Goatfishes (Teleostei: Mullidae) of the Socotra Archipelago: diversity and distributional biogeography, with a new record of Parupeneus heptacantha

A new record of the goatfish species Parupeneus heptacantha is documented in the Socotra Archipelago, highlighting its biodiversity and distributional biogeography. The study identifies 12 species from two genera, with only one species, Upeneus, showing very low diversity. Biogeographically, three distinct Arabian units—Red Sea, Gulf, and Socotra—are recognized, with the Socotra unit more closely resembling the western Indian Ocean than other Arabian regions. The findings contrast with broader coastal fish and coral biogeographic patterns, suggesting Arabia may not form a discrete pan-Arabian region within the Indian Ocean. This research contributes to understanding the complex biogeography of Mullidae in the Arabian region.

Zajonz, U., Bogorodsky, S. V., Saeed, F. N., & Lavergne, E. (2024). Goatfishes (Teleostei: Mullidae) of the Socotra Archipelago: diversity and distributional biogeography, with a new record of Parupeneus heptacantha. Bulletin of Marine Science, 100(1), 23–58. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2023.0035