A revision of the Indo-Pacific fish genus Gobiopsis with descriptions of four new species (Pisces, Gobiidae)

Abstract

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Callogobius liolepis Bleeker, a senior synonym of Gobiopsis aporia Lachner and McKinney (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Gobiopsis)

“…Despite this, it is evident that the specimens have no raised vertical ridges of papillae, ruling out their membership with Callogobius as cladistically defined by Winterbottom (2003). The specimens do, however, exhibit several of the diagnostic features of Gobiopsis listed by Lachner and McKinney (1978), including short, well-developed barbels on the head in specific groupings (including the chin, anterior and posterior internasals, anterior cheek tuft, and anterior gular barbels common to all species in that paper), and a roughly horizontal fleshy fold on the midcheek. Although not as definitive, the Bleeker specimens also share the general physiognomy of Gobiopsis, including a depressed, broad head with a wide interorbital (about 19% of head length or 6% SL for lectotype and paralectotype, approximate due to condition of specimens), a broad snout with a protruding lower jaw, and stout body.…”

“…The lectotype exhibited three posterior mandibular barbels on the skin covering the posterior portion of the dentary, and the paralectotype had three anterior gular barbels and at least two inter-mandibular barbels along the hyoid region and below the lower jaw. This distinctive arrangement is unique to Gobiopsis sensu stricto, a group we define (following Lachner & McKinney 1979) as including those ten species treated in Lachner and McKinney (1978): G. angustifrons, G. aporia, G. arenaria, G. bravoi, G. canalis Lachner & McKinney, G. macrostoma Steindachner, G. malekulae, G. pinto, G. quinquecincta, G. woodsi. This arrangement is not found in Gobiopsis species included later by Lachner and McKinney (1979: G. atrata (Griffin), G. exigua Lachner & McKinney, and G. springeri) or by Shibukawa (2010: G. namnas Shibukawa), nor in any other gobiid.…”

“…Specifics surrounding these issues are provided in the Discussion. (Bleeker) with the most similar species of Gobiopsis as presented in Lachner and McKinney (1978); all other Gobiopsis sensu stricto have scale and pectoral-fin ray counts that are too low. Koumans (1932) reported ±45 LL scales for Bleeker's specimens, Bleeker about 45.…”

“…McKinney 4 June 1976." Lachner and McKinney (1978) synonymised Pipidonia Smith with Gobiopsis Steindachner but made no mention of C. liolepis in this or subsequent papers.…”

“…Standard length was taken using dial calipers. Methods for counting fin rays, lateral scales, vertebrae, and terminology used to specify barbel groups follows Lachner and McKinney (1978). Scale counts must be considered approximate as G. liolepis, C. okinawae and C. bifasciatus have small, irregularly-shaped, slightly deciduous scales.…”