Two new species of Gobiodon Teleostei Gobiidae from the IndoPacific with notes on South Pacific and Indian Ocean populations of Gobiodon spadix
- Publisher:
- Centre for Medical Education (CenMed) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 2024, 72, pp. 488-510
- Issue Date:
- 2024-01-01
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| Filename | Description | Size | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBZ-2024-0036.pdf | Published version | 3.43 MB |
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The gobiid genus Gobiodon contains small, cryptic coral dwelling fishes that are particularly diverse but difficult to identify. Herein we name and provide formal descriptions for two new species of Gobiodon, G. bicalvolineatus and G. cobenjaminsis, previously known as Gobiodon sp. B and Gobiodon sp. C respectively. Additionally, we provide new information on the South Pacific Ocean population of the recently described G. spadix, and a revised description of the genus Gobiodon. Both G. bicalvolineatus and G. cobenjaminsis are small, highly specialised and cryptic members of the genus found in limited geographic ranges in Papua New Guinea (PNG). On the basis of colouration, G. bicalvolineatus is diagnosed in having a light blue-green base colouration with red vertical bars on the face, red spots and lighter diagonal bars on the dorsal surface of the head, and thin unbroken horizontal lines along the length of the body. It has only been recorded inhabiting Acropora caroliniana in the Bootless Bay area of PNG. Gobiodon cobenjaminsis is light orange-brown in colour with pale vertical bars on the face, black edges on all fins except pectoral fins, and a black spot on the upper opercular margin. It has been recorded inhabiting Acropora elseyi in the Kimbe Bay area of PNG. We also provide morphological confirmation that the individuals previously referred to as Gobiodon sp. D observed in PNG and the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are conspecific with the recently described G. spadix, along with additional measurements, characters, and habitat ecology. The latter includes their host preference for Acropora divaricata in the GBR and slight variation in morphometrics. The study utilises an interdisciplinary approach combining morphological characters, meristic and morphometric measurements, molecular genetics, and multivariate-statistical analysis of morphometric data to provide these descriptions and aid in the identification of these species.
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