Callionymus alisae, a new species of dragonet from New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Callionymidae)

Abstract

A new species of dragonet, Callionymus alisae from off New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected with a grab dredge at 90-228 m depth, southwest of Kavieng. The new species is characterised within the subgenus Callionymus (Spinicapitichthys) by preopercular spine with a very short, straight main tip, four to five curved points on its dorsal margin, a strong antrorse spine at its base, and five to eight small serrae at its ventral margin; the dorsal margin of the eye with a tentacle, the dorsal fin in the male without filaments, the first spine longest; a total of 8 rays in the second dorsal fin and 7 rays in the anal fin; and the first dorsal fin in the male zebra-striped, with 4 vertical dark bands on 1st-4th membranes. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenus Spinicapitichthys, are presented.