New Distribution Records of Eugnathogobius Illotus (Gobiiformes) from Peninsular Malaysia and Molecular Insight into the Species
摘要
The occurrence of Eugnathogobius illotus, is verified by specimens from the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, extending the documented distribution of the species within the region. A distinctive set of morphological features diagnose E. illotus: second dorsal-fin rays I,7; anal-fin rays I,7; pectoral-fin rays 16; longitudinal scales 36 or 37; transverse backward scale counts 11 or 12; predorsal scales 17 − 20, comprising evenly-sized minute scales, with an enlarged scale behind posterior margin of eye; body scales ctenoid; elongate dorsal spine absent in males, second or third dorsal-fin spine longest; gill opening narrowly confined, extending forward to beneath posterior margin of opercle; snout and cheek marked by two or three broad dusky bands. We also provided the mitochondrial COI gene to support the morphological identification of E. illotus.