Navigobius dewa

description

Description. Based on 3 females. General. First dorsal fin with 6 spines (in 3); second dorsal-fin rays I, 19 (3). Anal-fin rays I, 19 (2), I, 20 (1, holotype). Pectoral-fin rays 20 (3). Pelvic-fin rays I, 4 (3). Segmented caudal-fin rays 9 / 8 (3). Branched caudal-fin rays 6 / 5 (3); longitudinal scale count 92 – 97; scales imbricate, 40 – 42 in transverse series; gill opening moderate, extending ventrally to just below posterior preopercular margin; gill-rakers on first arch 5 + 1 + 10 in one paratype, spatulate, elongate; rakers on second, third and fourth arches tuberculate with dorsal spiny projections. Head. Snout strongly curved in lateral view, broadly rounded in dorsal view; anterior nostril at end of very short tube, 2 – 3 nostril diameters above upper lip, posterior nostril a larger pore just anterior to — almost touching — anterodorsal margin of eye; eyes lateral on head, eye length almost twice snout length; mouth at an angle of 27 – 37 ° to longitudinal axis of body; gill opening moderate, extending from upper part of pectoral base ventrally to just below posterior preopercular margin; tongue tip pointed; nuchal crest a low fold, extending forward to above rear end of

Descriptions of two new genera and species of ptereleotrine fishes from Australia and Japan (Teleostei: Gobioidei) with discussion of possible relationships

discussion

Remarks. Mr. Dewa observed the species in Kagoshima Bay at depths of 45 – 65 m from June to October (summer and autumn) and at 75 – 85 m from November to May (winter and spring). The species is epibenthic on sandy and muddy bottoms on the steep slope. The adult fish forms epibenthic schools, comprising 10 – 300 individuals in Kagoshima Bay, where Mr. Dewa has recognized at least 15 adult schools. From late October to late November, approximately 20 mm TL juveniles were found in schools of about 10 individuals. In May 2007, Mr Dewa found about 30 individuals of the species at a depth of 60 m at the outer edge of a reef off Amami-oshima Island.

Descriptions of two new genera and species of ptereleotrine fishes from Australia and Japan (Teleostei: Gobioidei) with discussion of possible relationships

distribution

Distribution. Currently known only from southern Japan: Kagoshima Bay (type locality) and off Amamioshima Island, the Ryukyu Islands (underwater observation by Mr. S. Dewa).

Descriptions of two new genera and species of ptereleotrine fishes from Australia and Japan (Teleostei: Gobioidei) with discussion of possible relationships

etymology

Etymology. The species is named for the collector of the type material, Mr. Shin’ichi Dewa; it is treated as a noun in apposition.

Descriptions of two new genera and species of ptereleotrine fishes from Australia and Japan (Teleostei: Gobioidei) with discussion of possible relationships