RESEARCH ARTICLE
Grallenia larsonae, a
new species of sandgoby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from northern
Australia
Gerald R. Allen & Michael
P. Hammer
Abstract
The new species of gobiid fish, Grallenia larsonae,
n. sp. is described based on 104 specimens, 8.1-18.0
mm SL, from northern Australia (Northern Territory
and Western Australia). It appears to be closely related
to Grallenia arenicola from southern Japan.
Both species share a suite of diagnostic features
that include the presence of cephalic sensory canals
and associated pores, and usually 7 segmented dorsal-fin
and anal-fin rays. However, they differ markedly with
regard to the pattern of scales covering the body.
The new species has relatively few scales anterior
to the level of the second dorsal fin origin, and
those are usually restricted to a single row, compared
with numerous scales that continue forward to the
pectoral-fin base in G. arenicola. Comparisons
are provided with other members of the genus and an
updated key to the species of Grallenia is
included.
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CITATION:
Allen, G.R. & Hammer,
M.P. (2018) Grallenia larsonae, a new species
of sandgoby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from northern Australia.
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 31,
87-96.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1492882
publication date: 21 November
2018
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