A new species of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Julongjiang Basin in Fujian Province, China

Abstract

Ten specimens of a new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius longyanensis were collected from the small tributary of the Julongjiang Basin, Fujian Province, southeastern China. The new species can be distinguished from all congeneric species by following unique combination of features: second dorsal fin rays I, 8; anal fin rays I, 7-8; pectoral fin rays modally 17; longitudinal scale series 30-32; predorsal scales 6-8; vertebral count 10 + 17 = 27; three parallel, deep brown oblique stripes crossing on cheek; branchiostegal membrane with 24-28 orange red spots in male; body with 5-6 deep brown blotches; pectoral fin base with a blackish brown bar. A diagnostic key to all nominal species with high vertebral counts from mainland Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, and Japan is also provided.