An annotated checklist of the fish species of the Madagascar EEZ (southwestern Indian Ocean) comprises a total of 1,798 species in 247 families. 158 species are recorded from Madagascar for the first time. The majority of the species is autochthonous; 28 species have been introduced, mainly in freshwater habitats. The fish fauna is mostly marine (95.4% of the total number of native fish species), with the Gobiidae, Labridae, Serranidae, Pomacentridae and Apogonidae being the families with most representatives; among the 90 native freshwater fish species (adults mainly occurring in freshwater), the Cichlidae are the dominating family, but there are also two endemic families, the Bedotiidae (16 species) and Anchariidae (6 species). The fish fauna at Madagascar is typical for offshore, high islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Zoogeographically, the main element of the marine fish fauna of Madagascar consists of widespread tropical Indo-Pacific species (978 species, 58.3% of the total native marine species). A total of 13 species (3.3%) are found worldwide, either circumtropical or circumtropical including warm temperate zones. A total of 215 species (12.8%) are found worldwide, either circumtropical or circumtropical including warm temperate zones. An additional 453 species (27.0%) are Indian Ocean endemics, including 233 western Indian Ocean endemics (13.9%), 73 southwestern Indian Ocean endemics (4.4%), 16 species endemic to Madagascar and Mascarenes (1.0%), 4 species endemic to Madagascar and Comoros (0.2%), 3 species endemic to Madagascar and Madagascar Ridge (0.2%), and 37 marine species endemic to Madagascar (2.2%). Most of the autochthonous freshwater fishes are endemic to Madagascar (87 species, 96.7% of the native freshwater species).

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The Callionymidae of New Caledonia is revised. A total of 13 species are recorded from the archipe1ago : Callionymus brevianalis Fricke, 1983, C. corallinus Gilbert, 1905, C. enneaclis Bleeker, 1879, C. gardineri rivaloni new subspecies, C. keeleyi Fow1er, 1941, C. morelonensis Johnson, 1971, C. pleurosliclus Fricke, 1982, C.lelhys new species, Synchiropus allivelis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1845), S. novaecaledoniae new species, S. ocel/alus (Pallas, 1770), S. rameus (McCulloch, 1926), S. splendidus (Herre, 1927). The new species are described and illustrated; a key to all New Caledonian species is given.

AZTEQUE, LAGON, SMIB 3, SMIB 5

The aploactinid fish Cocotropus richeri n. sp. is described on the basis of a single specimen from a coral gravel slope ground in 65–116 m depth at Lifou Island, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. It is characterised by 2 + 5 = 7 gill rakers, some of them rudimentary; 5 preopercular spines; upper jaw longer than lachrymal length; papillae absent on both posterior portion of upper jaw and outer edge of lower jaw; first sensory pores of lower jaw separated; the anterior tip of the isthmus not reaching forward to level of 5th sensory pore on lower jaw; and the spiny portion of the dorsal fin with a large black blotch which is extending onto the back. A key to the 10 known species of Cocotropus is presented.

LIFOU 2000

BATHUS 1

AZTEQUE, BATHUS 1, BATHUS 2, BATHUS 3, BATHUS 4, BERYX 11, BERYX 2, BIOCAL, BIOGEOCAL, CHALCAL 1, CHALCAL 2, CONCALIS, CORAIL 2, EBISCO, HALICAL 1, HALIPRO 2, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, LITHIST, MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 5, MUSORSTOM 6, SMIB 8

MUSORSTOM 8, SANTO 2006

A new species of dragonet, Callionymus madangensis from Madang, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected with a trawl in about 30–40 m depth near Madang. The new species is characterised within the subgenus Pseudocalliurichthys by a small branchial opening; head short (3.7 in SL); eye large (2.3 in head length); preopercular spine with a short, straight main tip, six to seven curved serrae on its dorsal margin and a strong antrorse spine at its base, ventral margin smooth, slightly concave; first dorsal fin much higher than second dorsal fin, with 4 spines, first spine with a long filament (male); second dorsal-fin distally straight, with 8 unbranched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with 7 unbranched rays (last divided at base); 17 pectoralfin rays; caudal fin elongate, distally rounded, nearly symmetrical in male (upper rays not much shorter than lower rays); sides of head, membrane connecting pelvic fin pectoral fin, and body with small ocelli; first dorsal fin plain dark grey; second dorsal fin translucent, rays spotted; anal fin dark grey; lower margin of caudal fin dark grey, remainder with vertical rows of brown spots. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenus Pseudocalliurichthys, are presented.

PAPUA NIUGINI

PAPUA NIUGINI

PAPUA NIUGINI

Centrodraco fidelis sp. nov. is described from three specimens, which were collected on the southern Loyalty Ridge (New Caledonian EEZ) during the oceanographic cruise EXBODI. The species is characterised by: 14 rays in the second dorsal fin; 13 rays in the anal fin; first dorsal fin with the second spine elongate and filamentous in the male; second dorsal fin very low, without filaments in the male; opercular spine 1.8-2.4 in subopercular spine; body slightly compressed; body depth 7.4-8.5% of SL; body width 7.7-8.8% of SL; pectoral fin short, not reaching to anus when adpressed; pectoral fin length 9.9-11.8% of SL; male body colour pattern pale, with a single grey spot on the beginning of the lower lateral line; filament in first dorsal fin pale, fin with a large basal dark blotch; the male anal fin with three dark blotches. The new species is compared with allied species. A revised key to the genera and species of Draconettidae presented.

EXBODI

New records of fish species are reported from Papua New Guinea: Gymnothorax angusticauda (Muraenidae) from Madang, Coloconger scholesi Chan 1967 (Colocongridae) from Madang and New Guinea, Acromycter longipectoralis Karmovskaya 2004 (Congridae), Doryrhamphus melanopleura (Bleeker, 1858) and Festucalex gibbsi Dawson 1977 (Syngnathidae) from Madang, Lioscorpius longiceps Gu¨nther 1880 (Setarchidae) from Madang, Morobe and New Guinea, Neomerinthe megalepis Fowler 1938 and Pontinus rhodochrous (Gu¨nther 1872) (Scorpaenidae) from Madang and New Guinea, Parabembras curtus (Temminck & Schlegel 1843) (Parabembridae) from Morobe and New Guinea, Chrionema chryseres Gilbert 1905 and Pteropsaron levitoni Iwamoto 2014 (Percophidae) from Madang and New Guinea, Blenniella caudolineata (Gu¨nther, 1877) and Petroscirtes xestus Jordan & Seale, 1906 (Blenniidae) from Madang, Synchiropus orstom Fricke 2000 (Callionymidae) from West Sepik, Sandaun and New Guinea, Rexea antefurcata Parin 1989 (Gempylidae), Lepidoblepharon ophthalmolepis Weber 1913 (Citharidae), Engyprosopon macrolepis (Regan, 1908) (Bothidae), Aseraggodes kimurai Randall & Desoutter-Meniger 2007 (Soleidae), Cynoglossus bilineatus (Lacepe`de, 1802) and Symphurus multimaculatus Lee, Munroe & Chen 2009 (Cynoglossidae) from Madang and Tylerius spinosissimus (Regan 1908) (Tetraodontidae) from Morobe and Papua New Guinea. This papers also includes new depths records for Coloconger scholesi, Lioscorpius longiceps, Neomerinthe megalepis, Pontinus rhodochrous, Parabembras curtus, Chrionema chryseres and Synchiropus orstom.

PAPUA NIUGINI

New records of fish species are reported from New Caledonia, including Polyipnus aquavitus Baird, 1971 (Sternoptychidae), Porogadus melampeplus (Alcock, 1896) (Ophidiidae), Hoplichthys citrinus Gilbert 1905 (Hoplichthyidae), Plectrogenium nanum Gilbert 1905 (Plectrogeniidae), Lioscorpius trifasciatus Last, Yearsley & Motomura 2005 (Setarchidae), Neomerinthe megalepis Fowler 1938 and Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler 1938 (Scorpaenidae), Ocosia apia Poss & Eschmeyer, 1975 (Tetrarogidae), Hoplostethus atlanticus Collett 1889 (Trachichthyidae), Zenion longipinnis Kotthaus, 1970 (Zeniontidae), Plectranthias foresti Fourmanoir 1977, Plectranthias pelicieri Randall & Shimizu, 1994, Plectranthias rubrifasciatus Fourmanoir & Randall, 1979 and Rabaulichthys squirei Randall & Walsh, 2010 (Serranidae), Synagrops philippinensis (Gu¨nther 1880) (Acropomatidae), Stegastes insularis Allen & Emery 1995 (Pomacentridae), Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus Randall 1992 (Labridae), Pteropsaron neocaledonicus Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979 (Percophidae), Centrodraco ornatus (Fourmanoir & Rivaton, 1979) and Draconetta xenica Jordan & Fowler 1903 (Draconettidae), and Acanthurus maculiceps (Ahl 1923) (Acanthuridae). A record of Plectropomus maculatus (Bloch 1790) (Serranidae) from Grande Terre, New Caledonia is confirmed. This paper also includes new depth records of Zenion longipinnis, Plectranthias rubrifasciatus, Synagrops philippinensis, Centrodraco ornatus and Draconetta xenica.

EXBODI

A new species of dragonet, Synchiropus novaehiberniensis from off northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a male and a female specimen collected with a trawl in 74–92 m depth off Kavieng. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) Nalbant, 1979 by a small branchial opening; head short (3.2–3.6 in SL); eye large (2.5–2.6 in head length); preopercular spine with a short, upcurved main tip, three curved points on its dorsal margin, ventral margin and base smooth; first dorsal fin higher than second dorsal fin, with four spines but no filaments, first spine longest; second dorsal fin distally slightly convex, with eight branched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with seven unbranched rays (last divided at base); 21–22 pectoral-fin rays; caudal fin elongate, distally rounded, slightly asymmetrical (upper rays shorter than lower rays); thorax, lower opercle and pelvic-fin base with small ocelli; back in male with four dark brown saddles; anal fin dark grey. The subgenus Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) is reviewed and distinguished from Synchiropus (Acommissura) subgen. nov. An updated checklist of the species in the two subgenera is provided; the new species is compared with allied species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenera Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) and Synchiropus (Acommissura) subgen. nov. are presented.

KAVIENG 2014

A new species of dragonet, Callionymus alisae from off New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected with a grab dredge at 90-228 m depth, southwest of Kavieng. The new species is characterised within the subgenus Callionymus (Spinicapitichthys) by preopercular spine with a very short, straight main tip, four to five curved points on its dorsal margin, a strong antrorse spine at its base, and five to eight small serrae at its ventral margin; the dorsal margin of the eye with a tentacle, the dorsal fin in the male without filaments, the first spine longest; a total of 8 rays in the second dorsal fin and 7 rays in the anal fin; and the first dorsal fin in the male zebra-striped, with 4 vertical dark bands on 1st-4th membranes. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenus Spinicapitichthys, are presented.

KAVIENG 2014

A new species of dragonet, Callionymus petersi from northern New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of five specimens collected with dredges and trawls in about 181–207 m depth from off northwestern New Hanover and off Kavieng. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Bathycallionymus by a short head (3.9–4.3 in SL); eye large (2.1–2.3 in head length); preopercular spine with a long, slightly upcurved main tip, a small antrorse serra followed by two large curved points on its dorsal margin and a strong antrorse spine at its base, ventral margin smooth, slightly concave; first dorsal fin higher than second dorsal fin in the male, slightly lower than second dorsal fin (female), with 4 spines, first spine filamentous (male only); second dorsal-fin high, distally convex (male) or low, distally nearly straight (female), with 9 unbranched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with 9 unbranched rays (last divided at base); 18 pectoral-fin rays; caudal fin elongate (male), the two median rays unbranched, elongate but barely filamentous (male), or distally rounded, without filaments (female); pectoral-fin base with a large dark blotch; sides of body with a series of dark blotches, each of the anterior blotches broken into 2–4 vertical dark streaks; first dorsal fin with a large ocellated black blotch extending over the second and third membranes (male), or mostly confined to the third membrane (female); second dorsal fin pale (male) or spotted with grey; anal fin distally dark (male), with distal dark spots (female); caudal fin with a grey streak in lower section (male), or lowermost membrane black (female). The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenus Bathycallionymus, are presented.

KAVIENG 2014, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 7

The rough velvetfish, Xenaploactis asperrima (Günther 1860), is redescribed on the basis of a specimen trawled in 2014 off northwestern New Hanover, Papua New Guinea, on a steep volcanic rock bottom slope at a depth of 155-120 m. Identification keys to the genera of Aploactinidae, and the species of Xenaploactis Poss & Eschmeyer 1980, are presented.

KAVIENG 2014

The filamentous flounder Arnoglossus nigrofilamentosus n. sp. is described from four specimens collected in the southeastern Mediterranean near Tel-Aviv, Israel on 5 May 2017. The new species is characterized as follows: second to sixth dorsal-fin rays elongate and filamentous, dorsal-fin rays 78-84, anal-fin rays 61-66, pectoral-fin rays on ocular side 1213, on blind side 7-9, caudal-fin rays iii,11,iii , lateral-line scales 52-54, gill rakers 0 + 4-5, not serrated, interorbital a narrow bony ridge without scales in the middle, interorbital width 11% to 16% of upper orbit diameter, no enlarged teeth anteriorly in upper jaw, and prevomer small, not enlarged, weakly projecting into mouth cavity; body in fresh specimens pale (may have been dark before the epidermis was abrased), head, peritoneum and vertical fins black. The new species is described and compared with similar species. Though the species has not yet been observed in the northern Red Sea, it probably originates from the Gulf of Suez, so this finding represents a probable new case of Lessepsian migration.

EBISCO, MIRIKY

Callionymus boucheti sp. nov. from northern New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of seven specimens collected with dredges and trawls in about 72-193 m depth between northeastern New Hanover and off Kavieng. The new species is characterised within Margaretichthys subgen. nov. by a short head (3.5-3.7 in standard length); eye large (2.5-3.0 in head length); preopercular spine with a short, straight main tip, 5-7 curved serrae on its dorsal margin and a strong antrorse spine at its base, ventral margin smooth, slightly convex; first dorsal fin in male much higher than second dorsal fin, in female as high as second dorsal fin, with 4 spines, first spine with a long filament (male) or without a filament (female); second dorsal-fin distally straight, with 9 unbranched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with 8 unbranched rays (last divided at base); 21-23 pectoral-fin rays; caudal fin elongate, much longer in male than in female, nearly symmetrical (upper rays not much shorter than lower rays); no dark blotch near pectoral-fin base; first dorsal fin in male dark grey, anteriorly with oblique white streaks, posteriorly with white spots, in female also with a black blotch distally near third spine; anal fin distally black, margin of black area straight, black area wider in male than in female; caudal fin in male with 18-22 vertical streaks (in female with 8-11 vertical streaks); pelvic fin pale, without spots. The new species is compared with similar species. A key to the five species of Margaretichthys subgen. nov. is presented.

KAVIENG 2014, MUSORSTOM 7

A new species of deepwater cardinalfish, Epigonus okamotoi from off southwestern New Britain, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single specimen collected with a trawl in 315-624 m depth in Ainto Bay. The new species is characterised by the following characters: dorsal-fin rays VII+I, 9; pectoral-fin rays 15; total gill rakers 22; pyloric caeca 4; pored lateral-line scales 47+4; scales below lateral line 8; vertebrae 10+15; opercular spine present; maxillary mustache-like process absent; ribs absent on last abdominal vertebra; upper margin of pectoral-fin base on level or upper margin of pupil; proximal radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore slender; mouth cavity light grey. The new species is compared with other species in the genus.

MADEEP

PAPUA NIUGINI

The tetrarogid waspfish Ocosia sphex n. sp. is described on the basis of a single specimen that was trawled from a steep rocky slope with gorgonian corals in 155–120 m depth at New Hanover, Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. It is characterized by 14 spines and 8 soft rays in the dorsal fin, the last ray divided; 3 spines and 6 soft rays in the anal fin, the last ray divided; 13 pectoral-fin rays; 3+8=11 gill rakers (some rudimentary); 5 preopercular spines; 26–27 lateral-line scales; the second and third dorsal-fin spines not markedly elongate relative to succeeding spines; the membranes of the mid-spinous portion of the dorsal fin incised for one-fourth to one-third of length of the succeeding spine; the origin of the dorsal fin at or about the level of the middle of the eye; the first lachrymal spine about one-third the length of the second spine, pointing downward and out rather than back; and minute stubby papillae confined to the anteriormost part of premaxillary or absent. A key to the eight known species of Ocosia is presented.

KAVIENG 2014

A new species of soldierfish, Ostichthys kinchi from off northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected with a trawl in 191-290 m depth near Kavieng. The new species is characterised by the following characters: scales above lateral line to mid-base of spinous portion of dorsal fin 31/2; no half-scale present anterior to first lateral-line scale; dorsal profile of head nearly uniformly convex; anterior end of each nasal bone in large specimen without sharp, forwardly directed spines; a small spine at corner of preopercle, which is only slightly larger than other serrations; pectoral-fin rays 17; lateral-line scales 28; gill rakers 7 + 9 ; last dorsal-fin spine slightly longer than penultimate spine; body depth 2.1 in SL; head length 2.4 in SL; snout very short, 6.5 in head length; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.8 in head length. The new species is compared with other species in the genus. A revised key to the species of Ostichthys is presented.

KAVIENG 2014, MUSORSTOM 5, SALOMON 2

The Longhorn Armored Gurnard Peristedion longicornutum n. sp. is described from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, based on 28 specimens collected with a beam trawl at depths of 340–506 meters. The new species is characterized among the Indo-Pacific species of the genus by 21–23 dorsal-fin soft rays; 20–22 anal-fin soft rays; 29–33 bony plates in the dorsal row; 35–38 in the upper lateral row; 26–29 in the lower lateral row; 23–26 in the ventral row; 3 lip and 6–7 chin groups of barbels; 14–26 branches on the filamentous barbel; 15–24 total chin barbels; the anterior edge of the 4th sensory pore of the rostral projection half a pupil diameter anterior to the anterior edge of the premaxilla; a very long and needle-like rostral projections, length 14.2–22.3% SL; a wide interspace between rostral projections, 0.20–0.30 in rostral-projection width, and a rounded margin on the medial side at the base; a smooth and straight perifacial rim; the upper detached pectoral-fin ray longer than the joined pectoral fin; and the peritoneum pale. A key to the Indo-West Pacific species of the genus Peristedion Lacepède, 1801 is presented.

BIOPAPUA, KAVIENG 2014, MUSORSTOM 8, SALOMONBOA 3

A new species of soldierfish, Ostichthys spiniger, from off northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single specimen collected with a trawl at 180-181 m depth near Kavieng. The new species is characterised by the following characters: scales above lateral line to mid-base of spinous portion of dorsal fin 3­ 1/2; no half-scale present anterior to first lateral-line scale; dorsal profile of head nearly uniformly convex; anterior end of each nasal bone with a sharp, forwardly directed spine; a strong spine at the corner of preopercle, which is significantly larger than other serrations; pectoral-fin rays 17; lateral-line scales 29; gill rakers 8 + 13; last dorsal-fin spine shorter than penultimate spine; body depth 2.2 in SL; HL 2.4 in SL; snout very short, 6.6 in HL; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.9 in HL. The new species is compared with other species in the genus. A revised key to the species of Ostichthys is presented. The new species is most similar to O. acanthorhinus.

KAVIENG 2014

Two new species of stargazers in the Uranoscopus albesca species-complex of the family Uranoscopidae are described from Papua New Guinea, which shares among other characters a concave posterodorsal margin of the pectoral fin. Uranoscopus brunneus n. sp. is described from a single specimen from off southwestern New Britain, and is characterised by lower edge of preopercle with 8 spines; labial fimbriae poorly-developed; anterior nostril with a long tubiform valve, posterior nostril a slit-like pore; supracleithrum with a sharp spine at rear end and five small spines inside; dorsoposterior margin of pectoral fin concave; 62 oblique scale-rows along the sides of the body in adult; pectoral-fin membranes dark brown. Uranoscopus kishimotoi n. sp., described from a single specimen from West Sepik Province, is characterised by the lower edge of preopercle with 3 spines; no labial fimbriae; both anterior and posterior nostrils with long tubiform valves; supracleithrum with a sharp spine at rear end and one additional small spine inside; dorso-posterior margin of pectoral fin concave; 59 oblique scale-rows along the sides of the body in adult; upper pectoral-fin membranes pale, lower membranes brown. The distribution of the species in the U. albesca species-complex is discussed.

???msg.security.private???, KAVIENG 2014, MADEEP, PAPUA NIUGINI, ???msg.security.private???, SANTO 2006

A checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province is presented, with special emphasis on Kavieng District, combining both previous and new records. After the recent KAVIENG 2014 expedition, a total of 1325 species in 153 families were recorded from the region. The largest families are the Gobiidae, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Serranidae, Apogonidae, Lutjanidae, Chaetodontidae, Blenniidae, Carangidae, Acanthuridae, Scaridae, Holocentridae, Syngnathidae, Lethrinidae and Scorpaenidae. A total of 810 fish species (61.1 % of the total marine and estuarine fish fauna) are recorded from New Ireland for the first time.

KAVIENG 2014, MADEEP

Budker’s flounder Parabothus budkeri is recorded from the northern Gulf of Aqaba, and described from a specimen collected in Eilat (Israel) in 1951. A detailed description, and the first illustration of this rare species, are provided. The distribution and habitat of P. budkeri are discussed. A key to the species of the genus Parabothus is presented.

CHALCAL 2

The Normanby perchlet Plectranthias normanby n. sp. is described from off Normanby Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Sea, western Pacific Ocean, based on 2 specimens collected at depths of 175-480 metres. The new species is characterised within the Plectranthias inermis species group by the dorsal in with 12 spines and 13 soft rays; no dorsal-fin rays filamentous; fourth dorsal-fin spine the longest, the spine length 2.25-2.34 in head; anal fin with 3 spines and 7 soft rays; pectoral-fin rays 13, none branched; branched caudal fin emarginate without filamentous rays; branched caudal-fin rays 13; no scales on anterior half of interorbital space; gill rakers 7 + 10-11; posterior margin of preopercle with 11-19 serrae, lower margin with 2 antrorse spines; lateral line incomplete, with 17 tubed scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 3½; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 9; circumpeduncular scales 14; cheek with ca. 5 diagonal rows of large scales; sides of body with a large, round black blotch, caudal peduncle with two dark brown spots. A key to the species of the Plectranthias-inermis species-group is presented.

MADEEP

A new species of deep-water goby, Obliquogobius bathyalis n. sp. from New Caledonia, is described on the basis of three specimens collected with trawls at 264-350 m depth. The new species is characterised by the following characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 8; anal-fin rays I,8 or I,9; head length 29.4-36.7% of SL; eye diameter 41.5-52.35 of head length; longitudinal scale rows 24-26; transverse scale rows 9-10; no predorsal scales; no scales on lateral surface of nape; postorbital pore G absent (from anterior oculoscapular canal); gill opening wide; caudal fin asymmetrical dorsoventrally, rays of upper half much longer than those of lower half, giving obliquely pointed appearance; four or five vertical dark bars on lower side of body; first dorsal fin distally with large black blotch; caudal fin distally dark; distinct dark spot on centre of caudal-fin base present. The new species is compared with other species in the genus. A revised key to the species of Obliquogobius is presented.

CHALCAL 1, EXBODI

The Bluntnose scorpionfish Neomerinthe erostris is recorded for the first time from Mayotte, southwestern Indian Ocean, based on a specimen photographed in November 2022, at a depth of 115 m. The live colour pattern of this species is described for the first time.

???msg.security.private???, MUSORSTOM 9

A new signalfish from the Grand Passage north of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, Acanthopsaron striatum n. gen. n. sp., is described, characterized by 7 spines in the first dorsal, anal-fin rays mostly branched, branched caudal-fin rays 10, scales small compared to other signalfishes, cycloid, lateral-line scales 60, peripheral ctenoid; pelvic fin short, not reaching to anus when adpressed; snout terminal, neither jaws projecting; maxillary tentacle absent; maxillary spine absent; maxillary notch present, weakly developed; opercle with a single, strong spine; subopercle with a weak spine; barbel on lower-jaw tip absent; anterior-nostril projections absent; iris flap absent. Pteropsaron flavissimum n. sp. is also described from a single specimen also trawled in the Grand Passage of New Caledonia, characterised by having 6 spines in the first dorsal fin, 18 rays in the second dorsal fin, ca. 22 rays in the anal fin, gill rakers 0 + 8, 46 lateral-line scales, first dorsal fin low, without filaments; anal fin normal, without extended rays; head length 3.6 in SL, preorbital length 1.7 in eye diameter; pelvic fin extending to fifth anal-fin membrane when adpressed; body colour rosy-pink, with wide yellow streak dorsally extending from tip of snout to upper caudalfin base; first dorsal fin pale, without black markings. The new species are compared with allied species. A key to the genera and species of the family Hemerocoetidae is presented.

SPANBIOS

Three valid species of Parabembras are recognized: P. curta, P. robinsoni, and the new species P. multisquamata. Parabembras robinsoni from the southwestern Indian Ocean (South Africa to Mozambique) is easily distinguishable from the other species in having eleven spines in the first dorsal fin, a distinct symphyseal knob on the lower jaw, two preocular spines, and a single lachrymal spine. Parabembras multisquamata from the southwestern Pacific (Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea) and the Philippines, and P. curta, known from the northwestern Pacific (southern Japan to South China Sea), are similar in sharing the absence of a symphyseal knob on the lower jaw, the presence of two lachrymal spines, and a single preocular spine, but the former is clearly distinguished from the latter in usually having 10 spines in the first dorsal fin (vs. eight or nine spines in P. curta), 9–11 supraocular spines (vs. 6–8 in P. curta), 40–44 pored lateral line scales (vs. 34–39 in P. curta), and the pectoral fin extending beyond the level of the anus (vs. not reaching to the level of the anus in P. curta).

BOA1, MUSORSTOM 2, PAPUA NIUGINI, SANTO 2006