Two new species of<i> Luciogobius</i> Gill (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Matsu Islands in Taiwan

Abstract

Two new gobiid fishes of Luciogobius Gill, 1859 have recently been collected from the intertidal waters of the Matsu Islands in Taiwan. The first new species, Luciogobius matsuensis sp. nov., is characterized by the following unique combination of features: (1) second dorsal fin rays: I/12 and anal fin rays I/12; (2) pectoral fin rays modally 16 and with one upper, short free soft ray; (3) vertebral count modally 17+20-21=37-38; and (4) specific coloration: second dorsal fin translucent with tiny brown spots; caudal fin with many tiny brown spots; anal fins pale yellow and translucent, spotless, and darker in its rays; and pectoral fin creamy yellow with anterior 2/3 region with tiny brownish to black spots. The second new species, Luciogobius dongyinensis sp. nov., is characterized by the following unique combination of features: (1) second dorsal fin rays: I/16 and anal fin rays I/16; (2) pectoral fin rays modally 14 and with 2 upper, short free soft rays; (3) vertebral count modally 18+23=41; and (4) specific coloration: a long infraorbital deep brown stripe below eye; a long deep brown stripe above and along upper jaw; pectoral fin with many small patches of melanophores except posterior, distal 1/5 region; and caudal fin brown with many light rounded spots. A brief discussion of their own related species will also be addressed.