Journal of the
Ocean Science Foundation

An open-access free online peer-reviewed Marine Biology Journal, since 2008.

published by the Ocean Science Foundation

 
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Four new soles (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae) of the genus Aseraggodes from the western Indian Ocean

John E. Randall, Sergey V. Bogorodsky & Ahmad O. Mal

Abstract

The soleid fish Aseraggodes andersoni is described as a new species from a 23.5-mm specimen collected in 1988 at North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives. It is differentiated from seven species with similar meristic data by color pattern and in lacking a caudal peduncle. Efforts to collect additional specimens failed, and the type locality of seaward reef is now land reclaimed from the sea. Aseraggodes kruppi is described from one small specimen from an island off the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, distinct in having 32 vertebrae and 39 anal rays, the lowest numbers for the genus. Aseraggodes macronasus, represented by three specimens from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, is unique in having a very long tubular anterior nostril. Aseraggodes martine, described from two specimens from Lakshadweep (Laccadive Islands, India) and a juvenile from the Seychelles, is distinguished by having 15 or 16 dorsal pterygiophores anterior to the fourth neural spine (highest for the genus), 64-66 dorsal rays, 42 or 43 anal rays, and 66-71 lateral-line scales. A key is provided for the 12 species of Aseraggodes of the western Indian Ocean, and a table for the number of dorsal rays, anal rays, lateral-line scales, vertebrae, and anterior dorsal pterygiophores for the 53 known species of the genus.


     

CITATION:

Randall, J.E., Bogorodsky, S.V. & Mal, A.O. (2013) Four new soles (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae) of the genus Aseraggodes from the western Indian Ocean. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 8, 1-17.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1041968

publication date: 1 October 2013