Chestspot Eviota

Eviota inutilis Whitley

Eviota viridis inutilis Whitley, 1943:142 [type-locality: head of Useless Inlet, Sharks Bay, Western Australia].

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Four specimens from 2 localities in Western Australia totaling 3 males, 1 female; size range of males 17.0–25.0, female 19.5, not gravid.

Lectotype: AMS IB.330, (20.4), male; head of Useless Inlet, Sharks Bay, Western Australia, 2 Jul 1939, G. P. Whitley.

Paralectotypes: AMS IB.331-332, (17.0, 19.5), male and female; same data as lectotype.

Other Material: AMS I.13268, 1 (25.0), male; freshwater creek, Albany, Western Australia.

DIAGNOSIS.—Pectoral fin rays 4–16 usually branched; spinous dorsal fin elongate or filamentous in males; fifth pelvic fin ray small, usually two-tenths the length of the fourth pelvic fin ray; outer half of spinous dorsal fin dark on membrane with a series of dark spots on pale colored spines; a dark lateral spot at base of each pelvic fin; a large, diffuse, dark spot, laterally on nape, just above and posterior to intertemporal sensory pore; 6 dark spots on ventral midline from origin of anal fin to end of lower caudal peduncle.

DESCRIPTION.—Dorsal fin VI-I,8(1), VI-I,9(3); anal fin I,8(4); pectoral fin 16(2), 17(2); pelvic fin I,4 2/10(4); fourth ray of pelvic fin with 4–6 branches; segments between consecutive branches of the fourth pelvic fin ray 5–6; pelvic fin membrane well developed; branched caudal fin rays 13(2); segmented caudal fin rays 17(4); lateral scale rows 23(2), 24(2); transverse scale rows 6(4); scales with about 20–38 ctenii, 9–14 primary radii, 1–3 secondary radii; breast scaleless.

First 2 dorsal spines of males elongate or filamentous, the first spine longest, the maximum extension to midcaudal peduncle; no spinous dorsal elongation in females; pelvic fin length variable, the longest extension posterior to origin of anal fin.

The cephalic sensory pore system is pattern 1. Cutaneous papilla system is pattern A.

Genital Papilla in male not fimbriate, long, slender, extending to second anal fin ray; female genital papilla short, bulbous, with 6 fingerlike projections at each side of tip.

The single female, 19.5 mm SL, was not gravid.

Vertebrate 10(4) precaudal and 16(4) caudal, total 26.

COLOR IN PRESERVATION.—Head with a large, dark diffuse spot above and posterior to intertemporal pore; 2–3 dark elongate marks on midline of nape; remainder of head with few scattered chromatophores, mostly pale; trunk pale, the scales, at most, weakly margined with chromatophores on dorsolateral portion of trunk; brown spots along dorsal midline of trunk weak or obscure; base of pectoral with irregular clusters of chromatophores on upper and lower portions, may be weak or obscure; 2 small dark spots, moderately developed, at outer base of pelvic fins; 6 dark spots about the size of the pupil, along ventral midline from origin of anal fin to end of caudal peduncle; subcutaneous trunk bars obscure; lower half of spinous dorsal fin light, with a narrow, weak, dark, oblique band at anterior part of base, membrane of outer half dark brown, and pale spines with a series of small dark brown spots that extend to tips of filamentous spines; membrane of second dorsal fin light brown with a series of about 5 dark brown spots on the pale rays (obscure on lectotype); anal fin brownish; caudal fin light brown with a series of small, alternating light and brown spots on rays of lower half of fin; pectoral fin pale; membrane of pelvic fin dark brown.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—Known from 2 localities in Western Australia: Sharks Bay (head of Useless Inlet) and Albany (freshwater creek) (Figure 7).

DISTRIBUTION.—Known from 5 localities: Okinawa, Guam, New Hebrides, Norfolk, and Samoa Islands (Figure 10).

Eviota melasma new species

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—169 specimens from 14 localities, totaling 81 males, 57 females, 31 juvenile and unsexed specimens; total size range 8.4–26.6; largest male 26.6, largest female 20.5; smallest gravid female 14.1.

Holotype: USNM 216286, (17.2) male; Australia, Endeavour Reef, 5 Jan 1969, C. L. Smith, S69-5.

Paratypes: AUSTRALIA: GREAT BARRIER REEF (collected by C. L. Smith and J. Tyler): NORTHERN ESCAPE REEF: ANSP 14138, 7 (11.6–16.3), 4 juv., 3 males (16.3); 24 Jan 1969, TS,A-30. ANSP 141137, 2 (15.2, 11.0), male and female; 23 Jan 1969, TS,A-28. AMNH 39048, 1 (12.6), unsexed; 24 Jan 1969, S69-33. AMNH 39049, 4 (11.2–13.9), 2 juv., 1 male (13.9), 1 female (13.7); 24 Jan 1969, S69-32. HOPE ISLANDS: AMNH 39050, 2 (14.9, 16.2), females; Little Hope I., 19 Jan 1969, S69-23. ANSP 141130, 2 (14.3, 15.0), male and female; Little Hope I., 3 Jan 1969, TS,A-2. ANSP 141136, 4 (14.9–15.7), 3 males (15.7), 1 female (14.9); Big Hope I., 19 Jan 1969, TS,A-21. USNM 216287, 5 (14.4–15.4), 1 male (14.9), 4 females (15.4); Big Hope I., 19 Jan 1969, TS,A-22. ENDEAVOUR REEF: ANSP 141135, 6(9.6–17.1), 2 juv., 3 males (17.1), 1 female (16.8); 15 Jan 1969, TS,A-16. ANSP 141134, 2 (14.8, 17.7), males; 13 Jan 1969, TS,A-12. ANSP 141132, 2 (15.1, 15.5), male and female; 5 Jan 1969, TS,A-4. ANSP 141131, 6 (13.2–16.3), 4 males (16.3), 2 females (14.4); 4 Jan 1969, TS,A-3. ANSP 141133, 2 (14.0, 15.0), females; Cook wreck site, 11 Jan 1969, TS,A-11. AMS I.20798-001, 4 (10.8–16.5), 1 juv., 2 males (16.5), 1 female (14.1); 13 Jan 1969, TS.A-13. CAS 43546, 9 (10.4–17.5), 1 juv., 3 males (17.5), 5 females (15.5); 6 Jan 1969, S69-7. AMNH 39051, 5 (11.0–15.0), 2 juv., 3 males (15.0); 13 Jan 1969, S69-14. AMNH 39052, 7 (9.6–17.7), 3 juv., 3 males (16.8), 2 females (17.7); 15 Jan 1969, S69-18. AMNH 39053, 8 (10.1–16.3), 1 juv., 3 males (16.1), 4 females (16.3); 6 Jan 1969, S69-6. AMNH 39054, 4 (14.0–18.5), males; 5 Jan 1969, S69-4. AMNH 39055, 3 (12.2–18.4), 1 juv., 1 male (18.4), 1 female (15.3); 16 Jan 1969, S69-19. USNM 216288, 21 (8.4–17.1), 6 juv., 12 males (17.1), 3 females (17.1); 5 Jan 1969, S69-5. USNM 216293, 7 (13.5–16.4), 5 males (16.4), 2 females (15.1); 6 Jan 1969, TS,A-5. USNM 216289, 12 (11.6–17.9), 4 juv., 5 males (17.9), 3 females (17.8); 14 Jan 1969, S69-16.

Other Material: INDIAN OCEAN: ANSP 141221, 1 (16.6), male; Cocos (Keeling) Is., 6 Mar 1974, P. L. Colin. Sta. 22. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: WAM P25316-005, 1 (26.6) male; Abrolhos Is., 21 May 1975, G. Allen, ABR-10. SOUTH CHINA SEA: CAS 43812, 2 (19.2, 18.9), male and female; off Paulo Cecir de Mer, Vietnam, 10 Mar 1960, Bolin, sta 60–96, GVF Reg. 2113. RYUKYU ISLANDS: AMS I.18404–001, 2 (15.1, 20.5), females; Ishigaki, 22 May 1968, J. Randall. CAROLINE ISLANDS: AMS I.18400–001, 2 (14.3, 14.7), males; Palau Is., Aurapushekaru I., 16 Apr 1970, J. Randall. BPBM 9068, 3 (14.3–18.1), 1 unsexed, 2 males (18.1); Truk Is., Herit I., 11 Jul 1969, J. Randall. MARSHALL ISLANDS: LACM W63-283-2, 4 (12.9–19.0), 1 juv., 3 males (19.0); Eniwetok Atoll, 20 Jul 1963, W. J. Baldwin, W63-283. BPBM 8837, 1 (16.7), female; Eniwetok Atoll, 6 Jan 1970, G. R. Allen. INDONESIA (collected by V. G. Springer): USNM 216295, 1 (16.3), female; Celebes, Kabaena I., 24 Feb 1974, VGS 74-1. USNM 216300, 7 (14.3–17.9), 2 males (17.9), 5 females (16.0); Celebes, Kabaena I., 25 Feb 1974, VGS 74-2. USNM 216297, 3 (12.9–14.1), females; Moluccas, Ambon I., 14 Mar 1974, VGS 74–13. USNM 216299, 1 (13.8), female; Moluccas, Ambon I., 17 Mar 1974, VGS 74-19. USNM 216296, 7 (13.0–18.3), 3 males (18.3), 4 females (16.3); Banda Is., 8–9 Mar 1974, VGS 74-10, 74-11. USNM 216298, 1 (10.9), juv., Banda Is., 9 Mar 1974, VGS 74.11. OCEANIA: AMS I.17492–002, 1 (17.3), male; Solomon Is., Florida I., 19 Jul 1973, G. Allen. USNM 216294, 2 (16.7, 16.3), male and female; Fiji I., 8 May 1965, Bolin, Te Vega cr. 7, sta 278. USNM 219434, 1 (16.7), male; Samoa, Tutuila I., R. Wass. Jean P. Haydon Museum of American Samoa, 1 (14.0), male; Samoa, Tutuila I., 1975 or 1976, R. Wass. QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: AMS I.20206-027, 1 (15.5), female; One Tree I., 3 Dec 1969, F. Talbot 426. AMS I.19338-020, 1 (15.9), male; One Tree I., 26 Nov 1969, F. Talbot 417. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO (collected by V. G. Springer in 1978): HERMIT ISLANDS: USNM 219662, 1 (13.9), female; 1 Nov, VGS 78-13. USNM 219660, 4 (11.0–18.1), 2 juv., 2 males (18.1); 5 Nov, VGS 78-20. USNM 219652, 34 (11.2–17.2), 19 juv., 9 males (17.2), 6 females (15.5); 31 Oct, VGS 78-12. USNM 219653, 3 (11.6–16.2), 1 juv., 1 male (14.8), 1 female (16.2); 2 Nov, VGS 78-16. NINIGO ISLANDS: USNM 219655, 4 (11.1–15.8), 1 juv., 2 males (15.8), 1 female (14.8); 22 Oct, VGS 78-1. USNM 219656, 4 (12.1–15.8), 3 juv., 1 female (15.8); 22 Oct, VGS 78-2. USNM 219657, 14 (11.4–19.6), 4 juv., 6 males (19.6), 4 females (16.5); 25 Oct, VGS 78-5. USNM 219661, 7 (10.0–14.2), 1 juv., 4 males (14.0), 2 females (14.2); 26 Oct, VGS 78-6. TROBRIAND ISLANDS: USNM 217590, 2 (11.9, 14.1), male and female; Kiriwina I., 19 Sep 1975, T. R. Roberts. BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USNM 217589, 1 (16.3), female; New Ireland, 20–25 Jan 1976, T. R. Roberts. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (collected in 1978 by V. G. Springer and Smithsonian team): USNM 219658, 1 (14.3), female; Palawan Prov., Tagauayan I., 25 May, SP 78-24. USNM 219433, 1 (15.3), male; Palawan Prov., Bararin I., 24 May, SP 78-21. USNM 219432, 1 (17.2), female; Palawan Prov., Bararin I., 23 May, SP 78-20. USNM 219430, 2 (15.8, 17.3), males; Palawan Prov., Cocoro I., 26 May, SP 78-27. USNM 219659, 1 (16.3), male; Apo I., 7 Jun, SP 78-36. USNM 219431, 1 (15.0), female; Oriental Negros, Bonbonon Point, 13 May, SP 78-11. USNM 219654, 2 (16.3, 17.5), females; Pamilican I., 12 Jun, SP 78-41.

DIAGNOSIS.—Tenth through the sixteenth pectoral fin rays usually branched; spinous dorsal fin elongate or filamentous in both sexes; pelvic fins usually extending beyond origin of anal fin; fifth pelvic fin ray one to two-tenths length of fourth ray; head with a dark, occipital spot supralaterally on each side, squarish, round or oval, about one-half or larger than diameter of eye, the lower posterior portion usually touching upper edge of gill opening, not meeting along the dorsal midline; no dark spots along dorsal midline.

DESCRIPTION.—Dorsal fin IV–I,9(1), V–I,9(1), VI–I,8(1), VI–I,9(26), VI–I,10(1); anal fin I,8(29), I,9(1); pectoral fin 14(1), 15(2), 16(9), 17(11), 18(7); pectoral fin rays 3–18 may be branched; pelvic I,4 1/10(15), I,4 2/10(15); branches of fourth pelvic fin ray average 7.3; segments between consecutive branches of the fourth pelvic fin ray number 1–7, most often 2 or 3; membrane between the pelvic fin rays well developed; branched caudal fin rays 11(2), 12(15), 13(5), 14(2); segmented caudal fin rays 17(30); lateral scale rows 23(10), 24(18), 25(1); transverse scale rows 5(1), 6(18), 7(2).

Scales with a single row of about 29–38 ctenii on posterior margin; about 7–11 primary radii, and 1–2 secondary radii on anterior field; no radii in lateral and posterior fields; scales highly eccentric, converging in a broad focal area; breast scaleless.

First and second dorsal spines of males and females may be elongate and filamentous, the longest extending to the end of the second dorsal fin base; males and females at 13 mm SL may have filamentous dorsal spines; pelvic fins usually extending beyond origin of anal fin.

Cephalic sensory pore system is pattern 1; cutaneous papilla system is pattern A.

Genital papilla in male not fimbriate, moderately long, slender, and slightly flared and bilobed at tip, usually reaching beyond anal spine; in female, bulbous, short, with 4–8 fingerlike projections at tip, not extending to anal spine.

One gravid female, 14.1 mm SL.

Vertebrae 10(14) precaudal and 16(13), 17(1) caudal, total 26(13), 27(1).

COLOR IN PRESERVATION.—Conspicuous brown to black occipital spot, one-half diameter of eye or larger, on each side of head, present in both sexes, almost always well developed, squarish, round or oval, the lower posterior margin touching upper edge of gill opening, or nearly so, distinctly separated from dorsal midline; 2 elongate pale to brown predorsal spots along midline; anterior to these, immediately behind eyes, is a broad, transverse, pale to brownish band; 2 light brownish spots on upper cheek and another below middle of eye just behind rictus of jaw; all head markings other than occipital spot may be pale or obscure in males and females; trunk usually pale, scale pockets with dusky crescent-shaped marks on some specimens, more so dorsolaterally; base of pectoral fin with a weak brownish spot on lower anterior portion or in some a weak hourglass configuration as in E. smaragdus; 6 dark, moderate to weak, spots on ventral midline associated with 6 weak subcutaneous bars on lower trunk, or bars sometimes obscure; 3 dark subcutaneous bands on belly, the anterior 2 are wide ventrolaterally and narrow as they descend ventrally around the belly; lower part of head, breast, and belly pale or with fine scattered chromatophores; pectoral fins clear, some with fine dusky melanophores; pelvic fins clear, some with membranes light dusky; first and second dorsal fins clear basally, appearing like a narrow light stripe in some, outer portion of fin pale to dusky including filamentous rays; anal fin most heavily pigmented, dusky to moderately black, the immediate basal portion somewhat lighter; caudal fin dusky to light brownish, chiefly on outer half, the lower central portion mostly pale.

The single specimen from Western Australia (WAM P25316-005, 26.6 mm SL) is much larger than all other examined specimens of this species and the general body coloration is more pronounced, particularly the dark scale markings. The mark on the cheek below the eye, behind the rictus, is more elongate than that of other specimens.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—Widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific Archipelago, the extreme localities include the Ryukyu Islands, off Vietnam, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Western Australia, Fiji, and Eniwetok Atoll (Figure 10)

ETYMOLOGY.—The specific name melasma is Greek, meaning black spot, and refers to the dark occipital spot on each side of the head.