Revision of the Indo-Pacific Labrid Fish Genus Wetmorella

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific labrid fish genus Wetmorella, a relative of Cheilinus, consists of two species of small cryptic reef fishes: W. nigropinnata (Seale) and W. albofasciata Schultz and Marshall. W. philippina Fowler and Bean, W. ocellata Schultz and Marshall, and W. triocellata Schultz and Marshall are junior synonyms of W. nigropinnata. Both species are characterized by pale bars, an ocellated black spot in the dorsal and anal fins, and a black spot covering most of the pelvic fins. Body depth, length of longest dorsal- and anal-fin spines, length of paired fins, and details in color pattern are useful characters in separating the species. Both of these wrasses are widely distributed from East Africa to eastern Oceania, but only W. nigropinnata extends its range into the Red Sea and only W. albofasciata occurs in the Hawaiian Islands. Geographic variation of W. nigropinnata is discussed. T HE labrid fishes of the genus Wetmorella are restricted to the Indo-West-Pacific region, ranging from East Africa to the islands of eastern Oceania. They are small reef fishes (largest specimen, 65 mm standard length) which are cryptic in their habits. Most specimens have been collected with ichthyocides without previous awareness of their presence in the reefs.