Fusigobius taipinensis Chen, Chen, Yang, Harefa, Chou, Shen & Chang, 2024, n. sp.

Fusigobius taipinensis n. sp. Chen, Chen & Chang (Figs. 1G–H, 2, 3B; Tables 1–2) Materials examined. Holotype. NTOUP 2022-07 - 201, 25.5 mm SL, coll. DY Hong and YC Yang, Taiping Island, South China Sea, July 27, 2022. Paratypes. SOUTH CHINA SEA: NTOUP 2022-07 - 202, 7: 17.3–24.2 mm SL, coll. DY Hong and YC Yang, Taiping Island, South China Sea, July 27, 2022. NTOUP 2022-07 - 203, 2: 28.8–29.8 mm SL, coll. DY Hong and YC Yang, Taiping Island, South China Sea, July 27, 2022. NTOUP 2022-07 - 204, 2: 22.4–23.6 mm SL, coll. DY Hong and YC Yang, Taiping Island, South China Sea, July 29, 2022. TAIWAN: NTOUP 2012-06 - 552, 23.1 mm SL, Huapingyan, Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, 15 m. coll. I-S Chen et al., July 7, 2007. NTOUP 2012-06 - 553, 30.0 mm SL, Meirendong, Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, 15 m. coll. I-S Chen et al., July 8, 2007. NTOUP 2012-06 - 554, 2: 17.8–23.1 mm SL, Huapingyan, Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, 15 m. coll. I-S Chen et al., July 10, 2007. NTOUP 2012-06 - 555, 25.7 mm SL, Huapingyan, Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, 15 m. coll. K-T Chen and Y-H Gong, August 24, 2011. NTOUP 2012-06 - 556, 28.8 mm SL, Huapingyan, Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, 15 m. coll. K-T Chen and Y-H Gong, August 24, 2011. NTOUP 2012-06 - 557, 28.4 mm SL, Shanfu fish port, Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, 15 m. coll. K-T Chen and Y-H Gong, August 24, 2011. Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the following unique combination of features: D1 VI; D2 I/9; A I/8; P 19; LR 25-26; SD1P 3. V with low frenum with lowest region about 1/10 of its spine; 4 th branched rays longest. Head and body with small, bright yellow round spots and some tiny white dots. A row of discontinuous yellow spots running from lower origin of orbit to upper lip. Cheek with a similar parallel row of yellow marks. Lateral midline with a horizontal series of 8–9 bright yellow spots, with size smaller than pupil on trunk. Caudal fin base with a median, triangularly yellow to grayish-yellow mark. First dorsal fin with a deep black blotch on upper 1/4 region in front of 3 rd spinous ray; a smaller oblong, deep black mark on upper half region in between 5 th and 6 th spinous rays. Second dorsal fin with 3–4 rows of tiny yellow round spots. Caudal fin translucent with three major radiated rows of small yellow spots. Descriptions. Body proportions were listed in Table 1. Body slender and elongate, compressed posteriorly. Cross-section of anterior part of head triangular. Snout short, pointed, dorsal profile smooth. Maxillary reaching the vertical of anterior margin of orbit. Anterior nostril as a short tube. Gill-opening extending ventrally beyond vertical of midline of opercle. Posterior nostril as round hole. VC 10+16=26. Fins.—D1 VI; D2 I/9; A I/8; P 18-20 (modally 19); V I/5. No distinct elongate spinous ray in D1, with anterior three rays longer, rear tip extending to first branched ray of D2. An origin inserted below vertical of first branched ray of D2. P large, rear tip extending to vertical of second branched ray of D2. V with low frenum with lowest region about 1/10 of its spine length; 4 th branched rays longest, and rear tip extending beyond the anus. C rounded. Scales.—LR 25-26 (modally 26); TR 7; PreD 0; SD1P 3. Body with median large ctenoid scales. Head including cheek, snout, nape and operculum naked. Prepectoral and prepelvic region with cycloid scales.