Psilotris laetarii Van Tassell & Young, 2016
Burrow splitfin goby

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.327 cm SL (male/unsexed); 2.35 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 8 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Florida, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal soft rays: 7-8. This species can be distinguished by the following set of characters: D1 VII, without elongate spines; D2 I, 9-10; A I, 7-8; pelvic fins well separated, no anterior frenum, membrane connecting 5th pelvic-fin rays absent or very low; 5th pelvic ray unbranched and 1/2 length of fourth; no without fleshy tips in pelvic-fin; side of body and head without scales; no modified basicaudal scales present; papillae row 5s and 5i connected forming a single row, interorbital papillae row pc’ present; head and preopercle canals and pores absent; two anal-fin pterygiophores inserted anterior to haemal arch. Colouration: reticulating yellowish orange pattern on the body (Ref. 113825).
Biology:  Found in back-reef rubble habitat. Collected from a sand and rubble (ca. 0.5-10.0 cm in diameter) substrate, 45-90 m from the gradual reef drop-off. Found in or near yellowhead jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) burrows. Although not a common species, this species is regularly seen from April to November, which is when jawfish are abundant (Ref. 113825).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 09 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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