Upeneus nigromarginatus, a new species of goatfish (Perciformes: Mullidae) from the Philippines

The goatfish, Upeneus nigromarginatus, new species, is described based on five specimens (151–196 mm) purchased at a fish market in Panabo City, Mindanao, Philippines. This species is diagnosed by the following counts and external morphology: dorsal fin rays (VIII, 9–10), pectoral fin rays (16), lateral line scales (36–37), total number of gill rakers (25–26), and anal fin rays (I–II, 6). When compared to congeners, U. nigromarginatus, new species has a relatively deeper body (31.1–34.8% in SL vs <30% in SL), shorter snout (7.1–9.0% in SL vs >9.6% in SL), and longer pectoral fin (27.7–29.1% in SL vs <25% in SL). Upeneus nigromarginatus, new species, has neither stripes on the body, nor bands on the caudal fin. However, a black band borders the distal edges of both the first and second dorsal fins, and at the posterior edge of the upper lobe of the caudal fin; hence the proposed common name ‘black-margined goatfish’. The posterior edge of the ventral caudal lobe has a white margin. The comparisons of a fragment of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI; 28 specimens representing 10 Upeneus species) and 34 morphometric parameters (Principle Component Analysis; 56 specimens representing five genera and 12 mullid species) supported the description of U. nigromarginatus, new species.