Thursday, June 11, 2015

[Ichthyology • 2007] Kyonemichthys rumengani • A New Genus and Miniature Species of Pipehorse (Syngnathidae) from Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia


Kyonemichthys rumengani n. sp.,
holotype, female, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia, in life.
Photo by W. Tan. | sportdiver.com photos


Abstract

A new genus and species of the gasterosteiform family Syngnathidae, Kyonemichthys rumengani, is described from a single 26.8 mm TL adult female collected in Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is one of the smallest members of the family relative to body mass, and resembles the pipehorse genera Acentronura, Amphelikturus and Idiotropiscis in having a short head and snout angled slightly to the axis of the body, dermal appendages and flexible tail lacking a caudal fin. It differs from the three most notably in having fewer trunk rings (9, versus 11-15), more tail rings (51, versus 37-46), a posteriorly positioned dorsal fin originating on the eighth tail ring (versus usually originating on the trunk, but not posteriorly farther than the second tail ring) and a uniquely swollen trunk with a medial constriction.  


Kyonemichthys rumengani n. sp., holotype, female, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia, in life.
Photo by W. Tan.

Martin F. Gomon: A New Genus and Miniature Species of Pipehorse (Syngnathidae) from Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology. 13; 25-30.