Trimma

Richard Winterbottom, 2006, Two new species of the gobiid fish Trimma from the coral reefs of the western Pacific Ocean (Pisces; Perciformes; Gobioidei)., Zootaxa 1331, pp. 55-68 : 55-56

[[ Trimma ]]

Trimma contains some 85 species of small (less than 30 mm SL), often colourful gobiids, primarily associated with Indo-West Pacific coral reefs. They are most abundant and diverse below depths of about 10 m, although a few species may be found shallower than this. Many museum collections contain samples from as deep as 45 m, but recent deep sampling (> 50 m) utilizing rebreather technology is revealing an abundance of new species of the genus below the normally sampled depth range.

Trimma may be recognized by the lack of cephalic sensory canal pores, a much reduced cephalic sensory papillae pattern, wide gill opening extending to below the vertical limb of the preopercle or anterior to this, lack of spicules on the outer gill rakers of the first gill arch (this character apparently exhibits some homoplasy), fewer than 12 dorsal and anal rays, and a fifth pelvic fin ray that is equal to or more than 40% the length of the fourth pelvic fin ray. There are 44 valid species of Trimma and approximately 40 additional species that have yet to be described. Numerous new species are anticipated once deep reef habitats (greater than 45 m) are more adequately sampled.