Nectamia similis, Fraser, 2008

Fraser, Thomas H., 2008, Cardinalfishes of the genus Nectamia (Apogonidae, Perciformes) from the Indo-Pacific region with descriptions of four new species, Zootaxa 1691 (1), pp. 1-52 : 37-40

Nectamia similis new species

Figures 3C , 6A , 14–15 , 18 and Tables 2–3, 9

Type material: Holotype; USNM 213123 44.0 mm SL; Indonesia, Banda Sea, Kabaena I. VGS 74-1 . Paratypes; USNM 344948 (17, 32–50); same data as the holotype . USNM 344947 ; (5, 51–59); Indonesia, Banda Sea , Poka, Ambon I.; 22–23 Jan. 1973, Rumphius Exp. 1, Sta. AB-1; VGS 73-18 . ROM 54320; (9, 16– 50); Negros Oriental , Tanton Strait; RW87-29; 19 May 1987; 6–12m.

Additional material: Indonesia: Banda Sea : USNM 213175 ; (3, 43–52); Ceram, Tandjung Liang; 10 Jan. 1973 ; Rumphius Exp. 1, Sta. Li-1; VGS 73-6. Java Sea : USNM 213115 ; (2, 55–60) SW Karimandjawa I; 29 Mar 1974 ; VGS 74-28. USNM 213120 , 213121 ; (20, 14–42); NW Pulau Tikus, Pulau Seribu; 5 Apr 1974 ; VGS 74-34. Molucca Sea : Sulawesi: USNM 112136 (A. 14934, 14935, 23549); (3, 45–54); Talisei I.; 9 Nov 1909 ; x-ray. USNM 112192 (A.23897); (1, 47); Pendek I.; 15 Dec. 1909 . USNM 112189 (A.23847); (1, 49); Togian I., Gulf of Tomini ; 19 Nov. 1909 . Banda Sea : USNM 213243 ; (4, 23–31); Ambon I.; VGS 73-4; 8 Jan. 1973 . USNM 210437 ; (2, 56–59) Ambon I.; VGS 73-20; 24 Jan. 1973 . USNM 261157 ; (15, 16–57); West Irian, NW tip of Irian Jaya; 2 July 1979 . Malaysia: Sabah: USNM 213174 ; (38, 26–57) Darvel Bay ; 1 Feb. 1965 ; Te Vega Cr 6, Sta. 213. USNM 205668 ; (1, 50.3); Darvel Bay ; 1 Feb. 1965 ; Te Vega Cr 6, Sta. 213; cleared & stained. Philippines: ROM 54319; (2, 43–48); Negros Oriental, Siquijor; RW87-20; 14 May 1987; 8– 15m. ROM 54320; 9(16–50); Philippines, Negros Oriental, Tanton Strait ; RW87-29; 19 May 1987; 6– 12m. ROM 79170; 2(49–57); Negros Oriental, Siquijor I.; RW 87-8; 9 May 1987 . SU 38146 (1, 37); Bungau, Sulu I.; 17 Sept. 1940; A.W. Herre coll. USNM 112130 (A.23869); (1, 47); Rapu Rapu, E. Luzon; 22 June 1909 . USNM 112175 (A.8873); (1, 35); Port Matalvi , Luzon; 23 Nov. 1908 . USNM 112133 (A.23776, 23777, 23778, 23779) (4, 44–51); Port Uson, W. of Pinus I., Masbate I.; 17 Dec. 1908 . USNM 112134 (A.23768, 23769); (2, 50–51); Ulugan Bay , Palawan I.; 28 Dec. 1908 ; x-ray. USNM 213610 ; (1, 37); Machesi I., Palawan Is.; 5 Apr. 1909 . USNM 261133 ; (15, 18–22); Negros Oriental, 09°23'00"N, 123° 115'30" E. South China Sea : USNM 171387 (A.23356); (1, 46); NW Palawan; Endeavor Str.; 22 Dec. 1909 ; Papua New Guinea: CAS 56571; (2, 27–27); Bagaman I., Louisaide Arch. ; JEM 85-18; 4 Apr 1985 . CAS 65307; (2, 41– 42); Nagada Harbour ; SGP 87-7; 24 Apr 1987 . CAS 65306; (1, 33); Nagada Harbour ; SGP 87-11; 1 May 1987 . USNM 261024 ; (4, 34–54); Hermit I.; VGS 78-19; 4 Nov. 1978 . USNM 262406 ; (1, 41); Kranket I.; VGS 78-23; 7 Nov. 1978 . USNM 213176 ; (14, 17–52); Bayin Kranket I., Madang Harbor ; 30 1970; BBC 1495. BPBM 32430 (2, 48–57); color; Port Moresby, Laloata I.; 27 Oct. 1987 . Palau Is.: BPBM 13480 ; (1, 52); Rmegethu Island ; 4.5m.; 5 Dec. 1971 . CAS 82661; GVF 1415 ; (4, 29–54); Auluptagel I; 9 Oct 1957 ; Sta. 57-37. CAS 84052; GVF 558 ; (8, 30–55); North Shore of Koror I; 4 Aug. 1955 ; Sta. 59. CAS 83783; GVF 546 ; (1, 63); Iwayama Bay , Auluptagel I.; 28 July 1955 ; Sta. 47. CAS 84051; GVF 526 ; (33, 24–56); N. side of Urukthapel I.; 20 July 1955 ; Sta. 27. CAS 82656; GVF 1414 ; (31, 18–56); Between Malakal and Auluptagel; 7 Oct. 1957 ; Sta. 57-36. CAS 84048; GVF 1407 ; (1, 52) Arakabesan I.; 2 Oct. 1957 ; Sta. 57-29. CAS 84047; GVF 754 ; (3, 18–44); Iwayama Bay ; 21 Oct. 1955 ; Sta. 2-44. CAS 82662; GVF 1853 ; (1, 56); SE of Arakabesan I.; 22 Jan. 1959 ; Sta. 59-25. CAS 84049; GVF 532 ; (12, 22–49); Koror I.; 23 July 1955 ; Sta. 33. CAS 84070; GVF 1442 ; (2, 53–55); Koror I.; 19 Nov 1957 . CAS 82655; GVF 1397 ; (28, 28–62); Babelthaup I; 23 June 1958 ; Sta. 58-1. CAS 82663; GVF 1400 ; (2, 44–57); Babelthaup I.; 25 Sep 1957 . CAS 85956; GVF 947 ; (1, 48); Kayangel I.; 8 Oct 1956 . CAS 85945; GVF 639 ; (14, 24–58); Iwayama Bay ; 28 Aug 1955 ; Yap I.: CAS 82647; GVF 1904 ; (1, 44); 9 Dec. 1959 ; Sta. 81. CAS 84897; GVF 794 ; (5, 28–36); 5Jul 1956; 0– 3m.

Diagnosis. A Nectamia with two dark saddles on body below the first and second dorsal fin, a narrow pale bar on the opercle reaching above the top of the preopercle, a few narrow pale bars on the body, caudal peduncle with a complete dark wide bar, connected dorsally and ventrally caudal fin with dark margins, subocular mark, thin and triangular (Tab. 2, Fig. 14 ); 13 pectoral-fin rays; total gill rakers usually 25–28 ( Tab. 9); body depth 43–45%, caudal-peduncle depth 18–21%, second anal-spine length 19–21%, and pectoral-fin length 26–30% of standard length (Tab. 3).

Description. For general body shape see Figure 14 . Range of proportions (as percentages of standard length) in Table 3 with paratypes and non-type material in parentheses.

Dorsal fin VII(I)–I,9; anal fin II,8; pectoral fin usually 13-13; pelvic fin I,5; principal caudal rays 9+8; pored lateral-line scales 24; transverse scale rows above lateral line 2; transverse scale rows below lateral line 6; median predorsal scales 2; circumpeduncular scale rows 12 as 5+2+5; total gill rakers 26 (24–28), well developed usually 23 (22–27), upper arch 2+5 (0-2+5-7), lower arch 18+1 (17-20+0-2), second arch with shorter gill rakers 3+18.

Villiform teeth in several rows on the premaxilla; two rows on the dentary; one row on the palatine and vomer; none on ectopterygoid, endopterygoid or basihyal.

Vertebrae 10+14. Five free hypurals, one pair of slender uroneurals, three epurals, a free parhypural. Three supraneurals, two supernumerary spines on first dorsal pterygiophore. Basisphenoid present. Supramaxilla absent. Posttemporal serrate on posterior margin. Preopercle serrate on vertical and horizontal margins. Infraorbital shelf present on third bone.

* = holotype

Scales ctenoid on cheek, subopercle, opercle, nape, isthmus, base of and behind pectoral fin, and two large weakly Ctenoid scale on base of pelvic fin. Ctenoid lateral-line scales complete, fourth scale with two pores above main pore and one pore below ( Fig. 4C ).

Etymology. from the Latin similis meaning like, and refers to the pale bars on the body similar to Nectamia luxuria and the saddles and caudal mark similar to N. bandanensis . Treated as an adjective.

Life colors. See Figure 6A . Head, body and fins without stripes; head with dark triangular cheek mark from eye to angle of preopercle, lachrymal and anterior infraorbital with yellowish mark, iris brownish with white inner ring; head and body bronze to brownish background with broad alternating pale and brown bars; caudal peduncle with a dark basicaudal mark wider above pored lateral-line scales than below, the bar less intense below pored lateral-line scales, pale region just anterior to peduncle mark reaching to posterior base of second dorsal fin and anal fin; first dorsal fin with distal whitish membranes between spines II–IV, pectoral and pelvic fins pale, second dorsal, anal and caudal fins with whitish edges. Fowler and Bean (1930, p. 43) record the following field notes for these Albatross specimens (now USNM 112133): “23776 to 23779. Port Uson, west of Pinas Island. December 17, 1908. Length 61 to 73 mm. Iridescent silvery pink. Top of head and 3 saddles across back blackish olive, one saddle below each dorsal and one on hind part of caudal peduncle, last darkest. Triangular bronze blotch below eye, pointing obliquely across cheek. Opercle bronze, with 2 broken silvery vertical bars. Similar indistinct bars on side of body, about 10 between head and axil of dorsal. Chin and lower surface of head paler than above. Fins similar to adjacent body but paler. Caudal with 2 dusky regions on each lobe one basal and one median.”

Preserved color pattern. Holotype: Head with faint dark mark on lachrymal and anterior infraorbitals, well-defined dark, angular cheek mark ending in a point at edge of preopercular ridge, short pale bars, one behind and along cheek mark, a second above preopercle arm, a third on opercle, no other markings on head; body with alternating wider darker bars and narrower well-defined lighter bars from opercular flap to near posterior origin of second dorsal fin, caudal peduncle with a wide lighter bar followed by a complete darkish bar, more intense above pored lateral-line scales than below, darkish dorsal saddles under first and second dorsal fins, sometime variable under first dorsal fin; first dorsal fin dusky, second dorsal fin, anal fin and pelvic fins dusky to pale, pectoral fins pale, caudal fin darkish on several of outer rays forming dark edges, interior of caudal fin pale ( Fig. 14 ); roof of mouth and upper gill arches with numerous scattered melanophores; stomach and intestine blackish. Adults: Similar to holotype with saddle under first dorsal usually present, dark caudalpeduncle bar more intense above pored lateral-line scales Juveniles: similar to the adults except that the dark caudal bar with uniform intensity throughout.

Distribution. Known only from the West Pacific to Yap ( Fig 15 ).

Remarks. Nectamia similis appears somewhat similar to N. luxuria based on the pale bars and dark-edged caudal, but differs by having dorsal saddles, a more complete caudal-peduncle bar, pale bars on the opercle, a narrower cheek mark, fewer pale body bars and slightly lower gill-raker counts. The dorsal saddles and lower gill-raker counts are more like N. bandanensis . The cleared and stained specimen reported as Apogon bandanensis by Fraser (1972) is Nectamia similis .

This species has been taken with Nectamia luxuria (USMN 112135, 112161, 112170, 169723, 171400, 209644, 341634, 344924) and N. viria (USNM 210492, 213184, 213341, 341633). The largest of 323 specimens was 63 mm SL.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Semi-diagrammatic drawings of the fourth lateral line scales from left side of body showing variation in the number of external peripheral pores. A. Nectamia fusca scale removed from body, USNM 139811, 60.2 mm SL. B. Nectamia viria, holotype USNM 319149, 57.4 mm SL, scale on body. C. Nectamia similus, holotype USNM 213123, 44.0 mm SL, scale on body. D. Ostorhinchus fleurieu, USNM 213216, 63 mm SL, scale on body. E. Nectamia luxuria, holotype, USNM 209644, 59.1 mm SL scale on body. F. Nectamia ignitops, holotype BPBM 21897, 68.1 mm SL, scale on body. Scale = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 4. Comparison of the scales at the base of the pelvic spine for A. Nectamia fusca without an axillary scale, USNM 139811, 60.2 mm SL and B. Ostorhinchus fleurieu with an axillary scale, USNM 191794, 42.3 mm SL.

FIGURE 6. Underwater photographs of eight species of Nectamia. A. N. similis, new species, Calamian Is., Philippines, G. R. Allen. B. N. luxuria, new species, Andaman Sea, Thailand, U. Satapoomin. C. N. viria, new species, Raj Ampat, Indonesia, R. F. Myers. D. N. zebrinus, Red Sea, Egypt. R. F. Myers. E. N. annularis, Red Sea, Sudan, J. E. Randall. F. N. savayensis, Solomon Sea, Bougainville I., J. E. Randall G. N. bandanensis, Ogasawara Is., Japan, J. E. Randall. H. N. fusca, Red Sea, R. H. Kuiter.

FIGURE 14. Nectamia similis, holotype, USNM 213123, 44.0 mm SL, Indonesia, Sulawesi, Kabaena I., Tallabassi Bay, 24 Feb 1974, 4.5–5.6 m, VGS 74-1.

FIGURE 15. Distribution of material examined for Nectamia similis.

FIGURE 18. A hypothesis for phylogenetic relationships within Nectamia based characteristics in Tables 12 and 13. One of six best trees retained based on a heuristic search using parsimony was identical to the 50% majority rule consensus of 6664 trees. All 11 characters of equal weight were parsimony-informative. Holapogon maximus was used as an outgroup.