Springer's Blenny

description

Description. See Table 1. The female holotype is the only complete specimen available. Counts in parentheses are those for the holotype. Few counts could be made on partial specimens; when available, counts of partial specimens precede those of holotype. Dorsal spines (XVIII); segmented dorsal rays (8); total dorsal elements (26); anal spines (II); segmented anal rays (15); dorsal segmented caudal-fin rays (7); ventral segmented caudal-fin rays (6); dorsal procurrent caudal-fin rays (5); ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays (5); segmented pelvic-fin rays 2 (2); pectoral-fin rays 14 (14); vertebrae (10 + 22 = 32); infraorbital pores paired or unpaired, usually 1 - 3 pairs (3 pairs); if only one pair of pores, pair situated at 3 o'clock; 3 pairs in holotype located at 3, 5, and 6 o'clock; orbital cirri absent; nape cirri present; anterior nostril cirri present; belly and pectoral-fin base completely naked. Specimens examined ranging from 12.0 to 19.0 mm SL; HL 25 - 32 % SL (32 % in holotype); genital-papilla length in 15.0 - mm SL paratype 0.3 mm, one-fourth length of first anal spine (broken); papilla adhered to spine proximally. Note: the presence of a small but measurable genital pa

Seven new species within western Atlantic Starksia atlantica, S. lepicoelia, and S. sluiteri (Teleostei, Labrisomidae), with comments on congruence of DNA barcodes and species

diagnosis

Diagnosis. A species of Starksia distinguished by the following combination of characters: no orbital cirrus; trunk with irregular dark blotches on pale background; pectoral-fin base with relatively straight margins defining pale gap that separates two dark blotches; cheek with distinctive dark and pale markings: anterior portion of cheek with prominent dark blotch, anteroventral and posterior margins of blotch well defined by pale regions; posterior pale area on cheek bordered posteriorly by thin, dark, anteroventral-to-posterodorsal streak of pigment along distal edge of preopercle.

Seven new species within western Atlantic Starksia atlantica, S. lepicoelia, and S. sluiteri (Teleostei, Labrisomidae), with comments on congruence of DNA barcodes and species

etymology

Etymology. Named in honor of Victor G. Springer, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, for his contributions to the systematics of blennioid fishes, including Starksia, and for advice and friendship he has bestowed upon the first author.

Seven new species within western Atlantic Starksia atlantica, S. lepicoelia, and S. sluiteri (Teleostei, Labrisomidae), with comments on congruence of DNA barcodes and species