Crossing the borders: First record of Bleeding Wrasse, Polylepion cruentum Gomon, 1977 (Labriformes, Labridae), in the Northern Peru

Ricardo Britzke,Zoila Raquel Siccha-Ramirez,Mervin Lilia Guevara-Torres

doi:10.11606/1807-0205/2021.61.85

Abstract

The Labridae is a species-rich family of colorful fishes distributed globally in different habitats. Polylepion cruentum was described based on type material collected from the Gulf of California, and Quepos, Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It has since been reported from several other localities, including Mexico to Nicaragua and the Cocos Island. Recent collecting efforts in Northern Peru yielded an unusual species of labrid with uncertain taxonomic identity. Measurements, counts, coloration (in life and preserved) and DNA barcoding of the specimen agrees well with Polylepion cruentum. This represents the first record of the species from Northern Peru (Acapulco, Tumbes Department) and South America. The expansion of the distribution range of this species is perhaps due to the input of warm waters to Northern Peru, increasing especially during El Niño events. This new record is important to include in future marine checklists and consequently evaluate the conservation status of this species in Peru.

Highlights

The order Labriformes presents the families Labridae, Odacidae and Scaridae
Polylepion cruentum was described based on type material collected from the Gulf of California, and Quepos, Pacific coast of Costa Rica
The purpose of this study is to report the occurrence of P. cruentum from northern P. cruentum tested from Tumbes (Peru) (Acapulco, Tumbes Department), extending the distribution range of this species to include South America

Summary

Introduction

The order Labriformes presents the families Labridae, Odacidae and Scaridae. Labridae is a species-rich family with 68 genera and 562 valid species (Fricke et al, 2021; Nelson et al, 2016). The change is usually accompanied by stark sexual dimorphism (Bray, 2017). Species of this family are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans in different habitats, such as tidal pools, grassy, rocky or coral reefs, open sand bottoms, with a wide range of water temperatures (Hanel et al, 2002). The genus Polylepion Gomon, 1977 comprise two valid species (Fricke et al, 2021), Polylepion russelli (Gomon & Randall, 1975) and Polylepion cruentum Gomon, 1977.

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