Three new goatfishes of the genus Parupeneus from the Western Indian Ocean, with resurrection of P. seychellensis

Abstract

Three new mullid fishes of the genus Parupeneus, previously misidentified as P. heptacanthus (Lacepede), are described from the western Indian Ocean. All share with P. heptacanthus a symmetrical posterior margin of the maxilla (compared to species with an asymmetrical maxilla from a dorsoposterior extension) and low gill-raker counts. All differ by having a more elongate body, flatter interorbital space, and in lacking a dark reddish spot on the body above the pectoral fin. Parupeneus angulatus, described from two specimens trawled from 57 m on the Seychelles Bank, has a slightly angular instead of rounded posterior margin to the maxilla and 20 lower-limb gill rakers. Parupeneus minys, named from six specimens from the Seychelles, Mozambique and India, all sexually mature at only 70–106 mm SL, is pink in life with an indistinct yellow stripe along the lateral line. Parupeneus nansen is represented by four type specimens taken by trawl from 43–51 m off southern Mozambique and seven nontype specimens from off the northeastern coast of Somalia in 25–29 m. It is unique in having three red spots in life on the caudal fin, one in each lobe and one at base. Parupeneus seychellensis (Smith & Smith) is a valid species distinct from P. heptacanthus. Although similar in body shape and in having a convex interorbital, it differs in having shorter pelvic fins, 18–21 lower gill rakers (vs. 21–23 for P. heptacanthus) and in colour, notably lacking the dark reddish spot on the upper side and in having a striped colour pattern from a red spot on each scale of the dorsal three longitudinal scale rows. A key is provided for the 19 species of Parupeneus of the western Indian Ocean.