Revised Diagnosis and First Northern Hemisphere Records of the Rare Clingfish Lepadichthys akiko (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae)

摘要

Lepadichthys akiko Allen and Erdmann, 2012, previously known only from the holotype from West Papua, Indonesia, is recorded from Japan and Palau for the first time, based on underwater photographs and two specimens, respectively. The latter (12.3 and 14.0 mm standard length) revealed new diagnostic characters of the species: viz., 3 of 5 gill arches with 2 filaments and 4 or 5 gill rakers on each arch; single nasal and postocular canal pores; and no lacrimal, preopercular or mandibular canal pores. The new specimens are described in detail, including a revised diagnosis and comparisons made with congeners.