Journal of the
Ocean Science Foundation

An open-access free online peer-reviewed Marine Biology Journal, since 2008.

published by the Ocean Science Foundation

 
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Plectranthias bennetti, a new species of anthiine fish (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Coral Sea, Australia

Gerald R. Allen & Fenton Walsh

Abstract

A new species belonging to the anthiine (Serranidae) genus Plectranthias is described from a single specimen, 50.3 mm SL, collected at Holmes Reefs, Coral Sea. Plectranthias bennetti n. sp. is distinguished by a combination of features including 15 dorsal-fin rays, the fourth dorsal spine longest, unbranched pectoral-fin rays, a complete lateral line of 29–30 tubed scales, dorsal scales on the head extending forward to the anterior portion of the interorbital space, no scales on the maxilla and chin, 20 serrae and three antrorse spines on the preopercular margin, an emarginate caudal fin, and a color pattern of eight red bands on a white background. It is most similar to P. sagamiensis from Japan, which differs in having filamentous caudal and dorsal-fin rays, two instead of three antrorse spines on the preopercle, and a color pattern consisting of large pinkish-orange blotches. The DNA barcode sequence for the holotype is included.

 

     

CITATION:

Allen, G.R. & Walsh, F. (2015) Plectranthias bennetti, a new species of anthiine fish (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Coral Sea, Australia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 16, 82-89.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1021465

publication date: 3 September 2015