Antennablennius variopunctatus (Jatzow & Lenz, 1898)

Orangedotted Blenny

Figure 9, Table 3

Blennius variopunctatus Jatzow & Lenz, 1898: 511, Pl. 35 (Fig. 8) (Tanzania, Zanzibar; no types known).

Antennablennius variopunctatus — Bath 1983: 66 (Gulf of Oman (Iran), Pakistan); Randall et al. 1994: 237 (Persian Gulf); Randall 1995: 314 (Oman); Mehraban & Esmaeili 2018: 196 (Gulf of Oman & Persian Gulf (both Iran)); Eagderi et al. 2019: 41 (Persian Gulf); Estekani et al. 2020: 1009 (Gulf of Oman, Iran); Sharafiniya et al. 2021: 68 (Gulf of Oman & Persian Gulf (both Iran)).

Description. Dorsal-fin rays XII–XIII,19–21 (usually 20); anal-fin rays II,19–23 (usually 21 or 22); pectoral-fin rays 14; body depth 4.8–5.6 in SL; lateral line ending below dorsal-fin spine II–V; a cirrus posteriorly on anterior nostril well developed, and reaching to mouth in adults; a pair of very short cirri on nape; no crest on head; 32–39 teeth in upper jaw and 26–34 in lower; dorsal fin weakly notched between spinous and soft portions. Size: Attains 7.5 cm.

Coloration (Fig. 9). Males greenish white with eight irregular dark brown spots along side of body, the three in the middle vertically elongate; posterior part of body below soft portion of dorsal fin with very small blue spots, more obvious within dark brown spots; dorsal part of body with a fine dark reticulate pattern dotted with orange; head with dark grey bar on chin behind corner of mouth and numerous small dark orange-red spots on most of head; spinous portion of dorsal fin yellowish with three broad, indistinct, oblique dark grey bands; soft portion of dorsal fin with a few orange dots along base, the rays with alternating reddish orange and whitish spots; anal fin greenish white, every other soft ray and adjacent edge of membranes blackish. Females are similar but spinous portion of dorsal fin more translucent and blue spots on posterior body restricted to within dark brown spots.

Distribution and habitat. Reported from the South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Oman, Pakistan and Persian Gulf (Bath 1983; Esmaeili et al. 2022; Williams & Springer 2022). Usually found on exposed rocky reefs at depths of 1– 5 m.

Remarks. The species is easily distinguished from other congeners by having orange-red spots on most of head and a long tentacle on anterior nostril projecting downward which may extend below mouth (which it shares with A. hypenetes).

Material examined (n=17). Mozambique: SMF 17062, 46.4 mm SL, Cap Delgado. Kenya: SMF 36399, 2 specimens, 36.4 & 53.5 mm SL, Malindi. Oman: SMF 36400, 2 specimens, 32.7 & 34.9 mm SL, Mina al Fahal. Gulf of Oman, Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan province, Chabahar—Tis, 25.3524° N, 60.6009° E, depth 0.5 m, coll. S. Estekani: ZMFUM-BLE-0127 (tissue sample 306k2021), 54.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0128, 48.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0129, 56.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0130, 58.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0131, 49.0 mm SL; Persian Gulf, Iran, Kish Island: Hormozgan province, Kish Island, Hoor beach, 26.5480° N, 53.8991° E, and Simorgh beach, 26.5113° N, 54.0471° E, depth 0–0.5 m, coll. S. Estekani: ZMFUM-BLE-0132, 54.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0133, 48.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0134, 47.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0135, 45.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0136, 42.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0137, 47.0 mm SL; ZMFUM-BLE-0138 (tissue sample 301k2021), 46.0 mm SL.