Meiacanthus (Meiacanthus) limbatus Smith-Vaniz

Smith-Vaniz, William F. & Allen, Gerald R., 2011, Three new species of the fangblenny genus Meiacanthus from Indonesia, with color photographs and comments on other species (Teleostei: Blenniidae: Nemophini), Zootaxa 3046, pp. 39-58 : 54

Meiacanthus (Meiacanthus) limbatus Smith-Vaniz

The original description of Meiacanthus limbatus was based only on the 37.0 mm SL female holotype from Manus I., Bismarck Archipelago. The following collection represents a northern range extension, at a locality where it was the only species of Meiacanthus seen: USNM 397427 (5, 10.4–26.3 mm SL), South West Islands, Hatohobei, Helen Reef, 2°47'57"S, 131°45'18"E, vertical drop off from reef top, 22– 34 m. Although adult Meiacanthus were also observed at this location, they rapidly swam away from the ichthyocide station and could not be captured (J. T. Williams, pers. comm.). The Helen Reef specimens agree with the holotype (for which life coloration was not recorded) in having the diagnostic dark brown chin and anal fin with a narrow dark stripe at its base. Meristic data for the holotype followed by the three largest Helen Reef specimens, in parentheses, are: dorsal fin IV, 26 (IV, 25, IV, 25, IV, 26), anal fin II, 17 (II, 16, II, 16, II, 16); pectoral fin 14-14 (same); vertebrae 13+ 22 (13+22, 13+23, 14+23).

The only available color photographs of M. limbatus ( Fig. 22 ) are based on a juvenile and two subadults. The only other member of the M. lineatus group known to have a yellow caudal fin (life colors unknown for M. naevius and M. abditus ) is the eastern Australian endemic, M. lineatus ( Fig. 23 ).

Figures

FIGURE 23. Meiacanthus lineatus, BPBM 14414, 47 mm SL, male, Great Barrier Reef, One Tree Island. Photo by J. E. Randall.

FIGURE 22 A – C. Meiacanthus limbatus, USNM 397427, size measurements before preservation, A, 12.1 mm SL; B, female, 23.6 mm SL, C, male, 27.2 mm SL (dorsal fin damaged), Helen Reef. Photographs by J. T. Williams.