Fowleria

Abstract: INTRODUCTION The genus Fowleria Jordan & Evermann, 1903 is represented in the Red Sea by four species: F aurita (Valenciennes, 1831) (the type species); F variegata (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1832); F isostigma (Jordan & Seale, 1905) and F marmorata (Alleyn & Mecleay, 1876) All of them are very similar to each other in their meristic counts and body proportions, but differ from each other in specific colour patterns In the course of research of animals living within branched corals in the Red Sea, a new species of Fowleria was found The new species, F abocellata, was compared with the other congeneric species (Red Sea material) and found to have a unique colour pattern which enabled this species to be easily distinguished from all the rest Until now this species was collected from the corals Acropora humilis Dana and Acropora scandens (Klunzinger) at a depth of 3-10 meters Several specimens of the new species were kept for several months in aquaria with other small fishes and provided with flowerpots and two Acropora scandens corals The cardinal fish remained constantly among the coral branches, coming out only during feeding times, when they broke out for a second or two towards the prey (Artemia salinae (Linnaeus) and very small fishes) Abbreviations used: HUJ = Fish collection of Hebrew University Jerusalem; TAU = Fish collection of Tel Aviv University; RMNH = Fish collection of the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden; SL = Standard length (in mm); TL = Total length (in mm) MATERIAL EXAMINED Fowleria abocellata n sp — Holotype : TAU 7377, Elat (Gulf of Elat - Sinai penin-

Abstract: The Red Sea has five species of the apogonid genus Fowleria, including F. isostigma, a Pacific Ocean species not yet known from the western Indian Ocean proper. Previously, F. isostigma was placed in the synonymy of F. punctulata (Ruppell 1838). However, the taxonomic status of the latter has not been established and in previous works it was placed in the synonymy of F. aurita or F. variegata. This paper compares Red Sea specimens identified as F. isostigma with F. variegata and with the type specimens of F. punctulata. The presence of F. isostigma in the Red Sea is established and F. punctulata is confirmed as a junior synonym of F. variegata. The holotype of F. punctulata is identified by the size given in the original description. A key to the Red Sea species of Fowleria is provided.

Abstract: Ozichthys is described as a new monotypic genus, type species Apogon albimaculosus . This species is restricted to tropical Australia and southern New Guinea. The combination of first dorsal fin with VIII visible spines, fused first and second hypurals, epineural on ninth rib, ossified lower preopercle edge, serrated edge of the preopercle, more than three flute canals on post orbit, 23–24 pored lateral- line scales, elongate last lateral-line scale, and sixteen rows of free neuromasts on principal caudal fin-rays will identify this genus from other brownish ground-colored apogonids. This genus is placed in the clade with Apogonichthys , Foa , Fowleria , and Neamia based on color patterns present on the head, body and vertical fins and in having a single pore above and below the raised median canal on each pored lateral-line scale.

Abstract: Foa yamba , a new species is described from an eastern Australian tidal estuary. This species differs from other West Pacific Foa by having many small spots on the body. Foa longimana , known only from the holotype, is presently an unidentifiable larval stage from Indonesia and is redescribed, but not allocated to a different genus. Foa hyalina , a West Pacific species is reviewed and its known distribution expanded. It is distinguished by five reddish or brownish-red bars on the body from nape to the level of middle portion of the second dorsal fin and lacks markings on caudal fin.