Schismatogobius de Beaufort, 1912

Keith, Philippe, Lord, Clara & Larson, Helen K., 2017, Review of Schismatogobius (Gobiidae) from Papua New Guinea to Samoa, with description of seven new species, Cybium 41 (1), pp. 45-66 : 48

Schismatogobius de Beaufort, 1912

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other known gobionelline species by having one epural, a dorsal pterygiophore pattern of 3-12210 or 3-22110 (modally the latter), 10+15-16 (modally 16) vertebrae, the first five neural spines sometimes expanded at the tips, two pre-anal pterygiophores, palatine short, ectopterygoid slender and not expanded ventrally, a reduced longitudinal papilla row pattern on the head (one exception), no scales on slender body, head and body almost cylindrical, 16-17 segmented caudal fin rays of which 10-13 are branched, has posterior nasal pores but no anterior interorbital pores, has postorbital but no infraorbital pores, and only the opercular portion of the rear oculoscapular canal is present; males with very large mouths with a brightly coloured lining (red, orange or yellow) and a distinctive banded and mottled body coloration in all species. Species inhabit swift shallow freshwater tropical streams, hiding among gravel, pebbles and coarse sand.