Four new freshwater gobies of the genus Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from northern Vietnam

Abstract

Four new freshwater gobies of the genus Rhinogobius Gill, 1859 were collected from the river running into the Gulf of Tonkin in northern Vietnam. They are Rhinogobius boa new species, Rhinogobius variolatus new species, Rhinogobius virgigena new species and Rhinogobius sulcatus new species. These four new species can be distinguished from other congeneric species by a combination of characters such as the meristic features, shape of body, shape of first dorsal fin and coloration pattern.

Keywords:

• Fish fauna
• Gobiidae
• northern Vietnam
• Rhinogobius

Acknowledgements

I‐S.C. is very grateful for grant support from NSC (2002–2003) for current research. M.K.'s work in northern Vietnam was conducted during a biodiversity base‐line study of Halong Bay and adjacent areas. We are pleased to thank Pham Duc Tien for his efficient assistance in the field and Tony Whitten for his support.