Sunspot Cardinalfish, Verulux solmaculata Yoshida & Motomura 2016


Holotype of the Sunspot Cardinalfish, Verulux solmaculata, WAM P.31360-011, from the D’Entrcasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea. Source: Tomohiro Yoshida / Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan. License: All rights reserved

Summary:
A small somewhat transparent cardinalfish with a distinct black blotch on the caudal-fin base, a black longitudinal band on each caudal-fin lobe, and three black stripes: one from the tip of the snout to the front of the eye, one from the preopercular margin to the middle of the operculum, and one from the rear of the eye to the angle of the preoperculum (stripe sometimes forming a row of small blotches).

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Verulux solmaculata in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5256

Sunspot Cardinalfish, Verulux solmaculata Yoshida & Motomura 2016

More Info


Distribution

Recorded from the Australian Territory of Ashmore and Cartier reefs, Timor Sea. The species also occurs in Papua New Guinea. Depth range 18–20 m.

Biology

The species has a a luminous organ under the rear margin of the gill opening.

Similar Species

The Sunspot Cardinalfish differs from Verulux cypselurus in having a distinct black blotch on the caudal-fin base (vs. absent in V. cypselurus), a broader black longitudinal band on each caudal fin lobe covering 3–5 rays (vs. covering 1–3 rays in V. cypselurus).

Etymology

The specific name solmaculata is from the Latin, meaning ‘‘sunspot’’, in reference to the distinct blotch on the caudal-fin base.

Species Citation

Verulux solmaculata Yoshida & Motomura 2016, Ichthyological Research DOI 10.1007/s10228-016-0539-2: 2, figs 1-2. Type locality: between Fergusson and Goodenough islands, D’Entrcasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea, 09210 S, 150250 E, 18–20 m.

Author

Dianne J. Bray

Sunspot Cardinalfish, Verulux solmaculata Yoshida & Motomura 2016

References


Yoshida, T. & Motomura, H. 2016. A new cardinalfish, Verulux solmaculata (Perciformes: Apogonidae), from Papua New Guinea and Australia. Ichthyological Research: 7pp. DOI 10.1007/s10228-016-0539-2

Quick Facts


Biology:Bioluminescent

Depth:18-20 m

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:4 cm SL

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