A redescription of Cryptocentrus crocatus Wongratana, a redefinition of Myersina Herre (Acanthopterygii; Gobiidae), a key to the species, and comments on relationships

Abstract

Myersina is redefined, based on the presence of an elongate first dorsal fin in at least the adult males, two preopercular pores, gill membranes fused in the ventral midline and either fused to the isthmus or forming a free fold over it, cycloid scales only on the body, and midline of predorsal region scaleless. It now includes four species traditionally assigned to Cryptocentrus but here placed in Myersina ("C". crocatus, "C". filifer, "C". pretoriusi, and "C". yangii). This concept of Myersina still retains the species originally assigned to it (M. macrostoma, M. lachneri, and M. nigrivirgata). The recently described M. larsonae belongs in Stonogobiops. These two genera almost definitely form a monophyletic group. However, it is possible that the species of Stonogobiops (the monophyly of which is well supported) could be more closely related to one or more species of Myersina than either is to other Myersina species, because the monophyly of the latter genus remains uncertain.