2 NEW SPECIES OF CONGROGADINS (TELEOSTEI, PSEUDOCHROMIDAE), WITH RANGE EXTENSIONS FOR 4 OTHER SPECIES

Two specimens of a distinctive new species of the congrogadin genus Ha liophis were recently collected off the south coast of Oman. This spec ies differs from its congeners in morphometric and meristic characteri stics, as well as in its highly contrasted black and white pattern. It is described and compared with the other two species of Haliophis, an d a key to the species is given. A range extension for Haliophis gutta tus from Aden to the vicinity of Misrat, Oman, is reported. A new spec ies of Halidesmus is described from 13 specimens from the southern Oma n coast. It is related to H. thomaseni (which is here reported to reac h as far west as Masirah Island, Oman). The new species differs from H , thomaseni in most meristic values, in the form of the snout crest, a nd in reduced squamation. A key to the species in the genus is provide d. Halimuraena shakai, known from the Kwazulu coast of South Africa an d from a single specimen from Mauritius, is here recorded from the Com oro Islands. Blennodesmus scapularis, known from northwestern and nort heastern Australia, is here recorded from the vicinity of Phuket, Thai land.