults (vs. snout shorter, 8.5–10.8% fork length in adults); and premaxilla with slightly concave anterodorsal margin laterally (vs. premaxilla with distinctly concave margin laterally); greenish yellow blotch dorsoposteriorly on orbit membrane (vs. no blotch on orbit membrane); and white tongue (vs. tongue mainly dark). Description is provided for Red Sea specimens of Carangoides talamparoides and brief accounts for nine other Red Sea congeners. A key and table are also provided to help distinguish Red Sea Carangoides species, and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcoding region is presented for all available Red Sea species and other Indo-Pacific species of the genus Carangoides.

Reinstatement of Minous inermis and M. trachycephalus (Synanceiidae) to the checklist of Red Sea fishes, with comments on M. monodactylus

Records of the stingfish genus Minous (family Synanceiidae) from the Red Sea are reviewed. Although excluded from the recent checklist of fishes from that region, both Minous inermis Alcock 1889 and Minous trachycephalus (Bleeker 1855) are reported from the Red Sea, on the basis of two and seven voucher specimens, respectively. On the other hand, the record of Minous monodactylus (Bloch and Schneider 1801) from the Red Sea is considered erroneous, the original source of this record having been based on a misidentification of Minous coccineus Alcock 1890. Accordingly, only M. coccineus, M. inermis and M. trachycephalus are confirmed from Red Sea waters.

Description of a new species of Trimma (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea, with a discussion of the generic separation of Trimma and Priolepis, with discussion of sensory papillae terminology.

A new species of Pygmygoby, Trimma quadrimaculatum, n. sp., is described from the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea on the basis of 16 adult specimens. It is small-sized species, with the largest examined specimen reaching only 16.8 mm SL. The new species has characteristics of both Priolepis and Trimma, and easily may be confused with Priolepis randalli and Trimma mendelssohni; it can distinguish from other species by combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays D VI + I,8; anal-fin rays I,7; longitudinal scale series 23-25; median predorsal scales 6-8 (usually 7 or 8); head naked; a pair of modified elongate papillae on nape; fifth pelvic-fin ray with 2 dichotomous branches; body with broad, irregular, brown bars, last bar posteriorly on caudal peduncle extending basally on to rays of caudal fin; head with three dark brown bars below eye; four subcutaneous dark brown spots ventrally on posterior half of body; and basal quarter of second and third membranes of first dorsal fin with diffuse dark blotch. Placement of the new species in Trimma is based on the presence of more characteristics currently associated with Trimma than with Priolepis. The generic separation of the two genera is discussed, suggesting that further work is needed to clarify the separation of these two genera.