DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW SPECIES OF THE CARDINALFISH GENUS ARCHAMIA (PERCIFORMES: APOGONIDAE)

ABSTRACT

Three new species of the genus Archamia are described from specimens collected on the Omani coast of the Arabian Sea and in the Red Sea. A. pallida, from Oman, has 14 pectoral rays, 13–14 soft anal rays, 15–17 developed gill rakers, and 9 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial bone; A. irida, from the Gulf of Suez, has 14 pectoral rays, 15–17 soft anal rays, 20–21 developed gill rakers, and usually 11 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial bone. Both species have a small black spot at the middle of the caudal-fin base, and no distinctive markings on the body. A. bilineata, from the Gulf of Aqaba, has 13 pectoral rays, 12–13 soft anal rays, 18–21 developed gill rakers, usually 11 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial bone, two dark narrow stripes on the body, and a large dark spot on the caudal peduncle. A key to the western Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf) species of Archamia is provided.