Eleotris soaresi Playfair 1867

Eleotris soaresi Playfair, 1867

(Figs 1D, 2, 6; Tabs VI-VIII)

Material examined

Syntypes: BMNH 1864.11.15.127 (1), 1865.3.18.26-27 (2), 1867.3.9.521 (1) from Mozambique.

Diagnosis

The species is distinguished by: second, third and fourth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extending ventrally past horizontal row d (‘2.3.4’ pattern), row os connected with row oi at ventro-posterior margin of operculum (‘closed’ pattern); 17-18 pectoral fin rays; 50-56 scales in lateral series, and 12-13 scales in zigzag series.

Description

Scale and ray counts in Eleotris soaresi and related species are given in tables VI-VII and morphomeristics in table VIII.

The body is elongated. The body depth at anus is 20-21 (% SL) and the caudal peduncle depth is 15 (% SL). Predorsal length 47 (% SL) and preanal length 65-69 (% SL). Size: up to 100 mm SL.

The head (33-37% SL) is broad and depressed, the snout is pointed. Eyes high on head. The mouth is large, as the jaw length is 11-13% SL, and oblique, the posterior margin of upper jaw reaches the vertical through the two thirds of the eye. Upper and lower jaws with multiple rows of small inwardly curved teeth.

Lateral series 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69E. soaresiMale 1 − − − 1 − 1E. valadein. sp. Male 1 − 2 − 2 Female 1 − − − 1E. diamsoin. sp. Male 1 Female 1 Predorsal midline series 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 E. soaresi Male 1 − − − 1E. valadein. sp. Male 1 − − 1 1 1E. diamsoin. sp. Male 1 Female 1 Transverse backward series Zigzag series 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 12 13 14 15 E. soaresi Male 1 − 1 1 1 2E. valadein. sp. Male 1 1 − 2 1 2 2 1 Female 1 − − 1 1 − 1E. diamsoin. sp. Male 1 1 Female 1 1 Transverse forward series 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30E. soaresiMale 1 − 1E. valadein. sp. Male Female 1 2 1 1 1 − 1 MaleE. diamsoin. sp. Female 1 1

Dorsal fins VI-I,8-9; D1 separate from and same height as D2; spines not elongated. Anal fin I,8-9 and directly opposite to second dorsal fin. Pelvic fins separate, I,5. Pectoral fins 17-18. Caudal fin rounded with 15 branched rays.

Cycloid scales on top of head, nape, cheek, operculum, pectoral fin base, prepelvic region, and abdomen. Ctenoid scales covering flanks. No lateral line canals. 50-56 scales in lateral series; 39-43 in predorsal series, 15-18 in transverse back series, 22 in transverse forward series and 12-13 in zigzag series.

A downward pointing spine at the posterior margin of the preoperculum is covered with skin. Gill opening is moderately broad, extending to below the preoperculum.

Cephalic lateralis: Adults with five transverse suborbital free neuromast rows of which second, third and fourth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extend ventrally past horizontal row d (‘2.3.4’ pattern); row os connected with row oi at ventro-posterior margin of operculum (‘closed pattern’) (Fig. 1C).

Urogenital papilla elongated and tapered in males.

Colour in life (Fig. 6)

According to Playfair (in Playfair and Günther, 1867) ‘body dark brown, dorsal and anal punctulated with black’.

Colour in preservation

Head, preoperculum, body, abdomen and fins dark brown. Gular and isthmus beige or dark brown depending on the specimen.

Comparison

E. soaresi differs from the other species of Indian Ocean with a ‘2.3.4’ pattern in having fewer scales in lateral series (50-56 versus 59-64) and in zigzag series (12-13 versus 13-15). Moreover, it differs from E. valadei n. sp., this paper, in having fewer scales in transverse forward series (22-24 versus 27-30) and predorsal series (39-43 versus 45-50), and from E. diamsoi in having 17-18 pectoral fin rays versus 16.

Distribution Currently known only from Mozambique.

Ecology Unknown.