Zootaxa 2006: 51–61 (2009)
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ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
Article
Copyright © 2009 · Magnolia Press
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
Review of blenniid fishes from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil, with
description of a new species of Scartella (Teleostei: Blenniidae)
CARLOS A. RANGEL1 & LIANA F. MENDES2
1
Laboratório de Biologia do Nécton e Ecologia Pesqueira, Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Pós-Graduação em Biologia
Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Outeiro São João Batista, s/nº, CP: 100.644 - CEP: 24001-970, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]
2
Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN),
Campus Universitário s/n, BR 101, CEP: 59072-970, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Species of the family Blenniidae from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (03°51’S, 32°26’W), an oceanic island 345 km
off northeastern Brazil, are reviewed in this study, which includes the description of a new species of Scartella. The new
species differs from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: well-marked diagonal dark line just
under the eye, tiny black spots on the head, small black and white spots along the body, 14 segmented dorsal-fin rays, 15
segmented anal-fin rays, and 23 caudal vertebrae. This is the second Scartella species described from Brazilian oceanic
islands.
Key words: Entomacrodus, Ophioblennius, oceanic islands, endemism, Western South Atlantic
Resumo
As espécies de Blenniidae do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha (03°51’S, 32°26’W), ilha oceânica localizada a 345
km do nordeste do Brasil, são revisadas neste estudo com a descrição de uma nova espécie do gênero Scartella. A nova
espécie difere das suas congêneres pela seguinte combinação de caracteres: linha diagonal escura logo abaixo do olho
bem marcada, presença de minúsculos pontos negros na cabeça, presença de alguns pequenos pontos brancos e negros no
corpo, 14 raios dorsais, 15 raios anais e 23 vértebras caudais. A nova espécie de Scartella é a segunda espécie de
Blenniidae descrita das ilhas oceânicas Brasileiras.
Palavras-chave: Entomacrodus, Ophioblennius, Blenniidae, Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Brasil, ilhas
oceânicas, endemismo, Atlântico ocidental
Introduction
The family Blenniidae is one of the most diverse among the Teleostei, with 391 species distributed in
approximately 56 genera (Eschmeyer & Fong, 2008). In Brazilian coastal waters the Blenniidae is represented
by 10 species and at least two additional new species being described, known from Brazilian oceanic islands
(São Pedro e São Paulo Archipelago – 00º55N 29º21W, Atol das Rocas – 03º50’S 33º49’W, Fernando de
Noronha Archipelago – 03º51’ 32º26’W, and Trindade Island – 20º30’S 29º20W).
Currently, six species of the genus Scartella are recognized: Scartella cristata (Linnaeus, 1758), in the
Western Atlantic, from Bermuda and the Caribbean Sea to Southeastern Brazil, and in the Eastern Atlantic,
from the Mediterranean Sea and Northwestern Morocco to South Africa; S. nuchifillis (Valenciennes, 1836),
Accepted by L.A. Rocha: 17 Dec. 2008; published: 9 Feb. 2009
51
endemic to Ascension Island; S. springeri (Bauchot, 1966), endemic to Santa Helena Island; S. caboverdiana
Bath, 1990, endemic to the Cape Verde Archipelago; S. emarginata (Günther, 1861), the only non-Atlantic
species of the genus occurring in the Indo-Pacific, from Southeastern Africa to Southeastern Asia; and S. poiti
(Rangel, Gasparini & Guimarães, 2004), endemic to Trindade Island, Brazil.
In this paper, a seventh species of Scartella is described from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil.
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is a National Marine Park (FNNMP) located in the Western South Atlantic
Ocean, off the northeastern coast of Brazil. It is located near the Southern Atlantic submarine ridge and
represents the emerged peaks of the Fernando de Noronha submarine mountain system (IUCN, 2000).
We here review the Blenniidae from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and conclude that the only Scartella
known from there represents a previously unrecognized new species.
Methods
All specimens were collected using hand-nets and small plastic bags, mostly in tide pools along rocky reefs,
during both day and night. Methods for counts and measurements follow Bath (1990). In the description,
values in parentheses are the count modes. Color nomenclature follows Kornerup & Wanscher (1961).
Specimen sizes for all paratypes, additional non-types, and comparative material are given in mm standard
length (SL). All type specimens are deposited in the fish collection of the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil (MNRJ). Institutional abbreviations are as listed in Leviton et al. (1985), except for LNEP-UFF
(Laboratório de Biologia do Nécton e Ecologia Pesqueira, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil), LOC-DBEZ-UFRN (Laboratório do Oceano do Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia da
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil), LBRP (Laboratório de Biodiversidade de Recursos
Pesqueiros, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and UFPB (Universidade Federal da Paraíba,
Brazil).
Scartella itajobi new species
(Figures 1–5; Table I and II).
Synonyms. Scartella sp. Mendes, 2000; Mendes, 2006: 818, Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brasil.
Holotype. MNRJ 31887, male, 45.7 mm SL, Praia do Atalaia (03°51’S; 32°26’W), Fernando de Noronha
Archipelago, Brazil. (see Fig. 1 and Table I)
Paratypes. MNRJ 31888, 2 males, 39.6 – 39.9, and 2 females, 41.1 – 47, same data as holotype. (see
Table I)
Additional non-type specimens. UFPB 6090 (10 exs.; 27,0 – 50,0), Brazil, Pernambuco, Fernando de
Noronha Archipelago, Praia do Boldró, collector L.F. Mendes, May 1998; LBRP 5613 (10 exs.; 21 – 35.2),
Brazil, Pernambuco, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Baía do Sueste, collector P.N.S. Costa, 18 June 2000;
MNRJ 31889 (5 exs.; 39.9 – 47.2) Brazil, Atol das Rocas (03º50’S 33º49’W), collectors L.F. Mendes & C.
Sampaio, 20 October 2002; LNEP-UFF 193 (4 exs.; 41.6 – 43.1) Brazil, Atol das Rocas (03º50’S 33º49’W),
collectors L.F. Mendes & C. Sampaio, 22 October 2002.
Comparative material: Scartella cristata (Linnaeus, 1758): LBRP 3525, 1 ex.: 72.1, Copacabana, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil; LBRP 5302, 1 ex.: 28.4, Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; UFPB 4000, 3 of 63 exs.:
26.5-32.3, Paraíba, Brazil; ZUEC 3154, 2 exs.: 67.7-67.9, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil; MCP 25826, 1 ex.:
72.3, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; USNM 37412, 1 ex.: 88.6, Cuba, Caribbean Sea; ANSP 143431, 7 exs.: 42.780.5, Venezuela, Caribbean Sea; AMS I-31606001, 1 ex.: 82.9, Italy, Mediterranean Sea; ZMH 17966, 1 ex.:
46.0, Cameroon, west Africa; Scartella nuchifilis (Valenciennes, 1836): USNM 285039, 14 exs.: 27.2-54.9,
Ascension Island; Scartella springeri (Bauchot, 1966): USNM 280137, 10 exs.: 31.0-59.3, St. Helena Island;
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RANGEL & MENDES
Scartella caboverdiana (Bath, 1990): SMF 18032, Holotype, 1 ex.: 39.8, Cabo Verde Archipelago; SMF
18033, Paratype, 5 exs.: 28.8-36.7, Cabo Verde Archipelago; Scartella poiti (Rangel, Gasparini & Guimarães,
2004): MNRJ 21975, Holotype (male), 1 ex.: 85.4, Ponta da Calheta, Ilha da Trindade, Espírito Santo, Brazil,
depth 0-1m, collected by J. L. Gasparini, 30 March 1999; Paratypes: LBRP 5616 (female), 1 ex.: 71.6,
Enseada dos Portugueses, Ilha da Trindade, Espírito Santo, Brazil, collected by J. L. Gasparini, 07-08 April
2001; LBRP 5617 (female): 71.8, Ilha da Trindade, Espírito Santo, Brazil, collected by J. L. Gasparini, 29-04
Apr 1999; MNRJ 21976 (male): 79.3, Ponta da Calheta, Ilha da Trindade, Espírito Santo, Brazil, collected by
J. L. Gasparini, 29-04 Apr 1999.
TABLE I. Morphometric and meristic data from selected type specimens of Scartella itajobi sp. n.. Measurements are
expressed as percentages of standard length, except orbital diameter (expressed as percentage of head length).
MNRJ 31887
Holotype
MNRJ 31888
Paratype
MNRJ 31888
Paratype
MNRJ 31888
Paratype
MNRJ 31888
Paratype
Standard length (mm)
45.7
47.0
41.1
39.9
39.6
Head length
24.9
23.6
27.3
27.8
26.0
Orbit diameter
24.6
29.7
26.8
26.1
26.2
Pectoral-fin length
25.2
27.0
27.3
28.3
29.5
Pelvic-fin length
14.9
15.1
16.6
16.3
16.2
Dorsal-fin rays
XII-14
XII-14
XII-14
XII-14
XII-15
Anal-fin rays
16
16
15
15
16
Pectoral rays
14
14
14
14
14
%
&
&
%
%
FIGURE 1. Scartella itajobi, n. sp., holotype MNRJ 31887, 45.7 mm SL, male, Praia do Atalaia, Fernando de Noronha
Archipelago, Brazil. (Photo: Carlos A. Rangel)
Diagnosis. Scartella itajobi n. sp. is distinguished from its Atlantic congeners by the following
combination of characters: a small blue spot on the 2nd dorsal spine (noted mainly in adult males), head with
tiny black spots (vs. speckles absent in Scartella cristata), modally 14 segmented dorsal-fin rays (vs. 15 in S.
cristata from Brazilian localities, S. caboverdiana, and S. nuchifilis; and 16 in S. springeri), modally 15
segmented anal-fin rays (vs. 16 in S. poiti, 17 in S. cristata from Brazilian localities, S. caboverdiana, and S.
nuchifilis; and 18 in S. springeri), and modally 23 caudal vertebrae (vs. 24 in S. cristata from other Brazilian
localities, S. caboverdiana, and S. nuchifilis; and 25 in S. springeri) (see Table II).
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TABLE II. Frequency distribution in counts of dorsal and anal rays in species of the genus Scartella from several
localities of Atlantic Ocean, including the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. Bold data in X columns indicates
detectable differences in the Brazilian species mean.
Dorsal rays
Anal rays
Species
n
localities
13
14
15
16
17
X
15
16
17
18
X
S. nuchifilis
9
Ascension Island
-
4
5
-
-
14.6 -
1
2
6
-
16.6
S. springeri
8
St. Helena Island
-
-
1
5
2
16.1 -
1
4
3
17.3
S. caboverdiana
6
Cabo Verde
Archipelago
-
-
6
-
-
15.0 -
2
4
-
16.7
S. cristata
12
Mediterranean Sea
-
7
5
-
-
14.4 -
7
5
-
16.4
S. cristata
13
African coast
-
4
9
-
-
14.7 -
10
3
-
16.2
S. cristata
27
Caribbean Sea
-
8
19
-
-
14.7 -
1
24
2
-
16.0
S. cristata
48
Brazilian coast
-
7
33
8
-
15.0 -
1
11
31
5
16.8
S. poiti
28
Trindade Island, Brazil 3
22
3
-
-
14.0 -
12
16
-
-
15.6
Scartella itajobi
n. sp.
34
Fernando de Noronha
Archipelago, Brazil
23
8
-
-
14.1 1
20
13
3
14
-
-
15.4
Description. Dorsal-fin rays XII, 13 – 15 (14), 13 in 3 specimens and 15 in only 2 specimens. Anal-fin
rays II, 15 – 16 (15), 16 in 30% of specimens; segmented caudal-fin rays 8; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin
rays I, 3; caudal vertebrae 23 – 24 (23).
A single dorsal fin present; lateral line short, never extending beyond the 1st segmented dorsal ray. Cirri
present in the anterior nasal opening, on top of eyes, and in the nuchal area (a longitudinal line of tentacles
between the eyes and the origin of the 1st dorsal spine). Pelvic fin with the third segmented ray tightly joined
to the second and separated only in their extremity by a thin membrane.
Body moderately elongate, without scales. Mouth low on the head and horizontal; maxilla reaching
posteriorly to a vertical through the centre of eye. Two short canine teeth posteriorly in the dentary, at edge of
incisiform series, but never on premaxilla.
Color pattern in life. Markedly variable depending on habitat. Body with a light green and caramel
(juveniles and females) to dark-brown background color (adult reproductive males); most individuals with six
dark brown irregular bars on body (see Fig. 2); upper half of body next to the basis of dorsal fin with small
white spots; head with diagonal dark line, well marked just below the eye, separating a light cream area which
extends from snout to the cheek (see Figs. 2 and 3); lips pale green to light brown with cream-colored borders;
presence of tiny dark spots on head and anterior region of body (mainly on the base of pectoral fins). Small
nuchal cirri striped with dark brown and light green. Interradial membranes of the dorsal fin green to light
brown with small white blotches. Posteriomedial region of body speckled with small dark brown spots.
Caudal fin with brown irregular bands. Blue ocellated spot present in membranes between the 1st and 3rd
dorsal spines (well marked in adult males).
Color in alcohol: Body with a light brown to dark-brown background color; usually six dark irregular
bars on body; lower half of body usually paler; head and antero-ventral portion (including the lips and pelvic
fins) always light brown lacking small dark spots. Posterior portion of body, membrane of the dorsal fin,
proximal portion of the anal-fin, pectoral fin, and caudal fin speckled with small dark spots. These spots are
more concentrated on the posteriomedial region of the body. A dark spot (blue in life) is usually present in the
membranes between the 1st and 3rd dorsal spines. Juveniles with cream body coloration and bleached fins
with very few dark spots.
Geographic range, habitat and natural history. Scartella itajobi n. sp. was collected in shallow-waters
and tide pools of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (03°51’S, 32°26’W); a volcanic island located 345
km off northeastern Brazil. This archipelago's 20 islands are characterized by clear waters, low coral diversity
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and are influenced by the warm South Equatorial Current and Atlantic Equatorial Current (Sampaio et al.,
2004). The new species also occurs in Atol das Rocas (sensu Moura & Rosa, 1997; L. Mendes, pers. obs.), an
atoll formed by the growth of reefs on the submerged peaks of the submarine ridge distant 100 km to the west
of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. It is also the only atoll in the South Atlantic Ocean and one of the
smallest in the world (IUCN, 2000). The specimens from Atol das Rocas have similar counts and color
patterns (see Fig. 4) to those of the new species. Thus, we consider the specimens from Atol das Rocas to be
conspecific making Scartella itajobi n. sp. an endemic of the Noronha-Rocas island complex. Other endemic
reef fishes are commonly found in the Noronha-Rocas insular complex (e.g. Stegastes rocasensis (Emery);
Storrsia olsoni Dawson; Starksia multilepis Williams & Mounts; Elacatinus sp.; Lythrypnus sp.;
Malacoctenus sp.; Xyrichthys incandescens Edwards & Lubbock). Like its congeners, Scartella itajobi n. sp.
is extremely tolerant to salinity and temperature variations (Bauchot & Pras, 1993; Mendes, 2000; Mendes,
2006).
FIGURE 2. Pair of Scartella itajobi, n. sp., male (right) and female (left), rock pool of Praia do Boldró, Fernando de
Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. (Photo: Sergio R. Floeter)
The new species of Scartella was frequently observed in tide pools of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago
(Mendes, 2006), co-inhabitants include other blennies (Ophioblennius trinitatis and Entomacrodus
vomerinus), gobies (Bathygobius aff. soporator and Coryphopterus glaucofraenum), labrisomids (Labrisomus
nuchipinnis, Labrisomus kalisherae, Starksia multilepis and an undescribed species of the genus
Malacoctenus), Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis), wrasses (Thalassoma noronhanum), and a few
morays (Echidna catenata, Enchelycore carychroa). In this study, some individuals of the new species were
also found in small crevices of emerged rocks (2 meters above sea surface), remaining up to 20 minutes out of
the water, probably avoiding predators.
Etymology. The name of the species signifies “green stone or emerald” (ita = stone; jobi =green) in
“Tupi”, the native South-American language once spoken in Brazil, and refers to the emerald-green color of
individuals of the new species (see Figure 3) and an allusion of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, the type
locality of new species, known by “The Emerald of Atlantic”.
Remarks. Until now, individuals of Scartella from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago were misidentified
as S. cristata (Fig. 5), the same species reported from the Brazilian coast. Scartella itajobi n. sp. was
previously misidentified as S. cristata possibly due its cryptic behavior and resemblance to this species. A
similar misidentification happened with Scartella poiti (Rangel, Gasparini & Guimarães, 2004), recently
described from another Brazilian oceanic island (Trindade Island), which had previously been identified as S.
cristata (Rangel, 2003; Rangel et al., 2004).
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FIGURE 3. Scartella itajobi, n. sp., typical behavior in rock pools, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. (Photo:
Sergio R. Floeter)
FIGURE 4. Scartella itajobi, n. sp., rock pool at Atol das Rocas, Brazil. (Photo: Bertran Feitoza)
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FIGURE 5. Scartella cristata, rock pool in Abrolhos Area, NE Brazil. (Photo by R. Z. P. Guimarães)
Ophioblennius trinitatis Miranda-Ribeiro, 1919
(Figure 6).
Synonyms. Ophioblennius trinitatis Miranda-Ribeiro, 1919: (original description, Ilha da Trindade, east off Brazil)
Ophioblennius atlanticus (not Valenciennes, 1836): Mendes, 2000; Gasparini and Floeter, 2001; Muss et al., 2001;
Feitoza et al., 2003; Mendes, 2007.
Material examined: UFPB 6088 (1 lot; 10 specimens: 42.0 – 56.3 mm SL), Brazil, Pernambuco, Fernando
de Noronha Archipelago, Praia do Boldró, collector L.F. Mendes, June 1998.
Diagnosis. Ophioblennius trinitatis differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters:
modally 22 segmented dorsal-fin rays (vs. 20 in O. macclurei); and modally 23 segmented anal-fin rays (vs.
21 in O. macclurei; 25 in O. atlanticus and O. steindachneri). Counts of other species of Ophioblennius are
those of Springer (1962) and Hankins & Baldwin (2002).
Description. Dorsal-fin rays XII, 21 – 22 (22), anal-fin rays II, 23 - 24, segmented caudal-fin rays 8;
pectoral-fin rays 15. Presence of a dark-brown spot, located immediately after the ocular globe, of similar or
lesser size to the diameter of the pupil; border of eyes with bluish coloration, well marked in superior and
inferior margins (see Fig. 6).
Color pattern in life. Adults exhibit a brown uniform coloration with pale yellowish fins (see Fig. 6).
Darker body in anterior upper region and clear ventrally. Lips light-brown to yellowish contrasting with the
coloration of the head and body. Juveniles may present bicolor pattern, with the anterior half portion olive
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green and the posterior half yellowish. In stress situations exhibits a color pattern with transversal light and
dark stripes in the head area to the posterior portion of body (Mendes, 2000).
Geographic range, habitat and natural history. Occurs on the Brazilian coast and Brazilian oceanic
islands (São Pedro e São Paulo, Atol das Rocas, Fernando de Noronha, and Trindade). In Fernando de
Noronha two distinct morphotypes have been found. The distinguishing features between the two recognized
groups (in both young and adult specimens) include color differences, spatial distribution, behavior and
morphometrics (see Mendes, 2007). Until now, only one morphotype had been recorded at Atol das Rocas and
São Pedro e São Paulo (Mendes, 2007). In addition, in this study, O. trinitatis was observed at 53 m depth,
representing the only occurrence of this species in such depths. On several occasions, O. trinitatis was
observed being aggressive towards other Blenniidae species and fighting with them for shelter. The Rocas
Gregory, Stegastes rocasensis (Emery, 1972), a territorial herbivore very common in tide pools, was usually
observed chasing individuals of Bathygobius aff. soporator (Valenciennes, 1837), Entomacrodus vomerinus
(Valenciennes, 1836), Scartella itajobi n. sp. and Malacoctenus sp. (new undescribed species), and rarely
chasing exemplars of O. trinitatis, apparently because of their antagonistic behavior in interspecific
interactions (Mendes, 2000). Ophioblennius larvae are frequently captured in deep waters. The adults are
restricted to shallow waters and dwell among rocks and coral reefs (Bath, 1990), where there is considerable
wave action (Smith, 1997). Ophioblennius is reported to feed on filamentous algae (Randall, 1996).
FIGURE 6. Ophioblennius trinitatis at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. (Photo: Fabio G. Ribeiro)
Remarks. Springer (1962), based on limited material then available, recognized two geographically
distinct subspecies based on morphological differences. The Atlantic subspecies, Ophioblennius atlanticus
macclurei, occurs in the Caribbean Sea and coastal waters of the southeast U.S.; O. a. atlanticus has an
extensive geographical distribution, ranging north to the Azores, south to St. Helena Island and Brazil, west to
the western Caribbean, and east to the west coast of Africa. The species (or subspecies) that occurs at
Bermuda, reported as O. atlanticus maccclurei, requires additional study. A molecular study (Muss et al.,
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RANGEL & MENDES
2001) examined the phylogeography of Ophioblennius by comparing a 630-bp region of mitochondrial
cytochrome b for 171 individuals from ten Atlantic and eastern Pacific localities (Hankins & Baldwin, 2002).
Their results suggest that Ophioblennius comprises six lineages, one Pacific, O. steindachneri, and five
Atlantic, which are geographically distributed as follows: 1) Brazil, 2) Caribbean/western Atlantic, 3) São
Tomé, 4) Azores/Cape Verde, and 5) mid-Atlantic (Ascension/St. Helena). Hence, according Hankins &
Baldwin (2002), there are at least five species of Ophioblennius that should be recognized in the Atlantic;
names are available in the literature for the following: Caribbean/western Atlantic: Ophioblennius macclurei
(Silvester); Brazil: Ophioblennius trinitatis Miranda-Ribeiro, Azores/Canaries/Madeira: Ophioblennius
atlanticus (Valenciennes). Therefore, the Ophioblennius species present in Brazilian coastal waters and at
some adjacent oceanic islands, is distinct from the other Atlantic species and an available name for this
species is Ophioblennius trinitatis (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1919), which we use in this study.
Entomacrodus vomerinus (Valenciennes, 1836)
(Figure 7).
Synonyms. Salarias vomerinus Valenciennes, 1836 (original description; Bahia, Brasil)
Entomacrodus vomerinus: Springer, 1972; Mendes, 2000: 49, Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco,
Brasil.
Material examined: UFPB 6089 (1 lot; 10 specimens: 44.9 – 73.3 mm SL), Brazil, Pernambuco, Fernando de
Noronha Archipelago, Praia do Boldró, collector L.F. Mendes, August 1998.
Diagnosis. A species of Entomacrodus distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of
characters: modally 16 segmented dorsal-fin rays (vs. 15 in E. nigricans, E. cadenati, and E. textilis), modally
17 segmented anal-fin rays (vs. 16 in E. nigricans, E. cadenati, and E. textilis). Counts for other species are
those of Springer (1967).
Description. Dorsal-fin rays XII, 14 – 16 (16), anal-fin rays II, 16 or 17, segmented caudal-fin rays 8;
pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin: I, 4. Variable coloration on head, generally darkish with one or two dark
stripes passing by the superior lips until eyes, continuing to the dorso-posterior region.
Color pattern in life. Body light-brown with six or seven dark-brown pairs of vertical bars (see Fig. 7).
Light lips with seven dark-brown stripes crossing vertically, with the central stripe aligned to the superior lip
from the inferior.
Geographic range, habitat and natural history. Entomacrodus vomerinus is endemic to Brazilian
waters occurring from the north coast of Brazil to the Bahia state coast (about 18ºS of latitude) also present at
all Brazilian oceanic islands. Almost exclusively a tide pool inhabitant; some specimens were observed two
meters above the line water, remaining up to 20 minutes out of water. At Fernando de Noronha during the
reproductive season (March/April) adult males are very dark with two green lines on head, passing through
the eyes and ending on the anteroventral region of head (Mendes, 2000, 2006).
Remarks. Individuals of E. vomerinus collected from the Brazilian coast and oceanic islands all have
similar counts and color patterns. The exception is Trindade island, an oceanic island about 1000 km off the
east coast of Brazil; specimens of Entomacrodus collected there have distinct coloration and a fewer numbers
of dorsal- and anal-fin rays (Gasparini, Rangel & Guimarães, in prep.). The occurrence of Entomacrodus
nigricans Gill, 1859 in the Brazilian coast and oceanic islands, listed by Menezes & Figueiredo (1985) and
Haimovici & Klippel (1999), were not confirmed and is probably a misidentification.
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FIGURE 7. Entomacrodus vomerinus, at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. (Photo: Liana F. Mendes)
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Águas Claras Dive Operator, IBAMA/Fernando de Noronha, Marinha do Brasil,
and Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro for a significant support and cooperation in this research. C. L. S.
Sampaio for helping in the field in Atol das Rocas. R. Z. P. Guimarães, F. G. Ribeiro, S. R. Floeter and B.
Feitoza for providing photos of species. A. Carvalho-Filho for providing valuable comments. We would also
like to thank W. F. Smith-Vaniz (referee) and L. A. Rocha (associate editor) for reviewing the manuscript,
with relevant comments and suggestions, and for English review. This work was part of a Master thesis by the
senior author (CAR) and doctorate thesis by 2nd author (LFM). Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento
Cientıfico e Tecnológico (CNPq), provided doctorate fellowships for LFM.
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