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Home , Alticus, Antennablennius, Blenniinae, Blennius, Ecsenius pulcher, Ichthyology

Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 192-211 Received: June 8, 2018 © 2018 Iranian Society of Ichthyology Accepted: August 28, 2018 P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964 doi: 10.22034/iji.v5i3.295 http://www.ijichthyol.org

Research Article

Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea: Morphology, , distribution and conservation status (: Blenniidae)

Hamidreza MEHRABAN, Hamid Reza ESMAEILI*

Ichthyology and Molecular Research Laboratory, Section, Department of , College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. *Email: [email protected] Abstract: The present study provides a checklist of the Blenniidae from intertidal habitats along the Iranian coasts of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea. This research carried out during the years 2013-2018 at nine stations (Dayyer, Haale, Bostanou, Bandar Lenge, Qeshm, Gataan, Jask, Gugsar and Chabahar) with almost rocky profile covering whole distribution range of the family. A total of 15 including 11 species from collection sites and four species from previous works are listed here: kirkii, Antennablennius adenensis, A. bifilum, A. variopunctatus, edentulus, I. lineatus, I. pox, I. spilotus, cornutus, P. opercularis, P. pilicornis and emarginata (subfamily Salariinae); fasciolatus, O. mekranensis and O. punctatus (subfamily ). The most diverse is Istiblennius (four species, 26.6%) followed by Antennablennius, Parablennius and Omobranchus (each with three species, 20%), Alticus and Scartella (each with one species, 6.6%). All reported species, except the endemic Makran comb-tooth blenny, Omobranchus mekranensis, Vulnerable) are considered as Least Concern (LC). Keywords: Salariinae, Blenniinae, Systematics, Diversity, Morphological characters. Citation: Mehraban, H. & Esmaeili, H.R. 2018. Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea: Morphology, taxonomy, distribution and conservation status (Blenniiformes: Blenniidae). Iranian Journal of Ichthyology 5(3): 192-211.

Introduction variety of habitats: coral reefs, rocky intertidal, The Blenniidae comprises 58 genera and 397 species mangroves, oyster beds and in the lower reaches of of small benthic according to Nelson et al. most rivers. Several species of blenniids are involved (2016) and 406 species according to in mimetic associations with other fishes, being Eschmeyer & Fong (2018). The family is distributed similar in external appearance to the other species worldwide, with most species occurring in shallow (see e.g., Smith-Vaniz et al. 2001). coastal, tropical and warm temperate marine waters, Intertidal fishes of the Persian Gulf and Makran along with a few species known from fresh and/or Sea have been examined by several researchers brackish water. Despite being relatively well-known (Smith 1959 a, b; Wright et al. 1990; Abou-Seedo taxonomically, the phylogenetic relationships of the 1992; Springer & William 1994; Randall 1995). blenniids with the other five families of Although the intertidal fishes of the Iranian Coasts of Blenniiformes are poorly known. The Blenniidae has Persian Gulf and Makran sea have already been listed been the most studied among any of the other (see Blegvad & Loppenthin 1944; Ghanbarifardi & blennies, in part because it is by far the most speciose Malek 2007), but no comprehensive study and but also because it is distributed widely, specimens updated list is available. can be easily collected, and the species occur in a The aims of this study is to provide taxonomic list

192

Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.1. Map of the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea showing collection sites of comb-tooth blennies. and distribution range of the comb-tooth blennies published an infrafamilial classification of the collected from the intertidal zones of the Iranian Blenniidae for the first time, including a synopsis of coasts of the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea and blenniid genera. He grouped the species of the review the previous reported species from this family in three subfamilies, on the basis of different region. types of dentition: Ophioblenniinae, Blenniinae, and Salariinae. Later authors modified Norman’s Materials and Methods classification into present usage (two subfamilies: This checklist has been compiled from the works Blenniinae and Salariinae). Based on osteological listed in the references and also by sampling of the characters, Springer (1968) distinguished two intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea subfamilies: Blenniinae (three tribes Blenniini, during the years 2013-2018. (Fig. 1, Table 1). Omobranchini and Salariini) and Nemophidinae. Sampling were carried out with hand nets. Clove oil Springer & Smith-Vaniz (1972) degraded the and Quinate (Quinaldine Sulfate) (Ross & Ross subfamily Nemophidinae into a tribe Nemophini 2009) was used as anesthetics. After anesthesia, fish without comment; it was later revised as tribe individuals were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and Nemophini by Smith-Vaniz (1976). Williams (1990) later stored in 70% alcohol for morphological examined the phylogeny of the tribes of the family studies. All collected specimens were deposited in and hypothesized a close relationship between the the Zoological Museum of Shiraz University, tribes Parablenniini and Salariini. The monophyly of Collection of Biology Department, Shiraz (ZM- the Parablenniini was based on two synapomorphies, CBSU). Identification was carried out using available configuration of basibranchial I and epibranchial IV. identification keys (Smith & Heemstra 1986; Randall He hypothesized monophyly of the Salariini based 1995; Carpenter et al. 1997). on the configuration of the premaxillary and the shape of the infrapharyngobranchial plate. In a Results preliminary hypothesis of the blenniid tribe Review of literature reveals controversial debates at relationships, he divided the Salariini into two the subfamily taxonomic level. Norman (1943) groups, a Rhabdoblennius group with an atypical

193 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Table 1. Details of the collecting sites of comb-tooth blennies from the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea.

Locality Coordinate 27 50 N Dayyer 51 56 E

Persian Gulf Persian 27 23 27.4 N Haale 52 34 38.0 E 27 07 14.8 N Bostanou 53 01 20.3 E 26 31 15.4

Bandar Lenge 54 50 05.9 26 44 52.0 N Qeshm 56 00 42.6 E 25 57 31.6 N Gataan

Makran Sea Makran 57 15 45.2 E 25 41 68 N Jask 57 53 26.46 E 25 33 57.2 N Gugsar 58 48 23.6 E 25 16 66.5 N Chabahar 60 39 94.6 E

Fig.2. Alticus kirkii collected from Chabahar, Makran Sea, Iran. dentition, and a Salarias-group with a typical Type locality: Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. dentition (Williams 1990: fig. 1). Bath (2001) Dorsal rays XVII,20-22 (usually 21); anal rays II, combined the formerly recognized tribes Salariini 26-28 (usually 26 or 27); caudal rays 11; pectoral and Parablenniini because they lacked defining rays 14; pelvic rays I,3; mouth inferior; teeth characters. movable and very numerous; no canine teeth, edge of upper lip crenulate and of lower lip entire; a blade- Taxonomic account like, fleshy crest on head crest higher in male and Family Blenniidae posteriorly pointed with a small basal lobe behind; a Subfamily Salariinae fringed tentacle above eye about half to two-third Genus Alticus Lacepède, 1800 orbit diameter; nasal also present; nape cirri 1- Alticus kirkii (Günther, 1868) absent; delicately indent between spinous (Fig. 2) and soft portions, the spinous portion very high in Salarias kirkii Günther, 1868 male; last anal ray doesn’t have membrane Lophalticus kirkii magnusi Klausewitz, 1964 attachment to caudal peduncle; pale greenish grey Alticus kirkii Dor, 1984 with numerous curved grey bars on body; dorsal fin Common name: . with oblique white lines; Reaches about 11cm SL 194 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.3. Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Makran Sea, natural habitat of Alticus kirkii. (Randall 1995). white spots; a large blackish blotch covering much of Material examined: Alticus kirkii ZM-CBSU 875- cheek and region behind eye, the cheek crossed by 879, (n=5), 65-84mm SL; Iran: Sistan and diagonal rows of pale blue dots; snout and dorsal part Baluchestan Prov., Chabahar, Makran Sea (Fig. 3). of head with pale blue dots; anal fin pale yellowish, Distribution: Mozambique and Reunion to , every other soft ray dusky. Reaches 5cm SL (Randall including Makran Sea (Chabahar, Fig. 3). Also in the 1995). Red Sea. Distribution: Red Sea, northwestern Indian Ocean: IUCN: Least concern. Gulf of Aden, East to Pakistan. Recently reported from the Persian Gulf (Larak Island) by Alavi- Genus Antennablennius Fowler, 1931 Yeganeh et al. (2018) and Makran Sea (Chabahar) by 2- Antennablennius adenensis Fraser-Brunner, 1951 Shokouh Saljoghi et al. (2015). Common name: Aden blenny. IUCN: Least concern. Type locality: Tide pool at Aden, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, northwestern Indian Ocean. 3- Antennablennius bifilum (Günther, 1861) Dorsal rays XI,17-19; anal rays II,18-20; (Fig. 4) segmented caudal rays 13, the middle 7-9 branched; bifilum Günther, 1861 pectoral rays 14; pelvic rays I,3; teeth incisiform; Blennius persicus Regan, 1905 smooth lips’ margins; vomer teeth absent; posteriorly Antennablennius bifilum Springer, 1986 long cirrus on anterior nostril; supraorbital cirri Common name: Horned rockskipper. absent; a pair of tiny cirri on nape; no crest on head; Type locality: No locality stated (is ). body depth 5.1-5.6 in SL; dorsal fin slightly indent, Dorsal rays XI-XIII,19-20; anal rays II,17-21; first dorsal ray with a semicircular flap on anterior pectoral rays 14; pelvic rays 1,3; 26-35 and 22-30 edge; last dorsal and anal rays attach by membrane to immovable, incisiform and close-set teeth in upper caudal peduncle; grey, shading to whitish ventrally, and lower jaws respectively; nostril cirrus small, with eight purple grey bars, the last two reduced to anterior and downward-projecting; a pair of very lateral spots, and numerous white dots and small long nape cirri; no crest on head; body depth 4.1-5.3 195 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.4. Antennablennius bifilum collected from Chabahar, Makran Sea, Iran.

Fig.5. Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Makran Sea, natural habitat of Antennablennius bifilum. in standard length; dorsal fin slightly indent; body Distribution: Makran Sea (Chabahar, Ramin, Fig. 5) posterior to origin of anal fin light brown, shading to to Port Alfred, South Africa. pale grey ventrally, with numerous small white spots IUCN: Least concern. and six dark brown spots which are progressively more vertically elongate anteriorly; anterior body 4- Antennablennius variopunctatus (Jatzow & Lenz, with slightly diagonal, close-set, dark grey-brown 1898) bars which narrow onto abdomen, thus showing more (Fig. 6) white interspace; spinous portion of dorsal fin dark Blennius variopunctatus Jatzow & Lenz, 1898 grey with diagonal rows of white blotches; soft Antennablennius (Litanchus) velifer Smith, 1959 portion of dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin with Common name: Orangedotted blenny. small white spots on rays (only basally in anal fin). Type locality: Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. Reaches 8.5cm SL. (Randall 1995). Dorsal rays XII-XIII,18-21; anal rays II,16-23; Material examined: Antennablennius bifilum ZM- pectoral rays 14; pelvic rays I,3; 32-39 and 26-34 CBSU 750-755, (n=6), 45-71mm SL, Iran: Sistan and immovable, incisiform and close-set teeth in upper Baluchestan Prov., Chabahar, Makran Sea. and lower jaws respectively; nasal cirri well 196 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.6. Antennablennius variopunctatus collected from Asaluyeh, Haale, Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf, Iran.

Fig.7. Asaluyeh, Haale, Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf, natural habitat of Antennablennius variopunctatus. developed (reach to mouth in large adults); nape cirri CBSU 591-595 (n=5), 34-56mm SL, Iran: small; no crest on head; body depth 4.7-5.3 in Hormozgan Prov., Bahal, Makran Sea; ZM-CBSU standard length; greenish white with seven to eight 770-774 (n=5), 40-50mm SL, Iran: Sistan and irregular dark brown spots along side of body, the Baluchestan Prov., Chabahar, Makran Sea. three in middle vertically elongate; dark grey bars in Distribution: Mozambique to Pakistan, including the head and rows of orange dots extending from lower Makran Sea and the Persian Gulf (Haale, Bostanou, and posterior part of eye; spinous portion of dorsal Qeshm, Bahal, Chabahar, Fig. 7). fin with three fine oblique dark grey bands separated IUCN: Least concern. by a row of white spots; soft portion of dorsal fin with a few orange bands along base, the rays with reddish Genus Istiblennius Whitley, 1943 orange and whitish spots; anal fin greenish white. 5- (Forster & Schneider, 1801) Reaches 7.5cm SL. (Randall 1995). (Fig. 8) Material examined: ZM-CBSU 273-277 (n=5), 33- Blennius edentulus Forster & Schneider in Bloch & 38mm SL, Iran: Bushehr Prov., Asaluyeh, Haale, Schneider, 1801 Persian Gulf; ZM-CBSU 377-380 (n=4), 39-63mm Salarias quadricornis Valenciennes in Cuvier and SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Bostanou, Persian Gulf; Valenciennes, 1836 ZM-CBSU 103-107 (n=5), 33-45mm SL, Iran: Istiblinnius edentululus Allen & Swainston 1988 Hormozgan Prov., Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf; ZM- Istiblennius edentulus Dor, 1984

197 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.8. Istiblennius edentulus collected from Qeshm Island, Hormozgan Province, Persian Gulf, Iran.

Fig.9. Qeshm Island, Hormozgan Province, Persian Gulf, natural habitat of Istiblennius edentulus. Common name: Smooth-lipped blenny. indistinct, irregular, narrow, dark bar in each pale Type locality: Tahiti, Society Island. interspace; males with diagonal white lines or rows Dorsal rays XIII- XIV, 20-22; anal rays II,21-23; of white spots in dorsal fin. Largest specimen reaches segmented caudal rays 12-13 (rarely 12); pectoral 18cm SL. rays 14; pelvic rays I,3; ending at the Material examined: ZM-CBSU 745-749 (n=5), 64- middle of body, without vertical pairs of pores; 106mm SL, Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan Prov., incisiform and movable teeth in jaws; canine tooth Chabahar. absent; edges of lips entire; supraorbital cirri slim, Distribution: Persian Gulf (Fig. 9) and Makran Sea flattened and simple (may have two small branches); (Chabahar, Ramin); Red Sea and East Africa to the a pair of cirri on nape; males with a blade-like fleshy Line, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to crest on head; body depth 3.1-5.0 in standard length; southern , south to Lord Howe and Rapa. dorsal fin indent more than half length of first dorsal IUCN: Least concern. soft ray; last dorsal ray attach by membrane to caudal peduncle or out on caudal fin, but last anal ray not 6. (Valenciennes, 1836) attached to peduncle; Greenish, usually with six or (Fig. 10) seven dark brown double bars on body and an Salarias lineatus Valenciennes in Cuvier and

198 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.10. Istiblennius lineatus collected from Jask, Bahal, Hormozgan Province, Makran Sea, Iran.

Fig.11. Jask, Bahal, Hormozgan Province, Makran Sea, Natural habitat of Istiblennius lineatus. Valenciennes, 1836 jaw; edge of upper lip crenulate, of lower lip entire; Salarias kingii Valenciennes in Cuvier and supraorbital cirri branched; nape cirri absent; males Valenciennes, 1836 have a blade-like uniformly pigmented dusky fleshy Salarias hasseltii Bleeker, 1851 crest on head; females lack crest; dorsal fin deeply Salarias lividus Thiolliere in Montrouzier, 1856 indent before soft rays; color pattern on caudal Salarias mccullochi Fowler and Bean, 1923 peduncle of males usually of dark stripes, dashes or Salarias multilineatus Fowler, 1945 squiggles, pattern on caudal peduncle of females of Common name: Black-lined blenny. dark spots, soft portion of dorsal fin with diagonal Type locality: Java. black lines. (Springer & Williams 1994). Dorsal rays XIII, 21-23; anal rays II, 21-23; Material examined: ZM-CBSU 579, 586 (n=2) 38- pectoral rays 14; pelvic rays I,3; numerous and 41mm SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Bahal, Makran incisiform teeth in jaws; canine tooth absent on lower Sea; ZM-CBSU 718, 723, 729 (n=3), 59-64mm SL,

199 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.12. Istiblennius pox, male, collected from Bandar Lengeh, Hormozgan Province, Persian Gulf, Iran.

Fig.13. Istiblennius pox, female, collected from Bandar Lengeh, Hormozgan Province, Persian Gulf, Iran. Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan Prov., Chabahar, tooth posteriorly on lower jaw; edge of upper lip Makran Sea. crenulate, of lower lip entire; supraorbital cirri Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Laccadive and branched; nape cirri absent; males with a blade-like, Maldive islands, east to Pitcairn Islands, north to reddish black spotted fleshy crest; females without a Japan, south to Australia and New Caledonia. crest or with a low ridge; dorsal fin deeply indent Recently reported from Makran Sea (Bahal, before soft portion; light greenish grey with blackish Chabahar, Ramin, Fig. 11) by Mehraban & Esmaeili longitudinal lines on body; irregular black lines (2017). below eye and over preopercular region of cheek; soft IUCN: Least concern. portion of dorsal fin with diagonal black lines. Reaches about 13 cm SL. This species forms a 7- Istiblennius pox Springer & Williams, 1994 complex species group with I. steindachneri from (Figs. 12, 13) East Africa south of the equator, Seychelles, and Common name: Scarface rockskipper. Mauritius, and I. lineatus (Valenciennes) from the Type locality: Tide pools at Boleji Pt., Karachi, rest of the Indo-Pacific region (Springer & Williams Pakistan. 1994). Dorsal rays XI-XIII (rarely XII or XIV); 20-13; Material examined: ZM-CBSU 285-288 (n=4), 49- anal rays II,21-24; segmented caudal rays 13; 56mm SL, Iran: Bushehr Prov., Asaluyeh, Haale, pectoral rays l4; pelvic rays I,3; continuous anterior Persian Gulf; ZM-CBSU 362-365 (n=4), 56-62mm part of lateral line of simple pores, no vertical pairs SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Bostanou, Persian Gulf; of pores, ending beneath the fourth to seventh dorsal ZM-CBSU 516-520 (n=5), 51-70mm SL, Iran: spines; body depth 4.5-5.4 in standard length; Hormozgan Prov., Bandar Lengeh, Persian Gulf; numerous and incisiform teeth in jaws; no canine ZM-CBSU 125-130 (n=6), 61-99mm SL, Iran: 200 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.14. Bandar Lengeh, Hormozgan Province, the Persian Gulf, natural habitat of Istiblennius pox. Hormozgan Prov. Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf; ZM- (Fig. 15) CBSU 666-670 (n=5), 84-96mm SL, Iran: Common name: Spotted rockskipper. Hormozgan Prov., Gataan, Makran Sea; ZM-CBSU Type locality: Tide pools at Boleji Pt., Karachi, 600-605 (n=6), 43-59mm SL, Iran: Hormozgan Pakistan. Prov., Bahal, Makran Sea; ZM-CBSU 640-645 Dorsal rays XIII (rarely XIV), 17-19; anal rays II, (n=6), 60-76mm SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Gugsar, 17-19; segmented caudal rays 13; pectoral rays 13-14 Makran Sea; ZM-CBSU 715-720 (n=6), 62-83mm (rarely 13); pelvic rays I,3; lateral line without SL, Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan Prov. Chabahar, vertical pairs of pores, ending beneath thirteenth Makran Sea. dorsal spine and thirteenth dorsal soft ray; numerous Distribution: Southern Red Sea to the Persian Gulf incisiform teeth in jaws; no canine tooth; margins of and Makran Sea (Haale, Bostanou, Bandar Lengeh, lips crenulate (the lower lips sometimes only partially Qeshm, Gataan, Bahal, Gugsar, Chabahar, Ramin, on lateral edges); supraorbital cirri pinnately Gwatr, Fig. 14) to Pakistan. branched; nape cirri absent; male with a blade-like IUCN: Least concern. fleshy crest on head; female without a crest or with a low ridge; body of females greenish grey, shading to 8- Istiblennius spilotus Springer & Williams, 1994 whitish ventrally, with numerous brown-edged white 201 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.15. Istiblennius spilotus collected from Ramin, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Makran Sea, Iran.

Fig.16. Ramin, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Makran Sea, natural habitat of Istiblennius spilotus. spots and a longitudinal row of elongate white IUCN: Least concern. patches at level of upper edge of pectoral fin; two small, black lines behind eye partly within a yellow Genus Parablennius Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 spot; males yellowish grey with double dark grey 9. (Linnaeus, 1758) bars on sides of body and two longitudinal rows of Blennius cornutus Linnaeus, 1758 small dark-edged blue spots; head with small dark- Blennius grandicornis Cuvier & Valencienne, 1836 edged pale blue spots, mostly below eye and above Blennius scullyi Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908 mouth; two thick black lines or a black spot behind Common name: Horned blenny. eye. Reaches 14cm SL. Type locality: India. Material examined: ZM-CBSU 816, 817 (n=2), 75- Dorsal rays XI-XII,16-20; anal rays II,16-23; 81mm SL, Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan Prov. pectoral fin 13-15; 1,4; orbital cirrus Chabahar, Makran Sea. usually a long central stalk with numerous short side Distribution: Pakistan and the Makran Sea branches (central stalk of males much longer than (Chabahar, Ramin, Fig. 16) to Natal, South Africa, that of females); nasal cirri small, consisting of few Madagascar and Reunion. branches, Lateral line continuing as bipored tubes

202 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.17. Parablennius opercularis collected from Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Makran Sea, Iran.

Fig.18. Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Makran Sea, natural habitat of Parablennius opercularis. from pectoral fin tip towards caudal fin. Body (Fig. 17) irregularly dusky banded (about six bands), plain Salarias opercularis Murray, 1887 dusky, or broadly wavy lined; beneath of head plain Salarias neilli Day, 1888 dusky; pectoral fin darkly dusky basally to Parablennius opercularis Bath, 1989 completely darkly dusky; dorsal fin variably to Common name: Cheekspot blenny. completely dusky, dark spot usually present at Type locality: Manora rocks, Kurachee, India. anterior end. Reaches 15cm SL. (Smith & Heemstra Dorsal rays XII, 15-17; anal rays II,17-19; 1986). segmented caudal rays 13, the middle 9 filamented; Distribution: Southeastern Atlantic and South Africa. pelvic rays I,3; dorsoanterior part of lateral line with Recently reported from Makran Sea (Ramin) by 10-14 vertical pairs of pores; 23-35 and 21-28 close- Attaran et al. (2016). set, partly movable, incisiform teeth in upper and IUCN: Least concern. lower jaws respectively; a well-developed canine tooth posteriorly in both upper and lower jaws; 10- Parablennius opercularis (Murray, 1887) supraorbital cirri large with one to five filaments on

203 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.19. Omobranchus fasciolatus collected from Bostanou, Hormozgan Province, the Persian Gulf, Iran. one side; nape cirri absent; small nostril tentacle on with 2 dark bands; pectoral fin pale or pale dusky; posterior rim; body depth 3.9-4.8 in standard length; dorsal fin variably dusky or with numerous spots. dorsal fin indent to half-length of first soft ray; last Reaches 12cm SL (Randall 1995; Attaran 2016). dorsal and anal rays attach by membrane to caudal Distribution: Southwestern , peduncle; greenish brown with eight sets of four eastern Atlantic: southern Bay of Biscay to South small blackish spots along dorsal side which form a Africa; southwestern Indian Ocean (South Africa); square, the upper spots extending onto base of a western Atlantic ( and Argentina). Recently dorsal ray (posterior sets of spots may be faint or reported from Makran Sea (Chabahar) by Attaran et absent); a midlateral row of small blackish spots al. (2016). usually present; a dark brown spot as large as eye on IUCN: Least concern. cheek behind eye; two dark bars below eye. Reaches 6cm SL. (Randall 1995; Smith & Heemstra 1986). Genus Scartella Jordan, 1886 Material examined: ZM-CBSU 40-41 (n=2), 45- 12. (Gunther, 1861) 47mm SL, Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan Prov., Blennius emarginatus Gunther, 1861 Chabahar, Makran Sea. Blennius cristatus Penrith & Penrith, 1972 Distribution: Makran Sea (Chabahar, Ramin, Fig. 18) Blennius steindachneri Smith, 1959 to Pakistan and India. Scartella emarginata Bath, 1977 IUCN: Least concern. Common name: Maned blenny Type locality: Pakistan (according to Randall 1995) 11- Parablennius pilicornis (Cuvier, 1829) Dorsal rays XI-XIII, 12-16; anal rays II,14-18; Blennius pilicornis Cuvier, 1829 pectoral fin 14; pelvic fin I,3. Nape cirri appear at Blennius fascigula Barnard, 1927 about two cm SL; Nostril and supraorbital cirri Blennius trifascigula Fowler, 1936 consisting of several tiny filaments. 22-23 incisiform, Blennius vandervekeni Poll, 1959 immovable and close-set teeth in each jaws. Body Parablennius piliconis Bath, 1977 with five to six dusky bands; well-developed dark Common name: . spots sprinkled over body in South African Type locality: Brazil. No types known. specimens and some Atlantic specimens. Reaches 10 Dorsal rays XI-XII,18-24; anal rays II,20-25; cm SL (Attaran et al. 2016; Smith & Heemstra, pectoral fin 14; pelvic fin 1,3; orbital cirri consisting 1986). of several branches arising from short, broad base; Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: southeastern Africa nostril cirri present. Body with nine dusky bands to southeastern Asia. Recently reported from Makran dorsally, numerous dark spots ventrally; body pale Sea (Ramin) by Attaran et al. (2016). with irregular dusky marks; underside of head often IUCN: Least concern.

204 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.20. Bostanou, Hormozgan Province, the Persian Gulf, natural habitat of Omobranchus fasciolatus. Subfamily Blenniinae large as eye behind eye; bluish white lines radiating Genus Omobranchus Valenciennes, 1836 from eye; rows of dark brown clots in spaces between 13- Omobranchus fasciolatus (Valenciennes, 1836) white lines on snout and below eye; males with a (Fig. 19) large oval dusky spot between ninth and fourteenth Blennechis fasciolatus Valenciennes in Cuvier and soft rays. Largest specimen 5.0 cm SL. (Randall Valenciennes, 1836 1995; Smith & Heemstra 1986). striatus Jatzow & Lenz, 1898 Material examined: ZM-CBSU 399-401 (n=3), 45- Petroscirtes viciguerrae, Borsieri, 1904 47mm SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Bostanou, Persian Omobranchus cristatus Fraser-Brunner, 1951 Gulf; ZM-CBSU 224-226 (n=3), 25-48mm SL, Iran: Omobranchus fasciolatus Springer & Gomon, 1975 Hormozgan Prov. Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf; ZM- Common name: Arab blenny. CBSU 617-622 (n=6), 27-47mm SL, Iran: Type locality: Naval Base at Massawa, Eritrea, Red Hormozgan Prov., Bahal, Makran Sea; ZM-CBSU Sea. 706-710 (n=5), 37-47mm SL, Iran: Hormozgan Dorsal rays XI-XII, 17-19; anal rays II,18-22; Prov., Gataan, Makran Sea; ZM-CBSU 841-845 segmented caudal rays 13; lateral-line tubes 4-8, last (n=5), 30-38mm SL, Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan below dorsal spines VII-X; 18-25 and 18-26 long, Prov. Chabahar, Makran Sea. close-set, partly movable, incisiform teeth in upper Distribution: Red Sea south to Inhambane, and lower jaws respectively; edge of lips entire; a Mozambique and Persian Gulf and Makran Sea small ventral-projecting flap on lower lips; no cirri on (Bostanou, Fig. 20; Qeshm, Gataan, Bahal, Chabahar head; males with a small blade-like fleshy crest and Ramin) to Gulf of Kutch. dorsally on head (poorly developed or absent in IUCN: Least concern. females); gill opening restricted to side of head only; body depth 5.3-6.1 in standard length; dorsal fin very 14- Omobranchus mekranensis (Regan, 1905) slightly indent between spinous and soft portions; (Fig. 21) greenish grey. Body with vertical white lines Common name: Mekran/Makran blenny. anteriorly and white dots posteriorly; a green spot as Type locality: Jask, Iran. 205 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.21. Omobranchus mekranensis collected from Gugsar, Hormozgan Province, Makran Sea, Iran.

Fig.22. Gugsar, Hormozgan Province, Makran Sea, natural habitat of Omobranchus mekranensis. Dorsal rays XII (rarely XI),20-21; anal rays II,22- radiating from ventral half of eye; an oval dark spot 23; pectoral fin 13, segmented caudal rays 13-14 nearly as large as eye on head behind eye. Reaches (usually 1 4); lateral-line tubes 5-7, ending beneath 6cm SL. (Randall 1995; Smith & Heemstra 1986). dorsal spines IX-XI; 18-23 and 22-27 long, close-set, Material examined: ZM-CBSU 169, 188 (n=2), 35- partly movable, incisiform teeth in upper and lower 53mm SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Qeshm Island, jaws respectively; a fleshy blade-like crest dorsally Persian Gulf; ZM-CBSU 653-655 (n=3), 25-45mm on head of both sexes; gill opening restricted to area SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Gugsar, Makran Sea; above base of pectoral fin; body depth about 5.0-5.2 ZM-CBSU 514-515 (n=2), 42-45mm SL, Iran: Sistan in standard length; dorsal fin without indentation; and Baluchestan Prov. Chabahar, Makran Sea. body with six to seven pairs of dark bars on body Distribution: Persian Gulf, Makran Sea (Qeshm, which tend to broaden dorsally; narrow dark bands Gugsar, Fig. 22; Chabahar, Ramin and 206 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

Fig.23. collected from Gataan, Makran Sea, Iran.

Fig.24. Gataan, Makran Sea, Natural habitat of Omobranchus punctatus Gwatr/Gwater) and Pakistan. crest on head; gill opening restricted to area above IUCN: Vulnerable D2. first pectoral ray; body depth 4.9-5.4 in standard length; dorsal fin very moderately indent between 15- Omobranchus punctatus (Valenciennes, 1836) spinous and soft portions; translucent grey-brown (Fig. 23) with longitudinal rows of dark brown dashes and Common name: Japanese blenny. vertical rows of small pale greenish spots; a large Type locality: Bombay, India. transversely elongate black spot on nape in front of Dorsal rays XI-XII, 18-24; anal rays II,21-26; dorsal fin; head with oblique dark brown bars. segmented caudal rays l2-l4 ; lateral-line tubes 3-8, Reaches to 11cm SL (Randall 1995; Smith & ending to below dorsal spines III-XII; 21-33 and 22- Heemstra 1986). 38 long, close-set, partly movable, incisiform teeth in Material examined: ZM-CBSU 42-1 (n=1), 46mm upper and lower jaws respectively; edge of lips SL, Iran: Hormozgan Prov., Gataan, Makran Sea; entire; a small posterior ventral flap on lower lip; no ZM-CBSU 43-1 (n=1), 72mm SL, Iran: Sistan and

207 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

Fig.25. Some species of family Blenniidae from the Iranian coasts of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea. Baluchestan Prov., Tis, Makran Sea. reported from southern parts (see Carpenter et al. Distribution: Persian Gulf and Makran Sea (Bandar 1997; Randall 1995). Randall (1995) reported 33 Lengeh, Gataan, Fig. 24; and Tis) (Ghanbarifardi & species of the family from intertidal and subtidal Malek 2009) to Fiji and north to Japan. Known from zones of southern parts of the Persian Gulf and Delagoa Bay, Mozambique and Suez Canal on the Makran Sea. Carpenter et al. (1997) reported 20 African coast. Introduced in Trinidad and Panama species of comb-tooth blennies from Kuwait, Eastern Canal near Atlantic end. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United IUCN: Least concern. Emirates. Researches on Iranian species is few. Attaran-Fariman et al. (2016) assessed the Discussion phylogenetic relationships of three rare species A new and updated checklist of the family Blenniidae (Parablennius cornutus, P. pilicornis and Scartella (Fig. 25) from the intertidal habitats of Iranian coasts emarginata) belonging to tribe Parablenniini from of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea reveals presence of intertidal and subtidal zones of Iranian coast of 15 species which is about 3.7% of total described Makran Sea (Chabahar) using Cytochrome Oxidase species (397) of this family in the world and more C gene. Attaran-Farimani et al. (2016) review the than those (10 species) reported by Ghanbarifardi & taxonomic history of pulcher and its Malek (2007, 2009). It seems that total number of included synonyms (Salarias phantasticus and species in the northern parts of the Persian Gulf and S. anomalus) and investigated the synonymy based Makran Sea (Iranian coastal side) is fewer than those on DNA barcode. The most recent study of the family

208 Mehraban and Esmaeili- Comb-tooth blennies of the intertidal zones of Persian Gulf and Makran Sea

in Iran carried out by Alavi-Yeganeh et al. (2018) that Blegvad, H. & Loppenthin, B. 1944. Fishes of the Iranian provides the length–weight and length-length Gulf. Einar Munksgaard, Copenhagen. relationships information (LWR & LLR) for three Carpenter, K.E.; Krupp, F.; Jones, D.A. & Zajonz, U. Blenny species; A. adenensis from the coast of Larak 1997. The living marine resources of Kuwait, Eastern Island in the Persian Gulf and I. pox and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. FAO species identification field guide for O. mekranensis, from the coasts of Makran Sea purposes. (Chabahar). However, more sampling is needed to Eschmeyer, W.N.; Fricke, R. & Laan, R. van der. 2018. recognize the species structure of the intertidal and Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. subtidal habitats of the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea. http://researcharchive.calacademyorg/research/ichth yology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp. Accessed on 07 Aug. Acknowledgments 2018 We are pleased to thank, M. Masoudi, R. Khaefi, Ghanbarifardi, M. & Malek, M. 2007. Permanent R. Sadeghi, H. Darvishnia, M. Razbanian, Mr. Nasiri intertidal fish from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of and Mr. Tavallai for helping with fish collection in Oman, Iran. Iranian Journal of Iran. The research work was funded by Shiraz Biosystematics 3: 1-14. University and was approved by the Ethics Ghanbarifardi, M. & Malek, M. 2009. Distribution, diversity, and abundance of rocky intertidal fishes in Committee of Biology Department (SU 9133305). the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, Iran. Research 5(5): 496-502. References Mehraban, H.R. & Esmaeili, H.R. 2017. New Abou-Seedo, F.S. 1992. Abundance of fish caught by geographical record of the lined rockskipper, stake-traps (hadra) in the intertidal zone in Doha, Istiblennius lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) from the Kuwait Bay. Journal of the University of Kuwait Iranian coast of the Makran Sea (Teleostei, (Science) 19: 91-99. Blenniidae). Check List 13(6): 743-746. Alavi‐Yeganeh, M.S.; Sharifiniya, M.; Ghasemzadeh, J.; Nelson, J.S.; Grande, T.C. & Wilson, M.V. 2016. Fishes Amoeii, M. & Mousavi‐Sabet, S.H. 2018. Length– of the World. John Wiley & Sons. weight and length–length relationships of three Norman, J.R. 1943. Notes on the Blennioid Fishes, I. A Blenny species from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of provisional Synopsis of the Genera of the Family Oman. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 1-3. Blenniidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Attaran-Fariman, G.; Estekani, S. & Ghasemzadeh, J. 10(72): 793-812. 2016. The first study of the phylogenetic relationships Randall, J.E. 1995. Coastal fishes of Oman. University of three rare species of Blenniids (Fishes: Blenniidae) of Hawaii Press. from Makoran Coast based on the gene sequencing of Ross, L.G. & Ross, B., 2009. Anaesthetic and sedative Cytochrome Oxidase 1. Iranian Scientific techniques for aquatic . John Wiley & Sons. Journal 25(1): 135-148. Shokouh Saljoghi, Z.; Keivany, Y. & Ghasemzadeh, J. Attaran-Farimani, G.; Estekani, S.; Springer, V.G.; 2015. Study of some biological aspects of Crimmen, O.; Johnson, G.D. & Baldwin, C.C. 2016. Antennablennius adenensis (Teleostei: Blenniidae) in Validation of the synonymy of the blenniid Chabahar Bay. In: Abstracts of the Third Iranian fish species Salarias phantasticus Boulenger 1897 and Conference of Ichthyology, Shiraz University, 6-7 Salarias anomalus Regan 1905 with Ecsenius pulcher May 2015. 182 p. (Murray 1887) based on DNA barcoding and Smith, J.L.B. 1959a. Gobioid fishes of the families morphology. Zootaxa 4072(2): 171-184. , Periophthalmidae, Trypauchenidae, Bath, H. 2001. Osteology and morphology of fishes of Taenioididae and Kraemeriidae of the western Indian the subfamily Salariinae and its junior synonym Ocean. Ichthyological Bulletin 13: 185-225. Parablenniinae (Pisces: Blenniidae). Stuttgarter Smith, J.L.B. 1959b. Fishes of the families Blenniidae Beiträge zur Naturkunde A 628: 1-42. 209 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 184-211

and Salariidae of the western Indian Ocean. Ichthyological Bulletin 14: 227-252. Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1976. The saber-toothed blennies, tribe Nemophini (Pisces: Blenniidae). Monographs of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 19: 1-196. Smith-Vaniz, W.F.; Satapoomin, U. & Allen, G.R. 2001. urostigma, a new fangblenny from the northeastern Indian Ocean, with discussion and examples of mimicry in species of Meiacanthus (Teleostei: Blenniidae: Nemophini). Aqua Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 5: 25-43. Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. 2012. Smiths’ sea fishes. Springer Science & Business Media. Springer, V.G. 1968. Osteology and classification of the fishes of the family Blenniidae. Smithsonian Institution Press. USA. Springer, V.G. & Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1972. Mimetic relationships involving fishes of the family Blenniidae. Smithsonian Contributions in Zoology: 112. Springer, V.G. & Williams, J.T. 1994. The Indo-West Pacific blenniid fish genus Istiblennius reappraised: a revision of Istiblennius, Blenniella, and Paralticus, new genus. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology: 1- 193 Williams, J.T. 1990. Phylogenetic relationships and revision of the blenniid fish genus Scartichthys. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 492: 1-30. Wright, J.M.; Clayton, D.A. & Bishop, J.M. 1990. Tidal movements of shallow water fishes in Kuwait Bay. Journal of Fish biology 37(6): 959-974.

210 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (September 2018), 5(3): 192–211 Received: June 8, 2018 © 2018 Iranian Society of Ichthyology Accepted: August 28, 2018 P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964 doi: 10.22034/iji.v5i3.29502 http://www.ijichthyol.org

مقاله پژوهشی بلنیهای دندان شانهای نواحی بین جزر و مدی سواحل ایرانی خلیج فارس و دریای مکران )راستهی بلنی شکالن: خانوادهی دندان شانهای(

* حمیدرضا مهربان، حمیدرضا اسماعیلی

آزمایشگاه پژوهشی ماهیشناسی و سیستماتیک ملکولی، بخش جانورشناسی، گروه زیستشناسی، دانشکده علوم، دانشگاه شیراز، ایران.

چکیده: هدف از این پژوهش ارائهی فهرست به روز شدهی بلنی ماهیان دندان شانهای نواحی بین جزر و مدی سواحل ایرانی خلیج فارس و دریای مکران به همراه ریختشناسی، آرایهشناسی و پراکنش آنها بر اساس عملیات میدانی و نتایج پژوهشهای گذشته میباشد. این مقاله 15 گونه از این ماهیها را در دو زیر خانوادهی Salariinae و Blenniinae فهرست میکند. زیر خانوادهی Salariinae شامل گونه های ,Alticus kirkii, Antennablennius adenensis, A. bifilum A. variopunctatus, Istiblennius edentulus, I. lineatus, I .pox, I. spilotus, Parablennius cornutus, P.opercularis, P. pilicornis و Scartella emarginata زیر خانوادهی Blenniinae شامل گونههای Omobranchus fasciolatus, O. mekranensis , O. punctatus میباشد. جنس Istiblennius با چهار گونه )6/26% ) بیشترین تنوع را بین بقیه جنسها دارا است. جنس های Antennablennius , Parablennius و Omobranchus هر کدام با سه گونه )20% ) در ردهی دوم تنوع جای میگیرند. در بین 15 گونهی گزارش شده فقط یک گونهی بومزاد ایران )O. mekranensis( در معرض خطر است و سایر گونهها بر طبق لیست قرمز IUCN در وضعیت حداقل نگرانی میباشند. کلماتکلیدی: تنوع ماهیان، بلنیهای دندان شانهای، دریای مکران، نواحی بین جزر و مدی.

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