Symphurus insularis: A new eastern Atlantic dwarf tonguefish (Cynoglossidae : Pleuronectiformes)

Symphurus insularis, a dwarf species of tonguefish reaching sizes to about 80 mm SL, is described based on 39 specimens collected in shallow-water hab itats (3-23 m) at Madeira, the Canary Islands, and Sao Miguel, Azores, The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of a 1-3 -2 UD pattern, 12 caudal fin rays, 80-87 dorsal fin rays, 66-72 anal fin ra ys, 45-48 total vertebrae, 84-98 scales in a longitudinal series, unpigment ed peritoneum, and ocular surface pigmentation featuring a yellowish to dar k-brown background with a series of 3-8 mostly incomplete crossbands and us ually 1-3 small, dark, spherical spots arranged in a longitudinal row along the body midline, together with a series of dark blotches alternating- wit h unpigmented areas on the dorsal and anal fins, and a spot and dark band o n the caudal fin base with the distal four-fifths of the caudal fin unpigme nted. Symphurus insularis most closely resembles S. reticulatus from St. He lena, S. rhytisma from the Caribbean Sea and northern Brazil, and S, lubboc ki from Ascension Island. Symphurus insularis is the only species of dwarf tonguefish known from shallow-water habitats in the Macaronesian biogeograp hic subprovince of the eastern Atlantic. Pre vious reports of other species of symphurine tonguefishes from shallow-water habitats in these areas were based on misidentifications, A key to species of Symphurus occurring- in m iddle and eastern Atlantic waters is provided.