Callogobius

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 : 241

Key to seven Callogobius species of the Red Sea

(To be used for specimens at least 15 mm SL. Counts of scales in lateral series can vary by ± 2 depending on the user or the condition of the specimen)

1a. Chin with 4 transverse mandibular papillae rows (Row 16) on each side; temporal canal present with 2 pores (K’, L’) above operculum; scales in lateral series 21–25, usually 24; in intact adult specimens, anterior first dorsal-fin spines free of membranes for about one-quarter or more of spine length.......................... Callogobius pilosimentum n. sp. ( Fig. 2 )

1b. Chin with more than 10 transverse mandibular papillae rows (Row 16) on each side (the rows extending posteriorly to the lower edge of the preoperculum); temporal canal absent (no pores above operculum); scales in lateral series 22–41, more than 24 in most species; in intact adult specimens, anterior first dorsal-fin spines free of membranes for less than one-quarter spine length.............................................................................................. 2

2a. Pelvic fin united and frenum weak to moderately well-developed; preopercular row (Row 20) continuous with transverse opercular papillae row (Row 21)............................................................................. 3

2b. Pelvic fins separate or partially united and frenum weak or absent; preopercular papillae row (Row 20) not continuous with transverse opercular row (Row 21)....................................................................... 4

3a. Head with strongly contrasting markings including bars radiating from eye, body with dark bars and horizontal stripes; D VI + I,10; A I,8.................................................................... Callogobius amikami ( Fig. 3 )

3b. Head, body and fins mostly dark with narrow dark horizontal stripes on body, dark vertical bars usually not obvious; D VI + I,9; A I,7........................................................................ Callogobius dori ( Fig. 5 )

4a. Scales in lateral series 33–41........................................................................... 5

4b. Scales in lateral series 22–32............................................................................ 6

5a. Head pores absent; scales mostly cycloid, except for a few on caudal peduncle; pelvic fins united about two-thirds of length of medial rays, frenum weak......................................................... Callogobius clarki ( Fig. 4 )

5b. Head pores present; scales ctenoid on posterior half of body; pelvic fins separate or with a minute membrane, frenum absent......................................................................... Callogobius flavobrunneus ( Fig. 6 )

6a. Scales in lateral series 27–32; pelvic fins separate or with a minute basal membrane........ Callogobius sclateri ( Fig. 7A )

6b. Scales in lateral series 22–25; pelvic fins united about two-thirds of the length of pelvic fin.... Callogobius sp. A ( Fig. 7 B)

Figures

FIGURE 2. Callogobius pilosimentum sp. nov., live coloration: A. SMF 35756, holotype, female, 36.4 mm SL, Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia; B. Fresh coloration, uncatalogued, Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia, illustrating pattern frequently induced by stress; C. SMF 35760, paratype, female, 55.8 mm SL, Obhur, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photos by SVB.

FIGURE 3. Callogobius amikami Goren, Miroz & Baranes: A. Preserved specimen, TAU P- 10321, holotype, sex uncertain, 26.2 mm SL, Eilat, Israel; B. Aquarium specimen in 1993, Coral World, Eilat, about 40 mm TL, collected by A. Miroz. C. Callogobius cf. amikami, live coloration, SMF 35770, juvenile, 7.2 mm SL, Al Wajh bank, Saudi Arabia. Photos by NRD (A), J. E. Randall (B) used with permission, SVB (C).

FIGURE 4. Callogobius clarki (Goren), live coloration: A. SMF 35766, female, 41.4 mm SL, Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia; B. BPBM 41243, male, 52.0 mm SL, Dahab, Egypt. Photos by SVB.

FIGURE 5. Callogobius dori Goren, live coloration, SMF 35762, male, 23.8 mm SL, Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia. Photo by SVB.

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).

FIGURE 7. A. Callogobius sclateri (Steindachner), preserved specimen, USNM 298419, female, 22.1 mm SL, Ras Burqa, Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt. B. Callogobius sp. A, live coloration, SMF 35772, juvenile, 14.5 mm SL, Yabua Island, Saudi Arabia. Photos by RDM (A), SVB (B).