Eleotris vomerodentata Maugé, 1984

(Figs 1B, 2, 4; Tabs III-V)

Material examined

Holotype. – MNHN-IC-1984-0803 from Madagascar (male).

Diagnosis

The species is distinguished by: second and fourth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extending ventrally past horizontal row d (‘2.4’ pattern), row os not connected with row oi at ventro-posterior margin of operculum (‘open’ pattern); 15 pectoral fin rays and the presence of teeth in the vomer.

Description

Scale and ray counts in Eleotris vomerodentata and related species are given in tables III-IV, morphometrics in table V.

The body is elongated. The body depth at anus is 21 (% SL) and the caudal peduncle depth is 13 (% SL). Predorsal length 47 (% SL) and preanal length 65 (% SL).

Jaw lengthCaudal peduncle depth9101112131410111213141516 E. acanthopomaMales2365111816Females23−124 E. vomerodentataMales11 E. pellegriniMales3132431431411Females212131 E. sahanaensisMale11Juv-Female11Body depth at anus origin141516171819202122232425 E. acanthopomaMales12221221Females221−−1 E. vomerodentataMales1 E. pellegriniMales121124−3Females1−−−1 E. sahanaensisMale1Juv-Female1Head length262728293031323334353637 E. acanthopomaMales341242Females12111 E. vomerodentataMales1 E. pellegriniMales442221Females122 E. sahanaensisMale1Juv-Female1Predorsal length41424344454647484950 E. acanthopomaMales134122−1−1Females33 E. vomerodentataMales1 E. pellegriniMales1224332Females1111−1 E. sahanaensisMale1Juv-Female1Preanal length6061626364656667686970 E. acanthopomaMales1−3331211−1Females122−−1 E. vomerodentataMales1 E. pellegriniMales151111211Females211−1 E. sahanaensisMale1The head (35 % SL) is depressed, the snout is pointed. Eyes high on head. The mouth is large, as jaw length is 14% SL, and oblique, the posterior margin of upper jaw reaches the vertical through the two third of the eye. Upper and lower jaws with multiple rows of small inwardly curved teeth, larger on outer row in upper jaw, on inner row in lower jaw; a few caniniform teeth in posterior position. Presence of numerous well-marked teeth in half circle on the vomer, larger in the front part.Dorsal fins VI-I,9; D1 separate from and same height as D2; spines not elongated. Anal fin I,8 and directly opposite to second dorsal fin. Pelvic fins separate, I,5. Pectoral fins 15. Caudal fin slightly rounded with 15 branched rays.Cycloid scales on top of head, nape, cheek, operculum, pectoral fin base, prepelvic region, and abdomen. Ctenoid scales covering flanks. No lateral line canals. 51 scales in lateral series, 40 in predorsal series, 16 in transverse back series, 19 in transverse forward series and 11 in zigzag series.A downward pointing spine at the posterior margin of the preoperculum is covered with skin. Gill opening moderately broad, extending to below the preoperculum. Tubular anterior nares overhanging half upper lip, posterior nares open pits.Cephalic lateralis: Adults with five transverse suborbital free neuromast rows of which second and fourth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extend ventrally past horizontal row d (‘2.4’ pattern); row os not connected with row oi at ventro-posterior margin of operculum (‘open pattern’) (Fig. 1B).Urogenital papilla tapered in male.Colour in lifeUnknown.Colour in preservation (Fig. 4)Head, preoperculum, body and abdomen beige to light brown. Gular and isthmus clearer, rose to slightly whitish. Fins whitish beige.Juv-Female1

Comparison

Within the pattern ‘ 2.4 ’ Eleotris vomerodentata differs from all other species by the presence of teeth in the vomer versus absence.

Distribution Currently known only from Madagascar.

Ecology Unknown.

Description of the new species

Comparative material

Adults with five transverse suborbital free neuromast rows of which second and fourth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extend ventrally past horizontal row d (‘2.4’ pattern); row os not connected with row oi at ventro-posterior margin of operculum (‘open pattern’).

Eleotris acanthopoma: MNHN-IC-2006-0617, 3 specimens, Mohéli, Mdjawaché, Comoros Islands, 31 Oct. 2005, Keith et al. coll. MNHN-IC-2020-0029, Mayotte, Kwale, Comoros Islands, 22 Apr. 2009, Feutry coll.; tag 12426. MNHN-IC-2020-0030, Comoros Islands, Mayotte, Apr. 2009, Feutry coll.; tag 12417. MNHN-IC-2020-0031, Mayotte, Ouroveni, Comoros Islands, 06 Sep. 2007, Marquet coll.; tag 13951. MNHN-IC-2020-0032, same data as 2020-0031, 06 Sep. 2007, Marquet coll.; tag 13952. MNHN-IC-2020-0033, same data as 2020-0031; tag 13953. MNHN-IC-2020-0034, same data as 2020-0031; tag 13954. MNHN-IC-2020-0041, Mayotte, Ouroveni, Comoros Islands, 06 Sep. 2007, Marquet coll.; tag 11817. MNHN-IC-2020-0035, Mayotte, Coconi, Comoros Islands, 06 Aug. 19, Valade et al. coll.; tag 14519. MNHN-IC-2020-0036, same data as 2020-0035, tag 14520. MNHN-IC-2020-0037, same data as 2020-0035, tag 14521. MNHN-IC-2020-0038, Comoros Islands, Mayotte, Ouroveni, 06 Aug. 2019, Valade et al. coll.; tag 14562. MNHN-IC-2020-0039, Comoros Islands, Mayotte, Longoni, 07 Aug. 2019, Valade et al. coll.; tag 14563. MNHN-IC-2020-0040, same data as 2020-0039, tag 14564. MNHN-IC-2007-0185, 2 specimens, Mahé, Seychelles Islands, 24 Nov. 2004, Accouche et al. coll. MNHN-IC-2007-0199, Mahé, Anse aux poules bleues riv., Seychelles Islands, 14 Oct. 2003, Keith et al. coll. MNHN-IC-2007-0205, Praslin, Fond B’Offay riv., Seychelles Islands, 10 Oct. 2003, Keith et al. coll.; tag 14509. MNHN-IC-2020-0042, Praslin, Nouvelle découverte, Seychelles Islands, 09 Oct. 2003, Keith et al. coll.; tag 13749. MNHN-IC-2007-0200, 1 (tag C) of 3, Mahé, Seychelles Islands, 22 Nov. 2004, Accouche et al. coll .

Eleotris vomerodentata Maugé, 1984: holotype from Madagascar (MNHN-IC-1984-0803).

Eleotris pellegrini Maugé, 1984: syntypes from Madagascar (MNHN-IC-1932-0108) and others (see above, E. pellegrini redescription).