Sergey V. Bogorodsky

An underwater photograph of Sphyraena iburiensis (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae) from the Red Sea: first record outside Japanese waters

Sphyraena iburiensis, a small-sized barracuda (family Sphyraenidae) recently described by Doiuchi and Nakabo (2005), belongs to the S. obtusata group sensu Doiuchi and Nakabo (2005), characterized by two gill rakers on the first gill arch. The original description of S. iburiensis was based on the holotype and paratypes collected from Iburi, Kochi Prefecture, with additional paratypes from Kushimoto, Wakayama Pref. and Kawana, Shizuoka Pref., all located on the Pacific coast of southern Japan. Subsequently, a specimen of S. iburiensis was reported from Fukaura, Ehime Pref., Japan by Takagi et al. (2010), although additional records based on underwater photographs include Taketomi Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan (KPM-NR 12009, taken by J. Nakamoto) and Hachijo Island, Izu Islands, Japan (KPM-NR 91935–91937, taken by S. Kato); the photographs are deposited at the Image Database of Fishes, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History (http://research.kahaku.go.jp/zoology/ photoDB/). To date, therefore, S. iburiensis has been considered endemic to Japanese waters, although Sphyraena obtusata and Sphyraena pinguis, also members of the S. obtusata group, are both widely known from the IndoWest Pacific (Doiuchi and Nakabo 2005). In 10 October 2008, an underwater photograph of S. iburiensis (Fig. 1) was taken at Shams Alam reef, Wadi Gimal area, Red Sea coast of Egypt (24 4101800N, 35 0500800E), by the second author (S. B.). This record is the first of S. iburiensis outside Japanese waters; the fishes pictured agree well with the diagnostic characters of the S. obtusata group given by Doiuchi and Nakabo (2005), viz. pored lateral-line scales ca. 81–84; scales below lateral line ca. 10 , orbit diameter ca. 5.5% in standard length, posterior tip of maxilla not reaching anterior margin of eye, anterior tip of lower jaw without a pointed fleshy knob, origin of first dorsal fin well behind that of pelvic fin, and body with two longitudinal stripes on the lateral surface. Among the S. obtusata group, S. iburiensis differs from S. pinguis as follows: two longitudinal stripes, lower stripe running through upper part of pectoral-fin base (a single stripe running above pectoral-fin base in S. pinguis) (Doiuchi and Nakabo 2005). Sphyraena iburiensis differs from S. obtusata in having both longitudinal stripes distinct (somewhat indistinct in S. obtusata), the lower stripe extending to the caudal-fin base just below the lateral line (lower stripe joining lateral line midway between end of second dorsal-fin base and caudal-fin base, extending to middle of caudal-fin base in the latter), in addition to 10 – 11 scales below the lateral line (8 –9 in S. obtusata) (Doiuchi and Nakabo 2005). The individuals in Fig. 1 agree closely with the original description of these characters. Shams Alam reef is a large, semi-enclosed lagoon characterized by sandy areas, seagrass beds, isolated coral reefs and fringing reefs. The pictured individuals were observed at a depth of between 1 and 2 m (over about 3 m). Approximately 20 individuals with total lengths of R. Doiuchi (&) Fisheries Experimental Station, Wakayama Research Center of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, 1557-20 Kushimoto, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-3503, Japan e-mail: doiuchi_r0001@pref.wakayama.lg.jp

Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov., a new whipray (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Western Indian Ocean

A new whipray, Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov., described from material collected from the Red Sea and off Zanzibar (Tanzania), is probably more widespread in the northwestern Indian Ocean. It has been confused with other Indian Ocean whiprays of the genus Maculabatis (formerly Himantura in part) i.e. M. gerrardi and M. randalli. Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov. was first distinguished from these species by molecular analysis, and subsequently by a combination of morphological characters, i.e. disc shape, coloration, morphometrics and squamation. Molecular data suggest that it is most closely related to the morphologically similar M. gerrardi, which occurs further east in the Indian Ocean (Oman to Indonesia) and North-West Pacific (north to Taiwan). The dorsal disc of M. gerrardi typically has a full or partial coverage of white spots (usually present at least on the posterior disc), whereas M. ambigua sp. nov. is plain coloured. Maculabatis randalli, which occurs in the Persian and Arabian Gulfs, is plain coloured, but has a longer disc relative to its width, more acute and longer snout, longer head and larger intergill width, wider internasal distance, and a narrower secondary denticle band in adults. Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov. is relatively common in the shallow, soft-sedimentary habitats of the southern Red Sea from where it is taken as low-value or discarded bycatch of trawl fisheries. It is a medium-sized whipray with a maximum confirmed size of 840 mm disc width.

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 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.

Review of Indo-Pacific dwarf lionfishes (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) in the Dendrochirus brachypterus complex, with description of a new species from the western Indian Ocean

A taxonomic review of the Dendrochirus brachypterus complex resulted in the recognition of five species, including Dendrochirus barberi (Steindachner 1900), Dendrochirus bellus (Jordan and Hubbs 1925), Dendrochirus brachypterus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829), Dendrochirus hemprichi sp. nov. and Dendrochirus tuamotuensis Matsunuma and Motomura 2013. The complex is defined as having usually 9 dorsal-fin soft rays, usually 5 anal-fin soft rays, 17–20 (rarely 20) pectoral-fin rays, no ocellated spots on the soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin and usually 2 (sometimes none) barbels on the snout tip. Dendrochirus barberi, known from the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, is characterized by usually 18 pectoral-fin rays, a relatively high number of scale rows in the longitudinal series (modally 51 vs. 39–49 in other species) and mottled markings on the pectoral fin in large specimens. Dendrochirus bellus, restricted to the northwestern Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea north to southern Japan, is characterized by usually 17 pectoral-fin rays, a relatively low number of scale rows in the longitudinal series (modally 38 vs. 44–51 in other species), and the absence of skin flaps on the orbit surface and uppermost preopercular spine base. Dendrochirus tuamotuensis, recorded only from the Tuamotu Archipelago, is characterized by 19 pectoral-fin rays, the posterior margin of the pectoral fin strongly notched, and a relatively shallow and narrow head and body. Dendrochirus hemprichi sp. nov. is distributed in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea. Although previously confused with a closely related congener (D. brachypterus, known from the northern and eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific), D. hemprichi can be distinguished from the former by having fewer scale rows between the last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line, and between the sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line [4–7 (5) in D. hemprichi vs. 5–7 (6) in D. brachypterus, in both cases], a slightly greater interorbital width at the mid-orbit [5.5–10.7 (mean 7.8) % SL vs. 4.5–8.9 (6.8) % of SL] and at preocular spine base [4.4–9.1 (6.6) % SL vs. 3.5–7.8 (5.7) % of SL], and slightly shorter posteriormost (usually 13th) dorsal-fin spine length [11.8–19.9 (15.3) % SL vs. 13.3–21.3 (17.2) % of SL]. Moreover, D. hemprichi tends to have relatively more spinous points on the head spines and ridges, compared with D. brachypterus. Notwithstanding the morphological similarity between the two species, an obvious genetic difference was observed between D. hemprichi and D. brachypterus. Dendrochirus chloreus Jenkins 1903 and Dendrochirus hudsoni Jordan and Evermann 1903 were synonymized under Pterois barberi, as in some previous studies. Scorpaena koenigii Bloch 1789 was regarded as conspecific with D. brachypterus, which it predated. However, the former name should be suppressed under Reversal of Precedence.