Dottybelly Dottyback

description

Description. Dorsal-fin rays III, 25, all segmented rays branched; anal-fin rays III, 15, all segmented rays branched; pectoral-fin rays 18 / 17; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; total caudal-fin rays 29; scales in lateral series 38 / 37; anterior lateral-line scales 27 / 26; anterior lateral line terminating beneath segmented dorsal-fin ray 17 / 16; posterior lateral-line scales 5 + 0 / 5 + 0; scales between lateral lines 3 / 3; horizontal scale rows above anal-fin origin 12 + 1 + 2 / 12 + 1 + 3; circumpeduncular scales 16; predorsal scales 12; scales behind eye 3; scales to preopercular angle 4; gill rakers 5 + 12; pseudobranch filaments 9; circumorbital pores 22 / 23; preopercular pores 11 / 12; dentary pores 4 / 4; posterior interorbital pores 1. Lower lip weakly interrupted at symphysis; dorsal and anal fins without scale sheaths; predorsal scales extending anteriorly to anterior AIO pores; opercle with 5 indistinct serrations; teeth of outer ceratobranchial- 1 gill rakers well developed only on raker tips; anterior dorsal-fin pterygiophore formula S / S / S + 3 / 1 + 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 + 1 / 1 / 1 + 1; dorsal-fin spines moderately sto

Pseudochromis yamasakii, new species of dottyback fish from Japan (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae: Pseudochrominae)

diagnosis

Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes P. yamasakii from congeners: dorsal-fin rays III, 25, all segmented rays branched; anal-fin rays III, 15; anal-fin spines moderately stout and pungent, the second spine stouter than third; scales in lateral series 37 – 38; circumpeduncular scales 16; predorsal scales 15, extending anteriorly to anterior AIO pores; caudal fin rounded.

Pseudochromis yamasakii, new species of dottyback fish from Japan (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae: Pseudochrominae)

discussion

Remarks. The recorded distribution of P. yamasakii is of higher latitude than almost any other pseudochromid. Although other pseudochromid species have been recorded from the same localities (P. marshallensis Schultz 1953 from Hachijo-jima (e. g., KPM-NR 11509, KPM-NR 70229) and Kushimoto (KPM-NR 42034) and L. cyclophthalmus Müller & Troschel 1849 from Kushimoto (e. g., KPM-NR 25943, KPM-NR 35246 )), those species extend much farther south into more tropical areas. Water temperatures of 18 ° C and 21 ° C were recorded at two of the photograph sites, which suggest P. yamasakii is tolerant of relatively low temperatures.

Pseudochromis yamasakii, new species of dottyback fish from Japan (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae: Pseudochrominae)

etymology

Etymology. This species is named for Kimihiro Yamasaki, a professional diver and excellent underwater photographer. Mr Yamasaki collected the holotype and provided photographs of the new species.

Pseudochromis yamasakii, new species of dottyback fish from Japan (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae: Pseudochrominae)