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Species Diversity
Abstract
A new epigonid fish, Epigonus draco n. sp., is described on the basis of six specimens (88.8–160.1 mm in standard length: SL) collected from the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu in the Western Pacific. This species belongs to a subgroup of Epigonus, known as the “Epigonus constanciae group,” whose members have a pungent opercular spine, more than 40 pored lateral-line scales (47–49 to the end of the hypural+3–4 on the caudal fin), and VII-I, 10 dorsal-fin rays. The new species is distinguished from other congeners of the group in having the following combination of characters: absence of a maxillary mustache-like process, absence of ribs on the last abdominal vertebra, total gill rakers 22–23; pyloric caeca 7–9; pectoral-fin rays 19–20; scales below lateral line 9; vertebrae 10+15; uppermost margin of pectoral-fin base lower than horizontal line through center of eye; proximal radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore slender; and mouth cavity black. In addition, Epigonus chilensis Okamoto, 2012 is rediagnosed based on specimens from near its type locality.
I am most grateful to the following persons and institutions for specimen loans: D. Catania and M. Hoang (CAS), A. Graham (CSIRO), Y. Kai and F. Tashiro (FAKU), I. Aoki (FUMT), P. Pruvost and R. Causse (MNHN), C. Aungtonya (PMBC), and J. T. Williams, G. D. Johnson, and E. Wilbur (USNM). I also thank H. Motomura (Kagoshima University Museum) for providing literature, and T. Iwamoto (CAS) for providing a photo of a paratype specimen and for his critical reading of the manuscript.
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