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Pungitius nakamurai Matsumoto & Matsuura, 2026 Nakamura’s ninespine stickleback |
| Family: | Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks and tubesnouts) | |||
| Max. size: | 5.1 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Asia: Japan. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 7-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-11; Vertebrae: 31-34. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays IX (VII-IX) + 11 (8-12); anal-fin rays I + 10 (8-11); pectoral-fin rays 10 (8-10); pelvic-fin rays I + 1 (1 or 2); procurrent caudal-fin rays 5 (4-6) + 5 (4-6) = 10 (8-11); lateral plates in an incomplete row (0–2 lateral plates on anterior body, 3-8 plates on caudal peduncle), forming a distinct lateral keel on caudal peduncle; 6 (6 or 7) plates on ventral surface of caudal peduncle; vertebrae 33 (31-34) [14 (13 or 14) abdominal and 19 (17-20) caudal vertebrae]; dorsal-fin spines inclining alternately to sides of mid-line; first dorsal fin spine antero- to postero-dorsal to upper end of pectoral fin base; ascending process of pelvis well-developed, upper end of pelvis reaching to level of fifth pectoral-fin ray base; presence of antero-ventral process of ectocoracoid, right and left ectocoracoids articulating anteriorly with each other; absence of distinct ridge on cleithrum and ectocoracoid; body usually dark yellow; membranes of dorsal-fin spines hyaline or with a few minute black spots; membrane of pelvic-fin spine of adult male white, becoming blue during courtship behavior; and membrane of anal-fin spine of adult male whitish with a distinct white blotch (turning blue during courtship) (Ref. 138934). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||