The type series of Poromitra crassiceps (Pisces, Melamphaidae) with lectotype designation.

The type series of Poromitra crassiceps (Gnther, 1878) was thought to include specimens from four localities in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern oceans. Comparison of the extant syntypes with the original description revealed that the specimen from the Pacific Ocean was not included in the original type series; one syntype from the Atlantic Ocean was never incorporated into the collection of the Natural History Museum, London, and is considered lost, and another cannot be identified due to its bad condition. The fourth syntype, from the Southern Ocean and in the best condition, is designated lectotype of this species. Molecular analysis of tissue samples collected by us as well as publically available COI sequences showed that only one species, P. crassiceps, is currently known from the Southern Ocean. Specimens from this ocean named P. atlantica (Norman, 1929) in the literature and in collections are probably misidentifications of P. crassiceps. The validity of P. atlantica needs confirmation from fresh material from the type locality.

A taxonomic re-evaluation of five stomiiform fish species described by August Brauer (1902) with lectotype designations.

A study of the type series of Stylophthalmus paradoxus and Idiacanthus atlanticus (Stomiidae), and Cyclothone livida, C. obscura and C. pallida (Gonostomatidae), uncovered errors in the synonymy of Idiacanthus and inconsistencies regarding the number of type specimens of the three species of Cyclothone. The syntypes of S. paradoxus were matched with the illustrations of this species in Brauer (1906) and the specimen used in the description was identified and designated as a lectotype of this species. A comparison of these syntypes with specimens of Idiacanthus atlanticus, including its syntypes, and of I. fasciola indicated that S. paradoxus is most likely a junior synonym of I. fasciola. In addition, the research resulted in a reliable way to distinguish between I. fasciola and I. atlanticus and in the identification of the primary type of the latter species. Mismatches were found in the information Brauer (1906) provided about the material he had for the three species of Cyclothone as well as with published data about the type series of these species. It seems that the whereabouts of many of the type series specimens is unknown. We therefore propose that the individual specimens Brauer singled out for measurements in his original descriptions of C. livida, C. obscura and C. pallida be recognized as lectotypes.

Two new species of the genus Chelidoperca (Perciformes: Serranidae) from the Andaman Sea, eastern Indian Ocean.

Two new species of the genus Chelidoperca are described from specimens collected in 2015 and 2018 from the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Myanmar during trawl bottom surveys conducted by the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. Chelidoperca myathantuni sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens (74.3-129.5 mm SL) from 101-185 m depth, which can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 3 (2 full-sized plus 1 half-sized) scale rows between lateral line and middle of spinous dorsal-fin base; 42-44 (modally 44) pored lateral-line scales; 16 pectoral-fin rays; interorbital scales extending to mid-orbit level; scales on ventral surface of lower jaw restricted to the angular (not extending onto the dentary); enlarged caniniform teeth on the upper jaw; side of body with longitudinal dashed black stripe; dorsal fin pale yellow with reddish pigment mostly restricted at base of spines and rays. Chelidoperca flavimacula sp. nov. is described based on eight specimens (49.7-70.7 mm SL) from 84-131 m depth, which can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 3 (2 full-sized plus 1 half-sized) scale rows between lateral line and middle of spinous dorsal-fin base; 42-45 (modally 42) pored lateral-line scales; 9-10 (modally 10) scale rows below the lateral line; 6 predorsal scales; 16-17 (modally 16) circumpeduncular scales; 5 scales rows on cheek; interorbital scales extending to mid-orbit level; anal fin with yellowish distal margin and three or four rows of bright yellow spots over its proximal half.

The distribution of four species of the genus Macrourus (Gadiformes: Macrouridae) from the Southern Ocean based on samples from the toothfish longline fishery.

The known distribution of Macrourus caml is extended to the Ob and Lena Banks area, and southwest of Heard and McDonald Islands. Macrourus holotrachys was recorded from Prince Edward Islands and the Ob and Lena Banks. Macrourus carinatus specimens examined were all from Prince Edward Islands, the type locality. Macrourus whitsoni specimens examined were all from the southeast Atlantic Ocean at about 69˚S, close to the Antarctic continent (off Maud Land), consistent with a previous study which reported the species from 64-77˚S. A revised identification key is provided.

-Redescription and distributional range extension of the Speckled Siphonfish, Siphamia guttulata (Pisces: Apogonidae).

During seabed biodiversity surveys between 2003 and 2005 from the Torres Strait (Papua New Guinea) to the southern Great Barrier Reef (Queensland), hundreds of Siphamia specimens were collected. After Gon Allen's (2012) revision allowed greater interrogation of the Siphamia species present, a re-examination of preserved and frozen Siphamia specimens at the CSIRO Australian National Fish Collection (ANFC) was warranted. The material was re-identified as four commonly collected species (S. cuneiceps, S. roseigaster, S. tubifer, and S. tubulata) and a fifth unidentified species that appeared to key to S. guttulata, previously known only from the type locality. Further detailed investigations including an analysis of meristic, morphometric and COI barcoding data confirmed the identity of S. guttulata from almost the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, from the Torres Strait in the north to the Northumberland Islands Group in the south. This study provides a redescription of Siphamia guttulata and highlights the importance of re-assessing the taxonomic status of museum material after revisionary studies.

A new deep-bodied species of Antigonia (Teleostei, Antigoniidae) from the Andaman Sea (northeastern Indian Ocean).

A new species of boarfish, Antigonia emanuela, is described from two specimens collected in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Myanmar during bottom trawl surveys conducted by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen in 2015 and 2018. It is unique within the genus in the combination of the deeply rhomboid body (1.1-1.2 times deeper than long), nine dorsal-fin spines, premaxilla strongly bent in middle, scales with deep apical crest armed with numerous spinules, soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins bright-yellow in life. Two other Antigonia species captured during these surveys are A. indica and A. ovalis, the latter species being a first report for the Andaman Sea.

Evidence of genetic differentiation in cigar wrasse Cheilio inermis (Labridae) within the western Indian Ocean.

Patterns of genetic structure and connectivity of the monotypic cigar wrasse Cheilio inermis within western Indian Ocean (WIO) are poorly understood. Whether the species exists as a single panmictic population across the WIO is unclear. Sequence data were generated from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and ATPase 6) and one nuclear intron (S7 intron I). High levels of haplotype and allelic diversity (h = 0.88-0.98; A = 0.95-0.98), along with low nucleotide diversities were observed across all markers. The pairwise ΦST values indicated differentiation of Tanga from the four WIO localities (Inhaca, Nosy Bé, Gazi, and Shimoni), as well as differentiation between the northernmost WIO localities. AMOVAs indicated high differentiation among defined locality groups, whereas nuclear gene analysis found little differentiation among groups. The observed genetic differentiation in C. inermis could be caused by oceanic barriers, and by limited larval dispersal with the pelagic larvae possibly settling near their parental origin and promoting differentiation.

Revision of the sixgill sawsharks, genus Pliotrema (Chondrichthyes, Pristiophoriformes), with descriptions of two new species and a redescription of P. warreni Regan.

Recent sampling efforts in Madagascar and Zanzibar, as well as examinations of six-gilled sawsharks in several museum collections provided evidence for a complex of species within Pliotrema warreni Regan. The present manuscript contains a redescription of P. warreni involving the syntypes and additional material, as well as formal descriptions of two new species of Pliotrema Regan. All specimens of both new species were found in the western Indian Ocean. Individuals of the first new species, hereafter referred to as P. kajae sp. nov., were identified originating from Madagascar and the Mascarene Ridge. Specimens of the second new species, hereafter referred to as P. annae sp. nov., were only found off Zanzibar. Pliotrema kajae sp. nov. appears to inhabit upper insular slopes and submarine ridges at depths of 214-320 m, P. annae sp. nov. so far is only known from shallow waters (20-35 m). Both new species differ from P. warreni in a number of characteristics including the known distribution range and fresh coloration. Taxonomical differences include barbels that are situated approximately half way from rostral tip to mouth, with prebarbel length equidistant from barbel origin to symphysis of the upper jaw in P. kajae sp. nov. and P. annae sp. nov. (vs. about two thirds way from rostral tip to mouth, with prebarbel length about twice the distance from barbel origin to symphysis of upper jaw in P. warreni) and rostra that are clearly and slightly constricted between barbel origin and nostrils, respectively (vs. rostrum not constricted). Pliotrema kajae sp. nov. differs from P. annae sp. nov. in a longer snout, more numerous large lateral rostral teeth and upper jaw tooth rows, jaw teeth with (vs. without) sharp basal folds, and coloration, particularly pale to light brown (vs. medium to dark brown) dorsal coloration with (vs. without) two indistinct yellowish stripes. A revised diagnosis of Pliotrema and a key to the species are provided.

A new species of the cardinalfish genus Apogon (Teleostei, Apogonidae) from the southern Red Sea and Indian Ocean with comments on phylogenetic relationships within the Apogonini.

Apogon fugax is described as a new species of cardinalfishes based on a specimen trawled off Jizan (Saudi Arabia), southern Red Sea, at a depth of 60-67 m; two specimens trawled off southwest of Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar, at 54-129 m; and two specimens trawled off Western Australia at 166 m. The new species shares characters with the modified 'talboti look-alikes' species group (i.e., A. caudicinctus, A. dianthus and A. soloriens) as well as A. rubrifuscus and A. deetsie (both previously also assigned to the latter species group) in having two supraneurals, 12 pectoral-fin rays (13 rays in A. soloriens), and an enlarged, membranous, ventral preopercular edge. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the apogonid tribe Apogonini, however, revealed that A. fugax n. sp. and its most closely related congeners, A. deetsie and A. rubrifuscus, form a separate phylogenetic clade unrelated to that formed by the 'talboti look-alikes' species group that is part of the A. unicolor species group. Apogon fugax n. sp. is distinguished from the species of the 'talboti look-alikes' species group, A. deetsie and A. rubrifuscus, in having a large head (2.2-2.4 in SL versus 2.4-2.8 in SL), longer first dorsal-fin spine (1.7-2.0 versus 2.7-4.0 in length of the second spine), and in their gill rakers count (developed gill rakers on the first gill arch 11-12 versus 8-9 in A. soloriens and 13-20 in the other four species).

The taxonomic status of the South African straptail, Macruronus capensis Davies, 1950 (Pisces, Gadiformes, Macruronidae).

The first record of the straptail fish, genus Macruronus, from South Africa was based on a single specimen captured off the Atlantic Cape coast and described as a new species, M. capensis Davies 1950. Davies did not examine specimens of the other extant nominal species in the genus, but based his conclusions solely on references to the original descriptions of M. novaezelandiae (Hector 1870) and M. magellanicus Lönnberg 1907. We show that all of the characters used by Davies (1950) to distinguish M. capensis from its congeners are in fact shared by the other nominal species of this genus. We also present molecular evidence from a Macruronus specimen recently caught off South Africa to support the conclusion that M. capensis is a junior synonym of M. novaezelandiae.

A review of the deepwater cardinalfish genus Epigonus (Perciformes: Epigonidae) of the Western Indian Ocean, with description of two new species.

The fishes of the genus Epigonus Rafinesque, 1810 in the Western Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden) are reviewed. Twelve species of the genus are recognized: Epigonus angustifrons Abramov Manilo, 1987; E. denticulatus Dieuzeide, 1950; E. elongatus Parin Abramov, 1986; E. exodon Okamoto Motomura, 2012; E. lenimen (Whitley, 1935); E. macrops (Brauer, 1906); E. marimonticolus Parin Abramov, 1986; E. marisrubri Krupp, Zajonz Khalaf, 2009; E. pectinifer Mayer, 1974; E. robustus (Barnard, 1927); E. telescopus (Risso, 1810); E. waltersensis Parin Abramov, 1986, and two new species, E. bispinosus n. sp. and E. idai n. sp. Epigonus bispinosus and E. idai belong to the E. constanciae group, defined as having a pungent opercular spine, more than 45 pored lateral-line scales, and lacking an isolated dorsal fin spine between the first- and second dorsal fins. Epigonus bispinosus differs from other members of the group in having two small spines on the symphysis of lower jaw, a pair of ribs on the last abdominal vertebra, 10 + 15 vertebrae, 31-33 gill rakers and lacking a maxillary mustache-like process. Epigonus idai differs from other members of the group in having a pair of ribs on the last abdominal vertebra, 4-5 tiny projections present on symphysis of lower jaw, 10 + 15 vertebrae, strongly ctenoid scales, and 28-29 gill rakers, and in lacking a maxillary mustache-like process. A key to the species, photographs, diagnoses, and distributions in the Western Indian Ocean are given.

Rhinobatos austini n. sp., a new species of guitarfish (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinobatidae) from the Southwestern Indian Ocean.

Rhinobatos austini sp. n. is described from the southwestern Indian Ocean based on four specimens collected from the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa and from Mozambique. The new species, with one exception, can be distinguished from all other members of this genus by a prominent teardrop-shaped dark blotch on the ventral surface of its snout. Its closest congener, R. holcorhynchus, also has a prominent teardrop-shaped blotch on its snout, but the new species differs from it by a lack of prominent thorns and tubercles on it dorsal disc surface and a very striking dorsal surface colour pattern of paired spots, some forming darker transverse bands across its back. Geographically, these two species broadly overlap, but R. austini appears to be a shallow, more coastal species (<1-107 m) compared to R. holcorhynchus that has a mostly offshore (75-254 m) depth distribution.

Electric organ discharges of South African Marcusenius species (Teleostei: Mormyridae) and their effectiveness as indicators of local species diversity.

Recent morphological and genetic studies have revealed two new species of snoutfish in South Africa, Marcusenius caudisquamatus and M. krameri, which had been confused with M. pongolensis, the South African bulldog fish. All known mormyriform fish are nocturnal and emit electric organ discharges (EODs) for communication that are characteristic for their species. This paper examines whether or not the EODs of these three closely-related South African species can be differentiated from each other. An EOD pulse of a bulldog fish consists of a head-positive phase P, followed by a head-negative phase N of short duration. We measured and compared six variables of the EOD pulse waveform for South African samples for the three species from different locations using MANOVA, ANOVA and Discriminant Analysis, with M. devosi from Kenya as an outgroup. The EOD waveforms, normalized to the same P-phase amplitude, varied significantly from each other in four variables, most strongly in the amplitude of the N phase and the duration of the P phase. In two species, M. devosi and M. krameri, there was no evidence of difference between sexes, in contrast to M. pongolensis and M. caudisquamatus whose male pulses were of longer duration. M. devosi and M. krameri were statistically significantly independent of each other and of any other group studied. By contrast, the M. pongolensis specimens from different locations showed a high degree of variability amongst each other, including significant separation, and overlap with M. caudisquamatus.

Scale ontogeny in the cardinalfish family Apogonidae.

Following the discovery of spinoid scales in species of the cardinalfish genus Siphamia, a survey of 20 apogonid genera, using scanning electron microscopy, found that scale ontogeny in the Apogonidae usually proceeds along three phases, cycloid, spinoid and transforming ctenoid, that develop in that order. The transforming ctenoid scales of the Pempheridae, considered a sister group of the Apgogonidae by some authors, follow the same ontogenetic pattern. Transforming ctenoid scales are the ancestral scale type in the Apogonidae, making their spinoid and cycloid scales a secondary loss or reversal. Though sharing the transforming ctenoid scale type with the apogonids, the ontogeny of this scale type in several scorpionfishes (Scorpaenidae) does not have a spinoid phase. Recent molecular studies indicate that gobiids are related to apogonids, but the goby species examined in this study have peripheral ctenoid scales that lacked a spinoid phase in their ontogeny. The observations made in this study suggest that the peripheral ctenoid scale, the whole ctenoid scale and the crenate scale found in percomorph fishes were derived from a transforming ctenoid scale. Scale morphology and ontogeny could provide useful characters for resolving relationships between percomorph families.

A new species of Neobathyclupea from the northern Indian Ocean with comments on N. malayana (Teleostei, Perciformes, Bathyclupeidae).

A new species of Neobathyclupea is described from two specimens collected off Myanmar and off Socotra Island. The new species is most similar to N. malayana, but differs from it and other congeners in having jet-black coloured fins, larger pseudobranch, dorsal-pterygiophore pattern and some body proportions. Neobathyclupea malayana is re-diagnosed. Individual variations in armament of the preopercle and in the dorsal-pterygiophore patterns within Bathyclupeidae are discussed.

The taxonomic status and sister group relationship of the cardinalfish species Jaydia striatodes (Percomorphaceae: Apogonidae).

Two similar cardinalfish species, Jaydia striatodes and J. striata, were compared morphologically and genetically, using the fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of the mitochondrial DNA. The results confirmed the validity of both species and their sister group relationship. The species formed well-supported monophyletic clades that were distinctly separate with mean sequence divergence of 12.2%. Jaydia striatodes is distinct in having 4-5 + 12-13 gill rakers; 3 + 11-12 developed gill rakers; 9 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial; 3-9 weak serration at the angle of preopercular edge; and a usually blackish distal half of anal fin. Jaydia striatodes was recorded for the first time from Beibu Gulf, China, and from Vietnam.

Molecular systematics and taxonomic status of three latitudinally widespread nototheniid (Perciformes: Notothenioidei) fishes from the Southern Ocean.

The taxonomic status of the three nototheniids, Lepidonotothen squamifrons, L. larseni and Gobionotothen marionensis from different localities in the Southern Ocean is re-evaluated at the DNA level. DNA sequence divergences and phylogenetic relationship were estimated using a combined mitochondrial (mtDNA, ND2 and COI) dataset and data for one nuclear gene (S7 intron 1). Phylogenies of both datasets had Lepidonotothen kempi nested within L. squamifrons lineage, with low sequence divergences (0% to 0.4%) between the two nominal species suggesting that they are populations of one species. Therefore, these results do not support the previous splitting of L. squamifrons into different species. Similarly, the L. larseni specimens also represented a single genetic unit (0.3% to 0.6%) with low geographic variation between Atlantic and Indian Ocean specimens, which does not support the splitting of this species into geographically restricted species. The mtDNA phylogeny clearly separated individuals of G. acuta from Kerguelen, Heard and MacDonald Islands from G. marionensis individuals into different clades, with sequence divergence of 2.9% between these clades supporting they are different species.

OFER GON, YUN-CHIH LIAO & SHAO KWANG-TSAO (2015) A new species of the cardinalfish genus Jaydia (Teleostei: Apogonidae) from the Philippines. Zootaxa, 3980 (2): 286-292.

Table 1, catalogue number of holotype: replace ASIZP 68202 with PNM 15192. Table 1, catalogue number of 34.9 mm paratype: replace CAS 236506 with USNM 435707. Table 1, catalogue number of 46.5 mm paratype: replace CAS 236506 with SAIAB 200712

A new species of the cardinalfish genus Jaydia (Teleostei: Apogonidae) from the Philippines.

Jaydia erythrophthalma n. sp. is described from specimens collected during two recent biodiversity surveys along the east and west coasts of Luzon, Philippines. It is characterized by a first dorsal fin with eight spines, serrated posterior and crenulated ventral preopercular edges, reddish orange iris and two series of brown spots tinged in orange on the upper part of the body.

A new species of the cardinalfish genus Siphamia (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from West Papua, Indonesia.

A new species of the cardinalfish genus Siphamia is described from specimens collected in the Province of West Papua, Indonesia, at depths of 50-72 m. Siphamia papuensis n. sp. has a striated light organ which makes it a member of the S. tubifer species group. Within this group it is closely related to S. argentea, sharing with the latter 13 pectoral-fin rays, 9 developed gill rakers and an irregular pattern of yellowish green bars on the body. It differs from S. argentea in having an incomplete lateral line and in lacking dark marks on the head, and at the origin and end of the dorsal-fin and anal-fin bases, as well as the absence of red spots along the light organ and along the back. Japanese records of S. tubulata are reidentified as S. argentea, and new locality records for S. argentea and S. stenotes are reported. Analysis of sequence data from a 16S rDNA fragment revealed the clear separation of S. papuensis n. sp., S. argentea and other included Siphamia species (S. jebbi, S. tubifer and S. stenotes).