Vanderhorstia steelei, a new shrimpgoby from the Society Islands

Abstract

Vanderhorstia steelei is described as a new species of shrimpgoby from six specimens collected on silty sand from 5 m depth in Cook’s Bay, Moorea, Society Islands. The species is distinguished by 15 dorsal soft rays, 16 anal soft rays, 17 or 18 pectoral rays, 55-58 scales in longitudinal series, a slender body (depth 6.4-7.4 in standard length), lanceolate and terminally bilobed caudal fin, and a color pattern featuring narrow dark bars on the body (from dark brown scale edges) that contain scales with bright yellow centers.