Apletodon gabonensis, a new species of clingfish (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from Gabon, eastern Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The clingfish Apletodon gabonensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of seven specimens and colour photographs from Gabon, eastern Atlantic Ocean. The species is small, apparently not exceeding 20 mm total length; it is characterized by having 5 dorsal-fin rays, 4-5 anal-fin rays, 25-27 pectoral-fin rays, head width in males 2.6-4.7 in SL, anus in males with urogenital papilla present but not pronounced; snout long, broad, anteriorly truncate in male, narrower and rather pointed in female; preorbital length 1.8-3.8 in head length; conspicuous maxillary barbel absent in both sexes; disc with 10-12 rows of papillae in region A, 5 rows of papillae in region B, and 5-7 rows of papillae in region C. The new species is compared with the other species of the genus; a key to the males of the 6 known species of the eastern Atlantic genus Apletodon is presented.