Abstract
A new species sandperch, Parapercis altipinnis, is described based on the holotype collected from Cebu, the Philippines at 55-65 m by SCUBA. The new species belongs to the P. cylindrica complex and can be distinguished by an extremely high first dorsal fin, the first spine slightly longer than the head; 3 predorsal scales; 42 or 43 lateral-line scales; teeth present on vomer and palatines. The body is reddish dorsally and blackish ventrally, with 5 large brownish saddles alternating with white bands on dorsal surface; scattered dots on top of head, first dorsal fin and dorsal surface; first dorsal fin milky white with 5 black marks on anterior margin; a black broad band below eye; cheek and throat blackish red surrounding by white color; row of 10 short white bars along the lateral side of body axis; row of 9 deep red to blackish bars on lower half of lateral side of body; base of pelvic fin and lower margin of caudal fin blackish; rows of black spots on soft dorsal fin. A key to the species of the complex is provided.
Highlights
In December of 2016, the second author sent photographs of a live sandperch (Fig. 1A) purchased from a local aquarium in Belgium, to Dr Kwang-Tsao Shao of the Academia Sinica, Taiwan, for identification
With an extremely high first dorsal fin and unique coloration, this specimen was identified as an undescribed species in the genus Parapercis
The second author agreed to donate the specimen for further study – a task made difficult by the 10 000 km between Belgium and Taiwan! Prof
Summary
In December of 2016, the second author sent photographs of a live sandperch (Fig. 1A) purchased from a local aquarium in Belgium, to Dr Kwang-Tsao Shao of the Academia Sinica, Taiwan, for identification.
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