Malacoctenus aurolineatus Smith 1957

Smith-Vaniz, William F. & Jelks, Howard L., 2014, Marine and inland fishes of St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands: an annotated checklist, Zootaxa 3803 (1), pp. 1-120 : 67-76

Malacoctenus aurolineatus Smith 1957 — Goldline Blenny, Fig. 16B

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 13); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51). Distribution: WA (FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

* Malacoctenus boehlkei Springer 1959 — Diamond Blenny, Fig. 16C

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 8).

Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981) WA (FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC).

Malacoctenus erdmani Smith 1957 — Imitator Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 19).

Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981) WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC).

Malacoctenus gilli (Steindachner 1867) — Dusky Blenny, Fig. 16D

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 13); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51). Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981) WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Malacoctenus macropus (Poey 1868) — Rosy Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 39); recorded from Tague Bay ( Robblee and Zieman, 1984:339); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51).

Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981) WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Malacoctenus triangulatus Springer 1959 — Saddle Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 45); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51). Distribution: Springer and Gomon (1975) WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, sSA).

* Malacoctenus versicolor (Poey 1876) — Barfin Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 4).

Distribution: Springer (1959) WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

* Paraclinus cingulatus (Evermann and Marsh 1899) — Coral Blenny, Fig. 16E

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 12).

Distribution: WA (FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC).

Paraclinus fasciatus (Stendachner 1876) — Banded Blenny, Fig. 16F

Justification: UF 183290 (1, 19 mm SL), Coakley Bay, East Point; ZMUC 44 (2) "St. Croix" [cited in Springer (1955:440)]; listed as "occasional" by Clavijo et al. (1980:26); recorded from Tague Bay ( Robblee and Zieman, 1984:339).

Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981): WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Remarks: Although Paraclinus fasciatus and P. nigripinnis differ in a numer of substantial characters (most notably, opercular spine shape and number of segmented pelvic-fin rays), they have very similar color patterns and can be easily misidentified. It is surprising that we collected only a single individual of P. fasciatus (see above) in contrast to the very adundant P. nigripinnis , which included a total of 405 specimens collected at 27 stations, with individuals per station ranging from 1 to 64.

* Paraclinus grandicomis (Rosén 1911) — Horned Blenny, Fig. 16G

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 4).

Distribution: Springer (1955) WA (FL, BA, GA, LA, WC, nSA).

Paraclinus nigripinnis (Steindachner 1876) — Blackfin Blenny, Fig. 16H

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 19); plus 8 additional UF lots not from BIRNM.

Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981) WA (BD*, FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, sSA).

Starksia atlantica Longley 1934 — Smootheye Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 33).

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, VI).

Remarks: Baldwin et al. (2011) have shown that the Starksia atlantica species complex includes at least five distinct genetic lineages: Bahamas / Turks and Caicos, Curacao, Saba Bank, western Caribbean ( Belize and Honduras) and Panama. Specimens from St. Croix agree best with S. atlantica (type locality: Andros Island, Bahamas) in having a horseshoe-shaped blotch of pigment on the cheek and trunk blotches arranged in two or three horizontal tiers with narrow pale margins, but genetic data are needed to better confirm their taxonomic placement.

* Starksia culebrae (Evermann and Marsh 1899) — Culebra Blenny, Fig. 16I

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 24).

Distribution: Greenfield (1979) WA (GA, VI, LA).

* Starksia elongata Gilbert 1971 — Elongate Blenny, Fig. 16J

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 14).

Distribution: WA (BA, WC, nSA).

* Starksia greenfieldi Baldwin and Castillo in Baldwin et al. (2011) — Greenfield's Blenny, Fig. 17A

Justification: UF 183288 (2, 17.0 mm SL), Spring Bay .

Distribution: WA (GA, LA, nSA), probably more widely distributed.

Remarks: Baldwin et al. (2011) have shown that the Starksia sluiteri species complex includes at least three allopatric species. The barcode DNA sequence (COI mtDNA) obtained from one of the two St. Croix specimens is almost identical to the sequences of type material of S. greenfieldi collected from Tobago and distant from S. sluiteri sequences from Curacao (B. Victor, pers. comm.). The respective ranges of S. sluiteri and S. greenfieldi are unclear, with museum records of sluiteri -complex specimens from Navassa and Puerto Rico through the Lesser Antilles, Venezuela, and Bonaire.

* Starksia melasma Williams and Mounts 2003 — Blackspot Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 5).

Distribution: Williams and Mounts (2003) WA (GA, LA).

Remarks: This species is known only from Desecheo Island off Puerto Rico, Saba Bank and St. Croix.

Starksia cf. nanodes Böhlke and Springer 1961 — Dwarf Blenny, Fig. 17B

Justification: UF 122117 (1, 14.8 mm SL), BIRNM; UF 183143 (4, 9.0–15.8 mm SL), SSW of Butler Bay; Listed as "occasional" by Clavijo et al. (1980:25) .

Distribution: Extralimital distribution unknown (see remarks), but presumed to be a Caribbean endemic.

Remarks: Baldwin et al. (2011) did not provide a redescription of Starksia nanodes because no genetic data were available for specimens from the Bahamas type locality. Data presented in their neighbor-joining tree indicates that the species, as currently recognized, is actually a broadly distributed species complex consisting of several undescribed and allopatric species. Until a revision of the S. nanodes complex is available, the only thing that can be said about the above specimens is that they are members of that species complex.

* Starksia smithvanizi Williams and Mounts 2003 — Brokenbar Blenny, Fig. 17C

Listed as Starksia fasciata and "occasional" by Clavijo et al. (1980:25).

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 12).

Distribution: Williams and Mounts (2003) WA (GA, LA).

Remarks: This recently described species was previously confused with Starksia fasciata (Longley) , which is known only from the Bahamas and Cuba ( Williams and Mounts, 2003) but probably is more widely distributed.

* Starksia williamsi Baldwin and Castillo in Baldwin et al., 2011 — False Blackcheek Blenny, Fig. 17D

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 60).

Distribution: WA (GA, VI, LA).

Remarks: The Starksia lepicoelia species complex includes at least four allopatric species. Baldwin et al. (2011:47) noted that the color patterns of St. Croix material seemed to agree best with S. lepicoelia but additional investigation, including genetic analysis, was needed. Color pattern differences between S. lepicoelia specimens from the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos and S. williamsi (described only from Saba Bank) are subtle, and the same authors stated that modal counts of total dorsal-fin elements and anal-fin soft rays of St. Croix specimens agree best with S. williamsi . After the Baldwin et al. (2011) revision was published, B. Victor (pers. comm.) obtained DNA barcode sequences from a larval Starksia from St. Thomas (UF 184972) identical to the sequence of type material of S. williamsi . On that basis we assign the St. Croix specimens to S. williamsi .

CHAENOPSIDAE —tube blennies (13 species)

* Acanthemblemaria aspera (Longley 1927) — Roughhead Blenny, Fig. 17 E-F

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 28).

Distribution: Smith-Vaniz and Palacio (1974) WA (FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

* Acanthemblemaria maria Böhlke 1961 — Secretary Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 4).

Distribution: Smith-Vaniz and Palacio (1974) WA (BA, GA, LA, WC, nSA).

Remarks: In a study of habitat partitioning conducted at North Side on the northwest corner of St. Croix, Clark (1994) reported marked zonation between the hole-dwelling species Acanthemblemaria maria and A. spinosa , with the former most abundant in 2–3 m on low-relief pavement bottoms.

Acanthemblemaria spinosa Metzelaar 1991 — Spinyhead Blenny, Figs. 17G

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 12); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51). Distribution: Smith-Vaniz and Palacio (1974) WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Chaenopsis limbaughi Robins and Randall 1965 — Yellowface Pikeblenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 12).

Distribution: WA (FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Remarks: The Bluethroat Pikeblenny, Chaenopsis ocellata Poey , was not listed by Clavijo et al. (1980) but has been reported in visual censuses by REEF and NOAA divers. Voucher specimens or unequivocal photographic documentation are required to confirm these records. Only Chaenopsis males with their spinous dorsal fins fully erect can be distinguished visually from C. limbaughi . All male specimens of C. limbaugh from St. Croix and elsewhere that we examined have a black spot completely encircled by a narrow white ring centered between dorsal-fin spines 1–2; in contrast, C. ocellata has a more elongate ocellus that lacks a complete white ring and touches the first spine rather than being centered between the two spines. Popular identification guides (e.g., Humann and DeLoach, 2002) used by divers to distinguish these two species do not emphasize this difference and can lead to misidentifications.

* Emblemaria pandionis Evermann and March 1900 — Sailfin Blenny, Fig. 17H

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 7); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51); REEF (25/15).

Distribution: Greenfield and Johnson (1981) WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Emblemariopsis bahamensis Stephens 1961 — Blackhead Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 21).

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

* Emblemariopsis cf. bottomei Stephens 1961 ─Bottome's Blenny

Justification: UF 160686 (1, 15.4 mm SL), BIRNM [identified by B. C. Victor] .

Distribution: WA (GA, LA).

Remarks: The type locality of Emblemariopsis bottomei is Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela. The specimen from St. Croix was examined by B. C. Victor who considers it to be an undescribed species closely related to E. bottomei .

* Emblemariopsis carib Victor 2010 — Caribbean Flagfin Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 13), including UF 159071 (3, 14.3–16.6 mm SL) and UF 159075 (14, 14.0–17.8 mm SL) [latter two lots identified by B. C. Victor] .

Distribution: Victor (2010) WA (GA, VI). Probably more widely distributed but morphologically similar specimens from other Caribbean localities lack genetic confirmation.

Remarks: Victor (2010) stated that specimens from St. Croix, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Saba and elsewhere outside the Greater Antilles and the Puerto Rican Plateau have meristic values and morphology similar to E. carib (type locality St. Thomas, Virgin Is. and with confirmed specimens also from Puerto Rico). Because DNA barcode (COI) sequence data were unavailable for specimens from those localities, Victor identified them as Emblemariopsis cf. carib . This conservative taxonomic decision may be appropriate for some localities, but given the close fauna relationship of St. Croix and St. Thomas, we apply the unrestricted species epithet. This species is very similar morphologically to the Brazilian E. signifera (Ginsburg) and Puerto Rican E. arawak Victor but has fewer total dorsal-fin elements (typically 31, modal XX, 11) and segmented anal-fin rays (typically 20), and different DNA barcode sequences.

* Emblemariopsis ruetzleri Tyler and Tyler 1997 — Ruetzler's Blenny

Justification: UF 159061 (1, 17.5 mm SL), UF 159062 (2, 14.9–16.5 mm SL) and UF 164691 (1, 15.6 mm SL), BIRNM, 3 [identifications confirmed by J. C. Tyler] .

Distribution: WA (GA, VI, WC).

Remarks: Originally known only from Belize, this species also has been reported from Puerto Rico and St. Thomas ( Victor, 2010:22).

Lucayablennius zingaro (Böhlke 1957) — Arrow Blenny

Justification: UF 164903 (1, 25 mm SL), BIRNM; observed at Salt River Canyon ( Kaufman and Ebersole, 1984:258) and Bortone et al. (1986:8); REEF (31/26).

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, VI, WC, nSA).

Remarks: Clavijo et al. (1980:25) reported this distinctive species as common. It was collected at only one BIRNM station (in 32.6 m), because most stations were too shallow or in the wrong habitat. Greenfield (1972) and Colin and Gomon (1973) described the ecology and unusual swimming and feeding behavior of this attractive small blenny.

Stathmonotus gymnodermis Springer 1955 — Naked Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 11); USNM 163325 (1).

Distribution: Hastings and Springer (1994) WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Stathmonotus hemphillii Bean 1885 — Blackbelly Blenny

Justification: USNM 38775 (6), St. Croix, A. H. Ruse [identified by V. G. Springer]; listed as "occasional" by Clavijo et al. (1980:25).

Distribution: Hastings and Springer (1994) WA (FL, BA, GA, WC).

Remarks: Precise locality and date of collection of the USNM specimens are unknown, but they were probably obtained no later than 1875 (see "Remarks" for Tomicodon briggsi ).

Stathmonotus stahli (Evermann and Marsh 1899) — Eelgrass Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 43).

Distribution: Hastings and Springer (1994) WA (GA, VI, LA, nSA).

Remarks: Stathmonotus tekla Nichols , was recognized as a subspecies of S. s tahli by Hastings and Springer, 1994) but recently elevated to full species rank (Hastings and Springer, 2009). This change in classification of recognized species of Stathmonotus alters previous concepts of the distribution of S. stahli . This diminutive species (≤ 24 mm SL) occurred in all lagoon (12) and backreef (6) samples at BIRNM and had the highest mean density (4.73 m 2) of all fishes in the latter habitat ( Smith-Vaniz et al., 2006).

BLENNIIDAE —combtooth blennies (6 species)

Entomacrodus nigricans Gill 1859 — Pearl Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 21); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51); REEF (12/0).

Distribution: WA (BD, FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Hypleurochilus springeri Randall 1966 — Orangespotted Blenny

Justification: UF 160024 (1, 14 mm SL), BIRNM; listed as "common" by Clavijo et al. (1980:26). Distribution: Randall (1966b) WA (FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Hypsoblennius exstochilus Böhlke 1959 — Longhorn Blenny

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 2); UF 182862 (1, 42 mm SL), Spratt Hole ; ANSP 131514 (1), Coakley Bay .

Distribution: Smith-Vaniz (1980) WA (BA, GA).

Remarks: Clark (1994:401) noted that at North Side, St. Croix, this blenny co-occurs with Acanthemblemaria maria in a turbulent zone characterized by abundant fleshy algae and the rock-boring urchin, Echinometra lucunter .

O phioblennius macclurei Silvester 1915 — Redlip Blenny, Fig. 17I

Listed as Ophioblennius atlanticus by Clavijo et al. (1980:26).

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 20); observed during Frederiksted reef-system censuses ( Toller, 2007:51); REEF (171/133).

Distribution: WA (BD, FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Remarks: Previously recognized as a subspecies of the eastern Atlantic Ophioblennius atlanticus (Valenciennes) , Muss et al. (2001) and Hastings and Springer (2009) give reasons for elevation to full species rank.

* Parablennius marmoreus (Poey 1876) — Seaweed Blenny

Justification: See Remarks; observed in northeastern St. Croix censuses ( Pittman et al., 2008: Table C1 ); REEF (6/0).

Distribution: WA (BD, FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, WC, nSA, sSA).

Remarks: Clavijo et al. (1980) did not record the species and there are no voucher specimens from St. Croix. We include it because there are visual records (unconfirmed) for St. Croix, and voucher specimens are available from St. John, St. Thomas and elsewhere in the northern Virgin Islands. Although broadly distributed, this blenny is reported to be generally uncommon in the West Indies ( Randall, 1996).

* Scartella cristata (Linnaeus 1758) — Molly Miller, Fig. 17J

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 4); UF 183094 (1, 35.5 mm SL), Rod Bay ; observed during Frederiksted reefsystem censuses ( Toller, 2007:51) .

Distribution: WA (BD, FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, sSA).

GOBIESOCIDAE —clingfishes (9 species)

* Acyrtops amplicirrus Briggs 1955 — Flarenostril Clingfish, Fig. 18A

Justification: UF 182111 (9, 14–17.8 mm SL), Spring Bay ; UF 183112 (1, 19.4 mm SL), Salt River Bay; ZMUC P.9079 (holotype) and ZMUC P.9080–90 (11, paratypes), all from St. Croix (see Remarks) .

Distribution: Johnson and Greenfield (1983) WA (GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA), possibly more widely distributed.

Remarks: Briggs (1955:74) and Nielsen (1974:85) erroneously gave the locality for the holotype and paratypes of Acyrtops amplicirrus as St. Thomas. According to an old unbound ZMUC collection register, all these fish were purchased from specimen dealer "Meng" who recorded them as obtained 21 Sept. 1916 from near Christiansted, 2 km off the coast (Tammes Menne, pers. com., March 2011).

These diminutive (<20 mm SL) clingfishes are known only from Thalassia beds in less than 2 m depth. Their beautiful green coloration closely matches clean Thalassia blades on which they cling, making them perfectly camouflaged. Johnson and Greenfield (1983) give a detailed comparison of Acyrtops amplicirrus and the closely related A. beryllinus (Hildebrand and Ginsburg) . They found slight but consistent differences between the two species but noted the need for a synoptic study of the "Emerald Clingfish" from throughout its range.

* Acyrtus artius Briggs 1955 — Papillate Clingfish

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 8).

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, sSA, Atoll Rocas and Trindade Island).

Acyrtus rubiginosus (Poey 1868) — Red Clingfish, Fig. 18B

Listed as Arcos rubiginosus and "common" by Clavijo et al. (1980:7).

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 13).

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, WC).

Arcos nudus (Linnaeus 1758) — Padded Clingfish

Listed as Arcos macrophthalmus (Günther) and "common" by Clavijo et al. (1980:7).

Justification: Although no voucher specimens from St. Croix are known, we accept the Clavijo et al. (1980) listing of this species because there are confirmed records from St. John (UF), St. Thomas (ANSP) and Guana (ANSP).

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, VI, LA, nSA).

Remarks: We follow Fernholm and Wheeler (1983) and Eschmeyer (2013) in recognizing Cyclopterus nudus Linnaeus as a senior synonym of Arcos macrophthalmus (Günther 1861) .

* Gobiesox nigripinnis (Peters 1860) — Blackfin Clingfish, Fig. 18C

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 5).

Distribution: WA (GA, VI, LA, nSA).

* Gobiesox punctulatus (Poey 1875) — Stippled Clingfish

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 8).

Distribution: WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

* Tomicodon briggsi Williams and Tyler 2003 — Broadhead Clingfish

Justification: USNM 360612 (holotype, 16 mm SL) and USNM 365845 (4, 15–17.3 mm SL).

Distribution: Williams and Tyler (2003) WA (LA, WC).

Remarks: In their description of this new species, Williams and Tyler (2003) reported one collection from St. Croix obtained by A. H. Ruse, including the holotype and four paratypes (see above). Precise locality data and date of collection are unknown but the specimens were assigned a Smithsonian catalog number in 1875. The known depth range of this clingfish is 0– 12 m.

* Tomicodon fasciatus (Peters 1859) — Barred Clingfish

Justification: USNM 15382 (6, 16.2–31.2 mm SL) and USNM 15431 (2, 20.9–23.4 mm SL), both "St. Croix, A. H. Ruse."

Distribution: Williams and Tyler (2003) WA (WC, nSA).

Remarks: Williams and Tyler (2003:12) redescribed this clingfish and discussed the original description publication date. The two USNM collections, like Tomicodon briggsi , were obtained by A. H. Ruse, lack precise locality data and were probably collected during the same time period. This clingfish is otherwise known only from northern Venezuela and Panama.

* Tomicodon reitzae Briggs 2001 — Accidental Clingfish

Justification: UF 118551 (13, 19.4– 30 mm SL) and UF 149220 (2, 20.4–22.8 mm SL), BIRNM 2 ; UF 183113 (1, 28.9 mm SL), Rod Bay .

Distribution: Williams and Tyler (2003) WA (BA, GA, LA, WC, nSA).

Remarks: Williams and Tyler (2003) redescribed this clingfish which has one of the widest distributions of any of the eight currently recognized Caribbean species of Tomicodon .

CALLIONYMIDAE —dragonets (3 species)

* Diplogrammus pauciradiatus (Gill 1865) — Spotted Dragonet

Justification: UF 164608 (1, 7.1 mm SL), BIRNM .

Distribution: Davis (1966) WA (BD, FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

* Foetorepus agassizii (Goode and Bean 1888) — Spotfin Dragonet

Justification: USNM 47640 (4), paratypes of Callionymus himantophorus Goode and Bean (1896:296) , a junior synonym of F. agassizii , from "Blake station 333, trawled in 210 m off Santa Cruz " in January 1879.

Distribution: Nakabo and Hartel (1999) WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Remark: Some authors, following Fricke (1981), assign this dragonet to the genus Sychiropus. One of the deeper dwelling species in the family, Foetorepus agassizii has been trawled in 90– 600 m.

Paradiplogrammus bairdi (Jordan 1888) — Lancer Dragonet, Fig. 18D

Listed as Callionymus bairdi by Clavijo et al. (1980:26).

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 16); recorded, as Callionymus bairdi , from Tague Bay ( Robblee and Zieman, 1984:339); on-line photographs available ( Pittman et al., 2008); REEF (23/6).

Distribution: Davis (1966) WA (BD, FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA), Ascension and St. Helena, EA.

ELEOTRIDAE —sleepers (5 species)

Dormitator maculatus ( Bloch 1792) — Fat Sleeper, Fig. 18E

Justification : UF 180901 (2); UF 181006 (1); UF 181011 (2); UF 181026 (7); USNM 129635 (4, 14–18 mm SL); ZMUC P.784203 (1, 135 mm SL), St. Croix, Sept. 1845 ; ZMUC P. 784204 (1, 111 mm SL), St. Croix , Oct., 1851; ZMUC P.784205–06 (2, 69–78 mm SL), St. Croix, Oct. 1851 .

Distribution: WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, sSA).

Remarks: Beatty (1944:178) reported this species present in Shoys Marsh and Fairplain Stream. This sleeper is found primarily in freshwater but also occurs in brackish mangrove areas.

Eleotris perniger ( Cope 1871) — Smallscaled Spinycheek Sleeper (Mudfish), Fig. 18F

Listed as Eleotris pisonis by Clavijo et al. (1980:26).

Justification: UF 180900 (1) ; UF 181005 (9) ; UF 181022 (8) ; UF 181010 (1) ; CAS 66645 (1) ; FMNH 52841 (1); USNM 106629 (1, 91 mm SL) Fairplain Stream, 1937.

Distribution: Pezold and Cage (2002) WA (BD, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, SA [ Trinidad Island only]).

Remarks: Mostly found in coastal freshwaters, A. perniger also occurs in tidal creeks and is common throughout the Antilles (Pezold and Gage 2002). Records of E. pisonis (Gmelin) from St. Croix are based on misidentifications of this continental species ( Brazil to Orinoco delta).

Erotelis smaragdus (Valenciennes in Cuv. & Val. 1837) — Flathead Sleeper

Justification: Listed as "occasional" by Clavijo et al. (1980:26).

Distribution: WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA, sSA).

Remarks: This sleeper is found in coastal marine waters but also enters brackish and freshwater.

Gobiomorus dormitor Lacepéde 1800 — Bigmouth Sleeper , Figs. 18 G-H Justification : UF 183032 (1, 285 mm SL), Lower Love Estate ; UF 180986 (1, 93 mm SL) and UF 181008 (1, 40 mm SL), Salt River ; USNM 106634 (1, 54 mm SL), Altona stream, 1937; ZMUC P.78207 (1, 144 mm SL), St. Croix, 1844, ZMUC P.784208 (1, 32 mm SL), St. Croix, Sept. 1845, ZMUC P.78566–599 (34, 19– 28 mm SL), St. Croix , Jan. 1896 .

Distribution: WA (FL, GOM, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA).

Remarks: Under the name Philypnus dormitor Beatty (1944:178) stated "taken in Altona, Concordia and Fairplain streams." This euryhaline sleeper typically is found in flowing freshwater. Evermann and Marsh (1902) stated that it is "one of the most important fresh-water food fishes in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the West Indies."

* Guavina guavina (Valenciennes 1837) — Guavina , Fig. 18I

Justification: ZMUC P.784213 (1, 201 mm SL), "St. Croix, 1845".

Distribution: WA (FL, GA, WC, nSA, sSA).

Remarks: Guavina guavina may be the only St. Croix fish that has been locally extirpated. This large sleeper, which attains about 35 cm total length, is common in Cuba. It occurs in freshwater habitats with access to the sea and in brackish to hypersaline water ( McEachran and Fechhelm, 2005). It is unlikely that the St. Croix record based on the above historical specimen could be attributable to a locality mix-up (Jørgen Nielson, pers. com.). Many specimens in the Copenhagen collection (ZMUC) have specific St. Croix localities, while others purchased from natural history specimen dealers have only "Dutch West Indies" listed as the locality. Specimen lots with that general locality almost certainly came from St. Croix, St. John or St. Thomas (all possessions of Denmark from 1733–1917). Guavina guavina has not been collected from the northern Virgin Islands and no historical specimens in the ZMUC collection are known exclusively from Cuba or South America.

GOBIIDAE —gobies (47 species)

Awaous banana (Valenciennes in Cuv. & Val. 1837) — River Goby, Figs. 18J , 19A

Listed as Awaous tajasica and "occasional" by Clavijo et al. (1980:26).

Justification UF 181007 (1, 36 mm SL), Salt River; USNM 106628 (1, 170 mm SL) Fairplain Stream, 1937; USNM 106636 (1, 190 mm SL) Concordia Stream, 1937; ZMUC P.784323–24 (2) Jolly Hill Gut, Jan. 1906; ZMUC P.784802 (1, 194 mm SL) St. Croix, Nov. 1845; we also examined a color photograph of very large individual caught (not retained) at Southgate Pond in a wire trap on 15 Nov. 2010.

Distribution: Watson (1996) WA (FL, GOM, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA), EP.

Remarks: Beatty (1944:178) reported this species, as Awaous tajasica , from Fairplain and Concordia streams. Records of A. tajasica Lichtenstein (a Brazilian species) from St. Croix are based on misidentifications ( Watson, 1996). Awaous banana is usually encountered in freshwater but is occasionally taken in brackish water.

* Barbulifer antennatus Böhlke and Robins 1968 — Barbulifer

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 5); UF 183140 (1, 16.2 mm SL), Rod Bay .

Distribution: WA (BA, GA, LA, WC, nSA).

* Bathygobius antilliensis Tornabene, Baldwin and Pezold 2010 — Antilles Frillfin, Fig. 19B

Justification: UF (BIRNM, 6) [identified by Carole Baldwin]; TCWC 10516.01 (3); ZMUC P. 7841214 (1, 65 mm SL), St. Croix, Sept., 1845, ZMUC P.784215 (1, 69 mm SL), St. Croix, Nov. 1843, ZMUC P. 78416‒19 (4, 63‒66 mm SL), Christiansted, Jan., 1906, ZMUC P. 78420–22 (3, 48–69 mm SL), St. Croix, Jan. 1906.

Distribution: Tornabene et al. (2010) WA (BD, FL, BA, GA, VI, LA, WC, nSA and Rocas Atoll, Brazil).

Remarks: This recently described species appears to be the most common species of Bathygobius inhabiting St. Croix tidepools.

* Bathygobius lacertus (Poey 1860) — Spotted Frillfin, Fig. 19C

Justification: UF 180958 (1) ; UF 180959 (3) ; UF 180962 (12) ; UF 181035 (1) ; UF 183917 (1) ; UF 183130 (5) ; 183132 (3); UF 183136 (5) [most lots identified by Luke Tornabene].

Distribution: Tornabene et al. (2010) WA (BD, FL, BA, GA, VI, WC, nSA).

Bathygobius mystacium Ginsburg 1947 — Island Frillfin, Fig. 19D

Listed as Bathygobius soporator by Smith-Vaniz et al. (2006).

Justification: UF 158448 (1) and UF 158454 (1, 54 mm SL), BIRNM 2 ; UF 183127 (1) and UF 183131 (1) both Spring Bay ; UF 183133 (3), Rod Bay [most lots identified by Luke Tornabene] .

Distribution: Tornabene et al. (2010) WA (FL, BA, GA, WC, nSA, sSA).

Remarks: In addition to Bathygobius mystacium, Clavijo et al. (1980) also listed Bathygobius curacao (Metzelaar) and B. soporator (Valenciennes) as "occasional" but in the absence of any collections of the latter two species we consider these records to have been based on misidentifications. Prior to the review of Bathygobius by Tornabene et al. (2010) misidentification of Atlantic species of Bathygobius was very common.

Figures

FIGURE 16. (A) Labrisomus guppyi, UF 183025, 56 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (B) Malacoctenus aurolineatus, UF 149258, 32 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (C) Malacoctenus boehlkei, UF 149253, 38 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (D) Malacoctenus gilli, UF 183260, 34 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (E) Paraclinus cingulatus, UF 158002, 19 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (F) Paraclinus fasciatus, UF 183290, 19 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (G) Paraclinus grandicomis, UF 158013, 24 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (H) Paraclinus nigripinnis, UF 183927, 37 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (I) Starksia culebrae, UF 158349, 29 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (J) Starksia elongata, UF 158412, 22 mm SL, L. A. Rocha.

FIGURE 17. (A) Starksia greenfieldi, UF 183288, 17 mm SL, female, H. L. Jelks; (B) Starksia cf. nanoides, UF 122117, 15 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (C) Starksia smithvanizi, UF 122117, 22 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (D) Starksia williamsi, UF 149816, 23 mm SL, L. A. Rocha; (E) Acacanthemblemaria aspera, UF 158101, 23 mm SL, male, L. A. Rocha; (F) Acanthemblemaria aspera, UF 158099, 17 mm SL, female, L. A. Rocha; (G) Acanthemblemaria spinosa, UF 158116, 21 mm SL, male, L. A. Rocha; (H) Emblemaria pandionis, UF 158126, 33 mm SL, male, L. A. Rocha; (I) Ophioblennius macclueri, UF 183050, 64 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (J) Scartella cristata, UF 183094, 36 mm SL, H. L. Jelks.

FIGURE 18. (A) Acyrtops amplicirrus (dorsal and lateral views), UF 183111, 16 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (B) Acyrtus rubiginosus, UF 183216, 19 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (C) Gobiesox nigripinnis (dorsal and lateral views), UF 183063, 32 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (D) Paradiplogrammus bairdi, UF 149689, 27 mm SL, male, L. A. Rocha; (E); Dormitator maculatus, UF 181006, 47 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (F) Eleotris perniger, UF 181005, 69 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (G) Gobiomorus dormitor, UF 181008, 40 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (H) Gobiomorus dormitor, UF 180986, 93 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (I) Guavina guavina, ZMUC P.784213 (preserved), 210 mm SL, P. Møller; (J) Awaous banana, UF 180975, 36 mm SL, H. L. Jelks.

FIGURE 19. (A) Awaous banana, UF 183975, 172 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (B) Bathygobius antilliensis, UF 180969, 50 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (C) Bathygobius lacertrus, UF 183132, 58 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (D) Bathygobius mystacium, UF 183127, 33 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (E) Coryphopterus dicrus, UF 183099, 27 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (F) Coryphopterus tortugae, UF 180983, 26 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (G) Coryphopterus tortugae, UF 183269, 28 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (H) Coryphopterus venezuelae, UF 1835581, 35 mm SL, H. L. Jelks; (I) Coryphopterus venezuelae, UF 180944, 40 mm SL, H. L. Jelks.