Volume 10, Issue 4 - November 2005

Peter Rask Møller, Werner Schwarzhans and Jørgen G. Nielsen: Review of the American Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae). Part II. Ogilbia, pp. 133-205

Fishes of the tribe Dinematichthyini (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae) are poorly known inhabitants of coral and rocky reefs, and more rarely seaweed beds, estuary and freshwater cave environments. An ongoing revision of these small, viviparous fishes (usually less than 10 cm TL) has revealed a large number of undescribed species. A revision of the American dinematichthyine fishes based on examination of 2378 specimens is being published in two parts. Part I included 209 specimens in the genera Dinematichthys (1 species), Gunterichthys (3 species), Ogilbichthys (7 species), Pseudogilbia (1 species) and Typhliasina (1 species). Part II treats 2169 specimens of the genus Ogilbia with 18 species, 7 from the western Atlantic (O. boehlkei n. sp.; O. cayorum Evermann and Kendall, 1898; O. jeffwilliamsi n. sp.; O. mccoskeri n. sp.; O. sabaji n. sp.; O. suarezae n. sp. and O. tyleri n. sp.) and 11 from the eastern Pacific (O. boydwalkeri n. sp.; O. cocoensis n. sp., O. davidsmithi n. sp.; O. deroyi (Poll and van Mol, 1966); O. galapagosensis (Poll and Leleup, 1965); O. jewettae n. sp.; O. nigromarginata n. sp.; O. nudiceps n. sp.; O. robertsoni n. sp.; O. sedorae n. sp. and O. ventralis (Gill, 1863). In total, 14 new species are described and a lectotype designated for O. ventralis. The status of three species is unresolved because of lack of adequate material. The main separating characters of the species are male pseudoclaspers, morphometric proportions, fin ray and vertebral counts and head squamation. The 18 Ogilbia species can be arranged into four species groups based on the morphology of male pseudoclaspers.

Volume 10, Issue 3 - October 2005

Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann: Chromis xouthos, a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the East Andaman Sea and Central Indian Ocean, pp. 89-94

Chromis xouthos  is described from six specimens, 82.4-92.3 mm SL, collected at Pulau Weh, Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia at a depth of 25 m. Diagnostic features include: XIII,12 dorsal rays; II,11 (rarely 12) anal rays; 19 (rarely 18) pectoral rays; 3 spiniform caudal rays; 16-17 tubed lateral line scales; 6-7+19-21 (total, 26-28) gill rakers on the first branchial arch; body depth 1.9-2.0 in SL; and colour in life mainly golden brown with a yellowish caudal fin and pale bluish-grey pelvic fins. It appears to be closely related to C. pembae of the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, but exhibits apparent modal differences in the number of total gill rakers on the first branchial arch, tubed lateral line scales, and pectoral rays. The two species share similar colour patterns, although C. xouthos is overall golden brown compared with the dark brown ground colour of C. pembae.

Gerald R. Allen and John E. Randall: A new species of damselfish (Pomacentrus: Pomacentridae) from Fiji, pp. 95-10

Pomacentrus microspilus is described from 48 specimens, 16.7-73.6 mm SL, collected at Fiji. It is distinguished from similar species, particularly P. brachialis, P. imitator, P. nagasagiensis, and P. philippinus, on the basis of colour pattern and modal differences in certain meristic features. All of these species have a dark brown to grey-brown ground colour and a prominent black spot covering the pectoral fin base. However, P. microspilus is unique in having a triangular, dorsal extension of the pectoral spot, a thin pale marking above the eye, and a small black spot at the base of the posterior dorsal fin rays in adults. The new species is associated with silt-affected coral reefs at depths between about 2 to 30 m.

Jürgen Herler and Helge Hilgers: A synopsis of coral and coral-rock associated gobies (Pisces: Gobiidae) from the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea, pp. 103-132

Field investigations in the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea (Dahab, Sinai, Egypt) revealed 21 species in seven genera of gobiid fish associated with corals and/or coral rock. Three as yet undetermined species of Gobiodon (G. sp.1, 2 and 3) were found to be new for the Red Sea. Like the congeneric G. citrinus, G. histrio, G. reticulatus and G. rivulatus, they are obligate dwellers of Acropora corals. Among the other genera, Bryaninops yongei significantly differs from its congener B. ridens in live coloration as well as by its preference for Cirripathes sp., while the latter obligatorily inhabits Millepora dichotoma. A third species, B. natans, exhibits hyperbenthic behaviour, violet eyes and a yellow belly on the otherwise transparent body and is commonly associated with Acropora loripes and A. squarrosa. The five Eviota species examined were less specialized and associated with live corals of various growth forms and/or with coral rock. Paragobiodon echinocephalus showed very low occupation rates of the highly abundant Stylophora pistillata and was mostly found in small breeding pairs. Within the genus Pleurosicya, P. micheli is more slender than P. prognatha and shows a distinct longitudinal red internal stripe, while the latter is transparent with a few brown speckles in life. Pleurosicya micheli inhabits massive scleractinians, whereas P. prognatha is found in Acropora. Priolepis semidoliata was rare and associated with coral rock. Weak associations with scleractinians were also found in Trimma avidori, which was common but prefers steep or overhanging substrates mostly consisting of coral rock. Trimma mendelssohni prefers coral rock caves.

Volume 10, Issue 2 - July 2005

Richard Winterbottom: Feia dabra, a new species of gobiid fish (Percomorpha: Gobiidae) from Palau, pp. 45-50

A new species of the Indo-Pacific gobiid Feia, F. dabra, is described from seven collections and 13 specimens collected in 2004 in the Republic of Palau. The new species is most similar to F. ranta from Vietnam, the two species differing from the other two species in the genus in the possession of scales in the predorsal midline and on the pectoral and pelvic fin bases, a diagonal bar across the cheek from the posteroventral corner of the eye, and an eye diameter wide black bar on the body beginning at the first dorsal fin origin. Feia dabra differs from F. ranta in lacking a large, heart-shaped blotch on the opercle, having instead a small dark spot or streak on the anteroventral tip of the opercle, in lacking the ”{”-shaped dark bar on the upper base of the pectoral fin (but having a dark blotch in the middle third of the length of the upper pectoral fin rays), in the presence of three (rather than two) papillae in cheek row c, and a straight row r of three papillae on the snout in line with the anteromedial border of the eye (vs. the anterior two papillae in a line, the posteriormost offset laterally), and in having the vertical portion of the anterior preopercular ridge of papillae, row e, well forward of the vertical limb of the preopercle on the cheek (vs. just anterior to the vertical preopercle limb). Feia dabra is currently known only from the Palau Islands.

Richard Winterbottom: On the Status of Trimma tevegae and Trimma caudomaculata (Percomorpha: Gobiidae), pp. 51-56

There has been no consensus in the recent literature as to whether the goby Trimma caudomaculata Yoshino and Araga, 1975 is a species distinct from Trimma tevegae Cohen and Davis, 1969. The purported differences between the two species, involving cheek and opercular scalation and colour pattern, were examined in representative type specimens of the two nominal species, as well as for subsamples from the extensive western Pacific portion of the range of T. tevegae. I conclude that these two nominal species represent the same taxon, and therefore that T. caudomaculata is a junior subjective synonym of T. tevegae.

James E. Wetzel, William J. Poly and James W. Fetzner, Jr.: Orconectes pardalotus, a new species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the lower Ohio River with notes on its life history, pp. 57-72

A new crayfish is described from the main channel of the lower Ohio River between Illinois and Kentucky based on examination of over 185 specimens. The new species, with gonopods of form I males typical of the subgenus Procericambarus (sensu Fitzpatrick), accounts for some of the variation previously ascribed to Orconectes placidus in Illinois. O. pardalotus is most similar to allopatric O. forceps, O. barrenensis, and O. durelli but can be distinguished from them and other species using colour in life, shape of chelae, and other characters. Colour in life can be used to diagnose O. pardalotus, and preserved specimens can be distinguished from sympatric O. placidus and many other species by the shape of the chelae and the absence of a distomedian carpal spine on the first pereiopod of O. pardalotus (present in O. placidus) and can be distinguished further from O. luteus using denticle arrangement on the chelae and structure of the gonopods of form I males. O. pardalotus is associated with rocky microhabitats at and below the summer minimum water level of the Ohio River. Notes about reproductive period and oviposition of captive specimens are provided.

John E. Randall and Gerald R. Allen: Neopomacentrus sororius, a new species of damselfish from the Indian Ocean, with description of a neotype for its sister species, N. azysron (Bleeker), pp. 73-80

A neotype is described for the Indo-Pacific damselfish Neopomacentrus azysron (Bleeker). Bleeker's holotype is not extant, and his illustration bears a greater resemblance to N. sindensis (Day) than the species that recent authors have identified as as N. azysron. The neotype conforms to Bleeker??s description. The Indian Ocean damselfish previously identified N. azysron is described as a new species, N. sororius, distinct chiefly in colour from the western Pacific N. azysron.

Helen K. Larson, Walter Ivantsoff, and L. E. L. M. Crowley: Description of a new species of freshwater hardyhead, Craterocephalus laisapi (Pisces, Atherinidae) from East Timor, pp. 81-88

A new species of freshwater hardyhead, Craterocephalus laisapi, is described from the Ira Siquero River (8°26.36÷S 127°10.17÷E), East Timor. This is the first record of the genus which has hitherto been known only from Australia and from the southern rivers of the island of New Guinea. The new species is aligned with the Craterocephalus eyresii group which includes 10 other species spread widely across Australia and with one species occurring in south-eastern New Guinea. Craterocephalus laisapi superficially resembles C. centralis and C. cuneiceps from central and western Australia but is distinct and different from them. Freshwater members of the genus have short, almost tubercular gill rakers in the lower half of the gill arch and the rakers of the upper half are almost indistinct. Craterocephalus laisapi has relatively long lower gill arch rakers and the upper gill rakers are quite prominent. The occurrence of the new species is not biogeographically surprising as its close atherinomorph relatives, the Pseudomugilidae and Telmatherinidae, are known to occur on islands near Timor. A table of meristic and morphometric characters of all known members of the ”C. eyresii’ group’ is presented.

Volume 10, Issue 1 - June 2005

João Pedro Barreiros and Manuel Teves: The sunfish Mola mola as an attachment surface for the Lepadid Cirriped Lepas anatifera – a previously unreported association, pp. 1-4

On the 14th September 2004 a stranded sunfish (Mola mola) was found on the south coast of Terceira Island, Azores Archipelago (NE Atlantic). Whilst examining its mouth for the possible presence of¬Ý plastic debris, we discovered a live colony of the cirriped Lepas anatifera attached to the anterior portion of the sunfish's oesophagus. This previously undescribed association expands the ecological niches exploited by goose barnacles with apparent advantages such as a regular intake of food and protection both from hydrodynamic hazards and from predators.

Hiroyuki Motomura, Shigeru Harazaki and Graham S. Hardy: A new species of triplefin (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae), Enneapterygius senoui, from Japan with a discussion of its in situ colour pattern, pp. 5-14

Enneapterygius senoui, a new species of small triplefin, is described on the basis of six specimens collected from Hachijo-jima Island, the Izu Islands and Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. This species is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: 14 or 15 (mode 15) second dorsal fin spines; 20 or 21 (21) pored lateral line scales; 17-19 (17) notched lateral line scales; 2 or 3 (2) scale rows above first pored lateral line scale; 2 or 2 1/2 (2 1/2) scale rows above last pored lateral line scale; 3 or 4 (3) scale rows below first notched lateral line scale; 4-5 + 1-2 + 4-5 mandibular pores; nasal tentacle unbranched flat, broad distally; a broad vertical white band on caudal peduncle behind third dorsal fin, and blue lines or spots on head in both sexes; anterior two-thirds of body and fins black, and posterior tip of anal fin yellow in melanistic males; reddish spots on head and body, and anal fin yellow basally in pale males and females. The species is further confirmed from Izu-oshima Island and the east coast of Izu Peninsula on the basis of underwater photographs. In situ colour pattern and variations are also described and discussed.

Jansen Zuanon and Ivan Sazima: The ogre catfish: prey scooping by the auchenipterid Asterophysus batrachus, pp. 15-22

The catfish Asterophysus batrachus (Auchenipteridae) has a huge mouth gape and is able to ingest very large prey. However, how it catches and positions such prey in its stomach remains unrecorded. We studied the predatory behaviour of A. batrachus under aquarium conditions and found a novel feeding mode for piscivorous Neotropical catfishes. Asterophysus batrachus uses its cavernous gape in a remarkable way, scooping up large unaware prey headfirst, then taking advantage of the fleeing response to further the prey÷s advance into its stomach. Positioning of the prey results from additional escape movements into the very distensible belly of the catfish. The prey ends up folded in the stomach with its head and tail pointing towards the head of the predator. A fasting catfish occasionally takes in water, bulging its belly considerably (”belly ballooning’). After a while the fish expels the water entirely, along with a little mucus and a few small fragments of food. The wrinkled belly quickly regains its former shape. Because of its huge mouth, ability to swallow large prey and overall appearance, we name A. batrachus the ogre catfish.

Frank Schneidewind: An frogfish (Antennarius sp.) as a mimic of sea urchins: a new form of mimicry in the family Antennariidae, pp. 23-28

Mimicry in frogfishes (Antennariidae) and  defensive associations between fishes and sea urchins, and a black, ”hairy’ frogfish (Antennarius sp.) from the Philippines are described. This  mimic frogfish lives in the middle of a colony of sea urchins (Astropyga radiata). Its external appearance and its behaviour are interpreted as a form of aggressive and protective mimicry, as well as camouflage, previously unknown in frogfishes.

Richard Winterbottom: Two new species of the Trimma tevegae species group from the Western Pacific (Percomorpha: Gobiidae), pp. 29-38

Two new species of the Trimma tevegae species group are described. Members of this group are characterized by having a broad interorbital region about equal in width to the pupil diameter, and at least the first haemal arch greatly expanded, accommodating the posterior extension of the swim bladder. Both the new species have been misidentified as T. griffithsi in popular and/or scientific publications. Trimma marinae n. sp. is characterized by the presence of a large, bilateral, open nasal pit, few or no melanophores on the caudal peduncle, no scales on cheek, usually two rows of scales anterior to the pelvic fin base, an elongate second spine in the first dorsal fin, and a rounded medial ridge on the snout and anterior interorbital region. Trimma nasa n. sp. is distinguished by a small nasal sac with a tubular anterior opening and a raised rim to the posterior opening, a large spot consisting of melanophores and dark brown chromatophores over the hypural region of the caudal peduncle, a dark suffusion over the abdominal region, no scales on the cheek, usually four to five rows of scales anterior to the pelvic fin base, a broad interorbital region with a rounded, medial ridge on the snout and anterior interorbital region, and usually a thin dark stripe from the upper lip to the mid-region of the interorbital.

John E. Randall: Chlorurus perspicillatus x C. sordidus, a hybrid parrotfish from the Hawaiian Islands, pp. 39-43

The hybrid of the Hawaiian scarid fishes Chlorurus perspicillatus x C. sordidus is documented from evidence of intermediate colour pattern, cheek scale count, and DNA analysis.

Volume 9, Issue 4 - April 2005

Acero, P., William J. Richards, Felipe Amaya and María M. Criales: First Caribbean record of Akko dionaea (Pisces: Gobiidae), another South American endemic , pp. 133-138

Akko dionaea Birdsong and Robins is reported here from the Colombian Caribbean, based on specimens collected at the mouth of the estuary Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta. Ten night collections with channel nets at the mouth of the estuary yielded a total of 228 specimens representing larval to juvenile stages. Specimens were captured during the new and full moon, mainly during the dry season. Larval and juvenile stages of A. dionaea are described here for the first time. The species  undergoes strong allometric changes during its development, mainly in the  length of the head and eye. The species is described and the ecology and biogeography of the species are discussed.

Alexei M. Orlov: Bottom trawl-caught fishes and some features of their vertical distribution in the Pacific waters off the north Kuril Islands and south-east Kamchatka, 1993-1999, pp. 139-160

The species composition of demersal fishes in Pacific waters off the north Kuril Islands and south-east Kamchatka is considered. The study is based on 1275 demersal trawls carried out from 1993 to 1999 at depths between 76 and 833 m.

The fishes identified in this study included 153 species, 97 genera, and 41 families; 62.1 % of the total were from the following families: snailfishes (Liparidae); sculpins (Cottidae); righteye flounders (Pleuronectidae); skates (Rajidae); eelpouts (Zoarcidae); rockfishes (Sebastidae) and poachers (Agonidae). The relative abundances of the 153 species collected were categorised as: Very rare: 79; Rare: 30; Common: 24; and Abundant: 20. Most species found off the north Kuril Islands and south-east Kamchatka were also common in the Sea of Okhotsk (74.5 %) and the western Bering Sea (80.4 %).

The collected demersal fish species comprised: anadromous (1), neritic (3), mesopelagic (26), middle shelf (18), outer shelf (18), mesobenthic (62), and bathybenthic (25). Of the middle shelf species, the most abundant were northern rock sole Lepidopsetta polyxystra and Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius. Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius was also the most abundant fish in the outer shelf group. The mesobenthic fish fauna was dominated by the Alaska pollock Theragra chalcogramma, Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus, Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius, and the northern rock sole, Lepidopsetta polyxystra. The most abundant bathybenthic fishes were the giant grenadier Albatrossia pectoralis, popeye grenadier Coryphae-noides cinereus, broadbanded thornyhead Sebastolobus macrochir, darkfin sculpin Malacocottus zonurus, and dimdisc snailfish Elassodiscus tremebundus.

José Martins Silva-Jr, Flávio J. L. Silva and Ivan Sazima: Rest, nurture, sex, release, and play: diurnal underwater behaviour of the spinner dolphin at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, SW Atlantic, pp. 161-176

At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in the South West Atlantic, spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) regularly congregate in large groups in a bay with clear, shallow water, allowing their behaviour to be observed and recorded at close quarters. We present an overview of the diurnal underwater activity of the Noronha spinners while in the bay. Apart from well-known types of behaviour such as resting, mating, and playing, we present and illustrate others such as suckling, defaecating, and vomiting which are less well-known and documented. Heterospecific interactions and associations are also discussed. An ecologically new role for cetaceans, as a food supplier for reef fishes, is herein proposed for the Noronha spinners.

Volume 9, Issue 3 - March 2005

Valdesalici, Stefano and Rudolf H. Wildekamp: A new species of the genus Nothobranchius (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Luapula River basin, Zambia, pp. 89-96

Specimens of three different populations of a Nothobranchius species, collected from ephemeral pools in the Luapula/Bangweulu catchment in Zambia, are considered to be one species on the basis of the coloration of males. The new species has been compared with the Nothobranchius species now known to exist in the same river system. It differs in some morphological features from the other species of Nothobranchius in the same river system and has a distinct colour pattern. Information on its present known distribution is given, as well as on its relationship to the other Nothobranchius species in Zambia and in the adjacent region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sazima, Cristina, Bolando, Roberta Martini, Krajewsk, João Paulo and Ivan Sazima: The Noronha wrasse: a ”jack-of-all-trades’ follower, pp. 97-108

Following association between reef fishes involves opportunistic predators following one or more foraging nuclear species (mainly bottom-diggers). The followers benefit from food uncovered or flushed out when reef fishes disturb the bottom. At the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, south-west Atlantic, we recorded the plankton eater, benthic invertebrate picker, and cleaner wrasse Thalassoma noronhanum, commonly known as the Noronha wrasse, acting as a very flexible feeder – a kind of ”jack-of-all-trades’ – while following reef fishes. The Noronha wrasse associated with 15 reef fish species, feeding on drifting particles made available as the latter foraged on the bottom. The wrasse displayed four types of feeding behaviour while following foraging reef fishes: 1) eating particles stirred up; 2) eating particles expelled by the foraging fish; 3) eating faecal particles; 4) cleaning fish. The wrasse was commonly recorded following the parrotfishes Sparisoma frondosum, S. axillare, S. amplum, and the grunt Haemulon parra. The variable feeding behaviour here recorded for T. noronhanum while following reef fishes seems rare among follower fish species. Nevertheless, some wrasse species have very opportunistic foraging habits as well, which render them likely candidates to display flexible feeding behaviour.

Winterbottom, Richard,  Iwata, Akihisa and Toshikazu Kozawa: Vanderhorstia nannai, a new species of burrow-associated goby from Palau and the Philippines (Pisces: Gobiidae), pp. 109-114

A new species of the shrimp-associated gobiid genus Vanderhorstia, V. nannai, is described from four specimens collected in Palau, and from 15 aquarium specimens reputedly from the Philippines. The presence of this species in the latter area is supported by an image of the live fish photographed in situ in the Philippines available on the internet. It is distinguished from its congeners by the elongate 5th and 9th branched caudal fin rays; 16-18 pectoral fin rays; 41-45 lateral scale rows; no scales in the predorsal midline; coloration pale off-white background with six prominent yellow orange spots haloed with blue on the midlateral surface of the body and smaller yellow-orange spots and blue spots and streaks on the head; a single papilla on row cp÷; an uninterrupted row b on the cheek; and a total of two to four papillae in a transverse row across the chin (row f).

John E. Randall, Robert F. Myers, Michael N. Trevor, Scott R. and Jeanette L. Johnson, Satoshi Yoshii and Brian D. Greene: Ninety-one new records of fishes from the Marshall Islands, pp. 115-132

The following species of fishes are reported as first records for the Marshall Islands (represented either by specimens or clearly identifiable photographs or video images): Rhincodon typus, Stegostoma fasciatum, Himantura fai, Pastinachus sephen, Ophichthus bonaparti, Gymnothorax breedeni, Myripristis chryseres, Choeroichthys brachysoma, Pontinus rhodochrous, Aethaloperca rogaa, Aulacocephalis temminckii, Cephalopholis aurantia, C. igarashiensis, C. polleni, Epinephelus chlorostigma, E. miliaris, E. retouti, Plectranthias kamii, Plectropomus leopardus, Saloptia powelli, Variola albimarginata, Neocirrhites armatus, Picti-chromis porphyreus, Siphamia versicolor, Remora osteochir, Carangoides coeruleopinnatus, C. gymno-stethus, Caranx papuensis, Decapterus tabl, Megalaspis cordyla, Seriola rivoliana, Uraspis helvola, Aphareus rutilans, Lutjanus ehrenbergii, L. rufolineatus, Macolor macularis, Paracaesio sordida, P. xanthura, Pristipomoides auricilla, P. fllamentosus, P. zonatus, Randall-ichthys fllamentosus, Caesio lunaris, Pterocaesio trilineata, Lethrinus rubrioperculatus, Wattsia mossambica, Nemipterus zysron, Parupeneus indicus, Upeneus vittatus, Chaetodon burgessi, Hemitaurichthys thompsoni, Heniochus singularis, Apolemichthys griffisi, A. xanthopunctatus, Pomacentrus nagasakiensis, Bodianus bimaculatus, B. mesothorax, Cirrhilabrus earlei, Hologymnosus doliatus, Bolbometopon muricatum, Chlorurus japanensis, Scarus fuscocaudalis, Amblyeleotris arcupinna, A. gymnocephala, A. periophthalma, A. randalli, A. yanoi, Bryaninops natans, B. yongei, Coryphopterus pallidus, Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus, C. cyanotaenia, Discordipinna griessingeri, Eviota cometa, E. punctulata, E. sigillata, Mahidolia mystacina, Paragobiodon lacunicolus, Psilogobius mainlandi, Stonogobiops yasha, Trimma tevegae, Gunnellichthys viridescens, Nemateleotris decora, Siganus spinus, Acanthurus auranticavus, Naso brachycentron, N. thynnoides, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Aluterus monoceros, Lactoria cornuta, and Ostracion solorensis. Eight sight records are also listed, the occurrence of which should be confirmed with specimens or photographs.

Volume 9, Issue 2 - November 2004

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.

Volume 9, Issue 1 - October 2004

Gerald R. Allen and Rudie H. Kuiter: Dunckerocampus naia, a new pipefish (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from the Western Pacific, pp. 1-6

A new species of pipefish, Dunckerocampus naia, is described on the basis of 2 specimens, 73.8-119.8 mm SL, collected from coral reefs at Fiji and north-eastern Kalimantan, Indonesia, at depths between 23-32 m. Underwater photographs indicate it also occurs at southern Japan, northern Sulawesi, Guam, and the Solomon Islands. It is easily confused with D. dactyliophorus from the western Pacific, which has a similar pattern of light and dark bars. However, it tends to have darker bars that lack the reddish hue of D. naia. Moreover, D. dactyliophorus has a bull÷s eye-like pattern on the caudal fin, with a white central spot surrounded by a broad reddish ring and complete white margin. In contrast, the caudal of D. naia is mainly red, with a white margin confined to the upper and lowermost portions of the fin.

Richard Winterbottom: Three new species of Trimma (Pisces: Gobiidae) from the central, western and south Pacific, pp. 7-16

Three new species of the genus Trimma, all characterized by red or red brown bars on a pale background, are described. Trimma cana is characterized by eight well-defined red bars on the head and body on a white background, a naked nape, a well-developed interorbital trench, and a discreet dark bar across the dorsum just behind the eyes, with the melanophores lying on the medial surface of the frontal bone. Trimma sostra is distinguished by seven incomplete, diffusely-defined red bars on the head and body, a naked nape, a moderate interorbital trench, a dark spot on the lower pectoral fin base and another on the lower caudal peduncle. Trimma squamicana has a scaled nape, a moderate to deep interorbital trench with a poorly-developed or no postorbital trench, and eight red to reddish brown saddles over the dorsal midline, the posterior five of which have ventral counterparts.

Gerald R. Allen and John E. Randall: Two new species of damselfishes (Pomacentridae: Chromis) from Indonesian seas, pp. 17-24

Two new species of pomacentrid fishes are described from coral reefs of Indonesia. Chromis monochroma  is described from five specimens, 41.0-51.3 mm SL, collected at Flores in depths between 42 and 53 m. It has XIII,10-11 (usually 11) dorsal rays; II,11 anal rays; 16-17 (usually 17) pectoral rays; 3 spiniform caudal rays; 14-15 (usually 14) tubed lateral line scales; body depth 1.79-2.0 in SL, and lacks any distinctive colour markings. Chromis alpha is the closest relative, having the same meristic and morphometric data except usually 12 instead of 11 dorsal and anal soft rays, and 15 rather than 14 lateral line scales. It differs in colour, notably in having a black spot at the upper base of the pectoral fin and blackish posterior margins of the preopercle and opercle. The second new species, C. pura, is described from five specimens, 54.7-76.3 mm SL, collected at Pura, near Alor in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia in 18 m. It has XIII,12-13 (usually 12) dorsal rays; II,11 anal rays; 19-20 pectoral rays; 2 spiniform caudal rays; 16-18 tubed lateral line scales; and a colour pattern similar to C. flavomaculata from which it differs in having 25-27 instead of 29-34 gill rakers.

Sergio E. Gómez, Cristina A. Bentos and José. L. Ramirez: Humans attacked by piranhas (Pisces: Serrasalmidae) in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, pp. 25-28

Piranhas are rare in the waters of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. However, in January 2004, three people were attacked and wounded by fish in public swimming pools in the city of Salto (34°15÷ S, 60°16÷W), 270 km from the Paraná river. Probably responsible were Serrasalmus spilopleura, more than 20 specimens of which were caught in the pools.

Jacques Géry and Axel Zarske: Moenkhausia heikoi n.sp., a new tetra (Teleostei:, Ostariophysi: Characiformes:, Characidae) from the Rio Xingú basin, Brazil, with a supplementary description of the genus type species, pp. 29-43

Moenkhausia heikoi, a new endemic tetra from the Rio Xingú basin, is described and compared with related species, including the type species of the genus Moenkhausia xinguensis, which is phenotypically close and also endemic to the Xingú basin. The latter species is redescribed from the holotype and from new collections.

Volume 8, Issue 4 - July 2004

Peter Rask Møller, Werner Schwarzhans and Jørgen G. Nielsen: Review of the American Dinematichthyini (Teleostei, Bythitidae). Part I. Dinematichthys, Gunterichthys, Typhliasina and two new genera, pp. 141-192

An ongoing revision of the American dinematichthyine fishes (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae) based on examination of about 2000 specimens will be published in two parts. This publication is Part I, which includes 209 specimens in the genera Dinematichthys (one W. Atlantic species), Gunterichthys (one W. Atlantic and two new E. Pacific species), Ogilbichthys (new genus with seven new W. Atlantic species), Pseudogilbia (new genus with one new W. Atlantic species) and Typhliasina (resurrected with one W. Atlantic cave species). The diagnostic characters are male pseudoclaspers, head pores, otoliths, gill rakers, morphometric proportions, fin ray and vertebral counts. Part II will comprise the revision of the speciose and abundant genus Ogilbia.

Volume 8, Issue 3 - June 2004

Carlos A. Rangel, João Luiz Gasparini, and Ricardo Z. P. Guimarães: A new species of combtooth blenny Scartella Jordan, 1886 (Teleostei: Blenniidae) from Trindade Island, Brazil, pp. 89-96

A new species of Scartella is described from Trindade Island (20°30÷S, 29°20÷W), a volcanic formation which lies about 1160 km off the Brazilian coast. The new species differs from its Atlantic congeners by the following combination of characters: body and head speckled with small black spots, number of segmented  dorsal  fin rays modally 14, number of segmented anal fin rays modally 16, and number of caudal vertebrae modally 23. This species is the fifth species of Scartella recognised from the Atlantic Ocean.

David Lecchini and Jeffrey T. Williams: Description of a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae: Chromis) from Rapa Island, French Polynesia, pp. 97-102

A new species of pomacentrid fish recently discovered at Rapa Island, Austral Archipelago (French Polynesia), is described. Specimens were collected during a collaborative marine biodiversity survey of Rapa from October to December 2002. Chromis planesi is described from six specimens, 93.6-101.8 mm SL, captured on the outer reef slope at depths of 50 to 54 m. The new species is distinguished from most described species of Chromis by the following combination of characters: dorsal rays XIV,12-13; anal rays II,12-13; pectoral rays 20; tubed lateral line scales 17; total gill rakers 27-30; axil of pectoral fin black; eye-sized bluish white spot (fades and darkens rapidly after death) on body at bases of posteriormost 6 to 8 segmented dorsal rays. Only four species of Chromis (C. fumea, C. notata, C. verater, and C. struhsakeri) have overlapping counts, a black pectoral axil, and the white spot dorsoposteriorly on body as described above for C. planesi. Chromis planesi is easily distinguished from all four of these species by its distinctive colour pattern: yellowish body with nine stripes, each composed of a series of small blue dots, extending from the gill opening to the caudal fin base; pectoral and caudal fins yellow; and pelvic and anal fins dark brown to black. Among the Chromis species with 14 dorsal spines, the colour pattern of C. planesi is most similar to the those of C. meridiana and C. struhsakeri. Chromis meridiana lacks the blue stripes on the body and has a more slender body (body depth (BD) 2.1-2.3 in standard length (SL) versus BD 1.9-2.1 in SL for C. planesi). Chromis struhsakeri differs in lacking blue stripes, lacking yellow fins, having the white spot extending anteriorly from the top of the caudal peduncle only to about the base of the last dorsal segmented ray, and having a deeper body (BD 1.8-1.9 in SL). This distinctive new species is known only from seven specimens (one sacrificed for genetic sampling) collected on the deep outer reef at Rapa Island.

Wilson J. E. M. Costa: Rivulus simplicis n. sp. (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae): a new killifish from the coastal plains of south-eastern Brazil, pp. 103-108

Rivulus simplicis, is described from a small, isolated coastal plain area of south-eastern Brazil. It belongs to the R. santensis species group, which also includes R. depressus, R. haraldsiolii, R. janeiroensis, R. luelingi, R. nudiventris, and R. santensis, and is diagnosed among rivulids by uniquely possessing a curved ventral process of the angulo-articular bone. Rivulus simplicis differs from other species of the R. santensis group in having a distinct colour pattern of flank and caudal fin in males, and by a combination of morphological features, including high number of caudal fin rays and anterior position of the dorsal fin origin.

Alexei M. Orlov: Migrations of various fish species between Asian and American waters in the North Pacific Ocean, pp. 109-124

Until now, the continental slope of the Bering Sea was considered to be the only route by which typical American fishes or their pelagic eggs or larvae could reach Asian coasts. These include Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis, shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis, arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias, rex sole Glyptocephalus zachirus and sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria. Recent studies have shown that exchange between Asian and American fish populations takes place along the Kuril and Aleutian Islands. Due to recent climatic changes, some species have extended their ranges from the Aleutians to the Kuril Islands and as far as south-eastern Kamchatka (northern rockfish Sebastes polyspinis, dusky rockfish Sebastes ciliatus, arrowtooth flounder, and rex sole). Some species from the Aleutian Islands, described earlier, were recently found to be abundant or common in the Pacific waters off the Kuril Islands. These included blacktip snailfish Careproctus zachirus, longfin Irish lord Hemilepidotus zapus, scaled sculpin Archaulus biseriatus, sponge sculpin Thyriscus anoplus, and roughskin sculpin Rastrinus scutiger. In Aleutian waters these species are very rare and mostly represented by small, immature specimens, whereas adults are very common off the Kurils. It is suggested that the pelagic eggs or larvae of these species may be carried by the waters of the Western Pacific Gyre from the Kuril Islands to the Aleutians.

Wilson J. E. M. Costa and Dalton T. B. Nielsen: Simpsonichthys carlettoi (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) a new annual fish from the Rio São Francisco basin, north-eastern Brazil, pp. 125-130

Simpsonichthys carlettoi, an annual fish collected in the upper Rio das Rãs floodplains, middle Rio São Francisco basin, north-eastern Brazil, is described. It seems to be closely related to S. magnificus and S. picturatus, with unpaired and pectoral fins in males in all three species possessing the same derived colour patterns. The new species differs from S. magnificus and S. picturatus in having dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, and by the absence of a black distal edge on the unpaired fins of males.

Philippe Béarez, Jean-Thomas Bujard, María-Cecilia Terán and Roberto Campoverde: First record of two rocky reef fishes from mainland Ecuador: Halichoeres chierchiae (Labridae) and Ostracion meleagris (Ostraciidae), pp. 131-134

Two reef fishes are recorded for the first time from Ecuador. Both have been captured over rocky bottoms covered with gorgonians, along the coast of central-south Ecuador. The previous southernmost distribution limits known were Colombia or the Galápagos Islands for Halichoeres chierchiae, and Panama or Galápagos for Ostracion meleagris. The question of their origin is mentioned.

John E. Randall and Gerald R. Allen: Gomphosus varius x Thalassoma lunare, a hybrid labrid fish  from Australia, pp. 135-139

An unusual labrid fish photographed and collected off Cassini Island, Western Australia is documented as the hybrid Gomphosus varius x Thalassoma lunare.  A second example of the same hybrid was observed on the Great Barrier Reef (not photographed or collected), and one of Gomphosus varius x Thalassoma duperrey was observed at the island of Hawaii (also not photographed or collected).

Volume 8, Issue 2 - March 2004

John E. Randall and Andreas Spreinat: The subadult of the labrid fish Novaculoides macrolepidotus, a mimic of waspfishes of the genus Ablabys, pp. 45-48

A brief review of mimicry in marine fishes is followed by the example of the subadult of the labrid fish Novaculoides macrolepidotus believed to be a mimic of venomous scorpaeniform fishes of the genus Ablabys. In addition to the resemblance in form and colour to species of Ablabys, the subadult of this labrid fish mimics Ablabys behavior by showing a strong reluctance to move and by holding its dorsal fin fully erect.

James C. Tyler and Philip A. Hastings: Emblemariopsis dianae, a new species of chaenopsid fish from the western Caribbean off Belize (Blennioidei), pp. 49-60

Emblemariopsis dianae, new species, is described based on 35 males. It is easily distinguished from its congeners by the orange flag distally between the first three dorsal fin spines, without a whitish band below the flag, and modally three mandibular sensory pores instead of the four that are typical of most chaenopsids. The new species exhibits significant variation in number of cephalic sensory pores in selected series and in details of the caudal skeleton, including variation in the only known synapomorphy of the genus Emblemariopsis, the shape and size of the neural spine of the penultimate vertebra. The new species has been found only in low-energy, mid-shelf, lagoonal waters of the Belize Barrier Reef.

John E. Randall: Five new shrimp gobies of the genus Amblyeleotris from islands of Oceania, pp. 61-79

Five new species of shrimp gobies of the Indo-Pacific genus Amblyeleotris are described from islands of the central and south Pacific: A. katherine, formerly misidentified as A. fasciata (Herre), from 14 specimens from the Society Islands (type locality), Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, and Mariana Islands; A. biguttata described from four specimens from New Caledonia (type locality) and the Solomon Islands (named for two large black spots on the chin); A. ellipse described from nine specimens from American Samoa (named for the elliptical mark in the caudal fin); A. bellicauda described from one specimen from New Caledonia (named for the striking colour pattern of the caudal fin, also featuring a large elliptical mark); and A. stenotaeniata, described from one specimen from New Caledonia (named for the narrow dark bars on the body). With these descriptions, the total number of recognized species of Amblyeleotris is now 33. 

Gerald R. Allen: Kiunga bleheri, a new Blue-Eye (Pisces: Pseudomugilidae) from fresh waters of Papua New Guinea, pp. 79-85¬Ý

Kiunga bleheri, new species, is described from 9 specimens, 16.7-28.4 mm SL, collected by H. Bleher in 1994 and 2003 from the Fly River system in the vicinity of Kiunga, Papua New Guinea. It differs from its only known congener, K. ballochi, also from the Kiunga area, on the basis of its much shorter second dorsal and anal fins, significant modal difference in the number of second dorsal fin rays, 6 versus 5 transverse scale rows on the body, and in usually having most of the second dorsal and anal fin rays unbranched.

Volume 8, Issue 1 - November 2003

Ivan Sazima and Cristina Sazima: Daytime hunting behaviour of Echidna catenata (Muraenidae): why chain morays foraging at ebb tide have no followers, pp. 1-8¬Ý

The daytime foraging of the chain moray (Echidna catenata) on grapsid crabs on exposed reefs at ebb tide and in tide-pools was studied in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, western Equatorial Atlantic (03°50÷S, 32°25÷W). Four hunting tactics were recorded both in and out of the water: (1) search at pool rims and rock bases, poking into crevices and holes; (2) stealthy approach to previously sighted prey; (3) chasing of prey; (4) ambush from crevices and under rocks. As the chain moray uses varied hunting techniques and its crab hunting is mostly visually guided, its generally unobtrusive foraging attracts little or no attention from tide-pool fishes. Part of the foraging is done out of the water on exposed reefs; fish are therefore unable to follow the moray and take advantage of its hunting activities.

Javad Ghasemzadeh, Walter Ivantsoff  and Aarn: Historical overview of mugilid systematics, with description of Paramugil (Teleostei; Mugiliformes; Mugilidae), new genus, pp. 9-22 

The history of the systematic relationships of the mugilids is reviewed, concluding with the modern concept of Mugilidae comprising 17 genera with 80 species, one of five taxa comprising ?Smegmamorpha÷. Paramugil, new genus, is erected for P. georgii and P. parmata, and 18 diagnostic morphological and osteological differences between Paramugil and Liza and/or Mugil and/or Valamugil listed.

Gerald R. Allen and Roger C. Steene: Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi, a new species of angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from Papua New Guinea, pp. 23-30

A new species of pomacanthid fish, Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi, is described from 3 specimens, 117.8-125.2 mm SL, collected at Samarai Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea in 1972 and 2003. It is closely related to C. dimidiatus and C. melanosoma from Indonesia and the Philippines, but differs in colour pattern. The new species is mainly black except the head and adjacent dorsoanterior body is light grey to nearly white, with a predominately black caudal fin (except broad yellow posterior margin). Small juveniles are mainly black with a yellow median facial band, a yellow diagonal band from just in front of the dorsal fin to the pelvic fins, a broad yellow margin covering most of the dorsal fin, and a yellow caudal fin with a black submarginal bar.

Jansen Zuanon and Ivan Sazima: Vampire catfishes seek the aorta not the jugular: candirus of the genus Vandellia (Trichomycteridae) feed on major gill arteries of host fishes, pp. 31-36

Species of the trichomycterid catfish genus Vandellia (candirus) feed on blood from other fishes, usually entering the gill chamber of their hosts. However, exactly where these vampire fish attach themselves in the chamber to take blood remains unrecorded. Herein we present evidence that two candiru species, Vandellia cirrhosa and V. sanguinea, seek the major gill arteries. Both species bite mostly at the ventral or dorsal arteries, and the blood is presumably pumped into their gut by the hosts÷ blood pressure. We suggest that candirus do not need any special sucking or pumping mechanism become rapidly engorged themselves with blood but simply use their needle-like teeth to make an incision in an artery. This being the case, the notion of blood-sucking by the candiru is misleading.

John E. Randall and John L. Earle: Novaculoides, a new genus for the Indo-Pacific labrid fish Novaculichthys macrolepidotus, pp. 37-43 

The new genus Novaculoides is proposed for one species of labrid fish previously classified as Novaculichthys macrolepidotus (Bloch). The genus is distinct from Novaculichthys in possessing the following characters: anterior pair of canine teeth in jaws curving laterally; two or three oblique rows of small embedded scales on cheek; head short, its length 3.4-3.65 in SL; body moderately elongate, the depth 2.8-3.0 in standard length; longest dorsal and anal soft rays about equal in length; pelvic fins of males often longer than head, 3.1-4.2 in standard length. Novaculichthys is now monotypic for the species taeniourus (Lacépède).

Volume 7, Issue 4 - November 2003

Gerald R. Allen and Joan E. Wright: Description of a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae: Pomacentrus) from Rodrigues Island, Indian Ocean, pp. 133-138

A new species of pomacentrid fish is described from Rodrigues Island in the Mascarene Group, southwestern Indian Ocean. Specimens were collected during September and October 2001 as part of a general biodiversity survey of the Rodrigues lagoon environment. Pomacentrus rodriguesensis is described from 15 specimens 35.5-79.8 mm SL, collected from coral reefs and estuary tide pools in 9 to18 m. It appears to be related to other Pomacentrus with 14 dorsal spines, particularly to P. pikei from Mauritius and Réunion in the Mascarene Islands and P. indicus from the central Indian Ocean. These species have similar morphology but are easily distinguished by colour pattern differences. The new species is bluish grey with a yellow margin on the spinous dorsal fin, a dark spot on the upper pectoral fin base, and yellow pelvic fins. Juveniles possess a prominent ocellus on the basal half of the soft dorsal fin between the fifth and ninth rays.

Marta S. C. Soares and João P. Barreiros: Following associations with the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Mullidae) from the Azores, pp. 139-144

In this study we report Mullus surmuletus being followed intraspecifically and by individual fish of the following species: Thalassoma pavo, Coris julis, Diplodus sargus cadenati and Serranus atricauda. This study was carried out over a total of some thirtyfive hours between October 2001 and August 2002, in shallow water over sandy bottoms in the vicinity of the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, Azores (NE Atlantic). Red mullet search for benthic animals in the sand with their snout and barbels and feed on them. This behaviour attracts the attention of other species, which take advantage of the disturbance and capture prey themselves. Cleaning behaviour was also observed between M. surmuletus – ”clients’ and T. pavo and C. julis – ”cleaners’. This cleaning behaviour occurs when the ”cleaners’ follow the red mullet.

Mauro L. Triques, Volney Vono and Emmanuelle V. Caiafa: Astyanax turmalinensis, a new species of fish from the Rio Jequitinhonha basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Characiformes: Characidae: Tetragonopterinae), pp. 145-150

Intensive sampling in the Rio Jequitinhonha basin led us to the discovery of a new species of Astyanax. In this study, based on meristics, morphometrics, external morphology and colour pattern, Astyanax turmalinensis (Characiformes: Characidae: Tetragonopterinae) is described from Córrego Divisão, a tributary of the right side of the Rio Jequitinhonha at Peixe-Crú, Município of Turmalina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Jeffrey T. Williams and Jeffrey C. Howe: Seven new species of the triplefin fish genus Helcogramma (Tripterygiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, pp. 151-176

Eleven species, including seven new species, are recognized in the Helcogramma fuscopinna species complex, a monophyletic group within the genus Helcogramma (herein determined to be feminine in gender). A pale-bodied subgroup includes H. aquila (Batan Islands), H. nigra n. sp. (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Rotuma Island), and H. cerasina n. sp. (Tonga Islands and Vatoa Island, Fiji). The other members of the complex include H. nesion n. sp. (Ogasawara and Izu Islands and southern Shikoku Island, Japan), H. inclinata (H. habena is a junior synonym; Batan Islands, Pratas Reef, Taiwan, and Ryukyu Islands), H. fuscopinna (western Indian Ocean), H. desa n. sp. (Cuyo Islands, Philippines and Vietnam), H. albimacula n. sp. (western Luzon to Apo Island, Philippines), H. lacuna n. sp. (western Thailand), H. vulcana (Indonesia), and H. randalli n. sp. (Komodo Island and Bali, Indonesia). With the description of these seven new ones, there are now 30 species recognized in the genus Helcogramma.

Volume 7, Issue 3 - October 2003

Karen Sanamyan and Dirk Schories: Ascidians from the Strait of Magellan, pp. 89-96

In the Magellan region, Ascidiacea appear to be a dominant invertebrate group at depths from 5 - 20 m. Most of the present collection, made by scuba divers in the Strait of Magellan, have a geographic range limited to Patagonia, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands and north of the Antarctic Peninsula. The exceptions are two circumpolar species: Distaplia cylindrica (Lesson, 1830) and Didemnum studeri Hartmeyer, 1911. One new species is described.

Richard Winterbottom: Feia ranta, a new species of gobiid fish (Acanthopterygii; Perciformes) from Vietnam, pp. 97-102

A distinctive new species of the gobiid Feia, F. ranta, is described based on three specimens from Hon Tom Island, Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam. It differs from its congeners in several characteristics, including barred colour pattern and having predorsal scales. These and other characters necessitate a redefinition of the genus. The relationships of Feia appear to lie with other genera possessing cephalic folds or ridges bearing sensory papillae (Gobiopterus, Callogobius and Mangarinus). Of these, initial analysis suggests that Feia may be the sister group of Mangarinus based on the configuration of the paired longitudinal row of sensory papillae on the chin.

John E. Randall and Gerald R. Allen: Paracheilinus rubricaudalis, a new species of flasherwrasse (Perciformes: Labridae) from Fiji, pp. 103-112

The Indo-Pacific labrid fish Paracheilinus rubricaudalis is described from two male specimens collected in 46 m in Fiji. It is most closely related to P. mccoskeri from the Indian Ocean with which it shares a single filamentous dorsal soft ray in the male. It differs in having a more slender body, a red caudal fin, and a broad outer zone of red in the soft portion of the dorsal fin.

A key is given to the 13 species of Paracheilinus.

Gerald R. Allen, John E. Randall and Bruce Allan Carlson: Cirrhilabrus marjorie, a new wrasse (Pisces: Labridae) from Fiji, pp. 113-118

Cirrhilabrus marjorie, new species, is described from 3 specimens, 52.4-60.1 mm SL, collected at the Fiji. Males are distinctively patterned with a brilliant red back and bold black margins on the dorsal and caudal fins. Although similar in general coloration to C. bathyphilus from deep reefs of the Coral Sea, it differs in having a double emarginate caudal fin (with produced lobes) in males, rather than slightly emarginate, and more gill rakers on the first branchial arch (18-19 versus 13-15). The caudal fin shape of C. marjorie is unique among Cirrhilabrus, being shared only by C. exquisitus from the Indo-west Pacific. However, the latter species differs markedly as regards male coloration. The only other species with produced fin lobes are C. lunatus from the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan, and the Ogasawara Islands, and C. johnsoni Randall (1988) from the Marshall Islands. Males of both these species have strongly lunate caudal fins, with the upper and lower rays forming filamentous extensions. Moreover, both have fewer (13-17) gill rakers, and males differ markedly in overall coloration (especially the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins which are dark blue to blackish in C. lunatus and bright red in C. johnsoni).

Wilson J. E. M. Costa and Dalton T. B. Nielsen: Simpsonichthys reticulatus n. sp. (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae): a new annual fish from the Rio Xingu floodplains, Brazilian Amazon, pp. 119-122

Simpsonichthys reticulatus n. sp., a small annual fish collected in the lower Rio Xingu floodplains, Brazilian Amazon, is described. It is similar to S. costai in having fan-shaped dorsal and anal fins in males, but differs from S. costai by its distinct colour pattern, the number of dorsal and anal fin rays and by the position of the dorsal fin origin in males. It is distinguished from all its congeners by its reticulate colour pattern and a black and light blue oblong spot on the dorsal fin in males.

Ioannis Paschos, Cosmas Nathanailides, Ifigenia Kagalou, Eufrosini Leka, Maria Tsoumani and Costas Perdikaris: The prospects for restoring the nearly extinct population of the Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte 1836 (Acipenseridae) in Greece, pp. 123-132

Once considered abundant, the Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte, 1836) is currently very rare in the Adriatic, with only a few individuals present in some surrounding rivers. There is some evidence that in the past, the species was found in the coastal waters of north-west Greece, around the island of Corfu and off the coast of Thesprotia, but now it appears to have virtually vanished from Greece÷s coastal waters and river ecosystems. Dam construction, over-fishing and habitat destruction have completely eliminated the breeding population in the river Kalamas in Thesprotia. On November 2000, 1500 A. naccarii fry, (imported from Lombardy, Italy) with a mean body weight of 1.2 g, were released at selected sites on the river Kalamas. At the same time, 500 fish from the same stock were held indoors for intensive rearing. During the succeeding 13 months, experimental sampling showed that the surviving fish had grown. There is evidence that the population is distributed over at least one region close to the site of release. The sturgeon reared indoors exhibited satisfactory growth, (specific growth rate SGR=1.7%? day1) and had negligible mortality rates. From these results it seems that there is some prospect of successfully re-establishing A. naccarii in the river Kalamas. Re-stocking efforts can be improved by growing sturgeon fry under intensive rearing conditions to achieve larger size prior to release and to increase survival rates in the wild.

Volume 7, Issue 2 - June 2003

Alexei M. Orlov: Diets, feeding habits, and trophic relations of six deep-benthic skates (Rajidae) in the western Bering Sea, pp. 45-60

The diets of six species of skates inhabiting the western Bering Sea were examined: Aleutian skate, Bathyraja aleutica, Alaska skate B. parmifera, Matsubara skate B. matsubarai, white-blotched skate B. maculata, white-brow skate B. minispinosa, and Bering skate Rhinoraja iterrupta. The diets of predatory skates (Alaska, Aleutia, white-blotched, Matsubaa, and white-brow skates) consisted of large crustaceans, cephalopods and fishes. Benthophagic Bering skates consumed mainly Tanner crabs, gammarid amphipods, and shrimps. The consumption of worms and crustaceans by predatory skates declined with increasing skate size, whereas consumption of fishes increased. The consumption of worms and small crustaceans by benthophagic Bering skates declined with increasing skate size while consumption of crabs and squid increased. Diets of male and female skates differed, probably due mostly to the effect of size. Among the species examined, three skate pairs had a medium level of dietary similarity: Aleutian and Alaska skates, Alaska and white-brow skates, and white-brow and Bering skates.

Bertran M. Feitoza, Luiz A. Rocha, Osmar J. Luiz-Junior, Sergio R. Floeter and João L. Gasparini: Reef fishes of St. Paul÷s Rocks: new records and notes on biology and zoogeography, pp. 61-82

St. Paul÷s Rocks is a very small group of rocky islands located on the mid-Atlantic ridge just north of the Equator, about 1000 km from the Brazilian coast. The aim of this work is to add new information on the abudance, biology, zoogeography and taxonomy of its reef fishes. In the course of four expeditions the fish fauna was surveyed in tide pools and over reefs at depths down to 62 m using a number of different methodologies. Seventy-five fish species (25 new records) were recorded, of which 58 are reef inhabitants and 17 are pelagic. The most speciose families were Muraenidae (seven species), Carangidae (five), Pomacentridae (five), Labridae (four), Serranidae (three), and Scaridae (three). Stegaster sanctipauli (Pomacentrdae), Chromis multilineata (Pomacentridae), Melichthys niger (Balistidae) and Caranx lugubris (Caranagidae) were the most visually abundant fishes. Depsite being recorded in prior surveys, Carcharhinus galapagensis and Anthias salmopunctatus were not observed by our team. It was observed that 60.3% of the reef fish species are carnivores, 15.5% planktivores, 8.6% omnivores, 8.6% territorial herbivores, and 6.9% non-territorial herbivores. Of the 58 reef fishes recorded, four are endemic to St. Paul÷s Rocks and about 80% also occur off the coast of Brazil. It is thought therefore that St. Paul÷s Rocks should be regarded as an impoverished outost of the Brazilian province.

Alexei M. Tokranov and Alexei M. Orlov: Some biological characteristics of the rare, little-studies gloved snailfish Palmoliparis beckeri Balushkin, 1996 (Liparidae, Teleostei), in the Pacific off the northern Kuril Islands, pp. 83-88

The sptial and bathymetric distribution, size, weight composition, age, fecundity, and diet composition of the rare, little-studied gloved snailfish Palmoliparis beckeri Balushkin, 1996 (Liparidae) are considered, based on data obtained during expeditions between 1995 and 2001 in the Pacific, off the northern Kuril Islands, Russia.

Volume 7, Issue 1 - March 2003

John E. Randall: Thalassoma nigrofasciatum, a new species of labrid fish from the south-west Pacific, pp. 1-8

Thalassoma nigrofasciatum is described as a new species of Labridae from the Great Barrier Reef, vauatu, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Chesterfield Bank, New Caledoia, Loyalty Island, Fiji, and Tonga. It is typically found on exposed outer-reef areas from tide pools to dephts of at least 15 m. Previously identified as T. jansenii (Bleeker), it differs in colour and in having a deeper caudal peduncle and longer paired fins.

Richard Winterbottom: A new species of Trimma (Gobiidae) from the western Indian Ocean, pp. 9-12

A new species of the genus Trimma is described. Trimma volcana is characterized by having large spots on the head and body, moderate to well-developed interorbital and postorbital trenches, scales present on the pectoral and pelvic fin bases but not on the cheecks, opercles, or midline of the nape, a posterior nostril which is adnate to the eye, and a fifth pelvic fin ray that is 80-9% of the fourth and is branched dichotomously twice. Trimma volcana has been found off Tanzania, Mozambique and the Comores Islands.

Richard Winterbottom and Cesar A. Villa: A new species of the Trimma caesiura complex (Gobiidae, Teleostei) from the north-eastern margin of the Australian Plate, with a redescription of the other nominal species in the complex, pp. 13-28

A new species of Trimma caesiura species complex, T. lantana, is described from the north-eastern margin of the Australasian plate and the Solomon Islands, and four other species of the complex are redescribed. This species complex is defined by the possession of a deep, steep-sided trench between and posterodorsal to the orbits. The new species differs from its congeners in the presence of two brick-red or brown, dark-edged, rounded blotches over the vertical limb of the preopercle, and smaller but similar blotches, on the cheek below the eye and on the dorsal surface of the snout. It differs further from T. caesiura in having an elongate spine in the first dorsal fin and ventrolateral white spots on the caudal peduncle, and in lacking thin white bars on the cheek. Trimma baudei has a club-like red bar over the vertical limb of the preopercle and a distinct dark bar over the bases of the pectoral fin rays (the latter diffuse or absent in T. lantana). Two other nominal species that appear to belong to this complex are redescribed here. Both T. mendelssohni and T. winterbottomi have more than a single branch in the fifth pelvic fin ray,  usually more pectoral fin rays (a mean of 18 vs. 16), and a posterior nasal opening adnate to the anterior margin of the eye (vs. distinctly separate from the eye margin). The taxonomic status of two other species in this complex, T. corallinum and T. omanensis, is currently under review elsewhere, and these species are not considered further here.

Marta S. C. Soares, Luis Sousa and João Pedro Barreiros: Feeding  habits fo the lizardfish Synodus saurus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii: Synodontidae), pp. 29-38

The feeding habits of the lizardfish Synodus saurus, were studie in the Azores archipelago, north-eastern Atlantic. Factors examined were diet composition, prey importance, season, fish size, feeding straegy and prey orientation in the oesophagus. The stomach contents of 308 specimens were collected and analyzed between March and November 2000. Synodus saurus is common in Azorean water. Though it prefers small grearious pelagic fish, it also feeds on epibenthic and benthic prey. We found the following prey in its diet: 9 families of teleostean fishes (Carangidae, clupeidae, Cynoglossidae, Gobiidae, Labridae, Myctophidae, Spaidae, Spyraenidae and Synodontidae), two families of crustaceans (Cymothoidae and Scyllaridae) and one of cephalopods (Loliginidae). The European pilchard, Sardina pilchardus was the commonest prey. The diet of the lizardfish varies with the season, showing the greatest diversity (given by the Shannon-Wiener index) im October. There is a significant correlation with the sea temperature. The size of the predator is not correlated to the size of its prey. However, we observed a ositive correlation between the size o the positive correlation between the size of the predator and the quantity of food in its stomach. The orientation of the prey in the oesophagus may partly depend on the predador÷s size. However, analysis of the stomach contents provided no information on the selection of prey.

Wilson J. E. M. Costa: Rivulus paracatuensis n. sp. (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae):a new rivuline species from the Rio São Francisco basin, Brazil, pp. 39-43

Rivulus paracatuensis n. sp. is described from a small stream in the Rio Paracatú floodplains, Rio São Francisco basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was previously misidentified as R. decoratus, the only other species of the genus occurring in the São Francisco basin, but described from Ibiraba, Bahia, which is about 1,000 km north of the Rio Paracatú. The new species is easily distinguished from R. decoratus by having more dorsal, caudal and pectoral fin rays, more vertebrae, more scales in the longitudinal series and more scale rows around the caudal peduncle, a wider basihyal, and a distinct male colour pattern.

Volume 6, Issue 1 - October 2002

Anthony C. Gill and Hiroshi Senou:  Lubbockichthys tanakai, new species of pseudoplesiopine dottyback from the West Pacific (Perciformes: Pseudochromidae), pp. 1-4

Lubbockichthys tanakai is described from the 43.2 mm SL holotype from Ie-shima Island, Ryukyu Islands, and a 33.5 mm SL paratype purportedly from the vicinity of Manila, Philippine Islands. It is distinguished from other pseudochromids in having the following combination of characters: a single tubed lateral-line scale; all scales cycloid; body depth at dorsal fin origin 20.9-21.3 % SL; scales in lateral series 56-58; anterior anal fin pterygiophore formula 3 + 1/1; and vertebrae 13 pre-caudal + 18-19 caudal. It is also distinctive in being pale with a well-defined, broad, dark stripe (dark grey to black in life) along the dorsal part of the body, which terminates in a dark (dark grey to black in life) basal spot on the caudal fin.

Arturo Acero P. and Richardo Betancur-R.: Description of Arius neogranatensis, a new species of sea catfish from Colombia, with an identification key for Caribbean ariid fishes, pp. 5-10

A new species of sea catfish (family Ariidae) from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Arius neogranatensis n. sp., is described. It can be easily distinguished from other tropical western Atlantic ariid species by the presence of three pairs of barbels, one maxillary and two mental; supraoccipital process broader at base than distally, its base width slightly shorter than its length, 1.1-1.2 in supraoccipital process length; predorsal plate narrow and crescent-shaped; teeth on palate villiform, forming a U-shaped pattern of four closely adjacent patches, the lateral pair largest and subtriangular; and by the lack of a fleshy furrow between the nostrils, a longitudinal fleshy groove in the median depression of the head, and gill rakers on rear surfaces of first two gill arches. So far the species is known only from brackish waters in a small sector of the central northern coast of Colombia.

Jeffrey T. Williams: Three new species of blennioid shore fishes discovered at Navassa Island, Caribbean Sea, pp. 11-16

An exploratory expedition to Navassa Island was carried out in April-May 1999. Specimens representing eight undescribed cryptic species were taken with rotenone while occupying 22 collecting stations, mostly by scuba diving: five blennioids, two clingfishes, and a goby. Descriptions of three of the blennioids, two chaenopsids and a dactyloscopid, are included here: Acanthemblemaria harpeza new species based on 268 specimens from Navassa; Emblemaria vitta new species based on two specimens, the holotype from Navassa and the paratype from Belize; and Gillellus inescatus new species based on one specimen from Navassa. Descriptions of these three new species are provided herein to allow the use of the names in a checklist of the shorefishes of Navassa Island, which is in press in aqua.

Chavalit Vidthayanon and Kittipongse Jaruthanin: Schistura kaysonei (Teleostei: Balitoridae), a new cave fish from the Khammouan karst, Laos PDR, pp. 17-20

Schistura kaysonei, n. sp. is the first troglobitic nemacheiline fish discovered in the Laos PDR. It is distinguished by elongated nasal flaps, and by the absence of external eyes and colour pattern in adults. Juveniles or sub-adults have dark pigment on the dorsum when exposed to light in captivity. The new species was obtained some 600 m from the entrance of the Phu Tham Nam cave in the Khammouan karst formation.

Bertran M. Feitoza: Platygillellus brasiliensis n. sp. (Perciformes: Dactyloscopidae), the third species of the genus from the Atlantic, pp. 21-28

Platygillellus brasiliensis, the third species of the genus from the Atlantic, is described from the Brazilian coast. It differs from its Atlantic congeners in having a 3-spined fan-like dorsal finlet whose height is greater than 50% (58-84%) of predorsal length. This species is known from shallow reefs off north-eastern Brazil, in depths between 1 and 6 m. A key to the Atlantic species of Platygillellus is given.

Alexei M. Orlov: Summer diet and feeding of shortraker (Sebastes borealis) and rougheye (S. aleutianus) rockfishes (Scorpaenidae) in the western Bering Sea, pp. 29-38

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis and rougheye rockfish S. aleutianus are important fishery targets in the North Pacific. Whilst their biology has been extensively studied, the feeding habits of these fish have only been reported from Alaskan waters. This present study was conducted on fish caught in the western Bering Sea. Bottom trawls were made around the clock in the summer of 1997. Random samples of rockfish were taken and examined for stomach contents. Of the 389 shortraker rockfish and 72 rougheye rockfish stomachs examined, 105 of the former and 12 of the latter contained food. The diet of the shortraker rockfish consisted of a variety of marine organisms from small crustaceans to fishes. The most important dietary components were the red squid Berryteuthis magister and a number of fish species which included the Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii, and some mesopelagic myctophids, bathylagids and a number of unidentified species. The diet of rougheye rockfish consisted of mysids, amphipods, pandalid shrimps, Tanner crabs, mesopelagic myctophids and bathylagids and some other unidentified organisms. The compositions of the diets of rockfish from the Alaskan waters and from the Bering Sea were compared, and dietary differences observed in larger fish and between the sexes were also analysed.

Gerald R. Allen and Steven Bailey: Chrysiptera albata, a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Phoenix Islands, Central Pacific Ocean, pp. 39-4

A new species of pomacentrid, Chrysiptera albata, is described from 3 specimens, 22.0-27.8 mm SL, collected during a marine biological expedition to the Phoenix Islands in 2002. It is closely related to C. caeruleolineata from the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean, but differs markedly in colour pattern. In contrast to C. caeruleolineata, which is pale yellowish with a bright blue neon stripe on the upper head and body, it is mainly white with a slight bluish cast. Possible modal differences were also detected with relation to number of gill rakers on the first branchial arch and number of lateral line scales. However, additional specimens of C. albata are needed for confirmation.

Volume 6, Issue 2 - November 2002

Gerald R. Allen: Description of two new species of damselfishes (Pomacentridae: Pomacentrus) from Madagascar, pp. 45-52

Two new species of pomacentrid fishes are described from north-western Madagascar, based on specimens collected during a Conservation International coral reef survey in January 2002. Pomacentrus atriaxillaris is described from three specimens 25.4-64.0 mm SL, collected in areas where the bottom is sand-rubble, at depths of 10-27 m. It is related to P. reidi Fowler & Bean from the Philippines, eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. P. atriaxillaris is readily distinguished by the relatively large black spot at the upper pectoral fin base and particularly by the black coloration of the pectoral fin axil, as well as having a more angular posterior dorsal and anal fin profile. Pomacentrus caeruleopunctatus is described from four specimens, 62.0-72.9 mm SL, collected in areas of mixed live coral and rubble at depths of between 7-10 m. It is most similar to P. caeruleus Quoy & Gaimard, which is widely distributed in the western Indian Ocean. The two species differ in colour pattern details, body depth (P. caeruleus is more slender), and the greater maximum size of P. caeruleopunctatus.

Marta S. C. Soares, João Pedro Barreiros, Luis Sousa & Ricardo S. Santos: Agonistic and predatory behaviour of the lizardfish Synodus saurus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii: Synodontidae) from the Azores, pp. 53-60

The behaviour of the lizardfish Synodus saurus, a common demersal predator in Azorean waters, is described. A total of 25 hours÷ qualitative diurnal underwater observations were carried out between July 2000 and January 2001. Behavioural aspects are presented, illustrated with diagrams based on in situ observations. S. saurus is a cryptic predator that feeds mainly of small pelagic, gregarious fish; it is primarily associated with soft bottom substrate. Besides remaining camouflaged buried beneath the sand, S. saurus is a highly mobile predator capable of rapidly swimming more than five meters to capture its prey. S. saurus maintains a territory through agonistic interactions, and also interacts non-agonistically with heterospecifics such as Bothus podas maderensis.

Ivan Sazima: Juvenile grunt (Haemulidae) mimicking a venomous leatherjacket (Carangidae), with a summary of Batesian mimicry in marine fishes, pp. 61-68

A presumed example of facultative Batesian mimicry between a grunt and a leatherjacket is described from tidal streams and mangrove zones in south-eastern Brazil. While moving over open areas or when threatened, juvenile Pomadasys ramosus (Haemulidae) closely resemble, and behave like, their presumed venomous model, juvenile Oligoplites palometa (Carangidae), a species with venom glands in its dorsal and anal spines. A summary of 24 published examples of Batesian mimicry in marine fishes shows that most species (83.3%) mimic venomous models, three species (12.5%) imitate poisonous models and only one species (4.1%) mimics a model which is neither venomous nor poisonous.

Amalia M. Miquelarena, Lucila C. Protogino, Ramiro Filiberto, and Hugo L. López: A new species of Bryconamericus (Characiformes: Characidae) from the Cuña-Pirú creek in north-eastern Argentina, with comments on accompanying fishes, pp. 69-82

A new species of the characid genus Bryconamericus is described from a tributary of the upper Paraná River, in the province of Misiones, Argentina. The new species can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the presence of an irregular series of tricuspid teeth on the outer premaxillary row; branched anal fin rays 16-19; perforated scales on lateral line 37-40; a different coloration pattern, with a wide, silvery lateral band and a vertically-elongated humeral spot; very weak sexual dimorphism and the absence of bony hooks on fins in males. A list of fish incidentally collected with the new species is also included.

Wilson J. E. M. Costa and Morevy M. Cheffe: Austrolebias jaegari (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae: Cynolebiatinae): a new annual fish from the Laguna dos Patos system, southern Brazil, with a redecription of A. gymnoventris (Amato), pp. 83-88

Austrolebias jaegari n. sp. from Pelotas, southern Brazil, is described, and A. gymnoventris (Amato) from Rocha, eastern Uruguay, is redescribed; both species share four synapomorphies: absence of scales on venter, body contact organs of male restricted to anteroventral portion of body side, absence of suborbital and supraorbital dark bars in live specimens, and a unique colour pattern on male body side. Austrolebias jaegari differs from A. gymnoventris by possessing a longer pectoral fin and, in the male, having contact organs on pectoral fin, a more anteriorly positioned anal fin origin, and narrower body bars.

Volume 6, Issue 3 - February 2003

Bruce B. Collette, Jeffrey T. Williams, Christine E. Thacker, and Michael L. Smith: Shore fishes of Navassa Island, West Indies: a case study on the need for rotenone sampling in reef fish biodiversity studies, pp. 89-131

We occupied 38 fish stations at Navassa Island in April-May 1999: 22 rotenone collections, mostly by scuba diving; 4 night light/dip net stations; 5 hook and line, trolling and hand-lining stations; and 7 visual underwater surveys. Eight new cryptic species were collected with rotenone – five blennioids, two clingfishes, and a goby. Five have already been described and three are described in papers currently in press. New information is given on the behaviour and life colours of one of the recently described blennioids, Emblemaria vitta.  We collected or recorded 224 species of fishes from 66 families, verifying most earlier records and adding another 160 species, making a current total of 237 species known from Navassa. Of the 224 species recorded, 102 (45.5%) were taken only with rotenone, and 56 others were collected using rotenone and other techniques. Thus a total of 158 species (70.5%) were collected using rotenone, supporting the need for this technique in obtaining a complete inventory. Most fishes found at Navassa are reef-associated species that are widely distributed in the Caribbean Sea. Navassa is relatively depauperate when compared with Bermuda (433 species of fishes) and four western Caribbean oceanic atolls (273 fishes). Navassa shares 140 fish species with Bermuda and 139 fish species with the western Caribbean atolls. Navassa, like Bermuda and the western Caribbean atolls, lacks families associated with the continental shelf such as toadfishes, searobins, and snooks. Navassa also lacks families associated with shallow seagrass beds and forage fishes such as herrings and anchovies. Navassa has similar numbers of gobioids (14 vs. 19 species in Bermuda), damselfishes (9 vs. 10), surgeonfishes (3), triggerfishes (5 vs. 6), squirrelfishes (7 vs. 8), and cardinalfishes (11 vs. 12); but fewer eels (14 vs. 32), jacks (7 vs. 17), grunts (3 vs. 7), wrasses (10 vs. 16), snappers (4 vs. 11), parrotfishes (9 vs. 13), and serranids (21 vs. 29); and more blennioids (24 vs. 11), plus clingfishes (6) and jawfishes (2), families that are absent from Bermuda.

Volume 6, Issue 4 - May 2003

Leonardo Francisco Machado, Áthila Bertoncini Andrade, Maurício Hostim-Silva and João Pedro Barreiros: Habitat use by the juvenile dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus and its relative abundance, in Santa Catarina, Brazil, pp. 133-138 

The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is a species whose stock management deserves special attention. It has an important role in hard-bottom ecosystems and, as a protogynous hermaphrodite; it is especially susceptible to overfishing. Data on the species÷ use of habitat, and on the way environmental and behaviour parameters influence its abundance can help to improve management and conservation strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of bottom type, temperature and species behaviour on the abundance of E. marginatus, using a quadrat for visual census. An area of 80 m2, divided between rocky shore, rocky outcrop and sandy habitats was surveyed monthly. Densities of juveniles were: 1.16 groupers m-2 over the rocky shore and 1.47 groupers m-2 over the rocky outcrop, while no groupers were found over sand. Analysis of the yearly variation in abundance revealed a migratory pattern of dispersal and gathering. All size groups observed in this study were below the first maturation length.

Wilson J. E. M. Costa, Cristiano R. Moreira and Flávio C. T. Lima: Simpsonichthys cholopteryx n. sp. (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae: Cynolebiatinae): a new dwarf annual fish from the upper Rio Araguaia basin, central Brazil, pp. 139-144

Simpsonichthys cholopteryx n. sp., collected in the upper Rio Araguaia basin, central Brazil, is described. It belongs to a clade that includes S. boitonei and S. parallelus, diagnosed by the absence of pelvic fin and girdle. The new species is considered to be a sister group to S. parallelus, both sharing apomorphic colour patterns of the caudal fin and iris in males, small adult size and absence of teeth on the second pharyngobranchial. It differs from S. boitonei and S. parallelus in the colour patterns of the flank and unpaired fins in males, and by having more anal fin rays in females.

Jeffrey T. Williams and Julie H. Mounts: Descriptions of six new Caribbean fish species in the genus Starksia (Labrisomidae), pp. 145-164

Extensive collecting efforts using rotenone sampling throughout the Caribbean over the past four decades have vastly increased the numbers of specimens of cryptic fishes in museum collections. Among these specimens, we discovered representatives of six new cryptic fish species belonging in the Starksia fasciata and S. sluiteri species complexes. Descriptions are provided herein for the following new species: S. leucovitta from Navassa Island; S. melasma from Mona Island, Puerto Rico, and Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix; S. multilepis from Fernando de Noronha Island and Atol das Rocas, Brazil; S. rava from Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; S. sella from Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, all in the S. sluiteri complex; and in the S. fasciata complex, S. smithvanizi from Buck Island Reef National Monument (St. Croix), Navassa Island, St. Barthelemy, and Dominica. Starksia fasciata is restricted in distribution to the Bahamas and northern Cuba. We provide an identification key and diagnostic characters for the 21 western Atlantic species (those species in the S. ocellata complex are diagnosed only in the key). The descriptions herein bring the total number of recognized western Atlantic species of Starksia to 21.

Thelma L. P. Dias and Ierecê L. Rosa: Habitat preferences of a seahorse species, Hippocampus reidi (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in Brazil, pp. 165-176

The habitat preferences of Hippocampus reidi are reported, based on the first field study of a seahorse population in the western south Atlantic. Data on holdfasts used by juveniles and adults were obtained in north-east Brazil between October 2000 and December 2001, during four-hour daily underwater observation sessions over a period of 45 days. The random visual census method was used while snorkelling or scuba diving. Occurrences of seahorses on each holdfast were recorded on an underwater slate, filmed and photographed. H. reidi used a total of 18 different holdfasts, of which the green algae Caulerpa racemosa and C. kempfi, the tunicate Ascidia nigra, and the roots of the mangrove plants Avicennia schaueriana and Rhizophora mangle were the most frequent. H. reidi was also found in crevices or leaning against the muddy bottom. While using the holdfasts, H. reidi were seen feeding (mostly young individuals) or engaging in courtship behaviour. During tidal shifts, they were seen moving with the tide, apparently not engaged in any particular activity. The results of the present study suggest that strategies to conserve seahorse populations in Brazil should emphasize habitat conservation. The algae of the genus Caulerpa constitute one of the most important holdfasts for H. reidi in the study area, both for juveniles and adults.

Cummulative Index Volumes 1-5