Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. A, Suppl. 4, pp. 67–87, March 29, 2010

Ancistrogobius, a New Cheek-spine Goby Genus from the West Pacificand Red Sea, with Descriptions of Four New Species(Perciformes: Gobiidae: Gobiinae)
Koichi Shibukawa1, Tetsuo Yoshino2 and Gerald R. Allen3
1

Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, 3–10–10 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110–0004, Japan
E-mail: kshibukawa@nagaofoundation.or.jp
2
Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus,
Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903–0213, Japan
E-mail: b985005@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
3
Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum,
Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, Western Australia 6986, Australia
E-mail: tropical_reef@bigpond.com

Abstract A new gobiid fish genus, Ancistrogobius, is described based on 4 new species (A.
dipus, A. squamiceps, A. yanoi, and A. yoshigoui) from the western Pacific and Red Sea. Ancistrogobius is unique within the gobiid subfamily Gobiinae in having a short, ventrally directed bonyspine-like projection at the posterior margin of the preopercle. Within the genus, A. dipus n. sp. (8type specimens, 31.6–42.4 mm SL) is unique in having a separated pelvic fin with a rudimentary
connecting membrane between the innermost rays and no frenum (vs. pelvic fins united mediallywith a well-developed connecting membrane and frenum in the other species). Ancistrogobius
squamiceps n. sp. (2 type specimens, 29.8–50.5 mm SL) differs from congeners in having scales onmost of the nape and 12 predorsal scales (vs. nape almost naked, typically without scales on predorsal midline) and a scale patch on the dorsal part of the operculum (vs. head naked). Of the remaining 2 new species, A. yanoi n. sp. (14 type and 2 non-type specimens, 16.9–36.8 mm SL) is
chiefly distinguished from the other, A. yoshigoui n. sp. (14 type specimens, 26.1–40.6 mm SL), in
having an elongate and filamentous third spine in the first dorsal fin (vs. no filamentous spines in
the latter species). Almost all of the examined specimens of this genus were collected from thewestern Pacific, exclusive of 2 Red Sea specimens, provisionally identified as A. yanoi. Ancistrogobius is a bottom-dwelling goby genus, found on sandy or sandy-mud bottoms with dead-coral rubble in protected bays (0–50 m depths), and is not commensal with other marine organisms.
Key words : Gobiidae, Ancistrogobius, New genus, New species, Indo-West Pacific.

Many perciform fishes have bony serrations
and/or spine-like projections along the rear margin of the preopercle, especially in their early life
stages. The fishes of the perciform suborder Gobioidei, however, offer few examples. Within gobioids, no larvae and juveniles with preopercularspines are known, although xenisthmid larvae
have minute spines at the angle of the lower jaw
and along the branchiostegal rays (Leis et al.,
1993; Leis and Carson-Ewart, 2000). Only 2
eleotrid genera (Eleotris and Erotelis) and 3 gobiid genera (Asterropteryx, Gladiogobius, andOplopomus) are known to possess distinct preopercular spines in adults (Böhlke and Chaplin,
1993; Shibukawa and Allen, 2007).
In the present paper, we describe a new marine
goby genus bearing a preopercular spine, basedon 4 new species collected from the western Pacific and the Red Sea. The new genus belongs to
the gobiid subfamily Gobiinae (sensu Pezold,1993), and is readily distinguished from the other3 cheek-spined genera in having a spur-like preopercular spine directed ventrally (vs. directed
posteriorly in the other genera; Fig. 1). The fishes

68

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allenof the new genus were previously illustrated insome pictorial books of marine fishes (e.g., Masuda and Kobayashi, 1994; Okamura and Amaoka, 1997; Allen et al., 2003; Senou et al., 2004),
but have not yet been described formally.
Materials and Methods

Fig. 1. Lateral view of preopercle of 5 cheekspine goby and sleeper genera, showing preopercular spines (arrows): A) Eleotris acanthopoma, NSMT-P 48.9 mm SL; B) Ancistrogobius yanoi, OMNH-P 15712, paratype, 35.4mm SL; C) Asterropteryx semipunctata, 1 of
NSMT-P 98975, 45.9 mm SL; D) Gladiogobius ensifer, 1 of NSMT-P 76628, 24.3 mm SL;
E) Oplopomus caninoides, MTUF-P 28085,
60.0 mm SL. Note that the preopercular spinesof Oplopomus originates from the anteriorwall of the bony preopercular canal support,
compared with the posterior wall in Ancistrogobius, Asterropteryx and Gladiogobius (thecanal support is not developed in Eleotris).
Bars1 mm.

All fish lengths given are standard lengths(SL). Measurements were made point-to-pointwith calipers under a dissecting microscope tothe nearest 0.01 mm. The methods for measurements follow those of Hubbs and Lagler (1958),
with exceptions given as follows (the snout tip
refers to the mid-anteriormost point of the upperlip): head length is measured between the snout
tip and posterior end of the head (including opercular membrane); interorbital width is the least
width between the innermost rims of the rightand left eyes; jaw length is measured between thesnout tip and the posteriormost point of the lip;
body depth is measured in at 2 locations, the firstat the first dorsal-fin origin, and the second at theanal-fin origin; head depth and width are measured at the preopercular margin; nape width ismeasured between the dorsalmost margins of thegill openings; preanal and prepelvic lengths aremeasured from the snout tip to the origin of eachfin; pectoral-fin length is measured from the baseto the tip of the longest ray; pelvic-fin length ismeasured between the base of the pelvic-fin
spine and the distal tip of the longest segmented
ray; each pelvic-fin ray length is greatest length
between the base and distal tip of the ray; heightsof the pelvic frenum (between spines) and connecting membrane (between innermost rays) aremeasured between the base and distal margin at
the lowest part in each membrane; caudal-fin
length is measured from the base to the tip of the
middle caudal-fin ray. The methods of counts follow Akihito (1984), except for the following:longitudinal scale count is the number of obliquerows starting from just above the dorsalmost attachment of the opercular membrane and proceeding posteriorly to the mid-base of the caudal
fin; 3 different transverse scale count are taken

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus(see descriptive accounts); the circumpeduncularscale count is the number of zigzag rows along a
vertical line around the narrowest point of thecaudal peduncle; gill rakers including all rudiments are counted on the outer side of the first
arch; the count of pseudobranchial filaments includes all rudiments. Scales (except for predorsal
and circumpeduncular scales) and paired-fin rays
are counted on both sides, but gill rakers andpseudobranchial filaments are counted on theright side only. In describing meristic counts ofeach species, the count of the holotype is asterisked, and the number in parentheses after thecount indicates the number of specimens withthat count. Osteological features are observed
from radiographs (for all specimens) and cleared
and stained specimens, following the method ofPotthoff (1984). The methods of Akihito (1984)
are used in describing the pattern of the interdigitation of the dorsal-fin pterygiophores between
the neural spines (“P–V”). Cephalic sensory
canals and papillae were observed on specimens
stained with suminol cyanine, and notations onthem follow Akihito (1984) and Miller (1986),
respectively. The terminology of scale morphology follows Roberts (1993).
Institutional abbreviations follow Leviton etal. (1985), except for HMNH (Hiwa Museum for
Natural History, Hiroshima, Japan), IOP (Izu
Ocean Park, Izu, Japan), and KPM (Kanagawa
Prefectual Museum of Natural History, Odawara,
Japan). Species accounts are presented in alphabetical order. To elucidate the relationship of the
new genus, we have examined numerous specimens of other gobioid fishes (many of whichwere radiographed, or cleared and stained). This
material includes cleared and stained specimensof the sleepers and gobies bearing preopercularspines as follows: Eleotris acanthopoma Bleeker,
1853, NSMT-P 97983 (1 specimen, 48.9 mm
SL); Eleotris fusca (Forster in Bloch and Schneider, 1801), NSMT-P 97984 (1 specimen, 75.5mm SL); Asterropteryx bipunctata Allen andMunday, 1995, NSMT-P 73122 (1 specimen,
23.9 mm SL); Asterropteryx ovata Shibukawa
and Suzuki, 2007, NSMT-P 61060 (1 of 4 speci-

69

men, 23.2 mm SL); Asterropteryx semipunctata
Rüppell, 1830, NSMT-P 97985 (2 specimens,
45.9–46.4 mm SL); Asterropteryx senoui
Shibukawa and Senou, 2007, NSMT-P 73128 (1specimen, 23.7 mm SL); Asterropteryx spinosa
Goren, 1981, NSMT-P 73194 (1 specimen, 26.9mm SL); Gladiogobius brevispinis Shibukawa
and Allen, 2007, NSMT-P 55899 (1 of 2 specimens, 26.7 mm SL); Gladiogobius ensifer Herre,
1933, NSMT-P 76628 (1 of 3 specimens, 24.3mm SL); Gladiogobius rex Shibukawa and Allen,
2007, NSMT-P 44892 (1 of 6 specimens, 38.4mm SL); Oplopomus caninoides (Bleeker, 1852),
MTUF-P 28085 (1 specimen, 60.0 mm SL).
Ancistrogobius gen. nov.
[New Japanese name: Ho’okagi-haze zoku]

Type species. Ancistrogobius dipus Shibukawa,
Yoshino and Allen sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Ancistrogobius belongs to the gobiid subfamily Gobiinae (sensu Pezold, 1993), andis unique within the subfamily in having a single
short spur-like preopercular spine directed ventrally (Fig. 1B). In addition, it is characterized by
the following features: typically VI-I, 10 dorsalfin rays, I, 9 anal-fin rays; 17–21 pectoral-finrays; no free pectoral-fin rays; pelvic fins fused
medially by well developed frenum (between
spines) and connecting membrane (between innermost rays), except for a single species withlargely separated pelvic fin lacking frenum (Fig.
2); 24–26 longitudinal scales; 12 circumpeduncular scales; 101626 vertebrae; P-V 3/II II I I
0/9; 2 anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to firsthaemal spine; 7 distinct, long transverse rows of
sensory papillae (rows 1–7) ventral to eye (although row 7 often comprising only a single sensory papilla), and rows 5 and 6 divided midway
by longitudinal sensory papillae row b (Fig. 3);
pair of short longitudinal rows of sensory papillae (row f ) just posterior to chin; cephalic sensory canal pores B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L,M, N, and O (all pores paired, except C and D);
no raised cutaneous ridges on head; gill opening
relatively wide, extending anteroventrally to, or a

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Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

Fig. 2. Ventral view of the head and anterior part of the body of two species of Ancistrogobius, showing 2 typesof pelvic-fin structures. A) A. dipus (NSMT-P 97981, holotype, 34.1 mm SL), and B) A. squamiceps (KPMNI 5723, holotype, 50.5 mm SL). Arrow indicates the well-developed pelvic frenum of A. squamiceps. Drawn
by K. Shibukawa.

Fig. 3. Head of four species of Ancistrogobius, showing sensory-papillae rows (indicated by roman lowercase
letters) and sensory-canal pores (indicated by roman uppercase letters, except for AN and PN). A) A. dipus,
KPM-NI 5722, paratype, 39.3 mm SL; B) Ancistrogobius squamiceps, KPM-NI 5723, holotype, 50.0 mm SL;
C) A. yanoi, paratype, KPM-NI 25199, 33.2 mm SL; D) A. yoshigoui, YCM-P 39103, holotype, 38.4 mm SL.
AN and PN, anterior and posterior nares, respectively. Arrows show the position where the gill membrane is
attached to the isthmus. Note that the pore O opens just before the preopercular spine, which is largely concealed under the skin. Drawn by K. Shibukawa.

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus

little beyond, a vertical line through posterior
margin of preopercle; ventral one-third or onefourth of first gill slit closed by membrane; gillrakers on outer surface of first gill arch bearing
minute accessory spines (confirmed on cleared
and stained specimens).
Description. Characters shown in the genericdiagnosis (above) are not repeated.
Head subcylindrical or slightly compressed,
head width 84.7–99.9% of head depth. Body
moderately compressed. Snout slightly shorter
than eye diameter. Eye dorsolateral, large, its diameter 28.3–34.5% of head length; interorbital
width narrower than pupil diameter. Anterior
nasal opening at tip of short tube without skinflap; posterior nasal opening a pore, closer to eyethan anterior naris. Jaws subterminal, moderately
large, jaw length 42.2–49.2% of head length;
lower jaw slightly projecting beyond upper jaw;
posterior end of jaws extending below pupil;gape oblique, forming an angle of about 30–40
degrees to body axis. Tongue truncate withstraight or slightly concave anterior margin, freefrom floor of buccal cavity. Mental frenum undeveloped. No free rear margin of gill membranes
across isthmus. Gill rakers on outer surface ofventral arm of first gill arch well developed andlong, but short and rudimentary in dorsal arm.
No fleshy projections on lateral surface of cleithrum. Dorsal fins separate but close together;third spine of first dorsal fin typically elongate
and filamentous, except for A. yoshigoui lacking
elongate spines; all segmented dorsal-fin rays
branched; all spines of dorsal and anal fins slender, flexible. Anal fin originates ventral to base of
first to third segmented rays of dorsal fin; all segmented anal-fin rays branched (anterior two rays
unbranched only in the smallest specimen of A.
squamiceps, viz. KPM-NI 5721, 29.7 mm SL).
Pectoral fin elliptical, almost symmetrical
dorsoventrally; pectoral-fin length subequal orslightly longer than pelvic-fin length; tenth,eleventh or twelfth pectoral-fin rays longest(counted from dorsal to ventral); pectoral fin extending beyond a vertical line through anal-fin
origin; no free rays in pectoral fin; all pectoral-fin

71rays branched except for dorsalmost and ventralmost 1–2 and 0–2 rays respectively. Pelvic fins
fused medially by well-developed frenum (between spines) and connecting membrane (between innermost rays), except for a single
species, A. dipus, having largely separated pelvic
fins with no frenum and rudimentary connecting
membrane (Fig. 2); pelvic-fin origin slightly infront of, or above, a vertical through origin of
first dorsal fin; pelvic fin usually reaching to, orslightly beyond, origin of anal fin when adpressed (except in some small specimens); pelvic
frenum (if present) moderately thin, with smooth
posterior margin. Caudal fin nearly rounded,symmetrical dorsoventrally; no elongate caudalfin rays; length of caudal fin subequal or slightly
shorter than head length.
Scales ctenoid, with peripheral cteni with only
primary spines, except cycloid scales on nape,pectoral-fin base, prepelvic region, and anterior
part of belly; only a single species, A. squamiceps, with small patches of cycloid scales on dorsal part of cheek and operculum; in A. squamiceps, most of nape covered by scales, but scaled
area not reaching anteriorly to eye; the other 3
species (A. dipus, A. yanoi and A. yoshigoui)lacking scales on nape excluding posterolateralpart (scales almost always absent on predorsal
midline), and scaled area not extending anteriorly
to a vertical line through middle of operculum.
Teeth on jaws simple, conical; no prominent,
enlarged canine-like teeth on jaws; each jaw with
3 or 4 rows of teeth anteriorly, narrowing to single row posteriorly; teeth on outermost row ofupper jaw largest; no teeth on vomer and palatine.
Cephalic sensory systems are illustrated inFig. 3. Anterior oculoscapular canals fused medially at interorbital region just anterior to pores C
and D; posterior oculoscapular canal short, well
separated from anterior oculoscapular canal. All
sensory-papillae rows on cheek and operculum
uniserial, no double nor multiple rows; sensorypapillae row b long, typically extending fromposterior margin of preopercle forward to row 3
or 4; sensory-papillae row d long, extending pos-

72

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

teriorly to, or beyond, ventral end of row 6i; sensory-papillae row z long, meets or close to posterior end of row b; a short transverse line of sensory papillae at anterior parts of row i.
Osteology. Frontals not fused medially; frontal
crest well developed, contacts posteriorly withsupraoccipital crest (not developed in small specimen of Ancistrogobius squamiceps, 29.8 mm
SL); frontals very narrow at interorbital region,slightly narrower than parasphenoid at interorbital region; oculoscapular canal between pores
D and E passing through bony canal formed at
postorbital region of frontal. Interorbital part ofmesethmoid well ossified, with very narrow cartilaginous margin posteriorly. Anterior margin ofvomer rounded in dorsal view, not indented anteriorly; ethmoid cartilage narrow, encircled bypair of well developed dorsal projections ofvomer and anterior margin of mesethmoid; dorsal
projection of vomer not developed and therefore
ethmoid cartilage broad in small specimen of A.
squamiceps (29.8 mm SL); vomer contacts withmedian ethmoid, except in small specimen of A.
squamiceps; no teeth on vomer. Lateral wing of
pterotic moderately developed but not directed
posteriorly. Epiotic spine (Hoese and Gill, 1993)
undeveloped. Baudelot’s ligament connects anteriorly to basioccipital. Rostral cartilage well developed, large, attached anteriorly to ascending
process of premaxilla. Ascending process of premaxilla high (higher than articular process), welldifferentiated from articular process; postmaxillary process of premaxilla well developed. Palatine edentate, T-shaped (i.e. ethmoid process ofpalatine moderately developed). Ectopterygoid
moderately long, extending dorsally to about halfof palatine shaft and ventrally to dorsoanterioredge of quadrate. Mesopterygoid absent.
Metapterygoid narrow, dorsal lamina not or only
slightly developed (not expanded anteriorly).
Symplectic with dorsoposteriorly directed armthat attaches to hyomandibular; arm creatingsmall gap between dorsal aspect of symplectic
and hyomandibular. Symplectic process of preopercle well developed, long, its dorsal tip very
close to, or contacting with, ventroposterior edgeof symplectic; posterior wall of bony preopercular canal support of premaxilla slightly expanded
ventrolaterally, forming distinct bony spur-likeprojection (preopercular spine); bony preopercular canal support of preopercle well developed
between dorsal tip and preopercular spine. Basihyal spatulate, with straight or slightly rounded
anterior margin. Basibranchial 1 small, cartilaginous, well differentiated from basibranchial 2.
Infrapharyngobranchial 1 absent; infrapharyngobranchial 2–4 moderately developed and toothed.
Interarcual cartilage well developed, long. Ossified gill rakers on outer surface of ceratobranchial 1 long and spine-like, each with a series of several minute accessory spines at its
inner edge (ossified gill rakers not bearing accessory spines except for some rakers each with asingle accessory spine in 29.8 mm SL specimenof A. squamiceps); ossified gill rakers on hypobranchial 1 short and spine-like, without accessory spines; inner surface of 1st gill arch and bothinner and outer surfaces of second to fourth gillarches with stout, very short, dorsally spinulose
ossified gill rakers. Five branchiostegal rays,
comprising four and one rays in contact with anterior and posterior ceratohyals, respectively. No
transverse bony shelf developed along ventral
margin of urohyal. Four pectoral radials; scapula
well ossified, ossification encircling at least dorsal half of scapula foramen (scapula foramen encircircled by ossified area in large specimens);
scapula reduced in size, and, thus, uppermost
pectoral radial attached to cleithrum. Dorsal
postcleithrum absent; short thread-like ventral
postcleithrum present. Pelvis articulates withcleithrum via well-developed pelvic intercleithral
cartilage. Vertebrae 101626; pleurals welldeveloped on third to tenth precaudal vertebrae;epineurals on first precaudal vertebra to second
caudal vertebra; all epineurals not fused withpleurals; anterior dorsal prezygapophysis not developed, except for second to fifth precaudal vertebrae; P–V 3/II II I I 0/9; 2 anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to first haemal spine; anterior 2
pterygiophores of second dorsal fin lack middle
radials. Single epural; hypurals 34 fused toNew Indo-West Pacific goby genus

urostyle, articulating with hypurals 12; parhypural moderately developed, pointed medially;
dorsal and ventral procurrent cartilages well developed, long, extending anteriorly to tips ofneural and haemal spines of third pleural centrum (PU3), respectively.
Comparisons. Within the Gobioidei, a single
ventrally-directed preopercular spine is also
found in the eleotrid genera Eleotris (Fig. 1A)
and Erotelis, although, at least in Eleotris, thespine differs in size and shape from the spine ofAncistrogobius (Fig. 1B). Ancistrogobius clearly
belongs to the gobiid subfamily Gobiinae (sensu
Pezold, 1993) in having 5 branchiostegal rays (vs.
6 in eleotrines including Eleotris), 17 segmented
caudal-fin rays (vs. usually 15), medially fused
oculoscapular canals with a single pore C (vs.
pore C paired, if oculoscapular canal is present atinterorbital area; all head canals are absent inEleotris), and single epural (vs. usually 2). Possession of the “ventrally-directed cheek spine” inthe eleotrids and Ancistrogobius is thus regarded
as a convergent feature.
The preopercular spines of 3 other cheekspined goby genera (Asterropteryx, Gladiogobius
and Oplopomus) are directed posteriorly (Figs.
1C–E), and readily distinguished from the spineof Ancistrogobius. Other than the cheek-spine
gobies, Lobulogobius morrigu Larson, 1983, possesses small, roughly square, bony flanges at theangle of the preopercle (Larson, 1983). Lobulogobius is commensal with sponges and gorgonians, and distinguished from Ancistrogobius inhaving the following features: pelvic fins withthickened lobe around each pelvic-fin spine (vs.
no such thickened lobe in Ancistrogobius); gillmembrane fused medially with the rear margin
free from the isthmus (vs. gill membranes attached to the isthmus); right and left sides of theoculoscapular canal widely separate at the interorbital region with a paired pore C (vs. oculoscapular canals fused medially at the interorbital region, with an unpaired pore C); posterior
oculoscapular canal absent (vs. present); no vertical rows of sensory papillae below the eye (vs.
distinct vertical rows below the eye) (Larson and73

Hoese, 1980; Larson, 1983; Larson and Murdy,2001). Also, the bony flanges in L. morrigu differs from the preopercular spine of Ancistrogobius as follows: a pair of bony flanges developed
along the anterior and posterior edges of the preopercular canal support (vs. single spine developed only at the posterior margin of the preopercular canal support in Ancistrogobius); bonyflange at the posterior margin of the preopercular
canal support originates from just below the preopercular canal pore O (vs. preopercular spine
originates from just above the preopercular canalpore O); 1 to 3 blunt teeth at the distal edge ofthe bony ridges (vs. simple, stubby spine-like).
Ancistrogobius was previously confused with
Macrodontogobius in illustrated books of western Pacific marine fishes (Randall et al., 1997;
Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; see also Remarks
for A. dipus and A. yoshigoui). Macrodontogobius is a monotypic genus comprising Macrodontogobius wilburi Herre, 1936 (Murdy, 1985;
Murdy and Hoese, 1984), and is clearly distinguished from Ancistrogobius in having: 15–17
pectoral-fin rays (vs. 17–21 in Ancistrogobius);
first dorsal-fin profile rounded, without elongate
spines (vs. third spine elongate and filamentous,
except in A. yoshigoui); inferior mouth (vs. terminal, with slightly protruding lower jaw); mostof cheek and operculum covered by scales (vs.
cheek naked and, if present, scales restricted on
upper half of operculum); restricted gill opening
extending ventrally to a vertical line throughmiddle of operculum (vs. rather wide, extending
ventrally to a vertical line through preopercularmargin); several short, indistinct transverse rowsof sensory papillae below eye (vs. 7 rather long,
distinct transverse rows of sensory papillae
below eye, although row 7 often comprising onlya single sensory papilla); pelvic fin with some alternating pale and dusky bars (vs. entirely pale or
brownish).
Remarks. The cheek spine of Ancistrogobius
is short and relatively blunt, but prominent. Typically, it is largely concealed under skin, and isbest revealed when the skin just above preopercular-canal pore O is slightly pushed dorsally.

74

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

However, in the smallest specimen of A. squamiceps that we examined (29.8 mm SL), the preopercular spine is not yet developed (appearing as
an angular bony lateral expansion).
The members of Ancistrogobius are bottomdwelling, moderately small sized gobies (largest
specimen examined is 50.5 mm SL), not commensal with any marine organisms (e.g., alpheid
shrimps, soft corals, sponges, or gorgonians).
Etymology. The generic name Ancistrogobius
is derived from the combination of the Greek

word agkistros (meaning “fishhook”) and Gobius(a genus name of gobiine fish) in reference to theshort, ventrally directed, spur-like preopercularspine. The gender is masculine.
Included species. Ancistrogobius comprises 4
species, A. dipus, A. squamiceps, A. yanoi and A.
yoshigoui, all of which are herein described asnew. These 4 are known only from the western
Pacific, except for A. yanoi, which is also foundin the Red Sea (see “Remarks” of A. yanoi).

Key to species of Ancistrogobius
1a. Nape broadly covered by scales including predorsal midline (12 predorsal scales); upper part of
operculum scaled; distinct, vertical black bar below eye; filamentous part of third dorsal spine entirely pale when alive or fresh (Fig. 6); anterior tip of sensory-papillae row b meets row 3 (Fig.
3B); rows x1 and x2 continuous, not interrupted by row trp (row trp short, restricted under rows
x1x2)                                                              A. squamiceps
1b. Nape almost naked and no predorsal scales; head naked; vertical black bar present or absent
below eyes (always with single or some faint, dusky blotches around corner of mouth); filamentous part of third dorsal spine, if present, with alternating pale and yellow (and/or dusky) bands
when alive or fresh (typically faded and indistinct in preserved specimens); sensory-papillae row
b well apart from row 3 (Figs. 3A, 3C and 3D); rows x1 not continuous to x2 (interrupted by row
trp)                                                                           2
2a. Pelvic fins separated with rudimentary, low connecting membrane and no frenum (Fig. 2A); fifth
pelvic-fin segmented ray short, its length 67.9–71.9% of length of preceding ray; black blotch at
distal tip of first dorsal fin narrow, not reaching posteriorly to third spine (Fig. 4A); dorsal tip ofsensory-papillae row 4 always extending well above a horizontal line through anterior tip of row b(Fig. 3A)                                                                 A. dipus
2b. Pelvic fins united medially with well-developed connecting membrane and frenum (frenum sometimes rudimentary or absent) (Fig. 2B); fifth pelvic-fin segmented ray moderately long, its length
85.0% or more of length of preceding ray; black blotch at distal tip of first dorsal fin wide, extending posteriorly to third interspinal membrane (Figs. 4B and D); dorsal tip of sensory-papillae row
4 extending to, or slightly above, a horizontal line through anterior tip of row b (Figs. 3C–D)    3
3a. Third spine of first dorsal fin elongated and filamentous, obviously longer than second spine (Figs.
4B and 7); pectoral-fin rays 17–19, typically 18 or 19; black blotch at distal tip of first dorsal
spine extending posteriorly to a little behind third spine (but typically not to middle of third interspinal membrane) (Fig. 4B); small area beneath black blotch on first dorsal fin subtranslucent or
pale (rather than yellow) when alive or fresh (Fig. 7)                              A. yanoi
3b. Third spine of first dorsal fin not elongate nor filamentous, subequal to second spine in length(Figs. 4D and 8); pectoral-fin rays 19–20, typically 20; black blotch at distal tip of first dorsal fin
extending posteriorly to middle of third interspinal membrane or further behind (Fig. 4D); small
area beneath black blotch on first dorsal fin yellow when alive or fresh (Fig. 8)      A. yoshigoui

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus

75

Fig. 4. Dorsal fin of 4 species of Ancistrogobius. A) A. dipus, NSMT-P 97981, holotype, 34.1 mm SL; B) A.
yanoi, NSMT-P 97982, holotype, 35.7 mm SL; C) A. squamiceps, KPM-NI 5723, paratype, 50.5 mm SL; D)
A. yoshigoui, OMNH-P 15710, paratype, 38.4 mm SL. Drawn by K. Shibukawa.

Ancistrogobius dipus sp. nov.
[New Japanese name: Futahire ho’okagi-haze][New English name: Double-fin cheek-hook goby](Figs. 2A, 3A, 4A and 5; Table 1)
Macrodontogobius wilburi (not Herre): Randall et al.,
1997: 405 [underwater photograph (description basedon true M. wilburi)]; Myers, 1999: 172, pl. 162F [underwater photograph (description based on true M.
wilburi)].
“Orangetip Goby”: Allen et al., 2003: 323 (middle-leftphotograph only; Papua New Guinea).
Gobiidae, indet. gen. and sp. 4: Senou et al., 2004: 472(Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan).
Holotype. NSMT-P 97981, male, 34.1 mm SL, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu
Islands, Japan, 35 m depth, 11 May 2002 (collected by K.
Yano).
Paratypes. Seven specimens, 31.6–42.4 mm SL:
KPM-NI 5722, 1 specimen (female), 39.3 mm SL, mouthof Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of
Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 22 m depth, 19 Nov. 1998 (collected by K. Shibukawa); URM-P 4682, 1 specimen (male),42.4 mm SL, mouth of Amitori Bay, Iriomote-jima Island,
Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 9 Sept. 1982
(collected by K. Shimada); WAM-P.30896-002, 1 specimen (male), 39.2 mm SL, Kimbe Island, New Britain,

Papua New Guinea (5°26S, 150°06E), 27–28 depths, 10
Dec. 1994 (collected by P. Munday); WAM-P. 31153-002,
1 specimen (male), 31.6 mm SL, Hanging Garden Reef,
Kimbe Bay, New Britain, Papua New Guinea (5°26S,
150°06E), 23–24 m depths, 20 Dec. 1994 (collected by S.
Seeto); WAM-P. 32262-001, 2 specimen (male and female), 34.9–36.2 mm SL, Padoz Reef, off entrance to Nagada Harbour, Madang, Papua New Guinea (5°10S,
145°49E), 20–22 m depths, 10 Feb. 1993 (collected by
G.R. Allen); WAM-P. 32537-001, 1 specimen (female),36.0 mm SL, Palunuhkura Bay, Santa Ysabel, Solomon Islands (7°50.79S, 158°43.32E), 15 m depth, 16 May
2004 (collected by G. Allen).

Diagnosis. Ancistrogobius dipus is unique
within the genus in having: largely separated
pelvic fin with rudimentary connecting membrane and no frenum; fifth segmented ray ofpelvic fin short, its length 67.9–71.9% of preceding ray; and narrow black blotch on distal tip offirst dorsal fin (not reaching posteriorly to third
spine). It is also characterized by the following
features: pectoral-fin rays 19–21, typically 20;
head and most of nape naked and no predorsal
scales (except for a single specimen, WAM-P.
32537-001, with one predorsal scale); third spineof first dorsal fin greatly elongated, filamentous,
obviously longer than preceding spine, typically*Including holotype.

In % of SL
Head length
Snout length
Eye diameter
Interorbital width
Jaw length
Nape width
Head width
Head depth
Body depth (at origin of first dorsal fin)
Body depth (at origin of anal fin)
Body width
Predorsal length
Prepelvic length
Preanal length
Caudal-peduncle length
Caudal-peduncle depth
Length of 1st dorsal fin base
Length of 2nd dorsal fin base
Length of anal fin base
Pectoral-fin length
Pelvic-fin length
Length of 4th pelvic-fin segmented ray
Length of 5th pelvic-fin segmented ray
Height of pelvic frenum
Height of connecting membrane ofpelvic fin
Caudal-fin length

Standard length (mm)35.1–37.4
9.3–10.3
10.6–12.4
1.2–1.7
15.5–16.6
14.7–18.2
19.2–20.6
19.2–22.7
20.4–26.3
18.5–20.9
14.1–16.6
38.4–40.8
33.9–36.5
58.6–62.3
24.1–25.0
11.1–12.9
19.4–19.8
18.9–22.8
14.7–19.1
25.8–29.0
27.9–30.9
26.7–29.9
19.1–22.2—
1.2–1.8
27.2–29.0

27.7

31.6–42.4

5 males*

35.2
10.1
10.7
1.6
15.5
18.2
19.2
19.2
20.4
18.5
14.2
38.4
33.9
58.6
24.9
11.8
19.7
22.8
19.1
25.8
28.8
27.1
19.2
—
1.2

holotype
NSMT-P
97981
34.1

A. dipus

26.7–27.4

36.7–38.7
10.0–10.9
10.6–11.8
1.3–1.8
15.8–17.3
15.6–16.8
19.9–21.6
21.6–23.9
24.9–27.5
20.6–20.9
15.6–17.8
40.0–41.5
37.5–38.4
61.1–64.1
23.7–26.3
10.5–12.0
19.0–20.1
20.3–22.2
16.6–17.4
28.2–29.9
26.9–29.8
25.8–28.9
18.5–20.8—
1.2–1.9

36.0–39.3

3 females

A. yanoi

27.8

33.9
9.1
11.7
1.4
14.7
14.7
20.7
22.0
23.0
20.5
16.4
38.9
36.5
62.5
25.2
11.7
18.3
21.2
15.4
27.0
22.9
20.8
19.2
1.8
15.0
28.1

35.3
11.2
11.4
1.9
15.0
14.8
19.5
20.4
22.1
18.8
13.6
39.0
35.2
60.2
26.9
11.6
18.0
21.0
16.6
28.4
25.7
24.1
21.4
2.6
(broken)
28.0

35.0
10.0
9.9
1.7
15.5
15.5
21.2
22.1
26.3
20.4
18.1
39.1
35.9
60.2
24.5
12.0
19.8
22.1
17.0
28.0
26.2
24.5
22.0
0.8
17.7
27.5–34.8

32.5–35.7
8.0–9.4
10.5–10.9
1.5–1.9
14.9–16.3
12.9–14.1
17.2–19.7
19.7–23.1
21.1–24.0
18.0–21.6
11.5–14.5
37.4–39.6
34.5–38.2
58.3–62.1
23.4–25.7
10.3–12.5
16.6–19.7
19.5–24.0
17.5–19.7
26.0–30.6
22.4–27.3
20.8–25.5
19.7–25.5
0.0–1.8
17.9–23.0

holotype paratype holotype 7 males
KPM-NI KPM-NI NSMT-P
5723
5721
97982
50.5
29.8
35.7 19.3–36.8

A. squamiceps

Table 1. Proportional measurements of four species of Ancistrogobius gen. nov.

27.4–29.0

32.0–36.6
7.7–10.0
9.9–11.7
1.4–1.7
12.7–15.5
11.6–15.6
16.7–21.2
19.0–23.4
19.7–26.3
18.2–21.6
12.2–18.1
37.0–39.8
34.4–38.1
58.1–62.3
23.9–25.7
10.4–12.0
17.3–20.0
20.9–21.7
17.0–17.9
26.3–29.5
23.6–26.6
21.7-25.4
19.4–22.0
0.8–1.7
15.7–17.7
27.2

35.2
9.1
10.5
1.3
15.4
14.5
18.5
20.2
22.3
19.3
13.4
38.5
35.5
59.4
26.2
12.8
19.5
22.6
19.1
31.5
24.7
23.4
21.8
2.6
20.6

27.2–32.7

32.9–35.2
7.7–9.4
10.0–11.3
1.1–1.7
14.1–15.9
12.5–14.8
17.2–20.4
18.3–22.5
19.8–24.2
19.0–20.8
11.4–14.1
36.6–39.2
34.4–37.9
57.9–60.2
23.4–27.0
11.7–13.1
18.6–21.5
21.0–25.1
17.0–20.1
28.9–32.4
22.1–26.4
22.2–24.3
20.1–23.6
1.5–3.7
17.5–21.7

8 females* holotype 8 males*
YCM-P
39103
20.2–35.7
28.1
26.1–40.3

A. yoshigoui

26.7–28.6

32.2–35.0
7.8–9.5
10.1–11.6
1.2–1.7
14.0–15.6
13.8–16.0
17.1–19.5
19.8–21.3
20.9–22.9
18.9–21.0
13.1–15.8
38.1–39.4
34.1–37.1
58.8–62.0
22.5–24.9
11.7–12.7
19.3–19.9
21.3–22.6
17.6–19.3
29.0–31.9
24.3–26.0
20.8–25.0
20.4–22.3
2.0–4.6
19.2–20.4

30.0–38.4

6 females

76
Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus

with alternating pale and dusky (or yellow) bands
when alive or fresh; faint, dusky blotches (notforming distinct vertical bar) below eye; sensory
papilla rows x1 and x2 not continuous, interrupted
by row trp; sensory papilla rows trp long, extending dorsally to well above a longitudinal line
through row x1; anterior tip of sensory papillarow b meeting row 4; sensory papilla row 4 long,
dorsal tip close to eye. In addition, A. dipus has arelatively slender and pointed snout comparedwith other Ancistrogobius, but this character isdifficult to quantify.
Description. Dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9 (1) or VII, 10* (6); anal-fin rays I, 9* (7); pectoral-fin rays
19 (1), 20* (11) or 21 (2); pelvic-fin rays I, 5(14); segmented caudal-fin rays 98* (4), including 66* (4) branched rays; dorsal unsegmented caudal-fin rays 7 (2), 8* (1) or 9 (1); ventral unsegmented caudal-fin rays 5 (1), 6 (1), 7*(1) or 8 (1); longitudinal scales 24* (1), 25* (9)or 26 (6); transverse scales from anal-fin origin
upward and forward to dorsal-fin base 8 (1), 9 (6)or 10* (9); transverse scales from anal-fin origin
upward and backward to dorsal-fin base 7 (2), 8*(5) or 9* (9); transverse scales from second dorsal-fin base downward and backward to anal-finbase 7 (2) or 8* (14); predorsal scales 0* (8); circumpeduncular scales 12 (8); gill rakers 19 (1),28* (1) or 29 (2); pseudobranchial filaments
8* (1) or 9 (3).
Color when alive or fresh (based on color photographs, e.g., Fig. 5). Ground color of head andbody pale brown or pale gray dorsally, becoming
paler ventrally; cheek with at least some darkbrown spots smaller than pupil (sometimes
tinged with yellow), those at corner of mouth
typically largest and most conspicuous; in addition, several faint yellowish small spots sometimes present on cheek; dorsal part of operculumwith several faint dusky spots, sometimes tinged
with yellow; dorsal surface of eye with several
small, irregular (typically elongate) black or darkbrown spots; dorsal surface of snout and napescattered small dark brown spots about size of
pupil or slightly smaller; 2 dark brown spots,
sometimes tinged with yellow, on pectoral-fin

77

Fig. 5. Freshly collected (A–B) and underwater(C) photographs of Ancistrogobius dipus sp.
nov. A) NSMT-P 97981, holotype, male, 34.1mm SL (photographed by T. Suzuki); B)
KPM-NI 5722, paratype, female, 39.3 mm SL(photographed by H. Senou); C) non-collected
specimen, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island,
Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 40
m depth (photographed by K. Yano).

base; dorsum of body mottled with dark brown;
lateral wall of abdominal cavity bright white;most of scales on body with faint yellow centerin larger specimen; about 5 small saddle-likebright white blotches along bases of dorsal fins
(obscure in freshly collected specimen); midlateral body with series of alternating large andsmall dark brown spots, typically enclosed by
faint dark brown horizontal lines dorsoventrally;
T or Y-shaped, faint dark brown marking at midlateral base of caudal fin; spines of first dorsal fin
with alternating dark brown and white bands; asmall but distinct black blotch at distal tip of firstdorsal fin from first and second interradial membrane, not reaching posteriorly to third spine;
black dorsal-fin spot bordered by white an-

78

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

teroventrally, orange yellow posteroventrally; awavy dark brown horizontal line along base of
first dorsal fin; dorsal filaments typically with alternating bands of orange and white (filament ofholotype short and entirely whitish); second dorsal fin nearly translucent, tinged with narrowgray distally; rays of second dorsal fin sometimes
with alternative white and dusky markings; oneor two faint, horizontal rows of orange spots nearbase of second dorsal fin visible in some specimens just after fixation; anal fin subtranslucent,whitish or grayish, with several faint orange
spots on posterior part in some specimens; caudal fin subtranslucent, with faint orange spots at
middle rays forming some transverse bars insome specimens; pectoral fin translucent; pelvic
fin white, dark brown, or grayish.
Color in alcohol. Similar to live or fresh coloration, except as follows: all yellow and orange
markings on head, body and fins faded; small
saddle-like white spots on body faded; alternate
pattern of dorsal filaments almost faded.
Distribution and habitat. Type specimens ofAncistrogobius dipus were collected from sandymud or silt bottoms with dead-coral rubble atdepths of 15–35 m in Japan (Yaeyama Group of
Ryukyu Islands), Papua New Guinea, andSolomon Islands. The third author has also photographed this species at Raja Ampat Islands andFakfat, West Papua (Indonesia), and Pohnpei in
the Federated States of Micronesia. Additionally,
illustrations of “Macrodontogobius wilburi” byRandall et al. (1997) and Myers (1999) from theGreat Barrier Reef and Micronesia respectively
are identified by us as A. dipus.
Remarks. Judging from the general physiognomy including, e.g., relatively pointed snout,
terminal mouth with slightly protruding lower
jaw, short innermost (fifth) pelvic-fin segmented ray, no distinct black vertical bar below eye,narrow black spot on first dorsal fin, distinct dorsal-fin filament with alternative pale and dusky(or yellow) pattern, and pale pelvic fin, the gobies on the underwater photographs identified as“Macrodontogobius wilburi” by Randall et al.
(1997) and Myers (1999) are probably identicalwith Ancistrogobius dipus (see also “Comparisons” of the genus, above).
Etymology. The specific name dipus is derived
from the combination of the Greek words “dis”(meaning “two”) and “pous” (meaning “foot”) in
reference to its largely separated pelvic fins.
Ancistrogobius squamiceps sp. nov.
[New Japanese name: Uroko ho’okagi-haze][New English name: Scaly cheek-hook goby](Figs. 2B, 3B, 4C, and 6; Tables 1)
Gobiidae, indet. gen. and sp. 7: Senou et al., 2004: 475(Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan).

Holotype. KPM-NI 5723, 1 specimen, 50.5mm SL, female, mouth of Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu
Islands, Japan, 19 Nov. 1998 (collected by K.
Yano).
Paratype. KPM-NI 5721, 1 specimen(cleared, stained, and dissected), male, 29.8 mm
SL, mouth of Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island,
Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 19
Nov. 1998 (collected by H. Senou).
Diagnosis. Ancistrogobius squamiceps is
unique within the genus in having: nape broadly
covered by scales (12 predorsal scales); upper
part of operculum with patch of scales; filamentous part of third dorsal spine entirely pale when
alive or fresh; anterior tip of sensory papilla row
b meeting row 3 anteriorly; and sensory papillarows x1 and x2 continuous, not interrupted by row
trp (sensory papilla rows trp short, restrictedunder rows x1x2). It is also characterized by thefollowing features: third spine of first dorsal fin
elongate, filamentous, obviously longer than preceding spine; pectoral-fin rays 20; pelvic fins
fused medially with well developed connecting
membrane and frenum; fifth segmented ray ofpelvic fin 85.0–92.4% of preceding ray in length;a distinct, black vertical bar below eye; black
blotch on distal tip of first dorsal fin wide, extending posteriorly to middle of third interspinal
membrane; sensory papilla row 4 short, wellapart from eye (always restricted below row b).

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus

Description. Dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 10* (2);anal-fin rays I, 9* (2); pectoral-fin rays 20* (4);pelvic-fin rays I, 5* (2); segmented caudal-fin
rays 98* (2), including 65 (1) or 66* (1)branched rays; dorsal unsegmented caudal-fin
rays 8* (1); ventral unsegmented caudal-fin rays
7* (1); longitudinal scales 26* (4); transverse
scales from anal-fin origin upward and forward
to first dorsal fin base 8 (1) or 9* (3); transverse
scales upward and backward to dorsal-fin base 7(2) or 8* (2); transverse scales from second dorsal-fin origin downward and backward to anal-finbase 7* (1) or 8* (3); predorsal scales 12* (2);circumpeduncular scales 12* (2); gill rakers
28* (1) or 38 (1); pseudobranchial filaments
8* (2).
Color when alive or fresh (based on color photographs, e.g., Fig. 6). Ground color of head andbody pale brown dorsally, becoming paler ventrally; a distinct black vertical bar from eye tocorner of mouth (sometimes obscure in underwater photographs); cheek with several yellow spots
edged by dark brown; similar spots on dorsal partof operculum; anterior part of operculum tinged
with dark brown adjacent to posterior margin of
preopercle; dorsal surface of eye with several
black or dark brown dots; dorsal surface of snout
and nape with scattered small dark brown spots
smaller than pupil; 2 yellow spots edged withdark brown on pectoral-fin base, in addition tolarge horizontally elongate black spot on dorsal
part; dorsum of body mottled with dark brown,
sometimes forming four or five faint dusky saddles; lateral wall of abdominal cavity brightwhite; midlateral body with series of alternatinglarge and small dark brown spots, typically enclosed by faint dark brown horizontal lines
dorsoventrally; T or Y shaped, faint dark brownmarking at midlaterally at caudal-fin base; spinesof first dorsal fin with alternate bands of darkbrown and white; black blotch (typically tinged
with yellow) at distal tip of first dorsal fin relatively broad, reaching middle of third interradial
membrane posteriorly; about 2 or 3 irregularrows of yellow spots edged by dark brown on
basal half or two-thirds of first dorsal fin; dorsal

79

Fig. 6. Freshly collected (A-B) and underwater(C) photographs of Ancistrogobius squamiceps
sp. nov. A) KPM-NI 5723, holotype, female,
50.5 mm SL (photographed by H. Senou); B)
non-collected specimen, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu
Islands, Japan, 30 m depth (photographed by
K. Yano).

filament pale; second dorsal fin with about fourrows of yellow spots edged with dark brown, becoming obscure distally; anal pale, with 5 or 6
narrow, oblique orange lines posteromedially;
caudal fin subtranslucent, with faint orange or
dusky spots along middle rays forming irregulartransverse bars; pectoral fin translucent; pelvic
fin white or grayish.
Color in alcohol.—Similar to live or fresh coloration, except all yellow and orange markingson head, body, and fins faded.
Distribution and habitat. Ancistrogobius
squamiceps is known only from sandy-mud orsilt bottoms at depths of 20–30 m in Amitori andFunauki Bays, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama
Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
Etymology. The specific name squamiceps isderived from the combination of the Latin words“squama” (meaning “scale”) and “ceps” (meaning “head”) in reference to the presence of scales
on head (upper part of operculum) and nape inthis species.

80

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

Ancistrogobius yanoi sp. nov.
[New Japanese name: Asabano ho’okagi-haze][New English name: Yano’s cheek-hook goby](Figs. 1B, 3C, 4C and 7; Table 1)“Orangetip Goby—Female”: Allen et al., 2003: 323(Papua New Guinea).
Gobiidae, indet. gen. and sp. 5: Senou et al., 2004: 473(Ishigaki-jima Island and Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and Papua New
Guinea).

Holotype. NSMT-P 97982, 1 specimen (female), 35.7 mm SL, Tako-zaki Point, Funauki
Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of
Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 4 m depth, 7 June 2002
(collected by K. Yano).
Paratypes. Total 13 specimens, 16.9–36.8 mm
SL: AMS I.32492018, 1 specimen (female), 30.4mm SL, Bismark Sea, Madang Province, Papua
New Guinea, 0–2 m depth, 29 Nov. 1987 (collected by L. Parenti and G. R. Allen); BPBM 41011,
3 specimens (females), 26.9–30.6 mm SL, wreckof ship at Kerosene Island, Madang Province,
Papua New Guinea, 10 m depth, 17 Aug. 1973
(collected by J. E. Randall and R. Steene); CAS
53241, 1 specimen (male), 19.3 mm SL, Koror
Island, Palau Islands (7°20.4N, 134°34.4E),
0–3 ft depth, 6 Sep. 1957 (collected by Sumang,
DeWitt and Fehlman); KPM-NI 25199 (formerly
IOP 2715), 1 specimen, 33.2 mm SL, male, off
Funaura, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Groupof Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 29 Aug. 1991 (collected by H. Masuda, H. Senou, M. Aizawa and
Irikawa); KPM-NI 25200 (formerly IOP 2498), 1
specimen (male), 36.8 mm SL, Amitori Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu
Islands, Japan, 25 Aug. 1991 (collected by H.
Masuda, H. Senou, M. Aizawa and Irikawa);
OMNH-P 15712, 1 specimen (female; cleared,
stained, and dissected), 35.4 mm SL, collectedwith holotype; YCM-P 15058, 1 specimen(male), 16.9 mm SL, off Shukuba-no-hamaBeach, Amitori Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 8 Sept.
1985 (collected by M. Hayashi and T. Itoh);
YCM-P 15090, 1 specimen (female), 20.2 mm
SL, same locality as YCM-P 15058; WAM-P.

33156-001, 3 specimens (2 males and 1 female),
27.7–29.6 mm SL, Muaras Island, off northeastern coast of Kalimantan (1°57.76N,
118°48.05E), sand-rubble, 10 m depth, 17 Oct.
2003 (collected by G.R. Allen).
Non-type materials. BPBM 19782, 1 specimen (female), 40.2 mm SL, Suakin Harbor,
Sudan, Red Sea, fringing reef and adjacent siltbottom, 12–15 m depth, 15 Oct. 1975 (collected
by J. E. Randall and P. Vine); BPBM 30362, 1
specimen (male), 29.6 mm SL, north of Jeddah,
Soudi Arabia, Red Sea, silty sand and dead coralrock, 18 May 1984 (collected by J. E. Randall).
Diagnosis. The new species Ancistrogobius
yanoi differs from the other members of thegenus in having the following combination ofcharacters: head and most of nape naked and no
predorsal scales; third spine of first dorsal fin
elongate and filamentous, obviously longer thanpreceding spine (at least in specimens 21mmSL), with alternating pale and dusky patternwhen alive or fresh (typically faded and indistinct
in preserved specimens, but its distal tip tinged
with black); pectoral-fin rays 17–19, typically 18
or 19; pelvic fins fused medially by well developed connecting membrane and frenum (frenum
often rudimentary); fifth segmented ray of pelvic
fin 89.9–100.0% of preceding ray in length; faint,
dusky blotches below eye (not forming a distinct
vertical bar); black blotch on distal tip of firstdorsal fin relatively wide, extending posteriorly
to just behind third spine (but not to middle ofthird interspinal membrane); sensory papillarows x1 and x2 not continuous, interrupted by row
trp; sensory papilla rows trp extending dorsallyto slightly above a longitudinal line through rows
x1x2; anterior tip of sensory papilla row b
closed to, or attaching with, row 4 and well apartfrom row 3; row d typically extending posteriorly
to well beyond ventral end of row 6i.
Description. Dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 10* (14);anal-fin rays I, 9* (14); pectoral-fin rays 17 (2),
18 (14) or 19* (12); pelvic-fin rays I, 5* (28);segmented caudal-fin rays 98* (12), including
66* (12) branched rays; dorsal unsegmented
caudal-fin rays 7 (4) or 8* (8); ventral unseg-

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus

mented caudal-fin rays 5 (1), 6* (3) or 7 (8); longitudinal scales 24 (4), 25* (13) or 26* (11);transverse scales from anal-fin origin upward andforward to dorsal-fin base 8 (1), 9 (1), 10* (15)or 11 (2); transverse scales from anal-fin origin
upward and backward to dorsal-fin base 7 (1), 8*(11) or 9* (15); transverse scales from origin of
second dorsal fin downward and backward toanal-fin base 7 (1), 8* (23) or 9 (3); predorsal
scales 0* (14); circumpeduncular scales 12*(14); gill rakers 28* (7), 29 (1) or 211 (1);pseudobranchial filaments 8* (3), 9 (4) or 10 (1).
Color when live or fresh (based on color photographs, e.g., Fig. 7). Ground color of head andbody light gray or pale brown dorsally, becoming
paler ventrally; cheek with dark brown or blackish spots smaller than pupil (sometimes tinged
with yellow), those at corner of mouth typicallylargest and most conspicuous; in addition, several faint yellowish small spots sometimes present
on cheek especially in male; operculum with several faint dusky spots, sometimes tinged withyellow, dorsally; dorsal surface of eye with several black or dark brown dots; dorsal surface ofsnout and nape with scattered small dark brownor dark gray spots smaller than pupil; 2 darkbrown spots, sometimes tinged with yellow, on
pectoral-fin base; dorsum of body mottled withvarious sized dark gray or dark brown spots; lateral wall of abdominal cavity bright white; mostof scales on body with faint yellow center in larger specimen; midlateral body with a series of alternating large and small dark brown spots; Yshaped, faint dark brown marking midlaterally at
caudal-fin base; spines of first dorsal fin with alternate bands of dark gray and white, forming 3
or 4 nearly horizontal rows; dorsal filaments withalternating orange and white bands, and distal tip
tinged with black; black blotch at distal tip offirst dorsal fin relatively broad, but not extending
posteriorly to middle of third interspinal membrane; black dorsal-fin spot faintly bordered bywhite ventrally; second dorsal fin nearly translucent, with orange or dusky spots along spine andrays; these spots on second dorsal fin not forming
distinct rows; anal fin pale, with faint dusky

81Fig. 7. Freshly collected (A–B) and underwater(C) photographs of Ancistrogobius yanoi sp.
nov. A) OMNH-P 15711, paratype, female,
35.4 mm SL (photographed by T. Suzuki); B)
NSMT-P 97982, holotype, female, 35.7 mm
SL (photographed by T. Suzuki); C) non-collected specimen, Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia,
12 m depth (photographed by G. Allen).

oblique blotches basally in female, several orange spots on posterior rays in male; caudal fin
subtranslucent, with several dusky spots alongrays in female, orange spots along basal half of
middle rays in male; these spots on caudal fin notforming distinct rows; pectoral fin translucent;pelvic fin white or grayish.
Color in alcohol. Similar to live coloration,
except as follows: yellow and orange markingson head, body, and fins faded; alternate pattern of
dorsal filaments almost faded, but tip typicallytinged with black.

82

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allen

Distribution and habitat. The specimens ofAncistrogobius yanoi examined here were collected from sandy-mud bottoms at depths of
0–12 m in Japan (Iriomote-jima Island and Ishigaki-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands), Palau Islands, Kalimantan and Papua
New Guinea. A single underwater photograph ofthis species, taken from the Palau Islands at thedepth of 3 m, is registered in the database of fish
images in KPM (KPM-NR 28209). Two BPBM
specimens, collected from the Red Sea, are provisionally identified as A. yanoi (see below “Remarks”). In addition, the third author has photographed this species at the Raja Ampat Islands
and Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua (Indonesia),
New Ireland (Papua New Guinea), Solomon Islands, Yap and Chuuk (Federated States of Micronesia), and El Nido, Palawan (Philippines)
Remarks. In the initial stages of this study,
we considered Ancistrogobius yanoi and A.
yoshigoui as conspecific, representing the maleand female of a single species, respectively.
However, this conclusion was based on the examination of only 3 specimens, comprising two
males of A. yanoi (KPM-NI 25199 and 25200)
and a single female of A. yoshigoui (URM-P
37552). These 2 species are superficially very
similar, sharing the fused pelvic fins and naked
head and nape. There are minor differences between these 2 species in the extent of the third
dorsal spine filament, pectoral-fin ray counts, andcoloration (see key to species, above). However,K. Yano (Dive Service Yano, Iriomote-jima Island), informed us that these 2 forms were notfound in the same habitat at the Iriomote-jima Island; he stated that one (A. yoshigoui) occurredin relatively deep water (at depths of 20 m ormore), whereas the other (A. yanoi) was only
found in shallow areas (ca. 4 m depth) in Funauki
Bay of Iriomote-jima Island. He also provided
several specimens of these 2 species, with detailed collecting data and excellent underwaterphotographs. Examination of these and several
additional specimens reveal that the 2 species areclearly distinct based on several morphologicalfeatures.

The third dorsal spine is not elongated and filamentous in 2 small paratypes, YCM-P 15058(16.9 mm SL) and YCM-P 15090 (20.2 mm SL).
However, we are able to confirm their identification as A. yanoi, based on other diagnostic features (see diagnosis). All of the larger type specimens of A. yanoi have a typically elongate third
spine of first dorsal fin, and easily distinguishedfrom A. yoshigoui.
Two non-type specimens, collected from the
Red Sea, are provisionally identified by us as A.
yanoi. Although they are not in good condition,
we found the following diagnostic features of A.
yanoi: 19 pectoral-fin rays; united pelvic finswith connecting membrane (between innermost
rays) and frenum (between spines); no scales on
predorsal midline, cheek and operculum; third
spine of first dorsal fin elongate and filamentous(at least in male specimen, BPBM 30362). Additional specimens from the Red Sea are required
to confirm our provisional identification. Therefore we did not indicate the Red Sea material in
the type series of A. yanoi. Interestingly, norecords of Ancistrogobius have been reported todate from the Indian Ocean.
The unidentified goby referred to as the “Orangetip Goby” by Allen et al. (2003) is probably
identical with A. yanoi, judging from the long filamentous spine of first dorsal fin marked with alternating pale and dusky (or yellow) bands anddarkened tip.
Etymology. The new species is named for K.
Yano, who provided several type specimens andhabitat information for all the new species of Ancistrogobius. We are especially grateful for his
clarification of the separation between A. yanoi
and A. yoshigoui, as noted above.

Ancistrogobius yoshigoui sp. nov.
[New Japanese name: Itokake Ho’okagi-haze][New English name: Threadless cheek-hook goby](Figs. 3D, 4D, and 8; Table 1)
Gobiidae sp. 6: Masuda and Kobayashi, 1994: 374 (Kerama Island, Okinawa Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan).
Gobiidae, gen. & sp. 3: Suzuki and Senou in Okamura

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus
and Amaoka, 1997: 624 (Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of of Ryukyu Islands, Japan).
Gobiidae, indet. Gen. and sp. 6: Senou et al., 2004: 474(Amami-oshima Island of Amami Group, Okinawa
Group, and Iriomote-jima Island of Yaeyama Group of
Ryukyu Islands, Japan).
Macrodontogobius wilburi (not of Herre): Randall, 2005:
542 [underwater photograph taken at Papua New
Guinea (description based on true M. wilburi)].

Holotype. YCM-P 39103, male, 28.1 mm SL,
mouth of Atetsu Bay, Setouchi-cho, Amami-oshima Island, Amami Group of Ryukyu Islands,
Japan, 2 Nov. 1999 (collected by T. Itoh).
Paratypes. Total 13 specimens, 26.1–40.6mm SL: AMS-I.40161081, 1 specimen (male),26.1 mm SL, Mindoro Island, Philippines(13°10.7N, 120°35 E), 30.0 m depth, 3 June
2000; HMNH-P 4445, 1 specimen (male), 40.3mm SL, Unten Port, Nakijin, Okinawa-jima Island, Okinawa Group of Ryukyu Islands, Japan,
1 Jan. 2002 (collected by H. Yoshigou); HMNHP 6234, 1 specimen (female), 30.0 mm SL, samecollecting locality as HMNH-P 4445, 4 Jan. 2003
(collected by H. Yoshigou); HMNH-P 7597, 1
specimen (male), 27.8 mm SL, Yagachi-jima Island, Nago, Okinawa-jima Island, Okinawa
Group of Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, 5–10 m
depths, 2 Jan. 2004 (collected by H. Yoshigou);
HMNH-P 7598, 1 specimen (male), 27.4 mm SL,
collected with HMNH-P 7597; HMNH-P 7614, 1
specimen (female), 33.4 mm SL, same collecting
locality as HMNH-P 4445, 10 m depth, 3. Jan.
2004 (collected by H. Yoshigou); OMNH-P
15709, 1 specimen (female; cleared, stained, anddissected), 37.3 mm SL, off Yunara, Funauki
Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Group of
Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 20 m depth, 6 June 2002
(collected by K. Yano); OMNH-P 15710, 1 specimen (female), 38.4 mm SL, collected with
OMNH-P 15709; URM-P 37552, 1 specimen(female), 38.1 mm SL; YCM-P 39104, 1 specimen (female), 26.4 mm SL, collected with holotype; YCM-P 39135, 1 specimen (male), 40.6mm SL, same locality with holotype, 3 Nov.
1999 (collected by T. Itoh and K. Hagiwara);
YCM-P 39136, 1 specimen (female), 36.8 mm
SL, collected with YCM-P 39135; WAM-P.

83

32262-002, 1 specimen (male), 28.3 mm SL,
Padoz Reef, off entrance to Nagada Harbour,
Madang, Papua New Guinea (5°10S, 145°49E),
20–22 m depths, 10 Feb. 1993 (collected by G.R.
Allen).
Diagnosis. Ancistrogobius yoshigoui is unique
within the genus in lacking a filamentous spineon the first dorsal fin (and the third spine subequal in length to preceding spine). It is also characterized by the following features: pectoral-fin
rays 19–20, typically 20; head and most of nape
naked and no predorsal scales; pelvic fins fused
medially with well developed connecting membrane and frenum; fifth segmented ray of pelvic
fin 91.8–94.9% of preceding ray in length; faint,
dusky blotches (not forming vertical bar) below
eye; black blotch on distal tip of first dorsal fin
wide, extending posteriorly to middle or moreposterior part of third interspinal membrane; sensory papilla rows x1 and x2 not continuous, interrupted by row trp; sensory papilla rows trp extending dorsally to slightly above a longitudinalline through rows x1  x2; anterior tip of sensory
papilla row b extending or not to row 4 and wellapart from row.
Description. Dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9 (2) or VII, 10* (12); anal-fin rays I, 9* (14); pectoral-fin
rays 19 (9) or 20* (19); pelvic-fin rays I, 5* (28);segmented caudal-fin rays 98* (14), including
65 (1), 66* (7) or 67 (1) branched rays;dorsal unsegmented caudal-fin rays 7 (1), 8* (9)or 9 (3); ventral unsegmented caudal-fin rays 7*(9) or 8 (4); longitudinal scales 25 (10), 26* (15)or 27 (3); transverse scales from anal-fin origin
upward and forward to dorsal-fin base 9 (3), 10*(22) or 11 (3); transverse scales from anal-fin origin upward and backward to dorsal-fin base 8 (2)or 9* (26); transverse scale rows from origin of
second dorsal fin downward and backward toanal-fin base 8* (23) or 9 (5); predorsal scales 0(14); circumpeduncular scales 12 (14); gill rakers
18 (1), 19* (2), 110 (1), 28 (5), 29 (3)or 210 (1); pseudobranchial filaments 7* (5), 8(5) or 9 (3).
Color when alive or fresh (based on color photographs, e.g., Fig. 8). Ground color of head and84

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allenbody gray brown or pale brown dorsally, becoming paler ventrally; cheek with some dark brownor dark gray spots (sometimes tinged with yellow), those at corner of mouth typically largest
and most conspicuous; this black spot sometimes
forming a dusky vertical bar below eye; operculum with several faint dusky spots, sometimes
tinged with yellow; in addition, several faintsmall yellowish spots sometimes present on
cheek and operculum; dorsal surface of eye withseveral black or dark brown dots; dorsal surfaceof snout and nape with scattered small darkbrown dots or spots smaller than pupil; 2 darkbrown spots (sometimes tinged with yellow) andyellow spots edged with dark brows on pectoralfin base; dorsum of body mottled with darkbrown; lateral wall of abdominal cavity brightwhite; body with numerous small yellow spots
edged with dark brown; midlateral body with aseries of alternating large and small dark brownspots, typically enclosed by faint dark brown horizontal lines dorsoventrally; T or Y-shaped, faintdark brown marking at midlaterally at caudal-finbase; faint yellow spots edged by dark brownscattered on dorsal fins; black blotch at distal tip
of first dorsal fin broad, extending posteriorly to
middle of third interradial membrane; this black
blotch bordered by white anteroventrally, yellow
ventroposteriorly; posterior part of first dorsal fin
with narrow white distal margin; anal fin whitish
or grayish, with several faint dusky elongate
blotches, sometimes tinged with yellow, basally;
caudal fin subtranslucent, with 1 or 2 rows ofnarrow black spots at middle of fin; pectoral fintranslucent; pelvic fin white or grayish.
Color in alcohol. Similar to live coloration,
except yellow and orange markings on head,body, and fins faded.
Distribution and habitat. The specimens ofAncistrogobius yoshigoui examined here werecollected from sandy-mud or silt bottoms at
depths of 5–30 m in Japan (Ryukyu Islands from
Amami-oshima Island south to Iriomote-jima Island), Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Mostof the material was collected at depths of 20–30
m, except for some specimens collected in depths

Fig. 8. Freshly collected (A–B) and underwater(C) photographs of Ancistrogobius yoshigoui
sp. nov. A) OMNH-P 15710, paratype, female,
38.4 mm SL (photographed by T. Suzuki); B)
YCM-P 39103, holotype, male, 28.1 mm SL(photographed by K. Hagiwara); C) non-collected specimen, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jimaIsland, Yaeyama Group of Ryukyu Islands,
Japan, 22 m depth (photographed by K. Yano).

of 5–10 m at Okinawa-jima Island (Okinawa
Group of Ryukyu Islands). There are several underwater photographs of this species in the database of fish images in KPM; most of them weretaken at Okinawa-jima Island, but one (KPMNR16339) was taken at Manado, Sulawesi Island,
Indonesia. In addition, the third author has photographed this species at the Raja Ampat Islands,
West Papua (Indonesia).
Remarks. Judging from its general physiognomy (e.g., terminal mouth with slightly projecting
lower jaw, no filamentous dorsal-fin spine, andnon-barred pattern of pelvic fin), the goby in theunderwater photograph identified as “Macrodontogobius wilburi” by Randall (2005) is probably
identical with Ancistrogobius yoshigoui (see also“Comparisons” of the genus, above).

New Indo-West Pacific goby genus

Etymology. The new species is named for H.
Yoshigou, who provided five paratypes and valuable information about this species.
Discussion
Four species of Ancistrogobius are presumed
to form a monophyletic group, sharing theunique, apparently specialized, condition of thepreopercular spine. Ancistrogobius dipus is peculiar within the genus in having largely separated
pelvic fins with a rudimentary connecting membrane between the innermost rays and no frenum(Fig. 2A), while the remaining 3 species havecomplete disc-like pelvic fins united medially(Fig. 2B). Formerly, the degree of developmentof the pelvic disc was the primary basis for therecognition of families or subfamilies within the
Gobioidei (e.g., Jordan and Snyder, 1901; Herre,
1927; Koumans, 1953; Fowler, 1960; Smith,1959). Judging from the osteological and cephalic sensory-canal features (see “Comparisons” of
the genus, above), all four species of Ancistrogobius are typical members of the gobiid subfamily
Gobiinae (sensu Pezold, 1993). Similar intrageneric variation of pelvic-fin structure is also
found in several other gobiid genera, e.g., Amblyeleotris, Asterropteryx, Callogobius, Fusigobius, Hetereleotris, Periophthalmus, Periophthalmodon, Trimma and Vanderhorstia (Akihito
and Meguro, 1977; Hoese, 1986; Murdy, 1989;
Winterbottom, 1984; Akihito et al., 2002;
Shibukawa and Suzuki, 2002, 2007; Iwata et al.,2007), and it is not a feature relevant to themonophyly of Ancistrogobius.
The phylogenetic position of Ancistrogobius
within the Gobiinae is not yet clear. Although
Ancistrogobius shares the preopercular spine(s)with 3 gobiine genera, i.e., Asterropteryx, Gladiogobius and Oplopomus, monophyly of these 4
genera is not hypothesized. The structure of thepreopercular spines for these genera is variableand primarily divided into 2 patterns; namely,
Oplopomus has the spines formed by anteriorridge of the bony preopercular canal support,
whereas the other 3 (Ancistrogobius, Aster-85

ropteryx and Gladiogobius) have the spine(s)formed by the posterior ridge (Fig. 1). The preopercular spine(s) of Oplopomus is, furthermore,
distinct from the others in being located below
preopercular-canal pore O, whereas the spinesof the remaining three are located above pore O
(see, e.g., Akihito et al., 2002; Fig. 3). Also,
Oplopomus is readily distinguished from theother cheek-spine gobies in having a longitudinaland proliferated pattern of sensory-papillae rows
on the cheek (vs. a transverse pattern in the otherspine-cheek gobies), and thickened and rigid firstspines in both first and second dorsal fins (vs.
slender and flexible). The pungent, rigid firstspine is rare within the Gobiinae, and only foundin 5 nominal genera with a longitudinal and/or
proliferated pattern of sensory papillae on thecheek (Echinogobius, Hazeus, Oplopomops,
Oplopomus, and Opua) (Iwata et al., 1998). The
above evidence appears to reject a close relationship between Oplopomus and the other 3 genera,
and, also, shows that the preopercular spines ofthe former are non-homologous with that of thelatter.
Ancistrogobius might have a close affinity with
Asterropteryx and/or Gladiogobius, although thedetails of the preopercular spines (i.e., directedventrally vs. posteriorly) and arrangement of sensory-papillae rows (e.g., numbers of transverse
sensory-papillae rows below row b) are heterogeneous among these 3 genera. Other than preopercular spine(s), however, we could not detect any
distinct apomorphies shared by these 3. The
other resemblances listed above are commonly
found in many other gobiines, and, thus, we havelittle evidence to suggest a close relationship between Ancistrogobius, Asterropteryx and/or
Gladiogobius. Further studies, including extensive molecular analysis for gobiine genera, areneeded to resolve the interrelationships of thecheek-spine goby genera.
Acknowledgments
We express our sincere thanks to the following
persons for supplying loans of the type and non-

86

Koichi Shibukawa, Tetsuo Yoshino and Gerald R. Allentype specimens and/or color slides of live or
fresh specimens of the new genus: T. Suzuki(Amagasaki Senior High School, Hyogo); D. F.
Hoese and M. McGrouther (AMS); J. E. Randall
and A. Suzumoto (BPBM); D. H. Catania (CAS);
H. Yoshigou (Chugai Technos Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan); K. Yano (Dive Service YANO, Iriomote-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan); H. Senou(KPM); K. Matsuura and G. Shinohara (NSMT);K. Hatooka (OMNH); S. M. Morrison (WAM). P.
Munday (James Cook University, Australia) and
R. Steene assisted with field collections at
Madang and New Britain made by the second author; the collections were made possible due tothe generosity of M. Jebb (former director of theChristensen Research Institute) and Max Benjamin (owner of Walindi Resort, Kimbe, New
Britain). H. K. Larson (NTM) and E.O. Murdy(National Science Foundation, U.S.A.) reviewed
the early draft of the manuscript and gave helpfulcomments. A. Iwata (Kyoto University, Japan)
provided various information on gobies of Ancistrogobius. K. Fujita, H. Kohno and M. Moteki[Tokyo University of Fisheries (now Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology),
Japan], for providing working space and facilities
for examining specimens when the first author
visited at their laboratory.
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Manuscript received 19 August 2009; revised 9 February
2010; accepted 17 February 2010.
Associate editor: S. Kimura.