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Issue: Vol. 5738 No. 1: 30 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-30
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.7
Page range: 32-37
Abstract views: 50
PDF downloaded: 24

A new wriggler of Eleotrid (Teleostei: Xenisthmidae) from Taiping Island, South China Sea

Marine Ecology and Conservation Research Center; National Academy of Marine Research; Kaohsiung; 806614; Taiwan; R.O.C.; National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium; Pingtung; 94450; Taiwan; R.O.C.
Marine Ecology and Conservation Research Center; National Academy of Marine Research; Kaohsiung; 806614; Taiwan; R.O.C.
Institute of Marine Biology; National Taiwan Ocean University; Keelung; 202301 Taiwan; R.O.C.; Center of Excellence for the Oceans; National Taiwan Ocean University; Keelung; 202301 Taiwan; R.O.C.
Pisces Xenisthmus new species marine sleeper South China Sea Taiwan

Abstract

A new wriggler of genus Xenisthmus was collected from Taiping Island, South China Sea, Taiwan, while SCUBA diving for a coral reef fish survey. The new species, Xenisthmus aureus sp. nov., can be well distinguished from other congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fins: second dorsal fin rays I/11; anal fin rays I/10; pectoral fin rays15; (2) squamation: longitudinal scale series 60–62; perdorsal scales 0; (3) vertebral count 10+16=26; (4) preopercular canal present with 4 pores γ, δ, ε, and ε1; and (5) specific colouration: lateral side of trunk with an upper horizontal series of 20–22 yellow spots; a median series of oblique golden yellow stripes or becoming smaller, irregular golden yellow marks; the orange red cross mark on eye, radiating into mouth and posterior area horizontally, and extending up to top eye margin to downward vertically behind the maxillary on cheek; pectoral fin base with a upper, large oblique golden yellow mark; and caudal fin base with a very small median black spot. A species comparison of other congeners will also be briefly discussed in this paper.

 

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How to Cite

Chang, C.-W., Shen, K.-N. & Chen, I.-S. (2025) A new wriggler of Eleotrid (Teleostei: Xenisthmidae) from Taiping Island, South China Sea. Zootaxa, 5738 (1), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.7