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Issue: Vol. 399 No. 1: 9 Jan. 2004
Type: Article
Published: 2004-01-09
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.399.1.1
Page range: 1–7
Abstract views: 45
PDF downloaded: 5

Pomacentrus aurifrons, a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) from Melanesia

Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000 and Conservation International, 1919 M. Street N.W. Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, U.S.A.
Pisces Pomacentridae Pomacentrus aurifrons new species Pomacentrus smithi Papua New Guinea

Abstract

A new species of pomacentrid fish is described from coral reefs of Papua New Guinea. Specimens were collected by the author between 1982 and 2000. Pomacentrus aurifrons is described from 12 specimens, 22.4 61.5 mm SL, collected at depths between 7 12 m. It closely resembles P. smithi Fowler and Bean from Indonesia and the Philippines. These species have similar morphology but are easily distinguished by the taller dorsal fin of P. aurifrons (tallest dorsal ray averaging 1.37 in HL versus 1.65 in HL for P. smithi) and colour pattern differences, particularly the broad zone of yellow encompassing the snout, forehead, and base of the anterior dorsal spines.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. (1991) Damselfishes of the World. Mergus, Melle, Germany, 271 pp.

    Fowler, H.W. & Bean, B.A. (1928) Contributions to the biology of the Philippine Archipelago and adjacent regions. The fishes of the families Pomacentridae, Labridae, and Callyodontidae, collected by the steamer "Albatross," chiefly in Philippine seas and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the United States National Museum, 100 (v. 7), 1–525.

    Randall, J.E. (1998) Zoogeography of shore fishes of the Indo-Pacific region. Zoological Studies 37(4), 227–268.