Volume 7, Issue 4 – November 2003

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Gerald R. Allen and Joan E. Wright: Description of a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae: Pomacentrus) from Rodrigues Island, Indian Ocean, pp. 133-138

Abstract
A new species of pomacentrid fish is described from Rodrigues Island in the Mascarene Group, southwestern Indian Ocean. Specimens were collected during September and October 2001 as part of a general biodiversity survey of the Rodrigues lagoon environment. Pomacentrus rodriguesensis is described from 15 specimens 35.5-79.8 mm SL, collected from coral reefs and estuary tide pools in 9 to18 m. It appears to be related to other Pomacentrus with 14 dorsal spines, particularly to P. pikei from Mauritius and Réunion in the Mascarene Islands and P. indicus from the central Indian Ocean. These species have similar morphology but are easily distinguished by colour pattern differences. The new species is bluish grey with a yellow margin on the spinous dorsal fin, a dark spot on the upper pectoral fin base, and yellow pelvic fins. Juveniles possess a prominent ocellus on the basal half of the soft dorsal fin between the fifth and ninth rays.

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Aquarium photograph of Pomacentrus rodriguesensis, about 60.0 mm SL, Rodrigues Island. Photo by D. Pelicier

Marta S. C. Soares and João P. Barreiros: Following associations with the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Mullidae) from the Azores, pp. 139-144

Abstract
In this study we report Mullus surmuletus being followed intraspecifically and by individual fish of the following species: Thalassoma pavo, Coris julis, Diplodus sargus cadenati and Serranus atricauda. This study was carried out over a total of some thirtyfive hours between October 2001 and August 2002, in shallow water over sandy bottoms in the vicinity of the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, Azores (NE Atlantic). Red mullet search for benthic animals in the sand with their snout and barbels and feed on them. This behaviour attracts the attention of other species, which take advantage of the disturbance and capture prey themselves. Cleaning behaviour was also observed between M. surmuletus – “clients” and T. pavo and C. julis – “cleaners”. This cleaning behaviour occurs when the “cleaners” follow the red mullet.

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Sphoeroides marmoratus observing the digging of an adult Mullus surmuletus. Photo by Peter Wirtz©imagDOP

Mauro L. Triques, Volney Vono and Emmanuelle V. Caiafa: Astyanax turmalinensis, a new species of fish from the Rio Jequitinhonha basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Characiformes: Characidae: Tetragonopterinae), pp. 145-150

Abstract
Intensive sampling in the Rio Jequitinhonha basin led us to the discovery of a new species of Astyanax. In this study, based on meristics, morphometrics, external morphology and colour pattern, Astyanax turmalinensis (Characiformes: Characidae: Tetragonopterinae) is described from Córrego Divisão, a tributary of the right side of the Rio Jequitinhonha at Peixe-Crú, Município of Turmalina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

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Lateral view of a paratype of Astyanax turmalinensis, n. sp., DZUFMG 006, 47.9 mm SL, photographed just after preservation in 4% formaldehyde. Brightness on eye and body dorsum is a technical artifact. Photo by Volney Vono

Jeffrey T. Williams and Jeffrey C. Howe: Seven new species of the triplefin fish genus Helcogramma (Tripterygiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, pp. 151-176

Abstract
Eleven species, including seven new species, are recognized in the Helcogramma fuscopinna species complex, a monophyletic group within the genus Helcogramma (herein determined to be feminine in gender). A pale-bodied subgroup includes H. aquila (Batan Islands), H. nigra n. sp. (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Rotuma Island), and H. cerasina n. sp. (Tonga Islands and Vatoa Island, Fiji). The other members of the complex include H. nesion n. sp. (Ogasawara and Izu Islands and southern Shikoku Island, Japan), H. inclinata (H. habena is a junior synonym; Batan Islands, Pratas Reef, Taiwan, and Ryukyu Islands), H. fuscopinna (western Indian Ocean), H. desa n. sp. (Cuyo Islands, Philippines and Vietnam), H. albimacula n. sp. (western Luzon to Apo Island, Philippines), H. lacuna n. sp. (western Thailand), H. vulcana (Indonesia), and H. randalli n. sp. (Komodo Island and Bali, Indonesia). With the description of these seven new ones, there are now 30 species recognized in the genus Helcogramma.

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Helcogramma albimacula, underwater photograph taken off Luzon, Philippines. Photo by E. O. Murdy