Elacatinus redimiculus

description

Description: Morphometrics of all type specimens (15.1 – 17.0 mm SL) as a percent of standard length (mean): head length, 26.2 – 28.5 (27.4); body depth at dorsal origin, 18.5 – 21.8 (19.8); caudal peduncle depth, 10.1 – 12.4 (11.2); eye diameter, 7.1 – 7.9 (7.6); snout length, 5.9 – 6.6 (6.2); upper jaw length, 9.3 – 11.9 (10.6); pectoral fin length, 25.9 – 32.5 (29.6); pelvic fin length, 18.2 – 23.8 (20.2); caudal fin length, 16.5 – 25.2 (21.8). Fin ray counts: D. VII, 11; A. 9 – 10 (mode = 9); P. 17. FIGURE 4. Live individuals of Elacatinus redimiculus illustrating rocky and coral habitat, Veracruz, Mexico. Photographs by Lad Akins. The body is elongate, laterally compressed, and naked except for usually 4 basicaudal ctenoid scales, arranged typically in a single, vertical row on each side of the peduncle. One specimen has a fifth scale in a second row on the right side, and another specimen has two scales on the left ventral half of the peduncle, and none dorsally. The tongue is bilobed. The conical teeth are arranged in a single row, but males have enlarged, recurved canines. Males also possess an elongated first dorsal spine. Males have a slender, conical genital papilla; fem

Two new species of Elacatinus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Mexican coast of the Gulf of Mexico

diagnosis

Diagnosis: Elacatinus redimiculus can be distinguished from other species of Tigrigobius by the reddish orange blotches or broken bands on the head and the 13 reddish orange to dark brown bands between the pectoral fin and caudal fin.

Two new species of Elacatinus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Mexican coast of the Gulf of Mexico

discussion

Remarks: Elacatinus redimiculus was typically found on brightly illuminated surfaces of either living Colpophyllia natans or algae encrusted covered coral remnants in shallow waters between 3 – 8 m depth (Fig. 4). Most specimens observed were not inclined to move before an extremely close approach. Once disturbed, individuals would move rapidly a short distance (less than 50 cm) across the substrate, before returning to a stationary position. After repeated disturbances, individuals would retreat into the cover of small holes, crevices or the underside of eroded corals. Feeding behavior was not observed, though it would be anticipated to approximate that of other Tigrigobius species. No cleaning or reproductive behavior was noted.

Two new species of Elacatinus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Mexican coast of the Gulf of Mexico

distribution

Distribution: Elacatinus redimiculus is known only from the western Gulf of Mexico reef systems within the Veracruz Marine Park. Specimens were observed on reefs as far north as Isla De Lobos (21 ° 29.36 ' N, 97 ° 13.53 ' W) and south to Isla Verde off Veracruz (19 ° 11.88 ' N, 96 ° 04.12 ' W).

Two new species of Elacatinus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Mexican coast of the Gulf of Mexico