"Asterropteryx atripes, a new gobiid fish from the Western Pacific Ocean (Perciformes: Gobioidei)."

• Published in: Ichthyological research Vol. 49; no. 3; pp. 274 - 280
• Main Authors: "Shibukawa, K. (National Science Museum, Tokyo (Japan)), Suzuki, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23.08.2002
• Subjects: Asterropteryx atripes; BONY FISHES; Gobioidei; NEW SPECIES; Perciformes; WESTERN PACIFIC; ISEW, Japan, Nansei Shoto, Ryukyu Is., Iriomote I
• DOI: 10.1007/s102280200040
• ISSN: 1341-8998

"A new gobiid fish, Asterropteryx atripes, is described on the basis of eight specimens from iriomote-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, and El Nido, Philippines. It differs from its congeners by having ic following combination of characters: 3rd spine of first dorsal fin long, filamentous, distal tip usually ver end of 2nd dorsal fin base when appressed in both sexes; pelvic fins almost separated, innermost (=5th) segmented rays connected by rudimentary low membrane between bases, and no frenum; 4-7 aort spines on posterior margin of preopercle (the uppermost spine usually just behind the cephalic insory canal pore N); eye large, 32.3-35.8% of head length; enlarged haemal arches on 1st two caudal ertebrae; a distinct black band from posterior margin of eye to caudal fin base (indistinct in dark-hase individuals); black pelvic fin (vivid in dark-phase individuals); numerous minute bright blue pots on head and body in life; no distinct dark spots on head and body; iris entirely reddish-brown r dusky (bright white ventrally in pale-phase individuals) when alive or fresh, and entirely black i preservation, without white transverse bar on middorsal surface; hovering habit. The new species ppears to be most closely related with the other only known hovering species, A. striata; the latter is sadily distinguished from the former in having no long, filamentous dorsal spine; semitranslucent elvic fin; and a series of small black spots along dorsal fin base and dorsal edge of caudal peduncle. Asterropteryx contains two distinct groups, and the monophyly of the genus is open to question."