Callogobius flavobrunneus ( Smith 1958 )

Delventhal, Naomi R., Mooi, Randall D., Bogorodsky, Sergey V. & Mal, Ahmad O., 2016, A review of the Callogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea with the description of a new species, Zootaxa 4179 (2), pp. 225-243 : 238-239

Callogobius flavobrunneus ( Smith 1958)

( Figure 6 )

Mucogobius flavobrunneus Smith 1958: 145 (Pinda, Mozambique; holotype SAIAB 211). Callogobius flavobrunneus — Goren 1980: 214; Dor 1984: 241; Goren et al. 1991: 300; Goren & Dor 1994: 63; Golani & Bogorodsky 2010: 46.

Diagnosis. Callogobius flavobrunneus is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: interorbital pores present; preopercular canal absent; temporal canal absent; scales in lateral series 34– 40; scales ctenoid posteriorly on body from below first spine of the second dorsal fin; preopercular papillae row (Row 20) not continuous with transverse opercular row (Row 21); pectoral fin densely pigmented medially.

Brief description. Moderately stout-bodied with rounded caudal fin <40% SL in length. Scales mediumsized, cycloid anteriorly, ctenoid posteriorly on body from below first spine of second dorsal fin to the caudal-fin base (exceptionally long ctenii on caudal peduncle scales), scales in lateral series 34–40. Dorsal-fin rays VI + I,9– 10 (rarely 10), anal-fin rays I,7–8 (usually 8), pectoral-fin rays 15–17, pelvic fins separate (or with very short connecting membrane) with fifth ray significantly shorter than fourth (only about three-fourths of length) and frenum absent. Anterior nostril longer than posterior nostril. Head pores present with interorbital canal normally containing pores B’, D, E, F, G, and H’ (rarely containing pore C), preopercular and temporal canals absent. Preopercular papillae row (Row 20) not continuous with transverse opercular row (Row 21), more than 10 transverse mandibular papillae rows (Row 16) on each side.

Head, body and fins densely mottled brown (sometimes pale and lightly mottled). Depending on intensity of mottling, up to four broad, diffuse, dark brown bars, frequently two being more obvious, one below first dorsal fin and one obliquely below second dorsal fin. Base of pectoral-fin rays darkly marked with a vertical bar, connecting anteriorly to a dark pectoral-fin base, resulting in an H or sideways T mark. First dorsal fin with irregular, dark basal spot. Caudal fin brown with vertical rows of white speckles, margin of fin usually pale. Coloration in preservation similar to color in life, although generally paler and barring more distinct.

Distribution and habitat. Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific. In the Red Sea, often found under stones or at the base of coral heads in fringing seaward reefs, depth 3– 15 m.

Remarks. In the Red Sea, C. flavobrunneus , C. sclateri , and C. clarki are frequently confused, due to similarly-shaped moderately stout bodies, and color pattern of four wide bars. Callogobius flavobrunneus differs from C. clarki in having head pores in specimens at least 14 mm SL (vs. absent in specimens of any size), ctenoid scales from the origin of the second dorsal fin (vs. only on caudal peduncle), and pelvic-fin morphology (frenum absent and membrane uniting medial rays minute or absent vs. frenum present and fins united over most of length medial ray). Callogobius flavobrunneus differs from C. sclateri in having higher lateral series scale counts (34–40 vs. 27–32), fifth pelvic-fin ray significantly shorter than fourth (about three-fourths length of fourth ray vs. subequal), and pectoral-fin color pattern (medial dark markings vs. dark upper edge or diffuse vertical bands). Callogobius flavobrunneus differs from C. sp. A in having higher lateral series scale counts (34–40 vs. 22–25), and pelvic fins with connecting membrane very short or absent (fins separate vs. united along most of length of medial rays).

Representative Red Sea material (5 specimens, 14.3–41.3 mm SL). Egypt: HUJ 11564, male, 24.9 mm SL ; USNM 298438, male, 31.8 mm SL; Eritrea: USNM 297159 , female, 41.3 mm SL ; USNM 300014, female, 14.3 mm SL; Saudi Arabia: SMF 35771 (KAU13-211), female, 27.3 mm SL , Saudi Arabia, Al Wajh bank, seaward slope of unnamed island, sediment with coral patches, 3–5 m, coll. S.V. Bogorodsky & T.J. Alpermann, 12 June 2013.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Callogobius flavobrunneus (Smith): A. Fresh coloration, uncatalogued, 36.0 mm SL, Shams Alam, southern Egypt; B. Preserved specimen, SMF 35771, female, 27.3 mm SL, Al Wajh, bank, Saudi Arabia. Photos by SVB (A), RDM (B).