<i>Pascua marecoralliensis</i>, a new species of goby (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the central Coral Sea with validation of the genus <i>Pascua</i>

In this paper, we use molecular phylogenetics, micro-CT scanning, and morphological analyses to describe a new species of goby, <i>Pascua marecoralliensis</i>, and demonstrate that the genus <i>Pascua </i>is distinct from <i>Hetereleotris</i>, as supported by five diagnostic characters, including modified basicaudal scales and reduced sensory papillae patterns. Phylogenetic analysis places Pascua as sister to the <i>Gobiodon </i>group, while Hetereleotris forms a separate clade. The new species,<i> P. marecoralliensis</i>, differs from congeners in fin ray counts, cephalic pore patterns, and head morphology and exhibits unique live colouration. Additionally, we reclassify <i>Hetereleotris readerae</i> and <i>H. sticta</i> as <i>Pascua readerae</i> and <i>P.</i> <i>sticta</i> based on shared genus-specific traits. The distribution of <i>Pascua </i>spans the southern Pacific, suggesting a relict lineage or undiscovered diversity in the genus. This work underscores the importance of integrative taxonomic approaches for resolving cryptic diversity in gobioid fishes and highlights the need for further sampling in understudied regions.