RESEARCH ARTICLE

A new sponge-dwelling goby (Gobiidae: Bathygobius) from Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia

Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann & Nisha K. Ichida

Abstract

A new species of goby, Bathygobius mero, is described from eastern Bali, Indonesia on the basis of 8 adult specimens, 26.3-36.0 mm SL. There are also photographic records from Sumba, Indonesia, Cebu, Philippines, and Queensland, Australia. Diagnostic features include 19-21 (usually 20) pectoral-fin rays with the upper three rays free from the membranous portion of the fin and each with two filamentous tips, a mostly scaleless predorsal midline except for two or three scales in front of first dorsal-fin origin, and 33 or 34 lateral scales. The live coloration is overall pale greyish with a dense covering of reddish-brown freckles, a brown spot (about one third of pupil size) at the uppermost part of the gill opening, and reddish-brown spotting on the fins. The new species has a commensal association with the large barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria), unlike other members of the genus, which are typically free-living bottom dwellers. It also inhabits deeper water (9-30 m, but usually below about 15 m) than most Bathygobius, which are mainly confined to shallow water less than 10 m deep.

CITATION:

Allen, G.R., Erdmann, M.V. & Ichida, N.K. (2024) A new sponge-dwelling goby (Gobiidae: Bathygobius) from Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 41,47-53.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14003729

publication date: 1 November 2024