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Abstract

Two new gobiid species of Vanderhorstia Smith, 1959 which have been recently collected from Japanese waters. Both new species are distributed in marine coral reef habitats off the Ryukyus, Japan. Vanderhorstia cyanolineata sp. nov. can be well distinguished from congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fin ray counts: second dorsal fin rays I/12, anal fin rays I/12; pectoral fin rays 18-19; (2) fin shape: low first dorsal fin with about equal 3rd to 5th spinous rays, caudal fin large and middle rays as sword-like projection; (3) scales: LR 50-52; TR 18; and (4) its own specific colouration mentioned below. Vanderhorstia fulvopelvis sp. nov. can be well distinguished from congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fin ray counts: second dorsal fin rays I/12, anal fin rays I/12; pectoral fin rays 17; (2) fin shape:D1 in lacking any filamentous ray; C large with larger upper lobe forming as pointed tip; (3) scales: LR 46-47; TR 16; and (4) their own specific colouration. The diagnosis, formal descriptions and color images of specimens as well as underwater photo records will be provided in this paper.

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