Taxonomical and morphological notes on two species of mudskippers, Periophthalmus walailakae and Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Singapore.
The mudskipper Periophthalmus walailakae is recorded from Singapore, where it was previously misidentified as Periophthalmodon schlosseri, with which it is syntopic. Periophthalmus walailakae is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: pelvic fins completely united and shaped like a disk, and first dorsal fin dark brown or black, with a rounded posterior edge and a white distal margin. This species most closely resembles Pn. schlosseri but has one row of teeth on the upper jaw, scales on the isthmus, and a different upper lip and jaw morphology. Contrary to an earlier report, scales are present on the snout, interorbital, and isthmus of Ps. walailakae. The two species can also be distinguished by size, external morphology, and body color patterns.
Jaafar
Zeehan
Z
Department of Biological Sciences, The National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore. zjaafar@nus.edu.sg
Lim
Kelvin K P
KK
Chou
Loke Ming
LM
D000818:Animals; D010473:Perciformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification*; D012846:Singapore