Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov.: a new species of goby (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea with a DNA-based phylogenetic analysis of the Gobius-lineage Author Cooper, David Author Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki Author Macdonald, David Author Nanova, Olga Author Yudin, Viktor Author Dugmore, Andrew Author Kitchener, Andrew text Contributions to Zoology 2021 2021-03-30 90 1 285 317 journal article 10.1163/18759866-bja10018 1875-9866 8343383 The designation of Zebrus zebrus (Risso, 1827) neotype Rationale. Based on morphological and genetic data presented here, the genus Zebrus includes two species. Until now, the genus was considered monotypic ( Miller, 1977 ). The original description of Zebrus zebrus (decribed as Gobius zebrus ) by Risso (1827) is only general, and does not include any morphological characteristics which could unambiguosly determine which of the two currently recognised species was included under the name. Furthermore, no original type material exists ( Fricke et al., 2020b ) to prove the identity of Z. zebrus by type inspection. To resolve this taxonomic problem, we here designate a neotype for this species. The designated neotype was selected from available specimens analysed in this study to originate as close to the locus typicus (Nice, France ) as possible, and is accessible by the voucher number nmp P6V 140912 at the nmp. The neotype of Z. zebrus was designated fulfilling the qualifying conditions set by iczn (1999) as follows: The description of the second species of Zebrus in the hitherto monotypic genus represented an exceptional need for the designation of a neotype for the first Zebrus species (Article 75.3, iczn, 1999). The genus Zebrus represents the complex zoological problem (Article 75.2, iczn, 1999) of morphologically very similar congenerics. Therefore, in addition to the diagnosis, the designation of a neotype is needed to have the name-bearing material of this species in addition to the type material of the new species. This complex zoological problem (Article 75.2, iczn, 1999) could become even more complicated if more lineages within the Zebrus / Millerigobius clade would be found. In that case, the name-bearing material of the present species, holotype and neotype , should be available for comparison with the new material. The purpose was to clarify the taxonomic status of two species (Article 75.3.1, iczn, 1999). The diagnostic characters are stated in the diagnosis (Article 75.3.1, iczn, 1999), which is sufficient to ensure the recognition of the species (Article 75.3.3, iczn, 1999). We are positive that no name bearing type specimens exist for Z. zebrus ( Fricke et al., 2020b ; Article 75.3.4, iczn, 1999). The neotype fits the species redescription of Z. zebrus ( Miller, 1977 ; Article 75.3.5, iczn, 1999) and the neotype was collected relatively close to the original type locality (see locality of the neotype material, Article 75.3.6, iczn, 1999). The neotype was stored in a public scientific museum collection (see storage of the neotype material, Article 75.3.7, iczn, 1999). Neotype . nmp P6 V 140912 , female, 23.25 + 6.22 mm , Îll Gross , Banyuls sur Mer , France ; 42°28’55.58”N 3°8’12.96”E , coll. R . Šanda , 14 October 2011 ( fig. 1b ). Additional material examined. nmp P6V 142530, female, 25.21 + 6.18 mm , Sv. Marak, Krk Island, Croatia ; nmp P6V 142592, female, 21.9 + 5.58 mm , nmp P6V 142593, male, 21.84 + 5.6 mm , nmp P6V 142594, male, 18.76 + 4.76 mm , nmp P6V 142595, female, 19.59 + 4.95 mm , nmp P6V 142596, female, 19.39 + 4.85 mm , nmp P6V 142597, male, 21.16 + 5.58 mm , nmp P6V 142598, female, 19.83 + 4.81 mm , nmp P6V 142599, male, 21.91 + 5.65 mm , all eight from Selce, Kvarner area, Croatia ; nmp P6V 145212, male, 27.38 + 6.84 mm , nmp P6V 145213, female, 26.48 + 6.44 mm , nmp P6V 145214, female, 25.99 + 6.05 mm , nmp P6V 145215, male, 27.11 + 6.45 mm , nmp P6V 145216, male, 27.17 + 6.59 mm , nmp P6V 145217, male, 27.8+7.17,nmpP6V145218,male,27.52+ 7.17 mm , nmp P6V 145219, male, 25.55 + 6.03 mm , nmp P6V 145220, male, 27.57 + 7.03 mm , all nine from Kamenjak, Krk Island, Croatia ; nmp P6V 145287, female, 27.36 + 6.4 mm , nmp P6V 145288, male, 25.73 + 6.07 mm , nmp P6V 145289, male, 25.41 + 5.7 mm , nmp P6V 145290, male, 25.53 + 6.1 mm , all four from Selce, Kvarner area, Croatia ; nmp P6V 89017, male, 28.12 + 6.78 mm and nmp P6V 89018, female, 21.73 + 5.42 mm , both from Punta Glavina, Krk Island, Croatia . Diagnosis. Z. zebrus differs from the only congeneric species, Z.pallaoroi sp. nov. by each of the following characters: (1) snout shorter than eye, its length 0.8‒0.9 of eye diameter; (2) posterior nostril 1/4‒2/5 of anterior nostril ( fig. 2D ); (3) eye diameter is 3.1‒4.1 in head length; (4) left and right ventrolateral head ridges disconnected anteriorly by midventral flat area ( fig. 2F ), (5) anterior membrane in midline depth 1/4‒1/2 of spinous ray ( fig. 2E ); (6) head canal pores of moderate size, distance between pore Ρ and Ρ1 about three times or more longer than pore α diameter; (7) suborbital sensory papillae row 5i ends downwards distant from row d , row 5i length equal or smaller than distance between row 5i and row d ; (8) body with 6‒9 dark vertical stripes at upper edge, broader or equal than pale interspaces.