Review of the Dwarf Glossogobius Lacking Head Pores from the Malili Lakes, Sulawesi, with a Discussion of the Definition of the Genus

A new species of the gobiid fish genus Glossogobius is described from Lake Mahalona and compared with a similar species, Glossogobius flavipinnis known only from Lake Towuti, Sulawesi in Indonesia. The new species is a dwarf species, lacking all head pores, a rare condition in the genus. The two Malili Lakes species treated here are allopatric and differ in several features, including colouration of the body and fins, markings on the head and body, fin-ray counts and degree of prolongation of the second dorsal spine in females. A diagnosis is provided for the genus and a full generic synonymy given including justification for the synonymy. Stupidogobius Aurich is regarded as a junior synonym of Glossogobius. A key is provided to the major species complexes of Glossogobius endemic to the Malili Lakes. Ecology and conservation of the two species are discussed. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Vol. 63. Hal. 14-26 ISSN 0217-2445