First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour

Background. Little is known about the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus. In January 2012 it was recorded for the first time from Reunion Island. As its population increased over the years, field observations were made on colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour. Regardi...

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Main Authors: P. Bourjon, R. Fricke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2016-06-01
Series:Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria
Subjects:
Online Access:https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/26625/download/pdf/
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author P. Bourjon
R. Fricke
author_facet P. Bourjon
R. Fricke
author_sort P. Bourjon
collection DOAJ
description Background. Little is known about the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus. In January 2012 it was recorded for the first time from Reunion Island. As its population increased over the years, field observations were made on colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour. Regarding a cryptic and poorly documented species, these observations, despite their anecdotal form, need to be made available to ichthyologists. The aim of the present paper was to present this first record with associated field observations and to increse interest of ichthyologists in this species. Materials and methods. Observations were made while snorkelling on the west coast of Reunion Island on the fringing reef of L’Ermitage (district of Saint Gilles les Bains). The first specimen was observed on 28 January 2012 in a monospecific seagrass bed of Syringodium isoetifolium. Later surveys on the same reef between 2012 and 2016 provided additional observations of the species. Results. Colour pattern and body proportions of the first observed specimen well agree with N. macrolepidotus as described by Randall and Earle (2004). Subsequently observed specimens expressed a previously undescribed colour pattern variation. Escape and reproductive behaviour was observed and are discussed. Conclusion. A reproducing population of N. macrolepidotus has apparently established at Reunion Island. The present field observations of the behaviour of this species should be followed by more detailed ethological studies.
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spelling doaj.art-b6f79a9b93b64bc1b96af429b98b67fb2022-12-22T00:24:18ZengPensoft PublishersActa Ichthyologica et Piscatoria1734-15152016-06-0146210911410.3750/AIP2016.46.2.0626625First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviourP. BourjonR. FrickeBackground. Little is known about the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus. In January 2012 it was recorded for the first time from Reunion Island. As its population increased over the years, field observations were made on colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour. Regarding a cryptic and poorly documented species, these observations, despite their anecdotal form, need to be made available to ichthyologists. The aim of the present paper was to present this first record with associated field observations and to increse interest of ichthyologists in this species. Materials and methods. Observations were made while snorkelling on the west coast of Reunion Island on the fringing reef of L’Ermitage (district of Saint Gilles les Bains). The first specimen was observed on 28 January 2012 in a monospecific seagrass bed of Syringodium isoetifolium. Later surveys on the same reef between 2012 and 2016 provided additional observations of the species. Results. Colour pattern and body proportions of the first observed specimen well agree with N. macrolepidotus as described by Randall and Earle (2004). Subsequently observed specimens expressed a previously undescribed colour pattern variation. Escape and reproductive behaviour was observed and are discussed. Conclusion. A reproducing population of N. macrolepidotus has apparently established at Reunion Island. The present field observations of the behaviour of this species should be followed by more detailed ethological studies.https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/26625/download/pdf/ethologyconnectivityReunion Islandcoral reef
spellingShingle P. Bourjon
R. Fricke
First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour
Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria
ethology
connectivity
Reunion Island
coral reef
title First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour
title_full First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour
title_fullStr First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour
title_full_unstemmed First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour
title_short First record of the seagrass wrasse, Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Labridae), from Reunion Island, south-western Indian Ocean, with a brief description of its colour pattern variation, escape and reproductive behaviour
title_sort first record of the seagrass wrasse novaculoides macrolepidotus bloch 1791 actinopterygii perciformes labridae from reunion island south western indian ocean with a brief description of its colour pattern variation escape and reproductive behaviour
topic ethology
connectivity
Reunion Island
coral reef
url https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/26625/download/pdf/
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