Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. A, Suppl. 1, pp. 109–121, March 22, 2007

Two New Species of the Cheek-spine Goby Genus Asterropteryx(Perciformes: Gobiidae: Gobiinae) from the Western PacificKoichi Shibukawa1 and Toshiyuki Suzuki2
1

Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science,
3–23–1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169–0073, Japan
E-mail: shibu@kahaku.go.jp
2
Amagasaki Senior High School,
3–38–1 Nishikoya, Amagasaki, Hyogo 661–0047, Japan

Abstract Two new species of the cheek-spine gobies of the genus Asterropteryx, i.e., A. ovata
and A. senoui, are described; within the genus, these 2 belongs to the “spinosa complex,” characterized by having e.g. united pelvic fins, bony spinous projections located just behind preopercular
canal between pores M and O, and no scales on branchiostegal membrane. One of them, A. ovata(14 specimens, Indonesia and Ponape), is distinguished from the congeners in having the combination of following features: numerous, vivid reddish orange spots scattered on head and body when
alive or fresh; a large horizontally-elongate ovoid black spot (extending anteriorly to third mid-lateral scale before posterior margin of hypural) at caudal fin base; no distinct black spot on first dorsal fin; largest cheek spine obviously longer than others, 2.6–6.3% SL in length (more than 3.3% in
specimens of 20 mm SL). The other one, A. senoui (6 specimens, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama
Islands of Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan), is characterized by having the following combination ofcharacters: 6–10 cheek spines; all cheek spines short and similar in size, length of longest spine
1.6–2.2% SL; no filamentous spines on first dorsal fin; a distinct, narrow ventrally-pointed vertical
black bar below eye; no distinct black spot on first dorsal fin; small narrow vertically-elongate
black spot at midlateral base of caudal fin. Asterropteryx ovata appears to be widely distributed in
the western Pacific (including the Japanese waters) and, possibly, Indian Ocean, whereas the plausible records of A. senoui are currently restricted in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Key to all 4
described species of the spinosa complex is given.
Key words : Gobiidae, Asterropteryx spinosa complex, Asterropteryx ovata sp. nov., Asterropteryx senoui sp. nov., Western Pacific.

The cheek-spine goby genus Asterropteryx
Rüppell, 1828 belongs to the gobiid subfamily
Gobiinae (sensu Pezold, 1993), and comprises 6
described species of small marine gobies, foundin lagoons or coral/rocky reefs on shallow coastal
waters of the Indo-West Pacific (Shibukawa andSuzuki, 2002): Asterropteryx atripes Shibukawa
and Suzuki, 2002; Asterropteryx bipunctata
Allen and Munday, 1991; Asterropteryx ensifera(Bleeker, 1874); Asterropteryx semipunctata(Rüppell, 1830); Asterropteryx spinosa (Goren,
1981); Asterropteryx striata Allen and Munday,
1991. The genus is distinguished from the othermembers of the subfamily by having the follow-

ing combination of characters: posterior marginof preopercle with a single to several, essentiallyposteriorly directed, bony spine-like projections(hereafter refers to “cheek spines”); all dorsal fin
spines slender, flexible; cheek, operculum, napeand prepelvic regions covered by scales; no cutaneous ridge along dorsal midline on nape; welldeveloped transverse pattern of sensory papillae
rows on cheek. There are 2 distinct subgroups
recognized within the genus (Shibukawa andSuzuki, 2002): the “semipunctata complex,”
comprising A. atripes, A. ensifera, A. semipunctata, and A. striata; the spinosa complex, comprising A. bipunctata and A. spinosa. These 2

110

K. Shibukawa and T. Suzuki

subgroups are readily distinguished one anotherby various morphological features, e.g., pelvic fin
structure, squamation pattern of head, cheekspine morphology, and configuration of cephalicsensory papillae rows (see general accounts ofthe spinosa complex, below).
During our recent research on Asterropteryx, 4
species of the spinosa complex are recognized.
Two of them are herein described as new. One of
the new species is known from the Ryukyu Archipelago, whereas the other appears to be widelydistributed in the western Pacific and, possibly,
the Indian Ocean. In this paper, the spinosa complex is re-diagnosed, and the key to all described
species of the complex is given.
Materials and Methods
Institutional abbreviations follow Leviton etal. (1985), except for KPM (Kanagawa Prefectual Museum of Natural History, Japan). Species
accounts are presented in alphabetical order.
All fish lengths given are standard lengths(SL). Measurements are made point-to-pointwith calipers under the dissecting microscope tothe nearest 0.1 mm. The methods for measurements follow those of Hubbs and Lagler (1958),
with exceptions given below (the snout tip refers
to the mid-anteriormost point of the upper lip):interorbital width is the least width between innermost rims of right and left eyes; jaw length ismeasured between the snout tip and the posteriormost point of lip; head width and depth aremeasured at preopercular margin; body depth ismeasured at the anal fin origin; nape width ismeasured between dorsalmost margins of gill
openings; preanal and prepelvic lengths are measured from the snout tip to the origin of each fin;pectoral fin length is measured from the base to
the tip of the longest ray; pelvic fin length ismeasured between the base of pelvic fin spine
and the distal tip of the longest segmented ray;each pelvic fin ray length is greatest length between base and distal tip of ray; caudal fin lengthis measured from the base to distal tip of the
middle (longest) caudal fin ray; length of cheekspine is the least distance between anterior ridgeof bony preopercular canal support (clearly visible from external view) and distal tip of thecheek spine. The methods of counts follow Akihito (1984), except for the following: longitudinal scale count is the number of oblique (anterodorsal to posteroventral) rows starting fromjust above the dorsalmost attachment of the opercular membrane and proceeding posteriorly tothe mid-base of caudal fin; 3 methods of transverse scale count are taken (see descriptive accounts); circumpeduncular scale count is thenumber of zigzag rows along a vertical line
around narrowest point of caudal peduncle;
counts of cheek and opercular scale rows are thenumber of vertical or slightly oblique (posterodorsal to anteroventral) rows of scales oncheek and operculum, respectively; gill rakers including all rudiments are counted on the outerside of first arch; count of pseudobranchial filaments includes all rudiments. Scales (except for
predorsal and circumpeduncular scales) andpaired fin rays are counted on both sides, but gillrakers and pseudobranchial filaments are counted
on right side only. Osteological features are observed from radiographs (for all specimens) andthe cleared and stained specimens, following themethod of Potthoff (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 are observed on specimens stained with cyanine blue,and notations on them follow Akihito (1984) andMiller (1986), respectively.
The Asterropteryx spinosa complex
Included species. The Asterropteryx spinosacomplex comprises 4 species, i.e., A. bipunctata,A. ovata (new species), A. senoui (new species)
and A. spinosa.
Diagnosis. Species of the Asterropteryx
spinosa complex (or the spinosa complex) is distinguished from the other congeners (all belonging to the semipunctata complex) by having: 1)

Two New Species of Asterropteryx

pelvic fins fused medially, with well developed
connecting membrane between innermost rays,
and frenum between spines (vs. pelvic fins almost separated, with rudimental connecting
membrane and no frenum in the latter); 2) 3–10
cheek spines located just behind preopercular
canal between pores M and O (vs. 1-10 cheekspines, restricted just behind ventral part of preopercular canal between pores N and O); 3) ventral surface of gill membrane and throat naked(vs. covered by scales); 4) scales on opercle enlarged, typically single opercular scale rows (vs.
moderately small, ca. 4 opercular scale rows); 5)
in the species with greatly prolonged spines offirst dorsal fin, fourth spine elongate and filamentous (vs. third spine elongate and filamentous); 6)
anteriormost (11th) caudal vertebra bears welldeveloped parapophysis, likewise preceding vertebra (vs. no developed parapophysis on caudal
vertebrae); 7) caudal vertebrae with no expanded
haemal arches and moderately long haemal
spines (vs. greatly expanded haemal arches eachwith very short haemal spine on anterior single
or some caudal vertebrae, the first arch being
most expanded, degree of expansion decreasing
posteriorly); 8) a pair of sensory papillae at justbehind chin (vs. more than one pair of sensory
papillae just behind chin, forming 2 parallel, essentially longitudinal rows); 9) row d of cephalicsensory papillae continuous (vs. interrupted at
midway); 10) no bright blue spots on head, bodyand fins when live or fresh (vs. present); 11) a
distinct black spot at caudal fin base (vs. absent).
Description. Dorsal fin rays VI-I, 9–10 (usually VI-I, 10); anal fin rays I, 8–9 (usually I, 9);pectoral fin rays 15–20 (usually 18–19); pelvic
fin rays I, 5; segmented caudal fin rays 97–8(usually 98), including 5–75–7 (usually
6–76–7) branched caudal fin rays; upper unsegmented caudal fin rays 4–6; lower unsegmented
caudal fin rays 4–5; longitudinal scale rows
22–25 (usually 23–24); transverse scale rows
counted from origin of anal fin upward and forward to base of first dorsal fin 7–10 (usually8–9); transverse scale rows counted from originof anal fin upward and backward to base of sec-111

ond dorsal fin 7–8; transverse scale rows counted
from origin of second dorsal fin downward andbackward to anal-fin base 7–8; predorsal scales
4–6; gill rakers on outer surface of first gill arch
2–58–11=11–14; pseudobranchial filaments
4–6; P-V 3/II II I I 0/9; vertebrae 101626;
anal pterygiophores anterior to first haemal spine
2; epural 1.
Head and body compressed. Eye moderately
large, its diameter subequal or slightly larger thansnout length. Interorbital space narrow, its widthabout equal or slightly narrower than pupil diameter. Mouth terminal, oblique, forming an angleof about 30–40 degrees with body axis. Lower
jaw slightly projecting beyond upper jaw. Posterior end of jaws extending to below anterior margin or middle of pupil. Anterior naris opening ata short tube; no fleshy flap at tip of anterior naris;
posterior naris opening a pore, closer to anterior
margin of eye than to anterior naris. Anterior
margin of tongue rounded or nearly truncate, freefrom floor of mouth. Lower lip interrupted atsymphysis. Mental flap on chin undeveloped.
Gill opening moderate in size, extending anteriorly to a vertical line through middle or anterior
part of operculum (and not beyond a vertical line
through posterior margin of preopercle); gillmembrane attached to isthmus. Three to ten
cheek spines located just behind preopercular
canal between pores M and O. No fleshy papilla-like projection on lateral margin of lateralwing of cleithrum. Pectoral fin rounded or slightly pointed, 10th, 11th, 12th or 13th ray longest,
extending posteriorly to a vertical from anterior
second or third segmented rays of anal fin; allpectoral fin rays branched, except for uppermost
2–4 and lowermost 1–2 rays. Pelvic fins fused
medially, with well-developed connecting membrane between innermost rays, and frenum between spines; all segmented rays of pelvic fin
branched; 4th segmented ray longest, its tip extending beyond anal fin origin when adpressed;
5th segmented ray 81.3–104.9% of preceding ray
in length. Caudal fin nearly truncated or rounded.
Scales on body ctenoid, except for prepelvic
region, anterior part of occipital region, pectoral

112

K. Shibukawa and T. Suzuki

Fig. 1. Ventral (top) and lateral (bottom) views of heads of 2 species of Asterropteryx, showing cephalic sensory
canal pores (indicated by roman uppercase letters, except for AN and PN) and papillae (indicated by romanlowercase letters and 1–7). A: Asterropteryx ovata sp. nov., NSMT-P 61054, paratype, male, 22.4 mm SL; B:
Asterropteryx senoui sp. nov., NSMT-P 73127, holotype, male, 23.3 mm SL. AN and PN: anterior and posterior nares, respectively. Arrows position where gill membrane attached to isthmus. Bars 3 mm. Drawn by K.
Shibukawa.

fin base, prepelvic region (including small area
below pectoral fin) and anteroventral part of belly
just behind pelvic fin base with cycloid scales(most of cycloid scales, except for those on nape,slightly embedded); cheek and operculum almost
entirely covered by large cycloid scales (operculum sometimes with ctenoid scales in A. spinosa); snout, chin, lips, ventral surface of lower
jaws, gill membrane, and interorbital region
naked. Teeth on jaws simple, conical; upper jaw
with about 4 rows of teeth anteriorly, narrowing
to single row posteriorly; lower jaw with about
4–6 irregular rows of teeth anteriorly, narrowing
to single row posteriorly; teeth in outermost row,
usually restricted to anterior half of toothed areaof jaws, largest in both jaws; teeth in innermost
row of lower jaw larger than those in neighboringrows (but slightly smaller than teeth in outermostrow); no enlarged, prominent canine-like teeth injaws; no teeth on vomer and palatine.

Patterns of cephalic sensory systems of 2 new
species are illustrated in Fig. 1. Sensory canals
well developed on head; oculoscapular canalwith pores B, C (S), D (S), E, F, G, H, K andL; preopercular canal with M, N and O; rightand left sides of oculoscapular canal fused medially between pores C and D. Apparently 6 shorttransverse rows of sensory papilla [rows 1, 2, 3,
4/5 (continuous, forming a single row), 6 and 7]
below eye; row 7 formed by a single sensory
papilla; row d not interrupted midway; row fcomprises a single sensory papilla (namely, apair of sensory papillae just behind chin).
Sexual dimorphism is found in urogenital
papilla: long, narrow and pointed in male, whereas short, broad and rounded in female.
Remarks. Within the Gobiidae, 2 of thecharacters liseted in “Diagnosis” (#2 and #6) appear to be unique and regarded as autapomorphies supporting the monophyly of this complex.

Two New Species of Asterropteryx

113

Key to Species of the Asterropteryx spinosa complex
1a.

A large, rounded black spot (subequal or larger than pupil) at midlateral caudal fin base; vivid
reddish orange spots, slightly smaller than pupil, scattered on head and body when alive or fresh;no black bar below eye (black spots maybe present below eye, but not forming distinct bar) .......2
1b. A short, narrow vertical black bar or small vertically-elongate ovoid spot (rather than rounded
blotch) at midlateral caudal fin base; no vivid orange spots on head and body (excluding minute,dusky orange or yellow dots); distinct black vertical bar below eye...............................................32a.

A distinct black spot between first and second spine of first dorsal fin; black blotch at caudal-finbase circular, extending anteriorly to second mid-lateral scale before posterior margin of hypural;largest cheek spine subequal or slightly longer than second largest spine, 1.7–2.2% SL in length.....................................................................................................................................A. bipunctata
2b. No distinct black spot on first dorsal fin; black blotch at caudal fin base ovoid and horizontallyelongate, extending anteriorly to third mid-lateral scale before posterior margin of hypural;largest cheek spine obviously longer than others, 2.6–6.3% SL in length (more than 3.3% in
specimens of 20 mm SL) .....................................................................................A. ovata sp. nov.
3a.

Cheek spines 4–6; longest (and usually ventralmost) cheek spine obviously stouter and longer
than others, 3.4–6.8% SL in length; fourth spine of first dorsal fin elongated, filamentous at leastin adult; a diffuse black spot (about size of pupil) usually present between first and second spinesof first dorsal fin; black vertical suborbital bar broadened and rounded ventrally ..........A. spinosa
3b. Cheek spine 6–10; all cheek spines short and similar each other in size, length of longest spine
1.7–2.2% SL; no filamentous spines on first dorsal fin; no distinct black spot on first dorsal fin;black vertical suborbital bar narrow, pointed ventrally.........................................A. senoui sp. nov.
Asterropteryx ovata sp. nov.
(Figs. 1A, 2B, 3A–B and 4B; Table 1)?Asterropteryx species (DFH sp. 7). Winterbottom andEmery, 1986: 10, fig. 10 (Peros Banhos and Salomon,
Chagos Archipelago; description and black and whitephotograph); Winterbottom and Anderson,1997: 19(revised checklist).
Asterropteryx species. Shibukawa et al., 2003: 178(Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia; brief description andcolor photograph of freshly collected specimen).
Asterropteryx sp. 1. Senou et al., 2004. 389 (Miyako-jimaIsland and Iriomote-jima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago,
Japan; brief description and underwater photographs).
Holotype. NSMT-P 73125, female, 24.4 mm SL,
Tanjung Kusukusu, western coast of Lembeh Island, off
Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia (01°26N, 125°11E), 15 m
depth, 14 July 2000, collected by K. Matsuura.
Paratypes. Total 13 specimens, 18.3–27.2 mm SL:
NSMT-P 61054, 1 specimen, male, 22.4 mm SL, collectedwith holotype; NSMT-P 61060, 4 specimens, males, 17.0–
23.2 mm SL, collected with holotype; USNM 223166, 8
specimens, 7 males and 1 female, 18.3–27.2 mm SL, Car-

oline Islands, Ponape, Tanak Island (06°56N, 158°06E),
0–55 ft depth, 11 Sep. 1980, collected by V. G. Springer etal.

Diagnosis. The new species Asterropteryx
ovata differs from the other species of the spinosa complex in having the following combination of characters: 3–6 cheek spines; largest
cheek spine slender obviously longer than otherspines, its length 2.6–6.3% SL; a pupil- or eyesized ovoid black spot on base of caudal fin (extending anteriorly to third mid-lateral scale before posterior margin of hypural); numerous orange speckles on head, body and dorsal fins when
alive or fresh; no distinct black spot on first dorsal fin.
Description. Proportional measurements are
given in Table 1. In the following description ofmeristic counts, the counts of holotype are identified by an asterisk, and the frequency of eachvalue is given in parentheses following relevant
value. Dorsal fin rays VI-I, 9 (1) or VI-I, 10*

114

K. Shibukawa and T. Suzuki

Fig. 2. Lateral views of heads of 4 species ofAsterropteryx spinosa complex. A: Asterropteryx bipunctata, one of NSMT-P 56898,
male, 24.5 mm SL; B: Asteropteryx ovata sp.
nov., NSMT-P 61054, male, 22.4 mm SL; C:
Asteropteryx senoui sp. nov., NSMT-P 73128,
paratype, 23.7 mm SL; D: Asterropteryx spinosa, NSMT-P 73130, female, 28.4 mm SL.
Drawn by K. Shibukawa(13); anal fin rays I, 8 (1) or I, 9 (13)*; pectoral
fin rays 15 (1), 17 (1), 18 (11) or 19* (13); pelvic
fin rays I, 5* (28); segmented caudal fin rays
98 (14), including 66 (6), 67 (5), 76 (2)or 77* (1) branched rays; upper unsegmented
rays 4* (3), 5 (8) or 6 (2); lower unsegmented
rays 4* (9) or 5 (4); longitudinal scale rows 22*(3), 23* (16) or 24 (8); transverse scale rows

counted from origin of anal fin upward and forward to base of first dorsal fin 8* (17) or 9 (10);transverse scale rows counted from origin of anal
fin upward and backward to base of second dorsal fin 7* (23) or 8* (4); transverse scale rows
counted from origin of second dorsal fin downward and backward to anal-fin base 7* (17) or 8*(10); predorsal scales 5* (9) or 6 (4); circumpeduncular scales 12 (14); cheek spines 3 (5), 4*(8), 5 (9) or 6* (6); gill rakers on outer surface offirst gill arch 38 (2), 39 (4). 311 (1), 49*(4), 410 (2) or 58 (1); pseudobranchial filaments 5 (3) or 6 (11); P-V 3/II II I I 0/9* (14);vertebrae 101626* (14); anal pterygiophores
anterior to first haemal spine 2* (14); epural* 1(14).
Color when fresh (based on color slides, e.g.,
Fig. 3A, B). Ground color of head and body
pale brown, darkened dorsally; numerous orange
spots about size of half to two-thirds of pupil
scattered on head and body, except for belly andprepelvic regions; 2 minute brown dots on posterior part of most of each body scales except for
those on belly and prepelvic regions; iris brightwhite with orange or yellow spots/lines encircling pupil; posterior end of caudal peduncle
with a distinct, large horizontally elongate ovoid
black spot (slightly smaller than eye), extending
anteriorly to third mid-lateral scale before posterior margin of hypural; numerous orange dots on
first dorsal fin, sometimes forming horizontal
rows; 3 to 5 nearly horizontal rows of minute orange dots on second dorsal fin; pectoral fin subtranslucent; pelvic fin pale, a little tinged withblack; 7 arc-shaped vertical rows of minute orange dots on upper 2 thirds of caudal fin; no distinct black spot on fins. In matured males, someorange spots at preopercular corner and/or undereye darkened (often blackish), and throat tinged
with black.
Color when alive (based on the underwaterphotographs, e.g., Senou et al., 2004: 389).
Similar to color when freshly collected, except asfollows: brown dots on scales tinged with bronze;
black spot on posterior end of caudal peduncle
margined posteriorly with an arc-shaped whiteTwo New Species of Asterropteryx

115

Fig. 3. Freshly collected specimens of 2 species of Asterropteryx. A: Asterropteryx ovata sp. nov., NSMT-P
73125, holotype, female, 24.4 mm SL, Sulawesi, Indonesia (photographed by K. Matsuura and K.
Shibukawa); B: Asterropteryx ovata sp. nov., NSMT-P 61054, paratype, male, 22.4 mm SL, collected with
NSMT-P 73125 (photographed by K. Matsuura and K. Shibukawa); C: Asterropteryx bipunctata, NSMT-P
61053, male, 25.0 mm SL, Sulawesi, Indonesia (photographed by K. Matsuura and K. Shibukawa); D: Asterropteryx bipunctata, NSMT-P 73124, male, 20.8 mm SL, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of Ryukyu
Archipelago, Japan (photographed by T. Suzuki).

116

K. Shibukawa and T. Suzuki

Fig. 4. Lateral views of caudal peduncles of 2
species of Asterropteryx, showing shape of
black spot on caudal fin base. A: Asterropteryx
bipunctata, NSMT-P 61053, male, 25.0 mm
SL; B: Asterropteryx ovata, one of NSMT-P
61060, paratype, male, 19.2 mm SL. Arrows
position of posterior vertical margin of hypurals. Bars 1 mm. Drawn by K. Shibukawa.

bar.
Color in alcohol. Similar to color whenfreshly collected, except for all orange markingson head, body and fins faded.
Distribution and habitat. Type specimensof Asterropteryx ovata were collected from theSulawesi of Indonesia and Ponape, Caroline Islands, but this species appears to be more widelydistributed in the western Pacific. The unidentified species reported by Senou et al. (2004: 389,
as “Asterropteryx sp. 1”) from the Ryukyu Archipelago appears to be identical with A. ovata, considering its characteristic coloration; although
any specimens (vouchers) are not available in thispaper, the senior author (KS) have examined the
Ryukyus specimens clearly identified as A. ovata
actually. [Note.—Because of lack of the Japanese
specimens, we do not propose the new Japanesename for this species here.] Also, the species reported by Winterbottom and Emery (1986) as“Asterropteryx species (DFH sp. 7)” from the

Chagos Islands, Indian Ocean, is possibly conspecific with A. ovata, judging from their accountof the species (see below “Remarks”); subsequently Winterbottom and Anderson (1997) reported that this species is distributed in “Indo-Pacific and marginally on Pacific plate (Carolines,
Samoa).”
According to Senou et al. (2004), their “Asterropteryx sp. 1” (A. ovata) inhabits coral-reefslopes in the protected bays at the depths of
15–40 m, and found solitary on muddy or sandymud bottoms with dead-coral rubbles under theheavy growth of corals in the Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of Ryukyu Archipelago,
Japan. Asterropteryx ovata is sometimes foundsympatrically with the closely resembled congener, A. bipunctata. Actually, both species weremixed within the one-dive collection made by K.
Matsuura in the Sulawesi; those specimens are
now divided into 5 registration lots, i.e., NSMTP61054, 61060 and 73125 for A. ovata, whereas
61053 and 61059 for A. bipunctata.
Etymology. The new specific name, ovata(the Latin meaning “egg-shaped”) refers from thelarge ovoid black spot on the base of caudal fin.
Remarks. The new species Asterropteryx
ovata is very similar to A. bipunctata in the general physiognomy, and, in the early stage of ourresearch, we even suspected the possibility thatthe former might be the intraspecific color variant lacking the black spot on dorsal fin within thelatter. Nevertheless, our investigation reveals thatthese 2 are clearly distinguished one another inthe cheek-spine morphology, as well as the coloration; their sympatric distribution also suggeststhat these 2 are distinct species.
Winterbottom and Emery (1986) reported anundescribed species of the genus as “Asterropteryx species (DFH sp. 7)”. Their species isprobably identical with A. ovata, since, according
to their description and illustrations, it possesses
a large, ovoid black spot at caudal fin base, halfpupil-diameter spots ranging yellow to orange onhead and body, no black spot on dorsal fin, andlong largest preopercular spine (twice or more in
length of second largest spine). However, theyTwo New Species of Asterropteryx

117

Fig. 5. Freshly collected specimens of 2 species of Asterropteryx photographed by T. Suzuki. A: Asterropteryx
senoui sp. nov., NSMT-P 73127, holotype, male, 23.3 mm SL, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of
Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan; B: Asterropteryx senoui sp. nov., NSMT-P 73128, paratype, female, 23.7 mm SL,
collected with holotype; C: Asterropteryx spinosa, NSMT-P 73129, male, 28.9 mm SL, Iriomote-jima Island,
Yaeyama Islands of Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

described that their species had “no frenum” (vs.
frenum well developed in A. ovata). Further detail comparisons are needed to determine the certain relationships between these 2.

Asterropteryx senoui sp. nov.
(New Japanese name: Nokogiri-hoshihaze)(Figs. 1B, 2C and 5A–B; Table 1)
Asterropteryx sp. 2. Senou et al., 2004: 390 (Ishigaki-jimaIsland and Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of
Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan; brief description and underwater photographs).

118

K. Shibukawa and T. Suzuki

Holotype. NSMT-P 73127, male, 23.3 mm SL, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of
Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, 17 m depth, 14 June 2001,
collected by K. Yano.
Paratypes. Total 5 specimens, 21.0–24.9 mm SL:
KPM-NI 5527, 1 specimen, male, 21.0 mm SL, Tako-zaki
Point, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, 17 Nov. 1998, collected by H. Senou; KPM-NI 5544, 1 specimen, male,
24.9 mm SL, collecting locality and date same as KPM-NI
5527, collected by K. Yano; KPM-NI 5547, 1 specimen,
female, 23.9 mm SL, collecting locally and date same as
KPM-NI 5527, collected by K. Yano; AMS I. 43850-001,
1 specimen, female, 22.2 mm SL, Funauki Bay, Iriomotejima Island, Yaeyama Islands of Ryukyu Archipelago,
Japan, 40 m depth, 27 May 2001, collected by K. Yano;
NSMT-P 73128, 1 specimen (cleared and stained), female, 23.7 mm SL, collected with holotype.

Diagnosis. The new species Asterropteryx
senoui is distinguished from the other membersof the spinosa complex in having the following
combination of characters: 6 to ten cheek spines;
all cheek spines short and similar one another insize, length of longest spine 1.6–2.2% SL; no filamentous spines in first dorsal fin; no distinct
black spot on first dorsal fin; small verticallyelongate ovoid black spot at caudal fin base; novivid reddish orange spots on head and body (excluding minute, dusky and slightly faded orange
or yellow dots); a distinct, narrow ventrallypointed vertical black bar below eye.
Description. Proportional measurements are
given in Table 1. In the following description ofmeristic counts, the counts of holotype are identified by an asterisk, and the frequency of eachvalue is given in parentheses followed by relevant
value. Dorsal fin rays VI-I, 9 (1) [Note.—in thisspecimen, fourth segmented ray of second dorsal
fin missing (but relating pterygiophores present)]or VI-I, 10* (5); anal fin rays I, 9 (6); pectoral fin
rays 18 (3) or 19* (9); pelvic fin rays I, 5* (12);segmented caudal fin rays 98* (6), including
66 (4) or 76* (2) branched rays; upper unsegmented caudal fin rays 5 (5) or 6* (1); lower unsegmented caudal fin rays 4 (3), 5 (2) or 6* (1);longitudinal scale rows 23* (7) or 24 (3); transverse scale rows counted from origin of anal fin
upward and forward to base of first dorsal fin 7(1), 8* (8) or 9 (3); transverse scale rows counted
from origin of anal fin upward and backward tobase of second dorsal fin 7* (10) or 8* (2); transverse scale rows counted from origin of second
dorsal fin downward and backward to anal finbase 7* (11) or 8 (1); predorsal scales 4 (1), 5*(4) or 6 (1); cheek spines 6* (1), 7* (2), 8 (6) or
10 (1); gill rakers on outer surface of first gillarch 29 (2)* or 38 (1); pseudobranchial filaments 4* (1), 5 (1) or 6 (1); P-V 3/II II I I 0/9*
(6); vertebrae 101626* (6); anal pterygiophores anterior to first haemal spine 2* (6); epural 1* (6).
Color when freshly collected (based on color
slides, e.g., Fig. 4A, B). Ground color of headand body grayish white, a little darkened dorsally, and tinged with brown; numerous minute paleorange-yellow spots about size of smaller than
one-third of pupil scattered on head and body,
except for ventral part of belly and prepelvic regions; 8 or 9 small grayish brown saddle-likeblotches on dorsum from nape to caudal fin base;8 or 9 small dark grayish brown or black mid-lateral spots on body, the posteriormost one largest
and forming a vertically-elongate ovoid spot at
caudal fin base; some minute dark grayish brownor black dots on side of belly; iris yellowish
brown or grayish brown, with no spotted and/or
barred pattern; a distinct, narrow ventrallypointed black vertical bar below eye; numerous
vague brownish dots on dorsal fins and basal halfof anal and caudal fins; pectoral fin subtranslucent; pelvic fin pale, a little tinged with black; no
distinct black spot on fins.
Color when alive (based on underwater photographs found in Senou et al., 2004: 390).
Similar to color when freshly collected, except
for black suborbital bar paler and almost entirely
tinged with yellow.
Color in alcohol. Similar to color whenfreshly collected, except as follows: all brownish,yellowish or orange color faded; iris entirely
blackish.
Distribution and habitat. Type specimensof the new species Asterropteryx senoui werecollected only from the Funauki Bay, Iriomote-Two New Species of Asterropteryx
Table 1.

119

Proportional measurements of 2 species of Asterropteryx.
Asterropteryx ovata sp. nov.

Holotype

Males

Femalesa

Asterropteryx senoui sp. nov.
Holotype

MalesaNSMT-P 73125 12 specimens 2 specimens NSMT-P 73127 3 specimens
Standard length (mm)In % of standard length
Head length
Snout length
Length of longest cheekspine
Length of second longest
cheek spine
Eye diameter
Interorbital width
Jaw length
Nape width
Head width
Head depth
Body depth
Body width
Predorsal length
Prepelvic length
Preanal length
Caudal peduncle length
Caudal peduncle depth
Length of D1 base
Length of first spine of D1
Length of second spineof D1
Length of third spine of
D1
Length of fourth spineof D1
Length of D2 base
Length of spine of D2
Length of first segmented
ray of D2
Length of longest
segmented ray of D2
Length of A base
Length of spine of A
Length of first segmented
ray of A
Length of longest
segmented ray of A
P1 length
P2 length
Length of spine of P2
Length of fourth
segmented ray of P2
Length of fifth segmented
ray of P2
C lengthaFemales
3 specimens

24.4

22.5–27.2

19.3–24.4

23.3

21.0–24.9

22.2–23.9

33.4
8.8
3.5/3.5b

31.7–36.0
8.5–10.4
2.6–6.3

33.1–33.4
8.8–8.9
3.5–4.5

31.7
9.2
1.7/1.7b

31.5–33.1
8.6–9.2
1.7–2.0

32.1–32.3
8.5–9.0
1.8–2.2

1.9/1.9b

1.6–3.4

1.9–2.8

1.7/1.5b

1.5–2.0

1.6–2.1

9.4
2.1
11.3
13.2
18.8
21.4
22.2
12.5
38.5
35.2
60.1
28.5
10.6
20.7
19.1
20.8

9.4–11.0
1.4–2.4
10.7–13.0
11.9–15.1
17.0–20.2
18.2–22.1
19.1–24.3
11.7–14.4
34.9–40.0
33.6–36.6
57.3–59.9
26.4–29.3
9.9–12.2
18.6–20.5
14.4–19.6
15.1–20.6

9.4–10.6
1.9–2.1
11.2–11.3
13.0–13.2
18.8–19.2
20.7–21.4
19.0–22.2
12.5–12.6
38.5–39.6
35.2
59.0–60.1
28.5–30.1
10.6–10.7
20.2–20.7
17.6–19.1
17.8–20.8

10.2
1.6
13.0
14.2
18.3
23.7
22.7
13.2
36.1
34.5
58.3
25.5
13.2
21.3
23.7
22.4

10.2–11.1
1.3–1.6
12.0–13.0
13.1–14.2
17.4–18.8
23.1–23.7
22.7–24.2
13.0–13.2
36.1–36.9
34.5–35.8
57.4–58.6
25.5–28.3
12.4–13.2
21.3–22.3
21.7–23.7
18.5–22.4

9.7–10.6
1.2–1.9
12.4–12.7
12.9–14.9
17.9–19.1
22.7–25.1
22.9–25.0
14.3–14.5
36.9–37.3
35.2–36.2
58.1–58.6
25.3–27.3
12.7–13.8
21.5–21.7
22.1–22.6
19.4–20.6

22.2

16.4–24.3

18.3–22.2

22.4

15.4–22.4

18.7–19.7

39.4

16.4–49.6

17.8–39.4

21.2

16.1–21.2

16.6–21.8

23.1
14.3
15.0

21.7–25.2
14.0–16.2
15.4–17.2

21.7–23.1
14.3–14.9
15.0–16.4

23.9
18.6
19.2

23.4–23.9
15.9–18.6
17.4–19.2

24.2–25.3
17.6–18.2
17.9–19.1

23.8

18.2–34.2

18.2–23.8

30.5

21.4–30.5

22.0–22.9

16.0
9.2
11.3

15.4–18.1
8.5–10.6
10.4–13.0

15.7–16.0
8.8–9.2
11.2–11.3

18.1
9.5
12.4

16.4–18.1
8.4–10.5
11.0–13.1

16.7–17.8
8.6–8.8
11.0–12.8

21.8

23.0–31.5

20.1–21.8

33.0

26.1–33.0

26.1–26.9

35.9
28.8
8.2
23.3

28.4–38.1
23.7–30.4
7.9–8.9
22.1–27.0

32.6–35.9
21.9–28.8
8.2–8.3
23.3–23.6

36.2
29.8
10.6
26.6

32.6–36.2
25.1–29.8
10.1–10.6
24.0–26.6

32.9–35.3
27.6–28.4
8.6–10.6
26.1–26.7

24.2

21.6–26.8

23.6–24.2

24.3

21.5–24.3

22.7–23.8

32.8

28.9–37.7

32.1–32.8

38.3

32.2–38.3

31.2–32.5

Including holotype.
Values of left and right sides of cheek spines in holotype are separated by a slash, the first value representing theleft one.
Abbreviations: A, anal fin; C, caudal fin; D1, first dorsal fin; D2, second dorsal fin; P1, pectoral fin; P2, pelvic fin.
b

120

K. Shibukawa and T. Suzuki

jima Island of Ryukyu Islands, Japan. This
species was also reported from the Ishigaki-jimaIsland, the neighboring island of the Iriomotejima Island (Senou et al., 2004), and the Yokosuka City Museum (YCM) holds some specimensof this species collected from the Amami-oshimaIsland, Amami Islands of Ryukyu Archipelago(K. Hagiwara, personal communication). According to Senou et al. (2004), A. senoui inhabits
coral-reef slopes in the protected bays at thedepths of 15–50 m, and found solitary on muddy
or sandy-mud bottoms with dead-coral rubbles in
the Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands of
Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. In the habitats, thecongener with hovering habit, A. atripes, wasalso found frequently.
Etymology. The new species is named for H.
Senou (KPM), who collected some paratypes of
new species, in honor of his great contribution to
our knowledge of systematics and distribution offishes of Japan.
Remarks. Although Asterropteryx senoui resembles with A. spinosa in the general appearance, especially the coloration, the former isreadily distinguished from the latter in having
characteristic, relatively sharp-edged, ventrally
pointed narrow vertical dusky bar below eye (vs.
broader and more or less rounded ventrally in thelatter), as well as different cheek-spines morphology (Fig. 2). Original figure of the holotype of
Oplopomus spinosus (Asterropteryx spinosa)
given by Goren (1981: 96, fig. 2) looks as if it
has narrow black vertical bar, being similar tothat of A. senoui; actually the holotype has broadand ventrally-rounded dark-brown bar below eye(likewise the specimen found in Fig. 5C), however.
Comparative materials. Asterropteryx bipunctata:
NSMT-P 56898, 2 specimens, male and female, 24.5–
25.8 mm SL, southeast coast of Gili Air Island, Lombok,
Indonesia, 3 Feb. 1994, collected by K. Matsuura; NSMTP 61053, 1 specimen, male, 25.0 mm SL, Tanjung
Kusukusu, west coast of Lembeh Island, Bitung, Sulawesi,
Indonesia, 15 m depth, 14 July 2000, collected by K. Matsuura; NSMT-P 61059, 2 specimen, female and juvenile,
9.0–20.9 mm SL, collected with NSMT-P 61053; NSMT-P

61610, 1 specimen, male, 29.0 mm SL, Tanjung Lampu,
west coast of Lembeh Island, Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia,
20 m depth, 22 Jan. 2000, collected by K. Matsuura;
NSMT-P 73122, 1 specimen, male, 23.9 mm SL, northwest coast of Gili Air Island, Lombok, Indonesia, 15 m
depth, 3 Feb. 1994, K. Matsuura; NSMT-P 73123, 1 specimen, female, 19.6 mm SL, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, 15 m
depth, 27 May 2001, collected by K. Yano; NSMT-P
73124, 1 specimen, male, 20.8 mm SL, collected with
NSMT-P 73123. Asterropteryx spinosa: MNHN 1980495, holotype of Oplopomus spinosus Goren, 1981, male,
32.4 mm SL, New Caledonia, Ile Maitre, north coast, 3–5
m depth, 2 Jan. 1979, collected by Randall, Maugé andBauchot; KPM-NI 1901, 1 specimen, female, 21.5 mm
SL, Mabul I., Sabah, Malaysia, 13 m depth, collected by
H. Senou and M. Hayashi; KPM-NI 2346, 1 specimen, female, 16.0 mm SL, Mabul I., Sabah, Malaysia, 17 m
depth, 20 Sep. 1995, collected by H. Senou and M.
Hayashi; KPM-NI 5740, 1 specimen, female, 15.1 mm
SL, Funauki Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands,
Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, 19 Nov. 1998, collected by
K. Shibukawa; NSMT-P 61422, 1 specimen, female, 23.4mm SL, Tanjung Kusukusu, west coast of Lembeh Island,
Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 1 m depth, 14 July 2000, collected by K. Shibukawa; NSMT-P 61497, 2 specimen,
males, 20.0 mm SL, collected with NSMT-P 61422;
NSMT-P 73129, 1 specimen, male, 28.9 mm SL, Funauki
Bay, Iriomote-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands, Ryukyu
Archipelago, Japan, 12 m depth, 8 Nov. 2000, collected by
K. Yano; NSMT-P 73130, 1 specimen, female, 28.4 mm
SL, collected with NSMT-P 73129; NSMT-P 73194, 1
specimen (cleared and stained), 26.9 mm SL, collectedwith NSMT-P 61422.

Acknowledgements
We express our sincere thanks to the following
persons and institutions for specimen loans
and/or registration, assistance during the visit totheir institutions, and help in field collection: M.
McGrouther (AMS); K. Yano (Dive Service
YANO, Iriomote-jima Island, Japan); M. Hosokawa (Kawanishi, Hyogo, Japan); H. Senou, K.
Uchino, M. Mikanohara and E. Kozuka (KPM);
G. Duhamel, P. Pruvost and R. Causse (MNHN);K. Matsuura and G. Shinohara (NSMT); J.T.
Williams (USNM). K. Hagiwara (YCM) provided information about the specimens of Asterropteryx housed in the YCM.

Two New Species of Asterropteryx

Literature Cited
Akihito, Prince. 1984. Suborder Gobioidei. Pages 236–
238 in H. Masuda, K. Amaoka, C. Araga, T. Uyeno andT. Yoshino, eds. The Fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. English text. Tokai University Press, Tokyo.
Allen, G.R. and P. Munday. 1995. Description of four new
gobies (Gobiidae) from the Western Ocean. Revue
Francaise d’Aaquariologie, Herpétologie, 22(3/4): 99–
104.
Bleeker, P. 1874. Notice sur les genres Amblyeleotris, Valenciennesia et Brachyeleotris. Versl. Akad. Amsterdam(Ser. 2), 8: 372–376.
Goren, M. 1981. Three new species and three new recordsof gobies from New Caledonia. Cybium, 5(3): 93–101.
Hubbs C. L. and K. F. Lagler. 1958. Fishes of the Great
Lakes Region. Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. vii213 pp., 44 pls.
Leviton, A. E., R. H. Gibbs, JR., E. Heal and C. E. Dawson. 1985. Standards in herpetology and ichthyology:
Part I. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology.
Copeia, 1985(3): 802–832.
Miller, P. J. 1986. Gobiidae. Pages 1019–1085 in P. J. P.
Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen andE. Tortonese, eds. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic
and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris.
Pezold, F. 1993. Evidence for a monophyletic Gobiinae.
Copeia, 1993(3): 634–643.
Potthoff, T. 1984. Clearing and staining techniques. Pages
35–37 in H. G. Moser, W. J. Richards, D. M. Cohen, M.

121

P. Fahay, A. W. Kendall Jr. and S. L. Richardson, eds.
Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Societyof Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Special Publication 1.
Rüppell, W. P. E. S. 1830. Atlas zu der Reise im
nördlichen Africa. Fische des Rothen Meeres. Part 3.
Frankfurt-am-Main. Pages 95–141, pls. 25–35.
Senou, H., T. Suzuki, K. Shibukawa and K. Yano. 2004. A
Photographic Guide to the Gobioid Fishes of Japan.
Heibonsha, Tokyo. 536 pp.
Shibukawa, K., T. Peristiwardy and S. R. Suharti. 2003.
Gobiidae. Pages 174–194 in S. Kimura and K. Matsuura, eds. Fishes of Bitung, Northern Tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Ocean Research Institute, The University ofTokyo, Tokyo.
Shibukawa, K. and T. Suzuki. 2002. Asterropteryx atripes,
a new gobiid fish from the Western Pacific Ocean (Perciformes: Gobioidei). Ichthyological Research, 49(3):274–280.
Winterbottom, R. and R. C. Anderson. 1997. A revised
checklist of the epipelagic and shore fishes of the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. Ichthyological
Bulletin, Rhodes University, 66: 1–28.
Winterbottom, R. and A. R. Emery. 1986. Review of the
gobioid fishes of the Chagos Archipelago, Central Indian Ocean. Life Science Contribution, Royal Ontario
Museum, (142): 1–82.
Manuscript received 2 May 2006; revised 19 December
2006; accepted 19 December 2006.
Associate editor: S. Kimura.