Cirrhilabrus apterygia ( Allen, 1983 ) Tea & Allen & Goatley & Gill & Frable, 2021

Tea, Yi-Kai, Allen, Gerald R., Goatley, Christopher H. R., Gill, Anthony C. & Frable, Benjamin W., 2021, Redescription of Conniella apterygia Allen and its reassignment in the genus Cirrhilabrus Temminck and Schlegel (Teleostei: Labridae), with comments on cirrhilabrin pelvic morphology, Zootaxa 5061 (3), pp. 493-509 : 495-499

Cirrhilabrus apterygia ( Allen, 1983) , new combination

Connie’s Wrasse

Other names: Mutant Wrasse; Rowley Shoals Wrasse

Figures 1 , 2A–B, 2E–F , 3A , 4B ; Table 1 .

Conniella apterygia Allen 1983 ( Holotype WAM P.27659-006; type locality Bedwell Island , Clerke Reef , Rowley Shoals , Western Australia) : Allen & Russell 1986 (checklist; Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef, and Seringapatam Reef).–– Allen & Steene 1987: 151, pl 87-1 (colour photograph).–– Parenti & Randall 2000 (annotated checklist of labroid fishes).–– Hoese et al. 2006 (checklist; Zoological Catalogue of Australia).–– Kuiter 2010: 154 (colour photographs A–F; specimens photographed from Rowley Shoals).–– Allen 2018: 211, pl 74-14 (illustration).— Parenti & Randall 2018 (annotated checklist of labroid fishes).–– Swainston 2020: 630 (checklist of Australian labrid species).–– Tea et al. 2021b (included as part of a phylogenomic study of Cirrhilabrus ).

Diagnosis. A species of Cirrhilabrus distinguished from all other congeners based on the following combination of colouration and morphological characters: absence of pelvic fins and pelvic girdle; lateral line with 21–26 pored scales (16–17 in the dorsoanterior series, 5–9 in the posterior peduncular series); caudal fin rhomboidal to lanceolate in males; both sexes with eight to ten stripes, purple in life and in preservation; preopercle purple in preservation.

Description. Dorsal-fin rays XI,9 (one specimen with X,9); all soft rays branched except first ray unbranched (one specimen with first ray branched); anal-fin rays III,9; all soft rays branched except first ray unbranched; last dorsal and anal-fin ray branched to base; pectoral-fin rays 15 (one specimen with 15/13), upper two unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 7+6, uppermost and lowermost unbranched; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6, lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 6; lateral line interrupted, with dorsoanterior series of pored scales 17 (16–17) and midlateral posterior peduncular series 9 (5–9); first pored scale on posterior peduncular series often pitted; last pored scale on posterior peduncular series enlarged and overlapping hypural crease; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 2; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 6; median predorsal scales 5; rows of scales on cheek 2; circumpeduncular scales 16; gill rakers 7 (6–7) + 9 (9–11) = 16 (15–18); pseudobranchial filaments 12 (10–12); vertebrae 9+16; epineurals 12 ( Fig. 4B ).

Body moderately elongate and compressed, depth 3.6 (3.2–3.8) in SL, width 2.2 (2.0–2.5) in depth; head length (HL) 3.1 (3.0–3.5) in SL; snout pointed, its length 4.3 (3.2–3.9) in HL; orbit diameter 3.8 (3.0–3.6) in HL; depth of caudal peduncle 2.1 (2.0–2.4) in HL. Mouth small, terminal, and oblique, with maxilla almost reaching vertical at front edge of orbit; dentition typical of the genus with three pairs of canine teeth present anteriorly at side of upper jaw, first forward-projecting, next two strongly recurved and outcurved, third longest; an irregular row of very small conical teeth medial to upper canines; lower jaw with a single stout pair of canines anteriorly which protrude obliquely outward and are slightly lateral to medial pair of upper jaw; no teeth on roof of mouth.

Posterior margin of preoperculum with 44/45 (32–45) very fine serrations; margins of posterior and ventral edges of preoperculum free to about level of middle pupil. Anterior nostril in short membranous tube, located nearer to orbit than snout tip; posterior nostril larger, roughly ovoid to rectangular, located just medial and anterior to upper edge of eye. Scales cycloid; head scaled except snout and interorbital space; 6 (6–7) large scales on opercle; a broad naked zone on membranous edge of preopercle; a row of large, elongate, pointed scales along base of dorsal fin, one per element, scales progressively shorter posteriorly on soft portion of fin; anal fin with a similar basal row of scales; last pored scale of lateral line (posterior to hypural plate) enlarged and pointed; one scale above and below last pored scale also enlarged; pectoral fins naked except for a few small scales at fleshy base.

Origin of dorsal fin above second or third lateral-line scale, predorsal length 3.0 (2.7–3.2) in SL; first 1–5 dorsal-fin spines progressively longer, sixth to ninth subequal, 10th to 11th longest, 2.5 (2.5–3.4) in HL; interspinous membranes of dorsal fin in males extend beyond dorsal-fin spines, with each membrane extending in a pointed cirrus beyond spine; 8th to 9th dorsal-fin soft ray longest, 1.8 (1.7–2.5) in HL, remaining rays progressively shorter; origin of anal fin below base of 9th dorsal-fin spine; third anal-fin spine longest, 2.9 (1.7–2.5) in HL; interspinous membranes of anal fin extended as on dorsal fin; anal-fin soft rays relatively uniform in length, 7th to 9th longest, 1.5 (1.4–2.2) in HL; dorsal- and anal-fin rays just reaching past caudal-fin base; caudal fin of males rhomboidal to lanceolate; pectoral fins short, reaching vertical between bases of 6th or 7th dorsal-fin spines, longest ray 1.5 (1.4–1.5) in HL; pelvic fins and pelvic girdle.

Colouration of males in life. Based on colour photographs of specimens when freshly dead, and photos of live individuals taken in the field ( Figs. 1A–C , 2A–B , & 3A ): head orange-purple above, often magenta washed, abruptly white to cream below lower limit of orbit; interorbital region and nape orange-red, with four to five thin white lines from just above nostrils to dorsal-fin origin; lavender stripe present from lower edge of maxilla to anterior orbit; iris lavender, with orange ring around pupil; distal edge of orbit yellow; lower margin of cheek to outer margin of preopercle bright purple; interopercle purple; operculum white, broadly edged posteriorly with a reddish purple bar, connecting ventrally with oblique reddish purple wedge over pectoral-fin base; body cream to pale yellow above, gradually lightening to white ventrally; body with eight to ten bright purple stripes, first six starting a short distance behind reddish purple opercular and pectoral-fin markings, so as to form an intervening white wedge of similar width; remaining stripes originating from lower edge of opercle and isthmus; all stripes terminate at base of caudal fin, except ventralmost two to three stripes terminating at anal-fin origin; dorsal fin translucent yellow; anterior spinous dorsal fin with two submarginal, parallel yellow stripes breaking into indistinct spots and short stripes toward soft dorsal fin; outermost margin of dorsal fin narrowly bright blue; scales at base of dorsal fin magenta to fuchsia; caudal fin translucent pink to yellow with a pair of prominent blue chevrons converging at caudal-fin terminus, central region often with yellow and blue spots and short stripes; anal fin similar to dorsal fin; pectoral fins translucent pink, distal edge more strongly coloured.

Colouration of females and juveniles in life. Based on colour photographs of specimens when freshly dead, and photos of live individuals taken in the field ( Fig. 1B–D ): similar to males, except bars and stripes on body less pronounced, and body colouration pinkish; caudal fins of females rounded or weakly rhomboidal and without blue chevron markings; distal edge of caudal peduncle with a very small black spot.

Colouration in alcohol. Based on colour photographs of preserved specimens ( Fig. 2E–F ): similar to life, except body uniformly tan; several osseous elements remain purple, including purple scale markings on body, median-fin spines and rays, infraorbitals, maxilla, premaxilla, dentary, anguloarticular, and preopercle; black spot on distal edge of caudal peduncle in females and juveniles remains.

Habitat and distribution. Cirrhilabrus apterygia occurs on offshore reefs off northwestern Western Australia , including Rowley Shoals , Scott , and Seringapatam Reefs. ROV dive footage from the RV Falkor’s Australian Mesophotic Coral Exploration cruise indicates that the species also occurs on Ashmore Reef , 840 km west of Darwin, Northern Territory. It frequents rubble bottoms covered with macroalgae cover at depths between 20–60m , but also occurs in mesophotic coral ecosystems as deep as 140 m.

Etymology. Allen (1983) named the species apterygia , meaning “without fins,” in reference to the distinctive lack of pelvic fins and associated elements. To be treated as a noun in apposition. We retain the use of Connie’s Wrasse as the preferred common name, after Connie Lagos Allen, wife of the second author, for whom the junior synonym Conniella was named. The species is also commonly referred to as the mutant wrasse, alluding to its atypical pelvic morphology, as well as the eponymous Rowley Shoals Wrasse, after its type locality.

Material examined. Cirrhilabrus apterygia: WAM P. 27659-006 (holotype), 55.1 mm SL, male, outer reef slope east of Bedwell Island, Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 32 m, 22 July 1982 ( Fig. 2E ); WAM P.27668-003 (paratype), 57.7 mm SL, male, same data as holotype except collected at 35 m, 27 July 1982 ( Fig. 2F ); WAM P.27668-015 (paratype), 31.2 mm SL, female, same data as male paratype (specimen cleared and stained; Fig. 4B ); WAM P.28036-003, 54.5 mm SL, male, Clerke Reef, outer reef 1 km off southern tip of Bedwell Island, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 20–35 m, 13 August 1983; WAM P.28037-006, 47.3 mm SL, male, same data as WAM P.28036-003 except collected at 45–50 m, 14 August 1983; NMV A 29675-009, 54.9 mm SL, male, Cunningham Island, Imperieuse Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 108–140 m, 16 June 2007; NVM A 29675- 010, 3 specimens, 45.0– 52.3 mm SL, two males and one female, same data as NVM A 29675-009. Cirrhilabrus earlei: ZRC 60866, 69.4 mm SL, male, Marshall Islands, Micronesia ( Fig. 2G ); CAS 213114 (paratype), 56.5 mm SL, male, Augulpelu Reef, Palau ( Fig. 2H ). Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus: AMS I. 45300.288, 43.8 mm SL, (specimen cleared and stained; Fig. 4A ). Cirrhilabrus naokoae: AMS I. 45300.513, 49.1 mm SL, (specimen cleared and stained). Paracheilinus lineopunctatus: AMS I. 45300.194, 51.0 mm SL, (specimen cleared and stained; Fig. 4C ). Paracheilinus mccoskeri: AMS I. 45300.185, 5 specimens, 31.0– 54.5 mm SL, (specimens cleared and stained). Pseudocheilinus ocellatus: AMS I. 45300.485, 48.8 mm SL, (specimen cleared and stained). Pseudocheilinops ataenia: AMS I. 45300.056, 2 specimens, 24.1–34.7 mm SL (specimen cleared and stained). Pteragogus flagellifera: AMS I. 187755-034, 52.0 mm SL, (specimen cleared and stained).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Cirrhilabrus apterygia, underwater photograph from Rowley Shoals, Western Australia. (A–C) Males and females in loose groups; (D) juvenile, approximately 35 mm total length. Note mixed aggregations of Pseudanthias engelhardi and Chrysiptera caeruleolineata in (A). Note individual showing ventral stripes from isthmus to anal-fin origin in (B). Photographs by R.H. Kuiter (A, B, D) and G.R. Allen (C).

FIGURE 2. A selection of freshly euthanised (A–D) and preserved Cirrhilabrus species (E–H). (A) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, WAM P.28037-006, 67 mm SL, male, Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia; (B) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, USNM FIN 29616, 75.0 mm SL, male, Mermaid Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia; (C) Cirrhilabrus earlei, BPBM 41386, approximately 100 mm SL, male, Pohnpei, Micronesia; (D) Cirrhilabrus earlei, BPBM 41387, approximately 100 mm SL, male, Pohnpei, Micronesia; (E) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, WAM P.27659-006. 55.1 mm SL, male holotype, Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia; (F) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, WAM P.27668-003, 57.7 mm SL, male paratype, same data as holotype; (G) Cirrhilabrus earlei, ZRC 60866, 69.4 mm SL, male, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (image right side reversed); (H) Cirrhilabrus earlei, CAS 213114, 56.5 mm SL, male paratype, Augulpelu Reef, Palau. Note damage from spear in (F), and missing scales in (G). Photographs by G.R. Allen (A); J.E. Randall (B); B. D. Greene (C–D); Y.K. Tea (E–F); H.H. Tan (G); and B.W. Frable (H).

FIGURE 3. A selection of cirrhilabrin labrids with horizontal striped patterns. (A) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, underwater photograph from Rowley Shoals; (B) Cirrhilabrus earlei, underwater photograph from Koror, Palau; (C) Cirrhilabrus marjorie, underwater photograph from Vanua Levu, Fiji; (D) Pseudocheilinus octotaenia, underwater photograph from Levuka, Fiji. Photographs by R.H. Kuiter (A); K. Nishiyama (B); and M. Rosenstein (C–D).

FIGURE 4. Cleared and stained pseudocheiline labrids. (A) Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus, AMS I.45300.288, 43.8 mm SL; (B) Cirrhilabrus apteyrgia, WAM P.27668-015, 31.2 mm SL, female paratype, Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia; (C) Paracheilinus lineopunctatus, AMS I.45300.194, 51.0 mm SL. Note displaced urohyal in (B).