Scissors Chromis

description

Description. Dorsal-fin rays XIII, 11 (XIII, 11); anal-fin rays II, 11 (II, 12); all dorsal and anal-fin rays branched, the last to base; pectoral-fin rays 16 (17), the upper and lowermost unbranched; pelvic-fin rays I, 5; principal caudal-fin rays 7 + 6 = 13 (6 + 6 = 12); upper and lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 3; upper and lower rudimentary (spiniform) caudal-fin rays 2 and 2 respectively (3 and 3); tubed lateral-line scales 16 | 15 (14 | damaged); posterior midlateral scales with a pore 7 | 7 (5 | 6); scales above dorsal fin to origin of dorsal fin 3 | 3; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 8 | 8 (7 | 7); circumpeduncular scales 12 (11); gill rakers 5 + 14 = 19 (4 + 16 = 20); vertebrae 25 (10 precaudal + 15 caudal). Body depth 2.1 (2.2) in SL, and width 2.6 (2.4) in body depth; head length 3.2 (3.1) in SL; dorsal profile of head with slight convexity anterior to eye, straight dorsal to eye, and slight convexity on nape; snout length 8.0 (6.1) in head length; orbit diameter 2.6 (2.3) in head length; interorbital width 2.7 (2.4) in head length; caudal-peduncle depth 2.1 (2.4) in head length; caudal-peduncle length 2.4 (2.6) in head length. Mouth terminal, oblique, u

Three new species of Chromis (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Philippines

diagnosis

Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes Chromis gunting sp. n. from all of its congeners: dorsal-fin rays XIII, 11; anal-fin rays II, 11 - 12; pectoral-fin rays 16 - 17; procurrent caudal-fin rays 3; tubed lateral-line scales 14 - 16; gill rakers 4 - 5 + 14 - 16 (total 19 - 20); body depth 2.1 - 2.2 in SL; color of adults when fresh is light brown, with a silver area on the anterior end and a bilateral black margin along the exterior side of the tail.

Three new species of Chromis (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Philippines

distribution

Distribution and habitat. Chromis gunting sp. n. is only known from the Verde Island Passage, in Puerto Galera and Batangas. The species was recorded on MCEs at depths of 90 - 130 m.

Three new species of Chromis (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Philippines

etymology

Etymology. The name Chromis gunting sp. n. means scissors in Tagalog, in reference to the bilateral outermost black margins of fish's caudal fin that gives it the appearance of scissors. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Three new species of Chromis (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Philippines