Description

SINGLE PAPER

Volume 12, Issue 3 – 10 July 2007

John E. Randall: Descriptions of four new shrimpgobies of the genus Vanderhorstia from the western Pacific, pp. 89-10

Abstract

The following four new species of the Indo-Pacific gobiid fish genus Vanderhorstia are described and illustrated in color: V. attenuata from the Solomon Islands, with 11 dorsal and anal soft rays, 39 scales in longitudinal series on body, 15 median predorsal scales (none in remaining three species), and a caudal fin with the middle five rays very prolonged and tapering (more uniformly pointed in remaining species); V. auronotata from the Molucca Islands, with 14 dorsal soft rays, 15 anal soft rays, and about 55 scales on body; V. belloides from Papua New Guinea with 16 dorsal soft rays, 17 anal soft rays, and 66-68 scales; and V. dorsomacula from Papua New Guinea with 17 dorsal soft rays, 18 anal soft rays, 78 scales, and a slender body (depth 6.6 in SL). One undescribed species of the genus is illustrated from a specimen that is now missing. The total number of species of Vanderhorstia is now 17; at least 17 more remain to be described.