Christophe Mailliet and Aleksei Saunders: Review of recent work on Bedotia spp. (Teleostei: Atheriniformes), both described and recently collected, pp. 45-64

A number of newly discovered and mostly undescribed Madagascar rainbowfish of the endemic genus Bedotia (Teleostei: Atheriniformes) from the African island of Madagascar are introduced, and a review of the status of the currently valid species is provided. Information about habitats and conservation issues, systematic relationships and biogeographical aspects, as well as care and breeding is also given. The diversity and variability within the genus Bedotia is documented, outlining the need for appropriate conservation strategies both in and out site, given the threats to their natural habitats. Similarities in behaviour and reproduction with the Melanotaeniidae of Australia and New Guinea are described which could support recent research indicating close relationships between the Malagasy and Australian / New Guinean rainbowfish and suggesting inclusion of the Bedotiini of Madagascar in the family Melanotaeniidae. A general grouping of the currently known Bedotia species according to body and fin shape as well as general coloration patterns is also proposed.

Áthila Bertoncini Andrade, Guilherme Scheidt de Souza Soares, João Pedro Barreiros, João Luiz Gasparini and Maurício Hostim-Silva: First record of¬Ý Darwin¬¥s slimehead, Gephyroberyx darwinii (Johnson, 1866) (Beryciformes: Trachichthyidae), in association with Brazilian deep reefs, pp. 65-68

Three species of the Trachichthyidae family occur in the south of Brazil: Paratrachichthys atlanticus, Hoplostethus occidentalis and Gephyroberyx darwinii. G. darwinii may attain a length of 600 mm (TL). This benthopelagic species occurs at depths down to 1210 m and is generally found in subtropical waters between 43ºN and 35ºS. It is commercially exploited in the east central Atlantic for food and for oil. In this paper we report the occurrence of G. darwinii off the south and south-east coasts of Brazil between Vila Velha (Espírito Santo State) and Rio Grande (Rio Grande do Sul State), in  outer shelf and slope areas, at depths between 70 and 520 m. In Brazil the trachichthyids were usually caught while fishing for Lophius gastrophysus over deep coral bottoms. Meristic and biometric data are presented for the three collected specimens.

Fenton M. Walsh and John E. Randall: Thalassoma jansenii x T. quinquevittatum and T. nigrofasciatum x T. quinquevittatum, hybrid labrid fishes from Indonesia and the Coral Sea, pp. 69-74

The hybrid labrid fishes Thalassoma jansenii x T. quinquevittatum and T. nigrofasciatum x T. quinquevittatum are reported from the Banda Sea, Indonesia and Holmes Reef, Coral Sea, respectively.

Gerald R. Allen and John E. Randall: Two new species of damselfishes (Pomacentridae) from Micronesia, pp. 75-87

Pomacentrus bipunctatus is described from 25 specimens, 11.0-61.9 mm SL, collected at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands and Truk in the eastern Caroline Islands. Adults are similar in appearance to P. spilotoceps from Fiji, but the new species differs in having fewer pectoral fin rays (17 versus 18-19) as well as marked colour differences in juveniles and subadults. Most notably, the young stages of P. spilotoceps lack bright yellow coloration on the ventral portion of the body and adjacent fins. Pomacentrus yoshii is described on the basis of 10 specimens, 41.1-69.4 mm SL, from Majuro Atoll in the southern Marshall Islands of Micronesia. It is distinguished from all Pacific members of the genus on the basis of its distinctive coloration, consisting of a blue anterior head, mainly yellowish body and fins, and large black spot covering the pectoral fin base. Pomacentrus pikei and P. sulfureus from the western Indian Ocean are similar in general apperance, but possess XIV rather than XIII dorsal fin spines. In addition, P. pikei has a much smaller spot on the pectoral fin base, which is restricted to the upper portion. On the basis of meristic features and general morphology, the new species appears to be closely related to P. philippinus from the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, which differs significantly in overall colour pattern.