New species of redbait from the Philippines (Teleostei, Emmelichthyidae, <i>Emmelichthys</i>)

Abstract

We describe a new species of redbait in the genus <i>Emmelichthys</i> collected from fish markets on Panay and Cebu islands in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The species is externally similar to <i>E. struhsakeri</i> but is diagnosable by two prominent fleshy papillae associated with the cleithrum and fewer pectoral-fin rays (18–19 vs. 19–21) and gill rakers (30–33 vs. 34–41). Additionally, mitochondrial DNA differentiates this taxon from other species of <i>Emmelichthys</i>. We generate mitochondrial genomes for two of the three type specimens and several other emmelichthyids to place the new taxon in a phylogenetic context. Analysis of the protein-coding mitochondrial loci calls into question the monophyly of two emmelichthyid genera (<i>Emmelichthys</i> and <i>Erythrocles</i>) and highlights the need for subsequent analyses targeting the intrarelationships of the Emmelichthyidae.