Two new species of Gobiodon (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the IndoPacific, with notes on South Pacific and Indian Ocean populations of Gobiodon spadix

Courtney A. Hildebrandt*, Catheline Y.M. Froehlich, Ole B. Brodnicke, O. Selma Klanten, Peter R. Møller, Marian Y.L. Wong

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

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.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftRaffles Bulletin of Zoology
Vol/bind72
Sider (fra-til)488-510
Antal sider23
ISSN0217-2445
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This study would not have been possible without the assistance and backing of the Ichthyology Department at the Australian Museum. The caretaking of the collections, assistance with methodologies, use of the X-ray facilities, and general guidance made this study and the descriptions possible. Special thanks should be given to Kerryn Parkinson (who conducted the radiography of the specimens), Amanda Hay, Sally Reader, and Yi-Kai Tea. A big thank you is owed to Philip Munday for his collection of a large number of the specimens and his support in producing this paper. Without his contributions to genus Gobiodon, this work would not be possible. We would also like to express our thanks to all the institutions and their staff (Hiroyuki Motomura at KAUM, Shoko Matsui at OMNH, and Peter M\u00F8ller at ZMUC) who loaned specimens for this work. This work was conducted as a component of a doctoral thesis by CH at the University of Wollongong. It was supported by the University of Wollongong Small Project Grants Scheme awarded to MW and funds supplied by the Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions at the University of Wollongong to MW, CF and CH. CH was supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) scholarship and CF was supported by the University Postgraduate Award (UPA), both administered by the University of Wollongong. OB and PM were supported by funding from the Carlsberg Foundation (Grant #CF20-0690) and National Geographic Society (Grant #EC-75365R-21). Our research is conducted with respect for the traditional owners, past, present and future, of all the lands where these specimens were collected.

Publisher Copyright:
© National University of Singapore.

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