6) Lutjanus purpureus (Poey 1866);

Lutjanidae .

Southern Red Snapper; Pargo Colorado (Fig. 2H–I).

Diagnosis: This species differs from the other species of the family occurring in the freshwaters of the country (Atlantic) by the following combination of characters: absence of blue iridescent lines or spots below the eye [vs. present in Lutjanus analis (Cuvier, 1828) and Lutjanus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758)]; absence of a black blotch on lateral line (vs. present in L. analis); lateral line scales 47–51 (vs. 43–47 in L. griseus); gill rakers on the lower gill arch 14–16 [vs. 12–14 in the other species); profile of anal fin angulate, with the middle rays prolonged [vs. rounded, without the middle rays prolonged in L. griseus and Lutjanus jocu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)]; and juveniles with a dark oblique stripe from snout through eye to top corner of operculum (not present in the other species).

Basis of the record: Three specimens were captured in the Matina River basin. Two in the Quebrada Hone Creek/río Carbón, Talamanca, Limón (9.67153, -82.79047), at 12 m. a.s.l., on October 6, 2007, by Maribel Mafla et al. (UCR 2751-001). Another specimen was captured in the río Moín, at the Puerto Fluvial JAPDEVA, Limón (09.99745, -83.08077), at 7 m. a.s.l., on December 14, 2006, by Karina Rodríguez (UCR 2761-003).

Remarks: This species inhabits estuarine areas and coastal environs, including rocky and coral reefs; it could be considered as an opportunistic visitor of freshwater ecosystems (Robertson & Van Tassell 2019).