A new species of Hetereleotris (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Socotra Archipelago (north-western Indian Ocean), a rare case of a hole-associated adaptation in gobiid fishes

Researchers have identified a new species of gobiid fish, Hetereleotris nasoramosa, from the Socotra Archipelago, distinguished by unique nasal tentacles and suborbital papillae rows. This discovery represents a rare case of hole-associated adaptation in gobiid fishes, with the species thriving in tight rock crevices covered by micro-algae at depths of 811 meters. Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed its placement within the genus Hetereleotris, while morphological comparisons revealed differences from related species, including Cerogobius petrophilus. The study provides a full description of the new species and updates the key to identifying Hetereleotris species.

KOVAČIĆ, M., BOGORODSKY, S. V., ZAJONZ, U., & TORNABENE, L. (2021). A new species of Hetereleotris (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Socotra Archipelago (north-western Indian Ocean), a rare case of a hole-associated adaptation in gobiid fishes. Zootaxa, 4996(2), 283–300. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4996.2.3