identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
03FF036DAC2D8869FEBF58DF4EB0FB28.text	03FF036DAC2D8869FEBF58DF4EB0FB28.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nemateleotris Fowler 1938	<div><p>Genus Nemateleotris Fowler, 1938</p> <p>Nemateleotris Fowler, 1938: 131 (type species Nemateleotris magnifica Fowler, by original designation).</p> <p>Diagnosis. Nemateleotris is readily distinguished from all other gobioid genera in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VI, I,27–33; first three dorsal-fin spines elongate and pennant like, filamentous in one species, first spine longest, 1.4–3.9 in SL; anal-fin rays I,25–32; pectoral-fin rays 18–21 (usually 20); pelvic-fin rays I,5; pelvic fins separate, not connected to each other by frenum or to body by membrane; total caudal-fin rays 37–45; scales in longitudinal series 110–190; no visible lateral line; total gill rakers 19–25; branchiostegal rays 5.</p> <p>Description. Dorsal-fin rays VI, I,27–33, all segmented rays unbranched; anal-fin rays I,25–32, all segmented rays unbranched; pectoral-fin rays 18–21, upper and lowermost 3–4 unbranched, all other rays usually branched (sometimes all rays unbranched); pelvic-fin rays I,5; segmented caudalfin rays 17; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 9–14; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 10–14; total gill rakers = 19–25.</p> <p>Mouth strongly oblique, forming an angle of about 50° to horizontal axis of body; maxilla reaching a vertical through centre of eye; upper jaw with an outer row of four to six, widely spaced, moderately large, incurved canines on each side, and a medial band of small villiform teeth that narrows posteriorly; lower jaw slightly protruding when mouth closed, with two to four enlarged recurved canines at corner of each side of jaw, the more posterior tooth largest, a middle band composed of two to four rows of low villiform teeth narrowing to a single row posteriorly, and an inner pair of enlarged recurved canines at front corner of each side; no teeth on vomer or palatines; tongue truncate, set far back in mouth.</p> <p>A low median fleshy ridge on top of head from interorbital space to origin of first dorsal fin; no opercular or preopercular spines; preopercular margin free only ventrally; upper end of gill opening at or slightly dorsal to level of middle of eye, the ventral end extending to below posterior margin of preopercle; anterior and posterior nasal pores separated by a distance about equal to half the pupil diameter; anterior nasal pore small, rounded and terminating in a short fleshy tube; posterior nasal pore larger, rounded, with little or no rim.</p> <p>No visible lateral line on body; pores of cephalic lateral line system in two main series, a preopercular canal of three large pores on upper margin of preopercle, the uppermost pair at approximately level of lower edge of pupil, the lowermost slightly below level of lower edge of eye, and an anterior oculoscapular canal of five large pores, the anteriormost immediately above nostril, the second above centre of eye or slightly ahead of this point, the third slightly above eye and slightly anterior to a vertical at posterior edge of eye, the fourth slightly behind eye on a horizontal with about middle of pupil or slightly above, and the last slightly higher than the fourth and nearly in line with a projection from the two preopercular pores; a single median pore of moderate size situated at about mid-interorbital, connected to the left and right oculoscapular canals by a coronal commissure (see N. magnifica in Akihito [1984: fig. 62] and N. helfrichi [Fig. 1]).</p> <p>Scales very small, non-imbricate, numbering 110–190 in longitudinal series; scales on body ctenoid dorsoposteriorly to about posterior third of dorsal fin, cycloid elsewhere, those anteriorly frequently embedded; no scales on head; no median predorsal scales, but embedded scales extend anteriorly on side of nape to level of gill opening or slightly beyond; prepelvic area of thorax with embedded scales; anterior portion of isthmus naked; no scales on fins except for approximately basal half of caudal fin.</p> <p>First dorsal fin elevated anteriorly, the first three spines elongate and pennant like, filamentous in one species, the first spine longest, 1.4–3.9 in SL; the second and third spines only slightly shorter, the fourth, fifth, and sixth shorter than second; caudal fin truncate or weakly emarginate, round in one species; pectoral fins moderately pointed, pattern of branching variable, usually the upper and lowermost 3–4 rays unbranched (sometimes all rays unbranched), the middle rays longest, 4.7–6.1 in SL; pelvic fins separate, not connected to each other by frenum, not connected to body by membrane, their origin directly below pectoral-fin base, 3.6–7.4 in SL. remaining pterygiophores of second dorsal fin with autogenous middle and proximal radials. First anal-fin pterygiophore bearing one supernumerary spine and one serial ray, inserting anterior to first hemal arch; subsequent anal-fin pterygiophores each bearing one serially associated segmented ray; proximal tips of all pterygiophores of medial fins cartilaginous.</p> <p>Osteology. Vertebral column with 10 precaudal and 16 caudal vertebrae (Fig. 2); all vertebrae, except compound ural centrum, with neural spines; neural spines 1 through 20–21 with one or two foramina; epineurals on vertebrae 1 through 15–16, the posteriormost 3–4 sometimes weakly ossified; ribs present on precaudal vertebrae 3 through 10; vertebrae 24 (=PU3) and 25 (=PU2) with modified haemal and neural spines. Neural and haemal spine of PU3 only slightly broader than those of preceding. Haemal spine of PU2 broad proximally, blade-like distally, its flat anterior margin distally articulating with ventral procurrent cartilage, its cylindrical posterior margin articulating with two segmented caudal rays. Terminal vertebral (compound ural) centrum and hypurals 3–4 not differentiated; hypural 5 slender, about half the length of hypurals 1+2, well separated from ural centrum. Hypurals 1+2 undifferentiated and platelike with anteroventral flange. Parhypural autogenous, truncated proximally, with anterior flange, inserting distally in groove on anteroventral flange of hypurals 1+2. Anterior to hypural 5 a single, large epural with a cylindrical core near posterior margin, its flat anterior margin distally articulating with dorsal procurrent cartilage.</p> <p>Typically, 9–14 unsegmented procurrent rays articulating with each dorsal and ventral procurrent cartilage; total number of segmented caudal-fin rays 17; one segmented ray articulating with epural and hypural 5, respectively; seven branched rays articulating with hypurals 3+4; six branched rays articulating with hypurals 1+2, the ventralmost sometimes displaced slightly below plate; one segmented ray articulating with parhypural and haemal spine of PU2 respectively.</p> <p>First dorsal fin with six spines. No supraneurals. Two pterygiophores between neural spines 3 and 4, two between neural spines 4 and 5, one between neural spines 5 and 6, one between neural spines 6 and 7, followed by vacant interneural space (interneural gap) between neural spines 7 and 8 (formula 3-22110); proximal and medial radial of first two pterygiophores of second dorsal fin undifferentiated; Etymology. Combination of the Greek nemat meaning thread, and the eleotrid genus Eleotris. Genus is feminine. Species of Nemateleotris are known by a variety of common names, including firefish, firegoby, and dartfish. To maintain consistent terminology with other members of the ptereleotrinae, we use dartfish as the preferred common name, but provide alternative names wherever appropriate.</p> <p>Habitat and biology. Small (rarely exceeding 70 mm total length), elongate and moderately compressed fishes frequently found hovering close to the substrate near or in coral reefs at depths between 6–100 m, especially in areas replete with sand channels and loose coral rubble (Fig. 3). Diet primarily plankton and other small invertebrates which they pick out of the water column. All species brightly coloured (see key below) and with an elongate pennant-like first dorsal fin which they flick back and forth repeatedly, often in synchrony with their pelvic fins. Most frequently observed singly or in pairs, juveniles sometimes in small groups, often mixed with other plankton feeders. When startled they quickly dart into small holes or crevices in the substrate, emerging a few minutes later when the threat has passed.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FF036DAC2D8869FEBF58DF4EB0FB28	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Tea, Yi-Kai;Larson, Helen K.	Tea, Yi-Kai, Larson, Helen K. (2023): Synopsis of the ptereleotrine goby genus Nemateleotris, with description of a new species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71: 248-266, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2023-0019
03FF036DAC2B886AFCFE589F4FE0FD90.text	03FF036DAC2B886AFCFE589F4FE0FD90.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nemateleotris Fowler 1938	<div><p>Key to the species of Nemateleotris</p> <p>1. Caudal fin round with a pair of oblique stripes (green in life, tan to black in preservation) forming a chevron, their tips converging at central outermost edge; first dorsal-fin spine very elongate and filamentous, length up to 1.4 in SL; body in life pale pink to white anteriorly, grading through bright orange red, becoming increasingly dusky red posteriorly; ctenoid scales on dorsoposterior portion of body with more than 15 ctenii; anal fin unmarked except for a short horizontal stripe at posterior third of fin; pelvic fins unmarked....................... N. magnifica</p> <p>– Caudal fin truncate or weakly emarginate, purple with red markings or translucent greenish yellow in life; first dorsalfin spine long but not filamentous and more than 2.5 in SL; body without red colouration in life; ctenoid scales on dorsoposterior portion of body with fewer than 10 ctenii; pelvic fins bicoloured.........................................................................2</p> <p>2. Median fins purple and red in life; central portion of caudal fin purple in life (dusky in preservation), upper and lower lobes red (translucent in preservation); body in life pale grey to yellow anteriorly, becoming increasingly dusky-purple posteriorly (dusky tan in preservation); dorsal edge of iris without black marking; pelvic fin red-tipped in life (dark tan in preservation); maxilla purple, lower corner with red or black mark (dark tan in preservation); anal-fin rays 28–32 (rarely 28); posterior most dorsal- and anal-fin rays usually branched.............. N. decora</p> <p>– Median fins translucent, pale greenish yellow in life; distalmost edge of second dorsal and anal fin lined with yellow spots, one in each interradial membrane space, spots sometimes coalescing; caudal fin unmarked; elevated portion of first dorsal fin in life blue on anterior edge; body in life lavender to lilac, purplish grey to tan in preservation; dorsal edge of iris with a black mark at 1 o’clock position (in life and preservation), continuing onto interorbital space as a short streak; pelvic fins black-tipped (in life and preservation); anal-fin rays 25–28; posterior most dorsal- and anal-fin rays usually unbranched.........................3</p> <p>3. Maxilla black (in life and preservation); snout bright pink; head lavender to lilac in life, weakly overlaid with yellow on lower edge of orbit, preopercle, and postorbital region to origin of anterior first dorsal fin........................................... N. helfrichi</p> <p>– Maxilla unmarked (yellow in life, pale tan in preservation); snout, lower jaw, preopercle, and postorbital region to origin of anterior first dorsal fin bright yellow, rest of head lavender to lilac............................................ N. lavandula, new species</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FF036DAC2B886AFCFE589F4FE0FD90	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Tea, Yi-Kai;Larson, Helen K.	Tea, Yi-Kai, Larson, Helen K. (2023): Synopsis of the ptereleotrine goby genus Nemateleotris, with description of a new species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71: 248-266, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2023-0019
03FF036DAC28886AFCC95C9E48A3F8BF.text	03FF036DAC28886AFCC95C9E48A3F8BF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nemateleotris decora Randall & Allen 1973	<div><p>Nemateleotris decora Randall &amp; Allen, 1973</p> <p>Decorated Dartfish Other names: Elegant Firefish; Purple Firefish; Purple Firegoby (Figs. 2B, D, F, 8E, F, 9C, 10B 1–B 2, 11; Table 2)</p> <p>Nemateleotris decora Randall &amp; Allen, 1973: 361, fig. 5 (holotype BPBM 9533, Augulupelu Reef, Palau); Fourmanoir &amp; Laboute, 1976: 142 (checklist; New Caledonia); Masuda et al., 1984: 245 (checklist; Japanese archipelago); Myers, 1988 (checklist; Marianas Islands); Myers, 1989: pl. 118B (field guide, aquarium photograph of specimen from Micronesia); Kuiter &amp; Debelius, 1994: 267 (field guide, underwater photograph from Southeast Asia). Randall et al., 1997: 415 (field guide, Great Barrier Reef &amp; Coral Sea); Myers, 1999: pl. 164F (field guide, underwater photograph from Micronesia); Allen et al., 2003: 282 (field guide; underwater photograph); Randall, 2005: 564 (field guide, underwater photograph from Halmahera); Randall et al., 2005 (checklist; Marshall Islands); Allen et al., 2007: 222 (underwater photograph from Christmas Island); Fricke et al., 2009 (checklist; Réunion Island); Fricke et al., 2011b: fig. 463 (checklist; Vanuatu); Fricke et al., 2011a (checklist; New Caledonia); Allen &amp; Erdmann, 2012: vol. 3, 993 (underwater photographs from Papua New Guinea and Andaman Islands); Randall &amp; Connell, 2013: fig. 4 (underwater photograph from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands); Randall &amp; Connell, 2013: figs. 5–8 (photograph of holotype and underwater photographs from Halmahera, Raja Ampat, and Bali); Allen et al., 2015: 286 (field guide, underwater photograph); Rosenstein, 2019: 271 (field guide; underwater photograph from Fiji).</p> <p>Nemateleotris exquisita Randall &amp; Connell, 2013: 25 (type locality: Mauritius); Tea et al., 2020a (checklist; Réunion Island).</p> <p>Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin rays VI, I,27–33; anal-fin rays I,28–32; pectoral-fin rays 19–21; pelvic-fin rays I,5; segmented caudal-fin rays 17; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 10–13; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 10–12; total caudal-fin rays 37–42; gill rakers 5–6 + 14–18 = 19–24; caudal fin weakly emarginate, tips of upper and lower lobes sometimes pronounced; pelvic fins red-tipped in life; anterior body pale grey to yellowish in life, dusky purple posteriorly.</p> <p>Remarks. Nemateleotris decora occurs throughout the Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea. In the western Pacific it occurs from the Ryukyu Islands south to the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Melanesia. It also occurs in Palau (type locality) east to the Caroline Islands and the Marshall Islands (Randall et al., 2005). The Indian Ocean and Red Sea population was previously regarded as a separate species, N. exquisita. The synonymy and relationship of N. exquisita and N. decora is discussed below.</p> <p>Etymology. From the Latin meaning elegant and beautiful.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FF036DAC28886AFCC95C9E48A3F8BF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Tea, Yi-Kai;Larson, Helen K.	Tea, Yi-Kai, Larson, Helen K. (2023): Synopsis of the ptereleotrine goby genus Nemateleotris, with description of a new species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71: 248-266, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2023-0019
03FF036DAC28886AFF605E774FD7F7FD.text	03FF036DAC28886AFF605E774FD7F7FD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nemateleotris magnifica Fowler 1938	<div><p>Nemateleotris magnifica Fowler, 1938</p> <p>Magnificent Dartfish Other names: Fire Dartfish; Magnificent Firefish; Red Firegoby (Figs. 2A, C, E, 3, 8D, 9D, 10A 1–A 2, 11; Table 2)</p> <p>Nemateleotris magnificus Fowler, 1938: 131 (holotype USNM 99044, Buka Buka Island, Gulf of Tomini, Sulawesi); Whitley, 1964: 194 (New Caledonia).</p> <p>Nemateleotris magnifica – Randall &amp; Allen, 1973: 350, figs. 1–3 (redescription); Fourmanoir &amp; Laboute, 1976: 142 (checklist; New Caledonia); Masuda et al., 1984: 245, fig. 62 (checklist, Japanese archipelago); Myers, 1988 (checklist; Marianas Islands); Myers, 1989: pl. 118G (field guide, aquarium photograph of specimen from Micronesia); Kuiter &amp; Debelius, 1994: 266 (field guide, underwater photograph from Southeast Asia); Randall et al., 1997: 415 (field guide, Great Barrier Reef &amp; Coral Sea); Myers, 1999: pl. 164H (field guide, underwater photograph from Micronesia); Allen et al., 2003: 282 (field guide; underwater photograph); Randall, 2005: 564 (field guide, underwater photograph from Sulawesi); Kuiter &amp; Debelius, 2006: 666 (underwater photograph from Malaysia); Allen et al., 2007: 222 (underwater photograph from Christmas Island); Fricke et al., 2011b (checklist; Vanuatu); Fricke et al., 2011a (checklist; New Caledonia); Allen &amp; Erdmann, 2012: vol. 3, 994 (underwater photograph from Papua New Guinea); Randall &amp; Connell, 2013: fig. 4 (underwater photograph from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands); Allen et al., 2015: 286 (field guide, underwater photograph); Rosenstein, 2019: 272 (field guide; underwater photograph from Fiji).</p> <p>Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin rays VI, I,28–32; anal-fin rays I,27–30; pectoral-fin rays 19–20; pelvic-fin rays I,5; segmented caudalfin rays 17; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 10–12; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 10–12; total caudal-fin rays 37–41; gill rakers 5–6 + 17–19 = 22–25; elevated portion of first dorsal fin very elongate and filamentous (up to 1.4 in SL); caudal fin round; pelvic fins white; anterior body pale pink to white, dusky red posteriorly.</p> <p>Remarks. Nemateleotris magnifica is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, occurring throughout the Indian Ocean (excluding the Red Sea), east to the French Polynesian Islands of the south-eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the only member of the genus to be found in the Hawaiian Islands, where it is rare. It occurs at depths between 6 to 70 m but is rarely observed in depths greater than 28 m, preferring shallower reefs instead.</p> <p>Etymology. Named after its splendid appearance in life.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FF036DAC28886AFF605E774FD7F7FD	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Tea, Yi-Kai;Larson, Helen K.	Tea, Yi-Kai, Larson, Helen K. (2023): Synopsis of the ptereleotrine goby genus Nemateleotris, with description of a new species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71: 248-266, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2023-0019
03FF036DAC28886BFCDD5B0B4EDBFA6D.text	03FF036DAC28886BFCDD5B0B4EDBFA6D.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nemateleotris helfrichi Randall & Allen 1973	<div><p>Nemateleotris helfrichi Randall &amp; Allen, 1973</p> <p>Helfrich’s Dartfish Other names: Helfrich’s Firefish (Figs. 1, 2G, 4A–C, 5, 8A, C, 9A, 10C 1–C 2, 11; Table 2)</p> <p>Nemateleotris helfrichi Randall &amp; Allen, 1973: 355, fig. 4 (holotype BPBM 11595, Papeete Harbour, Tahiti, Society Islands [reproduced here in Fig. 4A]; paratypes from Takaroa, Tuamotu Archipelago, and Avera, Rurutu, Austral Islands, but not those from Palau, Guam, or the Marshall Islands); Randall &amp; Connell, 2013: fig. 3 (image of holotype, BPBM 11595).</p> <p>Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin rays VI, I,30 (I,29–30); anal-fin rays I,26 (I,25–27); pectoral-fin rays 20 (20–21); pelvic-fin rays I,5; segmented caudal-fin rays 17; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 9 (9–14); lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 12 (11–12); total caudal-fin rays 37–43; gill rakers 6 (5–7) + 17 (17–18) = 23 (22–24); elevated portion of first dorsal fin blue on anterior edge; median fins pale yellowish green, caudal fin without any markings, outermost edge of second dorsal and anal fin tipped with a yellow or orange spot, one in each interradial membrane space, spots sometimes coalescing; body lavender to lilac in life; pelvic fins blacktipped; dorsal edge of iris with a black mark at 1 o’clock position, sometimes continuing onto interorbital space as a short streak; maxilla black (in life and preservation); snout bright pink in life.</p> <p>Remarks. Nemateleotris helfrichi is known from deep reefs in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean. In French Polynesia, it is reported from Tahiti (type location; Fig. 4A) and Moorea (USNM 410981; Fig. 4B) in the Society Islands, Takaroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago (paratype, BPBM 13326), Rurutu in the Austral Islands (paratype, BPBM 13095), Mohotane Island in the Marquesas Islands (USNM 439150), and the Gambier Islands. It is also reported from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands (Fig. 4C). It frequents seaward sand channels and rubble pans in deep mesophotic reefs at depths between 25–100 m, where it occurs either singly or in pairs.</p> <p>Etymology. The species is named after Dr Philip Helfrich, Associate Director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Hawaii and Director of the Enewetak Marine Biological Laboratory. He was among those who collected the first specimen of this species (Randall &amp; Allen, 1973).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FF036DAC28886BFCDD5B0B4EDBFA6D	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Tea, Yi-Kai;Larson, Helen K.	Tea, Yi-Kai, Larson, Helen K. (2023): Synopsis of the ptereleotrine goby genus Nemateleotris, with description of a new species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71: 248-266, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2023-0019
03FF036DAC29887CFC0A59D54F4CFF68.text	03FF036DAC29887CFC0A59D54F4CFF68.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nemateleotris lavandula Tea & Larson 2023	<div><p>Nemateleotris lavandula, new species</p> <p>Lavender-blushed Dartfish (Figs. 2H, 4D–F, 5, 6, 7, 8B, C, 9B, 10E 1– E 2, 11; Tables 1, 2)</p> <p>Nemateleotris helfrichi (in part, non Randall &amp; Allen, 1973): Randall &amp; Allen, 1973: 356, fig. 5 (part of description of N. helfrichi; underwater photograph from Palau); Myers, 1988 (checklist; Marianas Islands); Myers, 1989: pl. 118D (field guide, aquarium photograph of specimen from Micronesia); Rivaton et al., 1990: 41 (distribution record from New Caledonia); Myers, 1999: pl. 164G (field guide, underwater photograph from Micronesia); Rivaton &amp; Bourret, 1999: 172 (checklist; New Caledonia); Laboute &amp; Grandperrin, 2002: 420 (field guide, underwater photograph from New Caledonia); Larson, 2001: 3608 (identification guide to species of Microdesmidae); Allen et al., 2003: 282 (field guide, underwater photograph); Randall, 2005: 564 (field guide, underwater photograph from Marshall Islands); Kuiter &amp; Debelius, 2006: 666 (underwater photograph from Micronesia); Fricke et al., 2011b (checklist; Vanuatu); Fricke et al., 2011a (checklist; New Caledonia); Allen &amp; Erdmann, 2012: vol. 3, 994 (underwater photograph from Fiji); Randall &amp; Connell, 2013: fig. 4 (underwater photograph from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands); Allen et al., 2015: 286 (field guide, underwater photograph); Koeda et al., 2016: fig. 452 (checklist; underwater photograph from Yonaguni Island, Japan); Motomura &amp; Harazaki, 2017: pl. 10G (checklist; Yakushima Island, southern Japan); Coleman et al., 2018 (checklist; Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia); Nakae et al., 2018 (checklist; Amami-oshima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan); Rosenstein, 2019: 272 (field guide; underwater photograph from Fiji).</p> <p>Holotype. AMS I.16876-001 (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 45.6 mm SL, Augulupelu Reef, Palau Islands, 28 m, multiprong spear, W.A. Starck II, 4 March 1972.</p> <p>Paratypes (n=12). AMS I.18411-017 (previously AMS I.18411-010), 46.9 mm SL, Suva Harbour, Fiji, 30–37 m, B. Carlson, B. Goldman, &amp; P. Colin, 16 February 1974; BPBM 9527 (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 25.0 mm SL, Cocos Island, Guam, Mariana Islands, 27.5 m, rotenone, J.E. Randall, P. Helfrich, R.S. Jones, &amp; H. Kami, 28 May 1968; BPBM 10153 (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 30.9 mm SL, outer reef slope of Rigili Islet, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 34 m, quinaldine, G.R. Allen, 30 August 1970 (Fig. 4D); BPBM 12661 (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 2, 33.5–35.5 mm SL, outer reef slope of Rigili Islet, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 43 m, rotenone, J.E. Randall, 7 April 1972; BPBM 19974, 45.4 mm SL, outer reef slope of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 50 m, rotenone, J.E. Randall, N.A. Bartlett, R. Hergenrother, &amp; K. Burnett, 8 April 1976; BPBM 40810, 38.5 mm SL, Alet Islet, Puluwat Atoll, Caroline Islands, 10–25 m, quinaldine, R.L. Pyle &amp; B.D. Greene, 11 April 2007; CAS-ICH 27591 (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 35.5 mm SL, Augulupelu Reef, Palau Islands, 28–61 m, rotenone, G.R. Allen &amp; W.A. Starck II, 1 March 1972; KPM-NI 10136, 39.0 mm SL, Ototo-jima, Chichijima, Ogasawara Islands, Japan, 45 m, dip net, O. Morishita &amp; Ehara, 28 August 1995; USNM 209306 (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 51.5 mm SL, Augulupelu Reef, Palau Islands, 37 m, multi-prong spear, W.A. Starck II, 10 January 1972; ZRC 62990, 2, 29.8–36.1 mm SL, aquarium specimens collected from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands (Fig. 4E–F).</p> <p>Diagnosis. Nemateleotris lavandula is most similar to N. helfrichi, sharing with it the following combination of characters and live colouration details to the exclusion of all other Nemateleotris: caudal fin truncate to weakly emarginate; dorsoposterior ctenoid scales with fewer than 10 ctenii; elevated portion of first dorsal fin blue on anterior edge; median fins pale yellowish green, caudal fin without any markings, outermost edge of second dorsal and anal fin tipped with a yellow or orange spot, one in each interradial membrane space; body lavender to lilac in life; pelvic fins black-tipped; dorsal edge of iris with a black mark at 1 o’clock position, sometimes continuing onto interorbital space as a short streak. It is readily separated from N. helfrichi and all other congeners based on the following: maxilla unmarked (bright yellow in life, pale tan in preservation); and snout, lower jaw, preopercle, and postorbital region bright yellow in life.</p> <p>Description. Dorsal-fin rays VI–I,30 (I,29–30), all segmented rays unbranched; anal-fin rays I,27 (I,26–I,28), all segmented rays unbranched; pectoral-fin rays 20/19 (18–20), upper and lowermost 3–4 unbranched, all other rays branched (all pectoral-fin rays unbranched in BPBM 10153; BPBM 12661 [33.5 mm SL specimen]; and ZRC 62290 [29.8 mm SL specimen]); pelvic-fin rays I,5; segmented caudal-fin rays 17; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 10 (10–14); lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 10 (10–14); total caudal-fin rays 37–45; no visible lateral line; longitudinal scale series 125 (125–140); gill rakers 6 + 17 (17–18) = 23 (23–24). Body elongate and compressed, depth 5.8 (5.0–6.2) in SL, width 1.6 (1.6–2.9) in depth; head 4.5 (3.8–5.1) in SL; snout 4.6 (4.6–7.8) in head; orbit diameter 2.4 (2.3–3.1) in head; bony interorbital space flat, least width 3.9 (3.5–5.1) in head; caudal peduncle short, deeper than long, least depth 1.8 (1.8–2.5) in head.</p> <p>Mouth strongly oblique, forming at angle of about 50° to horizontal axis of body; maxilla reaching a vertical through centre of eye, upper jaw 3.4 (2.7–4.3) in head; upper jaw with an outer row of four to six, widely spaced, moderately large, incurved canines on each side, and a medial band of small villiform teeth that narrows posteriorly; lower jaw slightly protruding when mouth closed, with three enlarged recurved canines at corner of each side of jaw, more posterior tooth largest, a middle band composed of two to four rows of low villiform teeth narrowing to a single row posteriorly, and an inner pair of enlarged recurved canines at front corner of each side; no teeth on vomer or palatines; tongue truncate, set far back in mouth.</p> <p>A low median fleshy ridge on top of head from interorbital space to origin of first dorsal fin; no opercular or preopercular spines; preopercular margin free only ventrally; upper end of gill opening at or slightly dorsal to level of middle of eye, the ventral end extending to below posterior margin of preopercle; anterior and posterior nasal pore separated by a distance about equal to half the pupil diameter; anterior nasal pore small, rounded and terminating in a short fleshy tube; posterior nasal pore larger, rounded, with little or no rim.</p> <p>No visible lateral line on body; pores of cephalic lateral line system as described above in generic diagnosis; scales small, ctenoid posteriorly on body to about posterior third of dorsal fin, cycloid elsewhere, those anteriorly frequently embedded; no scales on head; no median predorsal scales, but embedded scales extend anteriorly on side nape to level of gill opening or slightly beyond; prepelvic area of thorax with embedded scales; anterior portion of isthmus naked; no scales on fins except for approximately basal half of caudal fin.</p> <p>First dorsal fin elevated anteriorly, first spine longest, 3.6 (3.0–3.9) in SL, second and third spines only slightly shorter; fifth spine 2.0 (2.0–3.5) in head; sixth spine 3.2 (2.6–3.9) in head; spine of second dorsal fin 3.6 (2.7–4.0) in head;</p> <p>RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY 2023</p> <p>penultimate dorsal-fin ray usually longest, 1.3 (1.3–2.7) in head; caudal fin truncate or weakly emarginate, lobe tips rounded, fin length 4.5 (4.3–5.1) in SL; pectoral fins moderately pointed, middle rays longest, 4.7 (4.5–6.1) in SL; pelvic fins separate, their origin directly below pectoral-fin base, length 6.3 (5.1–7.4) in SL.</p> <p>Colour in life. Based on colour photographs of specimens when freshly dead, and live individuals in the field and aquaria (Figs. 4D–F, 6, 7, 8B, C, 9B, 10 E 1, 11): snout, jaws, cheeks, preopercle, and postorbital region bright yellow, remainder of head lavender to lilac; body lavender to lilac, becoming increasingly pale posteriorly toward caudal peduncle; postorbital yellow marking continuing to anterior first dorsal fin as a sharp streak, becoming increasingly anastomosed and suffused away from the head; iris bright yellow, dorsal edge sharply capped in metallic purple with a black mark at 1 o’clock position, sometimes continuing onto interorbital space as a short streak; interorbital region with bright metallic pink triangle, its base originating from middle of interorbital space, narrowing along entire length of predorsal space before terminating at origin of first dorsal fin; first two interspinous membrane spaces on elevated portion of first dorsal fin blue; adjacent interspinous membrane space between 2 nd and 3 rd first dorsal-fin spines red, sometimes dusky red; remaining portion of first dorsal fin translucent lavender, often edged in yellow or orange; second dorsal fin pale yellowish green, distalmost edge with a series of bright yellow or orange spots, one in each interradial membrane space, spots sometimes coalescing; anal fin similar to second dorsal fin, except edged submarginally in bright yellow and bright blue; distalmost edge of anal fin with a series of bright yellow or orange spots, one in each interradial membrane space, spots sometimes coalescing; caudal fin pale yellowish green, slightly translucent on outer edge; pelvic fins pale blue to white, black tipped distally; pectoral fins transparent.</p> <p>Colour in preservation. (Fig. 10E 2): similar to colour in life, except body now purplish grey (fading to tan over time); head and snout now pale tan; interorbital and predorsal triangle of colour now pale grey, bordered in black; first two interspinous membrane spaces on elevated portion of first dorsal fin now white to pale grey; all black markings remain; median fins translucent hyaline.</p> <p>Habitat and distribution. Nemateleotris lavandula is widespread across much of the western and central Pacific Ocean (Fig. 5). Its distribution follows the northwestern contours of the Pacific Plate, from Yakushima Island in southern Japan, throughout the Ryukyu and the Ogasawara Islands, and south to Taiwan and the northern Philippines, extending east across Micronesia, including the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Mariana Islands. In Melanesia, the species has been reported from Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. It has also been reported from Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, the Coral Sea, and Hicks Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. It frequents seaward sand channels and rubble pans adjacent to coral reefs at depths between 25–100 m.</p> <p>Etymology. The species is named lavandula, after the genus of flowering plants which includes the ornamental herb lavender, in reference to its beautiful colouration in life. To be treated as a noun in apposition.</p> <p>Comparisons. Nemateleotris lavandula most closely resembles N. helfrichi, sharing similarities in meristics, morphometrics, and live colouration. Molecular analysis of mitochondrial COI reveals a difference of 1% between both species (uncorrected pairwise distance). This value is lower than the usual threshold of 2–6% between congeneric sister species of coral reef fishes, but higher than most intraspecific variation within species (Steinke et al., 2009). In any case, it is not uncommon for many groups of coral reef fishes to exhibit little or no mitochondrial differentiation, particularly in recently diverged groups where incomplete lineage sorting has occurred, or between groups that have undergone recent introgression. Both species are united in having the following combination of live colouration details not found in other species of Nemateleotris: elevated portion of first dorsal fin blue on anterior edge; median fins pale yellowish green, caudal fin without any markings, outermost edge of second dorsal and anal fin tipped with a yellow or orange spot, one in each interradial membrane space, spots sometimes coalescing; body lavender to lilac in life; pelvic fins black-tipped; and dorsal edge of iris with a black mark at 1 o’clock position, sometimes continuing onto interorbital space as a short streak.</p> <p>Nemateleotris lavandula differs from N. helfrichi primarily in lacking a black mark on its maxilla (in life and preservation; Fig. 8C) and in having a bright yellow head and snout (vs pink snout and head only weakly suffused with yellow in N. helfrichi; Fig. 9A–B). It further differs from N. helfrichi in having a wider interorbital width (5.1–6.0% SL vs 2.2–3.4% SL) and a larger orbit (8.2–9.4% SL vs 6.6–7.9% SL). It differs from N. decora in having fewer anal-fin rays (26–28 vs 28–32) and in having the posterior most dorsal- and analfin rays usually unbranched (versus usually branched in N. decora), and from N. magnifica in having a shorter first dorsal-fin spine (more than 2.5 in SL and non-filamentous vs up to 1.4 in SL and filamentous), a different caudal fin shape (truncate to weakly emarginate vs round), and in having smaller ctenoid scales on the dorsoposterior body with fewer ctenii (10 or less vs more than 15). Differences in live colouration for all species of Nemateleotris are summarised in Figs. 8, 9, 10, and Table 2.</p> <p>Status of Nemateleotris exquisita. Randall &amp; Connell (2013) described N. exquisita on the basis of 12 specimens (erroneously listed as nine and eleven specimens on separate occasions in the same publication) collected from various localities in the Indian Ocean, including Mauritius (type locality), South Africa, and the Red Sea. They distinguished their new species from N. decora in having: a more slender body (body depth 5.7–6.3 in SL vs 4.9–5.7 in SL); a longer snout (4.0– 4.7 in head vs 5.0– 7.5 in head); an apparently smaller eye (proportional measurements not given); an apparently shorter first-dorsal fin spine (proportional measurements not given); and a greater maximum size (66.0 mm SL vs 52.5 mm SL; the latter based on examination of 15 specimens of N. decora). They also distinguish N. exquisita from N. decora in having the body more yellow anteriorly (yellow extending beyond the anal-fin origin vs body whitish pale grey anteriorly to not beyond anal-fin). Their comparative data for N. decora used in the description of N. exquisita were taken from the original description, based on eleven specimens in the type series.</p> <p>We examined seven paratypes of N. exquisita from the western Indian Ocean, as well as an additional five specimens and one paratype of N. decora from the Pacific Ocean. Based on revised comparative data collected, we find overlapping morphometric values for the following characters used in distinguishing N. exquisita from N. decora: body depth (5.1–6.3 in SL vs 5.7–6.1 in SL); and snout length (3.7–5.4 in head vs 4.0– 7.5 in head). One of our specimens of N. decora (AMS I.17500-017) had a standard length of 57.4 mm. Additionally, we note that both N. decora and N. exquisita typically display a wide range of variation in their anterior body colouration, with N. decora sometimes appearing exquisita -like in having a yellower anterior body, (see Fig. 10B 1; KPM-NR 49173; Fricke et al., 2011b: fig. 463), and N. exquisita sometimes appearing decora -like with reduced yellow pigmentation (see Tea et al., 2020a: fig. 2O).</p> <p>The exact distribution of N. exquisita and N. decora appears to be contentious. In the description of N. exquisita, the authors report its occurrence in the Indian Ocean, from South Africa, Mauritius, the Red Sea, and east to the Andaman Islands. However, they commented on the possibility of a putative specimen of N. exquisita × N. decora photographed in the Maldives (based on a paler intermediate anterior body colouration), stating: “… N. decora presently known westward only to Sulawesi and Bali, and N. exquisita east to the Thai coast of the Andaman Sea, one might expect hybridisation could occur at some intermediate sites such as Sumatra. Because of its deep-reef habitat and being difficult to collect, we do not know the definitive distribution of N. exquisita. It might range to Sri Lanka like such species as Chaetodon andamanensis and Halichoeres timorensis and stray to the Maldives.” The last two sentences appear to be erroneous, and presumably the authors meant the Pacific Ocean N. decora as potentially straying as far west as Sri Lanka and the Maldives (not the Indian Ocean N. exquisita) where it may hybridise with N. exquisita (N. decora has been reported and photographed in Bali, Sumatra, and Christmas Island, these presumably representing the westernmost limit of its Pacific distribution).</p> <p>Lastly, the authors compared mitochondrial COI barcodes for N. exquisita and N. decora, finding no differences in sequence data. They alluded to the possibility of incomplete lineage sorting or introgression being a possible explanation for the lack of sequence variability. While this phenomenon is indeed common for various groups of coral reef fishes (Victor &amp; Randall, 2014; Tea et al., 2016; Victor, 2016; Tea et al., 2020b), the lack of at least one unequivocally robust line of evidence justifying the distinction of N. exquisita and N. decora is concerning. Until shown otherwise, we recognise N. exquisita as a synonym of N. decora.</p> <p>Biogeography and phylogenetic relationships. The biogeography of Nemateleotris is rather unusual, comprising only four species, but with three that are widely distributed and one endemic to several island groups. Springer (1982) made note of this in his contributions to Pacific Plate biogeography, further adding that while it was not possible to determine the relationships among Nemateleotris, N. decora and N. helfrichi sensu lato (= N. helfrichi + N. lavandula) showed greater morphological similarities to each other than either does to N. magnifica. While the evidence was slight, he proposed the possibility of an Indo-West Pacific species, in this case N. decora, being sister to the Pacific Plate endemic N. helfrichi s.l., with both species having undergone slight dispersal since their divergence leading to sympatry of both species.</p> <p>Indeed, sympatry for at least three species of Nemateleotris, namely N. decora, N. lavandula, and N. magnifica, occurs in several parts of the western Pacific, particularly along the western margins of the Pacific Plate. Except for N. magnifica, which occurs from depths between 6–70 m (but not usually below 28 m), the remaining species of Nemateleotris primarily occur in mesophotic coral reefs at depths between 25–100 m, with N. helfrichi and N. lavandula rarely straying above 30 m. Putative hybrids identified based on intermediate colouration have been reported between N. magnifica and N. decora (Fig. 8G), and between N. magnifica and N. lavandula (Fig. 8H), although to the best of our knowledge no specimens have been made available for study. No hybrids have been reported for N. helfrichi, which shares its distribution range with N. magnifica.</p> <p>Results from our molecular phylogenetic analyses support Springer’s proposed relationships, with N. decora recovered as sister to a lineage comprising N. helfrichi and N. lavandula (= N. helfrichi s.l. in Springer, 1982) (Fig. 11). We note, however, that both UFBS and SH-aLRT support values at this node were relatively low, and owing to the scarcity of N. helfrichi and N. lavandula specimens in museum collections, only one of each species were represented in our molecular dataset. Nemateleotris magnifica was recovered as the sister lineage to all other Nemateleotris. Despite the large geographical distributions of N. magnifica and N. decora, intraspecific variation for both species were generally lower than 1%, even for populations occurring in separate ocean basins (i.e., Pacific and Indian Ocean populations). While some individuals showed intraspecific variation greater than that between closely related sister species (such as N. helfrichi and N. lavandula), they were not correlated with geographically distinct populations. In particular, N. decora from Pacific and Indian Ocean localities do not reflect reciprocally monophyletic groups, further justifying the synonymy of N. exquisita within N. decora. We however emphasise that the relationships inferred in this study are based only on mitochondrial COI, and a more robust dataset with more markers and increased sampling, especially for N. helfrichi and N. lavandula, is likely necessary to adequately assess the relationships between these widespread populations.</p> <p>Identity of Zagadkogobius ourlazon Prokofiev. Prokofiev (2017) described Zagadkogobius ourlazon on the basis of the 18 mm SL holotype from south of the Anambas Islands in the Riau Archipelago, South China Sea. The specimen was trawled from a depth of 73 m. He placed his new species within the Ptereleotrinae based on it having a laterally compressed body, a lateral positioning of the eyes, five rays in the first dorsal fin, and unbranched rays in the second dorsal and anal fins. The presence of “five rays” (presumably V spines) in the first dorsal fin is unusual, as all seven of the recognised ptereleotrine genera (and indeed most gobiids) have six spines in the first dorsal fin. Additionally, Zagadkogobius is diagnosed in having very large scales, numbering 25 in lateral series (cycloid anteriorly, ctenoid midposteriorly), a filamentous first dorsal fin, a lanceolate caudal fin, and a coronal commissure connecting the median interorbital pore to the left and right oculoscapular canals. The holotype also possesses large scale pockets on the cheeks, upper portion of the opercle, and head. While some of these aforementioned characters occur within the ptereleotrines, the combination of them, as well as the presence of large scales on the body, cheeks, and head makes its identity as a species of ptereleotrine unlikely. These characters are more suggestive of species of Tryssogobius instead, which can appear ptereleotrine like due to having laterally compressed bodies, as well as a filamentous first dorsal fin and lanceolate caudal fin in some species. Notably, Tryssogobius is distinct among gobiids in having large scales on the cheek, opercle, and head, and in having a lateral series of 24–26 large scales (Larson &amp; Hoese, 2001). One species of Tryssogobius, T. quinquespinus, is known to possess five dorsal-fin spines (Randall, 2006), an unusual condition for gobiids, and here shared with Zagadkogobius. Since we were unable to examine the holotype of Z. ourlazon, it is neither possible to confirm its validity nor placement within the Gobiidae (at the generic or phylogenetic level). We do however consider the exclusion of Zagadkogobius as a member of the Ptereleotrinae justified, at least based on consideration of the aforementioned characters.</p> <p>Material examined. Nemateleotris decora (n=7): AMS I.16877-007, paratype, 37.1 mm SL, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea; AMS I.17500-017, 57.4 mm SL, Tanavulu Point, Florida Island, Solomon Islands; AMS I.17530-004, 50.9 mm SL, Alite Reef, off Malaita, Solomon Islands; AMS I.17504-007, 45.7 mm SL, Cape Tawui, off Rabaul, New Britain; AMS I.45300-166, 33.5 mm SL, cleared and stained specimen from the aquarium trade; CAS-ICH 47426, (specimen almost broken in half, approximately 43.2 mm SL), Tabuaeran Atoll, Line Islands, Kiribati; ZRC 47158, 51.3 mm SL, Bali, Indonesia; Nemateleotris exquisita (n=7): BPBM 21528, paratype, 50.6 mm SL, Ras Muhammed, Red Sea; BPBM 22544, paratype, 61.3 mm SL, west coast off Flic en Flac, Mauritius; CAS-ICH 234071, paratype, 53.0 mm SL, off Flic en Flac, Mauritius; SAIAB 185925, paratype, 46.5 mm SL, Sodwana Bay, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa; SAIAB 186384, 3, paratypes, 55.0– 63.1 mm SL, Sodwana Bay, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa; Nemateleotris helfrichi (n=5): BPBM 11595, holotype, 43.3 mm SL, Tahiti, Society Islands; BPBM 11598, paratype, 49 mm SL, same data as holotype; BPBM 13095, paratype, 32.9 mm SL, Rurutu, Austral Islands; BPBM 13326, paratype, 40.8 mm SL, Takaroa, Taumotu Archipelago; ZRC 61811, 62.4 mm SL, Cook Islands; Nemateleotris magnifica (n=8): AMS I.22583-035, 28.9 mm SL, Escape Reef, Australia; AMS I.25110-035, 46.9 mm SL, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea; AMS I.25112-048, 2, 38.2–40.3 mm SL, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea; AMS I.39012-014, 35.6 mm SL, Santa Cruz Island, Solomon Islands; AMS I.46486-050, 35.0 mm SL, Morane, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia; AMS I.45300-327, 40.5 mm SL, cleared and stained specimen from the aquarium trade; ZRC 47157, 36.6 mm SL, Bali, Indonesia.</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FF036DAC29887CFC0A59D54F4CFF68	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Tea, Yi-Kai;Larson, Helen K.	Tea, Yi-Kai, Larson, Helen K. (2023): Synopsis of the ptereleotrine goby genus Nemateleotris, with description of a new species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71: 248-266, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2023-0019
