Barry C. Russell

The likelihood of extinction of iconic and dominant herbivores and detritivores of coral reefs: the parrotfishes and surgeonfishes

Parrotfishes and surgeonfishes perform important functional roles in the dynamics of coral reef systems. This is a consequence of their varied feeding behaviors ranging from targeted consumption of living plant material (primarily surgeonfishes) to feeding on detrital aggregates that are either scraped from the reef surface or excavated from the deeper reef substratum (primarily parrotfishes). Increased fishing pressure and widespread habitat destruction have led to population declines for several species of these two groups. Species-specific data on global distribution, population status, life history characteristics, and major threats were compiled for each of the 179 known species of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes to determine the likelihood of extinction of each species under the Categories and Criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due in part to the extensive distributions of most species and the life history traits exhibited in these two families, only three (1.7%) of the species are listed at an elevated risk of global extinction. The majority of the parrotfishes and surgeonfishes (86%) are listed as Least Concern, 10% are listed as Data Deficient and 1% are listed as Near Threatened. The risk of localized extinction, however, is higher in some areas, particularly in the Coral Triangle region. The relatively low proportion of species globally listed in threatened Categories is highly encouraging, and some conservation successes are attributed to concentrated conservation efforts. However, with the growing realization of mans profound impact on the planet, conservation actions such as improved marine reserve networks, more stringent fishing regulations, and continued monitoring of the population status at the species and community levels are imperative for the prevention of species loss in these groups of important and iconic coral reef fishes.

Saurida lessepsianus a new species of lizardfish (Pisces: Synodontidae) from the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, with a key to Saurida species in the Red Sea

Saurida lessepsianus n. sp., a lizardfish (Aulopiformes: Synodontidae) from the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, previously misidentified as S. undosquamis (Richardson) and more recently as S. macrolepis Tanaka, is described as a new species. It is characterised by the following combination of characters: dorsal fin with 11-12 rays; pectoral fins with 13-15 rays; lateral-line scales 47-51; transverse scale rows above lateral line 4½, below lateral line 5½; pectoral fins moderately long (extending to between just before or just beyond a line from origin of pelvic fins to origin of dorsal fin); 2 rows of teeth on outer palatines; 0-2 teeth on vomer; tongue with 3-6 rows of teeth posteriorly; caudal peduncle slightly compressed (depth a little more than width); upper margin of caudal fin with row of 3-8 (usually 6 or 7) small black spots; stomach pale grey to blackish anteriorly; intestine whitish. The species is common in the Red Sea and as a result of Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal, it is now widely distributed in the eastern Mediterranean. The taxonomic status of two other Red Sea nominal species, Saurus badimottah Rüppell [= Saurida tumbil (Bloch)] and Saurida sinaitica Dollfus in Gruvel (a nomen nudum), is clarified. A key is provided for the species of Saurida in the Red Sea.

A REVIEW OF THE FISH GENUS PARASCOLOPSIS (NEMIPTERIDAE) OF THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM THE NORTHERN RED SEA

ABSTRACT The western Indian Ocean species of the deep-water fish genus Parascolopsis (Nemipteridae) are reviewed. Four species, including a new species, are recorded from the western Indian Ocean: P. aspinosa (Rao and Rao) occurs in the northwestern Indian Ocean, including the Gulf of Aden, southern Red Sea, and Persian Gulf, and also in the Andaman Sea, in depths of 20–300 m; P. eriomma (Jordan and Richardson) is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman, in depths of 59–264 m; P. townsendi Boulenger occurs in the northwestern Indian Ocean, including the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea, in depths of 94–225 m; and the new species, P. baranesi, occurs in the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea, in depths of 160–500m.

Melanization of the alimentary tract in lizardfishes (Teleostei, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae)

Investigating the alimentary tract in several species of lizardfishes (Synodontidae, Teleostei) of the genera Saurida, Synodus and Trachinocephalus, from various sites of their distribution, revealed melanization of the tract wall. This phenomenon was observed in several species of the genus Saurida, but not in the other two genera. This melanization is caused by layers of melanosomes rich in melanin granules and deposited within the connective tissue of the submucosa, between the muscular wall and the muscularis submucosa. From this site this black submucosa extends into the folds of the mucosa. In S. tumbil and S. filamentosa, the entire alimentary tract is black, whereas in S. macrolepis only the stomach is partially or entirely black. This phenomenon and its possible importance are discussed.

F.L. de Castelnau’s Norman River fishes housed in the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney

Type specimens were located in the Macleay Museum for five species described by F.L. de Castelnau: Kurtus gulliveri (syntype), Pseudoambassis macleayi (lectotype and two paralectotypes), Pseudoambassis elongatus (lectotype and paralectotype), Acanthoperca gulliveri (syntype) and Engraulis nasutus (syntypes). The last-named is shown to be a senior subjective synonym of Anchovia aestuaria Ogibly 1910, and is referred to the genus Thryssa Cuvier 1829.

First record of Gauguin's blunt-nose lizardfish, Trachinocephalus gauguini Polanco, Acero & Betancur 2016 (Teleostei: Synodontidae) outside the Marquesas Archipelago

Trachinocephalus gauguini Polanco, Acero Betancur, 2016 was described based on eighteen specimens collected from off the Marquesas Islands, the only location where this species has been recorded until now. Through morphological and molecular examination of Trachinocephalus specimens collected from an exploratory cruise conducted in June 2014 under the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos program along the northern coast of the New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, we demonstrate the presence of this species in Papua New Guinea waters. This new record suggests a wide distribution for this rarely collected species in the western Pacific Ocean.

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.

Nemipterus andamanensis, a new nemipterid fish (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from the Andaman Islands

A new species of threadfin bream, Nemipterus andamanensis n. sp. from the Andaman Islands is described and figured. N. andamanensis resembles N. marginatus (Valenciennes, 1830) in general body form and colour pattern, but differs from the latter by having four yellow stripes on the head region, upper lobe of caudal fin and filament yellow, and lower lobe of caudal fin pinkish. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase C subunit I (COI) gene sequence comparison with close species revealed that Nemipterus andamanensis n. sp. has distinct genetic divergence (8.5%) from Nemipterus marginatus and other species of the genus occurring in the area.

A new species of Nemipterus (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) and first record of N. nematophorus (Bleeker) from Taiwan

A new species of threadfin bream, Nemipterus sugillatus, from Taiwan and Indonesia is described and figured. Nemipterus sugillatus n. sp. resembles N. virgatus (Houttuyn) in colour pattern but differs from the latter, notably in lacking a second yellow stripe along the base of the dorsal fin, and by the absence of a red spot at the origin of the lateral line. Nemipterus sugillatus n. sp. is also distinct from N. virgatus in having only 7 anal soft rays (versus 8) and in lacking a long trailing caudal filament. Nemipterus nematophorus Bleeker is reported for the first time from Taiwan. A key to the species of Nemipterus from Taiwan is provided.

A new species of Saurida (Pisces: Synodontidae) from the Mascarene Plateau, Western Indian Ocean

A new species of lizardfish, Saurida tweddlei n.sp., from the Mascarene Plateau, Western Indian Ocean, is described and figured. The new species is characterised by the following combination of characters: dorsal fin with 12-13 rays; pectorals with 14-15 rays; lateral-line scales 53-55; transverse scale rows above lateral line 4½, below lateral line 5½; pectoral fins moderately long (extending to or just beyond a line from origin of pelvic fins to origin of dorsal fin); 2 rows of teeth on outer palatines; 0-3 teeth on vomer; tongue with about 4-5 rows of teeth posteriorly; caudal peduncle compressed (depth greater than width); stomach and intestine pale whitish. A key to the species of Saurida of the Western Indian Ocean is provided.