'Vanneaugobius longignathus', a new gobiid speciesfrom São Tomé Island (eastern tropical Atlantic), with a rediagnosis of the genera 'Wheelerigobius and Vanneaugobius'

Abstract

[eng] A new species of goby, Vanneaugobius longignathus sp. nov., is described from São Tomé Island, eastern tropical Atlantic. The new goby belongs to the Gobiuslineage (Teleostei, Gobioidei, Gobiidae). Examination of the two known specimens showed a unique combination of morphological characters. The new species differs from both other Vanneaugobius species by each of the following characters: head wide and depressed, anterior tip of the mouth above the level of the edge of the lower eye, posterior angle of jaw ending posteriorly below posterior iris, suborbital longitudinal row b anteriorly ending distaly behind the vertical of the posterior edge of eye, no transverse rows c above or below row b, six suborbital transverse c rows of sensory papillae, suborbital longitudinal row d divided, anterior dorsal transverse row o distant at the dorsal midline from the equivalent row. The genera Vanneaugobius and Wheelerigobius are redescribed, and, based on molecular phylogenetic evidence and reassessment of morphological characters, Vanneaugobius canariensis is reassigned to the genus Wheelerigobius.