Meiacanthus (Meiacanthus) vicinus Smith-Vaniz

Smith-Vaniz, William F. & Allen, Gerald R., 2011, Three new species of the fangblenny genus Meiacanthus from Indonesia, with color photographs and comments on other species (Teleostei: Blenniidae: Nemophini), Zootaxa 3046, pp. 39-58 : 44

Meiacanthus (Meiacanthus) vicinus Smith-Vaniz

The original description of this species ( Smith-Vaniz 1987) was based only on the 41.3 mm SL male holotype from Barang Lompo, Sulawesi. Color photographs, one shown here ( Fig. 6 ), and collection of a female specimen allows a slightly expanded description: WAM P.31500-001 (35.0 mm SL), Banggai Islands, Kembongan I., 1°53'S, 123°41'E, 14–15 m).

Data for the male holotype, if different, are given first with those of the female in parentheses. Dorsal fin IV, 26 (IV, 25); anal fin II, 15 (II, 14); pectoral fin 14-14 (13-13); Vertebrae 13+21 (14+20); incisor teeth in lower jaw 23 (20); in upper jaw 22 (20). Pelvic fin 23.7 (13.5)% SL; caudal-fin rays: outer 34.2 (29.0)% SL and inner 23.9 (22.9)% SL. These data indicate that the length of the pelvic fin is sexually dimorphic but the caudal fin probably is not. As discussed above under comparisons, M. abruptus and this species have very similar color patterns, differing primarily in details of the mid-lateral stripe termination. The dark stripe along the dorsal body contour is highly variable in width in M. vicinus such that the pale area of the body between it and the mid-lateral stripe is very narrow in some individuals ( Fig. 7 ).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Meiacanthus vicinus, Indonesia, Banggai Is. Photo by G. R. Allen.

FIGURE 7. Meiacanthus vicinus, WAM P. 31500 - 001, 35.0 mm SL, female, Indonesia, Banggai Is. (round blemish on lateral stripe is spear damage). Photo by S. J. Raredon.