Neamia articycla, Fraser & Allen, 2006

Fraser, Thomas H. & Allen, Gerald R., 2006, A new species of Neamia (Perciformes: Apogonidae) from the West Pacific Ocean, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 63 (1), pp. 1-5 : 1-5

Neamia articycla sp. nov.

Figures 1–4

Holotype. AMS I.25121-005; 1, 35.5; Australia, Great Barrier Reef , Qld, 14̊41'S, 145̊30'E, east of Lizard I.; 31 Jan 1982; 36–38 m, J. Leis.

Paratypes. Pacific Ocean : Indonesia: USNM 209665 ; 8, 14.2–32.3; Ceram , Piru Bay; VGS 73–6; 10 Jan 1973; 8 m. USNM 209929 ; 5, 22.5– 27.7; Saparua ; VGS 73–14; 18 Jan 1973; 9 m; X-ray. Fiji: CAS 223500 ; 1, 32.9; 17̊19.462'S, 178̊14.250'E, Nananui-i-cake I., Viti Levu; G02- 76; 15 Mar 2002; 1–3 m, colour transparency. Australia, Qld: AMS I.40665-004; 1, 34.3; & AMS I.40665-005; 1, 17.0; 14̊38.20'S, 145̊32.30'E, between Lizard I. & Yonge Reef, Great Barrier Reef; 26 Jan 2001; 27 m. AMS I.40666-012; 1, 31.1 & AMS I.40666-013; 1, 19.0; 14̊38.16'S, 145̊32.16'E, between Lizard I. & outer barrier reef, Great Barrier Reef; 29 Jan 2001; 25 m, colour digital photos. Philippines: USNM 370291 ; 1, 23.5; 13̊10.04'N, 120̊35'12'E, Mindanao I.; Min00- 62; 3 Jun 2000; 30 m; X-ray, colour digital photos.

Non-type material. Indonesia: USNM 209847 ; 3, 10.0-20.4; Ceram, Piru Bay ; VGS 73-5; 9 Jan 1973; 5–7 m , WAM P.32771-002; 23.4; 01°36.252'S, 135°24.553'E, Tanjung Woka, Yapen I., Papua , Indonesia; 13 Feb 2006; 34 m. Philippines: USNM 369983 ; 2, 18.0-27.4; 13̊45'N, 120̊55'E, Anilao , Batangas; 26 Apr 1980; 22 m. USNM 268318 ; 1, 32.6; 9̊04'38'N, 123̊16'44'E, Apo I.; SP78-36; 7 Jun 1978; 39 m.

Other material. Fowleria sp. AMS I.23585-001; 1, 45.0; 14̊34'S, 145̊34' E, south-west of Carter Reef , Great Barrier Reef, Australia; 31 Jan 1982; 30 m, J. Leis. Apogonichthys nafae Holotype, USNM 62947 ; 22.1; Japan, Okinawa, Naha .

Diagnosis. A species of Neamia with 7 visible first-dorsal spines, 8th spine hidden by skin, darkish circular spot on the opercle below opercular spine within a pale area; in life, body uniformly reddish to brownish, all fins pale, 13–14 pectoral rays, 5 predorsal scales, eye diameter 10–12%, pectoral fin 25–31% and body depth 37–40% of standard length.

Description. For general body shape see fig. 1a–d. Holotype proportions and characteristics first with range of values in parentheses for paratypes and other material. Proportions as % of standard length: greatest body depth 37.4 (34–40); head length 44.6 (41–46); eye diameter 10.0 (11–12); snout length 8.3 (8–10); bony interorbital width 3.7 (4–6); upper jaw length 20.3 (20–22); caudal peduncle depth 15.7 (15–17); caudal peduncle length 20.9 (19–22); 1st dorsal-fin spine length 1.7 (2–4); 2nd dorsal-fin spine length 6.6 (6–10); 3rd dorsal-fin spine length 16.9 (16–21); 4th dorsal-fin spine length 16.0 (16– 19); spine in 2nd dorsal fin 9.7 (9–12); 1st anal-fin spine length 2.0 (2–5); 2nd anal-fin spine length 10.0 (8–12); pectoral fin length 28.9 (25–31); pelvic fin length 25.7 (24–30).

Dorsal fin VII(I)-I,9, 8th spine hidden under skin, 3rd and 4th spines about the same thickness; anal fin II,8; pectoral fin 14; pelvic fin I,5; principal caudal rays 9+8; caudal fin rounded; pored lateral-line scales 22 (11–12 for specimens 17–20 mm SL, 18 for specimens 20–24 mm SL, 22–23 in specimens greater than 26 mm SL); transverse scale rows above lateral line 2; transverse scale rows below lateral line 6; median predorsal scales 5; circumpeduncular scale rows 12 (5+2+5). Total rudiments and gill rakers 15 (13–15), 2+1-5+7 (1-2+1-5- 6+5-7), well developed gill rakers 6 (6–7), upper arch 1(1), lower arch 5 (5–6). Rudiments on lower arch as flattened tooth patches. 2nd arch with 1 short, nob-like raker in angle, upper arch with 1–2 flattened tooth patches, lower arch with 5–6 nob-like rakers followed by flattened tooth patches.

Villiform teeth in a band of about 5 rows becoming 2–3 rows on side of premaxilla; villiform band of about 5 rows becoming 2–3 rows on side of dentary; 3–4 rows of villiform teeth on vomer; none on palatine, ectopterygoid, endopterygoid or basihyal.

Vertebrae 10+14. 3 hypurals 1+2 fused, 3+4 fused to urostylar centrum, 1 pair uroneurals, 2 large epurals (a 3rd epural could not be identified from the radiograph), a free parhypural. 3 supraneurals, 2 supernumerary spines on 1st dorsal pterygiophore, 8th dorsal-fin spine hidden as a nubbin. Basisphenoid status unknown, lower portion apparently absent, but unclear on X-ray. Status of suspensory pharyngeal unknown. Supramaxilla present. Posttemporal smooth on posterior margin. Preopercle smooth on vertical and horizontal margins. Infraorbital edges smooth.

Cephalic pored sensory system (fig. 2) – all larger pores bilateral. No variation for the following pores: 2 nasal pores at anterior end of supraorbital canal system, 1 medial to tubular anterior nare, 1 slightly anterior and medial to posterior nare, 1 near edge of orbit on interorbital; 4 infraorbital pores at anterior part of infraorbital canal, 1 between ventral edge of lachrymal and flat posterior nare, 2 on ventral edge of lachrymal, 1 on ventral edge of 2nd infraorbital; dentary with 3 pores at anterior end of mandibular canal, 1 on tip of lip, 1 behind lip, and 1 lateral; 7 articulo-preopercular pores near posterior edge along the preopercular canal. Variation in number and location of minipores: supraorbital with none or 1 pore near edge of orbit on interorbital area; paired pores along upper and lower portions of infraorbitals below orbit; dentary and articular with 4 pairs (inner and outer) of posterior pores, with several unpaired pores on dentary and articular; preopercular minipores along narrow upper portion of preopercle. Minipores variably present posterior to eye on upper portion of infraorbitals, on nape and above preopercle ending on the post-temporal.

All scales cycloid on head, nape and breast. Scales becoming ctenoid above breast and behind pelvic fin. Scales above lateral line ctenoid. All lateral-line scales ctenoid, except first. Pored lateral-line scales simple (with 1 opening above and below main pore), extending from post-temporal to base of caudal fin.

Life colours. Colours based on photographs are from fresh dead specimens shortly after collection. From B. M. Carson-Ewart photograph (AMS I.40666-012) – body, pelvic, caudal and dorsal fins orangish red, flank grading to white on abdomen; head without marks extending from orbit edge, lips whitish; circular spot on opercle yellowish with faint outer margin of melanophores dorsally, large inner circle of dark melanophores about size of pupil; iris whitish with narrow inner ring of light yellow surrounding pupil.

From B. M. Carson-Ewart photograph (AMS I.40666-013) – body and caudal fins a pale orangish red to more yellowish posteriorly, with brownish marks in caudal fin, flank grading to white on abdomen; head without marks extending from orbit edge, lips whitish; circular spot on opercle yellowish with outer margin ring (~270̊) of melanophores except posteriorly, large inner circle of dark melanophores about size of pupil; iris whitish with narrow inner ring of light yellow surrounding pupil.

From D. W. Greenfield photograph (CAS 223500) – body and caudal fin dark brownish, head without markings extending from orbit edge, lower half of head and breast tannish white extending posteriorly to opercular spot and then above pectoral-fin base descending to near anal base; pelvic fins whitish; spot on opercle whitish tan with inner darkish ring smaller than eye diameter; iris tannish white with narrow inner ring of light yellow surrounding pupil.

From J. T. Williamsʼ photograph (USNM 370291) – body generally uniform brownish, with 2 rows of small spots along caudal peduncle, about 5 pairs, 3 spots extended anteriorly in the lower row with 2 spots below the 3 spots; head without markings extending from orbit edge; all fins generally pale with numerous small melanophores in caudal fin; round spot on opercle with complete brownish outer edge of body colour around pale area with large dark inner spot; narrow whitish bars on lower lip; iris orangish.

Colour in ethyl alcohol. Holotype uniform light tannish in alcohol with tiny melanophores on head, body, both dorsal fins, denser on membranes of 2nd dorsal fin, melanophores absent on anal, pelvic and pectoral fins; large rounded dark spot on opercle, surrounded by pale area, melanophores at edge of pale zone forming about a half-circle; faint series of melanophores in a horizontal line from lower orbit to preopercular ridge (fig. 3). Pale stomach, intestine and peritoneum. Paratypes and non-type material uniform brownish to tannish in alcohol with tiny melanophores on head, body, both dorsal fins, denser on membranes of 2nd dorsal fin, melanophores absent on anal, pelvic and pectoral fins; large rounded dark spot on opercle, surrounded by pale area, melanophores at edge of pale zone forming about a half-circle; faint, darkish, horizontal line of melanophores from lower orbit to preopercular ridge; lips with a few narrow pale bars or lips indistinct.

Etymology. The Greek words artios, complete or perfect and cyclus, circle as articycla an adjective referring to the dark spot on the opercle with its edge as a complete or perfect circle.

Distribution. The new species is apparently widespread in the western Pacific from Sumatra to Fiji, and eastern Australia north to the Philippines (fig. 4). Although it has been collected at relatively few locations, future collections will no doubt expand the known distribution. Due to their cryptic habits, the species of Neamia are seldom observed by divers, rather they are collected with ichthyocides, dredges and sleds. Collection data suggest N. articycla frequents the 10–40 m depth zone, in association with beds of a calcareous algae, Halimeda or calcareous rubble, sometimes mixed with the pocilloporid coral Seriatopora hystrix . The URL http://www.amonline.net. au/fishes/about/research/halimeda.htm has more information about other fishes collected in such Halimeda beds and a link to colour photographs of this species.

Remarks and discussion. Neamia articycla has an ocellated opercular spot that in life lacks an outer dark margin posteriorly, but in preservation has a darkish edge from dorsal edge abutting preopercle around to ventral edge abutting preopercle. It has no darkish marks behind the eyes in life, but in preservation does have a faint, narrow, horizontal line of melanophores below the eye reaching the preopercle ridge. In contrast, N. notula has an oval spot flattened along the preopercle edge with a darkish edge outside of the pale area in life, four predorsal scales instead of five, usually 22 pored, lateral-line scales instead of 23 and a longer pectoral fin. Neamia articycla can be distinguished from Neamia octospina by having 14 pectoral rays instead of 17–21 and by having seven visible first-dorsal spines instead of eight.

Fraser and Allen, 2001 discussed the relationships of Neamia with other apogonid genera. Neamia articycla does not have characters that alter that discussion. Neamia articycla is more similar to N. notula based on the presence of the opercle spot, the reduced, hidden, eighth dorsal spine, larger eye and the lower pectoral fin-ray count than to N. octospina . Specimens of N. articycla less than about 25 mm SL have incompletely pored lateral-line scales (the number of pored scales varies with size) and may therefore be confused with Fowleria , most species of which have an incomplete lateral line – see the figure of Fowleria nafae, Snyder, 1909 in Snyder, 1912 one of the nominal species originally described as Apogonichthys nafae .

Some similarities exist between N. articycla and species of Fowleria . The ocellus-like opercular spot, tubular anterior nare, lack of palatine teeth and body shape are characteristics N. articycla shares with most species of Fowleria . However, these genera can be distinguished by fused caudal skeletal characteristics in Neamia , completely pored lateral-line scales in adult Neamia , (number of pitted scales in N. articycla decreases posteriorly with growth, unlike Fowleria ), and cycloid scales on the head and anterior portions of the body (weakly ctenoid scales on nape for species of Fowleria , elsewhere on head weak to strongly ctenoid scales and ctenoid on body). Bergmann, 2004 noted some variation in the pore pattern on the dentaries for the four species of Fowleria examined. None appeared to be similar to N. articycla in spatial organization, with F. vaiulae perhaps having a few of its slightly larger minipores spaced and located in a similar fashion.

Ida and Moyer, 1974, fig. 3 compared the cephalic lateralis and free neuromasts of five genera of cardinalfishes (including three subgenera), Apogon (Ostorhinchus) , Apogon (Apogon) , Fowleria , Cheilodipterus , Rhabdamia (Verulux) , and Pseudamia . Bergmann, 2004 provided a more extensive survey of these systems for these same genera and another 30 apogonid genera and subgenera in two subfamilies. Species of Neamia differ most obviously from illustrations of Fowleria , Foa , and Apogonichthys in having fewer pores on the dentary. A comparison of the descriptions of Neamia suggest that N. octospina and the holotype of N. articycla show similarities in the three slit-like pores along the ventral edge of the lachrymal (first infraorbital) and second infraorbital, three suborbital pores and the paired dentary pores.Differences were apparent:location of the anterior-most supraorbital pore back near the anterior nare in N. articycla , slit-like in N. octospina located along the margin with the premaxilla; larger pores along the posterior edge of the subopercle-preopercle in N. articycla than for N. octospina , and no mini-pores just posterior to the preopercle ridge in N. articycla versus numerous minipores; few paired pores on the dentary and articular in N. articycla versus numerous paired pores; no minipores in N. articycla versus many minipores on snout and interorbit; and fewer minipores on the nape in N. articycla versus widespread and numerous.

Ida and Moyer, 1974 failed to indicate the taxonomic value of pore characteristics, although their fig. 3 was suggestive. Bergmann, 2004 found four characteristics of the cephalic lateralis which were shared by all cardinalfishes examined. Neamia articycla has these four characteristics: a terminal lachrymal pore, a pair of ventral lachrymal pores, an anterior dentary pore in the lower lip and a mental (ventral dentary pore) immediately behind the lower lip. Bergmann, 2004 identified eight characteristics that had variation, and proposed that these various states had phylogenetic value within cardinalfishes. Neamia articycla has: (1) the terminal end of the supra-orbital canal ending in a large pore near anterior nare; (2) the lateral margin of the supra-orbital canal near the posterior nare with a single large pore; (3) the lateral margin of the supra-orbital canal midway on interorbit with a large pore, but also with an additional smaller anterior pore (variably present) apparently intermediate to having multiple canal projections; (4) the postorbit pores with simple canal projections with minipores; (5) the supratemporal canal anterior margin smooth; (6) the supratemporal canal posterior margin with few canal projections with minipores; (7) the lateral margin of the mandibular canal with relatively large and simple pores; and (8) a terminal mandibular pore (here called the posterior articular pore) near the boundary with the preopercle. The usefulness of these eight characteristics and their character states will be further developed through examination of many species not yet reported in the literature. Many of the other minipores had some variation in number and location among individuals of N. articycla .

Figures

Figure 1. Neamia articycla: A. Holotype, AMS I.251221-005, 35.5 mm SL (preserved), Australia, Qld, east of Lizard I.. B. Paratype, USNM 370291, 23.5, mm SL, Philippines, Mindanao I., modified from colour image ofa fresh specimenby J.T. Williams.C.Paratype, USNM 209665, 32.4 mm SL (preserved), Indonesia, Moluccas, Ceram I. D. Paratype CAS 223500, 32.9 mm SL (preserved), Fiji, Viti Levu, Nananui-i-cake I.