Opistognathusctenion (Perciformes, Opistognathidae): a new jawfish from southern Japan.

Opistognathusctenionsp. nov. (Perciformes: Opistognathidae) is described on the basis of three specimens (17.3-30.6 mm in standard length) collected from the Osumi and Ryukyu islands, southern Japan in depths of 35-57 m. Although most similar to Opistognathustriops, recently described from Tonga and Vanuatu, the new species differs in mandibular pore arrangement, dorsal- and caudal-fin coloration, fewer gill rakers, and lacks blotches or stripes on the snout, suborbital region and both jaws.

A new subtropical species of goby of the genus Luciogobius (Gobiidae) from southwestern Japan.

Luciogobius griseus n. sp., belonging to the Luciogobius platycephalus complex, is described on the basis of 40 specimens from the Nansei Islands, southwestern Japan (subtropical area). The new species is generally found in intertidal gravel sediments subjected to freshwater runoff from springs on coastal lines or river mouths and is characterized by the following combination of characters: total second dorsal-fin rays 912 (modally 11); total anal-fin rays usually 1214 (modally 13); pectoral-fin rays 1215 (modally 13); vertebrae 17 or 18 + 23 or 24 = 4042 (18 + 23 = 41); uppermost 24 (23) rays on pectoral fin free; 812 pectoral-fin rays branched (uppermost free rays and sometimes lowermost ray unbranched); pectoral-fin membrane not strongly concave anteriorly (except for free rays); pelvic fins united, forming a disk; head relatively short, 13.920.8% of standard length (SL); relatively short pre-pelvic fin, length 14.422.1% of SL; relatively long pre-dorsal fin, length 68.972.9% of SL; relatively long pre-anal fin, length 63.567.7% of SL; relatively short pelvic fin, length 2.84.7% of SL; distance between posterior end of pelvic fin and anus relatively long, 32.036.4% of SL (aforementioned morphometrics each distinguishing L. griseus n. sp. from other species in the L. platycephalus complex); and fresh specimens with greenish dark brown or gray body. A key to the L. platycephalus complex is provided, together with limited descriptions and remarks on the other two members of the complex.

A new species of the genus Enneapterygius (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae) from Japan and the Philippines, with a synopsis and synonymy of related species.

A new species of triplefin (Tripterygiidae), Enneapterygius olivaceus n. sp., is described on the basis of 28 type specimens (13.725.1 mm standard length: SL) from Japan (Ryukyu Islands) and the Philippines. The new species is characterized by having 1822 (20) notched lateral-line scales, 2 or 3 (2) scales below the 1st notched lateral-line scale, a single symphyseal mandibular-pore (mandibular pore formula 3 + 1 + 3), black pectoral fins in nuptial males, and no distinct line on the anal-fin membranes. In this study, Enneapterygius minutus (Gnther, 1877), previously regarded as a junior synonym of Enneapterygius philippinus (Peters, 1868), is considered a valid species, being redescribed based on 109 specimens, including the re-examined type specimens. Diagnostic characters and distributional records of the species closely related to E. olivaceus n. sp. are reviewed. Enneapterygius tusitalae Jordan & Seale, 1906, Enneapterygius pardochir Jordan & Seale, 1906 and Enneapterygius punctulatus Herre, 1935 are regarded here as junior synonyms of E. minutus; Tripterygium callionymi Weber, 1909 and Enneapterygius waigiensis Herre, 1935 are junior synonyms of Enneapterygius tutuilae Jordan & Seale, 1906; Enneapterygius cerasinus Jordan & Seale, 1906 is a junior synonym of Enneapterygius unimaculatus Fricke, 1994; Enneapterygius fuligicauda Fowler, 1946 is a senior synonym of Enneapterygius similis Fricke, 1997.

Luciogobius punctilineatus n. sp., a new earthworm goby from southern Japan.

Luciogobius punctilineatus n. sp. is described on the basis of 21 type specimens from Kyushu, and the Koshiki and Osumi Islands, southern Japan. It is also found in Kochi Prefecture (Shikoku) and Amami-oshima island (Ryukyu Islands), Japan, confirmed by examination of non-type specimens. The genus Luciogobius includes 15 valid and several undescribed species, and most of them inhabit interstitial spaces of stones and gravel in the intertidal zone. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: total second dorsal-fin rays 1012 (modally 11); total anal-fin rays 1214 (13); pectoral-fin rays 812 (10); vertebrae 1618 + 2224 = 3942 (17 + 23 = 40); pectoral-fin posterior margin slightly concave; pelvic fins united, forming a ventral disc; snout relatively short, length 3.14.3% of SL; anus to anal-fin origin (AAA) distance twice body depth at anus, 11.416.9% of SL; snout length less than 34.7% of AAA distance; pre-anus length less than 85.5% of pre-anal-fin length; single poorly defined black longitudinal line along mid-lateral body region from behind pectoral fin to caudal-fin base, indistinct anteriorly (line embedded, visible through semi-transparent muscle tissue in fresh or live specimens); black spots forming a single longitudinal row on mid-lateral body surface from behind pectoral fin to caudal-fin base (more distinct in preserved specimens).

A new species of the waspfish genus Ocosia (Teleostei: Tetrarogidae) from the Coral Sea, with a key to species in the genus.

The new waspfish Ocosia dorsomaculata n. sp. (Tetrarogidae) is described, based on specimens from Australia (5) and New Caledonia (51). Although O. dorsomaculata and Ocosia apia Poss Eschmeyer 1975 both share modally XVI, 8 dorsal-fin rays with a long second dorsal-fin spine, and presence of supraocular, lateral lacrimal, and suborbital spines, the former has modally 13 pectoral-fin rays (vs. usually 12 in the latter), a lower modal count of total gill rakers (10 vs. 1618), greater upper-jaw length, greater third to sixth dorsal-fin spine lengths, the third dorsal-fin spine slightly shorter than the second dorsal-fin spine (vs. third spine markedly shorter than second spine), 1 or 2 prominent pale brown to dark brown blotches on the membrane between the fifth to eighth or sixth to ninth dorsal-fin spines (vs. 1 blotch on the membrane around the third dorsal-fin spine and 1 blotch on the membrane between the sixth to eighth dorsal-fin spines), and body with 1115 longitudinal pale brown to dark brown bars along lateral line (vs. irregular brown specks). A key to the species of Ocosia is given.

Brood pouch evolution in pipefish and seahorse based on histological observation.

INTRODUCTION: Fishes of the Syngnathidae family are rare in having male pregnancy: males receive eggs from females and egg development occurs in the male brood pouch that diverged during evolution. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Nerophinae and Syngnathinae. METHODS: We compared histologically five types of the brood pouch in Syngnathinae: an open pouch without skinfolds (alligator pipefish); an open pouch with skinfolds (messmate pipefish); a closed pouch with skinfolds (seaweed pipefish); and closed pouches with a sac-like pouch on the tail (pot-bellied seahorse) or within a body cavity (Japanese pygmy seahorse). RESULTS: Histological observations revealed that all the examined species possess vascular egg compartments during the brooding period. The present immunohistochemical study revealed that the pregnant egg compartment epithelium grows thin in both open and closed pouches. The placenta of open and closed pouches is composed of dermis and reticulin fibers, respectively. The closed pouch placenta is a flexible and moist tissue, suitable for substance transport between the father and embryos through the epithelium and blood vessels and responsible for supplying nutrition and removing waste. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the basic egg incubation structures were established at an early stage of Syngnathinae evolution. On the other hand, it is likely that the innovation of tissue structure, where dermis was replaced with reticular fibers, occurred in closed brood pouches to regulate the pregnant pouch environment. The present study presents the morphological evolutionary pathway of the brood pouch in Syngnathinae, providing a basis for further molecular-level evolutionary studies.

Two new species of the butterflyfish genus Roa (Perciformes: Chaetodontidae).

Two new species of Roa (Chaetodontidae) are described. Roa semilunaris sp. nov., based on six specimens from the Mascarene Ridge (south-western Indian Ocean), is most similar to Roa jayakari (Norman, 1939), distributed in the Red Sea and the northern Indian Ocean, in having scales on the upper jaw, interrupted pale lines within the second dark body band, and similar coloration and shape of the pelvic fin. However, the former is readily distinguished from R. jayakari by a wider whitish interspace between the second and third black bands [width of interspace at lateral line level 15.9%-18.5% of standard length (SL) in R. semilunaris sp. nov. (vs. 5.1%-8.5% of SL in R. jayakari)], with 9 or 10 pored lateral-line scales in the interspace (vs. 3-5); an oval or semicircular ocellated blotch on the soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin (vs. a circular blotch); the head higher and longer [head length 35.0%-36.7% of SL (vs. 40.8%-44.1% of SL), head height 48.1%-50.5% of SL (vs. 52.0%-56.9% of SL)], and postorbital length 14.0%-15.1% of SL (vs. 17.0%-20.5% of SL). Roa uejoi sp. nov., based on three specimens from Guam (Mariana Islands), is most similar to Roa excelsa (Jordan, 1921) (now restricted to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island), but is distinguished from the latter by having a circular dorsal-fin ocellated spot (vs. spot distinctly oval in the latter) and a much more elongate, filamentous first pelvic-fin soft ray, of length 119.0%-123.4% of 2nd ray (vs. not obviously filamentous, 104.9%-105.8%). A key to the eight valid species of Roa is provided.

Stolephorus lotus, a New Anchovy (Teleostei: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from the Northern Territory, Australia.

A new anchovy Stolephorus lotus sp. nov., is described based on 30 specimens collected from Van Diemen Gulf, Northern Territory, Australia. The species closely resembles Stolephorus acinaces Hata, Lavoué and Motomura, 2020 and Stolephorus andhraensis Babu Rao, 1966, in having a long maxilla (posterior tip just reaching or extending slightly beyond the posterior margin of the opercle), indented posterior preopercular margin, anal fin with 16-18 branched fin rays, and 21-23 lower gill rakers, and lacking a predorsal scute and pelvic scute spine. However, the new species differs from the other two species in having higher counts of longitudinal series of scale rows and predorsal scales (37-39 and 20 or 21, respectively vs. 35-38 and 17-19 in the other two) and a more anteriorly located anal-fin origin (below bases of sixth to eighth dorsal-fin rays vs. eighth to tenth dorsal-fin rays).

A New Species of the Bengal Spined Anchovy Stolephorus from the Eastern Indian Ocean and Redescription of Stolephorus dubiosus Wongratana, 1983, with Comments on the Evolution of Prepelvic Scute Numbers within Stolephorus (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae).

The Bengal Spined Anchovy, Stolephorus taurus sp. nov. is described from 21 specimens from the northern Bay of Bengal. The new species closely resembles Stolephorus dubiosus Wongratana, 1983, which is redescribed. Both species have a predorsal scute, spine on the pelvic scute, long maxilla posteriorly slightly short of or just reaching the posterior margin of the opercle, 25 or more gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch, and double black lines on the dorsum posterior to the dorsal fin. However, the new species differs from S. dubiosus in having a longer pelvic fin with the posterior tip of the depressed fin beyond vertical through the dorsal-fin origin (vs. usually not reaching to vertical through dorsal-fin origin), longer pectoral fin, second dorsal-and third dorsal-fin rays, second anal-and third anal-fin rays, and greater interorbital width. Stolephorus taurus sp. nov. is closely related to Stolephorus baganensis Delsman, 1931 and S. dubiosus, although at least 2% mean p-distance divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene separates each of the three species. A phylogenetic reconstruction of the evolution of the number of prepelvic scutes within Stolephorus indicated that having six scutes was the most likely ancestral condition in the genus, and was later reduced in the evolution of Stolephorus to five or four scutes. One such reduction occurred recently in the lineage of Stolephorus taurus sp. nov.

Review of the Lepadichthys lineatus complex (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae) with descriptions of three new species.

The Lepadichthys lineatus complex (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae) is defined by three unique characters within Lepadichthys: (a) upper-jaw lip fused with snout skin, usually lacking a distinct groove between the dorsal lip margin and snout (if present, very weak, restricted to posterior portion of jaw); (b) snout tip well extended, distinctly beyond lower-jaw tip; and (c) inner surface of both lips with oral papillae. A taxonomic review of the complex recognized four valid species: Lepadichthys geminus sp. nov. (southern Japan and Indonesia), Lepadichthys heemstraorum sp. nov. (southwestern Indian Ocean), Lepadichthys polyastrous sp. nov. (southwestern Indian Ocean) and L. lineatus Briggs, 1966 (Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Seychelles and Sri Lanka). L. geminus and L. lineatus are distinct from L. heemstraorum and L. polyastrous in having a circular (vs. elliptical) disc and more posteriorly located anus [L. geminus and L. lineatus with disc length and width 15.0-18.7 (mean 16.9) and 12.9-16.5 (14.6) % LS , respectively, and length to width ratio 1.03-1.25 cf. L. heemstraorum and L. polyastrous, 17.0-21.5 (18.9) and 11.6-15.2 (13.0) % LS , respectively, and 1.26-1.61; pre-anus length and disc to anus length 65.1-73.6 (68.7) and 25.7-31.6 (28.6) % LS , respectively vs. 60.2-68.3 (65.3) and 21.6-28.9 (25.5) % LS , respectively]. Body depth (as % of LS ) is also useful to distinguish L. geminus and L. polyastrous from L. heemstraorum and L. lineatus [viz., 12.7-16.1 (14.4) in L. geminus and 10.8-14.9 (13.1) in L. polyastrous vs. 15.0-17.1 (15.9) in L. heemstraorum and 14.6-18.9 (16.8) in L. lineatus]. L. geminus differs distinctly from other species in the complex as follows: snout tip directed upward, usually on same horizontal level with lower margin of eye lens (lateral view) (vs. directed somewhat downward, horizontal level usually between lower margins of eye and eye lens in L. heemstraorum and L. lineatus, lower margin of eye in L. polyastrous); and lower abdomen with two yellow stripes (vs. a single stripe along ventral midline in L. polyastrous and L. lineatus, unknown in L. heemstraorum). L. polyastrous has unique patterns of yellow dots on the dorsal and ventral body surfaces, forming c. six to eight and three to five longitudinal rows, respectively [vs. usually forming c. three to five longitudinal rows and a single broken line, respectively, in L. geminus and L. lineatus; yellow dots usually absent in L. heemstraorum]. A poorly known species, Lepadichthys caritus Briggs, 1969, is regarded as a junior synonym of L. lineatus.

Description of three new species previously identified as Stolephorusbengalensis (Dutt & Babu Rao, 1959) or Stolephorusinsularis Hardenberg, 1933 and a re-description of S.bengalensis (Chordata, Osteichthyes, Clupeiformes, Engraulidae).

Examination of numerous specimens characterised by predorsal scute, long maxilla, indented preopercle and pelvic scute lacking a spine and previously identified as Stolephorusbengalensis (Dutt & Babu Rao, 1959) or Stolephorusinsularis Hardenberg, 1933, revealed four distinct species, true S.bengalensis (distributed from the Bay of Bengal to Pakistan) and three new species, viz., Stolephoruseldorado sp. nov. (Taiwan to Java, Indonesia), Stolephorusdiabolus sp. nov. (Strait of Malacca, from Penang , Malaysia, to Singapore) and Stolephoruseclipsis sp. nov. (Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia). Characters separating the four species include numbers of gill rakers on each gill arch and vertebrae and pelvic fin and dorsal-fin ray lengths. Two molecular markers (mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I genes) demonstrated the distinction of three of the species examined morphologically and enabled a reconstruction of their phylogenetic relationships. Each species was genetically divergent from the others by 3.5%-7.7% mean uncorrected distance in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene.

Callogobius falx, a new species of goby from southern Japan.

Callogobius falx n. sp. (Gobiidae) is described on the basis of two specimens (14.4 and 23.1 mm in standard length: SL) from the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 8 or 9; anal-fin rays I, 7; pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19; lateral scale rows 2022; body depth moderate, neither particularly slender nor deep (depth at pelvic-fin origin 18.320.0% of SL); pelvic-fin base with frenum; caudal-fin length moderate, margin rounded; cephalic sensory-canal pores absent; interorbital papillae row separated, forming two rows (one row in 14.4 mm paratype); postorbital papillae row not continuous with upper cranial papillae row; preopercular and transverse opercular papillae rows connected, forming single transverse row; body with three oblique black bars, angled upwards anteriorly and continuous with black bars on dorsal fins, anteriormost bar extending from 1st dorsal fin to midline of body, posterior two bars extending from second dorsal fin to dorsal surface of body and caudal peduncle, respectively; pectoral fin white, upper half widely (ca. 1/2 length of rays) margined with black; caudal-fin base with narrow sickle-like bar.

Stolephorus grandis, a new anchovy (Teleostei: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from New Guinea and Australia.

The new anchovy Stolephorus grandis n. sp., described on the basis of 10 specimens collected from Papua, Indonesia, and Australia, closely resembles Stolephorus mercurius Hata, Lavou Motomura, 2021, Stolephorus multibranchus Wongratana, 1987, and Stolephorus rex Jordan Seale, 1926, all having double pigmented lines on the dorsum from the occiput to the dorsal-fin origin, a long maxilla (posterior tip just reaching or slightly beyond the posterior margin of preopercle), and lacking a predorsal scute. However, the new species clearly differs from the others in having fewer gill rakers (3539 total gill rakers on the first gill arch in S. grandis vs. > 38 in the other species), a greater number of vertebrae (total vertebrae 4243 vs. fewer than 41), longer caudal peduncle (21.923.7% SL vs. 20.8%), and the depressed pelvic fin not reaching posteriorly to vertical through the dorsal fin-origin (vs. reaching beyond level of dorsal-fin origin).

Sardinella ventura n. sp. (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae), a new sardine from Mauritius.

The new sardine Sardinella ventura n. sp. (Teleostei: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae) is described on the basis of 10 specimens collected from Mauritius. The new species is most similar to Sardinella dayi Regan 1917 in having non-deciduous scales with pores and discontinuous striae, a dark spot on the dorsal-fin origin, the pelvic fin with 8 rays, and similar number of gill rakers, in addition to very similar numbers of keeled scutes. However, the new species is distinguished from S. dayi by having a shorter caudal peduncle [6.27.6% SL (mean 7.0%) vs. 8.212.0% (9.2%) in S. dayi], larger eye [8.49.9% (9.0%) vs. 6.88.0% (7.4%)] and orbit [9.612.3% (10.7%) vs. 8.510.2% (9.3%)], longer pectoral [21.022.7% (21.5%) vs. 17.021.0% (19.8%)] and pelvic fins [12.513.5% (12.8%) vs. 10.412.2% (11.2%)], and a greater numbers of pseudobranchial filaments [1719 (modally 17) vs. 1822 (19)], lateral scale rows in longitudinal series [4143 (41) vs. 3842 (40)] and transverse scales [11 or 12 (12) vs. 11]. There were significant differences in seven meristic and 14 morphometric characters between the two species.

Review of the waspfish genus Neocentropogon (Tetrarogidae), with a key to genera in the family.

A taxonomic review of the waspfish genus Neocentropogon Matsubara 1943 (Tetrarogidae), diagnosed by the following combination of characters: body sparsely covered with small embedded cycloid scales, palatine teeth present, XIII-XVI dorsal-fin spines, the first dorsal fin originating above the orbit, five pelvic-fin soft rays, and membrane of lower four pectoral-fin rays deeply incised, resulted in the recognition of six species: Neocentropogon aeglefinus (Weber 1913), Neocentropogon affinis (Lloyd 1909a), Neocentropogon japonicus Matsubara 1943, Neocentropogon mesedai Klausewitz 1985, Neocentropogon profundus (Smith 1958), and Neocentropogon trimaculatus Chan 1966. Neocentropogon trimaculatus (anti-tropically distributed in East Asia and Australia) can be distinguished from its congeners by the presence of three dark blotches on the body (vs. absent or a single blotch); N. affinis (eastern Indian Ocean) and N. aeglefinus (Philippines to Australia) differ from other congeners in having a black blotch behind the opercle (vs. blotch absent), with the former distinguishable from the latter by dorsal rows of dark spots on the body, and pectoral and caudal fins (vs. spots absent), and 79-96 scale rows in the longitudinal series (vs. 94-137); N. mesedai (Red Sea) differs from N. profundus (southwestern Indian Ocean) and N. japonicus (northwestern Pacific Ocean) in having the lowermost four pectoral-fin rays elongated and XIII (vs. XIV-XVI) dorsal-fin spines, the latter species being separated by the symphyseal knob condition (unremarkable, N. profundus vs. pronounced, N. japonicus), dark dorsal spots on the body (vs. absent), and 5 anal-fin soft rays (vs. 6 or 7). Keys to the genera of Tetrarogidae and species of Neocentropogon are given, including taxonomic status of Vespicula Jordan and Richardson 1910 and Pseudovespicula Mandrytsa 2001.

Redescription of Brachirus aspilos (Bleeker 1852), a senior synonym of four nominal species, with a note on the distribution of Dagetichthys marginatus (Boulenger 1900) (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae).

The poorly known sole Brachirus aspilos (Bleeker 1852) is redescribed on the basis of the holotype and 48 non-type specimens from Japan, Taiwan, Philippine, Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The species is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 64-76 (mode 71), anal-fin rays 51-62 (56), pored scales on straight portion of lateral line 93-126 (118); vertebrae 41-44 (43); pectoral-fin rays 4-7 (6) and 4-7 (5) on ocular and blind sides, respectively; pelvic-fin rays 4-6 (5) and 4-5 (4) on ocular and blind sides, respectively; caudal-fin rays 13-15 (14); body slightly elongate, its depth 40.0-51.0 (mean 45.5)% SL; head length 16.1-23.9 (18.6)% SL; pectoral fin on ocular side longer than that on blind side, 5.3-7.6 (6.6)% SL and 4.0-6.0 (4.8)% SL, respectively; pelvic fin on ocular side longer than that on blind side, 4.9-7.4 (6.0)% SL and 4.3-7.5 (5.8)% SL, respectively; body depth below lateral line 21.7-27.1 (23.4)% SL; lips without labial papillae; eyes separated by scaled interorbital space; cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales on blind side; body on ocular side uniformly brown or grey with dark vermiculation, some small white blotches along dorsal- and anal-fin bases, or without remarkable pattern. Brachirus dicholepis (Peters 1877), B. heterolepis (Bleeker 1856), B. marmoratus (Bleeker 1853), and B. sorsogonensis (Evermann Seale 1907), previously regarded as valid species, are all regarded as junior synonyms of B. aspilos. In addition, specimens previously reported as Dagetichthys marginatus (Boulenger 1900) from the western Pacific Ocean are re-identified as B. aspilos, the former species being considered restricted to South African waters.

Three new goatfishes of the genus Upeneus from the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, with an updated taxonomic account for U. itoui (Mullidae: japonicus-species group).

Coastal marine fish diversity from E India and Indonesia to S Japan is still insufficiently investigated. Of the 42 species of goatfishes (Mullidae) recorded from this area, 12 were described only since 2010 and ten of those belong to the genus Upeneus. During a recent review of species of Upeneus of the so-called japonicus-species group (characterized by seven dorsal-fin spines), 13 specimens that had been previously identified as U. guttatus from Indonesia and Vietnam were found to be distinct, representing possibly two undescribed species. These specimens were studied together with 20 U. itoui from S Japan, a rather similar species, and a yet unidentified congeneric from S Japan. In total 41 morphometric, 10 meristic and several colour characters were examined and detailed comparisons with a large data set from all 14 japonicus-group species conducted. Three new species, U. dimipavlov n. sp. from Nha Trang, S-central Vietnam, U. elongatus n. sp. from Tanega-shima Island, Kagoshima, S Japan and U. willwhite n. sp. from Lombok, S Indonesia are described and an updated account for U. itoui is provided. Among these four featured species, U. elongatus is the most different, having more gill rakers, the shallowest head and body and distinct colour patterns on caudal and dorsal fins. Upeneus dimipavlov differs from the remaining two species in having a more rounded and less laterally compressed body with a wider caudal peduncle and no conspicuous mid-lateral body stripe in fresh fish. Upeneus willwhite differs from U. itoui in deeper head, larger eyes, longer upper jaw and barbels and oblique bars on the lower caudal-fin lobe which do not cross the entire lobe. Additional comparisons of each of the four featured species with all other japonicus-group species and U. heterospinus were conducted providing evidence for distinction and differential diagnosis. Unvouchered in-situ photographs of four goatfish specimens from the Central Philippines that resemble U. elongatus in caudal- and dorsal-fin colour patterns are presented. The need for further sampling and associated taxonomic investigations as prerequisites for appropriate assessment of ecological and conservation parameters such as diversity, distribution and rarity is emphasized in the discussion.

A New Species of the Anchovy Genus Stolephorus Lacepède 1803 from North Sumatra, Indonesia, and Redescriptions of Stolephorus pacificus Baldwin 1984 and Stolephorus teguhi Kimura, Hori and Shibukawa 2009 (Teleostei: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae).

Stolephorus leopardus sp. nov. is described here, and Stolephorus pacificus and Stolephorus teguhi are redescribed. Those three species are distinguished among congeners by the presence of more than 30 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch and a short maxilla, posteriorly just reaching the anterior border of the preopercle. Stolephorus pacificus and S. teguhi have rarely been reported since they were originally described, and therefore detailed morphological data and further diagnostic characters are provided. Stolephorus leopardus, in turn, is described based on four specimens collected on Nias Island, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The new species can be distinguished from S. pacificus and S. teguhi by a shorter pectoral fin (15.6-16.3% of standard length vs. longer than 16.5%), a longer snout (4.7-4.8% of standard length vs. < 4.5%), and an intermediate number of total gill rakers on the first gill arch (63-68 in S. leopardus vs. 57-63 in S. pacificus and 72-82 in S. teguhi). In addition, the new species differs from S. pacificus in having a dark line on the dorsum (vs. line absent), numerous melanophores laterally on the head (vs. a few melanophores on the snout and mandible tips), and higher counts of branched anal-fin rays [19-21(modally 19) vs. 17-19 (18)]. Stolephorus leopardus is further distinguished from S. teguhi by a shorter anal-fin base (22.4-22.5% of standard length vs. 22.7-25.3%).

Sphyraena stellata, a new barracuda from the Indo-Pacific, with redescriptions of S. helleri Jenkins, 1901 and S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860 (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae).

A new barracuda, Sphyraena stellata, is described on the basis of 41 specimens [98.0-587.0 mm standard length (SL)] collected from the Indo-Pacific. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners in having the following combination of characters: one gill raker on first gill arch; pelvic-fin insertion located slightly before vertical through first dorsal-fin origin; pored lateral-line scales 134-141 (modally 137), total lateral-line scales 139-148 (146); scales above and below lateral line 15-17 (15) and 14-16 (15), respectively; snout comparatively short, its length 13.6-15.8 (mean 14.4) % SL; upper jaw short, its posterior tip not reaching to below anterior nostril, its length 10.0-12.2 (10.8) % SL; eye small, orbit diameter and depth 4.3-7.0 (4.9) and 3.9-5.6 (4.5) % SL, respectively; anal-fin base shortish, its length 6.9-8.1 (7.5) % SL; last dorsal- and anal-fin ray lengths 4.0-5.6 (4.7) and 3.6-5.6 (4.6) % SL, respectively; anus not close to anal-fin origin, anterior and posterior margins of former to anal-fin origin 7.5-11.9 (9.9) and 5.2-8.3 (6.8) % of head length, respectively; head sensory canal pores on suborbital area simple or slightly branched, their lowermost parts not close to margin of lacrimal bone, large smooth area lacking canal pores on mid-margin of lacrimal bone; two yellow stripes on lateral surface of body (remaining as black stripes in preserved specimens); and caudal fin gray. In addition, S. helleri Jenkins, 1901 and S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860, both being closely related to the new species, are redescribed on the basis of 4 (243.3-545.8 mm SL) and 15 (270.8-598.0 mm SL) specimens, including holotypes, respectively, with new diagnostic characters proposed for both species.